Discrete Attachment Point Apparatus and System for Photovoltaic Arrays
An attachment point apparatus and system for photovoltaic arrays is disclosed. One embodiment provides a rail system for receiving a PV module, including a first rail, a second rail, a substantially rectilinear double male connector adapted for coupling an end of the first rail to an end of the second rail, and a connector adapted to attach a PV module to the first rail. Another embodiment provides a PV module including a PV laminate, a frame integral with and supporting the PV laminate, and a spanner bar adapted to solely span a width of the PV module, orthogonally connect at various locations along the frame, and attach to a support structure. A further embodiment provides a coupling device for a PV module comprising a first coupling portion adapted to rotatably engage a PV module, and a second coupling portion adapted to rotatably engage a rail.
1 . A rail system for receiving a PV module, comprising:
a first rail;
a second rail;
a substantially rectilinear double male connector adapted for coupling an end of said first rail to an end of said second rail; and
a connector adapted to attach a PV module to said first rail.
2 . The rail system for receiving a PV module of claim 1 wherein said first and second rails are independently positionable relative to said PV module and adapted for attachment to a support structure.
3 . The rail system for receiving a PV module of claim 1 wherein said double male connector is locked to said first rail and freely insertable into said second rail.
4 . A PV module comprising:
a PV laminate;
a frame integral with and supporting said PV laminate; and
a spanner bar adapted to: (a) solely span a width of said PV module, (b) orthogonally connect at various locations along said frame, and (c) attach to a support structure.
5 . The PV module of claim 4 wherein said spanner bar rotatably connects to said frame.
6 . The PV module of claim 4 wherein said spanner bar connects to a groove in said frame.
7 . The PV module of claim 4 wherein said spanner bar pivotally connects to a groove in said frame.
8 . A PV module comprising:
a PV laminate;
a frame integral with and supporting said PV laminate; and
a spanner bar adapted to orthogonally connect to various locations along said frame, and to attach to a support structure, wherein a length of said spanner bar is substantially an integer multiple of a width of said PV module.
9 . The PV module of claim 8 wherein said spanner bar rotatably connects to said frame.
10 . The PV module of claim 8 wherein said spanner bar connects to a groove in said frame.
11 . The PV module of claim 8 wherein said spanner bar pivotally connects to said frame.
12 . A coupling device for a PV module comprising:
a first coupling portion adapted to rotatably engage a PV module; and
a second coupling portion adapted to rotatably engage a rail.
13 . The coupling device for a PV module of claim 12 wherein said rail attaches said PV module to a support structure.
14 . The coupling device for a PV module of claim 12 wherein said second coupling portion is rotatable around a different axis of rotation than said first coupling portion.
15 . The coupling device for a PV module of claim 12 wherein said second coupling portion axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to said first coupling portion axis of rotation.
16 . The coupling device for a PV module of claim 12 wherein said coupling device is height adjustable.
17 . The coupling device for a PV module of claim 12 wherein said second coupling portion engages said rail by rotation of more than 14 degrees and less than 360 degrees.
18 . A PV module comprising:
a PV laminate;
a frame integral with and supporting said PV laminate; and
a coupling device; wherein said coupling device comprises an upper engaging portion adapted to rotatably engage said frame and a lower engaging portion adapted to rotatably engage a rail.
19 . The PV module of claim 18 wherein said rail attaches said PV module to a support structure.
20 . The PV module of claim 18 wherein said lower engaging portion is rotatable around a different axis of rotation than said upper engaging portion.
21 . The PV module of claim 18 wherein said lower engaging portion axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to said upper engaging portion axis of rotation.
22 . The PV module of claim 18 wherein said coupling device is height adjustable.
23 . The PV module of claim 18 wherein said lower engaging portion engages said rail by rotation of more than 14 degrees and less than 360 degrees.