U.S. Patent No. 7,428,816, issued September 30, 2008

Utilizing a modified heat pump, this system seeks to harness the excess heat generated by fuel cells, and turn it into usable energy.

Download U.S. Patent No. 7,428,816

Here is an interesting video discussing Dr. Paul LaViolette’s view of some of the challenges/politics/biases of patenting groundbreaking technology.  Note: the relevant discussion about the Patent Office doesn’t start until just over 1 minute into the video:

He makes some interesting points.  He talks about how physics and technology can be like a religion.  As a result concepts and theories that deviate from the conventional school of thought are often confronted by scorn, or worse.  He argues that the Patent Office (ironically) has a tendency toward being conservative when inventions are proposed which greatly deviate from conventional thought, which creates a bias against ideas that violate what we believe to be true about physics.

I don’t agree with everything he says. In particular, Dr. LaViolette characterizes the Patent Office choosing to withdraw a patent from issue after it has been approved as being “illegal”.  And repeatedly talks about them “breaking the law”.  Unfortunately it is lawful, and fits within their “exercise of discretion” - which is rarely challengeable in the courts.  It is actually fully lawful to withdraw a patent from issue, and I have seen it happen from time to time. It is generally done when more experienced staff at the USPTO realize that one of the examiners has made a mistake, or failed to consider some important “prior art” patents.

On the other hand, there are also rumors from time to time that politics can play a role in the Director of the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) either deciding to withdraw a patent from issue, or “re-examine” the patent. In particular, it was believed by some, and thus rumored a few years back that the wide use of Blackberrys on Capital Hill played a role in the USPTO’s decision to re-examine key patents that threatened to shut down the beloved Blackberrys. Coincidence or politics? The truth is probably somewhere in between.  When it became apparent what was at stake with the Blackberry patent and the litigation surrounding it, the USPTO decided to take another look at it.

So the relevant question that emerges is, how receptive is the USPTO to considering ground breaking energy patents that seemingly violate the laws of physics (as we currently know them)?  How much room does this leave for technological breakthroughs if there is little room in the patent system to reconsider what we THINK we know? This is a question we will continue to consider in this forum.

As a footnote, I think the patent Dr. LaViolette is referring to in this video - the device for sending signals faster than the speed of light - is United States Patent No. 6,025,810.

United States Patent No. 7,430,077, issued today.

This device works in conjunction with a skylight.  With an array of mirrors, it seeks to direct sunlight through a skylight.  A solar tracking device adjusts the angular position of the mirrors to keep them facing the sun.  The motor itself is powered by a solar array so that no external power source is needed.

I like this idea - making a “passive” solar device such as a skylight more “active”.

Download U.S. Patent No. 7,430,077

United States Patent No. 7,429,805, issued today.

I think the technology area tackled by this patent is very important.  Most of the time, when we think of the importance of alternative energy sources, we are thinking about how to generate large amounts of power, so as to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, etc.

This patent deals with an important, yet not often talked about environmental impact - all of the batteries used in all of the remote sensors in all types of settings.  Whenever there is a sensor that is not connected by wires, you can bet that there is a battery involved.  Not only do these batteries need to be changed periodically, but they often result in the accumulation of hazardous materials in our landfills and in our ground water.

This patent takes on this problem by seeking to harness external energy to generate the minute amount of power necessary to operate the sensors, and fulfill on it’s task of transmitting data to its intended source.

Download U.S. Patent No. 7,429,805