Patents by Inventor Michael Benedict

Michael Benedict 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).

  • Publication number: 20220299223
    Abstract: A system comprises a liquid desiccant regeneration system, a first air contactor stage, and a second air contactor stage. The regeneration system has a first stage with a first concentration output and first diluted output, and a second stage with a second concentration output, different from the first concentration output, and a second diluted output. The first air contactor stage is coupled to the first concentrated output to form a first output air stream having a reduced water content and a first diluted air contactor output. The second air contactor stage is coupled to the second concentrated output to form a second output air stream having a reduced water content and a second diluted air contactor output. Both diluted air contactor outputs are recirculated into the regeneration system, and the output air streams are combined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Benedict, Eugene S. Beh, Francisco E. Torres
  • Publication number: 20220243932
    Abstract: A system comprises an electrochemical liquid desiccant regeneration system, a first air contactor, and a second air contactor. The regeneration system comprises a first output stream having a first concentration of liquid desiccant and a second output stream having a second, lower concentration. The first air contactor disposes a first input air stream having a first water concentration in fluid communication with the first output stream to form a first output air stream having a second, lower water concentration and a diluted output stream, which is circulated back into the regeneration system. The second air contactor disposes a second input air stream having a third water concentration in fluid communication with the liquid desiccant output stream to form a second output air stream having a fourth water concentration higher than the third water concentration and a concentrated output stream, which is circulated back into the regeneration system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Benedict, Francisco E. Torres, Eugene S. Beh, Aaron Meles
  • Publication number: 20220235224
    Abstract: A composition of matter includes macroparticles comprising particles of one or more continuous phase matrix materials and functionalized microparticles contained at least partially in the one or more matrix material. A method of manufacturing includes producing macroparticles comprising a continuous phase thermoset matrix material mixed with a thermal initiator, depositing a layer of the matrix material onto a powder bed, applying a focused heat source to the layer of matrix material to selectively cure portions of the layer, repeating the depositing and applying until a final shape is formed, and removing uncured powder from the final shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Benedict, Junhua Wei, Gabriel Iftime
  • Publication number: 20220223885
    Abstract: An electrochemical device comprises a first type of membrane disposed between first and second reservoirs containing an input solution, and a second type of membrane, different from the first type, is disposed between a first redox-active electrolyte chamber and the first reservoir and disposed between a second redox-active electrolyte chamber and the second reservoir. The first type of membrane and one of the second type of membranes form a membrane pair and the pair has an area specific resistance below y=5065.3x3?1331.1x2+90.035x+39 Ohm cm2 when the pair is equilibrated in an electrolyte and for at least part of a range where 0<x<0.4 and x is the mass fraction of salt in the electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Eugene S. Beh, Mahati Chintapalli, Francisco E. Torres, Michael Benedict
  • Publication number: 20220220267
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing includes producing a powder resin comprising a polymer precursor and a thermal initiator, packing a fiber structure with the powder resin, resulting in a resin-packed structure, and heating the resin-packed structure to a curing temperature high enough to melt and cure the resin-packed structure to form a final structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: JUNHUA WEI, GABRIEL IFTIME, MICHAEL BENEDICT, MAHATI CHINTAPALLI
  • Publication number: 20220193612
    Abstract: A system includes an electrochemical regenerator configured to receive a first solution having a first salt concentration and output a second solution having a second salt concentration lower than the first salt concentration and a third solution having a third salt concentration higher than the first salt concentration. The first and second solutions are sent to first and second reservoirs respectively absorb and emit heat in response to a phase change of one of the solutions. The absorption or emission of heat can be used in a heat pump system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Francisco E. Torres, Eugene S. Beh, Michael Benedict
  • Publication number: 20220143329
    Abstract: A docking station for a hand-held filament extension atomizer device includes a receiver to receive the device, station electronics, a recharging point for the device arranged to connect with a power source of the device, a power connection to an alternating current power source, and a cleaning reservoir of cleaning solution. A method of operating hand-held dispenser to dispense fluid as a mist includes receiving a signal at a motor contained in a casing in response to a user triggering an actuator on the casing, activating the motor to provide fluid to a filament extension atomizer contained in the case from a reservoir contained in the casing, the motor to cause the filament extension atomizer to generate a mist, and using an air source contained in the casing arranged adjacent the filament extension atomizer to provide air flow to direct the mist to a nozzle that is arranged to allow the mist to exit the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: MICHAEL BENEDICT, DAVID MATHEW JOHNSON, SCOTT E. SOLBERG, JAMIE KALB, RAVI NEELAKANTAN, JEROME UNIDAD, DAVID CHARLES TAYLOR, FRANCES YAN
  • Patent number: 11246997
    Abstract: A hand-held dispenser to dispense fluid includes a casing to fit into a hand of a user, a nozzle in the casing to dispense a mist, a fluid reservoir contained in the casing to hold a fluid to be turned into the mist, a filament extension atomizer contained in the casing to generate the mist, an air source contained in the casing to provide air flow to direct the mist to the nozzle, a motor contained in the casing to operate the filament extension atomizer, an actuator positioned on the casing to activate the dispenser, a control circuit contained in the casing to receive a signal from the actuator and to send a signal to the motor to cause the motor to actuate, and a power source contained in the casing to provide power to the motor upon receive a signal from the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Benedict, David Mathew Johnson, Scott E. Solberg, Jamie Kalb, Ravi Neelakantan, Jerome Unidad, David Charles Taylor, Frances Yan
  • Publication number: 20210370228
    Abstract: Air flows across an air-liquid interface such that liquid desiccant flowing through the interface absorbs water from the air and is thereby diluted to form an output stream. The output stream is circulated through an electrodialytic stack having a central ionic exchange membrane and first and second outer ionic exchange membranes. A redox shuttle loop circulates around the first and second outer ionic exchange membranes. A voltage is applied across the electrodialytic stack, which regenerates the liquid desiccant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Benedict, Eugene S. Beh, Elif Karatay
  • Patent number: 11185823
    Abstract: A system includes an electrodialysis device with a salinate chamber through which a salinate stream flows. A desalinate chamber is separated from the salinate chamber by a central, ion-selective membrane. A desalinate stream flows through the desalinate chamber. An anolyte chamber and a catholyte chamber are on opposite outer sides of the salinate and desalinate chambers and separated therefrom by first and second ionic exchange membranes. A solvent exchange interface is in contact on a first side with the salinate stream and is in contact a media flow on a second side. The solvent exchange interface moves a solvent from the media flow to the salinate stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Eugene S. Beh, Michael Benedict, Elif Karatay, Jessica Louis Baker Rivest
  • Publication number: 20210354389
    Abstract: A method involves liquifying a composite material comprising a functional material and a flowable material. A field is applied onto the liquified composite material. The field is continuously variable in three-dimensions such that each voxel of the liquified composite material has a selectably different orientation of the functional material within the flowable material. The liquified composite material is deposited onto a build surface where the composite material cools and locks in the selectably different orientation of the functional material within the flowable material. The cooled composite material is layered to additively manufacture a part with the selectably different orientation of the voxels combining to create a three-dimensional directional property in the part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Benedict, Jerome Unidad, Kathryn F. Murphy
  • Patent number: 11117090
    Abstract: Air flows across an air-liquid interface such that liquid desiccant flowing through the interface absorbs water from the air and is thereby diluted to form an output stream. The output stream is circulated through an electrodialytic stack having a central ionic exchange membrane and first and second outer ionic exchange membranes. A redox shuttle loop circulates around the first and second outer ionic exchange membranes. A voltage is applied across the electrodialytic stack, which regenerates the liquid desiccant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Benedict, Eugene S. Beh, Elif Karatay
  • Patent number: 11015875
    Abstract: A solution flows through a salinate chamber and a desalinate chamber of an electrochemical cell. Solutes are moved from the desalinate chamber to the salinate chamber to create respective solvent and concentrate streams from the desalinate and salinate chambers. The concentrate stream flows to a recombination cell where it is combined with a solvent. The combination causes at least one of an absorption of heat within the recombination cell and emission of heat from the recombination cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Benedict, Elif Karatay, Eugene S. Beh, Jessica Louis Baker Rivest
  • Publication number: 20210102305
    Abstract: A system to electrohydrodynamically pattern a material includes a first electrode having a first voltage, a second electrode having a second voltage that is different from the first voltage, one or more materials to be patterned residing between the first electrode and the second electrode, a gap between at least one surface of at least one of the materials to be patterned and one of the first or second electrodes, at least one patterning material in the gap, wherein the patterning material is a material other than air, and at least one filling material filling any remainder of the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: MICHAEL BENEDICT, DAVID MATHEW JOHNSON, ELIF KARATAY, ERIC WEFLEN, RAVI NEELAKANTAN
  • Patent number: 10821395
    Abstract: An electrodialytic battery system comprises an electrodialysis apparatus having first and second reservoirs, wherein concentration of an input solution in the first reservoir increases and concentration of the input solution decreases in the second reservoir during an operation mode. A first redox-active electrolyte chamber comprises a first electrode and a first solution of a first redox-active electrolyte material and has a reversible redox reaction with the first electrolyte material to drive an ion into the first reservoir. A second redox-active electrolyte chamber comprises a second electrode and a second solution of a redox-active electrolyte material and has a reversible redox reaction with the second electrolyte material to accept an ion from the second reservoir. A first type of membrane is disposed between the first and second reservoirs, and a second type of membrane, different from the first type, is disposed between the respective electrode chambers and reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Eugene S. Beh, Divyaraj Desai, Michael Benedict, Jessica Louis Baker Rivest
  • Publication number: 20200333086
    Abstract: A solution flows through a salinate chamber and a desalinate chamber of an electrochemical cell. Solutes are moved from the desalinate chamber to the salinate chamber to create respective solvent and concentrate streams from the desalinate and salinate chambers. The concentrate stream flows to a recombination cell where it is combined with a solvent. The combination causes at least one of an absorption of heat within the recombination cell and emission of heat from the recombination cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Benedict, Elif Karatay, Eugene S. Beh, Jessica Louis Baker Rivest
  • Patent number: 10717271
    Abstract: An apparatus for non-evaporative drying comprises a solvent permeable transfer substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. An ejector is configured to eject a droplet comprising at least one solvent onto the first surface of the transfer substrate. A reservoir comprising a draw solution is configured to place the draw solution in contact with the second surface of the transfer substrate, and a print substrate is configured to contact a portion of the first surface of the transfer substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Eugene S. Beh, Michael Benedict, Jessica Louis Baker Rivest, David Mathew Johnson
  • Publication number: 20200207022
    Abstract: An apparatus has a dispensing unit that causes a feedstock to flow out of an orifice of the dispensing unit where the flow exits toward a build surface. The feedstock has a functional material and a flowable material. The build surface and dispensing unit are moved relative to one another such that the flow exiting the orifice additively manufactures a part. A field generator emits a field onto the fluid flow to align the functional material. The field changes over time such that functional material has selectably variable orientation within a volume of the part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Benedict, Jerome Unidad, Kathryn F. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20200207074
    Abstract: An apparatus for non-evaporative drying comprises a solvent permeable transfer substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. An ejector is configured to eject a droplet comprising at least one solvent onto the first surface of the transfer substrate. A reservoir comprising a draw solution is configured to place the draw solution in contact with the second surface of the transfer substrate, and a print substrate is configured to contact a portion of the first surface of the transfer substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Eugene S. Beh, Michael Benedict, Jessica Louis Baker Rivest, David Mathew Johnson
  • Publication number: 20200164302
    Abstract: Air flows across an air-liquid interface such that liquid desiccant flowing through the interface absorbs water from the air and is thereby diluted to form an output stream. The output stream is circulated through an electrodialytic stack having a central ionic exchange membrane and first and second outer ionic exchange membranes. A redox shuttle loop circulates around the first and second outer ionic exchange membranes. A voltage is applied across the electrodialytic stack, which regenerates the liquid desiccant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Benedict, Eugene S. Beh, Elif Karatay