Patents by Inventor Kenneth W. Welch

Kenneth W. Welch 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: 20110289913
    Abstract: A system and method of wave energy transfer including the generation and capture of waves in a tank filled with liquid is disclosed. The wave energy transfer system comprises wave generation apparatus including a displacement block for generating the waves in the tank, and wave capture apparatus including a buoyancy block for capturing the waves to convert the wave motion and provide fluid flow. The wave capture apparatus may also include an artificial pump head for stabilizing the fluid flow provided by the buoyancy block of the wave capture apparatus. Testing apparatus including a tank filled with liquid and wave generation devices is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, JR., William P. Forester
  • Publication number: 20110225964
    Abstract: A system for generating electricity includes a pump operable to convert wave motion from a body of water into mechanical energy. The pump includes an input port through which an operating fluid can enter the pump and an output port through which the operating fluid can exit the pump. A first outlet line and a second outlet line are fluidly coupled to the output port of the pump. A first reservoir is fluidly connected to the first outlet line, and a second reservoir is fluidly connected to the second outlet line, both reservoirs being selectively capable of receiving operating fluid driven through the output port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, JR., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
  • Patent number: 7952218
    Abstract: A system for generating electricity includes a pump operable to convert wave motion from a body of water into mechanical energy. The pump includes an input port through which an operating fluid can enter the pump and an output port through which the operating fluid can exit the pump. A first outlet line and a second outlet line are fluidly coupled to the output port of the pump. A first reservoir is fluidly connected to the first outlet line, and a second reservoir is fluidly connected to the second outlet line, both reservoirs being selectively capable of receiving operating fluid driven through the output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
  • Publication number: 20100212310
    Abstract: A system for generating electricity includes a buoyancy pump operable to convert wave motion from a body of water into mechanical energy. The buoyancy pump includes a buoyancy block that reciprocally moves in response to wave motion to pump an operating fluid that is delivered to a turbine to produce electricity. The buoyancy block is preferably sized such that a diameter of the buoyancy block is no less than about one-sixth a wavelength and no greater than about one wavelength of an average wave for a region in which the buoyancy pump is operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: KENNETH W. WELCH, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100215518
    Abstract: A system for generating electricity includes a pump operable to convert wave motion from a body of water into mechanical energy. The pump includes an input port through which an operating fluid can enter the pump and an output port through which the operating fluid can exit the pump. A first outlet line and a second outlet line are fluidly coupled to the output port of the pump. A first reservoir is fluidly connected to the first outlet line, and a second reservoir is fluidly connected to the second outlet line, both reservoirs being selectively capable of receiving operating fluid driven through the output port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: KENNETH W. WELCH, JR., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
  • Patent number: 7735317
    Abstract: A system for generating electricity includes a buoyancy pump operable to convert wave motion from a body of water into mechanical energy. The buoyancy pump includes a buoyancy block that reciprocally moves in response to wave motion to pump an operating fluid that is delivered to a turbine to produce electricity. The buoyancy block is preferably sized such that a diameter of the buoyancy block is no less than about one-sixth a wavelength and no greater than about one wavelength of an average wave for a region in which the buoyancy pump is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7737572
    Abstract: A system for generating electricity includes a pump operable to convert wave motion from a body of water into mechanical energy. The pump includes an input port through which an operating fluid can enter the pump and an output port through which the operating fluid can exit the pump. A first outlet line and a second outlet line are fluidly coupled to the output port of the pump. A first reservoir is fluidly connected to the first outlet line, and a second reservoir is fluidly connected to the second outlet line, both reservoirs being selectively capable of receiving operating fluid driven through the output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
  • Patent number: 7584609
    Abstract: A system and method generating electricity includes converting wave motion into mechanical power. A fluid matter is driven as a function of the mechanical power to a reservoir. The fluid matter is flowed from the reservoir. At least a portion of a kinetic energy of the flowing fluid matter is converted into electrical energy. The fluid matter may be liquid or gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
  • Publication number: 20080265581
    Abstract: A system for generating electricity includes a pump operable to convert wave motion from a body of water into mechanical energy. The pump includes an input port through which an operating fluid can enter the pump and an output port through which the operating fluid can exit the pump. A first outlet line and a second outlet line are fluidly coupled to the output port of the pump. A first reservoir is fluidly connected to the first outlet line, and a second reservoir is fluidly connected to the second outlet line, both reservoirs being selectively capable of receiving operating fluid driven through the output port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Harold L. Rothi
  • Patent number: 7331174
    Abstract: A system for generating electricity includes a pump operable to convert wave motion from a body of water into mechanical energy. The pump includes an input port through which an operating fluid can enter the pump and an output port through which the operating fluid can exit the pump. A first outlet line and a second outlet line are fluidly coupled to the output port of the pump. A first reservoir is fluidly connected to the first outlet line, and a second reservoir is fluidly connected to the second outlet line, both reservoirs being selectively capable of receiving operating fluid driven through the output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
  • Patent number: 7257946
    Abstract: A system for generating electricity includes a buoyancy pump operable to convert wave motion from a body of water into mechanical energy. The buoyancy pump includes a buoyancy block that reciprocally moves in response to wave motion to pump an operating fluid that is delivered to a turbine to produce electricity. The buoyancy block is preferably sized such that a diameter of the buoyancy block is no less than about one-sixth a wavelength and no greater than about one wavelength of an average wave for a region in which the buoyancy pump is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7258532
    Abstract: A buoyancy pump device for use in fluid. The buoyancy pump device includes a buoyancy block housing defining a buoyancy chamber therein through which the fluid may flow. A buoyancy block is disposed within the buoyancy chamber to move axially therein in a first direction responsive to rising of the fluid in the buoyancy chamber and a second direction responsive to lowering of the fluid in the buoyancy chamber. A piston cylinder is connected to the buoyancy block housing and has at least one valve disposed therein operating as an inlet in response to movement of the buoyancy block in the second direction and an outlet in response to movement of the buoyancy block in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Indepedent Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
  • Patent number: 7059123
    Abstract: A system and method generating electricity includes converting wave motion into mechanical power. A fluid matter is driven as a function of the mechanical power to a reservoir. The fluid matter is flowed from the reservoir. At least a portion of a kinetic energy of the flowing fluid matter is converted into electrical energy. The fluid matter may be liquid or gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
  • Patent number: 6953328
    Abstract: A buoyancy pump device for use in fluid. The buoyancy pump device includes a buoyancy block housing defining a buoyancy chamber therein through which the fluid may flow. A buoyancy block is disposed within the buoyancy chamber to move axially therein in a first direction responsive to rising of the fluid in the buoyancy chamber and a second direction responsive to lowering of the fluid in the buoyancy chamber. A piston cylinder is connected to the buoyancy block housing and has at least one valve disposed therein operating as an inlet in response to movement of the buoyancy block in the second direction and an outlet in response to movement of the buoyancy block in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
  • Publication number: 20040131479
    Abstract: A system and method generating electricity includes converting wave motion into mechanical power. A fluid matter is driven as a function of the mechanical power to a reservoir. The fluid matter is flowed from the reservoir. At least a portion of a kinetic energy of the flowing fluid matter is converted into electrical energy. The fluid matter may be liquid or gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
  • Publication number: 20040071565
    Abstract: A buoyancy pump device for use in fluid. The buoyancy pump device includes a buoyancy block housing defining a buoyancy chamber therein through which the fluid may flow. A buoyancy block is disposed within the buoyancy chamber to move axially therein in a first direction responsive to rising of the fluid in the buoyancy chamber and a second direction responsive to lowering of the fluid in the buoyancy chamber. A piston cylinder is connected to the buoyancy block housing and has at least one valve disposed therein operating as an inlet in response to movement of the buoyancy block in the second direction and an outlet in response to movement of the buoyancy block in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
  • Patent number: 5727496
    Abstract: A transport vessel hull is provided for withstanding great pressure differential between the environments inside and outside the hull, and includes an enclosed hexahedral housing having a substantially diamond-shaped cross section with a long diagonal oriented horizontally and a short diagonal oriented vertically. A support structure is contained within the housing for bearing the loads resulting from the pressure differential across the hull, and includes a plurality of vertical frame members connected at the upper and lower ends thereof to the housing on either respective side of the short diagonal to form a plurality of high strength-to-weight ratio trusses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Global Oceanic Designs Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5555728
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided that comprise the use of a water-filled vessel having two vertical sections and two horizontal sections that connect the respective upper and lower ends of the vertical sections. A sprocket is mounted for rotation with a horizontal output shaft in one of the horizontal sections, and an idler pulley is mounted for rotation in the other horizontal section. An endless drive chain carrying a plurality of gas receptacles, or buckets encircles the sprocket and the idler pulley within the vessel. A gas inlet is positioned at the bottom of the vessel such that a portion of the gas entering the vessel enters the open ends of the downwardly facing buckets and forces part of the water out of the buckets. The hydrostatic pressure of the water exerts an upward buoyant force on the gas in the bucket moving the bucket upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Welch, Welch and Swanson
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr.