Creating a Sensory Experience in a Vehicle
According to this patent assigned to Intel, vehicles may vary in function, as well as form. While we have options when purchasing a vehicle, once bought we are generally stuck with what we have (because interior customization is “often costly and inconvenient.”)
So this patent proposes a new system and method for creating a sensory experience in a vehicle.
In its simplest explanation (something not found in patent rhetoric), the system projects video onto your vehicle’s interior.
The patent explains, “In some embodiments, the system may be capable of detecting, saving, and recreating a surrounding sensory experience (e.g., dashboard displays, audio displays, climate control displays) in the form of device data.”
This data could be received from various sources, such as sensors associated with the vehicle, or information from a website or remote server. The data may also be manually set from a custom application, but all of the information would be used to “augment the in-car sensory experience of a person.”
Transitional Mode High Speed Rail Systems
This patent, assigned to WFK & Associates, seeks “to provide a high speed rail system that does not have the disadvantages associated with current high speed rail systems, such as bullet trains.”
The proposed solution is a transitional mode high speed rail system, which could be constructed adjacent to a conventional “host highway.”
To provide autonomy, the system’s vehicles would be individual, self-powered, self-operating, individual mass passenger transport vehicles similar in size and appearance to municipal buses.
“These are transitional mode vehicles because they operate as railroad vehicles on the high speed rail infrastructure, but transition to automotive vehicle mode traveling on ordinary paved roads,” adds the patent. “They are mass passenger transport vehicles because many passengers can be accommodated.”
Hydrogen Replenished Lighter-Than-Air Vehicle & Method to Replenish Hydrogen
This patent describes a lighter-than-air vehicle and the process for replenishing hydrogen into the vehicle while it’s airborne.
According to the patent, assigned to Princetel, the invention could comprise an aerostat, a hydrogen generator, a water tank, and a duct.
Additionally, the vehicle uses helium as the lifting gas, or other gases (such as methane and ammonia) that don’t react with hydrogen.
Electric VTOL Aircraft
While Vertical-Take Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft are being developed by many companies, this patent explains that “the flight stability and safety of current ducted-fan VTOL vehicles has unfortunately much to be desired.”
As an alternative to current designs, this patent, assigned to Geola Technologies, proposes an electric VTOL aircraft that features multiple small electric ducted fans (EDF).
According to the patent, “The thrust of each fixed EDF is individually controlled by modulation of motor power by one or more onboard microcomputers connected to a plurality of onboard laser distance measuring sensors, at least three onboard three-axis accelerometers and at least one GPS thereby allowing extremely precise and safe VTOL operation.”
The proposed design could also allow for quick transition between normal, linear flight and VTOL, as well as operation in “extreme and gusty conditions.”
Carbon Dioxide Capture Method & Facility
Carbon Engineering, a company that specializes in the air capture of carbon dioxide, has been assigned a patent for a carbon dioxide capture facility.
According to the company’s website, “Air capture can provide pure CO2 at point of demand for industrial use, and atmospheric CO2 can be used via multiple production pathways to manufacture ultra-low emissions fuels.”
The technology specifically targets the capture and storage of carbon dioxide from large-fixed point sources, such as power plants.
“Carbon dioxide absorption from atmosphere air using alkaline solution has been explored for half a century,” explains the patent. In fact, large scale carbon dioxide scrubbing was first introduced by physicist Klaus Lackner in the late 1990s.
To improve upon previous techniques, this patent provides details for a gas-liquid contact system and method, including the carbon dioxide capture system and carbon dioxide recovery methods.
The design features a slab with opposed dominant faces that are at least partially wind penetrable to allow wind to flow through the packing.
The patent explains, “The at least one liquid source is oriented to direct carbon dioxide absorbent liquid into the packing to flow through the slab. The slab is disposed in a wind flow that has a non-zero incident angle with one of the opposed dominant faces.”
The method for capturing carbon dioxide is also explained:
“Carbon dioxide absorbing liquid is applied into packing in a series of pulses. A gas containing carbon dioxide is flowed through the packing to at least partially absorb the carbon dioxide from the gas into the carbon dioxide absorbing liquid.”
The gas can flow continuously, even if the fluid flows intermittently.
Additionally, the design could be adapted to remove other components from the air.