US 12,191,802 B2
Rapid clamping systems for solar trackers
Jitendra Morankar, Telangana (IN); Abhimanyu Sable, Hyderabad (IN); and Raghavendra Praveen Maddulapalli, Hyderabad (IN)
Assigned to NEXTRACKER LLC, Fremont, CA (US)
Filed by Nextracker LLC, Fremont, CA (US)
Filed on Jan. 5, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/093,590.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/296,669, filed on Jan. 5, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0246589 A1, Aug. 3, 2023
Int. Cl. F16M 11/00 (2006.01); F16B 2/06 (2006.01); F16M 13/02 (2006.01); H02S 20/32 (2014.01); H02S 30/10 (2014.01)
CPC H02S 30/10 (2014.12) [F16B 2/06 (2013.01); F16M 13/02 (2013.01); H02S 20/32 (2014.12)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A coupling system for use with a solar tracker, comprising:
a support rail, the support rail defining a channel for receipt of a solar module therein, the support rail including an aperture defined therein that is in open communication with the channel; and
a clamp assembly selectively coupled to the support rail, a first portion of the clamp assembly configured to receive a portion of a torque tube therein, a second portion of the clamp assembly configured to selectively extend through the aperture of the support rail when the clamp assembly is transitioned from a first, unlocked position, to a second, locked position,
wherein when the clamp assembly is in the second, locked position, the second portion of the clamp assembly is configured to extend through the aperture of the support rail and abut a portion of the solar module disposed within the channel to selectively secure the solar module within the channel.