Patents Represented by Attorney Ralph H. Dougherty

Find this attorney in the Justia Lawyer Directory

  • Method of operating an open-hearth furnace
    Patent number: 4347079
    Abstract: Oxygen is blown into an open hearth furnace beneath the surface of the molten metal through a jacketed tuyere, each tuyere angled toward the center of the furnace. A high volume of jacketing coolant is injected through two separate annular passageways around the oxygen to form a large skull around the tuyere. Apparatus is also disclosed for carrying out the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1982
    Assignee: Korf Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William Wells
  • Apparatus for the generation of gaseous fuel
    Patent number: 4344831
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the generation of a gaseous hydrogen or hydrogen and oxygen mixture for use as a fuel. The apparatus includes an electrolytic tank having means for circulating and cooling the electrolyte solution therein, gas removal means and a source of electric power communicating with the electrolyte solution. The method is characterized by dissociation of the aqueous portion of the electrolyte solution and maintaining the temperature of the electrolyte below 150.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Inventor: Charles T. Weber
  • Method for direct reduction of iron using high sulfur gas
    Patent number: 4333761
    Abstract: A method for the direct reduction of iron oxide utilizing sulfur-containing gas such as coke oven gas for the process gas. Sulfur-containing gas is heated and injected into a shaft furnace above the reduction zone into a prereduction and sulfur transfer zone for transferring sufficient sulfur from the process gas to the burden, that the catalyst for reforming the spent top gas will not be poisoned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: Midrex Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Ahrendt, Donald Beggs
  • Method for the direct reduction of iron in a shaft furnace using gas from coal
    Patent number: 4331470
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the direct reduction of iron in a shaft furnace using gas from the gasification of solid fossil fuel, such as coal, in which the fuel gas is desulfurized and upgraded in the shaft furnace and direct reduction of iron oxide is carried out in the same furnace. Clean export fuel can be produced by this method along with direct reduced iron. The apparatus includes means for controlling the temperature of the process gas entering the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: Midrex Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Scarlett, Charles W. Sanzenbacher
  • Reactor for generating granular metal hydride
    Patent number: 4318890
    Abstract: This application relates to a method and apparatus for generating hydrogen and oxygen gas from water with solar energy. A solar reflector concentrates solar energy into a water-containing reaction chamber to raise the temperature to the dissociation temperature of water. Both the thermal and photolytic effects of the sun's rays are employed to dissociate water. The hydrogen and oxygen formed upon dissociation are drawn off and separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Inventor: Daniel E. Monahan
  • Method for producing molten iron
    Patent number: 4316739
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing molten iron in which pulverized coal is gasified with oxygen in an iron melting chamber, iron pellets on an upstanding hearth in the melting chamber are exposed to the gasification heat and melted. Molten iron trickles down from the hearth to a surrounding liquid bath. Off-gases from the chamber are utilized for direct reduction of iron oxide pellets to produce hot reduced iron pellets which are melted in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1982
    Assignee: Midrex Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Beggs, John C. Scarlett
  • Method for reducing particulate iron oxide to molten iron with solid reductant and oxy-fuel burners
    Patent number: 4306903
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing particulate iron oxide to molten iron utilizing solid carbonaceous fuel as reductant in a shaft type reducing furnace, in which a furnace burden is formed of a mixture of iron oxide lumps or pellets and particulate solid fuel. Reacted top gas is upgraded and recirculated through the burden in counterflow relationship thereby heating and reducing the burden. The heat for reduction is generated by passing electric current through the burden. A portion of the heat for melting of reduced iron and a supplemental source of hot reducing gas is provided by oxy-fuel burners located in the shaft furnace above the molten iron pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Assignee: Midrex Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Beggs, Bruce G. Kelly, David C. Meissner
  • Method of controlling continuous casting rate
    Patent number: 4306610
    Abstract: A method for controlling the casting rate in the continuous casting of liquid metals by monitoring the casting temperature downstream from the continuous casting mold and opening or closing the bottom-pour nozzles on the hot metal vessels when the casting temperature at such point deviates from a preselected temperature range. The method includes switching of the control strand in multiple strand casters whenever the control strand has some difficulty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Assignee: Korf Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Aziz Ahmed
  • Apparatus for producing aluminum-deoxidized continuously cast steel
    Patent number: 4303118
    Abstract: An aluminum wire feeder consisting of a flexible conduit and positioning tube are connected to a removable shroud by a tube holder. A feed mechanism provides a continuous source of aluminum wire for feeding the same to a continuous casting mold, only during shrouding conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1981
    Assignee: Georgetown Steel Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. Coward
  • Apparatus for producing molten iron from iron oxide with coal and oxygen
    Patent number: 4286775
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing particulate iron oxide and producing molten iron in which coal and oxygen are impinged onto a molten iron bath in a closed vessel to melt the iron and gasify the coal. The hot off gas from the vessel is removed and used as the reductant in a counterflow shaft furnace to reduce iron oxide pellets and/or iron ore in a continuous manner. The hot reduced product from the shaft is discharged directly into the molten iron bath and melted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Assignee: Midrex Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Scarlett, Charles W. Sanzenbacher
  • Shroud with replaceable extension
    Patent number: 4270595
    Abstract: Apparatus for protecting a molten metal pouring stream between a teeming vessel and a hot metal receiving mold beneath the vessel, including a heat resistant metal shroud tube, carrying at its lower extremity a replaceable, flexible, high temperature, heat resistant cloth tube extending downwardly therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Assignee: Georgetown Steel Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. Coward
  • Apparatus for direct reduction of iron using high sulfur gas
    Patent number: 4270739
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the direct reduction of iron oxide utilizing sulfur-containing gas such as coke oven gas for the process gas. Sulfur-containing gas is heated and injected above the reduction zone to transfer the sulfur to the hot burden. The apparatus includes an upper bustle zone for prereduction and sulfur transfer and a lower bustle zone for the final reduction of the burden to metallized iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Assignee: Midrex Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Ahrendt, Donald Beggs
  • Apparatus for producing molten iron by submerged combustion
    Patent number: 4270740
    Abstract: Apparatus for reducing particulate iron oxide and producing molten iron in which coal and oxygen are injected into a molten iron bath to melt the iron, gasify the coal and produce a hot off-gas which is then used as the reductant in a counterflow shaft furnace to reduce iron oxide pellets and/or natural ore in a continuous manner. The hot reduced iron product from the shaft furnace is discharged directly into the molten iron bath from which the molten iron product is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Assignee: Midrex Corporation
    Inventors: Charles W. Sanzenbacher, John C. Scarlett
  • Instrument support
    Patent number: 4270721
    Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a surveying instrument and for releasably attaching the instrument to a structural member of a building, which apparatus includes an arm having a clamping device pivotally connected thereto at one end and an instrument connection means at the other end. Alternative embodiments include means for leveling the instrument connection means, an adapter for connection to a massive structural member, and a telescopable arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Inventor: Ross F. Mainor, Jr.
  • Method of producing direct reduced iron with fluid bed coal gasification
    Patent number: 4260412
    Abstract: A method of producing direct reduced iron with fluid bed coal gasification in which a portion of cooled, recycled gas is used as coolant in the gasification chamber and a second portion of the cleaned recycled gas is heated and mixed with the hot, dust-free gasification gas to form reducing gas for the direct reduction process. Limestone is preferably mixed with the pulverized coal feed to the gasification chamber to desulfurize the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Assignee: Midrex Corporation
    Inventors: Frank V. Summers, David C. Meissner, John C. Scarlett
  • Process for the direct reduction of iron ores
    Patent number: 4248623
    Abstract: A process for the direct reduction of iron ore in a shaft furnace having an upper reducing zone and a lower cooling zone in which reducing gas is introduced to the furnace at the bottom of the reducing zone around the periphery of the furnace, exhausted reducing gas or top gas is removed from the top of the furnace, cleaned, mixed with additional hydrocarbons, and reinjected into the furnace below the reducing zone. The hot reducing gas is injected serially into different sectors of the cross-section of the furnace and at varying velocities to force upflowing cleaned top gas to change its flow path or its flow rate, or both, periodically. Apparatus for accomplishing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: Hamburger Stahlwerke GmbH
    Inventors: Gero Papst, Gunther Ropke, Hans J. Topfer, deceased
  • Method and apparatus for reducing particulate iron oxide to molten iron with solid reductant and oxy-fuel burners
    Patent number: 4248408
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing particulate iron oxide to molten iron utilizing solid carbonaceous fuel as reductant in a shaft type reducing furnace, in which a furnace burden is formed of a mixture of iron oxide lumps or pellets and particulate solid fuel. Reacted top gas is upgraded and recirculated through the burden in counterflow relationship thereby heating and reducing the burden. The heat for reduction is generated by passing electric current through the burden. A portion of the heat for melting of reduced iron and a supplemental source of hot reducing gas is provided by oxy-fuel burners located in the shaft furnace above the molten iron pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: Midrex Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Beggs, Bruce G. Kelley, David C. Meissner
  • Method for producing molten iron from iron oxide with coal and oxygen
    Patent number: 4248626
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing particulate iron oxide and producing molten iron in which coal and oxygen are impinged onto a molten iron bath in a closed vessel to melt the iron and gasify the coal. The hot off gas from the vessel is removed and used as the reductant in a counterflow shaft furnace to reduce iron oxide pellets and/or iron ore in a continuous manner. The hot reduced product from the shaft is discharged directly into the molten iron bath and melted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: Midrex Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Scarlett, Charles W. Sanzenbacher
  • Method for producing molten iron by submerged combustion
    Patent number: 4238226
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing particulate iron oxide and producing molten iron in which coal and oxygen are injected into a molten iron bath to melt the iron, gasify the coal and produce a hot off-gas which is then used as the reductant in a counterflow shaft furnace to reduce iron oxide pellets and/or natural ore in a continuous manner. The hot reduced iron product from the shaft furnace is discharged directly into the molten iron bath from which the molten iron product is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: Midrex Corporation
    Inventors: Charles W. Sanzenbacher, John C. Scarlett
  • Impact bed gasifier-melter
    Patent number: 4235425
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing molten iron in which pulverized coal is gasified with oxygen in an iron melting chamber, iron pellets on an upstanding hearth in the melting chamber are exposed to the gasification heat and melted. Molten iron trickles down from the hearth to a surrounding liquid bath. Off-gases from the chamber are utilized for direct reduction of iron oxide pellets to produce hot reduced iron pellets which are melted in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Assignee: Midrex Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Beggs, John C. Scarlett