Patents Assigned to Conoco
  • Apparatus for the reclamation of slurry from the bottom of a storage silo
    Patent number: 4586853
    Abstract: This is an improved apparatus used with a storage and reclamation apparatus which handles slurry formed of particulate matter and fluid. The reclaim apparatus includes a tank having a side wall and bottom. The slurry is added into the tank and is subsequently removed from the tank by a downwardly facing bell mouth coupled through a pipe to a pump. Fluidizing jets surround the bell mouth with a dilution control port mounted between the mouth and the pump. The dilution control port is connected to a second pump in series with a source of fluids. Process control apparatus measures the flow and density of the material being drawn into the mouth and adds or reduces dilution fluid in accordance with a set point so that a constant density is maintained at all times. The improved version accepts the overflow from the tank into a second tank which has a second bell mouth mounted at the bottom of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Sweeney, Jeffrey L. Beck
  • Throttling bushing for shaft seal
    Patent number: 4586717
    Abstract: An improved throttling bushing for a seal is used in a machine which has a casing and a shaft journaled in the casing. The throttling bushing reduces the flow of cooling and flushing fluid by maintaining a closer tolerance at the throttling bushing by using a labyrinth mounted on the shaft or a sleeve attached to the shaft, and an elastic bushing attached to the casing and positioned around the labyrinth. The clearance between the elastic bushing of the labyrinth is dimensioned to provide noncontact clearance prior to assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Sweeney
  • Apparatus for adhesion testing of coatings
    Patent number: 4586371
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying a consistently perpendicular tension force to a dolly is provided for testing of the adhesive bond strength between a coating and a substrate. The tester comprises a ram passing through an axially centered opening in a dolly bonded to the coating. Piston and cylinder means are associated with the ram and the dolly so that pressure within the piston chamber formed thereby causes the development of a tension force within the dolly which is perpendicular to the coating being tested because of its coaxially centered orientation with respect to the ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Randall G. Ivie, William H. Thomason
  • Apparatus for the reclamation of slurry from the bottom of a storage silo
    Patent number: 4586852
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the density from a reclamation slurry tank or silo includes apparatus for adding slurry to the tank, an overflow from the tank which communicates with a sump, and reclamation apparatus mounted toward the bottom of the tank. The reclamation apparatus essentially comprises a bell mouthed pipe directed downwardly and exiting horizontally from the tank. The pipe is connected to a pump for removing slurry accumulating at the bottom of the tank. The pipe also includes apparatus for measuring the density and/or flow through the pipe. The density from the tank is controlled by a fluid inlet mounted between the bell mouth and the pump which forces fluid into the pipe in accordance with the measured flow or density as compared to a predetermined flow or density. To facilitate the operation, various fluidizing jets are included around the bell mouth and around the bottom of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Oda, Jeffrey L. Beck, Robert M. Blubaugh, Gary R. Harris, Ricky L. Shaw, Michael P. Evans
  • Preparation of cold flow resistant polymer powders
    Patent number: 4584244
    Abstract: Free-flowing, reagglomeration-resistant powders are prepared utilizing finely divided polymer particles coated with alumina. The alumina-coated polymer powder exhibits cold-flow reagglomeration-resistance behavior and, when added to solvents specific for the alumina-coated polymer, dissolves very rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff T. Fenton
  • Use of microwave radiation in separating emulsions and dispersions of hydrocarbons and water
    Patent number: 4582629
    Abstract: Oil and water emulsions can be more rapidly separated when exposed to electromagnetic radiation in the range of from 1 to 300 millimeters, commonly called microwaves. The microwave treatment can be in conjunction with other separating and heating devices such as skimmers, gun barrel treaters, heater treaters, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas O. Wolf
  • Hydraulic monitor protection apparatus
    Patent number: 4580725
    Abstract: A hydraulic monitor barrel is protected from falling debris by attaching to the monitor housing a pair of spaced vertically positioned plates, so that the monitor barrel can moved freely between the plates and yet be protected by the plates from any debris which should fall on the monitor. In addition, the bearing of the monitor is protected by providing a yieldable coupling between the housing and the bearing, so that when vertical forces are applied to the housing, the housing settles against the base of the monitor and transfers the forces thereby from the vertical plates to the monitor base, rather than through the monitor bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Eston F. Petry, Kenneth E. McBee, II
  • Combined process for coal pyrolysis and char gasification
    Patent number: 4578175
    Abstract: Finely divided coal is reacted in a combination of processes comprising flash pyrolysis and fluidized bed gasification of char from the pyrolysis. A portion of the char which is heated by the steam-oxygen gasification provides the heat for the pyrolysis step, which can be controlled to emphasize production of such materials as light olefins and BTX pyrolyzing at lower pressure and more severe temperature, or to emphasize production of a tar, suitable for processing as a synthetic crude oil, by pyrolyzing at higher pressure and less severe temperature. In either instance the fluidized bed gasification produces a useful synthesis gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Everett Gorin
  • Acetal purification using phase transfer catalysts
    Patent number: 4574158
    Abstract: Trioxane and other acetals are purified by contact with an alkali metal hydroxide and phase transfer catalyst followed by isolation in a purified form. This reaction provides acetals sufficiently pure for polymerization to high molecular weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff T. Fenton
  • Method of reducing sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide content of flue gas
    Patent number: 4565678
    Abstract: Flue gas is treated by a regenerable wet scrubbing process to reduce sulfur- and nitrogen oxides by reacting with a solution containing ammonium thiosulfate and hydroxide, and a ferrous chelating agent. A portion of the spent scrubber solution is regenerated by reaction with hydrogen sulfide, flashed to hydrolyze the polysulfide content, and then returned as regenerated solution to the principal scrubbing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Clyde W. Zielke, Muh-Cheng M. Wu
  • Direct coupling of a vortex injector to a centrifugal pump
    Patent number: 4563123
    Abstract: A method for reducing the wear on the impeller and increasing the efficiency of a centrifugal pump when used to pump a slurry stream containing from large dimensioned to fine dimensioned material in a fluid by forming a vortex by injecting fluid tangentially into a circular chamber and removing a portion of said fluid tangentially from said chamber; injecting said slurry axially into said chamber, said vortex separating said large dimensioned material from the remainder of said slurry and fluid; removing said remainder of said slurry and fluid axially from said chamber and injecting same into the inlet of a centrifugal pump; and using the output from said centrifugal pump as the injected fluid for said vortex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Beck
  • Control of froth flotation separation
    Patent number: 4559134
    Abstract: In a froth flotation beneficiation, the rate of addition of collector reagent is varied in response to the change in particle size effected by the beneficiation, as determined by comparing a size analysis of solid particles in one of the separated streams with a size analysis of solid particles in the feed stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: George E. Wasson
  • Injection of solids into a high pressure slurry stream
    Patent number: 4557636
    Abstract: An apparatus for multiple injection of slurry from a plurality of mine faces or other slurry sources into a slurry line comprises a unique method and apparatus for connecting each slurry injection point to the main slurry line by using a vortex junction apparatus. The vortex junction apparatus provides a means for passing the slurry from one junction point to the next junction point and at the same time provides a means for merging slurry from each injection point into the main slurry line. The junction apparatus also provides a source of water for each injection point, thus eliminating the need for a separate source of water. One embodiment provides for a junction where the main and branch slurry lines are at nearly the same pressure while a second embodiment provides for a junction where the branch slurry line is at a substantially lower pressure than the main slurry line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Beck, Ahmed A. El-Saie
  • Method and apparatus for production of subsea hydrocarbons using a floating vessel
    Patent number: 4556340
    Abstract: Production from a subsea wellhead to a floating production facility may be realized with the use of a substantially neutrally buoyant flexible production riser which includes biasing means for shaping the riser in an oriented broad arc. The broad arc configuration permits the use of wireline well service tools through the riser system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur W. Morton
  • Fluid vibration apparatus
    Patent number: 4554941
    Abstract: Apparatus for generating a pressure pulse in a fluid comprising a pipe, an opening into said pipe for filling said pipe with fluid, a piston mounted in the pipe, and coupled to a vibrator output. An air bleeder is mounted through said pipe at a location to remove all the air in the pipe as it is filled with fluid and vibrator control apparatus for controlling the frequency and phase of the vibrator and any additional vibrators coupled to a common fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Julian B. Coon, Eston F. Petry
  • Slurry pump tram control apparatus
    Patent number: 4553881
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for removing material from a sump. The sump has substantially parallel and elongated sidewalls and has a longitudinal axis. The sump is enclosed with ends and a bottom and is adapted for filling with a water-solid mixture to form a slurry. A suction pump is mounted above the sump and extends into the sump for removal of the water and solid material. Apparatus is attached to the suction pump for moving the suction pump along the longitudinal axis of the sump. When the suction pump reaches the end of the sump, apparatus rotates the suction pump through 180 degrees and then the moving apparatus again moves the sump along the longitudinal axis to the other end where it is again rotated in the opposite direction through 180 degrees to the original point for repeating the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Doerr
  • Control of froth cell performance through the use of differential bubbler tubes
    Patent number: 4552651
    Abstract: A method of controlling the separation of coal from a mixture of coal and refuse in a froth flotation device by measuring the differential back pressure between two gas bubbler tubes immersed to different depths into the body of pulp in the device to produce a first control signal representative of the pulp density, and adjusting the rate of addition of a froth enhancement additive to the froth flotation device responsive to changes in said first signal; a second signal, produced by measuring back pressure of a single bubbler tube and representative of the pulp level in said device, can be corrected for changes in density by combining it with said first signal and then utilized to control liquid level in the cell by adjusting the rate of withdrawal of refuse therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Sandbrook, Roy O. Scandrol
  • Apparatus and method for compensating roll of a scanner platform
    Patent number: 4553028
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed which monitor the position of a scanner platform and, in response to roll of the platform, compensate a scanner device mounted thereon to maintain the center lines of the angles of scan in alignment as defined by a line parallel to the direction of movement of the scanner platform relative to the object which is scanned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis K. Reust
  • Vibration method for unplugging a slurry pipeline
    Patent number: 4551041
    Abstract: Method for unplugging a pipeline filled with fluid and solid material by blocking the pipeline below the plugged portion, injecting pressure pulses into the pipeline on both sides of the plugged portion until the plugged portion becomes fluidized and then forcing water into and through the plugged portion to remove the plug. The method further contemplates controlling the frequency and the phase of the injected pressure pulses to best match the length of the pipeline between the injected pulses so that the pulse applied to each side of the plug is out of phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Julian B. Coon, Eston F. Petry
  • Sacrificial anode composition
    Patent number: 4549948
    Abstract: A composition which is particularly suitable for providing cathodic protection of metal structures is disclosed. The composition comprises a major amount of particulate anode material and a minor amount of a thixotropic carrier material. A method of using the composition is disclosed. Also, an apparatus which uses the composition is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin L. Peterson, Charles F. Putnik, Orwin G. Maxson