Patents by Inventor George W. Taylor
George W. Taylor 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).
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Patent number: 8904778Abstract: A wave energy converter (WEC) having an asymmetrically shaped float and a spar which move relative to each other in response to the waves. The asymmetrical float has one side longer than the other. A power take off device (PTO) is coupled between the asymmetric float and the spar for converting their relative motion into useful power. Apparatus is coupled to the WEC for: (a) orienting and rotating the longer side of the float to face and receive oncoming waves to increase energy capture when the waves have an amplitude below a predetermined value for improving the power generation of the WEC; and (b) rotating the float to orient the narrower side of the float to face and receive the incoming waves when the waves have an amplitude above a predetermined value, so as to reduce the forces to which the WEC is subjected. There is no known WEC system with an asymmetrical float which is raised and lowered by the waves.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2011Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Ocean Power Technologies, IncInventors: James S. Gerber, George W. Taylor
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Publication number: 20120247096Abstract: A wave energy converter (WEC) having an asymmetrically shaped float and a spar which move relative to each other in response to the waves. The asymmetrical float has one side longer than the other. A power take off device (PTO) is coupled between the asymmetric float and the spar for converting their relative motion into useful power. Apparatus is coupled to the WEC for: (a) orienting and rotating the longer side of the float to face and receive oncoming waves to increase energy capture when the waves have an amplitude below a predetermined value for improving the power generation of the WEC; and (b) rotating the float to orient the narrower side of the float to face and receive the incoming waves when the waves have an amplitude above a predetermined value, so as to reduce the forces to which the WEC is subjected. There is no known WEC system with an asymmetrical float which is raised and lowered by the waves.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Inventors: James S. Gerber, George W. Taylor
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Patent number: 7383182Abstract: A speech-to-text conversion system. The two-way speech recognition and dialect system comprises a computer system, an attached microphone assembly, and speech-to-text conversion software. The two-way speech recognition and dialect system includes a database of dialectal characteristics and queries a user to determine their likely dialect. The system uses this determination to reduce the time for the system to reliably transcribe a user's speech into text and to anticipate dialectal word usage. In another embodiment of the invention, the two-way speech recognition and dialect system is capable of transcribing the speech of multiple speakers while distinguishing between the different speakers and identifying the text belonging to each speaker.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2006Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: George W. Taylor
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Patent number: 7323790Abstract: An ocean wave energy converter (WEC) utilizes the relative motion between permanent magnet and induction coil assemblies to generate electricity. The permanent magnet assemblies and induction coil assemblies are separately housed in watertight enclosures, enabling a wide range of wave energy converter configurations, nearly unlimited stroke and obviating the need for a common magnet/coil enclosure with seals. The magnet assemblies are constructed with surface or buried magnets. The wave motion moves a magnet assembly relative to a stationary coil assembly, or vice versa. Either the magnet assembly or the induction coil assembly are made long enough to provide the generation of electricity over a desired operational range of travel. Various means are provided to maintain the spacing (“gap”) between the magnetic and coil assemblies relatively constant.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.Inventors: George W. Taylor, David B. Stewart
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Patent number: 7168532Abstract: A magnetic braking system for inhibiting excessive motion between a float and a column intended to be placed in a body of water; with the float and column moving relative to each other as a function of the waves present in the body of water. The braking system includes a permanent magnetic assembly (PMA) mounted on, and attached to, one of the float and column and a coil assembly (or a conductive plate) mounted on, and attached to, the other one of the float and column. The braking system is mounted such that motion between the float and the column is inhibited when the displacement of the float relative to the column exceeds a predetermined operating range.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2005Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Ocean Power Technologies, IncInventors: David B. Stewart, George W. Taylor
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Patent number: 7155391Abstract: A speech-to-text conversion system. The two-way speech recognition and dialect system comprises a computer system, an attached microphone assembly, and speech-to-text conversion software. The two-way speech recognition and dialect system includes a database of dialectal characteristics and queries a user to determine their likely dialect. The system uses this determination to reduce the time for the system to reliably transcribe a user's speech into text and to anticipate dialectal word usage. In another embodiment of the invention, the two-way speech recognition and dialect system is capable of transcribing the speech of multiple speakers while distinguishing between the different speakers and identifying the text belonging to each speaker.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2004Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: George W. Taylor
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Patent number: 6853971Abstract: A speech-to-text conversion system. The two-way speech recognition and dialect system comprises a computer system, an attached microphone assembly, and speech-to-text conversion software. The two-way speech recognition and dialect system includes a database of dialectal characteristics and queries a user to determine their likely dialect. The system uses this determination to reduce the time for the system to reliably transcribe a user's speech into text and to anticipate dialectal word usage. In another embodiment of the invention, the two-way speech recognition and dialect system is capable of transcribing the speech of multiple speakers while distinguishing between the different speakers and identifying the text belonging to each speaker.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2002Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: George W. Taylor
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Publication number: 20040215456Abstract: A speech-to-text conversion system. The two-way speech recognition and dialect system comprises a computer system, an attached microphone assembly, and speech-to-text conversion software. The two-way speech recognition and dialect system includes a database of dialectal characteristics and queries a user to determine their likely dialect. The system uses this determination to reduce the time for the system to reliably transcribe a user's speech into text and to anticipate dialectal word usage. In another embodiment of the invention, the two-way speech recognition and dialect system is capable of transcribing the speech of multiple speakers while distinguishing between the different speakers and identifying the text belonging to each speaker.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2004Publication date: October 28, 2004Inventor: George W. Taylor
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Patent number: 6772592Abstract: Apparatus for converting energy contained in surface waves on a body of water to useful energy comprises a float from which is suspended a fully or effectively fully submerged inverted cup-shaped member having a closed top end and an open bottom end. Disposed within the top space is a compressible fluid separated by a flexible membrane from a column of water filling the bottom open end of the submerged member. Passing surface waves cause pressure variations at the bottom end of the member causing changes in the water column height and corresponding changes in the buoyancy of the member. The buoyancy changes induce vertical oscillations of the member relative to the float and known means are used for converting the relative movements of the float and submerged member to useful energy. Preferably, the float vertically oscillates in synchronization with the passing waves, and the vertical movements of the float increase the relative movements between the float and the submerged member.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2003Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James Gerber, George W. Taylor, Thomas J. Meaney
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Patent number: 6765307Abstract: A wave energy converter (WEC), for use in a body of water of depth Dw, includes a tubular structure and a piston within the tubular structure where the relative motion between the piston and the tubular structure is used to generate electric power. The length (L) of the tubular structure may be selected to have a predetermined value based on the fact that: (a) the efficiency of the power generated by WEC increases as the length “L” of the tubular structure increases from a minimal value until L reaches an optimal value; and (b) the efficiency decreases as L is increased beyond the optimal value due to the increased mass of the water that the tubular structure and the piston have to move.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2002Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Olean Power Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James Gerber, George W. Taylor, Thomas R. Welsh
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Patent number: 6731019Abstract: A wave energy converter (WEC) including an electric generator for capturing energy contained in ocean waves and converting it to electrical energy at the output of the electric generator may be characterized as an effective capacitive (or inductive) element. Systems embodying the invention include an inductive (or capacitive) element inserted in the circuit between the output of the electric generator and a load in order to achieve resonance with the effective capacitance (inductance) of the WEC and so as to increase the efficiency of the power transfer to the load. In certain embodiments the load coupled to the system has an optimum value which is made a function of the frequency of the ocean waves and the effective capacitance (or inductance). The effective capacitance (inductance) of the converter varies as a function of the frequency of the ocean waves.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2001Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joseph R. Burns, Paul Smalser, George W. Taylor, Thomas R. Welsh
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Publication number: 20030226358Abstract: Apparatus for converting energy contained in surface waves on a body of water to useful energy comprises a float from which is suspended a fully or effectively fully submerged inverted cup-shaped member having a closed top end and an open bottom end. Disposed within the top space is a compressible fluid separated by a flexible membrane from a column of water filling the bottom open end of the submerged member. Passing surface waves cause pressure variations at the bottom end of the member causing changes in the water column height and corresponding changes in the buoyancy of the member. The buoyancy changes induce vertical oscillations of the member relative to the float or, alternatively, relative movements of parts within the member. Known means are used for converting the relative movements of the float and submerged member, and the member parts, to useful energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2003Publication date: December 11, 2003Inventors: James Gerber, George W. Taylor, Thomas J. Meaney
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Patent number: 6528928Abstract: A transducer operated as power generating device is driven at a low frequency and collects energy at the low frequency rate. The collected energy is extracted at a much higher frequency. Extracting the energy at a higher frequency enables the use of components, such as inductors, having reasonable values and sizes. In one embodiment, a power extracting circuit which includes elements designed to resonate with the transducer at a higher frequency than the frequency at which the transducer is being driven is periodically switched in circuit with the transducer. Thus, the electric power generator device operated and controlled by a slowly changing source of energy (e.g., ocean waves, wind, eddies of water) may develop energy at one frequency and may be operated to transfer the energy at another frequency.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2001Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joseph R. Burns, Paul Smalser, George W. Taylor, Thomas R. Welsh
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Publication number: 20030034715Abstract: A transducer operated as power generating device is driven at a low frequency and collects energy at the low frequency rate. The collected energy is extracted at a much higher frequency. Extracting the energy at a higher frequency enables the use of components, such as inductors, having reasonable values and sizes. In one embodiment, a power extracting circuit which includes elements designed to resonate with the transducer at a higher frequency than the frequency at which the transducer is being driven is periodically switched in circuit with the transducer. Thus, the electric power generator device operated and controlled by a slowly changing source of energy (e.g., ocean waves, wind, eddies of water) may develop energy at one frequency and may be operated to transfer the energy at another frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2001Publication date: February 20, 2003Inventors: Joseph R. Burns, Joanna E Burns, Paul Smalser, George W. Taylor, Thomas R. Welsh
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Patent number: 6522048Abstract: Systems and circuits embodying the invention include means for sensing at least one of the peaks, amplitude and frequency of an oscillatory input force impinging on a power generating device for controlling the turn-on of a switch used to transfer energy collected by the power generating device to an associated load. The power generator may be a transducer such as a piezoelectric device or a wave energy converter (WEC). Sensors and sensing means embodying the invention are used to control the point in time at which power extracting circuits are switched in circuit with the power generating device. The power extracting circuit may include components which can resonate with the power generating circuit at a higher frequency than, and independent of, the frequency at which the power generating device is being operated. Thus, an electric power generator device operated and controlled by a slowly changing source of energy (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joseph R. Burns, George W. Taylor, Thomas R. Welsh
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Publication number: 20030001392Abstract: A wave energy converter (WEC), for use in a body of water of depth Dw, includes a tubular structure and a piston within the tubular structure where the relative motion between the piston and the tubular structure is used to generate electric power. The length (L) of the tubular structure may be selected to have a predetermined value based on the fact that: (a) the efficiency of the power generated by WEC increases as the length “L” of the tubular structure increases from a minimal value until L reaches an optimal value; and (b) the efficiency decreases as L is increased beyond the optimal value due to the increased mass of the water that the tubular structure and the piston have to move.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventors: James Gerber, George W. Taylor, Thomas R. Welsh
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Publication number: 20020161580Abstract: A speech-to-text conversion system. The two-way speech recognition and dialect system comprises a computer system, an attached microphone assembly, and speech-to-text conversion software. The two-way speech recognition and dialect system includes a database of dialectal characteristics and queries a user to determine their likely dialect. The system uses this determination to reduce the time for the system to reliably transcribe a user's speech into text and to anticipate dialectal word usage. In another embodiment of the invention, the two-way speech recognition and dialect system is capable of transcribing the speech of multiple speakers while distinguishing between the different speakers and identifying the text belonging to each speaker.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2002Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventor: George W. Taylor
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Patent number: 6424935Abstract: A speech-to-text conversion system. The two-way speech recognition and dialect system comprises a computer system, an attached microphone assembly, and speech-to-text conversion software. The two-way speech recognition and dialect system includes a database of dialectal characteristics and queries a user to determine their likely dialect. The system uses this determination to reduce the time for the system to reliably transcribe a user's speech into text and to anticipate dialectal word usage. In another embodiment of the invention, the two-way speech recognition and dialect system is capable of transcribing the speech of multiple speakers while distinguishing between the different speakers and identifying the text belonging to each speaker.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2000Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: George W. Taylor
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Publication number: 20020047273Abstract: A wave energy converter (WEC) including an electric generator for capturing energy contained in ocean waves and converting it to electrical energy at the output of the electric generator may be characterized as an effective capacitive (or inductive) element. Systems embodying the invention include an inductive (or capacitive) element inserted in the circuit between the output of the electric generator and a load in order to achieve resonance with the effective capacitance (inductance) of the WEC and so as to increase the efficiency of the power transfer to the load. In certain embodiments the load coupled to the system has an optimum value which is made a function of the frequency of the ocean waves and the effective capacitance (or inductance). The effective capacitance (inductance) of the converter varies as a function of the frequency of the ocean waves.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2001Publication date: April 25, 2002Inventors: Joseph R. Burns, Paul Smalser, George W. Taylor, Thomas R. Welsh, Jo Ann E. Burns
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Patent number: 6376968Abstract: An electrical energy generator relying upon piezoelectricity includes electrical generating elements comprising electroded bodies of an electrostrictive material, e.g., polyurethane, having inherent but weak piezoelectric characteristics. A d.c. bias is applied between the electrodes for field-inducing a larger piezoelectric characteristic whereby, upon applying mechanical energy to the element, in known manner, for alternately straining and destraining the body, electrical charge is generated on the electrodes with a high mechanical energy to electrical energy conversion efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1998Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Ocean Power Technologies, INCInventors: George W. Taylor, Joseph R. Burns, Charles B. Carroll, Eric Cross