Patents by Inventor Ethan Ely

Ethan Ely 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).

  • Patent number: 12597879
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bracket assembly for securing a photovoltaic (PV) module. The bracket assembly may include a bracket having a top portion and a bottom surface and a clip coupled to the bracket. The clip may include a hooked portion, wherein the clip is configured to be displaced by a PV module from a first position to a second position. The clip may be biased toward the first position, and the hooked portion may be configured to engage an edge feature of the PV module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2025
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: Unirac, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Wares, Ethan Ely, Sushrut Bapat, Gary Rossi
  • Patent number: 12587127
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bracket assembly for securing a photovoltaic (PV) module. The bracket assembly may include a bracket having a top portion and a bottom surface and a clip coupled to the bracket. The clip may include a hooked portion, wherein the clip is configured to be displaced by a PV module from a first position to a second position. The clip may be biased toward the first position, and the hooked portion may be configured to engage an edge feature of the PV module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2026
    Assignee: Unirac, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Wares, Ethan Ely, Sushrut Bapat, Gary Rossi
  • Publication number: 20250317095
    Abstract: A solar module skirt assembly includes a skirt that is attached to a frame of a solar module, and a clip to attach the skirt to the solar module. The clip includes a first portion to attach to a frame of the solar module and to the skirt, a second portion to hold a portion of the frame of the solar module and a portion of the skirt, and a fastener to affix the clip to the frame of the solar module and the portion of the skirt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2025
    Publication date: October 9, 2025
    Inventors: Gary Rossi, Ethan Ely
  • Publication number: 20250293631
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bracket assembly for securing a photovoltaic (PV) module. The bracket assembly may include a bracket having a top portion and a bottom surface and a clip coupled to the bracket. The clip may include a hooked portion, wherein the clip is configured to be displaced by a PV module from a first position to a second position. The clip may be biased toward the first position, and the hooked portion may be configured to engage an edge feature of the PV module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2025
    Publication date: September 18, 2025
    Inventors: Brian Wares, Ethan Ely, Sushrut Bapat, Gary Rossi
  • Publication number: 20250274073
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bracket assembly for securing a photovoltaic (PV) module. The bracket assembly may include a bracket having a top portion and a bottom surface and a clip coupled to the bracket. The clip may include a hooked portion, wherein the clip is configured to be displaced by a PV module from a first position to a second position. The clip may be biased toward the first position, and the hooked portion may be configured to engage an edge feature of the PV module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2025
    Publication date: August 28, 2025
    Inventors: Brian Wares, Ethan Ely, Sushrut Bapat, Gary Rossi
  • Patent number: 12283915
    Abstract: A solar module skirt assembly includes a skirt that is attached to a frame of a solar module, and a clip to attach the skirt to the solar module. The clip includes a first portion to attach to a frame of the solar module and to the skirt, a second portion to hold a portion of the frame of the solar module and a portion of the skirt, and a fastener to affix the clip to the frame of the solar module and the portion of the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Unirac, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Rossi, Ethan Ely
  • Publication number: 20240364255
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bracket assembly for securing a photovoltaic (PV) module. The bracket assembly may include a bracket having a top portion and a bottom surface and a clip coupled to the bracket. The clip may include a hooked portion, wherein the clip is configured to be displaced by a PV module from a first position to a second position. The clip may be biased toward the first position, and the hooked portion may be configured to engage an edge feature of the PV module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventors: Brian WARES, Ethan ELY, Sushrut BAPAT, Gary ROSSI
  • Patent number: 12119779
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides photovoltaic (PV) module mounting systems and bracket assemblies for securing PV modules to roofs. The photovoltaic module mounting systems may include a roofing panel having a base layer, a flashing panel coupled along an edge of the roofing panel, and a bracket assembly coupled to the roofing panel, where the bracket assembly includes a bracket and a clip, and where the clip is configured to couple with an edge feature of a PV module to secure the PV module to the roofing panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Wares, Ethan Ely, Sushrut Bapat, Gary Rossi
  • Patent number: 12034398
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides junction boxes for use with roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) modules. The junction boxes may include a housing having a plurality of sides, a bottom having an aperture, and a top edge having a top opening, where the top edge has a lip disposed around the top edge and projecting upward from the top edge. The junction boxes may further include a lid removably coupled to the top edge of the housing and a seal disposed on an outer surface of the bottom of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Wares, Ethan Ely, Sushrut Bapat, Gary Rossi
  • Publication number: 20240039465
    Abstract: A solar module skirt assembly includes a skirt that is attached to a frame of a solar module, and a clip to attach the skirt to the solar module. The clip includes a first portion to attach to a frame of the solar module and to the skirt, a second portion to hold a portion of the frame of the solar module and a portion of the skirt, and a fastener to affix the clip to the frame of the solar module and the portion of the skirt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary ROSSI, Ethan ELY
  • Patent number: 11728764
    Abstract: A solar module skirt assembly includes a skirt that is attached to a frame of a solar module, and a clip to attach the skirt to the solar module. The clip includes a first portion to attach to a frame of the solar module and to the skirt, a second portion to hold a portion of the frame of the solar module and a portion of the skirt, and a fastener to affix the clip to the frame of the solar module and the portion of the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary Rossi, Ethan Ely
  • Publication number: 20210249990
    Abstract: A solar module skirt assembly includes a skirt that is attached to a frame of a solar module, and a clip to attach the skirt to the solar module. The clip includes a first portion to attach to a frame of the solar module and to the skirt, a second portion to hold a portion of the frame of the solar module and a portion of the skirt, and a fastener to affix the clip to the frame of the solar module and the portion of the skirt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary ROSSI, Ethan ELY
  • Patent number: 11018620
    Abstract: A solar module skirt assembly includes a skirt that is attached to a frame of a solar module, and a clip to attach the skirt to the solar module. The clip includes a first portion to attach to a frame of the solar module and to the skirt, a second portion to hold a portion of the frame of the solar module and a portion of the skirt, and a fastener to affix the clip to the frame of the solar module and the portion of the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary Rossi, Ethan Ely
  • Publication number: 20200382053
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides junction boxes for use with roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) modules. The junction boxes may include a housing having a plurality of sides, a bottom having an aperture, and a top edge having a top opening, where the top edge has a lip disposed around the top edge and projecting upward from the top edge. The junction boxes may further include a lid removably coupled to the top edge of the housing and a seal disposed on an outer surface of the bottom of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Brian WARES, Ethan ELY, Sushrut BAPAT, Gary ROSSI
  • Publication number: 20200382049
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides photovoltaic (PV) module mounting systems and bracket assemblies for securing PV modules to roofs. The photovoltaic module mounting systems may include a roofing panel having a base layer, a flashing panel coupled along an edge of the roofing panel, and a bracket assembly coupled to the roofing panel, where the bracket assembly includes a bracket and a clip, and where the clip is configured to couple with an edge feature of a PV module to secure the PV module to the roofing panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Brian WARES, Ethan ELY, Sushrut BAPAT, Gary ROSSI
  • Publication number: 20200099332
    Abstract: A solar module skirt assembly includes a skirt that is attached to a frame of a solar module, and a clip to attach the skirt to the solar module. The clip includes a first portion to attach to a frame of the solar module and to the skirt, a second portion to hold a portion of the frame of the solar module and a portion of the skirt, and a fastener to affix the clip to the frame of the solar module and the portion of the skirt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Applicant: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary ROSSI, Ethan ELY
  • Patent number: 10547270
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Charles Almy, Martin Seery, Daniel Preston Flanigan, Jack Raymond West, Garret Anthony Bautista, William Paul Buchanan, Johann Fritz Karkheck, Ethan Ely
  • Publication number: 20170237390
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Charles Almy, Martin Seery, Daniel Preston Flanigan, Jack Raymond West, Garret Anthony Bautista, William Paul Buchanan, Johann Fritz Karkheck, Ethan Ely