Patents Assigned to Energy Related Devices, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11229197
    Abstract: A progressive liquid fill capacity indicator located inside a vapor diffusion membrane liquid reservoir that utilizes index refraction matching of liquid contact to components, dyes, and surface tension gradients. This fill capacity indicator is low cost and reliable. It enables users to visually assess readiness and remaining liquid capacity to deliver attraction, masking, and repulsion scent vapors from wearable and stationary devices to repel or attract mosquitos and arthropods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Energy Related Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Hockaday
  • Patent number: 10254011
    Abstract: A photovoltaic panel mounting system utilizes rubber tires to anchor and position photovoltaic panels to face the sun and resist wind forces. The shaded interior cavity of the rubber tires physically and thermally protects electronics and batteries. The tires may be filled with soil, concrete, water, or aggregate to provide further ballasting, enabling a photovoltaic mount system to withstand high velocity winds. Telescoping conduits may house wiring for the system and allow for resizing and reshaping of the mounting system. The mounting system decreases used tire waste and provides low cost components and portability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Energy Related Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Hockaday
  • Publication number: 20140290720
    Abstract: A photovoltaic panel mounting system utilizes rubber tires to anchor and position photovoltaic panels to face the sun and resist wind forces. The shaded interior cavity of the rubber tires physically and thermally protects electronics and batteries. The tires may be filled with soil, concrete, water, or aggregate to provide further ballasting, enabling a photovoltaic mount system to withstand high velocity winds. Telescoping conduits may house wiring for the system and allow for resizing and reshaping of the mounting system. The mounting system decreases used tire waste and provides low cost components and portability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Energy Related Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Hockaday
  • Patent number: 8537554
    Abstract: Distribution and coupling of waste heat from planar non-concentration photovoltaic cells and semiconductor electrical devices is enhanced by forming dielectric relief structures and thermal conductive and emissive coatings on the cover and/or backing plate. The composite relief structures of layers, voids, and fins on the back surface mitigate the differential thermal expansion of dissimilar material and optimize convective heat transfer and radiant heat transfer with respect to costs. This leads to higher performance of the photovoltaic and semiconductor cells, a stronger and lighter backing plate components, and lower cost per watt for mounted devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Energy Related Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Hockaday
  • Patent number: 8053663
    Abstract: A solar battery module as a panel-shaped semiconductor module comprises multiple spherical or nearly spherical, granular electric power generation semiconductor elements arranged in multiple rows and columns, a conductive connection mechanism electrically connecting in parallel multiple semiconductor elements in each row and connecting in series multiple semiconductor elements in each column, and a conductive inner metal case housing the multiple semiconductor elements and constituting the conductive connection mechanism, wherein each row of semiconductor elements is housed in each reflecting surface-forming groove of the inner metal case, the positive electrodes of the semiconductor electrodes are connected to the bottom plate and the negative electrodes are connected to finger leads, the bottom plate of each reflecting surface-forming grove has a cutoff slit, and the top is covered with a transparent cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignees: Kyosemi Corporation, Energy Related Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Josuke Nakata
  • Patent number: 8013238
    Abstract: With small dimensional optics, small photovoltaic cells have heat distribution surfaces, very high concentrations and subsequently high utilization of the semiconductors can be achieved. Discrete photodiodes can be formed as spherical and other geometric shaped, cells with high performance characteristics, precision dimensions, and low cost. This invention positions discrete photovoltaic cells by using their geometric shape, elastic electrical mounts, couples them to small optical concentrator systems of refractory and or reflective optics and makes electrical network connections to those photodiodes, reliably, adjusting for thermal expansion, and at low cost to form low cost and reliable electrical power arrays. The electrical connectors and network can form part of the reflective optics and heat removal system. The electrical interconnection system can also form a reliable network that is self-correcting and tolerant of point failures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignees: Energy Related Devices, Inc., Kyosemi Corporation
    Inventor: Robert G. Hockaday
  • Patent number: 7988984
    Abstract: A membrane enclosed fluid diffusion system for insect attractants and repellents, auto thermostatic heaters, and chemical delivery using an additive and/or selectively permeable membrane that interacts with the enclosed fluid to maintain steady delivery rates over a range of temperature and humidity. Systems can be formed with permeable membranes, impermeable membranes, chemical hydrates, wicks, scent fluids, fuel fluids, catalytic heaters, energy conversion devices, visible images, infrared images, trapping systems, sound systems, electronics, and apparel. The device results in efficient and effective devices for mosquito control drug delivery, and portable heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Energy Related Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Hockaday
  • Publication number: 20090277497
    Abstract: A solar battery module as a panel-shaped semiconductor module comprises multiple spherical or nearly spherical, granular electric power generation semiconductor elements arranged in multiple rows and columns, a conductive connection mechanism electrically connecting in parallel multiple semiconductor elements in each row and connecting in series multiple semiconductor elements in each column, and a conductive inner metal case housing the multiple semiconductor elements and constituting the conductive connection mechanism, wherein each row of semiconductor elements is housed in each reflecting surface-forming groove of the inner metal case, the positive electrodes of the semiconductor electrodes are connected to the bottom plate and the negative electrodes are connected to finger leads, the bottom plate of each reflecting surface-forming grove has a cutoff slit, and the top is covered with a transparent cover member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicants: Kyosemi Corporation, Energy Related Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Josuke Nakata
  • Patent number: 6994433
    Abstract: An eyewear has a gasket between the user and lenses that electrostatically filter the air flow of particulate while still permitting a gentle flow of air to maintain comfort to the wearer of the eyewear, and prevent fogging on the lenses. The electret filter material forms a perimeter around the eyes and lenses to remove, small to large particulates, from microns to millimeters. The filters can be formed with a choice of face contact gasket, baffles, coarse filters, and electret filter density. Baffles or coarse filters over the electret filters are used to protect the electret filter from damage from larger particles and transfer heat to the airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Energy Related Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Hockaday, Patrick S. Turner, Marc D. DeJohn, Carlos J. Navas, Heathcliff L. Vaz
  • Patent number: 6953637
    Abstract: A selective gas permeable membrane allows hydrogen to vent from a battery while preventing other gases from entering the battery. The surface of the filter membrane also catalytically combusts hydrogen and oxygen if both are evolved inside the battery and retains the resulting water for use in the battery. The membrane is made with a porous plastic substrate coated with a thin metal film permeable to hydrogen, and additional coatings. These coatings protect the surfaces, and catalytically combust hydrogen and oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Energy Related Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Hockaday, Patrick S. Turner, Zachary R. Bradford, Marc D. DeJohn, Carlos J. Navas, F. Wade Uhrich, Heathcliff L. Vaz, L. Luke Vazul
  • Patent number: 6772448
    Abstract: A goggle resistant to fogging is provided. The goggle consists of a water wicking and thermal transfer face gasket combined with heat transfer inlets and outlets optimized for heat transfer to air flow through the goggle. With low airflow resistance in the vertically oriented inlets and outlets, the goggle ventilates by natural convection removing moisture and keeping the goggle from fogging. Simultaneously, the present goggle results in greater comfort for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Energy Related Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Hockaday, Patrick S. Turner, Zachary Bradford, Marc D. DeJohn, Carlos J. Navas, Heathcliff L. Vaz