Patents by Inventor Robert J. Novak

Robert J. Novak 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: 9341316
    Abstract: A pipeline leak detection, containment and cutoff system features a flexible tubular jacket fitted circumferentially around the pipeline for expansion by leaking fluid. A coil is wrapped on the jacket and has a terminal fitting that normally resides in an engaged position maintain a predetermined state of a control circuit that connected to a valve installed on the pipeline. When the jacket expands under the action of fluid leaking from the pipeline, this increases the coil diameter a the expanding area of the jacket, which pulls the terminal fitting from its engaged position, thereby changing the state of the control circuit and causing the valve to close the pipeline and prevent further leakage from same. Preferably multiple valves installed along the pipeline are wired in series such that control circuit closes all the valves under a change in the control circuit by any one of the coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Robert J. Novak
  • Patent number: 9010286
    Abstract: Unique engines, air compressors, and pneumatically driven electrical generators are disclosed. The engine employs a rotor having a number of pistons slidably disposed within respective cylinder bores extending into the rotor periphery. As the rotor spins within a stator, each cylinder bore passes a combustion stage at which the piston is driven further into the rotor toward a bottom of the respective cylinder bore. Valves at the bottom of the cylinder discharge air that is compressed by this piston downstroke, and admit new intake air during an opposing upstroke. The unit thus operates as a self driven compressor, or engine-compressor combination, and the compressed air may be used to pneumatically drive a turbine of an electrical generator. A carbon splitter dissociates carbon and oxygen molecules from the carbon dioxide in the air downstream of the generator turbine, reducing the overall carbon dioxide output of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Robert J. Novak
  • Publication number: 20140076423
    Abstract: A pipeline leak detection, containment and cutoff system features a flexible tubular jacket fitted circumferentially around the pipeline for expansion by leaking fluid. A coil is wrapped on the jacket and has a terminal fitting that normally resides in an engaged position maintain a predetermined state of a control circuit that connected to a valve installed on the pipeline. When the jacket expands under the action of fluid leaking from the pipeline, this increases the coil diameter a the expanding area of the jacket, which pulls the terminal fitting from its engaged position, thereby changing the state of the control circuit and causing the valve to close the pipeline and prevent further leakage from same. Preferably multiple valves installed along the pipeline are wired in series such that control circuit closes all the valves under a change in the control circuit by any one of the coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: Robert J. Novak
  • Publication number: 20130186084
    Abstract: Unique engines, air compressors, and pneumatically driven electrical generators are disclosed. The engine employs a rotor having a number of pistons slidably disposed within respective cylinder bores extending into the rotor periphery. As the rotor spins within a stator, each cylinder bore passes a combustion stage at which the piston is driven further into the rotor toward a bottom of the respective cylinder bore. Valves at the bottom of the cylinder discharge air that is compressed by this piston downstroke, and admit new intake air during an opposing upstroke. The unit thus operates as a self driven compressor, or engine-compressor combination, and the compressed air may be used to pneumatically drive a turbine of an electrical generator. A carbon splitter dissociates carbon and oxygen molecules from the carbon dioxide in the air downstream of the generator turbine, reducing the overall carbon dioxide output of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventor: Robert J. Novak
  • Patent number: 5744406
    Abstract: A method for removing any single component or mixture of fats, oils and greases which have been added to or rendered out of an animal or vegetable product during cooking, thereby leaving the remaining commodity substantially fat-free without removing the water and water soluble flavor and nutrient salts. The product nearly instantaneously absorbs said fats, oils and greases onto a fabric substrate which is hydrophobic or repels water and oleophilic or attracts and absorbs hydrocarbons. The method works effectively on animal and vegetable fats, oils and greases through a temperature range from ambient or room temperature through boiling. The method removes fats, oils and greases from sauces, gravies, soups and any other cooking product regardless of type of cooking or type of fat, oil or grease and has the same removal effectiveness when used in waste treatment processes. The products are safe for use in microwaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: Robert J. Novak
  • Patent number: 4632077
    Abstract: An interrupter and Hall Effect switch for generating a unique signal when the window-in-vane interrupts the Hall signal in an ignition distributor and is designed to synchronize the ignition and fuel pulses in a multi-point injected internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Novak, Leonard J. Kronberger