Patents by Inventor Rodney D Hugelman

Rodney D Hugelman 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).

  • Publication number: 20120255302
    Abstract: A thermal separator/power generator uses the thermodynamic properties of refrigerant substances to provide supplemental heating, cooling, and power without emitting any additional greenhouse gases to the environment by utilizing waste or unused heat energy. This is accomplished through the combined operation of a Rankine Cycle Generator using a refrigerant, preferably a natural refrigerant such as NH3, as the working fluid, and a CO2 a vapor compression heat pump cycle, also called a Thermal Separator Module. The combined system is called a Thermal Separator/Power Generator. It produces electrical power and simultaneously produces secondary heating and water or air cooling as byproducts. In the combined vapor compression heat pump/Rankine power generator cycle, waste heat from external source(s) are recovered and used for heating in the Rankine power cycle. The CO2 heat pump provides cooling and optional space or process heating in lieu of heat boost efficiency for the Rankine power generator cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Rodney D. Hugelman, Marc S. Albertin
  • Patent number: 7794212
    Abstract: A pump/compressor that utilizes a wedge at a fixed angle to operate the pump's pistons at a fixed stroke. Alternatively the wedge can be moved axially to increase or decrease the clearance volume. Variable fluid flow at any clearance volume is achieved by rotating the wedge with respect to the port plate thereby changing the timing of the pistons with respect to the fixed port plate which changes the timing of the intake and output cycles. This results in a portion of the intake charge being breathed back into the intake port and a portion of the output charge being breathed back from the outlet port. This causes the pistons to not take in a full charge from the inlet port and to not pump out a full charge into the outlet port. Thus, fluid flow is varied. The design results in a smaller pump as the wedge is supported by the pump housing rather than a mechanical linkage required of prior adjustable angle swashplate designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventor: Rodney D. Hugelman
  • Publication number: 20090232667
    Abstract: This invention relates to fluid compression and fluid transfer mechanisms for an axial fluid displacement apparatus. More particularly, it relates to a configuration of a bearing supported wobble plate plus intake and discharge valve mechanisms for a reciprocating piston wobble plate-type refrigerant compressor suitable for use with high pressure CO2 as a working refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Rodney D. Hugelman
  • Patent number: 6629488
    Abstract: A control system, method and apparatus are provided in which a wobble plate assembly is adjustably mounted on a piston and cylinder stroke control assembly. The wobble plate assembly is adjustable through various positions relative to the base, thus providing an adjustable tilt angle to the wobble plate assembly and different strokes for the pumping pistons. In another embodiment the wobble plate assembly is affixed to a clearance volume control assembly, thus providing for simultaneous, independent adjustment of piston stroke and clearance volume of the axial device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Whitemoss, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney D Hugelman
  • Publication number: 20020184998
    Abstract: A control system, method and apparatus are provided in which a wobble plate assembly is adjustably mounted on a piston and cylinder stroke control assembly. The wobble plate assembly is adjustable through various positions relative to the base, thus providing an adjustable tilt angle to the wobble plate assembly and different strokes for the pumping pistons. In another embodiment the wobble plate assembly is affixed to a clearance volume control assembly, thus providing for simultaneous, independent adjustment of piston stroke and clearance volume of the axial device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: Rodney D. Hugelman
  • Patent number: 5979294
    Abstract: A control system, method and apparatus are provided in which a rotatable wedge portion which is solidly mounted on a rotatable base engages piston and cylinder assemblies as the base rotates. In another embodiment the rotatable base is not affixed to the shaft, but instead is allowed to rotate with respect to the shaft, while the shaft is affixed to the cylinder and piston, which rotate with the shaft. The wedge is rotatable through various positions relative to the base, thus providing an adjustable tilt angle and different strokes for the pistons. In another embodiment, the single wedge is replaced by a double wedge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: WhiteMoss, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney D. Hugelman
  • Patent number: 5944493
    Abstract: An adjustable rotor and/or a radial piston machine which may utilize an adjustable rotor. The rotor has a primary eccentric rotatable around an axis and a secondary eccentric adjustable in position relative to the primary eccentric. The radial piston machine includes a plurality of piston cartridges arranged radially around the axis and both high pressure and low pressure fluid distribution systems. Multiple units may be axially coupled. A single unit may handle a variety of fluids in various combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Whitemoss, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc S. Albertin, Rodney D. Hugelman
  • Patent number: 5724879
    Abstract: A control system, method and apparatus are provided in which a rotatable wedge portion which is solidly mounted on a rotatable base engages piston and cylinder assemblies as the base rotates. The wedge is rotatable through various positions relative to the base, thus providing an adjustable tilt angle and different strokes for the pistons. In another embodiment, the single wedge is replaced by a double wedge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: White Moss, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney D. Hugelman
  • Patent number: 5634777
    Abstract: An adjustable rotor and/or a radial piston machine which may utilize an adjustable rotor. The rotor has a primary eccentric rotatable around an axis and a secondary eccentric adjustable in position relative to the primary eccentric. The radial piston machine includes a plurality of piston cartridges arranged radially around the axis and both high pressure and low pressure fluid distribution systems. Multiple units may be axially coupled. A single unit may handle a variety of fluids in various combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventors: Marc S. Albertin, Rodney D. Hugelman