Patents by Inventor Kenneth William Kratschmar

Kenneth William Kratschmar 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: 11701632
    Abstract: A feedstock gas, such as natural gas, is introduced into a mixing chamber. A combustible gas is introduced into a combustion chamber, for example simultaneously to the introduction of the feedstock gas. Thereafter, the combustible gas is ignited so as to cause the combustible gas to flow into the mixing chamber via one or more fluid flow paths between the combustion chamber and the mixing chamber, and to mix with the feedstock gas. The mixing of the combustible gas with the feedstock gas causes one or more products to be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: EKONA POWER INC.
    Inventors: John Benjamin Hinkey, Jr., Timothy John Elder, Kenneth William Kratschmar, Christopher Edwin John Reid
  • Publication number: 20230201790
    Abstract: A feedstock gas, such as natural gas, is introduced into a mixing chamber. A combustible gas is introduced into a combustion chamber, for example simultaneously to the introduction of the feedstock gas. Thereafter, the combustible gas is ignited so as to cause the combustible gas to flow into the mixing chamber via one or more fluid flow paths between the combustion chamber and the mixing chamber, and to mix with the feedstock gas. The mixing of the combustible gas with the feedstock gas causes one or more products to be produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: John Benjamin Hinkey, JR., Timothy John Elder, Kenneth William Kratschmar, Christopher Edwin John Reid
  • Publication number: 20230184428
    Abstract: A mixing chamber is loaded with a first fluid. While a volume of the first fluid within the mixing chamber is constant, first and second streams of a second fluid are injected into the mixing chamber along first and second injection directions. As a result of injecting the first and second streams of the second fluid into the mixing chamber, the first and second streams of the second fluid impinge one another so as to generate within the mixing chamber at least one further stream of the second fluid that mixes with the first fluid and that flows in a direction different to the first and second injection directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Tim Coleman, Kenneth William Kratschmar, David Aaron Leboe, Christopher Edwin John Reid
  • Patent number: 11642640
    Abstract: A method of using a feedstock gas reactor is described. A hydrocarbon, such as methane, is chemical decomposed in the feedstock gas reactor using heat of combustion generated from the combustion of a combustible gas. A mixed product stream is extracted from the feedstock gas reactor. The mixed product stream comprises hydrogen, carbon, and water. At least a portion of the one or more combustion product gases are vented from the combustion chamber. At least some of the carbon is activated using the vented one or more combustion product gases. At least some of the activated carbon is recycled to the feedstock gas reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Ekona Power Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Edwin John Reid, Kenneth William Kratschmar, David Aaron Leboe
  • Publication number: 20230088839
    Abstract: A method of using a feedstock gas reactor is described. A hydrocarbon, such as methane, is chemical decomposed in the feedstock gas reactor using heat of combustion generated from the combustion of a combustible gas. A mixed product stream is extracted from the feedstock gas reactor. The mixed product stream comprises hydrogen, carbon, and water. At least a portion of the one or more combustion product gases are vented from the combustion chamber. At least some of the carbon is activated using the vented one or more combustion product gases. At least some of the activated carbon is recycled to the feedstock gas reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher Edwin John Reid, Kenneth William Kratschmar, David Aaron Leboe
  • Patent number: 11391415
    Abstract: A direct fueling station and a method of refueling are provided. The station includes an insulated tank for storing a liquefied fuel, a pump, at least a heat exchanger, a control unit, a dispenser including a flow meter, a flow control device, and at least one sensor for testing pressure and/or temperature. The heat exchanger converts liquefied fuel from pump into a gaseous fuel, which is added into an onboard fuel tank in a vehicle. The control unit includes one or more programs used to coordinate with the pump, the flow meter, the flow control device, and/or the sensor(s) so as to control a refueling method. A peak electrical power requirement is less than that determined by the product of a rated volumetric flow rate of the pump and a rated pumping pressure adequate for a fill pressure of the vehicle. A computer implemented system having the program(s) is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignees: China Energy Investment Corporation Limited, National Institute of Clean-and-Low-Carbon Energy
    Inventors: Xianming Li, Anthony Ku, Kenneth William Kratschmar, Jerad Allen Stager, Edward Youn
  • Publication number: 20220205591
    Abstract: A direct fueling station and a method of refueling are provided. The station includes an insulated tank for storing a liquefied fuel, a pump, at least a heat exchanger, a control unit, a dispenser including a flow meter, a flow control device, and at least one sensor for testing pressure and/or temperature. The heat exchanger converts liquefied fuel from pump into a gaseous fuel, which is added into an onboard fuel tank in a vehicle. The control unit includes one or more programs used to coordinate with the pump, the flow meter, the flow control device, and/or the sensor(s) so as to control a refueling method. A peak electrical power requirement is less than that determined by the product of a rated volumetric flow rate of the pump and a rated pumping pressure adequate for a fill pressure of the vehicle. A computer implemented system having the program(s) is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicants: China Energy Investment Corporation Limited, National Institute of Clean-and-Low-Carbon Energy
    Inventors: Xianming Li, Anthony Ku, Kenneth William Kratschmar, Jerad Allen Stager, Edward Youn
  • Publication number: 20220203326
    Abstract: A feedstock gas, such as natural gas, is introduced into a mixing chamber. A combustible gas is introduced into a combustion chamber, for example simultaneously to the introduction of the feedstock gas. Thereafter, the combustible gas is ignited so as to cause the combustible gas to flow into the mixing chamber via one or more fluid flow paths between the combustion chamber and the mixing chamber, and to mix with the feedstock gas. The mixing of the combustible gas with the feedstock gas causes one or more products to be produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: John Benjamin Hinkey, Timothy John Elder, Kenneth William Kratschmar, Christopher Edwin John Reid
  • Publication number: 20220185663
    Abstract: There is described a method of producing hydrogen and nitrogen using a feedstock gas reactor. Reaction of feedstock and combustion gases in the reactor produces hydrogen and nitrogen through pyrolysis of the feedstock gas. Parameters of the process may be adjusted to control the ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen that is produced such that it may be suitable, for example, for the synthesis of ammonia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Edwin John Reid, Gary Edward Schubak, Kenneth William Kratschmar, David Aaron Leboe, Shawn Dayupay Esquivel, Guowei Li
  • Publication number: 20220185664
    Abstract: There is described a method of using a feedstock gas reactor. Reaction of feedstock and combustion gases in the reactor produces hydrogen through pyrolysis of the feedstock gas. At least some of a mixed product stream extracted from the reactor may be recycled to the reactor to drive further pyrolysis of the feedstock gas. A portion of the recycled mixed product stream may be recirculated back to a combustion chamber of the reactor, and a portion of the recycled mixed product stream may be recirculated back to a reaction chamber of the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Edwin John Reid, Gary Edward Schubak, Kenneth William Kratschmar, David Aaron Leboe, Shawn Dayupay Esquivel, Guowei Li
  • Publication number: 20220052364
    Abstract: There is described a method for producing hydrogen and generating electrical power. A hydrocarbon fuel source is decomposed into hydrogen and carbon using a hydrocarbon dissociation reactor. The carbon is separated from the hydrogen in a carbon separator. Electrical power is generated from the separated carbon using a direct carbon fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Edwin John Reid, David Aaron Leboe, Kenneth William Kratschmar, Gary Edward Schubak
  • Publication number: 20220023824
    Abstract: A feedstock gas, such as natural gas, is introduced into a mixing chamber. A combustible gas is introduced into a combustion chamber, for example simultaneously to the introduction of the feedstock gas. Thereafter, the combustible gas is ignited so as to cause the combustible gas to flow into the mixing chamber via one or more fluid flow paths between the combustion chamber and the mixing chamber, and to mix with the feedstock gas. The mixing of the combustible gas with the feedstock gas causes one or more products to be produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: John Benjamin Hinkey, JR., Timothy John Elder, Kenneth William Kratschmar, Christopher Edwin John Reid
  • Publication number: 20220006112
    Abstract: There is described a direct carbon fuel cell system. The system includes fuel cells, each fuel cell having a porous fuel cell anode and a fuel cell cathode. The system further includes a molten carbonate electrolyte and a fuel supply apparatus for flowing a fuel slurry having carbon particles and a carbon carrier fluid to the fuel cell anodes in parallel. The carbon carrier fluid has a same composition as the molten carbonate electrolyte. An oxidant supply apparatus flows an oxygen-containing stream to the fuel cell cathodes in parallel. An electrolyte circulation apparatus circulates the molten carbonate electrolyte in contact with each of the fuel cells. During operation of the direct carbon fuel cell system to generate electric power, carbon is oxidized at the fuel cell anodes to produce carbon dioxide, and at the fuel cell cathodes oxygen and carbon dioxide react to produce carbonate ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Edwin John Reid, David Aaron Leboe, Kenneth William Kratschmar, Gary Edward Schubak
  • Patent number: 11149703
    Abstract: An isolation mechanism for isolating a submerged pump in a storage vessel, where the isolation mechanism comprises a primary valve member and a secondary valve member, which are both biased in a fail-closed position. The isolation mechanism allows for redundancy for safety and reliability, and can be operated externally of the storage vessel. Furthermore, the isolation mechanism comprises venting and purging devices for safe operation of removal and installation of the pump in the storage vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignees: China Energy Investment Corporation Limited, National Institute of Clean-and-Low-Carbon Energy
    Inventors: Kenneth William Kratschmar, Xianming Jimmy Li, Cullen Hall, Edward Youn, Jeff Allen
  • Publication number: 20200240379
    Abstract: An isolation mechanism for isolating a submerged pump in a storage vessel, where the isolation mechanism comprises a primary valve member and a secondary valve member, which are both biased in a fail-closed position. The isolation mechanism allows for redundancy for safety and reliability, and can be operated externally of the storage vessel. Furthermore, the isolation mechanism comprises venting and purging devices for safe operation of removal and installation of the pump in the storage vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicants: CHINA ENERGY INVESTMENT CORPORATION LIMITED, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CLEAN-AND-LOW-CARBON ENERGY
    Inventors: Kenneth William KRATSCHMAR, Xianming Jimmy LI, Cullen HALL, Edward YOUN, Jeff ALLEN
  • Publication number: 20080220323
    Abstract: This application relates to cast enclosures for battery replacement application, such as enclosures configured to house power units comprising a fuel cell and an energy storage device. The enclosures function as protective enclosures and counterweights, provide mounting points and conduits for gases, fluids, plumbing and wiring, and serve as thermal energy storage/transfer devices. The enclosures are formed in a mold or die and comprise wall portions defining a plurality of internal subcompartments for receiving the various system components. In one embodiment of the invention channels may be formed in the wall portions of the enclosures for circulating a heat transfer fluid therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Cellex Power Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian J. Corless, David Aaron Leboe, Neil Brian Fagan, Kenneth William Kratschmar, Hamid Reza Tamehi, Jeremy Shane Lindstrom, Zebedee James Lander, Christopher E.J. Reid