Patents by Inventor Kingston Owens
Kingston Owens 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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Publication number: 20050183832Abstract: A method of operating an evaporator is described. In evaporator feed water, a Taylor bubble is developed which has an outer surface including a thin film in contact with an inner surface of an outer wall of an evaporator tube. The Taylor bubble is heated as it rises within the evaporator tube so that liquid in the thin film transitions into vapor within the bubble.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2005Publication date: August 25, 2005Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventor: Kingston Owens
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Publication number: 20050112007Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward systems and methods of transferring fluid using devices that have a rotatable housing. One embodiment of the invention attaches a fluid-drive element to a rotatable housing to drive fluid into a conduit for transfer. In another embodiment, a pitot tube is attached to the rotatable housing, the motion of the housing driving fluid into the conduit for transfer. Other embodiments of the invention may utilize a pressure difference to drive fluid through a conduit. Embodiments of the invention may also utilize baffles to alter circulation of fluid that may be induced by the motion of the rotating housing, to promote fluid transfer through a conduit. Some of the aforementioned embodiments may be especially useful in transporting fluid in a liquid ring pump with a rotatable housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2003Publication date: May 26, 2005Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Jason Demers, Scott Leonard, Kingston Owens
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Patent number: 6862883Abstract: A regenerator for a thermal cycle engine and methods for its manufacture. The regenerator has a random network of fibers formed to fill a specified volume and a material for cross-linking the fibers at points of close contact between fibers of the network. A method for manufacturing a regenerator has steps of providing a length of knitted metal tape and wrapping a plurality of layers of the tape in an annular spiral.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2003Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Kingston Owens, Jonathan Strimling
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Publication number: 20050016828Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In some embodiments of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, and a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product. Other embodiments of the invention are directed toward heat management, and other process enhancements for making the system especially efficient.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2003Publication date: January 27, 2005Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: David Bednarek, Jason Demers, Timothy Duggan, James Jackson, Scott Leonard, David McGill, Kingston Owens
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Publication number: 20040159536Abstract: A system for distributed utilities including electrical power and water. A generation device is provided for converting an available resource to a desired utility; the resource may be water, in which case the generator is a purifier for purifying untreated water, or, alternatively, the generator may convert a fuel to electrical power. In either case, an input sensor is provided for measuring input to the generation device, while an output sensor is provided for measuring consumption of output from the generation device. The monitoring system has a controller for concatenating measured input and consumption of output on the basis of the input and output sensors. Measured parameters are telemetered to a remote site where utility generation and use are monitored and may also be controlled.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2003Publication date: August 19, 2004Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean Kamen, Jason A. Demers, Kingston Owens
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Publication number: 20040144089Abstract: A thermal cycle engine having a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy across the heater head from a heated external fluid to the working fluid. The heat exchanger has a set of heat transfer pins each having an axis directed away from the cylindrical wall of the expansion cylinder. The height and density of the heat transfer pins may vary with distance in the direction of the flow path, and the pin structure may be fabricated by stacking perforated rings in contact with a heater head. Ribs are provided interior to the heater head to enhance hoop strength and thermal transfer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2004Publication date: July 29, 2004Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Thomas Q. Gurski, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Ryan Keith LaRocque, Michael Norris, Kingston Owens, Jonathan Strimling
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Publication number: 20040099521Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In an embodiment of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product, and an electric motor with motor rotor and magnets hermetically sealed within the fluid pressure boundary of the distillation system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2003Publication date: May 27, 2004Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Jason A. Demers, Scott A. Leonard, Kingston Owens
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Publication number: 20040074757Abstract: A method and device for enhancing distillation in an evaporator. The evaporator includes phase change chambers, such as vertically-oriented cylindrical evaporation tubes. Each chamber has an evaporation region that can be heated externally. Each chamber has an inlet for introducing liquid to the chamber and an outlet opening for allowing vapor to exit from the chamber. Packing is inserted into one or more chambers to enhance distillation. The packing may include a rod with bristles emanating from the rod. Other chamber packing may include multiple rods or a mesh.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Inventor: Kingston Owens
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Patent number: 6694731Abstract: A thermal cycle engine having a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy across the heater head from a heated external fluid to the working fluid. The heat exchanger has a set of heat transfer pins each having an axis directed away from the cylindrical wall of the expansion cylinder. The height and density of the heat transfer pins may vary with distance in the direction of the flow path, and the pin structure may be fabricated by stacking perforated rings in contact with a heater head. Ribs are provided interior to the heater head to enhance hoop strength and thermal transfer.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2001Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Thomas Q. Gurski, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Ryan Keith LaRocque, Michael Norris, Kingston Owens, Jonathan Strimling
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Publication number: 20040003591Abstract: A regenerator for a thermal cycle engine and methods for its manufacture. The regenerator has a random network of fibers formed to fill a specified volume and a material for cross-linking the fibers at points of close contact between fibers of the network. A method for manufacturing a regenerator has steps of providing a length of knitted metal tape and wrapping a plurality of layers of the tape in an annular spiral.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Applicant: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Kingston Owens, Jonathan Strimling
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Publication number: 20030177622Abstract: A method of removing and retrieving a staple or other fastening device for a plurality of objects, commonly paper, without the use of additional tools. The combined fastening removal and retrieval device comprises a tab of tear-resistant material that is placed on top of or around the objects being stapled or otherwise fastened together. The combination of the stack of papers and the combined fastening removal and retrieval device is then fastened together to form a single object. To remove the fastening device, the user pulls on the tab, which in turn pulls on the fastening device, such as a staple, until the staple or other fastening device is removed from the stack of papers. An additional benefit is that the staple will remain attached to the fastening removal device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2002Publication date: September 25, 2003Applicant: DEKA Research & Development Corp.Inventors: Dean L. Kamen, Kingston Owens
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Patent number: 6591609Abstract: A regenerator for a thermal cycle engine and methods for its manufacture. The regenerator has a random network of fibers formed to fill a specified volume and a material for cross-linking the fibers at points of close contact between fibers of the network. A method for manufacturing a regenerator has steps of providing a length of knitted metal tape and wrapping a plurality of layers of the tape in an annular spiral.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Kingston Owens, Jonathan Strimling
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Publication number: 20030066282Abstract: A regenerator for a thermal cycle engine and methods for its manufacture. The regenerator has a random network of fibers formed to fill a specified volume and a material for cross-linking the fibers at points of close contact between fibers of the network. A method for manufacturing a regenerator has steps of providing a length of knitted metal tape and wrapping a plurality of layers of the tape in an annular spiral.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2001Publication date: April 10, 2003Applicant: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Kingston Owens, Jonathan Strimling
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Patent number: 6381958Abstract: A thermal cycle engine having a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy across the heater head from a heated external fluid to the working fluid. The heat exchanger has a set of heat transfer pins each having an axis directed away from the cylindrical wall of the expansion cylinder, or, alternatively, a set of fins substantially aligned with the axis of the expansion cylinder. The height and density of the heat transfer pins may vary with distance in the direction of the flow path, and the pin structure may be fabricated by stacking perforated rings in contact with a heater head. A ring burner supplements the main combustor for supplying additional fuel to cause additional combustion of the exhaust gas. A regenerator for the thermal cycle engine has a random network of fibers formed to fill a specified volume and a material for cross-linking the fibers at points of close contact between fibers of the network.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2000Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Thomas Q. Gurski, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Ryan Keith LaRocque, Michael Norris, Kingston Owens
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Publication number: 20020029567Abstract: A thermal cycle engine having a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy across the heater head from a heated external fluid to the working fluid. The heat exchanger has a set of heat transfer pins each having an axis directed away from the cylindrical wall of the expansion cylinder. The height and density of the heat transfer pins may vary with distance in the direction of the flow path, and the pin structure may be fabricated by stacking perforated rings in contact with a heater head. Ribs are provided interior to the heater head to enhance hoop strength and thermal transfer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Inventors: Dean L. Kamen, Thomas Q. Gurski, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Ryan Keith LaRocque, Michael Norris, Kingston Owens, Jonathan Strimling
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Patent number: 6062023Abstract: A Stirling machine having two pistons coupled to a harmonic crank drive linkage for providing a specified phase relationship between sinusoidal displacements of each piston with respect to a fixed fiducial point. The harmonic crank drive linkage has a primary crankshaft and an eccentric crankshaft mounted internally to the primary crankshaft and coupled via a gear set to counterrotate with respect to the primary crankshaft. The eccentric crankshaft may be cantilevered with respect to the primary shaft, with the pistons of the engine coupled to the eccentric crankshaft externally to the supporting bearings. A flywheel coupled to the eccentric crankshaft provides for operation of the engine with a zero net angular momentum. An intake manifold provides for mixing air and fuel for combustion heating of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1998Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Assignee: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: John Kerwin, Kingston Owens, Michael Norris, Dean L. Kamen, Tim Duggan, Christopher C. Langenfeld