Patents by Inventor Anthony M. Johnston

Anthony M. Johnston 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: 20180016140
    Abstract: A multiple adiabatic bed reforming apparatus and process are disclosed in which stage-wise combustion, in combination with multiple reforming chambers with catalyst, utilize co-flow and cross-flow under laminar flow conditions, to provide a reformer suitable for smaller production situations as well as large scale production. A passive stage by stage fuel distribution network suitable for low pressure fuel is incorporated and the resistances in successive fuel distribution lines control the amount of fuel delivered to each combustion stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventor: Anthony M. Johnston
  • Patent number: 9617152
    Abstract: A multiple adiabatic bed reforming apparatus and process are disclosed in which stage-wise combustion, in combination with multiple reforming chambers with catalyst, utilize co-flow and cross-flow under laminar flow conditions, to provide a reformer suitable for smaller production situation as well as large scale production. A passive stage by stage fuel distribution network suitable for low pressure fuel is incorporated and the resistances in successive fuel distribution lines control the amount of fuel delivered to each combustion stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Meggitt (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Anthony M. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20140346401
    Abstract: A multiple adiabatic bed reforming apparatus and process are disclosed in which stage-wise combustion, in combination with multiple reforming chambers with catalyst, utilize co-flow and cross-flow under laminar flow conditions, to provide a reformer suitable for smaller production situations as well as large scale production. A passive stage by stage fuel distribution network suitable for low pressure fuel is incorporated and the resistances in successive fuel distribution lines control the amount of fuel delivered to each combustion stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Anthony M. Johnston
  • Patent number: 8882865
    Abstract: A multiple adiabatic bed reforming apparatus and process involving stage-wise combustion and multiple reforming chambers. Co-flow and cross-flow occurs under laminar flow conditions. A reformer suitable for small scale production as well as large scale production. A passive stage-by-stage fuel distribution network suitable for low pressure fuel wherein the resistances in successive fuel distribution lines control the amount of fuel delivered to each combustion stage. Heat is captured from reforming syngas product to preheat gases before entering the reformer. Conditions that would produce unwanted coking or metal dusting are avoided or localized away from the heat exchangers to locations which can be cost effectively protected. A chemical reactor which has a core composed of a stack of metal plates that are diffusion bonded in face-to-face relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Meggitt (UK) Ltd.
    Inventor: Anthony M. Johnston
  • Patent number: 8758459
    Abstract: A multiple adiabatic bed reforming apparatus and process are disclosed in which stage-wise combustion, in combination with multiple reforming chambers with catalyst, utilize co-flow and cross-flow under laminar flow conditions, to provide a reformer suitable for smaller production situations as well as large scale production. A passive stage by stage fuel distribution network suitable for low pressure fuel is incorporated and the resistances in successive fuel distribution lines control the amount of fuel delivered to each combustion stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Meggitt (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Anthony M. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20120217441
    Abstract: A multiple adiabatic bed reforming apparatus and process are disclosed in which stage-wise combustion, in combination with multiple reforming chambers with catalyst, utilize co-flow and cross-flow under laminar flow conditions, to provide a reformer suitable for smaller production situations as well as large scale production. A passive stage by stage fuel distribution network suitable for low pressure fuel is incorporated and the resistances in successive fuel distribution lines control the amount of fuel delivered to each combustion stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Meggitt (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Anthony M. Johnston
  • Patent number: 8177868
    Abstract: A multiple adiabatic bed reforming apparatus and process are disclosed in which stage-wise combustion, in combination with multiple reforming chambers with catalyst, utilize co-flow and cross-flow under laminar flow conditions, to provide a reformer suitable for smaller production situations as well as large scale production. A passive stage by stage fuel distribution network suitable for low pressure fuel is incorporated and the resistances in successive fuel distribution lines control the amount of fuel delivered to each combustion stage. The fuel distribution system allows relatively constant fuel and air flow during turn up or turn down conditions. High efficiency is achieved by capturing heat from reforming syngas product to preheat gases before entering the reformer. Conditions that would produce unwanted coking or metal dusting are also eliminated or localized to locations within the apparatus outside the heat exchangers, but which locations can be cost effectively protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Meggitt (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Anthony M. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20120020851
    Abstract: A multiple adiabatic bed reforming apparatus and process involving stage-wise combustion and multiple reforming chambers. Co-flow and cross-flow occurs under laminar flow conditions. A reformer suitable for small scale production as well as large scale production. A passive stage-by-stage fuel distribution network suitable for low pressure fuel wherein the resistances in successive fuel distribution lines control the amount of fuel delivered to each combustion stage. Heat is captured from reforming syngas product to preheat gases before entering the reformer. Conditions that would produce unwanted coking or metal dusting are avoided or localized away from the heat exchangers to locations which can be cost effectively protected. A chemical reactor which has a core composed of a stack of metal plates that are diffusion bonded in face-to-face relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Meggitt (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Anthony M. Johnston
  • Patent number: 7967878
    Abstract: A multiple adiabatic bed reforming apparatus and process involving stage-wise combustion and multiple reforming chambers. Co-flow and cross-flow occurs under laminar flow conditions. A reformer suitable for small scale production as well as large scale production. A passive stage-by-stage fuel distribution network suitable for low pressure fuel wherein the resistances in successive fuel distribution lines control the amount of fuel delivered to each combustion stage. Heat is captured from reforming syngas product to preheat gases before entering the reformer. Conditions that would produce unwanted coking or metal dusting are avoided or localized away from the heat exchangers to locations which can be cost effectively protected. A chemical reactor which has a core composed of a stack of metal plates that are diffusion bonded in face-to-face relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Meggitt (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Anthony M. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20080244975
    Abstract: A multiple adiabatic bed reforming apparatus and process are disclosed in which stage-wise combustion, in combination with multiple reforming chambers with catalyst, utilize co-flow and cross-flow under laminar flow conditions, to provide a reformer suitable for smaller production situations as well as large scale production. A passive stage by stage fuel distribution network suitable for low pressure fuel is incorporated and the resistances in successive fuel distribution lines control the amount of fuel delivered to each combustion stage. The fuel distribution system allows relatively constant fuel and air flow during turn up or turn down conditions. High efficiency is achieved by capturing heat from reforming syngas product to preheat gases before entering the reformer. Conditions that would produce unwanted coking or metal dusting are also eliminated or localized to locations within the apparatus outside the heat exchangers, but which locations can be cost effectively protected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Anthony M. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20080124255
    Abstract: A multiple adiabatic bed reforming apparatus and process involving stage-wise combustion and multiple reforming chambers. Co-flow and cross-flow occurs under laminar flow conditions. A reformer suitable for small scale production as well as large scale production. A passive stage-by-stage fuel distribution network suitable for low pressure fuel wherein the resistances in successive fuel distribution lines control the amount of fuel delivered to each combustion stage. Heat is captured from reforming syngas product to preheat gases before entering the reformer. Conditions that would produce unwanted coking or metal dusting are avoided or localized away from the heat exchangers to locations which can be cost effectively protected. A chemical reactor which has a core composed of a stack of metal plates that are diffusion bonded in face-to-face relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Anthony M. Johnston
  • Patent number: 4763488
    Abstract: A heat exchange device which is employed for separating components of different volatility from a solution containing the components and which has particular application as a heat exchanger/rectifier/generator in an absorption cycle refrigeration system. The device comprises a plurality of heat conductive plates which are stacked as laminations in face-to-face heat conductive relationship and a chamber is formed in the plates, the chamber defining a zone into which fluid is directed and in which liquid and vapor phases of the fluid can separate. First, second, third and fourth fluid flow channel regions are formed within the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: University of Sydney
    Inventor: Anthony M. Johnston
  • Patent number: 4665975
    Abstract: A plate-type heat exchanger wherein a plurality of flat plates are stacked in face-to-face relationship and diffusion bonded together. The plates are formed within their respective thicknesses with channels forming heat-exchange zones through which fluid passes to exchange heat with fluid passing through channels in adjacent plates. Each of the channelled plates has an inlet port which communicates with one end of the heat-exchange zone, an outlet port which communicates with the other end of the heat-exchange zone and, located between the respective ports and the associated ends of the heat exchange zone, a smoothing zone and a distribution zone. The smoothing zone comprises transverse fluid-flow passages wherein a transverse-flow component is imparted to fluid flowing between the distribution zone and the heat-exchange zone, and the distribution-zone comprises a plurality of fluid-flow passages extending between the port and the smoothing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Assignee: University of Sydney
    Inventor: Anthony M. Johnston