The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 09, 2003
Filed:
Nov. 16, 2001
Donald R. Mapes, Glendale, AZ (US);
Larry G. Crosser, Perrysburg, OH (US);
James B. Foote, Toledo, OH (US);
Benjamin L. Richie, Jr., Scottsdale, AZ (US);
First Solar, LLC, Perrysburg, OH (US);
Abstract
A photovoltaic array ( ′) includes a plurality of elongated rails ( ) each of which has a lower base ( ) and an upper cap ( ) of an extruded resin construction defining a pair of grooves ( ) that open in opposite directions from each other to receive edges of rectangular photovoltaic modules ( ) so as to provide mounting thereof on a support surface ( ). The photovoltaic modules ( ) are arranged in pairs ( ) with the modules of each pair abutting each other and with each pair of modules being spaced along the elongated lengths of the rails from each adjacent pair of modules to provide openings ( ) therebetween. Cross members ( ) extend between the lower bases ( ) of the rails to space the rails from each other and have upwardly opening shapes that receive electrical wiring ( ).