Granted Patent B2

US 9,312,411 · App. 13/871,391 · Granted Apr 12, 2016

Abstract

Claims (53)

1. A connector assembly, comprising:

a connector; and

a pair of side collectors, each comprising

a connector engagement region having a size and geometry to mate with the connector so as to hold ends of two adjacent panels together; and

a panel engagement region comprising a receiving area and having a size to attach onto an edge of the panel; and

a clip wherein the clip has a base that can be attached to a support, an engagement, and a stem extending therebetween, wherein the engagement has an extension projecting toward the base from a side of the engagement, wherein the panel engagement region further comprises an opening in a joint wall on a side of the panel engagement region opposite the receiving area, wherein the opening is configured to receive the engagement.

2. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the opening of the side collector comprises a complimentary geometry to the engagement and the extension thereof, wherein the opening and the extension engage with one another.

3. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the extension penetrates into the opening of the panel engagement region.

4. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises elements that, when assembled with the connector, collector, and panels, the panels will be level.

5. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a section formed by a side, area, and a leg, and wherein the side and leg have a length ( 1 ) that is greater than a height of a fastener head, wherein the area extends from the side to another side.

6. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the extension comprises a lip.

7. A panel assembly, comprising:

a connector assembly, comprising

a connector;

a pair of side collectors, each comprising

a connector engagement region; and

a panel engagement region comprising a receiving area; and

a clip, wherein the clip has a base that can be attached to a support, an engagement, and a stem extending therebetween, wherein the engagement has an extension protruding from a side of the engagement toward the base, wherein the panel engagement region further comprises an opening in a joint wall on a side of the panel engagement region opposite the receiving area, wherein the opening is configured to receive the engagement;

a panel located in each panel engagement region; and

wherein the connector is mated with the connector engagement region of the side collectors so as to hold ends of the panels together.

8. The panel assembly of claim 7 , wherein adjacent panels are connected by a mating geometry selected from the group consisting of tongue and groove, standing seam, and snap fit.

9. The panel assembly of claim 7 , wherein adjacent panels are connected by a lap joint.

10. The panel assembly of claim 7 , wherein the panel has a front surface, and further comprising:

a solar cell array located on the front surface;

an encapsulant around the solar cell array; and

a cover sheet on a side of the solar cell array opposite the panel, wherein the encapsulant is between the solar cell array and the cover sheet.

11. The panel assembly of claim 10 , further comprising a backing sheet between and the encapsulant and the panel.

12. A method of making a panel assembly, comprising:

attaching a first panel to a second panel with a connector assembly, wherein the connector assembly comprises:

a connector; and

a pair of side collectors, each comprising

a connector engagement region having a size and geometry to mate with the connector so as to hold ends of two adjacent panels together; and

a panel engagement region comprising a receiving area and having a size to attach onto an edge of the first panel or the second panel; and

a clip, wherein the clip has a base that can be attached to a support, an engagement, and a stem extending therebetween, wherein the engagement has an extension projecting toward the base from a side of the engagement, wherein the panel engagement region further comprises an opening in a joint wall on a side of the panel engagement region opposite the receiving area, wherein the opening is configured to receive the engagement.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

locating a solar cell array located on a front surface of the first panel;

locating an encapsulant around the solar cell array; and

adhering a cover sheet to the front surface, over the solar cell array.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising, forming a photovoltaic module comprising:

a cover sheet;

a back sheet;

a solar cell array located between the cover sheet and the back sheet;

an encapsulant around the solar cell array and between the front sheet and the back sheet; and

attaching the photovoltaic module to at least one of the first panel and the second panel.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising, attaching the photovoltaic module to a front surface of the first panel.

16. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the clip, the connector, the pair of side collector, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, comprises a polymeric material.

17. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the clip comprises a polymeric material.

18. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the engagement comprises a cross-member which extends from a side of the stem.

19. The connector assembly of claim 1 , where the engagement extends from a side of the stem at an angle of 85° to 95°.

20. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the stem has a length that is less than the thickness of the panel.

21. The method of claim 12 , further comprising penetrating into a side of the opening with the extension.

22. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the extension penetrates into the pair of side collectors and creates a gripping effect to assist the connector assembly from disassembling when under load.

23. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the extension has two walls extending from the engagement toward the base.

Assignments (6)