Patents by Inventor Benjamin De Fresart

Benjamin De Fresart has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250253800
    Abstract: A mounting rail for securing photovoltaic (PV) modules to an underlying support structure, such as a torque tube. The mounting rail may include a body and a bracket that is attached to the body and configured to be secured around at least a portion of the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2025
    Publication date: August 7, 2025
    Inventors: Benjamin de Fresart, Nathan Schuknecht
  • Publication number: 20250253803
    Abstract: A clip for attaching a frame rail to a mounting rail in a photovoltaic (PV) module system may include a first arm and a second arm, both with proximal and distal ends, and a connecting body that connects the proximal ends of the first arm and second arm. The first arm includes a first retention recess that may be configured to interface with a first clip retention tab and the second arm includes a second retention recess that may be configured to interface with a second clip retention tab. The first arm, the second arm, and the connecting body define a slot that may be configured to receive a mounting rail flange and a frame rail flange. One or more of the first arm, the second arm, or the connecting body may be configured to elastically deform to apply a spring force when the clip is in a compressed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2025
    Publication date: August 7, 2025
    Inventors: Benjamin de Fresart, Nathan Schuknecht
  • Publication number: 20240283388
    Abstract: A module mounting assembly that couples a PV module to a support structure is provided. The module mounting assembly may include a mounting bracket, a mounting pin, and a clamp. The clamp may be configured to couple the mounting bracket to the support structure and the mounting pin may be configured to couple the mounting bracket to the PV module. The mounting pin may have a number of features and designs that facilitate positioning the mounting pin within the openings and retaining the mounting pin in an installed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin de Fresart, Thierry Marin-Martinod, Nick Ibis
  • Publication number: 20240227130
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using high-impact fasteners to couple components of a solar power system together to prevent these components from any movement or slippage relative to each other. A strap may be secured over a top surface of the high-impact fasteners and around the components to prevent a disengagement of the high-impact fastener from the components and a separation of the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2023
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Nathan Schuknecht, Shuo Chen, Kevin Krautbauer, Benjamin de Fresart, Thierry Marin-Martinod
  • Patent number: 12028013
    Abstract: A module mounting assembly that couples a PV module to a support structure is provided. The module mounting assembly may include a mounting bracket, a mounting pin, and a clamp. The clamp may be configured to couple the mounting bracket to the support structure and the mounting pin may be configured to couple the mounting bracket to the PV module. The mounting pin may have a number of features and designs that facilitate positioning the mounting pin within the openings and retaining the mounting pin in an installed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: ARRAY TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin de Fresart, Thierry Marin-Martinod
  • Publication number: 20240131660
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using high-impact fasteners to couple components of a solar power system together to prevent these components from any movement or slippage relative to each other. A strap may be secured over a top surface of the high-impact fasteners and around the components to prevent a disengagement of the high-impact fastener from the components and a separation of the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Nathan Schuknecht, Shuo Chen, Kevin Krautbauer, Benjamin de Fresart, Thierry Marin-Martinod
  • Publication number: 20240128920
    Abstract: A module mounting assembly that couples a PV module to a support structure is provided. The module mounting assembly may include a mounting bracket, a mounting pin, and a clamp. The clamp may be configured to couple the mounting bracket to the support structure and the mounting pin may be configured to couple the mounting bracket to the PV module. The mounting pin may have a number of features and designs that facilitate positioning the mounting pin within the openings and retaining the mounting pin in an installed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin de Fresart, Thierry Marin-Martinod
  • Patent number: D848362
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Conley, Benjamin De Fresart, Peter Hruby, Matthew Kuzila, Weixin Li, Joseph Lindgren, Daniel Smith, Thomas Truman, Charles Wickersham
  • Patent number: D943507
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Conley, Benjamin De Fresart, Peter Hruby, Matthew Kuzila, Weixin Li, Joseph Lindgren, Daniel Smith, Thomas Truman, Charles Wickersham
  • Patent number: D944724
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Conley, Benjamin De Fresart, Peter Hruby, Matthew Kuzila, Weixin Li, Joseph Lindgren, Daniel Smith, Thomas Truman, Charles Wickersham