Patents by Inventor Mark E. Lewittes
Mark E. Lewittes 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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Patent number: 9099592Abstract: An optical element has a plano-plano body formed of a first material having a greater refraction index n1 and a second material having a lesser refraction index n2. Both indices are greater than one. The absolute value of the index contrast, log10 (n1/n2), is in the range from about 0.001 to about 0.17, preferably from about 0.01 to about 0.05. The materials have an induced absorbance rate ?Abs/Dose less than or equal to about 0.4, preferably less than or equal to about 0.2. The materials are arranged such that an interface with at least one cusp is defined therebetween. The cusp has an apex pointed toward the material having the greater index of refraction. The cusp is operative to produce a region of increased light intensity on one surface of the optical element in response to light incident on the other surface of the optical element.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2011Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANYInventors: Rebekah Ann Derryberry, Roger Harquail French, Mark E. Lewittes, Ronald Jack Riegert, Jose Manuel Rodriguez-Parada
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Patent number: 8648248Abstract: A photovoltaic assembly includes an optical element comprising a body having opposed planar major surfaces with a plurality of open-mouthed inclusions (grooves) formed on the light output surface. Each groove has a closed apex with an included apex angle. The body is formed from a material having an index of refraction of at least 1.3 and an induced absorbance rate ?Abs/Dose less than or equal to about 0.4. The optical element is attached to a photovoltaic cell using an adhesive having an index of refraction in the range from about 1.34 to 1.50. The apex angle is selected such that light incident upon the body is conveyed the light output surface by the mechanism of total internal reflection from the boundary walls of the grooves and/or without retro-reflection toward the incident surface. The thickness of the adhesive layer and the dimension of the mouth of the grooves are selected such that light incident on the surface of the photovoltaic cell is not obscured by conductor lines on the cell's surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2011Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Jose Manuel Rodriguez-Parada, Ronald Jack Riegert, Mark E. Lewittes, Roger Harquail French
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Patent number: 8445097Abstract: The present invention discloses a multi-layer fluoropolymeric film that is useful as a light capture front sheet in solar modules, and more broadly as an antireflection layer. The present invention further discloses a glass shaped article having a multi-layer fluoropolymeric film disposed upon the surface thereof. The shaped article is useful in applications where it is desirable to reduce reflection of incident light.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2009Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Kostantinos Kourtakis, Mark E. Lewittes, Jose Manuel Rodriguez-Parada
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Patent number: 8441735Abstract: An optical element comprises a body having opposed planar major surfaces with a plurality of open-mouthed inclusions (grooves) formed on its light output surface. Each groove has a closed apex with an included apex angle. The body is formed from a material having an index of refraction of at least 1.3 and an induced absorbance rate ?Abs/Dose less than or equal to about 0.4. The apex angle is selected such that light incident upon the body is conveyed the light output surface by the mechanism of total internal reflection from the boundary walls of the grooves and/or without retro-reflection toward the incident surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2011Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Jose Manuel Rodriguez-Parada, Ronald Jack Riegert, Mark E. Lewittes, Roger Harquail French
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Patent number: 8362353Abstract: The present invention discloses photovoltaic modules with a multi-layer fluoropolymeric film wherein the reflectance spectrum of the multi-layer fluoropolymeric film exhibits at least one minimum in the wavelength between 400 and 1100 nm. The film is useful as a light capture front sheet in solar modules, and more broadly as an antireflection layer. The invention further discloses photovoltaic arrays formed from such modules.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2009Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Kostantinos Kourtakis, Mark E. Lewittes, Jose Manuel Rodriguez-Parada
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Publication number: 20120248559Abstract: An optical element has a plano-plano body formed of a first material having a greater refraction index n1 and a second material having a lesser refraction index n2. Both indices are greater than one. The absolute value of the index contrast, log10(n1/n2), is in the range from about 0.001 to about 0.17, preferably from about 0.01 to about 0.05. The materials have an induced absorbance rate ?Abs/Dose less than or equal to about 0.4, preferably less than or equal to about 0.2. The materials are arranged such that an interface with at least one cusp is defined therebetween. The cusp has an apex pointed toward the material having the greater index of refraction. The cusp is operative to produce a region of decreased light intensity on one surface of the optical element in response to light incident on the other surface of the optical element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANYInventors: REBEKAH ANN DERRYBERRY, ROGER HARQUAIL FRENCH, MARK E. LEWITTES, RONALD JACK RIEGERT, JOSE MANUEL RODRIGUEZ-PARADA
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Publication number: 20120229911Abstract: An optical element comprises a body having opposed planar major surfaces with a plurality of open-mouthed inclusions (grooves) formed on its light output surface. Each groove has a closed apex with an included apex angle. The body is formed from a material having an index of refraction of at least 1.3 and an induced absorbance rate ?Abs/Dose less than or equal to about 0.4. The apex angle is selected such that light incident upon the body is conveyed the light output surface by the mechanism of total internal reflection from the boundary walls of the grooves and/or without retro-reflection toward the incident surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2011Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANYInventors: Jose Manuel Rodriguez-Parada, Ronald Jack Riegert, Mark E. Lewittes, Roger Harquail French
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Publication number: 20120067400Abstract: Various photovoltaic apparatus such as an optical coupling arrangement, an integrated photovoltaic cell assembly, a photovoltaic module or a concentrating photovoltaic system each include an optical element having a plano-piano body formed of a first material having a greater refraction index n1 and a second material having a lesser refraction index n2. Both indices are greater than one. The absolute value of the index contrast, log10 (n1/n2), is in the range from about 0.001 to about 0.17, preferably from about 0.01 to about 0.05. The materials have an induced absorbance rate ?Abs/Dose less than or equal to about 0.4, preferably less than or equal to about 0.2. The materials are arranged such that an interface with at least one cusp is defined therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2011Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANYInventors: Rebekah Ann Derryberry, Roger Harquail French, Mark E. Lewittes, Ronald Jack Riegert, Jose Manuel Rodriguez-Parada
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Publication number: 20120069580Abstract: An optical element has a plano-piano body formed of a first material having a greater refraction index n1 and a second material having a lesser refraction index n2. Both indices are greater than one. The absolute value of the index contrast, log10 (n1/n2), is in the range from about 0.001 to about 0.17, preferably from about 0.01 to about 0.05. The materials have an induced absorbance rate ?Abs/Dose less than or equal to about 0.4, preferably less than or equal to about 0.2. The materials are arranged such that an interface with at least one cusp is defined therebetween. The cusp has an apex pointed toward the material having the greater index of refraction. The cusp is operative to produce a region of increased light intensity on one surface of the optical element in response to light incident on the other surface of the optical element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2011Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANYInventors: Rebekah Ann DERRYBERRY, Roger Harquail FRENCH, Mark E. LEWITTES, Ronald Jack RIEGERT, Jose Manuel RODRIGUEZ-PARADA
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Publication number: 20120055551Abstract: A photovoltaic assembly includes an optical element comprising a body having opposed planar major surfaces with a plurality of open-mouthed inclusions (grooves) formed on the light output surface. Each groove has a closed apex with an included apex angle. The body is formed from a material having an index of refraction of at least 1.3 and an induced absorbance rate ?Abs/Dose less than or equal to about 0.4. The optical element is attached to a photovoltaic cell using an adhesive having an index of refraction in the range from about 1.34 to 1.50. The apex angle is selected such that light incident upon the body is conveyed the light output surface by the mechanism of total internal reflection from the boundary walls of the grooves and/or without retro-reflection toward the incident surface. The thickness of the adhesive layer and the dimension of the mouth of the grooves are selected such that light incident on the surface of the photovoltaic cell is not obscured by conductor lines on the cell's surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANYInventors: JOSE MANUEL RODRIQUEZ-PARADA, Ronald Jack Riegert, Mark E. Lewittes, Roger Harquail French
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Publication number: 20100297433Abstract: Described are nanoparticles-containing stratified compositions, and processes to prepare, for low refractive index compositions of utility as anti-reflective coatings for optical display substrates. The compositions comprise a high index refractive stratum containing nanoparticles and a low refractive index stratum on top of the high index stratum.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANYInventors: Kostantinos Kourtakis, Mark E. Lewittes, Rutger D. Puts, Bao-Ling Yu
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Publication number: 20100296167Abstract: An article and process having non-oxide nanoparticles containing stratified compositions for low refractive index compositions of utility as anti-reflective coatings for optical display substrates. The compositions comprise a high refractive index lower stratum containing nanoparticles and a low refractive index upper stratum on top of the high refractive index lower stratum.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANYInventors: Kostantinos Kourtakis, Mark E. Lewittes
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Publication number: 20100291364Abstract: The present invention relates to nanoparticles-containing stratified compositions for low refractive index compositions of utility as anti-reflective coatings for optical display substrates. The compositions comprise a high index refractive stratum and a low refractive index stratum on top of the high index stratum, and containing different nanoparticles in each stratum.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: E.I. DUPONT NEMOURS AND COMPANYInventors: Kostantinos Kourtakis, Mark E. Lewittes
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Publication number: 20100154868Abstract: The present invention discloses photovoltaic modules with a multi-layer fluoropolymeric film wherein the reflectance spectrum of the multi-layer fluoropolymeric film exhibits at least one minimum in the wavelength between 400 and 1100 nm. The film is useful as a light capture front sheet in solar modules, and more broadly as an antireflection layer. The invention further discloses photovoltaic arrays formed from such modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2009Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANYInventors: Kostantinos KOURTAKIS, Mark E. LEWITTES, Jose Manuel RODRIGUEZ-PARADA
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Publication number: 20100159221Abstract: The present invention discloses a multi-layer fluoropolymeric film that is useful as a light capture front sheet in solar modules, and more broadly as an antireflection layer. The present invention further discloses a glass shaped article having a multi-layer fluoropolymeric film disposed upon the surface thereof. The shaped article is useful in applications where it is desirable to reduce reflection of incident light.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2009Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANYInventors: Kostantinos Kourtakis, Mark E. Lewittes, Jose Manuel Rodriguez-Parada
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Patent number: 7736532Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising a nonmicellar twisted nematic liquid crystal having cholesteric near infrared-reflecting properties and at least one near infrared absorptive material. This composition reduces the transmission of near infrared radiation. The composition can be used as a layer, optionally in conjunction with polymeric films, polymeric sheets, rigid sheets, and the like, to form multilayer laminates. In some embodiments these multilayer laminates are useful as solar control windows or window films to reduce energy consumption necessary to cool the interior of a structure such as an automobile or building.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2006Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Lee A. Silverman, Marc B. Goldfinger, Richard A. Hayes, Mark E. Lewittes, Wayne E. Marsh
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Patent number: 6438256Abstract: An improved image analysis method to quantify uniformity of visual appearance of planar objects. The measurements are substantially independent of both the image shading and the overall lightness differences among the objects.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1999Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Barry Rubin, Michael James Merrill, Robert Vincent Canning, Jr., Thomas William Simpson, III, Mark E. Lewittes