Patents by Inventor Samuel Heller

Samuel Heller 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: 11955923
    Abstract: A solar tracker including at least one pair of piers configured to be secured in the ground and defining a span between the pair, a bearing supported on the pier, and a torque tube supported in the bearing such that the bearing enables rotation of the torque tube, the torque tube including a double wall thickness area, wherein the double wall thickness area limits deflection of the torque tube along the span.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER LLC
    Inventors: Ricardo Delgado-Nanez, Jacob Mark Morin, Alexander W. Au, Samuel Heller
  • Publication number: 20230283226
    Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: Nextracker LLC
    Inventors: David E. Kresse, Samuel Heller
  • Patent number: 11711051
    Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Nextracker LLC
    Inventors: David E. Kresse, Samuel Heller
  • Publication number: 20220209711
    Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: David E. Kresse, Samuel Heller
  • Patent number: 11283395
    Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Kresse, Samuel Heller
  • Publication number: 20220052637
    Abstract: A solar tracker including at least one pair of piers configured to be secured in the ground and defining a span between the pair, a bearing supported on the pier, and a torque tube supported in the bearing such that the bearing enables rotation of the torque tube, the torque tube including a double wall thickness area, wherein the double wall thickness area limits deflection of the torque tube along the span.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Ricardo Delgado-Nanez, Jacob Mark Morin, Alexander W. AU, Samuel Heller
  • Publication number: 20220045645
    Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: David E. Kresse, Samuel Heller
  • Patent number: 11159120
    Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Kresse, Samuel Heller
  • Publication number: 20190296688
    Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Kresse, Samuel Heller
  • Publication number: 20190296686
    Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Kresse, Samuel Heller
  • Patent number: 5587643
    Abstract: A rotary induction machine having wound primary and secondary windings with capacitive means connected directly across said secondary windings and resistive means connected in series with said secondary windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Heller DeJulio Corporation
    Inventor: Samuel Heller
  • Patent number: 5525894
    Abstract: A rotary induction generator having a stator with stator windings defining a three-phase stator and a rotor mounted for rotation therein, and having wound thereon three rotor windings defining a three-phase rotor and having resistive-reactive means connected to said secondary windings to increase the efficiency of said generator and limit the power output to the capacity of the generator over a wide range of speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Heller-DeJulio Corporation
    Inventor: Samuel Heller