Patents by Inventor Tyrus Hawkes Hudson

Tyrus Hawkes Hudson 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).

  • Publication number: 20150040967
    Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed including PV modules having a frame allowing quick and easy assembling of the PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, the PV modules may have a grooved frame where the groove is provided at an angle with respect to a planar surface of the modules. Various couplings may engage within the groove to assemble the PV modules into the PV array with a pivot-fit connection. Further examples of the present technology operate with PV modules having frames without grooves, or with PV modules where the frame is omitted altogether.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Nathaniel Coleman
  • Publication number: 20150013756
    Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed including PV modules having a frame allowing quick and easy assembling of the PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, the PV modules may have a grooved frame where the groove is provided at an angle with respect to a planar surface of the modules. Various couplings may engage within the groove to assemble the PV modules into the PV array with a pivot-fit connection. Further examples of the present technology operate with PV modules having frames without grooves, or with PV modules where the frame is omitted altogether.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson
  • Patent number: 8898971
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a photovoltaic (PV) module on a surface, including a support with an upper surface, a lower surface, tabs, one or more openings, and a clip comprising an arm and a notch, where the apparatus resists wind forces and seismic forces and creates a grounding electrical bond between the PV module, support, and clip. The invention further includes a method for installing PV modules on a surface that includes arranging supports in rows along an X axis and in columns along a Y axis on a surface such that in each row the distance between two neighboring supports does not exceed the length of the longest side of a PV module and in each column the distance between two neighboring supports does not exceed the length of the shortest side of a PV module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Zep Solar, LLC
    Inventors: John Raymond West, Brian Atchley, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Emil Johansen
  • Publication number: 20140299179
    Abstract: A photovoltaic array, including: (a) supports laid out on a surface in rows and columns; (b) photovoltaic modules positioned on top of the supports; and (c) fasteners connecting the photovoltaic modules to the supports, wherein the supports have an upper pedestal surface and a lower pedestal surface such that the photovoltaic modules are positioned at a non-horizontal angle when edges of the photovoltaic modules are positioned on top of the upper and lower pedestal surfaces, and wherein a portion of the fasteners rotate to lock the photovoltaic modules onto the supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Brian Atchley, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Emil Johansen
  • Publication number: 20140246549
    Abstract: An interlocking system for connecting photovoltaic module frames to a torque tube, including: (a) an interlock dimensioned to be positioned between the sides of two adjacent photovoltaic module frames; (b) a pair of couplings or flanges, wherein the couplings or flanges connect the interlock to both of the adjacent photovoltaic module frames; and (c) a U-lock connected to the interlock, wherein the U-lock is dimensioned to be connected to a torque tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: ZEP SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: John Raymond West, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, David Molina, Brian Atchley
  • Publication number: 20140174511
    Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus for mounting a photovoltaic (PV) module on a surface, comprising a support with an upper surface, a lower surface, tabs, one ore more openings, and a clip comprising an arm and a notch, where the apparatus resists wind forces and seismic forces and creates a grounding electrical bond between the PV module, support, and clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Zep Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: John Raymond West, Brian Atchley, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Emil Johansen
  • Publication number: 20140175244
    Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus for mounting a photovoltaic (PV) module onto a structure where the apparatus includes a base portion, a stud portion, and a coupling portion. The coupling portion includes a male portion that acts as a spring under load and a clip portion that penetrates the PV module frame to create a grounding bond. The apparatus includes a lower jaw, shaped to pry open a groove, and a key portion that can compress to allow for tolerances. The invention further includes a clip with one or more tabs and one or more teeth. The invention further includes a replacement roof tile which includes a support structure with a horizontal flange, a vertical component, a horizontal component, a flashing with an upper surface and a lower surface, and a tile-shaped metal surface having a curvilinear shape that reflects the shapes of adjacent tiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: ZEP SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: John Raymond West, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Emil Johansen
  • Publication number: 20140158184
    Abstract: A skirt and other devices for photovoltaic arrays, as well as photovoltaic arrays with a skirt(s) and/or other device(s) installed, related modules, and foothold devices and systems are herein disclosed. Various such embodiments include one or more array skirt(s), T-locks, grip(s), inside and outside corner cap(s), array trim(s), pest abatement screen(s), wire clip(s), foothold(s), groove adaptor bracket(s), magnetic skirt embodiment(s), as well as other structures and embodiments which are herein disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: ZEP SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: John Raymond West, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Emil Johansen, Ian Capsuto, Chad Medcroft, Nate Coleman, Brian West, Brian Atchley
  • Publication number: 20140130847
    Abstract: Components mount an array of solar panels to trapezoidal metal roofs or flat or low-slope roofs. Couplings may secure a trapezoidal metal roof mounting adapter to the peak of the trapezoidal portion of a trapezoidal metal roof, and couplings may secure additional mounting hardware to the adapter. Solar panels may connect to the rear portion of one support and the front portion of another support to achieve an angled installation to improve sun exposure. Wind diffusers may connect to solar panels to form a barrier extending from the upper-most edge of the installed solar panel downward toward the roof to impede wind. The flat and low-slope roof solution may comprise a penetration-free mechanism to install solar panels at an angle on a flat or substantially flat surface while impeding effect from wind and maintaining an electrically grounded connection between all components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Zep Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: John Raymond West, Brian Atchley, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Jose David Molina Carrasco
  • Publication number: 20120298817
    Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed including PV modules having a frame allowing quick and easy assembling of the PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, the PV modules may have a grooved frame where the groove is provided at an angle with respect to a planar surface of the modules. Various couplings may engage within the groove to assemble the PV modules into the PV array with a pivot-fit connection. Further examples of the present technology operate with PV modules having frames without grooves, or with PV modules where the frame is omitted altogether.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: John Raymond West, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson
  • Publication number: 20120301661
    Abstract: A skirt for photovoltaic arrays provides a screen portion, a groove portion, and a separate coupling adapted to couple the skirt to the skirt of an adjacent photovoltaic array and to a photovoltaic module. Another embodiment provides a screen portion comprising an angled louver and is adapted to partially obscure an area substantially beneath a PV module in a PV array. A further embodiment provides an edge blocking skirt for a PV array comprising a screen portion adapted for mounting a bottom of the screen portion substantially close to a roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: John Raymond West, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Emil Johansen, Ian Capsuto, Chad Medcroft, Brian Atchley, Nate Coleman
  • Publication number: 20120234378
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for quickly and easily assembling PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In some embodiments, the PV modules may have a grooved frame where the groove is angled into the frame with respect to the planar surface of the modules. Various components may engage within the angled groove to assemble the PV modules into the PV array using what may be referred to as a pivot-fit connection between the components and angled groove. Other embodiments may operate with PV modules having frames without angled grooves as by use of wraparound brackets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: John Raymond West, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Emil Johansen, Brian Atchley