Patents by Inventor Mikel Olander
Mikel Olander 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: 11135728Abstract: A lid assembly for a portable biochar kiln and system is disclosed. An example of a lid assembly includes a cylindrical sidewall, a rim around the cylindrical sidewall, and a top portion having an opening formed therein. A removable stack is configured to fit over the opening formed in the top portion to direct exhaust from the portable biochar kiln. A gasket cover is interchangeable with the removable stack to fit over the opening formed in the top portion to form a substantially airtight seal over the opening formed in the top portion when a burn is complete in the portable biochar kiln to self-extinguish embers in the portable biochar kiln.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Biochar Now, LLCInventors: Mikel Olander, Perry Pierce, II, William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II
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Patent number: 10883052Abstract: A biochar kiln is disclosed. An example of the biochar kiln includes a kiln body having a sidewall, a floor attached to the sidewall, and a removable lid. The example biochar kiln also includes a plurality of semi-independent combustion cells. The example biochar kiln also includes an outside vent pipe loading to a center of the semi-independent combustion cells to provide combustion air.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2019Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: BIOCHAR NOW, LLCInventors: Mikel Olander, Perry Pierce, II, William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II
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Patent number: 10751885Abstract: A gripper assembly for a portable biochar kiln and system is disclosed. An example of a gripper includes an attachment for connecting to a loader, the attachment having a mating surface configured for engagement with the biochar kiln. The example gripper assembly also includes a substantially C-shaped claw having a first arm and a second arm. The example gripper assembly also includes a motor on the attachment. The motor operates to open and close the first and second arms in a pinch-and-release motion to grasp and release the biochar kiln. The motor further operates to rotate the first and second arms to tilt the biochar kiln for dumping operations. The motor further operates to raise and lower the first and second arms to raise and lower the biochar kiln relative to the ground for moving operations.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Biochar Now, LLCInventors: Mikel Olander, Perry Pierce, II, William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II, Donald P. Aupperle
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Publication number: 20200078956Abstract: A lid assembly for a portable biochar kiln and system is disclosed. An example of a lid assembly includes a cylindrical sidewall, a rim around the cylindrical sidewall, and a top portion having an opening formed therein. A removable stack is configured to fit over the opening formed in the top portion to direct exhaust from the portable biochar kiln. A gasket cover is interchangeable with the removable stack to fit over the opening formed in the top portion to form a substantially airtight seal over the opening formed in the top portion when a burn is complete in the portable biochar kiln to self-extinguish embers in the portable biochar kiln.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Mikel Olander, Perry Pierce, II, William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II
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Publication number: 20190330533Abstract: A biochar kiln is disclosed. An example of the biochar kiln includes a kiln body having a sidewall, a floor attached to the sidewall, and a removable lid. The example biochar kiln also includes a plurality of semi-independent combustion cells. The example biochar kiln also includes an outside vent pipe loading to a center of the semi-independent combustion cells to provide combustion air.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Mikel Olander, Perry Pierce, II, William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II
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Patent number: 10385274Abstract: A portable biochar kiln and system is disclosed. An example of a portable biochar kiln system includes a kiln body. A ridge is provided around an outside perimeter of the kiln body. A removable lid is provided to cover and uncover an opening in the top of the kiln body. An edge is provided around an outside perimeter of the removable lid. The example portable biochar kiln system also includes a gripper attachment for heavy machinery. The gripper attachment is configured for engagement with the ridge to raise and lower the kiln body. The gripper attachment is also configured for engagement with the edge of the lid to cover and uncover the kiln body.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2017Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Biochar Now, LLCInventors: Mikel Olander, Perry Pierce, II, William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II
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Patent number: 10385273Abstract: A biochar kiln is disclosed. An example of the biochar kiln includes a body having a one-piece rolled wall, a curved floor attached to the sidewall by a single weld line, and a removable lid. The example biochar kiln includes a plurality of semi-independent combustion cells. The example biochar kiln also includes a ventilation subsystem, an ember suppression subsystem, and a stack subsystem. A control subsystem may configured to monitor a plurality of zones of the biochar kiln for a plurality of process control variables, to produce a quality biochar product with well-managed emissions.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2017Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Biochar Now, LLCInventors: Mikel Olander, Perry Pierce, II, William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II
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Publication number: 20190030725Abstract: A gripper assembly for a portable biochar kiln and system is disclosed. An example of a gripper includes an attachment for connecting to a loader, the attachment having a mating surface configured for engagement with the biochar kiln. The example gripper assembly also includes a substantially C-shaped claw having a first arm and a second arm. The example gripper assembly also includes a motor on the attachment. The motor operates to open and close the first and second arms in a pinch-and-release motion to grasp and release the biochar kiln. The motor further operates to rotate the first and second arms to tilt the biochar kiln for dumping operations. The motor further operates to raise and lower the first and second arms to raise and lower the biochar kiln relative to the ground for moving operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: Mikel Olander, Perry Pierce, II, William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II, Donald P. Aupperle
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Publication number: 20170283704Abstract: A portable biochar kiln and system is disclosed. An example of a portable biochar kiln system includes a kiln body. A ridge is provided around an outside perimeter of the kiln body. A removable lid is provided to cover and uncover an opening in the top of the kiln body. An edge is provided around an outside perimeter of the removable lid. The example portable biochar kiln system also includes a gripper attachment for heavy machinery. The gripper attachment is configured for engagement with the ridge to raise and lower the kiln body. The gripper attachment is also configured for engagement with the edge of the lid to cover and uncover the kiln body.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Mikel Olander, Perry Pierce, II, William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II
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Publication number: 20170283703Abstract: A biochar kiln is disclosed. An example of the biochar kiln includes a body having a one-piece rolled wall, a curved floor attached to the sidewall by a single weld line, and a removable lid. The example biochar kiln includes a plurality of semi-independent combustion cells. The example biochar kiln also includes a ventilation subsystem, an ember suppression subsystem, and a stack subsystem. A control subsystem may configured to monitor a plurality of zones of the biochar kiln for a plurality of process control variables, to produce a quality biochar product with well-managed emissions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Mikel Olander, Perry Pierce, II, William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II