Patents by Inventor Frank L. Stromotich

Frank L. Stromotich 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: 9217232
    Abstract: A levitation system communicates fish mutually exclusively upstream and downstream, with minimal trauma to fish, in harmony with their homing instinct and natural levitation process, in discrete micro-steps aggregated in macro steps, with optimally adjusted water flows, through capsules of stations differing in elevation by 50 to 100 feet, connected through inclined conduits in series and in parallel. The process starts with electricity from a utility to pump water from the forebay to the dam crest. Water moves slowly in controlled cascades through stations from crest to the afterbay. Surplus electricity is generated as pressure is adjusted at each station. Cooler water drawn from below the surface of the forebay is blended at stations along the passageway and spent water is flushed. Energy losses are attributable mainly to attraction flow at the station a few feet above the afterbay and are mitigated by a moderate negative pressure to control flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Inventor: Frank L Stromotich
  • Publication number: 20140356070
    Abstract: A levitation system communicates fish mutually exclusively upstream and downstream, with minimal trauma to fish, in harmony with their homing instinct and natural levitation process, in discrete micro-steps aggregated in macro steps, with optimally adjusted water flows, through capsules of stations differing in elevation by 50 to 100 feet, connected through inclined conduits in series and in parallel. The process starts with electricity from a utility to pump water from the forebay to the dam crest. Water moves slowly in controlled cascades through stations from crest to the afterbay. Surplus electricity is generated as pressure is adjusted at each station. Cooler water drawn from below the surface of the forebay is blended at stations along the passageway and spent water is flushed. Energy losses are attributable mainly to attraction flow at the station a few feet above the afterbay and are mitigated by a moderate negative pressure to control flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Frank L. Stromotich
  • Patent number: 4321842
    Abstract: In a speed reducer, a reaction sun is fixed to a frame and an output sun is coaxial with the reaction sun. An idler carrier assembly, rotatable about the common axis of the two suns, carries a planet shaft supporting a reaction planet and an output planet for conjoint rotation and in radial alignment, respectively, with the reaction sun and the output sun. Rotation of the idler carrier assembly effects orbiting of the planet shaft and its planets about the common axis of the suns. Endless loop force-transmitting elements connect corresponding suns and planets. Rotary input power is applied to the planet shaft effecting conjoint rotation of the planets and orbiting of the planets about the suns' axis. The epicyclic motion of the output planet effects rotation of the output sun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1982
    Inventor: Frank L. Stromotich