Patents by Inventor James Douglas Little

James Douglas Little 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).

  • Publication number: 20230213279
    Abstract: A method for generating liquefied gas is provided. The method includes receiving air, refining the air to create refined air, performing liquefaction on refined air to form liquefied gas, and transferring at least one constituent liquefied gas of the liquefied gas to a storage tank in a lighter than air aircraft. The constituent liquefied gas(es) is configured to serve as an energy source for the lighter than air aircraft. The method may include distilling the liquefied gas to obtain liquid nitrogen and one or more other constituent gases. The liquid nitrogen may be configured to store at least 250 kilojoule per liter of energy. Additionally, the air may be refined to create refined air by compressing the air, separating water from the air, scrubbing carbon dioxide from the air, and/or filtering dust from the air. The method may be carbon-neutral or carbon-negative.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventor: James Douglas Little
  • Patent number: 11679855
    Abstract: A structural system for lifting cells, constructed of modular, lightweight framing supporting thin, lightweight, single-ply or laminated, air-impermeable membranes, that maintain near constant-volume under low pressure for aerostatic lift in lighter-than-air aircraft; a system for controlling that aerostatic lift in a single or a plurality of such lifting cells, using electrically-powered vacuum pumps and valves; and a system for recovering electrical energy expended during ascent by using the inflow of air into the lifting cells during descent to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Anumá Aerospace, LLC
    Inventor: James Douglas Little
  • Publication number: 20210309337
    Abstract: A structural system for lifting cells, constructed of modular, lightweight framing supporting thin, lightweight, single-ply or laminated, air-impermeable membranes, that maintain near constant-volume under low pressure for aerostatic lift in lighter-than-air aircraft; a system for controlling that aerostatic lift in a single or a plurality of such lifting cells, using electrically-powered vacuum pumps and valves; and a system for recovering electrical energy expended during ascent by using the inflow of air into the lifting cells during descent to generate electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventor: James Douglas Little