Patents by Inventor Eric Cummings

Eric Cummings 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: 10240119
    Abstract: A combined anaerobic digester system and gas-to-liquid system is disclosed. The anaerobic digester requires heat, and produces methane. The gas-to-liquid system produces heat, and converts methane to higher-value products, including methanol and formaldehyde. As such, the combination of the two systems results in significant savings in terms of capital and operating expenses. A process for producing bio-formaldehyde and bio-formalin from biogas is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Maverick Biofeuls, Inc
    Inventors: David Bradin, Samuel Yenne, Eric Cumming, Jeffrey Harrison
  • Publication number: 20180135004
    Abstract: A combined anaerobic digester system and gas-to-liquid system is disclosed. The anaerobic digester requires heat, and produces methane. The gas-to-liquid system produces heat, and converts methane to higher-value products, including methanol and formaldehyde. As such, the combination of the two systems results in significant savings in terms of capital and operating expenses. A process for producing bio-formaldehyde and bio-formalin from biogas is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: Maverick Biofuels, Inc.
    Inventors: David Bradin, Samuel Yenne, Eric Cumming, Jeffrey Harrison
  • Patent number: 9285139
    Abstract: Solar energy may be harvested utilizing arrays of solar collectors, supported and articulated to follow movement of the sun. Particular systems include arrays of solar collectors mounted on an elevation-azimuth tracking structure. From the ground up, embodiments of this system may include a Ground Interface, a Base, an Upper Truss, and a Collector. The system is designed to transmit loads with minimal deflection from the surface of the collector to the ground, while tracking the position of the sun across the sky. The use of structural, actuator, and collector elements with a minimum amount of low-cost materials, and which are able to be mass produced, allows large scale deployment of the system at reduced cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: COOLEARTH SOLAR
    Inventors: James S. Page, Robert L. Lamkin, Eric Cummings, Jacques J. Belanger, Kyle Theile
  • Publication number: 20110180057
    Abstract: Solar energy may be harvested utilizing arrays of solar collectors, supported and articulated to follow movement of the sun. Particular systems include arrays of solar collectors mounted on an elevation-azimuth tracking structure. From the ground up, embodiments of this system may include a Ground Interface, a Base, an Upper Truss, and a Collector. The system is designed to transmit loads with minimal deflection from the surface of the collector to the ground, while tracking the position of the sun across the sky. The use of structural, actuator, and collector elements with a minimum amount of low-cost materials, and which are able to be mass produced, allows large scale deployment of the system at reduced cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: CoolEarth Solar
    Inventors: James S. Page, Robert L. Lamkin, Eric Cummings, Jacques J. Belanger, Kyle Theile
  • Patent number: 7571334
    Abstract: A high-voltage sequencer system includes positive and negative high-voltage supplies. A supply regulator is connected to the positive high-voltage supply. A master sequencer and programmable logic controller is connected to the supply regulator to control operation thereof. A high voltage regulator output circuit is connected to the supply regulator to receive high voltage signals therefrom. A plurality of sequencer circuits is connected between the master sequencer and programmable logic controller and the high voltage regulator output. The sequencer circuits provide signals to the high voltage regulator output to produce corresponding high-voltage signal outputs in selected sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Inventor: Eric Cummings
  • Publication number: 20080057776
    Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to inexpensive, manufacturable, robust, and easily installed interconnections for solar energy conversion systems. Particular embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a convenient and low-cost means of interconnecting between one or more of solar energy modules and ancillary equipment electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical connections including one or more power-bearing electrical wires, cooling water conduits, compressed air conduits, electronic control and networking circuitry, conduits for chemical reactants and products, and mechanical linkages. Particular embodiments are further suitable for vibration control and damping of structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: CoolEarth Solar
    Inventor: Eric Cummings
  • Publication number: 20080047546
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to concentrating solar radiation using an assembly of at least one clear and one reflective film that inflates into a shape reflecting parallel rays of light to a concentrated focus in the interior or immediate proximity of the assembly. Embodiments of the present invention can be assembled in a substantially flat stack with bonds or welds between the films, compatible with conventional high-throughput film manufacturing processes. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention may employ external circumferential rings or a “harness” assembly to support and point the balloon against wind forces and the like without severe stress localization. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention may also employ film attachments to facilitate feedthroughs, reduce stress concentrations, and modify the inflated shape. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention may also employ film modifiers, including laminated films, adhesives, printing, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: CoolEarth Solar
    Inventor: Eric Cummings
  • Publication number: 20070084727
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for coherent nonlinear chromatography. As disclosed, the devices comprise microchannels having at least one perturber which produces a non-uniformity in a field spanning the width of the microchannel. The interaction of the field non-uniformity with a particle produces a secondary flow or particle motion component which competes with a primary flow. Depending on the interaction, the particle may be retained and redirected and therefore separated from other particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventor: Eric Cummings
  • Publication number: 20070081078
    Abstract: A video microscope for acquiring video images of a sample held within a sample holder comprises a stroboscopic illuminator for applying illumination to the sample when video images are to be acquired and a video camera arranged to acquire video images of the sample, the camera being movable within a housing. A real-time controller is arranged for controlling the stroboscopic illuminator and for controlling movement of the video camera, and a control system arranged to provide user configurable real-time video processing and video-event-based triggering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Eric Cummings, Kirsten Pace
  • Publication number: 20070069765
    Abstract: A high-voltage sequencer system includes positive and negative high-voltage supplies. A supply regulator is connected to the positive high-voltage supply. A master sequencer and programmable logic controller is connected to the supply regulator to control operation thereof. A high voltage regulator output circuit is connected to the supply regulator to receive high voltage signals therefrom. A plurality of sequencer circuits is connected between the master sequencer and programmable logic controller and the high voltage regulator output. The sequencer circuits provide signals to the high voltage regulator output to produce corresponding high-voltage signal outputs in selected sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventor: Eric Cummings
  • Publication number: 20060201868
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for assaying and concentrating analytes in a fluid sample using dielectrophoresis. As disclosed, the methods and devices utilize substrates having a plurality of pores through which analytes can be selectively prevented from passing, or inhibited, on application of an appropriate electric field waveform. The pores of the substrate produce nonuniform electric field having local extrema located near the pores. These nonuniform fields drive dielectrophoresis, which produces the inhibition. Arrangements of electrodes and porous substrates support continuous, bulk, multi-dimensional, and staged selective concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Blake Simmons, Gregory McGraw, Allen Salmi, Gregory Fiechtner, Eric Cummings, Yolanda Fintschenko
  • Publication number: 20050284525
    Abstract: A control-reliable lockout valve system has an inlet port for coupling to a source of pressurized fluid and an outlet port for coupling to a downstream fluid-actuated device. A double valve unit includes a pair of valve elements each controllably moving between a respective actuated position and a deactuated position to control a first flow path between the inlet port and the outlet port in response to a pilot pressure applied to the valve elements. The first flow path provides the pressurized fluid to the outlet port only if both of the valve elements are in the respective actuated positions. The double valve unit further includes an exhaust port, and the valve elements control a second flow path for coupling the outlet port to the exhaust port unless both of the valve elements are in the respective actuated positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: Richard Schnell, Eric Cummings
  • Publication number: 20050072676
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and devices for manipulating particles using dielectrophoresis. Insulating ridges and valleys are used to generate a spatially non-uniform electrical field. Particles may be concentrated, separated, or captured during bulk fluid flow in a channel having insulating ridges and valleys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Inventors: Eric Cummings, Gregory Fiechtner