Patents by Inventor James Theodore Hoffman

James Theodore Hoffman 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: 8707949
    Abstract: A solar panel mount that tilts the panel about one or more axes toward the direction facing the sun when it is shining, through the action of one or more mechanical means, each effecting tilt about at least one of the axes, and each responding to a particular direction of sunlight with respect to the base or panel, through directionally-sensitive solar radiation absorbing means. In one set of preferred embodiments the mechanical means are length-changing actuators in which a temperature-responsive working fluid drives levers to lift a side of the panel. In a second set of embodiments, the mechanical means are tension-changing actuators in which temperature-responsive folded springs retract to pull the panel to a side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: James Theodore Hoffman