Patents by Inventor Kenneth Edward Rhinefrank

Kenneth Edward Rhinefrank 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).

  • Method and system for wave energy conversion
    Patent number: 9587620
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting wave energy using the relative rotational movement between two interconnected float assemblies and the relative rotational movement between each of the float assemblies and a spar which extends from a buoyant nacelle having a central longitudinal axis wherein the floats are nestable behind the buoyant nacelle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Columbia Power Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Edward Rhinefrank, Alphonse Schacher, Joseph Prudell, Erik Hammagren, Pukha Lenee-Bluhm, Zhe Zhang
  • Mechanical assembly for maintaining an air gap between a stator and rotor in an electro-mechanical energy converter
    Patent number: 9484779
    Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method for maintaining an air gap between a stator and rotor in an electro-mechanical energy converter is provided. The apparatus includes a structural sleeve and a plurality of stator sections attached to an inner surface of the structural sleeve. A hub is enclosed by the structural sleeve and is concentric with the structural sleeve. A plurality of rotor sections is flexibly coupled to the hub and is enclosed by the structural sleeve. A rail system is positioned within the structural sleeve and is concentric with the structural sleeve. The rail system guides the rotor sections in a substantially circular path and defines an air gap between the plurality of stator sections and plurality of rotor sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Columbia Power Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Edward Rhinefrank, Joseph Prudell, Alphonse Schacher, Erik Hammagren
  • Direct drive rotary wave energy conversion
    Patent number: 8659179
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting wave energy using the relative rotational movement between two interconnected float assemblies and the relative rotational movement between each of the float assemblies and a spar which extends from a connection with the float assemblies at the water surface into the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Columbia Power Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Edward Rhinefrank, Bradford Storrs Lamb, Joseph Horan Prudell, Alphonse Aloysius Schacher
  • DIRECT DRIVE ROTARY WAVE ENERGY CONVERSION
    Publication number: 20130328313
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting wave energy using the relative rotational movement between two interconnected float assemblies and the relative rotational movement between each of the float assemblies and a spar which extends from a connection with the float assemblies at the water surface into the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Columbia Power Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Edward Rhinefrank, Bradford Storrs Lamb, Joseph Horan Prudell, Alphonse Aloysius Schacher
  • Direct drive rotary wave energy conversion
    Patent number: 8508063
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting wave energy using the relative rotational movement between two interconnected float assemblies and the relative rotational movement between each of the float assemblies and a spar which extends from a connection with the float assemblies at the water surface into the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Columbia Power Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Edward Rhinefrank, Bradford Storrs Lamb, Joseph Horan Prudell, Alphonse Aloysius Schacher
  • Direct drive rotary wave energy conversion
    Patent number: 8314506
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting wave energy using the relative rotational movement between two interconnected float assemblies and the relative rotational movement between each of the float assemblies and a spar which extends from a connection with the float assemblies at the water surface into the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Columbia Power Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Edward Rhinefrank, Bradford Storrs Lamb, Joseph Horan Prudell, Alphonse Aloysius Schacher
  • Direct drive rotary wave energy conversion
    Publication number: 20100213710
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting wave energy using the relative rotational movement between two interconnected float assemblies and the relative rotational movement between each of the float assemblies and a spar which extends from a connection with the float assemblies at the water surface into the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Columbia Power Technologies
    Inventors: Kenneth Edward Rhinefrank, Bradford Storrs Lamb, Joseph Horan Prudell, Alphonse Aloysius Schacher