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).

  • Publication number: 20130327042
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: American Thermal Power, LLC
    Inventors: Robert F. Waterstripe, Gary P. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8522552
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: American Thermal Power, LLC
    Inventors: Robert F. Waterstripe, Gary P. Hoffman, Richard L. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 8312717
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Renewable Thermodynamics, LLC
    Inventors: Gary P. Hoffman, Richard J. Ide
  • Patent number: 7919723
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Renewable Thermodynamics, LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Ide, Gary P. Hoffman, Nanette F. Ide
  • Publication number: 20110036091
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Robert F. Waterstripe, Gary P. Hoffman, Richard L. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 7762055
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Renewable Thermodynamics, LLC
    Inventors: Gary P. Hoffman, Richard J. Ide
  • Publication number: 20100139885
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Renewable Thermodynamics, LLC
    Inventors: Gary P. Hoffman, Richard Ide
  • Publication number: 20090255249
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: Renewable Thermodynamics LLC
    Inventors: Gary P. Hoffman, Richard J. Ide
  • Publication number: 20080244970
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Richard J. Ide, Gary P. Hoffman, Nanette F. Ide
  • Patent number: 7076941
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Renewable Thermodynamics LLC
    Inventors: Gary P. Hoffman, Richard J. Ide
  • Patent number: 6771916
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Nexpress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Gary P. Hoffman, Michael Kurt Rainer Schoenwetter, Carl Allen Luft, John Franklin Quester, Phillip Henry Blank, John Walter May
  • Publication number: 20030091363
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: NexPress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Gary P. Hoffman, Michael Kurt Rainer Schoenwetter, Carl Allen Luft, John Franklin Quester, Phillip Henry Blank, John Walter May
  • Patent number: 5890249
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Gary P. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5819137
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gary P. Hoffman, John F. Quester, Clifton T. Hartford, David R. Heberle, Kurt E. Jones, David E. Hockey, Philip A. Stern