Patents by Inventor Frederick A. Ferguson

Frederick A. Ferguson 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).

  • Publication number: 20060251505
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, systems and methods for tethered wind turbines may be provided. In some embodiments, a system may comprise an airborne body extending horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point, wherein the body is at least partially filled with a gas. The system may further comprise, for example, two or more vanes coupled to the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis are operable to cause the body to rotate about the axis to generate a Magnus effect lifting force. According to some embodiments, the system may comprise one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to a third point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventor: Frederick Ferguson
  • Patent number: 4226670
    Abstract: A material injection nozzle for a spray drying system of the type wherein the material to be dried is introduced into the exhaust pipe of one or more pulse jet engines and borne upwardly through openings in the floor of a vertical drying chamber is disclosed. The nozzle includes a substantially cylindrical member that is coaxially mounted within the pulse jet engine exhaust pipe to extend from the exit opening thereof to a point below the termination of a material feedpipe that passes coaxially upward through the lower portion of the pulse jet engine exhaust pipe. In all cases, the nozzle is dimensioned and arranged to interact with the high temperature gaseous flow and acoustic field within the exhaust pipe to eliminate or greatly reduce adherence of material passing through the exhaust pipe which would otherwise accumulate as a burned, hardened substance and cause the pulse jet engines to malfunction and cease operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Assignee: Sonic Dehydrators, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ferguson, Rodney D. Payne
  • Patent number: 4226668
    Abstract: Spray drying apparatus is disclosed wherein circumferentially spaced apart exhaust pipes of three L-shaped pulse jet engines extend upwardly into the floor of a cylindrical drying chamber. The engines extend radially outward beneath the floor of the drying chamber, with the engine inlet openings being supported in spaced apart juxtaposition with air augmentation ducts which extend upwardly and tangentially into the drying chamber at equally spaced apart positions near the drying chamber floor. Moisture laden material, such as a slurry tht contains the material to be dried is introduced into the upwardly directed exhaust stream of each engine by means of feedpipes which pass coaxially along the interior of each engine exhaust pipe and an injection nozzle that is affixed to the terminus of each feedpipe at a predetermined distance below the engine exhaust opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Assignee: Sonic Dehydrators, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick A. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 3952476
    Abstract: A beading clip for attachment to a headed stud projecting from a supporting surface which will, when attached to the stud, clamp a beading against the supporting surface. The clip comprises an arched body portion with a slot extending into one side to permit passage of the shank of the headed stud. A leg extends parallel to the slot and is spaced from the body portion. Abutment means are carried on opposite sides of the body portion. In use the legs engage the supporting surface so that the leg and the body portion are compressed between the supporting surface and the head of the stud. The abutment means clamp the edges of the beading to the supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1976
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Roger Michael Barnett, Edward Harry Frederick Ferguson