Ambient Systems, Inc.

Cjp IP Holdings, Ltd.

Other

John C Harlan

Joseph F Pinkerton

Jeffrey David Mullen

Christopher Eyhorn

John Eldon Morton

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving signals that represent inertial forces experienced by the aircraft from an inertial sensor mounted in an aircraft. Identifying a pattern within the signals that represents a reduction of thrust on one side of the aircraft caused by an engine failure. Causing an indication within the aircraft to be activated in response to identifying the pattern, and thereby, alerting a pilot to a possible engine failure.

Engine failure detection system

Electromechanical systems utilizing suspended conducting nanometer-scale beams are provided and may be used in applications, such as, motors, generators, pumps, fans, compressors, propulsion systems, transmitters, receivers, heat engines, heat pumps, magnetic field sensors, kinetic energy storage devices and accelerometers. Such nanometer-scale beams may be provided as, for example, single molecules, single crystal filaments, or nanotubes. When suspended by both ends, these nanometer-scale beams may be caused to rotate about their line of suspension, similar to the motion of a jumprope (or a rotating whip), via electromagnetic or electrostatic forces. This motion may be used, for example, to accelerate molecules of a working substance in a preferred direction, generate electricity from the motion of a working substance molecules, or generate electromagnetic signals. Means of transmitting and controlling currents through these beams are also described.

Electrical assemblies using molecular-scale electrically conductive and mechanically flexible beams and methods for application of same

Nanoelectromechanical systems utilizing nanometer-scale assemblies are provided that convert thermal energy into another form of energy that can be used to perform useful work at macroscopic level. Nanometer-scale beams are provided that reduce the velocity of working substance molecules that collide with this nanometer-scale beam by converting some of the kinetic energy of a colliding molecule into kinetic energy of the nanometer-scale beam. In embodiments that operate without a working substance, the thermal vibrations of the beam itself create the necessary beam motion. Automatic switches may be added to realize a regulator such that the nanometer-scale beams only deliver voltages that exceed a particular amount. The output energy of millions of these devices may be efficiently summed together.

Energy conversion systems utilizing parallel array of automatic switches and generators

Nanoelectromechanical switch systems (NEMSS) that are structured around the mechanical manipulation of nanotubes are provided. Such NEMSS can realize the functionality of, for example, automatic switches, adjustable diodes, amplifiers, inverters, variable resistors, pulse position modulators (PPMs), and transistors. In one embodiment, a nanotube is anchored at one end to a base member. The nanotube is also coupled to a voltage source. This voltage source creates an electric charge at the tip of the free-moving-end of the nanotube that is representative of the polarity and intensity of the voltage source. The free-moving end of this nanotube can be electrically controlled by applying an electric charge to a nearby charge member layer that is either of the same (repelling) or opposite (attracting) polarity of the nanotube. A contact layer is then placed in the proximity of the free-moving end of the nanotube such that when a particular electric charge is placed on the nanotube, the nanotube electrically couples the contact layer.

Nanoelectromechanical transistors and switch systems

Electromechanical assemblies using molecular-scale electrically conductive and mechanically flexible beams and methods for application of same

Nanoelectromechanical systems utilizing nanometer-scale assemblies are provided that convert thermal energy into another form of energy that can be used to perform useful work at a macroscopic level. These systems may be used to, for example, produce useful quantities of electric or mechanical energy, heat or cool an external substance or propel an object in a controllable direction. In particular, the present invention includes nanometer-scale beams that reduce the velocity of working substance molecules that collide with this nanometer-scale beam by converting some of the kinetic energy of a colliding molecule into kinetic energy of the nanometer-scale beam. In embodiments that operate without a working substance, the thermal vibrations of the beam itself create the necessary beam motion. In some embodiments, an automatic switch is added to realize a regulator such that the nanometer-scale beams only deliver voltages that exceed a particular amount. Various devices including, piezoelectric, electromagnetic and electromotive force generators, are used to convert the kinetic energy of the nanometer-scale beam into electromagnetic, electric or thermal energy. Systems in which the output energy of millions of these devices is efficiently summed together are also disclosed as well as systems that include nanometer-scale transistors.

Growing community of inventors

Leander, TX, United States of America

John C Harlan