Title of Invention

"A PV PANEL FRAME FOR LEAK-PROOF ROOF MOUNTING"

Abstract

1. A PV panel frame for leak-proof roof mounting comprising frame assembly (3, 3A) supporting a plurality of PV modules (1), characterized in that a raised sealing surface (17) is provided on frame (15) on which the PV module (1) is placed, a gasket (5) being positioned between said PV module and frames (4, 7) to seal the joint, a channel being formed along the length and breadth of said elevated sealing surface (17) for free flow of water on assembling the frame, ends of said frames (3, 3A) being provided with overlapping portions to secure leak-proof joints, frame assembly (3, 3A) being also provided with U-shaped bend (11) to facilitate multiframe assemblies assembled sideways to make the said leakproof joints rigid, and gussets (12, 13) for fixing the frame (3,3A) on to the inclined supports (16).

Full Text

The invention relates to a PV panel Frame for leak proof mounting to accomodate plurality of modules of different capacities and dimensions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Large PV system having higher capacity, it is necessary to use plurality of PV panels connected in series or parallel to meet the specific: requirement of the system. Photovoltaic power is used as an alternate source to conventional sources of electricity for various reasons. The electricity is generated directly from sunlight by the PV modules using mono crystalline silicon solar cells laminated in Ethyl Vinyl Acetate and a high transmission toughened glass surface. Photovoltaic system is made use of in different areas like Telecom, Community lighting, Railway signaling, Water pumping, Battery charging, and as Power plants. The power plants are of different type such as Stand alone PV system, Grid interactive and roof top system and Hybrid system. In all these places, different capacity PV panels are used depending on the power requirement. These panels are mounted on a supporting structure with requisite slope at different elevation in open ground/open terrace depending on space availability. There are disadvantages associated with the present system of PV panel frame assembly. One of the main disadvantage associated with the present system of PV panel frame assembly is that there is no protection against 1eakage „ mother disadvantage associated with the present system of PV panel frame assembly is that the PV panels are assembled in site and is complex" In one of the proposed system of installing PV system, grid interactive power plants withs simi1ar feature tailored to the building load requirement and is installed on roof tops of the building. As we know, the PV panel roof system is no where brought into existence. If the panels are to be used as roof for the shelter as well as for power production, then the panel moun-ting arrangement needs to have some special feature so as to prevent the rain water entry. For such requirement, the existing panel mounting arrangement is not suitable as it would allow the rain water to come in. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore the main object of the present invention of a PV panel frame for a roof system is that the frame structures are modular and the PV panel can be assembled on to the frame from inside itself. Another object of the present invention is that the frames can be first assembled without PV panels mounted on it so that damages to the PV panels which are fragile and delicate in nature are avoided during erection. Yet another obejct of the present invention is that periodic maintenance of cleaning and replacement of damaged panel can be done from inside as the clamping is done at the bottom, Still another object- of the present invention is that the moun-ting of the PV panels is; such that the assembly of the PV panels on the frame are leakproof. Yet another object of the present invention is that the panel fixing clamps are tied to the frame so that they are not misplaced when they are removed for replacement of panel. The joints of PV panel is such that the gasket material used for sealing is not exposed to the sunlight, thus preventing degradation due to weathering which result in increasing life and reducing downtime. Further object of the present invention is that the panel frames are of improved design which can withstand wind load upto 141 kg/ sq.m which is expected at a height of 3011 as per IS 875 and the frames are galvanised for protection from corrosion. The frames can be assembled lengthwise, one adjacent to the other and widthwise, one below the other and provide a leakproof joint during rain due to the profile of the frame along the width. The channel depth and width is selected in such a way that minimum amount of water is allowed to collect and drain into channel of the adjacent frame and reaches the edge of the array. Yet a further object of the present invention is that the supporting arrangement of frame is made to avoid any misalignment due to variation in the frame dimension and the variation in the location of supporting member are adjusted easily. There is also provision for fixing of gutters at the bottom most frames. According to the present invention there is provided a PV panel frame for leakproof roof mounting comprising frame assembly supporting a plurality of PV modules characterized in that a raised sealing surface is provided on frame on which the PV module is placed, a gasket being positioned between said FV module and frames to seal the joint, a ohannel being formed along the length and breadth of said elevated sealing surface for free flow of water on assembling the frame, ends of said frames being provided with overlapping portions to secure leakproof joints, frame assembly being also provided with U-shaped bend to facilitate multiframe assemblies assembled sideways to make the said leakproof joints rigid, and gussets for fixing the frame on to the inclined supports. The nature of the invention, its objective and further advantages residing in the same will be apparent from the following description made with reference to non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the invention represented in the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 shows the outline of thePV module; Fig. 2 shows the elevation view of the FV module which shows the thickness; Fig. 3 shows the assembled view of the PV module; Fig. 4 shows the panel frame assembly I of the invention; Fig. 5 - side elevation of the panel frame as shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of the raised sealing surface of the frame of the invention; Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the joint detail of the frame; Fig. 8 shows the panel frame assembly II of the invention; Fig. 9 shows the side elevation of the panel frame II showing further frame detail for multiframe assembly; Fig. 10 shows the raised sealing surface of the frame assembly II of the invention; Fig. 11 shows the sectional view of the joint detail of the frame assembly II ; Fig. 12 shows; the solar panel assembly in frame assembly II with the PV modu 1 es of the in vent ion ; Fig.13 shows the side elevation of the solar assembly for frame assembly II in Fig.12; Fig.14 shows the sectional detail of clamping arrangement 5 Fig. 15 shows the arrangement along the length of multiple frames Bolar panel assembly according to the invention; Fig.16 shows the side elevation of the solar panel assembly as shown i n F i g.15; Fig.17 shows the sectional detail of overlapping arrangement at the bottom of the frame; Fig.18 shows the sectional data of overlapping arrangement at the top of the frame; Fig.19 shows the sectional view of the frame; v Fig.20 shows the arrangement along the length and width of multiple frames solar panel assembly according to the invention; Fig.2.1 shows the solar panel assembly as installed over the supports; Fig.22 ••••• side elevation of the solar panel arrangement according to Fig..20; Fig.23 shows the sectional detail of the frame seat ing ment arrangement. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention of PV panel mounting frame (3,3A) is aimed at providing a standard mounting hardware for assembly of PV panels (1) as roofing to the building. Conventional truss struc- ture as required for roofing of asbestos/GI sheet is only needed to support this frame (16) as roof structure. 1. The PV module frame (3,3A) provides a raised sealing surface (.17) with a flasible gasket (5) for mounting the PV panel such that the joint is leakproof against rain. 2. The frame assembly (15) is such that the rain water is channe lised into channels (4) which are aligned in one line when a number of frames (3,3A) are assembled so that the flooding of PV frame (1) is avoided; 3. The other salient feature is that the mounting arrangement is from the bottom end which is of great convenience for assembly and maintenance when intended for use on tall building. 4. The solar panel assembly also caters for the higher tolerances of truss work such that the basic requirement of protection against rain is fully met. For higher capacity PV system, it is necessary to use more number of PV panels (1) connected in series or parallel to meet the specific requirement of system. The existing arrangement also can accomodate any number of panels but without giving any protection against leakage. The present invention provides the •flexibility of adding any number of frames both width and lengthwise without sacrificing the space besides ensuring protec-tion against leakage as shown in Figs. 15 and 20. Fig.l shows the PV module (1) which consists of cell mounted on aluminium frame with overall dimension 528 x 1203mm and capacity of 70 Wp . The PV panel (1) frame has 4 slots (2) for module moun— ting and provided with terminal block (14) at the bottom of each pane .1 Figs. 4 & 8 shows the frame assembly -••• I and II and are the PV panel frame (3,3A) of the invention. This frame (3,3A) supports and holds 5 numbers of PV modules (1). The uniqueness of the frame is its raised sealing surface (17) as shown in section-BB From the end view (Fig. 5), we can see that one side of the frame (3,3A) has a U— bend (11) and this facilitates when multiframe assemblies are assembled sideways provides the required rigidity and at the same time prevents water leakge. In the bottom, gussets (5) have been provided for fixing the frame (3,3A) on to the beams of structure on which the frame is mounted. The difference between Figs. 4 & 8 is only the location of the gusset (5) to facilitate fixing of the structure to the beams. The clamps (10) for fixing the panel (1) are fixed to this frame (3,3A) after galvanising with the help of a chain (9) . The Fig. 12 shows the PV modules (1) mounted on frame sssembly....ll (3A) with gasket (5) for sealing and clamp (10) for holding the panel ( 1 ) . The frames (3,3A) shown in Figs, 4/8 are to be provided with the Jf-ingle side self adhesive closed cell foam type material on all the surfaces. Location for gasket (5) fixing is shown in Figs.4/8 so that gasket (5) provides plain surface all along the geometry of the panel (1 ). The PV panel (1) is placed on the gasketed area such that it aligns with the frame edge on all the four sides of the panel and the termination of the panel on one side. Each of these panels are retained securely to the frame by using the clamp (10) provided in the frames. After the clamp (10) is tightened, the lock nut (6) is tightened to prevent accidental loosening of the clamp (10). Fig. 15 shows the arrangement of multiple frames (3,3A) efver. apped along the length with PV modules (1). Fig.5 shows multiple frame arrangement with frames (3,3A) along the length and width with PV modules and how this frame forms into roof. Depending upon the requirements of the roof area to be covered with PV panels as number of frames on the design are to be .•assembled both length as well as width wise. These figures also shows the arrangement of the assembly. The frame assembly provides overlap between the frames on either direction so that water leakage at the joints is prevented. The manual procedure of assembly is to erect the frame assembly in position for the entire roof and then fit the PV panel reaching from inside and clamp. With this arrangement, the necessity of climbing over the roof for fitting/replacement especially when they are on top of multistory building can be avoided. The constructional features are : 1. Modular frame structure (,3,3A) for- the assembly of 5 PV panels (1) of size 528 (W) x 1203 (L) mm in one. 2. The PV panels (1) can be assembled on to the frame (3,3A) from inside itself, ie. no need to climb on to the roof which gives the following advantages. 3. a. The frames (3,3A) can be first assembled without PV panel mounted on it so that the damages to the PV panel which is fragile and delicate in nature is avoided during erection. b. For- periodic maintenance of cleaning and replacement in case of damaged panel, it can be done from inside itself as the c 1 am- ping is done of the bottom. 3. The mounting arrangement of the PV panel ( 1 ) is such that a leakproof roof panel is got after the assembly of the PV panels on the frame . 4. The panel fixing clamps (10) are tied to the frame that they are not misplaced when they are removed for replacement of panel „ 5. The joint design of the PV panel is such that the gasket (5) material used for sealing is nest exposed to the sunlight thus preventing the degradation of the same due to weathering resul- ting in elimination of periodic replacement, 6. This frame (3,3A) design is such that it can also withstand the wind load to the tune of 141 Kg/Sq.M which is expected at a height of 30M as per IS 875. 7. The frame (3,3A) is galvanised to protect it from atmospheric corrosion in the course of time as well to proved aesthetic look. 8. The frame design is made in such a way that these frames can be assembled lengthwise one adjacent to the other and widthwise one below the other, can provide a leakproof joint during rain. 9. The profile of the frame along the width is made in such a way that when two frames are assembled lengthwise, the water flowing from the top frame, at any case would not leak through the joint. 10. The channel depth and width is chosen in such a way that minimum amount of water get collected and drain into channel of the adjacent frame and reaches the edges of the array. 11. The supporting arrangement of frame is made such that any misalignment due to variation in the frame dimension and the variation in the location of supporting member are easily get adjusted. 12. Provision is made for fixing of gutters at the bottom most frame. 13. The FV panel frame is mounted on supporting structures (16) which ensure that the frame maintains an angle between 15oand 20o with the horizontal plane when finally installed. 14. To prevent misplacement, the clamps (10) are tied to frame (3, 3A) by means of chain (9). 15. The invention described hereinabove is in relation to non-limiting embodiments and as defined by the accompanying claims. CLAIM; 1. A PV panel frame for leak-proof roof mounting comprising frame assembly (3,3A) supporting a plurality of PV modules (1), characterized in that a raised sealing surface (17) is provided on frame (15) on which the PV module (1) is placed, a gasket (5) being positioned between said PV module and frames (4,7) to seal the joint, a channel being formed along the length and breadth of said elevated sealing surface (17) for free flow of water on assembling the frame, ends of said frames (3, 3A) being provided with overlapping portions to secure leak- proof joints, frame assembly (3, 3A) being also provided with U-shaped bend (11) to facilitate multiframe assemblies assembled sideways to make the said leakproof joints rigid, and gussets (12, 13) for fixing the frame (3, 3A) on the inclined supportes (16). 2. A PV panel frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein channels for rainwater drainage are formed along the length and width with elevated surface for free flow of water without any flooding. 3. A PV panel frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein said assembly is mounted on supports (16) maintaining an angle between 15° and 20°. 4. A PV panel frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frames are galvanized. 5. 5. A PV panel frame for leak proof roof mounting substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Documents:

881-del-2000-abstract.pdf

881-del-2000-claims.pdf

881-del-2000-correspondence-others.pdf

881-del-2000-correspondence-po.pdf

881-del-2000-description (complete).pdf

881-del-2000-drawings.pdf

881-del-2000-form-1.pdf

881-del-2000-form-19.pdf

881-del-2000-form-2.pdf

881-del-2000-form-3.pdf

881-del-2000-gpa.pdf

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