Jefferson G Shingleton

6559371, May 6, 2003

Jun 27, 2001

09/894245

Jefferson G. Shingleton - Auburn NY
Herbert T. Hayden - Tempe AZ

Pinnacle West Capital Corp. - Phoenix AZ

H01L 31052

136246, 136251

A high-concentration photovoltaic assembly ( ) for use in a utility-scale solar power generation system ( ) is configured to couple to a supporting tracking structure ( ) of the system ( ). The assembly ( ) incorporates a frame ( ) substantially centered in a plane ( ), a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal members ( ) substantially centered in the plane ( ) and coupled to the frame ( ), two substantially parallel transverse members ( ) substantially centered in the plane ( ) and coupled to the longitudinal members ( ) substantially at ends thereof, a plurality of bulkheads ( ) coupled between adjacent ones of the longitudinal members ( ) and configured to divide the assembly ( ) into a plurality of chambers ( ), a plurality of photovoltaic modules coupled to the chambers ( ) upon a first side ( ) of the plane ( ), and a plurality of lenses ( ) coupled to the chambers ( ) upon a second side ( ) of the plane ( ).

6563040, May 13, 2003

Oct 11, 2001

09/976581

Herbert T. Hayden - Tempe AZ
Jefferson G. Shingleton - Auburn NY

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation - Phoenix AZ

H01L 31042

136244, 126600

A tilted single-axis tracking system ( ) for collecting solar energy includes a structure ( ) for supporting an array ( ) of photovoltaic (PV) modules ( ) above a surface ( ). The structure ( ) includes a frame ( ) having first and second legs ( ) configured to extend upwardly from the surface ( ) and join at an apex ( ). A base tensioning member ( ) of the frame ( ) is interposed between the first and second legs ( ). A torque tube ( ) is pivotally retained by the frame ( ) at the apex ( ) and is configured for attachment of the array ( ) of PV modules ( ). A foot member ( ) pivotally retains a tube end ( ) of the torque tube ( ) and is configured to rest on the surface ( ). A first tensioning member ( ) is coupled between the foot member ( ) and the first leg ( ), and a second tensioning member ( ) is coupled between the foot member ( ) and the second leg ( ). A pre-tensioning member ( ) extends from the apex ( ) of the frame ( ) and is configured for attachment to the surface ( ). In an alternative embodiment, the pre-tensioning member ( ) is omitted and pre-tensioning members ( ) extend from each of the first and second legs ( ) and the foot member ( ) and are configured for attachment to the surface ( ).

6662801, Dec 16, 2003

Oct 2, 2001

09/970186

Herbert T. Hayden - Tempe AZ
James C. Warrick - Prescott AZ
Jefferson G. Shingleton - Auburn NY
Raymond S. Zuckerman - Scottsdale AZ

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation - Phoenix AZ

F24J 246

126571, 126572, 126600

A celestial tracking apparatus ( ) has a support ( ), a tracking assembly ( ) coupled to the support ( ) by an azimuth pivot ( ), a collector assembly ( ) coupled to the tracking assembly ( ) by an elevation pivot ( ), a wind-speed sensor ( ), and a controller ( ) coupled to the azimuth and elevation pivots ( ) and configured to cause the collector assembly ( ) to assume a wind-stow position ( ) when the sensor ( ) detects a wind having a speed greater than a predetermined speed, upon failure of a component of the apparatus ( ), or upon receipt of a wind-stow command. The collector assembly ( ) has a solar collector ( ) with a substantially flat surface ( ), a center of gravity ( ), and a target axis ( ) substantially perpendicular to the substantially flat surface ( ) and passing through the center of gravity ( ). The elevation pivot ( ) is displaced from the target axis ( ) and the center of gravity ( ) so that the collector assembly ( ) is predisposed to pivot to the wind-stow position.

6672018, Jan 6, 2004

Oct 12, 2001

09/975572

Jefferson Shingleton - Auburn NY, 13021

E04D 1318

521733, 52464, 52665, 136244, 126621, 126623

A solar collector array is formed of a plurality of solar panels mounted on a frame made of support beams which may be sheet metal channel members. A butyl tape or other glazing material is applied between the back laminate of the solar panel and the beam. Clips are used to clamp the panels to the support beams. The clips have an upper portion that is generally T-shaped in profile, and a retainer in the form of a channel nut or bar, with a threaded hole that receives a bolt or similar threaded fastener. The retainer biases against the inwardly directed flanges of the channel support beam. Electrical wires and mechanical fasteners are concealed within the support beams.

6722357, Apr 20, 2004

Aug 15, 2001

09/929459

Jefferson Shingleton - Auburn NY

Powerlight Corporation - Berkeley CA

F24J 238

126600, 126608

A solar collector array is formed of multiple parallel rows of solar panels, each said row being made of one or more building blocks with an east-west oriented torsion tube defining an east-west axis for the row, an array of flat generally rectangular solar panels, and a set of panel rails and rail claims attaching the panels onto the torsion tube. A row of piers aligned on the east-west axis each have a footing that is supported in the earth, and a pier cap affixed onto a top end of the pier. The pier cap holds the torsion tube non-rotationally such that the torsion tube and panels are held at a preset elevation angle. The torsion tube may serve as a conduit for power conductors from the panels.

D511576, Nov 15, 2005

Mar 10, 2003

29/177528

Jefferson G. Shingleton - Auburn NY, US
Elise R. Brewster - Berkeley CA, US
Thomas L. Dinwoodie - Piedmont CA, US

PowerLight Corporation - Berkeley CA

2502

D25 56

7554030, Jun 30, 2009

Mar 16, 2004

10/802116

Jefferson G. Shingleton - Auburn NY, US

Sunpower Corporation, Systems - Richmond CA

E04B 7/02
H02N 6/00
H01L 25/00

136246, 136244, 126600, 126605, 126608

A tracking solar collector assembly includes Southside supports, North side supports and support structures. Each support structure has pivotal support points defining a tilt axis and supports at least one solar collector. First support points of first and second support structures are pivotally connected to first and second Southside supports. A second support point of the first support structure is pivotally connected to first and second North side supports. A second support point of the second support structure is pivotally connected to second and third North side supports. A tilting assembly causes the solar collector support structures and the solar collectors tilt in unison. A tracking solar collector may comprise a torsion tube rotatable about a torsion tube axis; with the solar panels secured to the torsion tube at an angle with the solar panels located entirely above the torsion tube at noontime.

7557292, Jul 7, 2009

Mar 9, 2004

10/796582

Jefferson G. Shingleton - Auburn NY, US
Thomas L. Dinwoodie - Piedmont CA, US
Gianluigi Mascolo - Danville CA, US

Sunpower Corporation, Systems - Richmond CA

E04B 7/02
H02N 6/00
H01L 25/00

136246, 136244, 126600, 126605, 126608, 126424

A modular shade system with solar tracking panels includes a series of generally North-South oriented, spaced apart torque tubes, each torque tube having an axis, a series of panels mounted to at least some of the torque tubes to create spaced-apart rows of panels along the torque tubes, at least some of the panels being solar collector panels. The system also includes a shade structure, positioned at a selected location between selected ones of the torque tubes and above the support surface so to provide an enhanced shaded region thereunder, and a support structure. The support structure includes a first mounting assembly mounting each torque tube above the support surface for rotation about the axis of each torque tube and a second mounting assembly supporting the shade structure at the selected location. The system further comprises a tilting assembly selectively rotating each torque tube about its axis.