Robert D Mchenry

US Patent:

20220333879, Oct 20, 2022

Filed:

Apr 19, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/234211

Inventors:

- Livermore CA, US
- San Francisco CA, US
Robert MCHENRY - San Francisco CA, US

International Classification:

F28F 13/02
F15D 1/00
F28F 27/00

Abstract:

The present disclosure relates to a thermal emissivity control system. The system may have a segmented array that makes use of a thermally conductive base layer configured to be connectable to an external heat generating subsystem, with the base layer including a thermally emissive surface. The array may also have a plurality of actuation elements at least one of positioned on or adjacent to the thermally emissive surface. A plurality of movable shutter elements is disposed adjacent one another in a grid pattern, and controlled in movement by the actuation elements to create gaps of controllably varying dimension therebetween. The shutter elements control at least one of a magnitude of, or direction of, thermal radiation through the gaps.

US Patent:

20220276544, Sep 1, 2022

Filed:

Mar 1, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/188656

Inventors:

- Livermore CA, US
- San Francisco CA, US
Robert MCHENRY - San Francisco CA, US

International Classification:

G02F 1/29
H01S 3/00
G02B 27/12

Abstract:

The present disclosure relates to a system for modifying temporal dispersion in an optical signal. The system makes use of a segmented array including a plurality of independently controllable, reflective optical elements. The optical elements are configured to segment a received input optical signal into a plurality of beamlets, and to reflect and steer selected ones of the plurality of beamlets in predetermined angular orientations therefrom. A variable optical dispersion subsystem is used which has a plurality of optical components configured to receive and impart different predetermined time delays to different ones of the received beamlets, and to output the plurality of beamlets therefrom.

US Patent:

20150127425, May 7, 2015

Filed:

Nov 7, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/074571

Inventors:

- Palo Alto CA, US
Robert S. McHenry - Burlingame CA, US
Bhaskar Saha - Redwood City CA, US
Sylvia J. Smullin - Menlo Park CA, US
David E. Schwartz - San Carlos CA, US
Sean R. Garner - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G06Q 30/02
G06Q 50/06

US Classification:

705 731

Abstract:

One embodiment of the present invention provides an energy-asset control system for utilizing an energy asset to provide one of more modes of operation services. The system includes an economic optimizer configured to identify at least one mode of operation opportunity based on current and/or future market conditions; a prognostics module configured to perform a prognostic analysis associated with the mode of operation opportunity for the energy asset using an existing model, and determine a confidence level associated with the prognostic analysis; and an operation controller. The economic optimizer is further to configured to, in response to the prognostics module determining the confidence level exceeding a predetermined threshold, determine an expected profit of the mode of operation opportunity based on outcomes of the prognostic analysis; and optimize, over a predetermined time period, a usage of the energy asset based on the expected profit of the mode of operation opportunity.

US Patent:

20150118523, Apr 30, 2015

Filed:

Oct 29, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/066639

Inventors:

- Palo Alto CA, US
Robert Sean McHenry - Burlingame CA, US

Assignee:

Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01M 10/42

US Classification:

429 50, 429 61

Abstract:

An Adaptive Current-collector Electrochemical (ACE) system utilizes an array of contact pads and associated current control transistors to control localized current generation in discrete regions of a battery. Each contact pad is formed on a battery electrode (anode or cathode) and coupled to an associated discrete battery region, and is connected by an associated transistor to a current collection plate. Sensors are used to monitor operating parameters (e.g., localized current flow and operating temperature) of each discrete battery region, and a control circuit uses the sensor data to control the operating state of the transistors, whereby localized current flow through each transistor is increased, decreased or turned off according to measured local operating parameters. The control circuit utilizes local control circuits that process local sensor data using “stand-alone” control logic, or a central controller that processes all sensor data and coordinates transistor operations.