Patents by Inventor Brian D. West
Brian D. West 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).
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Publication number: 20230258369Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed on a roof deck in an array. Each of the photovoltaic modules includes a wire cover bracket substantially aligned with the wire cover bracket of an adjacent another one of the photovoltaic modules. At least one cover is removably attached to at least one of the wire cover brackets. The cover includes a top portion, a first side portion extending from a first side of the top portion, and a second side portion extending from a second side of the top portion opposite the first side. The top portion of the at least one cover is configured to divert water from entering the wire cover bracket from above the at least one cover. The first and second side portions are configured to divert water from entering the wire cover bracket from a lateral direction relative to the wire cover bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Peter Clemente, Evan Wray, Mike Kuiper, Brian D. West, Gary Rossi, Lewis Abra, Richard Perkins, Gabriela Bunea, Thierry Nguyen
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Patent number: 10563457Abstract: A hand-powered photovoltaic module hoist having a sled that slides along a ladder, and a pulley assembly mounted at the top of the ladder with a first cord to lift the sled and a second safety release cord to permit the sled to descend down the ladder. The sled is not attached to the ladder and the pulley assembly is a removable frame that is hung onto rungs of the ladder such that the hoist can quickly be installed on a standard ladder.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2015Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: SolarCity CorporationInventors: Brian D. West, Benjamin T. Materna, William P. Buchanan, Kathryn A. Pesce, Dana K. Noyes
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Publication number: 20160201391Abstract: A hand-powered photovoltaic module hoist having a sled that slides along a ladder, and a pulley assembly mounted at the top of the ladder with a first cord to lift the sled and a second safety release cord to permit the sled to descend down the ladder. The sled is not attached to the ladder and the pulley assembly is a removable frame that is hung onto rungs of the ladder such that the hoist can quickly be installed on a standard ladder.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2015Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: Brian D. West, Benjamin T. Materna, William P. Buchanan, Kathryn A. Pesce, Dana K. Noyes
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Publication number: 20110120528Abstract: An energy transfer module coupled to a thermal solar module includes a body having a first end member, a second end member, and four side members configured to enclose a first spatial region within a vicinity of the first end member and a second spatial region within a vicinity of the second end member. The first spatial region is in communication with the second spatial region. The module further includes one or more inlet openings provided at the first end member for inputting fluid flow from the thermal solar module. The module also includes an air filter disposed within the first spatial region to remove one or more impurities from the fluid flow. Additionally, the module includes a fan disposed between the first spatial region and the second spatial region to draw the fluid flow through the air filter. The fan is coupled to a drive motor. The module further includes a heat exchanger disposed in the first spatial region and an outlet provided on the second end member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2010Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: PVT Solar, Inc.Inventors: Brian D WEST, Charles Wade Albritton
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Patent number: 6557865Abstract: A highback for controlling a gliding board, such as a snowboard, through leg movement of a rider. The highback is provided with stiffness adjustability for accommodating the rider's particular riding preferences. Adjusting the highback stiffness allows the rider to selectively increase or decrease force transmission and board response based on individual riding preferences and/or riding conditions. Adjusting highback stiffness may also allow a rider to reduce pressure points between the highback and the leg, particularly the rider's calf muscle, for increased comfort while maintaining heelside support for board control. The highback includes a back member that may employ one or more sections that can be selectively adjusted to achieve a desired highback stiffness for board response and comfort. The degree of stiffness may be established by adjusting the flexibility of the highback at preselected locations of the back member.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1998Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: The Burton CorporationInventors: Stefan Reuss, Brian D. West, David J. Dodge, Ryan Coulter, Christopher M. Doyle
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Patent number: 6503363Abstract: A system for conditioning an alkaline etching solution for reducing contamination in a silicon wafer etching process. The system includes a conditioning tank for mixing a conditioned alkaline etching solution, the conditioned alkaline etching solution including a conditioning chemical; a conditioning chemical introduction system configured to add the conditioning chemical to the conditioning tank; and a buffer tank for storing the conditioned basic etching solution before using the conditioned alkaline etching solution in an etching process.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2000Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: SEH America, Inc.Inventors: Masami Nakano, Michito Sato, Brian D. West
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Publication number: 20020053402Abstract: A system for conditioning an alkaline etching solution for reducing contamination in a silicon wafer etching process. The system includes a conditioning tank for mixing a conditioned alkaline etching solution, the conditioned alkaline etching solution including a conditioning chemical; a conditioning chemical introduction system configured to add the conditioning chemical to the conditioning tank; and a buffer tank for storing the conditioned basic etching solution before using the conditioned alkaline etching solution in an etching process.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2000Publication date: May 9, 2002Inventors: Masami Nakano, Michito Sato, Brian D. West
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Patent number: 6250651Abstract: An adjustable strap that limits separation of the strap portions from each other. The strap provides for quick and easy one hand operation by allowing a user to fully loosen and tighten the strap without the need for rejoining the strap portions to each other. The strap may also maintain the overlapping sections of the strap portions in close proximity and generally parallel to each other, such as when bending and/or adjusting the strap across a curved surface, to substantially reduce the likelihood of a loose strap end. The adjustable strap may include an engagement strap with a fastening device, such as a ratchet buckle, mounted to one end thereof, and a ratchet strap that passes through the ratchet buckle to be adjusted relative to the engagement strap for a desired tightness. The engagement strap may include a stop that coacts with the ratchet strap to limit relative movement between the engagement and ratchet straps.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1998Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: The Burton CorporationInventors: Stefan Reuss, Ryan Coulter, Brian D. West, Christopher M. Doyle
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Patent number: 6231057Abstract: A highback for controlling a gliding board, such as a snowboard, through leg movement of a rider. The highback is provided with shape adjustability for accommodating a rider's particular riding preferences. Shape adjustability may allow the rider to reduce pressure points between the highback and the leg, particularly the calf muscle, for increased comfort while maintaining proper heelside support for board control. Shape adjustability may also allow the rider to selectively increase or decrease force transmission and board response based on individual riding preferences and/or riding conditions. The highback may employ one or more sections that may be selectively arranged to achieve a desirable highback shape for board response and rider comfort. The highback may be rigidly fixed in the selected shape to maintain comfort while delivering desired power transmission to the board.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1998Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: The Burton CorporationInventors: Stefan Reuss, Brian D. West, David J. Dodge, Christopher M. Doyle
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Patent number: D600638Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2008Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: PVT Solar, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Reed Plaisted, Brian D. West
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Patent number: D611895Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2009Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: PVT Solar, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Reed Plaisted, Brian D. West
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Patent number: D647843Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2009Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: PVT Solar Inc.Inventors: Charles Wade Albritton, Brian D. West