Patents by Inventor Michael W. Hurley

Michael W. Hurley 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).

  • Method and apparatus for minimizing accumulation of polymer on process equipment, especially safety devices
    Patent number: 8470135
    Abstract: Accumulation of polymer on equipment, which is in contact with polymerizable material during normal process operation, is minimized by the method and apparatus of the present invention. The method involves positioning and affixing the equipment, such as a pressure relief device, to process apparatus, such as a distillation column, proximate to a wetted region formed by liquid phase fluid in the process apparatus, such that the moving liquid phase fluid is at least intermittently in contact with the equipment and one or more of accumulated polymerizable material, condensate including same, and polymer, is washed off of the equipment. The apparatus of the present invention is effective for maintaining the service-readiness of the equipment, which provides for safe long-term operation of the process apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: John O. Barnett, Michael Stanley DeCourcy, Michael W. Hurley
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MINIMIZING ACCUMULATION OF POLYMER ON PROCESS EQUIPMENT, ESPECIALLY SAFETY DEVICES
    Publication number: 20120145205
    Abstract: Accumulation of polymer on equipment, which is in contact with polymerizable material during normal process operation, is minimized by the method and apparatus of the present invention. The method comprises positioning and affixing the equipment, such as a pressure relief device, to process apparatus, such as a distillation column, proximate to a wetted region comprising liquid phase fluid in the process apparatus, such that the moving liquid phase fluid is at least intermittently in contact with the equipment and one or more of accumulated polymerizable material, condensate comprising same, and polymer, is washed off of the equipment. The apparatus of the present invention is effective for maintaining the service-readiness of the equipment, which provides for safe long-term operation of the process apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: John O. Barnett, Michael Stanley DeCourcy, Michael W. Hurley
  • Method and apparatus for minimizing accumulation of polymer on process equipment, especially safety devices
    Patent number: 8157969
    Abstract: Accumulation of polymer on equipment, which is in contact with polymerizable material during normal process operation, is minimized by the method and apparatus of the present invention. The method involves positioning and affixing the equipment, such as a pressure relief device, to process apparatus, such as a distillation column, proximate to a wetted region comprising liquid phase fluid in the process apparatus, such that the moving liquid phase fluid is at least intermittently in contact with the equipment and one or more of accumulated polymerizable material, condensate comprising same, and polymer, is washed off of the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Barnett John O., Michael Stanley DeCourcy, Michael W. Hurley
  • Method and apparatus for minimizing accumulation of polymer on process equipment, especially safety devices
    Publication number: 20080035466
    Abstract: Accumulation of polymer on equipment, which is in contact with polymerizable material during normal process operation, is minimized by the method and apparatus of the present invention. The method comprises positioning and affixing the equipment, such as a pressure relief device, to process apparatus, such as a distillation column, proximate to a wetted region comprising liquid phase fluid in the process apparatus, such that the moving liquid phase fluid is at least intermittently in contact with the equipment and one or more of accumulated polymerizable material, condensate comprising same, and polymer, is washed off of the equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Barnett John O., Michael Stanley DeCourcy, Michael W. Hurley