Patents by Inventor Craig A. MacDougall

Craig A. MacDougall 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: 10550008
    Abstract: A low energy fluid purification system and method of implementation including some embodiments having a vacuum-rated first chamber placed in or near a body of water with higher temperature near the surface and lower temperatures at greater depths. The vacuum-rated first chamber holds a quantity of non-potable water and a low pressure area less than or equal to the water's vapor pressure. Vaporization occurs when the higher temperature surface water is brought into contact with the low pressure area. A tubular vapor transport passage allows the vaporized water to pass to a lower temperature and lower pressure condensation chamber. The lower temperature condensation chamber is cooled by lower temperature water from a selected depth below the surface. As the temperature of the vapor lowers, the vapor will condense. This condensation is collected as a quantity of potable water. Additional embodiments and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: United States of American, as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Craig A MacDougall, Dylan Switzer, Aaron Wiest
  • Patent number: 10011513
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of forming hollow spheres are provided. Hollow sphere forming apparatus incorporate a bubble forming nozzle assembly in which outlets for gas and liquid materials are disposed substantially coaxially. The relative positions of the gas and liquid outlets are adjustable in at least one dimension (e.g., axially, radially or angularly relative to each other), such that a more uniform annular exit region for the gas and liquid outlets may be configured, such that more symmetric bubbles may be formed thus reducing the rejection rate in solidified bubbles due to asymmetry or decentering of entrapped gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Aaron Wiest, Craig A MacDougall, Steven J Rogers, Robert A Heller, Matthew P Khalil, Matthew T McCormick, Dylan R Switzer
  • Publication number: 20170057857
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of forming hollow spheres are provided. Hollow sphere forming apparatus incorporate a bubble forming nozzle assembly in which outlets for gas and liquid materials are disposed substantially coaxially. The relative positions of the gas and liquid outlets are adjustable in at least one dimension (e.g., axially, radially or angularly relative to each other), such that a more uniform annular exit region for the gas and liquid outlets may be configured, such that more symmetric bubbles may be formed thus reducing the rejection rate in solidified bubbles due to asymmetry or decentering of entrapped gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Aaron Wiest, Craig A. MacDougall, Steven J. Rogers, Robert A. Heller, Matthew P. Khalil, Matthew T. McCormick, Dylan R. Switzer
  • Publication number: 20160376168
    Abstract: A low energy fluid purification system and method of implementation including some embodiments having a vacuum-rated first chamber placed in or near a body of water with higher temperature near the surface and lower temperatures at greater depths. The vacuum-rated first chamber holds a quantity of non-potable water and a low pressure area less than or equal to the water's vapor pressure. Vaporization occurs when the higher temperature surface water is brought into contact with the low pressure area. A tubular vapor transport passage allows the vaporized water to pass to a lower temperature and lower pressure condensation chamber. The lower temperature condensation chamber is cooled by lower temperature water from a selected depth below the surface. As the temperature of the vapor lowers, the vapor will condense. This condensation is collected as a quantity of potable water. Additional embodiments and methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Craig A. MacDougall, Dylan Switzer, Aaron Wiest