Patents by Inventor Kevin J. Hughes

Kevin J. Hughes 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: 11913463
    Abstract: A compressor for a heat transfer circuit includes a variable frequency drive (VFD), an electric motor that rotates a driveshaft, bearing(s) for supporting the driveshaft, a backup gas supply, and a power supply. During a utility power interruption, the backup gas supply operates utilizing DC electrical power generated by a back electromotive force of the electric motor. A method of operating an electric power supply system for a compressor includes operating in a utility power mode and operating in a backup power mode during a utility power interruption. In the utility power mode, AC electrical power is supplied from the VFD to the motor. In the backup power mode, DC electrical power generated in the VFD by a back electromotive force of the motor it used to operate a backup gas supply to supply compressed working fluid to gas bearing(s) of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Seth M. McGill, Charles J. Peterson, Robert S. Bakkestuen, Kevin P. Hughes
  • Patent number: 11897768
    Abstract: Systems for producing hydrogen gas for local distribution, consumption, and/or storage, and related devices and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a pyrolysis reactor that can be coupled to a supply of reaction material that includes a hydrocarbon. The reactor includes one or more flow channels positioned to transfer heat to the reaction material to convert the hydrocarbon into an output that includes hydrogen gas and carbon particulates. The system also includes a carbon separation system operably coupled to the pyrolysis reactor to separate the hydrogen gas the carbon particulates in the output. In various embodiments, the system also includes components to locally consume the filtered hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Modern Hydrogen, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin B. Ashton, Roelof E. Groenewald, Kevin J. Hughes, Arvind Kannan, William Kokonaski, Max N. Mankin, Tony S. Pan, Lowell L Wood, John J. Lorr, Amit Goyal, Guido Radaelli, Vikram Seshadri
  • Patent number: 11643612
    Abstract: There is disclosed an antifoam component for a mechanical device which includes a fluorinated poly(acrylate) copolymer. The antifoam component has improved foam performance and thermal stability in finished fluids, such as driveline fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Knobloch, Kevin J. Hughes, Michael E. Huston, William R. S. Barton, Dennis M. Dishong, David M. Nickerson
  • Publication number: 20220387952
    Abstract: Combined combustion and pyrolysis (CCP) systems, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the CCP system includes an input valve fluidly coupleable to a fuel supply to receive a hydrocarbon reactant, a CCP reactor fluidly coupled to the input valve, and a carbon separation component fluidly coupled to the CCP reactor. The CCP reactor can include a combustion chamber, a reaction chamber in thermal communication with the combustion chamber and/or fluidly coupled to the input valve, and an insulating material positioned to reduce heat loss from the combustion chamber and/or the reaction chamber. The CCP reactor can also include a combustion component positioned to combust a fuel within the combustion chamber. The combustion can heat the reaction chamber and the hydrocarbon reactant flowing therethrough. The heat causes a pyrolysis of the hydrocarbon reactant that generates hydrogen gas and carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Roelof E. Groenewald, Kevin J. Hughes, William Kokonaski, Max N. Mankin, Tony S. Pan, Lowell L. Wood, John J. Lorr, Amit Goyal, Guido Radaelli, Vikram Seshadri, MJ Mahdi, Matthew Ballard, Stephen Harris, Alex Pearse, Jeff Henry
  • Publication number: 20220315424
    Abstract: Systems for producing hydrogen gas for local distribution, consumption, and/or storage, and related devices and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a pyrolysis reactor system that can be coupled to a supply of reaction material that includes a hydrocarbon. The pyrolysis reactor system includes one or more combustion components positioned to transfer heat to the reaction material to convert the hydrocarbon into an output that includes hydrogen gas and carbon particulates. The pyrolysis reactor system also includes a carbon separation system positioned to separate the hydrogen gas the carbon particulates in the output. In various embodiments, the system also includes components to locally consume the filtered hydrogen gas, such as a power generator, heating appliance, and/or a combined heat and power device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Justin B. Ashton, Roelof E. Groenewald, Kevin J. Hughes, William Kokonaski, Max N. Mankin, Tony S. Pan, Levi D. Rodriguez, Lowell L. Wood, John J. Lorr, Amit Goyal, Guido Radaelli, Vikram Seshadri, MJ Mahdi, Matthew Ballard, Stephen Harris, Alex Pearse
  • Publication number: 20220307109
    Abstract: A method of forming cemented tungsten tetraboride, by combining tungsten and boron in a molar ratio of from about 1:6 to about 1:12, respectively, and firing the combined tungsten and boron in a hexagonal boron nitride crucible at a temperature of from about 1600 C to about 2000 C, to form tungsten tetraboride, milling the tungsten tetraboride to a powder, adding a metal binder to the tungsten tetraboride powder to produce a metal-tungsten tetraboride mixture, compressing the metal-tungsten tetraboride mixture, and sintering the compressed metal-tungsten tetraboride mixture to form cemented tungsten tetraboride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Millennitek, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew M. Spradling, Lawrence W. Townsend, Kevin J. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20220259511
    Abstract: There is disclosed an antifoam component which includes at least one poly(acrylate) copolymer for use in a fuel. Poly(acrylate) polymers prepared by polymerizing a (meth)acrylate monomer comprising C1 to C30 alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid (“multifunctional monomer”) are also disclosed. Other poly(acrylate) polymers prepared by polymerizing (i) a (meth)acrylate monomer comprising C1to C4 alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid (“solubility monomer”); (ii) a (meth)acrylate monomer comprising C5 to C12 alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid (“surface tension monomer”); and (iii) optionally at least one additional monomer comprising a solubility monomer, a surface tension monomer, a monomer comprising C1 to C30 alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid (“multifunctional monomer”), or combinations thereof are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: James H. Bush, David M. Nickerson, Rochelle L. Kovach, Jayasooriya Sujith Perera, Elizabeth A. Schiferl, Kevin J. Hughes, Kamalakumari K. Salem
  • Patent number: 11326122
    Abstract: There is disclosed an antifoam component for a mechanical device which includes a poly(acrylate) copolymer. The antifoam component has improved foam performance in finished fluids utilizing dibutyl hydrogen phosphite compounds, such as driveline fluids. A lubricating composition comprising a) at least one oil of lubricating viscosity; and b) an antifoam component comprising a poly(acrylate) copolymer. The poly(acrylate) copolymer, b) may include (i) from about 30 wt % up to about 99 wt % of a (meth)acrylate monomer having C1 to C4 alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid; and (ii) from about 1 wt % up to about 70 wt % of a fluorinated (meth)acrylate monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Sujith Perera, Kevin J. Hughes, Elizabeth A. Schiferl, David M. Nickerson, Alonzo Smith
  • Publication number: 20210380407
    Abstract: Systems for producing hydrogen gas for local distribution, consumption, and/or storage, and related devices and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a pyrolysis reactor that can be coupled to a supply of reaction material that includes a hydrocarbon. The reactor includes one or more flow channels positioned to transfer heat to the reaction material to convert the hydrocarbon into an output that includes hydrogen gas and carbon particulates. The system also includes a carbon separation system operably coupled to the pyrolysis reactor to separate the hydrogen gas the carbon particulates in the output. In various embodiments, the system also includes components to locally consume the filtered hydrogen gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Justin B. Ashton, Roelof E. Groenewald, Kevin J. Hughes, Arvind Kannan, William Kokonaski, Max N. Mankin, Tony S. Pan, Levi D. Rodriguez, Lowell L. Wood, John J. Lorr, Amit Goyal, Guido Radaelli, Vikram Seshadri
  • Patent number: 11124721
    Abstract: There is disclosed an antifoam component which includes at least one poly(acrylate) copolymer for use in a diesel fuel. Poly(acrylate) polymers prepared by polymerizing a (meth)acrylate monomer comprising C1 to C30 alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid (“multifunctional monomer”) are also disclosed. Other poly(acrylate) polymers prepared by polymerizing (i) a (meth)acrylate monomer comprising C1 to C4 alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid (“solubility monomer”); (ii) a (meth)acrylate monomer comprising C5 to C12 alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid (“surface tension monomer”); and (iii) optionally at least one additional monomer comprising a solubility monomer, a surface tension monomer, a monomer comprising C1 to C30 alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid (“multifunctional monomer”), or combinations thereof are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Bush, David M. Nickerson, Rochelle L. Kovach, Jayasooriya Sujith Perera, Elizabeth A. Schiferl, Kevin J. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20210024850
    Abstract: There is disclosed an antifoam component for a mechanical device which includes a poly(acrylate) copolymer. The antifoam component has improved foam performance in finished fluids utilizing dibutyl hydrogen phosphite compounds, such as driveline fluids. A lubricating composition comprising a) at least one oil of lubricating viscosity; and b) an antifoam component comprising a poly(acrylate) copolymer. The poly(acrylate) copolymer, b) may include (i) from about 30 wt % up to about 99 wt % of a (meth)acrylate monomer having C1 to C4 alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid; and (ii) from about 1 wt % up to about 70 wt % of a fluorinated (meth)acrylate monomer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Sujith Perera, Kevin J. Hughes, Elizabeth A. Schiferl, David M. Nickerson, Alonzo Smith
  • Publication number: 20200270537
    Abstract: There is disclosed an antifoam component which includes at least one poly(acrylate) copolymer for use in a fuel. Poly(acrylate) polymers prepared by polymerizing a (meth)acrylate monomer comprising C1 to C30 alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid (“multifunctional monomer”) are also disclosed. Other poly(acrylate) polymers prepared by polymerizing (i) a (meth)acrylate monomer comprising C1 to C4 alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid (“solubility monomer”); (ii) a (meth)acrylate monomer comprising C5 to C12 alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid (“surface tension monomer”); and (iii) optionally at least one additional monomer comprising a solubility monomer, a surface tension monomer, a monomer comprising C1 to C30 alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid (“multifunctional monomer”), or combinations thereof are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: James H. Bush, David M. Nickerson, Rochelle L. Kovach, Jayasooriya Sujith Perera, Elizabeth A. Schiferl, Kevin J. Hughes, Kamalakumari K. Salem
  • Publication number: 20200017794
    Abstract: There is disclosed an antifoam component for a mechanical device which includes a fluorinated poly(acrylate) copolymer. The antifoam component has improved foam performance and thermal stability in finished fluids, such as driveline fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Donald J. Knobloch, Kevin J. Hughes, Michael E. Huston, William R.S. Barton, Dennis M. Dishong, David M. Nickerson
  • Publication number: 20200017793
    Abstract: There is disclosed an antifoam component for a mechanical device which includes a poly(acrylate) copolymer. The antifoam component has improved thermal stability in finished fluids utilizing dibutyl hydrogen phosphite compounds, such as driveline fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: David M. Dickerson, Donald J. Knobloch, Kevin J. Hughes, Michael E. Huston, William R.S. Barton, Dennis M. Dishong, Tina M. Adams, Rochelle L. Kovach, Elizabeth A. Schiferl, Christopher H. Joniec
  • Publication number: 20190322959
    Abstract: There is disclosed an antifoam component for a mechanical device which includes a fluorinated poly(acrylate) copolymer. The antifoam component has improved foam performance and thermal stability in finished fluids, such as driveline fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Donald J. Knobloch, Kevin J. Hughes, Michael E. Huston, William R.S. Barton, Dennis M. Dishong, David M. Nickerson
  • Publication number: 20190300807
    Abstract: There is disclosed an antifoam component which includes at least one poly(acrylate) copolymer for use in a diesel fuel. Poly(acrylate) polymers prepared by polymerizing a (meth)acrylate monomer comprising C1 to C30 alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid (“multifunctional monomer”) are also disclosed. Other poly(acrylate) polymers prepared by polymerizing (i) a (meth)acrylate monomer comprising C1 to C4 alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid (“solubility monomer”); (ii) a (meth)acrylate monomer comprising C5 to C12 alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid (“surface tension monomer”); and (iii) optionally at least one additional monomer comprising a solubility monomer, a surface tension monomer, a monomer comprising C1 to C30 alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid (“multifunctional monomer”), or combinations thereof are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: James H. Bush, David M. Nickerson, Rochelle L. Kovach, Jayasooriya Sujith Perera, Elizabeth A. Schiferl, Kevin J. Hughes
  • Patent number: 10359447
    Abstract: Elongated flexible probes can be disposed in holes of upper and lower guide plates of a probe card assembly. Each probe can include one or more spring mechanisms that exert normal forces against sidewalls of holes in one of the guide plates. The normal forces can result in frictional forces against the sidewalls that are substantially parallel to the sidewalls. The frictional forces can reduce or impede movement parallel to the sidewalls of the probes in the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Breinlinger, Kevin J. Hughes
  • Patent number: 10006938
    Abstract: The elongated body of an electrically conductive contact probe can be disposed in a guide hole and can include a patterned region for engaging and riding on a contact region of an inner sidewall of the guide hole as the elongated body moves in the guide hole in response to a force on a tip of the probe. As the patterned region rides the contact region, the tip moves in a lateral pattern that is a function of the surface(s) of the patterned region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Breinlinger, Kevin J. Hughes, Russell Newstrom
  • Publication number: 20140118016
    Abstract: Elongated flexible probes can be disposed in holes of upper and lower guide plates of a probe card assembly. Each probe can include one or more spring mechanisms that exert normal forces against sidewalls of holes in one of the guide plates. The normal forces can result in frictional forces against the sidewalls that are substantially parallel to the sidewalls. The frictional forces can reduce or impede movement parallel to the sidewalls of the probes in the holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: FORMFACTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Keith J. Breinlinger, Kevin J. Hughes
  • Patent number: 8008559
    Abstract: A tremolo assembly includes a metallic block having an upper end near a pivoting mounting point. The lower end of the block depends downwardly into a space within a guitar body. The tremolo block has a proportionately greater mass near the lower end relative to the upper end that enhances the “vibrato” effect of the tremolo assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventors: Frank R. Ward, Kevin J. Hughes