Patents Assigned to NEXTRACKER
  • Publication number: 20170153038
    Abstract: A testing platform tests an electrical and mechanical system such as an HVAC unit according to an algorithm that reduces the total testing time of the components of the system, while ensuring the safety of the system during system-wide testing. The platform uses constraints that are checked both before and during the testing to ensure that HVAC operating conditions are acceptable for starting and maintaining component tests. Preferably, the platform uses finite-state machines for each device to organize the component tests, allowing for monitoring of constraints and starting, pausing, and stopping component tests. Preferably, total test execution time is reduced by running component tests in parallel, running component tests based on loads of the components, or combinations of both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: NEXTRACKER
    Inventors: Bruce Christopher Wootton, Rory Joseph Timar, Colin Patrick Murphy, Francesco Borrelli, Allan Daly
  • Patent number: 9543888
    Abstract: In an example, a clamp assembly for a glass on glass solar module for a tracker is included. The assembly has a lower clamp structure characterized by a top-hat shaped rail structure having a length extending from a first end to a second end. In an example, the assembly has an upper clamp structure configured to sandwich a pair of edges of a pair of solar modules with a portion of the lower clamp structure. In an example, the assembly has a locking spacer configured to the pair of edges of the pair of solar modules. In an example, the pair of edges comprises substantially glass material. In an example, the assembly has a pair of key structures configured with the locking spacer. Each of the key structures is affixed to each of the solar modules to physically lock each of the solar modules to the upper clamp structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 9466749
    Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus. In an example, the apparatus comprises a center of mass with an adjustable hanger assembly configured with a clam shell clamp assembly on the adjustable hanger assembly and a cylindrical torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end such that the center of mass is aligned with a center of rotation of the cylindrical torque tubes to reduce a load of a drive motor operably coupled to the cylindrical torque tube. Further details of the present example, among others, can be found throughout the present specification and more particularly below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 9276522
    Abstract: In an example, the system has a mechanical isolator comprising an elastic material configured to separate the panel rail from the torque tube cause destructive interference with a natural resonant frequency of the system without the mechanical isolator to reduce a mechanical vibration of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: D743881
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: D744417
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: D777098
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au