Patents by Inventor Brian K. Stephenson

Brian K. Stephenson 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: 9298174
    Abstract: System and method for determining total inventory of batch and continuous biomass inventories in a biofuel production process. Measured biomass inventory values are received, including batch inventories from multiple batch fermenters and at least one continuous beer well inventory. The values are premised on a controlled vapor pressure of the batch fermenters and beer well(s), where the pressure fluctuates in an uncontrolled manner. A measured vapor pressure for the batch fermenters and beerwell(s) is received, and pressure compensated inventory values determined based on the measured inventory and pressure values. Measured biomass input flow to the batch fermenters and output flow from the beerwell(s) are received, and are premised on a constant biomass temperature and density, where biomass temperature and density fluctuate in an uncontrolled manner. The total inventory of batch and continuous inventories is determined based on the measured flows and the pressure compensated inventory values, and stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Brian K. Stephenson, Patrick D. Noll, Maina A. Macharia
  • Patent number: 7840363
    Abstract: System and method for determining total mill flow (TMF) in a biofuel production process. Measured slurry flow and density values from a process fed by mill(s), backset, and at least one water source, are received. The slurry includes biomass solids and water. Measured backset flow and density values, and a backset composition value are received, as well as a slurry composition value indicating % biomass solids of the slurry is received. A quantity of biomass solids and/or water of the slurry determined based on the slurry flow, density, and composition, and a quantity of the biomass solids and/or water of the backset determined based on the backset flow and density, backset composition, and a system filter characterizing time delays and lags between measurements of the backset flow and biomass slurry flow. Total mill flow is determined based on the quantities of biomass solids and/or water of the slurry and backset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Stephenson, Patrick D. Noll, Maina A. Macharia
  • Publication number: 20090240603
    Abstract: System and method for determining total inventory of batch and continuous biomass inventories in a biofuel production process. Measured biomass inventory values are received, including batch inventories from multiple batch fermenters and at least one continuous beer well inventory. The values are premised on a controlled vapor pressure of the batch fermenters and beer well(s), where the pressure fluctuates in an uncontrolled manner. A measured vapor pressure for the batch fermenters and beerwell(s) is received, and pressure compensated inventory values determined based on the measured inventory and pressure values. Measured biomass input flow to the batch fermenters and output flow from the beerwell(s) are received, and are premised on a constant biomass temperature and density, where biomass temperature and density fluctuate in an uncontrolled manner. The total inventory of batch and continuous inventories is determined based on the measured flows and the pressure compensated inventory values, and stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Brian K. Stephenson, Patrick D. Noll, Maina A. Macharia
  • Publication number: 20090235716
    Abstract: System and method for determining total mill flow (TMF) in a biofuel production process. Measured slurry flow and density values from a process fed by mill(s), backset, and at least one water source, are received. The slurry includes biomass solids and water. Measured backset flow and density values, and a backset composition value are received, as well as a slurry composition value indicating % biomass solids of the slurry is received. A quantity of biomass solids and/or water of the slurry determined based on the slurry flow, density, and composition, and a quantity of the biomass solids and/or water of the backset determined based on the backset flow and density, backset composition, and a system filter characterizing time delays and lags between measurements of the backset flow and biomass slurry flow. Total mill flow is determined based on the quantities of biomass solids and/or water of the slurry and backset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Brian K. Stephenson, Patrick D. Noll, Maina A. Macharia
  • Patent number: 6950711
    Abstract: An on-line optimizer is provided wherein a boiler (720) is optimized by measuring a select plurality of inputs to the boiler (720) and mapping them through a predetermined relationship that defines a single value representing a spacial relationship in the boiler that is a function of the select inputs. This single value is then optimized with the use of a plant optimizer (818) which provides an optimized value. This optimized value is then processed thought the inverse relationship of the single modified value to provide modified inputs to the plant that can be applied to the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Pavilion Technologies
    Inventors: John P. Havener, Stephen Piche, Donald Semrad, Brian K. Stephenson
  • Publication number: 20030018399
    Abstract: An on-line optimizer is provided wherein a boiler (720) is optimized by measuring a select plurality of inputs to the boiler (720) and mapping them through a predetermined relationship that defines a single value representing a spacial relationship in the boiler that is a function of the select inputs. This single value is then optimized with the use of a plant optimizer (818) which provides an optimized value. This optimized value is then processed thought the inverse relationship of the single modified value to provide modified inputs to the plant that can be applied to the plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: John P. Havener, Stephen Piche, Donald Semrad, Brian K. Stephenson
  • Publication number: 20030014131
    Abstract: An on-line optimizer is provided wherein a boiler (720) is optimized by measuring a select plurality of inputs to the boiler (720) and mapping them through a predetermined relationship that defines a single value representing a spacial relationship in the boiler that is a function of the select inputs. This single value is then optimized with the use of a plant optimizer (818) which provides an optimized value. This optimized value is then processed thought the inverse relationship of the single modified value to provide modified inputs to the plant that can be applied to the plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: John P. Havener, Stephen Piche, Donald Semrad, Brian K. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 6381504
    Abstract: An on-line optimizer is provided wherein a boiler (720) is optimized by measuring a select plurality of inputs to the boiler (720) and mapping them through a predetermined relationship that defines a single value representing a spacial relationship in the boiler that is a function of the select inputs. This single value is then optimized with the use of a plant optimizer (818) which provides an optimized value. This optimized value is then processed thought the inverse relationship of the single modified value to provide modified inputs to the plant that can be applied to the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Pavilion Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Havener, Stephen Piche, Donald Semrad, Brian K. Stephenson