Patents by Inventor Dennis M. McKay

Dennis M. McKay 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: 8347694
    Abstract: An LNG sampling system is provided which includes a sampling probe. The sampling probe includes a backflow prevention check valve positioned within the probe adjacent the inlet end. The probe is inserted into a source of LNG to extract samples of LNG by providing a pressure differential between the probe piping system and the pressure of the LNG within the source. In the event the pressure in the piping system increases above a predetermined amount, the check valve will close preventing backflow of LNG from the sampling system back into the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Welker, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian H. Welker, Tracy Dean Peebles, Dennis M. McKay, Margie McKay, legal representative, Thomas S. Green
  • Patent number: 8210058
    Abstract: A sampling cylinder for LNG (liquefied natural gas) is provided. The sampling cylinder includes a piston cylinder arrangement having opposite end members closing the chamber inside the cylinder. Various porting arrangements are provided for allowing fluid to be fed into a chamber inside the cylinder on opposite sides of a piston. A sample chamber is provided at one end member of the cylinder. The end member containing the sample chamber is also provided with a heat exchanger that may be connected to a source of coolant and preferably the LNG to be sampled to effect cooling of the end member at least partially prior to the sample chamber having a sample of LNG injected thereinto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Welker, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian H. Welker, Tracy Dean Peebles, Dennis M. McKay
  • Patent number: 8127625
    Abstract: A liquid separator with at least one flow passageway is used to detect and remove the presence of entrained liquids from natural gas during spot sampling procedures prior to analysis of the sample by a gas chromatograph. In one embodiment, the at least one flow passageway directs at least a portion of the gas flow to impinge upon the inside surface of a sight glass and swirl around in a chamber which may cause droplets of liquid to coalesce on the inside of the sight glass and may cause a fog to form inside the chamber, all of which make it easier to see the existence of liquids in the natural gas. The at least one flow passageway is less expensive to fabricate than some prior art flow directing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Welker, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian H. Welker, Dennis M. McKay, Daniel R. Welker
  • Patent number: 8113070
    Abstract: A sight glass with a flow directing assembly is used to detect the presence of entrained liquids in natural gas during spot sampling procedures. The flow directing assembly directs at least a portion of the gas flow to impinge upon a first transparent window and swirl around in a chamber of the sight glass which may cause droplets of liquid to form on the inside of the window and may cause a fog to form inside the chamber, all of which make it easier to see the existence of liquids in the natural gas. At least one embodiment of this sight glass also acts as a fluid separator, collecting the liquids in the chamber which may then be periodically drained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Welker, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian H. Welker, Dennis M. McKay
  • Publication number: 20100313656
    Abstract: A liquid separator with at least one flow passageway is used to detect and remove the presence of entrained liquids from natural gas during spot sampling procedures prior to analysis of the sample by a gas chromatograph. In one embodiment, the at least one flow passageway directs at least a portion of the gas flow to impinge upon the inside surface of a sight glass and swirl around in a chamber which may cause droplets of liquid to coalesce on the inside of the sight glass and may cause a fog to form inside the chamber, all of which make it easier to see the existence of liquids in the natural gas. The at least one flow passageway is less expensive to fabricate that some prior art flow directing elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: WELKER, INC.
    Inventors: Brian H. Welker, Dennis M. McKay, Daniel R. Welker
  • Publication number: 20100313655
    Abstract: A sight glass with a flow directing assembly is used to detect the presence of entrained liquids in natural gas during spot sampling procedures. The flow directing assembly directs at least a portion of the gas flow to impinge upon a first transparent window and swirl around in a chamber of the sight glass which may cause droplets of liquid to form on the inside of the window and may cause a fog to form inside the chamber, all of which make it easier to see the existence of liquids in the natural gas. At least one embodiment of this sight glass also acts as a fluid separator, collecting the liquids in the chamber which may then be periodically drained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: WELKER, INC.
    Inventors: Brian H. Welker, Dennis M. McKay
  • Publication number: 20100071484
    Abstract: A sampling cylinder for LNG (liquefied natural gas) is provided. The sampling cylinder includes a piston cylinder arrangement having opposite end members closing the chamber inside the cylinder. Various porting arrangements are provided for allowing fluid to be fed into a chamber inside the cylinder on opposite sides of a piston. A sample chamber is provided at one end member of the cylinder. The end member containing the sample chamber is also provided with a heat exchanger that may be connected to a source of coolant and preferably the LNG to be sampled to effect cooling of the end member at least partially prior to the sample chamber having a sample of LNG injected thereinto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: WELKER, INC.
    Inventors: Brian H. Welker, Tracy Dean Peebles, Dennis M. McKay
  • Publication number: 20100012201
    Abstract: An LNG sampling system is provided which includes a sampling probe. The sampling probe includes a backflow prevention check valve positioned within the probe adjacent the inlet end. The probe is inserted into a source of LNG to extract samples of LNG by providing a pressure differential between the probe piping system and the pressure of the LNG within the source. In the event the pressure in the piping system increases above a predetermined amount, the check valve will close preventing backflow of LNG from the sampling system back into the source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: WELKER, INC.
    Inventors: Brian H. Welker, Tracy Dean Peebles, Dennis M. McKay