Patents by Inventor Adrien CRUCIFIX

Adrien CRUCIFIX has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240012082
    Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker orientable about an axis of rotation, said method repetitively completing successive control phases, where each control phase implements the following successive steps: a) observing the cloud coverage above the solar tracker; b) comparing the observed cloud coverage with cloud coverage models stored in a database, each cloud coverage model being associated to an orientation setpoint value of the solar tracker; c) matching the observed cloud coverage with a cloud coverage model; d) servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker by applying the orientation setpoint value associated to said cloud coverage model retained during step c).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Jérôme ARLIAUD, Adrien CRUCIFIX, Philippe Blanc
  • Patent number: 11774539
    Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker (1) orientable about an axis of rotation (A), said method repetitively completing successive control phases, where each control phase implements the following successive steps: a) observing the cloud coverage above the solar tracker (1); b) comparing the observed cloud coverage with cloud coverage models stored in a database, each cloud coverage model being associated to an orientation setpoint value of the solar tracker; c) matching the observed cloud coverage with a cloud coverage model; d) servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker by applying the orientation setpoint value associated to said cloud coverage model retained during step c). The present invention finds application in the field of solar trackers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER LLC
    Inventors: Jérôme Arliaud, Adrien Crucifix, Philippe Blanc
  • Patent number: 11387774
    Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker (1) orientable about an axis of rotation (A), said method implementing the following steps: a) observing the evolution over time of the cloud coverage above the solar tracker (1); b) determining the evolution over time of an optimum inclination angle of the solar tracker (1) substantially corresponding to a maximum of solar radiation on the solar tracker (1), depending on the observed cloud coverage; (c) predicting the future evolution of the cloud coverage based on the observed prior evolution of the cloud coverage; d) calculating the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle according to the prediction of the future evolution of the cloud coverage; e) servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker (1) according to the prior evolution of the optimum inclination angle and depending on the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle. The present invention finds application in the field of solar trackers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER LLC
    Inventors: Jérôme Arliaud, Adrien Crucifix, Philippe Blanc
  • Patent number: 11327143
    Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker (1) orientable about an axis of rotation (A), said method repetitively completing successive control phases, where each control phase implements the following successive steps: a) observing the cloud coverage above the solar tracker (1); b) comparing the observed cloud coverage with cloud coverage models stored in a database, each cloud coverage model being associated to an orientation setpoint value of the solar tracker; c) matching the observed cloud coverage with a cloud coverage model; d) servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker by applying the orientation setpoint value associated to said cloud coverage model retained during step c). The present invention finds application in the field of solar trackers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventors: Jérôme Arliaud, Adrien Crucifix, Philippe Blanc
  • Patent number: 11307284
    Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker (1) orientable about an axis of rotation (A), said method repetitively completing successive control phases, where each control phase implements the following successive steps: a) observing the cloud coverage above the solar tracker (1); b) comparing the observed cloud coverage with cloud coverage models stored in a database, each cloud coverage model being associated to an orientation setpoint value of the solar tracker; c) matching the observed cloud coverage with a cloud coverage model; d) servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker by applying the orientation setpoint value associated to said cloud coverage model retained during step c). The present invention finds application in the field of solar trackers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventors: Jérôme Arliaud, Adrien Crucifix, Philippe Blanc
  • Patent number: 11196381
    Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker orientable about an axis of rotation, including observing the evolution over time of the cloud coverage above the solar tracker; determining the evolution over time of an optimum inclination angle of the solar tracker substantially corresponding to a maximum of solar radiation on the solar tracker, depending on the observed cloud coverage; predicting the future evolution of the cloud coverage based on the observed prior evolution of the cloud coverage; calculating the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle according to the prediction of the future evolution of the cloud coverage; servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker according to the prior evolution of the optimum inclination angle and depending on the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventors: Jérôme Arliaud, Adrien Crucifix, Philippe Blanc
  • Publication number: 20210288608
    Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker (1) orientable about an axis of rotation (A), said method implementing the following steps: a) observing the evolution over time of the cloud coverage above the solar tracker (1); b) determining the evolution over time of an optimum inclination angle of the solar tracker (1) substantially corresponding to a maximum of solar radiation on the solar tracker (1), depending on the observed cloud coverage; (c) predicting the future evolution of the cloud coverage based on the observed prior evolution of the cloud coverage; d) calculating the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle according to the prediction of the future evolution of the cloud coverage; e) servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker (1) according to the prior evolution of the optimum inclination angle and depending on the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle. The present invention finds application in the field of solar trackers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Jérôme ARLIAUD, Adrien CRUCIFIX, Philippe Blanc
  • Publication number: 20210223348
    Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker (1) orientable about an axis of rotation (A), said method repetitively completing successive control phases, where each control phase implements the following successive steps: a) observing the cloud coverage above the solar tracker (1); b) comparing the observed cloud coverage with cloud coverage models stored in a database, each cloud coverage model being associated to an orientation setpoint value of the solar tracker; c) matching the observed cloud coverage with a cloud coverage model; d) servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker by applying the orientation setpoint value associated to said cloud coverage model retained during step c). The present invention finds application in the field of solar trackers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Jérôme ARLIAUD, Adrien CRUCIFIX, Philippe Blanc
  • Publication number: 20210223347
    Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker (1) orientable about an axis of rotation (A), said method repetitively completing successive control phases, where each control phase implements the following successive steps: a) observing the cloud coverage above the solar tracker (1); b) comparing the observed cloud coverage with cloud coverage models stored in a database, each cloud coverage model being associated to an orientation setpoint value of the solar tracker; c) matching the observed cloud coverage with a cloud coverage model; d) servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker by applying the orientation setpoint value associated to said cloud coverage model retained during step c). The present invention finds application in the field of solar trackers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Jérôme ARLIAUD, Adrien CRUCIFIX, Philippe Blanc
  • Publication number: 20210184625
    Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker orientable about an axis of rotation, including observing the evolution over time of the cloud coverage above the solar tracker; determining the evolution over time of an optimum inclination angle of the solar tracker substantially corresponding to a maximum of solar radiation on the solar tracker, depending on the observed cloud coverage; predicting the future evolution of the cloud coverage based on the observed prior evolution of the cloud coverage; calculating the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle according to the prediction of the future evolution of the cloud coverage; servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker according to the prior evolution of the optimum inclination angle and depending on the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventors: Jérôme ARLIAUD, Adrien CRUCIFIX, Philippe Blanc
  • Patent number: 10903783
    Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker orientable about an axis of rotation, including observing the evolution over time of the cloud coverage above the solar tracker; determining the evolution over time of an optimum inclination angle of the solar tracker substantially corresponding to a maximum of solar radiation on the solar tracker, depending on the observed cloud coverage; predicting the future evolution of the cloud coverage based on the observed prior evolution of the cloud coverage; calculating the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle according to the prediction of the future evolution of the cloud coverage; servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker according to the prior evolution of the optimum inclination angle and depending on the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventors: Jérôme Arliaud, Adrien Crucifix, Philippe Blanc
  • Publication number: 20200309893
    Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker (1) orientable about an axis of rotation (A), said method repetitively completing successive control phases, where each control phase implements the following successive steps: a) observing the cloud coverage above the solar tracker (1); b) comparing the observed cloud coverage with cloud coverage models stored in a database, each cloud coverage model being associated to an orientation setpoint value of the solar tracker; c) matching the observed cloud coverage with a cloud coverage model; d) servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker by applying the orientation setpoint value associated to said cloud coverage model retained during step c). The present invention finds application in the field of solar trackers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Jérôme ARLIAUD, Adrien CRUCIFIX, Philippe Blanc
  • Publication number: 20200235696
    Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker orientable about an axis of rotation, including observing the evolution over time of the cloud coverage above the solar tracker; determining the evolution over time of an optimum inclination angle of the solar tracker substantially corresponding to a maximum of solar radiation on the solar tracker, depending on the observed cloud coverage; predicting the future evolution of the cloud coverage based on the observed prior evolution of the cloud coverage; calculating the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle according to the prediction of the future evolution of the cloud coverage; servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker according to the prior evolution of the optimum inclination angle and depending on the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicants: NEXTracker Inc., NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventors: Jérôme ARLIAUD, Adrien CRUCIFIX, Philippe BLANC
  • Patent number: 10684348
    Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker orientable about an axis of rotation, the method repetitively completing successive control phases, where each control phase implements the following successive steps: observing the cloud coverage above the solar tracker; comparing the observed cloud coverage with cloud coverage models stored in a database, each cloud coverage model being associated to an orientation setpoint value of the solar tracker; matching the observed cloud coverage with a cloud coverage model; servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker by applying the orientation setpoint value associated to said cloud coverage model retained during step c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC
    Inventors: Jérôme Arliaud, Adrien Crucifix, Philippe Blanc
  • Patent number: 10541644
    Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker orientable about an axis of rotation, including observing the evolution over time of the cloud coverage above the solar tracker; determining the evolution over time of an optimum inclination angle of the solar tracker substantially corresponding to a maximum of solar radiation on the solar tracker, depending on the observed cloud coverage; predicting the future evolution of the cloud coverage based on the observed prior evolution of the cloud coverage; calculating the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle according to the prediction of the future evolution of the cloud coverage; servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker according to the prior evolution of the optimum inclination angle and depending on the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC
    Inventors: Jérôme Arliaud, Adrien Crucifix, Philippe Blanc
  • Publication number: 20180196117
    Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker orientable about an axis of rotation, the method repetitively completing successive control phases, where each control phase implements the following successive steps: observing the cloud coverage above the solar tracker; comparing the observed cloud coverage with cloud coverage models stored in a database, each cloud coverage model being associated to an orientation setpoint value of the solar tracker; matching the observed cloud coverage with a cloud coverage model; servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker by applying the orientation setpoint value associated to said cloud coverage model retained during step c).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Jérôme ARLIAUD, Adrien CRUCIFIX, Philippe BLANC
  • Publication number: 20180152134
    Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker orientable about an axis of rotation, including observing the evolution over time of the cloud coverage above the solar tracker; determining the evolution over time of an optimum inclination angle of the solar tracker substantially corresponding to a maximum of solar radiation on the solar tracker, depending on the observed cloud coverage; predicting the future evolution of the cloud coverage based on the observed prior evolution of the cloud coverage; calculating the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle according to the prediction of the future evolution of the cloud coverage; servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker according to the prior evolution of the optimum inclination angle and depending on the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Jérôme ARLIAUD, Adrien CRUCIFIX, Philippe BLANC