Patents by Inventor Bret M. Lee

Bret M. Lee has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10072875
    Abstract: A heat concentrator device for a solar power system includes an evacuated hollow body with a bottom, side walls, a top and an airtight cap. Portions of the side walls have inwardly reflective surfaces for concentrating solar radiation into the chamber toward a heat sink, which is positioned in the bottom of the chamber. The heat sink also is hollow and has an inlet port formed in one of its opposite side walls and an outlet port formed in the other for heat transfer fluid to flow into and out of the heat sink. Circuitous passageways form a maze that connects the inlet and outlet ports thus maximizing heat transfer to/from system fluid(s) within the heat sink. The sidewalls of the chamber of the device extend below the heat sink to form a partial vacuum chamber between its bottom and the heat sink. The device is mounted to a reflective dish of a solar power system in a unique way adding additional solar energy collection efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: SOL-ELECTRICA, LLC
    Inventors: Gary R. Kerns, Bret M Lee
  • Publication number: 20160123628
    Abstract: A heat concentrator device for a solar power system includes an evacuated hollow body with a bottom, side walls, a top find an airtight cap. Portions of the side walls have inwardly reflective surfaces for concentrating solar radiation into the chamber toward a heat sink, which is positioned in the bottom of the chamber. The heat sink also is hollow and has an inlet port formed in one of its opposite side walls and an outlet port formed in the other for heat transfer fluid to flow into and out of the heat sink. Circuitous passageways form a maze that connects the inlet and outlet ports thus maximizing heat transfer to/from system fluid(s) within the heat sink. The sidewalls of the chamber of the device extend below the heat sink to form a partial vacuum chamber between its bottom and the heat sink. The device is mounted to a reflective dish of a solar power system in a unique way adding additional solar energy collection efficiencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Gary R. Kerns, Bret M. Lee
  • Patent number: 9279417
    Abstract: A solar power system includes a preheating device for heating first heat transfer fluid and second heat transfer fluid in separate tubes. The preheated second heat transfer fluid is routed to a boiler. The preheated first heat transfer fluid is routed through a plurality of heat sinks each associated with a solar radiation collector concentrator. Vacuum chambers receive the solar radiation from specially designed dishes with hyperparabolic feed antennas and direct energy to the heat sinks transferring the heat energy to first heat transfer fluid routed through the heat sink. The lower half of each chamber extends below each dish and has an interior reflective coating on the interior of the chamber side wall. The heated first heat transfer fluid is routed through a coil within the boiler to heat the second heat transfer fluid within the boiler. The boiler outlet steam is routed through a turbine, in turn, connected to a gearing system and an alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: SOL-ELECTRICA, LLC
    Inventors: Gary R. Kerns, Bret M Lee
  • Patent number: 9279416
    Abstract: A solar power system includes a preheating device for heating first heat transfer fluid and second heat transfer fluid in separate tubes. The preheated second heat transfer fluid is routed to a boiler. The preheated first heat transfer fluid is routed through a plurality of heat sinks each associated with a solar radiation collector and concentrator. Vacuum chambers receive the solar radiation from dishes and direct energy to the heat sinks transferring the heat energy to first heat transfer fluid routed through the heat sink. The lower half of each chamber extends below each dish and has an interior reflective coating on the interior of the chamber side wall. The heated first heat transfer fluid is routed through a coil within the boiler to heat the second heat transfer fluid within the boiler. The boiler outlet steam is routed through a turbine, in turn, connected to a gearing system and an alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: SOL-ELECTRICA, LLC
    Inventors: Gary R. Kerns, Bret M Lee
  • Publication number: 20140321976
    Abstract: A novel molecular adhesion turbine includes improved disc array, flywheel, housing and nozzle structural designs each adapted to exhibit molecularly repulsive and/or molecularly adhesive properties depending upon the particular working fluid used with the turbine. Backflow turbulence and drag forces are reduced, and turbine operating efficiencies are improved as a result. The invention includes an insulating enclosure, which provides added noise cancellation and heat capture benefits. The new molecular adhesion turbine is modular and thus capable of sealable applications, including connecting the turbine to a bladed steam turbine of the type typically used in power plants for heretofore unrealized downstream energy efficiencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Gary R. Kerns, Bret M. Lee
  • Publication number: 20140318127
    Abstract: A solar power system includes a preheating device for heating first heat transfer fluid and second heat transfer fluid in separate tubes. The preheated second heat transfer fluid is routed to a boiler. The preheated first heat transfer fluid is routed through a plurality of heat sinks each associated with a solar radiation collector and concentrator. Vacuum chambers receive the solar radiation from dishes and direct energy to the heat sinks transferring the heat energy to first heat transfer fluid routed through the heat sink. The lower half of each chamber extends below each dish and has an interior reflective coating on the interior of the chamber side wall. The heated first heat transfer fluid is routed through a coil within the boiler to heat the second heat transfer fluid within the boiler. The boiler outlet steam is routed through a turbine, in turn, connected to a gearing system and an alternator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Gary R. Kerns, Bret M. Lee
  • Publication number: 20140318128
    Abstract: A solar power system includes a preheating device for heating first heat transfer fluid and second heat transfer fluid in separate tubes. The preheated second heat transfer fluid is routed to a boiler. The preheated first heat transfer fluid is routed through a plurality of heat sinks each associated with a solar radiation collector and concentrator. Vacuum chambers receive the solar radiation from dishes and direct energy to the heat sinks transferring the heat energy to first heat transfer fluid routed through the heat sink. The lower half of each chamber extends below each dish and has an interior reflective coating on the interior of the chamber side wall. The heated first heat transfer fluid is routed through a coil within the boiler to heat the second heat transfer fluid within the boiler. The boiler outlet steam is routed through a turbine, in turn, connected to a gearing system and an alternator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Gary R. Kerns, Bret M. Lee
  • Patent number: 6099145
    Abstract: A first backlight light source is energized either at full or reduced rated power, until such time as the brightness which can be produced has reduced by a predetermined amount (e.g. half of the original level). A second or backup source is then switched on while the first is temporarily switched off. When the backup light source has degraded to the point where the brightness which can be produced by this light source has reduced by a second predetermined amount (which is the same as the first predetermined amount, e.g. 50%) the first light source is switched back on so that both are simultaneously energized. When this measure fails to maintain the required level of brightness, the power with which the light sources are energized is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Baker Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mariana Sendova, Ellis G. Miller, Bret M. Lee