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).
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Publication number: 20110289913Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2011Publication date: December 1, 2011Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, JR., William P. Forester
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Publication number: 20110225964Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, JR., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
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Patent number: 7952218Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 6, 2010Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
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Publication number: 20100212310Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2010Publication date: August 26, 2010Inventor: KENNETH W. WELCH, JR.
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Publication number: 20100215518Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2010Publication date: August 26, 2010Inventors: KENNETH W. WELCH, JR., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
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Patent number: 7735317Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 9, 2007Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr.
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Patent number: 7737572Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 29, 2008Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
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Patent number: 7584609Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 6, 2006Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
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Publication number: 20080265581Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Harold L. Rothi
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Patent number: 7331174Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 16, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
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Patent number: 7257946Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 16, 2005Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr.
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Patent number: 7258532Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 29, 2005Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Indepedent Natural Resources, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
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Patent number: 7059123Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 10, 2003Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
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Patent number: 6953328Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 10, 2002Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: Independent Natural Resources, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr., Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
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Publication number: 20040131479Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
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Publication number: 20040071565Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2002Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: Kenneth W. Welch, Curtis J. Rothi, Harold L. Rothi
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Patent number: 5727496Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 3, 1996Date of Patent: March 17, 1998Assignee: Global Oceanic Designs Ltd.Inventor: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr.
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Patent number: 5555728Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 3, 1995Date of Patent: September 17, 1996Assignee: Welch, Welch and SwansonInventor: Kenneth W. Welch, Jr.