Patents by Inventor Ruben F. Lah

Ruben F. Lah 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: 20090200152
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system that allows an operator to remotely switch between cutting and boring while removing solid carbonaceous residue from large cylindrical vessels called coke drums comprising a cutting head for ejecting high pressure fluids into the coke bed; a flow diversion apparatus; and a shifting apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Ruben F. Lah
  • Publication number: 20090183980
    Abstract: A coke drum skirt to minimize the stresses experienced by the coke drum and the supporting structure of the coke drum is described. The skirt includes one circumferential horizontal plate attached to the coke drum, and the circumferential horizontal plate is slidingly sandwiched between a lower supporting plate that supports the weight of the drum through the circumferential horizontal plate and an upper retaining plate that prevents the coke drum from tipping or falling over. The upper retaining plate may be embodied as a series of retaining clips that also keep the coke drum centered and prevent rotation of the coke drum. The upper and lower plates are anchored to a concrete support base. The sliding connection of the plates allows the coke drum to thermally expand and contract while reducing stresses and metal fatigue from the typical fixed securing of the coke drum to the support base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventor: Ruben F. Lah
  • Publication number: 20090145460
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system that allows an operator to remotely switch between cutting and boring while removing solid carbonaceous residue from large cylindrical vessels called coke drums comprising a cutting head for ejecting high pressure fluids into the coke bed; a flow diversion apparatus; and a shifting apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Ruben F. Lah
  • Patent number: 7530574
    Abstract: The present invention features a flange to flange dynamic seal and sealing system, particularly suited for use within high temperature, high pressure environments, such as a delayed coking process. The dynamic flange seal and sealing system comprises two primary elements or seals, each of which are capable of independently forming a flange seal between two flanged components or combining to create a flange seal. The flange seal created by the dynamic flange seal and sealing system is capable of being maintained in light of, or rather the sealing system adapts to, any structural or environmental changes within the connected flanges. As such, the flange seal may be a dynamic flange seal or a static flange seal or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation
    Inventor: Ruben F. Lah
  • Patent number: 7473337
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system that allows an operator to remotely switch between cutting and boring while removing solid carbonaceous residue from large cylindrical vessels called coke drums comprising a cutting head for ejecting high pressure fluids into the coke bed; a flow diversion apparatus; and a shifting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation
    Inventor: Ruben F. Lah
  • Patent number: 7459063
    Abstract: A coke drum bottom de-heading system having an internal shroud enclosure and a shroud end cap opened by a flange to a coke bottom de-heading valve capable of accepting the end of a gate valve upon actuation. Acting in coordination with the shroud enclosure to prevent the escape of steam is a gate seal assembly having a gate seal slidably engaged against the sliding gate to prevent the passage of steam thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation
    Inventors: Ruben F. Lah, Gary Larsen
  • Publication number: 20080251749
    Abstract: The present invention provides more efficient, cost effective ethylene productions isolation valve devices and system as well as more efficient, cost effective methods for isolating the flow of matter from one location to another in an ethylene productions operation where the valve comprises a first seat; a second seat aligned with said first seat; a blind; a main body having an orifice dimensioned to align with an orifice in said line; wherein said main body is coupled to said line; an upper and lower bonnet coupled to said main body, wherein said bonnets may be removed in order to replace valve parts without separating the main body from the line; and a plate located inside a bonnet, wherein the plate comprises a planar surface that contacts a surface of the blind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Ruben F. Lah, Gary Larsen
  • Patent number: 7399384
    Abstract: A coke drum bottom de-heading system having an internal shroud enclosure and a shroud end cap opened by a flange to a coke bottom de-heading valve capable of accepting the end of a gate valve upon actuation. Acting in coordination with the shroud enclosure to prevent the escape of steam is a gate seal assembly having a gate seal slidably engaged against the sliding gate to prevent the passage of steam thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation
    Inventors: Ruben F. Lah, Gary Larsen
  • Publication number: 20080143059
    Abstract: The present invention features a flange to flange dynamic seal and sealing system, particularly suited for use within high temperature, high pressure environments, such as a delayed coking process. The dynamic flange seal and sealing system comprises two primary elements or seals, each of which are capable of independently forming a flange seal between two flanged components or combining to create a flange seal. Specifically, these primary seals are an iconel bellows seal and a bi-material gasket, each of which surround a flange opening along a sealing surface. The flange seal created by the dynamic flange seal and sealing system is capable of being maintained in light of, or rather the sealing system adapts to, any structural or environmental changes within the connected flanges. As such, the flange seal may be a dynamic flange seal or a static flange seal or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Ruben F. Lah
  • Patent number: 7357848
    Abstract: The present invention features an installation system for facilitating the installation and removal of a closure onto and from a pressure vessel, respectively. The installation system comprises a fixed support structure constructed proximate a pressure vessel; a carriage dynamically and continuously supported by the fixed support structure, wherein the carriage also dynamically and adjustably supports a closure, such as a header or a deheader valve, in a continuous manner; an elevation adjustment assembly allowing the carriage and the closure to move in a vertical manner relative to the fixed support structure and the pressure vessel; and a horizontal transfer assembly that dynamically couples the closure to the carriage to enable horizontal, bidirectional transitioning of the closure relative to the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation
    Inventor: Ruben F. Lah
  • Patent number: 7316762
    Abstract: The present invention features a flange to flange dynamic seal and sealing system, particularly suited for use within high temperature, high pressure environments, such as a delayed coking process. The dynamic flange seal and sealing system comprises two primary elements or seals, each of which are capable of independently forming a flange seal between two flanged components or combining to create a flange seal. Specifically, these primary seals are an iconel bellows seal and a bi-material gasket, each of which surround a flange opening along a sealing surface. The flange seal created by the dynamic flange seal and sealing system is capable of being maintained in light of, or rather the sealing system adapts to, any structural or environmental changes within the connected flanges. As such, the flange seal may be a dynamic flange seal or a static flange seal or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation
    Inventor: Ruben F. Lah
  • Patent number: 7117959
    Abstract: A decoking system that not only enables an operator to remotely switch the coke-cutting process from boring to cutting mode without removing the drill stem from the coke drum, but also to remotely determine the drill stem's mode so that efficiency, safety and convenience are not compromised, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation
    Inventor: Ruben F. Lah
  • Patent number: 7115190
    Abstract: The present invention features a tangential injection system for use within a delayed coking system, or any other similar system. The tangential injection system comprises a spool, a tangential dispenser, and a hydro blasting system, wherein the tangential dispenser comprises a delivery main surrounding the perimeter of the spool and that functions to deliver a residual byproduct or other material to a plurality of feed lines positioned at a position or at distances around the delivery main for the purpose of providing tangential dispensing of the residual byproduct into the vessel, thus effectuating or inducing even thermal distribution throughout the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation
    Inventor: Ruben F. Lah
  • Patent number: 7033460
    Abstract: A coke drum bottom de-heading system having an internal shroud enclosure and a shroud end cap opened by a flange to a coke bottom de-heading valve capable of accepting the end of a gate valve upon actuation. Acting in coordination with the shroud enclosure to prevent the escape of steam is a gate seal assembly having a gate seal slidably engaged against the sliding gate to prevent the passage of steam thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corportaion
    Inventors: Ruben F. Lah, Gary Larsen
  • Patent number: 6989081
    Abstract: The present invention features systems and methods for de-heading a coke drum without having to physically remove the head units. This is accomplished using a de-header valves that may be removably coupled to a coke drum. The de-header valve is equipped with, a valve closure and a seat support system capable of forming a continuous contact seal during the coke manufacturing process. Actuation of the valve closure functions to open and close the de-header valve. Once the drum is full, the de-header valve may be actuated (opened), wherein the coke that has accumulated on the blind is sheared by the seat support system, thus effectively de-heading the coke drum and facilitating the decoking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation
    Inventor: Ruben F. Lah
  • Patent number: 6964727
    Abstract: The present invention features a coke drum de-heading system comprising (a) at least one coke drum having an orifice therein; (b) a de-header valve removably coupled to the coke drum designed to de-head the coke drum; and (c) an exchange system, including an upper and lower bonnet and other elements and members adapted to integrate the de-heading system, and particularly the de-header valve, into the manufacturing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation
    Inventor: Ruben F. Lah
  • Patent number: 6843889
    Abstract: A coke drum bottom de-heading system having an internal shroud enclosure and a shroud end cap opened by a flange to a coke bottom de-heading valve capable of accepting the end of a gate valve upon actuation. Acting in coordination with the shroud enclosure to prevent the escape of steam is a gate seal assembly having a gate seal slidably engaged against the sliding gate to prevent the passage of steam thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation
    Inventors: Ruben F. Lah, Gary Larsen
  • Publication number: 20040200715
    Abstract: The present invention features a flange to flange dynamic seal and sealing system, particularly suited for use within high temperature, high pressure environments, such as a delayed coking process. The dynamic flange seal and sealing system comprises two primary elements or seals, each of which are capable of independently forming a flange seal between two flanged components or combining to create a flange seal. Specifically, these primary seals are an iconel bellows seal and a bi-material gasket, each of which surround a flange opening along a sealing surface. The flange seal created by the dynamic flange seal and sealing system is capable of being maintained in light of, or rather the sealing system adapts to, any structural or environmental changes within the connected flanges. As such, the flange seal may be a dynamic flange seal or a static flange seal or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: Ruben F. Lah
  • Publication number: 20040163305
    Abstract: The present invention features a tangential injection system for use within a delayed coking system, or any other similar system. The tangential injection system comprises a spool, a tangential dispenser, and a hydro blasting system, wherein the tangential dispenser comprises a delivery main surrounding the perimeter of the spool and that functions to deliver a residual byproduct or other material to a plurality of feed lines positioned at a position or at distances around the delivery main for the purpose of providing tangential dispensing of the residual byproduct into the vessel, thus effectuating or inducing even thermal distribution throughout the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventor: Ruben F. Lah
  • Publication number: 20040154913
    Abstract: The present invention features a coke drum de-heading system that provides unique advantages over prior art de-heading systems, namely the de-heading of a coke drum without having to physically remove the head units. This is essentially accomplished using one of a variety of specially designed de-header valves that may be removably coupled to a coke drum much the same way a conventional head or flange unit would be attached. The de-header valve is equipped with, among other things, a valve closure and means for supporting a valve closure capable of forming a continuous contact seal during the coke manufacturing process. The means for supporting a de-header valve typically comprises a seat support system comprising a variety of configurational designs. Actuation of the valve closure functions to open and close the de-header valve, wherein in a closed position, the de-header valve and coke drum are prepared to receive the petroleum byproduct feed from the refinery process used to manufacture coke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Ruben F. Lah