Patents by Inventor Mark E. Dorian

Mark E. Dorian 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: 4223214
    Abstract: An improved solar tracking arrangement is provided for directing a solar energy collector to face the sun. An electrical control mechanism is provided to detect misalignment of the collector as the sun traverses in relative movement across the sky. When the misalignment exceeds an adjustable limit of tolerance, the tracking system moves the collector to an orientation slightly in advance of the current position of the sun by an amount equal to the limit of tolerance. A threshold light level is required to activate the tracking system, and differential photosensors are employed, the composite signals of which compensate for variations in ambient light level so that the amount of surrounding illumination of the environment does not effect the preset limit of tolerance. The tracking system includes east and west limit switches, which reorient the collector to an eastward facing direction at the end of each day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Assignee: American Solar Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Dorian, David H. Nelson