Patents by Inventor Francis L. Tanzella

Francis L. Tanzella 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).

  • Publication number: 20170173552
    Abstract: The present application discloses methods and apparatus for conversion of quantized vibrational energy. The present application discloses, by driving a medium that comprises arranged nuclei with one or more selected driving frequencies, the arranged nuclei in the medium are induced to oscillate coherently at one or more oscillating frequencies. The mechanical vibrational energy of the oscillating nuclei interacts with the oscillating medium. The interaction between the vibrational energy and the oscillating medium effectuates up-conversion or down-conversion of quantized vibrational energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Peter L. HAGELSTEIN, Michael MCKUBRE, Jianer BAO, Francis L. TANZELLA
  • Publication number: 20090086877
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are described which employ processing a host material to cause molecular deuterium (D2) and/or molecular hydrogen deuterium (HD) to be present within the host material, and processing the host material to cause at least one of He-4 and He-3 to be present within the host material. Stimulating the host material generates reactions, and energy is withdrawn from the host material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Spindletop Corporation
    Inventors: Peter L. Hagelstein, Michael C.H. McKubre, Matthew D. Trevithick, Francis L. Tanzella, Kevin Mullican
  • Patent number: 5227259
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for locating and electrically isolating failed cells in a network of cells is disclosed. The apparatus includes a device for sampling voltage and current levels of each of the cells of the battery. Another device compares the sampled voltage and current levels to voltage and current limits to determine whether a cell has failed. If a cell has failed, control circuitry produces an activation signal which is conveyed to a switch associated with the failed cell. The activation signal drives a heating element of the switch. The heating element, which surrounds a fusible link of the switch, melts the fusible link. The fused link congregates at the base of the switch. In the case of a parallel network of cells, the fused link forms an open circuit, while in the case of a series network of cells, the fused link forms a bypass circuit. Consequently, the switch isolates the failed cell from the good cells remaining in the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Weaver, Francis L. Tanzella