Patents by Inventor Michael B. Knowles

Michael B. Knowles 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: 7799177
    Abstract: A deheader valve is fitted onto an existing or new coke drum by initially positioning the body and valve, and then raising the valve to mate with the flange using a lifting device other than a chain fall. The vertical positioning of the deheader valve is preferably accomplished with a hydraulic or pneumatic piston, winch, scissor jack, ratchet jack, screw jack, and so forth. The distance traveled by the valve using these devices is more than 2 cm, commonly at least 20 cm, and in some installations up to 40 cm or more. In retrofit situations an oil inlet is provided in a side wall of the drum above the bottom drum flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Oder, Leslie P. Antalffy, Samuel A. Martin, Kenneth D. Kirkpatrick, Michael B. Knowles, George T. West
  • Patent number: 7189310
    Abstract: Improved coke chute systems (100) include a lock (130) that receives and automatically secures a coke-receiving conduit (110) to a coke vessel after the lock (130) is switched to a closed position. Contemplated systems may further be combined with a horizontally movable coke chute cover, or a cover that is moved by an actuator (114) that lifts and rotates the cover from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Leslie P. Antalffy, Samuel A. Martin, John W. Oder, Michael B. Knowles, George T. West
  • Patent number: 7169266
    Abstract: A coke drum head is hinged to a coke drum body using a compound joint such as a trammel pivot, and the head is moved between open and closed positions using an actuator. In moving between open and closed positions, the head traces out a non-circular path which reduces the required headroom relative to a head using a standard pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Leslie P. Antalffy, Glenda T. Ruiz, legal representative, Gerald Bryant, Michael B. Knowles, David W. Malek, Samuel A. Martin, Robert Benoit, deceased
  • Patent number: 7108768
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a movable lock ring and a lock arm that prevents inadvertent movement of the lock ring. Contemplated configurations are especially useful in delayed coking vessels to prevent opening of the vessel while the vessel is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Oder, Leslie P. Antalffy, Michael B. Knowles, Samuel A. Martin, George T. West
  • Patent number: 6926013
    Abstract: A high-pressure device has a drill stem (242) with a drill head (244) delivering a high-pressure fluid jet. A shield (246) is movably coupled to the device, wherein the drill head (244) is at least partially enclosed by the shield (246) when the drill head (244) is removed from the container (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Fluor Technolgies Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel A. Martin, Leslie P. Antalffy, Bruce A. Kerr, Michael B. Knowles, John W. Oder, George T. West
  • Publication number: 20040238342
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a movable lock ring and a lock arm that prevents inadvertent movement of the lock ring. Contemplated configurations are especially useful in delayed coking vessels to prevent opening of the vessel while the vessel is in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: John W. Oder, Leslie P. Antalffy, Michael B. Knowles, Samuel A. Martin, George T. West
  • Publication number: 20030213507
    Abstract: A high-pressure device has a drill stem (242) with a drill head (244) delivering a high-pressure fluid jet. A shield (246) is movably coupled to the device, wherein the drill head (244) is at least partially enclosed by the shield (246) when the drill head (244) is removed from the container (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Samuel A Martin, Leslie P Antalffy, Bruce A Kerr, Michael B Knowles, John W Oder, George T West
  • Publication number: 20030183500
    Abstract: Improved coke chute systems (100) include a lock (130) that receives and automatically secures a coke-receiving conduit (110) to a coke vessel after the lock (130) is switched to a closed position. Contemplated systems may further be combined with a horizontally movable coke chute cover, or a cover that is moved by an actuator (114) that lifts and rotates the cover from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Leslie P Antalffy, Samuel A Martin, John W Oder, Michael B Knowles, George T West
  • Publication number: 20020023829
    Abstract: A coke drum head is hinged to a coke drum body using a compound joint such as a trammel pivot, and the head is moved between open and closed positions using an actuator. In moving between open and closed positions, the head traces out a non-circular path which reduces the required headroom relative to a head using a standard pivot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Applicant: Fluor Corporation
    Inventors: Leslie Peter Antalffy, Robert Benoit, Gerald Bryant, Michael B. Knowles, David W. Malek, Samuel A. Martin
  • Patent number: 6264829
    Abstract: A coke drum head is hinged to a coke drum body using a compound joint such as a trammel pivot, and the head is moved between open and closed positions using an actuator. In moving between open and closed positions, the head traces out a non-circular path which reduces the required headroom relative to a head using a standard pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Fluor Corporation
    Inventors: Leslie Peter Antalffy, Robert Benoit, Gerald Bryant, Michael B. Knowles, David W. Malek, Samuel Allen Martin
  • Patent number: 6113745
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which decrease the risk and spillage associated with discharging coke from a coking vessel. The risk to workers is decreased by eliminating the need for workers to be near the coking vessel while the head is being removed. The spillage is decreased by modifying the effective diameter of the coke chute inlet in a manner which allows it to catch any materials discharged from the coking vessel both during and after the opening of the bottom head. The process can enhance drum draining and further eliminate the need for process piping to facilitate the draining of water from the coking vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Fluor Corporation
    Inventors: Charles F. Maitland, Bruce Kerr, Samuel A. Martin, Michael B. Knowles, Leslie P. Antalffy
  • Patent number: 5846034
    Abstract: In a petroleum coking drum, a drill stem guide latches internally to a structure adjacent the drum opening, rather than externally to a flange about the drum opening. In preferred embodiments, the latching mechanism is spring loaded, and operated automatically as a function of raising and lowering the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Fluor Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel A. Martin, Leslie P. Antalffy, Michael B. Knowles, William R. Sines
  • Patent number: 5785843
    Abstract: A coke drum head is hinged to a coke drum body using a compound joint such as a trammel pivot, and the head is moved between open and closed positions using an actuator. In moving between open and closed positions, the head traces out a non-circular path which reduces the required headroom relative to a head using a standard pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Fluor Daniel, Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie Peter Antalffy, Robert Benoit, Gerald Bryant, Michael B. Knowles, David W. Malek, Samuel Allen Martin
  • Patent number: 5628603
    Abstract: The inlet of a coke chute is pushed upwards by a plurality of actuators until it encompasses the bottom outlet of a coking vessel. The inlet is preferably surrounded by a skirt which tapers inwardly from top to bottom, and the entire chute is preferably retractable below the level of the floor underneath the coking vessel. A plurality of locks can be used to secure the skirt to the lower portion of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Fluor Corporation
    Inventors: Leslie P. Antalffy, Robert Benoit, Michael B. Knowles, David W. Malek, Samuel A. Martin