Patents by Inventor Matthew Charette

Matthew Charette 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: 7997148
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein allow for intercepting submarine groundwater discharge to be used as a supply source for desalination processes. In one practice a dye-dilution seepage meter is employed as a device for locating water sources. These meters can be placed in estuaries and other locations that may be candidate locations to test for flows of groundwater. In areas of suspected SGD, the meters can be deployed to quantify the potential yield and quality (e.g. salt content) of the resource. Regarding the water quality, it is important to note that even brackish water sources can greatly reduce the energy needed to achieve potable water by desalination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
    Inventor: Matthew Charette
  • Patent number: 7637168
    Abstract: Automated seepage meters that can detect and quantify groundwater outflow and seawater infiltration. In addition to its capabilities in saltwater-influenced systems, the automated seepage meter can detect and quantify groundwater outflow and surface water infiltration in freshwater systems (e.g., aquatic, riverine, lacustrine environments). Based on a dye-dilution technique, this instrument provides high resolution time series data for submarine groundwater discharge to the coastal zone. The dye dilution method may employ two repeatable steps: the timed injection of a water-soluble dye into a dye mixing chamber mounted in series with a seepage or collection chamber and the subsequent timed measurements of the absorbance of the dyed solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
    Inventor: Matthew Charette
  • Publication number: 20090241685
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein allow for intercepting submarine groundwater discharge to be used as a supply source for desalination processes. In one practice a dye-dilution seepage meter is employed as a device for locating water sources. These meters can be placed in estuaries and other locations that may be candidate locations to test for flows of groundwater. In areas of suspected SGD, the meters can be deployed to quantify the potential yield and quality (e.g. salt content) of the resource. Regarding the water quality, it is important to note that even brackish water sources can greatly reduce the energy needed to achieve potable water by desalination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION
    Inventor: Matthew Charette
  • Publication number: 20080196509
    Abstract: Automated seepage meters that can detect and quantify groundwater outflow and seawater infiltration. In addition to its capabilities in saltwater-influenced systems, the automated seepage meter can detect and quantify groundwater outflow and surface water infiltration in freshwater systems (e.g., aquatic, riverine, lacustrine environments). Based on a dye-dilution technique, this instrument provides high resolution time series data for submarine groundwater discharge to the coastal zone. The dye dilution method may employ two repeatable steps: the timed injection of a water-soluble dye into a dye mixing chamber mounted in series with a seepage or collection chamber and the subsequent timed measurements of the absorbance of the dyed solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION
    Inventor: Matthew Charette