Patents by Inventor Larry C. McNeff
Larry C. McNeff 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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Patent number: 9107941Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for reducing L-pipecolic acid concentrations and/or effects in animals. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of reducing plasma concentrations of L-pipecolic acid in animals including administering an effective amount of a composition including saponins. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of reducing anorectic effects of L-pipecolic acid in animals including administering an effective amount of a composition including saponins. Other embodiments are also included herein.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: SarTec CorporationInventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff
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Patent number: 8887774Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to fuel tanks including features for capturing vapors displaced during a filling process. In an embodiment, the invention includes a fuel tank including a housing defining an interior volume; an inflow conduit providing fluid communication between the outside of the housing and the interior volume; a check-valve coupled to the inflow conduit, the check-valve configured to allow fuel to flow through the check-valve into the interior volume but prevent the flow of gases from the interior volume to the outside of the housing; an expansion member configured to reversibly change in volume; and a vent conduit providing fluid communication between the expansion member and the interior volume of the housing. Other embodiments are also described herein.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2009Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Sartec CorporationInventors: Charles Vincent McNeff, Larry C. McNeff
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Publication number: 20140115955Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatus and systems for hydrocarbon synthesis and methods regarding the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for creating a hydrocarbon product stream comprising reacting a reaction mixture in the presence of a catalyst inside of a reaction vessel to form a product mixture, the reaction mixture comprising a carbon source and water. The temperature inside the reaction vessel can be between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius and the pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. In an embodiment, the invention includes an extrusion reactor system for creating a hydrocarbon product stream. The temperature inside the extrusion reactor housing between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius. Pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. Other embodiments are also included herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2014Publication date: May 1, 2014Inventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Daniel Thomas Nowlan, Bingwen Yan, Peter G. Greuel
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Patent number: 8686171Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for producing alkyl esters from lipid feed stocks, such as plant oils and/or animal fats, and systems including the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for producing alkyl esters including mixing a lipid feed stock with an alcohol to form a reaction mixture; and contacting the reaction mixture with a catalyst under supercritical conditions for the alcohol, the catalyst comprising an unmodified metal oxide selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, and hafnia, and removing residual free fatty acids from the reaction mixture. Other embodiments are included herein.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: McNeff Research Consultants, Inc.Inventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Arlin E. Gyberg, Bingwen Yan, Daniel Thomas Nowlan, Brian Krohn
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Publication number: 20140046104Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatus and systems for hydrocarbon synthesis and methods regarding the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for creating a hydrocarbon product stream comprising reacting a reaction mixture in the presence of a catalyst inside of a reaction vessel to form a product mixture, the reaction mixture comprising a carbon source and water. The temperature inside the reaction vessel can be between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius and the pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. In an embodiment, the invention includes an extrusion reactor system for creating a hydrocarbon product stream. The temperature inside the extrusion reactor housing between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius. Pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. Other embodiments are also included herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Inventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Daniel Thomas Nowlan, Bingwen Yan, Peter G. Greuel
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Patent number: 8585976Abstract: A device for selectively removing contaminants from a crude product mixture which includes a production reactor for producing a crude oil product mixture, the production reactor includes a lipid reservoir and an alcohol reservoir and a first organic acid removal reactor in fluid communication with the production reactor. The first organic acid removal reactor includes a first housing defining an interior volume the housing configured to receive the crude oil products and disposed within the interior volume of the removal reactor housing is metal oxide media selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, hafnia and titania for removing organic acidic contaminants from the crude oil product to product a purified biodiesel fuel.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2008Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: McNeff Research Consultants, Inc.Inventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Bingwen Yan
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Patent number: 8445709Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for producing and/or refining alkyl ester compositions. In an embodiment the invention includes a method of producing a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. The method can include contacting a fatty acid feedstock and an alcohol with a first metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius and a pressure of greater than 500 psi to form an unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. The method can further include combining the unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition with dimethyl carbonate to form a refining mixture. The method can also include contacting the refining mixture with a second metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 100 degrees Celsius to form a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. Other embodiments are also described herein.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: McNeff Research Consultants, Inc.Inventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Bingwen Yan, Daniel Thomas Nowlan
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Patent number: 8424451Abstract: The invention is related to an apparatus and method for controlling a steam flaking operation. In an embodiment, the invention is a steam flaking system including at least one sensor to measure the flow of material in the steam flaking system, a steam chest, a peg feeder, disposed at the bottom of the steam chest, and an automatic control unit, wherein the automatic control unit receives data from the at least one sensor and controls the peg feeder. In an embodiment, the invention is a steam flaking system including a steam chest, at least one sensor to measure the flow of material in the steam chest, a peg feeder, and an automatic control unit, wherein the automatic control unit receives data from the at least one sensor and controls the peg feeder.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2005Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Sartec CorporationInventors: Larry C. McNeff, Clayton V. McNeff, Peter G. Greuel
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Publication number: 20120264955Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include processing lipid feedstocks into various products. Embodiments of the invention include processing lipid feedstocks into various products. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of processing a lipid feedstock comprising combining triglycerides from the lipid feedstock with water to form a first reaction mixture, contacting the first reaction mixture with a first metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius to form a first product mixture including free fatty acids and glycerin, combining the free fatty acids with a diol to form a second reaction mixture, and contacting the second reaction mixture with a second metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius to form a second product mixture. Other embodiments are also included herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: SARTEC CORPORATIONInventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Daniel Thomas Nowlan, Larry C. McNeff, Peter G. Greuel, Bingwen Yan
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Patent number: 8048457Abstract: The invention is related to methods and compositions for improving feeding and/or production characteristics in animals. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for improving feeding characteristics of an animal including administering a first composition comprising an effective amount of saponins to the animal, and administering a second composition comprising an effective amount of a preservative to the animal. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for improving production characteristics of an animal including administering a first composition comprising an effective amount of saponins to the animal, and administering a second composition comprising an effective amount of a preservative to the animal.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2007Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Sartec CorporationInventors: Larry C. McNeff, Clayton V. McNeff, Peter G. Greuel, Ryan Mass
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Patent number: 8048458Abstract: The invention is related to methods and compositions for reducing protozoa populations in animals. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for reducing protozoal populations including administering a first composition comprising an effective amount of saponins to the animal, and administering a second composition comprising an effective amount of a preservative to the animal. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for killing protozoa comprising contacting protozoa with a composition comprising an effective amount of saponins and an effective amount of ethoxyquin. Other embodiments are included herein.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2008Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Sartec CorporationInventors: Larry C. McNeff, Clayton V. McNeff, Peter G. Greuel
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Patent number: 8043633Abstract: The invention is related to methods and compositions for controlling microorganism populations in the digestive system of an animal. In an embodiment, the invention is a composition for reducing the bacterial load in the digestive tract of an animal including a saponin containing composition and an anti-microbial agent. Other embodiments are included herein.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2008Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Sartec CorporationInventors: Larry C. McNeff, Clayton V. McNeff
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Patent number: 8033047Abstract: An algae cultivation system and method. In an embodiment, an algae cultivation system is included. The algae cultivation system can include a cultivation tank, a plurality of light transmitting elements configured to be at least partially submerged in a liquid medium disposed within the cultivation tank, wherein the light transmitting elements increase the effective surface area of the liquid medium exposed to light, and a plurality of gas injectors configured to emit gas into the liquid medium. In an embodiment a method of culturing algae is included. The method can include measuring the amount of carbon dioxide in a cultivation system and modulating the amount of light being supplied to the cultivation system based on the measured amount of carbon dioxide. In an embodiment, a method of culturing algae can include measuring the amount of light being input into a cultivation system and modulating the amount of carbon dioxide being supplied to the cultivation system based on the measured amount of light.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Sartec CorporationInventors: Mark Axel Rasmussen, Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff
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Patent number: 8017796Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for selectively removing contaminants from a crude product mixture. In an embodiment the invention includes a method for removing organic acids from a crude product mixture including contacting the crude product mixture with a metal oxide substrate, wherein free organic acids in the crude product mixture bind to the metal oxide substrate, thereby removing free organic acids and forming a refined product mixture; separating the refined product mixture from the metal oxide substrate; and removing the organic acids bound to the metal oxide substrate by contacting the metal oxide substrate with an alkyl ester composition at a temperature of greater than about 100 degrees Celsius. Other embodiments are also described herein.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2009Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: McNeff Research Consultants, Inc.Inventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Bingwen Yan
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Publication number: 20110172450Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for producing alkyl esters from lipid feed stocks, such as plant oils and/or animal fats, and systems including the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for producing alkyl esters including mixing a lipid feed stock with an alcohol to form a reaction mixture; and contacting the reaction mixture with a catalyst under supercritical conditions for the alcohol, the catalyst comprising an unmodified metal oxide selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, and hafnia, and removing residual free fatty acids from the reaction mixture. Other embodiments are included herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2011Publication date: July 14, 2011Inventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Arlin E. Gyberg, Bingwen Yan, Daniel Thomas Nowlan, Brian Krohn
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Publication number: 20110060153Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for producing and/or refining alkyl ester compositions. In an embodiment the invention includes a method of producing a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. The method can include contacting a fatty acid feedstock and an alcohol with a first metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius and a pressure of greater than 500 psi to form an unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. The method can further include combining the unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition with dimethyl carbonate to form a refining mixture. The method can also include contacting the refining mixture with a second metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 100 degrees Celsius to form a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. Other embodiments are also described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: MCNEFF RESEARCH CONSULTANTS, INC.Inventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Bingwen Yan, Daniel Thomas Nowlan
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Patent number: 7897798Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for producing alkyl esters from lipid feed stocks, such as plant oils and/or animal fats, and systems including the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for producing alkyl esters including mixing a lipid feed stock with an alcohol to form a reaction mixture; and contacting the reaction mixture with a catalyst under supercritical conditions for the alcohol, the catalyst comprising an unmodified metal oxide selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, and hafnia, and removing residual free fatty acids from the reaction mixture. Other embodiments are included herein.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: McNeff Research Consultants, Inc.Inventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Arlin E. Gyberg, Bingwen Yan, Daniel Thomas Nowlan, Brian Krohn
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Publication number: 20100173040Abstract: The invention is related to compositions including sulfide binding agents and related methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes a composition including saponins, and a sulfide binding agent, the sulfide binding agent comprising a metal containing compound. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of processing animal feed including contacting an animal feed material with a composition, the composition comprising a sulfide binding agent, the sulfide binding agent comprising a metal containing compound. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of treating animals for dietary sulfur overload including administering to an animal an effective amount of a composition comprising a sulfide binding agent, the sulfide binding agent comprising a metal containing compound.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2009Publication date: July 8, 2010Inventors: Larry C. McNeff, Clayton V. McNeff, Peter G. Greuel, Mark Axel Rasmussen, Sharon Franklin
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Publication number: 20100147771Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for selectively removing contaminants from a crude product mixture. In an embodiment the invention includes a method for removing organic acids from a crude product mixture including contacting the crude product mixture with a metal oxide substrate, wherein free organic acids in the crude product mixture bind to the metal oxide substrate, thereby removing free organic acids and forming a refined product mixture; separating the refined product mixture from the metal oxide substrate; and removing the organic acids bound to the metal oxide substrate by contacting the metal oxide substrate with an alkyl ester composition at a temperature of greater than about 100 degrees Celsius. Other embodiments are also described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2009Publication date: June 17, 2010Inventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Bingwen Yan
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Publication number: 20100132815Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to fuel tanks including features for capturing vapors displaced during a filling process. In an embodiment, the invention includes a fuel tank including a housing defining an interior volume; an inflow conduit providing fluid communication between the outside of the housing and the interior volume; a check-valve coupled to the inflow conduit, the check-valve configured to allow fuel to flow through the check-valve into the interior volume but prevent the flow of gases from the interior volume to the outside of the housing; an expansion member configured to reversibly change in volume; and a vent conduit providing fluid communication between the expansion member and the interior volume of the housing. Other embodiments are also described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2009Publication date: June 3, 2010Inventors: Charles Vincent McNeff, Larry C. McNeff