US 12,132,439 B2
Clamps for solar system
Ryan Braunstein, San Carlos, CA (US); Zachary Kinyon, Walnut Creek, CA (US); Guillaume Carre, Emeryville, CA (US); and David Matrat, Lyons (FR)
Assigned to SUNPOWER CORPORATION, San Jose, CA (US)
Filed by SUNPOWER CORPORATION, San Jose, CA (US)
Filed on Feb. 3, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/164,255.
Application 18/164,255 is a continuation of application No. 17/447,264, filed on Sep. 9, 2021, granted, now 11,575,344.
Application 17/447,264 is a continuation of application No. 16/864,736, filed on May 1, 2020, granted, now 11,121,668, issued on Sep. 14, 2021.
Application 16/864,736 is a continuation of application No. 16/537,165, filed on Aug. 9, 2019, granted, now 10,680,548, issued on Jun. 9, 2020.
Application 16/537,165 is a continuation of application No. 15/383,757, filed on Dec. 19, 2016, granted, now 10,432,133, issued on Oct. 1, 2019.
Application 15/383,757 is a continuation of application No. 14/139,755, filed on Dec. 23, 2013, granted, now 9,531,319, issued on Dec. 27, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2023/0188085 A1, Jun. 15, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H02S 20/23 (2014.01); F24S 25/00 (2018.01); F24S 25/30 (2018.01); F24S 25/33 (2018.01); F24S 25/634 (2018.01); F24S 25/636 (2018.01); F24S 25/70 (2018.01); H02S 30/10 (2014.01); F24S 25/60 (2018.01)
CPC H02S 20/23 (2014.12) [F24S 25/00 (2018.05); F24S 25/30 (2018.05); F24S 25/33 (2018.05); F24S 25/634 (2018.05); F24S 25/636 (2018.05); F24S 25/70 (2018.05); H02S 30/10 (2014.12); F24S 2025/016 (2018.05); F24S 25/60 (2018.05); Y02B 10/10 (2013.01); Y02B 10/20 (2013.01); Y02E 10/47 (2013.01); Y10T 24/44 (2015.01); Y10T 24/44017 (2015.01); Y10T 24/44265 (2015.01); Y10T 24/44641 (2015.01); Y10T 29/49355 (2015.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A solar power system comprising:
a first laminate including a plurality of solar cells electrically interconnected and encapsulated within a weather-proof barrier; and
a first frame around a periphery of the first laminate, the first frame including:
an upper frame portion, a lower frame portion, and a central portion, the central portion extending continuously in a straight line vertically from a first distal most point in contact with a longitudinal lower face of the upper frame portion to a second distal most point in contact with a longitudinal upper face of the lower frame portion;
the upper frame portion including an inwardly extending frame channel and an outwardly extending upper frame lip;
the lower frame portion including an outwardly extending lower frame lip configured to engage with a clamp assembly and an inwardly extending horizontal flange;
a first end of the inwardly extending horizontal flange being positioned directly below the central portion of the first frame;
the inwardly extending horizontal flange being positioned directly below the inwardly extending frame channel.