Patents by Inventor Thomas W. McCracken

Thomas W. McCracken 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).

  • Patent number: 6899289
    Abstract: The invention relates to a nozzle (10) for mixing a gaseous fluid such as air and a liquid such as water and for ejecting an atomized mist of liquid droplets. The nozzle includes a nozzle body defining first (60), second (44) and third (52) annular passages along the length thereof. Pressurized fluid is introduced into the first annular passage (60) and a first restricted annular orifice (68) leads from the first annular passage (60) to the third annular passage (52). Liquid is introduced into the second annular passage (44) and a second restricted annular orifice (48) leads from the second annular passage (44) to the third annular passage (52). Liquid and gaseous fluid are aggressively mixed in the third annular passage (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Thomas W. McCracken, Adam J. Bennett, Ronald J. R. Dignard, Charles Poulin
  • Publication number: 20030080212
    Abstract: The invention relates to a nozzle (10) for mixing a gaseous fluid such as air and a liquid such as water and for ejecting an atomize mist of liquid droplets. The nozzle includes a nozzle body defining first (60), second (44) and third (52) annular passages along the length thereof. Pressurized fluid is introduced into the first annular passage (60) and a first restricted annular orifice (68) leads from the first annular passage (60) to the third annular passage (52). Liquid is introduced into the second annular passage (44) and a second restricted annular orifice (48) leads from the second annular passage (44) to the third annular passage (52). Liquid and gaseous fluid are aggressively mixed in the third annular passage (52).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas W. McCracken, Adam J. Bennett, Donald J.R. Dignard, Charles Poulin
  • Patent number: 5680993
    Abstract: An atomizing nozzle primarily designed for agricultural spraying has a narrow and controlled droplet size distribution and the ability to shape the spray into a solid cone or fan for evenly applying the spray to the crops. The nozzle is able to operate at low air delivery pressures, in the order of 10 to 30 in. of water column. A central air delivery bore communicates with an air manifold within a boom. Near the exit plane of the throat there is provided an inlet conduit connected to the liquid to be sprayed, the conduit being at right angles to the bore axis. An outlet nozzle from the conduit is positioned on the bore axis and has its exit plane upstream of the exit plane of the bore so that atomization of the liquid will take place within the central bore between the two exit planes. A pair of shaping nozzles are connected to secondary bores that in turn communicate with the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Thomas W. McCracken, Kevin A. Jonasson, Adam J. Bennett
  • Patent number: 5350430
    Abstract: An improved process is described for agglomerating ground coal in which a bridging oil is used as the agglomerating vehicle. This bridging oil is a mixture of a heavy gas oil obtained from coal/oil coprocessing and a heavy hydrocarbon oil, such as bitumen or heavy oil, preferably mixed in the proportion of about 23-40% heavy hydrocarbon oil and 60-77% heavy gas oil. The agglomerated product is mixed with additional heavy oil or bitumen and it becomes the feedstock to a coal/oil coprocessor, with heavy gas oil being formed as one of the product streams. At least part of this heavy gas oil product stream is recycled to the agglomeration stage as the heavy gas oil component of the bridging oil. This agglomeration procedure has the advantage of providing an agglomerate of excellent quality, while carrying out the agglomeration in a short time at ambient temperature and using less than 10% by weight of bridging oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Energy Mines and Resources-Canada
    Inventors: Richard D. Coleman, Floyd N. Toll, Thomas W. McCracken, C. Edward Capes, Michio Ikura
  • Patent number: 5002667
    Abstract: A stacked permeable membrane envelope assembly comprises two clamping plates with spaced, permeable membrane envelope assemblies clamped between them on frames. Each membrane envelope comprises two membrane covered, perforated plates clamped together to provide inner permeate chambers and outer feed fluid passages. Fluid distributing and permeable membrane sealing collars are provided comprising two annular plates with a radially scalloped, stiff-spring-like, channel separator ring located between them. The annular plates seal the membranes against the dished plates around feed fluid passages through the envelope assemblies while the radial scallops form passages for fluid to flow between adjacent membrane envelopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Oleh Kutowy, John D. Hazlett, Thomas W. McCracken, Adam Bennett