Medora Corporation Technology

Brief history
The founders of Medora Corporation have been industrial pump engineers since 1975, and tested the first long distance solar-powered circulator in 1998. That project led to the launch of the SolarBee brand of circulators in September, 2001.  Since then, we have continually advanced the technology. We went from 1 model in 2001 to 20 models today, from daytime-only operation to 24/7/365 around-the-clock operation, and from analog to digital control for outstanding reliability.  One large machine manufactured today can replace 20 of the largest machines we made in 2001.   

Award-winning technology
By the start of 2010, over 2,000 SolarBee circulators had been successfully deployed in hundreds of water bodies.  In 2009, Medora Corporation (as SolarBee) placed 6th in the Artemis Project's list of "Top 50" water companies worldwide, and was recognized for its technology, intellectual property, and market potential. In 2008 the North Dakota Entrepreneur of the Year Award was presented to its founders, Joel Bleth and Willard Tormaschy.  In 2006, Medora Corporation (as SolarBee) won an Environmental Award in both New Mexico and Australia.  And in 2004 the company won a state-wide Industrial Development Award in North Dakota.

Many case studies and references can be provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of our equipment and the strength of our team of scientists, engineers and field service personnel. We believe we have collected and analyzed more reservoir water quality data than any other private company in the world, and we are using the accumulated knowledge to continually increase the effectiveness of our products.

Solar Power
While water is our primary business, we are proud of the fact that our SolarBee equipment is designed to be completely solar-powered and off the grid. For an overview of solar power, how it works, and examples of SolarBee equipment saving grid energy costs in wastewater, see the EPA document "Auxiliary and Supplemental Power Fact Sheet:  Solar Power".  

Applications

• Fresh Water Lakes, for Raw Drinking Water and Recreation Uses.
• Wastewater Lagoons and Ponds.
• Stormwater Ponds.
• Estuaries.
• Potable Water Storage Reservoirs.
• Other Applications

Patented Machinery and Software
Medora Corporation has been granted patents pertaining to its equipment Motor and Drive System, Digital Power Management System, Run Time Algorithms, Impeller, Intakes, High Wave Kits, and other parts of the machine.  We have numerous patents pending in over 40 countries on six continents.

• Motor and Drive System
• Digital Control System
• Impeller, Rotating Assembly, Solids Passing Capability
• Construction Materials
• Intake Assembly
• Flow Rates
• Run Time
• Low-Maintenance Design

Granted patents include:

Patents before Sept 2001

• Patent #6,432,302 
• Patent #6,439,853

Patents after SolarBee project began in Sept 2001

• Patent #7,285,208  
• Patent #7,306,719
• Patent #7,332,074 
• Patent #7,517,460 
• Patent #7,641,792 
• Patent #7,670,044
• Patent #7,789,553
• Patent #7,798,784
• Patent #7,850,433
• Patent #7,906,017
• Patent #8,057,091