Patents by Inventor Rinaldo S. Brutoco
Rinaldo S. Brutoco 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).
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Patent number: 12234035Abstract: A system, method and apparatus are proposed to assist in assembling the frame, attaching the skin, and performing other tasks in manufacturing an airship and constructing other structures that are otherwise challenging, inefficient, or unsuitable for humans to perform, and/or that traditionally require significant investments in capital intensive manufacturing facilities. Several embodiments are proposed in which these and other recurring manufacturing tasks can be performed safely and efficiently with the assistance of autonomous, semi-autonomous, and/or human-directed robots, acting independently and in robot swarms.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2023Date of Patent: February 25, 2025Assignee: H2 Clipper, Inc.Inventors: Rinaldo S. Brutoco, Robert H. Shelton, Michael R. Everman
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Publication number: 20240384840Abstract: A system and method for transporting and distributing hydrogen, reducing the risk of hydrogen leakage, maintaining a record of provenance, and measuring and recording its purity level as it flows from source to destination to assure it complies with a predetermined range of values. The system includes a hydrogen delivery line made from metallic or non-metallic pipe that may be placed inside a safety pipe such that a channel is formed between an exterior of the hydrogen delivery line and an interior of the safety pipe. A sweeper gas or liquid may be injected into the channel to purge any hydrogen that might escape from the hydrogen delivery line, and one or more sensors may be used to detect and avoid the presence of an unacceptable level of hydrogen, or to stop the flow of hydrogen and remediate the problem well before a safety or environmental risk can occur.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2024Publication date: November 21, 2024Applicant: H2 Clipper, Inc.Inventors: Rinaldo S. Brutoco, Robert H. Shelton
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Patent number: 12084163Abstract: A lighter-than-air airship has an exoskeleton constructed of spokes and hubs to create a set of connected hexagrams comprised of isosceles triangles wherein the spokes flex and vary in length to produce the slope of said airship's surface. In one embodiment, the exoskeleton connects to a nose cone that includes a cockpit cabin for controlling the airship's operation from a single location that can be physically separated from the exoskeleton in response to catastrophic events and for autonomous and/or remotely piloted operation. An improved means is also provided for landing and unloading cargo, and through use of unmanned aerial vehicles in another embodiment, the airship is configured for remote pickup, transport, delivery and return of payloads such as packages. In yet another embodiment, the airship provides a communications platform for beam form transmission and satellite signal relay, including in combination with the foregoing disclosed attributes.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2023Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: H2 Clipper, Inc.Inventors: Rinaldo S. Brutoco, Robert H. Shelton, Shawn Merritt
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Patent number: 12066152Abstract: A system and method for transporting and distributing hydrogen, reducing the risk of hydrogen leakage, maintaining a record of provenance, and measuring and recording its purity level as it flows from source to destination to assure it complies with a predetermined range of values. The system includes a hydrogen delivery line made from metallic or non-metallic pipe that may be placed inside a safety pipe such that a channel is formed between an exterior of the hydrogen delivery line and an interior of the safety pipe. A sweeper gas or liquid may be injected into the channel to purge any hydrogen that might escape from the hydrogen delivery line, and one or more sensors may be used to detect and avoid the presence of an unacceptable level of hydrogen, or to stop the flow of hydrogen and remediate the problem well before a safety or environmental risk can occur.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2023Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: H2 Clipper, Inc.Inventors: Rinaldo S. Brutoco, Robert H. Shelton
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Publication number: 20240228062Abstract: A system, method and apparatus are proposed to assist in assembling the frame, attaching the skin, and performing other tasks in manufacturing an airship and constructing other structures that are otherwise challenging, inefficient, or unsuitable for humans to perform, and/or that traditionally require significant investments in capital intensive manufacturing facilities. Several embodiments are proposed in which these and other recurring manufacturing tasks can be performed safely and efficiently with the assistance of autonomous, semi-autonomous, and/or human-directed robots, acting independently and in robot swarms.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2023Publication date: July 11, 2024Applicant: H2 Clipper, Inc.Inventors: Rinaldo S. Brutoco, Robert H. Shelton, Michael R. Everman
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Publication number: 20240116621Abstract: A lighter-than-air airship has an exoskeleton constructed of spokes and hubs to create a set of connected hexagrams comprised of isosceles triangles wherein the spokes flex and vary in length to produce the slope of said airship's surface. In one embodiment, the exoskeleton connects to a nose cone that includes a cockpit cabin for controlling the airship's operation from a single location that can be physically separated from the exoskeleton in response to catastrophic events and for autonomous and/or remotely piloted operation. An improved means is also provided for landing and unloading cargo, and through use of unmanned aerial vehicles in another embodiment, the airship is configured for remote pickup, transport, delivery and return of payloads such as packages. In yet another embodiment, the airship provides a communications platform for beam form transmission and satellite signal relay, including in combination with the foregoing disclosed attributes.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: H2 Clipper, Inc.Inventors: Rinaldo S. Brutoco, Robert H. Shelton, Shawn Merritt
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Publication number: 20240021852Abstract: A system, method and apparatus are disclosed for enabling the efficient utilization of hydrogen as an emissions-free fuel for airships and other aircraft, including in one embodiment for transporting cryogenic hydrogen as the airship's payload. A system, method and apparatus are disclosed to provide substantially higher net energy density for the propulsion system, optimizing the weight of the cryogenic tanks, utilizing boiloff directly or indirectly for propulsion power, and employing a novel thermal management system both to cool the fuel cells and help regulate the conversion of liquid hydrogen into gas. A system, method and apparatus are also disclosed for ground-based facilities including strategically located depots, optionally supplied by such hydrogen transport vehicles, and utilizing a novel thermal compression system to store, pressurize and distribute hydrogen, including but not limited to gaseous hydrogen pipelines, transport trailers, and dispensing systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2022Publication date: January 18, 2024Applicant: H2 Clipper, Inc.Inventors: Rinaldo S. Brutoco, Robert H. Shelton, Matthew Knapp, Bob Boyd
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Patent number: 11851214Abstract: A system, method and apparatus are proposed to assist in assembling the frame, attaching the skin, and performing other tasks in manufacturing an airship and constructing other structures that are otherwise challenging, inefficient, or unsuitable for humans to perform, and/or that traditionally require significant investments in capital intensive manufacturing facilities. Several embodiments are proposed in which these and other recurring manufacturing tasks can be performed safely and efficiently with the assistance of autonomous, semi-autonomous, and/or human-directed robots, acting independently and in robot swarms.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: H2 Clipper, Inc.Inventors: Rinaldo S. Brutoco, Robert H. Shelton, Michael R. Everman
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Patent number: 11820482Abstract: A lighter-than-air airship has an exoskeleton constructed of spokes and hubs to create a set of connected hexagrams comprised of isosceles triangles wherein the spokes flex and vary in length to produce the slope of said airship's surface. In one embodiment, the exoskeleton connects to a nose cone that includes a cockpit cabin for controlling the airship's operation from a single location that can be physically separated from the exoskeleton in response to catastrophic events and for autonomous and/or remotely piloted operation. An improved means is also provided for landing and unloading cargo, and through use of unmanned aerial vehicles in another embodiment, the airship is configured for remote pickup, transport, delivery and return of payloads such as packages. In yet another embodiment, the airship provides a communications platform for beam form transmission and satellite signal relay, including in combination with the foregoing disclosed attributes.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: H2 Clipper, Inc.Inventors: Rinaldo S. Brutoco, Robert H. Shelton, Shawn Merritt
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Publication number: 20230272883Abstract: A system and method for transporting and distributing hydrogen, reducing the risk of hydrogen leakage, maintaining a record of provenance, and measuring and recording its purity level as it flows from source to destination to assure it complies with a predetermined range of values. The system includes a hydrogen delivery line made from metallic or non-metallic pipe that may be placed inside a safety pipe such that a channel is formed between an exterior of the hydrogen delivery line and an interior of the safety pipe. A sweeper gas or liquid may be injected into the channel to purge any hydrogen that might escape from the hydrogen delivery line, and one or more sensors may be used to detect and avoid the presence of an unacceptable level of hydrogen, or to stop the flow of hydrogen and remediate the problem well before a safety or environmental risk can occur.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Applicant: H2 Clipper, Inc.Inventors: Rinaldo S. Brutoco, Robert H. Shelton
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Publication number: 20230150693Abstract: A system, method and apparatus are proposed to assist in assembling the frame, attaching the skin, and performing other tasks in manufacturing an airship and constructing other structures that are otherwise challenging, inefficient, or unsuitable for humans to perform, and/or that traditionally require significant investments in capital intensive manufacturing facilities. Several embodiments are proposed in which these and other recurring manufacturing tasks can be performed safely and efficiently with the assistance of autonomous, semi-autonomous, and/or human-directed robots, acting independently and in robot swarms.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2022Publication date: May 18, 2023Applicant: H2 Clipper, Inc.Inventors: Rinaldo S. Brutoco, Robert H. Shelton, Michael R. Everman
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Publication number: 20230112682Abstract: A lighter-than-air airship has an exoskeleton constructed of spokes and hubs to create a set of connected hexagrams comprised of isosceles triangles wherein the spokes flex and vary in length to produce the slope of said airship's surface. In one embodiment, the exoskeleton connects to a nose cone that includes a cockpit cabin for controlling the airship's operation from a single location that can be physically separated from the exoskeleton in response to catastrophic events and for autonomous and/or remotely piloted operation. An improved means is also provided for landing and unloading cargo, and through use of unmanned aerial vehicles in another embodiment, the airship is configured for remote pickup, transport, delivery and return of payloads such as packages. In yet another embodiment, the airship provides a communications platform for beam form transmission and satellite signal relay, including in combination with the foregoing disclosed attributes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Applicant: H2 Clipper, Inc.Inventors: Rinaldo S. Brutoco, Robert H. Shelton, Shawn Merritt
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Publication number: 20220307652Abstract: A system uses existing pipelines, e.g., natural gas, oil, etc., to transport hydrogen to one or more distribution points. The disclosed hydrogen distribution system enables use of water, sewer, storm drain and other existing pipelines for local distribution. Hydrogen is produced from an energy source at a producing location. A safety pipe is located inside an existing pipeline configured to carry a first product and a hydrogen delivery line, configured to carry hydrogen, is placed inside the safety pipe such that a channel is formed between an exterior of the hydrogen delivery line and an interior of the safety pipe. Hydrogen is injected into the hydrogen delivery line and a sweeper gas is injected into the channel to purge any hydrogen that might be leaking from the hydrogen delivery line.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2022Publication date: September 29, 2022Applicant: H2 Clipper, Inc.Inventors: James M. Ewan, Robert H. Shelton, Rinaldo S. Brutoco
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Patent number: 11441737Abstract: A system uses existing pipelines, e.g., natural gas, oil, etc., to transport hydrogen to one or more distribution points. The disclosed hydrogen distribution system enables use of water, sewer, storm drain and other existing pipelines for local distribution. Hydrogen is produced from an energy source at a producing location. A safety pipe is located inside an existing pipeline configured to carry a first product and a hydrogen delivery line, configured to carry hydrogen, is placed inside the safety pipe such that a channel is formed between an exterior of the hydrogen delivery line and an interior of the safety pipe. Hydrogen is injected into the hydrogen delivery line and a sweeper gas is injected into the channel to purge any hydrogen that might be leaking from the hydrogen delivery line.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2021Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: H2 Clipper, Inc.Inventors: James M. Ewan, Robert H. Shelton, Rinaldo S. Brutoco
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Patent number: 11396356Abstract: A lighter-than-air airship has an exoskeleton constructed of spokes and hubs to create a set of connected hexagrams comprised of isosceles triangles wherein the spokes flex and vary in length to produce the slope of said airship's surface. In one embodiment, the exoskeleton connects to a nose cone that includes a cockpit cabin for controlling the airship's operation from a single location that can be physically separated from the exoskeleton in response to catastrophic events and for autonomous and/or remotely piloted operation. An improved means is also provided for landing and unloading cargo, and through use of unmanned aerial vehicles in another embodiment, the airship is configured for remote pickup, transport, delivery and return of payloads such as packages. In yet another embodiment, the airship provides a communications platform for beam form transmission and satellite signal relay, including in combination with the foregoing disclosed attributes.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2021Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: H2 Clipper, Inc.Inventors: Rinaldo S. Brutoco, Robert H. Shelton, Shawn Merritt
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Publication number: 20220146048Abstract: A system uses existing pipelines, e.g., natural gas, oil, etc., to transport hydrogen to one or more distribution points. The disclosed hydrogen distribution system enables use of water, sewer, storm drain and other existing pipelines for local distribution. Hydrogen is produced from an energy source at a producing location. A safety pipe is located inside an existing pipeline configured to carry a first product and a hydrogen delivery line, configured to carry hydrogen, is placed inside the safety pipe such that a channel is formed between an exterior of the hydrogen delivery line and an interior of the safety pipe. Hydrogen is injected into the hydrogen delivery line and a sweeper gas is injected into the channel to purge any hydrogen that might be leaking from the hydrogen delivery line.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2021Publication date: May 12, 2022Applicant: H2 Clipper, Inc.Inventors: James M. Ewan, Robert H. Shelton, Rinaldo S. Brutoco
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Publication number: 20220063790Abstract: A lighter-than-air airship has an exoskeleton constructed of spokes and hubs to create a set of connected hexagrams comprised of isosceles triangles wherein the spokes flex and vary in length to produce the slope of said airship's surface. In one embodiment, the exoskeleton connects to a nose cone that includes a cockpit cabin for controlling the airship's operation from a single location that can be physically separated from the exoskeleton in response to catastrophic events and for autonomous and/or remotely piloted operation. An improved means is also provided for landing and unloading cargo, and through use of unmanned aerial vehicles in another embodiment, the airship is configured for remote pickup, transport, delivery and return of payloads such as packages. In yet another embodiment, the airship provides a communications platform for beam form transmission and satellite signal relay, including in combination with the foregoing disclosed attributes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: H2 Clipper, Inc.Inventors: Rinaldo S. Brutoco, Robert H. Shelton, Shawn Merritt
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Patent number: 11236864Abstract: A system, method and apparatus to transport and distribute hydrogen, store energy at scale, and interconnect locations where large quantities of “green” hydrogen can be produced most advantageously, with cities, towns and rural communities where hydrogen is needed as a clean transportation fuel, industrial feedstock, power source, and for long-term storage of electrical power. A hydrogen distribution pipeline enables use of natural gas, oil and other existing pipelines to transport hydrogen to one or more distribution points; and in one embodiment, integrates a lighter-than-air airship to transport hydrogen between locations where pipelines don't exist or are impractical.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2020Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: H2 Clipper, Inc.Inventors: James M. Ewan, Robert H. Shelton, Rinaldo S. Brutoco
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Patent number: 11066145Abstract: A lighter-than-air airship has an exoskeleton constructed of spokes and hubs to create a set of connected hexagrams comprised of isosceles triangles wherein the spokes flex and vary in length to produce the slope of said airship's surface. In one embodiment, the exoskeleton connects to a nose cone that includes a cockpit cabin for controlling the airship's operation from a single location that can be physically separated from the exoskeleton in response to catastrophic events and for autonomous and/or remotely piloted operation. An improved means is also provided for landing and unloading cargo, and through use of unmanned aerial vehicles in another embodiment, the airship is configured for remote pickup, transport, delivery and return of payloads such as packages. In yet another embodiment, the airship provides a communications platform for beam form transmission and satellite signal relay, including in combination with the foregoing disclosed attributes.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2020Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: H2 Clipper, Inc.Inventors: Rinaldo S. Brutoco, Robert H. Shelton, Shawn Merritt