Patents by Inventor Michael R. Ayers

Michael R. Ayers 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: 12101053
    Abstract: A plurality of solar photovoltaic modules disposed in spaced-part relation to define a gap between adjacent modules in an array of spaced-apart rows and the modules mounted on respective supports spaced from a surface to define an air gap therebetween, with at least one connector attaching respective adjacent modules, for generation of electricity while resisting wind uplift. A method of arranging interconnected solar photovoltaic modules in spaced-relation is disclosed for electrical generation while resting wind uplift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Watershed Solar LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Ayers, S. Kyle Ehman
  • Publication number: 20230412115
    Abstract: A ground mounting system for supporting solar photovoltaic panels on a planar or inclined having an array of soil fasteners in spaced-relation driven through a geomembrane overlying a greenfield ground site and connected with a respective one of a plurality adapting regulating apparatus to racks to which solar photovoltaic panels mount securely, which soil fasteners communicate compressive loads to the ground while resisting tension forces from wind uplift on the planar field of solar photovoltaic panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Benjamin Keren, Neta Reef, S. Kyle Ehman, Michael R. Ayers
  • Publication number: 20230231386
    Abstract: An integrated load management controller for directing electrical current generated by a plurality of solar photovoltaic modules exposed to ambient light selectively through a diverter to a battery bank for storage and to a current conditioner for supply of electrical current into an electrical grid, based on a supply demand communicated by an electrical grid demand controller, for managing the generation, storage, and supply of electrical current from the solar photovoltaic modules. A method of supplying supplemental electrical current to an electrical grid servicing load center using a solar-energy electricity generation system is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: Watershed Solar, LLC
    Inventors: S. Kyle Ehman, Michael R. Ayers
  • Publication number: 20230170837
    Abstract: A mounting system 110 for a solar panel 11 includes a base plate 114 having an elongated mounting slot 116, a spacer beam 124 with a slot 128, a first T-shaped fastener 131 having a mounting plate 132 with a width slightly smaller than the size of the slot and a length larger than the size of the slot, so that the mounting plate may be passed through the slot and then rotated so that it then cannot pass back through the slot. A second T-shaped fastener 137 having the same configuration couples the solar panel to the spacer. The system optionally has a ballast system 145 which includes a ballast tray 146 and third T-shaped fastener 155 of the same configuration for coupling the tray to the base plate. An anti-creep strip 161 is coupled to the base member through fourth T-shaped fasteners 162 of the same configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: Watershed Solar LLC
    Inventors: Michael R Ayers, S Kyle Ehman, Neta Reef, Sharone Zehavi
  • Publication number: 20230026396
    Abstract: A tufted geotextile includes a backing sheet tufted to resemble grass with polymeric yarns that when tufted form loops or bridges on a back side and tufts that extend as grass-like blades from an upper surface. Each line of tuft blades is tufted with a repeating stitching pattern generally of a weft portion along a tuft line first axis and warp portions disposed in a first direction at an angle to the first weft portion. The tufts define interstices that define cells that receive and trap infill for resisting displacement and movement of the infill under loading such as hydraulic flow or granular flow due to wind, seismic, vibrations, expansion and contraction loading, and the like. Each line of tuft blades is sewn along an alternating, interconnected “C-shaped” stitching pattern or square wave stitching pattern to define diverting tufts to restrict infill displacement and water flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: Watershed Geosynthetics LLC
    Inventors: Michael R Ayers, S Kyle Ehman, William Delaney Lewis, Jose L Urrutia
  • Publication number: 20220345072
    Abstract: An integrated photovoltaic module mounting system having a friction member for engagement with a portion of a tufted geosynthetic cover and optionally attaching connectors attached to a photovoltaic module and to the tufted geosynthetic cover, for collecting and utilizing solar energy. A method of securing a photovoltaic module to a tufted geosynthetic cover is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: Watershed Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Ayers, S. Kyle Ehman, Neta Reef, Sharone Zehavi, Michael R. Ayers, S. Kyle Ehman, Neta Reef, Sharone Zehavi
  • Patent number: 11277091
    Abstract: An integrated photovoltaic module mounting system having a friction member for engagement with a portion of a tufted geosynthetic cover and optionally attaching connectors attached to a photovoltaic module and to the tufted geosynthetic cover, for collecting and utilizing solar energy. A method of securing a photovoltaic module to a tufted geosynthetic cover is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Watershed Solar LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Ayers, S. Kyle Ehman, Neta Reef, Sharone Zehavi
  • Publication number: 20220029578
    Abstract: A solar energy system for use with tufted geosynthetics on sloping ground without the use of a traditional racking system. A frame attaches to the tufted geosynthetic cover to provide a flap and a solar panel secures to the flap directly or through a polymeric layer that attaches to the frame positioned between the flap and the tufted geosynthetic land cover with the solar panel adhesively attached to the polymeric layer. The solar panel being attached to the tufted geosynthetic land cover generates energy upon exposure to light. A method of securing a solar panel to a tufted geosynthetic land cover system for generation of energy is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: Watershed Solar LLC
    Inventors: Jose L. Urrutia, Michael R. Ayers, Michael Lucini, Gregory Lucini
  • Publication number: 20210332534
    Abstract: A tufted geotextile cover system, comprising a backing sheet tufted with first tuft lines of tufts on a first spacing and second transverse tuft lines of tufts on a second spacing greater than the first spacing to dispose the second tufts intermediate opposing pairs of the first tuft lines that define interstices for receiving infill, the tufts in the second tuft lines increasing resistance of the infill to displacement and dry flow movement in response to loading on the geotextile overlying a surface for covering a ground site. A closure system is disclosed using the tufted geotextile as a component overlying an impermeable geomembrane for resisting inflow of water below the ground surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: Watershed Geosynthetics LLC
    Inventors: Jose L. Urrutia, S. Kyle Ehman, Michael R. Ayers
  • Publication number: 20210242819
    Abstract: A mounting system 180 for a solar panel 11 includes a rail 114 having an elongated mounting slot 116 secured to a flexible attaching connector 188 with fasteners and the flexible attaching connector for welding to a geomembrane overlying a slope surface, and a photovoltaic module 11 connected with fasteners to the rail, and optionally a ballast system 145 that includes a ballast tray 146 and ballast 152 coupled with fasteners to the rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: Watershed Solar LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Ayers, S. Kyle Ehman, Neta Reef, Sharone Zehavi
  • Publication number: 20210242820
    Abstract: A mounting system 110 for a solar panel 11 includes a base plate 114 having an elongated mounting slot 116, a spacer beam 124 with a slot 128, a first T-shaped fastener 131 having a mounting plate 132 with a width slightly smaller than the size of the slot and a length larger than the size of the slot, so that the mounting plate may be passed through the slot and then rotated so that it then cannot pass back through the slot. A second T-shaped fastener 137 having the same configuration couples the solar panel to the spacer. The system optionally has a ballast system 145 which includes a ballast tray 146 and third T-shaped fastener 155 of the same configuration for coupling the tray to the base plate. An anti-creep strip 161 is coupled to the base member through fourth T-shaped fasteners 162 of the same configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: Watershed Solar LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Ayers, S. Kyle Ehman, Neta Reef, Sharone Zehavi
  • Patent number: 11031903
    Abstract: A solar energy system for use with tufted geosynthetics on sloping ground without the use of a traditional racking system. A frame attaches to the tufted geosynthetic cover to provide a flap and a solar panel secures to the flap directly or through a polymeric layer that attaches to the frame positioned between the flap and the tufted geosynthetic land cover with the solar panel adhesively attached to the polymeric layer. The solar panel being attached to the tufted geosynthetic land cover generates energy upon exposure to light. A method of securing a solar panel to a tufted geosynthetic land cover system for generation of energy is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Watershed Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Jose L. Urrutia, Michael R. Ayers, Michael Lucini, Gregory Lucini
  • Patent number: 11031902
    Abstract: A mounting system 10 for a solar panel 11 includes a base plate 14 having a mounting channel 16 defined by an elongated base member 17, two oppositely disposed elongated channel walls 18 having clamping tangs 19, and a support wall 20. The mounting system also includes an I-beam 24 having a lower member 25, an upper member 26 and a spanning member 27. A C-shaped bracket 30 is slidably coupled to the upper member and has a mounting post with a staggered clamp 36 having a contact ledge 37. A nut 38 is threadably coupled to the mounting post 32 to force the contact ledge downwardly against the peripheral margin of the solar panel, thus locking the position of the solar panel. The mounting system includes a weld harness or weld harness strip 39 and anti-creep strips 44 which are coupled to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Watershed Solar LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Ayers, S. Kyle Ehman, Neta Reef, Sharone Zehavi
  • Publication number: 20210126578
    Abstract: A solar energy system for use with tufted geosynthetics on a substantially flat surface having a racking structure with bases and attachments for frictional seating to a tufted geosynthetic ground cover system, a bifacial solar panel mounted to the racking system and electrically connected to a connection box for communicating electrical current to an electricity power conditioner of an electrical current grid generated upon exposure of the solar panel to ambient light. A method of using a solar energy system with tufted geosynthetics cover system is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Watershed Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Jose Urrutia, Michael R Ayers, Michael Lucini, Gregory Lucini
  • Patent number: 10992250
    Abstract: A mounting system 110 for a solar panel 11 includes a base plate 114 having an elongated mounting slot 116, a spacer beam 124 with a slot 128, a first T-shaped fastener 131 having a mounting plate 132 with a width slightly smaller than the size of the slot and a length larger than the size of the slot, so that the mounting plate may be passed through the slot and then rotated so that it then cannot pass back through the slot. A second T-shaped fastener 137 having the same configuration couples the solar panel to the spacer. The system optionally has a ballast system 145 which includes a ballast tray 146 and third T-shaped fastener 155 of the same configuration for coupling the tray to the base plate. An anti-creep strip 161 is coupled to the base member through fourth T-shaped fasteners 162 of the same configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Watershed Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Ayers, S. Kyle Ehman, Neta Reef, Sharone Zehavi
  • Publication number: 20210013826
    Abstract: An integrated photovoltaic module mounting system having a friction member for engagement with a portion of a tufted geosynthetic cover and optionally attaching connectors attached to a photovoltaic module and to the tufted geosynthetic cover, for collecting and utilizing solar energy. A method of securing a photovoltaic module to a tufted geosynthetic cover is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Watershed Solar LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Ayers, S. Kyle Ehman, Neta Reef, Sharone Zehavi
  • Publication number: 20200366234
    Abstract: A plurality of solar photovoltaic modules disposed in spaced-part relation to define a gap between adjacent modules in an array of spaced-apart rows and the modules mounted on respective supports spaced from a surface to define an air gap therebetween, with at least one connector attaching respective adjacent modules, for generation of electricity while resisting wind uplift. A method of arranging interconnected solar photovoltaic modules in spaced-relation is disclosed for electrical generation while resting wind uplift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: Watershed Solar LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Ayers, S. Kyle Ehman
  • Patent number: 10742164
    Abstract: A solar energy system for use with tufted geosynthetics on a substantially flat surface having a racking structure with bases and attachments for frictional seating to a tufted geosynthetic ground cover system, a bifacial solar panel mounted to the racking system and electrically connected to a connection box for communicating electrical current to an electricity power conditioner of an electrical current grid generated upon exposure of the solar panel to ambient light. A method of using a solar energy system with tufted geosynthetics cover system is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Watershed Solar LLC
    Inventors: Jose L. Urrutia, Michael R. Ayers, Michael Lucini, Gregory Lucini
  • Publication number: 20200162019
    Abstract: A solar energy system for use with tufted geosynthetics on a substantially flat surface having a racking structure with bases and attachments for frictional seating to a tufted geosynthetic ground cover system, a bifacial solar panel mounted to the racking system and electrically connected to a connection box for communicating electrical current to an electricity power conditioner of an electrical current grid generated upon exposure of the solar panel to ambient light. A method of using a solar energy system with tufted geosynthetics cover system is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: Watershed Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Jose L. Urrutia, Michael R. Ayers, Michael Lucini, Gregory Lucini
  • Patent number: 10581374
    Abstract: A solar energy system for use with tufted geosynthetics on a substantially flat surface having a racking structure with bases and attachments for frictional seating to a tufted geosynthetic ground cover system, a bifacial solar panel mounted to the racking system and electrically connected to a connection box for communicating electrical current to an electricity power conditioner of an electrical current grid generated upon exposure of the solar panel to ambient light. A method of using a solar energy system with tufted geosynthetics cover system is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Watershed Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Jose L. Urrutia, Michael R. Ayers, Michael Lucini, Gregory Lucini