Patents by Inventor Lee A. Weinstein
Lee A. Weinstein 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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Publication number: 20240150183Abstract: A silica aerogel having a mean pore size less than 5 nm with a standard deviation of 3 nm. The silica aerogel may have greater than 95% solar-weighted transmittance at a thickness of 8 mm for wavelengths in the range of 250 nm to 2500 nm, and a 400° C. black-body weighted specific extinction coefficient of greater than 8 m2/kg for wavelengths of 1.5 ?m to 15 ?m. Silica aerogel synthesis methods are described. A solar thermal aerogel receiver (STAR) may include an opaque frame defining an opening, an aerogel layer disposed in the opaque frame, with at least a portion of the aerogel layer being proximate the opening, and a heat transfer fluid pipe in thermal contact with and proximate the aerogel layer. A concentrating solar energy system may include a STAR and at least one reflector to direct sunlight to an opening in the STAR.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2023Publication date: May 9, 2024Inventors: Gang Chen, Evelyn N. Wang, Svetlana Boriskina, Lee A. Weinstein, Sungwoo Yang, Bikramjit S. Bhatia, Lin Zhao, Elise M. Strobach, Thomas A. Cooper, David M. Bierman, Xiaopeng Huang, James Loomis
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Publication number: 20240144904Abstract: Described herein are window retrofits including a monolithic silica aerogel slab having (i) an average haze value of <5% as calculated in accordance with ASTM standard D1003-13 and (ii) a U-factor of <0.5 BTU/sf/hr/° F., and a transparent polymer envelope sealed at an internal pressure of ?1 atmosphere, wherein the monolithic silica aerogel slab is encapsulated in the transparent polymer envelope. The monolithic aerogel slab can have a transmittance>94% at 8 mm thickness. The window retrofit can be bonded to a glass sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Evelyn N. Wang, Gang Chen, Xuanhe Zhao, Elise M. Strobach, Bikramjit S. Bhatia, Lin Zhao, Sungwoo Yang, Lee A. Weinstein, Thomas A. Cooper, Shaoting Lin
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Patent number: 11851334Abstract: A silica aerogel having a mean pore size less than 5 nm with a standard deviation of 3 nm. The silica aerogel may have greater than 95% solar-weighted transmittance at a thickness of 8 mm for wavelengths in the range of 250 nm to 2500 nm, and a 400° C. black-body weighted specific extinction coefficient of greater than 8 m2/kg for wavelengths of 1.5 ?m to 15 ?m. Silica aerogel synthesis methods are described. A solar thermal aerogel receiver (STAR) may include an opaque frame defining an opening, an aerogel layer disposed in the opaque frame, with at least a portion of the aerogel layer being proximate the opening, and a heat transfer fluid pipe in thermal contact with and proximate the aerogel layer. A concentrating solar energy system may include a STAR and at least one reflector to direct sunlight to an opening in the STAR.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2020Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Gang Chen, Evelyn N. Wang, Svetlana Boriskina, Lee A. Weinstein, Sungwoo Yang, Bikramjit S. Bhatia, Lin Zhao, Elise M. Strobach, Thomas A. Cooper, David M. Bierman, Xiaopeng Huang, James Loomis
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Patent number: 11749247Abstract: Described herein are window retrofits including a monolithic silica aerogel slab having (i) an average haze value of <5% as calculated in accordance with ASTM standard D1003-13 and (ii) a U-factor of <0.5 BTU/sf/hr/° F., and a transparent polymer envelope sealed at an internal pressure of ?1 atmosphere, wherein the monolithic silica aerogel slab is encapsulated in the transparent polymer envelope. The monolithic aerogel slab can have a transmittance >94% at 8 mm thickness. The window retrofit can be bonded to a glass sheet.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Evelyn N. Wang, Gang Chen, Xuanhe Zhao, Elise M. Strobach, Bikramjit S. Bhatia, Lin Zhao, Sungwoo Yang, Lee A. Weinstein, Thomas A. Cooper, Shaoting Lin
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Publication number: 20220223130Abstract: Described herein are window retrofits including a monolithic silica aerogel slab having (i) an average haze value of <5% as calculated in accordance with ASTM standard D1003-13 and (ii) a U-factor of <0.5 BTU/sf/hr/° F., and a transparent polymer envelope sealed at an internal pressure of ?1 atmosphere, wherein the monolithic silica aerogel slab is encapsulated in the transparent polymer envelope. The monolithic aerogel slab can have a transmittance >94% at 8 mm thickness. The window retrofit can be bonded to a glass sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2021Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: Evelyn N. Wang, Gang Chen, Xuanhe Zhao, Elise M. Strobach, Bikramjit S. Bhatia, Lin Zhao, Sungwoo Yang, Lee A. Weinstein, Thomas A. Cooper, Shaoting Lin
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Patent number: 11170750Abstract: Described herein are window retrofits including a monolithic silica aerogel slab having (i) an average haze value of <5% as calculated in accordance with ASTM standard D1003-13 and (ii) a U-factor of <0.5 BTU/sf/hr/° F., and a transparent polymer envelope sealed at an internal pressure of ?1 atmosphere, wherein the monolithic silica aerogel slab is encapsulated in the transparent polymer envelope. The monolithic aerogel slab can have a transmittance >94% at 8 mm thickness. The window retrofit can be bonded to a glass sheet.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Evelyn N. Wang, Gang Chen, Xuanhe Zhao, Elise M. Strobach, Bikramjit S. Bhatia, Lin Zhao, Sungwoo Yang, Lee A. Weinstein, Thomas A. Cooper, Shaoting Lin
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Publication number: 20210094834Abstract: A silica aerogel having a mean pore size less than 5 nm with a standard deviation of 3 nm. The silica aerogel may have greater than 95% solar-weighted transmittance at a thickness of 8 mm for wavelengths in the range of 250 nm to 2500 nm, and a 400° C. black-body weighted specific extinction coefficient of greater than 8 m2/kg for wavelengths of 1.5 ?m to 15 ?m. Silica aerogel synthesis methods are described. A solar thermal aerogel receiver (STAR) may include an opaque frame defining an opening, an aerogel layer disposed in the opaque frame, with at least a portion of the aerogel layer being proximate the opening, and a heat transfer fluid pipe in thermal contact with and proximate the aerogel layer. A concentrating solar energy system may include a STAR and at least one reflector to direct sunlight to an opening in the STAR.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Gang Chen, Evelyn N. Wang, Svetlana Boriskina, Lee A. Weinstein, Sungwoo Yang, Bikramjit S. Bhatia, Lin Zhao, Elise M. Strobach, Thomas A. Cooper, David M. Bierman, Xiaopeng Huang, James Loomis
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Patent number: 10889501Abstract: A silica aerogel having a mean pore size less than 5 nm with a standard deviation of 3 nm. The silica aerogel may have greater than 95% solar-weighted transmittance at a thickness of 8 mm for wavelengths in the range of 250 nm to 2500 nm, and a 400° C. black-body weighted specific extinction coefficient of greater than 8 m2/kg for wavelengths of 1.5 ?m to 15 ?m. Silica aerogel synthesis methods are described. A solar thermal aerogel receiver (STAR) may include an opaque frame defining an opening, an aerogel layer disposed in the opaque frame, with at least a portion of the aerogel layer being proximate the opening, and a heat transfer fluid pipe in thermal contact with and proximate the aerogel layer. A concentrating solar energy system may include a STAR and at least one reflector to direct sunlight to an opening in the STAR.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2017Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Gang Chen, Evelyn N. Wang, Svetlana Boriskina, Lee A. Weinstein, Sungwoo Yang, Bikramjit S. Bhatia, Lin Zhao, Elise M. Strobach, Thomas A. Cooper, David M. Bierman, Xiaopeng Huang, James Loomis
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Publication number: 20190333490Abstract: Described herein are window retrofits including a monolithic silica aerogel slab having (i) an average haze value of <5% as calculated in accordance with ASTM standard D1003-13 and (ii) a U-factor of <0.5 BTU/sf/hr/° F., and a transparent polymer envelope sealed at an internal pressure of ?1 atmosphere, wherein the monolithic silica aerogel slab is encapsulated in the transparent polymer envelope. The monolithic aerogel slab can have a transmittance >94% at 8 mm thickness. The window retrofit can be bonded to a glass sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Evelyn N. Wang, Gang Chen, Xuanhe Zhao, Elise M. Strobach, Bikramjit S. Bhatia, Lin Zhao, Sungwoo Yang, Lee A. Weinstein, Thomas A. Cooper, Shaoting Lin
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Publication number: 20190100439Abstract: A silica aerogel having a mean pore size less than 5 nm with a standard deviation of 3 nm. The silica aerogel may have greater than 95% solar-weighted transmittance at a thickness of 8 mm for wavelengths in the range of 250 nm to 2500 nm, and a 400° C. black-body weighted specific extinction coefficient of greater than 8 m2/kg for wavelengths of 1.5 ?m to 15 ?m. Silica aerogel synthesis methods are described. A solar thermal aerogel receiver (STAR) may include an opaque frame defining an opening, an aerogel layer disposed in the opaque frame, with at least a portion of the aerogel layer being proximate the opening, and a heat transfer fluid pipe in thermal contact with and proximate the aerogel layer. A concentrating solar energy system may include a STAR and at least one reflector to direct sunlight to an opening in the STAR.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2017Publication date: April 4, 2019Inventors: Gang Chen, Evelyn N. Wang, Svetlana Boriskina, Lee A. Weinstein, Sungwoo Yang, Bikramjit S. Bhatia, Lin Zhao, Elise M. Strobach, Thomas A. Cooper, David M. Bierman, Xiaopeng Huang, James Loomis
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Patent number: 10043932Abstract: A single-stack, solar power receiver comprising both a thermal absorber layer and a photovoltaic cell layer. The stack includes an aerogel layer, that is optically transparent and thermally insulating (“OTTI”); a spectrally selective high thermal conductivity (“SSTC”) thermal absorber layer; a bottom OTTI layer; and a PV cell layer. The SSTC layer includes a set of fins that substantially blocks solar radiation absorption in the band where PV cells are most sensitive. Photons with energies above or below this band block range are absorbed by the fins and the absorbed heat is conducted to pipes in the fin structure carrying a heated thermal working fluid to heat storage. Photons with energy in the band block range are reflected by the SSTC fins to the PV cell layer. The bottom OTTI aerogel layer keeps the PV cell operating near ambient temperature. The PV cell converts incident solar radiation to electrical energy.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2014Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Gang Chen, Evelyn N. Wang, Svetlana V. Boriskina, Kenneth McEnaney, Hadi Ghasemi, Selcuk Yerci, Andrej Lenert, Sungwoo Yang, Nenad Miljkovic, Lee A. Weinstein, David Bierman
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Patent number: 9917221Abstract: Solar power conversion system. The system includes a cavity formed within an enclosure having highly specularly reflecting in the IR spectrum inside walls, the enclosure having an opening to receive solar radiation. An absorber is positioned within the cavity for receiving the solar radiation resulting in heating of the absorber structure. In a preferred embodiment, the system further contains an energy conversion and storage devices thermally-linked to the absorber by heat conduction, convection, far-field or near-field thermal radiation.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2013Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Svetlana Boriskina, Daniel Kraemer, Kenneth McEnaney, Lee A. Weinstein, Gang Chen
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Publication number: 20150053266Abstract: A single-stack, solar power receiver comprising both a thermal absorber layer and a photovoltaic cell layer. The stack includes an aerogel layer, that is optically transparent and thermally insulating (“OTTI”); a spectrally selective high thermal conductivity (“SSTC”) thermal absorber layer; a bottom OTTI layer; and a PV cell layer. The SSTC layer includes a set of fins that substantially blocks solar radiation absorption in the band where PV cells are most sensitive. Photons with energies above or below this band block range are absorbed by the fins and the absorbed heat is conducted to pipes in the fin structure carrying a heated thermal working fluid to heat storage. Photons with energy in the band block range are reflected by the SSTC fins to the PV cell layer. The bottom OTTI aerogel layer keeps the PV cell operating near ambient temperature. The PV cell converts incident solar radiation to electrical energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: Gang Chen, Evelyn N. Wang, Svetlana V. Boriskina, Kenneth McEnaney, Hadi Ghasemi, Selcuk Yerci, Andrej Lenert, Sungwoo Yang, Nenad Miljkovic, Lee A. Weinstein, David Bierman
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Publication number: 20140060604Abstract: Solar power conversion system. The system includes a cavity formed within an enclosure having highly specularly reflecting in the IR spectrum inside walls, the enclosure having an opening to receive solar radiation. An absorber is positioned within the cavity for receiving the solar radiation resulting in heating of the absorber structure. In a preferred embodiment, the system further contains an energy conversion and storage devices thermally-linked to the absorber by heat conduction, convection, far-field or near-field thermal radiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Svetlana Boriskina, Daniel Kraemer, Kenneth McEnaney, Lee A. Weinstein, Gang Chen
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Patent number: D270532Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1980Date of Patent: September 13, 1983Inventor: Lee A. Weinstein