Patents by Inventor Donald J. Leonard

Donald J. Leonard 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).

  • Natural draft combustion zone optimizing method and apparatus
    Patent number: 4253404
    Abstract: Control method and apparatus for optimizing the operation of a natural draft combustion zone through which a conduit containing a process fluid to be heated passes, by decreasing the supply of combustion air until one or more of the following predetermined limiting conditions is reached: maximum CO in the flue gas, minimum O.sub.2 in flue gas, minimum draft in the combustion zone, maximum temperature of the outer surface of said conduit, and increase in the rate of fuel addition above a minimum amount. When a limiting condition is reached, the supply of combustion air is increased until the limiting condition is no longer present, and the cycle then repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1981
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventor: Donald J. Leonard
  • Natural draft combustion zone optimizing method and apparatus
    Patent number: 4235171
    Abstract: Control method and apparatus for optimizing the operation of a natural draft combustion zone through which a conduit containing a process fluid to be heated passes, by decreasing the supply of combustion air until one or more of the following predetermined limiting conditions is reached: maximum CO in the flue gas, minimum O.sub.2 in flue gas, minimum draft in the combustion zone, maximum temperature of the outer surface of said conduit, and increase in the rate of fuel addition above a minimum amount. When a limiting condition is reached, the supply of combustion air is increased until the limiting condition is no longer present, and the cycle then repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventor: Donald J. Leonard