Patents by Inventor Gary Dean West
Gary Dean West 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).
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Publication number: 20240110103Abstract: Systems and methods for removing carbonaceous clinker material from a coke oven are described. A coke oven can be provided including an oven floor, coke, and clinker material deposited on the oven floor. After a temperature of the coke oven has reached a first temperature (e.g., after heating coal in the oven to produce coke), the method includes increasing the temperature of the coke oven to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature for a predetermined amount of time. After the predetermined amount of time, the temperature is reduced to a third temperature that is lower than the first temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: John Francis QUANCI, Daniel C. CHARLES, Gary Dean WEST, Sharla EVATT, Mark Anthony BALL, Jason Francis CRUM
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Patent number: 11939526Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to vent stack lids and associated systems and methods. In particular, several embodiments are directed to vent stack lids having improved sealing properties in a coke processing system. In a particular embodiment, a vent stack lid comprises a first lid portion proximate to and at least partially spaced apart from a second lid portion. The vent stack lid further comprises a first sealing portion coupled to the first lid portion and a second sealing portion coupled to the second lid portion. In several embodiments, the second sealing portion at least partially overlaps the first sealing portion over the space between the first and second lid portions. In further embodiments, at least one of the first or second sealing portions includes layers of tadpole seals, spring seals, rigid refractory material, and/or flexible refractory blanket.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: SUNCOKE TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT LLCInventors: Gary Dean West, Chun Wai Choi, Thomas James Hirt
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Patent number: 11845898Abstract: A system and method for repairing a coke oven having an oven chamber formed from ceramic bricks. A representative system includes a insulated enclosure insertable into the oven chamber and includes removable insulated panels that define an interior area for workers to work in. The insulated enclosure is movable between an expanded configuration and a compact configuration and moving the enclosure to the expanded configuration will decrease the distance between the insulated enclosure and the walls of the oven chamber. Removing the panels exposes the ceramic bricks and allows workers within the interior area to access and the bricks and repair the oven chamber while the oven chamber is still hot. A loading apparatus lifts and inserts the insulated enclosure into the oven chamber. The insulated enclosure can be coupled to additional insulated enclosures to form an elongated interior area.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2021Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: SUNCOKE TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT LLCInventors: Jason Crum, Mark Anthony Ball, Gary Dean West, John Francis Quanci, Chun Wai Choi
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Patent number: 11795400Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to horizontal heat recovery and non-heat recovery coke ovens having monolith components. In some embodiments, an HHR coke oven includes a monolith component that spans the width of the oven between opposing oven sidewalls. The monolith expands upon heating and contracts upon cooling as a single structure. In further embodiments, the monolith component comprises a thermally-volume-stable material. The monolith component may be a crown, a wall, a floor, a sole flue or combination of some or all of the oven components to create a monolith structure. In further embodiments, the component is formed as several monolith segments spanning between supports such as oven sidewalls. The monolith component and thermally-volume-stable features can be used in combination or alone. These designs can allow the oven to be turned down below traditionally feasible temperatures while maintaining the structural integrity of the oven.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: SUNCOKE TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT LLCInventors: Gary Dean West, John Francis Quanci
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Patent number: 11760937Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for controlling oven draft within a coke oven. A representative system includes an uptake damper coupled to an uptake duct that receives exhaust gases from the coke oven and provides the exhaust gases to a common tunnel for further processing. The uptake damper includes a damper plate pivotably coupled to a refractory surface of the uptake duct and an actuator assembly coupled to the damper plate. The damper plate is positioned completely within the uptake duct and the actuator assembly moves the damper plate between a plurality of different configurations by causing the damper plate to rotate relative to the uptake duct. Moving the uptake damper between the different configurations changes the flow rate and pressure of the exhaust gases through the uptake duct, which affects an oven draft within the coke oven.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2019Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: SUNCOKE TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT LLCInventors: John Francis Quanci, Gary Dean West
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Patent number: 11643602Abstract: Systems and methods for removing carbonaceous clinker material from a coke oven are described. A coke oven can be provided including an oven floor, coke, and clinker material deposited on the oven floor. After a temperature of the coke oven has reached a first temperature (e.g., after heating coal in the oven to produce coke), the method includes increasing the temperature of the coke oven to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature for a predetermined amount of time. After the predetermined amount of time, the temperature is reduced to a third temperature that is lower than the first temperature.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: SUNCOKE TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT LLCInventors: John Francis Quanci, Daniel C. Charles, Gary Dean West, Sharla Evatt, Mark Anthony Ball, Jason Francis Crum
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Patent number: 11597881Abstract: A coke plant includes multiple coke ovens where each coke oven is adapted to produce exhaust gases, a common tunnel fluidly connected to the plurality of coke ovens and configured to receive the exhaust gases from each of the coke ovens, multiple standard heat recovery steam generators fluidly connected to the common tunnel where the ratio of coke ovens to standard heat recovery steam generators is at least 20:1, and a redundant heat recovery steam generator fluidly connected to the common tunnel where any one of the plurality of standard heat recovery steam generators and the redundant heat recovery steam generator is adapted to receive the exhaust gases from the plurality of ovens and extract heat from the exhaust gases and where the standard heat recovery steam generators and the redundant heat recovery steam generator are all connected in parallel with each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: SUNCOKE TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT LLCInventors: John Francis Quanci, Gary Dean West, Daniel C. Charles, Ryan L. Yates, Andrew Michael Butor
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Patent number: 11505747Abstract: A coke plant includes multiple coke ovens where each coke oven is adapted to produce exhaust gases, a common tunnel fluidly connected to the plurality of coke ovens and configured to receive the exhaust gases from each of the coke ovens, multiple standard heat recovery steam generators fluidly connected to the common tunnel where the ratio of coke ovens to standard heat recovery steam generators is at least 20:1, and a redundant heat recovery steam generator fluidly connected to the common tunnel where any one of the plurality of standard heat recovery steam generators and the redundant heat recovery steam generator is adapted to receive the exhaust gases from the plurality of ovens and extract heat from the exhaust gases and where the standard heat recovery steam generators and the redundant heat recovery steam generator are all connected in parallel with each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: SUNCOKE TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT LLCInventors: John Francis Quanci, Gary Dean West, Daniel C. Charles, Ryan L. Yates
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Publication number: 20220325183Abstract: A coke plant includes multiple coke ovens where each coke oven is adapted to produce exhaust gases, a common tunnel fluidly connected to the plurality of coke ovens and configured to receive the exhaust gases from each of the coke ovens, multiple standard heat recovery steam generators fluidly connected to the common tunnel where the ratio of coke ovens to standard heat recovery steam generators is at least 20:1, and a redundant heat recovery steam generator fluidly connected to the common tunnel where any one of the plurality of standard heat recovery steam generators and the redundant heat recovery steam generator is adapted to receive the exhaust gases from the plurality of ovens and extract heat from the exhaust gases and where the standard heat recovery steam generators and the redundant heat recovery steam generator are all connected in parallel with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2021Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventors: John Francis Quanci, Gary Dean WEST, Daniel C. CHARLES, Ryan L. YATES
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Publication number: 20220298423Abstract: The present technology relates to systems and methods for reducing leaks in a system for coking coal. For example, some embodiments provide systems and method for treating a cracked or leaking surface in a system for coking coal. In particular, the present technology includes systems having one or more substances configured to reduce an airflow through one or more cracks by creating an at least partially impermeable patch. The present technology further includes methods for treating surfaces having one or more cracks to reduce an airflow through the one or more cracks.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventors: John Francis QUANCI, Gary Dean WEST, Mayela Carolina FERNANDEZ
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Publication number: 20220204859Abstract: A system and method for repairing a coke oven having an oven chamber formed from ceramic bricks. A representative system includes a insulated enclosure insertable into the oven chamber and includes removable insulated panels that define an interior area for workers to work in. The insulated enclosure is movable between an expanded configuration and a compact configuration and moving the enclosure to the expanded configuration will decrease the distance between the insulated enclosure and the walls of the oven chamber. Removing the panels exposes the ceramic bricks and allows workers within the interior area to access and the bricks and repair the oven chamber while the oven chamber is still hot. A loading apparatus lifts and inserts the insulated enclosure into the oven chamber. The insulated enclosure can be coupled to additional insulated enclosures to form an elongated interior area.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2021Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Jason Crum, Mark Anthony Ball, Gary Dean West, John Francis Quanci, Chun Wai Choi
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Publication number: 20220204858Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to vent stack lids and associated systems and methods. In particular, several embodiments are directed to vent stack lids having improved sealing properties in a coke processing system. In a particular embodiment, a vent stack lid comprises a first lid portion proximate to and at least partially spaced apart from a second lid portion. The vent stack lid further comprises a first sealing portion coupled to the first lid portion and a second sealing portion coupled to the second lid portion. In several embodiments, the second sealing portion at least partially overlaps the first sealing portion over the space between the first and second lid portions. In further embodiments, at least one of the first or second sealing portions includes layers of tadpole seals, spring seals, rigid refractory material, and/or flexible refractory blanket.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2021Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Gary Dean West, Chun Wai Choi, Thomas James Hirt
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Patent number: 11365355Abstract: The present technology relates to systems and methods for reducing leaks in a system for coking coal. For example, some embodiments provide systems and method for treating a cracked or leaking surface in a system for coking coal. In particular, the present technology includes systems having one or more substances configured to reduce an airflow through one or more cracks by creating an at least partially impermeable patch. The present technology further includes methods for treating surfaces having one or more cracks to reduce an airflow through the one or more cracks.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2019Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: SUNCOKE TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT LLCInventors: John Francis Quanci, Gary Dean West, Mayela Carolina Fernandez
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Publication number: 20220106527Abstract: Systems and methods for removing carbonaceous clinker material from a coke oven are described. A coke oven can be provided including an oven floor, coke, and clinker material deposited on the oven floor. After a temperature of the coke oven has reached a first temperature (e.g., after heating coal in the oven to produce coke), the method includes increasing the temperature of the coke oven to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature for a predetermined amount of time. After the predetermined amount of time, the temperature is reduced to a third temperature that is lower than the first temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2021Publication date: April 7, 2022Inventors: John Francis QUANCI, Daniel C. CHARLES, Gary Dean WEST, Sharla EVATT, Mark Anthony BALL, Jason Francis CRUM
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Patent number: 11193069Abstract: A coke plant includes multiple coke ovens where each coke oven is adapted to produce exhaust gases, a common tunnel fluidly connected to the plurality of coke ovens and configured to receive the exhaust gases from each of the coke ovens, multiple standard heat recovery steam generators fluidly connected to the common tunnel where the ratio of coke ovens to standard heat recovery steam generators is at least 20:1, and a redundant heat recovery steam generator fluidly connected to the common tunnel where any one of the plurality of standard heat recovery steam generators and the redundant heat recovery steam generator is adapted to receive the exhaust gases from the plurality of ovens and extract heat from the exhaust gases and where the standard heat recovery steam generators and the redundant heat recovery steam generator are all connected in parallel with each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: SUNCOKE TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT LLCInventors: John Francis Quanci, Gary Dean West, Daniel C. Charles, Ryan L. Yates
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Publication number: 20210371752Abstract: A coke plant includes multiple coke ovens where each coke oven is adapted to produce exhaust gases, a common tunnel fluidly connected to the plurality of coke ovens and configured to receive the exhaust gases from each of the coke ovens, multiple standard heat recovery steam generators fluidly connected to the common tunnel where the ratio of coke ovens to standard heat recovery steam generators is at least 20:1, and a redundant heat recovery steam generator fluidly connected to the common tunnel where any one of the plurality of standard heat recovery steam generators and the redundant heat recovery steam generator is adapted to receive the exhaust gases from the plurality of ovens and extract heat from the exhaust gases and where the standard heat recovery steam generators and the redundant heat recovery steam generator are all connected in parallel with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: John Francis Quanci, Gary Dean West, Daniel C. Charles, Ryan L. Yates, Andrew Michael Butor
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Patent number: 11186778Abstract: A system and method for repairing a coke oven having an oven chamber formed from ceramic bricks. A representative system includes a insulated enclosure insertable into the oven chamber and includes removable insulated panels that define an interior area for workers to work in. The insulated enclosure is movable between an expanded configuration and a compact configuration and moving the enclosure to the expanded configuration will decrease the distance between the insulated enclosure and the walls of the oven chamber. Removing the panels exposes the ceramic bricks and allows workers within the interior area to access and the bricks and repair the oven chamber while the oven chamber is still hot. A loading apparatus lifts and inserts the insulated enclosure into the oven chamber. The insulated enclosure can be coupled to additional insulated enclosures to form an elongated interior area.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2020Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: SUNCOKE TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT LLCInventors: Jason Crum, Mark Anthony Ball, Gary Dean West, John Francis Quanci, Chun Wai Choi
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Publication number: 20210363426Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to horizontal heat recovery and non-heat recovery coke ovens having monolith components. In some embodiments, an HHR coke oven includes a monolith component that spans the width of the oven between opposing oven sidewalls. The monolith expands upon heating and contracts upon cooling as a single structure. In further embodiments, the monolith component comprises a thermally-volume-stable material The monolith component may be a crown, a wall, a floor, a sole flue or combination of some or all of the oven components to create a monolith structure. In further embodiments, the component is formed as several monolith segments spanning between supports such as oven sidewalls. The monolith component and thermally-volume-stable features can be used in combination or alone. These designs can allow the oven to be turned down below traditionally feasible temperatures while maintaining the structural integrity of the oven.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: Gary Dean West, John Francis Quanci
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Patent number: 11142699Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to vent stack lids and associated systems and methods. In particular, several embodiments are directed to vent stack lids having improved sealing properties in a coke processing system. In a particular embodiment, a vent stack lid comprises a first lid portion proximate to and at least partially spaced apart from a second lid portion. The vent stack lid further comprises a first sealing portion coupled to the first lid portion and a second sealing portion coupled to the second lid portion. In several embodiments, the second sealing portion at least partially overlaps the first sealing portion over the space between the first and second lid portions. In further embodiments, at least one of the first or second sealing portions includes layers of tadpole seals, spring seals, rigid refractory material, and/or flexible refractory blanket.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2012Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: SUNCOKE TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT LLCInventors: Gary Dean West, Chun Wai Choi, Thomas James Hirt
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Patent number: 11021655Abstract: Systems and methods for removing carbonaceous clinker material from a coke oven are described. A coke oven can be provided including an oven floor, coke, and clinker material deposited on the oven floor. After a temperature of the coke oven has reached a first temperature (e.g., after heating coal in the oven to produce coke), the method includes increasing the temperature of the coke oven to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature for a predetermined amount of time. After the predetermined amount of time, the temperature is reduced to a third temperature that is lower than the first temperature.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: SUNCOKE TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT LLCInventors: John Francis Quanci, Daniel C. Charles, Gary Dean West, Sharla Evatt, Mark Anthony Ball, Jason Francis Crum