IP Library Granted Patent US 11,979,107
Granted Patent B2
US 11,979,107 · App. 17/987,601 · Granted May 7, 2024

Solar module mounting system

Inventors: Tyler Joseph Watson (San Francisco, CA); Dennis Marvin Lawson (Richmond, CA); Thao Thanh Hoang (San Jose, CA); Paul Daniel Habib (Nevada City, CA)
Assignee: NEXTRACKER LLC
H02S20/10F24S30/40H02S20/32F24S25/60F24S2025/6002F24S2025/6005F24S2025/6006F24S2025/6007F24S2025/6008F24S25/63F24S25/634F24S25/636F24S25/65F24S25/67F24S2030/10F24S2030/13F24S2030/15H02S20/20H02S20/30
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,979,107
App. No.
17/987,601
Granted
May 7, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A solar module mounting bracket system including a plurality of solar modules including mounting slots formed in a sidewall of the solar module, a torque tube configured to support the solar modules such that they can be rotated, a plurality of mounting brackets configured for integration with the torque tube and to which the plurality of solar modules are mounted, at least one first retainer assembly connected to one of the plurality of mounting brackets, the first retainer assembly including a through bolt, a spring, a mounting tab, and nut. When a solar module is placed on the mounting bracket and supported by the torque tube the mounting tab retainer assembly is received in the mounting slot of the solar module.

Claims (22)

1. A system, comprising:

a mounting bracket operably coupled to a solar module; and

a retainer assembly connected to the mounting bracket, the retainer assembly including a through bolt configured to be inserted through an opening in the mounting bracket, a spring configured to receive the through bolt, a slotted washer having a slot formed therethrough configured to receive a portion of the spring therethrough and interposed between the spring and the mounting bracket, a mounting tab, and a nut, wherein when the solar module is placed on the mounting bracket, the mounting tab is received in a mounting slot of the solar module.

2. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a second retainer assembly connected to a second mounting bracket, the second retainer assembly including a catch positioned on the second retainer assembly such that the catch is received in the mounting slot of the solar module from an interior direction when the solar module is placed on the second retainer assembly.

3. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the catch prevents movement of the solar module in the direction of a closed portion of the catch.

4. The system according to claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of first retainer assemblies, including the retainer assembly, and a single second retainer assembly for a predefined section of a torque tube operably coupled to the mounting bracket.

5. The system according to claim 4 , wherein the system includes a first mounting bracket, including:

a bottom surface configured for integrating with a first clamp assembly;

a top surface configured to integrate with the retainer assembly; and

a threaded U-bolt,

wherein the first clamp assembly includes a bottom surface including a radius substantially similar to that of the torque tube, two holes configured to receive the threaded U-bolt, and a locking tab configured to be received into one or more locking holes of the torque tube, wherein at least one first retainer assembly is mounted on the first mounting bracket.

6. The system according to claim 5 , wherein the system includes a second mounting bracket, including:

a top surface including four or more mounting holes configured for integrating with the second retainer assembly, and a bottom surface including a radius substantially similar to that of the torque tube, the bottom surface including a locking tab configured to be received into one or more locking holes of the torque tube; and

two or more holes configured to receive a threaded U-bolt,

wherein at least one second retainer assembly is mounted in the second mounting bracket.

7. The system according to claim 6 , wherein the second mounting bracket is located proximate a bearing housing assembly and configured to avoid interference therewith.

8. The system according to claim 6 , wherein the system includes a third mounting bracket, including:

a top surface including four or more mounting holes, configured to integrate with the second retainer assembly, and a bottom surface including a radius substantially similar to that of the torque tube, the bottom surface including a locking tab configured to be received into one or more locking holes of the torque tube; and

two or more holes configured to receive a threaded U-bolt,

wherein the top surface includes a clamp assembly configured for integrating with a bearing housing assembly,

wherein the second retainer assembly is mounted in the third mounting bracket.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 12, 2026
From: NEXTRACKER LLC
To: NEXTPOWER LLC
Reel/Frame 074330/0426 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 15, 2022
From: WATSON, TYLER J.; LAWSON, DENNIS M.; HABIB, PAUL D.; HOANG, THAO T.
To: NEXTRACKER INC.
Reel/Frame 062108/0924 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 15, 2022
From: NEXTRACKER INC.
To: NEXTRACKER LLC
Reel/Frame 062137/0754 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 15971522 · May 4, 2018
Related Publication 20230070097A1 · Mar 9, 2023
Cited By (6)
US 12,438,504 US 12,466,066 US 12,542,513 US 12,570,001 US 12,617,639 US 12,654,957