Patents by Inventor Michael C. Croudace

Michael C. Croudace 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: 6030521
    Abstract: By controlling one or more properties of a gasoline fuel suitable for combustion in automobiles, the emissions of NOx, CO and/or hydrocarbons can be reduced. The preferred fuel for reducing all three such emissions has a Reid Vapor Pressure no greater than 7.5 psi (0.51 atm), essentially zero olefins, and a 50% D-86 Distillation Point greater than about 180.degree. F. (82.degree. C.) but less than 205.degree. F. (96.1.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Peter J. Jessup, Michael C. Croudace
  • Patent number: 5837126
    Abstract: By controlling one or more properties of a gasoline fuel suitable for combustion in automobiles, the emissions of NOx, CO and/or hydrocarbons can be reduced. The preferred fuel for reducing all three such emissions has a Reid Vapor Pressure no greater than 7.5 psi (0.51 atm), essentially zero olefins, and a 50% D-86 Distillation Point greater than about 180.degree. F. (82.degree. C.) but less than 205.degree. F. (96.1.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Peter J. Jessup, Michael C. Croudace
  • Patent number: 5653866
    Abstract: By controlling one or more properties of a gasoline fuel suitable for combustion in automobiles, the emissions of NOx, CO and/or hydrocarbons can be reduced. The preferred fuel for reducing all three such emissions has a Reid Vapor Pressure no greater than 7.5 psi (0.51 atm), essentially zero olefins, and a 50% D-86 Distillation Point greater than about 180.degree. F. (82.degree. C.) but less than 205.degree. F. (96.1.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Peter J. Jessup, Michael C. Croudace
  • Patent number: 5593567
    Abstract: By controlling one or more properties of a gasoline fuel suitable for combustion in automobiles, the emissions of NOx, CO and/or hydrocarbons can be reduced. The preferred fuel for reducing all three such emissions has a Reid Vapor Pressure no greater than 7.5 psi (0.51 atm), essentially zero olefins, and a 50% D-86 Distillation Point greater than about 180.degree. F. (82.degree. C.) but less than 205.degree. F. (96.1.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Inventors: Peter J. Jessup, Michael C. Croudace
  • Patent number: 5288393
    Abstract: By controlling one or more properties of a gasoline fuel suitable for combustion in automobiles, the emissions of NOx, CO and/or hydrocarbons can be reduced. The preferred fuel for reducing all three such emissions has a Reid Vapor Pressure no greater than 7.5 psi (0.51 atm), essentially zero olefins, and a 50% D-86 Distillation Point greater than about 180.degree. F. (82.degree. C.) but less than 205.degree. F. (96.1.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Peter J. Jessup, Michael C. Croudace
  • Patent number: 5032144
    Abstract: The octane value of fuels such as gasoline is increased by adding thereto an organic compound containing a tert-butyl group bonded to a carbon or nitrogen atom, which, in turn, is bonded to yet another atom by double or triple bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Peter J. Jessup, Stephen G. Brass, Michael C. Croudace
  • Patent number: 4990273
    Abstract: An extreme pressure, anti-wear additive for lubricating compositions which is the reaction product of a 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole, an aldehyde and a primary or secondary, aliphatic or alicyclic amine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Michael C. Croudace
  • Patent number: 4844717
    Abstract: The octane requirement increase phenomenon in a spark ignition internal combustion engine is controlled by introducing with the combustion charge a fuel composition containing an octane requirement increase-inhibiting amount of a combination of compounds, the combination comprising a first compound being (1) a gasoline soluble amide and (2) a second compound being a gasoline soluble ketone. Usually the first and second compounds are each added to the fuel in an amount between about 0.001 and 3 weight percent of the fuel. In particular, the combination of N,N-dibutyl formamide and either benzophenone or methylcyclohexanone provides an effective octane requirement increase-inhibiting additive for unleaded gasoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Michael C. Croudace, Timothy Wusz, Stephen Brass
  • Patent number: 4801729
    Abstract: A boron-containing heterocyclic compound prepared by reacting a primary amine or ammonia with an alkylene oxide or epoxide and then reacting concurrently or subsequently this reaction intermediate with a boric acid. This boron-containing heterocyclic compound may further be reacted with a metal, metalloid or other metal compound and even further contain sulfur, such as a sulfide group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Richard A. Holstedt, Michael C. Croudace
  • Patent number: 4781728
    Abstract: The octane value of fuels such as gasoline is increased by adding thereto an organic compound containing a tert-butyl group or a radical containing a trimethyl silyl group bonded to a carbon or nitrogen atom, which, in turn, is bonded to yet another atom by double or triple bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Peter J. Jessup, Stephen G. Brass, Michael C. Croudace
  • Patent number: 4773916
    Abstract: The octane requirement increase phenomenon in a spark ignition internal combustion engine is controlled by introducing with the combustion charge a fuel composition containing an octane requirement increase-inhibiting amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of fused aromatics having at least 2, preferably between 3 and 5, aromatic rings with no heteroatoms substituted in the rings. The polynuclear aromatics can be either unsubstituted or substituted with groups other than an alkyl group. Usually the polynuclear aromatic is added to the fuel in an amount between about 0.1 and 5.0 weight percent of the fuel. In particular, anthracene and phenanthrene, and their non-alkyl derivatives, provide effective octane requirement increase-inhibiting additives for unleaded gasoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Michael C. Croudace, Timothy Wusz, Stephen G. Brass
  • Patent number: 4764298
    Abstract: An extreme pressure anti-wear additive soluble in lubricating oils is provided wherein the additive comprises the reaction product of a 2-mercaptobenzothiazole with (1) an aldehyde or ketone, preferably having between 1 and 10 carbon atoms, and (2) ammonia or an amine, preferably an amine containing between 8 and 40 carbon atoms. The reaction product formed is an ashless, metals-free, extreme pressure agent soluble in lubricating oils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Michael C. Croudace
  • Patent number: 4743273
    Abstract: The octane requirement increase phenomenon in a spark ignition internal combustion engine is controlled by introducing with the combustion charge a fuel composition containing an octane requirement increase-inhibiting amount of a combination of compounds, the combination comprising (1) a gasoline soluble amide and (2) a gasoline soluble ketone. Usually the two compounds are each added to the fuel in a concentration between about 0.001 and 3 weight percent of the fuel. In particular, the combination of N,N-dibutyl formamide and either benzophenone or methylcyclohexanone provides an effective octane requirement increase-inhibiting additive for unleaded gasoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Michael C. Croudace, Timothy Wusz, Stephen Brass
  • Patent number: 4723964
    Abstract: Liquid hydrocarbon fuels having an enhanced cetane number include at least one azo compound having the formula:R.sub.1 N.dbd.NR.sub.2wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different organo groups, each containing 1 to about 10 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Peter J. Jessup, Diane M. Dillon, Stephen G. Brass, Michael C. Croudace
  • Patent number: 4724099
    Abstract: A boron-containing heterocyclic compound prepared by reacting a primary amine or ammonia with an alkylene oxide or epoxide and then reacting concurrently or subsequently this reaction intermediate with a boric acid. This boron-containing heterocyclic compound may further be reacted with a metal, metaloid or other metal compound and even further contain sulfur, such as a sulfide group.The boron-containing heterocyclic compound provides extreme pressure anti-wear properties when provided in a lubricating composition. The lubricating composition may also comprise anti-oxidants, copper corrosion inhibitors, and lead corrosion inhibitors. The anti-wear properties of a lubricating composition can be enhanced using the borates of the present invention in conjunction with a copper compound.The boron-containing heterocyclic compound may be used in automatic transmission fluids alone, further reacted with an ester of a polyhydric alcohol or mixed with said ester.Automatic transmission fluid compositions are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Richard A. Holstedt, Michael C. Croudace
  • Patent number: 4720288
    Abstract: Amine salts of orthophosphoric acid or its ester, when dissolved in unleaded gasoline in an effective amount, reduce the erosion of non-hardened exhaust valve seats in automotive engines operating on said gasoline. The preferred salts are the amine salts of branched chain primary alkyl acid esters of orthophosphoric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Michael C. Croudace, Ward W. Howland
  • Patent number: 4701274
    Abstract: A lubricating composition having extreme pressure anti-wear properties comprises a lubricating oil and a trisubstituted-borate prepared by sulfurizing the reaction product of a boron compound, a phenol compound, and either a mono-functional compound or dihydroxy functional compound free of nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Michael C. Croudace, Leah T. Mendelson, Richard A. Holstedt
  • Patent number: 4699629
    Abstract: The octane requirement increase phenomenon in a spark ignition internal combustion engine is controlled by introducing with the combustion charge a fuel composition containing an octane requirement increase-inhibiting amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of fused aromatics having at least 2, preferably between 3 and 5, aromatic rings with no heteroatoms substituted in the rings. Usually the polynuclear aromatic is added to the fuel in an amount between about 0.1 and 5.0 weight percent on the fuel. In particular, anthracene and phenanthrene, provide effective octane requirement increase-inhibiting additives for unleaded gasoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Michael C. Croudace, Timothy Wusz, Stephen G. Brass
  • Patent number: 4655949
    Abstract: This invention provides novel lubricating oil compositions comprising an organometallic additive, including a metal selected from Groups I, Ib, and VIII of the Periodic System of Elements, e.g. Na, K, Cu, Co, Ni or Fe, chelated with the reaction product of formaldehyde, an amino acid and a phenol, dissolved in a lubricating oil. Depending on the choice of the metal, the above organometallic additive imparts rust inhibition, sludge dispersant, wear reduction and anti-oxidant properties to said lubricating oil compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: James F. Landry, Michael C. Croudace, Harry P. On, Jr., Sidney Y. Shen
  • Patent number: 4647292
    Abstract: A fuel composition containing an acid anhydride as an anti-knock additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Jessup, Stephen G. Brass, Michael C. Croudace