Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Vytas R. Matas
  • Variable conductance heat pipe enhancement
    Patent number: 5044426
    Abstract: A heat pipe having an internal cross-sectional area contains a fixed restriction member with a reduced cross-sectional area, positioned in the condenser length of the heat pipe. An evaporatable and condensable fluid partially fills the heat pipe with the remaining volume being occupied by a noncondensable gas which is positioned at least partly around the restriction member. By reducing the internal cross-section area of the heat pipe using the restriction member, the overall length of a practical working heat pipe can be reduced. The cross-sectional area of the restriction member can also be varied for changing the heat exchange characteristics of the heat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Kurt E. Kneidel
  • Two stage variable annulus spray attemperator method and apparatus
    Patent number: 5041246
    Abstract: An attemperator for spraying water into a flow of steam utilizes a spray nozzle head having an inner Venturi passage. The head defines an annulus around the passage with an annular opening communicating the annulus with the interior of the passage. Side walls of the annular opening are inclined to converge at a focal point near the center of the passage. Steam passing through the Venturi passage picks up the spray which is finely atomized. A sleeve is threaded to the head for adjusting the size of the annular opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Frank E. Garrison
  • Method of chromizing a workpiece by applying a coating containing chromium particles onto a ceramic carrier, positioning the carrier proximate the workpiece, and heating both carrier and workpiece to diffuse chromium particles into the workpiece
    Patent number: 5041309
    Abstract: An improved method of diffusion coating a workpiece, such as ferritic tubing employing a ceramic carrier provided with a diffusion composition. The diffusion composition includes a diffusion element such as chromium, silicon, aluminum, and boron. The carrier is subjected to an elevated diffusion temperature in a controlled environment to diffusion coat either the external or internal surface of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. Davis, Dale F. LaCount, Steven E. LeBeau, Kenneth D. Seibert
  • Apparatus for explosively welding a sleeve into a heat exchanger tube
    Patent number: 5038994
    Abstract: A sleeve containing an explosive charge which is explosively welded along a tapered end to the inner surface of a tube for repairing a damaged section of the tube. No mechanical support is needed along the outer surface of the tube despite the explosive expansion and welding of the sleeve. The explosive charge is tapered at the end of the sleeve. A charge assembly for carrying the explosive charge includes a flange for centering the sleeve in the tube and for establishing a stand-off distance between the sleeve and the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Joel G. Feldstein, David E. Merker
  • Method of applying an automotive type oxygen sensor for use in an industrial process analyzer
    Patent number: 5037761
    Abstract: An industrial process oxygen analyzer, and method of using same, incorporates an automotive oxygen sensor to minimize the criticalness of controlling heater temperature during operation. Higher sensor heater temperature, required to accommodate the automotive oxygen sensor, is achieved by application of higher supply voltage to the sensor heater. Current limiting of the heater supply circuit reduces stress on the sensor heater, even at the higher operating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Elsag International B.V.
    Inventors: Daniel C. Barnett, John J. Fry, George R. Hall, II, David F. Ross, Robert A. Smith, Gordon D. Woolbert
  • Distributed fiber optic temperature sensor based on time domain transmission
    Patent number: 5035511
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing temperature of a surface comprises a plurality of time domain intensity transmission networks. Each network comprises pairs of fiber optic power dividers which are connected to each other by bridges. One power divider in each pair is connected in a series by delay lines that form an output bus for propagating a light pulse supplied to an initial power divider in the output bus. This produces a train of light pulses which are returned to a light detector by a receiving bus which interconnects the power dividers at the opposite end of each bridge. Each power divider is in thermal contact with the surface whose temperature is to be measured and the intensity of the train of light pulses is changed in accordance with changes in the temperature of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: John W. Berthold
  • Processing of carbon/carbon composites using supercritical fluid technology
    Patent number: 5035921
    Abstract: A process for improving the oxidation resistance of carbon or graphite fiber reinforced carbon composites includes infiltrating the structure with a ceramic precursor-laden supercritical fluid, depositing the ceramic precursor within the internal porosity and pyrolyzing the precursor material in situ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Philip L. Berneburg, Val J. Krukonis
  • Method of detecting creep swelling
    Patent number: 5035143
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for ultrasonically detecting creep swelling in tubular members such as fossil utility steam lines and headers. Ultrasonic surface waves (34) are propagated around the pipe (10) in a circumferential direction. The transit time (.DELTA.T) is measured by using the pulse overlap technique with an oscilloscope (24). Circumferential dimension is obtained by multiplying the transit time (.DELTA.T) by the known Raleigh velocity of sound in the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Paul J. Latimer, Hubert L. Whaley
  • Low pressure drop steam/water conical cyclone separator
    Patent number: 5033915
    Abstract: A conical cyclone separator for separating steam from water in a steam/water mixture supplied to a steam drum of a boiler, comprises a conical portion with upper and lower cylindrical portions. Unlike conventional separators which include a tangential inlet extending the axial length of the conical portion of the separator only, the disclosed separator has an inlet which extends by approximately 20% of its length over the lower cylindrical portion of the housing and is vertically elongated over the inlet of conventional separators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Melvin J. Albrecht
  • System for modeling and control for delignification of pulping
    Patent number: 5032977
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the delignification process by monitoring and minimizing variations in the Kappa Number and the digester residual chemical concentration. A parameter representative of the H factor for the delignification process and a measurement of the initial chemical concentration are utilized ot produce signals representative of the actual Kappa Number and the residual acid concentration in the digerter. The expected perturbations in Kappa Number and the residual chemical concentration are compared with target values for same to produce estimated errors due to mismatch which are compared with actual measured errors for these parameters to produce compensated control errors for same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Elsag International B.V.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Beller, Ralph K. Johnson, Roger Kammerer, Azmi Kaya, Marion A. Keyes, IV
  • System for modeling and control for delignification of pulping
    Patent number: 5032976
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the delignification process by monitoring and minimizing variations in the Kappa Number and the digester residual chemical concentration. A parameter representative of the H factor for the delignification process and a measurement of the initial chemical concentration are utilized to produce signals representative of the actual Kappa Number and the residual acid concentration in the digester. The expected perturbations in Kappa Number and the residual chemical concentration are compared with target values for same to produce estimated errors due to mismatch which are compared with actual measured errors for these parameters to produce compensated control errors for same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Elsag International B.V.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Beller, Ralph K. Johnson, Roger Kammerer, Azmi Kaya, Marion A. Keyes, IV
  • Air heater with automatic sealing
    Patent number: 5029632
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a regenerative air heater having a stator with a peripheral flange and hot and cold end hoods mounted for rotation over respective opposite surfaces of the stator, includes a seal frame which is connected to the cold end hood over an expansion joint assembly. A plurality of cast iron seal shoes are connected to the frame and positioned at selected gaps from the stator flange. A wheel rotatably mounted to the frame near each seal shoe rolls against the stator flange to maintain the selected gap while a counter weight on a lever acts to urge the seal shoes toward the flange. The arrangement is automatic in its maintenance of the selected gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Douglas A. Huston
  • Multiple input signal checking circuit
    Patent number: 5030939
    Abstract: A circuit senses the conditions of control instrumentation such as valves and graphically displays these conditions on a display panel or screen of a console. The circuit also provides signal checking or validation capability monitoring the quality of the instrument condition signals and displaying the quality of the monitored signals on the same console screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Elsag International B.V.
    Inventor: David E. Lovick
  • Non-contacting on-line paper strength measuring system
    Patent number: 5025665
    Abstract: An on-line system that measures the strength of material within a web without contacting same is disclosed. Two laser sources having beams which impinge upon the web of material are positioned so that their respective beams are spaced a predetermined distance apart. The first laser source induces a radially propagating ultrasonic wave within the material. The ultrasonic wave causes the beam from the second laser source to be reflected and intercepted by a light sensor permitting the velocity of the wave and the strength of the material to be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Elsag International B.V.
    Inventors: Marion A. Keyes, IV, William L. Thompson
  • Cyclone furnace for hazardous waste incineration and ash vitrification
    Patent number: 5022329
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for vitrifying inorganic hazardous material including heavy metals from waste containing organic and inorganic substances. The inorganic hazardous material is retained and vitrified in the slag layer of a cyclone furnace where it is converted to a nonleachable, inert form for safe disposal in conventional landfills and where, simultaneously, organic hazardous substances are completely destroyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: John M. Rackley, Stanley J. Vecci
  • Method for explosively welding a sleeve into a heat exchanger tube
    Patent number: 5022148
    Abstract: A sleeve containing an explosive charge which is explosively welded along a tapered end to the inner surface of a tube for repairing a damaged section of the tube. No mechanical support is needed along the outer surface of the tube despite the explosive expansion and welding of the sleeve. The explosive charge is tapered at the end of the sleeve. A charge assembly for carrying the explosive charge includes a flange for centering the sleeve in the tube and for establishing a stand-off distance between the sleeve and the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Joel G. Feldstein, David E. Merker
  • Microbend fiber optic strain gauge
    Patent number: 5020379
    Abstract: A microbend strain gauge comprises a pair of plates having facing offset corrugations which clamp a signal optical fiber therebetween. The optical fiber is coated and a light signal is supplied to one end of the fiber which is read at an opposite end of the fiber by an optical sensor. Modulations in the light are primarily due to a difference in pressure being applied to the fiber by the plates. A second optical fiber, is subjected to the same thermal condition and its light signal compared to the light signal through the signal optical fiber to offset any temperature error introduced into the signal by changes in temperature. Aluminum, polyimide or gold coating increases temperature resistance for the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: John W. Berthold, Stuart E. Reed
  • Fault detection in olefin oxidation reactor
    Patent number: 5018086
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining heat transfer effectiveness comprises measuring coolant flow rate and input temperature for coolant to the reactor, utilizing temperature values for reactant and effluent temperatures in a relationship to obtain a value for the log means temperature difference across the reactor and calculating the actual heat transfer coefficient for heat transfer surfaces of the reactor as a function of the log mean temperature difference, the heat transfer area, the coolant flow rate and additional constant factors which are characteristics of the coolant itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Suresh C. Agarwal
  • Dusty environment wet bulb indicator
    Patent number: 5016472
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the wet and dry bulb temperatures of a hot flue gas stream containing fly ash and particulates by providing a sample sheath (12) in a gas duct (10) with a dry bulb sensor (16) and a wet bulb sensor (18) located within the sample sheath (12). The sample sheath (12) includes a self-cleaning dust filter (14) which removes the ash and particulates from the flue gas stream and a self-regulating water reservoir (26, 28) to continuously supply water for the wet bulb sensor (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Gerald T. Amrhein, Paul S. Nolan
  • Wall mounted cabinet for data communication equipment
    Patent number: D319227
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Elsag International B.V.
    Inventors: Charles E. Albert, Jr., John J. Yagoda