Patents Assigned to Zep Solar, LLC
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Patent number: 9097441Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are disclosed regarding an attachment system for solar equipment, sometimes referred to as a flashing device allowing quick and easy assembling of the solar equipment into an array or other combination in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, a flashing device may include a flashing plate which may contain one or more raised features to further direct and control the flow of liquid over the flashing plate. The flashing device may also contain a fluid restrictor such as a seal or part of a seal usually held within an aperture of a block having a skyward facing essentially or substantially flat surface. One or more various items of solar equipment may be attached to the essentially flat surface of the block. Also disclosed are adjustable mounting feet which may be installed in connection with other solar equipment.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Zep Solar, LLCInventors: John R. West, Tyrus Hudson, David Molina, Ian Capsuto
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Patent number: 9062897Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are disclosed regarding an attachment system for solar equipment, sometimes referred to as a flashing device allowing quick and easy assembling of the solar equipment into an array or other combination in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, a flashing device may include a flashing plate which may contain one or more raised features to further direct and control the flow of liquid over the flashing plate. The flashing device may also contain a fluid restrictor such as a seal or part of a seal usually held within an aperture of a block having a skyward facing essentially or substantially flat surface. One or more various items of solar equipment may be attached to the essentially flat surface of the block. Also disclosed are adjustable mounting feet which may be installed in connection with other solar equipment.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2014Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Zep Solar, LLCInventors: Jack Raymond West, Tyrus Hudson, David Molina, Ian Capsuto
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Patent number: 9003729Abstract: A photovoltaic array, including: (a) supports laid out on a surface in rows and columns; (b) photovoltaic modules positioned on top of the supports; and (c) fasteners connecting the photovoltaic modules to the supports, wherein the supports have an upper pedestal surface and a lower pedestal surface such that the photovoltaic modules are positioned at a non-horizontal angle when edges of the photovoltaic modules are positioned on top of the upper and lower pedestal surfaces, and wherein a portion of the fasteners rotate to lock the photovoltaic modules onto the supports.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Zep Solar, LLCInventors: Jack Raymond West, Brian Atchley, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Emil Johansen
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Patent number: 8991114Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for quickly and easily assembling PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, the system includes various couplings having a first engaging portion adapted to engage a first PV module and a second engaging portion adapted to engage a second PV module. At least one of the engaging portions allows variable positioning of the engaged PV module along the engaging portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Zep Solar, LLCInventor: John R. West
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Patent number: 8984819Abstract: A mounting system for solar modules in which a mounting beam has its opposite ends bent downwardly to form a first and second leg that hold photovoltaic modules at an angle to a flat roof, wherein the first and second legs are screw fastened into a rafter and the bottom ends of the first and second legs are placed into receptacles into which sealant is poured, thereby forming a water-tight seal preventing any water from leaking into the holes formed by the fasteners securing the first and second legs to the building rafters.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Zep Solar, LLCInventors: Alex Yang, Brian West, Jack Raymond West
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Patent number: 8957302Abstract: A clamping system for securing the corners of four photovoltaic modules to a carport purlin, the clamping system having upper and lower body portions with a size adjustable gap to receive the purlin therein, and a pair of rotating connectors at opposite ends of the clamp assembly, each rotating connector having arms extending from opposite sides, the arms being rotated to lock into side grooves in the photovoltaic modules.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2014Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Zep Solar LLCInventors: Martin Seery, Ty Hudson
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Patent number: 8946540Abstract: An imitation solar module for structural and aesthetic use in an array of electricity generating solar modules. The imitation solar module having a non-standard shape and a visual representation such as a decal of an actual solar module surface thereon. The imitation solar module includes triangular shapes for use in staggered module arrays.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2014Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Zep Solar, LLCInventors: John R. West, Alex Haines, Kyle Tripp
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Patent number: 8919053Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed for quickly and easily assembling PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, the system includes a leveling foot for engaging a PV module and supporting the PV module on a support structure. The leveling foot allow adjustment of the height of engaged PV modules relative to the support structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2010Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Zep Solar, LLCInventor: John R. West
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Patent number: 8919052Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed including PV modules having a frame allowing quick and easy assembling of the PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, the PV modules may have a grooved frame where the groove is provided at an angle with respect to a planar surface of the modules. Various couplings may engage within the groove to assemble the PV modules into the PV array with a pivot-fit connection. Further examples of the present technology operate with PV modules having frames without grooves, or with PV modules where the frame is omitted altogether.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2010Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Zep Solar, LLCInventor: John R. West
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Patent number: 8898971Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a photovoltaic (PV) module on a surface, including a support with an upper surface, a lower surface, tabs, one or more openings, and a clip comprising an arm and a notch, where the apparatus resists wind forces and seismic forces and creates a grounding electrical bond between the PV module, support, and clip. The invention further includes a method for installing PV modules on a surface that includes arranging supports in rows along an X axis and in columns along a Y axis on a surface such that in each row the distance between two neighboring supports does not exceed the length of the longest side of a PV module and in each column the distance between two neighboring supports does not exceed the length of the shortest side of a PV module.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Zep Solar, LLCInventors: John Raymond West, Brian Atchley, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Emil Johansen
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Patent number: 8875455Abstract: A mounting system for solar modules in which a mounting beam has its opposite ends bent downwardly to form a first and second leg that hold photovoltaic modules at an angle to a flat roof, wherein the first and second legs are screw fastened into a rafter and the bottom ends of the first and second legs are placed into receptacles into which sealant is poured, thereby forming a water-tight seal preventing any water from leaking into the holes formed by the fasteners securing the first and second legs to the building rafters.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2014Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: ZEP Solar, LLCInventors: Alex Yang, Brian West, Jack West
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Publication number: 20140251431Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module framing and coupling system enables the attachment of PV modules to a roof or other mounting surface without requiring the use of separate structural support members which attach directly to and span between multiple PV modules in a formed PV array. The inventive apparatus provides a parallel coupling for securely interlocking the outside surfaces of parallel frame members together in a side to side arrangement to form an array with improved structural load distribution. The inventive coupling member may attach to a slot in the frame at substantially any position along the length of the frame thereby enabling the interconnection of adjacent PV modules along both an x and y axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: ZEP SOLAR, LLCInventors: John R. West, Christina C. Manansala, Hans-Christoph Haenlein
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Publication number: 20140223838Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are disclosed regarding an attachment system for solar equipment, sometimes referred to as a flashing device allowing quick and easy assembling of the solar equipment into an array or other combination in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, a flashing device may include a flashing plate which may contain one or more raised features to further direct and control the flow of liquid over the flashing plate. The flashing device may also contain a fluid restrictor such as a seal or part of a seal usually held within an aperture of a block having a skyward facing essentially or substantially flat surface. One or more various items of solar equipment may be attached to the essentially flat surface of the block. Also disclosed are adjustable mounting feet which may be installed in connection with other solar equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: ZEP SOLAR, LLCInventors: John R. West, Tyrus Hudson, David Molina, Ian Capsuto
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Patent number: 8756881Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are disclosed regarding an attachment system for solar equipment, sometimes referred to as a flashing device allowing quick and easy assembling of the solar equipment into an array or other combination in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, a flashing device may include a flashing plate which may contain one or more raised features to further direct and control the flow of liquid over the flashing plate. The flashing device may also contain a fluid restrictor such as a seal or part of a seal usually held within an aperture of a block having a skyward facing essentially or substantially flat surface. One or more various items of solar equipment may be attached to the essentially flat surface of the block. Also disclosed are adjustable mounting feet which may be installed in connection with other solar equipment.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2012Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Zep Solar, LLCInventors: John R. West, Tyrus Hudson, David Molina, Ian Capsuto