Bryan D Willson

US Patent:

7340129, Mar 4, 2008

Filed:

Aug 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/197832

Inventors:

Azer Yalin - Fort Collins CO, US
Bryan Willson - Fort Collins CO, US
Morgan Defoort - Fort Collins CO, US
Sachin Joshi - Fort Collins CO, US
Adam Reynolds - Fort Collins CO, US

Assignee:

Colorado State University Research Foundation - Fort Collins CO

International Classification:

G02B 6/26

US Classification:

385 31, 385 33, 385 38

Abstract:

A spark delivery system for generating a spark using a laser beam is provided, and includes a laser light source and a laser delivery assembly. The laser delivery assembly includes a hollow fiber and a launch assembly comprising launch focusing optics to input the laser beam in the hollow fiber. The laser delivery assembly further includes exit focusing optics that demagnify an exit beam of laser light from the hollow fiber, thereby increasing the intensity of the laser beam and creating a spark. Other embodiments use a fiber laser to generate a spark. Embodiments of the present invention may be used to create a spark in an engine. Yet other embodiments include collecting light from the spark or a flame resulting from the spark and conveying the light for diagnostics. Methods of using the spark delivery systems and diagnostic systems are provided.

US Patent:

7412129, Aug 12, 2008

Filed:

May 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/126908

Inventors:

Azer Yalin - Fort Collins CO, US
Bryan Willson - Fort Collins CO, US
Morgan Defoort - Fort Collins CO, US

Assignee:

Colorado State University Research Foundation - Ft. Collins CO

International Classification:

G02B 6/26

US Classification:

385 31, 385 33

Abstract:

A spark delivery system for generating a spark using a laser beam is provided, the spark delivery system including a laser light source and a laser delivery assembly. The laser delivery assembly includes a hollow fiber and a launch assembly comprising launch focusing optics to input the laser beam in the hollow fiber. In addition, the laser delivery assembly includes exit focusing optics that demagnify an exit beam of laser light from the hollow fiber, thereby increasing the intensity of the laser beam and creating a spark. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the assembly may be used to create a spark in a combustion engine. In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, a method of using the spark delivery system is provided. In addition, a method of choosing an appropriate fiber for creating a spark using a laser beam is also presented.

US Patent:

7420662, Sep 2, 2008

Filed:

Aug 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/197833

Inventors:

Azer Yalin - Fort Collins CO, US
Bryan Willson - Fort Collins CO, US
Morgan Defoort - Fort Collins CO, US
Sachin Joshi - Fort Collins CO, US
Adam Reynolds - Fort Collins CO, US

Assignee:

Colorado State University Research Foundation - Fort Collins CO

International Classification:

G01J 3/30

US Classification:

356 72, 356317

Abstract:

A spark delivery system for generating a spark using a laser beam is provided, and includes a laser light source and a laser delivery assembly. The laser delivery assembly includes a hollow fiber and a launch assembly comprising launch focusing optics to input the laser beam in the hollow fiber. The laser delivery assembly further includes exit focusing optics that demagnify an exit beam of laser light from the hollow fiber, thereby increasing the intensity of the laser beam and creating a spark. Other embodiments use a fiber laser to generate a spark. Embodiments of the present invention may be used to create a spark in an engine. Yet other embodiments include collecting light from the spark or a flame resulting from the spark and conveying the light for diagnostics. Methods of using the spark delivery systems and diagnostic systems are provided.

US Patent:

20080160591, Jul 3, 2008

Filed:

Oct 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/871728

Inventors:

Bryan Willson - Fort Collins CO, US
Guy Babbitt - Colorado Springs CO, US
Christopher Turner - Windsor CO, US
Peter Letvin - Fort Collins CO, US
Anna Ettinger - Thornton CO, US
Amy Boczon - Fort Collins CO, US
Nicholas Rancis - Fort Collins CO, US
James Murphy - Fort Collins CO, US

International Classification:

C12M 1/36
C12M 3/00
C12P 7/00

US Classification:

435132, 4352861, 4352866, 4352921, 4352961

Abstract:

A scalable photobioreactor system for efficient production of photosynthetic microorganisms such as microalgae and cyanobacteria is described. In various embodiments, this system may include the use of extended surface area to reduce light intensity and increase photosynthetic efficiency, an external water basin to provide structure and thermal regulation at low cost, flexible plastic or composite panels that are joined together make triangular or other shapes in cross-section when partially submerged in water, use of positive gas buoyancy and pressure to maintain the structural integrity of the photobioreactor chambers and use of structure to optimize distribution of diffuse light. Other embodiments concern air tubes comprised of plastic film at the bottom of each photobioreactor chamber to provide sparging air bubbles to the chamber. The photobioreactor system design also comprises gas exchange, temperature control, air pumping, liquid pumping, filtration, media recycling and harvesting methods. For biofuels production, the photobioreactor system can comprise a separate growth photobioreactor and secondary stress reactor.

US Patent:

20090305389, Dec 10, 2009

Filed:

Jun 9, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/481418

Inventors:

Bryan Dennis WILLSON - Fort Collins CO, US
Christopher Wayne TURNER - Windsor CO, US
Guy Robert BABBITT - Fort Collins CO, US
Peter Allan LETVIN - Fort Collins CO, US

International Classification:

C12M 1/42
C12M 1/00
B29C 65/00

US Classification:

4352571, 4352921, 156 60

Abstract:

Embodiments of the present invention include photobioreactors with membranes to introduce carbon dioxide into media contained within film photobioreactors. Such membranes can also be used to remove dissolved oxygen from the media. In some embodiments, one or more membrane tubes are welded into a plastic film photobioreactor to make a one-piece reactor. According to some embodiments of the present invention, algae is grown in a photobioreactor using pressure, gas composition, and surface area along with sparging to control the pH in the photobioreactor.

US Patent:

20100112649, May 6, 2010

Filed:

Jun 4, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/478374

Inventors:

Bryan Dennis WILLSON - Fort Collins CO, US
Amy L. BOCZON - Fort Collins CO, US
Anna ETTINGER - Thornton CO, US
Nicholas A. RANCIS - Boulder CO, US
Mark Thomas MACHACEK - Fort Collins CO, US

International Classification:

C12P 7/64
C12N 1/00
C12N 1/20
C12N 1/12
C12P 1/00
C12M 1/00

US Classification:

435134, 435243, 4352521, 4352571, 435 41, 4352891, 4352573, 4352574, 4352575, 4352576

Abstract:

Embodiments of the present invention report compositions, methods and uses for growth and/or production of byproducts, products and/or co-products from algal cultures. Certain embodiments of the present invention report using wastewaters to grow microorganisms for producing one or more products, byproducts or co-products from the microorganisms. Other embodiments report compositions and methods for rapid growth of any photosynthetic organism in culture.

US Patent:

20100258104, Oct 14, 2010

Filed:

Apr 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/756386

Inventors:

Morgan W. DeFoort - Fort Collins CO, US
Bryan D. Willson - Fort Collins CO, US
Nathan Lorenz - Fort Collins CO, US
Michael P. Brady - Oak Ridge TN, US
Anthony Marchese - Fort Collins CO, US

International Classification:

F24B 1/00

US Classification:

126 15 R

Abstract:

A combustion chamber, having an upper part and a lower part, may include an annular constriction, in combination with the combustion chamber, to aid in directing partially combusted gases such as carbon monoxide away from the periphery of the combustion chamber back toward its center, and into the flame front. The annular constriction may also impede the flow of partially combusted gases located at the periphery, thus increasing the time these gases spend within the combustion chamber and increasing the likelihood that any products of incomplete combustion will undergo combustion. The combustion chamber may further comprise a dual burner cooktop for directing combustion gases and exhaust to multiple cooking vessels. In further embodiments, the combustion chamber may be made of, lined, or clad with a metal alloy comprising iron, chromium, and aluminum.

US Patent:

20110281340, Nov 17, 2011

Filed:

Mar 11, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/046559

Inventors:

Christopher Wayne TURNER - Windsor CO, US
Bryan Rhea MCCARTY - Fort Collins CO, US
Peter Allen LETVIN - Fort Collins CO, US
Bryan Dennis WILLSON - Fort Collins CO, US
Daniel Robert HERBOLDSHEIMER - Fort Collins CO, US

International Classification:

C12N 1/12
C12M 1/04
C12M 1/00

US Classification:

4352571, 4352921

Abstract:

A top reference photobioreactor system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a flexible floating photobioreactor having a buoyancy tube filled with a gas that is less dense, and a ballast tube filled with a substance, such as saltwater, that is more dense, than the liquid in which the photobioreactor floats. A top reference photobioreactor method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes controlling a depth of the top reference photobioreactor by controlling a volume and/or density of ballast in the ballast tube and/or by controlling a volume and/or density of gas in the buoyancy tube.