Patents by Inventor Ken Reifsnider

Ken Reifsnider 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: 9238781
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a system for removing sulfur from liquid hydrocarbon fuel. The system includes a reactor having a fuel inlet and fuel outlet. The fuel inlet and fuel outlet are in fluid communication with a fuel path passing through the reactor. The fuel path is defined by an inner helical thread portion and an outer helical thread portion. The inner helical thread portion is complimentary with and has a smaller diameter than the outer helical thread portion. The inner helical thread portion surrounds a heating element and the outer helical thread portion is surrounded by an outer cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Yanhai Du, Ken Reifsnider
  • Publication number: 20140061098
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a system for removing sulfur from liquid hydrocarbon fuel. The system includes a reactor having a fuel inlet and fuel outlet. The fuel inlet and fuel outlet are in fluid communication with a fuel path passing through the reactor. The fuel path is defined by an inner helical thread portion and an outer helical thread portion. The inner helical thread portion is complimentary with and has a smaller diameter than the outer helical thread portion. The inner helical thread portion surrounds a heating element and the outer helical thread portion is surrounded by an outer cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Yanhai Du, Ken Reifsnider
  • Publication number: 20070172715
    Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell system. The fuel cell system can include a modular power section, the power section including at least one power module, and at least one modular energy storage section, the energy storage section including at least one reactant storage module. The power section can include a plurality of power modules. Similarly, the energy storage section can include a plurality of reactant storage modules. At least one of the power module and reactant storage module can include fluids quick disconnect fittings to operably couple the module to the fuel cell system to facilitate modular operation. In accordance with a further aspect, the system can further include a regeneration section, the regeneration section having an electrolyzer configured and adapted to dissociate water received from the power module into hydrogen and oxygen by way of a fluids manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Trent Molter, Ken Reifsnider, Frano Barbir