US 12,015,376 B2
Lead assembly for connecting solar panel arrays to inverter
Dean Solon, Gallatin, TN (US)
Assigned to SHOALS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC, Portland, TN (US)
Filed by SHOALS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC, Portland, TN (US)
Filed on Nov. 29, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/523,464.
Application 18/523,464 is a continuation of application No. 18/341,655, filed on Jun. 26, 2023.
Application 18/341,655 is a continuation of application No. 17/301,609, filed on Apr. 8, 2021, granted, now 11,689,153, issued on Jun. 27, 2023.
Application 17/301,609 is a continuation of application No. 14/849,458, filed on Sep. 9, 2015, granted, now 10,992,254, issued on Apr. 27, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/047,773, filed on Sep. 9, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2024/0097614 A1, Mar. 21, 2024
Int. Cl. H02S 40/30 (2014.01); H01R 4/70 (2006.01); H01R 9/03 (2006.01)
CPC H02S 40/30 (2014.12) [H01R 4/70 (2013.01); H01R 9/03 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A lead assembly for electrically coupling one or more drop lines to a feeder cable, the lead assembly comprising:
a feeder cable having a first diameter;
a first drop line having a second diameter different than the first diameter, the first drop line terminating at a first drop line connector, the first drop line connector configured to be capable of detachable connection to a wire harness having a plurality of branches that are each configured to receive electrical power generated by a corresponding photovoltaic (PV) panel resulting in combined electrical power at the first drop line connector;
a second drop line having a third diameter different than the first diameter, the second drop line terminating at a second drop line connector; and
one or more mold structures disposed a bout and conforming to a region of electrical interconnection between the feeder cable, the first drop line, and the second drop line, the one or more mold structures substantially sealing the region of electrical interconnection from external environmental conditions;
wherein the combined electrical power received at the first drop line connector is delivered to the feeder cable at the region of electrical interconnection; and wherein, in the region of electrical interconnection, the first drop line and the second drop line extend in opposite directions along a longitudinal axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the feeder cable.