The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 28, 2018
Filed:
Dec. 30, 2015
Solarcity Corporation, San Mateo, CA (US);
Tyrus Hudson, San Rafael, CA (US);
Johann Karkheck, San Rafael, CA (US);
Brian Atchley, San Rafael, CA (US);
River Broussard, San Rafael, CA (US);
SolarCity Corporation, San Mateo, CA (US);
Abstract
Systems and methods for assembling and wiring photovoltaic arrays are provided. The wiring systems can include retractable wires included in photovoltaic modules that may be extended during installation of photovoltaic modules in the array to connect to wires of adjacent photovoltaic modules, which can retract into a tightened position under the array as the installation is completed. The wires may be made retractable by wire retraction mechanisms mounted to a frame of the photovoltaic module, which maintain a desired tension on the wires of the photovoltaic module. The wire retraction mechanism may include springs that urge components connected to the wire to rotate a particular direction so as to maintain tension on the wire. The wiring systems may also have wire guides to keep the wires accessible for installation and adjustment.