Patents by Inventor Kathryn Austin Pesce
Kathryn Austin Pesce 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).
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Patent number: 11705855Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as photovoltaic modules having the appearance of a plurality of roofing tiles that each have photovoltaic cells. Each photovoltaic module may include a metal backer, photovoltaic cells, and light transmissive top sheets adhered to both the metal backer and the photovoltaic cells. BIPV systems can also include non-photovoltaic modules that appear similar to photovoltaic modules, but do not collect solar energy.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Tesla, Inc.Inventors: Martin Seery, Charles Bernardo Almy, Kathryn Austin Pesce
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Publication number: 20230198455Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as photovoltaic modules having the appearance of a plurality of roofing tiles that each have photovoltaic cells. Each photovoltaic module may include a metal backer, photovoltaic cells, and light transmissive top sheets adhered to both the metal backer and the photovoltaic cells. BIPV systems can also include non-photovoltaic modules that appear similar to photovoltaic modules, but do not collect solar energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Martin SEERY, Charles Bernardo ALMY, Kathryn Austin PESCE
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Patent number: 11258398Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as multi-region roofing modules that have photovoltaic elements embedded or incorporated into the body of the module, in distinct tiles-sized regions. Such multi-region photovoltaic modules can replicate the look of individual roofing tiles or shingles. Further, multi-region photovoltaic modules can include support structures between the distinct regions having a degree of flexibility, allowing for a more efficient installation process.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Tesla, Inc.Inventors: Charles Almy, Kathryn Austin Pesce, David Molina
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Patent number: 11190129Abstract: Photovoltaic modules are mounted onto a solar tracker array torque tube via pairs or left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connectors or brackets. The left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connectors have orientation projections that couple with and extend into the interior body of the torque tube. Pairs of left-handed photovoltaic array connectors and pairs of right-handed photovoltaic array connectors of adjacent photovoltaic modules can further be fastened together, thereby securing the photovoltaic modules to the torque tube and distributing the load of the overall number of photovoltaic modules mounted on the solar tracker array.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2016Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Tesla, Inc.Inventors: Kathryn Austin Pesce, Charles Bernardo Almy
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Publication number: 20210265941Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as photovoltaic modules having the appearance of a plurality of roofing tiles that each have photovoltaic cells. Each photovoltaic module may include a metal backer, photovoltaic cells, and light transmissive top sheets adhered to both the metal backer and the photovoltaic cells. BIPV systems can also include non-photovoltaic modules that appear similar to photovoltaic modules, but do not collect solar energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2021Publication date: August 26, 2021Inventors: Martin SEERY, Charles Bernardo ALMY, Kathryn Austin PESCE
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Patent number: 11012025Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as photovoltaic modules having the appearance of a plurality of roofing tiles that each have photovoltaic cells. Each photovoltaic module may include a metal backer, photovoltaic cells, and light transmissive top sheets adhered to both the metal backer and the photovoltaic cells. BIPV systems can also include non-photovoltaic modules that appear similar to photovoltaic modules, but do not collect solar energy.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2018Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Tesla, Inc.Inventors: Martin Seery, Charles Bernardo Almy, Kathryn Austin Pesce
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Patent number: 10720877Abstract: Mounting systems are disclosed for attaching photovoltaic modules to torque tubes. Such systems can include saddle brackets that maximize space along a torque tube by sharing torque tube mounting holes between adjacent brackets. The brackets can be positionally stable on the torque tube prior to complete installation to enable a single installer to assemble a complete tracker array.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2016Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: SolarCity CorporationInventors: Robert Haas, David Molina, Kathryn Austin Pesce, Johann Fritz Karkheck
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Patent number: 10622937Abstract: Photovoltaic modules are mounted onto a solar tracker array torque tube via pairs or left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connectors having spring latch assemblies. The left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connectors have orientation projections that couple with and extend into the interior body of the torque tube. The orientation projections on the spring latch assemblies of each pair of left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connector allow for the photovoltaic array connectors to fit over and settle on a torque tube, and thereby support and mount a photovoltaic module as part of a solar tracker array.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2016Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: SolarCity CorporationInventors: Kathryn Austin Pesce, Charles Bernardo Almy
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Patent number: 10587216Abstract: Photovoltaic modules are mounted onto PV module mounting brackets of a solar torque tube via clamps. The clamps include a first hook rotatably attached to a main body, and a second hook rotatably attached to the main body. The clamps provide for simultaneously securing a first photovoltaic module to the bracket with the first hook and securing a second photovoltaic module to the bracket with the second hook without the need for tools.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2016Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: SolarCity CorporationInventors: Charles Bernardo Almy, Kathryn Austin Pesce
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Patent number: 10469024Abstract: Photovoltaic module assemblies are mounted onto a solar tracker array torque tube via photovoltaic module brackets. The photovoltaic module brackets provide for stacking photovoltaic module assemblies in a nested configuration. The photovoltaic module assemblies are pre-assembled off-site, at a location different than the photovoltaic array installation site, and the nested configuration allows for efficient transportation of pre-assembled photovoltaic module assemblies to the installation site.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2016Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: SolarCity CorporationInventors: Charles Bernardo Almy, Kathryn Austin Pesce
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Publication number: 20190273463Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as photovoltaic modules having the appearance of a plurality of roofing tiles that each have photovoltaic cells. Each photovoltaic module may include a metal backer, photovoltaic cells, and light transmissive top sheets adhered to both the metal backer and the photovoltaic cells. BIPV systems can also include non-photovoltaic modules that appear similar to photovoltaic modules, but do not collect solar energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2018Publication date: September 5, 2019Inventors: Martin Seery, Charles Bernardo Almy, Kathryn Austin Pesce
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Publication number: 20180351502Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as multi-region roofing modules that have photovoltaic elements embedded or incorporated into the body of the module, in distinct tiles-sized regions. Such multi-region photovoltaic modules can replicate the look of individual roofing tiles or shingles. Further, multi-region photovoltaic modules can include support structures between the distinct regions having a degree of flexibility, allowing for a more efficient installation process.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2017Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Charles Almy, Kathryn Austin Pesce, David Molina
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Patent number: 10097134Abstract: This disclosure relates to the design of pile cap assemblies configured to rotatably couple the torque tube of a photovoltaic solar tracker to multiple support piles that elevate the torque tube above the ground. The pile cap assemblies define low friction bearings that allow the torque tube to rotate smoothly within the low friction bearings. The pile cap assemblies also include numerous mounting hole configurations that allow for adjustment of a position of the pile cap assemblies with respect to the support piles. This allows for any small variation in positioning of the support piles to be accommodated.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2016Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: SolarCity CorporationInventors: David Molina, Charles Almy, Soren Jensen, Kathryn Austin Pesce, Johann Fritz Karkheck
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Patent number: 9839154Abstract: A multi-component inverter rack formed from sheet metal is disclosed. Some of the sheet metal derived parts used to form the multi-component inverter rack can be interchangeable. The multi-component inverter rack can include attachment points for an inverter, a load center and other supporting electrical components.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2016Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: SolarCity CorporationInventors: Joseph Patrick O'Connor, Trevor B. Guthrie, Kathryn Austin Pesce, Nicholas S. Cohon
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Publication number: 20170310273Abstract: Photovoltaic modules are mounted onto PV module mounting brackets of a solar torque tube via clamps. The clamps include a first hook rotatably attached to a main body, and a second hook rotatably attached to the main body. The clamps provide for simultaneously securing a first photovoltaic module to the bracket with the first hook and securing a second photovoltaic module to the bracket with the second hook without the need for tools.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2016Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: Charles Bernardo Almy, Kathryn Austin Pesce
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Publication number: 20170311475Abstract: A multi-component inverter rack formed from sheet metal is disclosed. Some of the sheet metal derived parts used to form the multi-component inverter rack can be interchangeable. The multi-component inverter rack can include attachment points for an inverter, a load center and other supporting electrical components.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2016Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: SolarCity CorporationInventors: Joseph Patrick O'Connor, Trevor B. Guthrie, Kathryn Austin Pesce, Nicholas S. Cohon
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Publication number: 20170294867Abstract: Photovoltaic modules are mounted onto a solar tracker array torque tube via pairs or left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connectors having spring latch assemblies. The left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connectors have orientation projections that couple with and extend into the interior body of the torque tube. The orientation projections on the spring latch assemblies of each pair of left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connector allow for the photovoltaic array connectors to fit over and settle on a torque tube, and thereby support and mount a photovoltaic module as part of a solar tracker array.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2016Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: Kathryn Austin Pesce, Charles Bernardo Almy
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Publication number: 20170294869Abstract: Photovoltaic modules are mounted onto a solar tracker array torque tube via pairs or left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connectors or brackets. The left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connectors have orientation projections that couple with and extend into the interior body of the torque tube. Pairs of left-handed photovoltaic array connectors and pairs of right-handed photovoltaic array connectors of adjacent photovoltaic modules can further be fastened together, thereby securing the photovoltaic modules to the torque tube and distributing the load of the overall number of photovoltaic modules mounted on the solar tracker array.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2016Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: Kathryn Austin Pesce, Charles Bernardo Almy
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Publication number: 20170294870Abstract: Photovoltaic module assemblies are mounted onto a solar tracker array torque tube via photovoltaic module brackets. The photovoltaic module brackets provide for stacking photovoltaic module assemblies in a nested configuration. The photovoltaic module assemblies are pre-assembled off-site, at a location different than the photovoltaic array installation site, and the nested configuration allows for efficient transportation of pre-assembled photovoltaic module assemblies to the installation site.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2016Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: Charles Bernardo Almy, Kathryn Austin Pesce
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Publication number: 20170250648Abstract: Mounting systems are disclosed for attaching photovoltaic modules to torque tubes. Such systems can include saddle brackets that maximize space along a torque tube by sharing torque tube mounting holes between adjacent brackets. The brackets can be positionally stable on the torque tube prior to complete installation to enable a single installer to assemble a complete tracker array.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2016Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Robert Haas, David Molina, Kathryn Austin Pesce, Johann Fritz Karkheck