Robert F Nicholson

US Patent:

51256088, Jun 30, 1992

Filed:

Jan 30, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/649310

Inventors:

Harold A. McMaster - Perrysburg OH
Robert D. Nicholson - Pemberville OH
Steven A. F. Kaake - Toledo OH

Assignee:

700 Solar Club, Inc. - Perrysburg OH

International Classification:

F16M 1100

US Classification:

2481631

Abstract:

Provided is a support assembly for mounting an array of photovoltaic panels to a support surface such as the ground. According to the invention, there is provided a plurality of front and rear support posts, each post having an anchor portion to be driven into the support surface and a leg portion which is nested therein and longitudinally adjustable to raise or lower corresponding front and rear horizontal supports. Photovoltaic panels are mounted lengthwise across the horizontal supports in a predetermined position to minimize the stress thereon caused by wind load. The horizontal supports further comprise wiring raceways to support wiring harnesses originating from the photovoltaic panels and terminating at the end of each row of photovoltaic panels in the array.

US Patent:

59678712, Oct 19, 1999

Filed:

Jul 24, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/899917

Inventors:

Steven A. F. Kaake - Perrysburg OH
Robert D. Nicholson - Pemberville OH

Assignee:

Photonics Systems, Inc. - Northwood OH

International Classification:

H01J 924

US Classification:

445 24

Abstract:

A method and apparatus (50, 70, 90) for making a back glass substrate (24) for a plasma display panel (20) by forming hot sheet glass G heated above its annealing point and embodied either as a continuous ribbon (60) or discrete sheets (74). The hot forming provides the hot sheet glass G with gas discharge troughs (38) spaced by barrier ribs (40). The hot forming of the sheet glass G heated above its annealing point can be performed by a rotatable forming member (62) having curved projections (66) or by a press member (78) having elongated projections (84). The constructed plasma display panel (20) has a front glass substrate (22) and a back glass substrate (24) with the gas discharge trough and barrier rib construction made by hot forming above the annealing point. The gas discharge troughs (38) can be hot formed with bottom surfaces (95) that have an undulating shape along their lengths to enhance luminescence of phosphors (48), and the barrier ribs (40) can have distal ends with openings (98) that provide communication between the gas discharge troughs (38) and that are located adjacent peaks (100) of the trough bottom surfaces (94) remote from the location of discharge.

US Patent:

49079158, Mar 13, 1990

Filed:

Apr 25, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/343051

Inventors:

Robert D. Nicholson - Pemberville OH
Steven A. F. Kaake - Toledo OH
Robert F. Smith - Walbridge OH

Assignee:

Glasstech, Inc. - Perrysburg OH

International Classification:

E02D 500

US Classification:

405229

Abstract:

Provided is a method and apparatus for installing in the ground an array of posts of a photovoltaic panel support assembly. According to the invention, there is provided an adjustable template which comprises a rigid frame having a plurality of adjustable post guides and a plurality of guide rails, which are used in cooperation with an impact driver to install a plurality of support posts quickly and easily. The template is portable and provided with clamping means and a plurality of laser targets for use in cooperation with an alignment laser and an elevation laser to secure and align the template to previously installed posts.

US Patent:

63073188, Oct 23, 2001

Filed:

Aug 26, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/383764

Inventors:

Steven A. F. Kaake - Perrysburg OH
Robert D. Nicholson - Pemberville OH

Assignee:

Photonics Systems, Inc. - Northwood OH

International Classification:

H01J 1749

US Classification:

313586

Abstract:

A method and apparatus (50, 70, 90) for making a back glass substrate (24) for a plasma display panel (20) by forming hot sheet glass G heated above its annealing point and embodied either as a continuous ribbon (60) or discrete sheets (74). The hot forming provides the hot sheet glass G with gas discharge troughs (38) spaced by barrier ribs (40). The hot forming of the sheet glass G heated above its annealing point can be performed by a rotatable forming member (62) having curved projections (66) or by a press member (78) having elongated projections (84). The constructed plasma display panel (20) has a front glass substrate (22) and a back glass substrate (24) with the gas discharge trough and barrier rib construction made by hot forming above the annealing point. The gas discharge troughs (38) can be hot formed with bottom surfaces (95) that have an undulating shape along their lengths to enhance luminescence of phosphors (48), and the barrier ribs (40) can have distal ends with openings (98) that provide communication between the gas discharge troughs (38) and that are located adjacent peaks (100) of the trough bottom surfaces (94) remote from the location of discharge.