Patents by Inventor Arthur Alston

Arthur Alston 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: 4675028
    Abstract: A device for monitoring the amount of butane that can be safely added into a fuel gas before condensation occurs includes a dry-bulb thermocouple for measuring the temperature of the gas and a wet-bulb thermocouple for measuring the temperature of a wick soaked in the butane in the gaseous environment of the fuel gas. For a continuous flowing process the difference in the two measured temperatures indicates the proportion of butane that can be added before saturation, and is used to regulate the flow rate of the butane. The wick is periodically flushed with butane, in order to prevent heavy hydrocarbon components in the butane from accumulating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: Thomas G. Chin, Rudy F. Klaver, Arthur Alston
  • Patent number: 4543819
    Abstract: The vapor-liquid ratio temperature of a liquid is determined for a specified vapor-liquid ratio and pressure by filling a chamber with a unit volume of the liquid. The capacity of the chamber is then expanded to generate a number of unit volumes of vapor equal to the specified ratio. Alternatively, a unit volume of the liquid can be discharged into an evacuated chamber having a fixed capacity equal to the number of unit volumes. The temperature of the liquid and vapor is maintained constant, and their pressure is measured when equilibrium is established. Deviations of the measured pressure from the specified pressure are translated into the vapor-liquid ratio temperature. In a gasoline blending environment, this temperature can be used to control the proportion of butane in the blended product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: Thomas G. Chin, Arthur Alston
  • Patent number: 4523860
    Abstract: A device for monitoring the amount of butane that can be safely added into a fuel gas before condensation occurs includes a dry-bulb thermocouple for measuring the temperature of the gas and a wet-bulb thermocouple for measuring the temperature of a wick soaked in the butane. For a continuous flowing process the difference in the two measured temperatures indicates the proportion of butane that can be added before saturation, and is used to regulate the flow rate of the butane. The wick is periodically flushed with butane, in order to prevent the heavy hydrocarbon components in the butane from accumulating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: Thomas G. Chin, Rudy F. Klaver, Arthur Alston
  • Patent number: 4522056
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring Reid Vapor Pressure, as defined in the ASTM D-323 procedure, of liquid hydrocarbon materials wherein a sample of material is drawn from a sample can into a sample chamber containing a bellows and then to a measuring chamber. An expansion chamber, containing a bellows, connects with a measuring chamber for adjusting the amount of air within the measuring chamber and for setting the pressure within the measuring chamber before introduction of the sample so that RVP measurement occurs at the appropriate pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: Thomas G. Chin, Arthur Alston
  • Patent number: 4332159
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring Reid Vapor Pressure, as defined in ASTM D-323 procedure, of liquid hydrocarbon materials including a totally contained system having a sample preparation portion and a measurement portion. The method and apparatus is totally automated in preparing the apparatus for measurement and in performing the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: Thomas G. Chin, Arthur Alston