Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Eric Marich
  • Patent number: 6817808
    Abstract: A rotatable pipeline end termination. A conduit is attached to an end of the pipeline. One or more collars are attached to the conduit. A ring is rotatably received on the collar. A pipeline support structure such as a flat bottom closed skid having the function of a mud mat is attached to the ring. The ring may be free floating for rotation or may be manually activated to rotate the termination to the correct orientation so as to be flat on the sea floor for full bearing contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Mentor Subsea Technology Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Patinet
  • Patent number: 6806900
    Abstract: A high temperature camera apparatus having an elongated camera housing tube and an elongated camera support member, supporting a video camera at the interior end of the camera housing tube. A ceramic heat shield tube telescopically surrounds at least a portion of the camera, and preferably the portion of the camera housing tube which contains the camera. The exterior surface of the camera housing tube is plated and polished to provide a highly reflective surface. The ceramic heat shield is spaced in position around the camera housing tube by a plurality of spacers projecting outwardly form the outer surface of the camera housing tube. A liquid coolant jacket may also be formed on radially opposite sides of the camera housing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Diamond Power International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Eversole, Howard R. Smith, Mike A. Garrabrant
  • Patent number: 6800149
    Abstract: A method of corrosion protecting a tube having an end portion extending into a tube receiving hole of a mud drum of a boiler and the tube produced by that method. The end portion of the tube is provided with a corrosion resistant cladding layer which may contain chromium. Laser cladding is used to produce the corrosion resistant cladding layer, which advantageously tapers along a length of the end portion of the tube. The tube may be swaged before or after the cladding is applied and suitable heat treatments may be performed on the bare or clad tube to develop suitable properties in the tube, the cladding, or a tube-cladding interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: George H. Harth, III
  • Patent number: 6783091
    Abstract: A pulverizer housing liner for the housing unit of an EL pulverizer is made up of an arcuate liner body having an inner curved surface forming a segment of the circular housing unit and two circumferentially spaced flutes fixed to the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Craig S. Whaley
  • Patent number: 6778209
    Abstract: A high temperature camera apparatus having an elongated steel camera housing tube and an elongated steel camera housing tube and an elongated camera support member, supporting a video camera at the furnace interior end of the camera housing tube. A ceramic heat shield tube telescopically surrounds at least a portion of the camera, and preferably the portion of the camera housing tube which contains the camera. The exterior surface of the camera housing tube is plated and polished to provide a highly reflective surface, and the ceramic heat shield tube is telescopically surrounded by an outer steel tube. The ceramic heat shield is spaced in position around the camera housing tube by a plurality of spacers projecting outwardly from the outer surface of the camera housing tube. A steel end plate is fixed at the furnace interior end of the camera housing tube, and is provided with an image hole aligned with the image axis of the camera, and a plurality of spaced ventilation holes surrounding the image hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Diamond Power International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Eversole, Howard R. Smith, Mike A. Garrabrant
  • Patent number: 6772832
    Abstract: A support bar for tubes in a heat exchanger, such as the U-bend tubes in the U-bend region of a recirculating, nuclear steam generator, provides positive restraint in both the in-plane direction of the tube planes and the out-of-plane direction. The bar has pairs of parallel surfaces aligned with first and second axes such that the bar may be positioned with either axis arranged parallel to the tube planes. The bar can be used in place of other types of tube support bars, and can also be used as an auxiliary bar for installation into a fully assembled heat exchanger to provide additional support to supplement other tube support arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: William G. Schneider
  • Patent number: 6769262
    Abstract: A chilling sleeve is provided for insertion into a hollow cylinder, such as a control rod driving mechanism guide tube, for adjusting the temperature and therefore the diameter of the cylinder. The chilling sleeve has external inlet and outlet ports, regulated by a pump. The pump injects high pressure liquid coolant, such as liquid nitrogen into the inlet port and through channels in the body of the sleeve out to a high pressure chamber. The liquid coolant escapes the high pressure chamber via escapes holes and enters a low pressure chamber, bordered by the outer wall of the hollow cylinder. In the lower pressure chamber, the liquid coolant evaporates, which chills the adjacent outer wall of the hollow cylinder, thereby shrinking the outer wall so that the hollow cylinder can be fitted into or removed from a cylindrical hole, for example a closure head hole in a vessel head of a nuclear reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Canada Ltd.
    Inventor: Luke George Mark Gray
  • Patent number: 6758917
    Abstract: A method for forming a chromium-rich layer on the surface of a nickel alloy workpiece containing chromium includes heating the workpiece to a stable temperature of about 1100° C., and then exposing the workpiece to a gaseous mixture containing water vapor and one or more non-oxidizing gases for a short period of time. The process conditions are compatible with high temperature annealing and can be performed simultaneously with, or in conjunction with, high temperature annealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter J. King, David M. Doyle
  • Patent number: 6755101
    Abstract: A compact, low-profile, in-line beveling tool suitable for use in a confined space, such as a tightly packed array of tubes. The tool is inserted within a workpiece via a feeding mechanism, such as a worm gear arrangement, and is secured to the workpiece via an internal expanding mandrel assembly. A motor drives cutting inserts, mounted on a beveling head, in rotational motion to bevel the workpiece. The motor and beveling head with cutter inserts all share the same axis. A gear reduction box, located between and operatively connected with the motor and beveling head, provides the low RPM and high torque needed to make practical use of carbide insert technology. In one embodiment, the motor is a hollow core air motor having vanes symmetrically arranged about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Canada Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas Waring
  • Patent number: 6748880
    Abstract: A flue gas passage arrangement for a steam generator which permits adjustment of the heat transfer effectiveness of a final bank of heat exchanger surface to control a temperature of the flue gas flowing through and exiting from the flue gas passage and conveyed to a downstream NOx reduction device having a minimum operating temperature. The NOx reduction device is advantageously an SCR. Economizer heating surface is located within the flue gas passage, and a baffle plate extends through the flue gas passage and creates two flue gas paths there through. The economizer heating surface may be a single, common bank having a section located in both gas paths, or in only one gas path. Alternatively, two separate banks of economizer heating surface may be employed. A variable position damper is provided in one gas path, either below or above one section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: James F. DeSellem
  • Patent number: 6733173
    Abstract: A pyrometer for use in measuring temperatures in a furnace, has a lens-tube for supporting an optical head in a port of the furnace for viewing an interior of the furnace along a line of sight. The optical head converts infrared radiation to electrical signals. A photometer circuit connected to the optical head processes the electrical signals and a scaling circuit connected to the photometer circuit scales the electrical signals. An output circuit connected to the scaling circuit receives the scaled electrical signals and produces output signals for display or control of the furnace. A power supply connected to the scaling circuit powers the photometer, scaling and output circuits. Calibration in the scaling circuit scales the electrical signals to be most sensitive to a wavelength of middle infrared radiation to which at least one gas component in the furnace is semi-transparent, for measuring the temperature of the at least one gas component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Diamond Power International, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Huston, John W. Berthold, Thomas E. Moskal
  • Patent number: 6726748
    Abstract: A method of reducing the pressure drop in a downflow/upflow wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD) system and of improving overall sulfur dioxide collection efficiency by converting the downflow/upflow WFGD system to an upflow single-loop WFGD system. The method includes the replacing of the downflow quencher and related duct work with a bypass for connecting the incoming flue gas duct with the upflow absorber, and the adding of a quenching zone in the absorber comprised of spray headers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Ronald L. Goode, Dennis W. Johnson, David W. Murphy, Robert B. Myers, John F. Sulek, David R. Burley, Paul J. Lieb
  • Patent number: 6718915
    Abstract: A convection pass enclosure for a boiler comprising a front wall having a gas inlet for receiving gases from the boiler; right and left side walls connected to the front wall; a rear wall having a gas outlet, the rear wall being connected between the right and left side walls; and a roof, at least one of the front wall, right side wall, left side wall and rear side wall having a heat exchanger surface in the form of a horizontal spiral tube assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Melvin J. Albrecht, J. William Smith
  • Patent number: 6708651
    Abstract: An apparatus for supplying relatively cool feedwater to a heated pressure vessel, while moderating the thermal gradients within the apparatus and the pressure vessel. The feedwater apparatus is generally comprised of a feedwater inlet nozzle, thermal sleeve and sparger assembly which is structured to provide a thermal barrier and to lengthen the path of heat conduction through the feedwater inlet nozzle; to insure adequate support for the thermal sleeve and the sparger; to improve feedwater flow through the thermal sleeve and the sparger; and to facilitate the inspection and repair of the welds used to structure the feedwater apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Canada Ltd.
    Inventor: Nansheng Sun
  • Patent number: 6695018
    Abstract: A scoop is used to collect a liquid slurry upstream of an internal collection tank. The scoop is in fluid communication with a downcomer, which receives at least part of the collected slurry, thereby maintaining a continuous flow of liquid slurry through the scoop to prevent plugging. Collected slurry can be removed for treatment from the scoop or the downcomer. In an application to a wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) scrubber, the scoop collects an effluent slurry of partially reacted liquid scrubbing reagent and scrubbing byproducts before they drain into an internal reaction tank. Partially reacted liquid scrubbing reagent and scrubbing byproducts can therefore be withdrawn for treatment before the addition of fresh reagent alters the pH of the treatment stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Dennis W. Johnson, David W. Murphy, Robert B. Myers
  • Patent number: 6681722
    Abstract: A collection element arrangement is provided having sleeve attachments near their lowermost ends which simulate a continuous sloping surface, or floor. The sleeve attachments upper surfaces forming the floor permit collected solids to flow down the sloping surface back into the furnace or reactor chamber. Stainless steel can be used for the collection elements and sleeve attachments since the floating floor accommodates differential thermal expansion between CFB components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Mikhail Maryamchik, Michael J. Szmania, David J. Walker, Donald L. Wietzke
  • Patent number: 6672260
    Abstract: An improved support for a tube bundle of a nuclear steam generator has a pair of plates separated by spacers and holding slotted disc springs used to mount tubes through tube holes of the pair of plates. The slotted disc springs deform upon installation and substantially eliminate tube vibration during use, thereby extending the useful life of the tubes. At the same time, the springs limit the pressure drop between sides of the support and enhance the heat transfer from the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Canada Ltd.
    Inventor: Nansheng Sun
  • Patent number: 6666637
    Abstract: An internally threaded, segmented nut and conical bore for a pressure vessel are used to make removal of studs securing covers over openings through the pressure vessel wall. The segmented nut has a conical upper surface to mate with a corresponding surface of the conical bore when the stud is threaded through the internal thread of the nut and a load is applied. The segmented nut is easily replaced and the stud is easily removable due to the shape of the nut and bore. The segmented nut eliminates drilling and rethreading the bore to repair damaged threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Canada Ltd.
    Inventor: Nansheng Sun
  • Patent number: 6613133
    Abstract: A spray level arrangement for spraying a liquid absorbent into flue gas flowing through a flue gas desulfurization absorber tower having a shell, includes a pair of elongated headers each having an inlet end for receiving liquid absorbent outside the shell, and an opposite end supported by a shell support at the inner surface of the shell. Each header extends through a penetration port of the shell and into the interior of the shell for supplying the liquid absorbent to the tower. A plurality of elongated branch lines are secured to each header and extend within the tower, each branch line having a supply end connected to the header and an opposite end supported on their own shell supports at the inner surface of the shell. A plurality of nozzles are secured to each branch. The nozzles are configured to spray the liquid absorbent into the flue gas within the tower. A beam in the shell has straps for further supporting the headers in the shell, if required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Edward J. Piaskowski, Norman D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6609483
    Abstract: A system for maintaining an optimal flue gas inlet to a boiler mounted SCR assembly in the flue of the boiler is accomplished by mixing the normal inlet feedwater to an economizer of the boiler with near saturation water from downcomers of the boiler to thereby raise the temperature of the flue gas passing across the economizer and raising the SCR inlet to the desired optimal SCR operation temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Melvin J. Albrecht, John B. Rogan