Patents by Inventor Michael R. Luque
Michael R. Luque 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).
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Publication number: 20110033018Abstract: Systems and methods for bonding ceramic materials are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a process is provided comprising the steps of disposing a bonding material at least partially adjacent to a surface of a first silicon carbide component and at least partially adjacent to a surface of a second silicon carbide component, and bonding said first silicon carbide component to said second silicon carbide component by heating, wherein said bonding material comprises vanadium or titanium.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2009Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: CALDERA ENGINEERING, LCInventors: John Roger Peterson, M. Robert Mock, Jeffrey C. Robison, Stephen R. Chipman, Grant Jay Brockbank, Michael R. Luque
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Patent number: 7237574Abstract: A nozzle design and method for designing such a nozzle being adapted for three phase slurry flow from the choke into the flash tank during pressure let-down in autoclave mining operations that uses a selection of the expansion ratio in the choke to select a nozzle dispersion angle to select a spread of the flow over the slurry pool in the flash tank, to generally maximize the use of the pool for energy dissipation without causing undo wear and tear on the tank walls.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2005Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Caldera Engineering LLCInventors: Stephen R. Chipman, Michael R. Luque, Herman Pieterse, Jeffrey C. Robison, Craig C. Smith
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Patent number: 6695010Abstract: A new segmented choke is provided. Designed to reduce thermal stresses created when the fluid temperature fluctuate, this invention is constructed of segmented ceramic members fit within a relatively thin-walled retainer, shrunk fit thereto, thereby allowing the retainer to be more compliant. Shorter, multiple segments used in this invention are also easier to manufacture, can be produced with tighter tolerances, provide easier access thereby reducing maintenance costs and allow for the inclusion of sensors in the individual ceramic segments. This invention also provides improvements in size, manufacturing cost, ease of use and operating efficiency over prior choke devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2000Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Caldera Engineering LCInventors: Jeffrey C. Robison, Stephen R. Chipman, Michael R. Luque, Craig C. Smith
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Patent number: 6685167Abstract: A new valve device adapted specifically for use with hot erosive flow streams is provided. This valve device has an inner plug head, which modulates and throttles the amount of flow passing through the valve when the valve is open. The inner plug head is shaped so that as the valve plug approaches the closed position, the inner plug head blocks most of the flow path, reducing the flow to a small amount. The valve of this invention has an outer plug head the contacts the valve's outer ceramic seat as the valve reaches the closed position. Contact between the outer ceramic seat and the outer ceramic plug entirely shuts off flow through the valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Caldera Engineering LCInventors: Jeffrey C. Robison, Stephen R. Chipman, Michael R. Luque, Craig C. Smith
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Patent number: 6523573Abstract: A new flash tube device adapted specifically for use with hot erosive flow streams is provided. This flash tube uses an extension cone fixed to the outlet of a choke to create an extension choke to insure that the shock wave occurs within the extension choke, thereby decreasing the flow velocity to a subsonic level, reducing the kinetic energy of the flow as it leaves the extension choke. By moving the shock wave into the extension choke, this device dramatically improves the working life of the flash tank, allowing for easier separation of fluid/solids and vapor in the flash tank.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: Caldera Engineering, LCInventors: Jeffrey C. Robison, Stephen R. Chipman, Michael R. Luque, Craig C. Smith
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Publication number: 20020069923Abstract: A new flash tube device adapted specifically for use with hot erosive flow streams is provided. This flash tube uses an extension cone fixed to the outlet of a choke to create an extension choke to insure that the shock wave occurs within the extension choke, thereby decreasing the flow velocity to a subsonic level, reducing the kinetic energy of the flow as it leaves the extension choke. By moving the shock wave into the extension choke, this device dramatically improves the working life of the flash tank, allowing for easier separation of fluid/solids and vapor in the flash tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2001Publication date: June 13, 2002Applicant: Caldera Engineering, LCInventors: Jeffrey C. Robison, Stephen R. Chipman, Michael R. Luque, Craig C. Smith
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Publication number: 20020030173Abstract: A new valve device adapted specifically for use with hot erosive flow streams is provided. This valve device has an inner plug head, which modulates and throttles the amount of flow passing through the valve when the valve is open. The inner plug head is shaped so that as the valve plug approaches the closed position, the inner plug head blocks most of the flow path, reducing the flow to a small amount. The valve of this invention has an outer plug head the contacts the valve's outer ceramic seat as the valve reaches the closed position. Contact between the outer ceramic seat and the outer ceramic plug entirely shuts off flow through the valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Applicant: Caldera Engineering, LCInventors: Jeffrey C. Robison, Stephen R. Chipman, Michael R. Luque, Craig C. Smith
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Publication number: 20010029988Abstract: A new segmented choke is provided. Designed to reduce thermal stresses created when the fluid temperature fluctuate, this invention is constructed of segmented ceramic members fit within a relatively thin-walled retainer, shrunk fit thereto, thereby allowing the retainer to be more compliant. Shorter, multiple segments used in this invention are also easier to manufacture, can be produced with tighter tolerances, provide easier access thereby reducing maintenance costs and allow for the inclusion of sensors in the individual ceramic segments. This invention also provides improvements in size, manufacturing cost, ease of use and operating efficiency over prior choke devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2000Publication date: October 18, 2001Applicant: Caldera Engineering, LCInventors: Jeffrey C. Robison, Stephen R. Chipman, Michael R. Luque, Craig C. Smith