Patents by Inventor John E. Kidwell

John E. Kidwell 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: 7347059
    Abstract: A coaxial-flow heat transfer system for installation in a geological environment and facilitating the transfer of heat energy between an external heat energy producing system and the geological environment. In the coaxial-flow heat transfer system, aqueous-based heat transfer fluid is pumped through the external heat energy exchanging system so as to transfer heat between the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid and the external heat energy exchanging system. The coaxial-flow heat transfer system comprises a coaxial-flow heat transfer structure for installation within the geological environment and having a proximal end and a distal end for exchanging heat between a source of fluid at a first temperature and a geological environment at a second temperature. The coaxial-flow heat transfer structure comprises a thermally conductive outer tube section, and an inner tube section having an inner flow channel and being coaxially arranged within the outer tube section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Kelix Heat Transfer Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Kidwell, Michael L. Fraime
  • Patent number: 7343753
    Abstract: A coaxial-flow heat transfer system installed in a geological environment and facilitating the transfer of heat energy between an external heat energy exchanging system and the geological environment. The coaxial-flow heat transfer system includes aqueous-based heat transfer fluid that is pumped through the external heat energy exchanging system so as to transfer heat between the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid and the external heat energy exchanging system. A coaxial-flow heat transfer structure is installed within the geological environment and has a proximal end and a distal end for exchanging heat between the source of aqueous-based heat transfer fluid at a first temperature and a geological environment at a second temperature. The coaxial-flow heat transfer structure comprises a thermally conductive outer tube section, and an inner tube section having an inner flow channel and being coaxially arranged within the outer tube section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Kelix Heat Transfer Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Kidwell, Michael L. Fraime
  • Patent number: 7093454
    Abstract: A heat transfer engine having cooling and heating modes of reversible operation, in which heat can be effectively transferred within diverse user environments for cooling, heating and dehumidification applications. The heat transfer engine of the present invention includes a rotor structure which is rotatably supported within a stator structure. The stator has primary and secondary heat exchanging chambers in thermal isolation from each other. The rotor has primary and secondary heat transferring portions within which a closed fluid flow circuit is embodied. The closed fluid flow circuit within the rotor has a spiraled fluid-return passageway extending along its rotary shaft, and is charged with a refrigerant which is automatically circulated between the primary and secondary heat transferring portions of the rotor when the rotor is rotated within an optimized angular velocity range under the control of a temperature-responsive system controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Kelix Heat Transfer Systems, LLC
    Inventor: John E. Kidwell
  • Patent number: 6964176
    Abstract: A heat transfer engine having cooling and heating modes of reversible operation, in which heat can be effectively transferred within diverse user environments for cooling, heating and dehumidification applications. The heat transfer engine of the present invention includes a rotor structure which is rotatably supported within a stator structure. The stator has primary and secondary heat exchanging chambers in thermal isolation from each other. The rotor has primary and secondary heat transferring portions within which a closed fluid flow circuit is embodied. The closed fluid flow circuit within the rotor has a spiraled fluid-return passageway extending along its rotary shaft, and is charged with a refrigerant which is automatically circulated between the primary and secondary heat transferring portions of the rotor when the rotor is rotated within an optimized angular velocity range under the control of a temperature-responsive system controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Kelix Heat Transfer Systems, LLC
    Inventor: John E. Kidwell
  • Patent number: 6948328
    Abstract: A rotor structure rotatably supported within a stator structure, having primary and secondary heat exchanging chambers in thermal isolation from each other. The rotor structure has primary and secondary heat transferring portions within which a closed fluid flow circuit is embodied. The closed fluid flow circuit within the rotor has a spiraled fluid-return passageway extending along its rotary shaft, and is charged with a refrigerant which is automatically circulated between the primary and secondary heat transferring portions of the rotor when the rotor is rotated within an optimized angular velocity range under the control of a temperature-responsive system controller. A technically feasible heat transfer engine can be built upon the rotor structure, while avoiding the need for conventional external compressors, and allowing the use of environmentally safe refrigerants. Various embodiments of the heat transfer engine are disclosed, in addition to methods of manufacture and fields and applications of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Kidwell
  • Publication number: 20040040324
    Abstract: A heat transfer engine having cooling and heating modes of reversible operation, in which heat can be effectively transferred within diverse user environments for cooling, heating and dehumidification applications. The heat transfer engine of the present invention includes a rotor structure which is rotatably supported within a stator structure. The stator has primary and secondary heat exchanging chambers in thermal isolation from each other. The rotor has primary and secondary heat transferring portions within which a closed fluid flow circuit is embodied. The closed fluid flow circuit within the rotor has a spiraled fluid-return passageway extending along its rotary shaft, and is charged with a refrigerant which is automatically circulated between the primary and secondary heat transferring portions of the rotor when the rotor is rotated within an optimized angular velocity range under the control of a temperature-responsive system controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: John E. Kidwell
  • Publication number: 20030217566
    Abstract: A heat transfer engine having cooling and heating modes of reversible operation, in which heat can be effectively transferred within diverse user environments for cooling, heating and dehumidification applications. The heat transfer engine of the present invention includes a rotor structure which is rotatably supported within a stator structure. The stator has primary and secondary heat exchanging chambers in thermal isolation from each other. The rotor has primary and secondary heat transferring portions within which a closed fluid flow circuit is embodied. The closed fluid flow circuit within the rotor has a spiraled fluid-return passageway extending along its rotary shaft, and is charged with a refrigerant which is automatically circulated between the primary and secondary heat transferring portions of the rotor when the rotor is rotated within an optimized angular velocity range under the control of a temperature-responsive system controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: John E. Kidwell
  • Publication number: 20030145621
    Abstract: A heat transfer engine having cooling and heating modes of reversible operation, in which heat can be effectively transferred within diverse user environments for cooling, heating and dehumidification applications. The heat transfer engine of the present invention includes a rotor structure which is rotatably supported within a stator structure. The stator has primary and secondary heat exchanging chambers in thermal isolation from each other. The rotor has primary and secondary heat transferring portions within which a closed fluid flow circuit is embodied. The closed fluid flow circuit within the rotor has a spiraled fluid-return passageway extending along its rotary shaft, and is charged with a refrigerant which is automatically circulated between the primary and secondary heat transferring portions of the rotor when the rotor is rotated within an optimized angular velocity range under the control of a temperature-responsive system controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: John E. Kidwell
  • Publication number: 20020092316
    Abstract: A heat transfer engine having cooling and heating modes of reversible operation, in which heat can be effectively transferred within diverse user environments for cooling, heating and dehumidification applications. The heat transfer engine of the present invention includes a rotor structure which is rotatably supported within a stator structure. The stator has primary and secondary heat exchanging chambers in thermal isolation from each other. The rotor has primary and secondary heat transferring portions within which a closed fluid flow circuit is embodied. The closed fluid flow circuit within the rotor has a spiraled fluid-return passageway extending along its rotary shaft, and is charged with a refrigerant which is automatically circulated between the primary and secondary heat transferring portions of the rotor when the rotor is rotated within an optimized angular velocity range under the control of a temperature-responsive system controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: Kidwell Environmental, Ltd. Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Kidwell