Patents by Inventor Michelle Ann Vieira

Michelle Ann Vieira 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: 11174831
    Abstract: A wave energy collection and conversion system that uses a compliant capture mechanism to enable the collection of wave energy over extensive distances without introducing damaging forces onto the collection structure. The system includes a flexible membrane in contact with or submerged under water, a plurality of power generation devices positioned on a sea floor, and lines that connect the flexible membrane to the power generation devices. The power generation devices each include a self-reeling mechanism and a turbine. As wave energy pushes the flexible membrane, the lines are reeled into and out of the corresponding power generation device(s). Rotation of the shaft, in turn, rotates a gear and rotator of the turbine, thus harnessing energy derived from the wave motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: University of North Florida Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Donald Thomas Resio, Abdallah Walid Mohamed Kamal El Safty, Michelle Ann Vieira, Ashley Norton, Brian Thomas Kopp, William R. Dally
  • Publication number: 20210010450
    Abstract: A wave energy collection and conversion system that uses a compliant capture mechanism to enable the collection of wave energy over extensive distances without introducing damaging forces onto the collection structure. The system includes a flexible membrane in contact with or submerged under water, a plurality of power generation devices positioned on a sea floor, and lines that connect the flexible membrane to the power generation devices. The power generation devices each include a self-reeling mechanism and a turbine. As wave energy pushes the flexible membrane, the lines are reeled into and out of the corresponding power generation device(s). Rotation of the shaft, in turn, rotates a gear and rotator of the turbine, thus harnessing energy derived from the wave motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Donald Thomas Resio, Abdallah Walid Mohamed Kamal El Safty, Michelle Ann Vieira, Ashley Norton, Brian Thomas Kopp, William R. Dally
  • Patent number: 10801466
    Abstract: A closed system that captures energy derived from the head differential rather than open-water flows velocities while reducing potential environmental damages and costly maintenance due to bio-fouling. The continuously derived energy system utilizes an offshore bladder in communication with both a primary onshore bladder and a supplemental onshore bladder. Tidal energy is captured by turbines as fluid is transferred between the bladders. In addition, the system continuously extracts energy by diverting fluid to and from the supplemental onshore bladder during periods of near-high-ride and near-low-tide, during which the pressure differential between the offshore bladder and the primary onshore bladder becomes inefficient for energy production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: University of North Florida Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Donald Thomas Resio, William T. Fletcher, Michelle Ann Vieira
  • Patent number: 10767619
    Abstract: A closed system that captures energy derived from the head differential rather than open-water flows velocities while reducing potential environmental damages and costly maintenance due to bio-fouling. This energy density available in a tidal range is increased substantially via convergent “nozzles” to produce an optimal speed for power generations with the turbine sections, thereby significantly increasing the tidal energy captured by this system, even at sites where tidal energy is low (e.g., small to medium tide ranges, such as found along the East and Gulf Coasts of the United States).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: University of North Florida Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Brian Thomas Kopp, Donald Thomas Resio, Michelle Ann Vieira, Abdallah Walid Mohamed Kamal El Safty
  • Publication number: 20200200142
    Abstract: A closed system that captures energy derived from the head differential rather than open-water flows velocities while reducing potential environmental damages and costly maintenance due to bio-fouling. This energy density available in a tidal range is increased substantially via convergent “nozzles” to produce an optimal speed for power generations with the turbine sections, thereby significantly increasing the tidal energy captured by this system, even at sites where tidal energy is low (e.g., small to medium tide ranges, such as found along the East and Gulf Coasts of the United States).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: University of North Florida Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Brian Thomas Kopp, Donald Thomas Resio, Michelle Ann Vieira, Abdallah Walid Mohamed Kamal El Safty
  • Patent number: 10514020
    Abstract: A closed system that captures energy derived from the head differential rather than open-water flows velocities while reducing potential environmental damages and costly maintenance due to bio-fouling. The continuously derived energy system utilizes an offshore bladder in communication with both a primary onshore bladder and a supplemental onshore bladder. Tidal energy is captured by turbines as fluid is transferred between the bladders. In addition, the system continuously extracts energy by diverting fluid to and from the supplemental onshore bladder during periods of near-high-ride and near-low-tide, during which the pressure differential between the offshore bladder and the primary onshore bladder becomes inefficient for energy production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: University of North Florida Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Donald Thomas Resio, William T. Fletcher, Michelle Ann Vieira