Patents by Inventor Matthew G. Danning

Matthew G. Danning 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: 10224866
    Abstract: A leveler for a solar module can include a base, a rotatable adjuster, and a follower. The rotatable adjuster can be mounted to the base with a swaging process, or other techniques. The follower can be embedded within a coupler configured to be connectable to solar modules. Turning the rotatable height adjuster changes the relative spacing between the solar module and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Matthew G. Danning
  • Publication number: 20160344334
    Abstract: A leveler for a solar module can include a base, a rotatable adjuster, and a follower. The rotatable adjuster can be mounted to the base with a swaging process, or other techniques. The follower can be embedded within a coupler configured to be connectable to solar modules. Turning the rotatable height adjuster changes the relative spacing between the solar module and the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventor: Matthew G. Danning
  • Patent number: 9413286
    Abstract: A leveler for a solar module can include a base, a rotatable adjuster, and a follower. The rotatable adjuster can be mounted to the base with a swaging process, or other techniques. The follower can be embedded within a coupler configured to be connectable to solar modules. Turning the rotatable height adjuster changes the relative spacing between the solar module and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Matthew G. Danning
  • Patent number: 9316417
    Abstract: A framing system for mounting solar collection devices to form a solar array can include a plurality of interconnected frame members having connectors provided on the frame members to form rows of an array solar collector devices. Mounts can be provided at the upper portion of the frame members to secure the solar collecting devices at a raised position. The framing system can simplify the installation of the wiring system before the solar collection devices are attached to the frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Matthew G. Danning
  • Publication number: 20160065119
    Abstract: A leveler for a solar module can include a base, a rotatable adjuster, and a follower. The rotatable adjuster can be mounted to the base with a swaging process, or other techniques. The follower can be embedded within a coupler configured to be connectable to solar modules. Turning the rotatable height adjuster changes the relative spacing between the solar module and the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventor: Matthew G. Danning
  • Publication number: 20150222225
    Abstract: A leveler for a solar module can include a base, a rotatable adjuster, and a follower. The rotatable adjuster can be mounted to the base with a swaging process, or other techniques. The follower can be embedded within a coupler configured to be connectable to solar modules. Turning the rotatable height adjuster changes the relative spacing between the solar module and the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventor: Matthew G. Danning
  • Patent number: 9010041
    Abstract: A leveler for a solar module can include a base, a rotatable adjuster, and a follower. The rotatable adjuster can be mounted to the base with a swaging process, or other techniques. The follower can be embedded within a coupler configured to be connectable to solar modules. Turning the rotatable height adjuster changes the relative spacing between the solar module and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Sunpower Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew G. Danning
  • Patent number: 8943765
    Abstract: A brace for connecting the frames of adjacent solar modules can include one or more lower lips and one or more upper lips configured to capture an outer edge of a solar module frame. The brace can include a removable top so as to facilitate connection and disconnection of the couplers and solar modules. Additionally, the brace can be configured to allow a solar module to be engaged and disengaged by hooking the frame onto the brace then tilting the frame relative to the brace. The brace can include features for achieving a snap fit with solar module frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew G. Danning, Wayman Lee
  • Patent number: 8683761
    Abstract: A mounting system for a solar array can include a plurality of couplers that are designed to engage and disengage all modules without the use of rails that are greater than the maximum dimension of a solar module. The couplers can be configured to cooperate with height adjuster mechanisms. Additionally, the couplers can be configured to accommodate the engagement and disengagement of solar modules without the need to loosen or remove fasteners, for example, through a hook and tilt movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew G. Danning
  • Patent number: 8656660
    Abstract: An interlocking system for photovoltaic and other roof-mounted panels is disclosed. One use is for a photovoltaic module which comprises a photovoltaic laminate. The laminate has an upper side which faces the sun during normal operation, and a lower side. The module also comprises a base coupled to the lower side of the photovoltaic laminate. The base also has an outer perimeter and comprises a first engagement site and a second engagement site. The first engagement site comprises a first protrusion having a hemispherical surface, an opening extending through the hemispherical surface, and wherein the first protrusion extends in a first direction and the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the outer perimeter. The second engagement site comprises a second protrusion having a cylindrical surface, the protrusion extending in a second direction, and the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the outer perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew G. Danning
  • Publication number: 20140001129
    Abstract: A framing system for mounting solar collection devices to form a solar array can include a plurality of interconnected frame members having connectors provided on the frame members to form rows of an array solar collector devices. Mounts can be provided at the upper portion of the frame members to secure the solar collecting devices at a raised position. The framing system can simplify the installation of the wiring system before the solar collection devices are attached to the frame members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: SunPower Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew G. Danning
  • Publication number: 20130340811
    Abstract: A brace for connecting the frames of adjacent solar modules can include one or more lower lips and one or more upper lips configured to capture an outer edge of a solar module frame. The brace can include a removable top so as to facilitate connection and disconnection of the couplers and solar modules. Additionally, the brace can be configured to allow a solar module to be engaged and disengaged by hooking the frame onto the brace then tilting the frame relative to the brace. The brace can include features for achieving a snap fit with solar module frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew G. Danning, Wayman Lee
  • Publication number: 20130340358
    Abstract: A leveler for a solar module can include a base, a rotatable adjuster, and a follower. The rotatable adjuster can be mounted to the base with a swaging process, or other techniques. The follower can be embedded within a coupler configured to be connectable to solar modules. Turning the rotatable height adjuster changes the relative spacing between the solar module and the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Matthew G. Danning
  • Publication number: 20130340810
    Abstract: A mounting system for a solar array can include a plurality of couplers that are designed to engage and disengage all modules without the use of rails that are greater than the maximum dimension of a solar module. The couplers can be configured to cooperate with height adjuster mechanisms. Additionally, the couplers can be configured to accommodate the engagement and disengagement of solar modules without the need to loosen or remove fasteners, for example, through a hook and tilt movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Matthew G. Danning
  • Publication number: 20130000229
    Abstract: An interlocking system for photovoltaic and other roof-mounted panels is disclosed. One use is for a photovoltaic module which comprises a photovoltaic laminate. The laminate has an upper side which faces the sun during normal operation, and a lower side. The module also comprises a base coupled to the lower side of the photovoltaic laminate. The base also has an outer perimeter and comprises a first engagement site and a second engagement site. The first engagement site comprises a first protrusion having a hemispherical surface, an opening extending through the hemispherical surface, and wherein the first protrusion extends in a first direction and the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the outer perimeter. The second engagement site comprises a second protrusion having a cylindrical surface, the protrusion extending in a second direction, and the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the outer perimeter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Matthew G. Danning