Patents by Inventor David E. Claridge

David E. Claridge 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: 20190176084
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing a humidity gradient across a water selective permeable membrane in a dehumidification unit. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification unit is extracted by the dehumidification unit without substantial condensation into a low pressure water vapor chamber operating at a partial pressure of water vapor lower than the partial pressure of water vapor in the relatively humid atmospheric air. For example, water vapor is extracted through a water permeable membrane of the dehumidification unit into the low pressure water vapor chamber. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification unit is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification unit. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently condensed and removed from the system at ambient conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: David E. Claridge, Charles H. Culp, Wei Liu
  • Patent number: 10207219
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing a humidity gradient across a water selective permeable membrane in a dehumidification unit. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification unit is extracted by the dehumidification unit without substantial condensation into a low pressure water vapor chamber operating at a partial pressure of water vapor lower than the partial pressure of water vapor in the relatively humid atmospheric air. For example, water vapor is extracted through a water permeable membrane of the dehumidification unit into the low pressure water vapor chamber. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification unit is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification unit. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently condensed and removed from the system at ambient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: David E. Claridge, Charles H. Culp
  • Publication number: 20140144318
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing a humidity gradient across a water selective permeable membrane in a dehumidification unit. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification unit is extracted by the dehumidification unit without substantial condensation into a low pressure water vapor chamber operating at a partial pressure of water vapor lower than the partial pressure of water vapor in the relatively humid atmospheric air. For example, water vapor is extracted through a water permeable membrane of the dehumidification unit into the low pressure water vapor chamber. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification unit is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification unit. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently condensed and removed from the system at ambient conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: David E. Claridge, Charles H. Culp
  • Patent number: 8685142
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing humidity gradients in one or more dehumidification units. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification units is extracted by the dehumidification units without substantial condensation into low pressure water vapor vacuum volumes. The water vapor is extracted through water vapor permeable membranes of the dehumidification units into the low pressure water vapor vacuum volumes. The air exiting the dehumidification units is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification units. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is compressed to a slightly higher pressure, condensed, and removed from the system at ambient conditions. In addition, each of the dehumidification units may be associated with one or more evaporative cooling units through which the air will be directed, with the evaporative cooling units being upstream and/or downstream of the dehumidification units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: David E. Claridge, Charles H. Culp, Jeffrey S. Haberl
  • Patent number: 8685145
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing humidity gradients in a plurality of dehumidification units, which are arranged in series and/or in parallel. Water vapor from air entering each stage of the plurality of dehumidification units is extracted by the dehumidification units without substantial condensation into low pressure water vapor chambers. For example, in one embodiment, the water vapor is extracted through water vapor permeable membranes of the dehumidification units into the low pressure water vapor chambers. As such, the air exiting each of the dehumidification units is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification units. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently compressed to a slightly higher pressure (i.e., just high enough to facilitate condensation), condensed, and removed from the system at ambient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: David E. Claridge, Charles H. Culp, Jeffrey S. Haberl
  • Patent number: 8685144
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing a humidity gradient across a water selective permeable membrane in a dehumidification unit. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification unit is extracted by the dehumidification unit without substantial condensation into a low pressure water vapor chamber operating at a partial pressure of water vapor lower than the partial pressure of water vapor in the relatively humid atmospheric air. For example, water vapor is extracted through a water permeable membrane of the dehumidification unit into the low pressure water vapor chamber. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification unit is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification unit. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently condensed and removed from the system at ambient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: David E. Claridge, Charles H. Culp, Jeffrey S. Haberl
  • Patent number: 8641806
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for dehumidifying air by establishing a humidity gradient across a water selective permeable membrane in a dehumidification unit. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification unit is extracted by the dehumidification unit without substantial condensation into a low pressure water vapor chamber operating at a partial pressure of water vapor lower than the partial pressure of water vapor in the relatively humid atmospheric air. For example, water vapor is extracted through a water permeable membrane of the dehumidification unit into the low pressure water vapor chamber. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification unit is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification unit. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently condensed and removed from the system at ambient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: David E. Claridge, Charles H. Culp
  • Patent number: 8500848
    Abstract: The present disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing a humidity gradient across a water selective permeable membrane in a dehumidification unit. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification unit is extracted by the dehumidification unit without substantial membrane water vapor rejection into a low pressure water vapor chamber operating at a partial pressure of water vapor lower than the partial pressure of water vapor in the relatively humid atmospheric air. For example, water vapor is extracted through a water permeable membrane of the dehumidification unit into the low pressure water vapor chamber. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification unit is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification unit. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently expelled through a membrane vapor rejection unit to ambient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: David E. Claridge, Charles H. Culp
  • Patent number: 8496732
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing a humidity gradient across a water selective permeable membrane in a dehumidification unit. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification unit is extracted by the dehumidification unit without substantial condensation into a low pressure water vapor chamber operating at a partial pressure of water vapor lower than the partial pressure of water vapor in the relatively humid atmospheric air. For example, water vapor is extracted through a water permeable membrane of the dehumidification unit into the low pressure water vapor chamber. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification unit is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification unit. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently condensed and removed from the system at ambient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Charles H. Culp, David E. Claridge
  • Publication number: 20120118145
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing a humidity gradient across a water selective permeable membrane in a dehumidification unit. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification unit is extracted by the dehumidification unit without substantial condensation into a low pressure water vapor chamber operating at a partial pressure of water vapor lower than the partial pressure of water vapor in the relatively humid atmospheric air. For example, water vapor is extracted through a water permeable membrane of the dehumidification unit into the low pressure water vapor chamber. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification unit is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification unit. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently condensed and removed from the system at ambient conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
    Inventors: David E. Claridge, Charles H. Culp, Jeffrey S. Haberl
  • Publication number: 20120117987
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing humidity gradients in one or more dehumidification units. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification units is extracted by the dehumidification units without substantial condensation into low pressure water vapor vacuum volumes. For example, in one embodiment, the water vapor is extracted through water vapor permeable membranes of the dehumidification units into the low pressure water vapor vacuum volumes. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification units is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification units. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is compressed to a slightly higher pressure, condensed, and removed from the system at ambient conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: David E. Claridge, Charles H. Culp, Jeffrey S. Haberl
  • Publication number: 20120118155
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing a humidity gradient across a water selective permeable membrane in a dehumidification unit. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification unit is extracted by the dehumidification unit without substantial condensation into a low pressure water vapor chamber operating at a partial pressure of water vapor lower than the partial pressure of water vapor in the relatively humid atmospheric air. For example, water vapor is extracted through a water permeable membrane of the dehumidification unit into the low pressure water vapor chamber. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification unit is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification unit. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently condensed and removed from the system at ambient conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: The Texas A&M Unversity System
    Inventors: David E. Claridge, Charles H. Culp
  • Publication number: 20120118146
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing humidity gradients in a plurality of dehumidification units, which are arranged in series and/or in parallel. Water vapor from air entering each stage of the plurality of dehumidification units is extracted by the dehumidification units without substantial condensation into low pressure water vapor chambers. For example, in one embodiment, the water vapor is extracted through water vapor permeable membranes of the dehumidification units into the low pressure water vapor chambers. As such, the air exiting each of the dehumidification units is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification units. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently compressed to a slightly higher pressure (i.e., just high enough to facilitate condensation), condensed, and removed from the system at ambient conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
    Inventors: David E. Claridge, Charles H. Culp, Jeffrey S. Haberl
  • Publication number: 20120118148
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing a humidity gradient across a water selective permeable membrane in a dehumidification unit. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification unit is extracted by the dehumidification unit without substantial condensation into a low pressure water vapor chamber operating at a partial pressure of water vapor lower than the partial pressure of water vapor in the relatively humid atmospheric air. For example, water vapor is extracted through a water permeable membrane of the dehumidification unit into the low pressure water vapor chamber. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification unit is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification unit. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently condensed and removed from the system at ambient conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Charles H. Culp, David E. Claridge
  • Publication number: 20120118147
    Abstract: The present disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing a humidity gradient across a water selective permeable membrane in a dehumidification unit. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification unit is extracted by the dehumidification unit without substantial membrane water vapor rejection into a low pressure water vapor chamber operating at a partial pressure of water vapor lower than the partial pressure of water vapor in the relatively humid atmospheric air. For example, water vapor is extracted through a water permeable membrane of the dehumidification unit into the low pressure water vapor chamber. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification unit is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification unit. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently expelled through a membrane vapor rejection unit to ambient conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: David E. Claridge, Charles H. Culp
  • Patent number: 7962536
    Abstract: A method for remote monitoring and controlling of energy consumption of a facility includes receiving energy consumption data associated with the facility at a processor disposed remotely from the facility. The method also includes receiving environmental data associated with the facility. The method includes determining whether an operating parameter of an energy consumption system of the facility requires modification to increase efficiency using the energy consumption data and the environmental data. The method further includes automatically modifying the operating parameter of the energy consumption system corresponding to the required modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Charles H. Culp, David E. Claridge, Jeffrey S. Haberl, William D. Turner
  • Patent number: 7552033
    Abstract: A method for diagnostically evaluating energy consumption of a facility includes receiving energy consumption data associated with the facility, generating facility data associated with the facility, and receiving external variable data associated with the facility corresponding to the energy consumption data. The method also includes generating a first energy consumption model for the facility using the facility data, the energy consumption data, and the external variable data. The first energy consumption model corresponds to actual energy consumption of the facility. The method further includes generating a second energy consumption model for the facility using the facility data and the external variable data. The second energy consumption model corresponds to expected energy consumption of the facility. The method also includes diagnostically evaluating the energy consumption of the facility using the first and second energy consumption models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Charles H. Culp, David E. Claridge, Jeffrey S. Haberl, William D. Turner, Mingsheng Liu
  • Publication number: 20090012654
    Abstract: A method for remote monitoring and controlling of energy consumption of a facility includes receiving energy consumption data associated with the facility at a processor disposed remotely from the facility. The method also includes receiving environmental data associated with the facility. The method includes determining whether an operating parameter of an energy consumption system of the facility requires modification to increase efficiency using the energy consumption data and the environmental data. The method further includes automatically modifying the operating parameter of the energy consumption system corresponding to the required modification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Charles H. Culp, David E. Claridge, Jeffrey S. Haberl, William D. Turner
  • Patent number: 7356548
    Abstract: A method for remote monitoring and controlling of energy consumption of a facility includes receiving energy consumption data associated with the facility at a processor disposed remotely from the facility. The method also includes receiving environmental data associated with the facility. The method includes determining whether an operating parameter of an energy consumption system of the facility requires modification to increase efficiency using the energy consumption data and the environmental data. The method further includes automatically modifying the operating parameter of the energy consumption system corresponding to the required modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Charles H. Culp, David E. Claridge, Jeffrey S. Haberl, William D. Turner
  • Patent number: 7225089
    Abstract: A system for remote energy consumption system identification of a facility includes a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor. The system also includes an energy consumption database accessible by the processor. The energy consumption database includes aggregated energy consumption data associated with the facility. The system also includes a facility database accessible by the processor. The facility database includes facility data associated with the facility. The system further includes an external variable database accessible by the processor. The external variable database includes external variable data corresponding to the energy consumption data. The system also includes an analysis engine residing in the memory and executable by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Charles H. Culp, David E. Claridge, Jeffrey S. Haberl, William D. Turner