Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Charles Lamb
Jeffrey Charles Lamb 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: 20230327604Abstract: A solar tracking system comprising a plurality of solar modules disposed adjacent to each other in a common plane, the plurality of solar modules having respective top and bottom faces and respective opposing first and second edges, the first edges defining a leading edge and the second edges being a trailing edge where the leading edge of the plurality of solar modules is configured to be oriented into a primary air flow such that a primary air flow direction is from the leading edge of the plurality of solar modules to the trailing edge of the plurality of solar modules; and at least one leading edge add-on having an elongated body coupled to and extending from the leading edge of a plurality of the plurality of solar modules, the at least one leading edge add-on having a profile that provides one or more aerodynamic benefits to the plurality of solar modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Jonathan Glenn Luedke, Kyle Allen Lamson, Peter Aumann, Jeffrey Charles Lamb, Leila Marcia Madrone, Jonah Sternthal
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Publication number: 20230299711Abstract: A solar tracker system comprising a solar tracker. The solar tracker includes one or more solar panels and a first dampening assembly comprising a dampener that provides dampening of rotation of the one or more solar panels to provide for dampening of the solar tracker and the one or more solar panels, the dampener reducing undesirable oscillations of the one or more solar panels of the solar tracker.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2023Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Victoria Macomber, Jeffrey Charles Lamb, Matthew N Schneider, Christopher Oestreich, Eric Preston Lien Suan, Louis Hong Basel, Saul Thomas Griffith, Peter Aumann, Kyle Allen Lamson, Jonah Sternthal, Eleanor Blair, Nicholas Andrew Catalan, Amando Luke Miller
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Patent number: 11683003Abstract: A solar tracker system comprising one or more tracker rotation control systems that include: a curved gear plate; and a locking element configured to lock the solar tracker system in a first configuration.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: SUNFOLDING, INC.Inventors: Victoria Macomber, Jeffrey Charles Lamb, Matthew N Schneider, Christopher Oestreich, Eric Preston Lien Suan, Louis Hong Basel, Saul Thomas Griffith, Peter Aumann, Kyle Allen Lamson, Jonah Sternthal, Eleanor Blair, Nicholas Andrew Catalan, Amando Luke Miller
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Publication number: 20230139980Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluidic actuator that comprising generating a member that includes a web and a pair of cavities and closing the cavities by closing one or more respective openings of the cavities to generate a first closed bladder and a second closed bladder.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Inventors: Leila Marcia Madrone, Stephen Picone, Samaneh Fakhimi, Padmalatha Kakanuru, Kyle Allen Lamson, Erica S. C. Lin, Kyle Betts, Jeffrey Charles Lamb, Christopher Oestreich
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Publication number: 20230066669Abstract: A solar tracker comprising: a bottom plate, a top plate, at least one assembly rotatably coupling the top and bottom plates, one or more bellows units disposed between the top plate and bottom plate and a locking mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Kyle Douglass Betts, Saul Thomas Griffith, Jeffrey Charles Lamb, Peter Sturt Lynn, Leila Marcia Madrone, Matthew Ness Schneider, Kevin Patrick Simon, Louis Basel, Victoria Hammett Macomber, Daniel Goldwater
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Patent number: 11588433Abstract: A method of coupling solar panels to one or more rails via one or more module clamps to form at least a portion of a solar assembly. The method can include positioning a first and second solar panel on at least a first rail, the first and second solar panels being positioned adjacent and defining a slot between the first and second solar panels. The method can further include positioning a module clamp between the first and second solar panels in the slot between the first and second solar panels, the module clamp engaging the first and second solar panels and the first rail. The module clamp can include a bolt and a clamp head.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2020Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Sunfolding, Inc.Inventors: Eric Preston Lien Suan, Jeffrey Charles Lamb
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Patent number: 11502639Abstract: An actuator comprising a bottom plate, a top-plate and one or more hub assembly extending between and rotatably coupling the bottom and top plates. The actuator also includes one or more bellows units disposed between the top plate and bottom plate, the one or more bellows units comprising a first and second inflatable bellows coupled by a web extending between the first and second bellows, the first and second bellows defining respective and separate first and second bellows cavities, with the first bellows of the bellows units disposed on a first side of the bottom plate, and the second bellows of the bellows units disposed on a second side of the bottom plate, opposing the first side, and between the top and bottom plates.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: SUNFOLDING, INC.Inventors: Kyle Douglass Betts, Saul Thomas Griffith, Jeffrey Charles Lamb, Peter Sturt Lynn, Leila Marcia Madrone, Matthew Ness Schneider, Kevin Patrick Simon, Louis Basel, Victoria Hammett Macomber, Dan Goldwater
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Publication number: 20210399679Abstract: A solar tracker system comprising one or more tracker rotation control systems that include: a curved gear plate; and a locking element configured to lock the solar tracker system in a first configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2021Publication date: December 23, 2021Inventors: Victoria Macomber, Jeffrey Charles Lamb, Matthew N Schneider, Christopher Oestreich, Eric Preston Lien Suan, Louis Hong Basel, Saul Thomas Griffith, Peter Aumann, Kyle Allen Lamson, Jonah Sternthal, Eleanor Blair, Nicholas Andrew Catalan, Amando Luke Miller
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Publication number: 20210226578Abstract: A fluidic actuator including an angled bottom plate having a cap and first and second plate arms on opposing sides of and extending from the cap. The fluidic actuator further includes a top plate coupled about the cap of the angled bottom plate and a rotatable coupling of the angled bottom plate and top plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2020Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Louis Hong Basel, Kyle Douglass Betts, Alex Tan Kwan, Jeffrey Charles Lamb, Erica S. C. Lin, Leila Madrone, James Vincent Nolan, IV, Matthew N Schneider, Youngjoo Shin, Eric Preston Lien Suan
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Publication number: 20210194415Abstract: A fluidic actuation system for controlling rotation of one or more panels, having a first valve circuit configured to be fluidically coupled to a first vessel and a fluid source, having a first and second valve; and a second valve circuit configured to be fluidically coupled to a second vessel and the fluid source, having a third and fourth valve. The first valve is configured to control a supply of fluid from the fluid source to the first vessel; the second valve is configured to release fluid from the first vessel; the third valve is configured to control a supply of the fluid from the fluid source to the second vessel; and the fourth valve is configured to release the fluid from the second vessel. Introduction or release of fluid from one or both the first and second vessels is configured to cause rotation of the one or more panels.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2021Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventors: Louis Hong Basel, Joshua Earle Erickson, Dan Goldwater, Jeffrey Charles Lamb, Leila Madrone, Vincent Domenic Romanin, Matthew N Schneider
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Publication number: 20210175841Abstract: A solar tracker system having one or more solar trackers that each include one or more panels and one or more actuators coupled to the one or more panels, the one or more actuators having a first and second vessel; and an electronic control unit configured to inflate the first vessel with fluid from a fluid source and configured to separately inflate the second vessel with fluid from the fluid source. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that a stow event is present based on a first set of environmental data obtained from an environmental sensor that indicates environmental conditions pose a threat to the one or more solar trackers, and in response to determining that the stow event is present, actuate the one or more panels toward a stow configuration target angle by at least inflating the first or second vessels with fluid from the fluid source.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2021Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: Kyle Douglass Betts, Joshua Earle Erickson, Dan Goldwater, Jeffrey Charles Lamb, Leila Madrone, James Vincent Nolan, IV, Vincent Domenic Romanin, Matthew N. Schneider, Eric Preston Lien Suan
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Patent number: 10951159Abstract: A pneumatic control unit configured to inflate a first and second set of bellows with fluid from a pneumatic fluid source via a pneumatic circuit, the first and second set of bellows associated with one or more pneumatic actuators. The pneumatic control unit determines a target configuration of the actuators based on a determined current position of the sun; determines a current configuration of the actuators; determines a difference between the determined current configuration and target configuration of the actuators; determines that the difference between current configuration and the target configuration of the actuators is outside of a tolerance range; and actuates the actuators toward the determined target configuration by at least one of inflating the first or second set of bellows with fluid from the pneumatic fluid source via the pneumatic circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: SUNFOLDING, INC.Inventors: Kyle Douglass Betts, Joshua Earle Erickson, Dan Goldwater, Jeffrey Charles Lamb, Leila Madrone, James Vincent Nolan, IV, Vincent Domenic Romanin, Matthew N Schneider, Eric Preston Lien Suan
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Patent number: 10944353Abstract: A system for controlling a rotation of one or more solar panels about an axis of rotation, comprising one or more solar panels defining a longitudinal axis, one or more bellows actuators coupled to the one or more solar panels and defining an axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the panels, a fluid source, a first valve circuit coupled to the bellows actuators and the fluid source, a second valve circuit coupled to the bellows actuators and the fluid source, and a controller, wherein introduction or release of fluid from one or more of the bellows actuators is configured to cause rotation of the one or more actuators about the axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2018Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: SUNFOLDING, INC.Inventors: Louis Hong Basel, Joshua Earle Erickson, Dan Goldwater, Jeffrey Charles Lamb, Leila Madrone, Vincent Domenic Romanin, Matthew N Schneider
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Patent number: 10917038Abstract: An actuator that includes a bottom plate, a top-plate, and a first and second hub assembly extending between the bottom and top plates. The actuator can further include a first and second bellows disposed on opposing sides of the hub assemblies, the first and second bellows each extending between and coupled to the top plate and bottom plate. The actuator can also include a plurality of washers disposed between the top and bottom plates, with each of the washers coupled to the first and second hub assembly, a first set of the plurality of washers surrounding the first bellows and a second set of the plurality of washers surrounding the second bellows.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2018Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: SUNFOLDING, INC.Inventors: Louis Hong Basel, Kyle Douglass Betts, Alex Tan Kwan, Jeffrey Charles Lamb, Erica S. C. Lin, Leila Madrone, James Vincent Nolan, IV, Matthew N Schneider, Youngjoo Shin, Eric Preston Lien Suan
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Publication number: 20200304057Abstract: A method of coupling solar panels to one or more rails via one or more module clamps to form at least a portion of a solar assembly. The method can include positioning a first and second solar panel on at least a first rail, the first and second solar panels being positioned adjacent and defining a slot between the first and second solar panels. The method can further include positioning a module clamp between the first and second solar panels in the slot between the first and second solar panels, the module clamp engaging the first and second solar panels and the first rail. The module clamp can include a bolt and a clamp head.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Eric Preston Lien Suan, Jeffrey Charles Lamb
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Publication number: 20190372512Abstract: An actuator comprising a bottom plate, a top-plate and one or more hub assembly extending between and rotatably coupling the bottom and top plates. The actuator also includes one or more bellows units disposed between the top plate and bottom plate, the one or more bellows units comprising a first and second inflatable bellows coupled by a web extending between the first and second bellows, the first and second bellows defining respective and separate first and second bellows cavities, with the first bellows of the bellows units disposed on a first side of the bottom plate, and the second bellows of the bellows units disposed on a second side of the bottom plate, opposing the first side, and between the top and bottom plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Kyle Douglass Betts, Saul Thomas Griffith, Jeffrey Charles Lamb, Peter Sturt Lynn, Leila Marcia Madrone, Matthew Ness Schneider, Kevin Patrick Simon, Louis Basel, Victoria Hammett Macomber, Dan Goldwater
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Publication number: 20180302027Abstract: A pneumatic control unit configured to inflate a first and second set of bellows with fluid from a pneumatic fluid source via a pneumatic circuit, the first and second set of bellows associated with one or more pneumatic actuators. The pneumatic control unit determines a target configuration of the actuators based on a determined current position of the sun; determines a current configuration of the actuators; determines a difference between the determined current configuration and target configuration of the actuators; determines that the difference between current configuration and the target configuration of the actuators is outside of a tolerance range; and actuates the actuators toward the determined target configuration by at least one of inflating the first or second set of bellows with fluid from the pneumatic fluid source via the pneumatic circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Kyle Douglass Betts, Joshua Earle Erickson, Dan Goldwater, Jeffrey Charles Lamb, Leila Madrone, James Vincent Nolan, IV, Vincent Domenic Romanin, Matthew N. Schneider, Eric Preston Lien Suan
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Publication number: 20180302025Abstract: An actuator that includes a bottom plate, a top-plate, and a first and second hub assembly extending between the bottom and top plates. The actuator can further include a first and second bellows disposed on opposing sides of the hub assemblies, the first and second bellows each extending between and coupled to the top plate and bottom plate. The actuator can also include a plurality of washers disposed between the top and bottom plates, with each of the washers coupled to the first and second hub assembly, a first set of the plurality of washers surrounding the first bellows and a second set of the plurality of washers surrounding the second bellows.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Louis Hong Basel, Kyle Douglass Betts, Alex Tan Kwan, Jeffrey Charles Lamb, Erica S. C. Lin, Leila Madrone, James Vincent Nolan, IV, Matthew N Schneider, Youngjoo Shin, Eric Preston Lien Suan
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Publication number: 20180302026Abstract: A system for controlling a rotation of one or more solar panels about an axis of rotation, comprising one or more solar panels defining a longitudinal axis, one or more bellows actuators coupled to the one or more solar panels and defining an axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the panels, a fluid source, a first valve circuit coupled to the bellows actuators and the fluid source, a second valve circuit coupled to the bellows actuators and the fluid source, and a controller, wherein introduction or release of fluid from one or more of the bellows actuators is configured to cause rotation of the one or more actuators about the axis of rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Louis Hong Basel, Joshua Earle Erickson, Dan Goldwater, Jeffrey Charles Lamb, Leila Madrone, Vincent Domenic Romanin, Matthew N Schneider