Patents by Inventor Michael J. Binkley

Michael J. Binkley 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: 12059640
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a valve tray for use in a chemical process column. The valve tray includes a plurality of apertures formed therein. A plurality of valves are maintained in a spaced relationship relative to individual apertures of the plurality of apertures. An area of the individual apertures is less than an area of individual valves of the plurality of valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: SULZER MANAGEMENT AG
    Inventors: Phillip Bradley Fleming, Larry W. Burton, Michael J. Binkley
  • Patent number: 11958001
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a valve tray for use in a chemical process column. The valve tray includes a plurality of apertures formed therein. A plurality of valves are maintained in a spaced relationship relative to individual apertures of the plurality of apertures. An area of the individual apertures is less than an area of individual valves of the plurality of valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SULZER MANAGEMENT AG
    Inventors: Phillip Bradley Fleming, Larry W. Burton, Michael J. Binkley
  • Patent number: 10576450
    Abstract: A structured packing sheet includes a top interface region, a first turning region, a central region, a second turning region, and a bottom interface region. The central region includes a plurality of corrugations extending thereacross in a linear fashion and arranged generally parallel to each other. The plurality of corrugations are arranged at a first angle with respect to a vertical axis. The top interface region and the bottom interface region include the plurality of corrugations extending thereacross in a linear fashion. The plurality of corrugations are arranged at a second angle with respect to the vertical axis. The second angle is smaller than the first angle. The first turning region and the second turning region include the plurality of corrugations extending thereacross. The plurality of corrugations have a plurality of breaks in the first turning region and the second turning region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: GTC Technology US LLC
    Inventors: Phillip Bradley Fleming, Casey F. Bowles, Michael J. Binkley
  • Patent number: 10561961
    Abstract: A valve-tray assembly and method for lighter fluid heavier fluid contact towers. The active area of the tray is constructed with valves having multiple lighter fluid discharge areas facilitating improved mass transfer efficiency. The valves include first and second support legs oriented in line with the heavier fluid flow with both legs and the valve top constructed with apertures wherein the heavier fluid may flow into engagement with the lighter fluid passing from beneath the tray up, through and out of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: GTC Technology US LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Binkley
  • Patent number: 10384147
    Abstract: A valve-tray assembly and method for lighter fluid heavier fluid contact towers. The active area of the tray is constructed with valves having multiple lighter fluid discharge areas facilitating improved mass transfer efficiency. The valves include first and second support legs oriented in line with the heavier fluid flow with both legs and the valve top constructed with apertures wherein the heavier fluid may flow into engagement with the lighter fluid passing from beneath the tray up, through and out of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: GTC Technology US LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Binkley
  • Patent number: 10376810
    Abstract: A valve-tray assembly and method for lighter fluid heavier fluid contact towers. The active area of the tray is constructed with valves having multiple lighter fluid discharge areas facilitating improved mass transfer efficiency. The valves include first and second support legs oriented in line with the heavier fluid flow with both legs and the valve top constructed with apertures wherein the heavier fluid may flow into engagement with the lighter fluid passing from beneath the tray up, through and out of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: GTC Technology US LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Binkley
  • Patent number: 9956540
    Abstract: A structured packing sheet includes a top interface region, a first turning region, a central region, a second turning region, and a bottom interface region. The central region includes a plurality of corrugations extending thereacross in a linear fashion and arranged generally parallel to each other. The plurality of corrugations are arranged at a first angle with respect to a vertical axis. The top interface region and the bottom interface region include the plurality of corrugations extending thereacross in a linear fashion. The plurality of corrugations are arranged at a second angle with respect to the vertical axis. The second angle is smaller than the first angle. The first turning region and the second turning region include the plurality of corrugations extending thereacross. The plurality of corrugations have a plurality of breaks in the first turning region and the second turning region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: GTC Technology US LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Binkley, Casey F. Bowles, Phillip Bradley Fleming
  • Patent number: 9597650
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a mixing system for use in a chemical-process column. The mixing system includes a heavy-reactant mixing surface arranged perpendicular to a flow of reactant through the chemical-process column. The mixing system also includes an aperture formed in the heavy-reactant mixing surface. A pre-distributor is coupled to an underside of the mixing system and fluidly coupled to the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GTC Technology US LLC
    Inventors: Ian G. Buttridge, SooWoong Kim, Michael J. Binkley
  • Patent number: 9586160
    Abstract: A valve-tray assembly and method for lighter fluid heavier fluid contact towers. The active area of the tray is constructed with valves having multiple lighter fluid discharge areas facilitating improved mass transfer efficiency. The valves include first and second support legs oriented in line with the heavier fluid flow with both legs and the valve top constructed with apertures wherein the heavier fluid may flow into engagement with the lighter fluid passing from beneath the tray up, through and out of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: GTC Technology US LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Binkley
  • Patent number: 9463397
    Abstract: A liquid flow distributor for positioning above one or more packing sections in a packed exchange tower includes a plurality of troughs. At least one trough in the plurality of troughs has along a side thereto a deflecting member The deflecting member is angulated to generally follow a shape of the at least one trough. A diffuser side of the deflecting member is positioned to deposit the liquid into a discharge region. A plurality of break bars are disposed on the diffuser side of the deflecting member. A deflector side of the deflecting member is positioned for deflecting ascending vapor away from the discharge region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: GTC Technology US LLC
    Inventors: Jae-Man Cho, Namsun Ku, Michael J. Binkley
  • Patent number: 9327209
    Abstract: A separations tray assembly for use in a fluid-fluid exchange column. The separations tray assembly is of the type where a first fluid, in a continuous phase, is directed across successive trays in a serpentine flow path. A second fluid, in a dispersed phase ascends through apertures in the tray thus inducing interaction and mass transfer with the first fluid. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the separations tray further includes a diffuser skirt, having apertures disposed therein, operatively coupled to a fluid channel. The diffuser skirt is operable to direct the first fluid to cover substantially an entire volumetric cross-flow window between successive separations trays and to induce stirring and mixing of the first fluid and the second fluid to effect efficient mass transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: GTC Technology US, LLC
    Inventors: Ian G. Buttridge, David Lin, Casey F. Bowles, SooWoong Kim, Michael J. Binkley
  • Publication number: 20140361449
    Abstract: A liquid flow distributor for positioning above one or more packing sections in a packed exchange tower includes a plurality of troughs. At least one trough in the plurality of troughs has along a side thereto a deflecting member. The deflecting member is angulated to generally follow a shape of the at least one trough. A diffuser side of the deflecting member is positioned to deposit the liquid into a discharge region. A deflector side of the deflecting member is positioned for deflecting ascending vapor away from the discharge region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: GTC Technology US LLC
    Inventors: Ian G. Buttridge, SooWoong Kim, Gil Jong Kim, Michael J. Binkley
  • Patent number: 8888077
    Abstract: A liquid flow distributor for positioning above one or more packing sections in a packed exchange tower includes a plurality of troughs. At least one trough in the plurality of troughs has along a side thereto a deflecting member. The deflecting member is angulated to generally follow a shape of the at least one trough. A diffuser side of the deflecting member is positioned to deposit the liquid into a discharge region. A deflector side of the deflecting member is positioned for deflecting ascending vapor away from the discharge region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: GTC Technology US LLC
    Inventors: Ian G. Buttridge, Soo Woong Kim, Gil Jong Kim, Michael J. Binkley
  • Patent number: 8876088
    Abstract: A valve-tray assembly and method for lighter fluid heavier fluid contact towers. The active area of the tray is constructed with valves having multiple lighter fluid discharge areas facilitating improved mass transfer efficiency. The valves include first and second support legs oriented in line with the heavier fluid flow with both legs and the valve top constructed with apertures wherein the heavier fluid may flow into engagement with the lighter fluid passing from beneath the tray up, through and out of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: GTC Technology US LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Binkley
  • Publication number: 20140197556
    Abstract: A liquid flow distributor for positioning above one or more packing sections in a packed exchange tower includes a plurality of troughs. At least one trough in the plurality of troughs has along a side thereto a deflecting member The deflecting member is angulated to generally follow a shape of the at least one trough. A diffuser side of the deflecting member is positioned to deposit the liquid into a discharge region. A plurality of break bars are disposed on the diffuser side of the deflecting member. A deflector side of the deflecting member is positioned for deflecting ascending vapor away from the discharge region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: GTC Technology US LLC
    Inventors: Jae-Man Cho, Namsun Ku, Michael J. Binkley
  • Publication number: 20140144768
    Abstract: A separations tray assembly for use in a fluid-fluid exchange column. The separations tray assembly is of the type where a first fluid, in a continuous phase, is directed across successive trays in a serpentine flow path. A second fluid, in a dispersed phase ascends through apertures in the tray thus inducing interaction and mass transfer with the first fluid. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the separations tray further includes a diffuser skirt, having apertures disposed therein, operatively coupled to a fluid channel. The diffuser skirt is operable to direct the first fluid to cover substantially an entire volumetric cross-flow window between successive separations trays and to induce stirring and mixing of the first fluid and the second fluid to effect efficient mass transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: GTC Technology US, LLC
    Inventors: Ian G. Buttridge, David Lin, Casey F. Bowles, SooWoong Kim, Michael J. Binkley
  • Patent number: 8678357
    Abstract: A separations tray assembly for use in a fluid-fluid exchange column. The separations tray assembly is of the type where a first fluid, in a continuous phase, is directed across successive trays in a serpentine flow path. A second fluid, in a dispersed phase ascends through apertures in the tray thus inducing interaction and mass transfer with the first fluid. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the separations tray further includes a diffuser skirt, having apertures disposed therein, operatively coupled to a fluid channel. The diffuser skirt is operable to direct the first fluid to cover substantially an entire volumetric cross-flow window between successive separations trays and to induce stirring and mixing of the first fluid and the second fluid to effect efficient mass transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: GTC Technology US, LLC
    Inventors: Ian G. Buttridge, David Lin, Casey F. Bowles, SooWoong Kim, Michael J. Binkley
  • Patent number: 8540218
    Abstract: A tray valve assembly for a process column of a type wherein a first, heavier fluid flows downwardly from a downcomer onto a tray and thereacross in a first direction through which a second, lighter fluid flows upwardly therethrough for interaction and mass transfer with the heavier fluid before passing therefrom. A plurality of valves disposed across a surface of the tray and mounted above a plurality of apertures on the surface of the tray, each valve of the plurality of valves comprising a top surface and at least one securement leg. A first securement leg of is adapted to intercept the heavier fluid flow in the first direction forming a diverting baffle for engaging the heavier fluid flow across the tray. Each valve includes at least one aperture to facilitate the lighter fluid flow therefrom and further comprising a first aperture in the first securement leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: GTC Technology US LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Binkley, Casey Bowles
  • Patent number: 8517352
    Abstract: A liquid flow distributor for positioning above one or more packing sections in a packed exchange tower includes a plurality of troughs. At least one trough in the plurality of troughs has along a side thereto a deflecting member. The deflecting member is angulated to generally follow a shape of the at least one trough. A diffuser side of the deflecting member is positioned to deposit the liquid into a discharge region. A deflector side of the deflecting member is positioned for deflecting ascending vapor away from the discharge region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: GTC Technology US LLC
    Inventors: Ian G. Buttridge, Soo Woong Kim, Gil Jong Kim, Michael J. Binkley
  • Patent number: 8517354
    Abstract: A valve-tray assembly and method for lighter fluid heavier fluid contact towers. The active area of the tray is constructed with valves having multiple lighter fluid discharge areas facilitating improved mass transfer efficiency. The valves include first and second support legs oriented in line with the heavier fluid flow with both legs and the valve top constructed with apertures wherein the heavier fluid may flow into engagement with the lighter fluid passing from beneath the tray up, through and out of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: GTC Technology US LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Binkley