Patents by Inventor Harold D. Curtis

Harold D. Curtis 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: 20230324134
    Abstract: A liquid collection assembly positionable between a fill material and a fan of a cooling tower for collecting liquid gravitating through the fill material while allowing air to pass up to the fill material. The liquid collection assembly includes a plurality of trough assemblies supported in a spaced apart, vertically overlapping relationship to provide a uniform path for rising air, to capture the down flowing liquid, to provide a barrier between the liquid distribution system and the fan, and to carry the liquid into the at least one gutter. The trough assemblies are supported by a first end plate and a second end plate through which trough assemblies extend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventor: Harold D. Curtis
  • Patent number: 11609051
    Abstract: A liquid collection assembly positionable between a fill material and a fan of a cooling tower for collecting liquid gravitating through the fill material while allowing air to pass up to the fill material. The liquid collection assembly includes a plurality of trough assemblies supported in a spaced apart, vertically overlapping relationship to provide a uniform path for rising air, to capture the down flowing liquid, to provide a barrier between the liquid distribution system and the fan, and to carry the liquid into the at least one gutter. The trough assemblies are supported by a first end plate and a second end plate through which trough assemblies extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Harold D. Revocable Trust
    Inventor: Harold D. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20210318082
    Abstract: A liquid collection assembly positionable between a fill material and a fan of a cooling tower for collecting liquid gravitating through the fill material while allowing air to pass up to the fill material. The liquid collection assembly includes that includes a plurality of trough assemblies supported in a spaced apart, vertically overlapping relationship to provide a uniform path for rising air, to capture the down flowing liquid, to provide a barrier between the liquid distribution system and the fan, and to carry the liquid into the at least one gutter. The trough assemblies are supported by a first end plate and a second end plate through which trough assemblies extend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventor: Harold D. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20210318083
    Abstract: A liquid collection assembly positionable between a fill material and a fan of a cooling tower for collecting liquid gravitating through the fill material while allowing air to pass up to the fill material. The liquid collection assembly includes that includes a plurality of trough assemblies supported in a spaced apart, vertically overlapping relationship to provide a uniform path for rising air, to capture the down flowing liquid, to provide a barrier between the liquid distribution system and the fan, and to carry the liquid into the at least one gutter. The trough assemblies are supported by a first end plate and a second end plate through which trough assemblies extend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventor: Harold D. Curtis
  • Patent number: 11141744
    Abstract: A spray nozzle that includes a nozzle body defining a first surface, a cap defining a second surface able to define an annular nozzle opening therebetween, a turbine having a plurality of radially extending fins circumferentially positioned about the nozzle opening for directing the flow of fluid exiting the nozzle opening, and a reverser member including a cup portion positioned below the cap to intercept the flow of fluid from a flow passage of the cap. The reverser member coupled to the turbine such that the reverser member is caused to rotate in response to rotation of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventor: Harold D. Curtis
  • Patent number: 10852079
    Abstract: An apparatus has a housing with at least one gutter, a body of fill material disposed in the housing, a liquid distribution system disposed in the housing and positioned above the fill material, a fan positioned below the body of fill material for blowing air upward through the fill material, a liquid collection assembly positioned between the fill material and the fan for collecting the liquid gravitating through the fill material. The liquid collection assembly has at least one troughless, open sided surface element angled so gravity is utilized to capture the down flowing liquid to provide a barrier between the fill media and the fan and to carry the liquid down the surface element and into the at least one gutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Inventor: Harold D. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20190024992
    Abstract: An apparatus has a housing with at least one gutter, a body of fill material disposed in the housing, a liquid distribution system disposed in the housing and positioned above the fill material, a fan positioned below the body of fill material for blowing air upward through the fill material, a liquid collection assembly positioned between the fill material and the fan for collecting the liquid gravitating through the fill material. The liquid collection assembly has at least one troughless, open sided surface element angled so gravity is utilized to capture the down flowing liquid to provide a barrier between the fill media and the fan and to carry the liquid down the surface element and into the at least one gutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventor: Harold D. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20170297043
    Abstract: A spray nozzle that includes a nozzle body defining a first surface, a cap defining a second surface able to define an annular nozzle opening therebetween, a turbine having a plurality of radially extending fins circumferentially positioned about the nozzle opening for directing the flow of fluid exiting the nozzle opening, and a reverser member including a cup portion positioned below the cap to intercept the flow of fluid from a flow passage of the cap. The reverser member coupled to the turbine such that the reverser member is caused to rotate in response to rotation of the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventor: Harold D. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20150305621
    Abstract: A medical device for measuring joint force comprises a sleeve configured to receive a User's thumb and having connected thereto a force sensor, control circuitry, and a data transmission module. The force sensor is positioned in the sleeve to measure a force or pressure exerted by the User's thumb on a patient's body when the sleeve is about the User's thumb. The force sensor outputs an analog signal representing the force measured by the sensor. The control circuitry is in electrical communication with the force sensor and includes an analog to digital converter to convert the analog signal to a digital force signal. The data transmission module transmits the digital force signal to a computing device to generate a medical record for the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Mohammad Faisal Khan, Harold D. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20100230513
    Abstract: A spray nozzle having a tubular nozzle body with a fluid passage defined by an annular surface substantially square shaped in configuration causing a fluid exiting the nozzle body to exit as a substantially square shaped column of fluid and a turbine positioned below the nozzle body to distribute the square shaped column of fluid into a substantially square shaped spray pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Harold D. Curtis
  • Patent number: 7261248
    Abstract: A spray nozzle that includes a nozzle body defining a first surface, a cap defining a second surface able to define an annular nozzle opening therebetween, and a turbine having a plurality of radially extending fins circumferentially positioned about the nozzle opening for directing the flow of fluid exiting the nozzle opening. The turbine is rotatably connected to the cap such that the nozzle opening is free of any portion of the turbine. The spray nozzle further includes a grinding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventor: Harold D. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20040195359
    Abstract: A fluid distributing apparatus is disclosed. The fluid distributing apparatus includes an orifice housing defining a first surface, a deflector plate defining a second surface spaced apart from the first surface to define an annular nozzle opening therebetween, and a turbine located between the first and second surfaces and freely rotatable between the first and second surfaces. The turbine has a plurality of radially extending fins each having leading edge, a trailing edge, and a radial surface for directing the flow of fluid exiting the nozzle opening. At least a first one of the fins has a vane extending at an angle relative to the radial surface so as to redirect the flow of fluid passing along the radial surface of the fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Harold D. Curtis
  • Patent number: 5958306
    Abstract: A collection system for use in cooling towers is disclosed. The collection system includes a plurality of spaced collection troughs with a pre-collector thereabove disposed between the fill material in the cooling tower and the collection troughs. The pre-collector includes a plurality of corrugated sheets positioned laterally and transversely adjacent one another to substantially fill the space between the collection troughs and the fill material. Water falling through the cooling tower will fall on the corrugations and will be directed by the corrugations into vertical discharge drains defined by the corrugated sheets. The vertical discharge drains will direct liquid falling onto the sloped flow surfaces defined by the corrugated sheets into collection troughs therebelow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Harold D. Curtis
  • Patent number: 5545356
    Abstract: A direct forced counterflow cooling tower apparatus includes concrete side walls having L-shaped troughs located at the lower ends thereof. The cooling tower includes a liquid distribution system, fill material located below the liquid distribution system, a drainage collection system located below the fill material and a fan located below the drainage collection system. Liquid is supplied to the tower and is distributed on top of the fill material. The liquid will pass downward therethrough and will be collected by the drainage collection system. The drainage collection system will communicate the liquid to the troughs located at the lower end of the longitudinal side walls. A modular cooling tower construction includes the cooling tower apparatus in combination with at least one additional cooling tower apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Tower Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold D. Curtis, Randal K. Oberlag
  • Patent number: 5487531
    Abstract: A direct forced draft counterflow cooling tower apparatus is provided with a dual layer drainage collection system. Preferably, the lower layer of collection plates is formed of hollow plates having interiors which receive the warm water collected on the upper layer of plates. This provides a thermal charging or warming of the lower plates so as to prevent icing of the lower layer of plates of the drainage collection system during cold wintertime operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Tower Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold D. Curtis
  • Patent number: 5487849
    Abstract: A modular cooling tower apparatus is formed from a plurality of pultruded fiberglass structural members. Four hollow beams are joined together to form a combined liquid basin and support frame structure. A dual-layer drainage collection system rests upon the hollow beams and collects liquid and drains it into the hollow beams. A five-foot-thick body of fill material rests upon the drainage collection system. The overall height of the assembly from the bottom of the basin to the top of the unit is less than eleven feet thus allowing transportation on conventional trucking equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Tower Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold D. Curtis
  • Patent number: 5227095
    Abstract: A direct forced draft counterflow water cooling tower module includes an integral one-piece frame and basin preferably constructed from molded fiberglass. The cooling tower includes a liquid distribution system, fill material located below the liquid distribution system, a drainage collection system located below the fill material, and at least one fan located below the drainage collection system. The fan blows cooling air directly upward through the drainage collection system and then through the fill material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Inventor: Harold D. Curtis
  • Patent number: 5152458
    Abstract: A fluid distributing apparatus provides a fountain-type distributor which effects substantially uniform radial distribution of fluid across a spray pattern. An irregular spaced annular nozzle opening is provided for deflecting the spray pattern into a non-circular pattern, and in a preferred case into a square pattern. Also, an automatic adjustment varies the spacing around the entire nozzle opening to accommodate varying supply pressures. The distributor is particularly suited for use in industrial cooling towers to increase the efficiency of the cooling towers by increasing the uniformity of water distribution across the fill material of the cooling tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Inventor: Harold D. Curtis
  • Patent number: 5143657
    Abstract: A fluid distributing apparatus provides a fountain-type distributor which effects substantially uniform radial distribution of fluid across a spray pattern. A fixed deflector is provided for deflecting the spray pattern into a non-circular pattern, and in a preferred case into a rectangular pattern. The distributor is particularly suited for use in industrial cooling towers to increase the efficiency of the cooling towers by increasing the uniformity of water distribution across the fill material of the cooling tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Inventor: Harold D. Curtis
  • Patent number: 4301097
    Abstract: A portable auxiliary cooling tower which is transportable over-the-highway for temporary or permanent use at a desired site. The tower is typically constructed on a trailer frame and is designed to provide maximum air flow for maximum cooling to temporarily replace or supplement larger fixed cooling tower cells. Another use of the portable cooling tower is to aerate stock ponds, chemical holding ponds and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Inventor: Harold D. Curtis