Patents by Inventor Joseph E. Wolfe

Joseph E. Wolfe 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: 20100276827
    Abstract: A method for producing nanoparticles which includes dissolving a solute into a solvent forming a solution, feeding the solution through a liquid entrance port of a convergent-divergent nozzle; feeding a carrier gas into a gas entrance port of the nozzle, mixing the solution and the carrier gas prior to entering the nozzle, upon exiting the nozzle the solution is atomized to micron sized droplets, and the evaporating the solvent and leaving behind solid state nanoparticles of the solute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin Smith, Joseph E. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 7523876
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing two or more fluids, gases or other substances and conveying said fluids, gases or other substances through a convergent-divergent (C-D) nozzle to produce a highly atomized output flow that is adjustable from no atomization to full atomization, said preferred embodiment of said apparatus having a housing and a nose portion and a gripping portion, the housing including an outer conduit and an inner conduit, the outer and inner conduits positioned and arranged to convey fluids, gases and other substances from an entry point to an exit point and into the entry end of a C-D nozzle and through said C-D nozzle to produce an output flow. The location of the outer conduit, inner conduit and C-D nozzle may be adjusted to vary the output flow from no atomization to full atomization. The pressure and flow rate in each conduit may also be separately adjusted to obtain the desired output flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Joseph E. Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20080245898
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing two or more fluids, gases or other substances and conveying said fluids, gases or other substances through a convergent-divergent (C-D) nozzle to produce a highly atomized output flow that is adjustable from no atomization to full atomization, said preferred embodiment of said apparatus having a housing and a nose portion and a gripping portion, the housing including an outer conduit and an inner conduit, the outer and inner conduits positioned and arranged to convey fluids, gases and other substances from an entry point to an exit point and into the entry end of a C-D nozzle and through said C-D nozzle to produce an output flow. The location of the outer conduit, inner conduit and C-D nozzle may be adjusted to vary the output flow from no atomization to full atomization. The pressure and flow rate in each conduit may also be separately adjusted to obtain the desired output flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph E. Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20070278327
    Abstract: The fluids mixing nozzle includes a mixing chamber, a first fluid supply port, a second fluid supply port, a nozzle port and a converging-diverging nozzle. The mixing chamber includes a first side and a second side. The first fluid supply port flowably communicates with the mixing chamber. The second fluid supply port flowably communicates with the mixing chamber. The first fluid supply port and the second fluid supply port are disposed on the first side of the mixing chamber. The nozzle port is disposed on the second side of the mixing chamber and allows fluid communication between the mixing chamber and the converging-diverging nozzle. The converging-diverging nozzle includes a nozzle intake section, a convergent mixing flow zone, a throat section, a divergent mixing flow zone and a nozzle exit section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph E. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 7225999
    Abstract: Spray array apparatus which includes a plurality of water and air carrying spoke members extending radially from a central fluid distribution assembly. The spoke members are connected to a plurality of water and air carrying strut members. The spoke members are divided into segments and the segments and strut members are detachably joined together by means of manifold joints which have water and air passageways allowing fluid communication between spoke segments and strut members. The apparatus is towed at the end of a boom of a tanker aircraft and is connected to the boom by means of a gimbal allowing two degrees of freedom to reduce bending moments and connection stresses. Selected fluid parameters are transmitted to the tanker aircraft to adjust fluid flow, if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Curt M. Foianini, Thomas H. Hane, Joseph E. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6598802
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating a fine liquid mist includes a container capable of holding fluid; one of a perforated basket and a porous bag disposed in the container; a liquid supply connector connected to the container; a mixing chamber connected to the container; and at least one convergent/divergent nozzle connected to the mixing chamber. A method of forming an effervescent fine liquid mist includes mixing liquid and chemical reactant to form non-toxic, noncombustible gas bubbles; mixing the liquid and the gas bubbles to form a two-phase fluid flow; and directing the two-phase fluid flow through at least one convergent/divergent nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Joseph E. Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20020023973
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating a fine liquid mist includes a container capable of holding fluid; one of a perforated basket and a porous bag disposed in the container; a liquid supply connector connected to the container; a mixing chamber connected to the container; and at least one convergent/divergent nozzle connected to the mixing chamber. A method of forming an effervescent fine liquid mist includes mixing liquid and chemical reactant to form non-toxic, noncombustible gas bubbles; mixing the liquid and the gas bubbles to form a two-phase fluid flow; and directing the two-phase fluid flow through at least one convergent/divergent nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventor: Joseph E. Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20020023967
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating a fine liquid mist includes a container capable of holding fluid; one of a perforated basket and a porous bag disposed in the container; a liquid supply connector connected to the container; a mixing chamber connected to the container; and at least one convergent/divergent nozzle connected to the mixing chamber. A method of forming an effervescent fine liquid mist includes mixing liquid and chemical reactant to form non-toxic, noncombustible gas bubbles; mixing the liquid and the gas bubbles to form a two-phase fluid flow; and directing the two-phase fluid flow through at least one convergent/divergent nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventor: Joseph E. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6241164
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating a fine liquid mist includes a container capable of holding fluid; one of a perforated basket and a porous bag disposed in the container; a liquid supply connector connected to the container; a mixing chamber connected to the container; and at least one convergent/divergent nozzle connected to the mixing chamber. A method of forming an effervescent fine liquid mist includes mixing liquid and chemical reactant to form non-toxic, noncombustible gas bubbles; mixing the liquid and the gas bubbles to form a two-phase fluid flow; and directing the two-phase fluid flow through at least one convergent/divergent nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Joseph E. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 5520331
    Abstract: A convergent/divergent gas nozzle atomizes a liquid provided through a lid delivery tube having an aperture which is centered within a central gas conduit of an upstream mixing block connected to the nozzle. The aperture of the liquid delivery tube is located just upstream of a narrowed throat of the nozzle. The throat of the nozzle is dimensioned such that its inside diameter is equal to the outside diameter of the liquid injector tube. A spout is located at the discharge end of the nozzle which has an inside diameter equal to two times the inside diameter of the throat. This nozzle displays superior performance, providing an extremely fine mist having high momentum. This nozzle is particularly well-suited to fire extinguishment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Joseph E. Wolfe