Patents by Inventor Michael L. Schlegel

Michael L. Schlegel 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).

  • Method and apparatus for thermally upgrading carbonaceous materials
    Patent number: 7842107
    Abstract: Carbonaceous materials are thermally upgraded in a pressurized steam environment to remove moisture and other byproducts. A variety of water/solid separation devices may be employed in a process vessel to maximize moisture removal from the upgraded charge. Heating media inlet nozzles and process chamber vents are strategically positioned at the process vessel wall to minimize short circuiting of heating media to vessel outlet vents and to continuously separate hot water removed from the charge and condensed steam, such that the upgraded material removed from the process vessel is not discharged with accompanying free moisture. After upgrading, the charge may be rehydrated to improve its stability during shipping and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Evergreen Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Hogsett, Philippus J. Meyer, Michael F. Ray, Michael L. Schlegel, Sheldon L. Schultz
  • METHOD FOR THERMALLY UPGRADING CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
    Publication number: 20100037516
    Abstract: Carbonaceous materials are thermally upgraded in a pressurized steam environment to remove moisture and other byproducts. A variety of water/solid separation devices may be employed in a process vessel to maximize moisture removal from the upgraded charge. Heating media inlet nozzles and process chamber vents are strategically positioned at the process vessel wall to minimize short circuiting of heating media to vessel outlet vents and to continuously separate hot water removed from the charge and condensed steam, such that the upgraded material removed from the process vessel is not discharged with accompanying free moisture. After upgrading, the charge may be rehydrated to improve its stability during shipping and storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Evergreen Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Hogsett, Philippus J. Meyer, Michael F. Ray, Michael L. Schlegel, Sheldon L. Schultz
  • Method and apparatus for thermally upgrading carbonaceous materials
    Patent number: 7198655
    Abstract: Carbonaceous materials are thermally upgraded in a pressurized steam environment to remove moisture and other byproducts. A variety of water/solid separation devices may be employed in a process vessel to maximize moisture removal from the upgraded charge. Heating media inlet nozzles and process chamber vents are strategically positioned at the process vessel wall to minimize short circuiting of heating media to vessel outlet vents and to continuously separate hot water removed from the charge and condensed steam, such that the upgraded material removed from the process vessel is not discharged with accompanying free moisture. After upgrading, the charge may be rehydrated to improve its stability during shipping and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Evergreen Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Hogsett, Philippus J. Meyer, Michael F. Ray, Michael L. Schlegel, Sheldon L. Schultz