Patent No. 10,662,535
• Self-senses of damage in a bonded, electrically conductive composite repair for metal equipment by monitoring a resistance using an impressed current cathodic protection system (ICCP) used to protect metal elements in any metal structure with an ICCP (pressure vessel, ship, pipeline). This invention is based on a direct current resistive measurement of composite bonding quality.
• This invention is unique because there are currently no simple-to-use systems to access the structural health of a composite repair. While the basic principle is known, the use of the ICCP system for repair monitoring is novel, simple, and requires no additional equipment.
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Category: Patented
CHARGED ARRAYS OF MICRO AND NANOSCALE ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS AND BATTERIES FOR COMPUTER AND NANODEVICE MEMORY AND POWER SUPPLY
Patent No’s. 7,704,615 & 7,785,737
Expiration Date – 2/26/2028
• This invention involves charged arrays of micro and nanoscale electrochemical cells and batteries for computer and nanodevice memory. Nanoscale or electrochemical cells or batteries are arranged in well-ordered arrays. Charged cells serve as “on” or “1” while cells that are not charged could serve as “off” or “0,” in effect serving as memory devices.
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NANOSCALE THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) BATTERY ARCHITECTURE
Patent No. 8,574,744
Expiration Date – 4/23/2030
• The invention is a 3D compact, highly efficient nanobattery comprised of nanobaskets, nanowires, and an electrolyte layer.
• The battery’s nanobaskets, formed on a nanoporous substrate, serve as electrodes, with nanowires providing direct electrical connections for each basket. A thin electrolyte layer is placed between the nanobasket electrodes to facilitate ion exchange and complete the energy storage system.
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COMPLIANCE METHOD FOR A CYBER-PHYSICAL SYSTEM
Patent No’s. 9,471,789 & 10,185,833
Expiration Dates: 2/19/2033 & 4/13/2033
• This novel method analyzes cyber-physical systems to ensure they meet compliance requirements such as regulatory, maintenance, and safety requirements.
• The invention performs an initial to end state path analysis to determine which paths contain a violation state. Compliance procedures are then performed utilizing the path analysis.
• The invention can reduce the risk of repairs and fines by ensuring that cyber-physical systems are operating within required compliance frameworks. …
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE CO-PRODUCTION OF HIGH TEMPERATURE THERMAL ENERGY AND ELECTRICAL ENERGY FROM SOLAR IRRADIANCE
Patent No. 11,125,469
Expiration Date – 02/02/2036
This hybrid solar energy system co-generates high-temperature thermal energy and electricity by integrating photovoltaic and concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies, enabling efficient and cost-effective energy capture.
The invention effectively utilizes the full solar spectrum, reducing electricity production costs by 10% compared to conventional CSP systems, and provides continuous energy generation with the capacity for storage and dispatch.
The invention was designed for solar energy applications, offering a lower cost solution for generating both electricity and process heat through an advanced photovoltaic and heat transfer fluid mechanism….
MAGNETICALLY GUIDED SELF-HEALING POLYMER MICROCAPSULE
Patent No. 10,179,846
Expiration Date: 06/06/2037
• This invention provides a process for making magnetic microcapsules by coating magnetic particles with a hydrophobic material, suspending them in a core material, and encapsulating them with an outer wall.
• Currently, self-healing microcapsules are incorporated into polymer structures and universally dispersed. This invention optimizes the concentration of microcapsules to minimize cost and to reduce negative impacts of the polymeric material properties. Implanting these self-healing microcapsules into a liquid polymer, guided by magnetic fields to areas of high failure probability, and cured into a solid material. Upon initiation of stress fractures, the microcapsules release self-healing agents, enabling the polymer to repair itself….
VELOCITY INDEPENDENT TWO-COMPONENT MAGNETIC FLUX LEAKAGE DETECTION SYSTEM
Patent No. 11,009,484
Expiration Date: 5/13/2037
• This invention is a device, system, and method for detecting flaws in magnetic material by using a wheeled scanner equipped with two distinct magnet-sensor arrangements.
• The invention uses two magnetic flux leakage (MFL) components to identify surface and subsurface flaws, which provide a more comprehensive assessment compared to traditional single-component MFL systems.
• The invention can be used to detect corrosion flaws in steel oil storage tanks using robotic surveying accurately and efficiently while reducing costs….
VACUUM-FREE, HYDROGEN-FREE CATALYTIC SYNTHESIS OF GRAPHENE FROM SOLID HYDROCARBONS
Patent No. 11,760,636
Expiration Date: 10/24/2039
• The invention allows for graphene production from readily available solid hydrocarbons such as coal, biocoal, and biochar. The invention does not require hydrogen injection or vacuum conditions, thereby reducing complexity and cost over other methods of graphene production.
• The invention allows graphene to be produced globally at lower temperatures and costs and is amenable to standard engineering reactor scaleup. Popular applications of graphene include solar panels, foldable touchscreens, and bionic devices.
• The lifetime of reactors, vessels, and transportation vessels made of Fe or Fe alloys can be increased by depositing graphene directly on the surface which will prevent the metal from oxidizing….
ANNULAR AXIAL MIXING SYSTEM FOR GAS-LIQUID FLOW
Patent No. 11,511,287
Expiration Date – 04/09/2041
• The Annular Axial Mixing System (AAMS) is designed to mix a wide range of multiphase flow patterns upstream of petroleum production treatment facilities.
• The invention eliminates severe slugging in pipeline/riser systems by first separating multiphase flows and then mixing them into a more homogenous pattern. This results in a smoother, continuous flow through the riser which prevents serious operational and safety issues….
PHOTOVOLTAIC RETROFIT DEVICE FOR ENHANCING POWER OUTPUT OF CONCENTRATING SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS
Patent No. 11,901,859
Expiration Date – 07/21/2040
• A photovoltaic device may be combined with a linear concentrating solar thermal power plant or retrofit to an existing solar thermal power plant. The concentrating solar thermal power plant includes a parabolic reflector trough assembly to achieve the solar concentration to a linear solar heat transfer target.
• The present invention is directed to a combined concentrating solar thermal power plant and photovoltaic electric generation device. The most economical configuration is a photovoltaic retrofit device for enhancing power output of an existing concentrating solar thermal power plant. In a retrofit installation most of the balance of plant is already constructed and only the solar cell direct current subsystem is required….
PARAFFIN INHIBITOR PERFORMANCE
Patent No. 11,572,780
Expiration Date – 05/25/2041
• This novel and efficient method of evaluates paraffin inhibitor performance using electrical impedance. Paraffin inhibitors are used to reduce waxy deposits that can plug oil production wells, delivery probes, and pipelines.
• The method is designed for the petroleum industry to replace the traditional 16-hour “cold finger” paraffin inhibitor evaluation test, saving time, and minimizing waste and environmental impact through an electrochemical method.
• Can be utilized on crude oil, crude condensates, and other paraffinic materials….
OIL – WATER EMULSION BREAKUP (OWEB) PROCESS AND SYSTEM
Patent No. 12,053,719
Expiration Date – 10/05/2041
• This mechanical in-line system of separating oil-water emulsions with hydrocyclones improves space and weight efficiency on oil production facilities both on- and off-shore.
• The invention efficiently breaks up emulsions under a wide distribution of droplet sizes and water cuts through an inverted emulsion process.
• The invention was designed for petroleum and chemical industries to reduce transportation and maintenance costs, preserve integrity of equipment and facilities, and accelerate the oil-water separation rate….