Patents by Inventor Ronald G. Hurley

Ronald G. 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).

  • Publication number: 20100175320
    Abstract: A system and apparatus is provided that maximizes mass and energy conversion efficiencies in an integrated thermochemical process for the conversion of fossil fuel or renewable biomass to synthesis gas. The system combines gasification, catalytic conversion of gas to liquid, electricity generation, steam and chilled water generation with a system controller to maximize the conversion efficiency from syngas to merchantable products over the efficiency of syngas alone burned as a fuel. A clean synthesis gas stream is introduced into a catalytic reactor that utilizes specially formulated catalysts to generate liquid fuel from CO and H2 while concentrating CH4 and other combustible, but non-reactive gases in the syngas product stream. The methane rich stream is introduced into an engine for the production of electricity and heat while the unreacted CO and H2 can be recycled to produce additional liquid fuel. Excess heat can be used for other co-located processes and facilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: PACIFIC RENEWABLE FUELS LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Schuetzle, Ronald G. Hurley, Robert W. Schuetzle
  • Patent number: 7718832
    Abstract: A catalytic process selectively produces ethanol by contacting synthesis gas (syngas), composed primarily of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, with three catalysts within a reactor. The first catalyst is a hydrogenation promoter comprising Cu—Zn, Mo or Fe with an optional alkali metal additive and an optional support of aluminum oxide, silica, zeolite or clay. The second catalyst is a homologation promoter comprising one or more of the Group VIII metals in free or combined form with a co-catalyst metals consisting of Y or lanthanide or actinide series metals with optional additives and support. The third catalyst is a hydrogenation promoter. This series of catalysts improves the selectivity and yield for ethanol from syngas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Pacific Renewable Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Hurley, Dennis Schuetzle, Matthew D. Summers
  • Patent number: 6569392
    Abstract: The invention is a method of manufacturing a three-way catalyst and the catalyst as well as its use for treating exhaust gas generated by a gasoline internal combustion engine. The catalyst composition comprises a mixture of particles of three different materials. More specifically, it includes a mixture of calcined ceria/zirconia particles impregnated with platinum together with palladium, other calcined ceria/zirconia particles impregnated with only rhodium precious metal, and alumina particles not impregnated with precious metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Shiyao Li, Jun (John) Li, Ronald G. Hurley
  • Patent number: 6540968
    Abstract: The invention is a three-way catalyst, its method of manufacture, and use for treating exhaust gas generated by a gasoline internal combustion engine. The method comprises coating a substrate with mixed metal oxide particles in an amount of 10-30 wt. % based on the weight of the substrate. The mixed metal oxide comprises at least aluminum and rare earth metals of cerium and lanthanum. Precious metals are then deposited on the oxide coating and comprise at least one of platinum and palladium overcoated with rhodium. The total loading of precious metals is about 5-35 g/ft3 of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, Inc., Kumming Institute of Precious Metals
    Inventors: Rongguang Huang, Jun Li, Ronald G. Hurley
  • Patent number: 5419124
    Abstract: An automotive internal combustion engine is equipped with a hydrocarbon adsorber for the purpose of controlling the emissions of unburned hydrocarbons from the vehicle's tailpipe. Regeneration of the adsorber is achieved by an electronic engine controller operating an air pump and a sample pump, using information from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Andrew A. Adamczyk, Jr., Ronald G. Hurley, James D. Pakko
  • Patent number: 5375414
    Abstract: An automotive internal combustion engine is equipped with a hydrocarbon adsorber for the purpose of controlling the emission of unburned hydrocarbons from the vehicle's tailpipe. Regeneration of the adsorber is achieved by an electronic engine controller operating a purge air system for drawing desorbed hydrocarbon material into the engine's intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Andrew A. Adamczyk, Jr., Ronald G. Hurley, James D. Pakko, Lisa A. Hansen, Peter M. Lyon
  • Patent number: 5373696
    Abstract: An automotive internal combustion engine is equipped with a hydrocarbon adsorber for the purpose of controlling the emissions of unburned hydrocarbons from the vehicle's tailpipe. Regeneration of the adsorber is achieved by an electronic engine controller operating an air pump with information from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Andrew A. Adamczyk, Jr., Ronald G. Hurley, James D. Pakko, Lisa A. Hansen
  • Patent number: 5355672
    Abstract: An automotive internal combustion engine is equipped with a hydrocarbon adsorber for the purpose of controlling the emissions of unburned hydrocarbons from the vehicle's tailpipe. Regeneration of the adsorber is achieved by an electronic engine controller operating an air pump and a sample pump, using information from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Andrew A. Adamczyk, Jr., Ronald G. Hurley, James D. Pakko