Patents by Inventor Mark DeWitt

Mark DeWitt 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: 20100061810
    Abstract: A driven pile anchor suitable for securing a tendon of a tension leg platform to the seafloor is supplemented with added weight. The pile may be a conventional driven friction pile installed with an underwater pile hammer. A load frame is added to the individual pile to accommodate ballast weights. Pre-manufactured ballast weights are placed on the frame to increase the holding power of the pile anchor system. The ballast weights may be secured solely by gravity connections, thereby simplifying their installation. In a second embodiment, the pile is intentionally plugged and installed with the plug intact. Pre-manufactured ballast weights are then placed inside the pile and may be held in place by gravity. In a third embodiment, the pile is a conventional driven friction pile installed with an underwater pile hammer. The pile is initially open but subsequently evacuated and intentionally plugged near its pile tip. Pre-manufactured ballast weights are placed inside the pile to increase its holding capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: LARRY DWAYNE BREAUX, MARK DeWITT SLIDER
  • Patent number: 6617508
    Abstract: An efficient method of interconnecting a solar cell having at least two front surface contacts with a diode mounted on a front surface of the solar cell includes the act of forming at least a first recess on a front surface of the solar cell. A first solar cell contact is formed on the front surface in the first recess. A second solar cell contact is formed on the front surface. At least a first bypass diode is positioned at least partly within the recess. The bypass diode has a first diode contact and a second diode contact. The first solar cell contact is interconnected with the first diode contact. The second solar cell contact is interconnected with the second diode contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Emcore Corporation
    Inventors: Louis C. Kilmer, Mark DeWitt, James Patrick Hanley, Peng-Kuen Chiang
  • Publication number: 20020144724
    Abstract: An efficient method of interconnecting a solar cell having at least two front surface contacts with a diode mounted on a front surface of the solar cell includes the act of forming at least a first recess on a front surface of the solar cell. A first solar cell contact is formed on the front surface in the first recess. A second solar cell contact is formed on the front surface. At least a first bypass diode is positioned at least partly within the recess. The bypass diode has a first diode contact and a second diode contact. The first solar cell contact is interconnected with the first diode contact. The second solar cell contact is interconnected with the second diode contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Louis C. Kilmer, Mark DeWitt, James Patrick Hanley, Peng-Kuen Chiang
  • Patent number: 6407327
    Abstract: A radiation tolerant solar cell array module which can be efficiently assembled into a larger solar panel to generate power for a spacecraft the module includes at least first and second single-crystal solar cells. The first and second solar cells have front sides and back sides. At least one of the solar cells has a shallow junction N on P structure. A first contact is formed on at least the back side of the first solar cell. A second contact formed on at least the back side of the second solar cell. A conductor is in electrical communication with the first contact and the second contact. A substantially transparent ceria-doped cover overlays at least a portion of each of the solar cells. The cover remains substantially transparent when exposed to an AM0 space radiation environment. A substantially transparent adhesive is situated between the cover and the solar cell portions. The adhesive remains substantially transparent when exposed to a space radiation environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Tecstar Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Ralph, Ellen B. Linder, James P. Hanley, Mark DeWitt, James R. Walle, Norman L. Beze
  • Patent number: 6326540
    Abstract: An efficient method of interconnecting a solar cell having at least two front surface contacts with a diode mounted on a front surface of the solar cell includes the act of forming at least a first recess on a front surface of the solar cell. A first solar cell contact is formed on the front surface in the first recess. A second solar cell contact is formed on the front surface. At least a first bypass diode is positioned at least partly within the recess. The bypass diode has a first diode contact and a second diode contact. The first solar cell contact is interconnected with the first diode contact. The second solar cell contact is interconnected with the second diode contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Tecstar Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis C. Kilmer, Mark DeWitt, James Patrick Hanley, Peng-Kuen Chiang
  • Patent number: 6156967
    Abstract: A radiation tolerant solar cell array module which can be efficiently assembled into a larger solar panel to generate power for a spacecraft the module includes at least first and second single-crystal solar cells. The first and second solar cells have front sides and back sides. At least one of the solar cells has a shallow junction N on P structure. A first contact is formed on at least the back side of the first solar cell. A second contact formed on at least the back side of the second solar cell. A conductor is in electrical communication with the first contact and the second contact. A substantially transparent ceria-doped cover overlays at least a portion of each of the solar cells. The cover remains substantially transparent when exposed to an AM0 space radiation environment. A substantially transparent adhesive is situated between the cover and the solar cell portions. The adhesive remains substantially transparent when exposed to a space radiation environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Tecstar Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Ralph, Ellen B. Linder, James P. Hanley, Mark DeWitt, James R. Walle, Norman L. Beze
  • Patent number: 6103970
    Abstract: An efficient method of interconnecting a solar cell having at least two front surface contacts with a diode mounted on a front surface of the solar cell includes the act of forming at least a first recess on a front surface of the solar cell. A first solar cell contact is formed on the front surface in the first recess. A second solar cell contact is formed on the front surface. At least a first bypass diode is positioned at least partly within the recess. The bypass diode has a first diode contact and a second diode contact. The first solar cell contact is interconnected with the first diode contact. The second solar cell contact is interconnected with the second diode contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Tecstar Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis C. Kilmer, Mark DeWitt, James Patrick Hanley, Peng-Kuen Chiang