Mounting assembly for photovoltaic panel

Abstract

The mounting assembly for photovoltaic panel is intended for securing photovoltaic panels to a supporting structure for photovoltaic panels mounted on building roofs or on the ground. The photovoltaic panel mounting assembly (1) comprises a bracket (2) with at least one through-hole, wherein a clamp (3, 3') for the photovoltaic panel is mounted in selected at least one said though-hole of the bracket (2), wherein the clamp (3, 3') for the photovoltaic panel is connected to the bracket (2) by threaded means for detachable fastening comprising a fastener (4) with an external thread (5). The invention is characterised in that there is an insoluble locking coating on a surface of the external thread (5).

Description

Mounting assembly for photovoltaic panelTechnical field

[0001] The subject of the invention is a mounting assembly for a photovoltaic panel, intended for securing photovoltaic panels to supporting structures used in the construction industry, in photovoltaic installations for mounting photovoltaic panels on flat roofs of buildings or for mounting photovoltaic panels on the ground.State of the art

[0002] Mounting assemblies for photovoltaic panels known from the state of the art include brackets to which supports or holders are bolted, on which the photovoltaic panels rest. Bolt connections are used to fasten the supports or holders to the brackets. However, these have the disadvantage of loosening over time. This phenomenon is widespread and necessitates regular inspections of the installation in order to retighten the mounting bolts, which is often hindered by the design of the photovoltaic panel mounting assemblies.

[0003] Document EP2816298B1 discloses a mounting element for securing one or more objects, such as mounting rails for solar panels, to an underlying structural element, such as a rafter or concrete deck. The mounting element comprises an elongated spacer element that is hollow in the centre. A threaded screw, which is driven into the substrate, is passed through the hollow opening. On the lateral surface of the spacer element, a T- shaped flange sealed with an elastic material is placed. The flange secures the mounting element to the object, for example, to the mounting rail of photovoltaic panels. Alternatively, the screw driven into the substrate may be secured to the spacer element using adhesive. Additionally, during the screwing in of the mounting element, a pouch filled with sealing material may be placed onto the portion of the screw being driven into the substrate. During the screwing process, the sealing material flows out of the pouch and is evenly distributed in the area between the mounting element and the structuralelement into which the screw is driven. In this way, sealing is ensured, particularly when a vapour barrier is located between the mounting element and the structural element.

[0004] From the prior art, for example in applications within the oil, gas, aerospace, automotive, textile, electronics, and sports industries, various types of bolts are known which include a nylon coating on the thread surface. This coating ensures the safety of the connected elements and protects the joints against disconnection, particularly as a result of shocks and vibrations, while still allowing for subsequent adjustment or loosening of the connection. Once applied to a section of the thread, the nylon coating increases the loosening torque, enabling the screw to be locked in any position during assembly. This solution provides resistance to vibration and ensures an appropriate tightening torque in all applications requiring controlled load and the possibility of reuse. The nylon coating applied to the screw thread forms an integral part of the screw, which is non-removable, dry and physiologically harmless to the user. Once installed in an internally threaded component, the nylon material is compressed while maintaining axial tolerances between the threads, generating a strong metal-to-metal radial load on the mating thread surfaces, thereby producing a locking effect. The nylon coating is resistant to chemicals, including alcohol, petroleum, kerosene, diesel fuel and hydraulic fluids, and it offers high temperature resistance up to 260°C. Companies specialising in nylon coating of components are also known, and the application of nylon to screw threads may be subcontracted to them. The result of their work is equivalent to that of ready-made screws with a nylon coating. Both the screws and nylon-coating services are commercially available on the market, for example under the trade name Nylon Locking Patch from Inlex Locking, a company of the Anochrome Group. Screws with such a nylon coating meet the requirements of standard DIN 267-28 concerning the technical specification of screws with locking coatings.

[0005] In the state of the art, document US20130294814A1 discloses a photovoltaic panel mounting assembly comprising a rail with a through-hole, to which are successively attached a washer, a spacer element with a through-hole, a second washer, a clamp, and a third washer. The entire mounting assembly is connected by a screw passing through the through-holes of the mounting assembly components. The screw is secured with a nut. The clamp in this mounting assembly may be a two-sided clamp formed from a singlepiece, or it may consist of two elements in the form of single-sided clamps placed one on top of the other. The surfaces of the clamps that contact the surfaces to which the photovoltaic panel mounting assemblies are attached, particularly those such as plates, are provided with protrusions that enhance the grip of the clamps to these surfaces and at the same time assist installers in positioning and aligning the mounting assembly. The rails forming part of the photovoltaic panel mounting assembly may be secured to the substrate by means of screws. In such cases, the screw is initially placed in the through- hole of the relevant component of the mounting assembly using a protective material. The protective material is selected from the group comprising: adhesive, mastic and foam. The protective material is intended to temporarily hold the screw shank in place prior to installation, without hindering the screw's contact with the substrate or a sealing washer which may be applied between the screw head and the substrate. After the screw is applied, the protective material is removed by wiping, blowing or washing. The protective material may also be biodegradable.

[0006] The protective material is particularly useful when the bracket has a countersink for the screw on the surface adjacent to the substrate. In such cases, the material remains in this recess and protects the surface until the screw is driven in.

[0007] The objective of the invention is to solve the technical problem of loosening of components in the mounting assemblies' structures for photovoltaic panel connected to each other by threaded joints. The aim is therefore to ensure an effective and durable connection between the components of mounting assemblies for photovoltaic panel, thereby reducing the need for periodic technical inspections of the threaded connections, particularly bolted joints.Essence of the invention

[0008] The invention concerns a mounting assembly for a photovoltaic panel comprising a bracket with at least one through-hole, wherein a clamp for the photovoltaic panel is mounted in selected at least one said though-hole of the bracket , wherein the clamp for the photovoltaic panel is connected to the bracket by threaded means for detachable fastening comprising a fastener with an external thread. The essence of the invention lies in that there is an insoluble locking coating on a surface of the external thread.

[0009] Preferably, the insoluble locking coating contains nylon.

[0010] It is advantageous, when threaded means for detachable fastening comprise a screw with a hexagonal head, wherein a lateral surface of the screw head abuts the clamp for the photovoltaic panel.

[0011] It is also advantageous, when threaded means for detachable fastening comprise a nut and / or washer.

[0012] It is also appropriate if the clamp for photovoltaic panel comprises a single arm for securing the photovoltaic panel. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is also appropriate, if the clamp for photovoltaic panel comprises two arms for securing the photovoltaic panels.

[0013] The use of an insoluble locking coating, in particular a nylon coating, on the external thread of the fastener increases the prevailing loosening torque, thereby providing enhanced security of the connection between the components of the mounting assembly, which are protected against loosening due to vibrations. In mounting assemblies for photovoltaic panel vibrations and oscillations cause loosening of threaded connections and are induced, among other factors, by wind acting on the photovoltaic panels and on the structures to which they are attached. Mounting assemblies for photovoltaic panels comprising a fastener with an external thread on which a locking coating is applied are protected against the loosening of such a connection, thereby significantly reducing the frequency of periodic inspections. This leads to a considerable reduction in labour intensity and servicing costs, particularly in photovoltaic farms. The locking coating, which locks the fastener with the external thread in any position during assembly, also allows for subsequent adjustment of the photovoltaic panel, including adjustment after its initial attachment to the supporting structure. Furthermore, the fastener with the external thread and with the locking coating can be unscrewed and screwed in again. This results in a reduction of the loosening torque, but still ensures increased protection against loosening of the connection. Bolted joints using a nut or washer form typical indirect threaded connections in which the fastener with the external thread is not screwed into the connected parts.

[0014] Preferably, the means for detachable fastening comprise a hexagonal head screw, and the lateral surface of the screw head abuts the clamp of the photovoltaic panel, which facilitates the installation and servicing of photovoltaic panels mounted on various types of supporting structures. The screw head is then blocked against the clamp, allowing a nut to be screwed onto the screw without the installer needing a second spanner to hold the screw in place. Loosening the photovoltaic panel clamp likewise requires only one tool.

[0015] Favourable embodiments of the invention with a clamp comprising one or two arms for securing photovoltaic panels allow one or two photovoltaic panels to be screwed to the bracket. In each case, the clamp arm presses the photovoltaic panel against the bracket.Description of the figures of the invention

[0016] The invention is presented in the figures, in which:Fig. 1 - shows a first embodiment of a mounting assembly for photovoltaic panel with a clamp for photovoltaic panel having one arm, in a schematic front view of the mounting assembly;Fig. 2 - shows the first embodiment of the mounting assembly for photovoltaic panel in a perspective view of a portion of the bracket;Fig. 3 - shows a second embodiment of the mounting assembly for photovoltaic panel with a clamp for photovoltaic panel having two arms, in a schematic front view of the mounting assembly;Fig. 4 - shows the second embodiment of the mounting assembly for photovoltaic panel in a perspective view of a portion of the bracket;Fig. 5 - shows a further embodiment of the mounting assembly for photovoltaic panel with a photovoltaic panel clamp having two arms, in a schematic front view of the mounting assembly.The first embodiment of the invention

[0017] A mounting assembly for photovoltaic panel 1 comprises a bracket 2 with through- holes in which clamps 3 for a photovoltaic panel are mounted for securing photovoltaicpanels 1. The bracket 2 takes the form of a corrosion-protected steel Z-profile. Other types of brackets may also be used in mounting assemblies, such as C-profile brackets. Along the length of the bracket 2, additional through-holes are provided for attaching the bracket to the supporting structure of the photovoltaic panels used to mount photovoltaic panels 1 on building rooftops or to mount photovoltaic panels 1 on the ground. For the installation of a single photovoltaic panel, it is usually necessary to use two brackets 2 attached to the supporting structure, along with four photovoltaic panel clamps 3 securing the photovoltaic panels 1.

[0018] In the through-holes of the bracket 2 intended for mounting the photovoltaic panels 1, clamps 3 for photovoltaic panel with single, one arm 3A are mounted, holding the photovoltaic panel 1. In this embodiment, the mounting assembly for photovoltaic panel 1 is an edge assembly, used at the end of a series of photovoltaic panels 1.

[0019] The clamps 3 for photovoltaic panel are connected to the bracket 2 by threaded means for detachable fastening, comprising a fastener 4 with an external thread 5, which also passes through the through-hole in the clamp 3 for photovoltaic panel. The applied fastener 4 takes the form of a screw with a hexagonal head, which is tightened using a nut 6 with an internal thread. A washer 7 is also placed between the surface of the bracket 2 and the nut 6. The screws are coated with an anti-corrosion layer using a refined flake zinc coating technology with TOP COAT type sealants. The coating ensures resistance to corrosion, including electrochemical corrosion.

[0020] An insoluble locking coating in the form of nylon is applied to the external thread 5 of the fastener 4. The locking coating constitutes an integral part of the external thread, is dry, and physiologically safe for the user. Nylon is embedded into part of the surface of the external thread 5. The initial turns of the external thread 5 are free from nylon, followed by a section of the external thread 5 covered with the locking coating - nylon - after which further turns of the external thread 5 are again free from nylon. In the present embodiment, the nylon coating is embedded in the thread at a distance of 11.5 mm from the head of the screw, and the end of the screw along with the last 2 turns of the external thread 5 are free from the nylon layer. After the screw 4 is installed, the nylon is compressed while maintaining axial tolerances between threads, creating a strong metal- to-metal radial load on the mating thread surfaces, which ensures a locking effect.Consequently, the photovoltaic panel 1, fastened to the bracket 2 by means of a clamp 3 screwed to the bracket 2 with a screw having an insoluble locking coating on its external thread 5 and screwed into a nut 6, is securely fastened to the bracket 2, and the connection is protected against loosening. Such a connection reduces the need for periodic inspection and retightening of the screws.

[0021] The screw used as the fastener 4 with external thread 5 has a screw head 4 which has been widened along one diagonal compared to standardised screws. As a result, the lateral surface of the screw head abuts the lateral surface of the clamp 3 for photovoltaic panel. Once seated in the through-hole of the bracket 2 and clamp 3 for the photovoltaic panel, the screw becomes locked in position, and securing requires only the nut 6 to be screwed onto the external thread 5. In an exemplary application of a standardised M8 screw, the screw head abutting the surface of the clamp 3 of the photovoltaic panel differs from standard screws in compliance with norm ISO 4017 in that one of the head's widths measures 14 mm instead of the standard 13 mm. In such a case, the screw may only be tightened via the nut 6, and the screw head 4 locks against the walls of the clamp 3.

[0022] The mounting assembly uses commercially available screws with an insoluble nylon coating. The table below presents torque values in Nm for the first tightening, first loosening and fifth loosening for the most commonly used metric threads:

[0023] The mounting assembly for photovoltaic panel 1 retains, for several initial unscrewing operations, torque sufficient to protect the connections from vibrations and loosening as a result thereof.

[0024] Obviously, the diameter of the through-hole in the bracket 2 allows for the use of various detachable fastening means known in the prior art, comprising a fastener 4 with an external thread 5. In particular, screws with a metric external thread of size M5, M6, M8 or M10 may be used. Depending on the circumstances, the threaded connection may also be formed using fasteners 4 selected from the group comprising: screws, bolts, carriage bolts, socket head cap screws, eye bolts, lifting eye bolts, wing screws and knurled screws.The second embodiment of the invention

[0025] The second embodiment of the invention is analogous to the first, with the difference that the clamp 3' for the photovoltaic panels has two arms 3'A supporting the photovoltaic panels 1, and is thus a double-sided clamp. The bracket 2 with the clamp 3' for the photovoltaic panels with two arms 3'A forms a mounting assembly for photovoltaic panel used as a central mounting assembly supporting photovoltaic panels 1 on both of its sides.The third embodiment of the invention

[0026] The third embodiment of the invention is analogous to the second embodiment, with the difference that the fastener 4 with external thread 5 in the form of a screw has been screwed into the nut 6. In this embodiment of the photovoltaic panel mounting assembly, a screw of standardised dimensions was used as the fastener 4 with external thread 5, and the width of the clamp 3' was selected so that the screw also abutted the walls of the clamp 3' for the photovoltaic panels 1.

Claims

Patent claims1. A mounting assembly for a photovoltaic panel (1), comprising a bracket (2) with at least one through-hole, wherein a clamp (3, 3') for the photovoltaic panel is mounted in selected at least one said though-hole of the bracket (2), wherein the clamp (3, 3') for the photovoltaic panel is connected to the bracket (2) by threaded means for detachable fastening comprising a fastener (4) with an external thread (5), characterised in that there is an insoluble locking coating on a surface of the external thread (5).

2. The mounting assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the insoluble locking coating comprises nylon.

3. The mounting assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that threaded means for detachable fastening comprise a screw (4) with a hexagonal head, wherein the lateral surface of the screw head abuts the clamp (3, 3') for the photovoltaic panel.

4. The mounting assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that threaded means for detachable fastening (4) comprise a nut (6) and / or a washer (7).

5. The mounting assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the clamp (3, 3') for photovoltaic panel comprises a single arm (3A, 3’A) for securing the photovoltaic panel (1).

6. The mounting assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the clamp (3, 3') for photovoltaic panels comprises two arms (3A, 3'A) for securing the photovoltaic panel (1).

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