Patents Assigned to Zep Solar, LLC
  • Patent number: 9097441
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Zep Solar, LLC
    Inventors: John R. West, Tyrus Hudson, David Molina, Ian Capsuto
  • Patent number: 9062897
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Zep Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Tyrus Hudson, David Molina, Ian Capsuto
  • Patent number: 9003729
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Zep Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Brian Atchley, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Emil Johansen
  • Patent number: 8991114
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Zep Solar, LLC
    Inventor: John R. West
  • Patent number: 8984819
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Zep Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Alex Yang, Brian West, Jack Raymond West
  • Patent number: 8957302
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Zep Solar LLC
    Inventors: Martin Seery, Ty Hudson
  • Patent number: 8946540
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Zep Solar, LLC
    Inventors: John R. West, Alex Haines, Kyle Tripp
  • Patent number: 8919053
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Zep Solar, LLC
    Inventor: John R. West
  • Patent number: 8919052
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Zep Solar, LLC
    Inventor: John R. West
  • Patent number: 8898971
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Zep Solar, LLC
    Inventors: John Raymond West, Brian Atchley, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Emil Johansen
  • Patent number: 8875455
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: ZEP Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Alex Yang, Brian West, Jack West
  • Publication number: 20140251431
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: ZEP SOLAR, LLC
    Inventors: John R. West, Christina C. Manansala, Hans-Christoph Haenlein
  • Publication number: 20140223838
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: ZEP SOLAR, LLC
    Inventors: John R. West, Tyrus Hudson, David Molina, Ian Capsuto
  • Patent number: 8756881
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Zep Solar, LLC
    Inventors: John R. West, Tyrus Hudson, David Molina, Ian Capsuto