US 12,476,579 B2
Solar module rail couplings for solar tracker
Ricardo Delgado-Nanez, San Jose, CA (US); Sri Rama Krishna Tammu, Andhra Pradesh (IN); and Venkata Nitin Mythreya Yadlapalli, Nellore (IN)
Assigned to NEXTRACKER LLC, Fremont, CA (US)
Filed by Nextracker LLC, Fremont, CA (US)
Filed on Mar. 15, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/606,871.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/468,412, filed on May 23, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/453,462, filed on Mar. 20, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0322747 A1, Sep. 26, 2024
Int. Cl. H02S 30/00 (2014.01); H02S 20/32 (2014.01)
CPC H02S 20/32 (2014.12) 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A coupling system for use with a solar tracker, comprising:
a saddle defining a U-shaped profile extending between a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, the saddle defining a channel having an open upper portion and extending through each of the first end portion and the second end portion, the channel configured to selectively receive a module rail of a solar module, wherein a slot is defined through the first and second side surfaces adjacent the first end portion; and
a clip assembly slidably supported within the channel of the saddle, the clip assembly including a clip having a generally U-shaped profile defining a crown interposed between a pair of legs, each of the pair of legs extending from the crown and terminating at a respective hook, wherein an upturned tab is disposed on each leg of the pair of legs, wherein the clip assembly is configured to transition from a first open position, to a second, closed position where an upturned tab of each leg of the pair of legs is received within the slot of the saddle and a hook of each leg of the pair of legs is received within a respective slot formed in the module rail to selectively couple the module rail to the saddle.