Patents Assigned to Gossamer Space Frames
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Publication number: 20160032903Abstract: A solar power plant includes a first solar reflective system for heating a first heat transfer fluid and a second solar reflective system configured for heating a second heat transfer fluid. The solar power plant may include an energy storage system having a plurality of stacked compartments, a first heat exchanger carrying the first heat transfer fluid, a second heat exchanger having carrying the second heat transfer fluid, and a third heat transfer fluid in the compartments exchanging heat with the first heat transfer fluid through the first heat exchanger and exchanging heat with the second heat transfer fluid through the second heat exchanger. The solar power plant may include a receiver system having an enclosure for holding a fourth heat transfer fluid, and a receiver in the enclosure and at least partially submerged in the fourth heat transfer fluid, the receiver including a plurality of tubes carrying the first heat transfer fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Applicant: GOSSAMER SPACE FRAMESInventor: Glenn A. Reynolds
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Patent number: 8950391Abstract: A drive mechanism for a solar concentrator assembly. In one embodiment, a drive mechanism for a linear solar concentrator assembly which includes an elongate reflector support frame which is rotatable about an axis which is parallel to the length of the frame and is defined by a support for the frame includes: a first elongate arm fixable at one end to the frame for rotation about the axis with the frame; a second elongate arm rotatable at one end about the axis independently of the first arm; a first reversible linear drive device coupled between the second arm and the first arm which is operable to rotate the first arm about the axis relative to the second arm; and a second reversible linear drive device coupled between the support and the second arm which is operable to rotate the second arm about the axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2010Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Gossamer Space FramesInventor: Glenn A. Reynolds
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Publication number: 20140246012Abstract: A thin-sheet panel assembly. In one embodiment, a substantially rigid thin-sheet panel assembly having a non-rigid thin-sheet component includes the thin-sheet component which has selected plan area and shape, a backer having a plan shape and area substantially similar to the thin-sheet component, and plural riser elements of selected height and configuration each extending from the backer to distal ends connected to a reverse surface of the thin-sheet component, the riser elements being configured and disposed in an array which causes the assembly to have substantial rigidity in a selected direction in the thin-sheet component, and the thin-sheet panel assembly further includes a bar coupled to the backer and extending between at least one pair of adjacent riser elements of the plural riser elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: GOSSAMER SPACE FRAMESInventor: Glenn Alan Reynolds
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Patent number: 8671931Abstract: A multiplexed torque brake (MTB) system for preventing the accumulation of torsional forces at a center drive and thereby significantly reducing the design load requirements for trough frames of a corresponding solar concentrator assembly (SCA). In one embodiment, an MTB system for an SCA having a plurality of solar reflector frames spaced along a length of the SCA includes a plurality of brake mechanisms arranged at locations spaced apart from each other along the length of the SCA, each of the brake mechanisms coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of supporting pylons and configured to constrain the solar reflector frames from rotating when subjected to torsional loads, the brake mechanisms adapted to transfer the torsional loads to the corresponding supporting pylons.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2008Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Gossamer Space FramesInventors: Gary Noble Curtis, Dean Robert Hackbarth, Glenn Alan Reynolds
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Patent number: 8661769Abstract: A thin-sheet panel assembly. In one embodiment, a substantially rigid thin-sheet panel assembly having a non-rigid thin-sheet component includes the thin-sheet component which has selected plan area and shape, a backer having a plan shape and area substantially similar to the thin-sheet component, and plural riser elements of selected height and configuration each extending from the backer to distal ends connected to a reverse surface of the thin-sheet component, the riser elements being configured and disposed in an array which causes the assembly to have substantial rigidity in a selected direction in the thin-sheet component, and the thin-sheet panel assembly further includes a bar coupled to the backer and extending between at least one pair of adjacent riser elements of the plural riser elements.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2012Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Gossamer Space FramesInventor: Glenn Alan Reynolds
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Publication number: 20130341294Abstract: A brake system for a frame of a solar power generation system, where the frame is rotatable relative to a frame support to track the position of the sun includes a ramp having a first end coupled to the frame support and a second end coupled to the ground and a brake arm assembly. The brake arm assembly is rotationally coupled to the frame and configured to moveably engage the ramp from an operative position of the frame wherein the frame is rotatable about the support in a rotational direction to a parked position of the frame wherein the brake arm assembly couples to the frame support to prevent the frame from rotating about the frame support in the rotational direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: GOSSAMER SPACE FRAMESInventor: GOSSAMER SPACE FRAMES
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Publication number: 20130333320Abstract: In a double layer grid-type of space frame, certain framing members are connected at their opposite ends to separate node connectors carried by chords of the frame. The node connectors have spaced apart opposing surfaces that receive the framing members. A shear pin passage is formed through each framing member and through the opposing surfaces of the node connector. The shear pin connects the framing member to the node connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: GOSSAMER SPACE FRAMESInventor: GOSSAMER SPACE FRAMES
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Patent number: 8607529Abstract: A mini-truss thin-sheet panel assembly, in one embodiment, a substantially rigid thin-sheet panel assembly having a non-rigid thin-sheet component includes the thin-sheet component which has selected plan area and shape, a hacker having a plan shape and area substantially similar to the thin-sheet component, and plural riser elements of selected height and configuration each extending from the backer to distal ends connected to a reverse surface of the thin-sheet component, the riser elements being configured and disposed in an array which causes the assembly to have substantial rigidity in a selected direction in the thin-sheet component.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2012Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Gossamer Space FramesInventors: Glenn Alan Reynolds, Dean Robert Hackbarth, Gary Noble Curtis
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Publication number: 20130180570Abstract: A solar reflective assembly includes a plurality of reflective segments radially configured to collectively at least partially define a dish-shaped reflector having a center axis, each reflective segment having a generally conical shape and being discontinuous relative to the conical shape of an adjacent reflective segment, and an elongated receiver having a length generally extending in a direction of the center axis. Each reflective segment reflects and focuses sunlight on the receiver along the length of the receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2013Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: GOSSAMER SPACE FRAMESInventor: GOSSAMER SPACE FRAMES
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Publication number: 20130161471Abstract: A mini-truss thin-sheet panel assembly, in one embodiment, a substantially rigid thin-sheet panel assembly having a non-rigid thin-sheet component includes the thin-sheet component which has selected plan area and shape, a hacker having a plan shape and area substantially similar to the thin-sheet component, and plural riser elements of selected height and configuration each extending from the backer to distal ends connected to a reverse surface of the thin-sheet component, the riser elements being configured and disposed in an array which causes the assembly to have substantial rigidity in a selected direction in the thin-sheet component.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2012Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: GOSSAMER SPACE FRAMESInventor: GOSSAMER SPACE FRAMES
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Publication number: 20130133324Abstract: A solar power plant includes a first solar reflective system configured to heat a first heat transfer fluid to a temperature within a first temperature range and at least a second solar reflective system coupled to the first solar reflective system, the second solar reflective system having a second heat transfer fluid configured to be heated to a temperature within the first temperature range by the first heat transfer fluid, the second solar reflective system configured to heat the second heat transfer fluid to a temperature within a second temperature range. The solar power plant may also include a power generation system coupled to the first solar reflective system and the second solar reflective system and configured to generate electricity by receiving heat from the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: GOSSAMER SPACE FRAMESInventor: GOSSAMER SPACE FRAMES
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Patent number: 8327604Abstract: A mini-truss thin-sheet panel assembly. In one embodiment, a substantially rigid thin-sheet panel assembly having a non-rigid thin-sheet component includes the thin-sheet component which has selected plan area and shape, a backer having a plan shape and area substantially similar to the thin-sheet component, and plural riser elements of selected height and configuration each extending from the backer to distal ends connected to a reverse surface of the thin-sheet component, the riser elements being configured and disposed in an array which causes the assembly to have substantial rigidity in a selected direction in the thin-sheet component.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2008Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Gossamer Space FramesInventors: Glenn Alan Reynolds, Dean Robert Hackbarth, Gary Noble Curtis
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Patent number: 8132391Abstract: A thin-sheet panel assembly. In one embodiment, a substantially rigid thin-sheet panel assembly having a non-rigid thin-sheet component includes the thin-sheet component which has selected plan area and shape, a backer having a plan shape and area substantially similar to the thin-sheet component, and plural riser elements of selected height and configuration each extending from the backer to distal ends connected to a reverse surface of the thin-sheet component, the riser elements being configured and disposed in an array which causes the assembly to have substantial rigidity in a selected direction in the thin-sheet component, and the thin-sheet panel assembly further includes a bar coupled to the backer and extending between at least one pair of adjacent riser elements of the plural riser elements.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2010Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Gossamer Space FramesInventor: Glenn Alan Reynolds
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Patent number: 7587862Abstract: A movable support armature for a curved reflector of electromagnetic radiation is defined substantially as a double layer grid space frame. The armature has plural parallel major chord framing members each having an elongate axis and disposed in a frame major surface. The major chord members include a pair of bottom major chord members essentially in a bottom one of the frame major surfaces. Upper major chord members include a central chord member which is located between two outer upper chord members. The outer chord members lie in respective ones of two planes which also include the central upper chord member; the planes intersect at the central chord member at an included angle which is concave away from the frame bottom plane. Node connector structures are disposed at spaced locations along each major chord member.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2007Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Gossamer Space FramesInventors: Glenn A. Reynolds, Dean R. Hackbarth, Gary N. Curtis
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Patent number: 7578109Abstract: A node connector in a double layer grid-type of space frame preferably is an extrusion which includes an open-ended tubular portion for snugly at least substantially encircling a frame chord member of desired cross-sectional configuration which is disposable in the passage. The node connector has fixed external elements which extend along the connector parallel to the passage. Those elements define facing parallel flat surfaces arranged in at least two pairs of such surfaces. The surfaces of each pair lie equidistantly from a center plane between them. Each center plane is parallel to the passage axis and preferably includes the passage axis. Each pair of facing flat surfaces of the node connector can cooperate closely with opposite flat surfaces at the end of each of other frames framing member placed between the facing surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2006Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Gossamer Space FramesInventors: Glenn A. Reynolds, Dean R. Hackbarth, Gary N. Curtis
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Patent number: 7530201Abstract: A connection node for a double layer grid or truss system has at least one diagonal flange receiving a pair of diagonal framing members having surfaces that lie in a single diagonal plane parallel to the flange(s). Use of co-planar diagonal members that can be at various diagonal angles or vertical, simplifies node connections and permits variations in bay spacing to produce interesting architectural effects and to provide greater member density where structural loads are greater.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2004Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Gossamer Space FramesInventors: Glenn A. Reynolds, Dean R. Hackbarth, Gary N. Curtis