Patents by Inventor Elizabeth Dix Schulte

Elizabeth Dix Schulte 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).

  • Photovoltaic module clip
    Patent number: 10630232
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module clip, and methods of fastening a PV module to a structural member using the PV module clip, are described. In an example, a PV module clip includes a toe portion interconnected with several legs by a neck portion. The toe portion may be inserted through several aligned holes of a PV module frame and a mounting assembly strut to an underside of the strut. The neck portion may extend upward from the toe portion through the aligned holes to the legs above the strut. The legs may extend around a portion of the strut in a tensioned state, and engage with a retaining feature to hold the legs in the tensioned state. Accordingly, the legs may clamp the PV module to the mounting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Elizabeth Dix Schulte, Brian Wares, Nicholas James McKibben
  • PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE CLIP
    Publication number: 20190081591
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module clip, and methods of fastening a PV module to a structural member using the PV module clip, are described. In an example, a PV module clip includes a toe portion interconnected with several legs by a neck portion. The toe portion may be inserted through several aligned holes of a PV module frame and a mounting assembly strut to an underside of the strut. The neck portion may extend upward from the toe portion through the aligned holes to the legs above the strut. The legs may extend around a portion of the strut in a tensioned state, and engage with a retaining feature to hold the legs in the tensioned state. Accordingly, the legs may clamp the PV module to the mounting assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Elizabeth Dix Schulte, Brian Wares, Nicholas James McKibben
  • Photovoltaic module clip
    Patent number: 10158323
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module clip, and methods of fastening a PV module to a structural member using the PV module clip, are described. In an example, a PV module clip includes a toe portion interconnected with several legs by a neck portion. The toe portion may be inserted through several aligned holes of a PV module frame and a mounting assembly strut to an underside of the strut. The neck portion may extend upward from the toe portion through the aligned holes to the legs above the strut. The legs may extend around a portion of the strut in a tensioned state, and engage with a retaining feature to hold the legs in the tensioned state. Accordingly, the legs may clamp the PV module to the mounting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Elizabeth Dix Schulte, Brian Wares, Nicholas James McKibben
  • PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE CLIP
    Publication number: 20180062568
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module clip, and methods of fastening a PV module to a structural member using the PV module clip, are described. In an example, a PV module clip includes a toe portion interconnected with several legs by a neck portion. The toe portion may be inserted through several aligned holes of a PV module frame and a mounting assembly strut to an underside of the strut. The neck portion may extend upward from the toe portion through the aligned holes to the legs above the strut. The legs may extend around a portion of the strut in a tensioned state, and engage with a retaining feature to hold the legs in the tensioned state. Accordingly, the legs may clamp the PV module to the mounting assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Elizabeth Dix Schulte, Brian Wares, Nicholas James McKibben