Patents by Inventor Tyler MacCready

Tyler MacCready 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: 7276809
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Zambrano, Tyler MacCready
  • Publication number: 20070152454
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: AeroVironment, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Zambrano, Tyler MacCready
  • Patent number: 7215039
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Zambrano, Tyler MacCready, Stel N. Walker
  • Publication number: 20060170222
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Zambrano, Tyler MacCready, Stel Walker
  • Patent number: 7084520
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Zambrano, Tyler MacCready, Stel N. Walker
  • Publication number: 20050242590
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Applicant: AeroVironment, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Zambrano, Tyler MacCready, Stel Walker
  • Patent number: 6756695
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for generating electricity from ocean waves by utilizing a float with excessive buoyancy. The basic arrangement and principle utilizes a float with excess buoyancy which exerts a primarily upward buoyant force on the float along a direction perpendicular to the isobaric surfaces of the ocean waves which changes as the ocean waves propagating through the water body. A holding device is used to hold the float under the ocean surface, which exerts a primarily downward holding force on the float while allowing the float to move back and forth in a substantially horizontal direction as a result of a substantially horizontal force which is a combination of the holding force and the buoyant force. A turbine is attached to the float or the holding device for generating electricity as the float moves back and forth in the liquid body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: AeroVironment Inc.
    Inventors: Bart D. Hibbs, Tyler MacCready, Phillip T. Tokumaru, Thomas Zambrano
  • Publication number: 20030193197
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for generating electricity from ocean waves by utilizing a float with excessive buoyancy. The basic arrangement and principle utilizes a float with excess buoyancy which exerts a primarily upward buoyant force on the float along a direction perpendicular to the isobaric surfaces of the ocean waves which changes as the ocean waves propagating through the water body. A holding device is used to hold the float under the ocean surface, which exerts a primarily downward holding force on the float while allowing the float to move back and forth in a substantially horizontal direction as a result of a substantially horizontal force which is a combination of the holding force and the buoyant force. A turbine is attached to the float or the holding device for generating electricity as the float moves back and forth in the liquid body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Bart D. Hibbs, Tyler MacCready, Phillip T. Tokumaru, Thomas Zambrano
  • Patent number: 5100357
    Abstract: A toy airplane is launched; and an air flow deflecting surface is located in spaced relation to a V-shaped, swept-back wing of the airplane to deflect air flow generally upwardly toward the flight path of the airplane to aid in sustaining or balancing its flight. That surface is movable relative to the wing, and may be hand-held beneath the flying wing. In a modification, a separate stabilizer surface may be connected to the wing to dangle, forwardly thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Aerovironment, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler MacCready, Martyn B. Cowley, Taras Kiceniuk, Jr., Parker MacCready, Walter R. Morgan, Matthew R. Kruse