Patents by Inventor Dean Solon

Dean Solon 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: 20240097614
    Abstract: A lead assembly includes a feeder cable, one or more drop lines, and one or more mold structures. Each drop line includes a drop line connector, the drop line connector configured to be capable of detachable connection to a wire harness having a plurality of branches that are each configured to receive electrical power generated by a corresponding photovoltaic (PV) panel resulting in combined electrical power at the drop line connector. The one or more mold structures are disposed about a region of electrical interconnection between the feeder cable and the one or more drop lines. The one or more mold structures substantially seal the region of electrical interconnection from external environmental conditions. The combined electrical power received at each drop line connector is delivered to the feeder cable at the region of electrical interconnection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventor: Dean SOLON
  • Publication number: 20230347762
    Abstract: In an example, a system to charge electric vehicles includes a power platform, a cable management system (CMS), two or more lead assemblies, and a charger platform. The power platform is configured to receive input power, to generate output power from the input power, and to electrically protect the lead assemblies and the charger platform. The CMS extends from the power platform. The lead assemblies each include a feeder cable electrically coupled to the power platform. The lead assemblies also include a drop line electrically coupled to the feeder cable. Additionally, the lead assemblies are disposed in the CMS. The charger platform is configured to interface with the CMS and support a charging device. The charging device is electrically coupled to the drop line. The charging device includes an electric vehicle charger that is configured to deliver the output power to an electric vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffery J. TOLNAR, Steven P. GREENWELL, Benard A. DOMNING, Dean SOLON
  • Publication number: 20230336118
    Abstract: A lead assembly includes at plurality of drop line joined to a feeder cable at joints each having a compression lug that is preferably surrounded by undermolding and overmolding. In use, each drop line is connected to a solar array, and the feeder cable is connected to an inverter. In this manner a plurality of solar arrays are electrically coupled together, with a common feeder cable connecting them all to the inverter. A system of the present invention doesn't require a combiner box which is conventionally employed directly upstream of the inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: SHOALS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Dean Solon
  • Publication number: 20230320261
    Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in a robotic mowing device that includes a main body, a left-side driving wheel, a right-side driving wheel, and one or more motors to drive the left-side driving wheel and the right-side driving wheel to cause the left-side driving wheel and the right-side driving wheel to turn. The robotic mowing device also includes a deployable propulsion device that includes a rolling member and that is adapted to actuate the rolling member between a deployed state in which the rolling member is adapted to contact the ground surface, and a retracted state in which the rolling member is held apart from the ground surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventor: Dean Solon
  • Publication number: 20230323981
    Abstract: In an example, a multicable clip includes an elongate base, cradles, and first and second pedestals. The base has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The cradles extend from the base, each of the cradles configured to receive a corresponding cable, each of the cradles having a narrower width at its opening than within the cradle. The first pedestal is formed at the first end of the base, the first pedestal having a first shoulder to engage a first retention flange of a cable raceway. The second pedestal is formed at the second end of the base, the second pedestal having a second shoulder to engage a second retention flange of the cable raceway. The first and second pedestals are configured to couple the multicable clip to one or more installation structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Dorothy MICHAEL, Dean SOLON
  • Publication number: 20230296192
    Abstract: A component retention clip includes a body, a grip element, and bottom slide-coupling elements. The body has a base wall and two side walls forming a planar slot therebetween. The grip element is in the slot and coupled with at least one of the two side walls. The bottom slide-coupling elements are on an outer surface of at least one of the two side walls, each bottom slide-coupling element having a tapered cross-sectional profile in a longitudinal plane that narrows in a sliding axis towards an edge of the respective side wall and having a trapezoidal cross-sectional profile in a lateral plane that is orthogonal with the longitudinal plane. The bottom slide-coupling elements include first and second bottom slide-coupling elements, each having a first or second longitudinal plane in a first or second sliding axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Dorothy MICHAEL, Dean SOLON
  • Publication number: 20230245798
    Abstract: A cable retention clip includes first and second bodies. The first body defines a pair of first cable retention channels that are positioned adjacent with each other. Each first cable retention channel has a parallel channel axis and a first inlet opening extending a length of each first cable retention channel. The first body portion has a first base side opposite of each first inlet opening. The second body defines multiple second cable retention channels that are positioned adjacent with each other. Each second cable retention channel has a parallel channel axis and a second inlet opening extending a length of each second cable retention channel. The second body portion has a second base side opposite of each second inlet opening. The first base side is coupled to the second base side such that each first inlet opening opens in a direction opposite of each second inlet opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Dorothy MICHAEL, Dean SOLON
  • Patent number: 11689153
    Abstract: A lead assembly includes at plurality of drop line joined to a feeder cable at joints each having a compression lug that is preferably surrounded by undermolding and overmolding. In use, each drop line is connected to a solar array, and the feeder cable is connected to an inverter. In this manner a plurality of solar arrays are electrically coupled together, with a common feeder cable connecting them all to the inverter. A system of the present invention doesn't require a combiner box which is conventionally employed directly upstream of the inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SHOALS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Dean Solon
  • Publication number: 20220356963
    Abstract: A cable retention clip can include a structure retention section and a cable retention section. The structure retention section can have a clamp body having a base wall and two side walls forming a planar slot therebetween. There can be at least one grip element in the slot that is coupled with at least one of the two side walls. The cable retention section can be coupled to the structure retention section. The cable retention section can include a clip body defining at least two cable retention channels. Each cable retention channel can have a cable opening (e.g., slot into lumen) that extends the length of the respective cable retention channel to form a C-shape. Each cable retention channel can be parallel with each other cable retention channel. In some aspects, the clip body defines at least a pair of the cable retention channels forming a ? shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Dorothy MICHAEL, Steve FERGUSON, Joaquin PEREDA, Dean SOLON
  • Publication number: 20220360059
    Abstract: A cable retention clip can include at least one clip body region defining at least two cable retention channels that are arranged to have parallel channel axes. Each cable retention channel has an inlet opening extending a length of the respective cable retention channel so that each cable retention channel forms a C-shape. Each cable retention channel can be separated from an adjacent cable retention channel by a cable separator member. The cable retention clip can also include at least two elongate resilient pillars that are spaced apart with a gap therebetween. The elongate resilient pillars extend from the clip body region that has the cable retention channels. Each elongate pillar includes a hook at an end that is opposite of the clip body region. Each hook can be oriented away from the other hook, such that both hooks point away from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Dorothy MICHAEL, Steve FERGUSON, Joaquin PEREDA, Dean SOLON
  • Publication number: 20220359102
    Abstract: A cable retention clip can include at least one body defining at least two of cable retention channels that are arranged to have parallel channel axes. Each cable retention channel has an inlet opening extending a length of the respective cable retention channel so that a lateral cross-section of each cable retention channel forms a C-shape. Each cable retention channel can be separated from an adjacent cable retention channel by a cable separator. The body also defines at least a pair of the cable retention channels forming a ? shape. The cable retention channels can include two cable retention channels having the same size. A cable arrangement can include the cable retention clip and at least two solar cables. A solar installation can include the cable arrangement and at least one solar panel operably coupled with at least one of the solar cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Dorothy MICHAEL, Steve FERGUSON, Joaquin PEREDA, Dean SOLON
  • Publication number: 20210226581
    Abstract: A lead assembly includes at plurality of drop line joined to a feeder cable at joints each having a compression lug that is preferably surrounded by undermolding and overmolding. In use, each drop line is connected to a solar array, and the feeder cable is connected to an inverter. In this manner a plurality of solar arrays are electrically coupled together, with a common feeder cable connecting them all to the inverter. A system of the present invention doesn't require a combiner box which is conventionally employed directly upstream of the inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: SHOALS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Dean Solon
  • Patent number: 10992254
    Abstract: A lead assembly includes at plurality of drop line joined to a feeder cable at joints each having a compression lug that is preferably surrounded by undermolding and overmolding. In use, each drop line is connected to a solar array, and the feeder cable is connected to an inverter. In this manner a plurality of solar arrays are electrically coupled together, with a common feeder cable connecting them all to the inverter. A system of the present invention doesn't require a combiner box which is conventionally employed directly upstream of the inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Shoals Technologies Group, LLC
    Inventor: Dean Solon
  • Patent number: 10720879
    Abstract: A junction box is affixed to, and electrically coupled with, a solar panel. The junction box is configured to releasably engage and disengage accessory modules, thereby allowing accessory modules to be replaced or exchanged easily. Accessory modules are electrically coupled with other accessory modules in the solar panel string. The furthest downstream accessory module is connected to a wire harness, which is connected to a central combiner box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Shoals Technologies Group, LLC
    Inventor: Dean Solon
  • Patent number: 10553739
    Abstract: A photovoltaic in line connector assembly has an integral fuse, and is double molded to provide electrical insulation, protection and strain relief. The assembly can be integrated with, or added to, a wiring harness for a photovoltaic installation, thereby providing one fuse per solar panel. The assembly may include zero, one, or two connectors that are male, female, or one of each.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: SHOALS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Dean Solon
  • Patent number: 10347775
    Abstract: A system for monitoring and wirelessly transmitting solar array parameters such as current, voltage and temperature in real time is primarily housed within a recombiner box. The system lends itself to retrofitting within some commercially available recombiner boxes. Signals emitted from the RF controller component of the system are received by a central processor, which includes a dashboard interface. Multiple systems in proximity can be linked to form a mesh network with one central processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: SHOALS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Dean Solon
  • Patent number: 10192706
    Abstract: A novel fuse joint may be incorporated into a wire harness for use in solar energy installations. The novel fuse joint interfaces an in-line fuse with the middle portion of a wire segment at one end of the fuse, and with a wire end at the other end of the fuse. In this manner the number of connection points required to achieve in-line fuse functionality is decreased, thereby improving safety and conductivity over conventional in-line fuses. The fuse is undermolded, and the undermold is overmolded in situ, thereby yielding a double molded fuse joint. The novel fuse joint may be incorporated into a wire harness with conventional in-line fuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SHOALS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Dean Solon, George M. Solon
  • Patent number: D996373
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SHOALS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Dorothy Michael, Dean Solon
  • Patent number: D1011174
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: SHOALS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Dorothy Michael, Dean Solon
  • Patent number: D1012042
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: SHOALS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Dorothy Michael, Dean Solon