Patents by Inventor Charles D. Foster

Charles D. Foster has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6779915
    Abstract: A five gallon bucket holder platform for mixing a variety of compounds and/or painting mixtures is a substantially rectangular box structure having a top, a bottom and four sides made perpendicular to the bottom and top surfaces. The top surface portion has disposed therein a substantially central circular aperture for frictionally retaining a bucket containing material to be mixed therein. In operation the user mounts the platform and inserts a bucket with mixing material within the aperture for subsequent manual or motor-tool driven mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: Charles D. Foster, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030223306
    Abstract: A five gallon bucket holder platform for mixing a variety of compounds and/or painting mixtures is a substantially rectangular box structure having a top, a bottom and four sides made perpendicular to the bottom and top surfaces. The top surface portion has disposed therein a substantially central circular aperture for frictionally retaining a bucket containing material to be mixed therein. In operation the user mounts the platform and inserts a bucket with mixing material within the aperture for subsequent manual or motor-tool driven mixing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventor: Charles D. Foster
  • Patent number: 6503334
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for cleaning films and particulates from the compressor section and combustion contaminants from the combustion and turbine sections of a combustion turbine. Particulate films and contaminants adhering to the internal components of the compressor section of a turbine are readily removed by forcing a mist comprising a cleaning solution such as an aqueous surfactant solution through the compressor section. Contaminants resulting from fuel combustion and deposited in the combustion and turbine sections are removed by forcing a mist comprising a second cleaning solution through those sections. The second solution typically comprises an aqueous acid solution optionally including a corrosion inhibitor. The compressor section must be isolated from such acid solutions, e.g. by continuing to force the misted surfactant solution through the compressor section prior to and simultaneously with forcing the misted acid solution through the combustion section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: HydroChem Industrial Services, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Dwane Ruiz, Charles D. Foster
  • Patent number: 6491048
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a manifold for temporarily blocking the air intake of the compressor section of a combustion turbine to facilitate cleaning. A manifold suitable for providing a temporary seal about the air intake of the compressor section and through which a foamed cleaning solution can be pumped is disclosed. The manifold is conveniently provided as a flexible manifold body having an inflatable tubular member along the periphery thereof for sealing with the air intake and a plurality of hose connections through which a foamed cleaning solution can be delivered to the compressor section of the combustion turbine. Particulate films and contaminants adhering to the internal components of the compressor section of a turbine are readily removed by pumping a foamed cleaning solution such as a foamed, aqueous surfactant solution through the manifold and into the compressor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: HydroChem Industrial Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles D. Foster
  • Patent number: 6478033
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for cleaning films and particulates from the compressor section and combustion contaminants from the combustion and turbine sections of a combustion turbine. Particulate films and contaminants adhering to the internal components of the compressor section of a turbine are readily removed by pumping a foamed cleaning solution such as a foamed, aqueous surfactant solution through the compressor section. Contaminants resulting from fuel combustion and deposited in the combustion and turbine sections are removed by pumping a second, foamed cleaning solution through those sections. The second solution typically comprises a foamed, aqueous acid solution optionally including a corrosion inhibitor. The compressor section must be isolated from such acid solutions, e.g. by pumping the foamed surfactant solution through the compressor section prior to and simultaneously with pumping the foamed acid solution through the combustion section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: HydroChem Industrial Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles D. Foster
  • Publication number: 20020129837
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for cleaning films and particulates from the compressor section and combustion contaminants from the combustion and turbine sections of a combustion turbine. Particulate films and contaminants adhering to the internal components of the compressor section of a turbine are readily removed by forcing a mist comprising a cleaning solution such as an aqueous surfactant solution through the compressor section. Contaminants resulting from fuel combustion and deposited in the combustion and turbine sections are removed by forcing a mist comprising a second cleaning solution through those sections. The second solution typically comprises an aqueous acid solution optionally including a corrosion inhibitor. The compressor section must be isolated from such acid solutions, e.g. by continuing to force the misted surfactant solution through the compressor section prior to and simultaneously with forcing the misted acid solution through the combustion section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: R. Dwane Ruiz, Charles D. Foster
  • Patent number: 6311704
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for injecting cleaning materials into the steam chest of a turbine and to methods for cleaning high pressure turbine using that apparatus. The apparatus enables chemical foam to be input to the turbine through an existing port by temporarily replacing a valve attached to the steam chest. The apparatus, once attached to the steam chest, is free of moving parts, yet permits injection of chemical foam through any one or more of the steam chest apertures. The apparatus includes a housing, together with a plurality of inlets, one of which is in fluid communication with a telescoping injector for sealing engagement with a steam chest aperture. In the methods of the present invention, chemical foam may be directed through any one or more of the steam chest apertures into the turbine blade sections by operation of the remaining governor/control valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: HydroChem Industrial Services
    Inventor: Charles D. Foster
  • Patent number: 5090205
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and a method for using that apparatus for replacing an existing governor valve on a steam chest of a high pressure turbine that enables chemical foam to be input from outside the turbine for cleaning chemical deposits from the turbine. This device enables chemical foam to be input without penetrating the turbine's main steam loop. When the cleaning process has been finished, the original governor valve can be easily replaced in a short period of time. The apparatus includes an inlet for the chemical foam, a structure for attaching the apparatus to the steam chest of the turbine, and a structure which allows the foam to flow from the stream chest to the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Inventor: Charles D. Foster
  • Patent number: 5018355
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and a method for using that apparatus for replacing an existing governor valve on a steam chest of a high pressure turbine that enables chemical foam to be input from outside the turbine for cleaning chemical deposits from the turbine. This device enables chemical foam to be input without penetrating the turbine's main steam loop. When the cleaning process has been finished, the original governor valve can be easily replaced in a short period of time. The apparatus includes an inlet for the chemical foam, a structure for attaching the apparatus to the steam chest of the turbine, and a structure which allows the foam to flow from the steam chest to the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Inventor: Charles D. Foster