IP Library Granted Patent US 12,378,744
Granted Patent B2
US 12,378,744 · App. 18/301,716 · Granted Aug 5, 2025

Solar tracker interface and method

Inventor: Joseph Von Deylen (Whitehouse, OH)
Assignee: APA SOLAR, LLC
E02D27/50F16M13/02H02S20/10E04H12/2215
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,378,744
App. No.
18/301,716
Granted
Aug 5, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a solar panel foundation system and method of installation. The foundation system including a bracket configured to be coupled to and support the solar panel, and a cross-brace. The cross-brace configured to be slidably adjustable between a first end and a second end. There may be a first member and a second member each configured to be coupled at one end to the bracket and to the cross-brace at another end. There may be a third member and a fourth member configured to be coupled to the cross-brace at one end, and to be coupled to a first pile and a second pile at another end. After assembly of the foundation system, the first and second piles may be driven into the surface, and the solar panel to be installed onto the bracket of the foundation system.

Claims (27)

1. A foundation system for a solar panel, comprising:

a bracket configured to be coupled to and support the solar panel, the bracket including a first U-beam and a second U-beam coupled together, the bracket also including a first side configured to be coupled to a first attachment bracket, and a second side configured to be coupled to a second attachment bracket;

a first member including a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be coupled to the bracket, the first attachment bracket receiving the first end of the first member;

a second member including a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be coupled to the bracket, the second attachment bracket receiving the second end of the second member;

a first brace configured to be coupled to the second end of the first member;

a second brace configured to coupled to the second end of the second member;

a third member including a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be coupled to the first brace; and

a fourth member including a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be coupled to the second brace.

2. The foundation system of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of holes is formed through the first U-beam, the second U-beam, the first attachment bracket, and the second attachment bracket, the plurality of holes configured to accept a plurality of fasteners.

3. The foundation system of claim 1 , wherein:

a plurality of holes is formed through the first end of the first member, and the plurality of holes is configured to receive a plurality of fasteners;

a plurality of holes is formed through the second end of the first member, and the plurality of holes is configured to receive a plurality of fasteners;

a plurality of holes is formed through the first end of the second member, and the plurality of holes is configured to receive a plurality of fasteners; and

a plurality of holes is formed through the second end of the second member, and the plurality of holes is configured to receive a plurality of fasteners.

4. The foundation system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first pile, wherein the second end of the third member is configured to be coupled to the first pile, the first pile configured to be disposed in a surface; and

a second pile, wherein the second end of the fourth member is configured to be coupled to the second pile, the second pile configured to be disposed in a surface.

5. A foundation system for a solar panel, comprising:

a bracket configured to be coupled to and support the solar panel:

a first member including a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be coupled to the bracket;

a second member including a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be coupled to the bracket;

a first brace configured to be coupled to the second end of the first member;

a second brace configured to coupled to the second end of the second member;

a third member including a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be coupled to the first brace;

a fourth member including a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be coupled to the second brace; and

a cross-brace including a first end and a second end, the cross-brace configured to be slidably adjustable between the first end and the second end, the first end of the cross-brace including the first brace and the second end of the cross-brace including the second brace and the cross-brace includes a first panel disposed alongside a second panel, the first panel including the first end, the second panel including the second end, the first panel and the second panel configured to be slidably adjustable to change a width between the first end and the second end, the first panel includes a first panel slot and the second panel includes a second panel slot, the first panel slot and the second panel slot configured to align with each other, each of the first panel slot and the second panel slot includes a first wing, a second wing, and a fastener panel configured to receive a fastener to secure the first panel and the second panel together, the first wing of the first panel slot configured to abut the first wing of the second panel slot, and the second wing of the first panel slot configured abut the second wing of the second panel slot.

6. The foundation system of claim 5 , wherein a plurality of holes is formed through each of the first brace and the second brace, the plurality of holes configured to accept a plurality of fasteners.

Assignments (2)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 14, 2025
From: APA SOLAR, LLC
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 073067/0849 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 3, 2023
From: VON DEYLEN, JOSEPH
To: APA SOLAR, LLC
Reel/Frame 064489/0917 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63331417 · Apr 15, 2022
Related Publication 20230332368A1 · Oct 19, 2023
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