Colleen M O'Brien

US Patent:

20050126621, Jun 16, 2005

Filed:

Aug 19, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/922117

Inventors:

Thomas Dinwoodie - Piedmont CA, US
Colleen O'Brien - Berkeley CA, US
David Neff - Fort Collins CO, US
Gianluigi Mascolo - Alameda CA, US

Assignee:

PowerLight Corporation - Berkeley CA

International Classification:

H01L025/00

US Classification:

136251000, 136244000

Abstract:

Pressure equalization between upper and lower surfaces of PV modules of an array of PV modules can be enhanced in several ways. Air gaps opening into the air volume, defined between the PV modules and the support surface, should be provided between adjacent PV modules and along the periphery of the array. The ratio of this air volume to the total area of the air gaps should be minimized. Peripheral wind deflectors should be used to minimize aerodynamic drag forces on the PV modules. The time to equalize pressure between the upper and lower surfaces of the PV modules should be maintained below, for example, 10-20 milliseconds. The displacement created by wind gusts should be limited to, for example, 2-5 millimeters or less. For inclined PV modules, rear air deflectors are advised for each PV module and side air deflectors are advised for the periphery of the array.

US Patent:

20100116324, May 13, 2010

Filed:

Nov 12, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/269452

Inventors:

Colleen A. O'BRIEN - Oakland CA, US
Jonathan BOTKIN - El Cerrito CA, US
Andrew G. REIMERS - Reno NV, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/048

US Classification:

136251

Abstract:

A photovoltaic (“PV”) array includes a plurality of interconnected PV modules. A PV array perimeter assembly may be positioned along the perimeter of the PV array to restrain horizontal movement of the array. For improved wind performance, the PV array perimeter assembly may include curbs that come with pre-attached flexible wind deflectors configured to prevent wind from penetrating underneath the PV array. The flexible wind deflectors may be made of a flexible membrane and may include water drainage holes to allow water to flow out of the PV array. The curbs do not necessarily have to be fixedly attached to a rooftop, and may include ballasts to prevent array movement. Embodiments of the invention may be employed on PV arrays installed on flat rooftops, and are especially advantageous when used on uneven roof surfaces.

US Patent:

20100179678, Jul 15, 2010

Filed:

Jan 26, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/694190

Inventors:

Thomas L. Dinwoodie - Piedmont CA, US
Colleen A. O'Brien - Berkeley CA, US
David E. Neff - Fort Collins CO, US

Assignee:

SunPower Corporation, Systems - Richmond CA

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

700103

Abstract:

Pressure equalization between upper and lower surfaces of PV modules of an array of PV modules can be enhanced in several ways. Air gaps opening into the air volume, defined between the PV modules and the support surface, should be provided between adjacent PV modules and along the periphery of the array. The ratio of this air volume to the total area of the air gaps should be minimized. Peripheral wind deflectors should be used to minimize aerodynamic drag forces on the PV modules. The time to equalize pressure between the upper and lower surfaces of the PV modules should be maintained below, for example, 10-20 milliseconds. The displacement created by wind gusts should be limited to, for example, 2-5 millimeters or less. For inclined PV modules, rear air deflectors are advised for each PV module and side air deflectors are advised for the periphery of the array.

US Patent:

20170170777, Jun 15, 2017

Filed:

Oct 21, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/331463

Inventors:

- San Jose CA, US
Colleen A. O'Brien - Berkeley CA, US
David E. Neff - Fort Collins CO, US
Gianluigi Mascolo - Alameda CA, US

International Classification:

H02S 30/10
F24J 2/46
H02S 20/23

Abstract:

Pressure equalization between upper and lower surfaces of PV modules of an array of PV modules can be enhanced in several ways. Air gaps opening into the air volume, defined between the PV modules and the support surface, should be provided between adjacent PV modules and along the periphery of the array. The ratio of this air volume to the total area of the air gaps should be minimized. Peripheral wind deflectors should be used to minimize aerodynamic drag forces on the PV modules. The time to equalize pressure between the upper and lower surfaces of the PV modules should be maintained below, for example, 10-20 milliseconds. The displacement created by wind gusts should be limited to, for example, 2-5 millimeters or less. For inclined PV modules, rear air deflectors are advised for each PV module and side air deflectors are advised for the periphery of the array.

US Patent:

20170019060, Jan 19, 2017

Filed:

Sep 29, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/280289

Inventors:

- San Jose CA, US
Colleen A. O'Brien - Berkeley CA, US
David E. Neff - Fort Collins CO, US

International Classification:

H02S 20/23
H02S 40/00

Abstract:

Pressure equalization between upper and lower surfaces of PV modules of an array of PV modules can be enhanced in several ways. Air gaps opening into the air volume, defined between the PV modules and the support surface, should be provided between adjacent PV modules and along the periphery of the array. The ratio of this air volume to the total area of the air gaps should be minimized. Peripheral wind deflectors should be used to minimize aerodynamic drag forces on the PV modules. The time to equalize pressure between the upper and lower surfaces of the PV modules should be maintained below, for example, 10-20 milliseconds. The displacement created by wind gusts should be limited to, for example, 2-5 millimeters or less. For inclined PV modules, rear air deflectors are advised for each PV module and side air deflectors are advised for the periphery of the array.

US Patent:

20150040944, Feb 12, 2015

Filed:

Aug 22, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/466800

Inventors:

- San Jose CA, US
Colleen A. O'Brien - Berkeley CA, US
David E. Neff - Fort Collins CO, US
Gianluigi Mascolo - Alameda CA, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/042
F24J 2/46

US Classification:

134 6, 15 211

Abstract:

Pressure equalization between upper and lower surfaces of PV modules of an array of PV modules can be enhanced in several ways. Air gaps opening into the air volume, defined between the PV modules and the support surface, should be provided between adjacent PV modules and along the periphery of the array. The ratio of this air volume to the total area of the air gaps should be minimized. Peripheral wind deflectors should be used to minimize aerodynamic drag forces on the PV modules. The time to equalize pressure between the upper and lower surfaces of the PV modules should be maintained below, for example, 10-20 milliseconds. The displacement created by wind gusts should be limited to, for example, 2-5 millimeters or less. For inclined PV modules, rear air deflectors are advised for each PV module and side air deflectors are advised for the periphery of the array.