Patents by Inventor Steve B. Zakem

Steve B. Zakem 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).

  • Heat engine system with a supercritical working fluid and processes thereof
    Patent number: 9863287
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention disclosed herein generally provide heat engine systems and methods for generating electricity. In one configuration, a heat engine system contains a working fluid circuit having high and low pressure sides and containing a working fluid (e.g., sc-CO2). The system further contains a power turbine configured to convert thermal energy to mechanical energy, a motor-generator configured to convert the mechanical energy into electricity, and a pump configured to circulate the working fluid within the working fluid circuit. The system further contains a heat exchanger configured to transfer thermal energy from a heat source stream to the working fluid, a recuperator configured to transfer thermal energy from the low pressure side to the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit, and a condenser (e.g., air- or fluid-cooled) configured to remove thermal energy from the working fluid within the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Echogen Power Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Steven Kacludis, Stephen R. Hostler, Steve B. Zakem
  • Heat Engine System with a Supercritical Working Fluid and Processes Thereof
    Publication number: 20150345341
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention disclosed herein generally provide heat engine systems and methods for generating electricity. In one configuration, a heat engine system contains a working fluid circuit having high and low pressure sides and containing a working fluid (e.g., sc-CO2). The system further contains a power turbine configured to convert thermal energy to mechanical energy, a motor-generator configured to convert the mechanical energy into electricity, and a pump configured to circulate the working fluid within the working fluid circuit. The system further contains a heat exchanger configured to transfer thermal energy from a heat source stream to the working fluid, a recuperator configured to transfer thermal energy from the low pressure side to the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit, and a condenser (e.g., air- or fluid-cooled) configured to remove thermal energy from the working fluid within the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Alexander Steven Kacludis, Stephen R. Hostler, Steve B. Zakem
  • Heat engine system with a supercritical working fluid and processes thereof
    Patent number: 9118226
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention disclosed herein generally provide heat engine systems and methods for generating electricity. In one configuration, a heat engine system contains a working fluid circuit having high and low pressure sides and containing a working fluid (e.g., sc-CO2). The system further contains a power turbine configured to convert thermal energy to mechanical energy, a motor-generator configured to convert the mechanical energy into electricity, and a pump configured to circulate the working fluid within the working fluid circuit. The system further contains a heat exchanger configured to transfer thermal energy from a heat source stream to the working fluid, a recuperator configured to transfer thermal energy from the low pressure side to the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit, and a condenser (e.g., air- or fluid-cooled) configured to remove thermal energy from the working fluid within the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Echogen Power Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Steven Kacludis, Stephen R. Hostler, Steve B. Zakem
  • Heat Engine System with a Supercritical Working Fluid and Processes Thereof
    Publication number: 20140103661
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention disclosed herein generally provide heat engine systems and methods for generating electricity. In one configuration, a heat engine system contains a working fluid circuit having high and low pressure sides and containing a working fluid (e.g., sc-CO2). The system further contains a power turbine configured to convert thermal energy to mechanical energy, a motor-generator configured to convert the mechanical energy into electricity, and a pump configured to circulate the working fluid within the working fluid circuit. The system further contains a heat exchanger configured to transfer thermal energy from a heat source stream to the working fluid, a recuperator configured to transfer thermal energy from the low pressure side to the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit, and a condenser (e.g., air- or fluid-cooled) configured to remove thermal energy from the working fluid within the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Alexander Steven Kacludis, Stephen R. Hostler, Steve B. Zakem