Gary D Hering

US Patent:

D647049, Oct 18, 2011

Filed:

May 16, 2011

Appl. No.:

29/391956

Inventors:

Sunil Vaid - North Brunswick NJ, US
Peter Allen Zawadzki - Clinton NJ, US
Gary D Hering - Belle Mead NJ, US
Philip Blumenfeld - Albuquerque NM, US

Assignee:

Emcore Solar Power, Inc. - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

1302

US Classification:

D13102

US Patent:

8188413, May 29, 2012

Filed:

Oct 24, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/257670

Inventors:

Mikhail Kats - Rockaway NJ, US
Travis Dodd - Albuquerque NM, US
James Sherman - Hillsborough NJ, US
Peter Allen Zawadzki - Clinton NJ, US
Gary Hering - Belle Mead NJ, US

Assignee:

Emcore Solar Power, Inc. - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

G01C 21/02
F24J 2/38
H01L 31/042

US Classification:

2502034, 126576, 136246

Abstract:

A terrestrial concentrator solar tracking photovoltaic array that may include an elongated frame configured to mount concentrator solar cell modules in a longitudinally-extending and spaced-apart arrangement. The frame is able to rotate each of the concentrator solar cell modules along a first axis to simultaneously track the elevation of the sun during the course of a day. The frame is also able to rotate each concentrator solar cell array module along second axes that are substantially perpendicular to the first axis to track the azimuthal position of the sun during the course of the day.

US Patent:

8188415, May 29, 2012

Filed:

Jun 4, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/478567

Inventors:

Mikhail Kats - Rockaway NJ, US
Peter Allen Zawadzki - Clinton NJ, US
Travis Dodd - Albuquerque NM, US
James Sherman - Hillsborough NJ, US
Gary D. Hering - Belle Mead NJ, US
John Iannelli - San Marino CA, US

Assignee:

Emcore Solar Power, Inc. - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

G01C 21/02
F24J 2/38
H01L 31/042

US Classification:

2502034, 126605, 136246

Abstract:

The terrestrial solar tracking photovoltaic array includes a longitudinal support that may be constructed of discrete sections. The overall length of the array may be adjusted depending upon the necessary size of the array. A drive may be configured to rotate the longitudinal support in first and second directions about a first axis. Solar cell modules are positioned along the longitudinal support and may each include a rectangular case with a plurality of lenses that are positioned over corresponding receivers. Linkages may be connected to the solar cell modules and are axially movable along the longitudinal support to rotate the solar cell modules within second planes that each orthogonal to the first plane to further track the sun during the course of the day. The array may be configured to facilitate rotation about the first axis. The array may be constructed with a center of gravity of the array to extending through the longitudinal support.

US Patent:

8378281, Feb 19, 2013

Filed:

Nov 20, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/623134

Inventors:

Mikhail Kats - Rockaway NJ, US
Gary Hering - Belle Mead NJ, US

Assignee:

Suncore Photovoltaics, Inc. - Irwindale CA

International Classification:

G01C 21/02
H02N 6/00
A47G 23/04

US Classification:

2502034, 136246, 126605

Abstract:

Terrestrial solar tracking photovoltaic arrays that may include a modular design that is sized and weighted to facilitate installation with a small amount of manpower. The array may further be adapted to be adjusted during or after installation to accommodate the necessary power requirements. The terrestrial solar tracking photovoltaic array may include a torque tube that may be constructed of discrete sections. A drive may be connected to the torque tube to rotate the torque tube. A number of solar cell modules may be connected to the torque tube. The modules may be positioned at offsetting angular orientations depending upon their distance away from the drive. This offset positioning compensates for twisting distortion of the torque tube caused by the drive rotating the torque tube. At one point of rotation, each of the solar cell modules may be substantially aligned in a common plane.

US Patent:

8453328, Jun 4, 2013

Filed:

Jun 1, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/791580

Inventors:

Mikhail Kats - Rockaway NJ, US
Gary D. Hering - Belle Mead NJ, US

Assignee:

Suncore Photovoltaics, Inc. - Irwindale CA

International Classification:

B23P 6/00

US Classification:

29890033, 29464, 29467

Abstract:

Methods and devices for assembling a terrestrial solar tracking photovoltaic array. The methods may include securing a torque tube to an alignment fixture by positioning a flange at an end of the torque tube over a shelf on the alignment fixture and positioning a section of the torque tube inward from the flange into a receptacle on the shelf of the alignment fixture. The method may include aligning and mounting a mount to the torque tube at a point along the torque tube inward from the end of the torque tube. The method may include aligning and mounting a solar cell module to the mount with the solar cell module including an array of lenses positioned over a set of corresponding receivers that include one or more III-V compound semiconductor solar cells. The method may include removing the torque tube from the alignment fixture after the solar cell module is mounted to the mount. The method may include aligning and mounting the torque tube to an end of a longitudinal support with the torque tube being coaxial with the longitudinal support and the solar cell module being able to rotate with the torque tube about a first axis that extends through the torque tube and the longitudinal support and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

US Patent:

8536504, Sep 17, 2013

Filed:

Jan 31, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/362530

Inventors:

Mikhail Kats - Rockaway NJ, US
Gary D. Hering - Belle Mead NJ, US
Peter Allen Zawadzki - Clinton NJ, US
James Sherman - Hillsborough NJ, US

Assignee:

Suncore Photovoltaics, Inc. - Irwindale CA

International Classification:

G01C 21/02
F24J 2/38
H01L 31/042

US Classification:

2502034, 126605, 136246

Abstract:

The terrestrial solar tracking photovoltaic array includes a longitudinal support that may be constructed of discrete sections. The overall length of the array may be adjusted depending upon the necessary size of the array. A drive may be configured to rotate the longitudinal support in first and second directions about a first axis. Solar cell modules are positioned along the longitudinal support and may each include a rectangular case with a plurality of lenses that are positioned over corresponding receivers. Linkages may be connected to the solar cell modules and are axially movable along the longitudinal support to rotate the solar cell modules within second planes that each orthogonal to the first plane to further track the sun during the course of the day. The array may be configured to facilitate rotation about the first axis. The array may be constructed with a center of gravity of the array to extending through the longitudinal support.

US Patent:

20090032084, Feb 5, 2009

Filed:

Feb 1, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/024489

Inventors:

Daniel J. Aiken - Cedar Crest NM, US
Gary Hering - Belle Mead NJ, US
Earl Fuller - Albuquerque NM, US

Assignee:

Emcore Corporation - Somerset NJ

International Classification:

H01L 31/052
H01L 31/042

US Classification:

136246, 136244

Abstract:

A concentrator photovoltaic solar cell array for terrestrial use for generating electrical power from solar radiation including a central support which is rotatable about its central longitudinal axis, a support frame carried by, and rotatable with respect to, the central support about an axis orthogonal to said central longitudinal axis, and a solar array mounted on the support frame. The solar cell array includes a plurality of Fresnel concentrator lenses and multijunction III-V compound semiconductor solar cells each producing in excess of 10 watts of DC power. An actuator is provided for rotating the central support and the support frame so that the solar cell array is maintained substantially orthogonal to the rays of the sun as the sun traverses the sky.

US Patent:

20090032086, Feb 5, 2009

Filed:

Jun 2, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/131556

Inventors:

Mikhail Kats - Rockaway NJ, US
Scott Elman - Monroe Township NJ, US
Gary Hering - Belle Mead NJ, US

Assignee:

EMCORE CORPORATION - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

H01L 31/042

US Classification:

136246

Abstract:

A concentrator photovoltaic solar cell array system includes a central support mountable on a surface and a solar cell array including triple junction III-V semiconductor compound solar cell receivers and a support frame coupled to the solar cell array and carried by, and rotatable with respect to, the central support about an axis orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis. The support frame can include (i) a first frame assembly coupled to the solar cell array and (ii) a second frame assembly coupled to the first frame assembly arranged to increase the rigidity thereof. The system also has an actuator for rotating the central support and the support frame as well as pivoting the support frame so as to adjust its angle with respect to the earth's surface, so that the solar cell array is maintained substantially orthogonal to the rays from the sun as the sun traverses the sky.