Patents by Inventor Sky L. Skeith

Sky L. Skeith 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).

  • Composite structures for storing thermal energy
    Patent number: 7938989
    Abstract: A composite structure for storing thermal energy. In one embodiment, an apparatus for storing thermal energy includes: a thermal storage material and a three-dimensional structure. The three-dimensional structure includes: a plurality of first truss elements defined by a plurality of first self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a first direction; a plurality of second truss elements defined by a plurality of second self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a second direction; and a plurality of third truss elements defined by a plurality of third self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a third direction. The first, second, and third truss elements interpenetrate each other at a plurality of nodes to form a continuous material. The first, second, and third truss elements define an open space. The thermal storage material occupies at least a portion of the open space, and the three-dimensional structure is self-supporting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Adam F. Gross, Ronald M. Finnila, Alan J. Jacobsen, Robert Cumberland, Sky L. Skeith
  • Composite structures for storing thermal energy
    Patent number: 7653276
    Abstract: A composite structure for storing thermal energy. In one embodiment, an apparatus for storing thermal energy includes: a thermal storage material and a three-dimensional structure. The three-dimensional structure includes: a plurality of first truss elements defined by a plurality of first self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a first direction; a plurality of second truss elements defined by a plurality of second self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a second direction; and a plurality of third truss elements defined by a plurality of third self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a third direction. The first, second, and third truss elements interpenetrate each other at a plurality of nodes to form a continuous material. The first, second, and third truss elements define an open space. The thermal storage material occupies at least a portion of the open space, and the three-dimensional structure is self-supporting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Adam F. Gross, Ronald M. Finnila, Alan J. Jacobsen, Robert Cumberland, Sky L. Skeith