Patents by Inventor E. Dwayne Shepard

E. Dwayne Shepard 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).

  • Method of plugging tapholes in phosphorus furnaces
    Patent number: 4030709
    Abstract: A method of plugging phosphorus tapholes with a plug of matted ceramic fibers such as alumina-silica fibers wherein closure is effected by placing the ceramic plug, in the shape of a hollow cone, over a backing plug which is then inserted into the furnace taphole by means of a long handle attached to the base of the backing plug. The backing plug is maintained in place until molten furnace material solidifies against the plug thereby sealing off the taphole. Before the furnace is ready to be tapped, the backing plug is removed and the ceramic plug burned out with an oxygen lance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1977
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: E. Dwayne Shepard, Gordon H. Scherbel