Patents by Inventor James E. Lyons

James E. Lyons 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: 5571908
    Abstract: The invention comprises new compositions of matter, which are iron, manganese, cobalt or ruthenium complexes of porphyrins having hydrogen, haloalkyl or haloaryl groups in meso positions, two of the opposed meso atoms or groups being hydrogen or haloaryl, and two of the opposed meso atoms or groups being hydrogen or haloalkyl, but not all four of the meso atoms or groups being hydrogen. The invention also comprises new compositions of matter in which all four of the meso positions are substituted with haloalkyl groups and the beta positions are substituted with halogen atoms. A new method of synthesizing porphyrinogens is also provided.The novel compositions and others made according to the process of the invention are useful as hydrocarbon conversion catalysts; for example, for the oxidation of alkanes and the decomposition of hydroperoxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Sun Company, Inc. (R&M)
    Inventors: Tilak Wijesekera, James E. Lyons, Paul E. Ellis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5550301
    Abstract: Organic hydroperoxides are decomposed by drying a reaction mixture containing the organic hydroperoxide and an organic solvent such that said dried reaction mixture comprises approximately 1 weight percent or less of water and contacting the dried reaction mixture with a metal organic ligand catalyst under hydroperoxide decomposition conditions. An organic co-solvent for the hydroperoxide may also be used. Particularly effective catalysts are cobalt acetylacetonates and ruthenium acetylacetonates and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Sun Company, Inc. (R&M)
    Inventors: Manoj V. Bhinde, James E. Lyons, Paul E. Ellis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5489716
    Abstract: The invention provides novel methods for the oxidation of hydrocarbons with oxygen-containing gas to form hydroxy-group containing compounds and for the decomposition of hydroperoxides to form hydroxygroup containing compounds. The catalysts used in the methods of the invention comprise transition metal complexes of a porphyrin ring having 1 to 12 halogen substituents on the porphyrin ring, at least one of said halogens being in a meso position and/or the catalyst containing no aryl group in a meso position. The catalyst compositions are prepared by halogenating a transition metal complex of a porphyrin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Sun Company, Inc. (R&M)
    Inventors: Paul E. Ellis, Jr., James E. Lyons
  • Patent number: 5480986
    Abstract: Transition metal complexes of Gable porphyrins having two porphyrin rings connected through a linking group, and having on the porphyrin rings electron-withdrawing groups, such as halogen, nitro or cyano. These complexes are useful as catalysts for the oxidation of organic compounds, e.g. alkanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Sun Company, Inc. (R&M)
    Inventors: James E. Lyons, Paul E. Ellis, Jr., Richard W. Wagner
  • Patent number: 5414157
    Abstract: Process and apparatus are provided for oxidation of oxidation of organic compounds in which a reaction zone is provided, containing an open space and a bed of solid granular catalyst, an organic feedstock and oxygen are passed in gas phase through the open space and then into contact with the catalyst bed, and reaction products are removed from the open space after relatively less contact with the catalyst, and from at least one other location after relatively greater contact with the catalyst. Greater yield of desired product may be obtained in such operation than in operation where all of the reaction products are removed after the greater contact with the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Sun Company, Inc. (R&M)
    Inventors: Vincent A. Durante, Darrell W. Walker, Steven M. Gussow, James E. Lyons, Robert C. Hayes
  • Patent number: 5395988
    Abstract: Organic hydroperoxides are decomposed by drying a reaction mixture containing the organic hydroperoxide and an organic solvent and contacting the dried reaction mixture with a metal organic ligand catalyst under hydroperoxide decomposition conditions. An organic co-solvent for the hydroperoxide may also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Sun Company, Inc. (R&M)
    Inventors: Manoj V. Bhinde, James E. Lyons, Paul E. Ellis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5386074
    Abstract: Barium peroxide in which has been incorporated a transition metal compound is used as a catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of organic compounds in the presence of terminal oxidants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Sun Company, Inc. (R&M)
    Inventors: Vincent A. Durante, James E. Lyons, Darrell W. Walker
  • Patent number: 5382662
    Abstract: New compositions of matter comprising cyano-substituted metal complexes of porphyrins are catalysts for the oxidation of alkanes. The metal is iron, chromium, manganese, ruthenium, copper or cobalt. The porphyrin ring has cyano groups attached thereto in meso and/or .beta.-pyrrolic positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Sun Company, Inc. (R&M)
    Inventors: Paul E. Ellis, Jr., James E. Lyons
  • Patent number: 5354857
    Abstract: As a new composition of matter, alkali metal or ammonium or tetraalkylammonium diazidoperfluorophthalocyanatoferrate. Other embodiments of the invention comprise compositions wherein the metal of the coordination complex is cobalt, manganese and chromium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Sun Company, Inc. (R&M)
    Inventors: Paul E. Ellis, Jr., James E. Lyons
  • Patent number: 5345010
    Abstract: A process for the direct catalytic oxidation of methane to methanol comprises separately contacting chromium chemically bound to the oxygen of a metal oxide support surface with (1) methane and (2) oxidant. The support may comprise silica, alumina, magnesia, titania, or zirconia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Sun Company, Inc. (R&M)
    Inventors: James E. Lyons, Vincent A. Durante, Darrell W. Walker
  • Patent number: 5345011
    Abstract: Aluminophosphates containing manganese in the structural framework are employed for the oxidation of alkanes, for example the vapor phase oxidation of methane to methanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Sun Company, Inc. (R&M)
    Inventors: Vincent A. Durante, James E. Lyons, Darrell W. Walker, Bonita K. Marcus
  • Patent number: 5345008
    Abstract: Hydroperoxides are decomposed by contact with metalloporphyrin coordination complex catalysts in which hydrogen in the porphyrin molecule has been substituted with at least one nitro group and may be further substituted with other electron-withdrawing elements or groups, for example, halogen or halocarbons, or with hydrocarbon groups. Preferred catalysts are iron tetranitro-.beta.-octaethylporphyrins and iron tetrakispentafluorophenyl-.beta.-nitroporphyrins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Sun Company, Inc. (R&M)
    Inventors: James E. Lyons, Paul E. Ellis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5334780
    Abstract: Alkanes are catalytically oxidized using heteropolyacids (HPAs) or polyoxoanions (POAs) deposited on a graphite surface. The HPAs and POAs are framework-substituted with a different metal in place of a metal-oxygen unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Sun Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Shahid N. Shaikh, Paul E. Ellis, Jr., James E. Lyons
  • Patent number: 5290017
    Abstract: An improved cooling cover is disclosed for use in bell shaped annealing furnaces. The cooling cover includes a jet nozzle orifice arrangement which develops jet streams from a low pressurized supply of air at ambient temperature in the plenum chamber of the cooling cover. A multitude of free standing jet streams thus impinge the inner cover of the bell shaped annealing stand to produce improved cooling times. Importantly, the plenum chamber includes strategically placed axial jet pump outlets which are effective to draw the jet streams from the cooling cover after they have been in heat transfer contact with the inner cover in a distribution pattern which is not altered so that the work or coils within the inner cover can be more uniformly cooled than heretofore possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Indugas, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus H. Hemsath, James E. Lyon
  • Patent number: 5290189
    Abstract: Modifications are provided to a standard, batch type industrial heat treat furnace of a hot wall design which permit the furnace to be operated efficiently at high temperatures. The furnace is of a cylindrical design having a forward heat treat chamber and a rearward plenum chamber with a flat bulkhead plate in-between the chambers. The bulkhead has exit and inlet openings permitting wind mass to flow to the heat treat chamber and back to the plenum chamber. The bulkhead has a plurality of radially extending slits formed therein which permit the bulkhead to remain flat despite temperature and pressure gradients resulting in expansion/contraction of the bulkhead. Additionally, the furnace includes a closed end muffle within the heat treat chamber into which work to be heat treated is placed. A water cooled spring biasing support is provided for the closed end of the muffle to resist downward deformation of the muffle at high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Klaus H. Hemsath, James E. Lyon
  • Patent number: 5280115
    Abstract: Compositions of matter comprising nitro-substituted metal complexes of porphyrins are catalysts for the oxidation of alkanes. The metal is iron, chromium, manganese, ruthenium, copper or cobalt. The porphyrin ring has nitro groups attached thereto in meso and/or .beta.-pyrrolic positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Sun Company, Inc. (R&M)
    Inventors: Paul E. Ellis, Jr., James E. Lyons
  • Patent number: 5276241
    Abstract: Barium peroxide oxidizer, together with a transition metal from Group I, III, IV, V, VII or VIII or compound thereof is used as stoichiometric reagent in the oxidative dimerization of hydrocarbons having three or four carbon atoms. Barium peroxide oxidizer, together with a transition metal from Group I, III, IV, V, VI, VII or VIII or compound thereof is used as stoichiometric reagent in the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons having three or four carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Sun Company, Inc. (R&M)
    Inventors: Vincent A. Durante, James E. Lyons
  • Patent number: 5254740
    Abstract: As a new composition of matter, alkali metal or ammonium or tetraalkylammonium diazidoperfluorophthalocyanatoferrate. Method of oxidizing alkanes by contact with a catalyst comprising diazido derivative of a metal phthalocyanine, including halogenated phthalocyanines. Method of oxidizing alkanes by contact with a catalyst comprising a metal phthalocyanine or halide thereof, including halogenated phthalocyanines, and an alkali metal or ammonium or tetraalkylammonium azide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Sun Company, Inc. (R&M)
    Inventors: Paul E. Ellis, Jr., James E. Lyons
  • Patent number: 5227565
    Abstract: Barium peroxide oxidizer, together with a transition metal from Group I, III, IV, V, VII or VIII or compound thereof is used as stoichiometric reagent in the oxidative dimerization of hydrocarbons having three or four carbon atoms. Barium peroxide oxidizer, together with a transition metal from Group I, III, IV, V, VI, VII or VIII or compound thereof is used as stoichiometric reagent in the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons having three or four carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Sun Company, Inc. (R&M)
    Inventors: Vincent A. Durante, James E. Lyons
  • Patent number: 5220080
    Abstract: A process for the direct catalytic oxidation of methane to methanol comprises chromium chemically bound to the oxygen of a metal oxide catalytic support surface. The support may comprise silica, alumina, magnesia, titania, or zirconia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Sun Company, Inc. (R&M)
    Inventors: James E. Lyons, Vincent A. Durante, Darrell W. Walker