Patents by Inventor George Gruner

George Gruner 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).

  • Patent number: 11945578
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for limiting trailing edge deflection in aircraft folding wing tips are disclosed herein. An example aircraft wing disclosed herein includes a fixed wing portion. The fixed wing portion includes an outboard rib. The aircraft wing also includes a wing tip moveably coupled to the fixed wing portion. The wing tip is moveable between an extended position and a folded position. The wing tip includes an inboard rib that is disposed in a trailing edge section of the wing tip. The wing tip includes a stop plate coupled to the inboard rib. The stop plate extends inboard from the inboard rib such that when the wing tip is in the extended position, the stop plate is disposed below a portion of the outboard rib of the fixed wing portion to limit upward deflection of the trailing edge section of the wing tip relative to the fixed wing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Olds, Eric George Gruner, Billy P. Tung, Eric Dwight Blohm
  • Publication number: 20230118630
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for limiting trailing edge deflection in aircraft folding wing tips are disclosed herein. An example aircraft wing disclosed herein includes a fixed wing portion. The fixed wing portion includes an outboard rib. The aircraft wing also includes a wing tip moveably coupled to the fixed wing portion. The wing tip is moveable between an extended position and a folded position. The wing tip includes an inboard rib that is disposed in a trailing edge section of the wing tip. The wing tip includes a stop plate coupled to the inboard rib. The stop plate extends inboard from the inboard rib such that when the wing tip is in the extended position, the stop plate is disposed below a portion of the outboard rib of the fixed wing portion to limit upward deflection of the trailing edge section of the wing tip relative to the fixed wing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Olds, Eric George Gruner, Billy P. Tung, Eric Dwight Blohm
  • Publication number: 20210035746
    Abstract: A mesoporous, nanocrystalline, metal oxide construct particularly suited for capacitive energy storage that has an architecture with short diffusion path lengths and large surface areas and a method for production are provided. Energy density is substantially increased without compromising the capacitive charge storage kinetics and electrode demonstrates long term cycling stability. Charge storage devices with electrodes using the construct can use three different charge storage mechanisms immersed in an electrolyte: (1) cations can be stored in a thin double layer at the electrode/electrolyte interface (non-faradaic mechanism); (2) cations can interact with the bulk of an electroactive material which then undergoes a redox reaction or phase change, as in conventional batteries (faradaic mechanism); or (3) cations can electrochemically adsorb onto the surface of a material through charge transfer processes (faradaic mechanism).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Bruce S. Dunn, Sarah H. Tolbert, John Wang, Torsten Brezesinski, George Gruner
  • Patent number: 10741337
    Abstract: A mesoporous, nanocrystalline, metal oxide construct particularly suited for capacitive energy storage that has an architecture with short diffusion path lengths and large surface areas and a method for production are provided. Energy density is substantially increased without compromising the capacitive charge storage kinetics and electrode demonstrates long term cycling stability. Charge storage devices with electrodes using the construct can use three different charge storage mechanisms immersed in an electrolyte: (1) cations can be stored in a thin double layer at the electrode/electrolyte interface (non-faradaic mechanism); (2) cations can interact with the bulk of an electroactive material which then undergoes a redox reaction or phase change, as in conventional batteries (faradaic mechanism); or (3) cations can electrochemically adsorb onto the surface of a material through charge transfer processes (faradaic mechanism).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Bruce S. Dunn, Sarah H. Tolbert, John Wang, Torsten Brezesinski, George Gruner
  • Publication number: 20180277314
    Abstract: A mesoporous, nanocrystalline, metal oxide construct particularly suited for capacitive energy storage that has an architecture with short diffusion path lengths and large surface areas and a method for production are provided. Energy density is substantially increased without compromising the capacitive charge storage kinetics and electrode demonstrates long term cycling stability. Charge storage devices with electrodes using the construct can use three different charge storage mechanisms immersed in an electrolyte: (1) cations can be stored in a thin double layer at the electrode/electrolyte interface (non-faradaic mechanism); (2) cations can interact with the bulk of an electroactive material which then undergoes a redox reaction or phase change, as in conventional batteries (faradaic mechanism); or (3) cations can electrochemically adsorb onto the surface of a material through charge transfer processes (faradaic mechanism).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Bruce S. Dunn, Sarah H. Tolbert, John Wang, Torsten Brezesinski, George Gruner
  • Patent number: 10056199
    Abstract: A mesoporous, nanocrystalline, metal oxide construct particularly suited for capacitive energy storage that has an architecture with short diffusion path lengths and large surface areas and a method for production are provided. Energy density is substantially increased without compromising the capacitive charge storage kinetics and electrode demonstrates long term cycling stability. Charge storage devices with electrodes using the construct can use three different charge storage mechanisms immersed in an electrolyte: (1) cations can be stored in a thin double layer at the electrode/electrolyte interface (non-faradaic mechanism); (2) cations can interact with the bulk of an electroactive material which then undergoes a redox reaction or phase change, as in conventional batteries (faradaic mechanism); or (3) cations can electrochemically adsorb onto the surface of a material through charge transfer processes (faradaic mechanism).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Bruce S. Dunn, Sarah H. Tolbert, John Wang, Torsten Brezesinski, George Gruner
  • Patent number: 9892870
    Abstract: An energy storage device includes a nanostructured network and an electrolyte in contact with the nanostructured network. The nanostructured network is an electrically conducting nanostructured network that provides combined functions of an electrode and a charge collector of the energy storage device. An electrical device includes an energy storage device that includes a nanostructured network and an electrolyte in contact with the nanostructured network, and a load-bearing electrical circuit electrically connected to the electrical energy storage device. The energy storage device is suitable to power the electrical device while in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: George Gruner, Martti Kaempgen, Andreas Kiebele
  • Publication number: 20180005770
    Abstract: A mesoporous, nanocrystalline, metal oxide construct particularly suited for capacitive energy storage that has an architecture with short diffusion path lengths and large surface areas and a method for production are provided. Energy density is substantially increased without compromising the capacitive charge storage kinetics and electrode demonstrates long term cycling stability. Charge storage devices with electrodes using the construct can use three different charge storage mechanisms immersed in an electrolyte: (1) cations can be stored in a thin double layer at the electrode/electrolyte interface (non-faradaic mechanism); (2) cations can interact with the bulk of an electroactive material which then undergoes a redox reaction or phase change, as in conventional batteries (faradaic mechanism); or (3) cations can electrochemically adsorb onto the surface of a material through charge transfer processes (faradaic mechanism).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Bruce S. Dunn, Sarah H. Tolbert, John Wang, Torsten Brezesinski, George Gruner
  • Patent number: 9653219
    Abstract: A mesoporous, nanocrystalline, metal oxide construct particularly suited for capacitive energy storage that has an architecture with short diffusion path lengths and large surface areas and a method for production are provided. Energy density is substantially increased without compromising the capacitive charge storage kinetics and electrode demonstrates long term cycling stability. Charge storage devices with electrodes using the construct can use three different charge storage mechanisms immersed in an electrolyte: (1) cations can be stored in a thin double layer at the electrode/electrolyte interface (non-faradaic mechanism); (2) cations can interact with the bulk of an electroactive material which then undergoes a redox reaction or phase change, as in conventional batteries (faradaic mechanism); or (3) cations can electrochemically adsorb onto the surface of a material through charge transfer processes (faradaic mechanism).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Bruce S. Dunn, Sarah H. Tolbert, John Wang, Torsten Brezesinski, George Gruner
  • Publication number: 20150243452
    Abstract: An energy storage device includes a nanostructured network and an electrolyte in contact with the nanostructured network. The nanostructured network is an electrically conducting nanostructured network that provides combined functions of an electrode and a charge collector of the energy storage device. An electrical device includes an energy storage device that includes a nanostructured network and an electrolyte in contact with the nanostructured network, and a load-bearing electrical circuit electrically connected to the electrical energy storage device. The energy storage device is suitable to power the electrical device while in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: George Gruner, Martti Kaempgen, Andreas Kiebele
  • Patent number: 8999550
    Abstract: An energy storage device includes a nanostructured network and an electrolyte in contact with the nanostructured network. The nanostructured network is an electrically conducting nanostructured network that provides combined functions of an electrode and a charge collector of the energy storage device. An electrical device includes an energy storage device that includes a nanostructured network and an electrolyte in contact with the nanostructured network, and a load-bearing electrical circuit electrically connected to the electrical energy storage device. The energy storage device is suitable to power the electrical device while in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: George Gruner, Martti Kaempgen, Andreas Kiebele
  • Patent number: 8900517
    Abstract: An electronic system for selectively detecting and identifying a plurality of chemical species, which comprises an array of nanostructure sensing devices, is disclosed. Within the array, there are at least two different selectivities for sensing among the nanostructure sensing devices. Methods for fabricating the electronic system are also disclosed. The methods involve modifying nanostructures within the devices to have different selectivity for sensing chemical species. Modification can involve chemical, electrochemical, and self-limiting point defect reactions. Reactants for these reactions can be supplied using a bath method or a chemical jet method. Methods for using the arrays of nanostructure sensing devices to detect and identify a plurality of chemical species are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Nanomix, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe P. Gabriel, Philip G. Collins, George Gruner, Keith Bradley
  • Publication number: 20140301020
    Abstract: A mesoporous, nanocrystalline, metal oxide construct particularly suited for capacitive energy storage that has an architecture with short diffusion path lengths and large surface areas and a method for production are provided. Energy density is substantially increased without compromising the capacitive charge storage kinetics and electrode demonstrates long term cycling stability. Charge storage devices with electrodes using the construct can use three different charge storage mechanisms immersed in an electrolyte: (1) cations can be stored in a thin double layer at the electrode/electrolyte interface (non-faradaic mechanism); (2) cations can interact with the bulk of an electroactive material which then undergoes a redox reaction or phase change, as in conventional batteries (faradaic mechanism); or (3) cations can electrochemically adsorb onto the surface of a material through charge transfer processes (faradaic mechanism).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Bruce S. Dunn, Sarah H. Tolbert, John Wang, Torsten Brezesinski, George Gruner
  • Patent number: 8815346
    Abstract: A coated substrate comprising a nanostructure film formed on a non-planar substrate is described. The coated substrate may further be compliant, optically transparent and/or electrically conductive. Fabrication methods thereof are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Liangbing Hu, David Hecht, Jeffrey Jue, George Gruner
  • Patent number: 8785939
    Abstract: A pixel electrode is provided, with a nanostructure-film deposited over an active matrix substrate, such that the pixel electrode makes electrical contact with an underlying layer. Similarly, auxiliary data pads and auxiliary gate pads are provided, which also have nanostructure-films deposited over an active matrix substrate, such that they make electrical contact with underlying layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Bae Park, George Gruner, Liangbing Hu
  • Publication number: 20140042390
    Abstract: An interpenetrating network assembly with a network of connected flakes of nano-scale crystalline carbon and nano-scale particles of an electroactive material interconnected with the carbon flakes is provided. The network assemblies are particularly suited for energy storage applications that use metal oxide electroactive materials and a single charge collector or a source and drain. Interpenetrating networks of graphene flakes and metal oxide nanosheets can form independent pathways between source and drain. Nano-scale conductive materials such as metal nanowires, carbon nanotubes, activated carbon or carbon black can be included as part of the conductive network to improve charge transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: George Gruner, Xiangfeng Duan, Bruce S. Dunn, Veronica Augustyn
  • Patent number: 8520365
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to charge storage devices with at least one electrode having combined double layer supercapacitor, electrochemical supercapacitor and/or battery functionalities. In some embodiments, the electrode, may be composed of an ECS material, a highly-structured DLS material and a less-structured DLS material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Amperics Inc.
    Inventors: George Gruner, Ian O'Connor
  • Patent number: 8456074
    Abstract: A flexible electronic device is made up of nanostructures. Specifically, the device includes a flexible substrate, a film of nanostructures in contact with the flexible substrate, a first conducting element in contact with the film of nanostructures, and a second conducting element in contact with the film of nanostructures. The nanostructures may comprise nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes disposed along the flexible substrate, such as an organic or polymer substrate. The first and second conductive elements may serve as electrical terminals, or as a source and drain. In addition, the electronic device may include a gate electrode that is in proximity to the nanotubes and not in electrical contact with the nanotubes. In this configuration, the device can operate as a transistor or a FET. The device may also be operated in a resistive mode as a chemical sensor (e.g., for sensing NH3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignees: Nanomix, Inc., The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: N. Peter Armitage, Keith Bradley, Jean-Christophe P. Gabriel, George Gruner
  • Patent number: 8390589
    Abstract: Touch screen displays comprising at least one nanostructure-film, and fabrication methods thereof, are discussed. Nanostructure-films may comprise, for example, a network(s) of nanotubes, nanowires, nanoparticles and/or graphene flakes. Such films are preferably at least semi-transparent and relatively flexible, making them well-suited for use in a variety of touch screen applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Liangbing Hu, George Gruner
  • Publication number: 20120025165
    Abstract: A flexible electronic device is made up of nanostructures. Specifically, the device includes a flexible substrate, a film of nanostructures in contact with the flexible substrate, a first conducting element in contact with the film of nanostructures, and a second conducting element in contact with the film of nanostructures. The nanostructures may comprise nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes disposed along the flexible substrate, such as an organic or polymer substrate. The first and second conductive elements may serve as electrical terminals, or as a source and drain. In addition, the electronic device may include a gate electrode that is in proximity to the nanotubes and not in electrical contact with the nanotubes. In this configuration, the device can operate as a transistor or a FET. The device may also be operated in a resistive mode as a chemical sensor (e.g., for sensing NH3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: NANOMIX, INC.
    Inventors: N. Peter Armitage, Keith Bradley, Jean-Christophe P. Gabriel, George GrĂ¼ner