Patents by Inventor Bret Hettinger Wolz

Bret Hettinger Wolz 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).

  • Process and apparatus for removing methane or another fluid from a fluid mixture
    Patent number: 8663368
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a first fluid from a fluid mixture. In one embodiment water containing methane is passed through an agitation chamber with a plate at the chamber's proximal and distal ends. Both plates have orifices permitting the mixed fluid to pass into and out of the agitation chamber. In one embodiment, the mixed fluid rotates about its axis of flow through the agitation chamber. In one embodiment, the mixed fluid passes through a separation chamber having a plurality of baffles that promote separation of the methane from the methane/water mixture. In one embodiment, the separated methane is removed from the water in a collection chamber that facilitates gravity separation of the mixed fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventors: Bret Hettinger Wolz, John Mayer Kaufman
  • PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING METHANE OR ANOTHER FLUID FROM A FLUID MIXTURE
    Publication number: 20130192466
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a first fluid from a fluid mixture. In one embodiment water containing methane is passed through an agitation chamber with a plate at the chamber's proximal and distal ends. Both plates have orifices permitting the mixed fluid to pass into and out of the agitation chamber. In one embodiment, the mixed fluid rotates about its axis of flow through the agitation chamber. In one embodiment, the mixed fluid passes through a separation chamber having a plurality of baffles that promote separation of the methane from the methane/water mixture. In one embodiment, the separated methane is removed from the water in a collection chamber that facilitates gravity separation of the mixed fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Bret Hettinger Wolz, John Mayer Kaufman
  • Process and apparatus for removing methane or another fluid from a fluid mixture
    Patent number: 8366808
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a first fluid from a fluid mixture. In one embodiment water containing methane is passed through an agitation chamber with a plate at the chamber's proximal and distal ends. Both plates have orifices permitting the mixed fluid to pass into and out of the agitation chamber. In one embodiment, the mixed fluid rotates about its axis of flow through the agitation chamber. In one embodiment, the mixed fluid passes through a separation chamber having a plurality of baffles that promote separation of the methane from the methane/water mixture. In one embodiment, the separated methane is removed from the water in a collection chamber that facilitates gravity separation of the mixed fluids. In one embodiment, liquid hydrocarbon is removed from water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hycap Energy LLC
    Inventors: Bret Hettinger Wolz, John Mayer Kaufman
  • PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING METHANE OR ANOTHER FLUID FROM A FLUID MIXTURE
    Publication number: 20110303090
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a first fluid from a fluid mixture. In one embodiment water containing methane is passed through an agitation chamber with a plate at the chamber's proximal and distal ends. Both plates have orifices permitting the mixed fluid to pass into and out of the agitation chamber. In one embodiment, the mixed fluid rotates about its axis of flow through the agitation chamber. In one embodiment, the mixed fluid passes through a separation chamber having a plurality of baffles that promote separation of the methane from the methane/water mixture. In one embodiment, the separated methane is removed from the water in a collection chamber that facilitates gravity separation of the mixed fluids. In one embodiment, liquid hydrocarbon is removed from water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Bret Hettinger Wolz, John Mayer Kaufman