James H Boschma

US Patent:

8354758, Jan 15, 2013

Filed:

Nov 29, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/306856

Inventors:

James H. Boschma - Huntsville AL, US

Assignee:

Boschma Research, Inc. - Brownsboro AL

International Classification:

F03B 13/00
H02P 9/04

US Classification:

290 54, 290 43

Abstract:

A Cycloidal Turbine Power Generator contained within a Venturi is disclosed. The Venturi is equipped with mechanisms to vary its inlet width to control flow volume through the Venturi, and to open and close the inlet as required. The Venturi is also equipped with inflatable turbulators installed upstream from the turbine, and which extend upward from the Venturi bottom to cause a downstream eddy to reduce drag on the advancing blades of the turbine. The turbine includes a plurality of airfoil-shaped blades mounted to vary their angle of attack during rotation of the turbine. The rotation of the blades about the common hub is caused by the action of the water flow over the blades. A ring gear may be fixed to the circumference of the blade disk for power generator interface.

US Patent:

8207850, Jun 26, 2012

Filed:

Apr 9, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/421255

Inventors:

Christopher William Weller - Gainesville GA, US
James Henry Boschma - Huntsville AL, US

International Classification:

G08B 13/00

US Classification:

340565, 3405391, 34053926, 3405733

Abstract:

Jungle canopy surveillance apparatus and method for surveillance of human presence in a jungle canopy environment includes a plurality of sensor-relay units configured to be disposed on or near the jungle floor, and configured to detect human presence and wirelessly transmit a corresponding detection signal. At least one of the sensor-relay units is configured to receive a detection signal from another sensor-relay unit and to relay the thus-received detection signal. An artificial intelligence center is configured to be disposed on or near the top of the jungle canopy, and is configured to (i) receive at least one of the detection signal and the relayed detection signal, (ii) analyze the received at least one of the detection signal and the relayed detection signal using artificial intelligence software, and (iii) transmit a corresponding report signal to a receiving platform.

US Patent:

20020171006, Nov 21, 2002

Filed:

May 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/150142

Inventors:

James Boschma - Huntsville AL, US

International Classification:

B64B001/40
B64B001/58
F41J009/08

US Classification:

244/031000, 244/024000

Abstract:

An apparatus for inflating and deploying an aerostat having a nose section and a tail section includes a cylindrical container for housing the deflated portion of the aerostat. The cylindrical container is formed with an open end and defines a longitudinal axis. A feed hose extends from a gas source, through the container to a hose end that projects axially from the open end of the container. The deflated aerostat is initially folded to juxtapose the nose and tail of the aerostat. Next, the nose of the aerostat is attached to the feed hose end and the remaining portion of the aerostat is folded and inserted into the container. As the tail section is inflated outside of the container, aerostat cloth is drawn from the container. A mechanism is provided to control the release of cloth from the container and maintain pressure in the inflating aerostat within a predetermined range.

US Patent:

20030222811, Dec 4, 2003

Filed:

Jun 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/161294

Inventors:

J. Halsey - Falls Church VA, US
James Boschma - Huntsville AL, US

International Classification:

G01S013/72

US Classification:

342/074000, 342/058000, 342/075000, 342/076000, 342/174000

Abstract:

An airborne radar antenna system for detecting a target in a volume includes a tethered aerostat and an antenna that is supported above ground by the aerostat. The aerostat-based antenna is used for transmitting and receiving a radar beam into the volume to detect the target. Additionally, the system includes a ground-based transmitter that generates a beacon signal which monitors the antenna configuration at the aerostat. A computer then evaluates the beacon signal to create an error signal which is used to maintain a predetermined configuration for the antenna. The system also includes mechanisms for orienting the radar beam along preselected beam paths between the antenna and the volume.

US Patent:

20040217233, Nov 4, 2004

Filed:

Dec 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/736932

Inventors:

James Boschma - Huntsville AL, US

International Classification:

B64B001/62

US Classification:

244/098000

Abstract:

An apparatus for inflating and deploying an aerostat having a nose section and a tail section includes a cylindrical container for housing the deflated portion of the aerostat. The cylindrical container is formed with an open end and defines a longitudinal axis. A feed hose extends from a gas source, through the container to a hose end that projects axially from the open end of the container. The deflated aerostat is initially folded to juxtapose the nose and tail of the aerostat. Next, the nose of the aerostat is attached to the feed hose end and the remaining portion of the aerostat is folded and inserted into the container. As the tail section is inflated outside of the container, aerostat cloth is drawn from the container. A mechanism is provided to control the release of cloth from the container and maintain pressure in the inflating aerostat within a predetermined range.

US Patent:

20050126082, Jun 16, 2005

Filed:

Dec 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/736453

Inventors:

James Boschma - Huntsville AL, US
James Garner - Cookeville TN, US

International Classification:

E04G011/04

US Classification:

052002110

Abstract:

An inflatable tower system for establishing an elevated observation platform includes an elongated, inflatable cloth envelope. When inflated, the envelope extends from a first relatively large diameter end (i.e. base) to a second relatively small diameter end. A blower is provided to introduce air into the cloth envelope at the first envelope end. An observation device, such as a video camera, is mounted on the envelope at the second envelope end. A method for erecting the inflatable observation tower is also disclosed and includes folding the envelope to establish a crease between the envelope ends. The envelope portion below the crease is then inflated while restraining the second envelope end. Once the portion of the envelope between the crease and the first envelope end is substantially inflated and oriented vertically, the second envelope end is slowly released with continued inflation until the entire elongated envelope is inflated and oriented vertically.

US Patent:

20050224545, Oct 13, 2005

Filed:

Dec 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/009696

Inventors:

James Boschma - Huntsville AL, US

International Classification:

B60R009/00

US Classification:

224403000

Abstract:

An inflatable tower system for establishing an elevated observation platform includes an elongated, inflatable cloth envelope having first and second ends. A blower is provided to introduce air into the cloth envelope at the first envelope end and an observation device, such as a video camera, is mounted on the envelope at the second envelope end. A tension line is attached to the envelope near the second envelope end and disposed in the inflation volume created by the envelope. The tension line exits the envelope near the envelope's first end and is attached to a tension control mechanism to allow the envelope to be inflated from a compact, spiral shape. With this compact shape, the deployment apparatus, including the deflated envelope, fits within and can be deployed from the bed of a pickup truck.

US Patent:

20060196992, Sep 7, 2006

Filed:

Mar 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/072219

Inventors:

James Boschma - Huntsville AL, US
Michael McNabb - Huntsville AL, US

International Classification:

B64C 27/22

US Classification:

244010000

Abstract:

A “wing in ground effect” aerial vehicle includes a wing mounted on a fuselage, and two cycloidal propulsion units for providing lift, thrust and longitudinal control. Additional lift is provided by a lighter-than-air gas such as helium contained in the fuselage. Operationally, the two cycloidal propulsion units and the volume of lighter-than-air gas are concertedly regulated to achieve “wing in ground effect” flight. Importantly, the two cycloidal propulsion units may operate in one of several modes, to include a curtate mode, a prolate mode, and a fixed-wing mode. Additionally, the vehicle may hover. Also, a thruster unit is mounted on the fuselage for providing forward thrust in combination with, or in lieu of, the two cycloidal propulsion units.