Patents by Inventor Mark D. Bennett

Mark D. Bennett 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).

  • Publication number: 20130221298
    Abstract: An enhanced apparatus and method for securing a wire to a pulling cable for pulling wire. Specifically, the pulling cable and wire are attached via a pulling head body. The wire is inserted into an end of the pulling head body and secured by crimping the pulling head body against the wire. Further, crimp zone indicators positioned on the outer surface of the pulling head body indicate the optimal zone of crimping to achieve substantial contact between the pulling head body and the wire. A pulling cable is secured to the pulling head body via a ball swage that comprises a tapped surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Bennett, William T. Bigbee, JR.
  • Patent number: 8378208
    Abstract: An AMTEC power system including a housing that defines a cold chamber and a hot chamber, at least one AMTEC cell received in the housing, the AMTEC cell having a first portion extending into the hot chamber and a second portion extending into the cold chamber, and a thermally conductive material positioned adjacent to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Mark D. Bennett
  • Patent number: 8344237
    Abstract: A power system including a primary optical element that defines a first opening therein, a secondary optical element positioned relative to the primary optical element to direct energy from the primary optical element to the first opening, and a thermal absorber, wherein the thermal absorber includes a housing that defines an internal volume and a second opening into the internal volume, wherein the second opening is coupled with the first opening, a window sealingly connected to the second opening to enclose the internal volume, a barrier wall that divides the internal volume into at least a hot chamber and a cold chamber, and at least one AMTEC cell having a first portion received in the cold chamber and a second portion received in the hot chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Mark D. Bennett
  • Patent number: 8281783
    Abstract: A thermal absorber including a light-transparent reservoir having an alkali metal received therein, a housing sealingly coupled to the reservoir to define an enclosed volume, the housing including a thermal barrier wall that divides the volume into a cold chamber and a hot chamber, the cold chamber including a sump having a drain hole in fluid communication with the hot chamber, and at least one AMTEC cell supported by the cell supporting surface, the AMTEC cell extending through the cold chamber and the hot chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Mark D. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20110048487
    Abstract: A solar AMTEC power system including a support structure, an electric generator segment connected to the support structure, the electric generator segment including a receiver and at least two wings extending at a non-zero angle relative to the receiver, wherein each wing defines an enclosed volume divided into a hot chamber and a cold chamber and includes at least one AMTEC cell extending between the hot chamber and the cold chamber, and wherein the receiver is at least partially transparent to solar energy and defines a heated chamber and a fluid return chamber, the fluid return chamber being in fluid communication with the heated chamber and the cold chambers of the wings, and the heated chamber being in fluid communication with the hot chambers of the wings, and an optical element positioned relative to the electric generator segment to direct solar energy to the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Mark D. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20110030677
    Abstract: A thermal absorber including a light-transparent reservoir having an alkali metal received therein, a housing sealingly coupled to the reservoir to define an enclosed volume, the housing including a thermal barrier wall that divides the volume into a cold chamber and a hot chamber, the cold chamber including a sump having a drain hole in fluid communication with the hot chamber, and at least one AMTEC cell supported by the cell supporting surface, the AMTEC cell extending through the cold chamber and the hot chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Mark D. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20090320830
    Abstract: A concentrating solar power device may include a primary mirror, a secondary mirror, and a thermal storage device. The primary mirror may reflect solar rays from the sun towards the secondary mirror. The secondary mirror may reflect the solar rays reflected from the primary mirror towards the thermal storage device. The thermal storage device, which may comprise a thermal medium such as salt, may collect/absorb energy from the solar rays which may be used to run multiple Stirling engines, and/or an energy storing or energy expending device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: MARK D. BENNETT
  • Patent number: 7402012
    Abstract: A mono-beam trailer and support assembly for transporting a motorcycle in an upright position without the use of straps or ropes. A single elongate main beam, upon which the motorcycle is carried, pivots vertically and laterally relative to the towing vehicle but cannot rotate axially. A “T” bar assembly pivotally carried by the main beam releasably communicates with replacement foot peg pins installed on the motorcycle foot peg fastening brackets releasably securing the motorcycle to the main beam and preventing undesirable movement thereof. A pivotal swing arm at a rearward end portion of the main beam has a wheel truck thereon for towable movement of the trailer. The swing arm may be pivoted vertically and laterally on to mutually perpendicular axles to a position adjacent the elongate main beam to ease the loading and unloading of the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Inventor: Mark D. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20080073881
    Abstract: A mono-beam trailer and support assembly for transporting a motorcycle in an upright position without the use of straps or ropes. A single elongate main beam, upon which the motorcycle is carried, pivots vertically and laterally relative to the towing vehicle but cannot rotate axially. A “T” bar assembly pivotally carried by the main beam releasably communicates with replacement foot peg pins installed on the motorcycle foot peg fastening brackets releasably securing the motorcycle to the main beam and preventing undesirable movement thereof. A pivotal swing arm at a rearward end portion of the main beam has a wheel truck thereon for towable movement of the trailer. The swing arm may be pivoted vertically and laterally on to mutually perpendicular axles to a position adjacent the elongate main beam to ease the loading and unloading of the motorcycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Mark D. Bennett
  • Patent number: 5143051
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating of a body of water is floatingly received within the body of water. The collector includes a housing formed with an interior cavity containing aluminum oxide crystals in communication with collector tubes extending orthogonally downwardly relative to the housing also filled with the aluminum oxide crystals. A lens assembly plate is mounted above the cavity, with the lens assembly including a matrix of magnification lens members coextensively directed throughout the plate above the cavity. A modification of the invention includes a water storage tank for the storage and heating of water in association with a heating tank structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Inventor: Mark D. Bennett