Patents by Inventor Steven C. Hench

Steven C. Hench 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: 12264648
    Abstract: A mastless vertical axis wind turbine that comprises a plurality of sails that rotate about a vertical axis under the influence of wind. A platform is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the bottom of the plurality of the sails. Also, an external frame is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the top of the plurality of the sails. The external frame itself comprises a plurality of legs that converge above the plurality of sails at a central point about the vertical axis of rotation and extend beyond the path swept by the plurality of sails. A coupling mechanism connects one or more of the plurality of legs to the plurality of sails and allows the sails to rotate about the vertical axis of rotation while the legs remain stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: J. Hench Consulting, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Hench
  • Publication number: 20240133359
    Abstract: A mastless vertical axis wind turbine that comprises a plurality of sails that rotate about a vertical axis under the influence of wind. A platform is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the bottom of the plurality of the sails. Also, an external frame is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the top of the plurality of the sails. The external frame itself comprises a plurality of legs that converge above the plurality of sails at a central point about the vertical axis of rotation and extend beyond the path swept by the plurality of sails. A coupling mechanism connects one or more of the plurality of legs to the plurality of sails and allows the sails to rotate about the vertical axis of rotation while the legs remain stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2024
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventor: Steven C. Hench
  • Publication number: 20240060467
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure disclose a turbine that includes multiple rotating sails and multiple stationary sails. A mastless vertical axis wind turbine includes a first plurality of sails that are configured to rotate about a vertical axis under the influence of wind. A platform is coupled to the first plurality of sails. During operation of the mastless vertical axis wind turbine, the platform is in tension with the first plurality of sails at one or more points about a particular end of the first plurality of the sails. The mastless vertical axis wind turbine also includes a second plurality of sails having respective first ends that are coupled together and second ends that are each coupled to one or more stationary surfaces. The second plurality of sails are configured to remain stationary as the first plurality of sails rotate under the influence of the wind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventor: Steven C. Hench
  • Patent number: 11898536
    Abstract: A mastless vertical axis wind turbine that comprises a plurality of sails that rotate about a vertical axis under the influence of wind. A platform is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the bottom of the plurality of the sails. Also, an external frame is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the top of the plurality of the sails. The external frame itself comprises a plurality of legs that converge above the plurality of sails at a central point about the vertical axis of rotation and extend beyond the path swept by the plurality of sails. A coupling mechanism connects one or more of the plurality of legs to the plurality of sails and allows the sails to rotate about the vertical axis of rotation while the legs remain stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: J. Hench Consulting, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Hench
  • Patent number: 11835031
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure disclose a turbine that includes multiple rotating sails and multiple stationary sails. A mastless vertical axis wind turbine includes a first plurality of sails that are configured to rotate about a vertical axis under the influence of wind. A platform is coupled to the first plurality of sails. During operation of the mastless vertical axis wind turbine, the platform is in tension with the first plurality of sails at one or more points about a particular end of the first plurality of the sails. The mastless vertical axis wind turbine also includes a second plurality of sails having respective first ends that are coupled together and second ends that are each coupled to one or more stationary surfaces. The second plurality of sails are configured to remain stationary as the first plurality of sails rotate under the influence of the wind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: J. Hench Consulting, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Hench
  • Publication number: 20230349357
    Abstract: A mastless vertical axis wind turbine that comprises a plurality of sails that rotate about a vertical axis under the influence of wind. A platform is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the bottom of the plurality of the sails. Also, an external frame is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the top of the plurality of the sails. The external frame itself comprises a plurality of legs that converge above the plurality of sails at a central point about the vertical axis of rotation and extend beyond the path swept by the plurality of sails. A coupling mechanism connects one or more of the plurality of legs to the plurality of sails and allows the sails to rotate about the vertical axis of rotation while the legs remain stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventor: Steven C. Hench
  • Patent number: 11668278
    Abstract: A mastless vertical axis wind turbine that comprises a plurality of sails that rotate about a vertical axis under the influence of wind. A platform is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the bottom of the plurality of the sails. Also, an external frame is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the top of the plurality of the sails. The external frame itself comprises a plurality of legs that converge above the plurality of sails at a central point about the vertical axis of rotation and extend beyond the path swept by the plurality of sails. A coupling mechanism connects one or more of the plurality of legs to the plurality of sails and allows the sails to rotate about the vertical axis of rotation while the legs remain stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: J. Hench Consulting, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Hench
  • Publication number: 20220290649
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure disclose a turbine that includes multiple rotating sails and multiple stationary sails. A mastless vertical axis wind turbine includes a first plurality of sails that are configured to rotate about a vertical axis under the influence of wind. A platform is coupled to the first plurality of sails. During operation of the mastless vertical axis wind turbine, the platform is in tension with the first plurality of sails at one or more points about a particular end of the first plurality of the sails. The mastless vertical axis wind turbine also includes a second plurality of sails having respective first ends that are coupled together and second ends that are each coupled to one or more stationary surfaces. The second plurality of sails are configured to remain stationary as the first plurality of sails rotate under the influence of the wind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventor: Steven C. HENCH
  • Publication number: 20210270234
    Abstract: A mastless vertical axis wind turbine that comprises a plurality of sails that rotate about a vertical axis under the influence of wind. A platform is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the bottom of the plurality of the sails. Also, an external frame is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the top of the plurality of the sails. The external frame itself comprises a plurality of legs that converge above the plurality of sails at a central point about the vertical axis of rotation and extend beyond the path swept by the plurality of sails. A coupling mechanism connects one or more of the plurality of legs to the plurality of sails and allows the sails to rotate about the vertical axis of rotation while the legs remain stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventor: Steven C. Hench
  • Patent number: 11009004
    Abstract: A mastless vertical axis wind turbine that comprises a plurality of sails that rotate about a vertical axis under the influence of wind. A platform is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the bottom of the plurality of the sails. Also, an external frame is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the top of the plurality of the sails. The external frame itself comprises a plurality of legs that converge above the plurality of sails at a central point about the vertical axis of rotation and extend beyond the path swept by the plurality of sails. A coupling mechanism connects one or more of the plurality of legs to the plurality of sails and allows the sails to rotate about the vertical axis of rotation while the legs remain stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventor: Steven C. Hench
  • Patent number: 10801465
    Abstract: Wave energy conversion systems are provided utilizing a mass of water entrained in a collapsible water mass enclosure that is suspended beneath a float (e.g., a vehicle, buoy, platform, etc.) to provide an inertial force in opposition to the rising heave-induced acceleration of the float. The water mass enclosure is communication with a generator, such as by tethering one end of a tethering means to the generator and the other to the enclosure. The enclosure may be placed in communication with an intermediary hydraulic system, which is also in communication with the generator. In certain embodiments, the system will include a reel system for deploying and retrieving the water masse enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Leidos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Hench, Charles R. Fralick
  • Publication number: 20180180020
    Abstract: A mastless vertical axis wind turbine that comprises a plurality of sails that rotate about a vertical axis under the influence of wind. A platform is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the bottom of the plurality of the sails. Also, an external frame is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the top of the plurality of the sails. The external frame itself comprises a plurality of legs that converge above the plurality of sails at a central point about the vertical axis of rotation and extend beyond the path swept by the plurality of sails. A coupling mechanism connects one or more of the plurality of legs to the plurality of sails and allows the sails to rotate about the vertical axis of rotation while the legs remain stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventor: Steven C. Hench
  • Patent number: 9995275
    Abstract: A mastless vertical axis wind turbine that comprises a plurality of sails that rotate about a vertical axis under the influence of wind. A platform is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the bottom of the plurality of the sails. Also, an external frame is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the top of the plurality of the sails. The external frame itself comprises a plurality of legs that converge above the plurality of sails at a central point about the vertical axis of rotation and extend beyond the path swept by the plurality of sails. A coupling mechanism connects one or more of the plurality of legs to the plurality of sails and allows the sails to rotate about the vertical axis of rotation while the legs remain stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventor: Steven C. Hench
  • Publication number: 20180156193
    Abstract: A mastless vertical axis wind turbine that comprises a plurality of sails that rotate about a vertical axis under the influence of wind. A platform is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the bottom of the plurality of the sails. Also, an external frame is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the top of the plurality of the sails. The external frame itself comprises a plurality of legs that converge above the plurality of sails at a central point about the vertical axis of rotation and extend beyond the path swept by the plurality of sails. A coupling mechanism connects one or more of the plurality of legs to the plurality of sails and allows the sails to rotate about the vertical axis of rotation while the legs remain stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventor: Steven C. Hench
  • Publication number: 20170298898
    Abstract: Wave energy conversion systems are provided utilizing a mass of water entrained in a collapsible water mass enclosure that is suspended beneath a float (e.g., a vehicle, buoy, platform, etc.) to provide an inertial force in opposition to the rising heave-induced acceleration of the float. The water mass enclosure is communication with a generator, such as by tethering one end of a tethering means to the generator and the other to the enclosure. The enclosure may be placed in communication with an intermediary hydraulic system, which is also in communication with the generator. In certain embodiments, the system will include a reel system for deploying and retrieving the water masse enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: Leidos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Hench, Charles R. Fralick
  • Patent number: 9528491
    Abstract: Wave energy conversion systems are provided utilizing a mass of water entrained in a collapsible water mass enclosure that is suspended beneath a float (e.g., a vehicle, buoy, platform, etc.) to provide an inertial force in opposition to the rising heave-induced acceleration of the float. The water mass enclosure is communication with a generator, such as by tethering one end of a tethering means to the generator and the other to the enclosure. The enclosure may be placed in communication with an intermediary hydraulic system, which is also in communication with the generator. In certain embodiments, the system will include a reel system for deploying and retrieving the water masse enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Leidos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Hench, Charles R. Fralick
  • Publication number: 20160153422
    Abstract: Wave energy conversion systems are provided utilizing a mass of water entrained in a collapsible water mass enclosure that is suspended beneath a float (e.g., a vehicle, buoy, platform, etc.) to provide an inertial force in opposition to the rising heave-induced acceleration of the float. The water mass enclosure is communication with a generator, such as by tethering one end of a tethering means to the generator and the other to the enclosure. The enclosure may be placed in communication with an intermediary hydraulic system, which is also in communication with the generator. In certain embodiments, the system will include a reel system for deploying and retrieving the water masse enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Steven C. Hench, Charles R. Fralick
  • Patent number: 9322387
    Abstract: A system and method for harnessing power associated with ocean waves and converting that power into electricity. The apparatus houses a vertically oriented central shaft, a pendulum, a generator, and other components that operate to optimize power output of the generator. Various operating parameters may be initially set and later changed to effectuate a restoring force applied to the apparatus against wave motion so that generator output is maximized. The optimum restoring force may vary according to changing environmental conditions. A library of environmental data and associated parameter values, tuning responses, and the like is stored at a central location or local to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Neptune Wave Power LLC
    Inventor: Steven C. Hench
  • Patent number: 9133815
    Abstract: A turbine blade is provided having a double helix shape with solid cross section. The turbine blades described herein may be adapted to be deployed in water or air such that usable energy may be extracted therefrom. The turbine blades may include a first and second endpoint located a distance apart on a central axis, with a helical edge spiraling in a directional rotation about the central axis from the first endpoint to the second endpoint. The turbine blade may also include a second helical edge spiraling in the same directional rotation about the central axis from the first endpoint to the second endpoint, such that the second helical edge is approximately congruent to the first helical edge and is located a distance from the first helical edge which defines a diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Leidos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Hench, Charles R. Fralick
  • Patent number: 9051918
    Abstract: A wind power harvesting system includes a turbine having a bottom disk and a top disk and a first and a second panel of collapsible material each attached at a first end thereof to the bottom disk and at a second end thereof to the top disk. The combination of attached panels of material results in the formation of a Savonius shape that rotates in response to the force of the wind. A non-cogging generator is attached to the turbine to produce power therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Leidos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Hench, Charles R. Fralick