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).

  • Patent number: 11135728
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Biochar Now, LLC
    Inventors: Mikel Olander, Perry Pierce, II, William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II
  • Patent number: 10883052
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: BIOCHAR NOW, LLC
    Inventors: Mikel Olander, Perry Pierce, II, William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II
  • Patent number: 10751885
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Biochar Now, LLC
    Inventors: Mikel Olander, Perry Pierce, II, William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II, Donald P. Aupperle
  • Publication number: 20200078956
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Mikel Olander, Perry Pierce, II, William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II
  • Publication number: 20190330533
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Mikel Olander, Perry Pierce, II, William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II
  • Patent number: 10385274
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Biochar Now, LLC
    Inventors: Mikel Olander, Perry Pierce, II, William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II
  • Patent number: 10385273
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Biochar Now, LLC
    Inventors: Mikel Olander, Perry Pierce, II, William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II
  • Publication number: 20190030725
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Mikel Olander, Perry Pierce, II, William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II, Donald P. Aupperle
  • Publication number: 20170283703
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Mikel Olander, Perry Pierce, II, William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II
  • Publication number: 20170283704
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Mikel Olander, Perry Pierce, II, William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II