Patents Represented by Attorney Michael L. Hoelter

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  • Board game
    Patent number: 5318305
    Abstract: A two person board game incorporating playing pieces that are movable about the board in a forward, backward or sideways direction as desired. These playing pieces may be stacked or unstacked as desired to achieve the intended purpose which is primarily to cause certain marked playing pieces to land upon certain marked safety zones and secondarily to capture the playing pieces of the opposing player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Inventor: Cecile A. LoCoco
  • Beneficiation of dry scrubber product
    Patent number: 5318227
    Abstract: A process of beneficiation of a dry flue gas desulfurization end product into separate dry particle streams dependant upon particle size, density, or shape. Further refinement of the dry end product is accomplished by initially comminuting the end product prior to classification by size, density, or shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Kevin J. Rogers
  • Pipeline pressure release apparatus and method
    Patent number: 5313974
    Abstract: A pressure release apparatus for relieving pressure that may occur within a pipeline due to water hammers or the like. This apparatus is secured to the pipeline directly in line with the pressure wave and consists of a spool piece having an opening therethrough which is selectively biased in the closed position. When pressure within the pipeline is sufficient to overcome this bias, the opening is unblocked thereby permitting such pressure to be released to the atmosphere. A blast shield surrounds this opening so that the sudden release of such pressure will not cause damage to surrounding people or property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Impacto Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Elmer E. Sawyer, Sanford Glover, Wayne Alderman
  • FGD performance enhancement by hydroclone and recycling steps
    Patent number: 5308509
    Abstract: A flue gas desulfurization process wherein the liquid bottoms product from the scrubber tower is subject to forced oxidation in a reaction/oxidation tank. Afterwards, this oxidized bottoms product is delivered to hydroclone means for separation into an overflow stream containing an aqueous slurry of mostly fines, fly ash, and unused reagent and an underflow stream containing predominately a gypsum slurry. The overflow stream is initially recycled back to the tank with another stream being subsequently returned or recycled back to the scrubber tower while the underflow stream is dewatered for the removal of the gypsum therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Pervaje A. Bhat, Dennis W. Johnson
  • Cost reduction of wet FGD system with a tray
    Patent number: 5281402
    Abstract: A method of saturating and humidifying the incoming flue gas of a flue gas desulfurization process without the need for underspray headers or the like. Initial humidification occurs by passing the incoming flue gas through a continuous liquid curtain of recycled bottoms product falling from an awning over the flue gas inlet. Further saturation and humidification occurs by causing recycled bottoms product to fall or rain from an overhead tray or grid onto the flue gas prior to passing through the tray or grid. In order to accomplish such humidification, there is an unobstructed passageway between the flue gas inlet and the lowermost tray or grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Wadie F. Gohara, Dennis W. Johnson, Robert B. Myers, Paul J. Williams
  • Enhanced reagent utilization for dry or semi-dry scrubber
    Patent number: 5273721
    Abstract: A flue gas scrubber for removing sulfur from flue gas. This scrubber, whether a horizontal or a vertical scrubber and whether a dry or a semi-dry scrubber, incorporates a recycle line that separates heavier dry solid particles from the finer particles still entrained within the cleaned flue gas. This recycle conduit then delivers these removed dry solid particles back to the scrubber for re-injection therein so as to reduce the drying time of the reagent slurry sprayed within the scrubber. Such drying time is reduced by the recycle of these dry solids because of the increased surface area overwhich the reagent is now sprayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Rae A. U. Hallstrom
  • Dual fluid atomizer exit orifice shield gas supply housing
    Patent number: 5271562
    Abstract: An atomizer used in boilers, furnaces, downstream contaminant removal processes and the like, to atomize the oil/liquid/slurry product being sprayed into such enclosures. This particular atomizer is configured with individual openings around each exit orifice in the atomizer such that a shield gas (normally air) in communication with these openings, is ejected from the atomizer fully surrounding the spray emitted from each exit orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Robert B. Myers, David R. Burley, Barbara J. Gray, Dennis W. Johnson
  • Support of interspaced, opposed feed headers for FGD systems
    Patent number: 5271873
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting headers within a tower from adjacent headers thereby reducing the amount of support members needed. In this configuration, the headers, which extend from opposing sides of the tower, are interspaced within the same generally horizontal plane in the tower. Support for the cantilevered end of each header is supplied by the self-supporting capabilities of adjacent headers near their support point with the tower wall. This significantly reduces the loaded span of support members to the distance between such adjacent headers as well as reduces the load upon such support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Norman D. Nelson, Edward J. Piaskowski
  • Chemical conversion plug to achieve gas tightness
    Patent number: 5271550
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing the gap between adjacent boiler tubes of a panel wall thereby making the panel wall air-tight. First and second sealing members are secured to opposite sides of adjacent boiler tubes thereby defining a gap therebetween. This gap is then filled with a metal salt solution which is dried in place so as to leave a residue behind. Subsequently, this residue is further heated which converts it to a metal oxide that forms an air-tight ceramic plug. This plug possesses properties which make it resistant to deterioration once the panel wall goes into service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: John Hainsworth, James M. Tanzosh
  • Regenerable flue gas desulfurization system
    Patent number: 5266287
    Abstract: A regenerable flue gas desulfurization system whose end product is preferably a commercial quality gypsum (such as for use in wallboard or the like) or other product easily landfilled. Accordingly, sulfur containing flue gas is passed through an absorber where it is sprayed with a solution so as to initiate certain chemical reactions thereby stripping it of sulfur. Any alkali in this sulfur-containing solution is recovered and returned to the absorber with the remainder of this solution being oxidized in an oxidation/recirculation tank. The slurry from this tank may be recycled to a pre-absorber for chlorine removal if desired, otherwise, a portion of this slurry is sent for the recovery of gypsum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Dennis W. Johnson
  • Replacement spacer pin with locking keys
    Patent number: 5259010
    Abstract: The spacer pin of this invention is preferably threadably secured to a thermal shield normally found within reactor vessels. It comprises a main body having a cavity therein which houses a locking assembly that alternately engages or disengages the threads of the thermal shield as desired. Ideally, as bolt means are is rotated within the main body, locking keys are either moved into engagement with the threads of the thermal shield or the locking keys are removed from such engagement with the thermal shield. In this fashion, the spacer pin may be locked onto or unlocked from the thermal shield as desired. A locking cap prevents the bolt means from coming unthreaded during use and also insures that the spacer pin remains secured to the thermal shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: B&W Nuclear Service Company
    Inventors: Steve K. Brown, Larry D. Dixon, John A. Orr
  • On-stream time for ebullating bed reactor
    Patent number: 5253403
    Abstract: A downcomer for use in ebullating bed reactors that is perforated along its length within the reactor. These perforations are sized slightly smaller that the solid catalyst particles used in the reactor in order to screen out these solid particles and prevent their flow or movement into the downcomer from the reactor. As a result of the perforated downcomer, any liquid separated from the fluidized medium and collected in the downcomer will flow back through these perforations and into the reactor when the ebullating bed is operating at its normal level; however, when the ebullating bed is operating at an upset level condition, the liquid in this fluidized medium will flow in the opposite direction and will pass through these perforations into the downcomer in order to maintain a minimum flow to the ebullating pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: McDermott International, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Hookham
  • Particulate collection device with integral wet scrubber
    Patent number: 5250267
    Abstract: An integrated jet scrubber and particulate collection device for removing sulfur oxides and other contaminants from combustion flue gas and also for removing particulates from this gas, such operations occurring in a single, integrated unit or assembly. In some instances, this combination device may be located in the lower portion of a chimney or stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Dennis W. Johnson, Robert B. Myers, Donald P. Tonn
  • Method and apparatus for gas liquid contact
    Patent number: 5246471
    Abstract: A gas-liquid contact system for absorption of gaseous contaminants in an absorptive liquid where contact is attained by a controlled flow relationship between the gas and the liquid forming a fluidized liquid mass for intimate contact between the two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Ananda P. Bhat, Dennis W. Johnson, Robert B. Myers
  • Refractory tile for heat exchanger protection
    Patent number: 5243801
    Abstract: A refractory tile adapted for protective fixation to the heat exchanger in an incinerator or furnace regardless of orientation. The tile includes a transverse groove which carries a shouldered slot to be guided by and mate securely with an anchor attached to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignees: The Babcock & Wilcox Company, The Carborundum Company
    Inventors: Donald B. Aiken, Stanley Gursky, Wayne P. Hults, David T. Wasyluk
  • Rotating electromagnetic acoustic transducer for metal inspection
    Patent number: 5237874
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and apparatus of non-destructive testing wherein a generally bidirectional wave generating electromagnetic acoustic transducer is pivotally mounted upon a base with this transducer being continuously rotated or oscillated upon the base as it is moved with respect to the workpiece (or the workpiece is moved with respect to the base). This oscillation or rotation causes a wave to be generated along an arc with these waves extending radially outward from the base so that any flaws in the workpiece can be struck at an angle as close to 90 degrees as possible (the optimal incident angle).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Paul J. Latimer, Gary W. Owens, Nelson Perez, Christos N. Sarantos
  • Dry scrubber with integral particulate collection device
    Patent number: 5215557
    Abstract: An integrated dry scrubber and particulate collection device for removing sulfur oxides and other contaminants from combustion flue gas and also for removing particulates from this gas, such operations occurring in a single, integrated unit or assembly. In some instances, this combination device may be located in the lower portion of a chimney or stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Dennis W. Johnson, Robert B. Myers, Donald P. Tonn
  • Purification of FGD gypsum product
    Patent number: 5215672
    Abstract: A process of purifying the gypsum slurry end product produced by a flue gas desulfurization process which incorporates fine solids separation/classifying, dewatering, mixing, and filtering to both achieve a useful gypsum product and to recycle as much process water as possible to the flue gas desulfurization process. This purification process separates the incoming gypsum slurry into a fine solids stream containing a disproportionate amount of impurities therein that are concentrated and subsequently disposed of and a coarse solids stream containing a large amount of gypsum therein from which a usable gypsum product is recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Kevin J. Rogers, Fred Covert Owens, II
  • Fan blade
    Patent number: 5213476
    Abstract: A molded hollow fan blade in which a preform (preferably constructed of glass fibers) is used to support the upper multiple layers of to-be-impregnated cloth within a mold. As resin is injected into the mold, the cloth and the preform become impregnated (this resin dissolving the temporary resin binder holding the preform together) thereby bonding the two together to form a single unit during the molding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Hudson Products Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Monroe
  • On-stream time for ebullating bed reactor
    Patent number: 5211917
    Abstract: A downcomer for use in ebullating bed reactors that is perforated along its length within the reactor. These perforations are sized slightly smaller that the solid catalyst particles used in the reactor in order to screen out these solid particles and prevent their flow or movement into the downcomer from the reactor. As a result of the perforated downcomer, any liquid separated from the fluidized medium and collected in the downcomer will flow back through these perforations and into the reactor when the ebullating bed is operating at its normal level; however, when the ebullating bed is operating at an upset level condition, the liquid in this fluidized medium will flow in the opposite direction and will pass through these perforations into the downcomer in order to maintain a minimum flow to the ebullating pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: McDermott International, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Hookham