Patents by Inventor Robert S. Wegeng

Robert S. Wegeng 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: 20230356175
    Abstract: Induction heating is applied to thermochemical processes in specially adapted chemical processing units comprising heat exchange channels. Collections of components are housed in portable units adapted for easy setup and maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Robert S. Wegeng, Dennis Walters
  • Publication number: 20230226513
    Abstract: Reactors are provided that can include a first set of fluid channels and a second set of fluid channels oriented in thermal contact with the first set of fluid channels. The reactor assemblies can also provide where the channels of either one or both of the first of the set of fluid channels are non-linear. Other implementations provide for at least one of the first set of fluid channels being in thermal contact with a plurality of other channels of the second set of fluid channels. Reactor assemblies are also provided that can include a first set of fluid channels defining at least one non-linear channel having a positive function, and a second set of fluid channels defining at least another non-linear channel having a negative function in relation to the positive function of the one non-linear channel of the first set of fluid channels. Processes for distributing energy across a reactor are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Richard F. Zheng, Robert S. Wegeng, Paul H. Humble, Dustin D. Caldwell, Richard B. Diver, Ward E. TeGrotenhuis, Christopher K. Clayton, Timothy G. Veldman
  • Patent number: 11623199
    Abstract: A solar thermochemical processing system is disclosed. The system includes a first unit operation for receiving concentrated solar energy. Heat from the solar energy is used to drive the first unit operation. The first unit operation also receives a first set of reactants and produces a first set of products. A second unit operation receives the first set of products from the first unit operation and produces a second set of products. A third unit operation receives heat from the second unit operation to produce a portion of the first set of reactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Robert S. Wegeng, Paul H. Humble, Shankar Krishnan, Steven D. Leith, Daniel R. Palo, Robert A. Dagle
  • Patent number: 11596920
    Abstract: Chemical processors are configured to reduce mass, work in conjunction with solar concentrators, and/or house porous inserts in microchannel or mesochannel devices made by additive manufacturing. Methods of making chemical processors containing porous inserts by additive manufacturing are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Ward E. TeGrotenhuis, Paul H. Humble, Christopher K. Clayton, Timothy G. Veldman, Robert S. Wegeng, Richard F. Zheng
  • Publication number: 20220305453
    Abstract: Reactors are provided that can include a first set of fluid channels and a second set of fluid channels oriented in thermal contact with the first set of fluid channels. The reactor assemblies can also provide where the channels of either one or both of the first of the set of fluid channels are non-linear. Other implementations provide for at least one of the first set of fluid channels being in thermal contact with a plurality of other channels of the second set of fluid channels. Reactor assemblies are also provided that can include a first set of fluid channels defining at least one non-linear channel having a positive function, and a second set of fluid channels defining at least another non-linear channel having a negative function in relation to the positive function of the one non-linear channel of the first set of fluid channels. Processes for distributing energy across a reactor are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Richard F. Zheng, Robert S. Wegeng, Paul H. Humble, Dustin D. Caldwell, Richard B. Diver
  • Patent number: 11358111
    Abstract: Reactors are provided that can include a first set of fluid channels and a second set of fluid channels oriented in thermal contact with the first set of fluid channels where the channels of either one or both of the first of the set of fluid channels are non-linear. Reactor assemblies are also provided that can include a first set of fluid channels defining at least one non-linear channel having a positive function, and a second set of fluid channels defining at least another non-linear channel having a negative function in relation to the positive function of the one non-linear channel of the first set of fluid channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute, Pacific Northwest National Laboratories
    Inventors: Richard F. Zheng, Robert S. Wegeng, Paul H. Humble, Dustin D. Caldwell, Richard B. Diver
  • Publication number: 20210322946
    Abstract: A solar thermochemical processing system is disclosed. The system includes a first unit operation for receiving concentrated solar energy. Heat from the solar energy is used to drive the first unit operation. The first unit operation also receives a first set of reactants and produces a first set of products. A second unit operation receives the first set of products from the first unit operation and produces a second set of products. A third unit operation receives heat from the second unit operation to produce a portion of the first set of reactants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Robert S. Wegeng, Paul H. Humble, Shankar Krishnan, Steven D. Leith, Daniel R. Palo, Robert A. Dagle
  • Publication number: 20210237025
    Abstract: Chemical processors are configured to reduce mass, work in conjunction with solar concentrators, and/or house porous inserts in microchannel or mesochannel devices made by additive manufacturing. Methods of making chemical processors containing porous inserts by additive manufacturing are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Ward E. TeGrotenhuis, Paul H. Humble, Christopher K. Clayton, Timothy G. Veldman, Robert S. Wegeng, Richard F. Zheng
  • Patent number: 11077418
    Abstract: A solar thermochemical processing system is disclosed. The system includes a first unit operation for receiving concentrated solar energy. Heat from the solar energy is used to drive the first unit operation. The first unit operation also receives a first set of reactants and produces a first set of products. A second unit operation receives the first set of products from the first unit operation and produces a second set of products. A third unit operation receives heat from the second unit operation to produce a portion of the first set of reactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Robert S. Wegeng, Paul H. Humble, Shankar Krishnan, Steven D. Leith, Daniel R. Palo, Robert A. Dagle
  • Patent number: 10981141
    Abstract: Chemical processors are configured to reduce mass, work in conjunction with solar concentrators, and/or house porous inserts in microchannel or mesochannel devices made by additive manufacturing. Methods of making chemical processors containing porous inserts by additive manufacturing are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Ward E. TeGrotenhuis, Paul H. Humble, Christopher K. Clayton, Timothy G. Veldman, Robert S. Wegeng, Richard F. Zheng
  • Publication number: 20200298197
    Abstract: Reactors are provided that can include a first set of fluid channels and a second set of fluid channels oriented in thermal contact with the first set of fluid channels. The reactor assemblies can also provide where the channels of either one or both of the first of the set of fluid channels are non-linear. Other implementations provide for at least one of the first set of fluid channels being in thermal contact with a plurality of other channels of the second set of fluid channels. Reactor assemblies are also provided that can include a first set of fluid channels defining at least one non-linear channel having a positive function, and a second set of fluid channels defining at least another non-linear channel having a negative function in relation to the positive function of the one non-linear channel of the first set of fluid channels. Processes for distributing energy across a reactor are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Richard F. Zheng, Robert S. Wegeng, Paul H. Humble, Dustin D. Caldwell, Richard B. Diver
  • Publication number: 20200001265
    Abstract: Chemical processors are configured to reduce mass, work in conjunction with solar concentrators, and/or house porous inserts in microchannel or mesochannel devices made by additive manufacturing. Methods of making chemical processors containing porous inserts by additive manufacturing are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Ward E. TeGrotenhuis, Paul H. Humble, Christopher K. Clayton, Timothy G. Veldman, Robert S. Wegeng, Richard F. Zheng
  • Publication number: 20180339283
    Abstract: A solar thermochemical processing system is disclosed. The system includes a first unit operation for receiving concentrated solar energy. Heat from the solar energy is used to drive the first unit operation. The first unit operation also receives a first set of reactants and produces a first set of products. A second unit operation receives the first set of products from the first unit operation and produces a second set of products. A third unit operation receives heat from the second unit operation to produce a portion of the first set of reactants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Robert S. Wegeng, Paul H. Humble, Shankar Krishnan, Steven D. Leith, Daniel R. Palo, Robert A. Dagle
  • Patent number: 9950305
    Abstract: A solar thermochemical processing system is disclosed. The system includes a first unit operation for receiving concentrated solar energy. Heat from the solar energy is used to drive the first unit operation. The first unit operation also receives a first set of reactants and produces a first set of products. A second unit operation receives the first set of products from the first unit operation and produces a second set of products. A third unit operation receives heat from the second unit operation to produce a portion of the first set of reactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Robert S. Wegeng, Paul H. Humble, Shankar Krishnan, Steven D. Leith, Daniel R. Palo, Robert A. Dagle
  • Patent number: 9452402
    Abstract: Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRs) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Superior results were achieved for combustion chambers which contained a gap for free flow through the chamber. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary Roberts, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Robert S. Wegeng, Yong Wang, David Vanderwiel, Jennifer L. Marco
  • Publication number: 20140134547
    Abstract: Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRs) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Superior results were achieved for combustion chambers which contained a gap for free flow through the chamber. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary Roberts, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Robert S. Wegeng, Yong Wang, David Vanderwiel, Jennifer L. Marco
  • Patent number: 8557186
    Abstract: Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRs) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Superior results were achieved for combustion chambers which contained a gap for free flow through the chamber. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary Roberts, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Robert S. Wegeng, Yong Wang, David Vanderwiel, Jennifer L. Marco
  • Publication number: 20130025192
    Abstract: A solar thermochemical processing system is disclosed. The system includes a first unit operation for receiving concentrated solar energy. Heat from the solar energy is used to drive the first unit operation. The first unit operation also receives a first set of reactants and produces a first set of products. A second unit operation receives the first set of products from the first unit operation and produces a second set of products. A third unit operation receives heat from the second unit operation to produce a portion of the first set of reactants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Robert S. Wegeng, Paul H. Humble, Shankar Krishnan, Steven D. Leith, Daniel R. Palo
  • Publication number: 20110236279
    Abstract: Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRs) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Superior results were achieved for combustion chambers which contained a gap for free flow through the chamber. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Robert S. Wegeng, Yong Wang, David Vanderwiel, Jennifer L. Marco, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary Roberts, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 7926793
    Abstract: Advanced wicking structures and methods utilizing these structures are described. The use of advanced wicking structures can promote rapid mass transfer while maintaining high capillary pressure through the use of small pores. Particularly improved results in fluid contacting processes can be achieved by enhanced mixing within a wicking layer within a microchannel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Victoria S. Stenkamp, Ward E. TeGrotenhuis, Robert S. Wegeng