Patents by Inventor Walter B. Freeman

Walter B. Freeman 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: 11982186
    Abstract: A vapor powered electro-mechanical generator comprises a cylinder, which is sealed at both ends in which two pistons slidingly move in opposite directions simultaneously. A tube on which the pistons also slide lies at the center of the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. The tube transfers vapor from the inlet to the pressurized side of the pistons to actuate pistons, while one or more exhaust valves are simultaneously opened on the opposite end of the piston stroke allowing the expanded vapor to flow to a condensing system. The pistons consist of magnets at their peripheral circumference. As the vapor expands, the pistons magnets move through coils of conductive wire producing electric current. Further, repulsion magnets repel corresponding piston magnets to provide a cushioned rebound effect while conserving momentum of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Inventor: Walter B. Freeman
  • Patent number: 11655796
    Abstract: A hydro power generating system and device is configured to generate electrical power from the movement of water. The device consists of an elongated cylindrical hull to which comprises of a helical screw attached around the outer surface of a hull of the device. Movement of water over the screw causes the hull to rotate. The power created by the rotation of the hull is transferred to a generator located in the hull interior. The hull also contains water ballast tanks and a compressed air source in an air tank allowing adjusting the buoyancy of the device. The system is configured to couple adjacent devices in an array that can extend longitudinally, laterally and/or vertically via a common frame. At least a pair of counter-rotating screws is attached to a common frame, wherein the entire assembly of the system is anchored in flowing water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventor: Walter B. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20210018223
    Abstract: A solar thermal collecting system captures solar radiation into a vessel containing an opaque or partially opaque fluid medium. The solar radiation is reflected and intensified using interior parabolic reflectors inside the vessel to generate hot zones throughout the fluid medium; and the generated heat in the fluid medium is transported to a separate system designed to utilize the heat with minimal heat loss. The system of the present invention comprises a vessel that contains the fluid medium. An at least partially transparent or translucent lid enables passage of solar radiation into the vessel. The lid may have integrated solar panels to generate power from solar radiation. Multiple reflective parabolic reflectors integrated in the vessel focus solar radiation throughout the fluid medium to create hot zones that intensifies heating the fluid medium. The vessel is resilient to withstand variances in pressure and temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventor: Walter B. Freeman
  • Patent number: 10823459
    Abstract: A solar thermal collecting system captures solar radiation into a vessel containing an opaque or partially opaque fluid medium. The solar radiation is reflected and intensified using interior parabolic reflectors inside the vessel to generate hot zones throughout the fluid medium; and the generated heat in the fluid medium is transported to a separate system designed to utilize the heat with minimal heat loss. The system of the present invention comprises a vessel that contains the fluid medium. An at least partially transparent or translucent lid enables passage of solar radiation into the vessel. The lid may have integrated solar panels to generate power from solar radiation. Multiple reflective parabolic reflectors integrated in the vessel focus solar radiation throughout the fluid medium to create hot zones that intensifies heating the fluid medium. The vessel is resilient to withstand variances in pressure and temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Inventor: Walter B. Freeman
  • Patent number: 10794227
    Abstract: A system and method for harnessing latent heat to generate energy. The system and method provide a fully closed latent heat recovery system that utilizes a vapor source to generate vapor. A plurality of conduits carries the vapor and resultant gas, expanded energy, and condensate to: a vapor expander, a compressor, a heat exchanger, an accumulator, and a vapor condenser for expansion, compression, and conversion between states of the vapor. The latent heat generated from the expansion and energy release from the vapors and gases produces work for driving a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Walter B. Freeman
  • Patent number: 10794369
    Abstract: A solar powered closed loop system and method for powering a cooling unit. The system and method provide a fully closed system that harnesses the power of the sun with a solar energy collecting device to generate vapor. The vapor has characteristics of high energy, expansion, and compressibility that enable travel through a plurality of conduits in the closed loop. The system generates vapor, carries the vapor and resultant gas, expands energy, and produces condensate through use of: a vapor expander, a compressor, a gas-liquid heat exchanger, an accumulator, an air-to-air heat exchanger, and a vapor condenser. Thus, through expansion, compression, and conversion different states of the vapor are controllably generated and disbursed for work. The work generated from the expansion and energy release from the vapors and gases produces work for powering the air-to-air heat exchanger, such as a cooling unit, and driving a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Walter B. Freeman
  • Patent number: 10739083
    Abstract: A system and method for storing thermal energy in a heated liquid in a pressurized vessel employs an inner and outer vessel. The inner vessel contains water or specific liquids for storage and potential use of thermal energy contained therein. An outer vessel encapsulates an inner vessel, with a vacuum formed there between. The inner vessel comprises an upper portion containing an unheated liquid and a lower portion containing a heated liquid. A sliding insulated barrier segregates liquids. The pressure generated by the heated liquid, and incompressibility of unheated liquid equalizes static pressure within the inner vessel, which helps prevent the heated liquid in the lower portion from forming a vapor phase. Heated liquid egresses the lower portion of inner vessel to pass through a vapor producing apparatus to become vapor, then an expander to become condensate, and finally to a heat source for reintroduction into the inner vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Inventor: Walter B. Freeman
  • Patent number: 10208737
    Abstract: Thermal energy recovery systems include a piston assembly including a primary cylinder adapted to receive vapor; a single-acting secondary cylinder/piston assembly extending from opposite ends of the primary cylinder; a primary piston disposed for displacement in the primary cylinder; first and second secondary pistons disposed for displacement in the secondary cylinder/piston; and a piston connecting member connecting the first and second secondary pistons to the primary piston. Alternatively, a secondary piston is of the type of a double-acting piston for a more compact reciprocating function to reduce piston friction losses. Metering valves regulate the vapor pressure being introduced into displacement volume chambers at a constant pressure. A working fluid pressure-tank/accumulator/transfer-conduit is in communication with the displacement volume chambers to help regulate pressure of the working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Walter B. Freeman
  • Patent number: 9835145
    Abstract: Thermal energy recovery systems include a piston assembly including a primary cylinder adapted to receive vapor; first and second secondary cylinders extending from opposite ends of the primary cylinder; a primary piston disposed for displacement in the primary cylinder; first and second secondary pistons disposed for displacement in the first and second secondary cylinders, respectively; and a piston connecting member connecting the first and second secondary pistons to the primary piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Inventor: Walter B. Freeman
  • Patent number: 9376733
    Abstract: A method of producing a metal alloy utilizing aluminum smelter waste while simultaneously remediating the waste by converting the metallic and nonmetallic components to a non-hazardous slag. The method includes providing aluminum smelter, obtaining finely divided aluminum and/or spent pot liner from the aluminum smelter, and producing an alloy by oxidizing the finely divided aluminum and/or spent pot liner in the presence of nickelferous iron ore and heat. The non-hazardous slag is also produced during the process as a result of utilization of the nickelferous iron ore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Inventor: Walter B. Freeman