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: 7799177Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 17, 2004Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Fluor Technologies CorporationInventors: John W. Oder, Leslie P. Antalffy, Samuel A. Martin, Kenneth D. Kirkpatrick, Michael B. Knowles, George T. West
-
Patent number: 7189310Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 8, 2001Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Fluor Technologies CorporationInventors: Leslie P. Antalffy, Samuel A. Martin, John W. Oder, Michael B. Knowles, George T. West
-
Patent number: 7169266Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 1, 2001Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Fluor Technologies CorporationInventors: Leslie P. Antalffy, Glenda T. Ruiz, legal representative, Gerald Bryant, Michael B. Knowles, David W. Malek, Samuel A. Martin, Robert Benoit, deceased
-
Patent number: 7108768Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 11, 2002Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Fluor Technologies CorporationInventors: John W. Oder, Leslie P. Antalffy, Michael B. Knowles, Samuel A. Martin, George T. West
-
Patent number: 6926013Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 27, 2001Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Fluor Technolgies CorporationInventors: Samuel A. Martin, Leslie P. Antalffy, Bruce A. Kerr, Michael B. Knowles, John W. Oder, George T. West
-
Publication number: 20040238342Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventors: John W. Oder, Leslie P. Antalffy, Michael B. Knowles, Samuel A. Martin, George T. West
-
Publication number: 20030213507Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventors: Samuel A Martin, Leslie P Antalffy, Bruce A Kerr, Michael B Knowles, John W Oder, George T West
-
Publication number: 20030183500Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2003Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventors: Leslie P Antalffy, Samuel A Martin, John W Oder, Michael B Knowles, George T West
-
Publication number: 20020023829Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2001Publication date: February 28, 2002Applicant: Fluor CorporationInventors: Leslie Peter Antalffy, Robert Benoit, Gerald Bryant, Michael B. Knowles, David W. Malek, Samuel A. Martin
-
Patent number: 6264829Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 1994Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Fluor CorporationInventors: Leslie Peter Antalffy, Robert Benoit, Gerald Bryant, Michael B. Knowles, David W. Malek, Samuel Allen Martin
-
Patent number: 6113745Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 18, 1998Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Fluor CorporationInventors: Charles F. Maitland, Bruce Kerr, Samuel A. Martin, Michael B. Knowles, Leslie P. Antalffy
-
Patent number: 5846034Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 26, 1996Date of Patent: December 8, 1998Assignee: Fluor CorporationInventors: Samuel A. Martin, Leslie P. Antalffy, Michael B. Knowles, William R. Sines
-
Patent number: 5785843Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 28, 1996Date of Patent: July 28, 1998Assignee: Fluor Daniel, Inc.Inventors: Leslie Peter Antalffy, Robert Benoit, Gerald Bryant, Michael B. Knowles, David W. Malek, Samuel Allen Martin
-
Patent number: 5628603Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 1994Date of Patent: May 13, 1997Assignee: Fluor CorporationInventors: Leslie P. Antalffy, Robert Benoit, Michael B. Knowles, David W. Malek, Samuel A. Martin