Patents by Inventor Jacob M. Culley
Jacob M. Culley 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: 20240084206Abstract: A biomass gasifier for producing syngas. The biomass gasifier includes a first tube having an air distribution manifold that extend within the gasification chamber. The first tube is rotatably positioned within a second tube, where the second tube is connected to a mixer below the air distribution manifold. The first tube has an air passage that is fluidly connected to an air source to deliver air to the combustion chamber through a plurality of air outlets within the air distribution manifold for distribution. The first tube is independently rotated from the second tube to evenly distribute air within the combustion chamber and the second tube with the mixer are rotated to agitate the biomass within the combustion chamber once a desired operating temperature range within the combustion chamber has been achieved.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Jacob M. Culley, Daniel A. Howard, Tim E. Farley
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Patent number: 11827859Abstract: A biomass gasifier for producing syngas. The biomass gasifier includes a first tube having an air distribution manifold that extend within the gasification chamber. The first tube is rotatably positioned within a second tube, where the second tube is connected to a mixer below the air distribution manifold. The first tube has an air passage that is fluidly connected to an air source to deliver air to the combustion chamber through a plurality of air outlets within the air distribution manifold for distribution. The first tube is independently rotated from the second tube to evenly distribute air within the combustion chamber and the second tube with the mixer are rotated to agitate the biomass within the combustion chamber once a desired operating temperature range within the combustion chamber has been achieved.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: NuPhY, Inc.Inventors: Jacob M. Culley, Daniel A. Howard, Tim E. Farley
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Publication number: 20230357655Abstract: A biomass gasifier for producing syngas. The biomass gasifier includes a first tube having an air distribution manifold that extend within the gasification chamber. The first tube is rotatably positioned within a second tube, where the second tube is connected to a mixer below the air distribution manifold. The first tube has an air passage that is fluidly connected to an air source to deliver air to the combustion chamber through a plurality of air outlets within the air distribution manifold for distribution. The first tube is independently rotated from the second tube to evenly distribute air within the combustion chamber and the second tube with the mixer are rotated to agitate the biomass within the combustion chamber once a desired operating temperature range within the combustion chamber has been achieved.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2022Publication date: November 9, 2023Inventors: Jacob M. Culley, Daniel A. Howard, Tim E. Farley
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Patent number: 10047308Abstract: A gasifier system for reducing the particle size of non-gas byproducts of the gasification process. The gasifier system generally includes a grinder that permits uninterrupted syngas flow during gasification of biomass that contains high amounts of silica and/or salts. The described system and method incorporates a grinder that breaks apart the resultant non-gas byproducts into finer particles that may be flushed out of a gasifier using the syngas stream. The particles may then be easily separated from the gas stream in a separator and collected in a char or waste bin for removal/disposal.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Ag Energy Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Philip W. Appel, Thomas D. Weir, Jacob M. Culley, Sarah E. Love, Daniel A. Howard
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Apparatuses, systems, tar crackers, and methods for gasifying having at least two modes of operation
Patent number: 9631151Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, tar crackers, and methods for breaking down vaporized tars in a syngas stream are described. An example system may include a gasifier comprising a combustion chamber configured to, during a startup operation, receive heated air at a first port near a bottom of the combustion chamber and to support combustion of a column of biomass feedstock in an upward direction within the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber may be further configured to receive, during normal operation, air at a second port near a top of the combustion chamber to support gasification of the column of biomass feedstock in a downward direction within the combustion chamber to provide syngas from the first port near the bottom of the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: AG ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Philip W. Appel, Thomas D. Weir, Jacob M. Culley -
Publication number: 20170073593Abstract: A gasifier system for reducing the particle size of non-gas byproducts of the gasification process. The gasifier system generally includes a grinder that permits uninterrupted syngas flow during gasification of biomass that contains high amounts of silica and/or salts. The described system and method incorporates a grinder that breaks apart the resultant non-gas byproducts into finer particles that may be flushed out of a gasifier using the syngas stream. The particles may then be easily separated from the gas stream in a separator and collected in a char or waste bin for removal/disposal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: Philip W. Appel, Thomas D. Weir, Jacob M. Culley, Sarah E. Love, Daniel A. Howard
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Publication number: 20170066696Abstract: A biochar and fly ash germination accelerant system for improving soil conditions for seed germination and growth. The biochar and fly ash germination accelerant system generally includes a base material comprised of activated carbon in a granular material state and a liming material combined with the base material. The liming material is comprised of a fly ash material in a powder state that coats the base material. The combination of the base material and the liming material is inserted into the soil near the seed during planting to lower the acidity of the soil surrounding the seed to accelerate germination.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2015Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Philip W. Appel, Jacob M. Culley
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Patent number: 9567539Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, mobile gasification systems, and methods for gasifying residual biomass are described. An example system may include a mobile gasification system configured to gasify feedstock generated from residual biomass to provide syngas. The mobile gasification system may be configured to generate electrical power using the syngas. The mobile gasification system may be configured to be installed in a transportable structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: AG ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Philip W. Appel, Thomas D. Weir, Jacob M. Culley, Timothy E. Farley, Daniel A. Howard, Sarah E. Love
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APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, TAR CRACKERS, AND METHODS FOR GASIFYING HAVING AT LEAST TWO MODES OF OPERATION
Publication number: 20160068772Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, tar crackers, and methods for breaking down vaporized tars in a syngas stream are described. An example system may include a gasifier comprising a combustion chamber configured to, during a startup operation, receive heated air at a first port near a bottom of the combustion chamber and to support combustion of a column of biomass feedstock in an upward direction within the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber may be further configured to receive, during normal operation, air at a second port near a top of the combustion chamber to support gasification of the column of biomass feedstock in a downward direction within the combustion chamber to provide syngas from the first port near the bottom of the combustion chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2015Publication date: March 10, 2016Inventors: PHILIP W. APPEL, THOMAS D. WEIR, JACOB M. CULLEY -
Publication number: 20150059245Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, mobile gasification systems, and methods for gasifying residual biomass are described. An example system may include a mobile gasification system configured to gasify feedstock generated from residual biomass to provide syngas. The mobile gasification system may be configured to generate electrical power using the syngas. The mobile gasification system may be configured to be installed in a transportable structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Philip W. Appel, Thomas D. Weir, Jacob M. Culley, Timothy E. Farley, Daniel A. Howard, Sarah E. Love
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Patent number: 8715119Abstract: An adjustable chain drive system is adapted for uses such as moving product through a conveyor system, and can be configured using a chain, belt or similar structure. Two driven sprockets are movable on a slide, allowing the distance between them to be adjusted. In one example, such adjustment allows conveyor belts to be separated by a desired distance. A drive sprocket and endless chain is used in the drive system. In one configuration, the endless chain includes an adjustable chain segment separating the first and second driven sprockets. To compensate for movement of the first and/or second driven sprockets and change in length of the adjustable chain segment between them, lengths of first and/or second secondary adjustable chain segments adjacent to the adjustable chain segment are varied.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2007Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: R.A. Pearson CompanyInventors: Michael J. Johnson, Richard A. McQuary, Jacob M. Culley, Casey L. McGourin
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Publication number: 20090261049Abstract: A kitchen utensil organizer is provided by a block member. The block member includes an elongate base, a rib, an array of intermittently spaced-apart male members and a complementary array of interlocking female members. The rib extends from the base and has an array of spaced apart slots each sized to receive individual utensils. The array of intermittently spaced-apart male members extends laterally from one side of the base. The complementary array of interlocking female members extends laterally from another side of the base, opposite the one side.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2009Publication date: October 22, 2009Inventors: Richard Allen McQuary, Jacob M. Culley
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Patent number: 7334676Abstract: A compensating roller system is adapted to adjust to size variation of product moving through a conveyor system. In one example, the compensating roller system is used to control a force resulting in deflection of a conveyor belt. In a specific implementation of such an example, a first rail is configured to support a first conveyor belt. A plurality of rollers is attached to the first rail and supports a conveyor belt moving over the rollers. The attachment allows each roller to pivot independently of movement of other rollers. Each of the rollers' movement is against a bias, and allows for deflection of the conveyor belt. A second rail may be configured as the first rail, and oriented define a channel for product movement between conveyor belts carried by the first and second rails.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2007Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Pearson Packaging SystemsInventors: Casey L. McGourin, Richard A. McQuary, Jacob M. Culley, Michael J. Johnson