Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Casey

Thomas J. Casey 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: 4639383
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating particulate granules is disclosed. The method is practiced by providing a fluidized charge of granules suspended in a flow of a drying gas within a rotating perforated coating pan. A portion of the fluidized granules is drawn along the pan's surface to a position above the fluidized charge of granules and allowed to cascade back into the fluidized charge. Flow of the drying gas is concentrated in the vicinity of the granules movement, and a coating material is dispensed onto the moving granules. The apparatus disclosed comprises a rotating perforated pan having gas inlet and exhaust plenums in contact with the rotating pan's exterior. The inlet plenum introduces a stream of drying gas to fluidize and suspend the agitated granules; the outlet plenum exhausts the drying gas and thereby draws granules along the pan's inner surface to the outlet plenum's position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Thomas Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Casey
  • Patent number: 4521310
    Abstract: Apparatus for the anaerobic conversion of organic waste to biogas using a microbial biomass comprises a closed reactor (1) adapted to receive the organic waste, the reactor having a first chamber (4) and a second chamber (3) in liquid communication, a gas blower (13) for conveying biogas which accumulates in the second chamber (3) to the first chamber (4) with a corresponding displacement of liquid material from the first chamber (4) to the second chamber (3), and a quick-release valve (14) for rapidly equalizing gas pressure in the chambers with a concomitant rapid reverse displacement of liquid material at predetermined intervals, resulting in an oscillating flow of liquid material in the reactor and an intimate mixing of the organic waste and the biomass, and a gas outlet (17) for releasing biogas from either of the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Inventor: Thomas J. Casey