Patents by Inventor Gary P. Hoffman
Gary P. Hoffman 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).
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Publication number: 20130327042Abstract: Disclosed is a power generation system that includes a heat source loop, a heat engine loop, and a heat reclaiming loop. The heat can be waste heat from a steam turbine, industrial process or refrigeration or air-conditioning system, solar heat collectors or geothermal sources. Heat from the heat source loop is introduced into the heat reclaiming loop or heat engine loop. The power generation system further includes a heat reclaiming loop having a fluid that extracts heat from the heat engine loop. The fluid of the heat reclaiming loop is then raised to a higher temperature and then placed in heat exchange relationship with the working fluid of the heat engine loop. The power generating system is capable of using low temperature waste heat that is approximately 150 degrees F. or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: American Thermal Power, LLCInventors: Robert F. Waterstripe, Gary P. Hoffman
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Patent number: 8522552Abstract: A power generation system that includes a heat source loop, a heat engine loop, and a heat reclaiming loop. The heat can be waste heat from a steam turbine, industrial process or refrigeration or air-conditioning system, solar heat collectors or geothermal sources. The heat source loop may also include a heat storage medium to allow continuous operation even when the source of heat is intermittent. Heat from the heat source loop is introduced into the heat reclaiming loop or turbine loop. In the turbine loop a working fluid is boiled, injected into the turbine, recovered condensed and recycled. The power generation system further includes a heat reclaiming loop having a fluid that extracts heat from the turbine loop. The fluid of the heat reclaiming loop is then raised to a higher temperature and then placed in heat exchange relationship with the working fluid of the turbine loop. The power generating system is capable of using low temperature waste heat is approximately of 150 degrees F. or less.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: American Thermal Power, LLCInventors: Robert F. Waterstripe, Gary P. Hoffman, Richard L. Willoughby
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Patent number: 8312717Abstract: An externally heated engine is provided which has a piston and a displacer. The position of the piston can be adjusted by a yoke and disk assembly on one end of a link and spacers and gaskets in the cylinder. The relative position of the displacer with respect to the piston can be changed by changing the relative position of a pair of disks in the crankshaft assembly. The displacer is caused to reciprocate by a link which is moved by a displacer cam assembly. The displacer cam assembly includes a first cam and a second cam. The first cam and the second cam each have a groove path. The displacer link follows the groove path of the cams to cause the displacer to dwell at the two ends of its stroke and to move rapidly from one end to the other.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Renewable Thermodynamics, LLCInventors: Gary P. Hoffman, Richard J. Ide
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Patent number: 7919723Abstract: The laser lawn cutting system of the present invention consists of an array or grid of laser heads distributed across a lawn. The laser heads may be permanently fixed above the surface of the lawn, or preferably mounted underneath the surface of the lawn and designed to pop up at the time of cutting. If mounted underneath the surface of the lawn, solenoids may be used to move the laser heads above the surface. Other mechanical devices could also be used to cause the laser heads to move above the surface of the lawn. Preferably, the laser heads will be distributed across the lawn in a grid or matrix, such that the laser light generated by the rotating laser head sweeps across the lawn in overlapping arcs to cut the vegetation. The system may also be used to melt snow or kill insects.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2007Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: Renewable Thermodynamics, LLCInventors: Richard J. Ide, Gary P. Hoffman, Nanette F. Ide
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Publication number: 20110036091Abstract: A power generation system that includes a heat source loop, a heat engine loop, and a heat reclaiming loop. The heat can be waste heat from a steam turbine, industrial process or refrigeration or air-conditioning system, solar heat collectors or geothermal sources. The heat source loop may also include a heat storage medium to allow continuous operation even when the source of heat is intermittent. Heat from the heat source loop is introduced into the heat reclaiming loop or turbine loop. In the turbine loop a working fluid is boiled, injected into the turbine, recovered condensed and recycled. The power generation system further includes a heat reclaiming loop having a fluid that extracts heat from the turbine loop. The fluid of the heat reclaiming loop is then raised to a higher temperature and then placed in heat exchange relationship with the working fluid of the turbine loop. The power generating system is capable of using low temperature waste heat is approximately of 150 degrees F. or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Inventors: Robert F. Waterstripe, Gary P. Hoffman, Richard L. Willoughby
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Patent number: 7762055Abstract: An externally heated engine is provided which has at least two pistons. The first piston has a first side (working side) and a second side opposite the first side. The first side of the first piston and the first cylinder define a first working chamber containing working fluid. The second side of the first piston and the first cylinder define a first opposite chamber containing an opposing fluid. A heater heats the working fluid in the first cylinder. Preferably, the cylinder is heated by a heat source so that the working fluid has a temperature of no more than 500° Fahrenheit with a temperature difference between the heat source and the working fluid of less than 5° Fahrenheit. The second piston reciprocates within a second cylinder, and has a first side (working side) and a second side opposite the first side. The first side and the cylinder define a working chamber containing working fluid. The second side of the piston and the cylinder define a second opposite chamber containing an opposing fluid.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2006Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Renewable Thermodynamics, LLCInventors: Gary P. Hoffman, Richard J. Ide
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Publication number: 20100139885Abstract: A heat exchanging medium is provided which is constructed out of sintered diamond. The medium can be formed into various desired shapes such as tubes, mesh, screens, granules or the like. The sintered diamond forms the heat transfer medium of a heat exchanger or regenerator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2008Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: Renewable Thermodynamics, LLCInventors: Gary P. Hoffman, Richard Ide
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Publication number: 20090255249Abstract: An externally heated engine is provided which has a piston and a displacer. The position of the piston can be adjusted by a yoke and disk assembly on one end of a link and spacers and gaskets in the cylinder. The relative position of the displacer with respect to the piston can be changed by changing the relative position of a pair of disks in the crankshaft assembly. The displacer is caused to reciprocate by a link which is moved by a displacer cam assembly. The displacer cam assembly includes a first cam and a second cam. The first cam and the second cam each have a groove path. The displacer link follows the groove path of the cams to cause the displacer to dwell at the two ends of its stroke and to move rapidly from one end to the other.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2009Publication date: October 15, 2009Applicant: Renewable Thermodynamics LLCInventors: Gary P. Hoffman, Richard J. Ide
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Publication number: 20080244970Abstract: The laser lawn cutting system of the present invention consists of an array or grid of laser heads distributed across a lawn. The laser heads may be permanently fixed above the surface of the lawn, or preferably mounted underneath the surface of the lawn and designed to pop up at the time of cutting. If mounted underneath the surface of the lawn, solenoids may be used to move the laser heads above the surface. Other mechanical devices could also be used to cause the laser heads to move above the surface of the lawn. Preferably, the laser heads will be distributed across the lawn in a grid or matrix, such that the laser light generated by the rotating laser head sweeps across the lawn in overlapping arcs to cut the vegetation. The system may also be used to melt snow or kill insects.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2007Publication date: October 9, 2008Inventors: Richard J. Ide, Gary P. Hoffman, Nanette F. Ide
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Patent number: 7076941Abstract: An externally heated engine is provided which has at least two pistons. The first piston has a first side (working side) and a second side opposite the first side. The first side of the first piston and the first cylinder define a first working chamber containing working fluid. The second side of the first piston and the first cylinder define a first opposite chamber containing an opposing fluid. A heater heats the working fluid in the first cylinder. Preferably, the cylinder is heated by a heat source so that the working fluid has a temperature of no more than 500° Fahrenheit with a temperature difference between the heat source and the working fluid of less than 5° Fahrenheit. The second piston reciprocates within a second cylinder, and has a first side (working side) and a second side opposite the first side. The first side and the cylinder define a working chamber containing working fluid. The second side of the piston and the cylinder define a second opposite chamber containing an opposing fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2005Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Renewable Thermodynamics LLCInventors: Gary P. Hoffman, Richard J. Ide
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Patent number: 6771916Abstract: An air quality management apparatus for use in a modular electrostatographic color printer. For air quality management a non-air-conditioned open-loop portion is provided for managing quality of air in a first interior volume, and an air-conditioned recirculation portion is provided for managing quality of air in a second interior volume. The first interior volume includes a fusing station for fusing color images on receiver members. The second interior volume includes a number of tandemly arranged image-forming modules, as well as an auxiliary chamber associated with, yet isolated from, each module, such that air-conditioned air flowing through each module does not mix with air-conditioned air supplied to the modules and to devices within the modules. The second interior volume is differentiated from the first interior volume by at least one separating member. The air-conditioning device is for controlling temperature and relative humidity of air included in the second interior volume.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Nexpress Solutions LLCInventors: Gary P. Hoffman, Michael Kurt Rainer Schoenwetter, Carl Allen Luft, John Franklin Quester, Phillip Henry Blank, John Walter May
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Publication number: 20030091363Abstract: An air quality management apparatus for use in a modular electrostatographic color printer. For air quality management a non-air-conditioned open-loop portion is provided for managing quality of air in a first interior volume, and an air-conditioned recirculation portion is provided for managing quality of air in a second interior volume. The first interior volume includes a fusing station for fusing color images on receiver members. The second interior volume includes a number of tandemly arranged image-forming modules, as well as an auxiliary chamber associated with, yet isolated from, each module, such that air-conditioned air flowing through each module does not mix with air-conditioned air supplied to the modules and to devices within the modules. The second interior volume is differentiated from the first interior volume by at least one separating member. The air-conditioning device is for controlling temperature and relative humidity of air included in the second interior volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2001Publication date: May 15, 2003Applicant: NexPress Solutions LLCInventors: Gary P. Hoffman, Michael Kurt Rainer Schoenwetter, Carl Allen Luft, John Franklin Quester, Phillip Henry Blank, John Walter May
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Patent number: 5890249Abstract: A multi-purpose cleaner incorporates a vibration generator selectively controlled by a switch. The vibration generator vibrates a dual sided cleaning head to provide superior cleaning action. A pivotal joint and rotatable extension member provide the dual sided head with freedom of motion in three dimensions. The dual sided cleaning head includes releasable cleaning surfaces that can be selectively changed according to any desired cleaning application.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1997Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Inventor: Gary P. Hoffman
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Patent number: 5819137Abstract: An integrated environmental management system for reproduction apparatus including a reprographic marking engine for reproducing information supplied thereto and accessories for facilitating the handling of reproduction output from the marking engine. The integrated environmental management system includes a housing associated with the reprographic marking engine. The housing defines a chamber having, in communication, a rear wall substantially parallel to the rear of the reprographic marking engine, first and second side walls, and top and bottom walls. An inlet plenum in the housing chamber communicates, for example, with an opening in the first side wall of the housing. The inlet plenum includes an inlet filter for preventing contaminants in ambient air from entering the inlet plenum, a first inlet duct directed into the general interior of the reprographic marking engine, and a plurality of inlet ducts directed respectively to specific systems within the reprographic marking engine.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1997Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Gary P. Hoffman, John F. Quester, Clifton T. Hartford, David R. Heberle, Kurt E. Jones, David E. Hockey, Philip A. Stern