Patents by Inventor Mitchell Tuinstra

Mitchell Tuinstra 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).

  • Photovoltaic structures for use in agriculture farms
    Patent number: 12041897
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating solar power in agricultural fields while minimally impacting crop growth and farming efforts, including positioning an elongated solar panel above crops, wherein the elongated solar panel runs generally parallel to longitudinal lines and wherein the elongated solar panel has at least one solar transducing face and an endless edge surrounding and perpendicular to the at least one solar transducing face, automatically pivoting the elongated solar panel such that the at least one solar transducing face is oriented parallel to incident solar rays during predetermined times when plant growth requires incident sunlight, automatically pivoting the elongated solar panel such that the at least one solar transducing face is oriented parallel to the vertical during rain, automatically pivoting the elongated solar panel out of the way of heavy farm equipment, and automatically pivoting the elongated solar panel such that the at least one solar transducing face is oriented perpendicul
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Rakesh Agrawal, Muhammad Alam, Mitchell Tuinstra