Patents by Inventor Daniel R. Higgins

Daniel R. Higgins 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).

  • Publication number: 20130276723
    Abstract: A ground supported single drum power boiler is described combining a refractory lined and insulated V-Cell floor; refractory lined and insulated combustion chamber; integrated fuel chutes configured to pre-dry wet solid fuel; top mounted fuel bin; internal chamber walls; configurable combustion air systems; and a back pass with after-burner ports and cross flow superheaters. The boiler can be configured in pre-assembled modules to minimize the field construction time and cost. An alternative embodiment is adaptable as a gasifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel R. Higgins, Eugene Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20130247800
    Abstract: A method for drying solid fuels prior to injection and burning in solid fuel boilers is described. High moisture content solid fuels such as bark, sludge, wet coal, etc. must be dried before they can burn. Embodiments of the present invention incorporates a fuel delivery chute integrated with the boiler wall using a flow of combustion gasses and radiant heating to partially dry the solid fuel before it reaches the combustion zone of the boiler. The combustion gasses are drawn through the delivery chute by means of the flowing fuel and air jet inductors that then blows the combustion gasses back into the boiler. A refractory wall separates the fuel chute from the boiler proper, is heated by the combustion in the boiler, and radiates heat to the fuel falling through the fuel chute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel R. Higgins, Eugene Sullivan, Michael J. Kranda, David J. Knighten
  • Patent number: 7926747
    Abstract: A nozzle for the spraying of black liquor in a recovery boiler has discharge orifice inserts that can be removed and replaced with other inserts, to provide variable spray patterns, by changing the size and/or shape of the orifice of the nozzle, without requiring replacement of the entire nozzle body, to enable fine tuning of the atomization of the spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Clyde Bergemann, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohomed Ishaq Jameel, Daniel R. Higgins
  • Patent number: 7185594
    Abstract: A combustion air system for a recovery boiler is described in which multiple levels of secondary and tertiary combustion air ports each have an even number of ports, with the ports on opposing walls interlaced. The air system lends itself equally well to front/rear wall or sidewall applications and is especially beneficial for rectangular boilers. The air system features large and small-scale horizontal circulation zones superimposed on each other and the ability to adjust the angle of the air jets. Additional features include port dampers for the starting burners and system control based on kinetic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Clyde Bergemann, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Higgins, Eugene Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20030070627
    Abstract: An indirect black liquor concentrator uses recirculating flow black liquor through a heat exchangers, employing flue gas for heat. The heated liquor is flashed, to provide steam and concentrate the liquor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Eugene Sullivan, Daniel R. Higgins, Robert B. Hill, Russ Andrews
  • Patent number: 6497230
    Abstract: An air port damper system for a recovery boiler employs plural louvers for altering the exit angle of air through an air port. Dampers are provided to enable adjustment of the flow through the device. Suitably, the device may be retracted away from the air port, to enable manual or automatic cleaning of the port. Further the damper system can be removed for maintenance/service purposes, without requiring shut-down of the boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Anthony-Ross Company
    Inventors: Daniel R. Higgins, Eugene Sullivan, Robert B. Hill
  • Patent number: 5542650
    Abstract: A smelt spout cleaner apparatus includes a cleaning head insertable into a smelt spout and movable in a substantially linear path along the smelt spout for thoroughly cleaning the spout. The cleaning head is mounted on one end of a substantially horizontal beam, the opposite end of which is supported in cantilever fashion to a support base which is selectably movable. The support base includes means for longitudinally translating the beam and causing the cleaning head to move in a linear path along the length of the smelt spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Anthony-Ross Company
    Inventors: Clayton J. Abel, Greg Watson, Daniel R. Higgins, Robert B. Hill
  • Patent number: 5414887
    Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning air ports in a chemical recovery furnace comprises an elongated cleaning rod provided with a tip on one end adapted to be inserted through an air port with a ramming motion to dislodge residual build-up. The cleaning tip is substantially smaller than the air port. Between ramming motions, the rod carrying the tip is moved a fraction of the distance around the inside edge of the air port so that successive insertions of the tip will dislodge or sever the residual material build-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Anthony-Ross Company
    Inventors: Clayton J. Abel, Daniel R. Higgins, Kenneth A. Pingel
  • Patent number: 5351631
    Abstract: Damper apparatus for air ports of a chemical recovery furnace is mounted on a removable windbox faceplate. Damper blades extend from cantilevered arms pivoted at the forward side of the faceplate, with the damper blades being otherwise unsupported, i.e., they are not confined to travel in tracks within the windbox. Rather, a spring or counterweight urges the damper blades against the air port opening whereby the whole mechanism is free for removal as a unit with the faceplate. Cooperatively operable air port cleaning apparatus is also mounted on the faceplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Anthony-Ross Company
    Inventors: Robert B. Hill, Daniel R. Higgins, Kenneth A. Pingel
  • Patent number: 5307745
    Abstract: Damper apparatus for air ports of a chemical recovery furnace is mounted on a removable windbox faceplate. Damper blades extend from a cantilevered arm pivoted at the forward side of the faceplate, with the damper blades being otherwise unsupported, i.e., they are not confined to travel in tracks within the windbox. Rather, a counterweight urges the damper blades against the air port opening whereby the whole mechanism is free for removal as a unit with the faceplate. Cooperatively operable air port cleaning apparatus is also mounted on the faceplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Anthony-Ross Company
    Inventors: Daniel R. Higgins, Robert B. Hill, Kenneth A. Pingel
  • Patent number: 5167192
    Abstract: A controller for a damper in a chemical recovery furnace relieves physical engagement between the damper mechanism and an operating handle therefor when such handle is being repositioned. The damper is repositioned to prevent interference with an adjacent port cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Anthony-Ross Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Pingel, Daniel R. Higgins
  • Patent number: 5001992
    Abstract: Apparatus for regulating air flow through an air port in a chemical recovery furnace. A plenum having an adjustable damper mounted inside a wind box associated with the furnace adjacent to the air port supplies and regulates the flow of air from the wind box to the furnace through the air port. A metal cleaning head adapted for rotatable insertion into the air port for cleaning excrescent material from the peripheral edges of the air port without blocking air flow through the port is pivotally mounted in a retracted, at-rest position adjacent to and above the air port so as not to interfere with movement of the adjustable damper. During a cleaning cycle, the damper is moved to a retracted position on the floor of the plenum so as not to interfere with the moving cleaning head. A short stroke, double articulated damper positioning mechanism facilitates movement of the damper blade in limited space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Anthony-Ross Company
    Inventors: Daniel R. Higgins, Robert B. Hill
  • Patent number: RE43733
    Abstract: A combustion air system for a recovery boiler is described in which multiple levels of secondary and tertiary combustion air ports each have an even number of ports, with the ports on opposing walls interlaced. The air system lends itself equally well to front/rear wall or sidewall applications and is especially beneficial for rectangular boilers. The air system features large and small-scale horizontal circulation zones superimposed on each other and the ability to adjust the angle of the air jets. Additional features include port dampers for the starting burners and system control based on kinetic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel R. Higgins, Eugene Sullivan