Patents by Inventor Bruce W. Kyles

Bruce W. Kyles 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: 20030039561
    Abstract: A device for pumping a stock fluid by supplying and discharging a motivating fluid to a unit is described. The device develops the suction and discharge of the stock fluid through the motion of a movable biasing boundary within a cavity. The movable biasing boundary divides the cavity into a stock fluid cell and a motivating-fluid cell. In the case that the movable biasing boundary comprises a piston, a link joined to the piston may extend outside of the unit to as a means for driving the piston toward the motivating fluid cell. Each cell communicates with a fluid circuit that includes a source line, a valve or valves and a discharge line. The controlled supply and discharge of the motivating fluid to move the movable biasing boundary creates the discharge and suction of the stock fluid respectively. A valve directs the supply and discharge of the motivating fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles
  • Patent number: 6517715
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating or segregating an insoluble or immiscible fluid mixture into its denser and less dense components is disclosed. The apparatus' serviceability is enhanced through the use of a removably secured focusing plate. The apparatus may be advantageously used to separate grease/water mixtures of commercial food preparation operations into a gray water component for disposal in sewer lines and a grease component for storage and subsequent appropriate disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles
  • Patent number: 6491830
    Abstract: An oil/grease separation apparatus includes an inlet section for receiving a liquid flow containing water, oil/grease and gross solids. The gross solids are separated from the liquid flow and collected in the inlet section. A water jet eductor is provided having a solids extraction port located in a lower portion of the inlet section. The water jet eductor is actuated by supplying pressurized water to create a suction to extract the accumulated solids from the inlet section. The extracted solids are directed to a separator outlet or to an alternate disposal system by suitable piping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles
  • Publication number: 20020170864
    Abstract: An oil/grease separation apparatus includes an inlet section for receiving a liquid flow containing water, oil/grease and gross solids. The gross solids are separated from the liquid flow and collected in the inlet section. A water jet eductor is provided having a solids extraction port located in a lower portion of the inlet section. The water jet eductor is actuated by supplying pressurized water to create a suction to extract the accumulated solids from the inlet section. The extracted solids are directed to a separator outlet or to an alternate disposal system by suitable piping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles
  • Patent number: 6478552
    Abstract: A device for pumping a stock fluid by supplying and discharging a motivating fluid to a unit is described. The device develops the suction and discharge of the stock fluid through the motion of a movable biasing boundary within a cavity. The movable biasing boundary divides the cavity into a stock fluid cell and a motivating-fluid cell. In the case that the movable biasing boundary comprises a piston, a link joined to the piston may extend outside of the unit as a means for driving the piston toward the motivating fluid cell. Each cell communicates with a fluid circuit that includes a source line, a valve or valves and a discharge line. The controlled supply and discharge of the motivating fluid to move the movable biasing boundary creates the discharge and suction of the stock fluid respectively. A valve directs the supply and discharge of the motivating fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles
  • Patent number: 6435078
    Abstract: An integrated system including an oven and a separator for converting a grease/water mixture exiting the oven into a grease component and a gray water component is disclosed. The oven, which may be considered to be independent of the integrated system, includes a reservoir that acts as a water vapor source and a drip pan for capturing the juice and/or grease that exude from a food stuff as it cooks. A water supply line in fluid communication with reservoir provide for clearing the surface of the reservoir of grease slicks or a grease layer that might interfere with the humidity or water vapor content of the oven. A controller may be provided to regulate the frequency and duration of the clearing of the reservoir surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles
  • Patent number: 6413435
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating or segregating an insoluble or immiscible fluid mixture including less-dense solids and/or buoyant solids into its denser component, less-dense component, and less-dense solids and/or buoyant solids is disclosed. An aspect of the invention is directed to a technique that may relieve and even eliminate the fouling of down stream elements through the use of a flushing cycle in one instance, alternative access lines in another instance, or alternative access lines and flushing in yet another instance. The apparatus may be advantageously used to separate grease/water mixtures of commercial food preparation operations into a gray water component for disposal in sewer lines and a grease component for storage and subsequent appropriate disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce W. Kyles, William C. Batten
  • Patent number: 6213002
    Abstract: An integrated system including an oven and a separator for converting a grease/water mixture exiting the oven into a grease component and a gray water component is disclosed. The oven, which may be considered to be independent of the integrated system, includes a reservoir that acts as a water vapor source and a drip pan for capturing the juice and/or grease that exude from a food stuff as it cooks. A water supply line in fluid communication with reservoir provide a means for clearing the surface of the reservoir of grease slicks or a grease layer that might interfere with the humidity or water vapor content of the oven. A controller may be provided to regulate the frequency and duration of the clearing of the reservoir surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles
  • Patent number: 4303827
    Abstract: An electric heating appliance such as a coffeemaker, has a metallic base with an upper exposed surface and an electric heater on its lower side for heating the surface by conduction. A thermostat comprising a plastic-walled packaged unit with an opening through which an internal bimetal sensor is exposed is provided for controlling the heater and is mounted in a depressed niche formed in the surface of the heater. A detachable U-shaped metallic cover covers the opening and includes a heat-conducting projection extending through the opening very closely adjacent the sensor. The thermostat is positioned so that the cover faces and abuts the surface of the niche and a flexible clamp secures the thermostat in the niche and biases the projection and sensor closely together for fast thermostat response. The base may be an aluminum casting with the heater comprising a cast-in circular sheathed electric heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1981
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Bruce W. Kyles