Patents by Inventor Brian Wares

Brian Wares 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: 11939566
    Abstract: A system and method for growing and maintaining biological material including producing a protein associated with the tissue, selecting cells associated with the tissue, expanding the cells, creating at least one tissue bio-ink including the expanded cells, printing the at least one tissue bio-ink in at least one tissue growth medium mixture, growing the tissue from the printed at least one tissue bio-ink, and maintaining viability of the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Christopher C. Langenfeld, David D. B. Cannan, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Dean Kamen, Jason A. Demers, Frederick Morgan, Timothy D. Moreau, Brian D. Tracey, Matthew Ware, Richard J. Lanigan, Michael A. Baker, David Blumberg, Jr., Richard E. Gautney, Derek G. Kane, Dane Fawkes, Thomas J. Bollenbach, Michael C. Tilley, Stuart A. Jacobson, John F. Mannisto
  • Publication number: 20240075588
    Abstract: An end clamp for installation of a solar module includes a cap member that is installed in an opening of a rail. The end clamp also includes an assembly having a slider member and a base member, and also includes a fastener that attaches the assembly to the cap member. The slider member moves relative to the base member to clamp down on a flange of the solar module based on tightening of the fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian WARES, Ethan M. ELY
  • Publication number: 20220345075
    Abstract: This specification describes angled polymer solar modules, methods for producing angled polymer solar modules, and methods for installing angled polymer solar modules. In some examples, a method includes producing a flat polymer sheet including one or more photovoltaic cells. The method includes applying force to the flat polymer sheet to curve the flat polymer sheet in at least one region, forming an angled polymer sheet from the flat polymer sheet. The method includes mounting the angled polymer sheet on a roof deck such that the photovoltaic cells are angled with respect to the roof deck by virtue of the at least one region being curved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: David Okawa, Tamir Lance, Gabriela Bunea, Brian Wares, Zachary Judkins
  • Patent number: 11424714
    Abstract: This specification describes angled polymer solar modules, methods for producing angled polymer solar modules, and methods for installing angled polymer solar modules. In some examples, a method includes producing a flat polymer sheet including one or more photovoltaic cells. The method includes applying force to the flat polymer sheet to curve the flat polymer sheet in at least one region, forming an angled polymer sheet from the flat polymer sheet. The method includes mounting the angled polymer sheet on a roof deck such that the photovoltaic cells are angled with respect to the roof deck by virtue of the at least one region being curved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Okawa, Tamir Lance, Gabriela Bunea, Brian Wares, Zachary Judkins
  • Patent number: 11005416
    Abstract: Modular photovoltaic (PV) panel, system, and method of mounting. The system including a mounting flashing configured to mounted to a mounting surface and a folding PV panel. The folding PV panel including: a first subpanel including first PV cells, wherein the first subpanel extends along a first lateral plane and comprises a plurality of mounting hooks extending laterally from and affixed to a backside of the first subpanel, the mounting hooks configured to couple to the mounting flashing; a second subpanel including second PV cells, wherein the second subpanel extends along a second lateral plane, wherein the second subpanel comprises a front edge support configured to hold a front edge of the second subpanel away from the mounting surface; and a hinge assembly rotationally coupling the first subpanel and the second subpanel to allow an angle between the first lateral plane and the second lateral plane to change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Wares, David C. Okawa, Tamir Lance
  • Patent number: 10958208
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for a photovoltaic (PV) module, and systems including such mounting assemblies, are described. In an example, the mounting assembly includes a top support and a bottom support having respective mounting walls, and holes through the mounting walls. A pin assembly may extend through the holes in the mounting walls to constrain the supports, for example, relative to a torque member of a solar-tracking PV system. The pin assembly may include end collars to engage and distribute loading from the torque member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Oh, Brian Wares, Nicholas James McKibben
  • Publication number: 20200382053
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides junction boxes for use with roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) modules. The junction boxes may include a housing having a plurality of sides, a bottom having an aperture, and a top edge having a top opening, where the top edge has a lip disposed around the top edge and projecting upward from the top edge. The junction boxes may further include a lid removably coupled to the top edge of the housing and a seal disposed on an outer surface of the bottom of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Brian WARES, Ethan ELY, Sushrut BAPAT, Gary ROSSI
  • Publication number: 20200382049
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides photovoltaic (PV) module mounting systems and bracket assemblies for securing PV modules to roofs. The photovoltaic module mounting systems may include a roofing panel having a base layer, a flashing panel coupled along an edge of the roofing panel, and a bracket assembly coupled to the roofing panel, where the bracket assembly includes a bracket and a clip, and where the clip is configured to couple with an edge feature of a PV module to secure the PV module to the roofing panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Brian WARES, Ethan ELY, Sushrut BAPAT, Gary ROSSI
  • Patent number: 10804837
    Abstract: Various systems and methods enabling low cost solar tracker systems including lower cost mounting assemblies and fasteners are described herein. Reducing the material, manufacturing costs and/or labor required for assembly of solar tracker components can present significant reductions in the cost of solar tracker systems. In an embodiment, a hollow fastener can significantly lower the cost of solar tracker mounting and coupling assemblies while still maintaining strength and structural integrity of the solar tracker system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventor: Brian Wares
  • Publication number: 20200153384
    Abstract: Modular photovoltaic (PV) panel, system, and method of mounting. The system including a mounting flashing configured to mounted to a mounting surface and a folding PV panel. The folding PV panel including: a first subpanel including first PV cells, wherein the first subpanel extends along a first lateral plane and comprises a plurality of mounting hooks extending laterally from and affixed to a backside of the first subpanel, the mounting hooks configured to couple to the mounting flashing; a second subpanel including second PV cells, wherein the second subpanel extends along a second lateral plane, wherein the second subpanel comprises a front edge support configured to hold a front edge of the second subpanel away from the mounting surface; and a hinge assembly rotationally coupling the first subpanel and the second subpanel to allow an angle between the first lateral plane and the second lateral plane to change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Brian Wares, David C. Okawa, Tamir Lance
  • Patent number: 10630232
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module clip, and methods of fastening a PV module to a structural member using the PV module clip, are described. In an example, a PV module clip includes a toe portion interconnected with several legs by a neck portion. The toe portion may be inserted through several aligned holes of a PV module frame and a mounting assembly strut to an underside of the strut. The neck portion may extend upward from the toe portion through the aligned holes to the legs above the strut. The legs may extend around a portion of the strut in a tensioned state, and engage with a retaining feature to hold the legs in the tensioned state. Accordingly, the legs may clamp the PV module to the mounting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Elizabeth Dix Schulte, Brian Wares, Nicholas James McKibben
  • Patent number: 10581372
    Abstract: Modular photovoltaic (PV) panel, system, and method of mounting. The system including a mounting flashing configured to mounted to a mounting surface and a folding PV panel. The folding PV panel including: a first subpanel including first PV cells, wherein the first subpanel extends along a first lateral plane and comprises a plurality of mounting hooks extending laterally from and affixed to a backside of the first subpanel, the mounting hooks configured to couple to the mounting flashing; a second subpanel including second PV cells, wherein the second subpanel extends along a second lateral plane, wherein the second subpanel comprises a front edge support configured to hold a front edge of the second subpanel away from the mounting surface; and a hinge assembly rotationally coupling the first subpanel and the second subpanel to allow an angle between the first lateral plane and the second lateral plane to change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Wares, David C. Okawa, Tamir Lance
  • Publication number: 20190386608
    Abstract: Modular photovoltaic (PV) panel, system, and method of mounting. The system including a mounting flashing configured to mounted to a mounting surface and a folding PV panel. The folding PV panel including: a first subpanel including first PV cells, wherein the first subpanel extends along a first lateral plane and comprises a plurality of mounting hooks extending laterally from and affixed to a backside of the first subpanel, the mounting hooks configured to couple to the mounting flashing; a second subpanel including second PV cells, wherein the second subpanel extends along a second lateral plane, wherein the second subpanel comprises a front edge support configured to hold a front edge of the second subpanel away from the mounting surface; and a hinge assembly rotationally coupling the first subpanel and the second subpanel to allow an angle between the first lateral plane and the second lateral plane to change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Brian Wares, David C. Okawa, Tamir Lance
  • Patent number: 10469025
    Abstract: A solar-tracking photovoltaic (PV) system having a motor drive vertically below a PV module, is described. In an example, the motor drive rotates a torque tube holding the PV module. The motor drive may include a gearbox having a worm drive, and a gearmotor having an offset gear. The offset gear may be coupled to a planetary gear train along an axis of a worm of the worm drive, and the offset gear may be coupled to a motor along a shaft axis offset vertically below the worm axis. Accordingly, the motor may be offset vertically below the worm drive, i.e., farther from the PV laminate than the worm drive, and a rotational clearance for the PV laminate may be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Tyler Grushkowitz, Brian Wares, Mark Adam Schimelpfenig, Jason C. Jones
  • Patent number: D879031
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tamir Lance, David Okawa, Ryan Reagan, Brian Wares, Laurence Mackler, Hikaru Iwasaka, Alexander Keller
  • Patent number: D904289
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tamir Lance, David Okawa, Ryan Reagan, Brian Wares, Laurence Mackler, Hikaru Iwasaka, Alexander Keller
  • Patent number: D921573
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Wares, David C. Okawa, Tamir Lance
  • Patent number: D928079
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tamir Lance, David Okawa, Ryan Reagan, Brian Wares, Laurence Mackler, Hikaru Iwasaka, Alexander Keller
  • Patent number: D953972
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tamir Lance, David Okawa, Ryan Reagan, Brian Wares, Laurence Mackler, Hikaru Iwasaka, Alexander Keller
  • Patent number: D1016736
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: MAXEON SOLAR PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Tamir Lance, David Okawa, Ryan Reagan, Brian Wares, Laurence Mackler, Hikaru Iwasaka, Alexander Keller