Patents by Inventor Craig S. Volland

Craig S. Volland 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: 5545327
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of biodegradable waste products. The influent is aerated and directed through a fixed media assembly to promote intimate surface contact and cause microbial growth. The fixed media assembly comprises a stack of spaced apart, parallel, substantially vertical corrugated sheets. The corrugations are defined by obliquely inclined peaks and valleys and are oriented so that the corrugations of immediately adjacent sheets intermate with one another so as to define an inclined sluffing channel at each corrugation to provide a substantially unobstructed pathway therethrough while inducing turbulence and mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Smith & Loveless, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig S. Volland
  • Patent number: 5132090
    Abstract: An apparatus transfers heat for the purpose of purifying raw feed liquid, separating dissolved gases from liquids, vaporizing heat transfer fluids or containing and regulating biological/chemical reactions. The feed liquid is directed into an evaporator module submerged in a solar pond or other body of heated liquid. The evaporator module includes a rotating housing through which a plurality of spaced apart substantially horizontal open ended heat transfer tubes extend. A heating liquid is directed through the heat transfer tubes. The feedwater is distributed within the evaporator module so as to cause the feedwater to descend into heat transferring contact with the heat transfer tubes and thereby vaporize a portion of the feedwater. A preferred embodiment of the evaporator module is disclosed which includes cavitation fins for urging the heated liquid through the evaporator module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Inventor: Craig S. Volland
  • Patent number: 4693304
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring heat for the purpose of purifying raw feed liquid, vaporizing heat transfer fluids or containing and regulating biological/chemical reactions. The raw feed liquid is directed into an evaporator module submerged in a solar pond or other body of heated liquid. The evaporator module includes a rotating housing through which a plurality of spaced apart substantially horizontal open ended heat transfer tubes extend. A heating liquid is directed through the heat transfer tubes. The raw feedwater is distributed within the evaporator module so as to cause the feedwater to descend into heat transferring contact with the heat transfer tubes and thereby vaporize a portion of the feedwater. The vapor formed in the evaporator module is withdrawn from the evaporator module and directed to a suitable condenser. A preferred embodiment of the evaporator module is disclosed which includes cavitation fins for urging the heated liquid through the evaporator module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Inventor: Craig S. Volland
  • Patent number: 4613409
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying raw feedwater. The raw feedwater is directed into an evaporator module submerged in a solar pond or other body of heated liquid. The evaporator module includes a rotating housing through which a plurality of spaced apart substantially horizontal open ended heat transfer tubes extend. A heating liquid is directed through the heat transfer tubes. The raw feedwater is distributed within the evaporator module so as to cause the feedwater to descend into heat transferring contact with the heat transfer tubes and thereby vaporize a portion of the feedwater. The vapor formed in the evaporator module is withdrawn from the evaporator module and directed to a suitable condensor.A preferred embodiment of the evaporator module is disclosed which includes cavitation fins or urging the heated liquid through the evaporator module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Inventor: Craig S. Volland