Patents by Inventor Robert L. McGinnis
Robert L. McGinnis 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: 10315936Abstract: Separation processes using engineered osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2016Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Oasys Water LLCInventors: Robert L. McGinnis, Joseph Edward Zuback
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Patent number: 10315163Abstract: Separation processes using engineered osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2016Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Oasys Water LLCInventors: Robert L. McGinnis, Joseph Edward Zuback
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Patent number: 10280097Abstract: Separation processes using osmotically driven membrane systems are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources. Pre-treatment and post-treatment may also enhance the osmotically driven membrane processes.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2015Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Oasys Water LLCInventor: Robert L. McGinnis
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Publication number: 20180345228Abstract: Forward osmosis membranes include an active layer and a thin support layer. A bilayer substrate including a removable backing layer may allow forward osmosis membranes with reduced supporting layer thickness to be processed on existing manufacturing lines.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Robert L. McGinnis, Gary McGurgan
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Patent number: 9822021Abstract: Separation processes using forward osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of a solvent from a first solution to concentrate a solute therein by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. One or both of the solute and solvent may be a desired product. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. The various species of solute within the second solution can be recovered and recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Yale UniversityInventors: Robert L. McGinnis, Menachem Elimelech
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Publication number: 20170113192Abstract: Forward osmosis membranes include an active layer and a thin support layer. A bilayer substrate including a removable backing layer may allow forward osmosis membranes with reduced supporting layer thickness to be processed on existing manufacturing lines.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2016Publication date: April 27, 2017Inventors: Robert L. McGinnis, Gary McGurgan
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Publication number: 20160340212Abstract: Separation processes using forward osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of a solvent from a first solution to concentrate a solute therein by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. One or both of the solute and solvent may be a desired product. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. The various species of solute within the second solution can be recovered and recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Applicant: Yale UniversityInventors: Robert L. McGinnis, Menachem Elimelech
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Patent number: 9463422Abstract: Forward osmosis membranes include an active layer and a thin support layer. A bilayer substrate including a removable backing layer may allow forward osmosis membranes with reduced supporting layer thickness to be processed on existing manufacturing lines.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Oasys Water, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. McGinnis, Gary McGurgan
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Patent number: 9433901Abstract: An energy efficient desalination process that does not produce waste products involves the extraction of water from a first solution, such as seawater, by using a second concentrated solution to draw the water from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution in favor of the soluble species of the solute, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. Also, by adjusting the equilibrium in favor of the less soluble species after the water has been drawn from the first solution, a portion of the solute can easily be precipitated out. Heating the second solution decomposes the solute into its constituent gases. The constituent gases and precipitated solute may be recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Yale UniversityInventor: Robert L. McGinnis
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Publication number: 20160206997Abstract: Separation processes using engineered osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2016Publication date: July 21, 2016Inventors: Robert L. McGinnis, Joseph Edward Zuback
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Publication number: 20160207799Abstract: Separation processes using engineered osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2016Publication date: July 21, 2016Inventors: Robert L. McGinnis, Joseph Edward Zuback
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Patent number: 9352281Abstract: Separation processes using forward osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of a solvent from a first solution to concentrate a solute therein by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. One or both of the solute and solvent may be a desired product. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. The various species of solute within the second solution can be recovered and recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2012Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Yale UniversityInventors: Robert L. McGinnis, Menachem Elimelech
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Patent number: 9266065Abstract: Separation processes using engineered osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Oasys Water, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. McGinnis, Joseph Edward Zuback
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Patent number: 9248405Abstract: Separation processes using engineered osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2010Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Oasys Water, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. McGinnis, Joseph Edward Zuback
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Patent number: 9186627Abstract: The invention generally relates to thin film composite heat exchangers and methods of making thin film composite heat exchangers. The heat exchangers can be made with polymers or other materials including, but not limited to, inorganic materials such as silicon, clay, ceramic, brick, or metal. Heat exchangers in accordance with the invention may be made of a material that is non-corrosive, durable, and that may be applied in a thin coating so as to minimize resistance to heat transfer and material costs.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2011Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: OASYS WATER, INC.Inventors: Robert L. McGinnis, Gary McGurgan
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Patent number: 9115701Abstract: A method of converting thermal energy into mechanical work that uses a semi-permeable membrane to convert osmotic pressure into electrical power. A closed cycle pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) process known as an osmotic heat engine (OHE) uses a concentrated ammonia-carbon dioxide draw solution to create high osmotic pressures which generate water flux through a semi-permeable membrane against a hydraulic pressure gradient. The depressurization of the increased draw solution volume in a turbine produces electrical power. The process is maintained in steady state operation through the separation of the diluted draw solution into a re-concentrated draw solution and deionized water working fluid, both for reuse in the osmotic heat engine.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2013Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Yale UniversityInventors: Robert L. McGinnis, Menachem Elimelech, Jeffrey McCutcheon
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Publication number: 20150232351Abstract: The invention relates to osmotically driven membrane processes and systems and methods for recovering draw solutes in the osmotically driven membrane processes. Osmotically driven membrane processes involve the extraction of a solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Draw solute recovery may be carried out by various means including with the use of a membrane device. The draw solute recovery may also include the use of multi-stage solute recovery using distillation columns and/or membranes, where the recovery may be assisted by a heat pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Applicant: OASYS WATER, INC.Inventor: Robert L. McGinnis
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Publication number: 20150225261Abstract: Separation processes using osmotically driven membrane systems are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources. Pre-treatment and post-treatment may also enhance the osmotically driven membrane processes.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventor: Robert L. McGinnis
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Publication number: 20150157988Abstract: A spiral wound membrane module for forward osmotic use is disclosed. The membrane module may generally include a forward osmosis membrane in a spiral wound configuration. The module may include two inlets and two outlets, and may define first and second fluid flow paths. The inlets to each of the fluid flow paths may be generally isolated so as to prevent mixing. In some embodiments, the membrane module may include a distributer region and a collector region.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2014Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: Yale UniversityInventor: Robert L. McGinnis
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Patent number: 9044711Abstract: The invention relates to osmotically driven membrane processes and systems and methods for recovering draw solutes in the osmotically driven membrane processes. Osmotically driven membrane processes involve the extraction of a solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Draw solute recovery may be carried out by various means including with the use of a membrane device. The draw solute recovery may also include the use of multi-stage solute recovery using distillation columns and/or membranes, where the recovery may be assisted by a heat pump.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2011Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: OASYS WATER, INC.Inventor: Robert L. McGinnis