Patents by Inventor Daniel Preston Flanigan
Daniel Preston Flanigan 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: 10790777Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as roofing modules that have photovoltaic elements embedded or incorporated into the body of the module, in distinct tiles-sized areas. The use of modules that replicate the look of individual roofing tiles (or shingles) can lead to a more efficient installation process. Further, modules can include flexible joints between the distinct tiles-sized areas, across which solar cells within the module are electrically connected. The flexibility granted to the modules also makes installation easier, and further improves the fatigue and strain resistance of the overall solar array for its operational life.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2017Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Tesla, Inc.Inventors: Brian Edward Atchley, Andreas Meisel, Daniel Preston Flanigan, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson
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Patent number: 10771006Abstract: A solar tile and method for manufacturing solar tiles as a roofing surface with improved aesthetics that reduce the visual differences between solar and non-solar portions of tile. Roof tiles include an active area of thin-film photovoltaic material and an inactive area of thin-film photovoltaic material.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Tesla, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Preston Flanigan, Alex Christopher Mayer
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Patent number: 10673373Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams, in both lateral and longitudinal directions, to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV systems can be particularly aesthetically pleasing and generally seamless to an observer.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2016Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: SolarCity CorporationInventors: Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Charles Almy, Martin Seery, Daniel Preston Flanigan, Ryan Devine, River Broussard
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Patent number: 10547270Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams, in both lateral and longitudinal directions, to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, adjacent photovoltaic modules may be oriented so that a boundary between an up-roof photovoltaic module and a down-roof photovoltaic module is not noticeable by observers positioned at typical viewing angles of the roof.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2016Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: SolarCity CorporationInventors: Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Charles Almy, Martin Seery, Daniel Preston Flanigan, Jack Raymond West, Garret Anthony Bautista, William Paul Buchanan, Johann Fritz Karkheck, Ethan Ely
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Patent number: 10505492Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be on-roof systems, elevated from the surface of a roof, being flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, inverted seams can couple photovoltaic-supporting pans and non-photovoltaic structures, forming a substantively planar surface. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV systems can be particularly aesthetically pleasing and generally seamless to an observer.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2016Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: SolarCity CorporationInventors: Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Charles Almy, Martin Seery, Daniel Preston Flanigan, Ryan Devine, River Broussard
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Patent number: 10505494Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer, with minimal visible difference between photovoltaic and non-photovoltaic areas of the BIPV system. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as roofing tiles that have photovoltaic elements embedded or incorporated into the body of the roofing tiles. BIPV systems can also include mimic or dummy tiles that appear similar to tiles with photovoltaic elements, but do not collect solar energy. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV tile roof systems can be generally uniform to an observer at ground level, where the blending and distribution of photovoltaic and non-photovoltaic elements generate a consistent and elegant appearance that camouflages any differences between photovoltaic tile or non-photovoltaic tiles.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2018Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Tesla, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Preston Flanigan, Jack Raymond West
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Publication number: 20190058436Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as roofing modules that have photovoltaic elements embedded or incorporated into the body of the module, in distinct tiles-sized areas. The use of modules that replicate the look of individual roofing tiles (or shingles) can lead to a more efficient installation process. Further, modules can include flexible joints between the distinct tiles-sized areas, across which solar cells within the module are electrically connected. The flexibility granted to the modules also makes installation easier, and further improves the fatigue and strain resistance of the overall solar array for its operational life.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2017Publication date: February 21, 2019Inventors: Brian Edward Atchley, Andreas Meisel, Daniel Preston Flanigan, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson
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Publication number: 20190020301Abstract: A solar tile and method for manufacturing solar tiles as a roofing surface with improved aesthetics that reduce the visual differences between solar and non-solar portions of tile. Roof tiles include an active area of thin-film photovoltaic material and an inactive area of thin-film photovoltaic material.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2018Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Daniel Preston Flanigan, Alex Christopher Mayer
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Publication number: 20180167024Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer, with minimal visible difference between photovoltaic and non-photovoltaic areas of the BIPV system. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as roofing tiles that have photovoltaic elements embedded or incorporated into the body of the roofing tiles. BIPV systems can also include mimic or dummy tiles that appear similar to tiles with photovoltaic elements, but do not collect solar energy. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV tile roof systems can be generally uniform to an observer at ground level, where the blending and distribution of photovoltaic and non-photovoltaic elements generate a consistent and elegant appearance that camouflages any differences between photovoltaic tile or non-photovoltaic tiles.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2018Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventors: Daniel Preston Flanigan, Jack Raymond West
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Patent number: 9966898Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer, with minimal visible difference between photovoltaic and non-photovoltaic areas of the BIPV system. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as roofing tiles that have photovoltaic elements embedded or incorporated into the body of the roofing tiles. BIPV systems can also include mimic or dummy tiles that appear similar to tiles with photovoltaic elements, but do not collect solar energy. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV tile roof systems can be generally uniform to an observer at ground level, where the blending and distribution of photovoltaic and non-photovoltaic elements generate a consistent and elegant appearance that camouflages any differences between photovoltaic tile or non-photovoltaic tiles.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2017Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: SolarCity CorporationInventors: Daniel Preston Flanigan, Jack Raymond West
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Publication number: 20180115275Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer, with minimal visible difference between photovoltaic and non-photovoltaic areas of the BIPV system. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as roofing tiles that have photovoltaic elements embedded or incorporated into the body of the roofing tiles. BIPV systems can also include mimic or dummy tiles that appear similar to tiles with photovoltaic elements, but do not collect solar energy. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV tile roof systems can be generally uniform to an observer at ground level, where the blending and distribution of photovoltaic and non-photovoltaic elements generate a consistent and elegant appearance that camouflages any differences between photovoltaic tile or non-photovoltaic tiles.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2017Publication date: April 26, 2018Inventors: Daniel Preston Flanigan, Jack Raymond West
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Publication number: 20170237390Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams, in both lateral and longitudinal directions, to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, adjacent photovoltaic modules may be oriented so that a boundary between an up-roof photovoltaic module and a down-roof photovoltaic module is not noticeable by observers positioned at typical viewing angles of the roof.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2016Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Charles Almy, Martin Seery, Daniel Preston Flanigan, Jack Raymond West, Garret Anthony Bautista, William Paul Buchanan, Johann Fritz Karkheck, Ethan Ely
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Publication number: 20170237389Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams, in both lateral and longitudinal directions, to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV systems can be particularly aesthetically pleasing and generally seamless to an observer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2016Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Charles Almy, Martin Seery, Daniel Preston Flanigan, Ryan Devine, River Broussard
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Publication number: 20170237387Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be on-roof systems, elevated from the surface of a roof, being flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, inverted seams can couple photovoltaic-supporting pans and non-photovoltaic structures, forming a substantively planar surface. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV systems can be particularly aesthetically pleasing and generally seamless to an observer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2016Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Charles Almy, Martin Seery, Daniel Preston Flanigan, Ryan Devine, River Broussard