Patents by Inventor Ben Stuart

Ben Stuart 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: 8703478
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for holding a membrane, screen or other flexible planar body in tension, while providing a conduit for water or other liquid to flow to the membrane being held. The membrane extends from inside a manifold body that carries the liquid, and the manifold body supports the membrane at one edge while the membrane is pulled in tension. Liquid pressure builds up inside the manifold body, preferably by entering a pressure chamber at the top of the manifold body. At a feeding pressure in the pressure chamber the liquid is distributed to the membrane for microbe growth. The liquid can be elevated to a higher, microbe-harvesting pressure by increasing the pressure in the pressure chamber, thereby deflecting a shim separating the pressure chamber from the membrane. The change in pressure is carried out by manually or automatically opening and closing a conventional water valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ohio University
    Inventors: David J. Bayless, Morgan LeFay Vis-Chiasson, Gregory G. Kremer, Ben Stuart
  • Publication number: 20130180166
    Abstract: A method for enhancing gas-to-liquid transfer rate and algal growth using vertical membranes suspended over a pond, wherein the membranes are formed of fibers. An aqueous solution is applied to the top edges of the membranes through a series of headers. The membranes are exposed to a stream of gas containing soluble gas species as the aqueous solution migrates downwardly through the membranes by virtue of gravity-assisted capillary action. The aqueous solution collects the soluble gases from the gas stream, thus promoting the growth of photosynthetic organisms on the membranes and in the pond. The membranes facilitate a gradual introduction of the aqueous solution into the pond at a preferred rate of about 1.3 gallons per minute per linear foot of membrane for optimizing the transfer soluble species from gaseous phase to aqueous phase without rapidly acidifying the pond and harming the phototrophic organisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: OHIO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: David J. Bayless, Ben Stuart
  • Patent number: 8470584
    Abstract: A bioreactor apparatus in which a container has sidewalls, a floor and a ceiling defining a chamber that contains a slurry of water, nutrients and photosynthetic microorganisms. A plurality of optical fibers, each of which has a first end disposed outside the chamber and a second end in the mixture. A light collector spaced from the container has light incident on it and focuses the light onto the first ends of the plurality of optical fibers, thereby permitting the light to be conveyed into the mixture to promote photosynthesis. At least one nozzle is in fluid communication with a source of gas, such as exhaust gas from a fossil-fuel burning power plant containing carbon dioxide. The nozzle is disposed in the mixture beneath the second ends of the optical fibers for injecting the gas into the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Ohio University
    Inventors: David J. Bayless, Morgan Lefay Vis-Chiasson, Ben Stuart, Gregory G. Kremer
  • Publication number: 20100248330
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for holding a membrane, screen or other flexible planar body in tension, while providing a conduit for water or other liquid to flow to the membrane being held. The membrane extends from inside a manifold body that carries the liquid, and the manifold body supports the membrane at one edge while the membrane is pulled in tension. Liquid pressure builds up inside the manifold body, preferably by entering a pressure chamber at the top of the manifold body. At a feeding pressure in the pressure chamber the liquid is distributed to the membrane for microbe growth. The liquid can be elevated to a higher, microbe-harvesting pressure by increasing the pressure in the pressure chamber, thereby deflecting a shim separating the pressure chamber from the membrane. The change in pressure is carried out by manually or automatically opening and closing a conventional water valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: OHIO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: David J. Bayless, Morgan LeFay Vis-Chiasson, Gregory G. Kremer, Ben Stuart
  • Publication number: 20070264708
    Abstract: A bioreactor apparatus in which a container has sidewalls, a floor and a ceiling defining a chamber that contains a slurry of water, nutrients and photosynthetic microorganisms. A plurality of optical fibers, each of which has a first end disposed outside the chamber and a second end in the mixture. A light collector spaced from the container has light incident on it and focuses the light onto the first ends of the plurality of optical fibers, thereby permitting the light to be conveyed into the mixture to promote photosynthesis. At least one nozzle is in fluid communication with a source of gas, such as exhaust gas from a fossil-fuel burning power plant containing carbon dioxide. The nozzle is disposed in the mixture beneath the second ends of the optical fibers for injecting the gas into the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: Ohio University
    Inventors: David J. Bayless, Morgan Lefay Vis-Chiasson, Ben Stuart, Gregory G. Kremer