Patents Assigned to UniRac, Inc.
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Patent number: 12362572Abstract: The present disclosure provides curtailing photovoltaic (PV) power output and autonomous load breaking in a backup mode of an electrical system. The electrical system includes a PV system, an energy storage system having a storage converter, and an energy control system. The energy control system is electrically coupled to the PV system, the energy storage system, and a plurality of backup loads. The electrical system includes an autonomous load breaker electrically coupled to a first backup load. When the energy control system switches from an on-grid mode to the backup mode, the storage converter adjusts the frequency of the power supplied to the backup side of the energy control system to a setpoint frequency that curtails PV power output, and the autonomous load breaker electrically disconnects the first backup load from the energy control system.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2024Date of Patent: July 15, 2025Assignee: Unirac, Inc.Inventors: Brian Kuhn, Sandeep Narla
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Patent number: 12343851Abstract: An end clamp for installation of a solar module includes a cap member that is installed in an opening of a rail. The end clamp also includes an assembly having a slider member and a base member, and also includes a fastener that attaches the assembly to the cap member. The slider member moves relative to the base member to clamp down on a flange of the solar module based on tightening of the fastener.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2022Date of Patent: July 1, 2025Assignee: Unirac, Inc.Inventors: Brian Wares, Ethan M. Ely
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Patent number: 12341375Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for managing the state of charge of an energy storage system that is used as a backup power supply source in an electrical system. The energy storage system can operate in a selected mode of operation that includes a normal mode, a hibernation mode, and a suspension mode. A controller of the energy control system can determine the selected mode of operation for the energy storage system based on the current time of the day and electronic data related to a backup PV power generation system, the energy storage system, and a plurality of loads.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2022Date of Patent: June 24, 2025Assignee: UNIRAC, INC.Inventors: Rasoul Ghadami, Sandeep Narla, Daidipya Patwa, Udo Uebel, Joseph Griffin
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Patent number: 12323090Abstract: A system include a bar, a first spacing tool, and a second spacing tool. The bar has a first end and a second end. The first spacing tool has a first base configured to receive a first rail, a first channel configured to receive a first portion of the bar proximate to the first end, and a first fastener configured to secure the first portion of the bar within the first channel. The second spacing tool has a second base configured to receive a second rail, a second channel configured to receive a second portion of the bar proximate to the second end, and a second fastener configured to secure the second portion of the bar within the second channel.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2023Date of Patent: June 3, 2025Assignee: Unirac, Inc.Inventors: Ernest Gallegos, Jeffrey Ballard, Tristen Foley
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Patent number: 12323093Abstract: A mounting assembly includes a rail configured to support a photovoltaic module. The rail includes a first slot, a second slot, and a web extending between the first slot and the second slot. The web being offset from a plane extending along an outer surface of the rail, so as to form a recess in the second side of the rail. The mount assembly further includes a clip configured to be secured to the rail and to a secondary structure. The clip includes a base having a flange extending from an end of the base, and an arm extending from the base in a second direction opposite the first direction, the flange being inserted in the second slot when the clip is secured to the rail and the secondary structure and at least a portion of the arm abuts the recess of the rail when the clip is secured to the rail.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2021Date of Patent: June 3, 2025Assignee: Unirac, Inc.Inventors: Deepthi Gangumalla, Sindhu Madhavi, Nikhil Babu, Austin Graham
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Patent number: 12316125Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrical system that includes an energy control system, a photovoltaic (PV) power generation system electrically coupled to the energy control system, an energy storage system electrically coupled to the energy control system, and a smart load panel electrically coupled to the energy control system and to a plurality of backup loads. The energy control system operates in an on-grid mode electrically connecting the PV power generation system to a utility grid and a backup mode electrically disconnecting the PV power generation system from the utility grid. The smart load panel selectively disconnects one or more of the plurality of backup loads from the energy control system when the energy control system is in the on-grid mode and when the energy control system is in the backup mode.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2023Date of Patent: May 27, 2025Assignee: Unirac, Inc.Inventor: Sandeep Narla
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Patent number: 12301160Abstract: A mounting sub-assembly includes an extrusion including a first aperture defined therein, a plurality of parallel threads formed on an interior surface of the first aperture defined within the extrusion, and a clamp. The clamp includes a fixed portion monolithically formed with the extrusion. The fixed portion includes a second aperture defined therein. The fixed portion includes a notch defined in an upper portion of the fixed portion, and a third aperture defined in a side of the fixed portion and opening into the second aperture. The fixed portion further includes a movable jaw including an upper lip to engage with the notch, a lower lip to engage with a rail, and a fourth aperture defined in the movable jaw and parallel to the third aperture. The clamp may further include a fastener to fasten the movable jaw to the fixed portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2022Date of Patent: May 13, 2025Assignee: Unirac, Inc.Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield
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Patent number: 12301159Abstract: A mounting system for supporting a plurality of photovoltaic modules on a sloped support surface, such as a sloped roof, is disclosed herein. The mounting system may include one or more support surface attachment devices, each support surface attachment device configured to attach one or more photovoltaic modules to a support surface; and one or more module coupling devices, each module coupling device configured to couple a plurality of photovoltaic modules to one another.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2021Date of Patent: May 13, 2025Assignee: UNIRAC INC.Inventor: Brian James Wildes
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Patent number: 12294237Abstract: The present disclosure provides a photovoltaic (PV) disconnect device used in an electrical system. The PV disconnect device includes a relay component electrically coupled to a feed circuit of a backup PV power generation system and a connector port electrically coupled to an energy control system. The PV disconnect device includes a sensor circuit to measure at least one of a voltage, a current, and a current frequency of the feed circuit of the backup PV power generation system. The PV disconnect device includes a controller operatively coupled to the relay component, the sensor circuit, and the connector port. The controller receives and processes the voltage, the current, and the current frequency measurements. The controller selectively actuates the relay component based on the processed voltage, current, and current frequency measurements.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2023Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: Unirac, Inc.Inventors: Sandeep Narla, Brian Kuhn, Kevin C. Fischer, Udo Uebel
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Patent number: 12289078Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a solar panel array on a surface is disclosed. The solar panel array includes a plurality of solar panel modules and a hybrid solar panel module mounting assembly. The hybrid solar panel module mounting assembly includes a component of a rail-based mounting system and a component of a rail-less mounting system. At least one of the plurality of solar panel modules is mounted on the component of the rail-based mounting system and at least one of the plurality of solar panel modules is mounted on the component of the rail-less mounting system.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2023Date of Patent: April 29, 2025Assignee: Unirac, Inc.Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield, December Cowen, Darren Womacks
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Patent number: 12289079Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a solar panel array on a surface is disclosed. The solar panel array includes a plurality of solar panel modules and a hybrid solar panel module mounting assembly. The hybrid solar panel module mounting assembly includes a component of a rail-based mounting system and a component of a rail-less mounting system. At least one of the plurality of solar panel modules is mounted on the component of the rail-based mounting system and at least one of the plurality of solar panel modules is mounted on the component of the rail-less mounting system.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2024Date of Patent: April 29, 2025Assignee: Unirac, Inc.Inventors: Nathan Schuit, December Cowen, Darren Womacks, Jason Mayfield
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Patent number: 12283915Abstract: A solar module skirt assembly includes a skirt that is attached to a frame of a solar module, and a clip to attach the skirt to the solar module. The clip includes a first portion to attach to a frame of the solar module and to the skirt, a second portion to hold a portion of the frame of the solar module and a portion of the skirt, and a fastener to affix the clip to the frame of the solar module and the portion of the skirt.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2023Date of Patent: April 22, 2025Assignee: Unirac, Inc.Inventors: Gary Rossi, Ethan Ely
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Publication number: 20250102008Abstract: A fastening device includes a fastener and a sealant. The sealant may be disposed about the fastener. Engagement of the fastener with a substrate forces the sealant into at least a borehole defined within the substrate as the fastener engages with the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2024Publication date: March 27, 2025Applicant: Unirac Inc.Inventors: Ernest Gallegos, Todd Ganshaw
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Publication number: 20250087979Abstract: A junction box comprising a base configured to mount to a roof, the base including an enclosed bottom, an open end opposite the enclosed bottom, a first side extending from the enclosed bottom to the open end, a second side opposite of the first side, a third side extending from the first side to the second side, and a fourth side opposite the third side, a wall extending from the first side to the second, a high point disposed along the wall, the high point having an angle within a range of 90 degrees and 180 degrees, a lid sized to seal against and hingedly connect to the base, and a flashing that extends from a portion of the first side of the base, from a portion of the second side of the base, and from the wall, in a direction away from the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2024Publication date: March 13, 2025Applicant: Unirac, Inc.Inventor: Shawn Meine
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Patent number: 12247684Abstract: A wire management clip for positioning and securing wires, cables, and other components relative to a rail, such as a rail of a modular rail system. The wire management clip includes a body that defines a passage through which a securing device may be inserted to secure the wires, cables, or components to the wire management clip. The wire management clip includes an interface surface against which the wires press when secured by the securing device. The wire management clip also includes a second interface for frictionally interfacing with the rail to resist movement of the wire management clip after installation on the rail.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2023Date of Patent: March 11, 2025Assignee: Unirac, Inc.Inventor: Jonathan Neal
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Publication number: 20250070708Abstract: A mounting device may include a hook arm including a first vertical portion, a center portion coupled to the first vertical portion at a first end of the center portion, and a second vertical portion coupled to the center portion at a second end of the center portion. The mounting device may also include a hook plate coupled to the hook arm at the second vertical portion via a fastener. The hook plate may include a third vertical portion and a base portion to couple the hook plate to a surface. The mounting device may further include an anti-rotation system to restrict rotation of the hook plate relative to the hook arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2023Publication date: February 27, 2025Applicant: Unirac, Inc.Inventors: Deepthi Gangumalla, Nikhil Babu P.
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Patent number: D1062596Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2023Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: Unirac, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Neal, Vignesh Karthikeyan
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Patent number: D1062597Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2023Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: Unirac, Inc.Inventors: Todd Ganshaw, Ernest Gallegos, Sai Uppu
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Patent number: D1068692Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2023Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: Unirac, Inc.Inventors: Brian Kuhn, William J. Morris, Daidipya J. Patwa, Sandeep Narla
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Patent number: D1084975Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2024Date of Patent: July 22, 2025Assignee: Unirac, Inc.Inventors: Todd Ganshaw, Ernest Gallegos, Sai Uppu