Patents by Inventor Merton W. Pekrul

Merton W. Pekrul 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: 11958572
    Abstract: The invention comprises a paddle board apparatus and method of use thereof, comprising: a manual crank connected to a drive shaft, a rotatable housing, and a set of paddle wheels connected to an outer surface of the rotatable housing, where a child manually turning the crank simultaneously propels the paddle board forward in water through use of the paddle wheels and drives an air pump in the rotatable housing to blow bubbles about the paddle board for enjoyment of the child riding the paddle board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Patent number: 11530642
    Abstract: The invention comprises a rotary engine apparatus and method of use thereof, where the rotary engine comprises multiple injection ports. Optional injection ports include a first port in an expansion chamber, a second port in the expansion chamber after a first rotation of the rotor, a third port into the expansion chamber after a second rotation of the rotor, a fourth port from a fuel path through a shaft of the rotary engine, and/or a fifth port into a rotor-vane chamber between the rotor and a vane. Optionally, one or more of the injection ports are controlled through mechanical valving and/or through electronic and/or computer control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Publication number: 20210163103
    Abstract: The invention comprises a paddle board apparatus and method of use thereof, comprising: a manual crank connected to a drive shaft, a rotatable housing, and a set of paddle wheels connected to an outer surface of the rotatable housing, where a child manually turning the crank simultaneously propels the paddle board forward in water through use of the paddle wheels and drives an air pump in the rotatable housing to blow bubbles about the paddle board for enjoyment of the child riding the paddle board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Publication number: 20210140317
    Abstract: The invention comprises a method for heating a fluid in an engine, including: a rotor rotating relative to a stator about a shaft and a set of vanes extending radially outward, relative to an elongated axis of the shaft, between the rotator and the stator, the set of vanes separating a set of expansion chambers, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) applying a shear force to the fluid to form a gas with a rotatable chamber within the shaft of the engine; and (2) exhausting the gas from the shaft to a rotor-vane chamber, the rotor-vane chamber comprising a void in a vane slot on a shaft side of a first vane, of the set of vanes. Optionally, the gas applies a rotation force by passing the gas from the first vane to a trailing expansion chamber of the set of expansion chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Patent number: 11001358
    Abstract: The invention comprises a paddle board apparatus and method of use thereof, comprising: a manual crank connected to a drive shaft, a rotatable housing, and a set of paddle wheels connected to an outer surface of the rotatable housing, where a child manually turning the crank simultaneously propels the paddle board forward in water through use of the paddle wheels and drives an air pump in the rotatable housing to blow bubbles about the paddle board for enjoyment of the child riding the paddle board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Publication number: 20210071530
    Abstract: The invention comprises a rotary engine apparatus and method of use thereof, where the rotary engine comprises multiple injection ports. Optional injection ports include a first port in an expansion chamber, a second port in the expansion chamber after a first rotation of the rotor, a third port into the expansion chamber after a second rotation of the rotor, a fourth port from a fuel path through a shaft of the rotary engine, and/or a fifth port into a rotor-vane chamber between the rotor and a vane. Optionally, one or more of the injection ports are controlled through mechanical valving and/or through electronic and/or computer control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Patent number: 10876470
    Abstract: The invention comprises a rotary engine apparatus and method of use thereof. The rotary engine comprises a rotor configured to rotate in a housing and a set of vanes separating a volume between the rotor and housing into a set of chambers. Each of the vanes are dynamically controlled, such as through use of a stressed sheet and/or electromechanical means, to: (1) yield a greater radially outward and/or sealing force to the housing at start-up and/or at low engine speeds and (2) dynamically reduce radially outward and/or sealing forces at higher engine speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Publication number: 20200182145
    Abstract: The invention comprises a rotary engine apparatus and method of use thereof. The rotary engine comprises a rotor configured to rotate in a housing and a set of vanes separating a volume between the rotor and housing into a set of chambers. Each of the vanes are dynamically controlled to: (1) yield a greater radially outward and/or sealing force to the housing at start-up and/or at low engine speeds and (2) dynamically reduce radially outward and/or sealing forces at higher engine speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Publication number: 20200148322
    Abstract: The invention comprises a paddle board apparatus and method of use thereof, comprising: a manual crank connected to a drive shaft, a rotatable housing, and a set of paddle wheels connected to an outer surface of the rotatable housing, where a child manually turning the crank simultaneously propels the paddle board forward in water through use of the paddle wheels and drives an air pump in the rotatable housing to blow bubbles about the paddle board for enjoyment of the child riding the paddle board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Patent number: 10202849
    Abstract: The invention comprises a rotary engine method and apparatus configured with a self-actuating/self-damping vane system. In the rotary engine apparatus, a set of vanes extend from a rotor to a housing, whereby the rotary engine is divided into expansion chambers. Each of the vanes enclose a stressed band wound at least partially around two or more rollers. Potential energy of the stressed band, which is optionally a smart metal, provides a radially outward force on the vane toward the housing, aiding in seal formation of the vane to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Publication number: 20160194959
    Abstract: The invention comprises a rotary engine method and apparatus configured with a self-actuating/self-damping vane system. In the rotary engine apparatus, a set of vanes extend from a rotor to a housing, whereby the rotary engine is divided into expansion chambers. Each of the vanes enclose a stressed band wound at least partially around two or more rollers. Potential energy of the stressed band, which is optionally a smart metal, provides a radially outward force on the vane toward the housing, aiding in seal formation of the vane to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Publication number: 20160131026
    Abstract: The invention comprises a rotary engine apparatus and method of use thereof, where the rotary engine comprises multiple injection ports. Optional injection ports include a first port in an expansion chamber, a second port in the expansion chamber after a first rotation of the rotor, a third port into the expansion chamber after a second rotation of the rotor, a fourth port from a fuel path through a shaft of the rotary engine, and/or a fifth port into a rotor-vane chamber between the rotor and a vane. Optionally, one or more of the injection ports are controlled through mechanical valving and/or through electronic and/or computer control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Publication number: 20160131025
    Abstract: The invention comprises a rotary engine apparatus and method of use thereof. The rotary engine comprises a rotor configured to rotate in a housing and a set of vanes separating a volume between the rotor and housing into a set of chambers. Each of the vanes are dynamically controlled to: (1) yield a greater radially outward and/or sealing force to the housing at start-up and/or at low engine speeds and (2) dynamically reduce radially outward and/or sealing forces at higher engine speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Patent number: 9057267
    Abstract: A rotary engine using a swing vane separating expansion chambers is provided for operation with a pressurized fuel or fuel expanding during a rotation of the engine. A swing vane pivots about a pivot point on the rotor yielding an expansion chamber separator ranging from the width of the swing vane to the length of the swing vane. The swing vane optionally slidingly extends to dynamically lengthen or shorten the length of the swing vane. The combination of the pivoting and the sliding of the vane allows for use of a double offset rotor in the rotary engine and the use of rotary engine housing wall cut-outs and/or buildups to expand rotary engine expansion chamber volumes with engine rotation yielding corresponding increases in rotary engine power and/or efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Patent number: 8955491
    Abstract: A rotary machine is described with a vane carried by a rotor in a housing. The vane includes: a central vane axis extending radially outward along a y-axis from a center of the rotor through the vane to the housing. A centrifugal force of the vane against the housing is primarily distributed with a first sealing element mounted on an end of the vane, such as a rotatable element supported by a rigid support. The rigid structure of the first sealing element facilitates use of a second flexible sealing element mounted on the vane end. The second flexible sealing element performs as a sliding seal between a trailing expansion chamber and a leading expansion chamber on opposite sides of the vane. The rigid seal and the flexible sliding seal typically function independently of each other as separate constituents of the tip or end of a given vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Patent number: 8833338
    Abstract: The invention comprises a rotary engine method and apparatus configured with a lip seal. A lip seal restricts fuel flow from a fuel compartment to a non-fuel compartment and/or fuel flow between fuel chambers, such as between a reference expansion chamber and any of an engine: rotor, vane, housing, and/or a leading or trailing expansion chamber. In separate states, high pressure and low pressure force sealing movement of the lip seal, respectively. The lip seal is optionally used in combination with a cap seal to form a dynamic seal. The dynamic seals ability to track a noncircular path are particularly beneficial for use in a rotary engine having an offset rotor and with a non-circular inner rotary engine compartment having engine wall cut-outs and/or build-ups. The dynamic sealing forces further provide cap sealing forces over a range of temperatures, pressures, fuel flow rates, varying loads, and operating engine rotation rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Patent number: 8800286
    Abstract: The invention comprises a rotary engine method and apparatus configured with an exhaust system. The exhaust system includes an exhaust cut or exhaust channel into one or more of a housing or an endplate of the rotary engine, which interrupts the seal surface of the expansion chamber housing. The exhaust cut directs spent fuel from the rotary engine fuel expansion/compression chamber out of the rotary engine either directly or via an optional exhaust port and/or exhaust booster. The exhaust system vents fuel to atmosphere or into a condenser for recirculating of fuel in a closed-loop circulating rotary engine system. Exhausting the engine reduces back pressure on the rotary engine thereby enhancing rotary engine efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Patent number: 8794943
    Abstract: A rotary engine is described including: (1) a rotor located within a housing, the rotor configured with a plurality of rotor vane slots; (2) a vane separating an interior space between the rotor and the housing into at least a trailing chamber and a leading chamber, where the vane slidingly engages a rotor vane slot; (3) a first passage through the vane, the first passage including a first exit port into the rotationally trailing chamber; and (4) a second exit port to the rotationally trailing chamber, where the first exit port and the second exit port connect to any of: (a) the first passage through the vane and (b) the first passage and a second passage through the vane, respectively. Optionally, one or more seals affixed to the vane and/or the rotor valve the first passage, the second passage, a vane wingtip, and/or a conduit through the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Patent number: 8689765
    Abstract: The invention comprises a rotary engine method and apparatus configured with a cap seal. A cap seal restricts fuel flow from a fuel compartment to a non-fuel compartment and/or fuel flow between fuel chambers, such as between a reference expansion chamber and any of an engine: rotor, vane, housing, and/or a leading or trailing expansion chamber. Means for providing cap sealing force to seal the cap against a rotary engine housing element comprise one or more of: a spring force, a magnetic force, a deformable seal force, and a fuel force. The dynamic caps ability to track a noncircular path are particularly beneficial for use in a rotary engine having an offset rotor and with a non-circular inner rotary engine compartment having engine wall cut-outs and/or build-ups. The dynamic sealing forces further provide cap sealing forces over a range of temperatures, pressures, fuel flow rates, and operating engine rotation rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Patent number: 8647088
    Abstract: A rotary engine is described including: (1) a rotor located within a housing, the rotor configured with a plurality of rotor vane slots; (2) a vane separating an interior space between the rotor and the housing into at least a trailing chamber and a leading chamber, where the vane slidingly engages a rotor vane slot; (3) a first conduit within the rotor configured to communicate a first flow between the trailing chamber and the rotor vane slot; and (4) a lower trailing vane seal affixed to the vane, the lower trailing vane seal configured to valve the first conduit with rotation of the rotor. Optionally, a second conduit within the rotor is configured to communicate a second flow between the trailing chamber and the first conduit. Optionally, movement of the vane valves one or more additional fuel flow paths as a function of rotation of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul