Solar Panel Rail Clamp Grounding With T-Bolt Alignment Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
The labor-intensive and time-consuming process of aligning and grounding solar panels to rooftop rails, particularly on pitched roofs, requires a more efficient and simple solution for secure mounting and electrical grounding.
Innovation Solution
A device combining a t-bolt, nut, and solar panel end-clamp or mid-clamp, which secures, aligns, and grounds solar panels to roof-mounted rails by using grounding pins with conical tips to penetrate the non-conductive oxide layer, allowing for easy alignment and stable seating, and a t-bolt that rotates to lock into a rail slot for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional separate mounting and grounding methods are used, then solar panels can be secured to rails, but the installation process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mounting and grounding functions into a single integrated device. The mounting device includes both mechanical securing components (clamp, bolt) and electrical grounding components (grounding pin) that work together simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate mounting and grounding operations and thereby reducing installation time and labor requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting device performs multiple functions: mechanical clamping to secure the solar panel, alignment to ensure proper positioning, and electrical grounding through the grounding pin. This multi-functional design consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate tools and steps into a single universal mounting solution
2Reliability
If precise alignment and grounding are ensured, then solar panels are properly secured and grounded, but the process requires multiple steps and tools
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding pin is integrated directly into the mounting device structure, so that the same device used for mechanical securing also provides electrical grounding. This integration ensures reliable grounding connection while simplifying the overall process by eliminating separate grounding tools and steps
Solution Approach 2:
The grounding pin is pre-positioned and pre-aligned within the mounting device structure. When the mounting device is installed, grounding is automatically established without requiring separate alignment or positioning steps, thereby ensuring reliable grounding while reducing process complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies the mounting and grounding process, providing a stable and efficient method to secure solar panels to rails, reducing installation time and ensuring proper electrical bonding, while accommodating various solar panel heights with a telescoping arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
the grounding pins have conical or pointed tips on either end to penetrate the non-conductive oxide layer of the solar panels frames and the mounting rail
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a device for securing, mounting, aligning, and grounding solar panels to a roof mounted rail. The device in combination with a t-bolt, a nut, and a solar panel end-clamp or mid-clamp, secure, mount, align, and ground the solar panels to the roof mounted rail. The device can be inserted into the top of the rail anywhere along its length. After the device and t-bolt are inserted in the rail, the t-bolt rotated so it inserts into a slot at the bottom of the rail thereby securing the device to the rail, assuring the proper orientation of the t-bolt, and preventing further rotation of the t-bolt.