Patents by Inventor Edward J. Sommer
Edward J. Sommer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11123772Abstract: Differences in x-ray absorption coefficients and ash content are used to process coal waste and concentrate rare earth elements (REE) found in coal seams. A method for processing the coal waste includes receiving, by a detector, at least one collimated x-ray beam from an x-ray source that has been passed through a sample of coal waste; determining measurements of at least one x-ray absorption characteristic of the sample based on the received at least one collimated x-ray beam; and identifying a first region in the sample having a concentration of rare earth elements based on the measured x-ray absorption characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Mineral Separation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Roos, Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Charles D. Roos, Ricky Q. Honaker, Aaron Noble
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Publication number: 20190358677Abstract: Differences in x-ray absorption coefficients and ash content are used to process coal waste and concentrate rare earth elements (REE) found in coal seams. A method for processing the coal waste includes receiving, by a detector, at least one collimated x-ray beam from an x-ray source that has been passed through a sample of coal waste; determining measurements of at least one x-ray absorption characteristic of the sample based on the received at least one collimated x-ray beam; and identifying a first region in the sample having a concentration of rare earth elements based on the measured x-ray absorption characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Applicant: Mineral Separation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Roos, Edward J. Sommer, JR., Charles D. Roos, Ricky Q. Honaker, Aaron Noble
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Patent number: 9234838Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods to improve detection of PET polymer materials within a waste material to be sorted. The methods disclosed allow for municipal solid waste to be separated so that PET polymer materials, including those containing liquids, are separated for recycling, or other purposes. PET polymer materials, such as water bottles which have been disposed of while still containing liquid may now be separated by the enhanced methods disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2013Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: National Recovery Technologies, LLCInventor: Edward J. Sommer, Jr.
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Patent number: 9227229Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods to improve detection of PET polymer materials within a waste material to be sorted. The methods disclosed allow for municipal solid waste to be separated so that PET polymer materials, including those containing liquids, are separated for recycling, or other purposes. PET polymer materials, such as water bottles which have been disposed of while still containing liquid may now be separated by the enhanced methods disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: National Recovery Technologies, LLCInventor: Edward J. Sommer, Jr.
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Patent number: 9126236Abstract: Disclosed herein is the use of differences in x-ray linear absorption coefficients to process ore and remove elements with higher atomic number from elements with lower atomic numbers. Use of this dry method at the mine reduces pollution and transportation costs. One example of said invention is the ejection of inclusions with sulfur, silicates, mercury, arsenic and radioactive elements from coal. This reduces the amount and toxicity of coal ash. It also reduces air emissions and the energy required to clean stack gases from coal combustion. Removal of said ejected elements improves thermal efficiency and reduces the pollution and carbon footprint for electrical production.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2014Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Mineral Separation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Roos, Edward J. Sommer, Jr.
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Patent number: 9114433Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of sorting coal into multiple fractions based upon x-ray absorption and size characteristics in order to remove rocks and other contaminants of various sizes from coal. The use of such dry processing of coal is desirable as it reduces pollution and transportation costs. The multi-fractional sorting of coal is a more efficient manner for identifying and removing rock and contaminants from coal.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Mineral Separation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Roos, Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Charles D. Roos
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Publication number: 20140311954Abstract: Disclosed herein is the use of differences in x-ray linear absorption coefficients to process ore and remove elements with higher atomic number from elements with lower atomic numbers. Use of this dry method at the mine reduces pollution and transportation costs. One example of said invention is the ejection of inclusions with sulfur, silicates, mercury, arsenic and radioactive elements from coal. This reduces the amount and toxicity of coal ash. It also reduces air emissions and the energy required to clean stack gases from coal combustion. Removal of said ejected elements improves thermal efficiency and reduces the pollution and carbon footprint for electrical production.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Inventors: Charles E. Roos, Edward J. Sommer, JR.
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Patent number: 8861675Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Spectramet, LLCInventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley
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Publication number: 20140299523Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods to improve detection of PET polymer materials within a waste material to be sorted. The methods disclosed allow for municipal solid waste to be separated so that PET polymer materials, including those containing liquids, are separated for recycling, or other purposes. PET polymer materials, such as water bottles which have been disposed of while still containing liquid may now be separated by the enhanced methods disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2013Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: National Recovery Technologies, LLCInventor: Edward J. Sommer, JR.
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Publication number: 20140299524Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods to improve detection of PET polymer materials within a waste material to be sorted. The methods disclosed allow for municipal solid waste to be separated so that PET polymer materials, including those containing liquids, are separated for recycling, or other purposes. PET polymer materials, such as water bottles which have been disposed of while still containing liquid may now be separated by the enhanced methods disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2013Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: National Recovery Technologies, LLCInventor: Edward J. Sommer, JR.
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Patent number: 8853584Abstract: Disclosed herein is the use of differences in x-ray linear absorption coefficients to process ore and remove elements with higher atomic number from elements with lower atomic numbers. Use of this dry method at the mine reduces pollution and transportation costs. One example of said invention is the ejection of inclusions with sulfur, silicates, mercury, arsenic and radioactive elements from coal. This reduces the amount and toxicity of coal ash. It also reduces air emissions and the energy required to clean stack gases from coal combustion. Removal of said ejected elements improves thermal efficiency and reduces the pollution and carbon footprint for electrical production.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2013Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Mineral Separation Technologies Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Roos, Edward J. Sommer, Jr.
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Patent number: 8855809Abstract: Systems for sorting materials, such as those made of metal, are described. The systems may operate by irradiating the materials with x-rays and then detecting fluoresced x-rays, transmitted x-rays, or both. Detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be performed using an x-ray fluorescence detector array. The systems may be configured to provide high throughput sorting of small pieces of materials.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Spectramet, LLCInventors: David B. Spencer, Jeffrey J. Webster, Aldo M. Reti, Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Richard E. Hill, R. Lynn Conley
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Patent number: 8692148Abstract: The present invention discloses a container sorting system capable of increased sorting efficiency. The present invention discloses a device in which the distance is shortened between detection and ejection of containers being sorted by reflective infrared radiation, transmission infrared radiation, or both. The present invention also includes a method of operating such device.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: National Recovery Technologies, LLCInventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., R. Lynn Conley, Robert H. Parrish
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Publication number: 20140077007Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of processing municipal solid waste in order to isolate a compostable product. The methods and system disclosed allow for municipal solid waste to be separated into an organic fraction and an inorganic fraction. The purity of the organic fraction may be enhanced in certain methods. The overall yield of organic material may be increased by subjecting inorganic material to further separation steps.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: NATIONAL RECOVERY TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Edward J. Sommer, JR., Dane H. Campbell, Robert H. Parrish
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Publication number: 20140069848Abstract: Disclosed herein is the use of differences in x-ray linear absorption coefficients to process ore and remove elements with higher atomic number from elements with lower atomic numbers. Use of this dry method at the mine reduces pollution and transportation costs. One example of said invention is the ejection of inclusions with sulfur, silicates, mercury, arsenic and radioactive elements from coal. This reduces the amount and toxicity of coal ash. It also reduces air emissions and the energy required to clean stack gases from coal combustion. Removal of said ejected elements improves thermal efficiency and reduces the pollution and carbon footprint for electrical production.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: Mineral Separation Technologies Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Roos, Edward J. Sommer, JR.
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Patent number: 8610019Abstract: Disclosed herein is the use of differences in x-ray linear absorption coefficients to process ore and remove elements with higher atomic number from elements with lower atomic numbers. Use of this dry method at the mine reduces pollution and transportation costs. One example of said invention is the ejection of inclusions with sulfur, silicates, mercury, arsenic and radioactive elements from coal. This reduces the amount and toxicity of coal ash. It also reduces air emissions and the energy required to clean stack gases from coal combustion. Removal of said ejected elements improves thermal efficiency and reduces the pollution and carbon footprint for electrical production.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2010Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Mineral Separation Technologies Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Roos, Edward J. Sommer, Jr.
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Publication number: 20130264249Abstract: A piece of material that includes low-Z elements is classified based on photonic emissions detected from the piece of material. Both XRF spectroscopy and OES techniques, for example, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and spark discharge spectroscopy, may be used to classify the piece of material. A stream of pieces of material are moved along a conveying system into a stimulation and detection area. Each piece of material, in turn, is stimulated with a first and second stimulus, of a same or different type, causing the piece of material to emit emissions, for example, photons, which may include at least one of x-ray photons (i.e., x-rays) and optical emissions. These emissions then are detected by one or more detectors of a same or different type. The piece of materials is then classified, for example, using a combination of hardware, software and/or firmware, based on the detected emissions, and then sorted.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2013Publication date: October 10, 2013Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, JR., David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley, Richard E. Hill, Robert H. Parrish, Charles E. Roos
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Patent number: 8553838Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Sprectramet, LLCInventors: Edward J. Sommer, Robert H. Parrish, David B. Spencer, Charles E. Roos
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Patent number: 8476545Abstract: A piece of material that includes low-Z elements is classified based on photonic emissions detected from the piece of material. Both XRF spectroscopy and OES techniques, for example, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and spark discharge spectroscopy, may be used to classify the piece of material. A stream of pieces of material are moved along a conveying system into a stimulation and detection area. Each piece of material, in turn, is stimulated with a first and second stimulus, of a same or different type, causing the piece of material to emit emissions, for example, photons, which may include at least one of x-ray photons (i.e., x-rays) and optical emissions. These emissions then are detected by one or to more detectors of a same or different type. The piece of materials is then classified, for example, using a combination of hardware, software and/or firmware, based on the detected emissions, and then sorted.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Spectramet, LLCInventors: Edward J. Sommer, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley, Richard E. Hill, Robert H. Parrish, Charles E. Roos
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Publication number: 20130079918Abstract: Systems for sorting materials, such as those made of metal, are described. The systems may operate by irradiating the materials with x-rays and then detecting fluoresced x-rays, transmitted x-rays, or both. Detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be performed using an x-ray fluorescence detector array. The systems may be configured to provide high throughput sorting of small pieces of materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: Spectramet, LLCInventors: David B. Spencer, Jeffrey J. Webster, Aldo M. Reti, Edward J. Sommer, JR., Richard E. Hill, R. Lynn Conley