Patents by Inventor George A. Rabroker

George A. Rabroker 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: 20180347362
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a cam plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker, Michael K. Ross
  • Patent number: 9670924
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a cam plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker, Michael K. Ross
  • Patent number: 9382872
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes an outer gerotor having an outer gerotor chamber, an inner gerotor, at least a portion of which is disposed within the outer gerotor chamber, and a synchronizing apparatus operable to control the rotation of the inner gerotor relative to the outer gerotor. The inner gerotor includes one or more entrance passages operable to communicate a lubricant into the outer gerotor chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker
  • Publication number: 20160138590
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a cam plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker, Michael K. Ross
  • Publication number: 20150152732
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, an engine system comprises a housing, an outer gerotor, an inner gerotor, a tip inlet port, a face inlet port, and a tip outlet port. The housing has a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a first endwall, and a second endwall. The outer gerotor is at least partially disposed in the housing and at least partially defines an outer gerotor chamber. The inner gerotor is at least partially disposed within the outer gerotor chamber. The tip inlet port is formed in the first sidewall and allows fluid to enter the outer gerotor chamber. The face inlet port is formed in the first endwall and allows fluid to enter the outer gerotor chamber. The tip outlet port is formed in the second sidewall and allows fluid to exit the outer gerotor chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker, Michael Kyle Ross
  • Publication number: 20140348683
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a cam plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker, Michael K. Ross
  • Publication number: 20140308147
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes an outer gerotor having an outer gerotor chamber, an inner gerotor, at least a portion of which is disposed within the outer gerotor chamber, and a synchronizing apparatus operable to control the rotation of the inner gerotor relative to the outer gerotor. The inner gerotor includes one or more entrance passages operable to communicate a lubricant into the outer gerotor chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker
  • Patent number: 8821138
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes an outer gerotor having an outer gerotor chamber, an inner gerotor, at least a portion of which is disposed within the outer gerotor chamber, and a synchronizing apparatus operable to control the rotation of the inner gerotor relative to the outer gerotor. The inner gerotor includes one or more entrance passages operable to communicate a lubricant into the outer gerotor chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker
  • Patent number: 8753099
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a earn plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignees: The Texas A&M University System, Starrotor Corporation
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker, Michael K. Ross
  • Publication number: 20120199534
    Abstract: In accordance with particular embodiments, a desalination system includes a plurality of evaporators. The plurality of evaporators includes at least a first evaporator and a last evaporator. The plurality of evaporators are arranged in cascading fashion such that a concentration of salt in a brine solution increases as the brine solution passes through the plurality of evaporators from the first evaporator towards the last evaporator. The desalination system also includes a plurality of heat exchangers. An input of each evaporator is coupled to at least one of the plurality of heat exchangers. The system also includes a vapor source coupled to at least one of the plurality of evaporators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicants: TERRABON ADVE, LLC, The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker, Li Zhu, Jorge H.J. Lara Ruiz, Somsak Watanawanavet
  • Publication number: 20120133241
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electric machine includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes a stator pole including a first leg and a second leg, and a gap defined between the first and second legs. The rotor includes a rotor pole. The rotor is configured to rotate relative to the stator such that the rotor pole rotates through the gap defined between the first and second legs of the stator pole. The stator pole includes a laminar stator pole structure including multiple lamination layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker
  • Patent number: 8022586
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electric machine comprises a stator and a rotor. The stator has at least one stator pole with a first leg and a second leg. The rotor has at least one rotor pole. The rotor rotates relate to the stator. The at least one rotor is configured to rotate between the first leg and the second leg of the at least one stator pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignees: The Texas A&M University System, StarRotor Corporation
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker, Babak Fahimi, Mehrdad Ehsani
  • Publication number: 20110200476
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a earn plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker, Michael K. Ross
  • Patent number: 7950250
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a jet ejector method includes providing a primary jet ejector having a primary inlet stream, coupling one or more secondary jet ejectors to the primary jet ejector such that all of the jet ejectors are in a cascaded arrangement, bleeding off a portion of the primary inlet stream and directing the portion of the primary inlet stream to the secondary jet ejector that is closest to the primary jet ejector in the cascaded arrangement, and directing a motive fluid into the secondary jet ejector that is farthest from the primary jet ejector in the cascaded arrangement. The method further includes, at each secondary jet ejector, receiving at least some of the portion of the primary inlet stream and at least some of the motive fluid to create respective mixtures within the secondary jet ejectors, and at each secondary jet ejector, directing at least a portion of the respective mixture to adjacent jet ejectors in the cascaded arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignees: Terrabon Adve, LLC, The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, Gary P. Noyes, George A. Rabroker
  • Publication number: 20100266435
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes an outer gerotor having an outer gerotor chamber, an inner gerotor, at least a portion of which is disposed within the outer gerotor chamber, and a synchronizing apparatus operable to control the rotation of the inner gerotor relative to the outer gerotor. The inner gerotor includes one or more entrance passages operable to communicate a lubricant into the outer gerotor chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker
  • Publication number: 20100213786
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electric machine comprises a stator and a rotor. The stator has at least one stator pole with a first leg and a second leg. The rotor has at least one rotor pole. The rotor rotates relate to the stator. The at least one rotor is configured to rotate between the first leg and the second leg of the at least one stator pole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicants: The Texas A&M University System, StarRotor Corporation
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker, Babak Fahimi, Mehrdad Ehsani
  • Patent number: 7726959
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes an outer gerotor having an outer gerotor chamber, an inner gerotor, at least a portion of which is disposed within the outer gerotor chamber, and a synchronizing apparatus operable to control the rotation of the inner gerotor relative to the outer gerotor. The inner gerotor includes one or more entrance passages operable to communicate a lubricant into the outer gerotor chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker
  • Patent number: 7708865
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a vapor-compression evaporation system includes a plurality of vessels in series each containing a feed having a nonvolatile component, a mechanical compressor coupled to the last vessel in the series and operable to receive a vapor from the last vessel in the series, a pump operable to deliver a cooling liquid to the mechanical compressor, a tank coupled to the mechanical compressor and operable to separate liquid and vapor received from the mechanical compressor, a plurality of heat exchangers coupled inside respective ones of the vessels, the heat exchanger in the first vessel in the series operable to receive the vapor from the tank, at least some of the vapor condensing therein, whereby the heat of condensation provides the heat of evaporation to the first vessel in the series, and wherein at least some of the vapor inside the first vessel in the series is delivered to the heat exchanger in the next vessel in the series, whereby the condensing, evaporating, a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignees: Texas A&M University System, StarRotor Corporation
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, Gary P. Noyes, George A. Rabroker
  • Patent number: 7663283
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electric machine comprises a stator and a rotor. The stator has at least one stator pole with a first leg and a second leg. The rotor has at least one rotor pole. The rotor rotates relate to the stator. The at least one rotor is configured to rotate between the first leg and the second leg of the at least one stator pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignees: The Texas A & M University System, StarRoter Corporation
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker, Babak Fahimi, Mehrdad Ehsani
  • Publication number: 20100003152
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a cam plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker, Michael K. Ross