Patents Assigned to Energy & Minerals Research Co.
  • Patent number: 4652383
    Abstract: A gelled concentrate composition contains 70 to 30 weight percent gelled liquid and 30 to 70 weight percent solids component. The solids component comprises a fine powder of an ammonium compound and a vinyl polymer gelling agent. The gelling agent is present in the amount of 0.5 to 8.0 weight percent of the total composition. The resulting gelled concentrate, stable up to 18 months in storage, is useful in extinguishing fires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Energy & Minerals Research Co.
    Inventors: William B. Tarpley, Jr., Gerald L. Ruscitto
  • Patent number: 4367799
    Abstract: A chamber is provided with a built-in material dispenser. A confined space such as a conduit associated with the chamber contains a pressurized material, such as fire suppressant, which is released when the chamber is subjected to one or more of the following: heat above a predetermined temperature, an impact force as occasioned by a collision, pressure above a predetermined limit, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1983
    Assignee: Energy & Minerals Research Co.
    Inventor: William B. Tarpley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4325255
    Abstract: Ultrasonic apparatus and method measures the characteristics of materials by sensing changes in the impedance to applied drive excitation of an ultrasonic probe using a crystal sensor that is integral with the ultrasonic transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: Energy and Minerals Research Co.
    Inventors: Paul L. Howard, William B. Tarpley, Jr., George R. Moulder, William R. McBride
  • Patent number: 4274491
    Abstract: A chamber is provided with a built-in material dispenser. A confined space such as a conduit associated with the chamber contains a pressurized material, such as fire suppressant, which is released when the chamber is subjected to one or more of the following: heat above a predetermined temperature, an impact force as occasioned by a collision, pressure above a predetermined limit, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1981
    Assignee: Energy and Minerals Research, Co.
    Inventor: William B. Tarpley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4234432
    Abstract: A composition of matter for use with disseminating apparatus comprising powder having at least a bimodal particle size distribution, a gelled liquid, the powder being substantially insoluble in the gelled liquid. Preferably, a liquefied gas forms at least a portion of the gelled liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1980
    Assignee: Energy and Minerals Research Co.
    Inventor: William B. Tarpley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4226727
    Abstract: A substantially nonaqueous persistent thixotropic fire suppressant composition comprises a fire suppressant agent, a carrier material, the suppressant agent permeating the carrier material to form a suppressant permeated carrier material, a fire extinguishing dispersant, the carrier material being insoluble in the dispersant, the permeated carrier material being suspended in the dispersant, and a gelling agent in an amount effective to thixotropically gel the suspension of permeated carrier material and dispersant, the permeated carrier material being capable of adhering to an object in the vicinity of combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Assignee: Energy & Minerals Research Co.
    Inventors: William B. Tarpley, Jr., John R. Huzinec, Marion K. Freeman
  • Patent number: 4198865
    Abstract: The integrity of attachment of bolts in a substrate such as a wall of a mine is tested by introducing vibratory energy into an exposed end portion of the bolt and ascertaining the vibratory energy absorbed by the bolt and its attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1980
    Assignee: Energy & Minerals Research Co.
    Inventors: William B. Tarpley, Jr., Donald R. Culp
  • Patent number: 4157242
    Abstract: A method of making thixotropic gel fuel compositions comprises the steps of absorbing a combustion enhancing material in the pores of porous solid carboniferous particles, and mixing the solid carboniferous particles containing the combustion enhancing material with a liquid fuel and an effective amount of a gelling agent, wherein the solid carboniferous particles containing the combustion enhancing material form about 5 to about 75 volume percent of the composition; and the composition made according to the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1979
    Assignee: Energy and Minerals Research Co.
    Inventor: William B. Tarpley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4156593
    Abstract: A slurry of coal and a liquid which includes a leaching agent is directed through a chamber. The coal particles are comminuted and cavitation is induced in said slurry while the slurry is in the chamber by contact in the slurry with a resonant vibration transmitting member. Thereafter, the liquid is separated from the comminuted particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1979
    Assignee: Energy and Minerals Research Co.
    Inventor: William B. Tarpley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4156594
    Abstract: A thixotropic gel fuel composition capable of being used in standard type oil burners comprising about 5 to about 75 volume percent of a solid carboniferous combustible material suspended in a liquid fuel and about 1 to about 10 weight percent of a substantially completely combustible gelling agent, the composition having a yield stress of about 20 to about 300 dynes per square centimeter. The composition may also contain ash modifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1979
    Assignee: Energy and Minerals Research Co.
    Inventor: William B. Tarpley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4150576
    Abstract: The roof and walls of a mine are inspected for fissures, channels and other geological structure by use of a vibratory energy transmitter and a vibratory energy receiver each of which are forced into contact with the wall or roof by a jack with little or no loss of vibratory energy. The frequency of vibration is between 10 and 100 kilohertz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1979
    Assignee: Energy and Minerals Research Co.
    Inventor: William B. Tarpley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4131238
    Abstract: Materials such as coal, rock, etc. are comminuted by a combination of mechanical comminution forces and ultrasonic vibratory energy which creates cyclic fatigue stresses in the material being treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1978
    Assignee: Energy and Minerals Research Co.
    Inventor: William B. Tarpley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4118797
    Abstract: Liquids which are normally immiscible and which are to be emulsified are simultaneously directed through a chamber containing a source of vibratory energy. One of said liquids may contain suspended solid particles. The particles when present are comminuted and cavitation is induced in said liquids while they are in the chamber by contact with the resonant vibration-transmitting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1978
    Assignee: Energy and Minerals Research Co.
    Inventor: William B. Tarpley, Jr.