Solar Panel Field Array Support System and Apparatus and Method for Construction Use

Inactive Publication Date: 2014-12-11
BRITTMORE GROUP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a method for assembling and delivering solar panels to a field array using a specialized jig that serves as a fork lift pallet. The jig holds the solar panels in a stacked arrangement, with pre-positioned rails and pre-wired electrical components, minimizing manual work and risks to the panels. The panels are then delivered to their final destination using rack rail-mounted robotic shuttles. This method reduces human handling of the panels, minimizes risks and cost savings, and allows for easy application of components to the panels. The solar panel modules are also assembled using a pallet jig that holds them upright and sunny-side-down for easy application of components, with removable (pivotable) corner support members for easy removal of the modules from the stack-up.

Problems solved by technology

Field-handling of PV modules is, therefore, limited to one simple loading motion at the end of the array.

Method used

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  • Solar Panel Field Array Support System and Apparatus and Method for Construction Use
  • Solar Panel Field Array Support System and Apparatus and Method for Construction Use
  • Solar Panel Field Array Support System and Apparatus and Method for Construction Use

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Embodiment Construction

[0057]FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a combined PV assembly jig and forklift transport pallet 100, herein designated “pallet jig,” on which a stack-up 102 of PV modules 104 are individually jigged bottom-first and oriented upside-down relative to their operational orientation when mounted on a support rack in a solar panel array, such as the support rack shown on FIG. 18. Components of pallet jig 100 are shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. Pallet jig 100 is re-usable and serves as both a panelization jig in forming the inverted stack-up 102 of PV modules 104 and a transfer pallet that is removably engageable and supportable on the tines of a suitable forklift truck for transport to rack array panel loading stations in a field-installed solar panel array.

[0058]As best shown in the assembled views of FIGS. 1 and 2, pallet jig 100 is made of robust steel pallet frame components, including laterally-spaced and longitudinally extruded box channel members, stringers 1...

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Abstract

A combined PV panel assembly jig and forklift transport pallet is used to assemble PV panels for transport to a field array from a protected manufacturing environment. The panels are assembled to have adhesively applied rails for transport by a robotic drone on a ground-support rack and are pre-wired. The PV panel assembly jig holds, protects, and aligns the PV panels in an upside down position, opposite to their operational position, for ease of wiring in order to decrease the manual labor required in the field. Once the pallet is transported to the load station at the end of a row of solar panel racks in the field array, a robotic loader lifts the upside down PV panels from the combined PV panel assembly jig and forklift transport pallet in an arcing overhead motion that lifts, tilts, and deposits the PV panels in an upright position at the loading station of a railed rack support as ground-mounted in a solar panel field array.

Description

RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER APPLICATION(S)[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 13 / 553,795 filed on Jul. 19, 2012 and claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 804,620 filed on Mar. 22, 2013, the disclosure(s) of which are incorporated herein by reference.GOVERNMENT RIGHTS[0002]This invention was made under contract awarded by US Department of Energy, Contract Number DE-EE0006378 and DE-SC0009196. The government has certain rights in the invention.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]This invention relates generally to systems for transporting and installing large photovoltaic modules, and more particularly, to a photovoltaic module handling system that enables substantially automated and rapid replenishment of photovoltaic modules in a solar panel array.[0005]2. Description of the Related Art[0006]Co-pending patent application U.S. Ser. No. 13 / 553,795 describes an automated system for ph...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): H01L31/042B65D19/44H01L31/18
CPCH01L31/0422B65D19/44H01L31/18H02S20/00F24S2025/014H01L21/6734H01L31/02H02S20/10Y02E10/50Y10T29/49117
InventorBRITCHER, ERIC BRAMWELLMOORE, JEFFREY ALLENSAMUELS, JOHN ANDREW
OwnerBRITTMORE GROUP