IP Library Granted Patent US 8,550,419
Granted Patent B2
US 8,550,419 · App. 12/139,144 · Granted Oct 8, 2013

Erection system for a photovoltaic open-space installation support stand

Inventors: Martin Hausner (Tucson, AZ); Ludwig Schletter (Haag, DE)
Assignee: Schletter GmbH
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,550,419
App. No.
12/139,144
Granted
Oct 8, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention is directed to an erection system for a photovoltaic open-space installation support stand and a method for assembling this type of erection system. The present erection systems provide a permanently settable inclination favorable for generating solar power for the photovoltaic equipment on open ground with linear bearings.

Claims (26)

1. An erection system for a photovoltaic open-space installation support stand, each support stand comprising a column ( 1 ) to be driven into the ground and an inclined beam ( 2 ), and a brace ( 3 ) to brace the inclined beam ( 2 ) obliquely downward against the column ( 1 ), wherein the column ( 1 ), the inclined beam ( 2 ), and the brace ( 3 ) can be combined into a firmly adjustable support stand in the form of a triangular truss, and to this end a first link joint ( 20 ) is disposed between inclined beam ( 2 ) and column ( 1 ), a second link joint ( 70 ) is disposed between inclined beam ( 2 ) and brace ( 3 ), and a third link joint ( 90 ) is disposed between brace ( 3 ) and column ( 1 ), and the first link joint ( 20 ) comprises a first link attachment extension ( 25 ), and the second link joint ( 70 ) comprises a second link attachment extension ( 72 ), and the two link attachment extensions ( 25 , 72 ) are able to be disposed on and be longitudinally guided by the inclined beam ( 2 ), characterized in that an assembly group comprising the inclined beam ( 2 ) and the two link attachment extensions ( 25 , 72 ) is assembled, wherein the two link attachment extensions ( 25 , 72 ) are nonrotatably longitudinally guided on the inclined beam ( 2 ) and permanently attached there at standard positions, and that the column ( 1 ) is pivotably connectable to the first link attachment extension ( 25 ) and the brace ( 3 ) is pivotably connectable to the second link attachment extension ( 72 ),

wherein at least one of the two link attachment extensions ( 25 , 72 ) has a link section ( 54 , 74 ) to support a hinge pin ( 24 , 81 ), wherein the link section ( 54 , 74 ) is disposed such that the rotational axis ( 21 , 71 ) of a hinge pin ( 24 , 81 ) supported there crosses the inclined beam ( 2 ) externally,

wherein the link section ( 54 , 74 ) of at least one link attachment extension ( 25 , 72 ) is designed in a U-profile shape, and

wherein at least one of the two link attachment extensions ( 25 , 72 ) is designed in an H-profile shape, wherein the shape of the link attachment extension ( 25 , 72 ) results from the U-profile-shaped link section ( 54 , 72 ) and an U-profile-shaped attachment section ( 53 , 73 ).

2. The erection system according to claim 1 , wherein the link section ( 54 ) of at least one link attachment extension ( 25 ) has open axial slots ( 65 ) to support a hinge pin ( 24 ).

3. The erection system according to claim 2 , wherein the open axial slots ( 65 ) of the link section ( 54 ) of the first link attachment extension ( 25 ) are designed such that these slots open downward when the support stand is erected.

4. The erection system according to claim 2 , wherein the link section ( 54 ) of at least one link attachment extension ( 25 ) comprises a locking means to prevent radial loosening of a hinge pin ( 24 ) from the open axial slots ( 65 ).

5. The erection system according to claim 4 , further comprising a locking plate ( 67 ) provided to secure against radial loosening, the locking plate being insertable into the link section ( 54 ) tangentially to a hinge pin ( 24 ).

6. The erection system according to claim 1 , wherein the inclined beam ( 2 ) has at least one longitudinal groove ( 11 ) to longitudinally guide the two link attachment extensions ( 25 , 72 ).

7. The erection system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the two link attachment extensions ( 25 , 72 ) has a U-profile-shaped attachment section ( 53 , 73 ) to which the link attachment extension ( 25 , 72 ) is attached to the inclined beam ( 2 ) in a nonrotatably longitudinally guided manner.

8. The erection system according to claim 1 , wherein the first link joint ( 20 ) comprises a fork head that is mounted on the top end of the column ( 1 ), and can be pivotingly connected through a hinge pin ( 24 ) to the first link attachment extension ( 25 ).

9. The erection system according to claim 8 , wherein the separate fork head can be slidably mounted perpendicular to column ( 1 ) and/or parallel to column ( 1 ).

10. The erection system according to claim 8 , wherein the separate fork head can receive a hinge pin ( 24 ) in height-adjustable fashion.

11. The erection system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one additional rotatory degree of freedom is provided in the first and third link joint ( 20 , 90 ) to compensate for twisting of an erected column ( 1 ) away from a column array.

12. The erection system according to claim 11 , wherein the separate fork head can be mounted around the column ( 1 ) and/or vertically rotatably on the top end of the column ( 1 ).

13. The erection system according to claim 11 , wherein the third link joint ( 90 ) comprises a link part having two mutually perpendicular rotational axes ( 91 , 93 ), wherein the link part can be disposed on the column ( 1 ) and at the bottom end of the brace ( 3 ).

14. The erection system according to claim 1 , wherein multiple axial holes for the third link joint ( 90 ) along the column ( 1 ) are provided at various heights for a hinge pin ( 96 ).

15. The erection system according to claim 1 , wherein the assembly group comprises the brace ( 3 ) and the brace ( 3 ) is pivotably connected to the second link attachment extension ( 72 ).

16. The erection system according to claim 15 , wherein the brace ( 3 ) is folded towards the inclined beam ( 2 ).

17. The erection system according to claim 1 , wherein the assembly group comprises multiple retaining elements ( 100 , 101 ) for support profiles ( 5 ) to be disposed perpendicular to the inclined beam ( 2 ) and the retaining elements ( 100 , 101 ) are disposed at standard positions or in proximity of the positions on the inclined beam ( 2 ).

18. A method of assembling an erection system according to claim 1 for a photovoltaic open-space installation support stand, the method comprising the step of assembling at least one support stand from the erection system having at least a column ( 1 ) to be driven into the ground and an inclined beam ( 2 ), and a brace ( 3 ) to brace the inclined beam ( 2 ) obliquely downward against the column ( 1 ), wherein the column ( 1 ), the inclined beam ( 2 ), and the brace ( 3 ) can be combined into a firmly adjustable support stand in the form of a triangular truss, and to this end a first link joint ( 20 ) is disposed between inclined beam ( 2 ) and column ( 1 ), a second link joint ( 70 ) is disposed between inclined beam ( 2 ) and brace ( 3 ), and a third link joint ( 90 ) is disposed between brace ( 3 ) and column ( 1 ), and the first link joint ( 20 ) comprises a first link attachment extension ( 25 ), and the second link joint comprises ( 70 ) a second link attachment extension ( 72 ), and the two link attachment extensions ( 25 , 72 ) are able to be disposed on and be longitudinally guided by the inclined beam ( 2 ), characterized in that an assembly group comprising the inclined beam ( 2 ) and the two link attachment extensions ( 25 , 72 ) is preassembled, wherein the first and the second link attachment extensions ( 25 , 72 ) are permanently attached in a nonrotatably longitudinally-guided manner on the inclined beam ( 2 ) at standard positions, and that the column ( 1 ) is pivotably connectable to the first link attachment extension ( 25 ), and the brace ( 3 ) is pivotably connectable to the second link attachment extension ( 72 ).

19. The method according to claim 18 , wherein the brace ( 3 ) is preinstalled together with the assembly group, the brace ( 3 ) being pivotably connected to the second link attachment extension ( 72 ), and retracted toward the inclined beam ( 2 ).

20. The method according to claim 18 , further comprising arranging multiple retaining elements for support profiles ( 5 ) perpendicular to the inclined beam ( 2 ), and preinstalling retaining elements ( 10 , 10 ) together with the assembly group, wherein the retaining elements ( 100 , 101 ) are attached on the inclined beam ( 2 ) at standard positions or in the proximity of these positions.

21. The method of claim 20 , further comprising installing photovoltaic modules on the support profiles ( 5 ).

22. The support stand of an erection system according to claim 1 , wherein the column ( 1 ), the inclined beam ( 2 ), and the brace ( 3 ) are combined into the firmly adjustable support stand in the form of a triangular truss, including the first link joint ( 20 ), the second link joint ( 70 ), and the third link joint ( 90 ).

23. The support stand according to claim 22 , wherein the column ( 1 ) is clamped in place in stationary fashion.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 24, 2025
From: SCHLETTER INTERNATIONAL B.V.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 070598/0811 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 9, 2019
From: SCHLETTER GMBH
To: SCHLETTER INTERNATIONAL B.V.
Reel/Frame 048834/0338 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 8, 2011
From: LEICHTMETALLBAU SCHLETTER GMBH
To: SCHLETTER GMBH
Reel/Frame 027192/0819 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 29, 2008
From: HAUSNER, MARTIN; SCHLETTER, LUDWIG
To: LEICHTMETALLBAU SCHLETTER GMBH
Reel/Frame 021464/0038 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2008 018 422 · Apr 10, 2008 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20090256046A1 · Oct 15, 2009