Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100139646 | Torque Arm Assembly and Method - A torque arm assembly, used with a solar collector mounted to a drive shaft, comprises a torque arm with first and second ends and a torque arm coupling assembly including a drive shaft enclosure defining an open-ended channel sized to house the drive shaft. The channel has a circumferentially extending substantially continuous drive surface between the ends that lies adjacent to the drive shaft so the drive shaft and the drive shaft enclosure rotate together. In some examples contiguous abutment structure, such as weld lines, shims and/or adhesive, connects each side of the drive shaft to the drive shaft enclosure. The invention may also be carried out as a connection improvement method. | 06-10-2010 |
20100212715 | PHOTOVOLTAIC ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS FOR TRANSPORTING - A PV assembly including framework, PV laminate(s), and a stiffening device. The framework includes a perimeter frame at least 10 feet in length and at least 5 feet in width. The PV laminate(s) are assembled to the perimeter frame to define a receiving zone having a depth of not more than 8 inches. The stiffening device is associated with the framework and is configured to provide a first state and a second state. In the first state, an entirety of the stiffening device is maintained within the receiving zone. In the second state, at least a portion of the stiffening device projects from the receiving zone. The stiffening device enhances a stiffness of the PV assembly in a plane of the perimeter frame, and can include rods defining truss structures. | 08-26-2010 |
20110114153 | PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR COLLECTION AND TRACKING SYSTEM - A photovoltaic sun tracking system including a photovoltaic assembly, a first mounting structure, and a second mounting structure. The photovoltaic assembly includes at least one PV cell maintained by framework defining a PV plane. The first and second mounting structures are mounted to a support surface and rotatably maintain the framework at first and second pivot points, respectively, to establish a tracking axis passing through the pivot points. The tracking axis is non-parallel with the PV plane. The photovoltaic assembly can be rocked along the tracking axis to follow motion of the sun relative to the earth. One or both of the mounting structures can be relatively small, and the off-parallel tracking axis promotes increased efficiency over the course of a year. | 05-19-2011 |
20110120524 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SOLAR POWER GENERATION - A photovoltaic device comprising an array of elongate reflector elements mounted substantially parallel to one another and transversely spaced in series, at least one of the reflector elements having an elongate concave reflective surface to reflect incident solar radiation towards a forward adjacent reflector element in the array. The at least one reflector element includes a photovoltaic assembly which is removably and replaceably mounted on the reflector element. The photovoltaic assembly includes a photovoltaic receptor to receive reflected solar radiation from a rearward adjacent reflector element. The photovoltaic assembly also includes a heat sink in heat transfer relationship with the photovoltaic receptor, thermally isolating the photovoltaic receptor, at least partially, from the reflector element. | 05-26-2011 |
20110155120 | Torque Arm Assembly and Method - A torque arm assembly, used with a solar collector mounted to a drive shaft, comprises a torque arm with first and second ends and a torque arm coupling assembly including a drive shaft enclosure defining an open-ended channel sized to house the drive shaft. The channel has a circumferentially extending substantially continuous drive surface between the ends that lies adjacent to the drive shaft so the drive shaft and the drive shaft enclosure rotate together. In some examples, contiguous abutment structure, such as weld lines, shims and/or adhesive, connects each side of the drive shaft to the drive shaft enclosure. The invention may also be carried out as a connection improvement method. | 06-30-2011 |
20120160234 | LOCATING CONNECTORS AND METHODS FOR MOUNTING SOLAR HARDWARE - A solar concentrator assembly can include mirror assemblies that are connected to pivotable frames with locating connections. The locating connections can be in the form of cam devices or tool-less connections formed by snap fitting devices as well as tool-less cam devices. | 06-28-2012 |
20120160236 | LOCATING CONNECTORS AND METHODS FOR MOUNTING SOLAR HARDWARE - A solar concentrator assembly can include edge solar receiver assemblies that are connected to pivotable frames with locating connections. The locating connections can be in the form of cam devices or tool-less connections formed by snap fitting devices as well as tool-less cam devices. | 06-28-2012 |
20120255595 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SOLAR POWER GENERATION - A photovoltaic device comprising an array of elongate reflector elements mounted substantially parallel to one another and transversely spaced in series, at least one of the reflector elements having an elongate concave reflective surface to reflect incident solar radiation towards a forward adjacent reflector element in the array. The at least one reflector element includes a photovoltaic receptor mounted on the reflector element by a mounting arrangement to receive reflected solar radiation from a rearward adjacent reflector element. The reflector element also includes a heat sink in heat transfer relationship with the photovoltaic receptor, thermally isolating the photovoltaic receptor, at least partially, from the reflector element. | 10-11-2012 |
20130255870 | COMBINED EDGE SEALING AND EDGE PROTECTION OF MULTI-LAYERED REFLECTORS - The area of Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) and Concentrating Photovoltaics (CPV) require reliable, robust and durable reflectors capable of withstanding different environments, weather and transportation conditions. It is therefore important to use a method for fabricating a reflector which seals a reflector edge against moisture, corrosion and contaminants and protects the edge from cracks and damage. Embodiments of this method include depositing a clear sealant over the reflector edges, extending a reflective film over the edges of the reflector then sealing from the back and laminating a flexible strip of a clear polymer such as PVB and EVA around the top edge, a bottom edge, and all side edges of the reflector. Another embodiment includes performing hemming process on a front assembly of the reflector over the edges of a back assembly forming a sacrificial layer at the back of the reflector to prevent delamination. | 10-03-2013 |
20130263913 | PHOTOVOLTAIC ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS FOR TRANSPORTING - A PV assembly including framework, PV laminate(s), and a stiffening device. The framework includes a perimeter frame at least 10 feet in length and at least 5 feet in width. The PV laminate(s) are assembled to the perimeter frame to define a receiving zone having a depth of not more than 8 inches. The stiffening device is associated with the framework and is configured to provide a first state and a second state. In the first state, an entirety of the stiffening device is maintained within the receiving zone. In the second state, at least a portion of the stiffening device projects from the receiving zone. The stiffening device enhances a stiffness of the PV assembly in a plane of the perimeter frame, and can include rods defining truss structures. | 10-10-2013 |
20140026943 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SOLAR POWER GENERATION - A photovoltaic device comprising an array of elongate reflector elements mounted substantially parallel to one another and transversely spaced in series, at least one of the reflector elements having an elongate concave reflective surface to reflect incident solar radiation towards a forward adjacent reflector element in the array. The at least one reflector element includes a photovoltaic receptor mounted on the reflector element by a mounting arrangement to receive reflected solar radiation from a rearward adjacent reflector element. The reflector element also includes a heat sink in heat transfer relationship with the photovoltaic receptor, thermally isolating the photovoltaic receptor, at least partially, from the reflector element. | 01-30-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110232684 | SOLAR SYSTEM CLEANING APPARATUS - Solar system cleaning apparatuses and methods of cleaning solar systems are described. A solar system cleaning apparatus includes a vehicle. A first basin is mounted on the vehicle, the first basin to supply a cleaning medium to a solar module. A second basin is mounted on the vehicle, the second basin to collect the cleaning medium from the solar module. A filter is coupled to the first basin and the second basin, the filter to transfer the cleaning medium from the second basin to the first basin. | 09-29-2011 |
20120031393 | Opposing Row Linear Concentrator Architecture - A solar concentrator assembly is disclosed. The solar concentrator assembly comprises a first reflector facing in a first direction, a second reflector facing in a second direction, the second direction opposite the first direction, and a rotational member having a long axis transverse to the first and second directions, the rotational member disposed between and coupled to each of the first and second reflectors. | 02-09-2012 |
20120031394 | Opposing Row Linear Concentrator Architecture - A solar concentrator assembly is disclosed. The solar concentrator assembly comprises a first reflective device having a first reflective front side and a first rear side, a second reflective device having a second reflective front side and a second rear side, the second reflective device positioned such that the first reflective front side faces the second rear side, and a support assembly coupled to and supporting the first and second reflective devices, the second reflective device positioned to be vertically offset from the first reflective device. | 02-09-2012 |
20130083413 | OPPOSING ROW LINEAR CONCENTRATOR ARCHITECTURE - A solar concentrator assembly is disclosed. The solar concentrator assembly comprises a first reflective device having a first reflective front side and a first rear side, a second reflective device having a second reflective front side and a second rear side, the second reflective device positioned such that the first reflective front side faces the second rear side, and a support assembly coupled to and supporting the first and second reflective devices, the second reflective device positioned to be vertically offset from the first reflective device. | 04-04-2013 |
20130239947 | SOLAR SYSTEM CLEANING APPARATUS - Solar system cleaning apparatuses and methods of cleaning solar systems are described. A solar system cleaning apparatus includes a vehicle. A first basin is mounted on the vehicle, the first basin to supply a cleaning medium to a solar module. A second basin is mounted on the vehicle, the second basin to collect the cleaning medium from the solar module. A filter is coupled to the first basin and the second basin, the filter to transfer the cleaning medium from the second basin to the first basin. | 09-19-2013 |
20140078607 | OPPOSING ROW LINEAR CONCENTRATOR ARCHITECTURE - A solar concentrator assembly is disclosed. The solar concentrator assembly comprises a first reflective device having a first reflective front side and a first rear side, a second reflective device having a second reflective front side and a second rear side, the second reflective device positioned such that the first reflective front side faces the second rear side, and a support assembly coupled to and supporting the first and second reflective devices, the second reflective device positioned to be vertically offset from the first reflective device. | 03-20-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100139649 | Earth-Penetrating Expansion Anchor - One embodiment relates to an earth-penetrating apparatus. The apparatus includes a pole with a hollow portion therein and a bottom end which is configured to be driven into ground. Anchoring parts are configured to be radially extendable from the pole. In addition, an expansion mechanism is configured to apply a force to the anchoring parts so as to radially extend the anchoring parts from the pole after the pole has been driven into the ground. Another embodiment relates to a solar collector arrangement that includes a plurality of earth-penetrating anchors. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed. | 06-10-2010 |
20100212722 | Photovoltaic Module and Interlocked Stack of Photovoltaic Modules - One embodiment relates to an arrangement of photovoltaic modules configured for transportation. The arrangement includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each photovoltaic module including a frame having at least a top member and a bottom member. A plurality of alignment features are included on the top member of each frame, and a plurality of alignment features are included on the bottom member of each frame. Adjacent photovoltaic modules are interlocked by the alignment features on the top member of a lower module fitting together with the alignment features on the bottom member of an upper module. Other embodiments, features and aspects are also disclosed. | 08-26-2010 |
20110277743 | EARTH-PENETRATING EXPANSION ANCHOR - One embodiment relates to an earth-penetrating apparatus. The apparatus includes a pole with a hollow portion therein and a bottom end which is configured to be driven into ground. Anchoring parts are configured to be radially extendable from the pole. In addition, an expansion mechanism is configured to apply a force to the anchoring parts so as to radially extend the anchoring parts from the pole after the pole has been driven into the ground. Another embodiment relates to a solar collector arrangement that includes a plurality of earth-penetrating anchors. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed. | 11-17-2011 |
20140034114 | PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE AND INTERLOCKED STACK OF PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES - One embodiment relates to an arrangement of photovoltaic modules configured for transportation. The arrangement includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each photovoltaic module including a frame. A plurality of individual male alignment features and a plurality of individual female alignment features are included on each frame. Adjacent photovoltaic modules are interlocked by multiple individual male alignment features on a first module of the adjacent photovoltaic modules fitting into and being surrounded by corresponding individual female alignment features on a second module of the adjacent photovoltaic modules. Other embodiments, features and aspects are also disclosed. | 02-06-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090007826 | Environmentally Safe Charcoal-Based Heat Source - An environmentally-safe, disposable, and combustible charcoal-based portable heat source includes a first combustible, inner, vertical, upright chimney structure, and a second combustible, outer, vertical, upright wall structure surround said chimney structure and an inner chimney flue defined by said chimney structure for receiving air for igniting and burning said charcoal-based heat source. An outer chimney flue defined by the outer wall of said first combustible, inner, vertical, upright chimney structure and the inner wall of said second combustible, outer, vertical, upright, wall structure, said outer chimney for exhausting fumes from said heat source. A removable inner chimney insert provides structural support for the heat source. An ignition ring establishes a sustained ignition to uniformly ignite the charcoal-based fuel. | 01-08-2009 |
20120115092 | FIRE IGNITION SYSTEM - Fire ignition systems, combustible ignition structures, and methods of manufacturing and using such systems and devices are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a fire ignition system may include a combustible container and a combustible ignition structure removably insertable into an interior of the combustible container. In various embodiments, the combustible ignition structure may include a base having a top surface and a chimney extending from the top surface. In various embodiments, the chimney may have an inner flue, a top opening into the flue, and an aperture through a side of the chimney into the flue. Other embodiments may be disclosed herein. | 05-10-2012 |