Patents by Inventor Merlin Thomas COLLINS, JR.

Merlin Thomas COLLINS, JR. 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: 11542443
    Abstract: A desalter/dehydrator system that comprises a pressure vessel, and first and second distribution headers disposed within the pressure vessel. The first distribution header is configured to inject an oil/water emulsion at a location within an electric field generated within the pressure vessel. The second distribution header is configured to inject the oil/water emulsion at a location below an electric field generated within the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventors: Merlin Thomas Collins, Jr., James Eugene Batchelor, Jonathan Carter Boul
  • Publication number: 20210222072
    Abstract: A desalter/dehydrator system that comprises a pressure vessel, and first and second distribution headers disposed within the pressure vessel. The first distribution header is configured to inject an oil/water emulsion at a location within an electric field generated within the pressure vessel. The second distribution header is configured to inject the oil/water emulsion at a location below an electric field generated within the pressure vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Merlin Thomas COLLINS, JR., James Eugene BATCHELOR, Jonathan Carter BOUL
  • Patent number: 10968401
    Abstract: A desalter/dehydrator system that comprises a pressure vessel, and first and second distribution headers disposed within the pressure vessel. The first distribution header is configured to inject an oil/water emulsion at a location within an electric field generated within the pressure vessel. The second distribution header is configured to inject the oil/water emulsion at a location below an electric field generated within the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: FORUM US, INC.
    Inventors: Merlin Thomas Collins, Jr., James Eugene Batchelor, Jonathan Carter Boul
  • Patent number: 10828610
    Abstract: A mixing assembly comprises a tubular member and a spherical body disposed within a portion of the tubular member. The spherical body has a central volume, and a wall defined by an outside diameter and an inside diameter. The spherical body includes an inlet side and an outlet side, and a plurality of channels formed in each of inlet side and outlet side. The channels are oriented toward a center of the central volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: FORUM US, INC.
    Inventors: Yi Liu, Gregory N. Gilbert, Jonathan Carter Boul, Merlin Thomas Collins, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190134576
    Abstract: A mixing assembly comprises a tubular member and a spherical body disposed within a portion of the tubular member. The spherical body has a central volume, and a wall defined by an outside diameter and an inside diameter. The spherical body includes an inlet side and an outlet side, and a plurality of channels formed in each of inlet side and outlet side. The channels are oriented toward a center of the central volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Yi LIU, Gregory N. GILBERT, Jonathan Carter BOUL, Merlin Thomas COLLINS, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160060546
    Abstract: A desalter/dehydrator system that comprises a pressure vessel, and first and second distribution headers disposed within the pressure vessel. The first distribution header is configured to inject an oil/water emulsion at a location within an electric field generated within the pressure vessel. The second distribution header is configured to inject the oil/water emulsion at a location below an electric field generated within the pressure vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Merlin Thomas COLLINS, JR., James Eugene BATCHELOR, Jonathan Carter BOUL
  • Publication number: 20150290559
    Abstract: A desalter system is configured to separate water from an oil/water mixture and maintain an oil/water interface within the system at acceptable levels. In one embodiment, the desalter system includes a pressure vessel, a plurality of electrodes disposed in the pressure vessel, and a control unit. The control unit is in communication with the plurality of electrodes, and may be configured to initiate electrical agitation and mechanical agitation to the oil/water mixture inside the pressure vessel in response to detecting an increased load in the plurality of electrodes due to the level of the oil/water interface within the pressure vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Merlin Thomas COLLINS, JR., James Eugene BATCHELOR, Jonathan Carter BOUL