Patents by Inventor James Skala

James Skala 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: 20120038157
    Abstract: A synchronous induced wind power generation system is provided, comprised of a horizontally rotatable turbine-generator section that wind vanes into the prevailing wind direction. The turbine-generator section has a horizontally disposed turbine shaft therein, and air induction shrouds at either end thereof, the anterior areas of the air induction shrouds having larger areas than the interior area of the turbine-generator section, so as to induce a larger differential air pressure across the turbine. The turbine is directly coupled to a synchronous AC generator that is synchronized with an external power line in connection therewith, and directly generates synchronous AC power. Further, turbine magnetic brakes and/or adjustable pitch directrix blades are employed to control the speed of rotation of the turbine 1) during synchronization with the electrical line, 2) to modulate turbine power, and 3) to protect against overspeed during high wind and loss of load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: James A. Skala
  • Publication number: 20110204634
    Abstract: A synchronous induced wind power generation system is provided, which is comprised of a horizontally rotatable turbine-generator section that wind vanes into the prevailing wind direction. The turbine-generator section has a horizontally disposed turbine therein, and air induction shrouds at either end thereof, the anterior areas of the air induction shrouds having larger areas than the interior area of the turbine-generator section, so as to induce a large differential air pressure across the turbine. The turbine is directly coupled to a synchronous AC generator that is synchronized with an external power line in connection therewith, and directly generates synchronous AC power. Further, turbine magnetic brakes are employed 1) during synchronization with the electrical line, 2) to modulate turbine power, and 3) to protect against overspeed during high wind and loss of load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: James A. Skala
  • Publication number: 20110204632
    Abstract: A synchronous induced wind power generation system is provided, which is comprised of a rotatable turbine-generator section and a control system operable to rotate same in a direction corresponding to optimal wind conditions. The turbine-generator section has a horizontally disposed turbine therein in an interior area thereof, and orifices formed at either end thereof, with wider areas than the interior area, so as to form a funnel-like shape at either of the turbine-generator section. These funnel-shaped sections optimally funnel wind to the turbine, which is connected to a synchronous generator that runs at synchronous speed with an external power line in connection therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: James A. Skala
  • Publication number: 20100233660
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for automatic calibration and subsequent correlation of the position of a pulsed laser on a projected image in a system having a projector for projecting images onto a surface and a camera for sensing laser pulses on the surface. The automatic calibration method sets the camera exposure, allowing the system to operate in normal room-lighting conditions, and correlates camera pixel positions to projected image pixel positions by use of projected calibration images formed by sets of horizontal and vertical lines, with automatic calibration completing in less than 5 seconds. After calibration, the system determines two-dimensional camera pixel centroids of laser beam pulses on the projection surface to sub-pixel accuracy, and the calibration data is used to correlate the camera pixel centroids to the exact positions of the laser pulses on the projected image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicants: the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: James A. Skala, Joel Lee Wilder, Elessar Taggart
  • Patent number: 6997716
    Abstract: The Continuous Aimpoint Tracking System is comprised of a position detection device (PDD) and a laser pointing device (LPD) that projects an infrared crosshair onto the PDD. The PDD is coupled to a computer and comprises a multitude of photodiodes and associated circuits, the photodiodes being evenly spaced and arranged to form a frame that can be mounted on the computer so as to surround the computer video display. When a “shot” is fired from the LPD, the crosshair projection is interrupted briefly. The PDD determines the position of the four crosshair intersections and reports them to the computer which, in response, generates the video signals that form the resolved aimpoint on the screen, matching the LPD aimpoint to the video image. Further, the tracking system determines the rotation of the LPD over a range of at least 10 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: James A. Skala, Frank J. Blackwell, Patrick W. Jungwirth
  • Publication number: 20050103924
    Abstract: The Continuous Aimpoint Tracking System is comprised of a position detection device (PDD) and a laser pointing device (LPD) that projects an infrared crosshair onto the PDD. The PDD is coupled to a computer and comprises a multitude of photodiodes and associated circuits, the photodiodes being evenly spaced and arranged to form a frame that can be mounted on the computer so as to surround the computer video display. When a “shot” is fired from the LPD, the crosshair projection is interrupted briefly. The PDD determines the position of the four crosshair intersections and reports them to the computer which, in response, generates the video signals that form the resolved aimpoint on the screen, matching the LPD aimpoint to the video image. Further, the tracking system determines the rotation of the LPD over a range of at least 10 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Inventors: James Skala, Frank Blackwell, Patrick Jungwirth
  • Publication number: 20030180692
    Abstract: The Continuous Aimpoint Tracking System is comprised of a position detection device (PDD) and a laser pointing device (LPD) that projects an infrared crosshair onto the PDD. The PDD is coupled to a computer and comprises a multitude of photodiodes and associated circuits, the photodiodes being evenly spaced and arranged to form a frame that can be mounted on the computer so as to surround the computer video display. When a “shot” is fired from the LPD, the crosshair projection is interrupted briefly. The PDD determines the position of the four crosshair intersections and reports them to the computer which, in response, generates the video signals that form the resolved aimpoint on the screen, matching the LPD aimpoint to the video image. Further, the tracking system determines the rotation of the LPD over a range of at least 10 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: James A. Skala, Frank J. Blackwell, Patrick W. Jungwirth