Patents by Inventor Donald M. Stearns

Donald M. Stearns 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: 5507946
    Abstract: A process for treating wastewater containing insoluble solid waste material and soluble solid waste material including the following series of steps: (1) controlling the oxygen content of the wastewater to a level at which growth of anaerobic bacteria is substantially eliminated, (2) separating the insoluble solid waste material from the wastewater, (3) treating the soluble solid material in the wastewater with a predetermined amount of aerobic bacteria, and (4) reducing the amount of aerobic bacteria in the wastewater. The insoluble solid waste material separated from the wastewater can be burned to produce electrical energy. Apparatus for carrying out the process are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: PEC Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald M. Stearns
  • Patent number: 5275735
    Abstract: A method and the apparatus for the dissolving gas in liquid, in particular, dissolving oxygen and elimination of variable flow rates in wastewater collection and transmission systems that provides the means to stop the generation of toxic chemicals, allows existing pipeline capacities to be doubled, provides twice the capacity from existing wastewater treatment plants and improves the quality of the discharge of the wastewater treatment plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: PEC Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald M. Stearns
  • Patent number: 5190670
    Abstract: A closed loop, recycle, condensing dual velocity, air stripper for the removal of organic contaminates from surface water and sub-surface water that provides a system completely different from current designs in that it does not transfer the problem from the water to the air, but removes the problem of organic contamination from the water without any open air discharge and therefore meets the standards of the 1990 Clean Air Act.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: PEC Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald M. Stearns
  • Patent number: 5133882
    Abstract: This invention consists of a method of operation of a Self-Propelled Barge that is capable of supporting six integrated process systems for the continuous recovery of surface and sub-surface Oil or Oil Products spilled into Fresh, Brackish or Sea Water. The six major process systems provided by the invention are as follows: (1) A wave following positioning system that will provide the correct distance below the surface of the Water in order to allow the introduction of a process for the flotation and compaction of surface and sub-surface of Oil by entrained and super saturated dissolved Air. (2) A process system that provides maximum efficiency of flotation and compaction of Oil by providing a recirculated water supply with entrained and super saturated dissolved Air. (3) A process system that provides a Wave following adjustable positioning vacuum collection system for the compacted Oil film on the surface of the Water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: PEC Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald M. Stearns
  • Patent number: 5125167
    Abstract: A process for the containment and recycle of organic vapors from an open container or tank that utilizes a chilled gas blanket over the surface of the organic liquid, with a continuous recirculaton of the chilled gas through a condenser heat exchanger for cooling the gas flow and condensing and returning the condensed vapor to the tank or container. Included are the means of distribution of the recirculated chilled gas, the means of collecting the recirculated chilled gas, the means of providing an enclosed chilled gas recirculation system, the apparatus for condensing the vapor to liquid, the apparatus for collecting and recycling the condensed vapor, the apparatus for providing a full open access to the top of the tank or container and the apparatus for control of the flow of the recirculated chilled gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: PEC Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald M. Stearns
  • Patent number: 5045202
    Abstract: Apparatus and system for increasing the efficiency of absorption of oxygen by biodegradable waste and particle break-up thereof, by introducing waste and gas, which may be air, into a collector under a highly agitated state, and agitating the air and waste under pressure in the collector by the impeller of a centrifugal pump as back pressure is provided in the collector. The collector is mismatched relative to the impeller to increase the retention and mixing time of the air and waste in the collector. The collector within the impeller forms a pump designed to operate close to its shut-off condition for increased retention time in the collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Inventors: Donald M. Stearns, Walter D. Haentjens, Thomas Stirling
  • Patent number: 4976863
    Abstract: A process for treating wastewater containing insoluble solid waste material and soluble solid waste material including the following series of steps: (1) controlling the oxygen content of the wastewater to a level at which growth of anaerobic bacteria is substantially eliminated, (2) separating the insoluble solid waste material from the wastewater, (3) treating the soluble solid material in the wastewater with a predetermined amount of aerobic bacteria, and (4) reducing the amount of aerobic bacteria in the wastewater. The insoluble solid waste material separated from the wastewater can be burned to produce electrical energy. Apparatus for carrying out the process are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: PEC Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald M. Stearns