Patents by Inventor Raymond Hobbs
Raymond Hobbs 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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Patent number: 8529645Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for evaluating effects of process parameters on hydrogasification processes. The system includes a hydrogasification reactor, a pressurized feed system, a hopper system, a hydrogen gas source, and a carrier gas source. Pressurized carbonaceous material, such as coal, is fed to the reactor using the carrier gas and reacted with hydrogen to produce natural gas.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2007Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Arizona Public Service CompanyInventors: Raymond Hobbs, Donald Karner, Xiaolei Sun, John Boyle, Fuyuki Noguchi
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Patent number: 8236072Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for producing substitute natural gas and electricity, while mitigating production of any greenhouse gasses. The system includes a hydrogasification reactor, to form a gas stream including natural gas and a char stream, and an oxygen burner to combust the char material to form carbon oxides. The system also includes an algae farm to convert the carbon oxides to hydrocarbon material and oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2007Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Arizona Public Service CompanyInventor: Raymond Hobbs
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Publication number: 20090090054Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for evaluating effects of process parameters on hydrogasification processes. The system includes a hydrogasification reactor, a pressurized feed system, a hopper system, a hydrogen gas source, and a carrier gas source. Pressurized carbonaceous material, such as coal, is fed to the reactor using the carrier gas and reacted with hydrogen to produce natural gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2007Publication date: April 9, 2009Applicant: ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANYInventors: Raymond Hobbs, Donald Karner, Xiaolei Sun, John Boyle, Fuyuki Noguchi
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Publication number: 20080190024Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for producing substitute natural gas and electricity, while mitigating production of any greenhouse gasses. The system includes a hydrogasification reactor, to form a gas stream including natural gas and a char stream, and an oxygen burner to combust the char material to form carbon oxides. The system also includes an algae farm to convert the carbon oxides to hydrocarbon material and oxygen.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2007Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicant: ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANYInventor: Raymond Hobbs
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Patent number: 7411371Abstract: Stationary and on-board battery chargers, methods of charging batteries, electric-vehicle chargers, and vehicles with chargers, including electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. Chargers may automatically charge at the correct battery voltage for various types of batteries. Chargers have variable AC power supplies controlled by digital controllers, isolation transformers, and rectifiers. Transformers may be foil-type, and may have copper foil. Power supplies may be variable-frequency generators and the controllers may control the frequency. Use of the variable frequency generator supply facilitates reduced component size and weight and better battery charging performance. Electric vehicle chargers may have card readers, and vehicles may have batteries and a charger. Methods of charging include identifying the battery type and gradually increasing the charging at different rates of increase while monitoring charging voltage, charging current, or both, until a current lid is reached.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Arizona Public Service CompanyInventor: Raymond Hobbs
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Publication number: 20070285613Abstract: The present invention is directed toward specially tinted lenses for use in flying airplanes. In the present invention, the far field of vision is highly tinted to reduce the light from a sunlit sky, over sunlit cloud tops, or in clouds. This enables an aircraft pilot to easily see out of the cockpit into highly illuminated environments. The intermediate field of vision is essentially clear to enable the pilot to easily see a dimly illuminated instrument panel as compared to outside the aircraft. The near field of vision may have a range of tinting from clear to up to a medium tinted value for reading maps and other material. In addition, the change in tinting is discontinuous, that is, sharp, from one field of vision to another. The present invention works because the aircraft structure, that is, the nose and instrument panel, blocks outside light from coming into the intermediate field of vision where the lens is clear.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2006Publication date: December 13, 2007Inventor: Raymond Hobbs
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Patent number: 7287558Abstract: Systems for handling and/or dispensing hydrogen or a mixture of fuels containing hydrogen gas including refueling stations for hydrogen-powered vehicles. Pure hydrogen or various mixtures ratios of hydrogen and CNG may be dispensed. Hydrogen handling equipment may include a hydrogen generator, a pressurizing apparatus or compressor, pressure vessels, piping, valves, vent pipes, and/or a dispenser. Substantially vertical orientation of pressure vessels may reduce the amount of land required and facilitate installation in urban environments. Pressurization may take place before hydrogen generation to reduce the power required for pressurization. Safety features include enclosures and surrounding walls that lean away from the equipment. Any leaking hydrogen, fires, or explosions may be contained and/or directed upward, protecting human life and property. Systems may be shop assembled and certified.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2003Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Arizona Public Service CompanyInventor: Raymond Hobbs
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Patent number: 7275569Abstract: Systems for handling and/or dispensing hydrogen or a mixture of fuels containing hydrogen gas including refueling stations for hydrogen-powered vehicles. Pure hydrogen or various mixtures ratios of hydrogen and CNG may be dispensed. Hydrogen handling equipment may include a hydrogen generator, a pressurizing apparatus or compressor, pressure vessels, piping, valves, vent pipes, and/or a dispenser. Substantially vertical orientation of pressure vessels may reduce the amount of land required and facilitate installation in urban environments. Pressurization may take place before hydrogen generation to reduce the power required for pressurization. Safety features include enclosures and surrounding walls that lean away from the equipment. Any leaking hydrogen, fires, or explosions may be contained and/or directed upward, protecting human life and property. Systems may be shop assembled and certified.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Arizona Public Service CompanyInventor: Raymond Hobbs
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Publication number: 20070199560Abstract: A method (92) of supporting a solar energy collection unit (22, 54, 76) of a solar energy system (20, 52, 78) calls for redistributing (96) earth at a worksite (26) to form an elevated earthen structure (24) having a sun facing surface (28), compacting (102) the earthen structure (24), and arranging (106) the solar energy collection unit (22, 54, 76) upon the sun facing surface (28) of the earthen structure (24). The earthen structure (24) may include internal strengthening material (32) detached from the energy collection unit (22, 54, 76) and the earthen structure (24) may be encased in a binder material (34) for additional stability. Channels (48, 50) may be provided proximate the earthen structure (24) for fluid supply and release functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2006Publication date: August 30, 2007Applicant: Arizona Public Service CompanyInventors: Raymond Hobbs, David Haberman
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Publication number: 20060265953Abstract: A method for producing methane (69) from a carbonaceous (22) material includes conveying pulverized carbonaceous material (28) entrained in an inert carrier fluid, such as carbon dioxide (36), into a reactor (34). The reactor (34) includes a vortex region (72) for receiving hydrogen gas (38) and imparting a swirling motion to the hydrogen gas (38). The pulverized carbonaceous material (28) is exposed to the swirling stream of hydrogen gas (38) in a first reaction zone (114) within the reactor (34) to form an exit gas (40) that includes methane (69). Remaining unreacted carbonaceous material (28) is further exposed to the hydrogen gas (38) in a second, low velocity, reaction zone (120). The methane rich exit gas (40) is subsequently extracted from the reactor (34) for further processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2005Publication date: November 30, 2006Inventor: Raymond Hobbs
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Publication number: 20060174965Abstract: Systems for handling and/or dispensing hydrogen or a mixture of fuels containing hydrogen gas including refueling stations for hydrogen-powered vehicles. Pure hydrogen or various mixtures ratios of hydrogen and CNG may be dispensed. Hydrogen handling equipment may include a hydrogen generator, a pressurizing apparatus or compressor, pressure vessels, piping, valves, vent pipes, and/or a dispenser. Substantially vertical orientation of pressure vessels may reduce the amount of land required and facilitate installation in urban environments. Pressurization may take place before hydrogen generation to reduce the power required for pressurization. Safety features include enclosures and surrounding walls that lean away from the equipment. Any leaking hydrogen, fires, or explosions may be contained and/or directed upward, protecting human life and property. Systems may be shop assembled and certified.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2006Publication date: August 10, 2006Applicant: Pinnacle West Capital CorporationInventor: Raymond Hobbs
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Publication number: 20060028178Abstract: Stationary and on-board battery chargers, methods of charging batteries, electric-vehicle chargers, and vehicles with chargers, including electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. Chargers may automatically charge at the correct battery voltage for various types of batteries. Chargers have variable AC power supplies controlled by digital controllers, isolation transformers, and rectifiers. Transformers may be foil-type, and may have copper foil. Power supplies may be variable-frequency generators and the controllers may control the frequency. Use of the variable frequency generator supply facilitates reduced component size and weight and better battery charging performance. Electric vehicle chargers may have card readers, and vehicles may have batteries and a charger. Methods of charging include identifying the battery type and gradually increasing the charging at different rates of increase while monitoring charging voltage, charging current, or both, until a current lid is reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2005Publication date: February 9, 2006Applicant: PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATIONInventor: Raymond Hobbs
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Patent number: 6963186Abstract: Stationary and on-board battery chargers, methods of charging batteries, electric-vehicle chargers, and vehicles with chargers, including electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. Chargers may automatically charge at the correct battery voltage for various types of batteries. Chargers have variable AC power supplies controlled by digital controllers, isolation transformers, and rectifiers. Transformers may be foil-type, and may have copper foil. Power supplies may be variable-frequency generators and the controllers may control the frequency. Electric vehicle chargers may have card readers, and vehicles may have batteries and a charger. Methods of charging include identifying the battery type and gradually increasing the charging at different rates of increase while monitoring charging voltage, charging current, or both, until a current lid is reached. Charging may occur at constant current and then at constant voltage.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2003Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Inventor: Raymond Hobbs
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Publication number: 20050000802Abstract: Systems for handling and/or dispensing hydrogen or a mixture of fuels containing hydrogen gas including refueling stations for hydrogen-powered vehicles. Pure hydrogen or various mixtures ratios of hydrogen and CNG may be dispensed. Hydrogen handling equipment may include a hydrogen generator, a pressurizing apparatus or compressor, pressure vessels, piping, valves, vent pipes, and/or a dispenser. Substantially vertical orientation of pressure vessels may reduce the amount of land required and facilitate installation in urban environments. Pressurization may take place before hydrogen generation to reduce the power required for pressurization. Safety features include enclosures and surrounding walls that lean away from the equipment. Any leaking hydrogen, fires, or explosions may be contained and/or directed upward, protecting human life and property. Systems may be shop assembled and certified.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2003Publication date: January 6, 2005Inventor: Raymond Hobbs
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Publication number: 20040169489Abstract: Stationary and on-board battery chargers, methods of charging batteries, electric-vehicle chargers, and vehicles with chargers, including electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. Chargers may automatically charge at the correct battery voltage for various types of batteries. Chargers have variable AC power supplies controlled by digital controllers, isolation transformers, and rectifiers. Transformers may be foil-type, and may have copper foil. Power supplies may be variable-frequency generators and the controllers may control the frequency. Electric vehicle chargers may have card readers, and vehicles may have batteries and a charger. Methods of charging include identifying the battery type and gradually increasing the charging at different rates of increase while monitoring charging voltage, charging current, or both, until a current lid is reached. Charging may occur at constant current and then at constant voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2003Publication date: September 2, 2004Inventor: Raymond Hobbs