Patents Represented by Attorney Larry W. Evans
  • Patent number: 5134105
    Abstract: Olefins such as propylene and isobutylene are converted to the corresponding unsaturated nitriles, acrylonitrile, and methacrylonitrile, respectively, by reacting a mixture of the olefin, ammonia, and molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst containing the oxides of molybdenum, bismuth, iron, cobalt, nickel, and chromium, and either phosphorus or antimony or mixtures thereof, and an alkali metal or mixture thereof, and optionally one element selected from the group of an alkaline earth metal, a rare earth metal, niobium, thallium, arsenic, magnesium, zinc, cadmium, vanadium, boron, calcium, tin, germanium, manganese, tungsten, tellurium, or mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: Christos Paparizos, Wilfrid G. Shaw
  • Patent number: 5131928
    Abstract: The subject invention relates to a membrane for the selective separation of at least one component of a gaseous feed stream comprising a porous membrane, having pores of from about 10 Angstroms to about 200 Angstroms, the pores containing a facilitator liquid having an affinity for the at least one component to be selectively separated, the membrane being capable of operating at a transmembrane pressure of about 100 psig to about 1000 psig, and the membrane comprising a polymer, a solvent, an alcohol non-solvent, and a viscosity enhancer and pore former.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: Marc W. Blackman, Alex E. Velikoff, James C. Davis, Ronald J. Valus
  • Patent number: 5126570
    Abstract: A sensor and method for measuring the concentration of alcohol in an alcohol-hydrocarbon mixture for use with flexible fuel vehicles. The sensor and method are characterized by a pair of detectors or sensing elements which detect absorbance of two different wavelength bands of energy transmitted through the fuel. The first wavelength band is absorbed by the alcohol and substantially unabsorbed by the hydrocarbons and other non-alcohols in the fuel mixture. The second or reference wavelength band is selected where the absorbance of alcohols and hydrocarbons is essentially the same and preferably essentially zero. The output of the two detectors or sensing elements is ratioed to provide a signal representative of the alcohol content of the fuel mixture. In a preferred embodiment, the sensing elements are included in a differential thermopile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventor: Donald L. Boos
  • Patent number: 5126047
    Abstract: A molten metal filter includes a refractory plate having an opening therethrough. A refractory filter element is attached to the refractory plate and projects therefrom, the exterior surfaces of the filter element generally defining a rectangular prism. The filter element is hollow so as to define an interior cavity. The filter element includes an opening in that portion of the filter element that is attached to the refractory plate, the opening surrounding the opening in the refractory plate such that fluid communication is established between the cavity and the opening in the refractory plate. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of filter elements are provided, which filter elements are connected to the refractory plate such that adjacent sides of the filter elements are oriented vertically and are disposed generally parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: The Carborundum Company
    Inventors: Harvey Martin, George S. Mordue
  • Patent number: 5124553
    Abstract: A process for spectroscopically measuring the content of a component in a liquid mixture involves passing a single optical beam through the mixture without the use of a reference beam and measuring the intensities of transmitted light in two different wavelength bands by means of two adjacent detectors responsive to light in the two wavelength bands respectively. The component being measured absorbs light within one of the wavelength bands. The ratio of the detector outputs can then be related to the component concentration. The principal use of the invention is for in-situ measurement of methanol in gasoline for motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: Lorelli A. Hilliard, Evangelos Theocharous
  • Patent number: 5120445
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for effecting mass or heat transfer between the bulk of a fluid and a transfer surface boundary layer comprises a conduit having transverse baffles spaced apart from the transfer surface such that vortex mixing is induced in fluid passed along the conduit in pulsed flow. The transfer surface may be a membrane suitable for microfiltration, ultrafiltration or pervaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Co. p.l.c.
    Inventor: Derek A. Colman
  • Patent number: 5120495
    Abstract: A thermally conductive diamond metal composite comprising 5 to 80 volume percent diamond particles having a particle size ranging from about 1 to 50 .mu.m and a metal matrix comprising a thermally conductive metal. Preferably, a fine metal powder having particle size below 53 microns is utilized as the source for the metal matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: Edward C. Supan, Joseph F. Dolowy, Jr., Bradley A. Webb
  • Patent number: 5120350
    Abstract: A reinforced metal composite comprised of a mixture of fused yttria and a metal matrix selected from the group consisting of Ti, Nb, Fe, Co, Ni, Ti alloy, Co based alloys aluminides of Ti, aluminides of Ni, aluminides of Nb and their mixtures. Preferably, the metal matrix is Ti or a Ti alloy which has a low Cl content (e.g. less than 0.15 wt. % Cl).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: Edward C. Supan, Joseph F. Dolowy, Jr., Bradley A. Webb
  • Patent number: 5118483
    Abstract: A crystalline material having, in the dehydrated form the empirical formula:m(M.sub.2/a O): X.sub.z O.sub.xz/2 : yYO.sub.2 (I)in which m is 0.5 to 1.5; M is a cation of valency a; X is a metal of valency x, selected from aluminium, boron, gallium zinc, iron and titanium; z is 2 when x is an odd number, an z is 1 when x is an even number; y is at least 5; and Y is silicon or germanium; and having, in the calcined hydrogen form, an X-ray diffraction pattern including significant peaks substantially as shown in table I herein. The material has been designated SUZ-4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventor: Sami I. Barri
  • Patent number: 5114795
    Abstract: Multilayered high barrier film products providing gas and moisture barrier properties. The film products comprise at least a first polymer film having low permeability to moisture and a polymer blend film containing a gas barrier polymer and a second polymer functionalized for compatibility with the gas barrier polymer and so as to allow the polymer blend film to adhere to the first polymer film. A method for the preparation of multilayered high barrier film products includes the steps of forming a gas barrier polymer film from a polymer blend containing a gas barrier polymer and a second polymer and, bonding a moisture barrier polymer film to at least one side of the gas barrier film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: Elena S. Percec, Lucy Melamud, Gerald P. Coffey
  • Patent number: 5114785
    Abstract: The subject invention relates to a coated reinforcement material comprising a reinforcement having a coating or the general formula:A.sub.x Si.sub.100-xwherein A is selected from the group consisting of Au, Pt, Ru, Rh,Ni, Pd, Ir and combinations thereof; andx is within the range of greater than zero to about 40.The invention further relates to a high strength, high temperature performance composite comprising a matrix material and a reinforcement material having a coating comprising silicon in combination with at least one of gold, platinum, ruthenium, rhodium, nickel, iridium and palladium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: M. A. Tenhover, D. B. Lukco
  • Patent number: 5112784
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of a catalytically active material, which comprises calcining an anionic double hydroxide clay; rehydrating the resulting material by treatment with water substantially free from dissolved ions; and calcining the rehydrated material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: Martin P. Atkins, William Jones, Malama Chibwe
  • Patent number: 5110420
    Abstract: A compound containing an element of Group IIB and of Group VIB is cathodically deposited on a cathode comprising a layer of high sheet resistance on an insulating substrate by positioning the anode relative to the cathode such that the distance from the anode to a point on the cathode increases as the distance between the point and the nearest electrical connection to the cathode decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: Rodney J. Marshall, John M. Sherborne
  • Patent number: 5110992
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of a glycol ether by reacting an olefin oxide with an excess of an alcohol over a catalyst; characterized in that the catalyst comprises a material which has been prepared by calcination of an anionic double hydroxide clay having a structure comprising magnesium and aluminum in combination, followed by rehydration and subsequent recalcination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Co., p.l.c.
    Inventors: Martin P. Atkins, William Jones, Malama Chibwe
  • Patent number: 5108713
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the manufacture of high purity, ultra-fine aluminum nitride powder by the carbo-nitridization of alumina. In the method, agglomerates uniform in both size, chemical composition and porosity are formed containing a stoichiometric mixture of alumina and carbon, and a small amount of catalyst, and furnaced in a controlled manner in a well-mixed two chamber reaction vessel having optional top or bottom fluidizing gas feed to achieve a uniform and consistent level of conversion. Milling of the as-reacted agglomerates under a controlled atmosphere will produce high purity, micron sized aluminum nitride powder. The reactor is an automatically controlled fluid bed reactor for treatment of refractory materials with a hot fluidizing gas having a two chamber design in which the lower furnace chamber and reactor bed are removable from the bottom of the reactor. With unique reactor, unusually high reaction temperatures of up to 2000.degree. C. are obtainable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: The Carborundum Company
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Kim, Viswanathan Venkateswaran, Randolph Kujawa
  • Patent number: 5107930
    Abstract: A guide line attachment for releasably attaching a guide line to a guide post top or other portion of a sub-sea installation has three relatively movable spring loaded concentric sleeves, the relative movement of which can be used to releasably lock the attachment to the guide post top or other portion. Relative movement of the sleeves also activates a latch to releasably lock the sleeves to each other. The attachment may fit inside or outside a guide post top and may be pre-set so that it will or will not automatically relatch on release. The guide post tops have internal or external grooves for engaging the attachment locking means, and specially designed tools may be used to effect remote release sub-sea. The guide line attachment may be used for all stages of the drilling and production of a sub-sea oil well and avoids the present need to cut and replace guide lines at different stages in the life of a sub-sea well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventor: Hans P. Hopper
  • Patent number: 5100556
    Abstract: A wafer (100) providing transverse sheets of semipermeable membrane (21). Such wafers include peripheral support means (101) defining a generally cylindrical ring and having inside (104) and outside surfaces (105), a plurality of transverse sheet membrane sleeves (16) carried within the peripheral support means, and a plurality of baffle plates (110, 125) carried between adjacent membrane sleeves. Apparatus (60) for the separation of a fluid into permeate and retentate portions comprises at least one transverse sheet membrane wafer (100), vessel means (61) providing a first port (68) for receiving the fluid, a second port (69) for withdrawing the retentate and a third port (70) for withdrawing the permeate, means for compressing (74) the wafer within the apparatus, and permeate chamber means (72) within said vessel, separate from the feedstream and the retentate by the means for compressing (74) and peripheral support means (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventor: Randall W. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5096567
    Abstract: A process for upgrading heavy hydrocarbons in an emulsion through dense phase processing. The process involves subjecting a feed of oil in an immiscible solvent emulsion to supercritical conditions to facilitate separation of the heavy hydrocarbons into light hydrocarbons with greater value and more uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: Stephen C. Paspek, Jr., Jeffrey B. Hauser, David J. H. Smith
  • Patent number: 5096679
    Abstract: A system to mitigate the effect of an environmental release of a contaminant gas. The system includes at least one first fluid effect device (13) positioned in the vicinity of the environmental release (33). A first fluid stream (20), a second fluid stream (23) and a flame (24) may each selectively be discharged from the first fluid device (13) in proximity to the contaminant gas. At least one second fluid effect device (25) also may be positioned in the vicinity of the environmental release (33) and the first fluid effect device (13). A third fluid stream (30) may be discharged from the second fluid device (25) proximate to the contaminant gas. A method to mitigate the effect of an environmental release of a contaminant gas employing the foregoing system is likewise embodied herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventor: Robin B. Lake
  • Patent number: 5093299
    Abstract: Olefins such as propylene and isobutylene are converted to the corresponding unsaturated nitriles, acrylonitrile, and methacrylonitrile, respectively, by reacting a mixture of the olefin, ammonia, and molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst containing the oxides of bismuth, molybdenum, iron, nickel and magnesium, at least one element selected from the group comprising potassium and cesium, and optionally one element selected from the group comprising cobalt, phosphorus, manganese, tellurium, sodium, cerium, chromium, antimony and tungsten wherein the sum of cesium and potassium is at least 0.1 to 0.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: Dev D. Suresh, Maria S. Friedrich, Michael J. Seely