Patents by Inventor River Broussard

River Broussard 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: 10673373
    Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams, in both lateral and longitudinal directions, to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV systems can be particularly aesthetically pleasing and generally seamless to an observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Charles Almy, Martin Seery, Daniel Preston Flanigan, Ryan Devine, River Broussard
  • Patent number: 10505492
    Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be on-roof systems, elevated from the surface of a roof, being flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, inverted seams can couple photovoltaic-supporting pans and non-photovoltaic structures, forming a substantively planar surface. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV systems can be particularly aesthetically pleasing and generally seamless to an observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Charles Almy, Martin Seery, Daniel Preston Flanigan, Ryan Devine, River Broussard
  • Patent number: 10063185
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling and wiring photovoltaic arrays are provided. The wiring systems can include retractable wires included in photovoltaic modules that may be extended during installation of photovoltaic modules in the array to connect to wires of adjacent photovoltaic modules, which can retract into a tightened position under the array as the installation is completed. The wires may be made retractable by wire retraction mechanisms mounted to a frame of the photovoltaic module, which maintain a desired tension on the wires of the photovoltaic module. The wire retraction mechanism may include springs that urge components connected to the wire to rotate a particular direction so as to maintain tension on the wire. The wiring systems may also have wire guides to keep the wires accessible for installation and adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: Tyrus Hudson, Johann Karkheck, Brian Atchley, River Broussard
  • Patent number: 9876462
    Abstract: A support system for photovoltaic mounting rails having a cylindrical base that rotates into a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: SOLARCITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tyrus Hudson, Martin Seery, River Broussard, Malcolm Kimberley, David Molina
  • Patent number: 9874021
    Abstract: A flashing system and assembly for slate or tile roofs having a flashing and a flashing cap. The flashing is shaped to replace a plurality of removed slates or tiles. The flashing cap has an adjustable position such that the position of a mounting rail support system passing through the flashing can be adjusted with respect to the flashing while still maintaining a watertight seal with the flashing cap and optional sealing cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: SOLARCITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tyrus Hudson, Martin Seery, River Broussard, Malcolm Kimberley
  • Publication number: 20170237387
    Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be on-roof systems, elevated from the surface of a roof, being flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, inverted seams can couple photovoltaic-supporting pans and non-photovoltaic structures, forming a substantively planar surface. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV systems can be particularly aesthetically pleasing and generally seamless to an observer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Charles Almy, Martin Seery, Daniel Preston Flanigan, Ryan Devine, River Broussard
  • Publication number: 20170237389
    Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams, in both lateral and longitudinal directions, to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV systems can be particularly aesthetically pleasing and generally seamless to an observer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Charles Almy, Martin Seery, Daniel Preston Flanigan, Ryan Devine, River Broussard
  • Patent number: 9673583
    Abstract: A connector for attaching first and second photovoltaic modules to a mounting rail, with a lower body portion that rotates to lock into a mounting rail groove and an upper body portion with a hook that is lowered towards the lower body portion to grasp onto the first photovoltaic module and a key that receives the second photovoltaic module slidably-connected thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: SOLARCITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tyrus Hudson, Martin Seery, River Broussard, Malcolm Kimberley
  • Publication number: 20170063287
    Abstract: A support system for photovoltaic mounting rails having a cylindrical base that rotates into a locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Tyrus Hudson, Martin Seery, River Broussard, Malcolm Kimberley, David Molina
  • Publication number: 20170063007
    Abstract: A connector for attaching first and second photovoltaic modules to a mounting rail, with a lower body portion that rotates to lock into a mounting rail groove and an upper body portion with a hook that is lowered towards the lower body portion to grasp onto the first photovoltaic module and a key that receives the second photovoltaic module slidably-connected thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Tyrus Hudson, Martin Seery, River Broussard, Malcolm Kimberley
  • Publication number: 20170058532
    Abstract: A flashing system and assembly for slate or tile roofs having a flashing and a flashing cap. The flashing is shaped to replace a plurality of removed slates or tiles. The flashing cap has an adjustable position such that the position of a mounting rail support system passing through the flashing can be adjusted with respect to the flashing while still maintaining a watertight seal with the flashing cap and optional sealing cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Tyrus Hudson, Martin Seery, River Broussard, Malcolm Kimberley
  • Publication number: 20160308489
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling and wiring photovoltaic arrays are provided. The wiring systems can include retractable wires included in photovoltaic modules that may be extended during installation of photovoltaic modules in the array to connect to wires of adjacent photovoltaic modules, which can retract into a tightened position under the array as the installation is completed. The wires may be made retractable by wire retraction mechanisms mounted to a frame of the photovoltaic module, which maintain a desired tension on the wires of the photovoltaic module. The wire retraction mechanism may include springs that urge components connected to the wire to rotate a particular direction so as to maintain tension on the wire. The wiring systems may also have wire guides to keep the wires accessible for installation and adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Tyrus Hudson, Johann Karkheck, Brian Atchley, River Broussard