Patents by Inventor Christina C. Manansala

Christina C. Manansala 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: 9496821
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module framing and coupling system enables the attachment of PV modules to a roof or other mounting surface without requiring the use of separate structural support members which attach directly to and span between multiple PV modules in a formed PV array. The inventive apparatus provides a parallel coupling for securely interlocking the outside surfaces of parallel frame members together in a side to side arrangement to form an array with improved structural load distribution. The inventive coupling member may attach to a slot in the frame at substantially any position along the length of the frame thereby enabling the interconnection of adjacent PV modules along both an x and y axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Christina C. Manansala, Hans-Christoph Haenlein
  • Publication number: 20140251431
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module framing and coupling system enables the attachment of PV modules to a roof or other mounting surface without requiring the use of separate structural support members which attach directly to and span between multiple PV modules in a formed PV array. The inventive apparatus provides a parallel coupling for securely interlocking the outside surfaces of parallel frame members together in a side to side arrangement to form an array with improved structural load distribution. The inventive coupling member may attach to a slot in the frame at substantially any position along the length of the frame thereby enabling the interconnection of adjacent PV modules along both an x and y axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: ZEP SOLAR, LLC
    Inventors: John R. West, Christina C. Manansala, Hans-Christoph Haenlein
  • Patent number: 8375654
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module framing and coupling system enables the attachment of PV modules to a roof or other mounting surface without requiring the use of separate structural support members which attach directly to and span between multiple PV modules in a formed PV array. The apparatus provides a parallel coupling for securely interlocking the outside surfaces of parallel frame members together in a side to side arrangement to form an array with improved structural load distribution. The coupling may attach to a slot in the frame at substantially any position along the length of the frame thereby enabling the interconnection of adjacent PV modules along both an x and y axis. The apparatus may further provide a rotating portion and locking portion, mounting brackets for direct connection to a mounting surface, grounding teeth, and a twist-lock engagement means for interlocking and aligning PV modules in the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Zap Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. West, Christina C. Manansala, Hans-Christoph Haenlein
  • Publication number: 20120125410
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module framing and coupling system enables the attachment of PV modules to a roof or other mounting surface without requiring the use of separate structural support members which attach directly to and span between multiple PV modules in a formed PV array. The apparatus provides a parallel coupling for securely interlocking the outside surfaces of parallel frame members together in a side to side arrangement to form an array with improved structural load distribution. The coupling may attach to a slot in the frame at substantially any position along the length of the frame thereby enabling the interconnection of adjacent PV modules along both an x and y axis. The apparatus may further provide a rotating portion and locking portion, mounting brackets for direct connection to a mounting surface, grounding teeth, and a twist-lock engagement means for interlocking and aligning PV modules in the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: ZEP SOAR, INC.
    Inventors: John R. West, Christina C. Manansala, Hans-Christoph Haenlein
  • Patent number: 8109048
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module framing and coupling system enables the attachment of PV modules to a roof or other mounting surface without requiring the use of separate structural support members which attach directly to and span between multiple PV modules in a formed PV array. The inventive apparatus provides a parallel coupling for securely interlocking the outside surfaces of parallel frame members together in a side to side arrangement to form an array with improved structural load distribution. The inventive coupling member may attach to a slot in the frame at substantially any position along the length of the frame thereby enabling the interconnection of adjacent PV modules along both an x and y axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Zap Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. West, Christina C. Manansala, Hans-Christoph Haenlein
  • Publication number: 20100065108
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module framing and coupling system enables the attachment of PV modules to a roof or other mounting surface without requiring the use of separate structural support members which attach directly to and span between multiple PV modules in a formed PV array. The inventive apparatus provides a one-piece coupling for interlocking the sides of PV modules together to form an array, resulting in a parallel beam support system. The inventive coupling member attaches to the frame at substantially any position along the length of the frame, and interlocks the photovoltaic module with adjacent photovoltaic modules. The inventive apparatus further includes a novel bracket member which attaches to a surface of the frame member and secures the frame member directly to a roof or other mounting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: John R. West, Christina C. Manansala, Hans-Christoph Haenlein