US 12,424,966 B2
Photovoltaic module mounting structure
Francois Attal, Brooklyn, NY (US); Brian Cuff, Irvington, NY (US); Hikaru Iwasaka, New York, NY (US); and Alexander Keller, Winchester, MA (US)
Assigned to Parasol Structures Inc., Irvington, NY (US)
Filed by Parasol Structures Inc., Irvington, NY (US)
Filed on May 15, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/317,404.
Application 18/317,404 is a continuation of application No. 17/406,778, filed on Aug. 19, 2021, granted, now 11,689,147.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/068,017, filed on Aug. 20, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0283222 A1, Sep. 7, 2023
Int. Cl. H02S 20/10 (2014.01); E04B 1/18 (2006.01); E04H 6/02 (2006.01); F24S 25/12 (2018.01); F24S 25/61 (2018.01); F24S 25/63 (2018.01); H02S 10/00 (2014.01); H02S 30/10 (2014.01); H02S 40/22 (2014.01); H02S 40/34 (2014.01); H10F 10/14 (2025.01); F24S 25/60 (2018.01)
CPC H02S 20/10 (2014.12) [E04B 1/18 (2013.01); E04H 6/025 (2013.01); F24S 25/12 (2018.05); F24S 25/61 (2018.05); F24S 25/63 (2018.05); H02S 10/00 (2013.01); H02S 30/10 (2014.12); H02S 40/22 (2014.12); H02S 40/34 (2014.12); H10F 10/148 (2025.01); F24S 2025/6003 (2018.05)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a plurality of columns extending from a mounting surface along a first axis, wherein top ends of the plurality of columns are disposed above the mounting surface;
a plurality of crossbeams coupled to the top ends of the plurality of columns and extending along a second axis, wherein individual crossbeams include a first end and an opposing second end;
a plurality of purlins coupled to the plurality of crossbeams and extending along a third axis, wherein a first set of purlins are coupled to the first ends of the plurality of crossbeams and a second set of purlins are coupled to the second ends of the plurality of crossbeams;
a first plurality of photovoltaic (PV) module support rails extending along the second axis across the plurality of purlins, wherein individual PV module support rails include a bottom surface coupled to the plurality of purlins and a top surface defining a plurality of openings configured to accept fasteners;
a plurality of clamps coupling the individual PV module support rails to at least one purlin in the plurality of purlins, wherein the clamps include top portions secured to the individual PV module support rails and bottom portions, wherein the clamps are coupled to the at least one purlin by pinching a top flange portion of the at least one purlin between the top portions and the bottom portions of the clamps; and
a plurality of rectangular PV modules secured to the top surfaces of the first plurality of PV module support rails by fasteners that extend through the rectangular PV modules and the openings configured to accept fasteners;
wherein the plurality of rectangular PV modules is disposed in portrait orientation in a first grid having columns extending along the second axis and rows extending along the third axis; and
wherein a first set of rectangular PV modules in a first column and second set of rectangular PV modules in an adjacent second column are secured to a top surface of a same PV module support rail disposed between the first column and the second column.