Patents & Documentation
The primary technical record—what it documents and what it cannot prove
Paul Pantone received US Patent #5,794,601 on August 18, 1998, for his "Fuel Pretreater Apparatus and Method." This patent documents the GEET (Global Environmental Energy Technology) system in technical detail. The United States Patent and Trademark Office issued the patent; that is not independent certification of efficiency, emissions, or the proposed mechanism.
The patent expired on May 16, 2017, placing the technology in the public domain. Anyone can now build, use, and improve upon GEET without licensing restrictions.
Primary GEET Patent
United States Patent
5,794,601
Fuel Pretreater Apparatus and Method
Inventor: Paul Pantone
Filed: May 16, 1997
Granted: August 18, 1998
Priority Date: November 7, 1994
Status: Expired (Public Domain)
Expiration: May 16, 2017
Patent Abstract
"A novel fuel pretreater apparatus and method for pretreating an alternate fuel to render it usable as the fuel source for fuel-burning equipment such as internal combustion engines, furnaces, boilers, and turbines. The fuel pretreater apparatus comprises a volatilization chamber for volatizing [sic] liquid alternate fuel and for entraining the volatilized fuel in a carrier gas to produce a fuel vapor. A pump draws the fuel vapor through a reactor to cause the fuel vapor to be heated to a plasma condition."
Key Patent Claims
- A fuel pretreater apparatus comprising a volatilization chamber, reactor, and pump system
- Method for preheating fuel using exhaust gas heat recovery
- Concentric tube reactor design with central rod for fuel reformation
- System enabling use of alternate fuels including crude oil, waste oils, and alcohols
- Countercurrent flow heat exchange between exhaust and incoming fuel vapor
Download Patent PDF
The complete patent is available for download from our local archive or from official sources:
Related Patent
United States Patent
4,730,653
Log Splitter
Filed: April 11, 1985 |Co-inventors: Dell W. Bolton, Edward L. Scott, Ronald P. Lasher, Paul Pantone
An earlier Pantone patent unrelated to GEET, demonstrating his long history as an inventor.
International Patent Family
The GEET patent was filed internationally through PCT/US1995/014383. The table below shows the status of international filings:
| Country | Patent Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
| United States | US5794601A | Expired (Public Domain) |
| Russia | RU2168029C2 | Active |
| European Patent | EP0793771 | Ceased |
| Australia | AU704442B2 | Ceased |
| Canada | CA2204760A1 | Abandoned |
| Japan | JP8515473A | Ceased |
| Korea | KR1019970703045A | Ceased |
| Brazil | BR9509623A | IP Right Cessation |
Patent Ownership History
The patent's ownership changed hands during Pantone's legal troubles:
- Original Assignee: Paul Pantone
- 2003: Patent transferred to Atkin & Hawkins, P.C. through foreclosure during Pantone's bankruptcy proceedings
- 2017: Patent expired, entering the public domain
Technical Documentation
Beyond the patent, extensive technical documentation exists for the GEET system:
Free GEET Plans
In 1998, Paul Pantone released free construction plans "for everyone on the planet." These plans enable anyone to build a basic GEET system for small engines:
Academic Studies
- ENSAIS thesis (2001) — French engineering work reporting mixed observations and recommending further study
econologie.com (French) → - Brazilian Study (2018) — Peer-reviewed evaluation in Journal of Agricultural Science
Construction Resources
For more technical documentation and build resources, visit our Resources pageor get started with the Safety & Plans.
The Technology Is In the Public Domain
Paul Pantone wanted GEET to be free. His patent has expired. The technology now belongs to humanity.
Start Building →