Patents by Inventor Thomas D Weir

Thomas D Weir 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: 10047308
    Abstract: A gasifier system for reducing the particle size of non-gas byproducts of the gasification process. The gasifier system generally includes a grinder that permits uninterrupted syngas flow during gasification of biomass that contains high amounts of silica and/or salts. The described system and method incorporates a grinder that breaks apart the resultant non-gas byproducts into finer particles that may be flushed out of a gasifier using the syngas stream. The particles may then be easily separated from the gas stream in a separator and collected in a char or waste bin for removal/disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Ag Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip W. Appel, Thomas D. Weir, Jacob M. Culley, Sarah E. Love, Daniel A. Howard
  • Patent number: 9631151
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, tar crackers, and methods for breaking down vaporized tars in a syngas stream are described. An example system may include a gasifier comprising a combustion chamber configured to, during a startup operation, receive heated air at a first port near a bottom of the combustion chamber and to support combustion of a column of biomass feedstock in an upward direction within the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber may be further configured to receive, during normal operation, air at a second port near a top of the combustion chamber to support gasification of the column of biomass feedstock in a downward direction within the combustion chamber to provide syngas from the first port near the bottom of the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: AG ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Philip W. Appel, Thomas D. Weir, Jacob M. Culley
  • Publication number: 20170073593
    Abstract: A gasifier system for reducing the particle size of non-gas byproducts of the gasification process. The gasifier system generally includes a grinder that permits uninterrupted syngas flow during gasification of biomass that contains high amounts of silica and/or salts. The described system and method incorporates a grinder that breaks apart the resultant non-gas byproducts into finer particles that may be flushed out of a gasifier using the syngas stream. The particles may then be easily separated from the gas stream in a separator and collected in a char or waste bin for removal/disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Philip W. Appel, Thomas D. Weir, Jacob M. Culley, Sarah E. Love, Daniel A. Howard
  • Patent number: 9567539
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, mobile gasification systems, and methods for gasifying residual biomass are described. An example system may include a mobile gasification system configured to gasify feedstock generated from residual biomass to provide syngas. The mobile gasification system may be configured to generate electrical power using the syngas. The mobile gasification system may be configured to be installed in a transportable structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: AG ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Philip W. Appel, Thomas D. Weir, Jacob M. Culley, Timothy E. Farley, Daniel A. Howard, Sarah E. Love
  • Publication number: 20160068770
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, staging hoppers, and methods for controlling continuous feed of feedstock into a gasifier are described. An example method staging feedstock in a staging hopper of a gasification system, and activating a stirrer to provide the feedstock to from the staging hopper to a gasifier of the gasification system. The gasifier is configured to gasify the feedstock to produce syngas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: PHILIP W. APPEL, THOMAS D. WEIR, DANIEL A. HOWARD
  • Publication number: 20160068771
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, char cooling augers, and methods for cooling biochar are described. An example system may include a char cooling auger coupled to a gasifier. The char cooling auger including a receiving hopper and an outer tube. The receiving hopper configured to receive and hold biochar from the gasifier. The receiving hopper configured to feed the biochar to a screw conveyor. The screw conveyor configured to rotate to transport the biochar from a first end of the outer tube to an outlet port near a second end of the outer tube. A temperature of the outer tube is less than a temperature of the biochar such that the biochar is cooled as transported through the outer tube prior to collection of the biochar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: PHILIP W. APPEL, THOMAS D. WEIR, SARAH E. LOVE
  • Publication number: 20160068772
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, tar crackers, and methods for breaking down vaporized tars in a syngas stream are described. An example system may include a gasifier comprising a combustion chamber configured to, during a startup operation, receive heated air at a first port near a bottom of the combustion chamber and to support combustion of a column of biomass feedstock in an upward direction within the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber may be further configured to receive, during normal operation, air at a second port near a top of the combustion chamber to support gasification of the column of biomass feedstock in a downward direction within the combustion chamber to provide syngas from the first port near the bottom of the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: PHILIP W. APPEL, THOMAS D. WEIR, JACOB M. CULLEY
  • Publication number: 20150059245
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, mobile gasification systems, and methods for gasifying residual biomass are described. An example system may include a mobile gasification system configured to gasify feedstock generated from residual biomass to provide syngas. The mobile gasification system may be configured to generate electrical power using the syngas. The mobile gasification system may be configured to be installed in a transportable structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Philip W. Appel, Thomas D. Weir, Jacob M. Culley, Timothy E. Farley, Daniel A. Howard, Sarah E. Love
  • Patent number: 7992626
    Abstract: A combination spray and cold plate thermal management system for effectively thermally managing a heat producing device during startup. The combination spray and cold plate thermal management system includes a spray unit thermally managing a heat producing device and a coolant reservoir thermally connected to the heat producing device. The coolant reservoir includes a porous media with coolant channels for storing a volume of the waste coolant after spraying of coolant has terminated. The coolant reservoir is fluidly connected to the spray chamber within the spray unit to receive the waste coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Tilton, Donald E. Tilton, Thomas D. Weir, John D. Schwarzkopf
  • Patent number: 7779896
    Abstract: A fluid recovery system is adapted for use with a cooling system, such as for use in electronic applications. In one example, an enclosure is configured to contain fluid in both gas and liquid states, wherein the fluid is adapted for use in spray cooling electronic components. A plurality of pick-up ports is defined within the enclosure. In one implementation of the cooling system, an orifice size used in each of the pick-up ports results in withdrawal of fluid from submerged and non-submerged pick-up ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L Tilton, Donald Tilton, Thomas D Weir, Randall T. Palmer
  • Patent number: 7717162
    Abstract: A fluid recovery system is adapted for use with a cooling system, such as for use in electronic applications. In one example, an enclosure is configured to contain fluid in both gas and liquid states, wherein the fluid is adapted for use in spray cooling electronic components. A plurality of pick-up ports is defined within the enclosure. In one implementation of the cooling system, an orifice size used in each of the pick-up ports results in withdrawal of fluid from submerged and non-submerged pick-up ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Isothermal Systems Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles L. Tilton, Donald Tilton, Thomas D Weir, Randall T. Palmer
  • Patent number: 7159414
    Abstract: The present invention is a coldplate hotspot spray cooling system that cools an electronic component creating a varying amount of heat across its surfaces. Liquid coolant is dispensed upon a spray pin protruding from a base wherein the liquid creates a very high heat absorbing evaporative thin film. The spray pin is located over an area of the chip that produces a large heat flux, typically referred to as a hotspot. The small size and isolation of the spray pin provides the ability to generate very large heat fluxes. Multiple spray pins are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Isothermal Systems Research Inc.
    Inventors: Charles L Tilton, Thomas D Weir, Paul A Knight
  • Publication number: 20040194492
    Abstract: The present invention is a coldplate hotspot spray cooling system that cools an electronic component creating a varying amount of heat across its surfaces. Liquid coolant is dispensed upon a spray pin protruding from a base wherein the liquid creates a very high heat absorbing evaporative thin film. The spray pin is located over an area of the chip that produces a large heat flux, typically referred to as a hotspot. The small size and isolation of the spray pin provides the ability to generate very large heat fluxes. Multiple spray pins are possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Isothermal Systems Research
    Inventors: Charles L. Tilton, Thomas D. Weir, Paul A. Knight