Patents Assigned to Combustion Engineering
  • Patent number: 4527503
    Abstract: An offshore platform is shown in position over the seabed. An escape chamber in the form of a spar buoy is mounted on a platform and extends from the platform above the surface of the water to below the surface. A cable also extends between the buoy and an anchor located on the seabed remotely from the platform. When the buoy is released from its platform mount and cable winched from the buoy, the buoy is pulled over the anchor to float safely during adverse weather conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald F. Connelly
  • Patent number: 4526037
    Abstract: The lip of the inner radius of a nozzle mounted through the wall of a nuclear reactor vessel is sandwiched between a transmitter and receiver of ultrasonic sound. The transmitter scans the internal surface of the nozzle lip while maintained a constant average distance from a receiver scanning the nozzle surface on the reactor vessel side of the lip. The two surfaces intersecting to form the inner radius vary in angle as the surfaces are scanned by the transmitter and receiver. Linkage is shown between the transmitter/receiver and the boom with which they are caused to sweep the lip to simultaneously accommodate the saddle shape of the inner radius and the varying angle between the lip surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy H. Wentzell, Zoran Kuljis
  • Patent number: 4524729
    Abstract: In combination, a vessel (10), opening means (16) in the vessel, a cover (18), flange means (20) surrounding the opening means, a primary closing means (22, 24) for the cover including a plurality of studs (22) securing the cover onto the vessel, the studs having inner ends threaded into openings (26) in the vessel, nuts (24) cooperating with the outer ends of each of the studs, secondary closing means (32, 34, 38, 40) for the cover including cylindrical clamp means (30, 32) made up of more than one piece, a protruding ledge (34) on the cover over which the clamp means extends, an annular groove (36) in the flange means into which the clamp means extends, a circular retaining ring (38) which surrounds the clamp means, a plurality of threaded openings (42) in the retaining ring, and a plurality of set screws (40) threaded into the openings, so that their ends force the clamp means into tight clamping engagement with the ledge on the cover and the groove in the flange means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank P. Hill, Jr., John W. Alden, Jr., Harry K. Williams
  • Patent number: 4523721
    Abstract: A vane wheel arrangement (30) particularly suited for use in a bowl mill (10) of the type that is employed for purposes of effecting therewithin the pulverization of materials such as coal. The subject vane wheel arrangement (30) which is positioned within the bowl mill (10) so as to be located in the path of flow of the air that in flowing through the bowl mill (10) transports therewith the pulverized material, is operative to effect a primary classification of the pulverized material. Encompassed within the subject vane wheel arrangement (30) are vanes (36) supported on the rotatable grinding surface (14) of the bowl mill (10) for rotation therewith, and a converging/diverging orifice (38) located in spaced relation to the rotatable grinding surface (14). Both the vanes (36) and the exposed surfaces of the converging/diverging orifice (38) are formed of a material that is noted for its good abrasive resistant qualities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore V. Maliszewski, David E. Kohler
  • Patent number: 4523949
    Abstract: Aluminum dross containing chlorides and combustible volatile material is agglomerated and sized to produce a compact which is then treated in a direct fired rotary kiln in excess of 1800.degree. F. to volatilize the chlorides and burn the combustible volatile material and to produce a refractory material. The flue gases containing the volatilized chlorides are then treated in a condenser where the chlorides are condensed out of the remaining flue gases. The refractory product from the kiln may be passed through a cooler wherein the heat is transferred to the combustion air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Irving W. Gower, Carl J. Cherry, David S. Yang
  • Patent number: 4523466
    Abstract: The tubes of tube and shell heat exchangers destructively vibrate at certain velocities with which fluid flows over their outside surfaces. An acoustic generator is positioned to respond to the fluid vibrations generated by the tubes. The structure of the acoustic generator is sized and arranged to produce a modulated tone representative of tube vibration. A detector mounted external the heat exchanger shell responds to the tone to initiate corrective action which will reduce the tube vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry T. Lubin, James P. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4522926
    Abstract: A refractory composition for use in contact with molten aluminum alloys containing a refractory aggregate, a binder and 9Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.2B.sub.2 O.sub.3. The aluminum borate may be of the type produced as a by-product in the production of ferro-boron alloys and known as aluminum boron slag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank T. Felice
  • Patent number: 4521371
    Abstract: Means and method are disclosed for determining the fluid content within a large pressure vessel (12), without penetrating the vessel. Strain gauges (60) are located at the weight-bearing support structures (24) of the vessel, whereby calibrated differences in the weight of the empty vessel and the vessel as measured during operation gives a direct indication of fluid content. Preferably, the strain gauges (60) are associated with strain amplification elements (80) or shims, which are interposed between mating surfaces of the vessel support (24) and its base (44). The stress amplification element (80) has a smaller area of contact with the support member (24) than with the base (44), providing an effective higher coefficient of elasticity than that of the support member. In one embodiment, the strain gauge (60) is connected to a bolt (64) which tightly secures the vessel support (24) to its base (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Peck, Vincent M. Callaghan
  • Patent number: 4520760
    Abstract: A fluid cooled heat exchanger (10) having a product gas outlet (26) near the bottom thereof for cooling product gas from a pressurized gasifier in which the product gas is caused to reverse direction before passing to the gas outlet (26). A uniform distribution of product gas flow radially outward during the flow reversal is achieved by providing a path of least resistance (62) to the product gas flow in the region most distant from the heat exchanger gas outlet (26) and a path of most resistance (62) in the region nearest the gas outlet and graduated openings (64) therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell B. Covell
  • Patent number: 4521229
    Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator (10) having a casing (12) defining a precipitation chamber (6) wherein a plurality of discharge electrode subassemblies (32) are disposed alternately between a plurality of collecting electrode plates (20). Each discharge electrode subassembly (32) is comprised of a plurality of individual tubular discharge electrodes (50) extending vertically between support frame members. Each tubular discharge electrode (50) is comprised of a vertically elongated tubular member (54) having an elliptical cross-section disposed with the longer axis of the ellipse perpendicular to the collecting electrode plates and the shorter axis of the ellipse parallel to the collecting electrode plates. A plurality of corona discharge pins (52) are disposed along the length of the discharge electrodes at spaced intervals and extend outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the tubular member (54) at an acute angle preferably in the range of at least 45 degrees to not more than 60 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Baker, Gerald W. Driggers, Ronald W. Gray, Lawrence A. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 4520739
    Abstract: An improved nozzle tip (10) for a burner on a pulverized coal-fired furnace for receiving a stream of pulverized coal and air discharging from the coal delivery pipe (50) of the burner and directing the pulverized fuel and air stream into the furnace, is comprised of a base body (20), a replaceable highly abrasion resistant insert (30), and a replaceable highly temperature resistant end cap (40) which is readily attachable by mechanical means (28, 48) to the base body with the abrasion resistant insert disposed therein. The insert defines a highly abrasion resistant flow conduit through the nozzle tip from the discharge end of the base body to the receiving end of the end cap through which the pulverized fuel and air stream passes from the burner into the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. McCartney, Roman Chadshay, Richard F. Erlacher
  • Patent number: 4516631
    Abstract: A tubular member (40, 40') which has heat pipe cooling means (48, 48') cooperatively associated therewith and which is particularly suited for use in the manner of a nozzle for purposes of effecting the introduction of fuel, air, etc. into a substantially closed area 12 in which combustion takes place. The subject tubular member, i.e., nozzle, (40, 40') is suitably supported relative to the aforesaid combustion area (12) such that one end (30, 30') of the former (40, 40') communicates with the interior of the combustion area (12) and the other end (32, 32') thereof communicates with the exterior of the combustion area (12). Heat pipe means (48, 48') having an evaporator, i.e., hot, end and a condenser, i.e., cold, end is suitably supported in surrounding relation to the tubular member (40, 40') so as to be operative to effect a cooling of the latter (40, 40'). Within the heat pipe means (48, 48'), there is established a flow path along which a continuous flow of fluid occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Cornelius R. Russell
  • Patent number: 4515747
    Abstract: A wheeled transporter is placed at the periphery of the tube bundle which extends up from its tube sheet within a nuclear steam generator shell. The transporter is formed in hinged sections which can be disengaged as required at the periphery of the tube bundle. A cable attached to each end of the transporter extend through the handholes for movement of the transporter along the bundle periphery. Pistons on the transporter are controlled remotely to extend into engagement with the internal wall of the generator shell to selectively immobilize the transporter at any desired peripheral position and thereby form a steady base for maintenance and inspection devices mounted on the transporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald B. Creek, Charles T. Harden, Harold H. Harris
  • Patent number: 4514888
    Abstract: An apparatus (40) for installing a coil spring (30) under tension between the discharge electrode wires (20) of a rigid-frame type electrostatic precipitator (10). The installation apparatus (40) comprises a longitudinally elongated support rod (42), first spring engagement pin (54) mounted stationarily to the outboard end (44) of the support rod, second spring engagement pin (64) supported from and translatably movable along the support rod, and spring tensioning device (70) for selectively positioning the second spring engagement pin (64) at the proper position along the support rod (42) so as to elongate the spring to the proper length necessary to slip the ends (34) of the spring about and between the discharge electrode wires (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis B. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 4513786
    Abstract: Apparatus as provided for plugging a tube end in such a manner that the plug can be later removed. The apparatus includes a hollow plug (10) closed at the end (12) inserted into the tube (20) and open at its other end. The plug has a band (18) of ductile metal (gold, silver, or pure iron) on its outer surface which is extruded into any crevices caused by irregularities in the inner wall surface of the tube when the plug is mechanically expanded into the tube. The plug has a portion near its outer end of slightly enlarged diameter (14) to provide a light interference fit with the tube to hold the plug in place prior to and during the expanding step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan H. Sodergren, James W. Hales
  • Patent number: 4513840
    Abstract: A sound suppression system for use with air breathing machinery, (10, 12) includes a solid barrier (18) supported (28) above an earthen dike (26). Sound (16) from the machinery (10, 12) is reflected downward (116a) and absorbed. A slot (20), provided between the barrier (18) and the dike (26) allows a flow of fresh air (24) to pass under the barrier (18) to reach the machinery (10, 12). A swale (32) is also included to reflect sound upward (134) for dissipation in the upper atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4512225
    Abstract: Motor 17 through gears 15 drives rotary knife 18 to cut continuous wallboard line 10 into predetermined lengths 26. Microprocessor 34 monitors the position of wallboard line 10 by way of roller 28 and pulse generator 30. Microprocessor 34 also monitors the position of rotary knife 18 as measured from a park position by way of pulse generator 36. The position of wallboard line 10 is compared to the distance of travel of knife 18 from the park position and a control signal proportional to the difference in positions is generated to control motor 17 and in turn drive rotary knife 18 to sever a predetermined length 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Green
  • Patent number: 4512178
    Abstract: A tube deforming tool (10) for forming a plurality of dimples (32) in the end of a tube (34) of a predetermined size. The tool has a tapered mandrel (12) extending through a housing (14) containing a plurality of radially movable balls (16). A plurality of longitudinal grooves (20) in the mandrel is the surface that the balls coact with. At the end of each groove is an enlarged recess (40) into which the balls are released at the end of the dimpling or deforming procedure, to permit easy removal of the tool from the deformed tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Milton L. Blevins, Charles R. Seiter
  • Patent number: 4511371
    Abstract: A method for restoring slagging conditions in a substoichiometric slagging combustor first requires the establishment of a threshold condition below which an unacceptable risk of slag outlet pluggage exists. Upon observation of current slagging conditions below the threshold conditions, substantially pure oxygen is injected into the combustion reaction zone to increase both zone temperature and reaction rate, leading to improved slagging conditions within the slagging combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry J. Blaskowski
  • Patent number: 4510892
    Abstract: A boiler (10) made up of three separate sections consisting of (1) a bottom supported fluidized bed (12); (2) a top supported upper furnace portion (14); and (3) a vertical boiler section (24) in fluid communication with the furnace outlet. Seals (34, 36) are located between each of the three sections, so they can expand thermally relative to each other while preventing the surrounding atmosphere from exposure to the hot combustion gases. The seals consist of fluid cooled (48, 70) troughs (38, 60) containing sand (40, 62), with fluid cooled (48, 70) plates (42, 64) extending down into the sand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven P. Wincze, Earl K. Rickard