Patents by Inventor Donald Max Sheppard

Donald Max Sheppard 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).

  • Apparatus for estimating the rate of erosion and methods using the same
    Patent number: 7647821
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention comprise devices, systems, and methods for estimating the rate at which rock, soil or any self-supporting material erode. Particular embodiments of the invention relate to devices and systems that subject a stationary soil or rock sample to shear stresses by rotating fluid about the soil or rock sample to simulate the effects of flowing fluids on the soil or rock sample. In various embodiments, the devices and systems include a torque cell unit and clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventors: David G. Bloomquist, Donald Max Sheppard
  • APPARATUS FOR ESTIMATING THE RATE OF EROSION AND METHODS USING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20090000361
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention comprise devices, systems, and methods for estimating the rate at which rock, soil or any self-supporting material erode. Particular embodiments of the invention relate to devices and systems that subject a stationary soil or rock sample to shear stresses by rotating fluid about the soil or rock sample to simulate the effects of flowing fluids on the soil or rock sample. In various embodiments, the devices and systems include a torque cell unit and clutch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: David G. Bloomquist, Donald Max Sheppard