Patents by Inventor Matthew Culligan

Matthew Culligan 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).

  • Publication number: 20090320906
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module assembly including a PV module, a deflector, and a clip. The PV module includes a PV device and a frame. A PV laminate is assembled to the frame, and the frame includes a support arm forming a seat. The deflector defines a front face and a rear face, with the clip extending from either the trailing frame member or the rear face of the deflector. In a mounted state, the deflector is nested within the seat and is releasably mounted to the trailing frame member via the clip. In some embodiments, the support arm forms a second seat, with the PV module assembly providing a second mounted state in which the deflector is in a differing orientation/slope, nested within the second seat and releasably mounted to the trailing frame member via the clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: SunPower Corp.
    Inventors: Jonathan Botkin, Simon Graves, Matt Danning, Matthew Culligan
  • Publication number: 20090320908
    Abstract: A PV module including a PV device and a frame. The PV device has a PV laminate maintaining a plurality of PV cells at a front face. The PV cells are arranged in rows, including a first row adjacent an edge of the PV laminate. Adjacent ones of the PV cells of the first row are separated by a column spacing. The frame is assembled to the PV laminate, and includes a frame member having a ledge and a plurality of spaced fingers that are connected to, and spaced from, the ledge. The PV laminate is mounted between the ledge and the fingers, with one of the fingers being aligned with one of the column spacings. The PV module facilitates liquid drainage between the spaced fingers. Further, the fingers minimize shading effects presented by the frame member, thereby enhancing a GCR of the PV module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: SunPower Corp.
    Inventors: Jonathan Botkin, Simon Graves, Matthew Culligan
  • Publication number: 20090320905
    Abstract: A PV module kit for non-penetrating rooftop installation, including a plurality of PV modules and a plurality of connectors. Each of the PV modules includes a PV laminate and a frame forming a mounting region assembled thereto. The connectors include a male connector having a male fastener extending from a head, and a female connector having a female fastener assembled within a head. The heads are entirely formed of plastic. The kit provides a mounted array state including a junction at which the mounting region of at least two of the PV modules are aligned and interconnected by engagement of the male connector with the female connector. The so-formed junction is substantially electrically insulated. The plurality of connectors can further include a spacer connector including a head forming a bore sized to slidably receive the male fastener, with all of the connector heads being identical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: SunPower Corp.
    Inventors: Jonathan Botkin, Simon Graves, Matt Danning, Matthew Culligan