Patents by Inventor Ernest A. Gardner

Ernest A. Gardner 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: 9534578
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for converting kinetic energy of a flowing water into kinetic energy of a rotatable rotor shaft, wherein the device is adapted to be effective in a first flow direction and a second flow direction substantially opposite to the first, wherein the device comprises two rotor blades each connected to a blade shaft coupled to the rotor shaft for transfer of a torque relative to the rotor shaft, wherein the blades are each rigidly connected to their blade shaft, the blade shafts are mounted for rotation about their own axis relative to the rotor shaft, the blade shafts are coupled to each other for rotation in the same rotation direction and the rotor blades each have an asymmetrical cross-section. There is hereby always flow against the asymmetrical rotor blades from the same direction relative to the blade during the energy conversion process, so that the profile of the rotor blades can be optimized for this flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Tocardo International B.V.
    Inventor: Fred Ernest Gardner
  • Publication number: 20100244452
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for converting kinetic energy of a flowing water into kinetic energy of a rotatable rotor shaft, wherein the device is adapted to be effective in a first flow direction and a second flow direction substantially opposite to the first, wherein the device comprises two rotor blades each connected to a blade shaft coupled to the rotor shaft for transfer of a torque relative to the rotor shaft, wherein the blades are each rigidly connected to their blade shaft, the blade shafts are mounted for rotation about their own axis relative to the rotor shaft, the blade shafts are coupled to each other for rotation in the same rotation direction and the rotor blades each have an asymmetrical cross-section. There is hereby always flow against the asymmetrical rotor blades from the same direction relative to the blade during the energy conversion process, so that the profile of the rotor blades can be optimized for this flow direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Fred Ernest Gardner
  • Patent number: 6256985
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for energy conversion from wave movement in water, comprising a frame connectable to the bottom, a container for containing a gas, which container is formed by at least two parts, a first part connected to the frame and a second part displaceable in vertical direction relative to the first container part, energy converting means for energy conversion from the displacement of the second container part, and means for varying the volume of the space in the container intended for containing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: A.W.S.B.V.
    Inventors: Fred Ernest Gardner, Rudolfus Gerardus Van Schie
  • Patent number: 5909060
    Abstract: An installation for extracting energy from a liquid in which swell occurs relative to a bottom. The installation includes a first and second container for placing at a determined horizontal first mutual distance at least partially under the surface of the liquid, each provided with a closed upper side directed toward the liquid surface, closed side walls and an open underside directed toward the bottom for enclosing a gas under the liquid surface. The gas is bounded to the underside of the container by a quantity of liquid entering via this underside, which quantity of liquid varies as a result of the swell. A transport conduit is provided for transporting gas from the first to the second container and vice versa. A generator responding to the variation in the quantity of liquid in at least one of the containers for generating energy from this variation is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Teamwork Techniek B.V. I.O.
    Inventor: Fred Ernest Gardner
  • Patent number: 5392846
    Abstract: This invention provides a heating/cooling system including a heating/cooling apparatus, the apparatus comprising a blower unit connected to a heat exchanger unit and both units are enclosed within a duct structure which is continuous from an upstream input end to a downstream output end. The blower unit comprises an electric motor direct-coupled to an impeller and the heat exchanger unit comprises a heat transfer assembly and both blower and heat exchanger units are of a size and configuration as to facilitate their mounting within the space defined by, for example, a pair of building floor joists. The space between the floor joists may be enclosed to function as a return air duct to the apparatus. The heating/cooling apparatus may be adapted for humidifying and dehumidifying air being pumped through the apparatus by the blower unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Inventor: Ernest A. Gardner
  • Patent number: 5263290
    Abstract: A modular assembly applicable to building constructions combines fire-safety sprinkler system piping, heating and cooling system heat exchangers, and lighting system fixtures and communication system wiring into an integrated unit installation. A channel which defines an enclosed duct for the passage of air is mounted in association with sprinkler system piping while a condensate pan is mounted in association with heating and cooling system heat exchangers. An air diffuser is positioned vertically between the channel and pan to direct environmental and make-up air about the heat exchangers for conditioning and a lighting fixture is positioned below the condensate pan. The channel, pan, and lighting fixture are all in standardized lengths and are maintained in a vertical alignment below the sprinkler system piping by a plurality of brackets, straps, and fasteners, various of the brackets being mounted over the channel and piping while others are mounted below the pan and lighting fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Inventor: Ernest A. Gardner
  • Patent number: 5184675
    Abstract: A thermal energy transfer apparatus and a method of making such apparatus by helically wrapping multiple layers of spaced apart thermally conductive wires on a fluid conducting pipe to provide an open mesh-like configuration with exposed surface areas to transfer heat or cold to the surrounding atmosphere from fluid passed through the pipe. The wire is secured by welding or other suitable means to prevent it from becoming unwrapped. The mesh-like configuration can also be made by concentrically wrapping thermally conductive screen around the pipe and securing it in the wrapped configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Inventor: Ernest A. Gardner
  • Patent number: 5143467
    Abstract: This invention provides a fastening system comprised of at least two pieces to be fastened together, the pieces exhibiting planar characteristics and each piece is characterized by having at least one slotted through bore in the material comprising the piece and, a fastener having a stem portion and orthogonally oriented cross bar portions at each of its ends to define an I-shaped configuration, the fastener interconnecting the pieces together in planar face-to-face orientation by having one of its cross bar portions passed through the slotted bore in one of the pieces and having the other cross bar portion passed through the slotted bore in the other of the pieces such that the stem portion is in a seated engagement within the bores of the pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Inventor: Ernest A. Gardner