Patents by Inventor Michael Gerard Blum

Michael Gerard Blum 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).

  • Patent number: 9604653
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving vehicle performance and efficiency. The performance is improved by allowing the user to customize parameters and other features through the use of an interface accessible to the vehicle operator or owner, which enables and encourages development and rewards many stakeholders including vehicle producers and third party vendors (e.g. aftermarket), customers, maintenance service providers, and insurance companies. One form of performance improvement, a novel method of accomplishing an enhanced form of energy efficiency calculation for near real-time display to the operator, is provided in detail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Gerard Blum
  • Patent number: 9170032
    Abstract: A method and system is provided whereby heliostats in a solar power plant may be calibrated without being aimed away from the receiver. The heliostats may be moved through a calibration path different from their operational path. The calibration path may start from any point along the operational path of the heliostat and may move the reflected sunlight from the heliostat across a portion of the solar receiver. Individual power generation receiver modules may be monitored to detect changes in output as the calibration path takes the heliostat reflection across various receiver modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Gerard Blum
  • Publication number: 20140350747
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving vehicle performance and efficiency. The performance is improved by allowing the user to customize parameters and other features through the use of an interface accessible to the vehicle operator or owner, which enables and encourages development and rewards many stakeholders including vehicle producers and third party vendors (e.g. aftermarket), customers, maintenance service providers, and insurance companies. One form of performance improvement, a novel method of accomplishing an enhanced form of energy efficiency calculation for near real-time display to the operator, is provided in detail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Gerard Blum
  • Publication number: 20130306131
    Abstract: A receiver for a solar power generation plant with a plurality of heliostats is provided. The solar receiver is mounted above the heliostats on a tower and faces downwardly towards the heliostats. The solar receiver includes a plurality of receiver modules mounted on a frame which allows individual columns of receiver modules to pivot inwardly and into the tower for service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Gerard Blum
  • Publication number: 20130306057
    Abstract: A method and system is provided whereby heliostats in a solar power plant may be calibrated without being aimed away from the receiver. The heliostats may be moved through a calibration path different from their operational path. The calibration path may start from any point along the operational path of the heliostat and may move the reflected sunlight from the heliostat across a portion of the solar receiver. Individual power generation receiver modules may be monitored to detect changes in output as the calibration path takes the heliostat reflection across various receiver modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Gerard Blum