Patents by Inventor W. Todd Willoughby
W. Todd Willoughby 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).
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Patent number: 6872313Abstract: A method for treating domestic wastewater, in situ, in a single tank. The use of which obviates the need for traditional septic tanks as well as lessening the burden, and reliance on, central water treatment plants. The resulting water is stored for non-potable reuse, thus lessening impact on public water supplies for domestic-utility use. The method is not limited to residential use but is equally applicable to boats, recreational vehicles, hotels, resorts, clubs, rest areas, apartment complexes, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2003Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Agrimond USA CorporationInventors: Nidal A. Samad, Alfredo J Teran, W Todd Willoughby
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Patent number: 6638757Abstract: A process is provided for the biological digestion of animal carcasses. First, the carcass is cut into smaller pieces with equipment that masticates, grinds or comminutes in the presence of water to create a solid-liquid mixture. The next steps include treating the solid-liquid mixture with a special blend or combination of bacteria that have been specifically cultured to digest the carcass; the mixture is subsequently aerated to form a stabilized biomass. The stabilized biomass is aerated in an open basin to further digest and liquefy the carcass, water, bacteria mixture. From the open basin, the primarily liquid waste stream is passed to a clarifying tank where the suspended solids are precipitated as sludge, thus clarifying the liquid. Sludge is removed from the clarifying chamber and the clarified liquid is either discharged or recirculated for further use in this novel process.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Agrimond, L.L.C.Inventors: Alfredo J. Teran, W. Todd Willoughby, Richard G. Wood
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Patent number: 6398959Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a unique apparatus and method for treating and reusing the wastewater discharged from agricultural animal farms. The apparatus and method of the present invention may be readily-sized and configured depending upon the amount and constituent(s) of the wastewater to be treated. In a first embodiment, the apparatus and method of the present invention is designed to be a zero discharge system in which no wastewater will be discharged or land applied. In use, the apparatus and method of the first embodiment may actually require addition of make-up water during periods of low rainfall to make up water losses due to evaporation and drift. It is contemplated that the only byproduct of the apparatus and method of the first embodiment may be a beneficial sludge if a sufficient number of installations are operated.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2000Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Agrimond, LLCInventors: Alfredo J. Teran, John R. Derrick, Jr., Nidal A. Samad, W. Todd Willoughby, Richard G. Wood
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Patent number: 6395174Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a unique apparatus and method for treating anaerobic bodies of water including, but not limited to, agricultural waste treatment lagoons. The apparatus and treatment method of the present invention will consist of several phases once the parameters of the wastewater have been ascertained. First, specially selected bacteria are cultivated based upon the wastewater parameters. This specialized bacteria is then utilized in bio-augmentation of the wastewater lagoon. Specifically, bacteria will be isolated and propagated specific for the wastewater which will create a selective dominance within the lagoon and enhance digestion of the waste. The wastewater lagoon is equipped with an aeration means and mixing means such that the wastewater undergoes aerobic digestion utilizing the specially selected bacteria. The solids separation or clarification phase preferably occurs in the existing animal wastewater treatment lagoon.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Agrimond, L.L.C.Inventors: Alfredo J. Teran, John R. Derrick, Jr., Nidal A. Samad, W. Todd Willoughby, Richard G. Wood, Harland E. Hyde, Daniel G. Wegerif
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Patent number: 6350608Abstract: A process is provided for the biological digestion of animal carcasses. First, the carcass is cut into smaller pieces with equipment that masticates, grinds or comminutes in the presence of water to create a solid-liquid mixture. The next steps include treating the solid-liquid mixture with a special blend or combination of bacteria that have been specifically cultured to digest the carcass; the mixture is subsequently aerated to form a stabilized biomass. The stabilized biomass is aerated in an open basin to further digest and liquefy the carcass, water, bacteria mixture. From the open basin, the primarily liquid waste stream is passed to a clarifying tank where the suspended solids are precipitated as sludge, thus clarifying the liquid. Sludge is removed from the clarifying chamber and the clarified liquid is either discharged or recirculated for further use in this novel process.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1999Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: AJT & Associates, Inc.Inventors: Alfredo J. Teran, Richard G. Wood, W. Todd Willoughby
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Patent number: 6193889Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a unique apparatus and method for treating and reusing the wastewater discharged from agricultural animal farms. The apparatus and method of the present invention may be readily sized and configured depending upon the amount and constituent(s) of the wastewater to be treated. In a first embodiment, the apparatus and method of the present invention is designed to be a zero discharge system in which no wastewater will be discharged or spray irrigated. In use, the apparatus and method of the first embodiment may actually require addition of make-up water during periods of low rainfall to make-up water losses due to evaporation and drift. It is contemplated that the only byproduct of the apparatus and method of the first embodiment may be a beneficial sludge if a sufficient number of installations are operated.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1999Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: Agrimond, L.L.C.Inventors: Alfredo J. Teran, John R. Derrick, Jr., Nidal A. Samad, W. Todd Willoughby, Richard G. Wood
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Patent number: 6090294Abstract: An apparatus and method for the purification of contaminated water whereby the contamination level of the wastewater is automatically monitored and treatment self-adjusted and continued until the desired level of purification is reached. Specifically, if upon treatment a pre-set purification level is not obtained a water recycle control means completely precludes the uptake of additional contaminated water and recycles wastewater within the apparatus until the desired level of purification is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1998Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: AJT & Associates, Inc.Inventors: Alfredo J. Teran, John R. Derrick, Jr., Nidal A. Samad, W. Todd Willoughby, Igor A. Vassiliev, Louis V. Mangiacapra, Carlos V. Diaz
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Patent number: 6039874Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating and reusing the wastewater discharged from agricultural animal farms. The apparatus and method of the present invention is designed to be a zero discharge system in which no wastewater will be discharged or spray irrigated. The wastewater effluent is first passed through a mechanical screen were bulk solids are separated and partially de-watered. The screened effluent is then directed to a primary plastic-lined earthen lagoon where it undergoes aerobic digestion utilizing specially selected bacteria. After treatment in the primary lagoon, the wastewater effluent is used to wash the floors of the hog houses or undergoes a purification phase including solids separation/denitrification, filtration and sterilization. The solids separation/denitrification phase (clarification) preferably takes place in an anoxic environment in preferably above-ground tanks where suspended solids removal will occur as well as denitrification for nitrate reduction.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1998Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Assignee: AJT & Associates, Inc.Inventors: Alfredo J. Teran, John R. Derrick, Jr., Nidal A. Samad, W. Todd Willoughby, Richard G. Wood
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Patent number: 5785864Abstract: An efficient, economical, portable, movable, and compact apparatus and method for treating a fluid with ozone comprising multiple pressurized contact columns which are arranged in a hybrid parallel and series column configuration, which utilizes a unique control system and piping arrangement to improve the efficiency of the mass transfer of ozone into the water and increase its solubility by increasing the contact time between the water phase and the gas phase.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 1997Date of Patent: July 28, 1998Assignee: AJT & Associates, Inc.Inventors: Alfredo J. Teran, John R. Derrick, Jr., Nidal A. Samad, Igor A. Vassiliev, Carlos V. Diaz, W. Todd Willoughby, Louis V. Mangicapra
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Patent number: D420720Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1998Date of Patent: February 15, 2000Assignee: AJT & AssociatesInventors: Alfredo J. Teran, John R. Derrick, Jr., Nidal A. Samad, W. Todd Willoughby, Igor A. Vassiliev, Louis V. Mangicarpa, Carlos V. Diaz
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Patent number: D424660Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: AJT & Associates, Inc.Inventors: Alfredo J. Teran, John R. Derrick, Jr., Nidal A. Samad, W. Todd Willoughby, Igor A. Vassiliev, Louis V. Mangicarpa, Carlos V. Diaz