Patents by Inventor Lee S. Smith
Lee S. Smith 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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Patent number: 11078426Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for liquid hydrocarbon fuel production, hydrocarbon chemical production, and aerosol capture are provided. For example, a carbon-oxygen-hydrogen (C—O—H) compound may be heated to a temperature of at least 800 degrees Celsius such that the C—O—H compound reacts through a non-oxidation reaction to generate at least a hydrocarbon compound that may be at least a component of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel or a hydrocarbon chemical. The liquid hydrocarbon fuel may be a liquid when at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. The C—O—H compound may include biomass. In some cases, the hydrocarbon compound produced through the non-oxidation reaction includes a hydrocarbon aerosol form as the hydrocarbon compound at least as it is produced or cools. Some embodiments include aerosol capture methods, systems, and devices, which may include passing a hydrocarbon aerosol form through a material in a liquid phase in order to gather the aerosol material.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2020Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Proton Power, Inc.Inventors: Samuel C. Weaver, Daniel L. Hensley, Samuel P. Weaver, Daniel C. Weaver, Lee S. Smith
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Patent number: 10954886Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are provided that may include Stirling cycle configurations and/or linear-to-rotary mechanisms in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a Stirling cycle device that may include a first hot piston contained within a first hot cylinder and a first cold piston contained within a first cold cylinder. A first single actuator may be configured to couple the first hot piston with the first cold piston such that the first hot piston and the first cold piston are on different thermodynamic circuits. The different thermodynamic circuits may include adjacent thermodynamic circuits. The Stirling cycle configuration may be configured as a single-acting alpha Stirling cycle configuration. Some embodiments include a linear-to-rotary mechanism device. The device may include multiple linkages. The device may include a cam plate coupled with the multiple linkages utilizing a cam and multiple cam followers. The linkages may include Watt linkages.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Cool Energy, Inc.Inventors: Brian Nuel, Lee S. Smith, Samuel P. Weaver, William Gross, Stefan Berkower
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Publication number: 20200354635Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for liquid hydrocarbon fuel production, hydrocarbon chemical production, and aerosol capture are provided. For example, a carbon-oxygen-hydrogen (C—O—H) compound may be heated to a temperature of at least 800 degrees Celsius such that the C—O—H compound reacts through a non-oxidation reaction to generate at least a hydrocarbon compound that may be at least a component of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel or a hydrocarbon chemical. The liquid hydrocarbon fuel may be a liquid when at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. The C—O—H compound may include biomass. In some cases, the hydrocarbon compound produced through the non-oxidation reaction includes a hydrocarbon aerosol form as the hydrocarbon compound at least as it is produced or cools. Some embodiments include aerosol capture methods, systems, and devices, which may include passing a hydrocarbon aerosol form through a material in a liquid phase in order to gather the aerosol material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventors: Samuel C. Weaver, Daniel L. Hensley, Samuel P. Weaver, Daniel C. Weaver, Lee S. Smith
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Patent number: 10563128Abstract: Methods for aerosol capture are provided. In some embodiments, the method of aerosol capture may include passing an aerosol through a material in a bulk liquid phase to gather at least a portion of one or more components of the aerosol. The gathered portion of the one or more aerosol components may include at least a hydrocarbon compound. In some embodiments, the gathered portion of the one or more aerosol components includes at least a component of a liquid hydrocarbon. In some embodiments, the material in the bulk liquid phase may include a liquid hydrocarbon, which may include a hydrocarbon fuel.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2015Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Proton Power, Inc.Inventors: Samuel C. Weaver, Daniel L. Hensley, Samuel P. Weaver, Daniel C. Weaver, Lee S. Smith
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Publication number: 20190145347Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are provided that may include Stirling cycle configurations and/or linear-to-rotary mechanisms in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a Stirling cycle device that may include a first hot piston contained within a first hot cylinder and a first cold piston contained within a first cold cylinder. A first single actuator may be configured to couple the first hot piston with the first cold piston such that the first hot piston and the first cold piston are on different thermodynamic circuits. The different thermodynamic circuits may include adjacent thermodynamic circuits. The Stirling cycle configuration may be configured as a single-acting alpha Stirling cycle configuration. Some embodiments include a linear-to-rotary mechanism device. The device may include multiple linkages. The device may include a cam plate coupled with the multiple linkages utilizing a cam and multiple cam followers. The linkages may include Watt linkages.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2018Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Brian Nuel, Lee S. Smith, Samuel P. Weaver, William Gross, Stefan Berkower
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Patent number: 10144875Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for liquid hydrocarbon fuel production, hydrocarbon chemical production, and aerosol capture are provided. For example, a carbon-oxygen-hydrogen (C—O—H) compound may be heated to a temperature of at least 800 degrees Celsius such that the C—O—H compound reacts through a non-oxidation reaction to generate at least a hydrocarbon compound that may be at least a component of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel or a hydrocarbon chemical. The liquid hydrocarbon fuel may be a liquid when at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. The C—O—H compound may include biomass. In some cases, the hydrocarbon compound produced through the non-oxidation reaction includes a hydrocarbon aerosol form as the hydrocarbon compound at least as it is produced or cools. Some embodiments include aerosol capture methods, systems, and devices, which may include passing a hydrocarbon aerosol form through a material in a liquid phase in order to gather the aerosol material.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Proton Power, Inc.Inventors: Samuel C. Weaver, Daniel L. Hensley, Samuel P. Weaver, Daniel C. Weaver, Lee S. Smith
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Patent number: 10100778Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are provided that may include Stirling cycle configurations and/or linear-to-rotary mechanisms in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a Stirling cycle device that may include a first hot piston contained within a first hot cylinder and a first cold piston contained within a first cold cylinder. A first single actuator may be configured to couple the first hot piston with the first cold piston such that the first hot piston and the first cold piston are on different thermodynamic circuits. The different thermodynamic circuits may include adjacent thermodynamic circuits. The Stirling cycle configuration may be configured as a single-acting alpha Stirling cycle configuration. Some embodiments include a linear-to-rotary mechanism device. The device may include multiple linkages. The device may include a cam plate coupled with the multiple linkages utilizing a cam and multiple cam followers. The linkages may include Watt linkages.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2016Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Cool Energy, Inc.Inventors: Brian Nuel, Lee S. Smith, Samuel P. Weaver, William Gross, Stefan Berkower
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Publication number: 20170022932Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are provided that may include Stirling cycle configurations and/or linear-to-rotary mechanisms in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a Stirling cycle device that may include a first hot piston contained within a first hot cylinder and a first cold piston contained within a first cold cylinder. A first single actuator may be configured to couple the first hot piston with the first cold piston such that the first hot piston and the first cold piston are on different thermodynamic circuits. The different thermodynamic circuits may include adjacent thermodynamic circuits. The Stirling cycle configuration may be configured as a single-acting alpha Stirling cycle configuration. Some embodiments include a linear-to-rotary mechanism device. The device may include multiple linkages. The device may include a cam plate coupled with the multiple linkages utilizing a cam and multiple cam followers. The linkages may include Watt linkages.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Brian Nuel, Lee S. Smith, Samuel P. Weaver, William Gross, Stefan Berkower
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Publication number: 20160222299Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for liquid hydrocarbon fuel production, hydrocarbon chemical production, and aerosol capture are provided. For example, a carbon-oxygen-hydrogen (C—O—H) compound may be heated to a temperature of at least 800 degrees Celsius such that the C—O—H compound reacts through a non-oxidation reaction to generate at least a hydrocarbon compound that may be at least a component of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel or a hydrocarbon chemical. The liquid hydrocarbon fuel may be a liquid when at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. The C—O—H compound may include biomass. In some cases, the hydrocarbon compound produced through the non-oxidation reaction includes a hydrocarbon aerosol form as the hydrocarbon compound at least as it is produced or cools. Some embodiments include aerosol capture methods, systems, and devices, which may include passing a hydrocarbon aerosol form through a material in a liquid phase in order to gather the aerosol material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2016Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Samuel C. Weaver, Daniel L. Hensley, Samuel P. Weaver, Daniel C. Weaver, Lee S. Smith
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Patent number: 9360112Abstract: An assembly is disclosed for sealing the sliding interface between two objects capable of sliding or moving with respect to one another, but where the sliding interface must provide a substantial seal against pressure loss therethrough, such as where an assembly seals the sliding interface between a piston and a cylinder or between a rod and a bushing. The sliding interface includes a seal located in a seal groove, wherein the seal ring height is less than the height of the seal groove and the inner diameter of the seal is greater than the base of the groove. In one aspect, the difference in height is set by a shim and a piece of material of the same height as that of the seal ring.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Cool Energy, Inc.Inventors: Lee S. Smith, Brian Phillip Nuel
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Patent number: 9310135Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided by assembling a plurality of individual plates having opposed faces, wherein flow channels are machined through those opposed faces, and the plates are interconnected with intervening shim plates. End plates are connected to an assembly of such plates and intermediate plates, to form a preform, which is then machined to a desired cross section. The resulting structure has a plurality of passages therethrough in one direction, and a second plurality of passages therethrough in a second direction, the passages fluidly isolated from one another. The resulting structure is configurable to a specific geometry of a flow passage, and enables heat exchange between fluids passing through the different flow channels.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2010Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Cool Energy, Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel Farber, Lee S. Smith
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Publication number: 20160091091Abstract: An assembly is disclosed for sealing the sliding interface between two objects capable of sliding or moving with respect to one another, but where the sliding interface must provide a substantial seal against pressure loss therethrough, such as where an assembly seals the sliding interface between a piston and a cylinder or between a rod and a bushing. The sliding interface includes a seal located in a seal groove, wherein the seal ring height is less than the height of the seal groove and the inner diameter of the seal is greater than the base of the groove. In one aspect, the difference in height is set by a shim and a piece of material of the same height as that of the seal ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2015Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: Lee S. SMITH, Brian Phillip NUEL
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Patent number: 9254461Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for liquid hydrocarbon fuel production, hydrocarbon chemical production, and aerosol capture are provided. For example, a carbon-oxygen-hydrogen (C—O—H) compound may be heated to a temperature of at least 800 degrees Celsius such that the C—O—H compound reacts through a non-oxidation reaction to generate at least a hydrocarbon compound that may be at least a component of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel or a hydrocarbon chemical. The liquid hydrocarbon fuel may be a liquid when at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. The C—O—H compound may include biomass. In some cases, the hydrocarbon compound produced through the non-oxidation reaction includes a hydrocarbon aerosol form as the hydrocarbon compound at least as it is produced or cools. Some embodiments include aerosol capture methods, systems, and devices, which may include passing a hydrocarbon aerosol form through a material in a liquid phase in order to gather the aerosol material.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2015Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Proton Power, Inc.Inventors: Samuel C. Weaver, Daniel L. Hensley, Samuel P. Weaver, Daniel C. Weaver, Lee S. Smith
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Patent number: 9206900Abstract: An assembly is disclosed for sealing the sliding interface between two objects capable of sliding or moving with respect to one another, but where the sliding interface must provide a substantial seal against pressure loss therethrough, such as where an assembly seals the sliding interface between a piston and a cylinder or between a rod and a bushing. The sliding interface includes a seal located in a seal groove, wherein the seal ring height is less than the height of the seal groove and the inner diameter of the seal is greater than the base of the groove. In one aspect, the difference in height is set by a shim and a piece of material of the same height as that of the seal ring.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Cool Energy, Inc.Inventors: Lee S. Smith, Brian Phillip Nuel
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Publication number: 20150252275Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for liquid hydrocarbon fuel production, hydrocarbon chemical production, and aerosol capture are provided. For example, a carbon-oxygen-hydrogen (C—O—H) compound may be heated to a temperature of at least 800 degrees Celsius such that the C—O—H compound reacts through a non-oxidation reaction to generate at least a hydrocarbon compound that may be at least a component of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel or a hydrocarbon chemical. The liquid hydrocarbon fuel may be a liquid when at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. The C—O—H compound may include biomass. In some cases, the hydrocarbon compound produced through the non-oxidation reaction includes a hydrocarbon aerosol form as the hydrocarbon compound at least as it is produced or cools. Some embodiments include aerosol capture methods, systems, and devices, which may include passing a hydrocarbon aerosol form through a material in a liquid phase in order to gather the aerosol material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2015Publication date: September 10, 2015Inventors: Samuel C. Weaver, Daniel L. Hensley, Samuel P. Weaver, Daniel C. Weaver, Lee S. Smith
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Publication number: 20150251125Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for liquid hydrocarbon fuel production, hydrocarbon chemical production, and aerosol capture are provided. For example, a carbon-oxygen-hydrogen (C—O—H) compound may be heated to a temperature of at least 800 degrees Celsius such that the C—O—H compound reacts through a non-oxidation reaction to generate at least a hydrocarbon compound that may be at least a component of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel or a hydrocarbon chemical. The liquid hydrocarbon fuel may be a liquid when at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. The C—O—H compound may include biomass. In some cases, the hydrocarbon compound produced through the non-oxidation reaction includes a hydrocarbon aerosol form as the hydrocarbon compound at least as it is produced or cools. Some embodiments include aerosol capture methods, systems, and devices, which may include passing a hydrocarbon aerosol form through a material in a liquid phase in order to gather the aerosol material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2015Publication date: September 10, 2015Inventors: Samuel C. Weaver, Daniel L. Hensley, Samuel P. Weaver, Daniel C. Weaver, Lee S. Smith
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Publication number: 20150252268Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for liquid hydrocarbon fuel production, hydrocarbon chemical production, and aerosol capture are provided. For example, a carbon-oxygen-hydrogen (C—O—H) compound may be heated to a temperature of at least 800 degrees Celsius such that the C—O—H compound reacts through a non-oxidation reaction to generate at least a hydrocarbon compound that may be at least a component of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel or a hydrocarbon chemical. The liquid hydrocarbon fuel may be a liquid when at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. The C—O—H compound may include biomass. In some cases, the hydrocarbon compound produced through the non-oxidation reaction includes a hydrocarbon aerosol form as the hydrocarbon compound at least as it is produced or cools. Some embodiments include aerosol capture methods, systems, and devices, which may include passing a hydrocarbon aerosol form through a material in a liquid phase in order to gather the aerosol material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2015Publication date: September 10, 2015Inventors: Samuel C. Weaver, Daniel L. Hensley, Samuel P. Weaver, Daniel C. Weaver, Lee S. Smith
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Publication number: 20150203760Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for liquid hydrocarbon fuel production, hydrocarbon chemical production, and aerosol capture are provided. For example, a carbon-oxygen-hydrogen (C—O—H) compound may be heated to a temperature of at least 800 degrees Celsius such that the C—O—H compound reacts through a non-oxidation reaction to generate at least a hydrocarbon compound that may be at least a component of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel or a hydrocarbon chemical. The liquid hydrocarbon fuel may be a liquid when at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. The C—O—H compound may include biomass. In some cases, the hydrocarbon compound produced through the non-oxidation reaction includes a hydrocarbon aerosol form as the hydrocarbon compound at least as it is produced or cools. Some embodiments include aerosol capture methods, systems, and devices, which may include passing a hydrocarbon aerosol form through a material in a liquid phase in order to gather the aerosol material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2015Publication date: July 23, 2015Inventors: Samuel C. Weaver, Daniel L. Hensley, Samuel P. Weaver, Daniel C. Weaver, Lee S. Smith
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Patent number: 8539771Abstract: A thermodynamic engine is configured to convert heat provided in the form of a temperature difference to a nonheat form of energy. Heat is directed through a heating loop in thermal contact with a first side of the thermodynamic engine. A second side of the thermodynamic engine is coupled to an environmental cooling loop in thermal contact with an environmental cooling device. The thermodynamic engine is operated to dispense heat from the second side of the thermodynamic engine through the environmental cooling loop into the environmental cooling device. Operation of the thermodynamic engine thereby generates the nonheat form of energy from the temperature difference established between the first side and the second side of the thermodynamic engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Cool Energy, Inc.Inventors: Brian P. Nuel, Lee S. Smith, Samuel P. Weaver, Samuel C. Weaver, Daniel Weaver
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Publication number: 20120211942Abstract: An assembly is disclosed for sealing the sliding interface between two objects capable of sliding or moving with respect to one another, but where the sliding interface must provide a substantial seal against pressure loss therethrough, such as where an assembly seals the sliding interface between a piston and a cylinder or between a rod and a bushing. Although some features of this invention would be beneficial in applications using a liquid lubricant, the invention is particularly beneficial in applications not using a liquid lubricant, where the materials of the piston, cylinder, and sealing system are chosen additionally for their ability to provide self-lubrication as they slide over each other, while providing low friction and a low wear rate during sliding.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2011Publication date: August 23, 2012Inventors: Lee S. SMITH, Brian Phillip Nuel