Patents by Inventor Christopher Thomas Needham
Christopher Thomas Needham 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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Patent number: 11949368Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes a collection of photovoltaic modules, a base supporting the collection of photovoltaic modules, and a damper coupled between the collection of photovoltaic modules and the base. The damper resists movement of the photovoltaic modules relative to the base. The damper has a first damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a first rate relative to the base and a second damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a second rate relative to the base, and the damper passively transitions from the first damping ratio to the second damping ratio.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2021Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: FCX Solar LLCInventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
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Publication number: 20240060850Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique of configuring flexible photovoltaic tracker systems with high damping and low angle stow positions. Under dynamic environmental loads implementing a high amount of damping (e.g., greater than 25% of critical damping, greater than 50% of critical damping) or a very high amount of damping (e.g., 100% or greater of critical damping, infinite damping) enables the flexible tracker system to prevent problematic aeroelastic behaviors while positioned in a low stow angle. The disclosed technique is further applied to a prototyping process during wind tunnel testing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
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Publication number: 20240039461Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes a collection of photovoltaic modules, a base supporting the collection of photovoltaic modules, and a damper coupled between the collection of photovoltaic modules and the base. The damper resists movement of the photovoltaic modules relative to the base. The damper has a first damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a first rate relative to the base and a second damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a second rate relative to the base, and the damper passively transitions from the first damping ratio to the second damping ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
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Patent number: 11843347Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes a collection of photovoltaic modules, a base supporting the collection of photovoltaic modules, and a damper coupled between the collection of photovoltaic modules and the base. The damper resists movement of the photovoltaic modules relative to the base. The damper has a first damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a first rate relative to the base and a second damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a second rate relative to the base, and the damper passively transitions from the first damping ratio to the second damping ratio.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: FCX Solar LLCInventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
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Patent number: 11843346Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes a collection of photovoltaic modules, a base supporting the collection of photovoltaic modules, and a damper coupled between the collection of photovoltaic modules and the base. The damper resists movement of the photovoltaic modules relative to the base. The damper has a first damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a first rate relative to the base and a second damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a second rate relative to the base, and the damper passively transitions from the first damping ratio to the second damping ratio.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2021Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: FCX Solar LLCInventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
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Patent number: 11837990Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes a collection of photovoltaic modules, a base supporting the collection of photovoltaic modules, and a damper coupled between the collection of photovoltaic modules and the base. The damper resists movement of the photovoltaic modules relative to the base. The damper has a first damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a first rate relative to the base and a second damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a second rate relative to the base, and the damper passively transitions from the first damping ratio to the second damping ratio.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: FCX Solar LLCInventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
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Patent number: 11774321Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique of configuring flexible photovoltaic tracker systems with high damping and low angle stow positions. Under dynamic environmental loads implementing a high amount of damping (e.g., greater than 25% of critical damping, greater than 50% of critical damping) or a very high amount of damping (e.g., 100% or greater of critical damping, infinite damping) enables the flexible tracker system to prevent problematic aeroelastic behaviors while positioned in a low stow angle. The disclosed technique is further applied to a prototyping process during wind tunnel testing.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: FCX Solar LLCInventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
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Patent number: 11764722Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes a collection of photovoltaic modules, a base supporting the collection of photovoltaic modules, and a damper coupled between the collection of photovoltaic modules and the base. The damper resists movement of the photovoltaic modules relative to the base. The damper has a first damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a first rate relative to the base and a second damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a second rate relative to the base, and the damper passively transitions from the first damping ratio to the second damping ratio.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2019Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: FCX SOLAR LLCInventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
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Patent number: 11750147Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes a collection of photovoltaic modules, a base supporting the collection of photovoltaic modules, and a damper coupled between the collection of photovoltaic modules and the base. The damper resists movement of the photovoltaic modules relative to the base. The damper has a first damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a first rate relative to the base and a second damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a second rate relative to the base, and the damper passively transitions from the first damping ratio to the second damping ratio.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: FCX Solar LLCInventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
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Publication number: 20230092382Abstract: A solar tracker system includes a photovoltaic panel and an actuator coupled to the photovoltaic panel and configured to actuate to rotate the photovoltaic panel around a base. A controller communicatively coupled to the actuator is configured to detect a direction from which wind is incident on the photovoltaic panel. Based on the direction from which wind is incident on the photovoltaic panel, the controller adaptively controls the actuator to set a stow position of the photovoltaic panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
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Patent number: 11601086Abstract: A solar canopy has a solar panel assembly including a first solar panel coupled to a second solar panel and oriented non-parallel with respect to the second solar panel. A solar panel assembly support structure is coupled to the solar panel assembly. One or more components of the support structure are manufactured by cold rolling. The solar panel assembly has an effective solar-panel-assembly wind loading less than a sum of a first-solar-panel effective wind loading and a second-solar-panel effective wind loading determined individually. An actual load applied by the solar panel assembly to a solar-panel-assembly support structure coupled thereto when the solar panel assembly is subject to a wind loading is less than a design load for the solar panel assembly subject to the wind loading based on a sum of a first-solar-panel net pressure and a second-solar-panel net pressure determined independently.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2019Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: RBI SOLAR, INC.Inventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
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Publication number: 20230003612Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique of configuring flexible photovoltaic tracker systems with high damping and low angle stow positions. Under dynamic environmental loads implementing a high amount of damping (e.g., greater than 25% of critical damping, greater than 50% of critical damping) or a very high amount of damping (e.g., 100% or greater of critical damping, infinite damping) enables the flexible tracker system to prevent problematic aeroelastic behaviors while positioned in a low stow angle. The disclosed technique is further applied to a prototyping process during wind tunnel testing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
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Publication number: 20220342429Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique of configuring flexible photovoltaic tracker systems with high damping and low angle stow positions. Under dynamic environmental loads implementing a high amount of damping (e.g., greater than 25% of critical damping, greater than 50% of critical damping) or a very high amount of damping (e.g., 100% or greater of critical damping, infinite damping) enables the flexible tracker system to prevent problematic aeroelastic behaviors while positioned in a low stow angle. The disclosed technique is further applied to a prototyping process during wind tunnel testing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2022Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
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Publication number: 20220268801Abstract: Movement of photovoltaic panels is measured using an array of low-cost devices. Accelerometers are mounted on photovoltaic panels across a site to measure wind speed and direction. Time stamped data from the devices is transmitted to a central computing device which calculates a rolling, lagging wind speed and direction. Measured movement of the photovoltaic panels is used to determine when to place photovoltaic panels in a protective stow mode to reduce damage during a wind event.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
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Patent number: 11422575Abstract: A solar tracker system includes a photovoltaic panel and an actuator coupled to the photovoltaic panel and configured to actuate to rotate the photovoltaic panel around a base. A controller communicatively coupled to the actuator is configured to detect a direction from which wind is incident on the photovoltaic panel. Based on the direction from which wind is incident on the photovoltaic panel, the controller adaptively controls the actuator to set a stow position of the photovoltaic panel.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2021Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: FCX Solar LLCInventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
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Patent number: 11416010Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique of configuring flexible photovoltaic tracker systems with high damping and low angle stow positions. Under dynamic environmental loads implementing a high amount of damping (e.g., greater than 25% of critical damping, greater than 50% of critical damping) or a very high amount of damping (e.g., 100% or greater of critical damping, infinite damping) enables the flexible tracker system to prevent problematic aeroelastic behaviors while positioned in a low stow angle. The disclosed technique is further applied to a prototyping process during wind tunnel testing.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2021Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: FCX Solar LLCInventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
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Patent number: 11402294Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique of configuring flexible photovoltaic tracker systems with high damping and low angle stow positions. Under dynamic environmental loads implementing a high amount of damping (e.g., greater than 25% of critical damping, greater than 50% of critical damping) or a very high amount of damping (e.g., 100% or greater of critical damping, infinite damping) enables the flexible tracker system to prevent problematic aeroelastic behaviors while positioned in a low stow angle. The disclosed technique is further applied to a prototyping process during wind tunnel testing.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2021Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: FCX Solar LLCInventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
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Publication number: 20220149776Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes a collection of photovoltaic modules, a base supporting the collection of photovoltaic modules, and a damper coupled between the collection of photovoltaic modules and the base. The damper resists movement of the photovoltaic modules relative to the base. The damper has a first damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a first rate relative to the base and a second damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a second rate relative to the base, and the damper passively transitions from the first damping ratio to the second damping ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
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Publication number: 20220146369Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique of configuring flexible photovoltaic tracker systems with high damping and low angle stow positions. Under dynamic environmental loads implementing a high amount of damping (e.g., greater than 25% of critical damping, greater than 50% of critical damping) or a very high amount of damping (e.g., 100% or greater of critical damping, infinite damping) enables the flexible tracker system to prevent problematic aeroelastic behaviors while positioned in a low stow angle. The disclosed technique is further applied to a prototyping process during wind tunnel testing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
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Publication number: 20220129018Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique of configuring flexible photovoltaic tracker systems with high damping and low angle stow positions. Under dynamic environmental loads implementing a high amount of damping (e.g., greater than 25% of critical damping, greater than 50% of critical damping) or a very high amount of damping (e.g., 100% or greater of critical damping, infinite damping) enables the flexible tracker system to prevent problematic aeroelastic behaviors while positioned in a low stow angle. The disclosed technique is further applied to a prototyping process during wind tunnel testing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2021Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden