Patents Assigned to Alion Energy, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10669132
    Abstract: Gantry crane vehicle for performing one or more tasks in a photovoltaic array and method thereof. The gantry crane vehicle includes one or more base plates, and one or more tracks above the one or more base plates. Additionally, the vehicle includes one or more gantry assemblies configured to slide along the one or more tracks, and one or more first support trusses configured to support the one or more tracks above the one or more base plates. Moreover, the vehicle includes one or more second support trusses connected to at least some of the one or more first support trusses, and one or more storage cabinets located on the one or more base plates. The one or more storage cabinets include one or more top surfaces and one or more side surfaces, and the one or more top surfaces are located below the one or more tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Alion Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Wheeler, Brian Gray
  • Patent number: 10571274
    Abstract: A method of locating a maintenance vehicle in a solar power field can include driving the maintenance vehicle on a track. A plurality of flags are coupled to the track at spaced locations. Each flag can include an ID tag and a contact target or a non-contact target. The maintenance vehicle can include an ID tag reader and a sensor configured to detect the contact target or the non-contact target. The method also can include driving the maintenance vehicle along the track to a position adjacent to a flag of the plurality of flags, reading by the ID tag reader the ID tag of that flag, and sensing by the sensor the contact target or the non-contact target. The method also can include, based on the reading and the sensing, identifying a unique location of the maintenance vehicle in the solar power field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Alion Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Bailey, Adam French, Luis Francisco Castro Hernandez, Thomas Goehring, Jason Alderman
  • Patent number: 10367443
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for supporting (racking) solar (e.g., photovoltaic) panels. At least one concrete track can be formed, first, second, and third racking structures can be assembled, each including two legs, landings at tops the legs, and feet that respectively can be secured to the at least one concrete track. A first solar panel can be placed on the landings of the first and second racking structures. A first edge of the first solar panel can be secured to each the landings of the first racking structure. A second solar panel can be placed on the landings of the second racking structure and on the landings of the third racking structure. A second edge of the first solar panel and a first edge of the second solar panel can be secured to each the landings of the second racking structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Alion Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Bailey, Rodney Hans Holland, Miguel M. L. Praca
  • Patent number: 10365015
    Abstract: Rotatable support system for mounting one or more photovoltaic modules and method thereof. The system includes a stiffener configured to be attached to the one or more photovoltaic modules, a column connected to the stiffener through at least a rotatable component, and a foot connected to the column. The column is configured to rotate from a folded position towards an unfolded position, and stop at the unfolded position separated from the folded position by an angle difference. The angle difference represents the maximum range of rotation for the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Alion Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Adriani, Neil Morris, Kevin Hennessy, Anders Swahn, Thomas Peter Hunt, Luis Francisco Castro Hernandez
  • Patent number: 10270384
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dual tilt, ballasted photovoltaic module racking are provided herein. Under one aspect, a system for supporting first and second photovoltaic modules can include first and second elongated stiffeners respectively configured to be coupled to and support the first and second photovoltaic modules. The system also can include first and second feet respectively configured to be coupled to first and second grooves respectively provided within first and second ballasts. The system also can include a first stiffener hinge rotatably coupling the first and second stiffeners to one another, a first foot hinge rotatably coupling the first foot to the first stiffener, and a second foot hinge rotatably coupling the second foot to the second stiffener. At least one of the first stiffener hinge and the first and second foot hinges can include a respective mechanical stop inhibiting rotation of that hinge beyond a respective predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Alion Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Kingsley, Jesse Atkinson, Sean Bailey, Karl Johnson, Brett West, Luis Francisco Castro Hernandez
  • Patent number: 10122319
    Abstract: A system includes an elongated rail including support surfaces and a mounting surface disposed between the support surfaces. Photovoltaic modules can be coupled to the mounting surface and raised relative to the support surfaces. A first maintenance vehicle can include a cleaning head, actuator, motor, and support legs. The support legs can suspend the cleaning head over the photovoltaic modules and can be respectively movably coupled to the support surfaces so as to laterally and sequentially move the cleaning head parallel to the elongated rail and across each of the photovoltaic modules responsive to actuation of the motor. At least a portion of the cleaning head can be vertically movable between a disengaged position spaced apart from the photovoltaic modules and an engaged position in contact with at least one of the photovoltaic modules responsive to actuation of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Alion Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam French, Kevin Hennessy
  • Patent number: 9988776
    Abstract: Wind screen for one or more photovoltaic arrays and method thereof. For example, a wind screen for one or more photovoltaic arrays includes a screen foundation including a concrete block, and one or more perforation blocks on the concrete block. In another example, the wind screen is configured to cover at least a first side of each array of the one or more photovoltaic arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Alion Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Hans Holland, Sean Bailey
  • Patent number: 9937846
    Abstract: An exemplary method for installing at an installation site a photovoltaic module including a panel and support legs includes disposing the photovoltaic module over a support surface such that the support legs are in a stowed position; lifting the photovoltaic module from a support surface while engaging a magnetic field with the support legs so as to maintain the support legs in the stowed position; disengaging the magnetic field from the support legs of the lifted photovoltaic module so as to release the support legs from the stowed position to an installation position in which the support legs are rotated downwards relative to the stowed position; and lowering the photovoltaic module to the installation site with the support legs in the installation position so as to install the photovoltaic module at the installation site, the support legs supporting the panel at the installation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Alion Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam French, Timothy Wheeler, Kevin Hennessy, Jess Crowe, Luis Francisco Castro-Hernandez
  • Patent number: 9657967
    Abstract: Rotatable support system for mounting one or more photovoltaic modules. The system includes a stiffener configured to be attached to the one or more photovoltaic modules, a column connected to the stiffener through at least a rotatable component, and a foot connected to the column. The column is configured to rotate from a folded position towards an unfolded position, and stop at the unfolded position separated from the folded position by an angle difference. The angle difference represents the maximum range of rotation for the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Alion Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Adriani, Neil Morris, Kevin Hennessy, Anders Swahn, Thomas Peter Hunt, Luis Francisco Castro Hernandez
  • Patent number: 9655292
    Abstract: Rail system and method for a photovoltaic array. The system includes at least one modular rail in a first direction. The modular rail includes a first vehicle support surface along the first direction and a first mounting surface along the first direction. The first vehicle support surface is configured to support at least a first vehicle moving in the first direction, and the first mounting surface is configured to support one or more photovoltaic modules mounted on the first mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Alion Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Anders Swahn, Wolfgang Oels
  • Patent number: 9641123
    Abstract: System and method for mounting one or more photovoltaic modules includes one or more flexible rods, including a first end and a second end opposite the first end, each of the one or more flexible rods further including an inner core and a first jacket surrounding the inner core between the first end and the second end. The first end is configured to be attached to at least one photovoltaic module using one or more first adhesive materials. The second end is configured to be inserted into at least one hole of a modular rail and attached to at least the modular rail using one or more second adhesive materials. The one or more flexible rods are configured to allow at least a lateral movement in a first direction between the photovoltaic module and the modular rail and support at least the photovoltaic module in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Alion Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Anders Swahn, Neil Morris, Kevin Hennessy, Thomas Peter Hunt, Paul Adriani
  • Patent number: 9462734
    Abstract: Rail system and method for a photovoltaic array. The system includes at least one modular rail in a first direction. The modular rail includes a first vehicle support surface along the first direction and a first mounting surface along the first direction. The first vehicle support surface is configured to support at least a first vehicle moving in the first direction, and the first mounting surface is configured to support one or more photovoltaic modules mounted on the first mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Alion Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Anders Swahn, Wolfgang Oels
  • Patent number: 9453660
    Abstract: An exemplary method for installing at an installation site a photovoltaic module including a panel and support legs includes disposing the photovoltaic module over a support surface such that the support legs are in a stowed position; lifting the photovoltaic module from a support surface while engaging a magnetic field with the support legs so as to maintain the support legs in the stowed position; disengaging the magnetic field from the support legs of the lifted photovoltaic module so as to release the support legs from the stowed position to an installation position in which the support legs are rotated downwards relative to the stowed position; and lowering the photovoltaic module to the installation site with the support legs in the installation position so as to install the photovoltaic module at the installation site, the support legs supporting the panel at the installation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Alion Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam French, Timothy Wheeler, Kevin Hennessy, Jess Crowe, Luis Francisco Castro Hernandez
  • Patent number: 9352941
    Abstract: Gantry crane vehicle for performing one or more tasks in a photovoltaic array and method thereof. The gantry crane vehicle includes one or more base plates, and one or more tracks above the one or more base plates. Additionally, the vehicle includes one or more gantry assemblies configured to slide along the one or more tracks, and one or more first support trusses configured to support the one or more tracks above the one or more base plates. Moreover, the vehicle includes one or more second support trusses connected to at least some of the one or more first support trusses, and one or more storage cabinets located on the one or more base plates. The one or more storage cabinets include one or more top surfaces and one or more side surfaces, and the one or more top surfaces are located below the one or more tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Alion Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Wheeler, Brian Gray
  • Patent number: 9343592
    Abstract: System and method for interconnecting photovoltaic modules. The system includes a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module. The first photovoltaic module includes a first bus bar and a first interconnect tab connected to the first bus bar. The second photovoltaic module includes a second bus bar and a second interconnect tab connected to the second bus bar. The system for interconnecting photovoltaic modules additionally includes a module interconnector configured to interconnect the first and the second photovoltaic modules. The module interconnector includes an interconnection component and an interconnection protector. Additionally, the system for interconnecting photovoltaic modules includes a first connection component connecting the interconnection component to the first interconnect tab of the first photovoltaic module and a second connection component connecting the interconnection component to the second interconnect tab of the second photovoltaic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Alion Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Peter Hunt