Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Edwards

Thomas C. Edwards 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: 20240109031
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for processing ultramafic material. The system may comprise a reactor for accelerating weathering of said ultramafic material. The reactor may comprise one or more chambers comprising one or more microbes, biological medicators, or enzymatic accelerants to facilitate the weathering of the ultramafic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Stephen J. ROMANIELLO, Brian D. LEY, Douglas O. EDWARDS, Margaret G. ANDREWS, Nathan G. WALWORTH, Thomas ISHOEY, Tom C. GREEN, Francesc MONTSERRAT, Martin VAN DEN BERGHE, Kenneth NEALSON, Devon Barnes COLE, Kelly ERHART
  • Patent number: 8323012
    Abstract: A controlled-clearance sealing compressor device that provides precision rotor centering directly with respect to the stator housing, vane centering with respect to rotor (not the stator) and the dynamic balance design of the gliders required for practical single and dual vane devices. The devices uses roller bearings to control the radial position of the vane and control rods or pins are used to control axial positioning of the vane, its ‘centralization’ with respect to the rotor and the endplates. The positive displacement rotary vane compressors and vacuum pumps have friction reduction, efficiency enhancement and exceedingly long operating life as a result of the non-contact gas sealing of the process gas within the rotary vane compressors and vacuum pumps. In an embodiment the positive displacement compressing device is used in transportation vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 8049631
    Abstract: A system of determining an impairment level of a vehicle operator and preventing operation of the vehicle in an impaired state and method of using the same that comprises a key portion to initiate the starting of the vehicle, an electrical source to power the system, a random pattern generator, a display, a user input to allow the user to attempt to replicate the generated random pattern, a processor that compares data from the user input to the generated random pattern to determine if the input sufficiently matches the generated random pattern, and an access preventing feature disabling the key portion from starting the vehicle unless the processor determines the user input sufficiently matches the generated random pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20100304262
    Abstract: A controlled-clearance sealing compressor device that provides precision rotor centering directly with respect to the stator housing, vane centering with respect to rotor (not the stator) and the dynamic balance design of the gliders required for practical single and dual vane devices. The devices uses roller bearings to control the radial position of the vane and control rods or pins are used to control axial positioning of the vane, its ‘centralization’ with respect to the rotor and the endplates. The positive displacement rotary vane compressors and vacuum pumps have friction reduction, efficiency enhancement and exceedingly long operating life as a result of the non-contact gas sealing of the process gas within the rotary vane compressors and vacuum pumps. In an embodiment the positive displacement compressing device is used in transportation vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 7740460
    Abstract: A controlled-clearance sealing compressor device that provides precision rotor centering directly with respect to the stator housing, vane centering with respect to rotor (not the stator) and the dynamic balance design of the gliders required for practical single and dual vane devices. The devices uses roller bearings to control the radial position of the vane and control rods or pins are used to control axial positioning of the vane, its ‘centralization’ with respect to the rotor and the endplates. The positive displacement rotary vane compressors and vacuum pumps have friction reduction, efficiency enhancement and exceedingly long operating life as a result of the non-contact gas sealing of the process gas within the rotary vane compressors and vacuum pumps. In an embodiment the positive displacement compressing device is used in transportation vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 7491037
    Abstract: A valving system for reversing flow in a compressing device. The reversible compressor includes a reversible drive motor for reversing a rotational direction of a rotor, a first and second port located in a left and right side of a stator, respectively, and a first and second manifold located on a right a left side of said reversible compressor, the first and said second manifold includes a corresponding first and second inlet valve moveable between an open and closed position. A valving system between said first and said second manifold switches one of the first and second inlet valve to an open position to open a corresponding first or the second port for directional flow corresponding to the rotational direction of the rotor. In a first embodiment the valving system is a pressure-actuated control element and in a second embodiment the valving system includes a solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 6720102
    Abstract: A rotating fuel cell has a mounting with bearing means defining a rotary axis. A shaft with a longitudinally-extending bore is supported for rotation on the bearings. At least one PEM fuel cell assembly is mounted on the shaft and insulated therefrom, and also has a gas passageway in register with a radially-extending port in the shaft. Connections are provided for admitting hydrogen gas to the hollow bore. Air (oxygen) is supplied to the exterior of the PEM fuel cell assembly. The shaft and the PEM fuel cell assembly is rotated about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 6623261
    Abstract: A rotary vane apparatus where the rotor has a rotational axis and carries at least one vane which is supported by a vane guide apparatus for rotation about a stator axis which is spaced from the rotor axis a preselected amount and where both the rotor and vane have axial flat surfaces which are rotated adjacent to stationary flat surfaces of a stator or stator endplates, the invention provides axial adjustment of the vane with respect to the flat surface of the stator endplates and independently provides an adjustment of the rotor end surfaces with respect to the stator end surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20030096148
    Abstract: A rotating fuel cell has a mounting with bearing means defining a rotary axis. A shaft with a longitudinally-extending bore is supported for rotation on the bearings. At least one PEM fuel cell assembly is mounted on the shaft and insulated therefrom, and also has a gas passageway in register with a radially-extending port in the shaft. Connections are provided for admitting hydrogen gas to the hollow bore. Air (oxygen) is supplied to the exterior of the PEM fuel cell assembly. The shaft and the PEM fuel cell assembly is rotated about the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20030021713
    Abstract: A rotary vane apparatus where the rotor has a rotational axis and carries at least one vane which is supported by a vane guide apparatus for rotation about a stator axis which is spaced from the rotor axis a preselected amount and where both the rotor and vane have axial flat surfaces which are rotated adjacent to stationary flat surfaces of a stator or stator endplates, the invention provides axial adjustment of the vane with respect to the flat surface of the stator endplates and independently provides an adjustment of the rotor end surfaces with respect to the stator end surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 6503071
    Abstract: A single vane gas displacement apparatus comprises a stator housing with a right cylindrical bore enclosing an eccentrically mounted rotor which also has a radial slot in which is movably radially positioned a single vane. The vane is tethered to antifriction vane guide assemblies concentric with the housing bore. Then vane has a preselected center of gravity located proximate to the housing bore axis. An option is to have a port in said vane for ducting high-pressure gas to the inlet side to react against the rotor slot to reduce vane contact therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20020068003
    Abstract: A single vane gas displacement apparatus comprises a stator housing with a right cylindrical bore enclosing an eccentrically mounted rotor which also has a radial slot in which is movably radially positioned a single vane. The vane is tethered to antifriction vane guide assemblies concentric with the housing bore. Then vane has a preselected center of gravity located proximate to the housing bore axis. An option is to have a port in said vane for ducting high-pressure gas to the inlet side to react against the rotor slot to reduce vane contact therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5605450
    Abstract: A non-contact vane-type fluid-displacement machine includes a stator housing having an annular interior surface defining an interior bore and a rotor supported in an eccentric position in the interior bore of the stator housing relative to the annular interior surface thereof to undergo rotation relative to the stator housing about a central rotational axis. The rotor has at least one slot radially defined therein relative to the rotational axis. The machine also has at least one vane disposed in radial slot of the rotor. The vane is mounted to the rotor to undergo reciprocable movement in a radial direction relative to the rotational axis of the rotor such that an outer tip portion of the vane is maintained in a non-contacting substantially sealed relationship with the interior surface of the stator housing. Improved features of the machine relate to an arrangement of multiple discharge valves in the stator housing of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5560741
    Abstract: A non-contact vane-type fluid-displacement machine includes a stator housing having an annular interior surface defining an interior bore and a rotor supported in an eccentric position in the interior bore of the stator housing relative to the annular interior surface thereof to undergo rotation relative to the stator housing about a central rotational axis. The rotor has a plurality of slots radially defined therein relative to the rotational axis. The machine also has a plurality of vanes disposed in the radial slots of the rotor. The vane is mounted to the rotor to undergo reciprocable movement in a radial direction relative to the rotational axis of the rotor such that an outer tip portion of the vane is maintained in a non-contacting substantially sealed relationship with the annular interior surface of the stator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5551854
    Abstract: A non-contact vane-type fluid-displacement machine includes a stator housing having an annular interior surface defining an interior bore and a rotor supported in an eccentric position in the interior bore of the stator housing relative to the annular interior surface thereof to undergo rotation relative to the stator housing about a central rotational axis. The rotor has at least one slot radially defined therein relative to the rotational axis. The machine also has at least one vane disposed in radial slot of the rotor. The vane is mounted to the rotor to undergo reciprocable movement in a radial direction relative to the rotational axis of the rotor such that an outer tip portion of the vane is maintained in a non-contacting substantially sealed relationship with the interior surface of the stator housing. Improved features of the machine relate to a plurality of low profile vane guide assemblies for positioning the vanes of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5536153
    Abstract: A non-contact vane-type fluid-displacement machine includes a stator housing having an annular interior surface defining an interior bore and a rotor supported in an eccentric position in the interior bore of the stator housing relative to the annular interior surface thereof to undergo rotation relative to the stator housing about a central rotational axis. The rotor has at least one slot radially defined therein relative to the rotational axis. The machine also has at least one vane disposed in radial slot of the rotor. The vane is mounted to the rotor to undergo reciprocable movement in a radial direction relative to the rotational axis of the rotor such that an outer tip portion of the vane is maintained in a non-contacting substantially sealed relationship with the interior surface of the stator housing. Improved features of the machine relate to a lubricant separator and sump arrangement incorporated in the stator housing of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5501586
    Abstract: A non-contact rotary vane gas expanding apparatus functions to convert controlled expansion of gas under pressure to rotary motive power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5452998
    Abstract: A non-contact vane-type fluid-displacement machine includes a stator housing having an annular interior surface defining an interior bore and a rotor supported in an eccentric position in the interior bore of the stator housing relative to the annular interior surface thereof to undergo rotation relative to the stator housing about a central rotational axis. The rotor has at least one slot radially defined therein relative to the rotational axis. The machine also has at least one vane disposed in radial slot of the rotor. The vane is mounted to the rotor to undergo reciprocable movement in a radial direction relative to the rotational axis of the rotor such that an outer tip portion of the vane is maintained in a non-contacting substantially sealed relationship with the interior surface of the stator housing. Improved features of the machine relate to a suction flow check valve assembly for use in the inlet of the stator housing of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5374172
    Abstract: A single rotating vane gas compressor comprising a casing having a longitudinal bore with end plate means. A generally right cylindrical rotor is eccentrically for rotation within the bore; it carrier within a radial slot thereof a vane freely slidable in a radial direction. The radial travel of the vane is controlled by the vane being pivotally mounted on an axle the two ends of which are held by the inner race of a bearing means positioned in the end plate means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5160252
    Abstract: A fluid displacement machine of the vane type which can be operated as a compressor or motor utilizes a cylindrical rotor equipped with one or more tethered sliding vanes wherein the rotor and vane set is rotatably located eccentrically inside an internal conforming casing profile between opposing endplates to define enclosed variable volume compartments. [Each vane is fitted on opposite sides eith tethers which are pivotally-mounted remotely from the vane tips. The tethers engage, through anti-friction means, circular annuli located within the endplates which are eccentric with the hollow casing profile.] Anti-friction tether-to-annuli means are used, one in the form of freely-rotating caged roller bearings interposed between the tethers and the respective internal annuli, and another in the form of tethers equipped with trunnioned bearings which directly engage these internal annular surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Inventor: Thomas C. Edwards