Patents by Inventor Alan Richards

Alan Richards has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250035349
    Abstract: A refrigeration evaporator comprising fluidly connected liquid chambers disposed between first and second layers of material, and an inlet for receiving and introducing liquid refrigerant into one of the liquid chambers. Each of the chambers are interconnected by respective overflow inlets and outlets to allow flow of liquid refrigerant between the connected chambers under gravity such that, during influent flow of the liquid through the inlet, the chambers accumulate the liquid sequentially to impede the flow. The evaporator further comprises vapor circuit including respective draw off vapor channels for receiving flow of refrigerant vapor from corresponding chambers. The vapor channels are in fluid communication with peripheral vapor channels disposed along peripheral regions of the evaporator for reducing or preventing slugs of liquid refrigerant flowing into the circuit. The circuit and the overflow inlets and outlets are disposed between the first and second layers of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventor: Alan Richards
  • Patent number: 12140348
    Abstract: A refrigeration evaporator comprising fluidly connected liquid chambers disposed between first and second layers of material, and an inlet for receiving and introducing liquid refrigerant into one of the liquid chambers. Each of the chambers are interconnected by respective overflow inlets and outlets to allow flow of liquid refrigerant between the connected chambers under gravity such that, during influent flow of the liquid through the inlet, the chambers accumulate the liquid sequentially to impede the flow. The evaporator further comprises vapor circuit including respective draw off vapor channels for receiving flow of refrigerant vapor from corresponding chambers. The vapor channels are in fluid communication with peripheral vapor channels disposed along peripheral regions of the evaporator for reducing or preventing slugs of liquid refrigerant flowing into the circuit. The circuit and the overflow inlets and outlets are disposed between the first and second layers of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: ALGESACOOLING PTY LTD.
    Inventor: Alan Richards
  • Publication number: 20220113070
    Abstract: A refrigeration evaporator for use in refrigeration systems, the evaporator comprising: a plurality of fluidly connected liquid chambers disposed between first and second layers of material, an inlet for receiving and introducing liquid refrigerant into at least one of said plurality of liquid chambers; and wherein each of the liquid chambers are interconnected by respective overflow inlets and outlets to allow flow of liquid refrigerant between the plurality of fluidly connected liquid chambers under gravity such during influent flow of the refrigerant liquid through the inlet, the liquid chambers accumulate the refrigerant liquid sequentially to impede the flow of the refrigerant liquid; and a vapour circuit comprising respective draw off vapour channels being provided to receive flow of refrigerant vapour from corresponding liquid chambers, the draw off vapour channels being in fluid communication with peripheral vapour channels disposed along peripheral regions of the evaporator for reducing or preventing
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventor: Alan Richards
  • Patent number: 9902689
    Abstract: A process for preparing alkanesulfonic acids from sulfur trioxide and an alkane, wherein sulfur trioxide, the alkane and dialkylsulfonoyi peroxide (DASP) react as components, characterized in that the following steps are performed: a) sulfur trioxide is charged in a high-pressure reactor in a condensed phase; b) a temperature of at least 25° C. is set; c) the gaseous alkane is introduced to the high-pressure reactor until a pressure of at least 10 bar is reached; d) dialkylsulfonoyi peroxide (DASP) is added; and e) after a duration of at least 5 hours, the produced alkanesulfonic acid is withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Grillo Chemie GMBH
    Inventors: Timo Ott, Ingo Biertümpel, Klaus Bunthoff, Alan Richards
  • Publication number: 20160289176
    Abstract: A process for preparing alkanesulfonic acids from sulfur trioxide and an alkane, wherein sulfur trioxide, the alkane and dialkylsulfonoyi peroxide (DASP) react as components, characterized in that the following steps are performed: a) sulfur trioxide is charged in a high-pressure reactor in a condensed phase; b) a temperature of at least 25° C. is set; c) the gaseous alkane is introduced to the high-pressure reactor until a pressure of at least 10 bar is reached; d) dialkylsulfonoyi peroxide (DASP) is added; and e) after a duration of at least 5 hours, the produced alkanesulfonic acid is withdrawn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: Grillo Chemie GMBH
    Inventors: Timo Ott, Ingo Biertümpel, Klaus Bunthoff, Alan Richards
  • Publication number: 20070272693
    Abstract: A membrane lid having a recessed ring pull tab. The membrane lids comprises a permanently deformable layer (e.g., metal foil or thin sheet metal) having a disk portion and a tab projecting from the outer periphery of the disk portion. The tab is folded back onto the upper surface of the disk portion. A region of the disk portion underlying the folded-back tab defines a depression and the tab is folded back such that it is recessed within the depression. A sealing material is provided on the lower surface of the membrane lid for sealing the lid to a metal ring of a container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventor: Alan Richards
  • Publication number: 20050287057
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and materials are disclosed for efficient high-volume oxidation of SO2 to SO3, for bulk manufacturing rather than exhaust scrubber operations. Activated carbon, with vanadium or other catalytic dopants, is used, and an anhydrous solvent with a low dielectric constant, minimal hydrogen bonding, and potent SO3 stripping ability is used. Vanadium compounds such as vanadium diformate, and catalyst formulations using metals that can alternate back and forth between +4 and +6 oxidation states (such as tungsten or molybdenum), can increase efficiency. A process that uses hydroxy radicals to initiate a chain reaction that converts SO2 to SO3 also is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventor: Alan Richards
  • Publication number: 20050070614
    Abstract: Anhydrous processing to convert methane into oxygenates (such as methanol), liquid fuels, or olefins uses an initiator to create methyl radicals. These radicals combine with sulfur trioxide to form methyl-sulfonate radicals. These radicals attack fresh methane, forming stable methane-sulfonic acid (MSA) while creating new methyl radicals to sustain a chain reaction. This system avoids the use or creation of water, and liquid MSA is an amphoteric solvent that increasing the solubility and reactivity of methane and SO3. MSA from this process can be sold or used as a valuable chemical with no mercaptan or halogen impurities, or it can be heated and cracked to release methanol (a clean fuel, gasoline additive, and chemical feedstock) and sulfur dioxide (which can be oxidized to SO3 and recycled back into the reactor). MSA also can be converted into gasoline, olefins, or other valuable chemicals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventor: Alan Richards
  • Patent number: D536250
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Richards
  • Patent number: D536251
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Richards
  • Patent number: D536252
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Richards