Patents by Inventor Bruce M. Ellis

Bruce M. Ellis 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: 8997504
    Abstract: An improved vent ice prevention apparatus including a first conduit, a second conduit, and a third conduit, wherein the second conduit concentrically surrounds the first conduit thereby forming an annular region between the two conduits. The third conduit is in fluid communication with said annular region. The first conduit is configured to receive a cold vent stream, and the third conduit is configured to receive a dry purge stream and introduce the dry purge stream into the annular region in order to prevent ice formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Bruce M. Ellis, Minh Huy Pham
  • Patent number: 8978396
    Abstract: An improved vent ice prevention method including introducing a cold vent stream into a first conduit, wherein at least a portion of the first conduit is concentric with a second conduit, thereby producing an annular region, introducing a hot vent stream into a third conduit, and wherein the third conduit is in fluid connection with the annular region, thereby preventing the first conduit or the second conduit from forming ice. The cold vent stream is a cold compressor seal vent stream. The hot vent stream is a warm compressor seal vent stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe, Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Bruce M. Ellis, Huy Minh Pham
  • Publication number: 20140158206
    Abstract: An improved vent ice prevention apparatus including a first conduit, a second conduit, and a third conduit, wherein the second conduit concentrically surrounds the first conduit thereby forming an annular region between the two conduits. The third conduit is in fluid communication with said annular region. The first conduit is configured to receive a cold vent stream, and the third conduit is configured to receive a dry purge stream and introduce the dry purge stream into the annular region in order to prevent ice formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Air Liquide Process & Construction, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. ELLIS, Minh Huy Pham
  • Publication number: 20130340983
    Abstract: An improved vent ice prevention method including introducing a cold vent stream into a first conduit, wherein at least a portion of the first conduit is concentric with a second conduit, thereby producing an annular region, introducing a hot vent stream into a third conduit, and wherein the third conduit is in fluid connection with the annular region, thereby preventing the first conduit or the second conduit from forming ice. The cold vent stream is a cold compressor seal vent stream. The hot vent stream is a warm compressor seal vent stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Air Liquide Process & Construction, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Ellis, Huy Minh Pham
  • Patent number: 7226511
    Abstract: An economical process is disclosed for the direct production of white sugar from clarified juice. Juice from a cane sugar mill, or sugar beet juice, is first contacted with hydrogen peroxide, before passing through granular activated carbon. The juice is then passed through cationic and anionic resins to remove inorganic compounds, colorants, and other impurities. Then the juice may be concentrated and sugar crystallized. White sugar is produced directly, without the need for an intermediate raw sugar crystallization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University And Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventors: Peter W. Rein, Luis R. S. M. Bento, Bruce M. Ellis