Charles S Bennett

US Patent:

6922240, Jul 26, 2005

Filed:

Aug 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/646666

Inventors:

Scott A. Lerner - Livermore CA, US
Charles L. Bennett - Livermore CA, US
Jay V. Bixler - Oakland CA, US
Paul J. Kuzmenko - Livermore CA, US
Isabella T. Lewis - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G01J003/18
G02B005/18

US Classification:

356328, 2503397

Abstract:

A compact imaging spectrometer comprising an entrance slit for directing light, a first means for receiving the light and focusing the light, an immersed diffraction grating that receives the light from the first means and defracts the light, a second means for receiving the light from the immersed diffraction grating and focusing the light, and an image plane that receives the light from the second means.

US Patent:

7016038, Mar 21, 2006

Filed:

Feb 25, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/066370

Inventors:

Michael P. Chrisp - Danville CA, US
Scott A. Lerner - Corvallis OR, US
Paul J. Kuzmenko - Livermore CA, US
Charles L. Bennett - Livermore CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G01J 3/28

US Classification:

356328

Abstract:

A compact imaging spectrometer with an immersive diffraction grating that compensates optical distortions. The imaging spectrometer comprises an entrance slit for transmitting light, a system for receiving the light and directing the light, an immersion grating, and a detector array. The entrance slit, the system for receiving the light, the immersion grating, and the detector array are positioned wherein the entrance slit transmits light to the system for receiving the light and the system for receiving the light directs the light to the immersion grating and the immersion grating receives the light and directs the light through an optical element to the detector array.

US Patent:

7239386, Jul 3, 2007

Filed:

Aug 17, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/920880

Inventors:

Michael P. Chrisp - Danville CA, US
Scott A. Lerner - Corvallis OR, US
Paul J. Kuzmenko - Livermore CA, US
Charles L. Bennett - Livermore CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G01J 3/28

US Classification:

356328

Abstract:

A compact imaging spectrometer with an immersive diffraction grating that compensates optical distortions. The imaging spectrometer comprises an entrance slit for transmitting light, means for receiving the light and directing the light, an immersion grating, and a detector array. The entrance slit, the means for receiving the light, the immersion grating, and the detector array are positioned wherein the entrance slit transmits light to the means for receiving the light and the means for receiving the light directs the light to the immersion grating and the immersion grating receives the light and directs the light to the means for receiving the light, and the means for receiving the light directs the light to the detector array.

US Patent:

7270295, Sep 18, 2007

Filed:

Apr 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/835665

Inventors:

Charles L. Bennett - Livermore CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

B64D 27/24

US Classification:

244 59

Abstract:

A solar thermal powered aircraft powered by heat energy from the sun. A heat engine, such as a Stirling engine, is carried by the aircraft body for producing power for a propulsion mechanism, such as a propeller. The heat engine has a thermal battery in thermal contact with it so that heat is supplied from the thermal battery. A solar concentrator, such as reflective parabolic trough, is movably connected to an optically transparent section of the aircraft body for receiving and concentrating solar energy from within the aircraft. Concentrated solar energy is collected by a heat collection and transport conduit, and heat transported to the thermal battery. A solar tracker includes a heliostat for determining optimal alignment with the sun, and a drive motor actuating the solar concentrator into optimal alignment with the sun based on a determination by the heliostat.

US Patent:

7603858, Oct 20, 2009

Filed:

May 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/801987

Inventors:

Charles L. Bennett - Livermore CA, US

Assignee:

Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC - Livermore CA

International Classification:

F01B 29/10

US Classification:

60517, 60650, 60682

Abstract:

A high efficiency harmonic engine based on a resonantly reciprocating piston expander that extracts work from heat and pressurizes working fluid in a reciprocating piston compressor. The engine preferably includes harmonic oscillator valves capable of oscillating at a resonant frequency for controlling the flow of working fluid into and out of the expander, and also preferably includes a shunt line connecting an expansion chamber of the expander to a buffer chamber of the expander for minimizing pressure variations in the fluidic circuit of the engine. The engine is especially designed to operate with very high temperature input to the expander and very low temperature input to the compressor, to produce very high thermal conversion efficiency.

US Patent:

7637457, Dec 29, 2009

Filed:

Mar 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/731253

Inventors:

Charles L. Bennett - Livermore CA, US

Assignee:

Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC - Livermore CA

International Classification:

B64D 27/24

US Classification:

244 59

Abstract:

A solar thermal powered aircraft powered by heat energy from the sun. A Rankine-Brayton hybrid cycle heat engine is carried by the aircraft body for producing power for a propulsion mechanism, such as a propeller or other mechanism for enabling sustained free flight. The Rankine-Brayton engine has a thermal battery, preferably containing a lithium-hydride and lithium mixture, operably connected to it so that heat is supplied from the thermal battery to a working fluid. A solar concentrator, such as reflective parabolic trough, is movably connected to an optically transparent section of the aircraft body for receiving and concentrating solar energy from within the aircraft. Concentrated solar energy is collected by a heat collection and transport conduit, and heat transported to the thermal battery. A solar tracker includes a heliostat for determining optimal alignment with the sun, and a drive motor actuating the solar concentrator into optimal alignment with the sun based on a determination by the heliostat.

US Patent:

7735323, Jun 15, 2010

Filed:

Feb 12, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/030065

Inventors:

Charles L. Bennett - Livermore CA, US

Assignee:

Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC - Livermore CA

International Classification:

B60K 16/00
B60L 8/00
F03G 6/00
F01K 13/00
F01K 23/06
F22D 1/28
F22D 1/46
F16T 1/00

US Classification:

606418, 122442, 122488, 122489, 60645, 60670

Abstract:

A solar thermal power generator includes an inclined elongated boiler tube positioned in the focus of a solar concentrator for generating steam from water. The boiler tube is connected at one end to receive water from a pressure vessel as well as connected at an opposite end to return steam back to the vessel in a fluidic circuit arrangement that stores energy in the form of heated water in the pressure vessel. An expander, condenser, and reservoir are also connected in series to respectively produce work using the steam passed either directly (above a water line in the vessel) or indirectly (below a water line in the vessel) through the pressure vessel, condense the expanded steam, and collect the condensed water. The reservoir also supplies the collected water back to the pressure vessel at the end of a diurnal cycle when the vessel is sufficiently depressurized, so that the system is reset to repeat the cycle the following day. The circuital arrangement of the boiler tube and the pressure vessel operates to dampen flow instabilities in the boiler tube, damp out the effects of solar transients, and provide thermal energy storage which enables time shifting of power generation to better align with the higher demand for energy during peak energy usage periods.

US Patent:

7810325, Oct 12, 2010

Filed:

Feb 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/710391

Inventors:

Charles L. Bennett - Livermore CA, US

Assignee:

Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC - Livermore CA

International Classification:

F01B 29/10
F02G 1/04
F01C 1/16
F01C 1/24

US Classification:

60517, 60516, 4182011, 418220

Abstract:

A solar thermal powered aircraft powered by heat energy from the sun. A heat engine, such as a Stirling engine, is carried by the aircraft body for producing power for a propulsion mechanism, such as a propeller. The heat engine has a thermal battery in thermal contact with it so that heat is supplied from the thermal battery. A solar concentrator, such as reflective parabolic trough, is movably connected to an optically transparent section of the aircraft body for receiving and concentrating solar energy from within the aircraft. Concentrated solar energy is collected by a heat collection and transport conduit, and heat transported to the thermal battery. A solar tracker includes a heliostat for determining optimal alignment with the sun, and a drive motor actuating the solar concentrator into optimal alignment with the sun based on a determination by the heliostat.