Patents by Inventor Douglas K. Mace

Douglas K. Mace 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: 10711211
    Abstract: In a natural gas dehydration system, a heat exchanger has first and second passages in thermal communication but fluidly isolated from each other. A pressure reduction valve receives a first stream of natural gas and water vapor from the first passage and outputs a reduced temperature and pressure first stream to a separator which separates at least part of the water from the first stream to form a second stream of natural gas and water vapor that is output via the second passage to a distribution pipeline or a storage system. A temperature sensor senses a temperature of the first stream and a controller controls a valve coupled in parallel with the second passage to be in an open or closed state for passage or blocking of at least part of the second stream therethrough based on a temperature of the first stream determined by the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Equitrans Gathering Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas K. Mace
  • Patent number: 10704004
    Abstract: In a natural gas dehydration system, a heat exchanger has first and second passages in thermal communication but fluidly isolated from each other. An eductor pump combines a first stream of natural gas and water vapor from the first passage with a second stream of natural gas and water vapor to form a third stream of natural gas and condensed water, water vapor, or both that is provided to a separator which separates at least part of the water from the third stream to form a fourth stream of natural gas and water vapor that is output via the second passage to a distribution pipeline or a storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Equitrans Gathering Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas K. Mace
  • Publication number: 20190177631
    Abstract: In a natural gas dehydration system, a heat exchanger has first and second passages in thermal communication but fluidly isolated from each other. A pressure reduction valve receives a first stream of natural gas and water vapor from the first passage and outputs a reduced temperature and pressure first stream to a separator which separates at least part of the water from the first stream to form a second stream of natural gas and water vapor that is output via the second passage to a distribution pipeline or a storage system. A temperature sensor senses a temperature of the first stream and a controller controls a valve coupled in parallel with the second passage to be in an open or closed state for passage or blocking of at least part of the second stream therethrough based on a temperature of the first stream determined by the temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventor: Douglas K. Mace
  • Patent number: 10301565
    Abstract: In a natural gas dehydration system and method, a first stream of natural gas and water vapor having a first pressure and a first temperature is mixed with a second stream of natural gas and water vapor having a second, lower pressure than the first pressure and a second temperature to form a third stream of natural gas and water vapor. The pressure and temperature of the third stream is then reduced and at least part of the water is separated from the third stream to form a fourth stream of natural gas and water vapor having a lower water vapor content than the third stream. In response to a temperature of the third stream being above a predetermined temperature, causing the fourth stream to extract heat from the first stream prior mixing the first and second streams. Then, the fourth stream is flowed to a distribution pipeline or a storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Equitrans Gathering Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas K. Mace
  • Publication number: 20190106642
    Abstract: In a natural gas dehydration system, a heat exchanger has first and second passages in thermal communication but fluidly isolated from each other. An eductor pump combines a first stream of natural gas and water vapor from the first passage with a second stream of natural gas and water vapor to form a third stream of natural gas and condensed water, water vapor, or both that is provided to a separator which separates at least part of the water from the third stream to form a fourth stream of natural gas and water vapor that is output via the second passage to a distribution pipeline or a storage system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventor: Douglas K. Mace
  • Publication number: 20170335214
    Abstract: In a natural gas dehydration system and method, a first stream of natural gas and water vapor having a first pressure and a first temperature is mixed with a second stream of natural gas and water vapor having a second, lower pressure than the first pressure and a second temperature to form a third stream of natural gas and water vapor. The pressure and temperature of the third stream is then reduced and at least part of the water is separated from the third stream to form a fourth stream of natural gas and water vapor having a lower water vapor content than the third stream. In response to a temperature of the third stream being above a predetermined temperature, causing the fourth stream to extract heat from the first stream prior mixing the first and second streams. Then, the fourth stream is flowed to a distribution pipeline or a storage system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventor: Douglas K. Mace
  • Patent number: 6705122
    Abstract: The temperature of cooling air to a manifold for distribution to molds of a glass manufacturing machine is controlled by passing untreated air through an indirect heat exchanger in indirect heat exchange relationship with water flowing through a coil in the indirect heat exchanger before treated air from the indirect heat exchanger is passed through a blower for distribution to the manifold. Water for treating the air flowing through the indirect heat exchanger is pumped through the coil from a water cooling tower that is used in a glass manufacturing plant, either at a first temperature from a first outlet of the water cooling tower or at a second temperature from a second outlet of a water cooling tower, or a mixture of water from the first outlet and the second outlet. In a first embodiment, water from the first outlet and water from the second outlet pass through a temperature controlled three-way mixing valve before delivery to a pump for delivery to the indirect heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas K. Mace
  • Publication number: 20030029200
    Abstract: The temperature of cooling air to a manifold for distribution to molds of a glass manufacturing machine is controlled by passing untreated air through an indirect heat exchanger in indirect heat exchange relationship with water flowing through a coil in the indirect heat exchanger before treated air from the indirect heat exchanger is passed through a blower for distribution to the manifold. Water for treating the air flowing through the indirect heat exchanger is pumped through the coil from a water cooling tower that is used in a glass manufacturing plant, either at a first temperature from a first outlet of the water cooling tower or at a second temperature from a second outlet of a water cooling tower, or a mixture of water from the first outlet and the second outlet. In a first embodiment, water from the first outlet and water from the second outlet pass through a temperature controlled three-way mixing valve before delivery to a pump for delivery to the indirect heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Douglas K. Mace