Patents by Inventor Braden E. Hines

Braden E. Hines 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).

  • Photovoltaic concentrator modules and systems having a heat dissipating element located within a volume in which light rays converge from an optical concentrating element towards a photovoltaic receiver
    Patent number: 7622666
    Abstract: The present invention relates to photovoltaic power systems, photovoltaic concentrator modules, and related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Soliant Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Braden E. Hines
  • Concentrating photovoltaic solar panel having one or more concentrator modules or module groups that articulate in place
    Publication number: 20090283134
    Abstract: The present invention relates to photovoltaic power systems, photovoltaic concentrator modules, and related methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventor: Braden E. Hines
  • Tracking solar collector
    Publication number: 20090179139
    Abstract: A tracking concentrator with a positioning system for alternately aiming the tracking solar concentrator based on the sun or a database is disclosed. The preferred positioning system comprises a sensor adapted to detect an incident light level; a tracking database comprising solar angle information; an orientation processor; one or more actuators for aiming the one or more optical elements based on the orientation processor; wherein the orientation processor is configured to track the sun based on (a) the receiver if the sensed light level exceeds a determined threshold, and (b) the tracking database if the sensed light level does not exceed the determined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Braden E. Hines, William Gross
  • Apparatuses and methods for shaping reflective surfaces of optical concentrators
    Publication number: 20090000612
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for shaping reflective surfaces of optical concentrators are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of an optical concentrator in accordance with the present invention includes a reflective surface and one or more shaping components that help to provide a desired shape to the reflective surface. Exemplary shaping components preferably comprise thin, readily manufacturable ribs with precision surfaces that provide the desired shape to a reflective surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Braden E. Hines, Michael F. Turk, Mark Brian Farrelly, Richard L. Johnson, JR.
  • Tracking solar collector with non-uniform solar cells and empirical tracking system including solar angle information
    Patent number: 7432488
    Abstract: A tracking concentrator with a positioning system for alternately aiming the tracking solar concentrator based on the sun or a database is disclosed. The preferred positioning system comprises a sensor adapted to detect an incident light level; a tracking database comprising solar angle information; an orientation processor; one or more actuators for aiming the one or more optical elements based on the orientation processor; wherein the orientation processor is configured to track the sun based on (a) the receiver if the sensed light level exceeds a determined threshold, and (b) the tracking database if the sensed light level does not exceed the determined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Energy Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Braden E. Hines, William Gross
  • Sun sensor assembly and related method of using
    Publication number: 20080128586
    Abstract: The present invention includes a sun sensor assembly having an aperture that defines an area that is less than the area of the photo-detecting surface of a corresponding first photo-detector. According to another aspect, the present invention also includes a solar concentrator includes at least two sun sensor assemblies mounted on the concentrator in a manner to help the solar concentrator track the sun. According to another aspect, the present invention also includes a method of processing electrical signals from two or more photo-detectors. According to yet another aspect, the present invention includes a sun tracking system that includes a solar panel that includes a solar concentrator and control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Richard L. Johnson, Braden E. Hines, Philip C. Irwin, Benjamin McLaughlin Gallant