FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to supporting and clamping
arrangements of solar photovoltaic modules (PV modules) onto the mounting
structures. More particularly, the invention relates to an intra-clamping device for
attaching PV modules for rigid mounting of the clamped PV modules on
mounting structures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The technology of solar energy collection and more particularly arrangements for
attaching solar PV modules to the supporting structure, is known in the art.
However, research in this technical field suggest that the prior art fails to provide
required attachment between the mounting structures, for the purpose of
constructing arrays of photovoltaic modules particularly in solar thermal panels.
Among the various types of prior art clamps available, a common disadvantage
of these are is that the modules develops a tendency over a period to become
continuously loosened due to slackening of hardwares and may even get
ultimately broken. This normally occurs due to external loads such as wind load
on the PV modules or sometimes due to constantly impinging weight of the PV
modules. More larger or heavier are the PV modules, more quickly the clamps
requiring frequent replacement of the panel clamps, thereby disrupting the
operation of the PV module. Prior Art PV module clamping devices typically have
notches of a constant width, or configuration of the notches are widest at the
opening thereof, which causes the clamp to loosen in response to shifting of the
PV module.
The PV modules that include frame with holes to provide fastener for the
attachment of the PV modules to a supporting structure is described in U.S.

Patent No. 6,058,930.
It is known from US 6,111,189, a PV module frame serves many other purposes,
including providing a grip on the PV module to carry and hold during installation.
The frame may also provide to conceal and protect the interconnection wiring in
a PV array.
In another example, as described in US. Patent No. 4,762,720, no fastener is
required to attach the PV module to the supporting surface, that access is not
required of the module back surface during installation, and the requirement for
grounding may be eliminated.
The clips disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,580,385, allow simultaneous attachment
of two adjacent panels to a single supporting surface. The clips also enable
attachment without the use of additional fasteners, by engaging a supporting
surface consisting of a multiple-pierced hollow closed structural supporting
element. The clips in this patent also employ a rivet to attach the clip to the
supporting element. Those clips align with the panel during installation by their
contact with the edge of the attach panel.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore, an object of the present invention to propose an intra-clamping
device to attach solar PV modules for rigid mounting of the attached modules on
supporting structures.
Another object of the invention is to propose an intra-clamping device to attach
solar PV modules for rigid mounting of the attached modules on supporting

structures, that limits the developed stress in the structure when structural loads
and wind loads are applied to the PV module from bottom surfaces.
A still another object of the present invention is to propose an intra-clamping
device to attach solar PV modules for rigid mounting of the attached modules on
supporting structures, which simplifies mounting and replacing of the PV
modules on the supporting surface.
It is yet another object of this invention is to propose an intra-clamping device to
attach solar PV modules for rigid mounting of the attached modules on
supporting structures, which provides "in plane stability of the PV modules".
A further object of this invention is to propose an intra-clamping device to attach
solar PV modules for rigid mounting of the attached modules on supporting
structures, which reduces the time and cost manufacturing the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention an intra-clamping device is provided to attach
solar PV modules rigid mounting of the clamped PV-modules on support
structures, the device comprises a circular rod which is bend to form a U-shaped
member whose ends are configured as L shaped hook members projecting in
opposite directions. The clamp device serves to hold and clamp the structural
members in position. The L shaped hook members are placed on the structural
members to attach the adjacent PV modules. The hook members include a
smaller curved portion which is slightly bend downward for rigid attachment of
the supporting structures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
These features of the present invention will become more apparent upon
reference to the drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is an isometric view of a Clamp device of the invention.
Figure 2 is a top view of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side view of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a front view of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a schematic clamping arrangement of the present invention of Fig. 1.
Figure 6 is a stress plot of the present invention of Fig. 1.
Figure 7 is a displacement plot of the present invention of Fig.l.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE
INVENTION
The advantages of the present invention may be fully appreciated by explaining
the arrangement.
In the preferred embodiment, the intra-clamping device is made of a single unit
formed of high strength stainless steel material by implementing a bending
process in a die. The PV module clamping device consists of a U-shaped retainer
portion 10 which comprises at least six connecting members 11,12,13,21, 22,23;
which are connected to at least two vertically extended members 14 and 24 on
both sides; the vertical members (14,24) are then connected to a pair of L-
shaped hook members 41 and 42. The hook members 41 and 42 extend
outwardly from the vertical members 14 and 24 in the same direction and on the
same plane.

The retainer member 10 is formed to support a first pair of structural members
31 and 32 so that the bending effect can be restricted. This retainer member 10
is attached to a third vertical member 40 at the middle.
Since both the hook members 41 and 42 are structurally similar, only the hook
member 41 is described in detail herein. The hook member 41 is connected to
the first vertical member 14 by a curved member 15 at the junction. The first
hook member 41 has a straight portion 16 which is slightly bent vertically
downward. The first hook member 41 has a curved portion 17 which is
connected to a straight portion 16. An end portion 18 of the first hook member
41 is bent in such way that it can connect the member (17) and to form a hook
as shown in Fig. 2. The end of the first hook member (41) is slightly bent
downward so that the curved and the end portions 17, 18 and the straight
portion 16 should remain at the same inclination. This bend gives a rigid
attachment of the first pair of structural members (31, 32). The hook members
(41, 42) are rested on a second pair of structural numbers (33 and 34). The
complete arrangement is shown in Fig. 5.
Thus, the present invention provides a significant improvement and novel
configuration of an intra-clamping device of Solar PV modules onto the support
structures. Those skilled in the art will recognise that the present invention may
be readily adapted to accommodate a variety of different diameter and weight of
the panels.
The material is selected such that the present invention can carry sufficient
upward wind load of the structure. Figure 6 shows a stress plot of the present
invention. Figure 7 shows a displacement plot of the present invention. The
stress value is within the allowable limits of the corresponding material and
displacement is also within the allowable range.

WE CLAIM
1. An intra-clamping device for attaching PV modules for rigid mounting of
the clamped PV modules on mounting structures, the device comprising:
- a shaped retainer member (10) having at least six connecting
members (11,12,13,21,22,23) attached to one each vertically extended
member (14,24) at both ends;
- a pair of hook members (41,42) connected to said vertical members
(14,24) and extending outwardly in the same direction and at the
same plane;
- a first pair of structural member (31,32) supported by the retaining
member (10) to restrict the bending effect, the retainer member (10)
centrally attached to a third vertical member (40);
- a curved member (15) joining the first of said pair of hook members
(41,42) at the junction between the first vertical member (14) and the
first hook (41); the first and the second hook (41,42) each comprising
a vertically bent straight portion (16,26) an end portion (18,28), and a
curved portion (17,27) respectively;
wherein the curved portion (17) is connected to the straight portion (16),
wherein the end portion (18) is bent to connect the member (17) to form
the shaped first hook (41), and wherein the end portion (18) is partially
bent downward to allow the curved and end portions (17,18) including the
straight portion (16) to remain at identically inclined portion.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hook members are L-
shaped.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retainer member is U-
shaped.
4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the retainer member is formed
from a circular rod.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the constituent components are
made of high strength stainless steel.

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an intra-clamping device for attaching PV modules for
rigid mounting of the clamped PV modules on mounting structures, the device
comprising a shaped retainer member (10) having at least six connecting
members (11,12,13,21,22,23) attached to one each vertically extended member
(14,24) at both ends; a pair of hook members (41,42) connected to said vertical
members (14,24) and extending outwardly in the same direction and same plane
as that of the vertical members (14,24); a first pair of structural member (31,32)
supported by the retaining member (10) to restrict the bending effect, the
retainer member (10) centrally attached to a third vertical member (40); a
curved member (15) joining the first of said pair of hook members (41,42) at the
junction between the first vertical member (14) and the first hook (41) the first
and the second hook (41,42) each comprising a vertically bent straight portion
(16) an end portion (18), and a curved portion (17); wherein the curved portion
(17) is connected to the straight portion (16), wherein the end portion (18) is
bent to connect the member (17) to form the shaped first hook (41), and
wherein the end portion (18) is partially bent downward to allow the curved and
end portions (17,18) including the straight portion (16) to remain at identically
inclined portion.