Pier connection sytem for pier caps of photovoltaic system

Abstract

A racking assembly for a photovoltaic system includes an elongate pier having a length extending from a lower end to an upper end of the pier. A pier cap is securable to the pier. The pier cap includes an elongate support beam and at least one pier cap hanger secured to the support beam. The at least one pier cap hanger is configured to engage the upper end of the pier to hang the pier cap in a selected position on the pier.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A racking assembly for a photovoltaic system, the racking assembly comprising:
 an elongate pier having a length extending from a lower end to an upper end of the pier; and   a pier cap securable to the pier, the pier cap including an elongate support beam and at least one pier cap hanger secured to the support beam, the at least one pier cap hanger configured to engage the upper end of the pier to hang the pier cap in a selected position on the pier.   
     
     
         2 . The racking assembly set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one pier cap hanger comprises at least one hanger hook configured to engage the upper end of the pier to hang the pier cap in a selected position on the pier. 
     
     
         3 . The racking assembly set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the at least one hanger hook comprises at least two hanger hooks spaced apart along a length of the pier cap. 
     
     
         4 . The racking assembly set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the at least two hanger hooks are rotatably secured to the pier cap for selective rotation about generally vertical axes. 
     
     
         5 . The racking assembly set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the support beam has an upper support surface extending along the length of the support beam, the hanger hooks having terminal end margins extending outward from adjacent the upper support surface of the support beam. 
     
     
         6 . The racking assembly set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the pier cap further includes at least one pier clamp secured to the support beam, and the at least one pier clamp is configured for clamping the pier cap on the pier. 
     
     
         7 . The racking assembly set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the pier cap hanger is configured to position the pier cap on the pier such that the support beam extends at an angle from about 110 degrees to about 120 degrees with respect to the length of the pier. 
     
     
         8 . The racking assembly set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the pier cap hanger is adjustable relative to the support beam for adjusting the angle at which the support beam extends with respect to the length of the pier. 
     
     
         9 . The racking assembly set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one module rail securable to the at least one pier cap, the at least one module rail configured for supporting at least one photovoltaic module thereon. 
     
     
         10 . The racking assembly set forth in  claim 9 , comprising at least two piers, at least two pier caps, and a plurality of module rails. 
     
     
         11 . The racking assembly set forth in  claim 1 , wherein pier is a pipe pier having a central opening extending through the upper end thereof, and wherein the at least one pier cap hanger has a terminal end margin insertable into the opening of the pipe pier to hang the pier cap in a selected position on the pier. 
     
     
         12 . The racking assembly set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the pier is an I-beam pier including a central web, and wherein the at least one pier cap hanger has a terminal end margin engageable with the central web of the I-beam pier adjacent the upper end of the I-beam pier to hang the pier cap in a selected position on the pier. 
     
     
         13 . A photovoltaic system comprising:
 first and second piers spaced apart from one another and secured to and extending upward from the ground, each of the piers having a length extending from a lower end to an upper end of the pier;   first and second pier caps secured to the respective first and second piers, each of the first and second pier caps including an elongate support beam and at least one pier cap hanger secured to the support beam, wherein the at least one pier cap hanger of the first pier cap engages the upper end of the first pier to hang the first pier cap in a selected position on the first pier, and the at least one pier cap hanger of the second pier cap engages the upper end of the second pier to hang the second pier cap in a selected position on the second pier;   a plurality of a module rails secured to and extending between the support beams of the respective first and second pier caps; and   a plurality of photovoltaic modules secured to the module rails.   
     
     
         14 . The photovoltaic system set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one pier cap hanger comprises at least one hanger hook engaging the upper end of the pier to hang the pier cap in a selected position on the pier. 
     
     
         15 . The photovoltaic system set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the at least one hanger hook comprises at least two hanger hooks spaced apart along a length of the pier. 
     
     
         16 . The photovoltaic system set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the at least two hanger hooks are rotatably secured to the pier for selective rotation about generally vertical axes. 
     
     
         17 . The photovoltaic system set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the support beam has an upper support surface extending along the length of the support beam, the hanger hooks having terminal end margins extending outward from adjacent the upper support surface of the support beam. 
     
     
         18 . The photovoltaic system set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the pier cap further includes at least one pier clamp secured to the support beam, the at least one pier clamp clamping the pier cap on the pier. 
     
     
         19 . The photovoltaic system set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the pier cap hanger positions the pier cap on the pier such that the support beam extends at an angle from about 110 degrees to about 120 degrees with respect to the length of the pier. 
     
     
         20 . A method of assembling a racking assembly for a photovoltaic system, the method comprising:
 securing an elongate pier to the ground such that the pier extends upward from the ground; and   hanging a pier cap on the elongate pier by engaging an upper end of the pier with at least one pier cap hanger secured to a support beam of the pier cap.