FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a supporting system in particular for photovoltaic modules. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are several known fastening and mounting systems to supporting photovoltaic modules.

Generally, in the case of systems on pitched roof or terraces, a mounting system comprises substantially lengthened elements in aluminium or steel, disposed beneath the modules, that serve as rails, normally anchored to the structure beneath or directly to the roof. Modules are first leaned on said lengthened elements and then blocked via affixed locking elements such as small plates or omega-shaped elements in order to lock two adjacent photovoltaic modules head- to-head, or via L-shaped elements in the case of outer modules. These fastening elements are, in turn, fixed to the rails via bolts and threaded nuts or special customized screws.

If the system is, on the other hand, a fully integrated system, then said lengthened elements are fastened directly on the roof supporting elements, such as rafters, purlins or roof batten. Furthermore, the photovoltaic modules are not fixed on said rails in single points but they are fixed along the whole length of the edge of the module frame through means of appropriate extruded profile element comprising sealing gaskets, in order to avoid rainwater seepage.

For these reasons, depending on the type of application, such as fully or partially integrated roof installation, or ground installation, the use of different types of profile elements defining said lengthened elements is required.

This causes considerable problems both in terms of material storage and in economic terms, because the exceeded material purchased for one installation type can not be used until the same installation type is required again. Furthermore, when the structural elements to be used change depending on the needs, the staff gets confused and needs much time to be trained. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aim of the present invention is to provide a structural element for a supporting system in particular for photovoltaic modules, suited to solve above-mentioned problems of installation and hardware storage for photovoltaic module supporting elements. The object of the present invention is a structural element for a supporting system for photovoltaic modules that, according to Claim 1 , has a cross section comprising a first part U-shaped and symmetric with regard to a symmetry axis, said first part comprising a first seat of gaskets in each of the stems defining said U, each seat being symmetrically arranged with regard to the other and turned towards the outside of said U, said first U-shaped part being shaped so that it forms a slide to house the head of a hammer head screw.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a supporting system for photovoltaic modules suited to solve above-mentioned problems. A further object of the present invention is a supporting system for photovoltaic modules, according to Claim 22.

According to another aspect of the invention, the proposed solution allows to cover every installation type in the photovoltaic field by using just one supporting profile element type, interchangeable and adaptable to one another, with a restricted number of accessories, suited to fit all roof types or ground installation, watertight or not.

The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention and are an integral part of the present description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional features and advantages of the invention will appear more evident on review of the detailed description of some preferred, but not sole embodiments of a supporting system in particular for photovoltaic modules, illustrated purely as an example but by no means limitative, with the aid of the annexed drawings in which: Fig. 1 depicts a first variant of a section of the structural profile comprised by the mounting system for photovoltaic modules; Fig. 2 depicts a second variant of a section of the structural profile comprised by the mounting system for photovoltaic modules; Fig. 3 depicts a third variant of a section of the structural profile comprised by the mounting system for photovoltaic modules;

Fig. 4 depicts a fourth variant of a section of the structural profile comprised by the mounting system for photovoltaic modules; Fig. 5 depicts a first mounting example of structural profile according to the first variant in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 6 depicts a hammer head screw being shaped so that it matches a structural profile of fig. 1 to 4;

Fig. 7 depicts a mounting example of a first structural profile according to fig. 1 and a second structural element according to fig. 2;

Fig. 8 depicts a mounting example of a first structural profile according to fig. 1 and a third structural element according to fig. 3;

Fig. 9 depicts a mounting example of a second structural profile according to fig. 2 and a third structural element according to fig. 3; Fig. 10 depicts an assembly example of two structural elements according to Fig.

3;

Fig. 1 1 , 12a and 12b depict a retaining element for fastening four photovoltaic modules to a structural profile according to the structural elements shown in fig. 1 to 4; Fig. 13a and 13b depict a second locking element of at least two photovoltaic modules to a structural element according to fig. 1 to 4;

Fig. 14 depicts a L-shaped end retaining element for fastening at least one photovoltaic module to a structural profile according to structural elements shown in fig. 1 to 4; Fig. 15 depicts a mounting example of an end retaining element shown in the previous fig.14 with a structural profile of fig.3;

Fig. 16 depicts another view of the previous fig. 15, wherein said structural element of fig. 3 is assembled, in turn, to a further structural profile according to that shown in fig. 3; Fig. 17 shows a coupling element suitable for supporting structural elements according to those shown in fig. 2 and 3 in a ground installation of a supporting system; Fig. 18 shows a ground installation of a supporting system for photovoltaic modules comprising a coupling element according to previous fig. 17 and comprising structural elements according to fig. 3;

Fig. 19 shows an installation example comprising structural elements according to the fourth variant shown in fig. 4;

The same reference numbers and letters in the figures represent the same elements and components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A mounting system according to the present invention comprises at least one structural profile 10, preferably in extruded aluminium of any length, said structural profile 10 comprising, according to a cross section, a first part 1 or structural element U-shaped and symmetric with regard to a symmetry axis α. Said first part 1 is integral in a lower part 1 b to a second part defining a substantially flat surface 21 , with thickness h2, extending symmetrically with respect to said symmetry axis α.

Said first part 1 comprises two first seats of gaskets 12 and 12' in a high part 1a and each seat being symmetrically arranged with respect to the other and turned towards the outside of said U so that a respective symmetry axis of each of said first gasket seats results perpendicular to said first symmetry axis α. Said second part 2 comprises, in each opposed end with respect to said part 1b of said first part 1 , a gasket seat 22 and 22' arranged towards the side in which said first part 1 is extended.

Said first U-shaped part is shaped so that it forms a slide 13 to house the head of a hammer head screw 31 , illustrated as an example in fig. 6. The variant of structural profile 10 shown in fig. 1 , is particularly suitable to be used directly on a purlin, wooden batten or wooden beam 30, for example, by fixing the profile 10 via self-threading screws 51. See fig. 5. The same figure shows a photovoltaic module 50 arranged along the structural profile 10 in an assembling position. In order to provide more stability to the connection of the profile to a supporting element such as a purlin, etc., it comprises a faying surface 2a, knurled or in any case rough, in the face of said second part 2 designed to be put in contact with a supporting element. In another variant of the invention, as shown in fig. 2, a structural profile comprises a cross section 110 comprising a first U-shaped part V ₁ substantially identical to the part 1 described in the previous variant and a second part 2' having a closed pseudo-rectangular shape comprising the sides 121 , 126, 126' and 124. Said side 121 comprises said first U-shaped part 1' so as to project from the center line of the side 121 and so that a second symmetry axis α' of said first part is perpendicular to said side 121. Furthermore, said second symmetry axis results symmetry axis for the entire cross section 1 10. At last, said side 121 is substantially flat and defines at the edges, the gasket seats 122 and 122'. Said side 121 results according to said second part defined for said first variant.

Said second part 2' of this second variant of structural element 1 10 comprises two slides 123 and 123', integrated in mutually opposed sides 126 and 126' and symmetrically arranged with regard to said symmetry axis α', so that a rotation axis of a hammer head screw 31 inserted in said slides 123 and 123' is perpendicular to said second symmetry axis α'.

Furthermore said second part 2' comprises a further slide 123" on a side 124 opposed to said side 121 , to house a hammer head screw 31 , said slide 123" being symmetrically arranged with respect to said second symmetry axis α', that is with its own axis coincidental with said symmetry axis α'.

In this second variant said first part 1 ' can comprise a couple of ridges 125 and 125', parallel and symmetrical with respect to said second symmetry axis α' and perpendicular with respect to a lower part 1 'b of said first part 1'. They are spaced and sized to guarantee an optimum seal when self-threading screws are screwed in the groove defined by said U instead of said hammer head screws 31.

This second variant of the object of the invention can be favorably fixed to an external supporting element such as a beam, purlin, or to a further similar structural element 110 via an appropriate, not shown, L-shaped plate. Some examples of L-shaped plates and examples of assemblies are described in the following. Said side 124 comprising said slide 123" comprises also a knurled or in any case rough surface 12a.

Each of the opposed sides 126 and 126' of the section 110 of this second variant comprises a recess 127 (or 127') defined partly by said side 126 (or 126') and partly by said gasket seat 122 (or 122') with height h2 equal to the thickness h2 of said second part 2 of said first variant 10. Furthermore, the height of each of said opposed sides 126 and 126' is equal to hi .

A third variant of structural profile, shown in fig.3, presents a cross section 210 also comprising a first U-shaped part 1 ", substantially identical to said first part 1 (or 1 ') described previously. Also this third variant comprises a second part 2" having a pseudo-rectangular shape comprising the sides 221 , 226, 226' and 224.

Said side 221 comprises said first U-shaped part 1', in order to project from the center line of said side 221 part and so that a third symmetry axis α" of said first part is perpendicular to said side 221. Furthermore, said third symmetry axis is a symmetry axis for the entire cross section 210.

At last, said side 221 is substantially flat and defines at the edges, the gasket seats 222 and 222'. Said side 221 is according to said second part 2 and 2' defined respectively for said first and second variant. Said second part 2" of this third variant of section 210 of structural profile comprises two slides 223 and 223', integrated in mutually opposed sides 226 and 226' and symmetrically arranged with regard to said third symmetry axis α", so that a rotation axis of a hammer head screw 31 inserted in one of said slides 223 and 223' is perpendicular to said third symmetry axis α". Said second part 2" also comprises two further slides 223" and 223'" on a side 224 opposed to said side 221 , to house a hammer head screw 31 , said slides 223" and 223'" being arranged so that a symmetry axis of said hammer head screw 31 , inserted in one of them, results parallel to said third symmetry axis α". Moreover, said two slides are integral in said side 224 symmetrically with respect to said third symmetry axis α". Preferably, a T-shaped element 230 is comprised in the profile defined from the section of a structural profile 210 in order to strengthen it. Said element can have any shape as long as it stays inside the same profile and does not interfere with the insertion of a self-threading screw through a slide 113, 123 or 223. Each of the opposed sides 226 and 226' of the section of this third variant comprises a recess 227" (or 227'") defined partially from said side 226 (or 226') and partially from the gasket seat 222 (or 222') at an edge of said side 221. Said recess 227" (or 227'"), so defined, has a height h2 equal to the thickness h2 of said second part 2 of said first variant 10 of structural profile section. Furthermore, each of the opposed sides 226 and 226' of the section of this third variant comprises a further recess 228 (or 228') defined by said side 226 (or 226') with height hi equal to the height of the sides 126 or 126' of the section 1 10 defining said second variant.

Said recess 127 (or 127') of said second variant defines a seat 127 (or 127') to combine a structural profile 10 according to said first variant with a structural element 110 so that their longitudinal axis are perpendicular to one another, in order to facilitate the mutual planar assembly, as seen in fig. 7. Similarly, the fact that said third variant 210 of structural element has a recess 227 (or 227') suitable to define a second seat 227 (or 227') compatible with the height h2 of the first variant 110 of structural profile, allows to facilitate the mutual planar assembly of a structural profile according to said first variant with a structural element according to said third variant, as seen in fig. 8. At last, said third variant 210 of structural element comprises said further recess 228 (or 228') with height hi defining a third seat 228 (or 228') compatible with the height of said second variant with the same aim of combining perpendicularly two structural profile respectively according to said second and third variant. A relative mounting example is shown in fig. 9. In particular, as shown in fig. 7, 8 and 9, said perpendicular assembly is realized by using L-shaped plates 32 with a width compatible with all the slides 113, 123, 223, so that an edge of said L-shaped plate 32 can be inserted in said slide and fastened, as an example, via a self-threading screw, or, can be fastened to a structural profile via a hammer head screw 31. It is worth to note that the third variant 210 of structural profile comprises two parallel slides 223" and 223'" on the same side 224 opposed to the side where the part 1" projects. Such solution is really favorable, because it allows to use second L-shaped plates 32 with a higher width comprising two holes aligned widthwise on both ends, allowing to fasten two structural elements conform to said third variant. See the example shown in fig. 10.

A fourth variant of the invention comprises said first U-shaped part V" substantially identical to said first part 1 previously described.

Said first part 1 '" being symmetric with regard to a fourth symmetry axis α'". Furthermore, said fourth variant comprises a second part 2"" defining a surface 310, substantially flat which extends symmetrically with respect to said fourth symmetry axis α'". At opposed ends of said second part 2'" there are integral coupling elements which are useful to connect two structural elements 310 to one another according to said fourth variant of the invention. One of said elements is hook-shaped 321 and suitable to couple in the other L-shaped element 322. Said fourth variant results particularly suitable to be used in installations of plants on pitched roof where the photovoltaic modules and their relative supporting structure have to perform also a further technical function, for examples of roofing, in addition to that of electric power production. For this reason they could be applied to secure a waterproofing roof coating, despite the removal of a part of the roof-tiles. A plurality of structural elements according to element 310 can be assembled on a flat roof and filled with ballasting material 90 in order to let a portion of at least one of said first parts 1'" free for anchoring further structural elements or retaining elements, as seen in fig. 19. Examples of suitable ballasting materials are concrete blocks, bricks or gravel. In this way the profile can distribute the load on the floor on which it is laid and avoids drilling the floor, which could cause future water seepage.

The supporting system object of the present invention, with particular reference to said first part 1 (or 1' or 1" or 1 '") simplifies the installation of photovoltaic systems, as two adjacent modules arranged head-to-head result perfectly spaced and thus assuring the perfect alignment of the module strings.

The system object of the present invention comprises also two types of retaining elements to be affixed when the installation is completed, to block a photovoltaic module 50 on one of the structural element so far described. In particular, a first type of retaining element 40 is shown in fig. 11 and 12. Said first type of retaining element comprises a flat surface 45, preferably quadrangular- shaped, with a first couple of tabs 41 and 41 ') on two opposed sides and bent to some degrees towards the same half-space defined by said flat surface. Said type of retaining element comprises also second couple of tabs 42 and 42' on two different opposed sides, bent to some degrees towards said same half-space defined by said flat surface. Said type of retaining element 40 is adaptable to be installed between the edges of the photovoltaic modules 50 in order to lock four of them at the same time: 50, 50', 50" and 50'". In this way it is required a 50% lower number of retaining elements, compared to known systems.

The outer modules of a system can be blocked with the same type of retaining element, or with L inverse shaped retaining element 60 shown in fig. 14. Said end retaining elements can be both have a reduced depth with respect to the extension of a photovoltaic module side to block, or can have an extension equal or higher then an alignment of photovoltaic modules, as for example in fully integrated installations, wherein it is required that the mounting system, together with the photovoltaic modules, is waterproof against rain. So, in these cases a gasket seat 61 is useful for the purpose. The seat is integral to an end of said L in order to have its symmetry axis parallel to the same end.

A second type of retaining element 46 is shown in fig. 13a and 13b. Said second retaining element 46 has a π-shaped cross section, so an extended surface 47 from with two stems 48 and 48' protrude perpendicularly to said extended surface 47. Each of said stems comprising also a gasket seat 49 and 49' specularly arranged towards the outside of said π, so that by engaging the second retaining element 46 on an assembly comprised by a structural profile 10 or 110 or 210 and photovoltaic modules 50 and 50' arranged head-to-head, the gaskets associated with said gasket seats 49 and 49' touch the module frame profile defining a rainwater-proof structure.

Such element defines an orientable coupling element 70 comprising an A-shaped plate 71 comprising strengthening ashlars 72, a locking hole 73 in correspondence to the vertex of said A suitable to act as rotation fulcrum of the coupling element when it is pivoted on a supporting bar, a semicircular through groove 74 in an intermediate area between the stems of said A according to the adjustment of a locking position of said orientable coupling element 70 and at least one rectilinear coupling groove 75 in each side of said stems.

The fig. 17b shows a first view of said orientable coupling element 70, while fig. 17a shows a transversal view of the previous one, showing a bending 76 of said plate 71 perpendicular to a plane containing said plate 71 and to a symmetry axis of the orientable coupling element 70. Said bending comprises a rectilinear coupling groove 77 useful to couple with a structural element conform to said second and third variant of structural profile.

Fig. 18 shows a mounting example of a A-shaped coupling element on a UPN profile stuck into the ground. Said figure shows how the coupling element 70 allows to obtain the correct inclination or tilt angle of the module assembly hold by the supporting system according to the present invention.

Such coupling element solves the problem of the mounting of the module supporting elements, whose inclination has to be changed until the optimal orientation conditions are achieved. Indeed, it is often required to adjust the height of some alignment of photovoltaic modules with regards to other adjacent ones, in order to avoid mutual shadowing. Such operations result difficult and complicated, involving the adjustment of the fixings, by unscrewing and screwing fixing bolts many times, causing a significant loss of time and resources. On the contrary, the above-described coupling element facilitates very simple adjustment by loosening or tightening again the pivot engaged in said semicircular groove 74. The resulting advantages of the embodiment are clear; in particular, a same first part of the supporting elements 1 , 1', 1 " and 1 '" is used in four variants of the supporting elements 10, 110, 210 and 310, in order to adapt the mounting system to every kind of installation. So, for example, starting from a same extruded metal profile, end retaining element 60 can be realized, running on a small portion of a photovoltaic module or on a whole side defined by an entire module assembly. This second solution is particularly appropriate when it is required that the supporting system, cooperating with the photovoltaic modules, results waterproof against rain. In this case, said same first part 1 can be provided with appropriate gaskets housed in said seats 12, 12', 22, 22' of said first variant and in corresponding seats in the other variants. So, always in the case of waterproof insulation, it is foreseen the use of second retaining element 46 with π-shaped cross-section, running on any alignment of photovoltaic module sides. Said retaining elements 46 with π-shaped section can also be provided with gaskets in the appropriate seats 49 and 49'. When, on the contrary a ground installation is foreseen, so as shown in fig. 18, said first retaining elements can be favorably used, reducing their number and also spacing appropriately the modules via said tabs 41 and 41', thus reducing the so- called sail effect or wind uplift when wind impacts on the installed system. As it can be deduced from figures, a structural element can be combined and assembled with elements of the same kind or with structural element of one of the other described variants. All retaining elements are suitable with all the described structural element variants, so, for example, having several meters of extruded bars according to second retaining element 46 allows assembling the most different types of installation. Or the first retaining element 40 is preferred when a waterproof system is not required and on the contrary a lower wind resistance is needed. The illustrated elements and features in the different preferred embodiments can be combined without being excluded from the protection scope of the present patent application.