Patents by Inventor John Flottvik

John Flottvik 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: 8795476
    Abstract: A reactor for converting organic feed is provided. A retort extends through the furnace of the reactor. The retort has a retort auger, an inlet and an outlet. The reactor includes a charcoal delivery assembly having a collection line, delivery line, and a transfer zone. The collection line is adjacent to the outlet of the retort receives charcoal from the retort, and contains a collection auger with a flighted portion extending at least partially therethrough. The delivery line is connected to a downstream portion of the collection line and has a flighted delivery auger extending therethrough. The transfer zone is a space, between a downstream end of the flighted portion of the collection auger and an upstream end of the flighted delivery auger, where charcoal collected and delivered by the collection auger forms a plug, thereby blocking biogas from the retort from entering the delivery line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Inventor: John Flottvik
  • Patent number: 8419901
    Abstract: A reactor is provided for converting organic material to charcoal, with the reactor having a furnace and a retort extending through the furnace. The retort has an auger extending therethrough, with the auger having a flight with gaps therein. Members project inwardly from the walls of the retort at the gaps in the flight to unplug blockages in the retort. A gas collection system is provided which has a branched portion having two or more venting tubes, each with valves so that each may be shut off independently to allow to off-line cleaning without requiring shutdown of the system. A method for converting organic material may be practised by introducing combustible materials into the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: 0752831 B.C. Ltd.
    Inventor: John Flottvik
  • Publication number: 20120073949
    Abstract: A reactor for converting organic feed is provided. A retort extends through the furnace of the reactor. The retort has a retort auger, an inlet and an outlet. The reactor includes a charcoal delivery assembly having a collection line, delivery line, and a transfer zone. The collection line is adjacent to the outlet of the retort receives charcoal from the retort, and contains a collection auger with a flighted portion extending at least partially therethrough. The delivery line is connected to a downstream portion of the collection line and has a flighted delivery auger extending therethrough. The transfer zone is a space, between a downstream end of the flighted portion of the collection auger and an upstream end of the flighted delivery auger, where charcoal collected and delivered by the collection auger forms a plug, thereby blocking biogas from the retort from entering the delivery line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: John Flottvik
  • Patent number: 7749359
    Abstract: A reactor is provided for converting organic material to charcoal, with the reactor having a furnace and a retort extending through the furnace. The retort has an auger extending therethrough, with the auger having a flight with gaps therein. Members project inwardly from the walls of the retort at the gaps in the flight to unplug blockages in the retort. A gas collection system is provided which has a branched portion having two or more venting tubes, each with valves so that each may be shut off independently to allow to off-line cleaning without requiring shutdown of the system. A method for converting organic material may be practiced by introducing combustible materials into the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: 0752831 B.C. Ltd.
    Inventor: John Flottvik
  • Publication number: 20090211151
    Abstract: A reactor is provided for converting organic material to charcoal, with the reactor having a furnace and a retort extending through the furnace. The retort has an auger extending therethrough, with the auger having a flight with gaps therein. Members project inwardly from the walls of the retort at the gaps in the flight to unplug blockages in the retort. A gas collection system is provided which has a branched portion having two or more venting tubes, each with valves so that each may be shut off independently to allow to off-line cleaning without requiring shutdown of the system. A method for converting organic material may be practiced by introducing combustible materials into the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: John Flottvik
  • Publication number: 20070209923
    Abstract: A reactor is provided for converting organic material to charcoal, with the reactor having a furnace and a retort extending through the furnace. The retort has an auger extending therethrough, with the auger having a flight with gaps therein. Members project inwardly from the walls of the retort at the gaps in the flight to unplug blockages in the retort. A gas collection system is provided which has a branched portion having two or more venting tubes, each with valves so that each may be shut off independently to allow to off-line cleaning without requiring shutdown of the system. A method for converting organic material may be practised by introducing combustible materials into the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventor: John Flottvik