Patents by Inventor Franky Zapata
Franky Zapata 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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Publication number: 20200331608Abstract: A propulsion device, including a platform; a thrust assembly coupled to the platform, the thrust assembly including at least two nozzles configured to discharge a pressurized fluid therefrom that are movable with respect to the platform; a plurality of actuators, wherein each actuator is coupled to one of the at least two nozzles, wherein each actuator is configured to adjust an angular orientation of its respective nozzle with respect to the platform; a first sensor coupled to the platform to measure at least one of a pitch and roll of the platform; and a controller in communication with the first sensor and the plurality of actuators, wherein the controller is configured to adjust an operation of the actuators based at least in part on information from the first sensor to modify an angular orientation of the at least two nozzles.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: ZipH2OInventor: Franky ZAPATA
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Patent number: 10730623Abstract: A propulsion device, including a platform arranged to seat a passenger; a thrust assembly coupled to the platform, the thrust assembly including at least two nozzles configured to discharge a pressurized fluid therefrom that are movable with respect to the platform; a plurality of actuators, wherein each actuator is coupled to one of the at least two nozzles, wherein each actuator is configured to adjust an angular orientation of its respective nozzle with respect to the platform; a first sensor coupled to the platform to measure at least one of a pitch and roll of the platform; and a controller in communication with the first sensor and the plurality of actuators, wherein the controller is configured to adjust an operation of the actuators based at least in part on information from the first sensor to modify an angular orientation of the at least two nozzles.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2017Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: ZIPH2OInventor: Franky Zapata
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Publication number: 20190135415Abstract: A personal propulsion device, including a platform, first and second sensors coupled to the platform to measure at least one of a force or pressure exerted by first and second feet; a first thrust system coupled to the platform to provide thrust in a first direction; a second thrust system coupled to the platform to provide thrust in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and a controller configured to (i) calculate a difference between a measurement by the first sensor and a measurement by the second sensor, and (ii) adjust an output of the second thrust system based at least in part on the calculated difference.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2017Publication date: May 9, 2019Applicant: ZipAirInventor: Franky Zapata
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Publication number: 20180362123Abstract: A propulsion device includes a platform which provides support for a passenger. The platform comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, and cooperates with means for collecting and distributing a pressurized fluid to a primary nozzle expelling the fluid from a fluid outlet in a fluid expulsion direction. The means are supplied with pressurized fluid by a fluid supply conduit. The primary nozzle is oriented substantially from the bow to the stern of the platform. The fluid expulsion direction of the primary nozzle is located in a median plane of the platform. The fluid expulsion direction of the primary nozzle describes defines an angle comprised between ?10° and +45° with a longitudinal axis of the platform contained in the median plane. The means for collecting and distributing a fluid cooperate with the platform by an embedding link.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Applicant: ZipH2OInventor: Franky Zapata
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Patent number: 10118677Abstract: A propulsion device including a platform on which a passenger is positioned, said platform comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, and cooperating with means for collecting and distributing a pressurized fluid to a primary nozzle expelling said fluid from a fluid outlet in a given direction, said means being supplied with pressurized fluid by a fluid supply conduit, the device being characterized in that: the primary nozzle is oriented substantially from the bow to the stern of the platform; the fluid expulsion direction fits in a median plane of the platform; the fluid expulsion direction of the primary nozzle describes an angle comprised between ?10° and +45° with a longitudinal axis of the platform contained in said median plane.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2014Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: ZIPH2OInventor: Franky Zapata
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Publication number: 20180208312Abstract: A personal propulsion device, including a platform configured to support a passenger; a first thrust system coupled to the platform, wherein the first thrust system is configured to provide movement in a first direction; a second thrust system coupled to the platform, wherein the second thrust system is configured to provide movement in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and a controller in wireless communication with the second thrust system, wherein the controller is configured to (i) measure an angle of tilt of the controller, and (ii) adjust an output of the second thrust system based at least in part on the measurement.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2017Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventor: Franky Zapata
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Publication number: 20180127094Abstract: A personal propulsion device, including a platform configured to support a passenger; a sensor positionable within a mouth of the passenger and configured to measure at least one of a bite force or bite pressure thereon; a first thrust system coupled to the platform, wherein the first thrust system is configured to provide thrust in a first direction; and a controller in communication with the sensor and the first thrust system, wherein the controller is configured to (i) receive the measurement of the bite force or bite pressure, and (ii) adjust operation of the first thrust system based at least in part on the received measurement.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2017Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventor: Franky Zapata
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Publication number: 20180127095Abstract: A propulsion device, including a platform arranged to seat a passenger; a thrust assembly coupled to the platform, the thrust assembly including at least two nozzles configured to discharge a pressurized fluid therefrom that are movable with respect to the platform; a plurality of actuators, wherein each actuator is coupled to one of the at least two nozzles, wherein each actuator is configured to adjust an angular orientation of its respective nozzle with respect to the platform; a first sensor coupled to the platform to measure at least one of a pitch and roll of the platform; and a controller in communication with the first sensor and the plurality of actuators, wherein the controller is configured to adjust an operation of the actuators based at least in part on information from the first sensor to modify an angular orientation of the at least two nozzles.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2017Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventor: Franky Zapata
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Publication number: 20180127097Abstract: A personal propulsion device, including a platform configured to support at least one passenger; a first fluid outlet coupled to the platform; a first fluid conduit in fluid communication with the first fluid outlet; and a personal watercraft having first and second fluid discharge ports, wherein the first fluid discharge port is in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit, and the second fluid discharge port is configured to discharge pressurized fluid to move the personal watercraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2017Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventor: Franky Zapata
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Publication number: 20180127096Abstract: A method of operating a personal propulsion device, including coupling a personal watercraft to a personal propulsion device having a platform configured to support a passenger, wherein the platform is coupled to one or more fluid outlets, and wherein the personal watercraft has first and second fluid discharge ports; delivering a pressurized fluid from the first fluid discharge port to the one or more fluid outlets such that the fluid outlets discharge the pressurized fluid to directly elevate the platform; and discharging pressurized fluid from the second fluid discharge port to move the personal watercraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2017Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventor: Franky Zapata
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Publication number: 20180029679Abstract: The disclosure relates to a fluid outlet interface for a personal watercraft, so that the latter can collect and divert a very small portion of the fluid pressurized by said vehicle and thus create a sufficient Venturi effect to drive the emptying of the bilge of said vehicle. The disclosure also relates to a personal watercraft, or more generally any floating device delivering a pressurized fluid, comprising such an interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventor: Franky Zapata
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Publication number: 20170080997Abstract: A propulsion device including a platform on which a passenger is positioned, said platform comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, and cooperating with means for collecting and distributing a pressurized fluid to a primary nozzle expelling said fluid from a fluid outlet in a given direction, said means being supplied with pressurized fluid by a fluid supply conduit, the device being characterized in that: the primary nozzle is oriented substantially from the bow to the stern of the platform; the fluid expulsion direction fits in a median plane of the platform; the fluid expulsion direction of the primary nozzle describes an angle comprised between ?10° and +45° with a longitudinal axis of the platform contained in said median plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2014Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventor: Franky Zapata
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Publication number: 20130068895Abstract: The invention relates to a propulsion device (10) comprising a body (11) arranged for receiving a passenger (1) and engaging with a thrust unit (12a, 12b, 13a, 13b) supplied with a pressurised fluid from a compression station. The arrangement of such a device offers great freedom of movement through the air or under the surface of a fluid. The invention also relates to a propulsion system in which the compression station can be remote in the form of a motorised marine vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: PERSONAL WATER CRAFT PRODUCTInventor: Franky Zapata