Patents by Inventor Mark A. Ball

Mark A. Ball 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: 10053627
    Abstract: A method of testing the coking qualities of sample quantities of coal in a test container and the structure of the test container are disclosed. A test container which is ideally reusable is adapted to receive one or more samples of coal to be tested and then the test container is inserted into a coking oven along with additional, conventional coal during a conventional coking operation. Following the completion or substantial completion of the coking operation, the test container is recovered and from the conventional converted coke and the sample(s) of coke are removed from the container for testing and evaluation. The container is recharged with one or more additional samples of coke and reused in another conventional coking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SUNCOKE TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Jacob P. Sarpen, John F. Quanci, Mark A. Ball, Paul J. Norton, Roy J. Griffey, Jose Eustaquio daSilva
  • Publication number: 20160032193
    Abstract: A method of testing the coking qualities of sample quantities of coal in a test container and the structure of the test container are disclosed. A test container which is ideally reusable is adapted to receive one or more samples of coal to be tested and then the test container is inserted into a coking oven along with additional, conventional coal during a conventional coking operation. Following the completion or substantial completion of the coking operation, the test container is recovered and from the conventional converted coke and the sample(s) of coke are removed from the container for testing and evaluation. The container is recharged with one or more additional samples of coke and reused in another conventional coking operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Jacob P. Sarpen, John F. Quanci, Mark A. Ball, Paul J. Norton, Roy J. Griffey, Jose Eustaquio daSilva
  • Patent number: 9169439
    Abstract: A method of testing the coking qualities of sample quantities of coal in a test container and the structure of the test container are disclosed. A test container which is ideally reusable is adapted to receive one or more samples of coal to be tested and then the test container is inserted into a coking oven along with additional, conventional coal during a conventional coking operation. Following the completion or substantial completion of the coking operation, the test container is recovered and from the conventional converted coke and the sample(s) of coke are removed from the container for testing and evaluation. The container is recharged with one or more additional samples of coke and reused in another conventional coking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: SUNCOKE TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Jacob P. Sarpen, John F. Quanci, Mark A. Ball, Paul J. Norton, Roy J. Griffey, Jose Eustaquio DaSilva
  • Publication number: 20140061018
    Abstract: A method of testing the coking qualities of sample quantities of coal in a test container and the structure of the test container are disclosed. A test container which is ideally reusable is adapted to receive one or more samples of coal to be tested and then the test container is inserted into a coking oven along with additional, conventional coal during a conventional coking operation. Following the completion or substantial completion of the coking operation, the test container is recovered and from the conventional converted coke and the sample(s) of coke are removed from the container for testing and evaluation. The container is recharged with one or more additional samples of coke and reused in another conventional coking operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Jacob P. Sarpen, John F. Quanci, Mark A. Ball, Paul J. Norton, Roy J. Griffey, Jose Eustaquio DaSilva
  • Patent number: 8152970
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for quenching metallurgical coke made in a coking oven. The method includes pushing a unitary slab of hot coke onto a substantially planar receiving surface of a hot car. The hot car containing the coke is then transported to a quench car station. The unitary slab of hot coke is pushed onto a substantially planar receiving surface of a quench car at the quench car station. Quenching of the slab of hot coke is conducted in the quench car with a predetermine amount of water. After quenching, the quenched coke is dumped onto a receiving pad for collection thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: SunCoke Technology and Development LLC
    Inventors: Michael P. Barkdoll, Donald M. Watkins, Richard C. Retort, Richard W. Westbrook, Jerome A. Karnowski, Mark A. Ball
  • Patent number: 7497930
    Abstract: Relatively high speed methods for increasing the bulk density of coal particles, apparatus for increasing the bulk density of coal particles and methods for making metallurgical coke. Once such method includes depositing coal particles onto a charging plate external to a coking oven to provide an elongate bed of dry, uncompacted coal having an upper surface of the charging plate. The charging plate has side walls, and at least one movable end wall An impact pressure is applied to the upper surface of the bed of dry, uncompacted coal while degassing the coal to provide a dry, compacted coal bed having a bulk density ranging from about 960 to about 1200 kilograms per cubic meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: SunCoke Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Barkdoll, Mark A. Ball, Daniel Korrect, Richard C. Retort
  • Patent number: 7331298
    Abstract: An oven door latch system for a coke oven door positionable within an oven door opening and method of sealing a coke oven. The door latch system includes a rotary member rotatively attachable to the oven door. The rotary member has a wedge-shaped, arcuate engagement edge for variably engaging a striker plate on a buck stay member adjacent the oven door opening when the oven door is disposed in the opening of the oven. A tab member is also included on the rotary member. A remotely operated adjustment actuator is provided for engaging the tab member to rotate the rotary member in conjunction with an oven door opening or closing operation. Enhanced oven door sealing is provided by the rotary wedge latch system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: SunCoke Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Barkdoll, Mark A. Ball, Richard E. Taylor, Terry D. Taylor, Dexter J. Mounts, Ronnie E. Stacy, John W. Crigger, Darrell E. Horn, William H. Stacy
  • Publication number: 20070289861
    Abstract: Relatively high speed methods for increasing the bulk density of coal particles, apparatus for increasing the bulk density of coal particles and methods for making metallurgical coke. Once such method includes depositing coal particles onto a charging plate external to a coking oven to provide an elongate bed of dry, uncompacted coal having an upper surface of the charging plate. The charging plate has side walls, and at least one movable end wall An impact pressure is applied to the upper surface of the bed of dry, uncompacted coal while degassing the coal to provide a dry, compacted coal bed having a bulk density ranging from about 960 to about 1200 kilograms per cubic meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Michael P. Barkdoll, Mark A. Ball, Daniel Korrect, Richard C. Retort, Donald M. Watkins