Patents by Inventor James Sheppard

James Sheppard 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: 20260042544
    Abstract: A flying vehicle propulsion system comprises a propulsor, a drive system, a heat exchanger, and a housing in which the heat exchanger is provided. The propulsor produces a propulsor fluid flow. In a first operation configuration of the propulsion system, at least part of the propulsor fluid flow is incident on the exchanger. A propulsor fluid flow inlet port of the housing fluidly communicates with a chamber of the housing on an inlet side of the exchanger. The inlet port receives the propulsor fluid flow for ingestion into the chamber and exchanger and comprises a valve to close the port when the valve is closed and open the port when the valve is open. The valve is biased such that at least one of: the valve opens passively under a propulsor fluid flow rate influence above a pre-defined threshold impinging on the valve; and the valve closes passively under a biasing influence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2025
    Publication date: February 12, 2026
    Inventors: James SHEPPARD, Andrea DE MATTEIS
  • Patent number: 12466572
    Abstract: A flying vehicle propulsion system comprises a propulsor, a drive system, a heat exchanger, and a housing in which the heat exchanger is provided. The propulsor produces a propulsor fluid flow. In a first operation configuration of the propulsion system, at least part of the propulsor fluid flow is incident on the exchanger. A propulsor fluid flow inlet port of the housing fluidly communicates with a chamber of the housing on an inlet side of the exchanger. The inlet port receives the propulsor fluid flow for ingestion into the chamber and exchanger and comprises a valve to close the port when the valve is closed and open the port when the valve is open. The valve is biased such that at least one of: the valve opens passively under a propulsor fluid flow rate influence above a pre-defined threshold impinging on the valve; and the valve closes passively under a biasing influence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2025
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2025
    Assignee: VERTICAL AEROSPACE GROUP LIMITED
    Inventors: James Sheppard, Andrea De Matteis
  • Publication number: 20250206456
    Abstract: A flying vehicle propulsion system comprises a propulsor, a drive system, a heat exchanger, and a housing in which the heat exchanger is provided. The propulsor produces a propulsor fluid flow. In a first operation configuration of the propulsion system, at least part of the propulsor fluid flow is incident on the exchanger. A propulsor fluid flow inlet port of the housing fluidly communicates with a chamber of the housing on an inlet side of the exchanger. The inlet port receives the propulsor fluid flow for ingestion into the chamber and exchanger and comprises a valve to close the port when the valve is closed and open the port when the valve is open. The valve is biased such that at least one of: the valve opens passively under a propulsor fluid flow rate influence above a pre-defined threshold impinging on the valve; and the valve closes passively under a biasing influence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2025
    Publication date: June 26, 2025
    Inventors: James SHEPPARD, Andrea DE MATTEIS
  • Patent number: 12269605
    Abstract: A flying vehicle propulsion system including a propulsor, a drive system and a heat exchanger. The drive system is arranged to drive the propulsor and the heat exchanger is arranged to thermally regulate at least part of the drive system. The propulsor is arranged to move fluid, thereby producing a propulsor fluid flow having a main direction. The system is arranged such that in a first operation configuration, at least part of the propulsor fluid flow is incident on the heat exchanger, thereby thermally regulating the at least part of the drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: VERTICAL AEROSPACE GROUP LIMITED
    Inventors: James Sheppard, Andrea De Matteis
  • Publication number: 20230050892
    Abstract: A flying vehicle propulsion system including a propulsor, a drive system and a heat exchanger. The drive system is arranged to drive the propulsor and the heat exchanger is arranged to thermally regulate at least part of the drive system. The propulsor is arranged to move fluid, thereby producing a propulsor fluid flow having a main direction. The system is arranged such that in a first operation configuration, at least part of the propulsor fluid flow is incident on the heat exchanger, thereby thermally regulating the at least part of the drive system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: VERTICAL AEROSPACE GROUP LIMITED
    Inventors: James SHEPPARD, Andrea DE MATTEIS
  • Publication number: 20210272051
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for establishing communication channels related to assets. An embodiment enables users of home assets such as appliances to share content related to that asset through a centralized clearinghouse of asset content. Aggregated content reduces redundant searches across sources by many users looking for the same content. New data pathways from user to users, manufacturers, and various third parties are established through the connections created in relation to assets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Shubber ALI, James SHEPPARD
  • Patent number: 11049063
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for establishing communication channels related to assets. An embodiment enables users of home assets such as appliances to share content related to that asset through a centralized clearinghouse of asset content. Aggregated content reduces redundant searches across sources by many users looking for the same content. New data pathways from user to users, manufacturers, and various third parties are established through the connections created in relation to assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Centriq Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shubber Ali, James Sheppard
  • Patent number: 9929563
    Abstract: A subsea cable engagement system for connecting at least one cable end connector in communication with a power generation unit to a hub mounted cable connector of a hub. The system comprises a base; and at least one hub. The base comprises an engagement section for receiving a hub(s); and at least one engagement member for engaging a cable-end connector. The hub(s) comprises at least one hub-mounted cable connectors. The engagement member(s) of the base and/or the at least one hub-mounted cable connector are arranged to provide relative movement therebetween for engagement of at least one cable-end connector with at least one hub-mounted cable connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: TIDAL GENERATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher Germain, James Sheppard, Richard Goss
  • Publication number: 20160357876
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for establishing communication channels related to assets. An embodiment enables users of home assets such as appliances to share content related to that asset through a centralized clearinghouse of asset content. Aggregated content reduces redundant searches across sources by many users looking for the same content. New data pathways from user to users, manufacturers, and various third parties are established through the connections created in relation to assets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: MiCasa Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Shubber ALI, James SHEPPARD
  • Publication number: 20160301212
    Abstract: A subsea cable engagement system for connecting at least one cable end connector in communication with a power generation unit to a hub mounted cable connector of a hub. The system comprises a base; and at least one hub. The base comprises an engagement section for receiving a hub(s); and at least one engagement member for engaging a cable-end connector. The hub(s) comprises at least one hub-mounted cable connectors. The engagement member(s) of the base and/or the at least one hub-mounted cable connector are arranged to provide relative movement therebetween for engagement of at least one cable-end connector with at least one hub-mounted cable connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher GERMAIN, James SHEPPARD, Richard GOSS
  • Publication number: 20160138560
    Abstract: A water current power generation structure including: a power generation unit including a main body, a mounting portion which extends from the main body and which defines a mounting axis; a support structure adapted for engagement with a bed of a body of water, and including a support housing; wherein the structure further includes a yaw mechanism for rotating the power generation unit relative to the support structure, the mechanism including: a pinion associated with the mounting portion; and a gear associated within the support housing and arranged to engage the pinion to rotate the power generation unit about the mounting axis relative to the support structure; and a selective engagement mechanism for selectively engaging the yaw mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: TIDAL GENERATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul VIGARS, Jonathan RHYMES, James SHEPPARD, Daniel HAWORTH
  • Publication number: 20120285588
    Abstract: A padded covering for vehicle may include a first covering member for covering the padded covering, a second covering member for covering the covering and a padded member being positioned between the first covering member and the second covering member for providing padding for the padded covering. The padded covering may include a transparent portion, and the transparent portion may correspond to the windshield of the vehicle. The transparent portion may correspond to the lights of the vehicle, and the transparent portion may maintain a spaced relationship with the windshield of the vehicle. The spaced relationship may be maintained with a suction cup, and the padded covering may include a slit. The slit may define a movable panel, and the padded covering may include a magnet to position the padded covering. The padded covering may include an aperture to position the padded covering, and the padded covering may extend over a hood of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventor: James Sheppard
  • Publication number: 20100307210
    Abstract: A vertical manure converter and related process of using activated carbon in an activated carbon/organic material mixture to process organic waste. Inducing air, preferably compressed, into a chamber of the converter in combination with reusing activated carbon can result in a continuous process. The temperature can be controlled by regulating the air into the chamber. The vertical manure converter takes organic waste and uses heat to accelerate the composting process wherein final products can be purified water and ash fertilizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Frank Rosenbaum, James Sheppard, Kurt Keiffer, Jason Simon, Michael McCrackin
  • Patent number: 5976225
    Abstract: A filter frame and media capable of withstanding repeated heating to high temperatures in an oxidizing environment, and a method of cleaning the same for indefinite use in a method of operating industrial paint booths. Progressive density, heat resistant, and preferably metal media paint booth filters are provided for replacement of existing filters in industrial paint booths. The filters are structurally resistant to cyclic heating to high temperature in an oxidizing bake-off oven where the paint residue accumulated on the filters is reduced to ash. After cooling, the ash is removed, and the filters returned to service, and the cycle is repeated. The filter comprises a frame section and a mesh media section which has a plurality of mesh portions. The mesh portions are preferably arranged in a series M.sub.1, M.sub.n-1, M.sub.n, wherein n is a positive integer of 4 or more, that are sized with the free face area A.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: N. S. Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken A. Nystrom, James Sheppard
  • Patent number: D844476
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Limpet Solution Limited
    Inventors: Matthew James Leach, James Sheppard