Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm William R. Sharp
  • Patent number: 4674290
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the venting of vapor from a vessel utilizes a differential vapor pressure detection means to measure the difference between vapor pressure in the vessel and the vapor pressure associated with a reference sample which is exposed to the temperature conditions within the vessel. Vapor venting from the vessel is controlled in response to the measured pressure difference. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is applied to a refrigeration system which uses impure refrigerant in its operation and a substantially pure refrigerant for the reference sample, wherein impurities are vented from a refrigerant-containing surge vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Donald W. Verser
  • Patent number: 4671150
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting a pipe into a multiplicity of small pieces are provided wherein the pipe is fed by rotating the pipe about its longitudinal axis and simultaneously moving the pipe in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pipe, and wherein individual pieces are sequentially cut from an end of the pipe as it is being fed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Michael R. Harris
  • Patent number: 4664938
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for depositing silicon on a substrate in a deposition chamber wherein deposition of impurities can be effectively prevented. Impurities are ionized according to the invention to form impurity ions which are collected so as to prevent their deposition on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Starnes E. Walker
  • Patent number: 4662451
    Abstract: A method of fracturing subsurface formations is provided which utilizes a mixture of a propellant and a propping agent. According to another aspect a mixture of a combustible material such as a propellant and a propping agent along with another composition which includes a combustible material are deposited in a borehole from a conduit system which is raised continuously through the borehole. After such deposition, the deposited compositions are ignited so as to cause fracturing of the formation around the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Rodney R. Boade
  • Patent number: 4657752
    Abstract: A process for the production of ferrous carbonate is provided wherein a mixture of an alkali metal bicarbonate and a ferrous compound such as a ferrous salt in solution is heated to a temperature in the range of about 100.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C. for a sufficient time to allow a precipitate to form. A molar ratio of alkali metal bicarbonate to ferrous compound is at least 2:1, such a ratio giving an extremely pure precipitate of ferrous carbonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: William G. Lyon
  • Patent number: 4649734
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating a flow meter are provided which utilize a tank for maintaining the apparatus liquid full. The tank has a freely movable barrier therein which divides the interior of the tank into a first section and a second section wherein the first section is in communication with a system which comprises at least one prover and a meter in series. A biasing means, such as a compressed gas in the second section of the tank, is also provided for urging the barrier toward the first section of the tank. Employing the tank according to the invention maintains a liquid filled system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Thell L. Hillburn
  • Patent number: 4650499
    Abstract: A gas chromatographic method and apparatus are provided wherein a reservoir system including at least one reservoir is utilized to collect each component as it elutes from a chromatographic separation column. Immediately after collection of each component, a constant flow of carrier gas is allowed to pass into the reservoir system to carry each component to a detector. According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided which employs a reference gas mixture in conjunction with the reservoir system to check calibration of a gas chromatography system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Scott
  • Patent number: 4635238
    Abstract: A method of processing seismic data enables correlation of P and S-wave seismic traces. First, P and S-waves are transmitted into the subsurface. The two-way vertical travel times are then measured for each wave to different depths so as to yield two sets of time-depths pairs. Mathematical functions relating two-way vertical travel time, T.sub.s or T.sub.p, and depth are fitted to each set of time-depth pairs. These functions are combined to yield an expression relating T.sub.s and T.sub.p. This expression may be utilized to rescale one of the traces to yield correlated P and S-wave traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Joseph G. Gallagher, Kay D. Wyatt
  • Patent number: 4633029
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating thermoelectric power utilizes a hollow shell member having a cavity defined therein and a cartridge member disposed within the cavity, wherein the cartridge member has a combustion chamber defined therein. The cartridge member is mounted such that a space exists between the interior surface of the shell member and the exterior surface of the cartridge member. Thermoelectric elements are mounted to the exterior surface of the shell member such that no air spaces exist therebetween. A mixture of a combustible fuel and air is introduced into the chamber, the air/fuel ratio being less than the stoichiometric ratio for methane. Heat generated within the combustion chamber upon combustion of the fuel is transferred via the shell member to the thermoelectric elements which generate electrical energy in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: George C. Tillett, Jr., Gary V. Holland
  • Patent number: 4629534
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for the fractional distillation of liquids in a fractionation column wherein cool liquids from the bottom tray of the column are effectively prevented from passing out directly with bottoms product before first passing through a reboiler. The column is of the type which includes a hollow shell having a surge baffle plate which divides a bottom portion of the shell interior into a first region and a second region. A separation baffle plate is provided which extends into the first region. At least one seal pan whose bottom is closely adjacent to the upper edge of the separation baffle receives liquids flowing from the bottom tray by means of a downcomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Emory L. Ezell
  • Patent number: 4625573
    Abstract: A magnetic shielding member is provided, according to one aspect of the invention, which can be used to effectively shield a borehole core from ambient magnetic fields during drilling of a core specimen from the borehole core. The shielding member comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is hollow and has a first opening in a wall thereof, and wherein the second portion is hollow and includes a sidewall which extends outwardly from the exterior surface of the first portion so as to surround the first opening. The second portion sidewall extends to an open end which defines a second opening. Each portion is constructed of a high permeability ferromagnetic material having permeability characteristics herein defined. In use, a borehole core is positioned in the chamber defined within the first portion, and a drill bit is inserted through the first and second openings so as to extend into the chamber and come into cutting contact with the borehole core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: William E. Henry
  • Patent number: 4619812
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing carbon black wherein a refractory reactor lining is effectively cooled. A combustible gaseous mixture is injected into a chamber defined by the refractory lining, oil feedstock also being injected into the chamber. Coolant fluid is passed through a passageway in the refractory material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Lawrence K. Murray
  • Patent number: 4619770
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering a product fluid from a filter, wherein a wash fluid is passed through the filter so as to yield a mixture of product fluid and wash fluid. The mixture is then phase separated in a phase separator into a first phase substantially comprising product fluid, and a second phase substantially comprising wash fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Ernest B. Boston
  • Patent number: 4620053
    Abstract: A double bond isomerization catalyst is provided which consists essentially of zinc aluminate. A process for the double bond isomerization of olefinic feedstocks using this catalyst is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: M. Bruce Welch
  • Patent number: 4606138
    Abstract: An apparatus for gas treating a particle bed wherein a uniform temperature gradient is achieved. A support member, such as a grate, serves to support a bed of particles on a surface thereof. The support member is moved in a predetermined direction. Gas is released from a plurality of positions at different depths in the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Cecil C. Gentry
  • Patent number: 4604661
    Abstract: An apparatus and method wherein a switching means, which has the capability of generating one of a number of different output selection signals, is set to an automatic mode or a non-automatic mode. In the automatic mode, the switching means automatically switches from generating one selection signal to another selection signal in response to a predetermined input which includes a control pulse. In the non-automatic mode, no such switching occurs. In addition, the apparatus generates a pseudo-control signal which, in the non-automatic mode only, changes in a predetermined manner in response to the control pulse so as to simulate the control pulse. According to a preferred embodiment, the above functions are performed by a switchover circuit which is employed in a multi-tape well logging system to automatically switch from one tape to another tape upon reaching an end of tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Wallace E. DeShon
  • Patent number: 4603296
    Abstract: A fiber optic magnetometer for detecting DC magnetic fields includes a first optical fiber having a magnetostrictive jacket thereon which defines a sensing arm, and a second fiber defining a reference arm. A first AC magnetic field of frequency .omega..sub.o and a second AC field of frequency .omega..sub.s are imposed on the magnetostrictive jacket so as to cause a time varying optical path length change, having .omega..sub.o, (.omega..sub.o +.omega..sub.s), and (.omega..sub.o -.omega..sub.s) components in the sensing arm fiber. This induces a corresponding time varying phase shift, also having the above components, in light transmitted through the sensing arm fiber which is detected by a phase detector. The phase detector produces a signal proportional to the phase shift, this signal being passed to a lock-in amplifier set to amplify at .omega..sub.o. .omega..sub.s is sufficiently small such that the lock-in amplifier filters all components other than the .omega..sub.o, (.omega..sub.o +.omega..sub.s), and (.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Kee P. Koo, George H. Sigel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4600885
    Abstract: A fiber optic magnetometer for detecting DC magnetic fields includes a first optical fiber having a magnetostrictive jacket thereon which defines a sensing arm, and a second fiber defining a reference arm. An AC magnetic field of frequency .omega..sub.o and constant amplitude is imposed on the magnetostrictive jacket so as to cause a time varying optical path length change, having an .omega..sub.o component, in the sensing arm fiber. This induces a corresponding time varying phase shift, also having an .omega..sub.o component, in light transmitted through the sensing arm fiber which is detected by a phase detector. The phase detector produces a signal proportional to the phase shift, this signal being passed to a lock-in amplifier set to amplify at .omega..sub.o. The lock-in amplifier produces an output signal proportional to the amplitude of the .omega..sub.o component, wherein this amplitude is proportional to any DC magnetic fields to which the device is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Kee P. Koo, Anthony Dandridge, Alan B. Tveten, George H. Sigel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4597666
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the liquid water content (LWC) of a sample gas aving water droplets suspended therein includes a light source for passing a collimated light beam through the sample gas, and a sensor for detecting the light scattered by the water droplets. The sensor includes a photodetector having a planar light sensitive surface positioned to receive scattered light. A light trap is also provided between the photodetector and the light source for blocking nonscattered light in the light beam from the photodetector. The light flux detected by the photodetector is proportional to LWC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Hermann E. Gerber, Bernard G. Ulfers
  • Patent number: 4598247
    Abstract: A spectrum analyzer for analyzing electromagnetic radiation which may be utilized to determine the radiation wavelength and power. The analyzer includes a gas filled chamber which has a collimating lens through which radiation is injected, and a reflective plate that reflects the radiation back toward the lens. A standing wave is created within the chamber having spatially periodic peaks. The chamber gas pressure is regulated to a pressure such that gas breakdown occurs, thereby generating a light pattern at each standing wave peak. The patterns are then photographed, and the patterns' diameters and spacing are measured from the resulting photograph. From the spacing and diameter obtained, wavelength and power may be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Frederick M. Mako, John A. Pasour, Charles W. Roberson