Patents by Inventor Peter Wilke
Peter Wilke 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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Patent number: 12785612Abstract: A system includes a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module installed and arranged in an array on the roof deck. Each of the photovoltaic modules includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a first location between the first end and the second end, a first plurality of solar cells, a second plurality of solar cells, an encapsulant layer encapsulating the first and second plurality of solar cells, a frontsheet, and a backsheet. The photovoltaic modules include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends between the first end and the first location, and the second portion extends between the first location and the second end. The second portion includes a wireway. The first plurality of solar cells is positioned within the first portion, and the second plurality of solar cells is positioned within the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2025Date of Patent: November 3, 2026Assignee: GAF Energy LLCInventors: Gabriela Bunea, Thierry Nguyen, Richard Perkins, Dan Hua, David Kavulak, Emma Dohner, Peter Wilke
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Publication number: 20260112992Abstract: A multi-rail system for mounting solar modules to a surface, such as a roof, uses two rails to support a first row of solar modules, and a single rail to support each subsequent row of solar modules. Splices connect edges of solar modules between rows, providing support along one edge of the solar modules for the subsequent rows.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2025Publication date: April 23, 2026Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Nicholas Wenzel, Peter Wilke
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Publication number: 20260036339Abstract: A u-shaped splice that is used to connect two solar mounting rails, includes barbs that interact with the rails, requiring more force to remove the splice from the rails than the force required to insert the splice into the rails. Wedges, located at a mid-point between ends of the splice interact with the rails, creating an interference fit between the splice and the rails.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2025Publication date: February 5, 2026Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Peter Wilke, Glenn Harris
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Patent number: 12540474Abstract: A roofing system, including at least a first, second, and third metal roofing shingle installed on a roof deck adjacent to a plurality of photovoltaic modules, the first and second metal roofing shingles installed in a first row on the roof deck, the third metal roofing shingle installed in a second row on the roof deck, each of the metal roofing shingles including a metal layer and a cover layer, the metal layer including a conductive metal, the cover layer overlaying a portion of the metal layer and exposing at least one side lap of the metal layer, the side lap of the metal layer of the second metal roofing shingle overlaying and in electrical contact with the side lap of the metal layer of the first metal roofing shingle, to form a first grounding path, and the third metal roofing shingle in electrical contact with the first metal roofing shingle, to form a second grounding path.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2025Date of Patent: February 3, 2026Assignee: GAF Energy LLCInventors: Thierry Nguyen, Gary Rossi, Peter Wilke, David Meakin, Anshul Gaur, Brian West
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Publication number: 20260022560Abstract: A roofing system, including at least a first, second, and third metal roofing shingle installed on a roof deck adjacent to a plurality of photovoltaic modules, the first and second metal roofing shingles installed in a first row on the roof deck, the third metal roofing shingle installed in a second row on the roof deck, each of the metal roofing shingles including a metal layer and a cover layer, the metal layer including a conductive metal, the cover layer overlaying a portion of the metal layer and exposing at least one side lap of the metal layer, the side lap of the metal layer of the second metal roofing shingle overlaying and in electrical contact with the side lap of the metal layer of the first metal roofing shingle, to form a first grounding path, and the third metal roofing shingle in electrical contact with the first metal roofing shingle, to form a second grounding path.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2025Publication date: January 22, 2026Inventors: Thierry Nguyen, Gary Rossi, Peter Wilke, David Meakin, Anshul Gaur, Brian West
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Patent number: 12424973Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed on and arranged in an array on a roof deck. Each of the photovoltaic modules includes first and second ends, and a baseplate located at the first end. The baseplate of one of the photovoltaic modules is substantially aligned with the baseplate of an adjacent another one of the photovoltaic modules. The baseplate is configured to receive at least one electrical component. The substantially aligned baseplates include a longitudinal axis. The system includes at least one wire cover removably attached to at least one of the baseplates. The at least one wire cover is moveable in at least a first direction transverse relative to the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2024Date of Patent: September 23, 2025Assignee: GAF Energy LLCInventors: Brian West, Peter Wilke, Peter Clemente, Gary Rossi, Thomas Marentette
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Publication number: 20250239787Abstract: A u-shaped splice that is used to connect two solar mounting rails, includes barbs that interact with the rails, requiring more force to remove the splice from the rails than the force required to insert the splice into the rails. Wedges, located at a mid-point between ends of the splice interact with the rails, creating an interference fit between the splice and the rails.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2025Publication date: July 24, 2025Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Peter Wilke, Glenn Harris
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Publication number: 20250233547Abstract: A system includes a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module installed and arranged in an array on the roof deck. Each of the photovoltaic modules includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a first location between the first end and the second end, a first plurality of solar cells, a second plurality of solar cells, an encapsulant layer encapsulating the first and second plurality of solar cells, a frontsheet, and a backsheet. The photovoltaic modules include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends between the first end and the first location, and the second portion extends between the first location and the second end. The second portion includes a wireway. The first plurality of solar cells is positioned within the first portion, and the second plurality of solar cells is positioned within the second portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2025Publication date: July 17, 2025Inventors: Gabriela Bunea, Thierry Nguyen, Richard Perkins, Dan Hua, David Kavulak, Emma Dohner, Peter Wilke
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Publication number: 20250215919Abstract: A twist-lock clamp to attach a solar module to a rail system includes a spring between a top clamp and a t-nut, with features on the spring and top clamp to restrict rotation relative to each other. The t-nut includes features allowing rotation of about 90 degrees when the t-nut is inserted in a rail, but restrict rotation beyond about 90 degrees. The spring serves to hold the top clamp and t-nut apart while allowing the twist-lock clamp to resist sliding in the rail during installation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2025Publication date: July 3, 2025Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
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Patent number: 12292075Abstract: A twist-lock clamp to attach a solar module to a rail system includes a spring between a top clamp and a t-nut, with features on the spring and top clamp to restrict rotation relative to each other. The t-nut includes features allowing rotation of about 90 degrees when the t-nut is inserted in a rail, but restrict rotation beyond about 90 degrees. The spring serves to hold the top clamp and t-nut apart while allowing the twist-lock clamp to resist sliding in the rail during installation.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2020Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR INCInventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
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Publication number: 20250105775Abstract: A multi-rail system for mounting solar modules to a surface, such as a roof, uses two rails to support a first row of solar modules, and a single rail to support each subsequent row of solar modules. Splices connect edges of solar modules between rows, providing support along one edge of the solar modules for the subsequent rows.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2024Publication date: March 27, 2025Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Nicholas Wenzel, Peter Wilke
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Publication number: 20250003208Abstract: A splice having a main body and one or more protrusions extending from the main body. The one or more protrusions can be operable to interfere with a rail when the main body is installed into an opening of the rail. The one or more protrusions may be operable to cut into a coating of the rail and form an electrical connection between the rail and the main body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2024Publication date: January 2, 2025Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
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Publication number: 20240413791Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed on and arranged in an array on a roof deck. Each of the photovoltaic modules includes first and second ends, and a baseplate located at the first end. The baseplate of one of the photovoltaic modules is substantially aligned with the baseplate of an adjacent another one of the photovoltaic modules. The baseplate is configured to receive at least one electrical component. The substantially aligned baseplates include a longitudinal axis. The system includes at least one wire cover removably attached to at least one of the baseplates. The at least one wire cover is moveable in at least a first direction transverse relative to the longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2024Publication date: December 12, 2024Inventors: Brian West, Peter Wilke, Peter Clemente, Gary Rossi, Thomas Marentette
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Patent number: 12139905Abstract: A splice having a main body and one or more protrusions extending from the main body. The one or more protrusions can be operable to interfere with a rail when the main body is installed into an opening of the rail. The one or more protrusions may be operable to cut into a coating of the rail and form an electrical connection between the rail and the main body.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2023Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR, INC.Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
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Patent number: 12009782Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed on and arranged in an array on a roof deck. Each of the photovoltaic modules includes first and second ends, and a baseplate located at the first end. The baseplate of one of the photovoltaic modules is substantially aligned with the baseplate of an adjacent another one of the photovoltaic modules. The baseplate is configured to receive at least one electrical component. The substantially aligned baseplates include a longitudinal axis. The system includes at least one wire cover removably attached to at least one of the baseplates. The at least one wire cover is moveable in at least a first direction transverse relative to the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2023Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: GAF Energy LLCInventors: Brian West, Peter Wilke, Peter Clemente, Gary Rossi, Thomas Marentette
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Publication number: 20240171116Abstract: A multi-rail system for mounting solar modules to a surface, such as a roof, uses two rails to support a first row of solar modules, and a single rail to support each subsequent row of solar modules. Splices connect edges of solar modules between rows, providing support along one edge of the solar modules for the subsequent rows.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2023Publication date: May 23, 2024Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Nicholas Wenzel, Peter Wilke
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Patent number: 11990862Abstract: A u-shaped clamp that includes offset bends at distal ends, accepts a threaded fastener through two apertures, where tightening the fastener brings two flanges of the u-shaped clamp together to grip a wire, a cable or a pipe. An offset bend on one end of one flange serves to hold a wire or cable in position until the fastener is tightened.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2022Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR INC.Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
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Patent number: 11848636Abstract: A multi-rail system for mounting solar modules to a surface, such as a roof, uses two rails to support a first row of solar modules, and a single rail to support each subsequent row of solar modules. Splices connect edges of solar modules between rows, providing support along one edge of the solar modules for the subsequent rows.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2020Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR, INC.Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Nicholas Wenzel, Peter Wilke
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Publication number: 20230287674Abstract: A splice having a main body and one or more protrusions extending from the main body. The one or more protrusions can be operable to interfere with a rail when the main body is installed into an opening of the rail. The one or more protrusions may be operable to cut into a coating of the rail and form an electrical connection between the rail and the main body.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
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Patent number: D1004141Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR, INC.Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel