Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090077892 | BIOMASS ENERGY CONVERSION APPARATUS AND METHOD - Method and apparatus are disclosed to utilize the energy in biomass (waste agricultural products). The inventive method and apparatus utilized heat and mass flow to efficiently generate a variety of products from biomass. In various embodiment, the invention may generate a liquid fuel (such as methanol or dimethyl ether), pure liquid CO2 (intended for CO2 sequestration), a soil enhancement product (intended to return to the agricultural site), process heat, and/or electricity. In one embodiment, the process requires no external energy inputs, and preserves a large percentage (ie. >50%) of the energy contained in the biomass. In another embodiment, the inventive method and apparatus can selectively be operated to produce electricity and or liquid fuels. | 03-26-2009 |
20100101141 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONVERSION OF BIOMASS TO BIOFUEL - Embodiments presented herein describe an apparatus and method to convert carbonaceous materials, particularly biomass and those biomass resources which are remotely located, into a high performance solid fuel. This method, and the apparatus described as the means to accomplish this method, provides a continuous process which can be completely powered by the energy contained in the biomass. The heat, mechanical power and electrical power are provided from the energy in the biomass, through the methods described. In this way, the apparatus is free to operate in remote locations, where no power or auxiliary fuel sources are available. | 04-29-2010 |
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 |
20110214343 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONVERSION OF BIOMASS TO BIOFUEL - Embodiments presented herein describe an apparatus and method to convert carbonaceous materials, particularly biomass and those biomass resources which are remotely located, into a high performance solid fuel. This method, and the apparatus described as the means to accomplish this method, provides a continuous process which can be completely powered by the energy contained in the biomass. The heat, mechanical power and electrical power are provided from the energy in the biomass, through the methods described. In this way, the apparatus is free to operate in remote locations, where no power or auxiliary fuel sources are available. | 09-08-2011 |
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 |
20120224316 | Foldable carrying case for a tablet computer - A carrying case for a tablet computer. The carrying case is foldable and provides protection for the tablet computer when closed. When open, the carrying case provides a stable support for operating the tablet computer. A keyboard, which can be removable, is also provided as part of the carrying case. Optional features including solar charging, stereo speakers, camera and removable data storage can also be incorporated into the carrying case. | 09-06-2012 |
20130178155 | TABLET COMPUTER CARRYING CASE WITH RETRACTABLE LATCH - A carrying case includes a frame member to retain a tablet computer and a base member coupled to the frame member. The frame member includes a recess with a protruding lip to receive a first edge of the tablet computer as it is inserted into the carrying case, and a retractable latching mechanism to secure a second, opposite edge of the tablet computer. The retractable latching mechanism can be moved to a retracted position to enable the second edge of the tablet computer to be inserted within the frame member and then released to a non-retracted position to secure the second edge of the tablet computer within the frame member. | 07-11-2013 |
20130178161 | MULTIFUNCTIONAL CARRYING CASE FOR A TABLET COMPUTER - A carrying case includes a frame member to retain a tablet computer and a base member having a keyboard housing to receive a keyboard. The frame member is rotatably and slidably coupled to the base member to enable the frame member to be rotated through a variable angle with respect to the base member and also translated with respect to the base member such that an edge of the frame member is offset from a corresponding edge of the base member by a variable distance. | 07-11-2013 |
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 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140119997 | APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING A BIOMASS - An apparatus to convert carbonaceous materials, particularly biomass and those biomass resources which are remotely located, into a solid material, which may be a high performance solid fuel, are presented. The apparatus provides a continuous process which can be completely powered by the energy contained in the biomass. The heat, mechanical power and electrical power are provided from the energy in the biomass, through the methods described. In this way, the apparatus is free to operate in remote locations, where no power or auxiliary fuel sources are available. | 05-01-2014 |
20140123551 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING A BIOMASS - Embodiments presented herein describe an apparatus and method to convert carbonaceous materials, particularly biomass and those biomass resources which are remotely located, into a high performance solid fuel. This method, and the apparatus described as the means to accomplish this method, provides a continuous process which can be completely powered by the energy contained in the biomass. The heat, mechanical power and electrical power are provided from the energy in the biomass, through the methods described. In this way, the apparatus is free to operate in remote locations, where no power or auxiliary fuel sources are available. | 05-08-2014 |