Profiles for fixing rigid plates

Abstract

The present invention relates to profiles for attaching rigid plates, especially photovoltaic modules, to a roof and to a method and system for attaching photovoltaic modules to a roof structure with the help of profiles.

1 . Profile for attaching rigid plates, especially light weight rigid photovoltaic modules, to a roofing structure comprising a waterproofing membrane, wherein the profile comprises a soft side which is attachable to the waterproofing membrane and a rigid insert or a rigid upper part and the modules are attached to the insert of the profile or to the rigid upper part. 
     
     
         2 . Profile according to  claim 1 , wherein the profile is attached to the membrane by welding, glueing or hook and loop fasteners, preferably by welding. 
     
     
         3 . Profile according to  claim 1 , wherein the modules are attached with mechanical fixing means, preferably clips or screws, most preferred self drilling screws, to the profile. 
     
     
         4 . Profile according to  claim 1 , wherein the profiles comprise polymeric profiles with rigid insert for attaching to the waterproofing sheet and secondary profiles fixed under an angle to the polymeric profiles for attaching the photovoltaic modules. 
     
     
         5 . Profile according to  claim 1 , wherein the rigid insert has smaller dimensions in width and height than the internal space of the profile allowing dilatation and contraction freedom of movement of the insert within the profile. 
     
     
         6 . Profile according to  claim 1 , wherein the profile has flaps for attaching and/or sealing to the waterproofing membrane. 
     
     
         7 . Profile according to  claim 1 , wherein the profile has a non-uniform height along its length with the upper part being periodically omitted. 
     
     
         8 . Profile according  claim 1 , wherein the profiles are mechanically fixed to the roof structure thereby attaching the waterproofing membrane and the profiles are waterproof and sealed to the membrane. 
     
     
         9 . Method to attach photovoltaic modules with a rigid sheet to a roof structure comprising the steps of:
 providing profiles comprising a soft side which is attachable to the waterproofing membrane and a rigid insert,   fixing the profiles on the roof structure   attaching the modules with the rigid sheet to the profiles.   
     
     
         10 . Method according to  claim 9 , wherein the roof structure is a waterproofing membrane and the profiles have a soft side which is welded to the waterproofing membrane and the profiles comprise a rigid insert and the rigid sheet is mechanically attached to the insert with screws, nails, bolts or other fixing means. 
     
     
         11 . Use of profiles according to  claim 1  for attaching the waterproofing membrane to the roof or for sealing rows of mechanical fasteners or bars attaching the waterproofing membrane to the roof. 
     
     
         12 . System for attaching photovoltaic modules to a roof structure comprising profiles according to  claim 1  attachable to the roof structure and modules with a rigid sheet for attaching the modules to the profiles. 
     
     
         13 . System according to  claim 12 , wherein the roofing structure is a waterproofing sheet and the profiles are welded to the waterproofing sheet, preferably before installation of the sheet on a roof. 
     
     
         14 . System according to  claim 12 , wherein the temperature within the modules is controlled to not higher than 90° C., preferably 85° C. by providing ventilation space underneath the modules between the profiles. 
     
     
         15 . System according to  claim 12 , of photovoltaic modules with flaps and sun tracking ability, comprising profiles and secondary profiles, wherein the profiles comprise polymeric profiles with rigid insert for attaching to the waterproofing sheet and the secondary profiles are fixed under an angle to the polymeric profiles for attaching the photovoltaic modules.