Patents by Inventor Frances Wells

Frances Wells 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).

  • Patent number: 9051539
    Abstract: Embodiments of algaculture systems to generate biofuel are herein provided. In one embodiment, an algaculture system includes a photo-bioreactor (PBR) including pump/tank assembly in communication with an input portion of a solar collector. The pump/tank assembly may act as a reservoir and/or agitator for a mixture of algae, water and nutrients (hereinafter, “algae media”) which mixture may be pumped into the solar collector. The solar collector may comprise a plurality of interconnected tubes (in various configurations) with a plurality of axial vortex flow generators positioned at an intake portion of each tube. Sensors, ports for input of nutrients and gasses, and ports for removal of gasses may be located in fittings between sections of tubing. An output portion of the solar collector may be in fluid communication with a continuous harvester which may redirect mature algae for processing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth Matthew Snyder, Frances Wells
  • Publication number: 20110184771
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provides management of projects including breaking the project into tasks and task dependencies and assigning employees as resources to work on the task dependencies. Resources are evaluated based on skills, experience with applications, distance to work site, customer satisfaction rating of prior work and availability. Progress on the project is monitored by input of employee time into the system. Projected completion dates, start dates of subsequent projects and resource allocation is automatically determined as changes in project progress and resources occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Frances WELLS
  • Publication number: 20100068779
    Abstract: Embodiments of algaculture systems to generate biofuel are herein provided. In one embodiment, an algaculture system includes a photo-bioreactor (PBR) including pump/tank assembly in communication with an input portion of a solar collector. The pump/tank assembly may act as a reservoir and/or agitator for a mixture of algae, water and nutrients (hereinafter, “algae media”) which mixture may be pumped into the solar collector. The solar collector may comprise a plurality of interconnected tubes (in various configurations) with a plurality of axial vortex flow generators positioned at an intake portion of each tube. Sensors, ports for input of nutrients and gasses, and ports for removal of gasses may be located in fittings between sections of tubing. An output portion of the solar collector may be in fluid communication with a continuous harvester which may redirect mature algae for processing thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: SCIPIO BIOFUELS, INC.
    Inventors: Frances Wells, Kenneth Matthew Snyder