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).
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Publication number: 20220025599Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Walter Neal Simmons, Connor Tinen
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Patent number: 10975540Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 5, 2018Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Cube Hydro Partners, LLCInventors: Walter Neal Simmons, Connor Tinen
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Publication number: 20200051183Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Walter Neal Simmons, Connor James Tinen, Ian Eldridge-Allegra, Jonathon Ryan Gillespie
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Publication number: 20200048124Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Walter Neal Simmons, Connor James Tinen
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Publication number: 20200033837Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Walter Neal Simmons, Walter John Simmons, Connor Tinen
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Patent number: 10238408Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: DUKE UNIVERSITYInventors: Pei Zhong, Glenn M. Preminger, Georgy N. Sankin, Franklin Hadley Cocks, Walter Neal Simmons
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Publication number: 20190003139Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Walter Neal Simmons, Connor Tinen
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Patent number: 10132165Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 8, 2011Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Terrasimco, Inc.Inventors: Walter John Simmons, Walter Neal Simmons
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Patent number: 9456835Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: DUKE UNIVERSITYInventors: Pei Zhong, Walter Neal Simmons, Georgy N. Sankin, Nathan Smith, Franklin Hadley Cocks, Glenn M. Preminger
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Patent number: 9328610Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 26, 2011Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: J-LOK Co.Inventors: Walter John Simmons, Walter Neal Simmons
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Publication number: 20150069658Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: Terrasimco Inc.Inventors: Walter John Simmons, Walter Neal Simmons
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Patent number: 8685303Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Terrasimco Inc.Inventors: Walter John Simmons, Walter Neal Simmons
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Patent number: 8444350Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 2, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: J-Lok Co.Inventors: Richard Wharton, Walter Neal Simmons, John G. Oldsen
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Publication number: 20130046210Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Inventors: Pei Zhong, Walter Neal Simmons, Georgy N. Sankin, Nathan Smith, Franklin Hadley Cocks, Glenn M. Preminger
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Publication number: 20120243946Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2011Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventors: Walter John Simmons, Walter Neal Simmons
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Publication number: 20120215138Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2012Publication date: August 23, 2012Inventors: PEI ZHONG, GLENN M. PREMINGER, GEORGY N. SANKIN, FRANKLIN HADLEY COCKS, WALTER NEAL SIMMONS
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Patent number: 8202024Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: J-LOK Co.Inventors: Walter John Simmons, Walter Neal Simmons, John G. Oldsen
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Publication number: 20120114428Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2011Publication date: May 10, 2012Inventors: Walter John SIMMONS, Walter Neal SIMMONS
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Publication number: 20110105696Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: J-LOK CO.Inventors: Richard Wharton, Walter Neal Simmons, John G. Oldsen
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Publication number: 20110014384Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: Terrasimco Inc.Inventors: Walter Neal Simmons, Walter John Simmons