Available Technologies
This table shows all Reclamation's patents, with links to the full text on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website. If you are interested in partnering to further develop or license Reclamation's technologies, contact the Technology Transfer Staff.
Advanced Water Treatment
October 5th, 2012: Chlorine Resistant Polyamide Membrane
(PDF, 680 kB)
Reverse osmosis polyamide membranes are used to desalinate and purify seawater, wastewater, and surface water. Chlorine is used in the reverse osmosis process to prevent biofouling of the membrane, but chlorine rapidly degrades polyamide membranes. Chlorine Resistant Membrane is a new polyamide membrane chemical formulation that is resistant to chlorine degradation which increases the life of the membrane and can lower replacement costs for desalting plants.
U.S. Patent No. 7,806,275 and U.S. Patent Application No. 11/203,990
February 28th, 2010: Cellulose Acetate Membrane
(PDF, 320 kB)
Reverse osmosis cellulose acetate membranes are used not only in reverse osmosis desalination plants to remove salt and purify water but also food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemical products. This new cellulose acetate membrane performs better than existing cellulose acetate membranes by removing more salts at the same operating pressures which decreases operating costs for desalting plants.
U.S. Patent No. 8,123,945December 17, 2009: Forward Osmosis (FO)
(PDF, 995 kB)
Compared to reverse osmosis and other traditional forms of desalination, forward osmosis can significantly reduce the capital and energy costs of purifying water. Reclamation is engaged in collaborative research and development aimed at addressing the barriers to forward osmosis technologies. We have filed a patent for a driving solute and have made significant progress developing a 2-stage process that removes and recycles the driving solute back to the FO extractor producing potable water that is free of salt and the driving solute. We have also developed cellulose ester hollow-fiber FO membranes that are thin, strong, and offer more desalting surface area per unit volume as compared to flat sheets.
U.S. Patent Application No. 13/082,639
Water and Power Infrastructure Reliability
March 20, 2007: Flow Deflectors to Prevent Stilling Basin Abrasion Damage
The recirculation of flow patterns can draw abrasive materials (sand, gravel, rock, etc.) into a stilling basin from the streambed and turbulent flow continues to move them against the concrete surface causing severe abrasion damage. The stilling basin flow deflector is a water flow control system using a reinforced steel plate panel that is placed across the downstream portion of a stilling basin to change the water flow pattern within a basin to reduce abrasion damage.
U.S. Patent No 7,192,217November 29, 2005: Clamshell Gate
(PDF, 140 kB)
A heavy duty fluid control valve used to restrict fluid discharge flow at the outlets of large hydraulic conduits particularly in river, dam, and canal outlet works.
U.S. Patent No 6,969,044February 22, 2005: Thin Mortar Repair System for AAR Affected Concrete
June 15, 2004: Thin Concrete Repair Compound
A cement repair material used for repairing cracks in outdoor concrete structures. The cement repair material is comprised of a unique combination of cements, fibers, and new concrete admixtures to improve on existing concrete repair materials, designed to be less expensive and longer lasting.
U.S. Patent No. 6,749,680July 8, 2003: Modified Isbester (MI) Flow Gate Valve
A modification of the patented Clamshell Gate and improves sealing performance at reduced fabrication cost. The MI Valve is a gate valve unit that controls the flow of fluid through an opening in a conduit developed for hydraulic outlet works.
U.S. Patent No 6,588,728 B2April 1, 2003: Hydrophilic Polyurethane Impregnated Rubber for Sealing Water Leaks
(PDF, 49 kB)
October 15th, 2002: Flexible Flux Probe
(PDF, 116 kB)
An inexpensive, printed circuit on a 1x2 inch thin flexible film that measures electromagnetic flux in an electric generator to detect and diagnose problems with the generator. Currently, over 70 flux probes have been sold under a non-exclusive license with Iris Power Engineering.
U.S. Patent No 6,466,009 August 13, 1996: Concrete step embankment protection (Armorwedge Block)
A concrete block system that offers increased erosion protection from the forces of flowing water for structures such as such as canal embankments, levees, emergency spillways, and embankment dams. Applications are intended for low head situations and where an erosion induced failure of the structure represents a low hazard to life and property.
U.S. Patent No 5,544,973Water Operations Decision Support
June 21, 2005: Continuous Flow Monitor
An easy-to-use, low-cost flow recording device for agricultural water users to measure amount of water used or diverted. It provides continuous readout and recording of water flow measurements in water measurement devices including flumes or weirs.
U.S. Patent No 6,907,779May 11, 1999: Chemical Metering System
(PDF, 480 kB)
An automated system that controls a desired level of a pesticide or other chemicals in any open or closed flow stream with fluctuating flow rates.
U.S. Patent No 5,902,749Conserving or Expanding Water Supplies
August 24, 2004: Catch Cup
(PDF, 565 kB)
A device that evaluates sprinkler performance for irrigation users to adjust their sprinkler systems to apply the proper amount of water for conserving water. Currently, over 12,000 catch cups have been sold under a non-exclusive license with the Utah State University.
U.S. Patent No 6,779,399
This information was last updated on May 2, 2013
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