Patents by Inventor Benjamin G. Harvey

Benjamin G. Harvey 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: 9493717
    Abstract: A method to generate cyclic hydrocarbons from farnesene to increase both the density and net heat of combustion of the product fuels. The high density hydrocarbons produced by this method have applications for missile, UAV, jet, and diesel propulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Harvey
  • Patent number: 9371258
    Abstract: A method for producing high density fuels from isoprene which can be produced via biosynthetic routes using biomass sugars as feedstock. This allows for the production of isoprene and isoprene-derived fuels from abundant waste materials with the potential to significantly reduce DoD carbon emissions. Embodiments of the invention describe a method for conversion of isoprene to full performance jet and diesel fuels. Isoprene can be selectively oligomerized to generate a distribution of branched chain hydrocarbons. Combination of an oligomerization catalyst with a metathesis catalyst allows for the synthesis of high density cyclic fuels with performance advantages (increased density and volumetric net heat of combustion) over conventional petroleum-based fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Harvey
  • Patent number: 9353219
    Abstract: A vanillin is found to be a useful starting material for preparing new monomers that can be further applied to make high Tg composite resins that are in turn useful for making composite parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael E. Wright, Benjamin G. Harvey
  • Patent number: 9327279
    Abstract: A highly efficient method for the conversion of a natural product into the high density fuel RJ-4 with concomitant evolution of isobutylene for conversion to fuels and polymers, more specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to efficient methods for the conversion of the renewable, linear terpene alcohol, linalool into a drop-in, high density fuel suitable for ramjet or missile propulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Harvey, Heather A. Meylemans, Roxanne L. Quintana
  • Patent number: 9266792
    Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for the selective reaction of terpenes (including mono-, sesqui-, di-terpenes, and others in the terpene family), alpha-olefin oligomers (OOA's), and related olefins to their respective dimeric product in high purity using heterogeneous acid catalyst concurrent with full utilization of energy created in the process. Embodiments of the invention carry out a unique and highly efficient dimerization of terpenes, alpha-olefin oligomers (OOA's), and olefins using cost effective catalysts and low cost equipment that are ideally suited for commercialization of jet/turbine and diesel biofuel processes producing fuels with high flashpoints and superb cold flow properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael E. Wright, Benjamin G. Harvey
  • Patent number: 9266798
    Abstract: Acyclic monterpene alcohols, like linalool, to be converted through a series of highly efficient catalytic reactions a biogasoline blending component, and a drop-in biodiesel fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael E. Wright, Roxanne L. Quintana, Benjamin G. Harvey
  • Publication number: 20150376522
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing cyclic hydrocarbons with linear hydrocarbon side chains from a renewable source, or biomass by naturally occurring or bioengineered fungal strains, or hydrodistillation of plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Harvey
  • Patent number: 9187591
    Abstract: A method to generate renewable high performance composites and thermoplastics. These materials can be generated from a renewable phenol (syringaldehyde) that can be derived from lignocellulosic biomass. The use of syringaldehyde as a precursor to composites has the potential to reduce the cost and environmental impact of structural materials, while meeting or exceeding the performance of current petroleum derived resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin G Harvey, Matthew C Davis, Heather A. Meylemans, William Lai
  • Patent number: 9181144
    Abstract: A renewable biofuel based on a highly efficient batch catalysis methodology for conversion of 1-butene to a new class of potential jet fuel blends. By tuning the catalyst and then using the dimer produced, the carbon use is about 95% or greater. This latter point will be particularly important in the future, where the source of raw materials (i.e., biomass/biofeedstock) is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael E. Wright, Benjamin G. Harvey, Roxanne L. Quintana
  • Publication number: 20150315097
    Abstract: A fuel and method for conversion of sesquiterpenes to high density fuels. The sesquiterpenes can be either extracted from plants or specifically produced by bioengineered organisms from waste biomass. This approach allows for the synthesis of high performance renewable fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Harvey, Heather A. Meylemans
  • Patent number: 9157040
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing cyclic hydrocarbons with linear hydrocarbon side chains from a renewable source, or biomass by naturally occurring or bioengineered fungal strains, or hydrodistillation of plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Harvey
  • Patent number: 9127115
    Abstract: A method to generate renewable high performance composites and thermoplastics. These materials can be generated from a renewable phenol (syringaldehyde) that can be derived from lignocellulosic biomass. The use of syringaldehyde as a precursor to composites has the potential to reduce the cost and environmental impact of structural materials, while meeting or exceeding the performance of current petroleum derived resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin G Harvey, Matthew C Davis, Heather A. Meylemans, William Lai
  • Patent number: 9051414
    Abstract: A method to generate renewable high performance composites and thermoplastics. These materials can be generated from a renewable phenol (syringaldehyde) that can be derived from lignocellulosic biomass. The use of syringaldehyde as a precursor to composites has the potential to reduce the cost and environmental impact of structural materials, while meeting or exceeding the performance of current petroleum derived resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of he Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin G Harvey, Matthew C Davis, Heather A. Meylemans, William Lai
  • Patent number: 9018314
    Abstract: A method to generate renewable high performance composites and thermoplastics. These materials can be generated from a renewable phenol (syringaldehyde) that can be derived from lignocellulosic biomass. The use of syringaldehyde as a precursor to composites has the potential to reduce the cost and environmental impact of structural materials, while meeting or exceeding the performance of current petroleum derived resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by The Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin G Harvey, Matthew C Davis, Heather A. Meylemans, William Lai
  • Patent number: 8993689
    Abstract: A method to generate renewable high performance composites and thermoplastics. These materials can be generated from a renewable phenol (syringaldehyde) that can be derived from lignocellulosic biomass. The use of syringaldehyde as a precursor to composites has the potential to reduce the cost and environmental impact of structural materials, while meeting or exceeding the performance of current petroleum derived resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Harvey, Matthew C. Davis, Heather A. Meylemans, William Lai
  • Patent number: 8993688
    Abstract: A method to generate renewable high performance composites and thermoplastics. These materials can be generated from a renewable phenol (syringaldehyde) that can be derived from lignocellulosic biomass. The use of syringaldehyde as a precursor to composites has the potential to reduce the cost and environmental impact of structural materials, while meeting or exceeding the performance of current petroleum derived resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Harvey, Matthew C. Davis, Heather A. Meylemans, William Lai
  • Patent number: 8975463
    Abstract: A process for making high density fuels from mixed terpene feedstocks and the resulting high density fuel products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Harvey, Heather A. Meylemans, Roxanne L. Quintana
  • Patent number: 8969636
    Abstract: An approach that permits continuous batch conversion of alpha-olefins and internal-olefins to oligomeric materials without fouling the reaction vessel and provides a simple and highly efficient method for making very cost effective catalyst systems based on Zeigler-Natta Group 4 metallocenes. Embodiments of this invention produce diesel and turbine fuels that are 100% synthetic iso-paraffinic kerosenes with flashpoints greater than 61 deg C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael E. Wright, Benjamin G. Harvey
  • Publication number: 20150031927
    Abstract: A fuel and method for conversion of sesquiterpenes to high density fuels. The sesquiterpenes can be either extracted from plants or specifically produced by bioengineered organisms from waste biomass. This approach allows for the synthesis of high performance renewable fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Harvey, Heather A. Meylemans
  • Publication number: 20150011807
    Abstract: A highly efficient method for the conversion of a natural product into the high density fuel RJ-4 with concomitant evolution of isobutylene for conversion to fuels and polymers, more specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to efficient methods for the conversion of the renewable, linear terpene alcohol, linalool into a drop-in, high density fuel suitable for ramjet or missile propulsion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Harvey, Heather A. Meylemans, Roxanne L. Quintana