Patents by Inventor Thomas Zambrano
Thomas Zambrano 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: 10310518Abstract: A system and method for generating an artificial topography in a distributed array of robotic agents. Each robotic agent stores, and periodically updates a parameter value or “A-value” in accordance with a process including, e.g., averaging neighboring A-values, received from close neighbor robotic agents, biasing the A-value based on external commands or measured environmental parameters, and decreasing the A-value by a cooling rate factor. Averaging among neighboring robotic agents results eventually in a globally smoothed distribution of A-values. A gradient may be estimated for the distribution of A-values, and the robotic agents may be programmed to move in the direction of the gradient, toward increasing A-values. This behavior may be employed to cause the robotic agents to follow a robotic agent with a fixed, relatively large, A-value, or, if the A-values are biased by features (e.g., gradients or steps) in environmental parameters, to converge on such features.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Apium Inc.Inventors: Tyler MacCready, Sankaran Ramakrishnan, Thomas Zambrano
-
Publication number: 20170068243Abstract: A system and method for generating an artificial topography in a distributed array of robotic agents. Each robotic agent stores, and periodically updates a parameter value or “A-value” in accordance with a process including, e.g., averaging neighboring A-values, received from close neighbor robotic agents, biasing the A-value based on external commands or measured environmental parameters, and decreasing the A-value by a cooling rate factor. Averaging among neighboring robotic agents results eventually in a globally smoothed distribution of A-values. A gradient may be estimated for the distribution of A-values, and the robotic agents may be programmed to move in the direction of the gradient, toward increasing A-values. This behavior may be employed to cause the robotic agents to follow a robotic agent with a fixed, relatively large, A-value, or, if the A-values are biased by features (e.g., gradients or steps) in environmental parameters, to converge on such features.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Tyler MacCready, Sankaran Ramakrishnan, Thomas Zambrano
-
Patent number: 9496750Abstract: A charging system detachably drawing from a power source comprising: (a) an electrical output configuration; (b) an electrical input configuration; and (c) an energy store configuration; and methods of provisioning the energy store, the charging system, and electric vehicle charger devices.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2012Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.Inventors: Larry Hayashigawa, Tim Conver, Tyler MacCready, Thomas Zambrano, Kent Steven West
-
Publication number: 20150367938Abstract: A vehicle having a wing, a forward propeller configured for forward flight, and an aft propeller configured for submerged travel in a rearward direction. The vehicle center of mass is aft of its floating center of buoyancy, and center of mass and the floating center of buoyancy lie between the first and second propellers. The vehicle has a natural floating orientation in which the vehicle, while floating, has its first propeller located in the air and positioned for initiating airborne flight in a forward direction, and in which the vehicle has its second propeller located in the liquid and positioned for initiating submerged travel in a rearward direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2014Publication date: December 24, 2015Applicant: AEROVIRONMENT INC.Inventors: Thomas Zambrano, Tyler MacCready
-
Publication number: 20130147199Abstract: A series of helical Savonius turbine generators for use in the ocean, each turbine generator being an independent system, but all sharing a common mooring/bus-bar cable. An anchor connects one generator to the ocean floor, and a buoyancy device system buoys the turbines so that they can generate power from passing currents. The generators are coreless, and generate electrical or hydraulic power. The turbine blades rotate on bearings that are lubricated with ambient water. A control system separately tracks the power generation level of each turbine, and controls the buoyancy of the buoyancy device system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2011Publication date: June 13, 2013Inventors: Thomas Zambrano, Tyler MacCready, Taras Kiceniuk, JR., Bart D. Hibbs, Ghyrn E. Loveness
-
Patent number: 8299754Abstract: A charging system detachably drawing from a power source comprising: (a) an electrical output configuration; (b) an electrical input configuration; and (c) an energy store configuration; and methods of provisioning the energy store, the charging system, and electric vehicle charger devices.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Aerovironment, Inc.Inventors: Larry Hayashigawa, Tim Conver, Tyler MacCready, Thomas Zambrano, Kent Steven West
-
Publication number: 20110055037Abstract: A charging system detachably drawing from a power source comprising: (a) an electrical output configuration; (b) an electrical input configuration; and (c) an energy store configuration; and methods of provisioning the energy store, the charging system, and electric vehicle charger devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventors: Larry Hayashigawa, Tim Conver, Tyler MacCready, Thomas Zambrano, Kent Steven West
-
Patent number: 7396212Abstract: Twisted leaf shaped ceiling fan blades for low, medium and high speed operation of less than approximately 250 rpm. The novel blades twisted blades can be configured for 52?, 54?, 56?, 60? and 64? diameter fans, and have less blades (3 for example) than conventional flat type bladed fans having 4, 5 blades and have greater air flow and less power draw results than the conventional flat 54 inch fans. Any of the novel twisted blades of 48?, 52?, 54?, 56?, 60? and 64? can be run at reduced speeds, drawing less Watts than conventional fans and still perform better with more air flow and less problems than conventional flat type conventional leaf shaped blades.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2006Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Danny S. Parker, Thomas Zambrano, Taras Kiceniuk, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7276809Abstract: Wind turbine assembly, and related method, is provided that exploits an aerodynamically enhanced wind region of a building in proximity to a parapet of the building. A wind turbine assembly includes a support assembly configured to couple to a building in proximity to a parapet of the building and a rotor assembly coupled to the support assembly such that its rotor is oriented relative to the enhanced wind region to optimize electrical generation.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Zambrano, Tyler MacCready
-
Publication number: 20070152454Abstract: Wind turbine assembly, and related method, is provided that exploits an aerodynamically enhanced wind region of a building in proximity to a parapet of the building. A wind turbine assembly includes a support assembly configured to couple to a building in proximity to a parapet of the building and a rotor assembly coupled to the support assembly such that its rotor is oriented relative to the enhanced wind region to optimize electrical generation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2006Publication date: July 5, 2007Applicant: AeroVironment, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Zambrano, Tyler MacCready
-
Patent number: 7215039Abstract: Wind turbine system, and related method, is provided that exploits an aerodynamically enhanced wind zone of a structure by aligning a wind turbine generator, and preferably a plurality thereof, along a wall thereof. Each generator includes a structural support, a wind turbine rotor and a generator set. The system includes a mounting assembly that attaches the generators to the upper edge of a wall of the building and that allows for easy retrofit attachment to existing structures. The system includes a busway extending along the mounting assembly and configured to provide electrical contact between the generator assembly and the electrical infrastructure of the building. Preferably, the generator assembly is mounted such that the rotor's axis of rotation is in a generally horizontal orientation. The system may further include a fairing attached to the mounting assembly and configured to extend outward from a front side of the wall.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2006Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Zambrano, Tyler MacCready, Stel N. Walker
-
Publication number: 20060170222Abstract: Wind turbine system, and related method, is provided that exploits an aerodynamically enhanced wind zone of a structure by aligning a wind turbine generator, and preferably a plurality thereof, along a wall thereof. Each generator includes a structural support, a wind turbine rotor and a generator set. The system includes a mounting assembly that attaches the generators to the upper edge of a wall of the building and that allows for easy retrofit attachment to existing structures. The system includes a busway extending along the mounting assembly and configured to provide electrical contact between the generator assembly and the electrical infrastructure of the building. Preferably, the generator assembly is mounted such that the rotor's axis of rotation is in a generally horizontal orientation. The system may further include a fairing attached to the mounting assembly and configured to extend outward from a front side of the wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2006Publication date: August 3, 2006Inventors: Thomas Zambrano, Tyler MacCready, Stel Walker
-
Patent number: 7084520Abstract: Wind turbine system, and related method, is provided that exploits an aerodynamically enhanced wind zone of a structure by aligning a wind turbine generator, and preferably a plurality thereof, along a wall thereof. Each generator includes a structural support, a wind turbine rotor and a generator set. The system includes a mounting assembly that attaches the generators to the upper edge of a wall of the building and that allows for easy retrofit attachment to existing structures. The system includes a busway extending along the mounting assembly and configured to provide electrical contact between the generator assembly and the electrical infrastructure of the building. Preferably, the generator assembly is mounted such that the rotor's axis of rotation is in a generally horizontal orientation. The system may further include a fairing attached to the mounting assembly and configured to extend outward from a front side of the wall.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2004Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Zambrano, Tyler MacCready, Stel N. Walker
-
Patent number: 7047990Abstract: An improved cane to assist walking, comprising a shaft, a base and an articulated connection allowing the base to pivot relative to the shaft, depending upon the slope of the surface below the base, the connection characterized in that articulation capability decreases as downward loading on the shaft is increased, and articulation capability increases as downward loading on the shaft is decreased. Articulation capacity may have a path of resistance that guides the user into selected patterns of therapeutic motion.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignees: Aerovironment, Inc., City of HopeInventors: Thomas Zambrano, Taras Kiceniuk, Jr., Ronald Vandenbrink
-
Publication number: 20050242590Abstract: Wind turbine system, and related method, is provided that exploits an aerodynamically enhanced wind zone of a structure by aligning a wind turbine generator, and preferably a plurality thereof, along a wall thereof. Each generator includes a structural support, a wind turbine rotor and a generator set. The system includes a mounting assembly that attaches the generators to the upper edge of a wall of the building and that allows for easy retrofit attachment to existing structures. The system includes a busway extending along the mounting assembly and configured to provide electrical contact between the generator assembly and the electrical infrastructure of the building. Preferably, the generator assembly is mounted such that the rotor's axis of rotation is in a generally horizontal orientation. The system may further include a fairing attached to the mounting assembly and configured to extend outward from a front side of the wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2004Publication date: November 3, 2005Applicant: AeroVironment, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Zambrano, Tyler MacCready, Stel Walker
-
Publication number: 20040206384Abstract: An improved cane to assist walking, comprising a shaft, a base and an articulated connection allowing the base to pivot relative to the shaft, depending upon the slope of the surface below the base, the connection characterized in that articulation capability decreases as downward loading on the shaft is increased, and articulation capability increases as downward loading on the shaft is decreased. Articulation capacity may have a path of resistance that guides the user into selected patterns of therapeutic motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2003Publication date: October 21, 2004Inventors: Thomas Zambrano, Taras Kiceniuk, Ronald Vandenbrink
-
Patent number: D575864Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2005Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Danny S. Parker, Thomas Zambrano
-
Patent number: D597197Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2008Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Danny S. Parker, Thomas Zambrano
-
Patent number: D609329Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2009Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Danny S. Parker, Thomas Zambrano
-
Patent number: RE43014Abstract: Wind turbine assembly, and related method, is provided that exploits an aerodynamically enhanced wind region of a building in proximity to a parapet of the building. A wind turbine assembly includes a support assembly configured to couple to a building in proximity to a parapet of the building and a rotor assembly coupled to the support assembly such that its rotor is oriented relative to the enhanced wind region to optimize electrical generation.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2009Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Zambrano, Tyler MacCready