Patents by Inventor Zhongliang L. Fan

Zhongliang L. Fan 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).

  • Downcomers for vapor-liquid contact trays
    Patent number: 6224043
    Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray (36) is provided with a tray deck (40) and an upstream downcomer (48) and a downstream downcomer (50) positioned at an opening (46) in the tray deck (40). The upstream downcomer (48) extends downwardly and is inclined in the direction of the upstream downcomer (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Koch-Glitsch, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongliang L. Fan, Michael J. Binkley
  • Downcomers for vapor-liquid contact trays
    Patent number: 6053484
    Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray (36) is provided with a tray deck (40) and an upstream downcomer (48) and a downstream downcomer (50) positioned at an opening (46) in the tray deck (40). The upstream downcomer (48) has at least two spaced apart legs (64) extending downwardly at a lower end thereof to carry liquid downwardly. The spacing between the legs (64) allows vapor to flow between the legs (64) so that the upstream downcomer (48) does not completely block the desired vapor flow pattern in the area of the downcomer (48). Each leg (64) includes a deflector (68) extending downwardly from a discharge outlet (66) to shield the discharged liquid from the vapor stream and to deflect the downward momentum of the liquid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Koch-Glitsch, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongliang L. Fan, Michael J. Binkley