Patents by Inventor Kirk Vanzandt

Kirk Vanzandt 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: 10808889
    Abstract: A system provides regulated delivery of a high-pressure gas. A first flow path, coupled to a high-pressure gas source, is in fluid communication with a chamber. A flow restrictor, disposed in the first flow path, slows the gas traveling along the first flow path to the chamber. A second flow path, coupled to the high-pressure gas source, is in fluid communication with the chamber. A third flow path connects the chamber to a pressure regulator. A valve, disposed in the second flow path, seals the second flow path when gas pressure at the source exceeds gas pressure in the chamber. The valve opens the second flow path when the gas pressure at the source is balanced with the gas pressure in the chamber allowing the high-pressure gas to flow to the regulator via the third flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Jacob Cornman, Brian Toole, Kirk Vanzandt
  • Patent number: 7025931
    Abstract: The present invention reduces the amount of oxygen in an oxygen-containing gas within a closed environment. A selected amount of hydrogen gas is mixed with a portion of the oxygen-containing gas from the closed environment to form a first gas mixture. A catalyst exposed to the first gas mixture causes a reaction between the hydrogen and at least a portion of the oxygen therein. The resulting second gas mixture, which is returned to the closed environment, has a lower percentage of oxygen. At least one oxygen sensor is positioned in the closed environment to determine when oxygen levels in the closed environment reach a threshold level. The output signal from the sensor is used to control when and/or how much hydrogen is mixed in the first gas mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Marshall L. Nuckols, Kirk Vanzandt
  • Patent number: 6957651
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for simulating the metabolic consumption of oxygen contained in a breathable gas. A variable volume chamber cyclically increases/decreases in volume to receive the breathable gas/expel an exhaust gas. Hydrogen and carbon dioxide are introduced into the chamber to mix with the breathable gas to form the exhaust gas. Hydrogen is introduced in an amount sufficient to react with an amount of the oxygen in the exhaust gas equivalent to that used by a human during a selected level of activity. Carbon dioxide is introduced in an amount equivalent to that provided by a metabolic respiratory quotient associated with the same level of activity. A catalyst, exposed to the exhaust gas, causes a reaction between the hydrogen and oxygen in the exhaust gas to generate simulated human exhalation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Marshall L. Nuckols, Kirk Vanzandt
  • Patent number: 6934633
    Abstract: A parachutist navigation system includes a display attached to a side vision area of a parachutist's goggles, a navigation pod attached to the parachutist's helmet, and a remotely located controller. The navigation pod supports therein a GPS receiver and a processor provided with mission data supplied by the controller. The processor uses the mission data and GPS signals to generate a plurality of display-formatted data sets. Coupled to the processor is an user-controlled input device used to select at least one of the plurality of display-formatted data sets for output to the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Dennis Gallagher, Kirk Vanzandt, William W. Hughes III, Charles Holmes
  • Patent number: 6796307
    Abstract: A life support system has a semi-closed rebreather supplying oxygen for multiple users, such as high altitude parachutists. A first tank supplies oxygen to initially purge the system, and a second, larger tank supplies oxygen at prescribed amounts for the duration of a mission. Users are connected by hoses to an inlet hose manifold on a scrubber body of the rebreather. The inlet hose manifold has an inlet port boss to receive exhaled gas from each user and an overpressure valve vents excessive amounts of exhaled gas. A CO2 absorbent in the scrubber body scrubs CO2 from the exhaled gas. An outlet hose manifold is connected to the scrubber body and has an inlet fitting to supply oxygen and at least one outlet port boss to feed the oxygen and the CO2 scrubbed gas to the users. This reliable system is lighter-weight and smaller than contemporary systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Wes Hughson, Kirk Vanzandt, Ken Powell
  • Publication number: 20030138361
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for simulating the metabolic consumption of oxygen contained in a breathable gas. A variable volume chamber cyclically increases/decreases in volume to receive the breathable gas/expel an exhaust gas. Hydrogen and carbon dioxide are introduced into the chamber to mix with the breathable gas to form the exhaust gas. Hydrogen is introduced in an amount sufficient to react with an amount of the oxygen in the exhaust gas equivalent to that used by a human during a selected level of activity. Carbon dioxide is introduced in an amount equivalent to that provided by a metabolic respiratory quotient associated with the same level of activity. A catalyst, exposed to the exhaust gas, causes a reaction between the hydrogen and oxygen in the exhaust gas to generate simulated human exhalation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: The United States of America represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Marshall L. Nuckols, Kirk Vanzandt
  • Publication number: 20030124032
    Abstract: The present invention reduces the amount of oxygen in an oxygen-containing gas within a closed environment. A selected amount of hydrogen gas is mixed with a portion of the oxygen-containing gas from the closed environment to form a first gas mixture. A catalyst exposed to the first gas mixture causes a reaction between the hydrogen and at least a portion of the oxygen therein. The resulting second gas mixture, which is returned to the closed environment, has a lower percentage of oxygen. At least one oxygen sensor is positioned in the closed environment to determine when oxygen levels in the closed environment reach a threshold level. The output signal from the sensor is used to control when and/or how much hydrogen is mixed in the first gas mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: The United States of America represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Marshall L. Nuckols, Kirk Vanzandt