Patents by Inventor Dale H. Waterman
Dale H. Waterman 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: 11817514Abstract: A blocking diode board (“BDB”) for use with a rollable solar power module (“RSPM”) array is disclosed. The DBD includes a blocking diode, first flat electrical conductor, second flat electrical conductor, first tubular hook, and second tubular hook.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Rina S. Bardfield, Thomas P. Crocker, Dale H. Waterman, William G. Wise
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Patent number: 11495701Abstract: A system of interconnected solar cells is described. The system includes a first solar cell. The system includes a second solar cell adjacent to the first solar cell. The system includes a conductive interconnect configured to conduct electricity between a first terminal of the first solar cell and a second terminal of the second solar cell. The conductive interconnect includes a first end aligned on an axis and configured to conduct electricity at a first terminal on the first solar cell. The conductive interconnect includes a second end aligned on the axis and configured to conduct electricity at a second terminal on the second solar cell. The conductive interconnect includes a center portion connecting the first end to the second end and configured to conduct electricity between the first end and the second end.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Dale H. Waterman
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Publication number: 20220158013Abstract: A blocking diode board (“BDB”) for use with a rollable solar power module (“RSPM”) array is disclosed. The DBD includes a blocking diode, first flat electrical conductor, second flat electrical conductor, first tubular hook, and second tubular hook.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2022Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Rina S. Bardfield, Thomas P. Crocker, Dale H. Waterman, William G. Wise
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Patent number: 11257969Abstract: A blocking diode board (“BDB”) for use with a rollable solar power module (“RSPM”) array is disclosed. The DBD includes a blocking diode, first flat electrical conductor, second flat electrical conductor, first tubular hook, and second tubular hook.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2018Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Rina S. Bardfield, Thomas P. Crocker, Dale H. Waterman, William G. Wise
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Publication number: 20210376173Abstract: A system of interconnected solar cells is described. The system includes a first solar cell. The system includes a second solar cell adjacent to the first solar cell. The system includes a conductive interconnect configured to conduct electricity between a first terminal of the first solar cell and a second terminal of the second solar cell. The conductive interconnect includes a first end aligned on an axis and configured to conduct electricity at a first terminal on the first solar cell. The conductive interconnect includes a second end aligned on the axis and configured to conduct electricity at a second terminal on the second solar cell. The conductive interconnect includes a center portion connecting the first end to the second end and configured to conduct electricity between the first end and the second end.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2020Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventor: Dale H. Waterman
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Patent number: 10804842Abstract: A platform for testing a solar cell is disclosed. The platform includes a plate defining a conductive surface configured to electrically contact the solar cell, two or more first vacuum ports disposed along a first area of the conductive surface of the plate, and two or more second vacuum ports disposed along a second area of the conductive surface of the plate. The second area covers a larger portion of the conductive surface compared to the first area. The solar cell is sized to seat against the first area of the conductive surface. The platform also includes a valve-sensor unit in fluid communication with the first vacuum ports and the second vacuum ports and a control board connected to the valve-sensor unit. The control board executes instructions to monitor a first pressure in the first vacuum ports and a second pressure in the second vacuum ports by the valve-sensor unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Ricardo Anaya, Dale H. Waterman
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Patent number: 10749324Abstract: A feedthrough for feeding signals through a panel having opposite sides includes first and second parts. The first part can include a first body configured to be disposed in a first portion of an opening in a panel, a first lumen disposed within the first body, and a first engagement area comprising a first contact area. The second part can include a second body configured to be disposed in a second portion of the opening in the panel, a second lumen disposed within the second body, and a second engagement area configured to engage the first contact area, wherein engaging the first contact area with the second engagement area causes deformation of the first part, the second part, or both to hold the first part and the second part within the opening such that the first lumen and the second lumen are disposed generally concentrically with each other. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2019Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Eric M. Rehder, Dale H. Waterman, John Steven Frost, John F. Suarez, Kristina I. Kassem, Jonah C. Huffman
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Publication number: 20200083690Abstract: A feedthrough for feeding signals through a panel having opposite sides includes first and second parts. The first part can include a first body configured to be disposed in a first portion of an opening in a panel, a first lumen disposed within the first body, and a first engagement area comprising a first contact area. The second part can include a second body configured to be disposed in a second portion of the opening in the panel, a second lumen disposed within the second body, and a second engagement area configured to engage the first contact area, wherein engaging the first contact area with the second engagement area causes deformation of the first part, the second part, or both to hold the first part and the second part within the opening such that the first lumen and the second lumen are disposed generally concentrically with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Eric M. REHDER, Dale H. WATERMAN, John Steven FROST, John F. SUAREZ, Kristina I. KASSEM, Jonah C. HUFFMAN
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Patent number: 10554032Abstract: A feedthrough for feeding signals through a panel having opposite sides includes first and second parts. The first part can include a first body configured to be disposed in a first portion of an opening in a panel, a first lumen disposed within the first body, and a first engagement area comprising a first contact area. The second part can include a second body configured to be disposed in a second portion of the opening in the panel, a second lumen disposed within the second body, and a second engagement area configured to engage the first contact area, wherein engaging the first contact area with the second engagement area causes deformation of the first part, the second part, or both to hold the first part and the second part within the opening such that the first lumen and the second lumen are disposed generally concentrically with each other. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2019Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Eric M. Rehder, Dale H. Waterman, John Steven Frost
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Publication number: 20190319146Abstract: A blocking diode board (“BDB”) for use with a rollable solar power module (“RSPM”) array is disclosed. The DBD includes a blocking diode, first flat electrical conductor, second flat electrical conductor, first tubular hook, and second tubular hook.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2018Publication date: October 17, 2019Inventors: Rina S. Bardfield, Thomas P. Crocker, Dale H. Waterman, William G. Wise
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Publication number: 20190288638Abstract: A rollable solar power module (“RSPM”) is disclosed that includes a flexible substrate, a plurality of adjacent strings of photovoltaic (“PV”) solar cells, and at least one end-tab jumper. The flexible substrate has a flexible substrate length and a top surface that defines. The plurality of adjacent strings are attached on the top surface of the flexible substrate. Each PV solar cell has a perimeter that is a convex polygon. The plurality of adjacent strings are configured to be rollable along the flexible substrate length, where each adjacent string has an orientation along the flexible substrate length and each two adjacent strings of a pair of adjacent strings have orientations in opposite directions. The at least one end-tab jumper is physically and electrically connected to the plurality of adjacent strings, where the at least one end-tab jumper connects the plurality of adjacent strings to form a series circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2018Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Thomas P. Crocker, Peter Hebert, Rina S. Bardfield, William G. Wise, Dale H. Waterman, Sonya J. Wierman, Joseph A. Lindquist
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Publication number: 20190288137Abstract: A rollable solar power module (“RSPM”) is disclosed that includes a flexible substrate, a plurality of adjacent strings of photovoltaic (“PV”) solar cells, and at least one end-tab jumper. The flexible substrate has a flexible substrate length and a top surface upon which the plurality of adjacent strings are attached and nested to produce a higher utilization of the top surface. Each PV solar cell has a convex polygon perimeter. The plurality of adjacent strings are configured to be rollable along the flexible substrate length, where each adjacent string has an orientation along the flexible substrate length and each two adjacent strings of a pair of adjacent strings have orientations in opposite directions. The at least one end-tab jumper is physically and electrically connected to the plurality of adjacent strings, where the at least one end-tab jumper connects the plurality of adjacent strings to form a series circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2018Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Dale H. Waterman, William G. Wise, Rina S. Bardfield, Thomas P. Crocker
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Publication number: 20190157853Abstract: A feedthrough for feeding signals through a panel having opposite sides includes first and second parts. The first part can include a first body configured to be disposed in a first portion of an opening in a panel, a first lumen disposed within the first body, and a first engagement area comprising a first contact area. The second part can include a second body configured to be disposed in a second portion of the opening in the panel, a second lumen disposed within the second body, and a second engagement area configured to engage the first contact area, wherein engaging the first contact area with the second engagement area causes deformation of the first part, the second part, or both to hold the first part and the second part within the opening such that the first lumen and the second lumen are disposed generally concentrically with each other. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Eric M. Rehder, Dale H. Waterman, John Steven Frost
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Publication number: 20190103833Abstract: A platform for testing a solar cell is disclosed. The platform includes a plate defining a conductive surface configured to electrically contact the solar cell, two or more first vacuum ports disposed along a first area of the conductive surface of the plate, and two or more second vacuum ports disposed along a second area of the conductive surface of the plate. The second area covers a larger portion of the conductive surface compared to the first area. The solar cell is sized to seat against the first area of the conductive surface. The platform also includes a valve-sensor unit in fluid communication with the first vacuum ports and the second vacuum ports and a control board connected to the valve-sensor unit. The control board executes instructions to monitor a first pressure in the first vacuum ports and a second pressure in the second vacuum ports by the valve-sensor unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2018Publication date: April 4, 2019Inventors: Ricardo Anaya, Dale H. Waterman
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Patent number: 10250023Abstract: A feedthrough for feeding signals through a panel having opposite sides includes first and second parts. The first part can include a first body configured to be disposed in a first portion of an opening in a panel, a first lumen disposed within the first body, and a first engagement area comprising a first contact area. The second part can include a second body configured to be disposed in a second portion of the opening in the panel, a second lumen disposed within the second body, and a second engagement area configured to engage the first contact area, wherein engaging the first contact area with the second engagement area causes deformation of the first part, the second part, or both to hold the first part and the second part within the opening such that the first lumen and the second lumen are disposed generally concentrically with each other. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2018Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Eric M. Rehder, Dale H. Waterman, John Steven Frost, John F. Suarez, Kristina I. Kassem, Jonah C. Huffman
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Patent number: 10128792Abstract: A system for testing solar cells includes a probe plate portion, a first voltage probe tip, a first current probe tip, at least one second voltage probe tip, at least one second current probe tip, and means for vertical actuation of the first voltage probe tip to contact the solar cell underside and vertical actuation of the at least one second voltage probe tip and at least one second current probe tip to contact a solar cell top surface. The probe plate portion includes a conductive top surface configured for contact with a solar cell underside and the first current probe tip, a first and a second series of vacuum ports disposed on the conductive top surface, and a coolant channel. The second series of vacuum ports covers a larger area of the conductive top surface than the area covered by the first series of vacuum ports.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Ricardo Anaya, Dale H. Waterman
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Publication number: 20180212412Abstract: A feedthrough for feeding signals through a panel having opposite sides includes first and second parts. The first part can include a first body configured to be disposed in a first portion of an opening in a panel, a first lumen disposed within the first body, and a first engagement area comprising a first contact area. The second part can include a second body configured to be disposed in a second portion of the opening in the panel, a second lumen disposed within the second body, and a second engagement area configured to engage the first contact area, wherein engaging the first contact area with the second engagement area causes deformation of the first part, the second part, or both to hold the first part and the second part within the opening such that the first lumen and the second lumen are disposed generally concentrically with each other. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2018Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: Eric M. Rehder, Dale H. Waterman, John Steven Frost, John F. Suarez, Kristina I. Kassem, Jonah C. Huffman
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Patent number: 9954349Abstract: A feedthrough for feeding signals through a panel having opposite sides includes first and second parts. The first part can include a first body configured to be disposed in a first portion of an opening in a panel, a first lumen disposed within the first body, and a first engagement area comprising a first contact area. The second part can include a second body configured to be disposed in a second portion of the opening in the panel, a second lumen disposed within the second body, and a second engagement area configured to engage the first contact area, wherein engaging the first contact area with the second engagement area causes deformation of the first part, the second part, or both to hold the first part and the second part within the opening such that the first lumen and the second lumen are disposed generally concentrically with each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Eric M. Rehder, Dale H. Waterman, John Steven Frost, John F. Suarez, Kristina I. Kassem, Jonah C. Huffman
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Publication number: 20170353023Abstract: A feedthrough for feeding signals through a panel having opposite sides includes first and second parts. The first part can include a first body configured to be disposed in a first portion of an opening in a panel, a first lumen disposed within the first body, and a first engagement area comprising a first contact area. The second part can include a second body configured to be disposed in a second portion of the opening in the panel, a second lumen disposed within the second body, and a second engagement area configured to engage the first contact area, wherein engaging the first contact area with the second engagement area causes deformation of the first part, the second part, or both to hold the first part and the second part within the opening such that the first lumen and the second lumen are disposed generally concentrically with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2017Publication date: December 7, 2017Inventors: Eric M. Rehder, Dale H. Waterman, John Steven Frost, John F. Suarez, Kristina I. Kassem, Jonah C. Huffman
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Patent number: 9741474Abstract: A two-part, snap-together feedthrough for feeding signals through a panel having opposite sides includes first and second parts, each including a flange with an opening therethrough, and a tubular segment that extends normally from a first surface of the flange and has a lumen disposed generally concentrically with the opening. A pair of complementary engaging mechanisms are respectively on distal end portions of the tubular segments and configured to couple the first and second parts together through an opening in the panel in a snap-together fashion, such that the first surface of each of the flanges is held adjacent to a corresponding one of the opposite sides of the panel, and the lumens of respective ones of the tubular segments are disposed generally concentrically with each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Eric M. Rehder, Dale H. Waterman, John Steven Frost