Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080245520 | System and method for changing the convective heat transfer of a surface - A system and method is described generally for producing surface deformations on a surface of a body. The system and method relate to changing the convective heat transfer coefficient for a surface. The system includes a first surface being a surface of a body exposed to a fluid flow and at least one actuator affecting deformation of the first surface. The system also includes a control system providing control commands to the at least one actuator, the control commands configured to change deformations on the first surface in order to change the convective heat transfer coefficient of the first surface. Further, the system includes a sensor providing environmental characteristic information to the control system. | 10-09-2008 |
20080257396 | High altitude structures and related methods - A system and method is described generally for providing a high altitude conduit the high altitude conduit includes a first material layer forming an elongated duct. The high altitude conduit also includes a second material layer outside the first material layer. The second material layer defines a space between the second material layer and the first material layer. A gas has a density that is less dense than that of the atmosphere outside of the second material layer. The gas is disposed in the space between the first and the second layer. An introducer is configured to provide the gas into the space between the first material layer and the second material layer. The gas causes the conduit to extend in an approximately upright orientation. | 10-23-2008 |
20080257977 | High altitude atmospheric alteration system and method - A system and method is described generally for affecting atmospheric change. The system and method include providing a high altitude conduit. The system and method also include providing a first material through the conduit Further, the system and method include expelling the first material through at least one conduit opening into the atmosphere at high altitude. | 10-23-2008 |
20080258006 | High altitude structures control system and related methods - A system and method is described generally for providing a high altitude structure including an elongated structure extending substantially skyward from the ground. The elongated structure at least partially supported by buoyancy effects. The system and method also include a gas having a density that is less dense than that of the atmosphere outside of the elongated structure; the gas is disposed in one or more voids of the elongated structure. The system and method further include at least one control device coupled to the elongated structure and used to control the motion of the elongated structure, the control device not being directly coupled to the surface of the Earth. | 10-23-2008 |
20080258013 | High altitude payload structures and related methods - A system and method is described generally for providing a high altitude structure including an elongated structure coupled to the ground and extending skyward. The elongated structure at least partially supported by buoyancy effects, the elongated structure including at least one lumen, the at least one lumen configured to transport at least one material and to vent the at least one material to the atmosphere. The system and method also include a gas having a density that is less dense than that of the atmosphere outside of the elongated structure; the gas is disposed in one or more voids of the elongated structure. The system and method includes the use of an introducer configured to provide the gas into the one or more voids. The system and method further include a payload coupled to the elongated structure and being held aloft by the elongated structure. | 10-23-2008 |
20090173386 | Water alteration structure applications and methods - A method is generally described which includes environmental alteration. The method includes determining a placement of at least one vessel capable of moving water to lower depths in the water via wave induced downwelling. The method also includes placing the at least one vessel in the determined placement. Further, the method includes generating movement of the water adjacent the surface of the water in response to the placing. | 07-09-2009 |
20090173404 | Water alteration structure and system - A system is described generally for providing a structure or structures for altering water surface temperature. The system includes a holding vessel configured to hold water. The holding vessel has at least one wall coupled to a lowermost portion. The at least one wall extends above the water level and the lowermost portion is configured to be submerged. At least one conduit extends from the lower side of the holding vessel. The at least one conduit has a length extending to a depth at which a property of water at the depth is substantially different from that of the water at the surface. | 07-09-2009 |
20090173801 | Water alteration structure and system having below surface valves or wave reflectors - A system is described generally for providing a structure or structures for altering water surface temperature. The system includes a holding vessel configured to hold water. The holding vessel has at least one wall coupled to a lowermost portion. The at least one wall extends above the water level and the lowermost portion is configured to be submerged. At least one conduit extends from the lower side of the holding vessel. The at least one conduit has a length extending to a depth at which a property of water at the depth is substantially different from that of the water at the surface. The at least one conduit or the holding vessel includes at least one aperture formed in at least one of the holding vessel or the at least one conduit and located at a distance below the mean surface water level and at least one one way valve is coupled to the at least one aperture and allowing flow of water in only one direction. | 07-09-2009 |
20090175685 | Water alteration structure movement method and system - A structure described generally for altering one or more properties within a body of water includes a vessel configured to hold water. The vessel may have at least one wall. The at least one wall extends at least above a mean surface water level. At least one conduit extends downward from the holding vessel. The at least one conduit has a length that extends below the surface of the water. A propulsion system may be coupled to at least one of the vessel or the conduit and may be configured to provide forces to the vessel. | 07-09-2009 |
20090177569 | Water alteration structure risk management or ecological alteration management systems and methods - A method of managing risk includes selling individual insurance policies regarding areas to be protected by storm suppression equipment. The method discussed also includes finding at least one of purchase, operation, or maintenance of the storm suppression equipment at least partially through premiums collected from the selling. | 07-09-2009 |
20090326823 | Methods of using environmental conditions in sports applications - A method is generally described which includes a method of using environmental information in sports applications. The method also includes receiving at least one environmental condition detected using electronic remote sensing. Further, the method includes determining by a computer simulation an estimated effect of the at least one environmental condition on at least one of a predicted or actual first user action. Further still, the method includes communicating the estimated effect to at least one of the first user or a second user. | 12-31-2009 |
20090326894 | Methods of processing wind profile information in sports applications - A method is generally described which includes processing wind profile information in sports applications. The method includes receiving wind profile information detected using electronic remote sensing. The method also includes computer modeling at least one user action in a sports context. The wind profile information may then be applied as an input to the computer simulation system and be applied to the user action in the computer simulation system. The computer simulation system may then generate or calculate an estimated user result. | 12-31-2009 |
20120186685 | High Altitude structures and related methods - A system and method is described generally for providing a high altitude conduit the high altitude conduit includes a first material layer forming an elongated duct. The high altitude conduit also includes a second material layer outside the first material layer. The second material layer defines a space between the second material layer and the first material layer. A gas has a density that is less dense than that of the atmosphere outside of the second material layer. The gas is disposed in the space between the first and the second layer. An introducer is configured to provide the gas into the space between the first material layer and the second material layer. The gas causes the conduit to extend in an approximately upright orientation. | 07-26-2012 |