After several years spent inventing the most efficient Stirling engine in the world, we are thrilled to announce that we finally applied for patent protection for our core fast near-isothermal compression technology!
We did wait a long time before filing it. This was no accident: doing so, we kept our technology secret for as long as possible. Now that our development is accelerating, we need the protection to build larger and larger machines, and we are confident in our ability to execute fast, and truly benefit from the protection given by a patent. This is the conclusion of a multi-month process that required extensive deliberation and revisions. We're proud of the progress we've made and look forward to what's ahead. Our patent application will be reviewed before the protection becomes granted. This could take a few months. The patent will stay secret for 18 months, before being made public.
What is the function of a patent?
A patent serves to protect a new process or product that embodies a technical innovation. It grants the holder an exclusive right to their invention for 20 years. It is important to note that patents cover the technical development itself, not mere ideas or results. For example, scientific theories are not eligible for patent protection.
In summary, there are three key eligibility criteria for an invention to qualify for a patent:
- It must be new. This means it should never have been revealed before the application
- It must be innovative. This means it cannot be “obvious” even to someone familiar with the subject matter
- It must have an industrial application.
Another big step, which was done in parallel to the patent application, is the Freedom To Operate (FTO) study. This study checks whether the existence of other patents does not prevent us from actually building our Stirling engines and operating them in a commercial and industrial setting. Our patent attorneys conducted a thorough check, going through over 250 other relevant patents. Their conclusion was overwhelmingly positive, and no actual threat to our business has been detected.
This patent filing marks the beginning of a new era for us. After a lot of design and calculations, the time has come to build. Thank you all who supported us over all this time. The adventure is getting serious!