Patents by Inventor Irving W. DeVoe

Irving W. DeVoe 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).

  • Patent number: 7780852
    Abstract: A system for producing energy includes a solvent chamber, a pressure chamber and a semi-permeable barrier separating the solvent chamber from the pressure chamber. The solvent chamber holds a solvent, and the pressure chamber hold a solute solution comprising a solute dissolved in a solvent. The semi-permeable barrier is permeable to solvent molecules and impermeable to solute molecules. Solvent molecules effuse across the semi-permeable barrier into the solute solution of the closed pressure chamber to increase the pressure of the pressure chamber, thereby generating energy in the form of hydrostatic pressure. A conversion device may convert the increased pressure in the pressure chamber to energy. The solute solution may be expelled and recycled after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Effusion Dynamics, LLC
    Inventor: Irving W. DeVoe
  • Patent number: 7727392
    Abstract: A system for producing energy includes a solvent chamber, a pressure chamber and a semi-permeable barrier separating the solvent chamber from the pressure chamber. The solvent chamber for holds a solvent, and the pressure chamber hold a solute solution comprising a solute dissolved in a solvent. The semi-permeable barrier is permeable to solvent molecules and impermeable to solute molecules. Solvent molecules effuse across the semi-permeable barrier into the solute solution of the closed pressure chamber to increase the pressure of the pressure chamber, thereby generating energy in the form of hydrostatic pressure. A conversion device may convert the increased pressure in the pressure chamber to energy. The solute solution may be expelled and recycled after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Effusion Dynamics LLC
    Inventor: Irving W. DeVoe
  • Publication number: 20090000288
    Abstract: A system for producing energy includes a solvent chamber, a pressure chamber and a semi-permeable barrier separating the solvent chamber from the pressure chamber. The solvent chamber for holds a solvent, and the pressure chamber hold a solute solution comprising a solute dissolved in a solvent. The semi-permeable barrier is permeable to solvent molecules and impermeable to solute molecules. Solvent molecules effuse across the semi-permeable barrier into the solute solution of the closed pressure chamber to increase the pressure of the pressure chamber, thereby generating energy in the form of hydrostatic pressure. A conversion device may convert the increased pressure in the pressure chamber to energy. The solute solution may be expelled and recycled after use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Irving W. DeVoe
  • Patent number: 5173179
    Abstract: Apparatus for removal of a desired material from a liquid is described, in which the liquid is cycled through a plurality of liquid treatment containers in a first direction and brought into countercurrent contact with a medium for recovery of the desired material cycled through the treatment containers in a second, opposite direction. After treatment of the liquid, the medium is advantageously regenerated in a plurality of medium regeneration containers. The used medium is cycled through a plurality of medium regeneration containers in a first direction and brought into countercurrent contact with a medium regeneration liquid cycled through the regeneration containers in a second, opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Metanetix, Inc.
    Inventors: Irving W. DeVoe, Olwyn A. D'Sylva, David A. Fine
  • Patent number: 5089123
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for continuous separation and optional recovery of one or more contaminants from a liquid, and in particular, for isolation of one or more specific elements, isotopes, ions, complexes and/or compounds from mixtures of similar or dissimilar materials, whereby the liquid containing such mixture is treated continuously, and the thus-isolated material may if desired be economically recovered. Through the use of means for continuously moving an affinity medium in a direction countercurrent to the flow of a liquid containing the material to be isolated, it is possible to obtain contaminant removal efficiencies comparable or superior to what would be obtained with heretofore known methods, and to achieve selective removal of one or more contaminants from a mixture. The affinity medium is selected on the basis of its ability to form an association with one or more of the components of the mixture being treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Metanetix, Inc.
    Inventor: Irving W. DeVoe
  • Patent number: 5066371
    Abstract: A method for removal of at least one contaminant from a liquid is described, wherein a first step in liquid is introduced into a first of a plurality of liquid treatment containers and brought into contact in a liquid-medium suspension with a first quantity of a solid contaminant recovery medium for removing the contaminant for a period of time sufficient to achieve a desired efficiency of recovery of the contaminant. The liquid is then cycled from the first liquid treatment container sequentially through each of the plurality of liquid treatment containers to a final liquid treatment container while contacting the liquid in each of the liquid treatment containers with additional quantities of the medium in liquid-medium suspension for periods of time sufficient to achieve the desired efficiency of recovery in each of the liquid treatment containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Metanetix, Inc.
    Inventors: Irving W. DeVoe, Olwyn A. D'Sylva, David A. Fine
  • Patent number: 4626416
    Abstract: The present invention relates to insoluble compositions, which are capable of removing metal (e.g. selectively) from solution (e.g. Fe.sup.3+ from a liquid nutrient medium so as to lower the Fe.sup.3+ content to less than 0.1 .mu.M); the insoluble compositions comprise: a suitable insoluble carrier and organic co-ordinating sites covalently fixed to the surface of said carrier, said co-ordinating sites being capable of chelating Fe.sup.3+, Th.sup.4+ and/or UO.sub.2.sup.2+.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Devoe-Holbein International, N.V.
    Inventors: Irving W. DeVoe, Bruce E. Holbein
  • Patent number: 4585559
    Abstract: The present invention relates to insoluble compositions, which are capable of removing metal (e.g. selectively) from solution (e.g. Fe.sup.3+ from a liquid nutrient medium so as to lower the Fe.sup.3+ content to less than 0.1 .mu.M); the insoluble compositions comprise: a suitable insoluble carrier and organic co-ordinating sites covalently fixed to the surface of said carrier, said co-ordinating sites being capable of chelating Fe.sup.3+, Th.sup.4+ and/or UO.sub.2.sup.2+.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: DeVoe-Holbein International, N.V.
    Inventors: Irving W. DeVoe, Bruce E. Holbein
  • Patent number: 4530963
    Abstract: The present invention relates to insoluble compositions, which are capable of removing metal (e.g. selectively) from solution (e.g. Fe.sup.3+ from a liquid nutrient medium so as to lower the Fe.sup.3+ content to less than 0.1 .mu.M); the insoluble compositions comprise: a suitable insoluble carrier and organic co-ordinating sites covalently fixed to the surface of said carrier, said co-ordinating sites being capable of chelating Fe.sup.3+, Th.sup.4+ and/or UO.sub.2.sup.2+.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Assignee: Devoe-Holbein International, N.V.
    Inventors: Irving W. DeVoe, Bruce E. Holbein