Patents by Inventor Ben Urbanek

Ben Urbanek 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: 11962267
    Abstract: A solar tracker includes a rotatable portion including a plurality of solar modules, at least a portion of each of the modules being arranged in a row and electrically coupled to each other in series to define at least one string. A motor is operatively coupled to the rotatable portion and configured to supply torque to the rotatable portion for rotating the rotatable portion about an axis. At least one electrical characteristic sensor and at least one controller are in operative communication with the motor and with the at least one electrical characteristic sensor. The at least one controller is configured to instruct the motor to supply torque to the rotatable portion in response to one or more signals received by the at least one controller from the at least one electrical characteristic sensor. A method of operating a solar tracking system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: RBI Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: David Compaan, Ben Urbanek
  • Publication number: 20210359639
    Abstract: A solar tracker includes a rotatable portion including a plurality of solar modules, at least a portion of each of the modules being arranged in a row and electrically coupled to each other in series to define at least one string. A motor is operatively coupled to the rotatable portion and configured to supply torque to the rotatable portion for rotating the rotatable portion about an axis. At least one electrical characteristic sensor and at least one controller are in operative communication with the motor and with the at least one electrical characteristic sensor. The at least one controller is configured to instruct the motor to supply torque to the rotatable portion in response to one or more signals received by the at least one controller from the at least one electrical characteristic sensor. A method of operating a solar tracking system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: David Compaan, Ben Urbanek
  • Patent number: 10250181
    Abstract: A support device for supporting a solar panel above a base surface includes a body having an upper mounting surface, a lower base surface, and integral ballast. The upper mounting surface is sloped relative to the lower base surface. The support device further includes at least one mounting element projecting upwardly from the upper mounting surface and configured to support a solar panel. A solar panel support system includes first and second support devices spaced apart from one another, each including a body having an upper mounting surface, a lower base surface, and integral ballast, the upper mounting surface being sloped relative to the lower base surface. Each support device further includes first and second mounting elements projecting upwardly from the upper mounting surface and configured to support solar panels. First and second purlins are supported by and extend between the first and second support devices, and are configured to support the solar panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: RBI Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Vietas, Ben Urbanek, Mike Freshwater, Nick Allen
  • Publication number: 20170111006
    Abstract: A support device for supporting a solar panel above a base surface includes a body having an upper mounting surface, a lower base surface, and integral ballast. The upper mounting surface is sloped relative to the lower base surface. The support device further includes at least one mounting element projecting upwardly from the upper mounting surface and configured to support a solar panel. A solar panel support system includes first and second support devices spaced apart from one another, each including a body having an upper mounting surface, a lower base surface, and integral ballast, the upper mounting surface being sloped relative to the lower base surface. Each support device further includes first and second mounting elements projecting upwardly from the upper mounting surface and configured to support solar panels. First and second purlins are supported by and extend between the first and second support devices, and are configured to support the solar panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: William L. Vietas, Ben Urbanek, Mike Freshwater, Nick Allen