Patents by Inventor Chris Aldrich

Chris Aldrich 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: 20210180789
    Abstract: A combustor having an outer stack placed around a fire tube of the combustor to direct cooler air upwards to envelop an exhaust plume from the fire tube as an air shield or curtain barrier to prevent fugitive gases coming into contact with the exhaust plume and auto-igniting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventor: Chris Aldrich
  • Patent number: 10247411
    Abstract: Embodiments of integrated burner assemblies, for use in classified hazardous areas, effectively utilize a designated general or non-classified area classification inside a burner housing to simplify wiring connections between various components of a managed burner system. A valve train which supplies fuel to the burner and a control unit which manages the burner assembly and the valve train are mounted external to the burner housing in a classified hazardous area. Mechanically protected wiring is used to connect the valve train and control unit to the non-classified area. The open wiring connections inside the non-classified area, connecting between the burner assembly and the mechanically protected wiring from the control unit and the mechanically protected wiring from the valve train are free of mechanically protection considerations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Inventor: Chris Aldrich
  • Publication number: 20180238540
    Abstract: Embodiments of integrated burner assemblies, for use in classified hazardous areas, effectively utilize a designated general or non-classified area classification inside a burner housing to simplify wiring connections between various components of a managed burner system. A valve train which supplies fuel to the burner and a control unit which manages the burner assembly and the valve train are mounted external to the burner housing in a classified hazardous area. Mechanically protected wiring is used to connect the valve train and control unit to the non-classified area. The open wiring connections inside the non-classified area, connecting between the burner assembly and the mechanically protected wiring from the control unit and the mechanically protected wiring from the valve train are free of mechanically protection considerations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventor: Chris ALDRICH
  • Patent number: 9709266
    Abstract: A stack is provided for combustion of low pressure hydrocarbon vapors from various equipment, the combustion being discrete from periodic flaring of high pressure vapors from a top of the stack. A primary burner is positioned adjacent a base of the stack and a flare is positioned in the stack's bore adjacent a top thereof. Combustion air is naturally aspirated through the stack through inlets in the stack below the primary burners, providing both primary air and secondary air for the primary burners and first combustion air for the flare. The flare aspirates further combustion air from about the top of the stack. The combustion air optimizes clean burning at the primary burner and for reducing smoke production from the flare. A controller provides an auto re-light igniters at the primary burner and a continuous igniter at the flare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventor: Chris Aldrich
  • Publication number: 20140370448
    Abstract: A stack is provided for combustion of low pressure hydrocarbon vapors from various equipment, the combustion being discrete from periodic flaring of high pressure vapors from a top of the stack. A primary burner is positioned adjacent a base of the stack and a flare is positioned in the stack's bore adjacent a top thereof. Combustion air is naturally aspirated through the stack through inlets in the stack below the primary burners, providing both primary air and secondary air for the primary burners and first combustion air for the flare. The flare aspirates further combustion air from about the top of the stack. The combustion air optimizes clean burning at the primary burner and for reducing smoke production from the flare. A controller provides an auto re-light igniters at the primary burner and a continuous igniter at the flare.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Chris ALDRICH
  • Patent number: 7566218
    Abstract: A burner assembly has a burner head and a deflector plate extending radially therefrom and across a firetube housing for supporting the burner assembly therein. The deflector plate has a plurality of angled vanes for re-directing secondary combustion air flowing through the housing. Secondary air is deflected away from a nozzle tip at the burner head to minimize lifting of the flame by the deflector plate or by a low pressure ring formed around the nozzle tip above the deflector plate for creating an area of low pressure. Preferably, a combination of the deflector plate and low pressure ring provides a stable flame positioned at the nozzle tip under low-fire and high-fire conditions enabling use of a pilotless ignition and flame sensing system which is consistent under low and high fire conditions. More preferably, the deflector plate supports the igniter and optionally a heat return tube for heat tracing of the freeze-prone burner assembly components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: ACL Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Chris Aldrich
  • Publication number: 20060057518
    Abstract: A burner assembly has a burner head and a deflector plate extending radially therefrom and across a firetube housing for supporting the burner assembly therein. The deflector plate has a plurality of angled vanes for re-directing secondary combustion air flowing through the housing. Secondary air is deflected away from a nozzle tip at the burner head to minimize lifting of the flame by the deflector plate or by a low pressure ring formed around the nozzle tip above the deflector plate for creating an area of low pressure. Preferably, a combination of the deflector plate and low pressure ring provides a stable flame positioned at the nozzle tip under low-fire and high-fire conditions enabling use of a pilotless ignition and flame sensing system which is consistent under low and high fire conditions. More preferably, the deflector plate supports the igniter and optionally a heat return tube for heat tracing of the freeze-prone burner assembly components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Applicant: ACL MANUFACTURING INC.
    Inventor: Chris ALDRICH