Patents by Inventor Walter Neal Simmons

Walter Neal Simmons 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: 20220025599
    Abstract: An air infiltration system for a hydroelectric plant includes a spillway gate and a linearized cone valve coupled to the spillway gate, the linearized cone valve having a pivotable plate assembly. The spillway gate may be a tainter or Stoney gate and the pivotable plate assembly may have a deflection plate. A method of infiltrating air in water released from an impoundment may include: lifting a spillway gate from a resting position proximate a bottom of a spillway; and pivoting a deflection plate coupled to the gate proximate the bottom of the spillway; wherein water flows through an opening disposed between the deflection plate and the gate and is sprayed into an atmosphere to be oxygenated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Walter Neal Simmons, Connor Tinen
  • Patent number: 10975540
    Abstract: An air infiltration system for a hydroelectric plant includes a spillway gate and a linearized cone valve coupled to the spillway gate, the linearized cone valve having a pivotable plate assembly. The spillway gate may be a tainter or Stoney gate and the pivotable plate assembly may have a deflection plate. A method of infiltrating air in water released from an impoundment may include: lifting a spillway gate from a resting position proximate a bottom of a spillway; and pivoting a deflection plate coupled to the gate proximate the bottom of the spillway; wherein water flows through an opening disposed between the deflection plate and the gate and is sprayed into an atmosphere to be oxygenated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Cube Hydro Partners, LLC
    Inventors: Walter Neal Simmons, Connor Tinen
  • Publication number: 20200051183
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of unit scheduling optimization for a hydroelectric plant in a bilateral market includes: minimizing flow of water through the hydroelectric plant to meet a generation schedule, wherein integer linear programming is used for the minimizing and a set of constraints used for the minimizing includes a minimum dissolved oxygen concentration downstream of the hydroelectric plant. The minimum dissolved oxygen concentration downstream of the hydroelectric plant may be at least 6.0 milligrams per liter. The hydroelectric plant may include at least two turbines disposed in the flow of water in a cascading arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Walter Neal Simmons, Connor James Tinen, Ian Eldridge-Allegra, Jonathon Ryan Gillespie
  • Publication number: 20200048124
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of closed-loop dissolved oxygen monitoring and control at a hydroelectric plant includes: regulating at least one aeration valve coupled to a turbine using pattern recognition; wherein a target parameter for the regulating is a dissolved oxygen concentration of water downstream of the hydroelectric plant. The dissolved oxygen concentration may be at least 5.0 milligrams per liter. The pattern recognition may be performed using a neural network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Walter Neal Simmons, Connor James Tinen
  • Publication number: 20200033837
    Abstract: A data center comprises an enclosed space, a support disposed in the enclosed space, a plurality of cryptocurrency miners disposed on the support, and a barrier wall separating the enclosed space into a first portion on a relatively cool side and a second portion on a relatively warm side. The cryptocurrency miners each comprise a miner fan for circulating air from the first portion, and the cryptocurrency miners are each disposed so that air moved by the miner fan is exhausted into the second portion. A method of cooling a data center involves drawing relatively cool air into and through miners. Once the air is warmed inside the miners, the air is exhausted into a partitioned space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Walter Neal Simmons, Walter John Simmons, Connor Tinen
  • Patent number: 10238408
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing therapeutic shock waves are provided. A modified acoustic lens can include a first lens portion for directing a first part of an acoustic shock wave pulse toward a target and a second lens portion for directing a second part of the acoustic shock wave pulse toward the target. The second lens portion can be offset relative to the first portion such that transmission of the second part of the acoustic shock wave pulse through the second lens portion is delayed by a predetermined amount relative to transmission of the first part through the first lens portion. In situ superposition of the first and second pulses near and at the target can lead to the formation of a pressure waveform with idealized pulse profile and broadened focal width, which can provide for improved comminution of a concretion located within a living body with reduced tissue injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Pei Zhong, Glenn M. Preminger, Georgy N. Sankin, Franklin Hadley Cocks, Walter Neal Simmons
  • Publication number: 20190003139
    Abstract: An air infiltration system for a hydroelectric plant includes a spillway gate and a linearized cone valve coupled to the spillway gate, the linearized cone valve having a pivotable plate assembly. The spillway gate may be a tainter or Stoney gate and the pivotable plate assembly may have a deflection plate. A method of infiltrating air in water released from an impoundment may include: lifting a spillway gate from a resting position proximate a bottom of a spillway; and pivoting a deflection plate coupled to the gate proximate the bottom of the spillway; wherein water flows through an opening disposed between the deflection plate and the gate and is sprayed into an atmosphere to be oxygenated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Walter Neal Simmons, Connor Tinen
  • Patent number: 10132165
    Abstract: A grouting system for anchoring a reinforcement in a mine includes a package that is a tubular member formed of polymer film and has discrete first and second compartments. Hardenable cementitious material that is a hydratable substance and water is disposed in the first compartment. A method of forming a resin grouting capsule includes: injecting a hardenable material into a first compartment of the capsule having resin mastic; wherein the hardenable material does not substantially react with the resin mastic when injected into the first compartment. Another method of forming a resin grouting capsule includes: injecting a hardenable material into a first compartment of the capsule having catalyst mastic; wherein the hardenable material does not substantially react with the catalyst mastic when injected into the first compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Terrasimco, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter John Simmons, Walter Neal Simmons
  • Patent number: 9456835
    Abstract: Lithotripter apparatuses and methods are provided for selectively modifying an acoustic pressure field and can include a shock wave source operable to generate a shock wave having a substantially axisymmetric acoustic pressure field, an acoustic focusing member positioned between the shock wave source and a target, and an acoustic barrier positioned between the shock wave source and the acoustic focusing member. The acoustic barrier can be operable to selectively block a portion of the shock wave generated by the shock wave source such that the substantially axisymmetric pressure field is transformed into a modified acoustic pressure field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Pei Zhong, Walter Neal Simmons, Georgy N. Sankin, Nathan Smith, Franklin Hadley Cocks, Glenn M. Preminger
  • Patent number: 9328610
    Abstract: A method of forming a partitioned package for grouting for an anchoring system for a mine includes pumping a mastic into the package through a fill tube while a processing lubricant is separately introduced onto an inner wall of the fill tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: J-LOK Co.
    Inventors: Walter John Simmons, Walter Neal Simmons
  • Publication number: 20150069658
    Abstract: A mine support includes an elongate metal member and a coating comprising post-consumer recycled thermoplastic disposed on the member. The thermoplastic may include post-consumer recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate), and the coating may be an injection molded coating. A first layer of the coating may be provided with a thickness at least about 0.1 mm and a crystallinity between about 16% and about 30%, and a second layer of the coating may be provided with a thickness at least about 0.1 mm and a crystallinity between about 6% and about 14%. Either the first layer or second layer may contact the elongate metal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Terrasimco Inc.
    Inventors: Walter John Simmons, Walter Neal Simmons
  • Patent number: 8685303
    Abstract: A mine support includes an elongate metal member and a coating comprising post-consumer recycled thermoplastic disposed on the member. The thermoplastic may include post-consumer recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate), and the coating may be an injection molded coating. A first layer of the coating may be provided with a thickness at least about 0.1 mm and a crystallinity between about 16% and about 30%, and a second layer of the coating may be provided with a thickness at least about 0.1 mm and a crystallinity between about 6% and about 14%. Either the first layer or second layer may contact the elongate metal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Terrasimco Inc.
    Inventors: Walter John Simmons, Walter Neal Simmons
  • Patent number: 8444350
    Abstract: The gel time of a grouting system may be controlled by providing a resin component separated by a catalyst component, where a carbon component is included in the catalyst component. The catalyst component may include an inhibitor such as a phenolic compound, and/or the resin component may include a promoter such as an aniline compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: J-Lok Co.
    Inventors: Richard Wharton, Walter Neal Simmons, John G. Oldsen
  • Publication number: 20130046210
    Abstract: Lithotripter apparatuses and methods are provided for selectively modifying an acoustic pressure field and can include a shock wave source operable to generate a shock wave having a substantially axisymmetric acoustic pressure field, an acoustic focusing member positioned between the shock wave source and a target, and an acoustic barrier positioned between the shock wave source and the acoustic focusing member. The acoustic barrier can be operable to selectively block a portion of the shock wave generated by the shock wave source such that the substantially axisymmetric pressure field is transformed into a modified acoustic pressure field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Pei Zhong, Walter Neal Simmons, Georgy N. Sankin, Nathan Smith, Franklin Hadley Cocks, Glenn M. Preminger
  • Publication number: 20120243946
    Abstract: A method of forming a partitioned package for grouting for an anchoring system for a mine includes pumping a mastic into the package through a fill tube while a processing lubricant is separately introduced onto an inner wall of the fill tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Walter John Simmons, Walter Neal Simmons
  • Publication number: 20120215138
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing therapeutic shock waves are provided. A modified acoustic lens can include a first lens portion for directing a first part of an acoustic shock wave pulse toward a target and a second lens portion for directing a second part of the acoustic shock wave pulse toward the target. The second lens portion can be offset relative to the first portion such that transmission of the second part of the acoustic shock wave pulse through the second lens portion is delayed by a predetermined amount relative to transmission of the first part through the first lens portion. In situ superposition of the first and second pulses near and at the target can lead to the formation of a pressure waveform with idealized pulse profile and broadened focal width, which can provide for improved comminution of a concretion located within a living body with reduced tissue injury.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: PEI ZHONG, GLENN M. PREMINGER, GEORGY N. SANKIN, FRANKLIN HADLEY COCKS, WALTER NEAL SIMMONS
  • Patent number: 8202024
    Abstract: A partitioned package includes an inner tube having a longitudinally extending seal and containing a first material, and an outer tube having a longitudinally extending seal and surrounding the inner tube and containing a second material. The seals of the inner and outer tubes are positioned at different radial locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: J-LOK Co.
    Inventors: Walter John Simmons, Walter Neal Simmons, John G. Oldsen
  • Publication number: 20120114428
    Abstract: A grouting system for anchoring a reinforcement in a mine includes a package that is a tubular member formed of polymer film and has discrete first and second compartments. Hardenable cementitious material that is a hydratable substance and water is disposed in the first compartment. A method of forming a resin grouting capsule includes: injecting a hardenable material into a first compartment of the capsule having resin mastic; wherein the hardenable material does not substantially react with the resin mastic when injected into the first compartment. Another method of forming a resin grouting capsule includes: injecting a hardenable material into a first compartment of the capsule having catalyst mastic; wherein the hardenable material does not substantially react with the catalyst mastic when injected into the first compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Walter John SIMMONS, Walter Neal SIMMONS
  • Publication number: 20110105696
    Abstract: The gel time of a grouting system may be controlled by providing a resin component separated by a catalyst component, where a carbon component is included in the catalyst component. The catalyst component may include an inhibitor such as a phenolic compound, and/or the resin component may include a promoter such as an aniline compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: J-LOK CO.
    Inventors: Richard Wharton, Walter Neal Simmons, John G. Oldsen
  • Publication number: 20110014384
    Abstract: The invention is related to a coating delivery system that includes at least one pressure vessel having an inner surface, a flexible bladder disposed in a first pressure vessel and having an open condition and a closed condition, an internal region disposed between the inner surface and the bladder, and a deliverable substance including a coating component interspersed with at least one of liquefied carbon dioxide and supercritical carbon dioxide. The deliverable substance is disposed in one of the flexible bladder and the internal region, and the pressure-conveying fluid is received in the other to exert pressure on the deliverable substance and thereby permit transport thereof when the flexible bladder is in the open condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Terrasimco Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Neal Simmons, Walter John Simmons