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).

  • Patent number: 9905717
    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: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Publication number: 20180024222
    Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus configured with an off-set drive assembly. In an example, the apparatus has an inner race structure, which has a cylindrical region coupled to a main body region, the main body comprising an off-set open region. The cylindrical region is an annular sleeve structure coupled to the main body region, which occupies the spatial region within the cylindrical region. In an example, the apparatus has an outer race structure coupled to enclose the inner race structure, configured to couple the inner race structure to allow the inner race structure to move in a rotational manner about a spatial arc region; and configured to allow the inner race structure to pivot about a region normal to a direction of the spatial arc region. In an example, the solar tracker has a clamp assembly that is configured to pivot a torque tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventor: Alexander W. AU
  • Patent number: 9863667
    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: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Publication number: 20170336105
    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: July 21, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventor: Alexander W. AU
  • Publication number: 20170301814
    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 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventor: Alexander W. AU
  • Patent number: 9766319
    Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus configured with an off-set drive assembly. In an example, the apparatus has an inner race structure, which has a cylindrical region coupled to a main body region, the main body comprising an off-set open region. The cylindrical region is an annular sleeve structure coupled to the main body region, which occupies the spatial region within the cylindrical region. In an example, the apparatus has an outer race structure coupled to enclose the inner race structure, configured to couple the inner race structure to allow the inner race structure to move in a rotational manner about a spatial arc region; and configured to allow the inner race structure to pivot about a region normal to a direction of the spatial arc region. In an example, the solar tracker has a clamp assembly that is configured to pivot a torque tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Publication number: 20170099030
    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: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Alexander W. AU
  • Patent number: 9543888
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Publication number: 20160377325
    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: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: Alexander W. AU
  • Publication number: 20160365827
    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: June 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventor: Alexander W. AU
  • Publication number: 20160365828
    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: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventor: Alexander W. AU
  • Patent number: 9466749
    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: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 9276522
    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: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Publication number: 20150288326
    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: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventor: Alexander W. AU
  • Publication number: 20150129021
    Abstract: A solar module is disclosed that has one or more integrated electrical connectors. In addition, a solar module electrical connector holder is disclosed that has resilient wing portions and axial portions that mate with a first connector window in a frame of a solar module and allow the position of an electrical connector to be moved one of vertically, horizontally and angularly with respect to the frame. In addition, a solar module frame is disclosed that has a first connector window in one of the side frame members that is capable of accepting an electrical connection so that the electrical connection is integrated into the frame of the solar module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Barry Cinnamon, David Baker, Wilson W. Leong, Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 8938919
    Abstract: A solar module is disclosed that has one or more integrated electrical connectors. In addition, a solar module electrical connector holder is disclosed that has resilient wing portions and axial portions that mate with a first connector window in a frame of a solar module and allow the position of an electrical connector to be moved one of vertically, horizontally and angularly with respect to the frame. In addition, a solar module frame is disclosed that has a first connector window in one of the side frame members that is capable of accepting an electrical connection so that the electrical connection is integrated into the frame of the solar module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Andalay Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Cinnamon, David Baker, Wilson W. Leong, Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: D743881
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: D744417
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: D777098
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: D804407
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au