Patents by Inventor Stephan B. Sears
Stephan B. Sears 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: 6858150Abstract: A water processing device for removing contaminants from water for consumption, consisting of: 1) a heat exchanger; 2) a heater; 3) a boiler chamber; 4) a liquid level control device; 5) a demister; 6) a degasser; and, 7) a self-cleaning component. A water seal to prevent steam from leaking from the device with liquid seal is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2003Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Inventor: Stephan B Sears
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Publication number: 20040104154Abstract: A water processing device for removing contaminants from water for consumption, consisting of: 1) a heat exchanger; 2) a heater; 3) a boiler chamber; 4) a liquid level control device; 5) a demister; 6) a degasser; and, 7) a self-cleaning component. A water seal to prevent steam from leaking from the device is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2003Publication date: June 3, 2004Applicant: Stephan B. SearsInventor: Stephan B. Sears
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Patent number: 6663770Abstract: A water processing device for removing contaminants from water for consumption, consisting of: 1) a heat exchanger; 2) a heater; 3) a boiler chamber; 4) a liquid level control device; 5) a demister; 6) a degasser; and, 7) a self-cleaning component. A water seal to prevent steam from leaking from the device is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2001Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Inventor: Stephan B Sears
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Publication number: 20020074275Abstract: A water processing device for removing contaminants from water for consumption, consisting of: 1) a heat exchanger; 2) a heater; 3) a boiler chamber; 4) a liquid level control device; 5) a demister; 6) a degasser; and, 7) a self-cleaning component. A water seal to prevent steam from leaking from the device is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2001Publication date: June 20, 2002Inventor: Stephan B. Sears
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Patent number: 5968321Abstract: Distillation system having an evaporator/condenser core with heat transfer plates welded together along their edges to form alternate boiling and condensing chambers. Feed liquid is supplied to the boiling chambers through a pair of heat exchangers which preheats the liquid and a steam stripper utilizing ceramic pieces to remove gasses from the liquid. Vapor from the boiling chambers is compressed and delivered to the condensing chambers where it is condensed and gives up its heat to the liquid in the boiling chambers. Pumps positioned between the two heat exchangers draw the condensed product and unvaporized feed liquid containing dissolved solids from the evaporator/condenser and circulate them through the heat exchangers to transfer heat to the feed liquid.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1996Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: Ridgewood WaterPure CorporationInventor: Stephan B. Sears
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Patent number: 5597453Abstract: A vapor compression distillation/product concentration device includes an evaporator/condenser core, with alternating boiling and condensing chambers with edge manifolds such that substantially the entirety of each plate surface is used as a heat transfer surface. Seals are conveniently formed between adjacent plates by laying a bead of liquid gasketing material such that as the plates are laid atop each other and cured, a waffle-like seal is formed surrounding the contact points between adjacent plates which interlocks the seal with the plates. A truly perpendicular fluid flow is achieved between the alternating boiling chambers and condensing chambers as each fluid traverses the entirety of each chamber in a unidirectional flow as it passes through the evaporator/condenser core.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1992Date of Patent: January 28, 1997Assignee: Superstill Technology, Inc.Inventor: Stephan B. Sears
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Patent number: 4978429Abstract: An apparatus especially suitable for distilling water is disclosed. This apparatus, as disclosed, includes first and second separate and distinct groups of adjacent, confronting plate members, each of which alternatively defines a series of boiling and condensing chambers and a compressor. The apparatus also includes a device for fluid connecting the various boiling and condensing chambers and compressor to one another so that feed water can first be converted to steam in the boiling chambers, then compressed in the compressor, and finally condensed into pure water in the condensing chambers. The two groups of plate members are connected to and supported by a combination manifold/support assembly which serves both as part of the fluid connecting device and as a device for supporting the confronting plate members.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1989Date of Patent: December 18, 1990Inventors: Stephan B. Sears, Dan M. Pomeroy, Richard O. Rhodes
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Patent number: 4919592Abstract: The radially compact fluid compressor especially suitable for use in the distillation apparatus or other environments where space may be at a premium is disclosed herein. The compressor includes a power driven impeller and a compressor housing which surrounds the impeller and which together with the impeller defines a fluid collection chamber extending between the first upstream end and a second fluid exiting downstream end. This collection chamber progressively enlarges vertically from its upstream end to its fluid exiting downsteam end, whereby fluid passing through the collection chamber from its upstream end to its downstream end progressively decreases in velocity and therefore progressively increases in static pressure.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1989Date of Patent: April 24, 1990Assignee: Superstill Technology, Inc.Inventors: Stephan B. Sears, Dan M. Pomeroy
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Patent number: 4869067Abstract: This document describes an improved method and apparatus for recycling energy in counterflow heat exchange and distillation. The basis of the invention is transferring heat with thin sheets of material having extensive surface area relative to the flow rate through the system. A distillation apparatus (11 and 12), a counterflow heat exchanger (11), a clothes dryer (FIG. 9), a power generator (FIG. 12), and other embodiments of the invention are described.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1988Date of Patent: September 26, 1989Assignee: Superstill CorporationInventor: Stephan B. Sears
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Patent number: 4769113Abstract: This document describes an improved method and apparatus for recycling energy in counterflow heat exchange and distillation. The basis of the invention is transferring heat with thin sheets of material having extensive surface area relative to the flow rate through the system. A distillation apparatus (11 and 12), a counterflow heat exchanger (11), a clothes dryer (FIG. 9), a power generator (FIG. 12), and other embodiments of the invention are described.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1987Date of Patent: September 6, 1988Assignee: Superstill Technology, Inc.Inventor: Stephan B. Sears
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Patent number: 4671856Abstract: This document describes an improved method and apparatus for recycling energy in counterflow heat exchange and distillation. The basis of the invention is transferring heat with thin sheets of material having extensive surface area relative to the flow rate through the system. A distillation apparatus (11 and 12), a counterflow heat exchanger (11), a clothes dryer (FIG. 9), a power generator (FIG. 12), and other embodiments of the invention are described.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1984Date of Patent: June 9, 1987Assignee: Superstill Technology, Inc.Inventor: Stephan B. Sears
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Patent number: 4506276Abstract: An ink supply connection to both an interchangeable print head and the ink supply container of an ink jet printer system of the asynchronous, volume displacement droplet ejection type, the ink supply including means for automatically closing off the ink supply line to prevent either the loss of ink or the introduction of air into the container, supply and print head when either the print head or the container is removed from the system. The print head includes an ink supply pressure sensor for sensing the changes in pressure in the system and a valve operated by the sensor to supply ink to the system upon reduction of the pressure below a predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1978Date of Patent: March 19, 1985Assignee: System Industries, Inc.Inventors: Edmond L. Kyser, Charles S. Mitchell, Stephan B. Sears
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Patent number: 4339763Abstract: A recording apparatus and method is disclosed which includes a writing fluid source feeding a drop projection means which ejects a series of droplets of writing fluid from a nozzle in a discontinuous stream with sufficient velocity to traverse a substantially straight trajectory to a recording medium. The volume of each droplet is individually controlled by electrical pulses applied to the projection means from an electronic driver. A plurality of such projection means may be employed and connected to control means whereby to print or form predetermined graphical intelligence patterns on a recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1980Date of Patent: July 13, 1982Assignee: System Industries, Inc.Inventors: Edmond L. Kyser, Stephan B. Sears
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Patent number: 4216483Abstract: A linear array ink jet assembly is disclosed which includes a writing fluid source feeding a drop projection means which ejects a series of droplets of writing fluid from a nozzle in a discontinuous stream with sufficient velocity to traverse a substantially straight trajectory to a recording medium. The volume of each droplet is individually controlled by electrical pulses applied to the projection means from an electronic driver. A plurality of such projection means may be employed and connected to control means whereby to print or form predetermined graphical intelligence patterns on a recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1977Date of Patent: August 5, 1980Assignee: Silonics, Inc.Inventors: Edmond L. Kyser, Stephan B. Sears
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Patent number: 4189734Abstract: A recording apparatus and method is disclosed which includes a writing fluid source feeding a drop projection means which ejects a series of droplets of writing fluid from a nozzle in a discontinuous stream with sufficient velocity to traverse a substantially straight trajectory to a recording medium. The volume of each droplet is individually controlled by electrical pulses applied to the projection means from an electronic driver. A plurality of such projection means may be employed and connected to control means whereby to print or form predetermined graphical intelligence patterns on a recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1974Date of Patent: February 19, 1980Assignee: Silonics, Inc.Inventors: Edmond L. Kyser, Stephan B. Sears
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Patent number: 4183031Abstract: An ink supply connection to both an interchangeable print head and the ink supply container of an ink jet printer system of the asynchronous, volume displacement droplet ejection type, the ink supply including means for automatically closing off the ink supply line to prevent either the loss of ink or the introduction of air into the container, supply and print head when either the print head or the container is removed from the system. The print head includes an ink supply pressure sensor for sensing the changes in pressure in the system and a valve operated by the sensor to supply ink to the system upon reduction of the pressure below a predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1977Date of Patent: January 8, 1980Assignee: Silonics, Inc.Inventors: Edmond L. Kyser, Charles S. Mitchell, Stephan B. Sears
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Patent number: 4074284Abstract: An interchangeable head system for an ink jet printer of the asynchronous, volume displacement droplet ejection type in which the print head is mounted on the print head carriage in a manner such that it may be readily detached and replaced with another head; the print head mounting allowing for adjustment of the distance from the print head nozzle to the print receiving medium. The ink supply connection to both the print head and the ink supply container includes means for automatically closing off the ink supply line to prevent either the loss of ink or the introduction of air into the container, supply and print head when either the print head or the container is removed from the system. The print head includes an ink supply pressure sensor for sensing the changes in pressure in the system and a valve operated by the sensor to supply ink to the system upon reduction of the pressure below a predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1976Date of Patent: February 14, 1978Assignee: Silonics, Inc.Inventors: John L. Dexter, Edmond L. Kyser, Charles S. Mitchell, Stephan B. Sears
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Patent number: 3946398Abstract: A recording apparatus and method is disclosed which includes a writing fluid source feeding a drop projection means which ejects a series of droplets of writing fluid from a nozzle in a discontinuous stream with sufficient energy to traverse a substantially straight trajectory to a recording medium. The volume of each droplet is individually controlled by electrical pulses applied to the projection means from an electronic driver. A plurality of such projection means may be employed and connected to control means whereby to print or form predetermined graphical intelligence patterns on a record medium.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1970Date of Patent: March 23, 1976Assignee: Silonics, Inc.Inventors: Edmond L. Kyser, Stephan B. Sears