Patents by Inventor Mark W. Pilling
Mark W. Pilling 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: 10737196Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray apparatus includes a tray having a plurality of apertures for passage of fluid through the tray. The apertures are arranged in a first group of three adjacent rows extending substantially parallel to a main liquid flow path of the tray. Apertures of the middle row are offset along the main liquid flow path on the tray from adjacent apertures of the other two rows to form a triangular pattern of adjacent apertures across the three adjacent rows. The apertures have a length and a width, each length is oriented substantially parallel to its row and each width is oriented substantially perpendicular to its row. Centers of adjacent apertures within each row are separated by a first spacing which is equal to or between 2.5 and 4.5 times the average length of the apertures in that row. Adjacent rows are separated by a second spacing which is equal to or between 1.5 and 2.5 times the average width of the apertures of the adjacent rows.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2015Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AGInventors: Mark W. Pilling, Sven Glüer, Peter Wilkinson, Ryan E. Anderson
-
Patent number: 10596483Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray apparatus includes a tray having a plurality of apertures for passage of fluid through the tray. The apertures are arranged in a first group of three adjacent rows extending substantially parallel to a main liquid flow path of the tray. Apertures of the middle row are offset along the main liquid flow path on the tray from adjacent apertures of the other two rows to form a triangular pattern of adjacent apertures across the three adjacent rows. The apertures have a length and a width, each length is oriented substantially parallel to its row and each width is oriented substantially perpendicular to its row. Centers of adjacent apertures within each row are separated by a first spacing which is equal to or between 2.5 and 4.5 times the average length of the apertures in that row. Adjacent rows are separated by a second spacing which is equal to or between 1.5 and 2.5 times the average width of the apertures of the adjacent rows.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AGInventors: Mark W. Pilling, Sven Glüer, Peter Wilkinson, Ryan E. Anderson
-
Publication number: 20190255457Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray apparatus includes a tray having a plurality of apertures for passage of fluid through the tray. The apertures are arranged in a first group of three adjacent rows extending substantially parallel to a main liquid flow path of the tray. Apertures of the middle row are offset along the main liquid flow path on the tray from adjacent apertures of the other two rows to form a triangular pattern of adjacent apertures across the three adjacent rows. The apertures have a length and a width, each length is oriented substantially parallel to its row and each width is oriented substantially perpendicular to its row. Centers of adjacent apertures within each row are separated by a first spacing which is equal to or between 2.5 and 4.5 times the average length of the apertures in that row. Adjacent rows are separated by a second spacing which is equal to or between 1.5 and 2.5 times the average width of the apertures of the adjacent rows.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Applicant: Sulzer Chemtech AGInventors: Mark W. Pilling, Sven Glüer, Peter Wilkinson, Ryan E. Anderson
-
Publication number: 20180008904Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray apparatus includes a tray having a plurality of apertures for passage of fluid through the tray. The apertures are arranged in a first group of three adjacent rows extending substantially parallel to a main liquid flow path of the tray. Apertures of the middle row are offset along the main liquid flow path on the tray from adjacent apertures of the other two rows to form a triangular pattern of adjacent apertures across the three adjacent rows. The apertures have a length and a width, each length is oriented substantially parallel to its row and each width is oriented substantially perpendicular to its row. Centers of adjacent apertures within each row are separated by a first spacing which is equal to or between 2.5 and 4.5 times the average length of the apertures in that row. Adjacent rows are separated by a second spacing which is equal to or between 1.5 and 2.5 times the average width of the apertures of the adjacent rows.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2015Publication date: January 11, 2018Applicant: Sulzer Chemtech AGInventors: Mark W. Pilling, Sven Glüer, Peter Wilkinson, Ryan E. Anderson
-
Patent number: 9199206Abstract: The valve cover has a guide vane extending laterally and downwardly from the central portion towards and in spaced relation to the tray deck for deflecting a majority of the vapor passing upwardly through an orifice downward towards the tray deck. A de-entrainment device with a downwardly angled deflector in vertical alignment with an orifice in the tray deck may be integrated or not with the valve cover below the tray deck.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2011Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: SULZER CHEMTECH AGInventors: Mark W. Pilling, Stefan Tobias Hirsch, Markus Friedrich Fischer
-
Patent number: 8944419Abstract: The valve cover has a guide vane extending laterally and downwardly from the central portion towards and in spaced relation to the tray deck for deflecting a majority of the vapor passing upwardly through an orifice downward towards the tray deck. A de-entrainment device with a downwardly angled deflector in vertical alignment with an orifice in the tray deck may be integrated or not with the valve cover below the tray deck.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2011Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AGInventors: Mark W. Pilling, Stefan Tobias Hirsch, Markus Friedrich Fischer
-
Patent number: 8720870Abstract: The valve cover has a guide vane extending laterally and downwardly from the central portion towards and in spaced relation to the tray deck for deflecting a majority of the vapor passing upwardly through an orifice downward towards the tray deck. A de-entrainment device with a downwardly angled deflector in vertical alignment with an orifice in the tray deck may be integrated or not with the valve cover below the tray deck.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AGInventors: Mark W. Pilling, Stefan Tobias Hirsch, Markus Friedrich Fischer
-
Publication number: 20130062793Abstract: The valve cover has a guide vane extending laterally and downwardly from the central portion towards and in spaced relation to the tray deck for deflecting a majority of the vapor passing upwardly through an orifice downward towards the tray deck. A de-entrainment device with a downwardly angled deflector in vertical alignment with an orifice in the tray deck may be integrated or not with the valve cover below the tray deck.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2011Publication date: March 14, 2013Inventors: Mark W. Pilling, Stefan Tobias Hirsch, Markus Friedrich Fischer
-
Patent number: 8066264Abstract: The valve cover has a pair of tabs at the ends that are inserted into end sections of an orifice in the tray deck. The tabs of the valve cover abut against the underside of the tray deck while a pair of sloped portions of the valve cover rest on the top side of the tray deck in order to hold the valve cover in place.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2007Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AGInventors: Bartele Griepsma, Mark W. Pilling, Raymond Plüss, Daniel Summers
-
Publication number: 20110278745Abstract: The valve cover has a guide vane extending laterally and downwardly from the central portion towards and in spaced relation to the tray deck for deflecting a majority of the vapor passing upwardly through an orifice downward towards the tray deck. A de-entrainment device with a downwardly angled deflector in vertical alignment with an orifice in the tray deck may be integrated or not with the valve cover below the tray deck.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Inventors: Mark W. Pilling, Stefan Tobias Hirsch, Markus Friedrich Fischer
-
Publication number: 20110278744Abstract: The valve cover has a guide vane extending laterally and downwardly from the central portion towards and in spaced relation to the tray deck for deflecting a majority of the vapor passing upwardly through an orifice downward towards the tray deck. A de-entrainment device with a downwardly angled deflector in vertical alignment with an orifice in the tray deck may be integrated or not with the valve cover below the tray deck.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2010Publication date: November 17, 2011Inventors: Mark W. Pilling, Stefan Tobias Hirsch, Markus Friedrich Fischer
-
Patent number: 7770873Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray apparatus having a tray with a fluid infeed section and a fluid travel section together with downcomer which is in fluid communication with the fluid travel section of the tray. A redirecting baffle is positioned at an inlet opening of the downcomer and push valves are provided in the fluid travel section of the tray. The push valves are preferably arranged in one or more zones of high concentration of push valves relative to one or more bubbling aperture zones with a lower concentration of push valves or no push valves. The redirecting baffle is provided in the downcomer and extends above the tray to capture fluid flowing horizontally off of the tray (e.g., exiting from a weirless or weir interface) and into a preferably concave upper portion of the redirecting baffle for controlling and redirecting the high momentum flow into and through the downcomer.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2004Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AGInventors: Mark W. Pilling, Markus Fischer, Giuseppe Mosca, Elena Tacchini
-
Patent number: 7708258Abstract: The tray has an infusion field of infusion tab valves adjacent the inlet to dissipate the momentum of the liquid flowing across said infusion field. Each valve includes a vertically upstanding wall of a height to obstruct the flow of liquid and the valves are disposed in a staggered array. An adjacent bubbling area has openings for the passage of an ascending flow of vapor into contact with the liquid/vapor mixture flowing across the area. Each infusion tab valve may also have a push valve incorporated therein.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AGInventors: Mark W. Pilling, Markus Fischer, Dale Edward Nutter
-
Patent number: 7540476Abstract: The valve for a contract tray employs an aperture in a deck that is of rectangular or trapezoidal shape with upstanding walls at the sides of the aperture. The valve body is disposed in the aperture with a cover above the aperture and legs that extend downwardly to interfit with at least the upstream end of the walls to block the liquid flow. The valve body may be fixed or movable. In the movable embodiment, the valve body is seated on the walls about the aperture to close the aperture. The ascending vapor lifts the valve to allow bubbling of the vapor in the liquid on the deck.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2006Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AGInventors: Mark W. Pilling, Dale Edward Nutter
-
Publication number: 20090134533Abstract: The valve cover has a pair of tabs at the ends that are inserted into end sections of an orifice in the tray deck. The tabs of the valve cover abut against the underside of the tray deck while a pair of sloped portions of the valve cover rest on the top side of the tray deck in order to hold the valve cover in place.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2007Publication date: May 28, 2009Inventors: Bartele Griepsma, Mark W. Pilling, Raymond Pluss, Daniel Summers
-
Publication number: 20080150172Abstract: The tray has an infusion field of infusion tab valves adjacent the inlet to dissipate the momentum of the liquid flowing across said infusion field. Each valve includes a vertically upstanding wall of a height to obstruct the flow of liquid and the valves are disposed in a staggered array. An adjacent bubbling area has openings for the passage of an ascending flow of vapor into contact with the liquid/vapor mixture flowing across the area. Each infusion tab valve may also have a push valve incorporated therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2006Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Mark W. Pilling, Markus Fischer, Dale Edward Nutter
-
Publication number: 20080018003Abstract: The valve for a contract tray employs an aperture in a deck that is of rectangular or trapezoidal shape with upstanding walls at the sides of the aperture. The valve body is disposed in the aperture with a cover above the aperture and legs that extend downwardly to interfit with at least the upstream end of the walls to block the liquid flow. The valve body may be fixed or movable. In the movable embodiment, the valve body is seated on the walls about the aperture to close the aperture. The ascending vapor lifts the valve to allow bubbling of the vapor in the liquid on the deck.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2006Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventors: Mark W. Pilling, Dale Edward Nutter
-
Patent number: 6575438Abstract: A stepped downcomer with intermediate step platform and a step wall extending down. Extensions extend out from step wall ends toward the tower wall. A main panel extends from the interior edge of the platform up to the above positioned tray. The liquid-vapor mix flows into contact with the step platform and travels off the platform. The liquid also flows down along the extensions into contact with the inlet region of the lower tray, by-passing the platform. The lower edge of the step wall and lower edge of the extensions control fluid flow traveling under the lower edging from the inlet side of the downcomer apparatus to the active area of the tray. The relative level of the edges can be varied to suit use. The flow control region can additionally include baffles, slots, doors and other flow control devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech USA, Inc.Inventors: Dale E. Nutter, Mark W. Pilling, Christina J. Campbell
-
Publication number: 20020190403Abstract: A stepped downcomer apparatus for use in a vapor-liquid contact apparatus having an intermediate level step platform with a preferred tri-edge peripheral edge and corresponding step panels extending down from that edge to form a sealing step panel wall. As a preferred support device, extensions extend in chordal fashion out from the interior vertical edge of the opposite side step wall panels and either directly or indirectly by way of support bars into a supporting relationship with a tower of the vapor-liquid contact apparatus. A main panel extends up from the interior edge of the platform and up to the above positioned tray. A weir may extend above the above positioned tray that is an extension of the main panel. This main panel is attached to the support bars and supports the step platform and walls and extensions either alone or with added support members. A tray support ledge extends inwardly from the downcomer to provide support to the upper tray.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2001Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventors: Dale E. Nutter, Mark W. Pilling, Christina J. Campbell
-
Patent number: 6250611Abstract: Vapor-liquid contact apparatus for chemical processing includes a vessel containing a plurality of spaced horizontal trays which support a vapor-liquid mixture, and downcomers which carry liquid down from one tray to another. Each tray has an infeed area, a bubbling area which has apertures for introducing vapor into the vapor-liquid mixture on the tray, and a liquid exit opening at the downstream end of the bubbling area. The downcomer receives the vapor-liquid mixture from the bubbling area, and it has a floor which increases the residence time of the vapor-liquid mixture in the downcomer. The floor forms an outlet which feeds liquid to the infeed area of a subsequent tray. The downcomer outlet is an elongated slot formed between a convex outer edge of the floor and a convex outer edge of the downcomer cross-section.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech USA, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Pilling, Dale E. Nutter