Patents by Inventor Andrew D. Ayers

Andrew D. Ayers 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: 20230264243
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the disclosure are directed to systems and methods to treat citrus greening. In some embodiments, one or more samples are taken from a location where citrus greening occurs or may occur. In some embodiments, native microorganisms are isolated and propagated. In some embodiments, the microorganisms include algae. In some embodiments, propagated native algae is returned to an area affected by citrus greening. In some embodiments, the returned propagated native algae is distributed to a concentration of 10 times or more of the original native algae concentration. In some embodiments, the distributed algae increase natural antibiotics and nutrients in the soil resulting in prevention of citrus greening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Sascha J. Welz, Matthew J. Olson, Andrew D. Ayers, Dane N. Hague
  • Publication number: 20230219862
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein are directed to using microbes such as algae to capture carbon in multiple stages. In some embodiments, during an initial algae growth phase, the system is configured to enable algae to capture carbon dioxide. In some embodiments, a method includes using indigenous algae and/or other microbes from the same environment where the algae and/or other microbes will eventually be distributed. In some embodiments, the initial algae growth phase is a first carbon capture phase. In some embodiments, as the algae grows the carbon dioxide is consumed by the algae while oxygen is released. In some embodiments, once the growth of the algae reaches a maximum capacity of the system, the algae must be expelled from the system to make room for new algae growth which in turn allows for further carbon removal from the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Dane N. Hague, Andrew D. Ayers, Matthew J. Olson
  • Publication number: 20220315501
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology provide methods and systems for soil enrichment. The systems may comprise a bioreactor system coupled to an initial treatment system for the cultivation of a live microorganism culture containing organic nutrients on an agriculturally effective scale. The systems may be automated and/or portable for practical applications onto target fields. The live microorganism culture may be delivered onto the soil of the target fields, enriching the soil with the organic nutrients that become bioavailable to crops growing in the soil. The soil enrichment system may provide a sustainable approach to agriculture that may efficiently enhance the natural processes of the native soil of any crop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew D. Ayers, Mark R. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20210403392
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a microalgae culturing system including a bioreactor adapted to propagate microalgae in a culture solution using in combination at least one of natural and artificial light, and at least one nutrient including at least a carbon source, where the microalgae are freely suspended in and form part of the culture solution. A microalgae feed source is coupled to the bioreactor and a first controller between a water conditioning assembly and the bioreactor. The water conditioning assembly is coupled as an input of supply water to the bioreactor, and configured to condition the supply water to a specified purity that enables substantially unhindered growth of the microalgae in the culture solution to a specified concentration, and the first controller is configured to control supply of the microalgae feed source to the bioreactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Dane Hague, Andrew D. Ayers, Philip Risser
  • Publication number: 20200008379
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a microalgae culturing system including a bioreactor adapted to propagate microalgae in a culture solution using in combination at least one of natural and artificial light, and at least one nutrient including at least a carbon source, where the microalgae are freely suspended in and form part of the culture solution. A microalgae feed source is coupled to the bioreactor and a first controller between a water conditioning assembly and the bioreactor. The water conditioning assembly is coupled as an input of supply water to the bioreactor, and configured to condition the supply water to a specified purity that enables substantially unhindered growth of the microalgae in the culture solution to a specified concentration, and the first controller is configured to control supply of the microalgae feed source to the bioreactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew D. Ayers, Mark R. Edwards, Dane Hague, Robert Thompson
  • Publication number: 20190098850
    Abstract: A system for inoculating soil with microalgae is provided. The system is portable and can be used with many different water sources to culture microalgae and form an inoculate that is added to irrigation water used for watering crops. The system provides improved crop production metrics as compared to crops grown without the microalgae-based inoculation system. The system can be integrated into existing irrigation systems to add macronutrients and micronutrients into the water, thereby providing highly bioavailable nutrients to crops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew D. Ayers, Mark R. Edwards
  • Patent number: 10172304
    Abstract: A system for inoculating soil with microalgae is provided. The system is portable and can be used with many different water sources to culture microalgae and form an inoculate that is added to irrigation water used for watering crops. The system provides improved crop production metrics as compared to crops grown without the microalgae-based inoculation system. The system can be integrated into existing irrigation systems to add macronutrients and micronutrients into the water, thereby providing highly bioavailable nutrients to crops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: NFusion Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew D. Ayers, Mark R. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20170305804
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology provide methods and systems for soil enrichment. The systems may comprise a bioreactor system coupled to an initial treatment system for the cultivation of a live microorganism culture containing organic nutrients on an agriculturally effective scale. The systems may be automated and/or portable for practical applications onto target fields. The live microorganism culture may be delivered onto the soil of the target fields, enriching the soil with the organic nutrients that become bioavailable to crops growing in the soil. The soil enrichment system may provide a sustainable approach to agriculture that may efficiently enhance the natural processes of the native soil of any crop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew D. Ayers, Mark R. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20140298717
    Abstract: A system for inoculating soil with microalgae is provided. The system is portable and can be used with many different water sources to culture microalgae and form an inoculate that is added to irrigation water used for watering crops. The system provides improved crop production metrics as compared to crops grown without the microalgae-based inoculation system. The system can be integrated into existing irrigation systems to add macronutrients and micronutrients into the water, thereby providing highly bioavailable nutrients to crops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: ALGAE BIOSCIENCES INC.
    Inventors: Andrew D. AYERS, Mark R. EDWARDS
  • Patent number: 6986323
    Abstract: A method and system for the inland aquaculture of marine species using water from a saline aquifer having a heavy metals content within the acceptable limits of the EPA guidelines for drinking water. The aquifer is preferably the Coconino aquifer located in Arizona and New Mexico. The system can be used to culture microalgae, macroalgae, fish, shrimp and many other marine species. Nutrients and fertilizers can be added to the water to optimize culture conditions for particular species. Useful products can be isolated from the marine species or the cultured marine species can be harvested as useful products themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Algal Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew D. Ayers
  • Publication number: 20040168648
    Abstract: A method and system for the inland aquaculture of marine species using water from a saline aquifer having a heavy metals content within the acceptable limits of the EPA guidelines for drinking water. The aquifer is preferably the Coconino aquifer located in Arizona and New Mexico. The system can be used to culture microalgae, macroalgae, fish, shrimp and many other marine species. Nutrients and fertilizers can be added to the water to optimize culture conditions for particular species. Useful products can be isolated from the marine species or the cultured marine species can be harvested as useful products themselves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Andrew D. Ayers