Collection of Patents
Every patent you see on this page has been developed by and is currently owned by FOI Group, LLC. Check out some of our work. Have an idea? Contact Us.
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Automatic Rotating Agricultural System to Irrigate, Plant, Gather Forage, and/or Harvest Field
US Patent: 11,716,935 (In Force)
The automatic, rotating agricultural system rotates around a central pivot point in either a full rotation or a partial arc to irrigate, plant and/or harvest a field. The agricultural system includes a center pivot frame, a plurality of frame segments connected to each other, and a feed storage bin connected to the center pivot frame and the frame segments. The frame segment includes a section frame including wheels to enable movements, a cutter trolley beam extends in a radial direction of the section frame, a cutterhead coupled to the cutter trolley beam to cut forage or crop, a radial conveyor that moves the cut forage or crop in the radial direction of the section frame, and a cutter conveyor that moves the cut forage or crop from the cutterhead to the radial conveyor.
Exercise Apparatus with Variable Mode Hydraulic Cylinder
US Patent: 7,762,934 (In Force)
The invention is a hydraulic cylinder for use in exercise machines to deliver a controllable fast acting force. The invention uses a hydraulic cylinder with features that allow high acceleration rates, rapid changes of force level and direction, and positive force limitation. In the preferred embodiment, the hydraulic cylinder is composed of a rodless, hydraulic cylinder coupled to a cable and pulley system. A water source delivers water to generate a force against an inner bi-directionally moving piston to generate a regulated movement and force.
Method and Apparatus for Physical Fitness Training
US Patent: 7,547,269 (In Force)
An improved method and apparatus for physical strength, agility and endurance training uses fluid jet reaction forces to train and strengthen muscles. The device for physical training includes a source of pressurized fluid connectable through a hose to a propulsion system and one or more apertures or nozzles for forming one or more jets of fluid that are discharged from the propulsion system such that a nozzle reaction force, acting in a direction opposite the direction of the jet stream, is exerted on the jet propulsion system. Fluid can also be delivered through a curved tube or passage in the propulsion system such that a stream of fluid that is discharged from the propulsion system is not traveling in the same direction as it was before it was discharged such that the change in direction of the fluid causes a change in the momentum of the fluid for exerting an additional reaction force on the propulsion system. A user engaging mechanism, connected to the propulsion system, is configured to transmit exercise forces to a user. The device includes controls for controlling the magnitude and direction of the reaction force vector applied to the user engaging mechanism. Various embodiments of user engaging members, including blocking dummies, handles, gloves, helmets, shoes, straps or balls, may be attached to the propulsion system.
Method and Apparatus for Physical Fitness Training
US Patent: 7,648,450
An apparatus for physical fitness physical strength, agility and endurance training. A controllable pressurized flow of fluid is first received via a hose to a source of the pressurized fluid. In response to this flow of fluid, a force is generated along at least one of a plurality of selected directions using one or more apertures or nozzles. The force is then transferred to a user of the apparatus so as to supply physical resistance training to the user. The apparatus further includes a user engaging mechanism that is connected to the propulsion system, and is configured to transmit exercise forces to an associated user. The apparatus further includes controls for controlling the magnitude and direction of the reaction force vector applied to the user engaging mechanism. Various embodiments of user engaging members, including blocking dummies, handles, gloves, helmets, shoes, straps or balls, may be attached to the propulsion system.
Fire Extinguishing Device and Method
US Patent: 7,121,354
Application: Blastout Fire Extinguisher
A fire extinguishing device and associated methods. The device is adapted to be positioned in proximity to a fire and operable in response to heat output by the fire. The device includes a first reservoir, containing a fluid, adapted to receive the heat from the fire and thereby exert a pressure and a second reservoir, communicating with the first reservoir, containing a fire fighting material. The device further includes a pressure-sensitive membrane, forming a pressure-sensitive barrier between the first reservoir and the second reservoir, adapted to rupture upon a predetermined pressure being attained in the first reservoir and thereby releasing a steam into the second reservoir. The steam expels the fire fighting material onto the fire. Additionally disclosed are methods for using the device to control and extinguish fires.
Geothermal Heat Transfer and Intensification System and Method
US Patent: 8,418,465
This invention uses an innovative closed-loop steam cycle with a primary geothermal boiler and a recirculating arrangement to deliver a portion of the enthalpy of that produced steam as a higher temperature and pressure steam to the surface. The geothermal boiler operates at as low a pressure as needed to boil water using heat from relatively low-temperature geologic formations typically found in abandoned oil wells. This system can be deployed in such well bores to extract geothermal energy either as a stand-alone enterprise or in conjunction with tertiary oil recovery efforts. The geothermally- boiled steam provides most or all of the energy to power the process. It is the ability of this system to extract useful heat from below atmospheric boiling temperature heat sources that offers its greatest potential.
Heat Actuated Cooling System
US Patent: 7,918,095
The system uses a batch method process absorption cooling through a number of separate sealed two compartment containers which are moved physically between a heating area, a cooling area, a storage area and a refrigeration area. Pressure differentials alone between the two sections of a vessel power refrigerant movement and evaporation of refrigerant. A valve separates a refrigerant collector and evaporator section from an absorber/desorber section allowing the absorbent and refrigerant to be kept separate until needed. This system can be used with either ammonia water mixtures or with lithium bromide water mixtures.
Heat Actuated Cooling System
US Patent: 11,703,066 (In Force)
This invention is a portable pneumatically driven pressure intensifying positive displacement hydraulic power unit that can be transported in a bag or backpack and carried or worn by the user. The device can be powered by any suitable high pressure gas that is preferably contained in a small pressure vessel for portability. The device can be used to supply high pressure hydraulic fluid to tools with a wide range of uses in many fields including construction, industrial, breaching, and emergency service situations. This novel device does not require an electric or fuel powered hydraulic fluid pumping system, which allows it to be very portable and used in almost any environment (e.g., hazardous atmosphere or under water) without being tethered to an electric or fuel powered power source.
Swept Conical-like Profile Axisymmetric Circular Linear Shaped Charge
US Patent: 9,175,936
A novel shaped charge device that produces a hollow cylindrical jet capable of creating a hole in a target larger than the overall diameter of the device. In the conical family of axisymmetric circular linear shaped charge liners (Conical, Tulip, and Trumpet), this novel swept conical-like profile shaped explosive device produces a large diameter stretching hollow cylindrical jet and corresponding slug. The hollow jet is formed by peripherally initiating a high explosive (HE) that collapses the circular linear liner into the hollow cylindrical jet. The precision of the circular simultaneous peripheral initiation of the HE billet is accomplished by the use of a novel Circular Precision Initiation Coupler (CPIC). This CPIC uses a single point initiation to create a simultaneous peripheral detonation of the HE billet that collapses and drives the swept liner into a high speed stretching hollow cylindrical projectile, or more commonly called a jet in the industry.
Revolved Arc Profile Axisymmetric Explosively Formed Projectile Shaped Charge
US Patent: 9,175,940
This novel axisymmetric revolved arc explosively formed projectile (REFP) shaped charge design will produce a projectile that is greater than 2!3 the diameter of the device forms a hole larger than the device diameter and removes all of the target material within the hole diameter. The precision of the circular simultaneous initiation of the HE billet is accomplished by the use of a novel Circular Precision Initiation Coupler (CPIC). This CPIC uses a single point initiation to create a simultaneous peripheral detonation of the HE billet that collapses and drives the revolved liner into a large diameter double wall hollow cylindrical explosively formed projectile.
Enhanced Light Weight Armor System with Deflective Operation
US Patent: 7,546,795
A light weight armor system for retrofitting onto a light vehicles or incorporating into a vehicle to protect against HEAT warheads. The armor system comprises an outer armor structure for rotating a HEAT warhead toward a preferred detonation angle to maximize the protection of underlying armor or vehicle structures. This first armor structure will further impart a rotational movement to increase the energy impact footprint, dissipate jet stream energy, and improve the probability that a second protection layer can successfully resist penetration by the jet stream. Coatings on the armor structure materials laterally impact a HEAT jet stream to further disrupt the jet and dissipate its energy.
Axilinear Shaped Charge
US Patent: 9,360,222 (In Force)
Assigned to Innovative Defense
This invention is a shaped explosive device with a liner that produces a single combination jet consisting of a forward rod portion and rearward flattened spade shaped portion, this jet has a velocity gradient form tip to tail. The jet produced by the shaped charge is axisymmetric for the forward rod portion and planar symmetric for the aft wide spade portion somewhat like linear shaped charge, thusly termed the “Axi-Linear” shaped charge. The forward rod portion of each jet erodes a round hole in the target followed by the aft flattened spade portion of the jet creating a long slotted deep cavity centered on the round hole and in the lateral direction of the spade jet.
Axilinear Shaped Charge Liner Array
US Patent: 9,651,263 (In Force)
Assigned to Innovative Defense
This invention is an array of liners in an axilinear shaped charge device, such as a multiple component axilinear fluted linear liner that will be mated to high explosive that is housed in a single common containment body or a circular configuration of a six segment fluted Axilinear liner, which will be mated to high explosive and housed in a single common containment body. This connected liner variation of the Axilinear device can be straight, circular or in a curved spline arrangement, and each component of this novel Linear device can be on the path line of the spline or staggered about the path line, furthermore the orientation of the planer collapse of the fluted wing segments can be other than parallel or tangent to the spline path.
Variable Density Airship Lift Chamber System
US Patent: 12,187,404 (In Force)
A variable density airship lift chamber system for airships provides more efficient lift control. The airship lift chamber system includes at least one lift chamber filled with lift gas and configured to provide lifting force, a heat exchanger configured to heat the lift gas in the at least one lift chamber, a compressor unit configured to withdraw the lift gas from the lift chamber and to compress the withdrawn lift gas, a pressure tank configured to store the withdrawn compressed lift gas from the compressor unit, a refrigeration orifice formed in the lift chamber, and a valve that connects the pressure tank to lift chamber through the refrigeration orifice. The airship lift chamber system controls density of the lift gas in the lift chamber by heating the gas while removing the gas from the lift chamber and by supplying gas into the lift chamber.
Remote Docking Port
US Patent: 8,858,149
This invention is a floating docking port that allows ships to dock within the port structure and be loaded, unloaded, and refueled, while converting the energy generated from wave motion into a usable source of power. The docking port isolates the vessels from waves and adverse sea currents, which allows for more effective cargo transfer. The docking port is extremely large and functions as a storage and distribution center for naval vessels. The loading and unloading of cargo and containers is accomplished by a container handling system that utilizes hoists, railed carriages, and cargo elevators to facilitate efficient loading and unloading of containers.
Belt Drive Propulsion System
US Patent: 7,322,865 (Active)
An apparatus and method for providing propulsion to naval vehicles by using one or more suspended belt drives to consistently engage the water proximate to the surface using a variety of belts with multiple attachments, tires, or variable lugs. The drive belt system incorporates the use of a linear air bearing surface to minimize the belt friction of the drives. This invention also involves the use of open-bottomed enclosures to insulate the propulsion system from adverse water conditions that might otherwise prevent the belt drives from consistently and efficiently engaging the water.
Solar Energy Storage System
US Patent: 7,614,397 (Active)
A method and apparatus for storing, transporting, and releasing high grade, thermodynamically useful energy for a wide variety of uses. Solar energy is collected and reflected onto a heat storage container using a three-mirror reflecting system. This invention involves a method of heating the heat storage container using a primary, secondary, and tertiary system, which has a core that is partially comprised of an aluminum alloy and a metallic shell with a higher melting point than the aluminum alloy contained within. Once heated, the storage containers can then be transported to different storage areas in order to heat secondary storage containers or can be used in processes such as cooking, powering heat engines, water heating, absorption refrigeration, or drying garbage, waste, or biomass.
Nano-Energetic Activated Steam Generator
US Patent: 9,120,384 (In Force)
Application: Zero Emission Power Combustor
A method and system for generating high pressure superheated steam on demand that uses nano-sized aluminum particles to allow oxidation and heat generation using photonic initiation. This invention uses the unique properties of nanosized aluminum either alone or with other energetics to provide the needed heat to quickly vaporize and superheat water directly in either a flowing water or static water environment to produce steam as needed. Due to its compact design it can be used in new or existing steam applications. This steam use may be any application that needs an on demand high pressure steam supply. Applications include steam catapults, boost steam for turbines, steam cleaners, surge power for powerplant turbines and any other use.