U.S. patent application number 11/692755 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-02 for solar panel system and method utilizing unframed solar panels.
Invention is credited to Marvin S. Keshner, Erik Vaaler.
Application Number | 20080236571 11/692755 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39792153 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080236571 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Keshner; Marvin S. ; et
al. |
October 2, 2008 |
SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM AND METHOD UTILIZING UNFRAMED SOLAR PANELS
Abstract
A solar panel system and method wherein unframed solar panels
are positioned on support beams above a support structure in a
configuration that leaves two of the edges of the solar panels
unframed. This avoids trapping of water and dirt and the like,
which occurs with prior art, framed panels. A liner comprised of a
compliant material may be interposed between the support beams and
the two panel edges so as to protect those two edges, while leaving
the remaining two edges in their original, unframed condition.
Inventors: |
Keshner; Marvin S.; (Sonora,
CA) ; Vaaler; Erik; (Redwood City, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEISS & MOY PC
4204 NORTH BROWN AVENUE
SCOTTSDALE
AZ
85251
US
|
Family ID: |
39792153 |
Appl. No.: |
11/692755 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/623 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24S 80/70 20180501;
Y02E 10/47 20130101; F24S 25/12 20180501 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/623 |
International
Class: |
F24J 2/46 20060101
F24J002/46 |
Claims
1. A solar panel system comprising, in combination: a liner
comprised of a compliant material positionable about two opposing
edges of a four edge solar panel; two support beams configured to
support the two opposing edges of the four edge solar panel, with
the liner interposed between the two support beams and the two
opposing edges, and with two remaining edges of the four edge solar
panel in an unframed condition; and a support structure for the
solar panel system that is adapted to receive thereon the two
support beams.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the compliant material is butyl
rubber.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the liner has a substantially "U"
shape.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the liner is comprised of a first
L-shaped component and a second flat component.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the two support beams each
comprise a lower horizontal member, an upper horizontal member, a
vertical member interposed between the lower horizontal member and
the upper horizontal member, and a separator positioned on an upper
surface of the upper horizontal member.
6. The system of claim 5 further comprising a top plate coupled to
the separator.
7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a four edge solar
panel.
8. A solar panel system comprising, in combination: a four edge
solar panel; a liner comprised of a compliant material positionable
about two opposing edges of the four edge solar panel; two support
beams configured to support the two opposing edges of the four edge
solar panel, with the liner interposed between the two support
beams and the two opposing edges, and with two remaining edges of
the four edge solar panel in an unframed condition; wherein the two
support beams each comprise a lower horizontal member, an upper
horizontal member, a vertical member interposed between the lower
horizontal member and the upper horizontal member, and a separator
positioned on an upper surface of the upper horizontal member; a
top plate coupled to the separator; and a support structure for the
solar panel system that is adapted to receive thereon the two
support beams.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the compliant material is butyl
rubber.
10. The system of claim 8 wherein the liner has a substantially "U"
shape.
11. The system of claim 8 wherein the liner is comprised of a first
L-shaped component and a second flat component.
12. A method for assembling a solar panel array comprising:
providing a four edged solar panel; providing a support structure
for the solar panel array; positioning on the support structure two
support beams; interposing a liner comprised of a compliant
material between two opposing edges of the four edge solar panel
and the two support beams; and leaving two edges of the four edge
solar panel in an unframed condition.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the compliant material is butyl
rubber.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the liner comprises a lower
portion configured to be positioned above an opposing edge of the
four edge solar panel and an upper portion configured to be
positioned below an opposing edge of the four edge solar panel.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the liner has a substantially
"U" shape.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein the lower portion has an L-shape
and the upper portion is flat.
17. The method of claim 12 wherein the two support beams each
comprise a lower horizontal member, an upper horizontal member, a
vertical member interposed between the lower horizontal member and
the upper horizontal member, and a separator positioned on an upper
surface of the upper horizontal member.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising: positioning on the
upper surface of a layer of the upper horizontal member the lower
portion of the liner; positioning an edge of the four edge solar
panel on the lower portion of the liner; positioning the upper
portion of the liner above the edge of the four edge solar panel;
and coupling the top plate to the separator above the upper portion
of the liner.
19. The method of claim 12 wherein the liner is first positioned on
the two opposing edges of the four edged solar panel, and the four
edged solar panel, with the liner positioned thereon, is then
positioned on the support beams.
20. The method of claim 14 further comprising: positioning the
lower portion of the liner on one of the support beams; positioning
one edge of the four-edged solar panel on top of the lower portion;
positioning the upper portion of the liner on top of the four-edge
solar panel, proximate the one edge thereof, positioning a top
plate over the top portion of the liner; and securing the top plate
to the one of the support beams.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to solar panel
systems and methods and, more particularly, to a solar panel and
system featuring unframed solar panels.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Prior art systems and methods for mounting photovoltaic or
other types of solar panels meet are intended to hold the solar
panels against wind, hail, rain and snow. In a typical prior art
installation, four-sided solar panels are shipped from the
manufacturer with a metal frame around the four edges of the solar
panel. During the manufacturing process, the unframed solar panels
may be mounted into the frames by inserting the solar panel into a
channel fabricated into the frame. This insertion process must be
done carefully to avoid damage to the edges of the glass and is
often done by hand at significant expense.
[0003] In the field installation process for a prior art system, a
supporting structure may be built consisting of horizontal beams
supported by vertical posts. Then, the metal frames of the framed
solar panels are attached to the horizontal beams with mounting
brackets and mounting hardware, e.g., bolts. (See, e.g., FIGS.
1-2.) The frame around the solar panel protects the edge of the
glass and supports the solar panel against the forces of created by
the weight of the solar panels, by snow loads and by wind loads.
However, the frames can hold water, leading to corrosion and poor
reliability. They can also trap dirt along the bottom edge of the
solar panel and shade part of the panel from the sunlight, reducing
efficiency.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a
solar panel system is disclosed. The system comprises, in
combination: a liner comprised of a compliant material positionable
about two opposing edges of a four edge solar panel; two support
beams configured to support the two opposing edges of the four edge
solar panel, with the liner interposed between the two support
beams and the two opposing edges, and with two remaining edges of
the four edge solar panel in an unframed condition; and a support
structure for the solar panel system that is adapted to receive
thereon the two support beams.
[0005] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a solar panel system is disclosed. The system comprises,
in combination: a four edge solar panel; a liner comprised of a
compliant material positionable about two opposing edges of the
four edge solar panel; two support beams configured to support the
two opposing edges of the four edge solar panel, with the liner
interposed between the two support beams and the two opposing
edges, and with two remaining edges of the four edge solar panel in
an unframed condition; wherein the two support beams each comprise
a lower horizontal member, an upper horizontal member, a vertical
member interposed between the lower horizontal member and the upper
horizontal member, and a separator positioned on an upper surface
of the upper horizontal member; a top plate coupled to the
separator; and a support structure for the solar panel system that
is adapted to receive thereon the two support beams.
[0006] In accordance with a further embodiment of the present
invention, a method for assembling a solar panel array is
disclosed. The method comprises: providing a four edged solar
panel; providing a support structure for the solar panel array;
positioning on the support structure two support beams; interposing
a liner comprised of a compliant material between two opposing
edges of the four edge solar panel and the two support beams; and
leaving two edges of the four edge solar panel in an unframed
condition.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a top view of a framed solar panel component of a
prior art system, including an inset portion of the panel shown in
cross-section from an end thereof.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art solar panel
system.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of base components of a solar
panel system consistent with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a solar panel system
consistent with an embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating an exemplary placement of solar panel support
beams.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the solar panel system of
FIG. 4, illustrating an exemplary placement of unframed solar
panels on the solar panel support beams.
[0012] FIG. 4A is an end view of a solar panel support beam,
consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5A is an end view of a solar panel support beam,
consistent with an embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating exemplary coupling of unframed solar panels
thereto.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Referring first to FIGS. 1-2, an exemplary,
ground-installed, prior art solar panel system 100 is illustrated.
The prior art system 100 may comprise four vertical supports 102,
two horizontal supports 104, each of which is coupled at each
opposing end to a vertical support 102, and a plurality of solar
panels 106 coupled to and positioned across the horizontal supports
104. Each solar panel 106 includes a frame 108 around an edge
portion thereof.
[0015] Referring now to FIGS. 3-5A, assembly of a solar panel
system 10 consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated. The system 10 utilizes at least one and preferably a
plurality of solar panels 16. Solar panels 16 are provided without
framing therearound.
[0016] In one embodiment, assembly of a system 10 commences with
installation of vertical supports 12, followed by the coupling
thereto of horizontal supports 14 (see FIG. 3). Support beams 18
may then be coupled to the horizontal supports (see FIG. 4). The
support beams 18 will provide support for the solar panels 16, as
herein described.
[0017] Referring specifically to FIGS. 4A and 5A, an embodiment of
a support beam 18 consistent with an embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated. In one embodiment, the support beam 18,
when viewed from an end thereof, may have a substantially "I"
shape, comprising lower horizontal member 20, upper horizontal
member 22, and a vertical member 24 interposed therebetween.
Additionally, a separator 26 may be provided on an upper surface of
the upper horizontal member 22.
[0018] Support beams 18 may be mounted to the horizontal supports
14, in an orientation that will expose the separator 26 at a top of
the structure. (Mounting may be accomplished utilizing bolts,
screws, or other desired mounting means.) In another embodiment,
the support beam 18 may be extruded and the separator 26 at the top
of the structure may be an integral part of the extruded support
beam. Support beams 18 should be spaced sufficiently far apart so
that, as described below, a single solar panel 16 may be installed
onto a pair of support beams 18, with an underside of the solar
panels 16 along an edge thereof being supported, on two sides
thereof, by the upper horizontal member 22. Where a plurality of
solar panels 16 are to be installed, as illustrated for example in
FIGS. 4, 5 and 5A, it can be seen that a single support beam 18 may
provide support for edges of two neighboring solar panels 16.
[0019] Referring specifically to FIG. 5A, so as to protect the
edges of the solar panels 16 that are supported by the support
beams 18, a liner 28 may be utilized. The liner 28 is preferably
formed of a compliant material, such as butyl rubber, though other
materials may also be utilized. In one embodiment, the liner 28 is
provided along an underside of the edge of the solar panel 16,
above the edge of the solar panel 16, and along the outer edge
itself of the solar panel 16.
[0020] The liner 28 may be a single piece, or may be multiple
pieces. For example, it may be desired to provide a single piece
having a substantially sideways "L" shape, so as to line the area
above the upper horizontal member 22 and along the separator 26.
The portion of the liner 28 located above the solar panel 16 may be
substantially flat and may be provided as a separate piece.
Alternatively, an entire liner 28, as shown in FIG. 5A, may be
provided as a one-piece, substantially "U" shaped assembly, which
may be affixed to an edge of the solar panel 16 prior to the
positioning thereof on the support beam 18.
[0021] After the solar panel 16, with liner 28, is positioned on
the support beam 18, it may be desired to securely affix the solar
panel 16 in position. Referring to FIG. 5A, in one embodiment, a
top plate 30 is coupled to the separator 26. The top plate 30 may
be affixed with sheet metal screws or other coupling means.
[0022] As described herein, only two opposite edges of the solar
panels 16 are held by the liner 28. It should be noted that when
solar panels 16 are mounted in a static array, they are usually
tilted toward the ground in the southern direction to better
capture the sunlight. In a tracking array, they are typically
tilted toward the east in the morning and the west in the
afternoon. If the solar panel system 10 is oriented with the
support beams 18 along the direction of the tilt, it can be seen
that the bottom and top edges of the solar panels 16 would be
unframed. Thus, there will be no structure on these edges to catch
water or dirt. As a consequence, the reliability of the solar
panels 16 is improved and the shadowing of the bottom edge by dirt
is eliminated.
[0023] The solar panel system 10 described above can be assembled
by a sequence of steps in which the components are added on top of
each other. First, in one embodiment, the support beams 10 and 12
are put in place. Then, the next level of support beams 18 with
separators 26 may be placed on top of them. Then, the lower part of
the liner 28 may be placed on top of the support beams 18. Finally,
the solar panels 16 may be placed on top of the line 28, the second
part of the liner 28 may be placed on top of the solar panels 16,
and then the top plate 30 may be placed on top of the liner 28 to
hold the liner 28 and solar panels 16 in place. In this embodiment,
none of these steps require inserting solar panels into a channel,
require any critical tolerancing or apply any significant pressure
to the solar panel during the installation process. Such an
assembly is relatively quick, inexpensive and unlikely to cause the
solar panels 16 to break.
[0024] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail for purposes of illustration, various
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be
limited, except as by the appended claims.
* * * * *