US 12,438,504 B2
Auto-engaging electrical connections for solar panels
Fraser M. Smith, Salt Lake City, UT (US)
Assigned to Sacros Corp., Salt Lake City, UT (US)
Filed by Sarcos Corp., Salt Lake City, UT (US)
Filed on Aug. 20, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/810,236.
Application 18/810,236 is a division of application No. 18/094,983, filed on Jan. 9, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0413793 A1, Dec. 12, 2024
Int. Cl. H02S 40/36 (2014.01); H02S 30/10 (2014.01)
CPC H02S 40/36 (2014.12) [H02S 30/10 (2014.12)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A solar panel comprising:
a photovoltaic cell;
a support structure in support of the photovoltaic cell; and
an auto-connecting electrical contact system comprising a panel electrical contact coupled to the support structure, and operable to electrically connect to a mount electrical contact of a corresponding solar panel mount in an installed position,
wherein the panel electrical contact comprises a plug comprising a housing in support of a plug electrical contact,
wherein the plug further comprises a spring operable with the housing of the plug, the spring being operable to supply a biasing force to bias the plug electrical contact away from the support structure and into electrical connection with a receptacle electrical contact, the biasing force being sufficient to form a seal at an interface between the plug and the receptacle.