Patents by Inventor Jeffrey C. Alexander

Jeffrey C. Alexander 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).

  • Publication number: 20240383792
    Abstract: Method of producing molten glass and system therefor, including providing a glass melting furnace configured to melt a glass sample, the glass sample including glass batch material including soda ash, or cullet or post-consumer cullet, or any combination of batch material, cullet and post-consumer cullet. The method includes introducing glass sample into a chamber of a rotary drum heat exchanger having at least one heat exchange tube; introducing the exhaust gas into the tube; causing a transfer of heat from the exhaust gas in the tube to the glass sample in the chamber to volatilize any organic impurities in the glass sample, heat the glass sample and 10 evaporate water from the glass sample to dry it, the evaporated water forming water vapor in the chamber; contacting the dried sample with the water vapor; and discharging the dried sample from the rotary drum heat exchanger and introducing it into the furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Alexander
  • Patent number: 12102325
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Brian W. Bear, Charles J. Scheib, Christopher C. Miller, Craig S. Smith, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason E. Zerkle, Jeffrey C. Gagel, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Joseph T. Kluener, Kevin D. Sackett, Kevin L. Houser, Mark D. Overmyer, Matthew H. Bolton, Omar J. Vakharia, Richard F. Schwemberger, Richard L. Leimbach, Rodney V. Clingaman, Timothy E. Goode, William D. Fox, William R. Stager
  • Patent number: 12106178
    Abstract: Systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer program products to facilitate quantum state measurement logic used in a quantum state measurement backend process are provided. According to an embodiment, a system can comprise a memory that stores computer executable components and a processor that executes the computer executable components stored in the memory. The computer executable components can comprise a stage control register component that defines a data processing function corresponding to at least one storage element in at least one stage of a quantum state measurement pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey Joseph Ruedinger, Thomas Arab Alexander, David C. Mckay
  • Patent number: 12084375
    Abstract: Method of producing molten glass and system therefor, including providing a glass melting furnace configured to melt a glass sample, the glass sample including glass batch material including soda ash, or cullet or post-consumer cullet, or any combination of batch material, cullet and post-consumer cullet. The method includes introducing glass sample into a chamber of a rotary drum heat exchanger having at least one heat exchange tube; introducing the exhaust gas into the tube; causing a transfer of heat from the exhaust gas in the tube to the glass sample in the chamber to volatilize any organic impurities in the glass sample, heat the glass sample and evaporate water from the glass sample to dry it, the evaporated water forming water vapor in the chamber; contacting the dried sample with the water vapor; and discharging the dried sample from the rotary drum heat exchanger and introducing it into the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20230278904
    Abstract: Apparatus, system, and method for blending batch and cullet at a predetermined cullet ratio for feeding to a furnace. It includes a first hopper for holding cullet; a second hopper for holding batch; feeder associated with the second hopper; a chamber positioned to receive cullet from the first hopper, an inlet spout configured to receive cullet from the first hopper so that cullet flood feeds into the chamber to keep it constantly filled with cullet up to its angle of repose, and an outlet spout; a chute positioned to receive batch from the feeder and extending into the chamber and having a chute outlet having a diameter equal to or larger than the outlet spout; a charger for receiving mixed batch and cullet from the chamber; and a controller operatively connected to the feeder and to the charger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20230040599
    Abstract: Rotary heat-exchanger for glass batch and/or cullet, comprising a stationary casing having a gas inlet and outlet, and an interior region between the gas inlet and outlet; a chamber positioned in the casing rotatable with respect to the casing and configured to receive batch material or a mixture with cullet; at least one heat exchange tube in the casing in fluid communication with the gas inlet and outlet; a feeder in communication with the chamber and comprising a feeder housing configured to discharge the batch material or mixture of batch material and cullet into the chamber along an infeed length and in contact with the at least one tube; wherein the infeed length is a length effective to heat the batch or mixture with cullet material up to at least 100° C. in the infeed length. A method of preheating glass batch is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20230038523
    Abstract: Method of producing molten glass and system therefor, including providing a glass melting furnace configured to melt a glass sample, the glass sample including glass batch material including soda ash, or cullet or post-consumer cullet, or any combination of batch material, cullet and post-consumer cullet. The method includes introducing glass sample into a chamber of a rotary drum heat exchanger having at least one heat exchange tube; introducing the exhaust gas into the tube; causing a transfer of heat from the exhaust gas in the tube to the glass sample in the chamber to volatilize any organic impurities in the glass sample, heat the glass sample and evaporate water from the glass sample to dry it, the evaporated water forming water vapor in the chamber; contacting the dried sample with the water vapor; and discharging the dried sample from the rotary drum heat exchanger and introducing it into the furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Alexander
  • Patent number: 6615612
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is taught for preheating of glass batch materials by direct contact with glass furnace exhaust gases. Furnace gases 15 flow through a batch hopper 1 in horizontal tunnels formed by open bottom tubes 6, with a free surface of batch forming the bottom portion of the tunnel. The tubes are electrically grounded and a high voltage discharge electrode 18 is located axially in each tunnel. The corona discharge from the electrode acts to retain batch and prevent it's entrainment into the flowing gases. Particulate matter from the gases is simultaneously precipitated onto the batch surface. Acidic gas components such as SO2, HCl, and HF are chemically reacted with batch constituents, thereby removing them from the gas stream. Heat is transferred from the gases to the batch by direct contact. Cooled gases 16 exit the hopper, cleaned of pollutants to levels in compliance with strict environmental regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20010008076
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is taught for preheating of glass batch materials by direct contact with glass furnace exhaust gases. Furnace gases 15 flow through a batch hopper 1 in horizontal tunnels formed by open bottom tubes 6, with a free surface of batch forming the bottom portion of the tunnel. The tubes are electrically grounded and a high voltage discharge electrode 18 is located axially in each tunnel. The corona discharge from the electrode acts to retain batch and prevent it's entrainment into the flowing gases. Particulate matter from the gases is simultaneously precipitated onto the batch surface. Acidic gas components such as SO2, HCl, and HF are chemically reacted with batch constituents, thereby removing them from the gas stream. Heat is transferred from the gases to the batch by direct contact. Cooled gases 16 exit the hopper, cleaned of pollutants to levels in compliance with strict environmental regulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Alexander
  • Patent number: 5855636
    Abstract: A method for treating cullet before use as a raw material in a glass manufacturing process is disclosed. The method includes providing a bed of cullet; passing hot gases through the bed, the quantity and temperature of gases being sufficient to pyrolyze odor creating impurities within the bed of cullet; entraining volatile products of pyrolysis into gases leaving the moving bed; heating the gases leaving the bed to oxidize odor creating impurities; and discharging the gases to the atmosphere. The apparatus includes a housing containing a moving bed of cullet; a source of hot gases which permits the gases to pass through the moving bed of cullet to pyrolyze odor creating impurities within the cullet and entrain volatile products of pyrolysis into gases leaving the moving bed; and an incinerator to remove odor creating impurities from gases leaving the moving bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Edmeston AB
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Alexander
  • Patent number: 5779748
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating cullet before use as a raw material in a glass manufacturing process is disclosed. The method includes providing a bed of cullet; passing hot gases through the bed, the quantity and temperature of gases being sufficient to pyrolyze odor creating impurities within the bed of cullet; entraining volatile products of pyrolysis into gases leaving the moving bed; heating the gases leaving the bed to oxidize odor creating impurities; and discharging the gases to the atmosphere. The apparatus includes a housing containing a moving bed of cullet; a source of hot gases which permits the gases to pass through the moving bed of cullet to pyrolyze odor creating impurities within the cullet and entrain volatile products of pyrolysis into gases leaving the moving bed; and an incinerator to remove odor creating impurities from gases leaving the moving bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Edmeston AB
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Alexander
  • Patent number: 5773529
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating cullet before use as a raw material in a glass manufacturing process is disclosed. The method includes providing a bed of cullet; passing hot gases through the bed, the quantity and temperature of gases being sufficient to pyrolyze odor creating impurities within the bed of cullet; entraining volatile products of pyrolysis into gases leaving the moving bed; heating the gases leaving the bed to oxidize odor creating impurities; and discharging the gases to the atmosphere. The apparatus includes a housing containing a moving bed of cullet; a source of hot gases which permits the gases to pass through the moving bed of cullet to pyrolyze odor creating impurities within the cullet and entrain volatile products of pyrolysis into gases leaving the moving bed; and an incinerator to remove odor creating impurities from gases leaving the moving bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Sandvik AB
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Alexander
  • Patent number: 4505723
    Abstract: Electrified filter bed apparatus includes inner and outer cylindrical bed-retaining structures for confining a granular bed therebetween. The inner cylindrical structure may comprise a cage of superposed frusto-conical louvers and the outer structure may comprise a similar cage or a perforated cylindrical, liquid-drainage sheet. A cylindrical bed electrode for electrically charging the bed granules is suspended between the retaining structures. The tubular bed surrounds an internal gas passage from which polluted gas flows through the bed from the inside out. Gas enters the internal passage from above through an ionizer section of the apparatus. The ionizer section may include a disc-type ionizer assembly in an ionizer tube. The tube may form an extension of the inner louver cage. A corona discharge may be formed between the disc and the ionizer tube by providing electric current to the discs, whereby the corona discharge electrically charges particulate material within the gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: EFB Inc.
    Inventors: Karim Zahedi, Jeffrey C. Alexander, Peter B. Zieve
  • Patent number: 4374652
    Abstract: Fly ash and fine dust in a gas stream from a coal combustor, for example, are efficiently collected in a 2-stage, tubular, granular bed filter. The stages of the filter are arranged one above the other so that the granules may move from the upper stage to the lower stage under the influence of gravity. Larger particulate in the gas stream is first collected by the lower stage, and then the remaining particulate is electrically charged and collected by the upper stage. Both stages are electrified sufficiently to rigidify the granular beds and adhere the particulate to the granules, so that the granules and the collected particulate move downwardly through the filters as a plug. Granules that exit from the lower stage are cleaned and returned to the upper stage. Non-porous granules may be used to prevent fine particulate from becoming embedded in the granules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1983
    Assignee: EFB Inc.
    Inventors: Karim Zahedi, Jeffrey C. Alexander
  • Patent number: 4308036
    Abstract: Fly ash and fine dust in a gas stream from a coal combustor, for example, are efficiently collected in a 2-stage, tubular, granular bed filter. The stages of the filter are arranged one above the other so that the granules may move from the upper stage to the lower stage under the influence of gravity. Larger particulate in the gas stream is first collected by the lower stage, and then the remaining particulate is electrically charged and collected by the upper stage. Both stages are electrified sufficiently to rigidify the granular beds and adhere the particulate to the granules, so that the granules and the collected particulate move downwardly through the filters as a plug. Granules that exit from the lower stage are cleaned and returned to the upper stage. Non-porous granules may be used to prevent fine particulate from becoming embedded in the granules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1981
    Assignee: EFB Inc.
    Inventors: Karim Zahedi, Jeffrey C. Alexander
  • Patent number: 4154585
    Abstract: A fluidized bed, particulate collector system wherein, in one embodiment, the bed particles have applied thereto at the surface thereof, an additive that serves to adhere particulate, once collected, to the bed particles. The bed particles and/or additive may be combustible or may be incombustible. In one embodiment, the system includes two fluidized beds, in tandem, the first of which collects particulate mostly in the supermicron sizes and the second of which is an electrofluidized bed that collects particulate mostly in the submicron sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1979
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: James R. Melcher, Jeffrey C. Alexander, Karim Zahedi
  • Patent number: 4146371
    Abstract: An electrofluidized bed agglomerator and method of agglomerating which comprises agglomerating submicron (and/or supermicron) particulates with a liquid, said liquid acting as a bond between particulates of the agglomerate thus formed to maintain the integrity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: James R. Melcher, Jeffrey C. Alexander, Karim Zahedi