Patents by Inventor Braden Eric Hines

Braden Eric 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).

  • INDIRECT-VIEW QUAD CELL DETECTOR FOR SUN TRACKING
    Publication number: 20240118362
    Abstract: An indirect-view quad cell detector for sun tracking. In some embodiments, a system includes: a concentrating solar collector, having a nominal focus within a target region; an indirect-view first baffle element located near the focal plane; a first photodetector with an indirect view of a point in the target region via the indirect-view baffle; and a first aperture in the baffle providing a view of a first point in the target region to the first photodetector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Emerick VARGA, Russell NEFF, Braden Eric HINES
  • Solid state solar thermal energy collector
    Patent number: 11440814
    Abstract: A system for receiving, transferring, and storing solar thermal energy. The system includes a concentrating solar energy collector, a transfer conduit, a thermal storage material, and an insulated container. The insulated container contains the thermal storage material, and the transfer conduit is configured to transfer solar energy collected by the solar energy collector to the thermal storage material through a wall of the insulated container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: PLANET A ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Lee Johnson, Braden Eric Hines, Guido Hamacher, Russ Neff, Christian T. Gregory, John Terry Bailey
  • DETECTOR AND TRACKER
    Publication number: 20210389025
    Abstract: A system for detecting the aim of a concentrating solar collector. The system includes a plurality of baffled photodetectors which observe various regions of the target focal plane through a set of tailored apertures. When configured in an exemplary way, the detector system can mimic the behavior of a quad cell while achieving a safe standoff distance from the intense solar radiation at the focus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventor: Braden Eric Hines
  • SOLID STATE SOLAR THERMAL ENERGY COLLECTOR
    Publication number: 20190226722
    Abstract: A system for receiving, transferring, and storing solar thermal energy. The system includes a concentrating solar energy collector, a transfer conduit, a thermal storage material, and an insulated container. The insulated container contains the thermal storage material, and the transfer conduit is configured to transfer solar energy collected by the solar energy collector to the thermal storage material through a wall of the insulated container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Richard Lee Johnson, Braden Eric Hines, Guido Hamacher, Russ Neff, John Terry Bailey
  • Solid state solar thermal energy collector
    Patent number: 10203134
    Abstract: A system for receiving, transferring, and storing solar thermal energy. The system includes a concentrating solar energy collector, a transfer conduit, a thermal storage material, and an insulated container. The insulated container contains the thermal storage material, and the transfer conduit is configured to transfer solar energy collected by the solar energy collector to the thermal storage material through a wall of the insulated container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Inventors: Richard Lee Johnson, Braden Eric Hines, Guido Hamacher, Russ Neff, John Terry Bailey
  • SOLID STATE SOLAR THERMAL ENERGY COLLECTOR
    Publication number: 20160146507
    Abstract: A system for receiving, transferring, and storing solar thermal energy. The system includes a concentrating solar energy collector, a transfer conduit, a thermal storage material, and an insulated container. The insulated container contains the thermal storage material, and the transfer conduit is configured to transfer solar energy collected by the solar energy collector to the thermal storage material through a wall of the insulated container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Richard Lee Johnson, Braden Eric Hines, Guido Hamacher, Russ Neff, Christian T. Gregory