Patents by Inventor Thomas Richard Wehner

Thomas Richard Wehner 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: 10274227
    Abstract: This thermosyphon cooling system cools fluid by thermosyphon to prevent overheating at a solar collector when forced circulation stops. The introduction of the fluidic diode in the thermosyphon heat dump flow path affords more design and installation options, higher reliability, and the opportunity to manufacture solar collectors of less expensive alternative materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Richard Wehner
  • Publication number: 20180106504
    Abstract: The present invention cools fluid by thermosyphon to prevent overheating at a flowing-fluid-heating device, such as a solar collector, when forced circulation stops. The introduction of the fluidic diode in the present invention affords more overheat protection system design options, higher reliability, and the opportunity to manufacture solar collectors of less expensive alternative materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas Richard Wehner
  • Patent number: 9739507
    Abstract: The present invention limits fluid temperature at a point in a fluidic system to below a predetermined temperature by cooling the fluid when needed and without requiring a separate cold fluid source. The present invention “clips” the temperature of the fluid at a point in the system to within a temperature range and prevents overcooling the fluid. When the fluid temperature is below the temperature range, the temperature of the fluid is unchanged as it passes through the apparatus of the present invention. The present invention may operate without external power, can function in any orientation, and works for unpressurized and pressurized systems. The present invention has application in the areas of solar thermal energy systems, fluid tanks, engine oil and coolant systems, transmission fluid systems, hydraulic systems, machining fluid systems, cutting fluid systems, nuclear reactors and chemical reactors, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas Richard Wehner
  • Publication number: 20150362219
    Abstract: The present invention limits fluid temperature at a point in a fluidic system to below a predetermined temperature by cooling the fluid when needed and without requiring a separate cold fluid source. The present invention “clips” the temperature of the fluid at a point in the system to within a temperature range and prevents overcooling the fluid. When the fluid temperature is below the temperature range, the temperature of the fluid is unchanged as it passes through the apparatus of the present invention. The present invention may operate without external power, can function in any orientation, and works for unpressurized and pressurized systems. The present invention has application in the areas of solar thermal energy systems, fluid tanks, engine oil and coolant systems, transmission fluid systems, hydraulic systems, machining fluid systems, cutting fluid systems, nuclear reactors and chemical reactors, among others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Richard Wehner
  • Patent number: 9110477
    Abstract: The present invention keeps fluid temperature at a point in a flowing fluid system below a preset limit by providing automatic self-adjusting over-temperature protection that cools the fluid when needed and without requiring a separate cold fluid source. The present invention keeps the temperature of the fluid at a point in the system clipped at a cutoff temperature and prevents overcooling the fluid. When the fluid temperature is below the cutoff temperature, the temperature of the fluid is unchanged as it passes through the apparatus of the present invention. The present invention can operate without electrical power or any power source, can function in any orientation, and works for both unpressurized and pressurized systems. The present invention has application in the areas of solar thermal energy systems, fluid storage tanks, engine oil and coolant systems, transmission oil systems, hydraulic systems, and cutting oil systems, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Richard Wehner
  • Publication number: 20150168020
    Abstract: The present invention limits fluid temperature at a point in a fluidic system to below a predetermined temperature by cooling the fluid when needed and without requiring a separate cold fluid source. The present invention “clips” the temperature of the fluid at a point in the system to within a temperature range and prevents overcooling the fluid. When the fluid temperature is below the temperature range, the temperature of the fluid is unchanged as it passes through the apparatus of the present invention. The present invention may operate without external power, can function in any orientation, and works for unpressurized and pressurized systems. The present invention has application in the areas of solar thermal energy systems, fluid tanks, engine oil and coolant systems, transmission fluid systems, hydraulic systems, machining fluid systems, and cutting fluid systems, among others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: PO Box 32598
    Inventor: Thomas Richard WEHNER
  • Publication number: 20140020676
    Abstract: The present invention keeps fluid temperature at a point in a flowing fluid system below a preset limit by providing automatic self-adjusting over-temperature protection that cools the fluid when needed and without requiring a separate cold fluid source. The present invention keeps the temperature of the fluid at a point in the system clipped at a cutoff temperature and prevents overcooling the fluid. When the fluid temperature is below the cutoff temperature, the temperature of the fluid is unchanged as it passes through the apparatus of the present invention. The present invention can operate without electrical power or any power source, can function in any orientation, and works for both unpressurized and pressurized systems. The present invention has application in the areas of solar thermal energy systems, fluid storage tanks, engine oil and coolant systems, transmission oil systems, hydraulic systems, and cutting oil systems, among others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas Richard Wehner