Patents by Inventor Robert Ratz
Robert Ratz 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: 12607136Abstract: An energy storage system (TES) converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. The delivered heat which may be used for processes including power generation and cogeneration. In one application, the TES provides higher-temperature heat through non-combustible fluid to an alumina calcination system used to remove impurities or volatile substances and/or to incur thermal decomposition to a desired product.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2024Date of Patent: April 21, 2026Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Yusef Desjardins Ferhani, Peter Emery Von Behrens, Robert Ratz
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Patent number: 12571331Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2025Date of Patent: March 10, 2026Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery von Behrens, Chiaki Treynor, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz
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Patent number: 12560105Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2025Date of Patent: February 24, 2026Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery von Behrens, Chiaki Treynor, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz
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Patent number: 12553366Abstract: An energy storage system (TES) converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. The delivered heat which may be used for processes including power generation and cogeneration. In one application, the TES provides higher-temperature heat through non-combustible fluid to an alumina calcination system used to remove impurities or volatile substances and/or to incur thermal decomposition to a desired product.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2024Date of Patent: February 17, 2026Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery Von Behrens, Robert Ratz, Yusef Desjardins Ferhani, Jeremy Keller
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Patent number: 12529326Abstract: A thermal energy storage system with fluid flow insulation, the system including heated thermal storage blocks positioned within a housing, and a method for operating the thermal energy storage system, including providing a flow of fluid into the housing, the fluid convectively extracting heat from a top region, a side region and a bottom region of the thermal energy storage system, to generate heated fluid that insulates the thermal storage blocks from the housing and a foundation of the thermal energy storage system.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2024Date of Patent: January 20, 2026Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery von Behrens, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz
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Patent number: 12523165Abstract: An energy storage system (TES) converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. The delivered heat which may be used for processes including power generation and cogeneration. In one application, the energy storage system provides higher-temperature heat to a steam cracking furnace system for converting a hydrocarbon feedstock into cracked gas, thereby increasing the efficiency of the temperature control.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2025Date of Patent: January 13, 2026Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Yusef Desjardins Ferhani, Peter Emery Von Behrens, Chiaki Treynor, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz
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Patent number: 12497910Abstract: An apparatus includes one or more thermal storage blocks that define a radiation chamber and a fluid flow slot positioned above the radiation chamber to define a fluid pathway in a first direction. The apparatus includes a heater element positioned adjacent to the radiation chamber in a second, different direction, wherein the radiation chamber is open on at least one side to the heater element. The apparatus includes a fluid movement system configured to direct a stream of fluid through the fluid pathway in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2024Date of Patent: December 16, 2025Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery von Behrens, Chiaki Treynor, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz
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Publication number: 20250188852Abstract: An energy storage system (TES) converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. The delivered heat which may be used for processes including power generation and cogeneration. In one application, the TES provides higher-temperature heat through non-combustible fluid to an alumina calcination system used to remove impurities or volatile substances and/or to incur thermal decomposition to a desired product.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2024Publication date: June 12, 2025Inventors: John Setel O'DONNELL, Yusef Desjardins FERHANI, Peter Emery VON BEHRENS, Robert RATZ
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Publication number: 20250179941Abstract: A thermal energy storage system with fluid flow insulation, the system including heated thermal storage blocks positioned within a housing, and a method for operating the thermal energy storage system, including providing a flow of fluid into the housing, the fluid convectively extracting heat from a top region, a side region and a bottom region of the thermal energy storage system, to generate heated fluid that insulates the thermal storage blocks from the housing and a foundation of the thermal energy storage system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2024Publication date: June 5, 2025Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery von Behrens, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz
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Publication number: 20250179940Abstract: An energy storage system (TES) converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. The delivered heat which may be used for processes including power generation and cogeneration. In one application, the TES provides higher-temperature heat through non-combustible fluid to an alumina calcination system used to remove impurities or volatile substances and/or to incur thermal decomposition to a desired product.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2024Publication date: June 5, 2025Inventors: John Setel O'DONNELL, Peter Emery VON BEHRENS, Robert RATZ, Yusef Desjardins FERHANI
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Publication number: 20250179942Abstract: An apparatus includes one or more thermal storage blocks that define a radiation chamber and a fluid flow slot positioned above the radiation chamber to define a fluid pathway in a first direction. The apparatus includes a heater element positioned adjacent to the radiation chamber in a second, different direction, wherein the radiation chamber is open on at least one side to the heater element. The apparatus includes a fluid movement system configured to direct a stream of fluid through the fluid pathway in the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2024Publication date: June 5, 2025Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery von Behrens, Chiaki Treynor, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz
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Patent number: 12320277Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2024Date of Patent: June 3, 2025Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery von Behrens, Chiaki Treynor, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz
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Publication number: 20250163831Abstract: An energy storage system (TES) converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. The delivered heat which may be used for processes including power generation and cogeneration. In one application, the energy storage system provides higher-temperature heat to a steam cracking furnace system for converting a hydrocarbon feedstock into cracked gas, thereby increasing the efficiency of the temperature control.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2025Publication date: May 22, 2025Inventors: John Setel O'DONNELL, Yusef Desjardins FERHANI, Peter Emery VON BEHRENS, Chiaki TREYNOR, Matthieu JONEMANN, Robert RATZ
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Publication number: 20250163830Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2025Publication date: May 22, 2025Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery von Behrens, Chiaki Treynor, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz
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Publication number: 20250154882Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2025Publication date: May 15, 2025Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery von Behrens, Chiaki Treynor, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz
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Patent number: 12234751Abstract: An energy storage system (TES) converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. The delivered heat which may be used for processes including power generation and cogeneration. In one application, the energy storage system provides higher-temperature heat to a steam cracking furnace system for converting a hydrocarbon feedstock into cracked gas, thereby increasing the efficiency of the temperature control.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2024Date of Patent: February 25, 2025Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Yusef Desjardins Ferhani, Peter Emery Von Behrens, Chiaki Treynor, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz
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Patent number: 12203394Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2023Date of Patent: January 21, 2025Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery Von Behrens, Chiaki Treynor, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz, Yusef Desjardins Ferhani
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Patent number: 12188380Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2024Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery von Behrens, Chiaki Treynor, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz, Yusef Desjardins Ferhani
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Patent number: 12158088Abstract: An apparatus includes one or more thermal storage blocks that define a radiation chamber and a fluid flow slot positioned above the radiation chamber to define a fluid pathway in a first direction. The apparatus includes a heater element positioned adjacent to the radiation chamber in a second, different direction, wherein the radiation chamber is open on at least one side to the heater element. The apparatus includes a fluid movement system configured to direct a stream of fluid through the fluid pathway in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2024Date of Patent: December 3, 2024Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery von Behrens, Chiaki Treynor, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz
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Patent number: 12152509Abstract: A thermal energy storage system with fluid flow insulation, the system including heated thermal storage blocks positioned within a housing, and a method for operating the thermal energy storage system, including providing a flow of fluid into the housing, the fluid convectively extracting heat from a top region, a side region and a bottom region of the thermal energy storage system, to generate heated fluid that insulates the thermal storage blocks from the housing and a foundation of the thermal energy storage system.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2022Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery von Behrens, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz