Patents by Inventor Herbert T. Hayden
Herbert T. Hayden 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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Publication number: 20150229266Abstract: A concentrated photovoltaic system (10) uses a semi-dense array of photovoltaic cells (76) in combination with a point-focus, reflecting primary concentrator (12) and a number of linear, refracting secondary concentrators (22). The secondary concentrators (22) are configured as totally internally reflecting lenses, wherein each lens covers an entire planar receiver tile (38) holding a multiplicity of photovoltaic cells (76). A large number of receiver tiles (38) may be used in the converter (10). The cells (76) are arranged in dense, nearly abutting, sub-arrays (92) that are spaced apart from other sub-arrays (92). Photovoltaic cells (76) from a few nearby sub-arrays are coupled in parallel to drive a DC/DC MPPT boost converter (100). DC outputs from several boost converters (100) are series coupled to form a high DC voltage string which drives a DC/AC inverter (122).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Applicant: SOUTHWEST SOLAR TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: HERBERT T. HAYDEN, PAUL LINDEN THOMAS
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Publication number: 20130038132Abstract: A concentrated photovoltaic system (10) uses a semi-dense array of photovoltaic cells (76) in combination with a point-focus, reflecting primary concentrator (12) and a number of linear, refracting secondary concentrators (22). The secondary concentrators (22) are configured as totally internally reflecting lenses, wherein each lens covers an entire planar receiver tile (38) holding a multiplicity of photovoltaic cells (76). A large number of receiver tiles (38) may be used in the converter (10). The cells (76) are arranged in dense, nearly abutting, sub-arrays (92) that are spaced apart from other sub-arrays (92). Photovoltaic cells (76) from a few nearby sub-arrays are coupled in parallel to drive a DC/DC MPPT boost converter (100). DC outputs from several boost converters (100) are series coupled to form a high DC voltage string which drives a DC/AC inverter (122).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2011Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: SOUTHWEST SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Herbert T. Hayden, Paul Linden Thomas
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Patent number: 7647924Abstract: A structure (26) for supporting an array (22) of solar panels (24) in a solar energy collection system (20) includes a support assembly (42) formed from a rigid subassembly (44). The subassembly (44) includes a truss (68), a post (46) downwardly extending from the truss (68) for attachment to a footing (48), and posts (50) upwardly extending from the truss (68). The structure (26) further includes torsion tubes (34), each of which is pivotally retained by one of the posts (50) to form parallel rows (32) of torsion tubes (34). Multiple ganged piers (44) can be interconnected to increase the number of rows (32) of the system (20). The solar panels (24) are attached to the torsion tubes (34) to form the array (22). Each of the torsion tubes (34) may have a flat surface (164) for ready alignment and attachment of solar panels (24) onto the torsion tubes (34).Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2008Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Arizona Public Service CompanyInventor: Herbert T. Hayden
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Publication number: 20080236567Abstract: A structure (26) for supporting an array (22) of solar panels (24) in a solar energy collection system (20) includes a support assembly (42) formed from a rigid subassembly (44). The subassembly (44) includes a truss (68), a post (46) downwardly extending from the truss (68) for attachment to a footing (48), and posts (50) upwardly extending from the truss (68). The structure (26) further includes torsion tubes (34), each of which is pivotally retained by one of the posts (50) to form parallel rows (32) of torsion tubes (34). Multiple ganged piers (44) can be interconnected to increase the number of rows (32) of the system (20). The solar panels (24) are attached to the torsion tubes (34) to form the array (22). Each of the torsion tubes (34) may have a flat surface (164) for ready alignment and attachment of solar panels (24) onto the torsion tubes (34).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventor: Herbert T. Hayden
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Patent number: 7357132Abstract: A system (22) for orienting an object (28) relative to a base (24) to which the object (28) is rotatably coupled includes a braking surface (46) in fixed relation with the base (24). A brake (48) is engaged with the braking surface (46). A linear actuator (82) has a body (86) in fixed attachment with the object (28) via a strap member (84) and a coupling element (80). The linear actuator (82) also includes a rod (88) in fixed communication with the brake (48) through an elongate member (90) that flexes in response to a braking force (66) imposed on the braking surface (46) by the brake (48). The linear actuator is activated to generate linear motion (120) of the rod (88). The linear motion (120) of the rod (88) causes rotational motion (122) of the object (28). The strap member (84) is enabled to flex as the object (28) rotates.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2004Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Arizona Public Service CompanyInventor: Herbert T. Hayden
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Patent number: 7252083Abstract: A structure (26) for supporting an array (22) of solar panels (24) in a solar energy collection system (20) includes a support assembly (42) formed from a rigid subassembly (44). The subassembly (44) includes an elongated truss (68), a base (46) coupled to the truss (68) for attachment to a footing (48), and posts (50) extending from a top edge of the truss (68). The structure (26) further includes torsion tubes (34), each of which is pivotally retained by one of the posts (50) to form parallel rows (32) of torsion tubes (34). A number of rigid subassemblies (44) can be interconnected to further increase the number of rows (32) of the system (20). The solar panels (24) are attached to the torsion tubes (34) to form the array (22), and a drive mechanism (38) pivots the torsion tubes (34) via a single elongated actuator and multiple torque arms (90).Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Arizona Public Service CompanyInventor: Herbert T. Hayden
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Patent number: 6927695Abstract: A fail-safe electrical control system in the form of a sensor loop (24) is provided. The sensor loop (24) includes any number of sensor units (22) coupled in series. Each sensor unit (22) includes a local power source (26), a local sensor (14), and a local indicator controller (30). The local power source (26), local sensor (14), and local indicator controller (30) are coupled in series within the sensor unit (22) and the sensor loop (24) to form a closed circuit (40) that does not require a central controller or the performance of loop configuration activities. The local power sources (26) distributed throughout the sensor loop (24) within the sensor units (22) are all isolated from the earth. In one preferred embodiment, the sensor loop (24) controls the movement of solar collectors (12) into wind stow positions when high wind (16) conditions occur.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2002Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Pinnacle West Capital CorporationInventor: Herbert T. Hayden
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Patent number: 6662801Abstract: A celestial tracking apparatus (20) has a support (26), a tracking assembly (28) coupled to the support (26) by an azimuth pivot (36), a collector assembly (30) coupled to the tracking assembly (28) by an elevation pivot (38), a wind-speed sensor (172), and a controller (150) coupled to the azimuth and elevation pivots (36,38) and configured to cause the collector assembly (30) to assume a wind-stow position (66) when the sensor (172) detects a wind having a speed greater than a predetermined speed, upon failure of a component of the apparatus (20), or upon receipt of a wind-stow command. The collector assembly (30) has a solar collector (22) with a substantially flat surface (24), a center of gravity (52), and a target axis (54) substantially perpendicular to the substantially flat surface (24) and passing through the center of gravity (52).Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2001Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: Pinnacle West Capital CorporationInventors: Herbert T. Hayden, James C. Warrick, Jefferson G. Shingleton, Raymond S. Zuckerman
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Publication number: 20030151505Abstract: A fail-safe electrical control system in the form of a sensor loop (24) is provided. The sensor loop (24) includes any number of sensor units (22) coupled in series. Each sensor unit (22) includes a local power source (26), a local sensor (14), and a local indicator controller (30). The local power source (26), local sensor (14), and local indicator controller (30) are coupled in series within the sensor unit (22) and the sensor loop (24) to form a closed circuit (40) that does not require a central controller or the performance of loop configuration activities. The local power sources (26) distributed throughout the sensor loop (24) within the sensor units (22) are all isolated from the earth. In one preferred embodiment, the sensor loop (24) controls the movement of solar collectors (12) into wind stow positions when high wind (16) conditions occur.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2002Publication date: August 14, 2003Inventor: Herbert T. Hayden
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Patent number: 6563040Abstract: A tilted single-axis tracking system (20) for collecting solar energy includes a structure (22) for supporting an array (26) of photovoltaic (PV) modules (24) above a surface (28). The structure (22) includes a frame (34) having first and second legs (40, 42) configured to extend upwardly from the surface (28) and join at an apex (54). A base tensioning member (44) of the frame (34) is interposed between the first and second legs (40, 42). A torque tube (36) is pivotally retained by the frame (34) at the apex (54) and is configured for attachment of the array (26) of PV modules (24). A foot member (38) pivotally retains a tube end (60) of the torque tube (36) and is configured to rest on the surface (22). A first tensioning member (106) is coupled between the foot member (38) and the first leg (40), and a second tensioning member (108) is coupled between the foot member (38) and the second leg (42).Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Pinnacle West Capital CorporationInventors: Herbert T. Hayden, Jefferson G. Shingleton
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Patent number: 6559371Abstract: A high-concentration photovoltaic assembly (24) for use in a utility-scale solar power generation system (20) is configured to couple to a supporting tracking structure (22) of the system (20). The assembly (24) incorporates a frame (38) substantially centered in a plane (44), a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal members (80) substantially centered in the plane (44) and coupled to the frame (38), two substantially parallel transverse members (82) substantially centered in the plane (44) and coupled to the longitudinal members (80) substantially at ends thereof, a plurality of bulkheads (90) coupled between adjacent ones of the longitudinal members (80) and configured to divide the assembly (24) into a plurality of chambers (94), a plurality of photovoltaic modules coupled to the chambers (94) upon a first side (48) of the plane (44), and a plurality of lenses (98) coupled to the chambers (94) upon a second side (46) of the plane (44).Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Pinnacle West Capital Corp.Inventors: Jefferson G. Shingleton, Herbert T. Hayden
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Publication number: 20030070705Abstract: A tilted single-axis tracking system (20) for collecting solar energy includes a structure (22) for supporting an array (26) of photovoltaic (PV) modules (24) above a surface (28). The structure (22) includes a frame (34) having first and second legs (40, 42) configured to extend upwardly from the surface (28) and join at an apex (54). A base tensioning member (44) of the frame (34) is interposed between the first and second legs (40, 42). A torque tube (36) is pivotally retained by the frame (34) at the apex (54) and is configured for attachment of the array (26) of PV modules (24). A foot member (38) pivotally retains a tube end (60) of the torque tube (36) and is configured to rest on the surface (22). A first tensioning member (106) is coupled between the foot member (38) and the first leg (40), and a second tensioning member (108) is coupled between the foot member (38) and the second leg (42).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2001Publication date: April 17, 2003Inventors: Herbert T. Hayden, Jefferson G. Shingleton
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Publication number: 20030062037Abstract: A celestial tracking apparatus (20) has a support (26), a tracking assembly (28) coupled to the support (26) by an azimuth pivot (36), a collector assembly (30) coupled to the tracking assembly (28) by an elevation pivot (38), a wind-speed sensor (172), and a controller (150) coupled to the azimuth and elevation pivots (36,38) and configured to cause the collector assembly (30) to assume a wind-stow position (66) when the sensor (172) detects a wind having a speed greater than a predetermined speed, upon failure of a component of the apparatus (20), or upon receipt of a wind-stow command. The collector assembly (30) has a solar collector (22) with a substantially flat surface (24), a center of gravity (52), and a target axis (54) substantially perpendicular to the substantially flat surface (24) and passing through the center of gravity (52).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2001Publication date: April 3, 2003Inventors: Herbert T. Hayden, James C. Warrick, Jefferson G. Shingleton, Raymond S. Zuckerman
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Publication number: 20030000564Abstract: A high-concentration photovoltaic assembly (24) for use in a utility-scale solar power generation system (20) is configured to couple to a supporting tracking structure (22) of the system (20). The assembly (24) incorporates a frame (38) substantially centered in a plane (44), a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal members (80) substantially centered in the plane (44) and coupled to the frame (38), two substantially parallel transverse members (82) substantially centered in the plane (44) and coupled to the longitudinal members (80) substantially at ends thereof, a plurality of bulkheads (90) coupled between adjacent ones of the longitudinal members (80) and configured to divide the assembly (24) into a plurality of chambers (94), a plurality of photovoltaic modules coupled to the chambers (94) upon a first side (48) of the plane (44), and a plurality of lenses (98) coupled to the chambers (94) upon a second side (46) of said plane (44).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2001Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventors: Jefferson G. Shingleton, Herbert T. Hayden