Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110132434 | Concentrated Photovoltaic and Thermal Solar Energy Collector - This invention relates to a solar energy collector that converts solar radiation into both electrical and thermal energy. More specifically this invention relates to a concentrating solar energy collector with an integrated construction that minimizes cost, bulk, and weight, and maximizes overall efficiency. Typical non-concentrating solar collectors use photovoltaic cells over the entirety of their surface. These solar cells are the most expensive part of the collector. This invention discloses using a reflector to concentrate the incident radiation on photovoltaic cells with one-twentieth the area of the reflector, and transferring the co-generated thermal energy into a working fluid pumped through the cell support structure. | 06-09-2011 |
20110297141 | Tilt Sensor and Method of Use - This invention relates to a system for tracking a solar energy collector and diagnosing the solar collector's operational status. More specifically, it relates to a system employing a 3-axis accelerometer to determine the orientation of a solar collector, the vibration experienced by that solar collector, whether that solar collector has experienced an impact, and initiating system position control and diagnostics based on that information. | 12-08-2011 |
20140026945 | Concentrated Photovoltaic and Thermal Solar Energy Collector - This invention relates to a solar energy collector that converts solar radiation into both electrical and thermal energy. More specifically this invention relates to a concentrating solar energy collector with an integrated construction that minimizes cost, bulk, and weight, and maximizes overall efficiency. Typical non-concentrating solar collectors use photovoltaic cells over the entirety of their surface. These solar cells are the most expensive part of the collector. This invention discloses using a reflector to concentrate the incident radiation on photovoltaic cells with one-twentieth the area of the reflector, and transferring the co-generated thermal energy into a working fluid pumped through the cell support structure. | 01-30-2014 |
20140332087 | Control of Low Energy Nuclear Reaction Hydrides, and Autonomously Controlled Heat - A treatment of a possibly powdered, sintered, or deposited lattice (e.g., nickel) for heat generating applications and a way to control low energy nuclear reactions (“LENR”) hosted in the lattice by controlling hydride formation. The method of control and treatment involves the use of the reaction lattice, enclosed by an inert cover gas such as argon that carries hydrogen as the reactive gas in a non-flammable mixture. Hydrogen ions in the lattice are transmuted to neutrons as discussed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0206715 (Godes_2007)). Hydrogen moving through the lattice interacts with the newly formed neutrons generating an exothermic reaction. | 11-13-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090171684 | ENHANCED ON-DEMAND DIAGNOSTIC AND MAINTENANCE REPORTING - A system and method for providing enhanced diagnostic and maintenance reporting for a vehicle over a wireless communication system. When receiving a telephone call from a subscriber requesting diagnostic assistance, a data connection is established between a call center and the subscriber's vehicle, and the needed diagnostic data is obtained by the call center so that an advisor at the call center can provide the requested assistance. The established data connection is also used to obtain additional data from the vehicle related to vehicle maintenance and this additional data is used by the advisor to provide an enhanced response to the subscriber. | 07-02-2009 |
20090243828 | VEHICLE EMAIL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method provides vehicle information to an interested party, such as a vehicle owner or driver, regarding the operation of a vehicle. The method includes the step of measuring a parameter of operation produced by the vehicle. A level based on the parameter measured is then calculated. A notification message that includes information concerning the level is constructed. The method then sends the notification message to the interested party via an electronic messaging system. The electronic messaging system can be an email communication system. | 10-01-2009 |
20100026306 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TELEMATICS-BASED VEHICLE NO-START PROGNOSIS - A system and method for determining the status of a vehicle battery to determine whether the battery may not have enough charge to start the vehicle. The method includes collecting data relating to the battery on the vehicle and collecting data relating to the battery at a remote back-office. Both the vehicle and the remote data center determine battery characteristics based on the collected data and the likelihood of a vehicle no-start condition, where the algorithm used at the remote back-office may be more sophisticated. The data collected at the remote back-office may include vehicle battery information transmitted wirelessly from the vehicle, and other information, such as temperature, battery reliability, miles that the vehicle has driven per day, ambient temperature, high content vehicle, etc. Both the vehicle and the remote back-office may determine the battery open circuit voltage. | 02-04-2010 |
20100063668 | TELEMATICS-ENABLED AGGREGATED VEHICLE DIAGNOSIS AND PROGNOSIS - A system and method for telemetrically collecting on-road vehicle diagnostic data. In one embodiment, the method includes collecting vehicle diagnostic data from service shops, on-road vehicles and warranty records, aggregating the collected data and extracting knowledge therefrom. The extracted knowledge can be used to enhance algorithms on-board vehicles or at service centers so as to better identify vehicle faults and provide enhanced diagnostics and prognostics. The enhanced algorithms can then be used to provide predictive maintenance suggestions, provide trouble shooting assistance or provide vehicle design improvements. | 03-11-2010 |
20120041640 | VEHICLE MIRROR AND TELEMATICS SYSTEM - Vehicle mirrors and telematics systems are provided. A vehicle mirror comprises a mirror housing and an accelerometer. The mirror housing is configured to be mounted within a vehicle. The accelerometer is disposed within the mirror housing, and is configured to measure an acceleration of the vehicle. A diagnostics device is configured to provide diagnostics information pertaining to the vehicle. A navigation device is configured to provide navigation information as to a position of the vehicle. A controller is coupled to the accelerometer, the diagnostics device, and the navigation device. The controller is configured to generate vehicle determinations using the acceleration, the diagnostics information, and the navigation information. A transmitter is coupled to the controller, and is configured to transmit determination information pertaining to the vehicle determinations. | 02-16-2012 |
20120071140 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS - A method for controlling mobile communications involves identifying an operator of the mobile vehicle, where the operator is associated with the mobile communications device. The method further includes recognizing, via a telematics unit in the mobile vehicle, a first in-vehicle trigger to initiate a vehicle data upload event with a telematics service center. The vehicle data for the vehicle data upload event includes information of the mobile vehicle and of the operator of the mobile vehicle. Upon receiving the vehicle data at the telematics service center, transmitting a request from the service center to a mobile communications service provider to disable at least one of an incoming communication for the mobile communications device or an outgoing communication from the mobile communications device. The method further involves disabling the incoming and/or outgoing communication. | 03-22-2012 |
20120158820 | Information Gathering System Using Multi-Radio Telematics Devices - The present disclosure relates to a method for intelligent procurement of data from a plurality of vehicles in a data-aggregation region using long-range communications, short-range communications, and group leader vehicles. The method includes a central server defining a plurality of data-aggregation areas and identifying at least one group leader vehicle in each data-aggregation area. The method also includes the group leader vehicle in each data-aggregation area collecting data from other vehicles in the data-aggregation area using short-range communications and the group leader vehicle in each data-aggregation area determining to cease collecting data from the other vehicles in the data-aggregation area. The method further includes the group leader vehicle in each data-aggregation area generating a consensus report using the data collected from the other vehicles in its data-aggregation area. | 06-21-2012 |
20120323577 | SPEECH RECOGNITION FOR PREMATURE ENUNCIATION - Methods of automatic speech recognition for premature enunciation. In one method, a) a user is prompted to input speech, then b) a listening period is initiated to monitor audio via a microphone, such that there is no pause between the end of step a) and the beginning of step b), and then the begin-speaking audible indicator is communicated to the user during the listening period. In another method, a) at least one audio file is played including both a prompt for a user to input speech and a begin-speaking audible indicator to the user, b) a microphone is activated to monitor audio, after playing the prompt but before playing the begin-speaking audible indicator in step a), and c) speech is received from the user via the microphone. | 12-20-2012 |
20130329634 | RESOLVING IP ADDRESSES IN A WIRELESS ENVIRONMENT - A method of anonymously resolving Internet Protocol (IP) addresses using a distributed network includes defining a virtual geographic area that comprises a micro dynamic domain name server (MDDNS); wirelessly receiving at a central facility a geographic attribute of a telematics unit; determining at the central facility that the telematics unit is within the virtual geographic area using the received geographic attribute; and transmitting an IP address of a host telematics unit in the MDDNS to the telematics unit. | 12-12-2013 |
20140051456 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENABLING VEHICLE APPLICATIONS USING HETEROGENEOUS WIRELESS DATA PIPES - A method for determining which of a plurality of data connectivity pipes will be used to transmit data for one or more applications operating on a vehicle. The method identifies which of the applications are active at a particular point in time and identifies a number of available configurations based on the number of applications that are active and the number of the data pipes that are available to transmit the data for the application. The method identifies a plurality of performance metrics for each configuration and determines an optimal performance value for each performance metric from all of the configurations. The method then determines an overall utility function for each configuration that is based on its performance metrics and the optimal performance value and selects a data pipe for each application that is active based on a maximum overall utility function from each application's available overall utility functions. | 02-20-2014 |
20140079217 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SECURE PAIRING OF MOBILE DEVICES WITH VEHICLES USING TELEMATICS SYSTEM - A method for establishing secure wireless communications between a mobile device and a vehicle, where a user is not required to enter a password, but instead the telematics system is used to bootstrap the trust between the mobile device and the vehicle. The user initiates the process by pressing a button on the mobile device to request pairing. The vehicle uses its secure OnStar cellular communication link to verify the mobile device with the OnStar server, which generates and sends a session key to the vehicle via the vehicle-OnStar cellular connection, and also sends the session key to the mobile device via the device's own cellular connection. The session key serves as a shared secret, such that the vehicle can issue a secrecy challenge to the mobile device. When the mobile device responds appropriately, a trusted wireless communications link can be established between the mobile device and the vehicle. | 03-20-2014 |
20150066289 | VEHICLE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT CALIBRATION - Calibration for a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU) includes determining a trigger event configured to initiate a check for updates to calibration data files of the ECU, iterating through calibration part numbers present in the ECU, and accessing, from a memory device in communication with the vehicle, in response to the iterating, a chain of parts table in a linked list that maps calibration part numbers identified in the ECU unit to any subsequently-issued calibration part numbers. The subsequently-issued calibration part numbers reflect an index to the updates to the calibration data files. The calibration also includes searching the chain of parts table using the calibration part numbers identified in the ECU to determine a corresponding subsequently-issued calibration part number, selecting one of the updates to the calibration data files using the subsequently-issued calibration part number from the memory device, and updating the ECU with the selected update. | 03-05-2015 |
20150307111 | METHODS FOR PROVIDING OPERATOR SUPPORT UTILIZING A VEHICLE TELEMATICS SERVICE SYSTEM - A method for providing interaction with an operator of a vehicle includes receiving request, from the operator of the vehicle and using a telematics system of the vehicle, for support or assistance regarding use of the telematics system, establishing a remote voice communication link between the vehicle and a remotely located call center, using the telematics system, and establishing a remote data communication link between the vehicle and the remotely located call center, using the telematics system. The method further includes providing verbal interaction or instruction regarding the use of the telematics system through the established remote voice communication, using the telematics system and/or providing audio/visual remote control, demonstrating or executing the use of the telematics system through the established remote data communication link, using the telematics system. | 10-29-2015 |
20150350758 | DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF A VEHICLE MICROPHONE - A hands-free audio system for a vehicle and method of using the system is described. The method includes controlling the directionality of a vehicle microphone. The steps of the method may include: (a) receiving a sensor value from at least one of a vehicle seat position sensor, a vehicle seat orientation sensor, or a vehicle mirror orientation sensor; (b) based on the received sensor value(s) of step (a), determining an origin of a vehicle user's speech; and (c) controlling the microphone sensitivity directionality based on the determined origin. | 12-03-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090293495 | TURBINE AIRFOIL WITH METERED COOLING CAVITY - A turbine airfoil for a gas turbine engine includes: (a) spaced-apart pressure and suction sidewalls extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge; (b) a first cavity disposed between the pressure and suction sidewalls, the first cavity being adapted to be fed cooling air from a source within the engine, and connected to at least one film cooling hole which communicates with an exterior surface of the airfoil; (c) a second cavity disposed between the pressure and suction sidewalls, the second cavity being adapted to be fed cooling air from a source within the engine, and connected to at least one film cooling hole which communicates solely with the suction sidewall of the airfoil; and (d) a metering structure adapted to substantially restrict air flow into the second cavity. | 12-03-2009 |
20130115065 | ASYMMETRIC RADIAL SPLINE SEAL FOR A GAS TURBINE ENGINE - A shroud apparatus for a gas turbine engine includes: an annular shroud segment having an arcuate bottom wall defining an arcuate inner flowpath surface, spaced-apart forward and aft walls extending radially outward from the bottom wall, and spaced-apart side walls extending radially outward from the bottom wall and between the forward and aft walls, each side wall defining an end face which includes: an axial slot extending in a generally axial direction along the end face; a first radial slot extending in a generally radial direction along the end face, and intersecting the axial slot; an axial spline seal received in the axial slot; and a first radial spline seal having an L-shape with radial and axial legs, the radial leg being substantially longer than the axial leg, wherein the radial leg is received in the first radial slot, and the axial leg is received in the axial slot. | 05-09-2013 |
20130309079 | TURBINE NOZZLE OUTER BAND AND AIRFOIL COOLING APPARATUS - A turbine nozzle segment includes: an arcuate outer band segment; an airfoil-shaped turbine vane extending radially inward from the outer band segment, the turbine vane having a hollow interior; an impingement baffle assembly secured to the outer band so as to define an impingement cavity in cooperation with the outer band segment, wherein the impingement baffle assembly has at least one impingement hole formed therein which is arranged to direct cooling air at the outer band segment; and at least one impingement insert having at least one impingement hole formed therein disposed in the interior of the turbine vane, the impingement insert mating with an opening in the impingement baffle assembly such that the impingement baffle is isolated from direct fluid communication with the impingement cavity. | 11-21-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090155050 | DIVERGENT TURBINE NOZZLE - A turbine nozzle includes a row of vanes extending radially in span between inner and outer bands. The vanes include opposite pressure and suction sidewalls and opposite leading and trailing edges. Each vane includes an inner pattern of inner cooling holes and an outer pattern of outer cooling holes distributed along the leading edge. The inner and outer holes diverge toward the corresponding inner and outer bands to preferentially discharge cooling air. | 06-18-2009 |
20090165301 | Method for Repairing a Turbine Nozzle Segment - A method for repairing a turbine nozzle segment includes providing a turbine nozzle segment having an enclosure with an integral discourager, removing the enclosure and/or the discourager from the turbine nozzle segment and attaching a new enclosure ad/or discourager to the turbine nozzle segment. | 07-02-2009 |
20090169360 | Turbine Nozzle Segment - A turbine nozzle segment includes a band having a flowpath side and a non-flowpath side and an enclosure disposed on the non-flowpath side of the band. A plenum may be defined between the band and the enclosure and a discourager may extend from the enclosure. | 07-02-2009 |
20090246012 | TURBINE STATOR MOUNT - A reaction mount system that provides support for the stator vane for a gas turbine engine is described comprising a stator hanger located on an outer band at a first location and a stator stopper located at a second location that is located circumferentially apart from the first location. A stator assembly for a gas turbine engine is described, the stator assembly comprising a stator vane having an airfoil, an outer band located on a radially outer end of the airfoil, a shroud hanger located axially adjacent to the outer band, the shroud hanger comprising a post wherein at least a portion of the post extends in an axial direction over a portion of the outer band, and a reaction mount system located on the outer band wherein the reaction mount system engages with the post to provide support for the stator vane. | 10-01-2009 |
20090246014 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SUPPORTING STATOR COMPONENTS - A method and system of supporting removable static components in a turbine engine stator assembly is described. The method comprises the steps of engaging a stator hanger located at a first location on a first static component with a post located on a first static structure whereby the post supports at least a part of the weight of the first static component, engaging a stator stopper located at a second location on the first static component that is located circumferentially apart from the first location with the stator hanger that is located on a second static component, and engaging a hook located at a third location on the first static component with a second static structure whereby the second static structure supports at least a part of the weight of the first static component. | 10-01-2009 |
20120107107 | ANTI-ROTATION SHROUD FOR TURBINE ENGINES - A shroud for turbine engines. The shroud has an integrated anti-rotation device that prevents circumferential movement of the shroud during normal engine operation, and which allows for circumferential installation in split annular case designs. Since the anti-rotation device is an integral part of the shroud and/or annular split turbine case, no additional parts are necessary for assembly or disassembly. Moreover, existing annular split turbine cases can be reworked to accept the anti-rotation device and yet still be backwards compatible with original shroud designs. | 05-03-2012 |
20130104517 | COMPONENT AND METHOD OF FABRICATING THE SAME | 05-02-2013 |
20130108469 | AIRFOIL AND METHOD OF FABRICATING THE SAME | 05-02-2013 |
20140250893 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING LEAKAGE OF AIR BETWEEN MULTIPLE TURBINE COMPONENTS - A turbine comprising a first turbine component being of a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion. A second turbine component being of a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion, said second turbine component adjacent said first turbine component. A space between said first and second turbine components. A seal assembly sealing said space, wherein at least a portion of said seal assembly has a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially similar to at least one of said first or second turbine components to thereby maintain a seal in said space during thermal expansion or contraction of said first and second turbine components. | 09-11-2014 |
20140290254 | Cyclonic Dirt Separating Turbine Accelerator - A dirt separator assembly for a gas turbine engine comprises a cyclonic accelerator in flow communication with compressor discharge air, the accelerator having a plurality of passages, each passage having an inlet, an outlet and at least one vent located in the passage, a plurality of turning vanes disposed along each of the passages, the passage turning tangentially between the inlet and the outlet, the accelerator passages decreasing from a first cross-sectional area to a second cross-sectional area and said turning vanes inducing helical swirl of compressed cooling air, and, at least one vent located in the accelerator passages for expelling dust separated from the swirling compressed cooling air. | 10-02-2014 |