Patents Assigned to Independent Natural Resources, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7952218
    Abstract: A system for generating electricity includes a pump operable to convert wave motion from a body of water into mechanical energy. The pump includes an input port through which an operating fluid can enter the pump and an output port through which the operating fluid can exit the pump. A first outlet line and a second outlet line are fluidly coupled to the output port of the pump. A first reservoir is fluidly connected to the first outlet line, and a second reservoir is fluidly connected to the second outlet line, both reservoirs being selectively capable of receiving operating fluid driven through the output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
  • Patent number: 7737572
    Abstract: A system for generating electricity includes a pump operable to convert wave motion from a body of water into mechanical energy. The pump includes an input port through which an operating fluid can enter the pump and an output port through which the operating fluid can exit the pump. A first outlet line and a second outlet line are fluidly coupled to the output port of the pump. A first reservoir is fluidly connected to the first outlet line, and a second reservoir is fluidly connected to the second outlet line, both reservoirs being selectively capable of receiving operating fluid driven through the output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
  • Patent number: 7735317
    Abstract: A system for generating electricity includes a buoyancy pump operable to convert wave motion from a body of water into mechanical energy. The buoyancy pump includes a buoyancy block that reciprocally moves in response to wave motion to pump an operating fluid that is delivered to a turbine to produce electricity. The buoyancy block is preferably sized such that a diameter of the buoyancy block is no less than about one-sixth a wavelength and no greater than about one wavelength of an average wave for a region in which the buoyancy pump is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7584609
    Abstract: A system and method generating electricity includes converting wave motion into mechanical power. A fluid matter is driven as a function of the mechanical power to a reservoir. The fluid matter is flowed from the reservoir. At least a portion of a kinetic energy of the flowing fluid matter is converted into electrical energy. The fluid matter may be liquid or gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
  • Patent number: 7331174
    Abstract: A system for generating electricity includes a pump operable to convert wave motion from a body of water into mechanical energy. The pump includes an input port through which an operating fluid can enter the pump and an output port through which the operating fluid can exit the pump. A first outlet line and a second outlet line are fluidly coupled to the output port of the pump. A first reservoir is fluidly connected to the first outlet line, and a second reservoir is fluidly connected to the second outlet line, both reservoirs being selectively capable of receiving operating fluid driven through the output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
  • Patent number: 7257946
    Abstract: A system for generating electricity includes a buoyancy pump operable to convert wave motion from a body of water into mechanical energy. The buoyancy pump includes a buoyancy block that reciprocally moves in response to wave motion to pump an operating fluid that is delivered to a turbine to produce electricity. The buoyancy block is preferably sized such that a diameter of the buoyancy block is no less than about one-sixth a wavelength and no greater than about one wavelength of an average wave for a region in which the buoyancy pump is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7059123
    Abstract: A system and method generating electricity includes converting wave motion into mechanical power. A fluid matter is driven as a function of the mechanical power to a reservoir. The fluid matter is flowed from the reservoir. At least a portion of a kinetic energy of the flowing fluid matter is converted into electrical energy. The fluid matter may be liquid or gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
  • Patent number: 6953328
    Abstract: A buoyancy pump device for use in fluid. The buoyancy pump device includes a buoyancy block housing defining a buoyancy chamber therein through which the fluid may flow. A buoyancy block is disposed within the buoyancy chamber to move axially therein in a first direction responsive to rising of the fluid in the buoyancy chamber and a second direction responsive to lowering of the fluid in the buoyancy chamber. A piston cylinder is connected to the buoyancy block housing and has at least one valve disposed therein operating as an inlet in response to movement of the buoyancy block in the second direction and an outlet in response to movement of the buoyancy block in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi