Patents by Inventor Johann Kufner

Johann Kufner 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: 11689151
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solar plant (1) having at least one pivotable module table (2a, 2b, 2c) which supports at least one photovoltaic solar module (3), preferably multiple photovoltaic solar modules (3), and is coupled in such a manner to at least one gear element (4) pivotable about an axis (A) that pivoting the gear element (4) causes the module table (2a to 2c) to be pivoted so that the solar modules (3) track the motion of the sun, the gear element (4) being driven and thus pivoted by an electrically driven drive shaft (5), at least one actuation element (8) being integrated in the drive shaft (5), the gear element (4) being both driven and blocked by the actuation element (8), the actuation element (8) engaging into the toothing (11) of the gear element (4) for driving or blocking the gear element (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Ideematec Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Kufner, Nathalie Kermelk, Peter Birr, Benjamin Bauer, Ronny Rehm
  • Publication number: 20210211089
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solar plant (1) having at least one pivotable module table (2a, 2b, 2c) which supports at least one photovoltaic solar module (3), preferably multiple photovoltaic solar modules (3), and is coupled in such a manner to at least one gear element (4) pivotable about an axis (A) that pivoting the gear element (4) causes the module table (2a to 2c) to be pivoted so that the solar modules (3) track the motion of the sun, the gear element (4) being driven and thus pivoted by an electrically driven drive shaft (5), at least one actuation element (8) being integrated in the drive shaft (5), the gear element (4) being both driven and blocked by the actuation element (8), the actuation element (8) engaging into the toothing (11) of the gear element (4) for driving or blocking the gear element (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Johann Kufner, Nathalie Kermelk, Peter Birr, Benjamin Bauer, Ronny Rehm
  • Patent number: 10337586
    Abstract: A tensioning unit for pull elements such as cables includes a tensioning element and a spring element, wherein the tensioning element and the spring element are arranged in a row, a length of the tensioning element is shortened in such a manner that the tensioning element has a pretension, the pretension is designed to increase the length of the tensioning element, and wherein the direction of the length enlargement of the tensioning element is directed away from the spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: IDEEMATIC DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Johann Kufner
  • Patent number: 9927150
    Abstract: A stabilizing system for stabilizing an arrangement for pivoting an elongate assembly plane extending along a longitudinal axis about an axis of rotation oriented along the longitudinal axis, comprising a first tension element and first and second base arrangements each including a deflecting element fixed on the assembly plane, and spaced apart from the axis of rotation to different sides, wherein the base arrangements are offset with respect to one another along the longitudinal axis, the base arrangements the first tension element, or a second tension element is connected the deflecting element to a fixed point and back at a first distance, and wherein the first tension element and/or the tension element is guided between the base arrangements along the longitudinal axis whereby a tension can be built up in the base arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: IDEEMATEC DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Eduard Eckl, Johann Kufner
  • Publication number: 20150377520
    Abstract: A tracking device for solar modules includes a post for purposes of the indirect and/or direct arrangement of a cradle unit, which can be rotated via a rotary joint about an axis of rotation, wherein the cradle unit comprises two force introduction regions, opposed with respect to the rotary joint, for purposes of rotating the cradle unit, wherein a force introduction takes place by a substantially circular segment-shaped guide element, and wherein a radius of the substantially circular segment-shaped guide element corresponds to a distance between the respective force introduction region and the rotary joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Johann KUFNER
  • Publication number: 20150345590
    Abstract: A tensioning unit for pull elements such as cables includes a tensioning element and a spring element, wherein the tensioning element and the spring element are arranged in a row, a length of the tensioning element is shortened in such a manner that the tensioning element has a pretension, the pretension is designed to increase the length of the tensioning element, and wherein the direction of the length enlargement of the tensioning element is directed away from the spring element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventor: Johann KUFNER
  • Publication number: 20150285536
    Abstract: A stabilizing system for stabilizing an arrangement for pivoting an elongate assembly plane extending along a longitudinal axis about an axis of rotation oriented along the longitudinal axis, comprising a first tension element and first and second base arrangements each including a deflecting element fixed on the assembly plane, and spaced apart from the axis of rotation to different sides, wherein the base arrangements are offset with respect to one another along the longitudinal axis, the base arrangements the first tension element, or a second tension element is connected the deflecting element to a fixed point and back at a first distance, and wherein the first tension element and/or the tension element is guided between the base arrangements along the longitudinal axis whereby a tension can be built up in the base arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Eduard Eckl, Johann Kufner
  • Patent number: 8720431
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting frame for supporting sheet-type solar panels (12) comprising, fitted substantially vertically for anchoring by its lower end (13a) in the ground or by a fixed anchoring location (13b), a supporting mast (13) at which the solar panels (12) resting on a plane panel support (8-11) are supported by means of a supporting structure (14) and which are rotatable about the axis of the mast for azimuthal tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Ideematec Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Johann Kufner
  • Publication number: 20110272368
    Abstract: A frame for jointly mounting at least two rectangular solar modules, wherein the frame comprises at least a group consisting of three parallel rails which are attached to a supporting structure at defined distances from each other, characterized in that the middle rail of the three rails has a profile with flanges cantilevering towards both sides under which an edge of a solar module can be inserted, and that to the two outer rails of the three rails clamping elements can be bolted, by means of which solar modules inserted into the middle rail can be mounted on the two outer rails, namely on both respective edges which are adjacent to the edge inserted into the middle rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Johann Kufner
  • Publication number: 20110272367
    Abstract: A device for supporting solar modules, including several posts arranged in a row, wherein a head piece is attached to each post in its upper end region and at each head piece a transverse beam oriented more or less transversely to the row of posts is fixed, characterized in that the head piece is a profiled element, and that there is a strut between each transverse beam and the post, at the head piece of which the transverse beam is fixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Johann Kufner
  • Patent number: 7976257
    Abstract: A profile rail has a face and is formed with a longitudinally extending channel open at the face and with longitudinally extending stabilizing formations on the face flanking the channel. The channel has confronting ribbed flanks. A stabilizing element has a face engageable with the face of the rail and formed with a pair of stabilizing formations fittable with the stabilizing formations of the rail and with a throughgoing hole between the respective stabilizing formations and aligned with the channel when the element stabilizing formations are fitted with the rail stabilizing formations. A screw fittable through the hole has a screwthread engageable with the flanks of the channel so that the screw can clamp the element to the face of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ideematec Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Johann Kufner
  • Publication number: 20090320826
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting frame for supporting sheet-type solar panels (12) comprising, fitted substantially vertically for anchoring by its lower end (13a) in the ground or by a fixed anchoring location (13b), a supporting mast (13) at which the solar panels (12) resting on a plane panel support (8-11) are supported by means of a supporting structure (14) and which are rotatable about the axis of the mast for azimuthal tracking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Ideematec Deutschland GmH
    Inventor: Johann Kufner
  • Publication number: 20080292424
    Abstract: A profile rail has a face and is formed with a longitudinally extending channel open at the face and with longitudinally extending stabilizing formations on the face flanking the channel. The channel has confronting ribbed flanks. A stabilizing element has a face engageable with the face of the rail and formed with a pair of stabilizing formations fittable with the stabilizing formations of the rail and with a throughgoing hole between the respective stabilizing formations and aligned with the channel when the element stabilizing formations are fitted with the rail stabilizing formations. A screw fittable through the hole has a screwthread engageable with the flanks of the channel so that the screw can clamp the element to the face of the rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Johann Kufner
  • Publication number: 20080236570
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar energy system (1) comprising a multiplicity of oblong-formed modular units (2) having, in each case, at least one solar module (3), wherein the individual modular units can track the course of the sun. The present invention further relates to a solar modular unit (2). The present invention further relates to a method for arrangement of solar modular units (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Ideematec Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Johann Kufner