Patents by Inventor Curtis Birnbach

Curtis Birnbach 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: 11883814
    Abstract: A universal chemical processor (UCP) including a reactor vessel having a central longitudinal axis and main chamber comprises a first inlet port for a main feedstock, a second inlet port for a fluidizing medium and a third inlet port for one or more reactants. The UCP also includes a reactive radioactive chemical processor (R2CP) that contains a radioactive element positioned extending along the longitudinal axis in the main chamber. In operation, a fluidized bed can be supported in the main chamber when a fluidizing medium and feedstock are supplied to the main chamber through the first and second inlet ports and the radioactive element of the R2CP emits ionizing radiation that is capable of ionizing feedstock and reactants, inducing chemical reactions, and sterilizing and decomposing any organic materials within a radiation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: ADVANCED FUSION SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Curtis Birnbach, William Joyce
  • Publication number: 20230201785
    Abstract: A universal chemical processor (UCP) including a reactor vessel having a central longitudinal axis and main chamber comprises a first inlet port for a main feedstock, a second inlet port for a fluidizing medium and a third inlet port for one or more reactants. The UCP also includes a reactive radioactive chemical processor (R2CP) that contains a radioactive element positioned extending along the longitudinal axis in the main chamber. In operation, a fluidized bed can be supported in the main chamber when a fluidizing medium and feedstock are supplied to the main chamber through the first and second inlet ports and the radioactive element of the R2CP emits ionizing radiation that is capable of ionizing feedstock and reactants, inducing chemical reactions, and sterilizing and decomposing any organic materials within a radiation zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Curtis Birnbach, William Joyce
  • Patent number: 11652281
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a fractal antenna comprising a plurality of antenna elements having a two-dimensional fractal shape and an electrical circuit coupled to the plurality of antenna elements operative to provide electrical power to and maintain phase relationships between the plurality of antenna elements. The electrical circuit provides a signal to the plurality of antenna elements that cause the antenna elements to radiate in the high-frequency (HF) and/or low-frequency (LF) bands. Also described is an antenna comprising a three-dimensional fractal, near-fractal, or super-fractal antenna having a fractal, near-fractal or super-fractal shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: ADVANCED FUSION SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventor: Curtis Birnbach
  • Publication number: 20230128332
    Abstract: A universal chemical processor (UCP) including a reactor vessel having a central longitudinal axis and main chamber comprises a first inlet port for a main feedstock, a second inlet port for a fluidizing medium and a third inlet port for one or more reactants. The UCP also includes a reactive radioactive chemical processor (R2CP) that contains a radioactive element positioned extending along the longitudinal axis in the main chamber. In operation, a fluidized bed can be supported in the main chamber when a fluidizing medium and feedstock are supplied to the main chamber through the first and second inlet ports and the radioactive element of the R2CP emits ionizing radiation that is capable of ionizing feedstock and reactants, inducing chemical reactions, and sterilizing and decomposing any organic materials within a radiation zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Curtis Birnbach, William Joyce
  • Publication number: 20230130681
    Abstract: A universal chemical processor (UCP) including a reactor vessel with a main chamber, comprises inlets for feedstock, a fluidizing medium and reactants. The UCP further includes a reactive X-ray chemical processor (RXCP) having a large area hollow cylindrical cold cathode in the main chamber, a grid positioned concentrically with respect to the cathode, and an anode positioned concentrically with respect to the cathode and grid. In operation, when activated, the cathode of the RXCP emits electrodes onto the anode, which then emits X-rays into a radiation zone within the main chamber capable of ionizing feedstock and reactants, inducing chemical reactions, and sterilizing and decomposing organic materials within the radiation zone, and wherein, a fluidized bed is supported in the main chamber when the fluidizing medium and feedstock are supplied. The RXCP and the fluidized bed portions can be operated separately or in conjunction to achieve unanticipated results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Curtis Birnbach, William Joyce
  • Publication number: 20230129947
    Abstract: A method for beneficiation of mineralogical materials that comprises using a one or more of a suite of processes including fluidized bed separation, plasma-based stimulation or enhancement of chemical reactions using a Reactive X-Ray Chemical Processor, field enhancement of chemical reactions and process and drying. All of the processes can be used singly, jointly, simultaneously or sequentially in multiple stages. The methods are nearly non-polluting and serve to replace polluting wet chemistry and other beneficiation techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Curtis Birnbach, William Joyce
  • Patent number: 11623196
    Abstract: A universal chemical processor (UCP) including a reactor vessel having a central longitudinal axis and main chamber comprises a first inlet port for a main feedstock, a second inlet port for a fluidizing medium and a third inlet port for one or more reactants. The UCP also includes a reactive radioactive chemical processor (R2CP) that contains a radioactive element positioned extending along the longitudinal axis in the main chamber. In operation, a fluidized bed can be supported in the main chamber when a fluidizing medium and feedstock are supplied to the main chamber through the first and second inlet ports and the radioactive element of the R2CP emits ionizing radiation that is capable of ionizing feedstock and reactants, inducing chemical reactions, and sterilizing and decomposing any organic materials within a radiation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: ADVANCED FUSION SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Curtis Birnbach, William Joyce
  • Patent number: 11471848
    Abstract: A universal chemical processor (UCP) including a reactor vessel with a main chamber, comprises inlets for feedstock, a fluidizing medium and reactants. The UCP further includes a reactive X-ray chemical processor (RXCP) having a large area hollow cylindrical cold cathode in the main chamber, a grid positioned concentrically with respect to the cathode, and an anode positioned concentrically with respect to the cathode and grid. In operation, when activated, the cathode of the RXCP emits electrodes onto the anode, which then emits X-rays into a radiation zone within the main chamber capable of ionizing feedstock and reactants, inducing chemical reactions, and sterilizing and decomposing organic materials within the radiation zone, and wherein, a fluidized bed is supported in the main chamber when the fluidizing medium and feedstock are supplied. The RXCP and the fluidized bed portions can be operated separately or in conjunction to achieve unanticipated results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: ADVANCED FUSION SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Curtis Birnbach, William Joyce
  • Patent number: 11402131
    Abstract: A hardened solar thermal energy collector (STEC) system that is adapted to withstand a nuclear detonation or other powerful explosion in the vicinity. The STEC system comprises a plurality of collector tubes arranged side by side in an array that carry and circulate a working fluid, each of the plurality of collecting tubes having an upper radiation collection surface having a diffractive optical structure and a bottom surface, a supporting tray upon which each of the collector tubes is securely mounted, an insulated housing set beneath a ground surface level enclosing the plurality of collector rubes and supporting trays, and a secured underground geothermal storage unit fluidly coupled to the array of collector tubes. The housing, the plurality of collector tubes, and the tray are positioned such that topmost portions thereof are at the ground surface level or below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignees: RENEWABLE ENERGY AGGREGATORS INC., ADVANCED FUSION SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: David Winks, Curtis Birnbach, Gediminas Campe
  • Publication number: 20220228777
    Abstract: A hardened solar thermal energy collector (STEC) system that is adapted to withstand a nuclear detonation or other powerful explosion in the vicinity. The STEC system comprises a plurality of collector tubes arranged side by side in an array that carry and circulate a working fluid, each of the plurality of collecting tubes having an upper radiation collection surface having a diffractive optical structure and a bottom surface, a supporting tray upon which each of the collector tubes is securely mounted, an insulated housing set beneath a ground surface level enclosing the plurality of collector rubes and supporting trays, and a secured underground geothermal storage unit fluidly coupled to the array of collector tubes. The housing, the plurality of collector tubes, and the tray are positioned such that topmost portions thereof are at the ground surface level or below.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: David Winks, Curtis Birnbach, Gediminas Campe
  • Patent number: 11329480
    Abstract: A method for protecting an electrical transmission system having an electrical transmission line coupled to electrical equipment from hazardous EMI comprises receiving at least one pulse of hazardous EMI on the transmission line, and shunting current induced on the electrical transmission line by the at least one pulse of hazardous EMI to ground through at least one static series spark gap apparatus in such manner as to bypass high speed transient voltages from the electrical equipment to ground via a low impedance means and prevent damage thereto, wherein the static series spark gap apparatus has a rise time that is typically 2 nanoseconds or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Advanced Fusion Systems LLC
    Inventors: John Cappelletti, Gediminas Campe, Curtis Birnbach
  • Patent number: 11322814
    Abstract: A device for preventing a signal induced by hazardous EMI on a power line in a group of multiple adjacent, parallel power lines of the same phase in an electrical power system from reaching an electrical component connected to one of the multiple power lines, the device comprising at least one conductive impedance transition element having a disk-shaped structure with multiple holes for receiving the multiple adjacent power lines of the same phase, the disk-shaped structures each having an outer diameter that is greater than diameter of all of the multiple parallel power lines to deliberately create an impedance mismatch between the conductive impedance transition elements and adjacent portions of the multiple power lines. The impedance mismatch causes the conductive impedance transition elements to reflect high-frequency components of a signal induced on the multiple power lines by hazardous EMI and the high-frequency components are reflected and dissipated as heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Advanced Fusion Systems LLC
    Inventors: Curtis A. Birnbach, John Anthony Cappelletti
  • Publication number: 20210305670
    Abstract: A device for preventing a signal induced by hazardous EMI on a power line in a group of multiple adjacent, parallel power lines of the same phase in an electrical power system from reaching an electrical component connected to one of the multiple power lines, the device comprising at least one conductive impedance transition element having a disk-shaped structure with multiple holes for receiving the multiple adjacent power lines of the same phase, the disk-shaped structures each having an outer diameter that is greater than diameter of all of the multiple parallel power lines to deliberately create an impedance mismatch between the conductive impedance transition elements and adjacent portions of the multiple power lines. The impedance mismatch causes the conductive impedance transition elements to reflect high-frequency components of a signal induced on the multiple power lines by hazardous EMI and the high-frequency components are reflected and dissipated as heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Curtis A. Birnbach, John Anthony Cappelletti
  • Patent number: 11114856
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of protecting a component using a deliberately created impedance mismatch between conductive impedance transition elements and an electric power line. The method comprises coupling a plurality of conductive impedance transition elements having a greater diameter than the power line at a position between an extended length of the power line and the component. The difference between the diameters of the conductive transition elements and the power line causes an intentional impedance mismatch between the two or more impedance transition elements with adjacent portions of the power line, and the mismatch causes high-frequency components of the transient electromagnetic signals induced on the power line by the transient electrical disturbance to be reflected by at least one of two or more impedance transition elements away from the protected component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: ADVANCED FUSION SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Curtis A. Birnbach, John Anthony Cappelletti
  • Publication number: 20210232187
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of protecting a component using a deliberately created impedance mismatch between conductive impedance transition elements and an electric power line. The method comprises coupling a plurality of conductive impedance transition elements having a greater diameter than the power line at a position between an extended length of the power line and the component. The difference between the diameters of the conductive transition elements and the power line causes an intentional impedance mismatch between the two or more impedance transition elements with adjacent portions of the power line, and the mismatch causes high-frequency components of the transient electromagnetic signals induced on the power line by the transient electrical disturbance to be reflected by at least one of two or more impedance transition elements away from the protected component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Curtis A. Birnbach, John Anthony Cappelletti
  • Patent number: 10791656
    Abstract: A method of protecting an RF system from destructive effects of hazardous electromagnetic interference (EMI) comprises separating incoming electromagnetic radiation including hazardous electromagnetic interference according to frequency into low frequency spectral components below a selectable cutoff frequency and high frequency spectral components above the selectable cutoff frequency, and routing the low frequency portion of spectral components which include a vast majority of energy contained in the hazardous electromagnetic interference to ground via a low impedance conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: ADVANCED FUSION SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventor: Curtis A. Birnbach
  • Patent number: 10181376
    Abstract: An Electron-coupled transformer for generating a high voltage output pulse as an amplified version of an input pulse includes a cylindrical triode electron tube with a central anode along main axis and a grid and cathode radially spaced from the anode. The anode has a first end directly grounded and a second end insulated from a direction connection to ground. The cathode and the grid form a traveling wave electron gun that produces, when the grid is grounded through a phase matching network, a radially symmetrical collapsing traveling wave of ground potential in the Transverse Electromagnetic mode. The foregoing wave of ground potential causes a beam of electrons to flow from the cathode to the anode and causes a voltage output pulse to be produced on the second end of the anode, whose magnitude is an amplified version of the input pulse that is injected into the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Advanced Fusion Systems LLC
    Inventor: Curtis A. Birnbach
  • Patent number: 9728967
    Abstract: A combination includes an AC power system and a system for improving power factor in the AC power system by continuously variable, analog control of level of reactive current introduced into a power conveying line of the AC power system. A power factor-improving circuit includes at least one channel that comprises a channel-level AC electron tube circuit and at least one associated reactive impedance element interconnected in series manner. Each of the channel-level AC electron tube circuit is responsive to a control system for continuously variable, analog control of the level of reactive current in the at least one associated reactive impedance element so that the foregoing level of reactive current changes, as necessary, in a continuously variable, analog manner to improve power factor in the power conveying line. Each of the channel-level AC electron tube circuit comprises at least one cold-cathode field-emission electron tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Advanced Fusion Systems LLC
    Inventor: Curtis A Birnbach
  • Patent number: 9711287
    Abstract: A high voltage, high current vacuum integrated circuit includes a common vacuum enclosure that includes at least two cold-cathode field emission electron tubes, and contains at least one internal vacuum pumping means, at least one exhaust tubulation, vacuum-sealed electrically-insulated feedthroughs, and internal electrical insulation. The cold-cathode field emission electron tubes are configured to operate at high voltage and high current and interconnected with each other to implement a circuit function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Advanced Fusion Systems LLC
    Inventor: Curtis A Birnbach
  • Patent number: 9406478
    Abstract: A method for inducing chemical reactions using X-ray radiation comprises generating an irradiation volume within the interior of a reaction vessel by introducing X-ray radiation into the volume, in which two or more reactants are introduced. With respect to the two or more reactants and any subsequently created intermediate reactant or reactants, the aggregate extent to which the foregoing reactants are to be ionized to any degree is selectively controlled, and the average degree of ionization in the irradiation volume, from partial to total, of that portion of the foregoing reactants which is to be ionized is selectively controlled, through control of the fluence and energy of the X-ray radiation, to thereby induce selective reactions of reactants to occur in the irradiation volume. One or more reactants may be delivered through a double-walled pipe containing X-ray shielding to prevent their premature irradiation before being injected into the irradiation volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Advanced Fusion Systems LLC
    Inventors: Curtis A. Birnbach, William H. Joyce, Mark L. Manewitz