Patents by Inventor Albert E. Johnstone, III

Albert E. Johnstone, III 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).

  • Swivel joint apparatus and method for utility supply to a rotatable building
    Patent number: 7107725
    Abstract: A swivel joint apparatus for supplying utilities to a rotating building rotatable about a central axis has a first, fixed member for securing to a fixed base of the building to extend co-axially with a central axis of rotation of the building, and a second member rotatably mounted on the first member for securing to the rotatable part of the building. The first member has a series of spaced annular chambers and at least one ring seal mounted on the peripheral edge of each flange for rotatable sealing engagement with the outer casing so that the casing forms an outer wall of each of the annular chambers. A lower end wall of the spindle has a plurality of ports for connection to fixed utility lines in the base for fluid supply to and from the building, each port connected through the spindle to a respective annular chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventors: Albert E. Johnstone, III, Frank W. Ratliff
  • Swivel joint apparatus and method for utility supply to a rotatable building
    Patent number: 7032353
    Abstract: A swivel joint apparatus for supplying utilities to a rotating building rotatable about a central axis has an inner, fixed spindle for securing to a fixed base of the building to extend co-axially with a central axis of rotation of the building, and an outer casing rotatably mounted on the spindle for securing to the rotatable part of the building. The spindle has a series of spaced annular flanges defining a series of annular chambers and at least one ring seal mounted on the peripheral edge of each flange for rotatable sealing engagement with the outer casing so that the casing forms an outer wall of each of the annular chambers. A lower end wall of the spindle has a plurality of ports for connection to fixed utility lines in the base for fluid supply to and from the building, each port connected through the spindle to a respective annular chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventors: Albert E. Johnstone, III, Frank W. Ratliff
  • Swivel joint apparatus and method for utility supply to a rotatable building
    Patent number: 6742308
    Abstract: A swivel joint apparatus for supplying utilities to a rotating building rotatable about a central axis has an inner, fixed spindle for securing to a fixed base of the building to extend co-axially with a central axis of rotation of the building, and an outer casing rotatably mounted on the spindle for securing to the rotatable part of the building. The spindle has a series of spaced annular flanges defining a series of annular chambers and at least one ring seal mounted on the peripheral edge of each flange for rotatable sealing engagement with the outer casing so that the casing forms an outer wall of each of the annular chambers. A lower end wall of the spindle has a plurality of ports for connection to fixed utility lines in the base for fluid supply to and from the building, each port connected through the spindle to a respective annular chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventors: Albert E. Johnstone, III, Frank W. Radlitt