Patents by Inventor Steve Thorne

Steve Thorne 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: 20110144034
    Abstract: Described are methods for reducing tumor metastasis in an animal by administering an inhibitor of a protein kinase C (PKC) isozyme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Daria D. Mochly-Rosen, Jeewon Kim, Steve Thorne
  • Publication number: 20100263660
    Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning photovoltaic panels above agricultural land are disclosed. The photovoltaic panels can be suspended over agricultural land and supported by vertical holders, which are generally arranged in a two-dimensional grid. Sufficient clearance exists between the base surface and the photovoltaic panels for the operators and the agricultural machinery. The position of the photovoltaic panels can be adjusted using panel orientation systems. A decision about the photovoltaic panel angle with respect to the incoming sunlight can be based on the insolation/shade needs of the agricultural plants beneath the system and also on the need to generate electrical energy by insolating the panels. Furthermore, the systems and methods can be used for a net metering of energy. An energy ratepayer who is also a sole or fractional owner of the renewable energy production capacity can subtract the energy production from the energy consumption, thus resulting in the net metering of energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Steve Thorne
  • Publication number: 20100206303
    Abstract: Solar concentrator truss assemblies and arrays of solar concentrator truss assemblies are disclosed. The solar concentrator truss assembly has a V-shaped frame joined with a solar panel to form a triangulated truss. The solar concentrator truss assembly is lightweight and strong, and does not require extensive additional structural support for installation. The array of solar concentrator truss assemblies is motion controlled by a computer to move the array into preferable positions with regards to sunlight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Steve Thorne
  • Publication number: 20100211487
    Abstract: A server computer comprising a processor and a computer readable medium coupled to the processor, wherein the computer readable medium comprises code executable by the processor. The computer readable medium comprises code for receiving transaction information associated with a purchase transaction of a sponsored product between a consumer and a merchant using a payment device, code for determining an energy credit based on the transaction information associated with the purchase transaction of the sponsored product, code for sending a first notification to a sponsor associated with the sponsored product. The first notification comprises a portion of the transaction information. The sponsor makes a payment associated with the determined energy credit to a renewable energy producer in response to receiving the first notification. The computer readable medium further comprises code for sending a second notification with the determined energy credit to an energy provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Steve Thorne
  • Publication number: 20100206018
    Abstract: A photovoltaic panel locking system is disclosed. The locking system includes a unitary locking bracket made from a hardened steel material having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion extending from the horizontal portion, wherein the horizontal portion of the locking bracket is configured to encapsulate a portion of the top of the frame of a photovoltaic panel and wherein the vertical portion is configured to flank the vertical portion of the photovoltaic panel frame, and wherein the vertical portion of the bracket includes a bracket aperture. The locking system also includes a lock configured to fit through both the bracket aperture and an aligned aperture formed in the vertical portion of the frame of the photovoltaic panel securing the locking bracket against the photovoltaic panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Steve Thorne
  • Patent number: 7774137
    Abstract: The operator of a third vehicle trailing a second, host vehicle is alerted of a potentially hazardous deceleration of a first vehicle forward of the host vehicle. The road-speed of the first vehicle is ascertained by the host vehicle. Any significant deceleration of the road-speed of the first vehicle is determined. A luminous signal is provided to the third vehicle by the host vehicle when such significant deceleration has occurred. According to some methods a radar device carried by the host vehicle may be used to determine the relative speed between the first and second vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventor: Steve Thorne
  • Publication number: 20100183443
    Abstract: A system for collecting wind and solar energy including a tower, a wind turbine, and a solar energy collector. The solar energy collector has a vertically oriented frame attached to the wind turbine. The solar energy collector is rotatably coupled to the bottom end of the tower to enable the vertically oriented frame and the wind turbine to rotate together about the tower axis. The vertically oriented frame has one or more photovoltaic panels for collecting solar energy. The solar energy collector can act as a wind foil to rotate the attached wind turbine in the direction of the wind. Alternatively, a motor can rotate the solar energy collector and wind turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Steve Thorne
  • Publication number: 20100175741
    Abstract: Apparatuses are disclosed for adjusting the position of the photovoltaic panels. The adjustments of the photovoltaic panels can be performed in two axes: pivot and tilt. The photovoltaic panels can be pivotably mounted along the longitudinal axis of rotatable frames. The substantially parallel photovoltaic panels in a frame can be simultaneously pivoted by a pivoting drive mechanism attached to the frame. Multiple tiltable frames can be arranged in parallel to each other, thus creating a 2-D matrix of the photovoltaic panels. The tiltable frames can be supported by an elevated structure permitting the unobstructed rotation of both the frames and the panels inside the frames. A controller can synchronize the tilt and pivot, such that the combined rotation of the photovoltaic panels results in the photovoltaic panels of the entire array being substantially perpendicular to the incident solar radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventor: Steve Thorne
  • Publication number: 20090137493
    Abstract: Described are methods for reducing tumor metastasis in an animal by administering an inhibitor of a protein kinase C (PKC) isozyme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Daria D. Mochly-Rosen, Jeewon Kim, Steve Thorne
  • Patent number: 7319932
    Abstract: A radar activated brake light device to be integrated into a vehicle to alert drivers of potentially hazardous changes in traffic speed consisting of a radar device to measure the speed of a forward vehicle; a sensor input from the speedometer of the host vehicle; a computer processor to evaluate the data for potentially hazardous speed changes; a luminous display mounted on the host vehicle to warn the driver of a trailing vehicle; and, optionally, a warning light and warning buzzer mounted internally to the host vehicle to alert the driver of the host vehicle of potentially hazardous speed changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: Steve Thorne
  • Publication number: 20070168129
    Abstract: The operator of a third vehicle trailing a second, host vehicle is alerted of a potentially hazardous deceleration of a first vehicle forward of the host vehicle. The road-speed of the first vehicle is ascertained by the host vehicle. Any significant deceleration of the road-speed of the first vehicle is determined. A luminous signal is provided to the third vehicle by the host vehicle when such significant deceleration has occurred. According to some methods a radar device carried by the host vehicle may be used to determine the relative speed between the first and second vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventor: Steve Thorne
  • Publication number: 20070100552
    Abstract: A radar activated brake light device to be integrated into a vehicle to alert drivers of potentially hazardous changes in traffic speed consisting of a radar device to measure the speed of a forward vehicle; a sensor input from the speedometer of the host vehicle; a computer processor to evaluate the data for potentially hazardous speed changes; a luminous display mounted on the host vehicle to warn the driver of a trailing vehicle; and, optionally, a warning light and warning buzzer mounted internally to the host vehicle to alert the driver of the host vehicle of potentially hazardous speed changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventor: Steve Thorne
  • Patent number: 7162369
    Abstract: A radar activated brake light device to be integrated into a vehicle to alert drivers of potentially hazardous changes in traffic speed consisting of a radar device to measure the speed of a forward vehicle; a sensor input from the speedometer of the radar-equipped vehicle; a computer processor to evaluate the data for potentially hazardous speed changes; a luminous display mounted on the radar-equipped vehicle to warn the driver of a trailing vehicle; and, optionally, a warning light and warning buzzer mounted internally to the radar-equipped vehicle to alert the driver of the radar-equipped vehicle of potentially hazardous speed changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Steve Thorne
  • Publication number: 20040267453
    Abstract: A radar activated brake light device to be integrated into a vehicle to alert drivers of potentially hazardous changes in traffic speed consisting of a radar device to measure the speed of a forward vehicle; a sensor input from the speedometer of the radar-equipped vehicle; a computer processor to evaluate the data for potentially hazardous speed changes; a luminous display mounted on the radar-equipped vehicle to warn the driver of a trailing vehicle; and, optionally, a warning light and warning buzzer mounted internally to the radar-equipped vehicle to alert the driver of the radar-equipped vehicle of potentially hazardous speed changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Steve Thorne
  • Patent number: D471092
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventors: Steve Thorne, Bruce W. Leppla
  • Patent number: D471093
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventors: Steve Thorne, Bruce W. Leppla
  • Patent number: D471095
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventors: Steve Thorne, Bruce W. Leppla
  • Patent number: D471096
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventors: Steve Thorne, Bruce W. Leppla
  • Patent number: D471097
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventors: Steve Thorne, Bruce W. Leppla
  • Patent number: D471798
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventors: Steve Thorne, Bruce W. Leppla