Patents by Inventor Eugene S. Fairbanks

Eugene S. Fairbanks 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 cells having a concentrating coverglass with broadened tracking angle
    Patent number: 6091020
    Abstract: A concentrating coverglass allows efficient power generation for providing higher specific powers by space power arrays with weight penalties being countered by combining the functions of a solar concentrator and protective coverglass into a single element. A preferred frustoconical lens achieves a concentration ratio of about 4.5 at a thickness of about 1.0 mm. Efficient space power arrays with relatively wide tracking angle tolerance of up to about .+-.5.degree. using these coverglasses permit heavier payloads in the satellite's operating systems over traditional satellite designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Eugene S. Fairbanks, John William Yerkes
  • Concentrating coverglass for photovoltaic cells
    Patent number: 5959787
    Abstract: A concentrating coverglass allows efficient power generation for providing higher specific powers by space power arrays with weight penalties being countered by combining the functions of a solar concentrator and protective coverglass into a single element. A preferred frustoconical lens achieves a concentration ratio of about 4.5 at a thickness of about 1.0 mm. Efficient space power arrays with relatively wide tracking angle tolerance of up to about .+-.5.degree. using these coverglasses permit heavier payloads in the satellite's operating systems over traditional satellite designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Eugene S. Fairbanks