Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080230047 | Stackable Tracking Solar Collector Assembly - A solar collector assembly may include a frame supporting a solar collector and a frame member defining a tilted pivot axis. Support struts may be used to elevate one end of the frame and may be pivoted between an orientation generally parallel to the frame member and to an orientation generally away from the frame. Anchorless, ballast type bases may be used to support the solar collector assembly. Several assemblies may be stacked on top of one another in a storage or transportation configuration using spacers extending between the frames. | 09-25-2008 |
20080245360 | Tilt Assembly for Tracking Solar Collector Assembly - A tilt assembly is used with a solar collector assembly of the type comprising a frame, supporting a solar collector, for movement about a tilt axis by pivoting a drive element between first and second orientations. The tilt assembly comprises a drive element coupler connected to the drive element and a driver, the driver comprising a drive frame, a drive arm and a drive arm driver. The drive arm is mounted to the drive frame for pivotal movement about a drive arm axis. Movement on the drive arm mimics movement of the drive element. Drive element couplers can extend in opposite directions from the outer portion of the drive arm, whereby the assembly can be used between adjacent solar collector assemblies in a row of solar collector assemblies. | 10-09-2008 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
20120187058 | TILT ASSEMBLY FOR TRACKING SOLAR COLLECTOR ASSEMBLY - A tilt assembly is used with a solar collector assembly of the type comprising a frame, supporting a solar collector, for movement about a tilt axis by pivoting a drive element between first and second orientations. The tilt assembly comprises a drive element coupler connected to the drive element and a driver, the driver comprising a drive frame, a drive arm and a drive arm driver. The drive arm is mounted to the drive frame for pivotal movement about a drive arm axis. Movement on the drive arm mimics movement of the drive element. Drive element couplers can extend in opposite directions from the outer portion of the drive arm, whereby the assembly can be used between adjacent solar collector assemblies in a row of solar collector assemblies. | 07-26-2012 |
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 |
20140200491 | Fail-Safe System for Exoskeleton Joints - An orthotic system includes a controller, a joint and a fail-safe system for the joint. In a preferred embodiment, the orthotic system is an exoskeleton, the joint is a knee joint and the fail-safe system is a normally engaged brake that is controlled by the controller. The brake is engaged when the controller fails or the exoskeleton is powered off. The exoskeleton also includes an electrical or mechanical brake disengagement mechanism, separate from the controller, so that an exoskeleton user can disengage the brake when desired. The exoskeleton can also include an override mechanism that prevents the brake disengagement mechanism from functioning when the exoskeleton is powered on and the controller has not failed. Additionally, the exoskeleton can include a user interface at one location, with the brake disengagement mechanism located at a different, limited access location, so that the user cannot accidentally activate the brake disengagement mechanism. | 07-17-2014 |