Patents by Inventor Robert L. Rawlings
Robert L. Rawlings 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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Patent number: 4824361Abstract: An improved smoke suppressant apparatus for flare gas combination comprising a flare housing and a liner cylinder member coaxially disposed therewithin, an annular orifice channel formed between the liner cylinder and the flare housing. A first flare conduit is in fluid communication with the orifice channel and a first flare gas portion passing through the flare conduit is discharged from the orifice channel at the upper end of the flare housing as a perimeter zone discharge configured as a relatively thin cylindrical layer of flare gas. A second flare conduit may be provided in fluid communication with the inner core of the liner cylinder to discharge a second flare gas portion therethrough as an inner zone discharge, and a liquid seal is provided to permit flare gas to pass via the second flare conduit only when the pressure of the inlet flare gas exceeds a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 1983Date of Patent: April 25, 1989Assignee: McGill IncorporatedInventors: Eugene C. McGill, Robert L. Rawlings
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Patent number: 4634369Abstract: An improved purging process in which purge gas is flowed through a flare system at a sufficient flow rate to minimize or at least acceptably control the rate of back flow of air migration into the exit port of the system. The flow of purge gas is periodically terminated (or reduced) for a predetermined interval of time during which air begins to migrate into the flare system. During this purge gas cessation interval, the flow rate of the flare gas is sensed, and depending upon predetermined flow rate ranges for the flare gas, the purge gas cessation is continued during the cessation interval or a partial purge gas flow is commenced to assure that the total gas flow rate in the system is maintained above a predetermined flow rate. In any event, once the cessation interval of time has lapsed, the full purge gas flow is re-established to assure that air migration is cleared from the system.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1985Date of Patent: January 6, 1987Assignee: McGill IncorporatedInventors: James C. McGill, John W. Schindeler, Jr., Eugene C. McGill, Robert L. Rawlings
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Patent number: 4559006Abstract: An improved purging process in which purge gas is flowed through a flare system at a sufficient flow rate to minimize or at least acceptably control the rate of back flow of air migration into the exit port of the system. The purge gas is periodically terminated for a predetermined interval of time during which air begins to migrate into the flare system. Before this admittance of air can result in a hazardous condition within the system, the purge gas flow is re-established to sweep the air back out of the system.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1984Date of Patent: December 17, 1985Assignee: McGill IncorporatedInventors: Eugene C. McGill, Robert L. Rawlings
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Patent number: 4538982Abstract: A flare gas combustion apparatus comprising a flare housing and a liner cylinder member coaxially disposed therewithin, an annular orifice channel formed between the liner cylinder and the flare housing. A first flare conduit is in fluid communication with the orifice channel and a first flare gas portion passing through the flare conduit is discharged from the orifice channel at the upper end of the flare housing as a perimeter zone discharge configured as a relatively thin cylindrical layer of flare gas. A second flare conduit may be provided in fluid communication with the inner core of the liner cylinder to discharge a second flare gas portion therethrough as an inner zone discharge, and a liquid seal is provided to permit flare gas to pass via the second flare conduit only when the pressure of the inlet flare gas exceeds a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1982Date of Patent: September 3, 1985Assignee: McGill IncorporatedInventors: Eugene C. McGill, Robert L. Rawlings
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Patent number: 4292669Abstract: A data communication subsystem for operation with a main host computer, the subsystem involving a plurality of Front-End Controllers (each of which handles data transfers for a particular type of peripheral terminal and type of transmission line), a Data Communication Processor which controls the activity of the Front-End Controllers, a local "autonomous" memory (sometimes called data communications memory) dedicated to storing instructions, control data, and information data primarily for data transfer operations, and a Basic Control Interface unit which ties together the autonomous memory, the Data Communications Processor, and the Front-End Controllers. The data communication subsystem includes means for sensing a halt or failure in the main host system and then operating in an "autonomous" mode to continuously provide for data transfer operations independent of the main system condition.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1979Date of Patent: September 29, 1981Assignee: Burroughs CorporationInventors: James E. Wollum, Robert L. Rawlings
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Patent number: 4200930Abstract: In a digital data communication network there is provided a data communications subsystem working in conjunction with a main host system having a central host processor and main memory. The data communications subsystem provides a data communications processor and a local autonomous data communications memory connected to a basic control interface unit which supports a plurality of front-end controllers. The data communications subsystem can sense a halt in the main system and operate autonomously and independently of the main host system during such down-time. The present disclosure describes a front-end controller-processor called an adapter cluster module which is used to control a plurality of line adapters, each of which communicates with remote terminals on low to medium speed transmission lines. Up to 16 such adapter cluster modules may be accommodated as front-end controllers within a single data communications subsystem.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1978Date of Patent: April 29, 1980Assignee: Burroughs CorporationInventors: Robert L. Rawlings, Ronald D. Mathews
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Patent number: 4156907Abstract: A data communications subsystem operates with a main host computer having a central processor and main memory. The subsystem comprises: A data communications processor having its own internal memory for storing data transfer routines; and autonomous memory dedicated to storing data transfer instructions and control data; and a basic control module which includes a basic control interface unit connecting a plurality of front-end controllers. The basic control interface unit provides memory access paths for the front-end controllers to access data communications memory resources. The data communications processor provides address pointers to each of the front-end controllers whereby the selected front-end controller may access data transfer instructions from a data communications memory resource and then execute these instructions. The data transfer instructions are stored in "command blocks" in a memory resource and are made accessible to the front-end controllers for execution of data transfer operations.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1978Date of Patent: May 29, 1979Assignee: Burroughs CorporationInventors: Robert L. Rawlings, Morris G. Watson