Patents by Inventor Ryan Melsert

Ryan Melsert 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: 11316089
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus that uses a brine from a well that is used to both generate electricity and recover valuable minerals present in the brine. The method and apparatus uses a hydrophobic membrane to separate water vapor from the brine to concentrate the brine that is then used to recover the minerals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Southern Research Institute
    Inventors: Ryan Melsert, Jay Renew
  • Publication number: 20200279987
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus that uses a brine from a well that is used to both generate electricity and recover valuable minerals present in the brine. The method and apparatus uses a hydrophobic membrane to separate water vapor from the brine to concentrate the brine that is then used to recover the minerals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Ryan Melsert, Jay Renew
  • Patent number: 10737304
    Abstract: A system for thermally servicing a solvent-refining column includes: a first solvent-refining column, a closed-loop water-steam system; a first heat-exchanger thermally coupling the closed-loop water-steam system to the top of the first solvent-refining column, a second heat-exchanger thermally coupling the closed-loop water-steam system to a bottom of the first solvent-refining column, and a compressor positioned between the first heat-exchanger and the second heat-exchanger. The first heat-exchanger boils pressurized water to steam by transferring first heat from the top of the first solvent-refining column to the closed-loop water- steam system. The compressor compresses the steam in the closed-loop water-steam system to a higher temperature. The second heat-exchanger provides second heat to the first solvent-refining column by condensing the steam at the bottom of the first solvent-refining column after compression by the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Melsert
  • Patent number: 10686110
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus that uses a brine from a well that is used to both generate electricity and recover valuable minerals present in the brine. The method and apparatus uses a hydrophobic membrane to separate water vapor from the brine to concentrate the brine that is then used to recover the minerals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Southern Research Institute
    Inventors: Ryan Melsert, Jay Renew
  • Patent number: 10541413
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cathode material for a lithium ion cell comprises: generating a lithium nickel composite oxide material in a manufacturing process, wherein the manufacturing process results in residual lithium being present in the lithium nickel composite oxide material; washing the lithium nickel composite oxide material to remove at least part of the residual lithium, wherein the washing provides the lithium nickel composite oxide material with a moisture content; and drying the lithium nickel composite oxide material to remove at least part of the moisture content, the drying performed in an environment of substantially only an inert gas or air essentially free of carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Shinji Arimoto, Kunio Tsuruta, Rene Leblanc, Ryan Melsert
  • Patent number: 10464815
    Abstract: A thermochemical energy storage system and method of storing thermal energy are disclosed. The energy storing system described herein comprises a reactor comprising a CO2 sorbent comprising i) CaO and mayenite or ii) Li4SiO4, or a combination thereof, and b) a CO2 source, wherein the CO2 source is in fluid communication with the reactor to allow flow of CO2 between the CO2 source and the reactor. Further, methods are disclosed for storing thermal energy through a wide temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Southern Research Institute
    Inventors: Ryan Melsert, Santosh Kumar Gangwal, Tim A. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20190232344
    Abstract: A system for thermally servicing a solvent-refining column includes: a first solvent-refining column, a closed-loop water-steam system; a first heat-exchanger thermally coupling the closed-loop water-steam system to the top of the first solvent-refining column, a second heat-exchanger thermally coupling the closed-loop water-steam system to a bottom of the first solvent-refining column, and a compressor positioned between the first heat-exchanger and the second heat-exchanger. The first heat-exchanger boils pressurized water to steam by transferring first heat from the top of the first solvent-refining column to the closed-loop water- steam system. The compressor compresses the steam in the closed-loop water-steam system to a higher temperature. The second heat-exchanger provides second heat to the first solvent-refining column by condensing the steam at the bottom of the first solvent-refining column after compression by the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Melsert
  • Patent number: 10293386
    Abstract: A method of thermally servicing a solvent-refining column comprises: running a closed-loop water-steam system past a top and bottom of a first column, the first column containing at least a solvent and impurities; boiling pressurized water in the closed-loop water-steam system to steam using first heat from the top of the first column; compressing the steam in the closed-loop water-steam system to a higher temperature; and providing second heat to the first column by condensing the steam at the bottom of the first column after compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Melsert
  • Publication number: 20180269367
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus that uses a brine from a well that is used to both generate electricity and recover valuable minerals present in the brine. The method and apparatus uses a hydrophobic membrane to separate water vapor from the brine to concentrate the brine that is then used to recover the minerals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Ryan Melsert, Jay Renew
  • Patent number: 10038131
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus that uses a brine from a well that is used to both generate electricity and recover valuable minerals present in the brine. The method and apparatus uses a hydrophobic membrane to separate water vapor from the brine to concentrate the brine that is then used to recover the minerals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: SOUTHERN RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ryan Melsert, Jay Renew
  • Publication number: 20180071799
    Abstract: A method of thermally servicing a solvent-refining column comprises: running a closed-loop water-steam system past a top and bottom of a first column, the first column containing at least a solvent and impurities; boiling pressurized water in the closed-loop water-steam system to steam using first heat from the top of the first column; compressing the steam in the closed-loop water-steam system to a higher temperature; and providing second heat to the first column by condensing the steam at the bottom of the first column after compression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Melsert
  • Publication number: 20170362090
    Abstract: A thermochemical energy storage system and method of storing thermal energy are disclosed. The energy storing system described herein comprises a reactor comprising a CO2 sorbent comprising i) CaO and mayenite or ii) Li4SiO4, or a combination thereof, and b) a CO2 source, wherein the CO2 source is in fluid communication with the reactor to allow flow of CO2 between the CO2 source and the reactor. Further, methods are disclosed for storing thermal energy through a wide temperature range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Ryan Melsert, Santosh Kumar Gangwal, Tim A. Hansen
  • Patent number: 9827602
    Abstract: A method of thermally servicing a solvent-refining column comprises: running a closed-loop water-steam system past a top and bottom of a first column, the first column containing at least a solvent and impurities; boiling pressurized water in the closed-loop water-steam system to steam using first heat from the top of the first column; compressing the steam in the closed-loop water-steam system to a higher temperature; and providing second heat to the first column by condensing the steam at the bottom of the first column after compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: TESLA, INC.
    Inventor: Ryan Melsert
  • Publication number: 20170294652
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cathode material for a lithium ion cell comprises: generating a lithium nickel composite oxide material in a manufacturing process, wherein the manufacturing process results in residual lithium being present in the lithium nickel composite oxide material; washing the lithium nickel composite oxide material to remove at least part of the residual lithium, wherein the washing provides the lithium nickel composite oxide material with a moisture content; and drying the lithium nickel composite oxide material to remove at least part of the moisture content, the drying performed in an environment of substantially only an inert gas or air essentially free of carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Shinji ARIMOTO, Kunio TSURUTA, Rene LEBLANC, Ryan MELSERT
  • Publication number: 20170087605
    Abstract: A method of thermally servicing a solvent-refining column comprises: running a closed-loop water-steam system past a top and bottom of a first column, the first column containing at least a solvent and impurities; boiling pressurized water in the closed-loop water-steam system to steam using first heat from the top of the first column; compressing the steam in the closed-loop water-steam system to a higher temperature; and providing second heat to the first column by condensing the steam at the bottom of the first column after compression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventor: Ryan MELSERT
  • Publication number: 20170084812
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus that uses a brine from a well that is used to both generate electricity and recover valuable minerals present in the brine. The method and apparatus uses a hydrophobic membrane to separate water vapor from the brine to concentrate the brine that is then used to recover the minerals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Ryan Melsert, Jay Renew