Patents by Inventor Charles R. Fralick

Charles R. Fralick 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: 10801465
    Abstract: Wave energy conversion systems are provided utilizing a mass of water entrained in a collapsible water mass enclosure that is suspended beneath a float (e.g., a vehicle, buoy, platform, etc.) to provide an inertial force in opposition to the rising heave-induced acceleration of the float. The water mass enclosure is communication with a generator, such as by tethering one end of a tethering means to the generator and the other to the enclosure. The enclosure may be placed in communication with an intermediary hydraulic system, which is also in communication with the generator. In certain embodiments, the system will include a reel system for deploying and retrieving the water masse enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Leidos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Hench, Charles R. Fralick
  • Publication number: 20180019629
    Abstract: An energy conversion system includes rotor, stator and shell components configurations for increasing power efficiency and improving replacement and repair efficiency. The system harvests environmental energy for lower power generation and accounts for non-mechanical sources of rotational resistance within the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: Leidos, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Fralick, Christopher J. Eckert
  • Publication number: 20170298898
    Abstract: Wave energy conversion systems are provided utilizing a mass of water entrained in a collapsible water mass enclosure that is suspended beneath a float (e.g., a vehicle, buoy, platform, etc.) to provide an inertial force in opposition to the rising heave-induced acceleration of the float. The water mass enclosure is communication with a generator, such as by tethering one end of a tethering means to the generator and the other to the enclosure. The enclosure may be placed in communication with an intermediary hydraulic system, which is also in communication with the generator. In certain embodiments, the system will include a reel system for deploying and retrieving the water masse enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: Leidos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Hench, Charles R. Fralick
  • Patent number: 9787151
    Abstract: An energy conversion system includes rotor, stator and shell components configurations for increasing power efficiency and improving replacement and repair efficiency. The system harvests environmental energy for lower power generation and accounts for non-mechanical sources of rotational resistance within the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Leidos, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Fralick, Christopher J. Eckert
  • Patent number: 9528491
    Abstract: Wave energy conversion systems are provided utilizing a mass of water entrained in a collapsible water mass enclosure that is suspended beneath a float (e.g., a vehicle, buoy, platform, etc.) to provide an inertial force in opposition to the rising heave-induced acceleration of the float. The water mass enclosure is communication with a generator, such as by tethering one end of a tethering means to the generator and the other to the enclosure. The enclosure may be placed in communication with an intermediary hydraulic system, which is also in communication with the generator. In certain embodiments, the system will include a reel system for deploying and retrieving the water masse enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Leidos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Hench, Charles R. Fralick
  • Publication number: 20160254710
    Abstract: An energy conversion system includes rotor, stator and shell components configurations for increasing power efficiency and improving replacement and repair efficiency. The system harvests environmental energy for lower power generation and accounts for non-mechanical sources of rotational resistance within the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: Leidos, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Fralick, Christopher J. Eckert
  • Publication number: 20160153422
    Abstract: Wave energy conversion systems are provided utilizing a mass of water entrained in a collapsible water mass enclosure that is suspended beneath a float (e.g., a vehicle, buoy, platform, etc.) to provide an inertial force in opposition to the rising heave-induced acceleration of the float. The water mass enclosure is communication with a generator, such as by tethering one end of a tethering means to the generator and the other to the enclosure. The enclosure may be placed in communication with an intermediary hydraulic system, which is also in communication with the generator. In certain embodiments, the system will include a reel system for deploying and retrieving the water masse enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Steven C. Hench, Charles R. Fralick
  • Patent number: 9331535
    Abstract: An energy conversion system includes rotor, stator and shell components configurations for increasing power efficiency and improving replacement and repair efficiency. The system harvests environmental energy for lower power generation and accounts for non-mechanical sources of rotational resistance within the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Leidos, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Fralick, Christopher J. Eckert
  • Patent number: 9133815
    Abstract: A turbine blade is provided having a double helix shape with solid cross section. The turbine blades described herein may be adapted to be deployed in water or air such that usable energy may be extracted therefrom. The turbine blades may include a first and second endpoint located a distance apart on a central axis, with a helical edge spiraling in a directional rotation about the central axis from the first endpoint to the second endpoint. The turbine blade may also include a second helical edge spiraling in the same directional rotation about the central axis from the first endpoint to the second endpoint, such that the second helical edge is approximately congruent to the first helical edge and is located a distance from the first helical edge which defines a diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Leidos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Hench, Charles R. Fralick
  • Patent number: 9051918
    Abstract: A wind power harvesting system includes a turbine having a bottom disk and a top disk and a first and a second panel of collapsible material each attached at a first end thereof to the bottom disk and at a second end thereof to the top disk. The combination of attached panels of material results in the formation of a Savonius shape that rotates in response to the force of the wind. A non-cogging generator is attached to the turbine to produce power therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Leidos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Hench, Charles R. Fralick
  • Patent number: 8866328
    Abstract: Wave energy conversion systems are provided utilizing a mass of water entrained in a collapsible water mass enclosure that is suspended beneath a float (e.g., a vehicle, buoy, platform, etc.) to provide an inertial force in opposition to the rising heave-induced acceleration of the float. The water mass enclosure is in communication with a generator, such as by tethering one end of a tethering component to the generator and the other to the enclosure. The enclosure may be placed in communication with an intermediary hydraulic system, which is also in communication with the generator. In certain embodiments, the system will include a reel system for deploying and retrieving the water masse enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Leidos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Hench, Charles R. Fralick, Christopher J. Eckert
  • Patent number: 8461730
    Abstract: An energy conversion system is described and includes a cylindrical rotor having a mass and multiple magnets affixed on an outer face thereof; a cylindrical stator including a dielectric cylinder wound with copper wire in a predetermined configuration, the cylindrical rotor being placed within the cylindrical stator; and a rotatable shaft for rotating the rotor, the rotatable shaft being placed in the center of the cylindrical rotor. The system harvests environmental energy for lower power generation and accounts for non-mechanical sources of rotational resistance within the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Hench, Charles R. Fralick
  • Publication number: 20110278847
    Abstract: An energy conversion system is described and includes a cylindrical rotor having a mass and multiple magnets affixed on an outer face thereof; a cylindrical stator including a dielectric cylinder wound with copper wire in a predetermined configuration, the cylindrical rotor being placed within the cylindrical stator; and a rotatable shaft for rotating the rotor, the rotatable shaft being placed in the center of the cylindrical rotor. The system harvests environmental energy for lower power generation and accounts for non-mechanical sources of rotational resistance within the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Steven C. HENCH, Charles R. Fralick