Patents Assigned to TPL, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20120068669
    Abstract: A device and method for harvesting, generating, storing, and delivering energy to a load, particularly for remote or inaccessible applications. The device preferably comprises one or more energy sources, at least one supercapacitor, at least one rechargeable battery, and a controller. The charging of the energy storage devices and the delivery of power to the load is preferably dynamically varied to maximize efficiency. A low power consumption charge pump circuit is preferably employed to collect power from low power energy sources while also enabling the delivery of higher voltage power to the load. The charging voltage is preferably programmable, enabling one device to be used for a wide range of specific applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: TPL, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Trainor, Patrick Franz Fleig, Charles D.E. Lakeman, Jenniffer Leigh DeGreeff
  • Patent number: 7982439
    Abstract: A device and method for harvesting, generating, storing, and delivering energy to a load, particularly for remote or inaccessible applications. The device preferably comprises one or more energy sources, at least one supercapacitor, at least one rechargeable battery, and a controller. The charging of the energy storage devices and the delivery of power to the load is preferably dynamically varied to maximize efficiency. A low power consumption charge pump circuit is preferably employed to collect power from low power energy sources while also enabling the delivery of higher voltage power to the load. The charging voltage is preferably programmable, enabling one device to be used for a wide range of specific applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: TPL, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Trainor, Patrick Franz Fleig, Charles D. E. Lakeman, Jenniffer Leigh DeGreeff
  • Patent number: 7864507
    Abstract: An electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) in a coin or button cell configuration having low equivalent series resistance (ESR). The capacitor comprises mesh or other porous metal that is attached via conducting adhesive to one or both the current collectors. The mesh is embedded into the surface of the adjacent electrode, thereby reducing the interfacial resistance between the electrode and the current collector, thus reducing the ESR of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: TPL, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Franz Fleig, Charles D. E. Lakeman, Mark Fuge
  • Publication number: 20100315046
    Abstract: A device and method for harvesting, generating, storing, and delivering energy to a load, particularly for remote or inaccessible applications. The device preferably comprises one or more energy sources, at least one supercapacitor, at least one rechargeable battery, and a controller. The charging of the energy storage devices and the delivery of power to the load is preferably dynamically varied to maximize efficiency. A low power consumption charge pump circuit is preferably employed to collect power from low power energy sources while also enabling the delivery of higher voltage power to the load. The charging voltage is preferably programmable, enabling one device to be used for a wide range of specific applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: TPL, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Trainor, Patrick Franz Fleig, Charles D.E. Lakeman, Jenniffer Leigh DeGreeff
  • Patent number: 7692411
    Abstract: A device and method for harvesting, generating, storing, and delivering energy to a load, particularly for remote or inaccessible applications. The device preferably comprises one or more energy sources, at least one supercapacitor, at least one rechargeable battery, and a controller. The charging of the energy storage devices and the delivery of power to the load is preferably dynamically varied to maximize efficiency. A low power consumption charge pump circuit is preferably employed to collect power from low power energy sources while also enabling the delivery of higher voltage power to the load. The charging voltage is preferably programmable, enabling one device to be used for a wide range of specific applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: TPL, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Trainor, Patrick Franz Fleig, Charles D. E. Lakeman, Jenniffer Leigh DeGreeff
  • Publication number: 20100060231
    Abstract: A device and method for harvesting, generating, storing, and delivering energy to a load, particularly for remote or inaccessible applications. The device preferably comprises one or more energy sources, at least one supercapacitor, at least one rechargeable battery, and a controller. The charging of the energy storage devices and the delivery of power to the load is preferably dynamically varied to maximize efficiency. A low power consumption charge pump circuit is preferably employed to collect power from low power energy sources while also enabling the delivery of higher voltage power to the load. The charging voltage is preferably programmable, enabling one device to be used for a wide range of specific applications. Also low power charge pump driver circuits for efficient scavenging of low voltage, high current energy sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: TPL, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Trainor, Charles D.E. Lakeman, Patrick Franz Fleig
  • Patent number: 7615942
    Abstract: A linear accelerator having cast dielectric composite layers integrally formed with conductor electrodes in a solventless fabrication process, with the cast dielectric composite preferably having a nanoparticle filler in an organic polymer such as a thermosetting resin. By incorporating this cast dielectric composite the dielectric constant of critical insulating layers of the transmission lines of the accelerator are increased while simultaneously maintaining high dielectric strengths for the accelerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, TPL, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Sanders, Stephen Sampayan, Kirk Slenes, H. M. Stoller
  • Publication number: 20090168305
    Abstract: An electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) in a coin or button cell configuration having low equivalent series resistance (ESR). The capacitor comprises mesh or other porous metal that is attached via conducting adhesive to one or both the current collectors. The mesh is embedded into the surface of the adjacent electrode, thereby reducing the interfacial resistance between the electrode and the current collector, thus reducing the ESR of the capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: TPL, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Franz Fleig, Charles D.E. Lakeman, Mark Fuge
  • Patent number: 7449072
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing solid or semi-solid material from within a container, for example removing an energetic material from the casing of an explosive shell. The method is applicable to the demilitarization of aged or obsolete explosive ordnance, for example mortar rounds, and uses ultrasonic energy rather than heat like previous methods. An item to be demilitarized and cleaned is immersed in a fluid contained within a vessel. An ultrasonic probe or wand is inserted into the submerged item, in proximity with the material to be removed. The fluid is the medium for transmitting sonic energy from the probe to the material to fracture and mobilize the material. Mobilized particulates are expelled from the casing, and settle to the bottom of the fluid vessel for collection. At the conclusion of the process, the emptied container shell, now relatively clean, is retrieved from the vessel and salvaged as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: TPL, Inc.
    Inventors: Randal Johnson, Catherine Malins
  • Publication number: 20080128961
    Abstract: The present invention comprises the use of high dielectric constant composite materials comprising a high particle loading to form molded structures comprising three dimensional shapes. The composite material comprises ceramic dielectric particles, preferably nano-sized particles, and a thermoset polymer system. The composite material exhibits a high energy density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: TPL, INC.
    Inventors: Kirk M. Slenes, Christopher Labanowski
  • Publication number: 20070182362
    Abstract: A device and method for harvesting, generating, storing, and delivering energy to a load, particularly for remote or inaccessible applications. The device preferably comprises one or more energy sources, at least one supercapacitor, at least one rechargeable battery, and a controller. The charging of the energy storage devices and the delivery of power to the load is preferably dynamically varied to maximize efficiency. A low power consumption charge pump circuit is preferably employed to collect power from low power energy sources while also enabling the delivery of higher voltage power to the load. The charging voltage is preferably programmable, enabling one device to be used for a wide range of specific applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: TPL, INC.
    Inventors: John Trainor, Patrick Fleig, Charles Lakeman, Jenniffer DeGreeff
  • Publication number: 20060074164
    Abstract: The present invention provides a structured, nano-composite, dielectric film. The invention also provides a method for producing the thin composite film. The composite material comprises ceramic dielectric particles, preferably nano-sized particles, and a thermoset polymer system. The composite material exhibits a high energy density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Applicant: TPL, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk Slenes, Dale Perry, Christopher Labanowski, Hope Perry, Erik Luther
  • Publication number: 20060074166
    Abstract: The present invention comprises the use of high dielectric constant composite materials comprising a high particle loading to form molded structures comprising three dimensional shapes. The composite material comprises ceramic dielectric particles, preferably nano-sized particles, and a thermoset polymer system. The composite material exhibits a high energy density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Applicant: TPL, Inc. title and interest in an application
    Inventors: Kirk Slenes, Christopher Labanowski
  • Patent number: 6861170
    Abstract: A microelectronic battery is formed from Zn/Air technology as a volumetric energy storage device from soft lithography techniques. The microelectric battery includes an anode and a cathode disposed in an electrolyte tank having a volume <1 mm3 that is filled with an electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignees: Northrop Grumman Corporation, TPL, Inc., California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: David H. Lewis, Jr., John J. Waypa, Erik K. Antonsson, Charles D. E. Lakeman
  • Publication number: 20040244625
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor and magnetic field sensing method for ordnance, comprising locating a giant magnetoresistance detector within the ordnance and detecting magnetic fields with the detector. Also other sensing method and sensors employing such detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: TPL, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Tiernan, Raymond L. Jarratt, Stephen D. Summers
  • Patent number: 6653506
    Abstract: Methods to recover nitramines from energetic materials yielding useable by-products and producing zero waste. The methods are used on materials containing HMX and RDX.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: TPL, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall S. Phillips, Andrew W. Cain, Thomas J. Schilling, Michael Miks
  • Patent number: 6621687
    Abstract: A microelectronic supercapacitor is amenable to being fabricated using micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) techniques. By utilizing MEMS techniques, the supercapacitor in accordance with the present invention can be formed with volumes <1 mm3. As such, such microelectronic supercapacitor is suitable for use in applications in which only a few millimeters are available for both a supercapacitor and an energy storage device, such as a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignees: Northrop Grumman Corporation TPL, Inc., TPL, Inc., California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: David H. Lewis, Jr., John J. Waypa, Erik K. Antonsson, Charles D. E. Lakeman
  • Patent number: 6616794
    Abstract: A method for producing integral capacitance components for inclusion within printed circuit boards. Hydrothermally prepared nanopowders permit the fabrication of a very thin dielectric layers that offer increased dielectric constants and are readily penetrated by microvias. Disclosed is a method of preparing a slurry or suspension of a hydrothermally prepared nanopowder and solvent. A suitable bonding material, such as a polymer is mixed with the nanopowder slurry, to generate a composite mixture which is formed into a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer may be placed upon a conductive layer prior to curing, or conductive layers may be applied upon a cured dielectric layer, either by lamination or by metallization processes, such as vapor deposition or sputtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: TPL, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Hartman, Kirk M. Slenes, Kristen J. Law
  • Patent number: 6608760
    Abstract: A dielectric substrate useful in the manufacture of printed wiring boards is disclosed wherein the dielectric substrate comprises at least one organic polymer having a Tg greater than 140° C. and at least one filler material. The dielectric substrate of this invention has a dielectric constant that varies less than 15% over a temperature range of from −55 to 125° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: TPL, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Hartman, Kirk M. Slenes, Kristen J. Law
  • Patent number: 6452049
    Abstract: Methods to recover nitramines from energetic materials yielding useable by-products and producing zero waste. The methods are used on materials containing HMX and RDX.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: TPL, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall S. Phillips, Andrew W. Cain, Thomas J. Schilling, Michael W. Miks