Patents by Inventor Nicholas Cizek

Nicholas Cizek 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: 20230383998
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby network input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in network output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Robert B. Laughlin, Philippe Larochelle, Nicholas Cizek
  • Patent number: 11796971
    Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing a spatial statistical model to maximize efficacy in performing trials on agronomic fields are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a system receives first yield data for a first portion of an agronomic field having received a first treatment, and second yield data for a second portion of the agronomic field having received a second treatment different than the first treatment. The system uses a spatial statistical model and the first yield data to compute a yield value for the second portion of the agronomic field, where the yield value indicates an agronomic yield for the second portion of the agronomic field if the second portion of the agronomic field had received the first treatment instead of the second treatment. Based on the computed yield value and the second yield data, the system selects the second treatment and generates a prescription map including the second treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: CLIMATE LLC
    Inventors: Carlos Carrion, Nicholas Cizek, James Delaney, Gardar Johannesson, Moslem Ladoni, Ricardo Lemos, Brian Lutz, Maria Terres
  • Patent number: 11796970
    Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing a spatial statistical model to maximize efficacy in performing trials on agronomic fields are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a system receives first yield data for a first portion of an agronomic field, the first portion of the agronomic field having received a first treatment, and second yield data, for a second portion of the agronomic field, the second portion of the agronomic field having received a second treatment that is different than the first treatment. The system uses a spatial statistical model and the first yield data to compute a yield value for the second portion of the agronomic field, the yield value indicating an agronomic yield for the second portion of the agronomic field if the second portion of the agronomic field had received the first treatment instead of the second treatment. Based on the computed yield value and the second yield data, the system selects the second treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: CLIMATE LLC
    Inventors: Gardar Johannesson, Maria Terres, Moslem Ladoni, Carlos Carrion, Nicholas Cizek, Brian Lutz, Ricardo Lemos, James Delaney
  • Patent number: 11754319
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby network input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in network output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: MALTA INC.
    Inventors: Robert B. Laughlin, Philippe Larochelle, Nicholas Cizek
  • Publication number: 20230050552
    Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing a spatial statistical model to maximize efficacy in performing trials on agronomic fields are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a system receives first yield data for a first portion of an agronomic field having received a first treatment, and second yield data for a second portion of the agronomic field having received a second treatment different than the first treatment. The system uses a spatial statistical model and the first yield data to compute a yield value for the second portion of the agronomic field, where the yield value indicates an agronomic yield for the second portion of the agronomic field if the second portion of the agronomic field had received the first treatment instead of the second treatment. Based on the computed yield value and the second yield data, the system selects the second treatment and generates a prescription map including the second treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Carlos Carrion, Nicholas Cizek, James Delaney, Gardar Johannesson, Moslem Ladoni, Ricardo Lemos, Brian Lutz, Maria Terres
  • Publication number: 20230013476
    Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing a spatial statistical model to maximize efficacy in performing trials on agronomic fields are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a system receives first yield data for a first portion of an agronomic field, the first portion of the agronomic field having received a first treatment, and second yield data, for a second portion of the agronomic field, the second portion of the agronomic field having received a second treatment that is different than the first treatment. The system uses a spatial statistical model and the first yield data to compute a yield value for the second portion of the agronomic field, the yield value indicating an agronomic yield for the second portion of the agronomic field if the second portion of the agronomic field had received the first treatment instead of the second treatment. Based on the computed yield value and the second yield data, the system selects the second treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Climate LLC
    Inventors: Gardar JOHANNESSON, Maria TERRES, Moslem LADONI, Carlos CARRION, Nicholas CIZEK, Brian LUTZ, Ricardo LEMOS, James DELANEY
  • Patent number: 11487254
    Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing a spatial statistical model to maximize efficacy in performing trials on agronomic fields are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a system receives first yield data for a first portion of an agronomic field, the first portion of the agronomic field having received a first treatment, and second yield data, for a second portion of the agronomic field, the second portion of the agronomic field having received a second treatment that is different than the first treatment. The system uses a spatial statistical model and the first yield data to compute a yield value for the second portion of the agronomic field, the yield value indicating an agronomic yield for the second portion of the agronomic field if the second portion of the agronomic field had received the first treatment instead of the second treatment. Based on the computed yield value and the second yield data, the system selects the second treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Climate LLC
    Inventors: Gardar Johannesson, Maria Terres, Moslem Ladoni, Carlos Carrion, Nicholas Cizek, Brian Lutz, Ricardo Lemos, James Delaney
  • Publication number: 20220042720
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby network input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in network output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Robert B. Laughlin, Philippe Larochelle, Nicholas Cizek
  • Patent number: 11156385
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: MALTA INC.
    Inventors: Robert B. Laughlin, Philippe Larochelle, Nicholas Cizek
  • Publication number: 20200201269
    Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing a spatial statistical model to maximize efficacy in performing trials on agronomic fields are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a system receives first yield data for a first portion of an agronomic field, the first portion of the agronomic field having received a first treatment, and second yield data, for a second portion of the agronomic field, the second portion of the agronomic field having received a second treatment that is different than the first treatment. The system uses a spatial statistical model and the first yield data to compute a yield value for the second portion of the agronomic field, the yield value indicating an agronomic yield for the second portion of the agronomic field if the second portion of the agronomic field had received the first treatment instead of the second treatment. Based on the computed yield value and the second yield data, the system selects the second treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Gardar Johannesson, Maria Terres, Moslem Ladoni, Carlos Carrion, Nicholas Cizek, Brian Lutz, Ricardo Lemos, James Delaney
  • Publication number: 20200128720
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a trial in one or more fields is provided. According to an embodiment, an agricultural intelligence computer system identifies a plurality of sets of adjacent locations in a field and computes a difference value between the locations. The system uses the different values for the plurality of sets of adjacent locations to determine a short length variability score. The system may then use the short length variability score to identify fields for implementing a trial and/or locations within a field to implement the trial. In embodiments, the system uses a grid overlay which the system orients based on header information received from agricultural implements. In embodiments, the system alters the grid overlay to increase a number of testing locations on the agricultural field and/or within different management zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Nicholas Cizek, Moslem Ladoni, Daniel Williams
  • Patent number: 10458721
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Malta Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Laughlin, Philippe Larochelle, Nicholas Cizek
  • Patent number: 10458283
    Abstract: In the present disclosure, an example method is provided. The example method may comprise operating a pumped thermal system in a charging cycle at a first compression ratio, wherein the pumped thermal system comprises a working fluid circulating through, in sequence, a compressor system, a hot side heat exchanger, a turbine system, and a cold side heat exchanger, wherein the working fluid is in thermal contact with a hot thermal storage (“HTS”) medium in the hot side heat exchanger and the working fluid is in thermal contact with a cold thermal storage (“CTS”) medium in the cold side heat exchanger. The example method may also comprise operating the pumped thermal system in a discharging cycle at a second compression ratio different than the first compression ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Malta Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Laughlin, Philippe Larochelle, Nicholas Cizek
  • Patent number: 10443452
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Malta Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Laughlin, Philippe Larochelle, Nicholas Cizek
  • Patent number: 10428693
    Abstract: In an example, a system configured to operate in a heat pump mode and heat engine mode is disclosed. The system may comprise a first working fluid path, first hot thermal storage (HTS) fluid path, and first cold thermal storage (CTS) fluid path for operation in the heat pump mode. The first working fluid path may be configured to circulate the working fluid through, in sequence, a first compressor, first hot side heat exchanger, first turbine, first cold side heat exchanger, and back to the first compressor. The system may also comprise a second working fluid path, second HTS fluid path, and second CTS fluid path for operation in the heat engine mode. The second working fluid path may be configured to circulate the working fluid through, in sequence, a second compressor, second hot side heat exchanger, second turbine, second cold side heat exchanger, and back to the second compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Malta Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Laughlin, Philippe Larochelle, Nicholas Cizek
  • Patent number: 10428694
    Abstract: An example method may comprise providing a composite pumped thermal system having a plurality of subunits, each configured for operation in a thermal storage mode and a power generation mode; operating the system in power output mode with a power output level at an intermediate output level between 0% and 100% of a maximum output level of the system; reducing the power output level to 0% of the maximum output level by reducing a power output of a first subunit operating in a power generation mode; and at 0% of the maximum output level, wherein a power input level of the system is also at 0% of a maximum input level of the system, increasing the power input level to an intermediate input level between 0% and 100% of the maximum input level by increasing a power input of a second subunit operating in a thermal storage mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Malta Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Laughlin, Philippe Larochelle, Nicholas Cizek
  • Patent number: 10422250
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Malta Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Laughlin, Philippe Larochelle, Nicholas Cizek
  • Publication number: 20190212070
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Robert B. Laughlin, Philippe Larochelle, Nicholas Cizek
  • Publication number: 20190195571
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Robert B. Laughlin, Philippe Larochelle, Nicholas Cizek
  • Publication number: 20190153901
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Robert B. Laughlin, Philippe Larochelle, Nicholas Cizek