Patents by Inventor Jeff McWhirter

Jeff McWhirter 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: 10935036
    Abstract: A control method and apparatus for startup of turbocompressors to avoid overpowering a driver of the turbocompressor. In a first embodiment, the control system monitors input signals from transmitters of various control inputs. When the input signals exceed threshold values, the control system begins to close the antisurge valve. In a second embodiment, the antisurge valve begins to close after a predetermined time measured from the time startup is initiated. In both embodiments, the antisurge valve continues to ramp closed until the compressor has reached its operating zone, or until the compressor's operating point reaches a surge control line, at which point the antisurge valve is manipulated to keep the compressor from surging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Compressor Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Saul Mirsky, Wayne Jacobson, Jeff McWhirter
  • Publication number: 20180149163
    Abstract: A control method and apparatus for startup of turbocompressors to avoid overpowering a driver of the turbocompressor. In a first embodiment, the control system monitors input signals from transmitters of various control inputs. When the input signals exceed threshold values, the control system begins to close the antisurge valve. In a second embodiment, the antisurge valve begins to close after a predetermined time measured from the time startup is initiated. In both embodiments, the antisurge valve continues to ramp closed until the compressor has reached its operating zone, or until the compressor's operating point reaches a surge control line, at which point the antisurge valve is manipulated to keep the compressor from surging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Saul Mirsky, Wayne Jacobson, Jeff McWhirter
  • Patent number: 9879688
    Abstract: A control method and apparatus for startup of turbocompressors to avoid overpowering a driver of the turbocompressor. In a first embodiment, the control system monitors input signals from transmitters of various control inputs. When the input signals exceed threshold values, the control system begins to close the antisurge valve. In a second embodiment, the antisurge valve begins to close after a predetermined time measured from the time startup is initiated. In both embodiments, the antisurge valve continues to ramp closed until the compressor has reached its operating zone, or until the compressor's operating point reaches a surge control line, at which point the antisurge valve is manipulated to keep the compressor from surging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Compressor Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Saul Mirsky, Wayne Jacobson, Jeff McWhirter
  • Publication number: 20140030058
    Abstract: A control method and apparatus for startup of turbocompressors to avoid overpowering a driver of the turbocompressor. In a first embodiment, the control system monitors input signals from transmitters of various control inputs. When the input signals exceed threshold values, the control system begins to close the antisurge valve. In a second embodiment, the antisurge valve begins to close after a predetermined time measured from the time startup is initiated. In both embodiments, the antisurge valve continues to ramp closed until the compressor has reached its operating zone, or until the compressor's operating point reaches a surge control line, at which point the antisurge valve is manipulated to keep the compressor from surging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Compressor Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Saul Mirsky, Wayne Jacobson, Jeff McWhirter
  • Patent number: 8323000
    Abstract: A control method and apparatus for simultaneously protecting a compression system from driver overpowering and turbocompressor surge. When overpowering is detected, flow rate through the each compressor in the turbocompressor train is reduced by closing an inlet throttling valve at the inlet of each respective compressor stage unless a compressor operating point is sufficiently near surge. In this latter case, the inlet throttling valve is not closed. In this way, overall flow rate through the compressor train is reduced while maintaining adequate flow through compromised stages to avoid surge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignees: Compressor Controls Corp., Conocophillips Company
    Inventors: Saul Mirsky, Jeff McWhirter, John R. Wolflick
  • Publication number: 20090317260
    Abstract: A control method and apparatus for simultaneously protecting a compression system from driver overpowering and turbocompressor surge. When overpowering is detected, flow rate through the each compressor in the turbocompressor train is reduced by closing an inlet throttling valve at the inlet of each respective compressor stage unless a compressor operating point is sufficiently near surge. In this latter case, the inlet throttling valve is not closed. In this way, overall flow rate through the compressor train is reduced while maintaining adequate flow through compromised stages to avoid surge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Saul Mirsky, Jeff McWhirter, John R. Wolflick
  • Publication number: 20090297333
    Abstract: A control method and apparatus for startup of turbocompressors to avoid overpowering a driver of the turbocompressor. In a first embodiment, the control system monitors input signals from transmitters of various control inputs. When the input signals exceed threshold values, the control system begins to close the antisurge valve. In a second embodiment, the antisurge valve begins to close after a predetermined time measured from the time startup is initiated. In both embodiments, the antisurge valve continues to ramp closed until the compressor has reached its operating zone, or until the compressor's operating point reaches a surge control line, at which point the antisurge valve is manipulated to keep the compressor from surging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Saul Mirsky, Wayne Jacobson, Jeff McWhirter