Patents by Inventor Robert P. Adams

Robert P. Adams 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: 20240123379
    Abstract: A device and system for purifying a fluid is provided. The system includes a tank having an interior space and a media container disposed within the interior space. A valve is provided that cooperates with an element within the interior, the valve being movable between an open and a closed position. The valve being biased to the open position when the element is not positioned within the interior space, wherein the interior space is fluidly coupled to the atmosphere in the open position. The valve further being configured to move to a closed position when the element is positioned within the interior space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Paul H. Adams, Stephen P. Huda, James M. Buckley, John Anthony Triunfo, Joseph K. Patterson, Michael T. La Tulippe, Robert Camp, Robert F. Smith
  • Patent number: 11911720
    Abstract: A device and system for purifying a fluid is provided. The system includes a tank having an interior space and a media container disposed within the interior space. A valve is provided that cooperates with an element within the interior, the valve being movable between an open and a closed position. The valve being biased to the open position when the element is not positioned within the interior space, wherein the interior space is fluidly coupled to the atmosphere in the open position. The valve further being configured to move to a closed position when the element is positioned within the interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: Paul H. Adams, Stephen P. Huda, James M. Buckley, John Anthony Triunfo, Joseph K. Patterson, Michael T. La Tulippe, Robert Camp, Robert F. Smith
  • Patent number: 10035741
    Abstract: A method of oxidatively dehydrogenating a n-butenes to butadiene includes oxidatively dehydrogenating dehydrogenation reactant in a first adiabatic, catalytic reaction zone to provide a first-stage effluent stream enriched in butadiene at a first-stage effluent temperature above the first-stage inlet temperature, cooling the first-stage effluent stream in a first heat transfer zone to a second-stage inlet temperature lower than said first-stage effluent temperature to provide a second gaseous feed stream comprising superheated steam, n-butene and butadiene, wherein the second stage inlet temperature is lower than said first stage effluent temperature and oxidatively dehydrogenating n-butene in the second stream to provide a product stream further enriched in butadiene at a second stage effluent temperature above said second-stage inlet temperature. The first reaction zone temperature rise and the second reaction zone temperature rise are at least 200° F. (111° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: TPC Group LLC
    Inventors: Jillian M. Horn, Joseph G. Duff, Clifford A. Maat, Robert P. Adams, John J. Senetar
  • Publication number: 20160368840
    Abstract: A method of oxidatively dehydrogenating a n-butenes to butadiene includes oxidatively dehydrogenating dehydrogenation reactant in a first adiabatic, catalytic reaction zone to provide a first-stage effluent stream enriched in butadiene at a first-stage effluent temperature above the first-stage inlet temperature, cooling the first-stage effluent stream in a first heat transfer zone to a second-stage inlet temperature lower than said first-stage effluent temperature to provide a second gaseous feed stream comprising superheated steam, n-butene and butadiene, wherein the second stage inlet temperature is lower than said first stage effluent temperature and oxidatively dehydrogenating n-butene in the second stream to provide a product stream further enriched in butadiene at a second stage effluent temperature above said second-stage inlet temperature. The first reaction zone temperature rise and the second reaction zone temperature rise are at least 200° F. (111° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Jillian M. Horn, Joseph G. Duff, Clifford A. Maat, Robert P. Adams, John J. Senetar
  • Patent number: 8091945
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat frame having a seat back and stadium-type seat base for movement between a seating position and a storage position to improve ease of entry to the vehicle area behind the vehicle seat. The vehicle seat assembly includes a swing assembly coupled to the seat back and configured to rotate the folded seat assembly around a substantially vertical axis. A single handle operation is included for unlatching the seat latches—the seat base automatically flips up—and pivoting the entire vehicle seat toward the interior of the vehicle to allow easy entry behind the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Hancock, Robert P. Adams, David F. Ekern, Ornela Zekavica
  • Patent number: 5526197
    Abstract: A thermomagnetic layer on a slave tape has a Curie temperature above which it loses, and below which it stores, an image. Such layer is heated above the Curie temperature just before such layer records an image. To compensate for image stretching in such layer by the heat, the lines in a raster scan on the mirror-master tape are lengthened relative to such lines on a master tape during an image transfer between the tapes. To accomplish this, a rotary member holding the mirror-master tape has a larger diameter than, and rotates at the same angular speed as, a rotary member holding the master tape. To inhibit the slave tape separation from the heater by water vaporization in the thermomagnetic layer, (1) the heater heats such layer while the slave tape moves in a direction opposite to its movement during the image transfer or (2) a microwave oven heats such layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Hightree Media Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred M. Nelson, Robert P. Adams
  • Patent number: 5523897
    Abstract: Master and slave tapes respectively move on a pinch roller from a first supply reel to a first take-up reel in a first cassette and on a capstan from a second supply reel to a second take-up reel in a second cassette. The pinch roller locked in a first position abuts the capstan to transfer to the slave tape the image on the master tape. After such transfer, a signal sensing the slave tape end causes the pinch roller to be unlocked and to be moved to a second position displaced from the first position. In this position, the second cassette is replaceable by another cassette for an image transfer from the master tape. The rotations of the supply reel produce eccentricities which vary tape tension. These tension variations are compensated at positions before the pinch roller and the capstan by springs guiding the tapes and by damping members attached to the springs. The damping members are pre-stressed to provide damped compliances in accordance with the tension variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Hightree Media Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred M. Nelson, Robert P. Adams
  • Patent number: 5513817
    Abstract: A master tape movable in a closed loop including a pinch roller transfers a mirror image to a slave tape movable in a closed loop including a capstan. A thermomagnetic layer on the slave tape has a Curie temperature above which magnetic information is destroyed and below which magnetic information can be recorded on such layer. The thermomagnetic layer is heated above the Curie temperature, thereby becoming lengthened by thermal expansion just before the slave tape reaches the capstan. A downstream portion of a peripheral surface, preferably defining a cylindrical segment, on a first guide receives a pressurized fluid for sensing the tape tension in accordance with the tape width, distance from the cylinder axis and fluid pressure. An upstream portion of the guide peripheral surface receives a vacuum adjustable to regulate tape tension in response to variations in the pressurized fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Hightree Media Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred M. Nelson, Robert P. Adams
  • Patent number: 5479300
    Abstract: A master tape moves between first supply and take-up reels over a pinch roller. A slave tape moves between second supply and take-up reels over a capstan. First and second guides are respectively constructed and positioned to regulate the movement of the master and slave tapes to aligned positions on the pinch roller and the capstan. A heater between the pinch roller and the second guide heats essentially only a thermomagnetic layer on the slave tape to at least the Curie temperature. The heater is adjustably positioned to facilitate the movement of the slave tape to the aligned position on the capstan. Brake shoes respectively between the first guide and the first supply reel, and between the second guide and the second supply reel, control master and slave tape tensions and damp any variations in tensions. The pinch roller is movable to a first position, locked in position relative to the capstan, to abut the capstan and facilitate the transfer of magnetic information from the master tape to the slave tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Hightree Media Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred M. Nelson, Robert P. Adams
  • Patent number: 5475538
    Abstract: A master tape moves between first supply and take-up reels over a pinch roller. A slave tape moves between second supply and take-up reels over a capstan. First and second guides are respectively constructed and positioned to regulate the movement of the master and slave tapes to aligned positions on the pinch roller and the capstan. A heater between the pinch roller and the second guide heats essentially only a thermomagnetic layer on the slave tape to at least the Curie temperature. The heater is adjustably positioned to facilitate the movement of the slave tape to the aligned position on the capstan. Brake shoes respectively between the first guide and the first supply reel, and between the second guide and the second supply reel, control master and slave tape tensions and damp any variations in tensions. The pinch roller is movable to a first position, locked in position relative to the capstan, to abut the capstan and facilitate the transfer of magnetic information from the master tape to the slave tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Hightree Media Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred M. Nelson, Robert P. Adams
  • Patent number: 5398482
    Abstract: A mechanism for skinning a membrane cover onto a polymeric foam vehicle seat body is provided which, in a preferred embodiment, includes a frame which can releasably hold front and rear ends of the cover in a generally horizontal orientation with an apex of the cover extending vertically downward, providing an opening in the cover for insertion of the seat body, a first reaction member moved by a first cylinder in a generally horizontal direction for compressing the seat cover and the seat body in a generally horizontal direction, and a bottom plate with side arms, the side arms having sheeting strip support surfaces, the bottom plate also having operatively associated sheeting strips having a first fixed end connected with the frame and a second free end placed over the sheeting strip support surface and into the cover before insertion of the seat body into the cover, and the bottom plate and side arms being connected with a pop-up cylinder for extending the seat body upward from the mechanism after insertio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M Hessell, Jr., Robert P. Adams, Donald J. Hotton, William J. Wildern, IV, Bradley A. Johnston
  • Patent number: 5392976
    Abstract: A master tape movable in a closed loop including a pinch roller transfers a mirror image to a slave tape movable in a closed loop including a capstan. A thermomagnetic layer on the slave tape has a Curie temperature above which magnetic information is destroyed and below which magnetic information can be recorded on such layer. The thermomagnetic layer is heated above the Curie temperature, thereby becoming lengthened by thermal expansion just before the slave tape reaches the capstan. A downstream portion of a peripheral surface, preferably defining a cylindrical segment, on a first guide receives a pressurized fluid for sensing the tape tension in accordance with the tape width, distance from the cylinder axis and fluid pressure. An upstream portion of the guide peripheral surface receives a vacuum adjustable to regulate tape tension in response to variations in the pressurized fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Hightree Media Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred M. Nelson, Robert P. Adams
  • Patent number: 4312317
    Abstract: A device is disclosed which, when used in conjunction with a conventional carburetor metering device of an internal combustion engine, allows formation of a mixture of fuel vapor and air which burns more efficiently and yields less harmful combustion by-products than conventional carburetor systems. Incoming air to the engine is substantially completely saturated with fuel vapors by passing the air through a controlled volume of liquid fuel heated to a predetermined temperature, thereby allowing the air stream to become substantially saturated with fuel vapors. The air-fuel vapor mixture is further leaned downstream by the addition of fresh air, and the leaner, but more uniformly and controllably saturated air-fuel mixture then is introduced into the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1982
    Assignee: Bryce D. Jewett Machine Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryce D. Jewett, Robert H. Raynor, Robert P. Adams
  • Patent number: 4212950
    Abstract: Apparatus providing for the growth of cells in a nutrient bath under controlled conditions includes a pressure vessel with a surrounding dimpled jacket. The pressure vessel is adjustably mounted on three vertical mounting columns, from which it is thermally isolated. Temperature control for the pressure vessel is achieved by a closed heat transfer system which includes a pair of heat exchanger sections in series, one for heating and one for cooling the heat transfer fluid. A removable head or lid for the pressure vessel is lifted by three cables running through a common pulley mounted above the pressure vessel. Impeller blades for agitating the contents of the fermenting apparatus have a drive shaft that extends through the head and is connected to a gear box by a removable driving link. The gear box, and an associated drive motor, are affixed to a common mounting bracket that is pivotable to permit maximum displacement of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1980
    Assignee: The Virtis Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Adams
  • Patent number: 4153374
    Abstract: Disclosed is improved homogenizer apparatus of the type capable of operating in the range of 60,000 revolutions per minute. A motor is mounted to a motor support frame structure which in turn is mounted to the cabinet of the homogenizer. Two shafts are mounted to the motor mounting frame and extend downwardly essentially parallel to a spindle operably connected to the motor. A lower flask base support and an upper flask clamp are mounted for sliding movement on the two shafts and clamps formed of a cylindrical member fabricated of a metal softer than the shafts to avoid marring or damage to the shafts are utilized to clamp the flask base and flask clamp in any desired position on the shafts. By attaching the shafts directly to the motor support frame, the flask base and flask clamp remain properly oriented and aligned with respect to the spindle irrespective of shipping and operation vibrations and other external forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1979
    Assignee: The Virtis Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Adams
  • Patent number: 4023094
    Abstract: In an electronic thermometer a probe having a resistance which varies in accordance with the temperature of the region being sensed is connected to a resistance bridge having characteristics for determining and indicating the resistance of the probe. The temperature sensing element in the probe is constructed of materials whose characteristics are intrinsic and highly stable. The temperature sensing element is of small mass and is thermally isolated from the body of the probe so an accurate temperature can be measured in less than one second.The resistance bridge can be in one of two states depending upon the direction of imbalance of the bridge. These two states are respectively characterized by a high or low output voltage which is relatively unaffected by the degree of imbalance. The transition between the two voltages is sharp, continuous, and well defined. In the low voltage state, the bridge has an extremely low power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1977
    Inventor: Robert P. Adams