Patents by Inventor Herbert Hoffman

Herbert Hoffman 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).

  • Systems and methods for harvesting vibrational energy from vehicles
    Patent number: 8860234
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and apparatuses for harvesting vibrational energy from vehicles, as well as methods for locating vibrational energy on a vehicle. One harvesting apparatus comprises a vibrational energy harvester coupled to a substantially maximal vibrational displacement node of the structural element of a vehicle, and tuned to a frequency of vibration of the maximal vibrational displacement node. The harvester may be one of a variety of harvesting devices, such as piezoelectric devices. Methods are also provided to locate structural elements which are appropriate for vibrational energy harvesting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Herbert Hoffman, Eric Hofbeck, Alex Lin
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HARVESTING VIBRATIONAL ENERGY FROM VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20120169064
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and apparatuses for harvesting vibrational energy from vehicles, as well as methods for locating vibrational energy on a vehicle. One harvesting apparatus comprises a vibrational energy harvester coupled to a substantially maximal vibrational displacement node of the structural element of a vehicle, and tuned to a frequency of vibration of the maximal vibrational displacement node. The harvester may be one of a variety of harvesting devices, such as piezoelectric devices. Methods are also provided to locate structural elements which are appropriate for vibrational energy harvesting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Herbert Hoffman, Eric Hofbeck, Alex Lin