Patents by Inventor Robert J. Tipton

Robert J. Tipton 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).

  • Publication number: 20040162400
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved drag reducing agents and methods of forming improved drag reducing agents comprising the steps of isomerizing olefin monomers to form isomerized olefin monomers, polymerizing the isomerized olefin monomers in the presence of at least one catalyst to form a polyolefin drag reducing agent having unexpectedly superior drag reduction properties when combined with liquid hydrocarbons, such as viscous crude oil. Therefore, the drag reducing agents of the present invention may be introduced into conduits, such as pipelines, to increase the flow of the hydrocarbons through the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Gerald B. Eaton, Michael J. Monahan, Alan K. Ebert, Robert J. Tipton, Eduardo Baralt
  • Patent number: 6730750
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved drag reducing agents and methods of forming improved drag reducing agents comprising the steps of isomerizing olefin monomers to form isomerized olefin monomers, polymerizing the isomerized olefin monomers in the presence of at least one catalyst to form a polyolefin drag reducing agent having unexpectedly superior drag reduction properties when combined with liquid hydrocarbons, such as viscous crude oil. Therefore, the drag reducing agents of the present invention may be introduced into conduits, such as pipelines, to increase the flow of the hydrocarbons through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Energy & Environmental International, L.C.
    Inventors: Gerald B. Eaton, Michael J. Monahan, Alan K. Ebert, Robert J. Tipton, Eduardo Baralt
  • Patent number: 6730752
    Abstract: A composition including polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents and a process for the preparation of polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents are disclosed. The process includes contacting alpha olefin monomers with a catalyst system, which includes a catalyst and an activator (co-catalyst) in a reactant mixture. The catalyst is a transition metal catalyst, preferably titanium trichloride, and the co-catalyst may include an alkylaluminoxane, alone or in combination, with a dialkylaluminum halide or a halohydrocarbon. The polymerization of the alpha olefin monomers produces a non-crystalline, ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin having an inherent viscosity of at least 10 dL/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Energy & Environmental International, L.C.
    Inventors: Gerald B. Eaton, Michael J. Monahan, Robert J. Tipton
  • Publication number: 20020173600
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved drag reducing agents and methods of forming improved drag reducing agents comprising the steps of isomerizing olefin monomers to form isomerized olefin monomers, polymerizing the isomerized olefin monomers in the presence of at least one catalyst to form a polyolefin drag reducing agent having unexpectedly superior drag reduction properties when combined with liquid hydrocarbons, such as viscous crude oil. Therefore, the drag reducing agents of the present invention may be introduced into conduits, such as pipelines, to increase the flow of the hydrocarbons through the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Gerald B. Eaton, Michael J. Monahan, Alan K. Ebert, Robert J. Tipton, Eduardo Baralt
  • Patent number: 6242395
    Abstract: A composition including polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents and a process for the preparation of polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents are disclosed. The process includes contacting alpha olefin monomers with a catalyst system, which includes a catalyst and an activator (co-catalyst) in a reactant mixture. The catalyst is a transition metal catalyst, preferably titanium trichloride, and the co-catalyst may include an alkylaluminoxane, alone or in combination, with a dialkylaluminum halide or a halohydrocarbon. The polymerization of the alpha olefin monomers produces a non-crystalline, ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin having an inherent viscosity of at least 10 dL/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Energy & Environmental International, L.C.
    Inventors: Gerald B. Eaton, Michael J. Monahan, Robert J. Tipton
  • Publication number: 20010002389
    Abstract: A composition including polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents and a process for the preparation of polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents are disclosed. The process includes contacting alpha olefin monomers with a catalyst system. which includes a catalyst and an activator (co-catalyst) in a reactant mixture. The catalyst is a transition metal catalyst, preferably titanium trichloride, and the co-catalyst may include an alkylaluminoxane, alone or in combination, with a dialkylaluminum halide or a halohydrocarbon. The polymerization of the alpha olefin monomers produces a non-crystalline, ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin having an inherent viscosity of at least 10 dL/g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 31, 2001
    Inventors: Gerald B. Eaton, Michael J. Monahan, Robert J. Tipton
  • Patent number: 6162773
    Abstract: A composition including polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents and a process for the preparation of polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents are disclosed. The process includes contacting alpha olefin monomers with a catalyst system, which includes a catalyst and an activator (co-catalyst) in a reactant mixture. The catalyst is a transition metal catalyst, preferably titanium trichloride, and the co-catalyst may include an alkylaluminoxane, alone or in combination, with a dialkylaluminum halide or a halohydrocarbon. The polymerization of the alpha olefin monomers produces a non-crystalline, ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin having an inherent viscosity of at least 10 dL/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Energy & Environmental International, L.C.
    Inventors: Gerald B. Eaton, Michael J. Monahan, Robert J. Tipton
  • Patent number: 6015779
    Abstract: A composition including polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents and a process for the preparation of polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents are disclosed. The process includes contacting alpha olefin monomers with a catalyst system, which includes a catalyst and an activator (co-catalyst) in a reactant mixture. The catalyst is a transition metal catalyst, preferably titanium trichloride, and the co-catalyst may include an alkylaluminoxane, alone or in combination, with a dialkylaluminum halide or a halohydrocarbon. The polymerization of the alpha olefin monomers produces a non-crystalline, ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin having an inherent viscosity of at least 10 dL/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Energy & Environmental International, L.C.
    Inventors: Gerald B. Eaton, Michael J. Monahan, Robert J. Tipton