Patents by Inventor Patrick Marcotte
Patrick Marcotte 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: 10436478Abstract: Solar collector modules and techniques for their construction are disclosed. In one aspect, a solar collector module includes a reflector and a three-dimensional structural frame that supports the reflector. The structural frame includes a set of primary structural shapes and a set of axial frame members connected between corners of the primary structural shapes forming helical paths for the transmission of torque from one end of the structural frame to the other. In another aspect, a method for assembling a solar collector module includes pre-assembling part of the module.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2012Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Abengoa Solar LLCInventors: Joseph Eisinger, Kerry Manning, Patrick Marcotte, Nathan Stegall
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Patent number: 9765991Abstract: A concentrating solar collector module includes improvements in performance and assemblability. In one configuration, the module includes a reflector having a reflective front surface shaped to concentrate incoming solar radiation onto a focal line, first and second rails, one rail attached to each edge of the reflector, and a set of truss connectors attached to the rails. The truss connectors and rails may form ways that enable constrained sliding engagement of the truss connectors along the rails before attachment of the truss connectors to the rails. The module may also include a plurality of framing members connected to the truss connectors and forming a structural lattice that cooperates with the reflector to lend rigidity to the solar collector module. At least some of the framing members may be disposed in front of the front reflective surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2011Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: ABENGOA SOLAR INC.Inventors: Patrick Marcotte, Edmund Kenneth May
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Publication number: 20150276270Abstract: Reflector support arms for use in connection with parabolic trough solar concentrators are provided. The reflector support arms are constructed from multiple formed components. The use of multiple formed components enables the provision of a precisely constructed support arm. In addition, by using multiple components, the support arm can be produced using smaller forming machines than would otherwise be required.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2013Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Kerry Manning, Patrick Marcotte, Joseph Eisinger, Cory Hodgkins, Nathan Stegall
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Patent number: 9057543Abstract: Improvements in the design and construction of solar collector modules. Aspects of the invention include improvements in the layout of a frame for a solar collector module, and in the joining of structural members of the frame at nodes. In one example, a module of a solar collector includes a reflector and a three-dimensional structural frame that supports the reflector. The frame is made up of substantially rigid elongate frame members interconnected at nodes. Improved node connection components include hubs or frame members having tabs for receiving frame member connections. A tab may have a width that is substantial in relation to its height. The frame may incorporate asymmetry in its layout, in the size or presence of frame members, or in the positioning of the nodes.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2013Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: Abengoa Solar LLCInventors: Patrick Marcotte, Kenneth Biggio, Edmund Kenneth May, Kerry Manning, Rachel Backes, Janina Nettlau, Rick Sommers
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Patent number: 8844519Abstract: A system for transferring torque between modules in a concentrating solar collector array. A trough collector system includes at least two modules, each module including a reflector having a reflective surface shaped to concentrate incoming radiation onto a linear tube, and a structural lattice attached to the reflector. The modules are constrained to rotate about a common axis. A torque transfer connection directly connects the three-dimensional structural lattices of the two modules at a location removed from the axis of rotation. Torque is thus transmitted between the modules by a force couple acting on the module. Also described are a method of transferring torque between adjacent trough collector modules, and a three-dimensional structural lattice configured for use in the system and method. Mechanisms for accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of the array are described. A drive system is described that imparts torque to a module near an edge of the module.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Abengoa Solar LLCInventors: Patrick Marcotte, Kenneth Biggio, Edmund Kenneth May
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Publication number: 20140182580Abstract: Improvements in the design and construction of solar collector modules. Aspects of the invention include improvements in the layout of a frame for a solar collector module, and in the joining of structural members of the frame at nodes. In one example, a module of a solar collector includes a reflector and a three-dimensional structural frame that supports the reflector. The frame is made up of substantially rigid elongate frame members interconnected at nodes. Improved node connection components include hubs or frame members having tabs for receiving frame member connections. A tab may have a width that is substantial in relation to its height. The frame may incorporate asymmetry in its layout, in the size or presence of frame members, or in the positioning of the nodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: Abengoa Solar Inc.Inventors: Patrick Marcotte, Kenneth Biggio, Edmund Kenneth May, Kerry Manning, Rachel Backes, Janina Nettlau, Rick Sommers
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Publication number: 20140144428Abstract: Solar collector modules and techniques for their construction are disclosed. In one aspect, a solar collector module includes a reflector and a three-dimensional structural frame that supports the reflector. The structural frame includes a set of primary structural shapes and a set of axial frame members connected between corners of the primary structural shapes forming helical paths for the transmission of torque from one end of the structural frame to the other. In another aspect, a method for assembling a solar collector module includes pre-assembling part of the module.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2012Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: ABENGOA SOLAR INC.Inventors: Joseph Eisinger, Kerry Manning, Patrick Marcotte, Nathan Stegall
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Publication number: 20140034042Abstract: A concentrating solar collector module includes improvements in performance and assemblability. In one configuration, the module includes a reflector having a reflective front surface shaped to concentrate incoming solar radiation onto a focal line, first and second rails, one rail attached to each edge of the reflector, and a set of truss connectors attached to the rails. The truss connectors and rails may form ways that enable constrained sliding engagement of the truss connectors along the rails before attachment of the truss connectors to the rails. The module may also include a plurality of framing members connected to the truss connectors and forming a structural lattice that cooperates with the reflector to lend rigidity to the solar collector module. At least some of the framing members may be disposed in front of the front reflective surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2011Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: ABENGOA SOLAR INC.Inventors: Patrick Marcotte, Edmund Kenneth May
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Patent number: 8615960Abstract: Improvements in the design and construction of solar collector modules. Aspects of the invention include improvements in the layout of a frame for a solar collector module, and in the joining of structural members of the frame at nodes. In one example, a module of a solar collector includes a reflector and a three-dimensional structural frame that supports the reflector. The frame is made up of substantially rigid elongate frame members interconnected at nodes. Improved node connection components include hubs or frame members having tabs for receiving frame member connections. A tab may have a width that is substantial in relation to its height. The frame may incorporate asymmetry in its layout, in the size or presence of frame members, or in the positioning of the nodes.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Abengoa Solar Inc.Inventors: Patrick Marcotte, Kenneth Biggio, Edmund Kenneth May, Kerry Manning, Rachel Backes, Janina Nettlau, Rick Sommers
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Patent number: 8322333Abstract: A system for transferring torque between modules in a concentrating solar collector array. A trough collector system includes at least two modules, each module including a reflector having a reflective surface shaped to concentrate incoming radiation onto a linear tube, and a structural lattice attached to the reflector. The modules are constrained to rotate about a common axis. A torque transfer connection directly connects the three-dimensional structural lattices of the two modules at a location removed from the axis of rotation. Torque is thus transmitted between the modules by a force couple acting on the module. Also described are a method of transferring torque between adjacent trough collector modules, and a three-dimensional structural lattice configured for use in the system and method. Mechanisms for accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of the array are described. A drive system is described that imparts torque to a module near an edge of the module.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2009Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Abengoa Solar Inc.Inventors: Patrick Marcotte, Kenneth Biggio, Edmund Kenneth May
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Publication number: 20120217209Abstract: Improvements in the design and construction of solar collector modules. Aspects of the invention include improvements in the layout of a frame for a solar collector module, and in the joining of structural members of the frame at nodes. In one example, a module of a solar collector includes a reflector and a three-dimensional structural frame that supports the reflector. The frame is made up of substantially rigid elongate frame members interconnected at nodes. Improved node connection components include hubs or frame members having tabs for receiving frame member connections. A tab may have a width that is substantial in relation to its height. The frame may incorporate asymmetry in its layout, in the size or presence of frame members, or in the positioning of the nodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2010Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: Abengoa Solar Inc.Inventors: Patrick Marcotte, Kenneth Biggio, Edmund Kenneth May, Kerry Manning, Rachel Backes, Janina Nettlau, Rick Sommers
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Publication number: 20100252030Abstract: A system for transferring torque between modules in a concentrating solar collector array. A trough collector system includes at least two modules, each module including a reflector having a reflective surface shaped to concentrate incoming radiation onto a linear tube, and a structural lattice attached to the reflector. The modules are constrained to rotate about a common axis. A torque transfer connection directly connects the three-dimensional structural lattices of the two modules at a location removed from the axis of rotation. Torque is thus transmitted between the modules by a force couple acting on the module. Also described are a method of transferring torque between adjacent trough collector modules, and a three-dimensional structural lattice configured for use in the system and method. Mechanisms for accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of the array are described. A drive system is described that imparts torque to a module near an edge of the module.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2009Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: Abengoa Solar Inc.Inventors: Patrick Marcotte, Kenneth Biggio, Edmund Kenneth May