With A Sunlight Activated Device (e.g., Passive Solar Or Photoelectric) Patents (Class 52/173.3)
  • Patent number: 11296648
    Abstract: A solar panel racking system that can include end clamps, mid clamps, bottom clamps, L-foot adapter assemblies, rails, and L-foot assemblies. The solar panel racking system minimizes the use of tools by snapping many of the mounting components in place. The end clamps, mid clamps, and bottom clamps can snap over the rail sides and lock into upper detented portions of the rail sides. The upper detented portions are structured to prevent upward movement of the end clamps, mid clamps, and bottom clamps. The L-foot adapter body of the L-foot adapter assembly snaps over lower detented portions of rail sides and secures the rail to an L-foot assembly. The end clamps, mid clamps, bottom clamps, rails, and L-foot adapter assemblies are independent of the L-foot assembly, allowing a selection of L-foot assemblies to be used as appropriate with the solar panel racking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Sunmodo Corporation
    Inventors: Roland Jasmin, Jun Liu, Steve Mumma, Boutros Abou Chacra, Clifford Schrock
  • Patent number: 11251743
    Abstract: A click-on clamping mechanism is for attaching, without tools, a clamp+tower subassembly to a slider bar (which is attached to a roof substrate with lag screws). The clamp+tower sub-assembly can have a height-adjustable, rail-less solar panel mounting assembly attached to it for mounting one or more photovoltaic solar panels thereto. The height of the solar panel mounting assembly can be easily adjusted, either before or after mounting of the solar panels. The click-on clamp+tower sub-assembly is easily removable from the slider bar. A click-on L-foot mount for attaching solar mount rails is also described. The click-on structures can be spring-loaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield
  • Patent number: 11245356
    Abstract: The invention provides a waterproof connection structure of a solar power generation device comprising a plurality of bearing units, a plurality of power generation units, a plurality of water blocking units, and a plurality of second fixing units. The bearing units respectively include two first grooves, a second groove positioned between the first grooves, and two bearing surfaces between the first grooves and the second groove. The power generation units respectively include a first fixing unit for accommodating a solar panel element, and each of the first fixing units is provided with a connection surface at a side facing to the bearing surfaces. The water blocking units are arranged between the connection surfaces and the corresponding bearing surfaces. The second fixing units are assembled on the second grooves. First containers for accommodating the water blocking units are respectively provided at the bearing surfaces corresponding to the connection surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: XIANGZHENG ENERGY TECHNOLOGY RANCH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Lien-Feng Hsueh
  • Patent number: 11223320
    Abstract: A roof-mounted solar energy apparatus including a mounting frame having a plurality of struts positioned in a first direction, the plurality of struts substantially parallel to one another, and a plurality of cross-member struts positioned in a second position that is substantially perpendicular to the plurality of struts positioned in the first direction. The plurality of struts attached to the crossmember struts. The apparatus also including a bracket having an end for engaging a strut or a cross-member strut and dimensioned to hold a solar panel. The solar panel or panels are held at an angle with respect to the flat roof or with respect to the struts. A method of forming a solar energy apparatus includes laying a plurality of struts in a first orientation, the plurality of struts being substantially parallel to one another, and attaching at least one crossmember to the plurality of struts to form a frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Inventor: Chandramouli Vaidyanathan
  • Patent number: 11217571
    Abstract: A power module (1) is disclosed, comprising: first and second substrates (10), each substrate patterned layer of electrically conductive material (12), a plurality of pre-packed power cells (20), positioned between the substrates, each cell comprising: an electrically insulating core (21) embedding at least one power die (22), and two external layers (23) of electrically conductive material on opposite sides of the electrically insulating core (21), said external layers being respectively connected to each patterned layers of the substrates, wherein each external layer of a pre-packed power cell comprises a contact pad (230) connected to a respective contact (220) of the power die through connections arranged in the electrically insulating core (21), said contact pad having a surface area greater than the surface area of the power die electrical contact to which it is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Julien Morand, Remi Perrin, Roberto Mrad, Jeffrey Ewanchuk, Stefan Mollov
  • Patent number: 11181211
    Abstract: A hanger support for use in association with a strut channel or with truss or joists formed from pairs of angle irons includes a stem and arms extending outward from the stem with a hole extending through the stem to receive a threaded rod or bolt. The hanger support is sized to pass lengthwise through the gap between pairs of angle irons of the truss and then rotated ninety degrees so that the arms are supported on the angle irons with the threaded rod or bolt extending through the gap and below the angle irons to support a hanger. The stem is also sized to fit in the space between shoulders of a strut channel. A second embodiment includes a lip depending from one of the arms to form a groove between the lip and stem with a set screw secured within a threaded bore in the lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventor: Robert Elliott Morgan
  • Patent number: 11183965
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a solar panel in a solar panel mounting assembly is disclosed. The solar panel mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket and a helical drive, where the mounting bracket is vertically adjustable by the helical drive. The helical drive engages with a stanchion that is variably positioned along a base member that is fixed to a roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield, Klaus Nicolaedis, Todd Ganshaw
  • Patent number: 11146207
    Abstract: A system for mounting a solar panel(s) on a building may include a panel mounting bracket(s) including a base to be positioned on the building, a vertical extension having a proximal end coupled to the base and a distal end vertically spaced apart from the base, and a first lateral extension carried on an exterior surface of the vertical extension. An extension device for the at least one panel mounting bracket may include a first portion, a second portion carried by the first portion to be connected with the at least one solar panel, a second lateral extension carried by the second portion to be vertically aligned with the first lateral extension, and a screw including a head carried by the second portion to set the extension device relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventor: Kevin Stapleton
  • Patent number: 11139773
    Abstract: A solar panel mounting system forming an opening for holding solar panels therein for easy installation and removal and replacement. The system includes a plurality of support members adapted for positioning on a support surface. A roof panel is positioned on a top surface of adjacent support members and compressibly held in place by an astragal which is fastened to the support member sandwiching the roof panel between the astragal and the support member. A solar panel opening is formed between projecting portions on opposing sides of the roof panel which extend at an angle substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventor: Aaron Eriksson
  • Patent number: 11091916
    Abstract: A facade element holder includes first and second profile elements, the first profile element having two sections A and B. Here, section A has a first surface shape X and section B as a second surface shape Y. The second profile element has two sections C and D with a first surface shape X? and a second surface shape Y?. X and X? and Y and Y? have substantially the same contour diametrically oppositely in pairs, the spacings from A to B and from C to D being chosen to be substantially equal. The first and second profile elements can thus inter-engage in a form-fitting manner in section A and C and in section B and D. A method for mounting facade elements with such a facade element holder includes providing first and second profile elements and facade elements, and fitting the second profile elements to the rear side of the facade elements and installing the first profile elements horizontally as outer terminating elements of a substructure on a load-bearing building envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: SFS intec Holding AG
    Inventors: Jordi Casulleras, Roland Mair
  • Patent number: 11088656
    Abstract: A device for attaching a junction box to a photovoltaic. The photovoltaic panel has a photovoltaic side and a non-photovoltaic side. The device includes a bracket with a first side attachable to the junction box and a second side attachable to the non-photovoltaic surface of the photovoltaic panel. A central fastener is attachable at one end to the bracket and a plate is adapted for connecting to the other end of the central fastener and for mounting on the photovoltaic side of the photovoltaic panel. One or more rotatable spacers, connectible to the central fastener, may be located on the non-photovoltaic side of the photovoltaic panel. One or more fixed spacers may be located on the non-photovoltaic side connectible to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Vadim Shmukler, Lior Handelsman, Nir Armony
  • Patent number: 11070166
    Abstract: An adjustable mounting device is described. The device can include a baseplate having a plurality of holes, a bracket having a horizontal element, vertical element, and plurality of holes, and a headed rod having a head portion coupled to the baseplate and a rod portion. The headed rod can be configured to provide an adjustable spaced distance between the baseplate and bracket. A system including a plurality of adjustable mounting devices is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: ENERGY CONSULTANTS GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Jason C. Gideon
  • Patent number: 11056998
    Abstract: Universal bonding end clamps used to assembly photovoltaic (PV) arrays and provide an electrically conductive path (or bond) between PV module frames forming part of the PV arrays and a rail system. The bonding clamp includes a clamp portion and a base portion. The clamp portion includes an electrically conductive body having a mounting structure, at least one electrical bonding member extending from the body, and at least one pressure member extending from the body and a base pressure member extending from the body. The clamp portion may also include one or more spacers to facilitate the alignment of the clamp portion relative to the base portion. The base portion includes an upper wall having a mounting structure, a lower wall having a mounting structure and a side wall between the upper and lower walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Evan Ronald Martin
  • Patent number: 11041310
    Abstract: A clamp for controlling uplift of panels of a metal roof is provided where the clamp secures two adjacent panels together. In some embodiments, the clamp has a slot configured to receive a roof joint between adjacent panels, and the clamp has at least one arm that secures the roof joint within the clamp and prevents the clamp from being pulled off of the roof joint. In addition, the clamp may have a channel and at least one protrusion that locate the roof joint within the clamp in a predetermined position to ensure that a bar component such as a bolt or a set screw can secure the roof joint within the clamp. Moreover, further features and arrangements of features can better position the clamp over a center of the roof joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: RMH Tech LLC
    Inventors: Dustin M. M. Haddock, Jesse Charles Winternitz
  • Patent number: 11012025
    Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as photovoltaic modules having the appearance of a plurality of roofing tiles that each have photovoltaic cells. Each photovoltaic module may include a metal backer, photovoltaic cells, and light transmissive top sheets adhered to both the metal backer and the photovoltaic cells. BIPV systems can also include non-photovoltaic modules that appear similar to photovoltaic modules, but do not collect solar energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Seery, Charles Bernardo Almy, Kathryn Austin Pesce
  • Patent number: 11009262
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing a solar panel rail support structure to a tile roof. More specifically, the apparatus includes a base plate that is secured to the roof beneath various shapes of tiles on the tile roof and a generally L-shaped bracket that is then coupled to a rail support guide. The bracket is then capable of being adjusted in various locations along the base plate by using screws in various locations along slotted apertures within the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Ironridge, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Ash, Shawn Meine, Anumeha Narain, Clayton Rietz, David Taggart
  • Patent number: 10985688
    Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and apparatus for assembly a roofing structure that incorporates photovoltaic modules as shingles of the roofing structure. A sidelap is used to both establish consistent spacing between the solar shingles and prevent water passing between adjacent shingles from collecting beneath the solar shingles by guiding the water passing through the solar shingles and redirecting the water down-roof. In some embodiments, the sidelaps can have additional functionality. For example, a sidelap can include tabs configured to interact with lateral securing features positioned on downward-facing surfaces of the solar roofing modules to help keep the lateral sides of the photovoltaic modules from pulling away from the roofing structure during severe weather conditions. The sidelap could also include means for attaching a wire clip to one end of the sidelap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Seery, David Molina, Trevor B. Guthrie, Thomas Anderson, Jonathan Hewlett
  • Patent number: 10972046
    Abstract: A solar device system includes one or more solar devices shingled into an array of solar devices. Each solar device includes one or more current generation cells configured to generate electric current, a plurality of current buses, and a control circuit configured to distribute the generated electric current to the plurality of current buses, and route the generated electric current to an adjacent solar device. Additionally, the solar device system includes an array collector electrically connected to the one or more solar devices, the array collector being configured to collect the generated electrical current from the one or more solar devices and direct the generated electrical current to an inverter or a power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Ehlmann, Lee J. Gorny, Thierry H. Nguyen, David C. Okawa
  • Patent number: 10947728
    Abstract: A roofing system for forming a roof includes a plurality of tiles. Each tile has a frame at a perimeter of the tile, and the frame includes an upstream element, an opposed downstream element, and opposed first and second side elements, thereby bounding a central panel area. Each tile further includes a side trim, a batten, and a ridge cap. When the tiles, side trim, batten, and ridge cap are arranged to form a roof, the batten is secured at a lower edge of the roof and directed upward to receive the downstream elements of the tiles, the side trim is secured at a side edge of the roof and directed laterally to receive one of the first and second side elements of the tiles, and the ridge cap is secured at a ridge of the roof and directed downward to lap over the upstream elements of the tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Inventor: Juan Eduardo Kladt Sobrino
  • Patent number: 10930804
    Abstract: A solar cell structure includes P-type and N-type doped regions. A dielectric spacer is formed on a surface of the solar cell structure. A metal layer is formed on the dielectric spacer and on the surface of the solar cell structure that is exposed by the dielectric spacer. A metal foil is placed on the metal layer. A laser beam is used to weld the metal foil to the metal layer. A laser beam is also used to pattern the metal foil. The laser beam ablates portions of the metal foil and the metal layer that are over the dielectric spacer. The laser ablation of the metal foil cuts the metal foil into separate P-type and N-type metal fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Pass
  • Patent number: 10917032
    Abstract: A mounting system for supporting a plurality of photovoltaic modules on a sloped support surface, such as a sloped roof, is disclosed herein. The mounting system may include one or more support surface attachment devices, each support surface attachment device configured to attach one or more photovoltaic modules to a support surface; and one or more module coupling devices, each module coupling device configured to couple a plurality of photovoltaic modules to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: ECOUNI, LLC
    Inventor: Brian James Wildes
  • Patent number: 10917031
    Abstract: A tile, preferably a roof tile (1), for collecting energy from kinetic, thermal and light sources. The tile comprises a housing (2) with at least one photovoltaic cell (3) for collecting energy from a light source and at least one thermal collector (4). The tile comprises at least one wind channel (5) with a wind turbine (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: LOGIC SWISS AG
    Inventors: Heiko Schwertner, Romeo Maggi
  • Patent number: 10882213
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pre-fabricated element for construction and electricity production includes providing a formwork mould; introducing a photovoltaic module into the formwork mould, and for this purpose vertically positioning the photovoltaic module against or in replacement of one of the walls of the formwork mould, the front face of the at least one photovoltaic module being arranged so as to face an area of the space located outside the mould; depositing an adhesive structural material or a mixture of adhesive structural materials on all or part of the rear face of the at least one photovoltaic module arranged so as to face an area of the space located inside the mould, the adhesive structural material including at least one polymer from the epoxide, polyurethane, acrylic, or styrene-acrylic family, and pouring fresh concrete into the formwork mould so as to cover the adhesive structural material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: HOLCIM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Matthieu Horgnies, Isabelle Dubois-Brugger, Fabienne Legrand, Gérard Molines
  • Patent number: 10873290
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a mounting system for one or more solar panels for use, for example, on a roof, awning, parking structure, or other location. The mounting system preferably utilizes one or more generally u shaped tracks. The U shaped tracks are configured for insertion of an I-beam. The I beam is configured to extend beyond the end of the arms of the u-shaped tracks such that an edge of a solar panel can be positioned between an arm of the I beam and the end of the arm of the U shaped track. A tightening mechanism is utilized to provide tension on the I beam toward the bottom of the u shaped track to retain the solar panel between the arm of the I beam and the arm of the U shaped track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Inventor: Greg J. Olson
  • Patent number: 10868490
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a solar power system including rails, solar modules, and a plurality of adjustable clips to secure the solar modules to the rails. The clips include at least a base member, an elastomeric support member, a bracket member, and an alignment member configured to secure the various members of the clip together. The adjustable clips are configured to slide within a slot defined through a portion of a surface of a rail and including a recessed edge thereby allowing the rail system to accommodate solar modules of varying dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Tyler Watson
  • Patent number: 10847997
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for wirelessly transferring power through a low-e window includes: causing a first current to flow through a transmitter coil disposed in a first outer surface of the low-e window, the first current having a first frequency; inducing, with the first current, a second current to flow through a receiver coil disposed in a second outer surface of the low-e window, the low-e window having a metal or metal oxide layer having a first thickness; generating a voltage based on the second current; and powering an electronic device coupled to the receiver coil with the generated voltage, where the first frequency is associated with a first skin depth of the metal or metal oxide layer, and where the first skin depth is larger than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: SPARK CONNECTED LLC
    Inventors: Petru Emanuel Stingu, Kenneth Moore, Yulong Hou, Ruwanga Dassanayake
  • Patent number: 10756668
    Abstract: A universal mounting system for supporting a plurality of photovoltaic modules on a sloped support surface, such as a sloped roof, is disclosed herein. The universal mounting system may include one or more support surface attachment devices, each support surface attachment device configured to attach one or more photovoltaic modules to a support surface; and one or more module coupling devices, each module coupling device configured to couple a plurality of photovoltaic modules to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: EcoUni, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher John Bamat, Devin Glen MacRostie
  • Patent number: 10742160
    Abstract: A panel member securing tool includes a stand holding a shaft with an external thread in a state of restricting movement in the axial direction, a cylindrical portion through which the stand is inserted, a lower holder having installation surfaces extending to both sides outward from the cylindrical portion, a flat plate portion through which a bolt hole portion and a tool hole portion are formed, an upper holder having panel pressing portions extending to both sides outward from the flat plate portion, a bolt inserted through the bolt hole portion and screwed with a first threaded groove formed in the stand, a second threaded groove formed in the cylindrical portion screwed with the external thread, and a hole or a space formed in the stand on an extended line of a center axis of the shaft between a tool engaging portion of the shaft and the tool hole portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Yanegijutsukenkyujo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuichi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10711394
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a plant fiber textile, a laminate with the plant fiber textile and a fabricating method of the laminate. The plant fiber textile has a matrix resin and continuous plant fibers distributed within the matrix resin. The plant fibers are subjected to a surface modification pretreatment including a coupling treatment with a coupling agent and/or a fire retardation treatment with a fire retardant. The laminate has a stack structure including a layer of the plant fiber textile and at least one layer selected from a group consisting of following layers: glass fiber, aramid fiber or carbon fiber non-woven cloth or textile, preferably distributed within the matrix resin; polymer fiber non-woven cloth or textile, preferably distributed within the matrix resin; or polymer foam or rubber material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignees: AVIC COMPOSITE CORPORATION LTD., AVIC BEIJING INSTITUTE OF AERANUTICAL MATERIALS
    Inventors: Xiaosu Yi, Yanfeng Liu, Shuangying Ji, Jianfeng Tong, Hongyi Ma, Chunrong Jiao, Jianwen Bao, Qingman Liu, Xiancheng He, Xu Chen, Haichao Cui
  • Patent number: 10673151
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, the present invention relates generally to providing an apparatus for securing a solar panel module to a solar panel rail guide structure. More specifically, the invention relates to providing an end clamp that mounts a bottom flange of a solar panel module to a solar panel rail guide structure. The end clamp does not require any tools for insertion. It mechanically fastens and electrically bonds the solar panel module to a solar panel rail guide structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: IronRidge, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Ash, Anumeha Narain, Joseph Sirochman
  • Patent number: 10627135
    Abstract: A modular solar-energy and rainwater collection apparatus (10) comprising: a collector mount (12) adapted both for securement to a building and to an angularly-adjustable support (110); a plurality of rainwater collectors (14) supportable by the collector mount (12), each rainwater collector (14) having a base (18), and at least one solar-cell retainer (20), for securing at least one solar cell (22) relative to the base (18) of at least one said rainwater collector (14); and connection means (16), for rigidly interconnecting a plurality of like rainwater collectors (14) so that the bases (18) are in abutted liquid communication with each other thus forming a modular rainwater collection area (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: INTUITIVE DESIGNS (JERSEY) LTD
    Inventor: Wendy Thomson
  • Patent number: 10630229
    Abstract: A system for mounting a plurality of solar panels on a building may include mounting brackets each including a base to be positioned on the building and a vertical extension coupled to the base. A plurality of interior mounting clamps may each include a leg to be coupled to the vertical extension of a given panel mounting bracket. Each interior mounting clamp may also include a first lateral arm coupled to a distal end of the leg on a first side thereof for securing a first panel to the given panel mounting bracket with the first lateral arm having a first thickness, and a second lateral arm coupled to the distal end of the leg on a second side thereof opposite the first side for securing a second panel to the given panel mounting bracket with the second lateral arm having a second thickness less than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Kevin Stapleton
  • Patent number: 10622939
    Abstract: A device for attaching a junction box to a photovoltaic. The photovoltaic panel has a photovoltaic side and a non-photovoltaic side. The device includes a bracket with a first side attachable to the junction box and a second side attachable to the non-photovoltaic surface of the photovoltaic panel. A central fastener is attachable at one end to the bracket and a plate is adapted for connecting to the other end of the central fastener and for mounting on the photovoltaic side of the photovoltaic panel. One or more rotatable spacers, connectible to the central fastener, may be located on the non-photovoltaic side of the photovoltaic panel. One or more fixed spacers may be located on the non-photovoltaic side connectible to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Vadim Shmukler, Lior Handelsman, Nir Armony
  • Patent number: 10605282
    Abstract: Panel mounting devices are disclosed herein. The disclosed panel mounting devices comprise a clamp assembly and a configurable leg. The clamp assembly comprises a bolt, a nut and a body. The body comprises a first pressure surface operative to apply pressure to a first adjacent panel. The leg is configurable in at least two positions. In one position the leg rests on a rail thereby preventing lateral movement of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Inventor: Jonathan Young
  • Patent number: 10609831
    Abstract: Entry of water from the terminal portion side to the electronic component side is inhibited. A circuit unit includes: a circuit section including a terminal portion that can be connected to an external terminal, and a body portion to which an electronic component is mounted; a first waterproofing portion that is in intimate contact with a portion to be waterproofed located between the body portion and the terminal portion of the circuit section, and that includes a resin containing an adhesive component; and a second waterproofing portion that is in intimate contact with an outer surface of each of the circuit section and the first waterproofing portion, and that is made of a resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Sasaki, Jun Ikeda
  • Patent number: 10587216
    Abstract: Photovoltaic modules are mounted onto PV module mounting brackets of a solar torque tube via clamps. The clamps include a first hook rotatably attached to a main body, and a second hook rotatably attached to the main body. The clamps provide for simultaneously securing a first photovoltaic module to the bracket with the first hook and securing a second photovoltaic module to the bracket with the second hook without the need for tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Bernardo Almy, Kathryn Austin Pesce
  • Patent number: 10574176
    Abstract: A waterproof connecting structure is used in coordination with a solar panel array in order to construct a vertical wall or a rooftop panel of a building. The waterproof connecting structure comprises two half components and a connecting component. The two half components are disposed between the two solar panels. The connecting component covers a joint between the two half components so that rainwater flowed into a conduit passage formed by each of the half components is guided out. Thereby, the rainwater is prevented from infiltrating into a building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventor: Lien-Feng Hsueh
  • Patent number: 10563406
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to roofing products. The present invention relates more particularly to roofing products for use with photovoltaic elements, and to photovoltaic systems that include one or more photovoltaic elements is joined to a roofing substrate. In one embodiment, a roofing product includes a flexible roofing substrate having a top surface, the top surface having one or more receptor zones thereon, each receptor zone being adapted to receive one or more photovoltaic elements, each receptor zone having a different surfacing than the area of the top surface adjacent to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventors: Husnu M. Kalkanoglu, Gregory F. Jacobs, Wayne E. Shaw, Peter Chihlas
  • Patent number: 10511253
    Abstract: A photovoltaic module may include a plurality of photovoltaic shingles disposed on and electrically interconnected by an integrated backsheet, to which are attached a plurality of electrically conductive shingle connectors. A plurality of photovoltaic shingles may be installed upon a roof and electrically interconnected in a single step by aligning openings in the shingles with apertures in the backsheet, simplifying module installation. The photovoltaic module may mimic the appearance of asphalt shingles and may be integrated within a roof of a house or other structure. Photovoltaic shingles or arrays of photovoltaic shingles can be pre-manufactured for easier installation or constructed at the application site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Global Solar Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Britt
  • Patent number: 10505494
    Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer, with minimal visible difference between photovoltaic and non-photovoltaic areas of the BIPV system. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as roofing tiles that have photovoltaic elements embedded or incorporated into the body of the roofing tiles. BIPV systems can also include mimic or dummy tiles that appear similar to tiles with photovoltaic elements, but do not collect solar energy. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV tile roof systems can be generally uniform to an observer at ground level, where the blending and distribution of photovoltaic and non-photovoltaic elements generate a consistent and elegant appearance that camouflages any differences between photovoltaic tile or non-photovoltaic tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Preston Flanigan, Jack Raymond West
  • Patent number: 10502459
    Abstract: Systems and methods that increase the residence time of particles falling through a solar receiver using an induced magnetic field to suspend or slow down and/or alter the flight path of the particles falling through the concentrated beam of sunlight are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignees: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Armijo, Ryan R. Anderson, Sean Michael Babiniec, Clifford K. Ho, Malay Mazumder
  • Patent number: 10483904
    Abstract: An integrated solar building product panel that may be integrated into an existing structure's building materials providing an esthetically pleasing appearance and structural integrity. The shock absorbing and vibration damping construction panel comprises at least one solar cell assembly supported by a bottom support component with a vibration damping component surrounding each solar cell assembly. A top transparent protective component is mounted on the vibration damping layer with a gap between the solar cell assembly for protecting each solar cell assembly, and transferring any impact forces to the vibration damping layer isolated from the solar cells. Accordingly, in response to a force applied to the top protective component, the top protective component is deformable up to the width of the gap, and the vibration damping component transfers the force to the compressible bottom support component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Inventor: Roderick Matthew Costain
  • Patent number: 10469022
    Abstract: The invention relates to retention systems and, more particularly, for a modular retention apparatus, system and method for securing and leveling a photovoltaic (PV) panel and other objects on a wall, rooftop and other structure to secure and ground electrically. The photovoltaic panel retention assembly utilizes a solar cap with one or more integral elongated flange extensions of a predetermined dimension to provide spacing between PV solar panels and/or to stabilize the solar cap from tipping under installation forces and load in use. The flanges extend through a support bracket configured with a base portion to support adjacent PV panels in a PV panel array and a base platform portion. The solar cap comprises integral teeth on a surface of the solar cap spaced apart from the flanged projections to locate the teeth adjacent a frame of the PV panel for electrical grounding thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: PMC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Tamas Kovacs
  • Patent number: 10439548
    Abstract: A solar cell module includes a solar panel and a protecting portion. The solar panel has first and second surfaces each having a rectangular shape. The protecting portion holds the solar panel along each of a first side and a second side of the solar panel that are opposed to each other, and exposes a third side of the solar panel except at end portions of the third side. The protecting portion includes first and second protecting members. The first protecting member sandwiches the first side from both the first and second surface sides to protect the first side. The second protecting member sandwiches the second side from both the first and second surface sides to protect the second side. The first and second sides each includes a portion located on an outer side of the solar panel than the third side in a first direction along the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuta Nishio
  • Patent number: 10396705
    Abstract: A system for mounting flexible photovoltaic (PV) modules on ribbed rooftops (e.g., purlin bearing rib-style roofs) may include a pair of mating mounting brackets, one affixed to the PV module and the other affixed to a rib of the roof. The PV module may have a concave-down profile when installed, with standoffs installed on a bottom side of the module and hold-down ridge caps installed on adjacent ribs of the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Global Solar Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale Huber Anderson
  • Patent number: 10355636
    Abstract: A structure and support device for photovoltaic arrays is provided. The device provides a structural connection between photovoltaic modules, wind deflectors and similar hardware. The invention provides an advantage of quick and easy installation of hardware components and associated parts, and meets the demand for a single device capable of combining solar energy associated hardware into photovoltaic arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Everest Solar Systems LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Danning
  • Patent number: 10340836
    Abstract: Assemblies and couplings for mounting PV modules are provided. An assembly is provided to avoid conflicts between linkages used to adjoin adjacent PV modules and leveling feet used to mount the PV modules to supporting structure. Specifically, an interlock support coupling is provided that may include a shaft with a locking portion disposed at the end that interfaces with an interlock bracket used to couple adjacent PV modules and a housing with an opening for receiving a connection with a supporting foot. An interlock bracket may be provided with a slot for receiving an interlock support coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventor: Martin Seery
  • Patent number: 10333458
    Abstract: A multi-drive solar-tracking photovoltaic (PV) system having several PV modules mounted on a torque tube is described. In an example, several motor drives input torque to the torque tube, and the motor drives are controlled by a single controller. The torque tube may include several sections joined by a torque tube coupler. For example, the torque tube coupler may having a medial section and end sections to join to the torque tube sections. The medial section and the adjoined torque tube sections may have a same outer diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Tyler Grushkowitz, Brian Wares, Zachary Z. Judkins, Mark Adam Schimelpfenig, Richard Joseph Erb, Nicholas James McKibben
  • Patent number: 10298172
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for a photovoltaic (PV) module, and systems including such mounting assemblies, are described. In an embodiment, the mounting assembly includes a top strut to support a PV module, and a retainer fixed relative to the top strut. The retainer may have an upright and retaining tab portion forming a receiving gap to receive the PV module. The retainer may constrain movement of the PV module mounted on the top strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Oh, Brian Wares, Nicholas James McKibben
  • Patent number: 10285478
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-functional waterproof protective sleeve for a mobile terminal comprising a face cover comprising a screen window and a face cover affixing portion provided in the peripheral edge of the screen window; a middle frame provided with a middle frame affixing portion and a middle frame clamping portion, a rear cover comprising a rear cover body and a rear cover clamping portion adapted to the middle frame clamping portion; a solar charging module, a wireless charging module, a portable power, a control mainboard and a charging plug connected with the control mainboard are provided in order on the side of the rear cover body in the vicinity of middle frame. The invention can obtain waterproof function without using seal ring, and is provided with solar charging module, wireless charging module and portable power, which improve the endurance ability of mobile terminal greatly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Inventor: Lixin Deng