Patents by Inventor Peter D. Hicks

Peter D. Hicks 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: 10197824
    Abstract: A method of obtaining or maintaining optical transference into deaerated liquid in contact with a light transference medium is disclosed. The method comprises applying ultrasonic energy at a wavelength (?) into deaerated liquid in contact with a light transference medium. The ultrasonic energy at wavelength (?) originates at a distance (d) from an optical signal transmitted into the light transference medium. The distance (d) may be defined by a formula based on the wavelength (?) of the ultrasonic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Peter D. Hicks, Hui Li, Michael E. Bradley, Michael J. Murcia, Joe L. Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20160201896
    Abstract: A clean-in-place method of maintaining optical transference through a light transference medium operably connected to a boiler system is disclosed. The method comprises inter alia contacting a liquid chemical agent to a wetted surface of a light transference medium. The liquid chemical agent is selected from the group consisting of an acid, a chelant, a reducing agent, and combinations thereof, for a period of time and at a concentration sufficient to clean the wetted surface of the light transference medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D. Hicks, Hui Li, Michael E. Bradley, Michael J. Murcia, Rodney H. Banks, Joe L. Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20160202508
    Abstract: A method of obtaining or maintaining optical transference into deaerated liquid in contact with a light transference medium is disclosed. The method comprises applying ultrasonic energy at a wavelength (?) into deaerated liquid in contact with a light transference medium. The ultrasonic energy at wavelength (?) originates at a distance (d) from an optical signal transmitted into the light transference medium. The distance (d) may be defined by a formula based on the wavelength (?) of the ultrasonic energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Peter D. Hicks, Hui Li, Michael E. Bradley, Michael J. Murcia, Joe L. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 9352980
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in a hot water system to inhibit corrosion in the hot water system. The method includes defining one or more operational protective zones in the hot water system. One or more of the operational protective zones includes an oxidation-reduction potential probe that is operable to measure a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in the hot water system at operating temperature and pressure. The probe transmits the measured real-time potential to the controller, which assesses and interprets the transmitted potential to determine whether it conforms to an oxidation-reduction potential setting. If the measured potential does not conform the oxidation-reduction potential setting, the controller is operable to feed or remove one or more active chemical species into or from the hot water system and further operable to change at least one system parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Peter D. Hicks, David A. Grattan
  • Patent number: 9243814
    Abstract: A device for measuring oxidation-reduction potential at operating temperature and pressure in hot water systems is disclosed and claimed. The device includes a flow-through cell, a sensor, and a reference electrode. The components of the device work in conjunction with the other components and have electrical connections that transmit signals to a controller. The controller calculates and determines adjustments to feedwater chemistry for the hot water system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: NALCO COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter D. Hicks, M. Alexandra Knoth
  • Patent number: 9194789
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring and monitoring the corrosion potential of engineering alloys used in aqueous systems is disclosed and claimed. The method is applicable for a variety of alloys including, but not limited to, copper-based, iron-based, nickel-based, other metallic-based alloys, and their combinations. The corrosion potential is typically determined by measuring a voltage between a specific material in the described oxidation-reduction potential measuring device and a reference electrode. Corrosion potentials for specific materials of construction may be used for diagnostic or control purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: NALCO COMPANY
    Inventor: Peter D. Hicks
  • Publication number: 20150068921
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring and monitoring the corrosion potential of engineering alloys used in aqueous systems is disclosed and claimed. The method is applicable for a variety of alloys including, but not limited to, copper-based, iron-based, nickel-based, other metallic-based alloys, and their combinations. The corrosion potential is typically determined by measuring a voltage between a specific material in the described oxidation-reduction potential measuring device and a reference electrode. Corrosion potentials for specific materials of construction may be used for diagnostic or control purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: NALCO COMPANY
    Inventor: Peter D. Hicks
  • Patent number: 8906202
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and system for detecting contamination of boiler condensate and/or boiler feedwater in a papermaking process. The method includes measuring an oxidation-reduction potential at one or more locations in the boiler condensate and/or the boiler feedwater of the papermaking process with one or more corrosion stress monitoring devices. A controller is operable to assess whether the measured or a calculated oxidation-reduction potential is within an optimum range. The controller is operable to cause transmission of a signal to direct feeding an effective amount of one or more reductants and/or one or more pH-controlling chemicals into the boiler feedwater and/or one or more a satellite feed locations of the papermaking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: David A. Grattan, Peter D. Hicks, George T. Totura
  • Patent number: 8888988
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring and monitoring the corrosion potential of engineering alloys used in aqueous systems is disclosed and claimed. The method is applicable for a variety of alloys including, but not limited to, copper-based, iron-based, nickel-based, other metallic-based alloys, and their combinations. The corrosion potential is typically determined by measuring a voltage between a specific material in the described oxidation-reduction potential measuring device and a reference electrode. Corrosion potentials for specific materials of construction may be used for diagnostic or control purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventor: Peter D. Hicks
  • Publication number: 20140311991
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in a hot water system to inhibit corrosion in the hot water system. The method includes defining one or more operational protective zones in the hot water system. One or more of the operational protective zones includes an oxidation-reduction potential probe that is operable to measure a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in the hot water system at operating temperature and pressure. The probe transmits the measured real-time potential to the controller, which assesses and interprets the transmitted potential to determine whether it conforms to an oxidation-reduction potential setting. If the measured potential does not conform the oxidation-reduction potential setting, the controller is operable to feed or remove one or more active chemical species into or from the hot water system and further operable to change at least one system parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Peter D. Hicks, David A. Grattan
  • Patent number: 8771593
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in a hot water system to inhibit corrosion in the hot water system. The method includes defining one or more operational protective zones in the hot water system. One or more of the operational protective zones includes an oxidation-reduction potential probe that is operable to measure a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in the hot water system at operating temperature and pressure. The probe transmits the measured real-time potential to the controller, which assesses and interprets the transmitted potential to determine whether it conforms to an oxidation-reduction potential setting. If the measured potential does not conform the oxidation-reduction potential setting, the controller is operable to feed or remove one or more active chemical species into or from the hot water system and further operable to change at least one system parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Peter D. Hicks, David A. Grattan
  • Publication number: 20140166589
    Abstract: A device for measuring oxidation-reduction potential at operating temperature and pressure in hot water systems is disclosed and claimed. The device includes a flow-through cell, a sensor, and a reference electrode. The components of the device work in conjunction with the other components and have electrical connections that transmit signals to a controller. The controller calculates and determines adjustments to feedwater chemistry for the hot water system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: NALCO COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter D. Hicks, M. Alexandra Knoth
  • Patent number: 8658095
    Abstract: A device for measuring oxidation-reduction potential at operating temperature and pressure in hot water systems is disclosed and claimed. The device includes a flow-through cell, an oxidation-reduction potential probe, a temperature detector, and an external pressure-balanced reference electrode assembly. Each component of the device works in conjunction with the other components and each has electrical connections that transmit signals to a controller. The controller calculates and determines adjustments to feedwater chemistry for the hot water system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Peter D. Hicks, M. Alexandra Knoth
  • Patent number: 8658094
    Abstract: A device for measuring oxidation-reduction potential at operating temperature and pressure in hot water systems is disclosed and claimed. The device includes a flow-through cell, an oxidation-reduction potential probe, a temperature detector, and an external pressure-balanced reference electrode assembly. Each component of the device works in conjunction with the other components and each has electrical connections that transmit signals to a controller. The controller calculates and determines adjustments to feedwater chemistry for the hot water system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Peter D. Hicks, M. Alexandra Knoth
  • Publication number: 20120234756
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in a hot water system to inhibit corrosion in the hot water system. The method includes defining one or more operational protective zones in the hot water system. One or more of the operational protective zones includes an oxidation-reduction potential probe that is operable to measure a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in the hot water system at operating temperature and pressure. The probe transmits the measured real-time potential to the controller, which assesses and interprets the transmitted potential to determine whether it conforms to an oxidation-reduction potential setting. If the measured potential does not conform the oxidation-reduction potential setting, the controller is operable to feed or remove one or more active chemical species into or from the hot water system and further operable to change at least one system parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Peter D. Hicks, David A. Grattan
  • Patent number: 8153057
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in a hot water system to inhibit corrosion in the hot water system. The method includes defining one or more operational protective zones in the hot water system. One or more of the operational protective zones includes an oxidation-reduction potential probe that is operable to measure a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in the hot water system at operating temperature and pressure. The probe transmits the measured real-time potential to the controller, which assesses and interprets the transmitted potential to determine whether it conforms to an oxidation-reduction potential setting. If the measured potential does not conform the oxidation-reduction potential setting, the controller is operable to feed one or more active chemical species into the hot water system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Peter D. Hicks, David A. Grattan
  • Patent number: 8130106
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for detecting sugars in boiler condensate and/or boiler feedwater in industrial processes. The method includes measuring an oxidation-reduction potential at one or more locations in the process with one or more devices capable of measuring oxidation-reduction potential at operating temperature and pressure and correlating that measurement to an amount of sugar in the system. If the measured oxidation-reduction potential is not within an optimum range, action is taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Peter D. Hicks, Jason S. Van't Hul
  • Patent number: 8068033
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for detecting contamination of a boiler condensate and/or a boiler feedwater in industrial fermentation processes. The method includes measuring an oxidation-reduction potential at one or more locations in the fermentation process with one or more devices capable of measuring oxidation-reduction potential at operating temperature and pressure. If the measured oxidation-reduction potential is not within an optimum range, an alarm is triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Peter Blokker, Peter D. Hicks
  • Patent number: 7998352
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of inhibiting and/or removing deposits from internal surfaces in a hot water system. The method includes controlling a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in a hot water system to alter the dynamic between deposit constituents and the bulk water of the system to inhibit deposition or initiate deposit removal. The method is equally effective for a system undergoing a wet layup sequence or in an online operational system. The invention further includes a multi-component deposit inhibition and/or removal device, including a receiver, a processor, and a transmitter that work in unison to alter the system dynamics to inhibit or remove deposits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Peter D. Hicks, David A. Grattan
  • Patent number: 7955853
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of creating a real-time oxidation-reduction potential signature in a hot water system to detect REDOX stress and inhibit corrosion in the hot water system. The method includes defining one or more operational protective zones in the hot water system. One or more of the operational protective zones includes an oxidation-reduction potential probe that is operable to measure a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in the hot water system at operating temperature and pressure. The probe transmits the measured real-time potential to the controller, which analyzes and interprets the transmitted potential to create an oxidation-reduction potential signature for the hot water system. If the signature does not conform to an oxidation-reduction potential setting, the controller is operable to feed one or more active chemical species into the hot water system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Peter D. Hicks, David A. Grattan