Patents by Inventor Ian Capsuto

Ian Capsuto 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: 20240011234
    Abstract: Improved masts for solar pile driving machines are provided that incorporate inline drilling as well as alignment and assembly devices that enable greater positional accuracy than possible with conventional equipment. In some cases, a jig, holder, or other device on the mast of the machine can be used to place a bearing assembly for a single-axis tracker while the foundation is being installed. Also disclosed are various multi-piece foundation piles that enable positional adjustment between below and above-ground components to compensate for misalignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Jack West, Charles Almy, Steven Kraft, Ian Capsuto, Tyrus Hudson
  • Publication number: 20220064892
    Abstract: In a machine for driving screw anchors and other foundation components, a desired embedment depth is calculated based on a minimum required embedment depth, work point height and length of available upper leg sections. Once calculated, the machine automatically drives the screw anchor to the depth so that one of the available upper leg lengths will fit between the driven screw anchor and apex truss hardware. If a secondary condition is satisfied that guarantees sufficient pull-out strength, a new upper leg length may be selected and the driving operation terminated prior to reaching the desired embedment depth, reducing the amount of material necessary to construct the truss foundation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Steven Kraft, Charles Almy, Ian Capsuto, Jesse Pavlick
  • Publication number: 20210214908
    Abstract: Improved masts for solar pile driving machines are provided that incorporate inline drilling as well as alignment and assembly devices that enable greater positional accuracy than possible with conventional equipment. In some cases, a jig, holder, or other device on the mast of the machine can be used to place a bearing assembly for a single-axis tracker while the foundation is being installed. Also disclosed are various multi-piece foundation piles that enable positional adjustment between below and above-ground components to compensate for misalignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Jack West, Charles Almy, Steven Kraft, Ian Capsuto, Tyrus Hudson
  • Patent number: 9291369
    Abstract: A skirt for photovoltaic arrays provides a screen portion, a groove portion, and a separate coupling adapted to couple the skirt to the skirt of an adjacent photovoltaic array and to a photovoltaic module. Another embodiment provides a screen portion comprising an angled louver and is adapted to partially obscure an area substantially beneath a PV module in a PV array. A further embodiment provides an edge blocking skirt for a PV array comprising a screen portion adapted for mounting a bottom of the screen portion substantially close to a roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: John Raymond West, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Emil Johansen, Ian Capsuto, Chad Medcroft, Brian Atchley, Nate Coleman
  • Patent number: 9097441
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are disclosed regarding an attachment system for solar equipment, sometimes referred to as a flashing device allowing quick and easy assembling of the solar equipment into an array or other combination in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, a flashing device may include a flashing plate which may contain one or more raised features to further direct and control the flow of liquid over the flashing plate. The flashing device may also contain a fluid restrictor such as a seal or part of a seal usually held within an aperture of a block having a skyward facing essentially or substantially flat surface. One or more various items of solar equipment may be attached to the essentially flat surface of the block. Also disclosed are adjustable mounting feet which may be installed in connection with other solar equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Zep Solar, LLC
    Inventors: John R. West, Tyrus Hudson, David Molina, Ian Capsuto
  • Publication number: 20150200618
    Abstract: A skirt and other devices for photovoltaic arrays, as well as photovoltaic arrays with a skirt(s) and/or other device(s) installed, related modules, and foothold devices and systems are herein disclosed. Various such embodiments include one or more array skirt(s), T-locks, grip(s), inside and outside corner cap(s), array trim(s), pest abatement screen(s), wire clip(s), foothold(s), groove adaptor bracket(s), magnetic skirt embodiment(s), as well as other structures and embodiments which are herein disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: ZEP SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: John Raymond West, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Emil Johansen, Ian Capsuto, Chad Medcroft, Nate Coleman, Brian West, Brian Atchley
  • Patent number: 9062897
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are disclosed regarding an attachment system for solar equipment, sometimes referred to as a flashing device allowing quick and easy assembling of the solar equipment into an array or other combination in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, a flashing device may include a flashing plate which may contain one or more raised features to further direct and control the flow of liquid over the flashing plate. The flashing device may also contain a fluid restrictor such as a seal or part of a seal usually held within an aperture of a block having a skyward facing essentially or substantially flat surface. One or more various items of solar equipment may be attached to the essentially flat surface of the block. Also disclosed are adjustable mounting feet which may be installed in connection with other solar equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Zep Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Tyrus Hudson, David Molina, Ian Capsuto
  • Publication number: 20150069198
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are disclosed regarding an attachment system for solar equipment, sometimes referred to as a flashing device allowing quick and easy assembling of the solar equipment into an array or other combination in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, a flashing device may include a flashing plate which may contain one or more raised features to further direct and control the flow of liquid over the flashing plate. The flashing device may also contain a fluid restrictor such as a seal or part of a seal usually held within an aperture of a block having a skyward facing essentially or substantially flat surface. One or more various items of solar equipment may be attached to the essentially flat surface of the block. Also disclosed are adjustable mounting feet which may be installed in connection with other solar equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Tyrus Hudson, David Molina, Ian Capsuto
  • Publication number: 20140223838
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are disclosed regarding an attachment system for solar equipment, sometimes referred to as a flashing device allowing quick and easy assembling of the solar equipment into an array or other combination in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, a flashing device may include a flashing plate which may contain one or more raised features to further direct and control the flow of liquid over the flashing plate. The flashing device may also contain a fluid restrictor such as a seal or part of a seal usually held within an aperture of a block having a skyward facing essentially or substantially flat surface. One or more various items of solar equipment may be attached to the essentially flat surface of the block. Also disclosed are adjustable mounting feet which may be installed in connection with other solar equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: ZEP SOLAR, LLC
    Inventors: John R. West, Tyrus Hudson, David Molina, Ian Capsuto
  • Patent number: 8756881
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are disclosed regarding an attachment system for solar equipment, sometimes referred to as a flashing device allowing quick and easy assembling of the solar equipment into an array or other combination in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, a flashing device may include a flashing plate which may contain one or more raised features to further direct and control the flow of liquid over the flashing plate. The flashing device may also contain a fluid restrictor such as a seal or part of a seal usually held within an aperture of a block having a skyward facing essentially or substantially flat surface. One or more various items of solar equipment may be attached to the essentially flat surface of the block. Also disclosed are adjustable mounting feet which may be installed in connection with other solar equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Zep Solar, LLC
    Inventors: John R. West, Tyrus Hudson, David Molina, Ian Capsuto
  • Publication number: 20140158184
    Abstract: A skirt and other devices for photovoltaic arrays, as well as photovoltaic arrays with a skirt(s) and/or other device(s) installed, related modules, and foothold devices and systems are herein disclosed. Various such embodiments include one or more array skirt(s), T-locks, grip(s), inside and outside corner cap(s), array trim(s), pest abatement screen(s), wire clip(s), foothold(s), groove adaptor bracket(s), magnetic skirt embodiment(s), as well as other structures and embodiments which are herein disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: ZEP SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: John Raymond West, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Emil Johansen, Ian Capsuto, Chad Medcroft, Nate Coleman, Brian West, Brian Atchley
  • Publication number: 20120301661
    Abstract: A skirt for photovoltaic arrays provides a screen portion, a groove portion, and a separate coupling adapted to couple the skirt to the skirt of an adjacent photovoltaic array and to a photovoltaic module. Another embodiment provides a screen portion comprising an angled louver and is adapted to partially obscure an area substantially beneath a PV module in a PV array. A further embodiment provides an edge blocking skirt for a PV array comprising a screen portion adapted for mounting a bottom of the screen portion substantially close to a roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: John Raymond West, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Emil Johansen, Ian Capsuto, Chad Medcroft, Brian Atchley, Nate Coleman