Patents by Inventor Alexander W. Au

Alexander W. Au 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: 20210351736
    Abstract: In an example, the solar tracker has a clamp assembly configured to pivot a torque tube. In an example, the assembly has a support structure configured as a frame having configured by a first and second anchoring region. In an example, the support structure is configured from a thickness of metal material. In an example, the support structure is configured in an upright manner, and has a major plane region. In an example, the assembly has a pivot device configured on the support structure, a torque tube suspending on the pivot device and aligned within an opening of the support, and configured to be normal to the plane region. In an example, the torque tube is configured on the pivot device to move about an arc in a first direction or in a second direction such that the first direction is in a direction opposite to the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventor: Alexander W. AU
  • Publication number: 20210313925
    Abstract: In an example, the solar tracker has a clamp assembly that is configured to pivot a torque tube. In an example, the assembly has a support structure configured as a frame having configured by a first anchoring region and a second anchoring region. In an example, the support structure is configured from a thickness of metal material. In an example, the support structure is configured in an upright manner, and has a major plane region. In an example, the assembly has a pivot device configured on the support structure and a torque tube suspending on the pivot device and aligned within an opening of the support and configured to be normal to the plane region. In an example, the torque tube is configured on the pivot device to move about an arc in a first direction or in a second direction such that the first direction is in a direction opposite to the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander W. AU
  • Publication number: 20210305446
    Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus. In an example, the apparatus comprises a center of mass with an adjustable hanger assembly configured with a clam shell clamp assembly on the adjustable hanger assembly and a cylindrical torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end such that the center of mass is aligned with a center of rotation of the cylindrical torque tubes to reduce a load of a drive motor operably coupled to the cylindrical torque tube. Further details of the present example, among others, can be found throughout the present specification and more particularly below.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventor: Alexander W. AU
  • Publication number: 20210305932
    Abstract: A solar tracker apparatus includes an adjustable hanger assembly that has a clam shell hanger assembly. The clam shell hanger assembly may hold a torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end. A center of mass of the solar tracker apparatus may be aligned with a center of rotation of the torque tubes, in order to reduce a load of a drive device operably coupled to the torque tube. Solar modules may be coupled to the torque tubes. The solar tracker includes an energy system that includes solar panel, a DC to DC converter, a battery, and a micro-controller. The energy system may facilitate full operation movement of the tracker apparatus without any external power lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Alexander W. Au
  • Publication number: 20210293455
    Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus. In an example, the apparatus comprises a center of mass with an adjustable hanger assembly configured with a clam shell clamp assembly on the adjustable hanger assembly and a cylindrical torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end such that the center of mass is aligned with a center of rotation of the cylindrical torque tubes to reduce a load of a drive motor operably coupled to the cylindrical torque tube. Further details of the present example, among others, can be found throughout the present specification and more particularly below.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventor: Alexander W. AU
  • Publication number: 20210293454
    Abstract: A solar tracker system comprising a plurality of on sun trackers and a plurality of off sun tracker. Each tracker is selectively adjusted to achieve a desired power output of the solar power plant system in an example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Yudong MA, Yang Liu, Francesco BORRELLI, Allan DALY, Ricardo DELGADO-NANEZ, Alexander W. AU
  • Patent number: 11121273
    Abstract: A solar module configured in a frame assembly with multi-configuration attachment member(s), which has locking and unlocking characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 11101768
    Abstract: A solar tracker apparatus includes an adjustable hanger assembly that has a clam shell hanger assembly. The clam shell hanger assembly may hold a torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end. A center of mass of the solar tracker apparatus may be aligned with a center of rotation of the torque tubes, in order to reduce a load of a drive device operably coupled to the torque tube. Solar modules may be coupled to the torque tubes. The solar tracker includes an energy system that includes solar panel, a DC to DC converter, a battery, and a micro-controller. The energy system may facilitate full operation movement of the tracker apparatus without any external power lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 11043607
    Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus. In an example, the apparatus comprises a center of mass with an adjustable hanger assembly configured with a clam shell clamp assembly on the adjustable hanger assembly and a cylindrical torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end such that the center of mass is aligned with a center of rotation of the cylindrical torque tubes to reduce a load of a drive motor operably coupled to the cylindrical torque tube. Further details of the present example, among others, can be found throughout the present specification and more particularly below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 10998849
    Abstract: In an example, the solar tracker has a clamp assembly configured to pivot a torque tube. In an example, the assembly has a support structure configured as a frame having configured by a first and second anchoring region. In an example, the support structure is configured from a thickness of metal material. In an example, the support structure is configured in an upright manner, and has a major plane region. In an example, the assembly has a pivot device configured on the support structure, a torque tube suspending on the pivot device and aligned within an opening of the support, and configured to be normal to the plane region. In an example, the torque tube is configured on the pivot device to move about an arc in a first direction or in a second direction such that the first direction is in a direction opposite to the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 10985690
    Abstract: In an example, the solar tracker has a clamp assembly that is configured to pivot a torque tube. In an example, the assembly has a support structure configured as a frame having configured by a first anchoring region and a second anchoring region. In an example, the support structure is configured from a thickness of metal material. In an example, the support structure is configured in an upright manner, and has a major plane region. In an example, the assembly has a pivot device configured on the support structure and a torque tube suspending on the pivot device and aligned within an opening of the support and configured to be normal to the plane region. In an example, the torque tube is configured on the pivot device to move about an arc in a first direction or in a second direction such that the first direction is in a direction opposite to the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 10928100
    Abstract: A solar tracker including a torque tube, a drive device connected to one end of the torque tube, a frame assembly coupled to the torque tube, the frame assembly arranged perpendicular to the axis of the torque tube and supporting a plurality of solar modules. The solar tracker further includes a clamp assembly having a housing coupled to the torque tube where the torque tube is coupled to the housing, the housing having an opening with a major plane normal to a length of the torque tube, the opening having an inner region that acts as a stop for the torque tube when moved in a first direction, and as a stop for the torque tube when moved in a second direction and the drive device is operable to move the torque tube about a center of rotation from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Publication number: 20200244216
    Abstract: In an example, the system has a mechanical isolator comprising an elastic material configured to separate the panel rail from the torque tube cause destructive interference with a natural resonant frequency of the system without the mechanical isolator to reduce a mechanical vibration of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventor: Alexander W. AU
  • Publication number: 20200228054
    Abstract: A solar tracker array has solar modules that may be configured to operate as a wind fence according to a wind characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventor: Alexander W. AU
  • Publication number: 20200182513
    Abstract: A solar tracker system comprising a plurality of on sun trackers and a plurality of off sun tracker. Each tracker is selectively adjusted to achieve a desired power output of the solar power plant system in an example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Yu Dong MA, Yang Liu, Francesco BORRELLI, Allan DALY, Ricardo DELGADO-NANEZ, Alexander W. AU
  • Patent number: 10601364
    Abstract: A solar tracker array has solar modules that may be configured to operate as a wind fence according to a wind characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 10601365
    Abstract: In an example, the system has a mechanical isolator comprising an elastic material configured to separate the panel rail from the torque tube cause destructive interference with a natural resonant frequency of the system without the mechanical isolator to reduce a mechanical vibration of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Publication number: 20200076358
    Abstract: In an example, a clamp assembly for a glass on glass solar module for a tracker is included. The assembly has a lower clamp structure characterized by a top-hat shaped rail structure having a length extending from a first end to a second end. In an example, the assembly has an upper clamp structure configured to sandwich a pair of edges of a pair of solar modules with a portion of the lower clamp structure. In an example, the assembly has a locking spacer configured to the pair of edges of the pair of solar modules. In an example, the pair of edges comprises substantially glass material. In an example, the assembly has a pair of key structures configured with the locking spacer. Each of the key structures is affixed to each of the solar modules to physically lock each of the solar modules to the upper clamp structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventor: Alexander W. AU
  • Patent number: D909955
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: D941747
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au