Patents by Inventor Frank S. Howard

Frank S. Howard 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).

  • Magnetic heat pump flow director
    Patent number: 5444983
    Abstract: A fluid flow director is disclosed. The director comprises a handle body and combed-teeth extending from one side of the body. The body can be formed of a clear plastic such as acrylic. The director can be used with heat exchangers such as a magnetic heat pump and can minimize the undesired mixing of fluid flows. The types of heat exchangers can encompass both heat pumps and refrigerators. The director can adjust the fluid flow of liquid or gas along desired flow directions. A method of applying the flow director within a magnetic heat pump application is also disclosed where the comb-teeth portions of the director are inserted into the fluid flow paths of the heat pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Frank S. Howard
  • Liquid hydrogen polygeneration system and process
    Patent number: 4936869
    Abstract: An integrated polygeneration system and process is disclosed for generating liquid hydrogen as a main energy product for use as a propellant for space vehicles. Secondary energy products and commodities for supporting a space center complex and launching of the space vehicle includes the production of electrical and thermal energy and gaseous nitrogen. The integrated process includes a coal gasification and gas cleanup system (12), a combined cycle power generation system (18), a hydrogen production and liquefaction system (22) and a air separation system (32). A medium BTU gas (16) is produced by the coal gasification system and is delivered at (16a) to the power generation system and (16b) the hydrogen production and liquefaction system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Inventors: Peter A. Minderman, Gary P. Gutkowski, Lawrence Manfredi, Julian V. King, Frank S. Howard
  • Vortex motion phase separator for zero gravity liquid transfer
    Patent number: 4848987
    Abstract: A vortex motion phase separator for transferring a liquid in a zero gravity environment while at the same time separating the liquid from vapors found within either the sender or the receiving tanks. The separator comprises a rigid sender tank having a circular cross-section and rigid receiver tank having a circular cross-section. A plurality of ducts connects the sender tank and the receiver tank. Disposed within the ducts connecting the receiver tank and the sender tank is a pump and a plurality of valves. The pump is powered by an electric motor and is adapted to draw either the liquid or a mixture of the liquid and the vapor from the sender tank. Initially, the mixture drawn from the sender tank is directed through a portion of the ductwork and back into the sender tank at a tangent to the inside surface of the sender tank, thereby creating a swirling vortex of the mixture within the sender tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Frank S. Howard, Wilson M. Fraser, Jr.