Patents by Inventor Jeff E. Frericks

Jeff E. Frericks 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).

  • Patent number: 8541726
    Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for diodeless terrestrial photovoltaic solar power arrays. In one or more embodiments, the method and device involve a solar power array device without blocking diodes and/or without bypass diodes. The method comprises providing a solar module, a solar array tracker, a power bus, a controller, and an inverter. In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises providing a circuit breaker and/or a bi-position switch. When the controller senses that the solar module power is below a threshold level, the controller commands the solar tracker to vary the solar module's pointing until the solar module is operating at its maximum power point for the solar module's level of illumination. In some embodiments, when the controller senses that the solar module power is less than a minimum bypass threshold level, the controller commands a bi-position switch to bypass current around the solar module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Charles H. Hightower, Jeff E. Frericks, Authi Ariamuthu Narayanan
  • Publication number: 20130140911
    Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for diodeless terrestrial photovoltaic solar power arrays. In one or more embodiments, the method and device involve a solar power array device without blocking diodes and/or without bypass diodes. The method comprises providing a solar module, a solar array tracker, a power bus, a controller, and an inverter. In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises providing a circuit breaker and/or a bi-position switch. When the controller senses that the solar module power is below a threshold level, the controller commands the solar tracker to vary the solar module's pointing until the solar module is operating at its maximum power point for the solar module's level of illumination. In some embodiments, when the controller senses that the solar module power is less than a minimum bypass threshold level, the controller commands a bi-position switch to bypass current around the solar module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles H. Hightower, Jeff E. Frericks, Authi Ariamuthu Narayanan
  • Patent number: 8263920
    Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for diodeless terrestrial photovoltaic solar power arrays. In one or more embodiments, the method and device involve a solar power array device without blocking diodes and/or without bypass diodes. The method comprises providing a solar module, a solar array tracker, a power bus, a controller, and an inverter. In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises providing a circuit breaker and/or a bi-position switch. When the controller senses that the solar module power is below a threshold level, the controller commands the solar tracker to vary the solar module's pointing until the solar module is operating at its maximum power point for the solar module's level of illumination. In some embodiments, when the controller senses that the solar module power is less than a minimum bypass threshold level, the controller commands a bi-position switch to bypass current around the solar module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Charles H. Hightower, Jeff E. Frericks, Authi Ariamuthu Narayanan
  • Publication number: 20110073150
    Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for diodeless terrestrial photovoltaic solar power arrays. In one or more embodiments, the method and device involve a solar power array device without blocking diodes and/or without bypass diodes. The method comprises providing a solar module, a solar array tracker, a power bus, a controller, and an inverter. In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises providing a circuit breaker and/or a bi-position switch. When the controller senses that the solar module power is below a threshold level, the controller commands the solar tracker to vary the solar module's pointing until the solar module is operating at its maximum power point for the solar module's level of illumination. In some embodiments, when the controller senses that the solar module power is less than a minimum bypass threshold level, the controller commands a bi-position switch to bypass current around the solar module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles H. Hightower, Jeff E. Frericks, Authi Ariamuthu Narayanan
  • Patent number: 7667642
    Abstract: A system and method autonomously and precisely track objects moving along a known course. The objects include, for example, racing horses, other racing animals, or racing vehicles. The system and method utilize modern satellite navigation satellite systems, signal processing, radio communications systems and computer processing to acquire and analyze performance data of the moving objects during competitions and during training and practice. The data acquisition is performed continuously at a rate of at least 1 Hz during the competition, training or practice even in the presence of objects which affect the quality of the signals received from the satellite system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Technaumics
    Inventors: Jeff E. Frericks, Clifford W. Kelley