Patents by Inventor Carlo F. Ratti

Carlo F. Ratti 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).

  • Aqua-robotic pollutant removing systems and devices, and methods of removing pollutants from bodies of water
    Patent number: 9670636
    Abstract: An aqua-robotic pollutant removing device includes a buoyant body, an electromechanical housing coupled to the buoyant body, and a pollutant absorbing belt coupled to the electromechanical housing and extending outward from the buoyant body. The electromechanical housing is constructed and arranged to rotate the pollutant absorbing belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Carlo F. Ratti, Assaf Biderman
  • Solar canopy systems and methods
    Patent number: 9091462
    Abstract: A solar canopy system includes support towers and an upper canopy suspended therefrom, the upper canopy forming a catenary shape. A method of generating electricity includes deploying mirrors upon a canopy that forms a catenary shape, to focus sunlight on a Dewar tube containing a heat transfer fluid, utilizing heat from the sunlight collected within the heat transfer fluid to generate steam, and generating the electricity with a turbine powered by the steam. A method of generating electricity includes deploying first and second photovoltaic cell grids upon a canopy that forms a catenary shape, the second grid being movable relative to the first grid. The method also includes positioning the second grid with respect to the first grid so as to maximize light collection and electricity generation during daylight hours, and repositioning the grids so as to maximize transparency of the canopy during nighttime hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: CARLORATTIASSOCIATI SRL
    Inventors: Carlo F. Ratti, James Francis Vanzo
  • AQUA-ROBOTIC POLLUTANT REMOVING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES, AND METHODS OF REMOVING POLLUTANTS FROM BODIES OF WATER
    Publication number: 20140158591
    Abstract: An aqua-robotic pollutant removing device includes a buoyant body, an electromechanical housing coupled to the buoyant body, and a pollutant absorbing belt coupled to the electromechanical housing and extending outward from the buoyant body. The electromechanical housing is constructed and arranged to rotate the pollutant absorbing belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Carlo F. RATTI, Assaf BIDERMAN
  • SOLAR CANOPY SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20120298180
    Abstract: A solar canopy system includes support towers and an upper canopy suspended therefrom, the upper canopy forming a catenary shape. A method of generating electricity includes deploying mirrors upon a canopy that forms a catenary shape, to focus sunlight on a Dewar tube containing a heat transfer fluid, utilizing heat from the sunlight collected within the heat transfer fluid to generate steam, and generating the electricity with a turbine powered by the steam. A method of generating electricity includes deploying first and second photovoltaic cell grids upon a canopy that forms a catenary shape, the second grid being movable relative to the first grid. The method also includes positioning the second grid with respect to the first grid so as to maximize light collection and electricity generation during daylight hours, and repositioning the grids so as to maximize transparency of the canopy during nighttime hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Carlorattiassociati Srl
    Inventors: Carlo F. Ratti, James Francis Vanzo
  • AQUA-ROBOTIC POLLUTANT REMOVING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES, AND METHODS OF REMOVING POLLUTANTS FROM BODIES OF WATER
    Publication number: 20120055856
    Abstract: An aqua-robotic pollutant removing device includes a buoyant body, an electromechanical housing coupled to the buoyant body, and a pollutant absorbing belt coupled to the electromechanical housing and extending outward from the buoyant body. The electromechanical housing is constructed and arranged to rotate the pollutant absorbing belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Carlo F. Ratti, Assaf Biderman