Patents by Inventor Andrea Pedretti
Andrea Pedretti 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).
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Patent number: 11035592Abstract: A solar collector system comprising at least one heliostat and an inflatable cover configured to protectively conceal the at least one heliostat while it tracks the sun. The inflatable cover comprises a flexible membrane, which is transparent and colorless so that sunlight is transmitted through the cover. The cover may comprise an elastomeric material such as ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE). The solar collector system may further include a pump for inflating the inflatable cover, a pressure relief valve configured to prevent air pressure in the inflatable cover from exceeding a predetermined threshold, and a pressure sensor configured to automatically turn on the pump when the internal pressure falls below a predetermined threshold. The inflatable cover effectively removes wind loading from the heliostats, thus enabling the heliostats to use low-power, less-expensive actuators.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2018Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Heliogen, Inc.Inventors: William Gross, Andrea Pedretti
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Publication number: 20210175843Abstract: A heliostat includes an optical member (e.g., a mirror), a mounting frame under the optical member, a support stand and a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly allows the optical member to pivot about two orthogonal directions relative to the support stand. A drive mechanism adjusts one or both of an elevation angle and a roll angle of the optical member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2020Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: William Gross, Andrea Pedretti
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Publication number: 20210054830Abstract: An energy storage system includes a crane and a plurality of blocks, where the crane is operable to move blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation (via stacking of the blocks) to store electrical energy as potential energy of the blocks, and then operable to move blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation (via unstacking of the blocks) to generate electricity based on the kinetic energy of the block when lowered (e.g., by gravity). The energy storage system can, for example, store electricity generated from solar power as potential energy in the stacked blocks during daytime hours when solar power is available, and can convert the potential energy in the stacked blocks into electricity during nighttime hours when solar energy is not available, and deliver the converted electricity to the power grid.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Andrea Pedretti, William Gross
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Patent number: 10850427Abstract: The method according to the invention for producing a prestressed concrete workpiece is characterized in that the prestress is created by a heat treatment, wherein the concrete and the reinforcement therefor are selected in such a way that, when cooling the concrete workpiece from an elevated temperature, the heat expansion coefficient of the concrete is less than that of the reinforcement, and in that, during cooling, the concrete and the reinforcement adhere sufficiently strongly to one another if, during cooling, the concrete is hydrated at least to such an extent in order to be able to expand the reinforcement on account of the different heat expansion coefficients, and in that the concrete, together with the reinforcement, is brought to the elevated temperature in such a way that and is hydrated during cooling at least to such an extent that it is prestressed by the reinforcement after cooling.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2015Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Synrocks SAInventors: Andrea Pedretti-Rodi, Giovanni Martinola
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Patent number: 10837429Abstract: An energy storage system includes a crane and a plurality of blocks, where the crane is operable to move blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation (via stacking of the blocks) to store electrical energy as potential energy of the blocks, and then operable to move blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation (via unstacking of the blocks) to generate electricity based on the kinetic energy of the block when lowered (e.g., by gravity). The energy storage system can, for example, store electricity generated from solar power as potential energy in the stacked blocks during daytime hours when solar power is available, and can convert the potential energy in the stacked blocks into electricity during nighttime hours when solar energy is not available, and deliver the converted electricity to the power grid.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2019Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Energy Vault, Inc.Inventors: Andrea Pedretti, William Gross
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Patent number: 10830216Abstract: An energy storage system includes a crane and a plurality of blocks, where the crane is operable to move blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation (via stacking of the blocks) to store electrical energy as potential energy of the blocks, and then operable to move blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation (via unstacking of the blocks) to generate electricity based on the kinetic energy of the block when lowered (e.g., by gravity). The energy storage system can, for example, store electricity generated from solar power as potential energy in the stacked blocks during daytime hours when solar power is available, and can convert the potential energy in the stacked blocks into electricity during nighttime hours when solar energy is not available, and deliver the converted electricity to the power grid.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2019Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Energy Vault, Inc.Inventors: Andrea Pedretti, William Gross
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Patent number: 10788020Abstract: An energy storage system includes a crane and a plurality of blocks, where the crane is operable to move blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation (via stacking of the blocks) to store electrical energy as potential energy of the blocks, and then operable to move blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation (via unstacking of the blocks) to generate electricity based on the kinetic energy of the block when lowered (e.g., by gravity). The energy storage system can, for example, store electricity generated from solar power as potential energy in the stacked blocks during daytime hours when solar power is available, and can convert the potential energy in the stacked blocks into electricity during nighttime hours when solar energy is not available, and deliver the converted electricity to the power grid.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2019Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Energy Vault, Inc.Inventors: Andrea Pedretti, William Gross
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Patent number: 10683851Abstract: A an energy storage system includes a crane and a plurality of blocks, where the crane is operable to move blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation (via stacking of the blocks) to store electrical energy as potential energy of the blocks, and then operable to move blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation (via unstacking of the blocks) to generate electricity based on the kinetic energy of the block when lowered (e.g., by gravity). The energy storage system can, for example, store electricity generated from solar power as potential energy in the stacked blocks during daytime hours when solar power is available, and can convert the potential energy in the stacked blocks into electricity during nighttime hours when solar energy is not available, and deliver the converted electricity to the power grid.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2019Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Energy Vault, Inc.Inventors: Andrea Pedretti, William Gross
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Patent number: 10640169Abstract: A bicycle frame includes a main frame (20); a rear frame (30) articulated to the main frame (20); a rocker link (40) articulated to the main frame (20), through a first hinge axis (B), and to the rear frame (30), through a second hinge axis (C) parallel and eccentric to the first hinge axis (B); a damper (50) arranged between the rear frame (30), through the rocker link (40), and the main frame (20); and a displacement element (60) configured to move the first hinge axis (B) that constrains the rocker link (40) to the main frame (20).Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Inventor: Andrea Pedretti
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Publication number: 20200024108Abstract: A an energy storage system includes a crane and a plurality of blocks, where the crane is operable to move blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation (via stacking of the blocks) to store electrical energy as potential energy of the blocks, and then operable to move blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation (via unstacking of the blocks) to generate electricity based on the kinetic energy of the block when lowered (e.g., by gravity). The energy storage system can, for example, store electricity generated from solar power as potential energy in the stacked blocks during daytime hours when solar power is available, and can convert the potential energy in the stacked blocks into electricity during nighttime hours when solar energy is not available, and deliver the converted electricity to the power grid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Andrea Pedretti, William Gross
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Publication number: 20200025182Abstract: A an energy storage system includes a crane and a plurality of blocks, where the crane is operable to move blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation (via stacking of the blocks) to store electrical energy as potential energy of the blocks, and then operable to move blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation (via unstacking of the blocks) to generate electricity based on the kinetic energy of the block when lowered (e.g., by gravity). The energy storage system can, for example, store electricity generated from solar power as potential energy in the stacked blocks during daytime hours when solar power is available, and can convert the potential energy in the stacked blocks into electricity during nighttime hours when solar energy is not available, and deliver the converted electricity to the power grid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Andrea Pedretti, William Gross
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Publication number: 20200028379Abstract: A an energy storage system includes a crane and a plurality of blocks, where the crane is operable to move blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation (via stacking of the blocks) to store electrical energy as potential energy of the blocks, and then operable to move blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation (via unstacking of the blocks) to generate electricity based on the kinetic energy of the block when lowered (e.g., by gravity). The energy storage system can, for example, store electricity generated from solar power as potential energy in the stacked blocks during daytime hours when solar power is available, and can convert the potential energy in the stacked blocks into electricity during nighttime hours when solar energy is not available, and deliver the converted electricity to the power grid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Andrea Pedretti, William Gross
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Publication number: 20200025181Abstract: A an energy storage system includes a crane and a plurality of blocks, where the crane is operable to move blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation (via stacking of the blocks) to store electrical energy as potential energy of the blocks, and then operable to move blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation (via unstacking of the blocks) to generate electricity based on the kinetic energy of the block when lowered (e.g., by gravity). The energy storage system can, for example, store electricity generated from solar power as potential energy in the stacked blocks during daytime hours when solar power is available, and can convert the potential energy in the stacked blocks into electricity during nighttime hours when solar energy is not available, and deliver the converted electricity to the power grid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Andrea Pedretti, William Gross
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Publication number: 20190372513Abstract: A heliostat for tracking the sun is disclosed. The heliostat comprises a frame (104) with legs (102); an optical assembly (120) configured to hang between the legs of the frame by means of a plurality of wires (130); and a plurality of actuators (520) configured to change the orientation of the optical assembly via the plurality of wires. The optical assembly may include a mirror (122) or photovoltaic panel that tracks the sun, and concrete backing (610). The optical assembly may further include a tracking controller (150) to energize the plurality of actuators, photovoltaic cell (252) configured to power the tracking controller and actuators, cleaning assembly (1710), and reservoir (770) for capturing rain water on the optical assembly. The optical assembly may further include a camera (254) for capturing images of the frame and determining the orientation of the optical assembly based on the images.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: William Gross, Andrea Pedretti
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Patent number: 10450953Abstract: The invention relates to a compressed air energy storage system comprising a pressure accumulator (2) for gas to be stored under pressure, and a heat accumulator (27) for storing the compression heat that has accumulated during charging of the pressure accumulator (2), wherein the heat accumulator (27) is arranged ready for use in an overpressure zone (31). Said arrangement enables a structurally simple heat accumulator to be provided, since said heat accumulator is not loaded by the pressure of the gas passing therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Airlight Energy IP SAInventors: Andrea Pedretti-Rodi, Giw Zanganeh
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Patent number: 10391672Abstract: A drilling tool is configured to perform drilling and/or percussive work on materials such as stone, concrete and/or reinforced concrete. The drilling tool has a fastening region and a working region. The working region has a working body and at least one cutting element projecting axially and/or radially in relation to the working body. The at least one cutting element has at least one first cutting edge and at least one second cutting edge. The at least one second cutting edge is configured to serve as a replacement cutting edge and/or as an auxiliary cutting edge, and the at least one second cutting edge is set back, at least partly, in relation to the at least one first cutting edge of the drilling tool, axially along a longitudinal axis of the drilling tool, in a direction towards the fastening region.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Andrea Pedretti
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Publication number: 20190154357Abstract: The invention relates to a process system (1, 60, 100, 130, 160, 180, 190) comprising heat stores (3,4,30,61,61a-61d,62,62a-62d,110,163-165,181-183, 195-198), which are designed to store heat between an upper (To) and a lower temperature (Tu) and to discharge the same again, and comprising a conduit arrangement (L) for the transport of heat-transporting medium to the heat stores (3,4,30,61,61a-61d,62,62a-62d,110,163-165,181-183, 195-198) and away from the latter again, wherein a plurality of operable process units (2,63,63a-63d,161-162, 184-185,191-193) are provided between the upper (To) and the lower temperature (T(u) and are each arranged such that the process units are capable of operation between two heat stores (3,4,30,61,61a-61d,62,62a-62d,110,163-165,181-183, 195-198), through the conduit arrangement (L). This results in a reduced outlay for the production of the process system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2017Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventor: Andrea PEDRETTI-RODI
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Publication number: 20180370589Abstract: A bicycle frame includes a main frame (20); a rear frame (30) articulated to the main frame (20); a rocker link (40) articulated to the main frame (20), through a first hinge axis (B), and to the rear frame (30), through a second hinge axis (C) parallel and eccentric to the first hinge axis (B); a damper (50) arranged between the rear frame (30), through the rocker link (40), and the main frame (20); and a displacement element (60) configured to move the first hinge axis (B) that constrains the rocker link (40) to the main frame (20).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2017Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventor: Andrea PEDRETTI
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Patent number: 9988122Abstract: A bicycle frame (100) includes: a front triangle (110); a rear frame (130) articulated to the front triangle (110); a body (21) associated to the front triangle (110) and mobile with respect thereto; and a bottom bracket (22) rotatably associated to the body (21) about a first rotation axis (B). The rear frame (130) is articulated to the body (21) about a second rotation axis (C) parallel to the first rotation axis (B).Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2016Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Inventor: Andrea Pedretti
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Publication number: 20180135890Abstract: The invention relates to a processing system comprising a processing unit (1, 60, 100) that can be operated between an upper (To) and a lower (Tu) temperature. A first heat accumulator (3, 61) and a second heat accumulator (4, 62) are operationally interconnected by means of a line arrangement (L) for a heat-transporting medium, said processing unit (1, 60, 100) being arranged in a first section (I) of said line arrangement (L) between the first (3, 61) and the second heat accumulator (4, 62).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2016Publication date: May 17, 2018Applicant: Synhelion SAInventor: Andrea PEDRETTI-RODI