Patents by Inventor Albert C. Buford, III

Albert C. Buford, III 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).

  • Patent number: 5257296
    Abstract: A steam generator chemical solvent mixing system and method is provided. The chemical solvent mixing system includes a pump, having a discharge port fluidly connected to a discharge line and a suction port fluidly connected to a suction line. An upper level injector, including an injector nozzle extends through one upper access opening in the outer casing of a steam generator and extends into the annulus of the generator between the tube bundle shroud and the outer casing, the upper level injector being fluidly connected to the discharge port of the pump. A lower access eductor is provided, including an eductor nozzle extending through one lower access opening of the outer casing and adapted to discharge solvent through one passageway in the tube bundle shroud and into the tube bundle of the generator, the lower access eductor being fluidly connected to the discharge port of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Inventors: Albert C. Buford, III, Donal W. Moore, Sterling J. Weems, John B. Mason
  • Patent number: 5178822
    Abstract: In combination with a steam generator having a plurality of generator tube support plates, each generator tube support plate having a plurality of openings and a plurality of generator tubes, each tube passing through aligned openings in the support plates, a corrosion monitoring system is provided including a mockup probe, comprising a probe tube support plate having an upper side and a lower side and having substantially the same thickness and being constructed of substantially the same material as the generator tube support plates, having at least one opening of substantially the same size and shape as the openings of the generator tube support plates; at least one probe tube having an upper end and a lower end and having substantially the same diameter as the generator tubes and being constructed of substantially the same material as the generator tubes, the probe tube passing through the opening of the probe tube support plate; and wherein the mockup probe is adapted such that it may be inserted and seal
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Arkansas Power and Light Company
    Inventors: Albert C. Buford, III, Donal W. Moore, James E. Nestell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4756770
    Abstract: A non-corrosive, non chemical cleaning process for tube bundle heat exchangers develops and physically transmits kinetic energy in the form of a vigorous, high volume "water slap" to dislodge internally accumulated contaminants. A plurality of injectors periodically inject discrete quantities of pressurized inert nitrogen into the heat exchanger downcomer annulus, near the steam generator bottom, and in response to the expanding gas bubble the water column established in the tube bundle is accelerated upwardly. A rapid displacement of a body of water causes the surface of the water to slap debris from components in its path. The water column level is established slightly below the bottom of a tube support structure, and the rapid rise of the water surface impacts the bottom of the structure and is forced through the water flow passageways where the fluid flow acceleration pressures dislodge the accumulated debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Arkansas Power and Light Company
    Inventors: Sterling J. Weems, Albert C. Buford, III