MARK PATRICK O'NEILL
Pilots at Gretchen Ln, Dallas, TX

License number

Texas A2708440

Issued Date

Mar 2017

Expiration Date

Sep 2017

Professional information

Owner, Entech, Inc.

Position:

Owner at ENTECH, Inc.

Location:

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Industry:

Oil & Energy

Work:

ENTECH, Inc. - Owner

Education:

University of Notre Dame 1964 - 1968

Roof-Lens Solar Collector

US Patent:

3991741, Nov 16, 1976

Filed:

Mar 20, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/560303

Inventors:

Leonard L. Northrup - Dallas TX
Mark J. O'Neill - Dallas TX

International Classification:

F24J 302

US Classification:

126271

Abstract:

An array of linear lenses is used as a combination roof-skylight-solar collector. The lenses are oriented at a given latitude to face the most remote of the earth's poles inclined by the local latitude angle. Moving absorbers are used to receive the sunlight at the focal spot of each lens. The absorbers move back and forth during the day as the sun's position changes, causing the focal spots to move.

Mark O'neill

Location:

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Industry:

Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing

Awards:

2012 R&D 100 Award
R&D Magazine
Our team from NASA Glenn Research Center and Entech Solar was selected on June 20, 2012 as one of the winners of the prestigious R&D 100 Awards (known as the Oscars of innovation) for the 100 top technological innovations of the past year. Our award was for the development of a unique photovoltaic concentrator technology usable both in space and on the ground. Links to the award information are provided at www.markoneill.com/award.html.
2012 Exceptional Space Act Award
NASA
Cash Award shared with colleagues, Mike Piszczor of NASA and A.J. McDanal, for development of the 600-Volt Stretched Lens Array for Solar Electric Propulsion
NASA Turning Goals into Reality (TGIR) Award
NASA
This award was presented to the team that developed the SCARLET solar array which powered Deep Space 1 and its ion engine to encounters with the asteroid, Braille, and the comet, Borrelly, validating the new concentrating solar array and triple-junction solar cells, as well as solar electric propulsion.
2012 Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) National Award for Technology Transfer
Federal Laboratory Consortium
This award was shared with NASA Glenn Research Center for the development of "Stretched Lens Array: Ultra-Light, Affordable Green Energy Technology." More information is available at this website: http://www.federallabs.org/pdf/2012_Awards_Program.pdf

Solar Concentrator And Energy Collection System

US Patent:

4069812, Jan 24, 1978

Filed:

Dec 20, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/752688

Inventors:

Mark J. O'Neill - Dallas TX

Assignee:

E-Systems, Inc. - Dallas TX

International Classification:

F24J 302, G02B 308

US Classification:

126271

Abstract:

A curved prismatic, Fresnel-type lens primarily used for concentrating sunlight in a solar energy collector. The lens comprises a substantially smooth, convex outer surface and a plurality of prisms arranged side-by-side along a curve on the inner surface to direct incoming light to a common area. Each of the individual prisms has a front and back face joined by a bottom face. The front and back faces of the prisms are oriented such that the angle of incidence of the incoming light with the front face is equal to the angle of incidence of the outgoing light with the back face. Further, each of the prisms is arranged along the curve such that they do not obstruct light passing through any adjacent prism. The bottom face of each prism is over-extended beyond the path of the light passing through the prism to prevent loss of light due to blockage by the bottom face or the rounded point between the back face and bottom face. The improved lens is used in combination with a solar energy collector comprising the improved concentrator and a suitable energy receiver for converting incident sunlight into a useful energy output.

Line-Focus Photovoltaic Module Using Solid Optical Secondaries For Improved Radiation Resistance

US Patent:

5505789, Apr 9, 1996

Filed:

Sep 2, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/300031

Inventors:

Lewis M. Fraas - Issaquah WA
Mark J. O'Neill - Dallas TX

Assignee:

Entech, Inc. - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H01L 31052, G02B 308

US Classification:

136246

Abstract:

A novel low-cost solar photovoltaic module using line-focus lenses and photovoltaic receivers incorporating high-performance photovoltaic cells is described. It consists of an array of linear arched Fresnel lenses with a linear photovoltaic cell receiver located along the focal line of each lens. The lens consists of a protective superstrate with molded silicone Fresnel grooves on its inner surface. The photovoltaic cell receiver consists of high efficiency cells interconnected in a string with a solid secondary optical element adhesive bonded to the cells. The entrance aperture of each secondary optical element is rectangular in shape and the optical secondaries are butted up against each other in a line to form a continuous entrance aperture along the focal line. In addition to providing more concentrated sunlight, the solid optical secondaries shield the cells against radiation damage.

Prismatic Solar Reflector Apparatus And Method Of Solar Tracking

US Patent:

4154219, May 15, 1979

Filed:

Mar 11, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/776653

Inventors:

Youdhishthir P. Gupta - Richardson TX
Mark J. O'Neill - Dallas TX

Assignee:

E-Systems, Inc. - Dallas TX

International Classification:

F24J 302

US Classification:

126270

Abstract:

A prismatic plate is mounted with its flat face exposed to the sun on a reflector panel for use in a solar energy collection system. The plate includes a plurality of triangular prisms with parallel longitudinal axes shaped to provide total internal reflection of incident light rays. Each prism has a cross section forming a right-angled isosceles triangle with the two equal-length, rear faces of the prism oriented at 45 degrees relative to the front face of the plate. The base of each prism forms or is parallel to a front plate surface which receives incident solar light rays. The rays are transmitted through the plate cross section without refraction in the plane of the cross section to be reflected from the two rear faces and back out the front face toward a solar receiver. The prism material has an index of refraction equal to or greater than the square root of two so that there is total internal reflection from the prism faces. The prismatic plate is mounted on a movable heliostat panel controlled by a tracking system to reflect to a solar receiver.