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).
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Patent number: 12059640Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 24, 2021Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: SULZER MANAGEMENT AGInventors: Phillip Bradley Fleming, Larry W. Burton, Michael J. Binkley
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Patent number: 11958001Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 26, 2018Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: SULZER MANAGEMENT AGInventors: Phillip Bradley Fleming, Larry W. Burton, Michael J. Binkley
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Patent number: 10576450Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 22, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: GTC Technology US LLCInventors: Phillip Bradley Fleming, Casey F. Bowles, Michael J. Binkley
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Patent number: 10561961Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 16, 2019Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: GTC Technology US LLCInventor: Michael J. Binkley
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Patent number: 10384147Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 18, 2019Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: GTC Technology US LLCInventor: Michael J. Binkley
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Patent number: 10376810Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 31, 2017Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: GTC Technology US LLCInventor: Michael J. Binkley
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Patent number: 9956540Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: GTC Technology US LLCInventors: Michael J. Binkley, Casey F. Bowles, Phillip Bradley Fleming
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Patent number: 9597650Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 17, 2012Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: GTC Technology US LLCInventors: Ian G. Buttridge, SooWoong Kim, Michael J. Binkley
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Patent number: 9586160Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 22, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: GTC Technology US LLCInventor: Michael J. Binkley
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Patent number: 9463397Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: GTC Technology US LLCInventors: Jae-Man Cho, Namsun Ku, Michael J. Binkley
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Patent number: 9327209Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: GTC Technology US, LLCInventors: Ian G. Buttridge, David Lin, Casey F. Bowles, SooWoong Kim, Michael J. Binkley
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Publication number: 20140361449Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Applicant: GTC Technology US LLCInventors: Ian G. Buttridge, SooWoong Kim, Gil Jong Kim, Michael J. Binkley
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Patent number: 8888077Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 2, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: GTC Technology US LLCInventors: Ian G. Buttridge, Soo Woong Kim, Gil Jong Kim, Michael J. Binkley
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Patent number: 8876088Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 25, 2013Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: GTC Technology US LLCInventor: Michael J. Binkley
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Publication number: 20140197556Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: GTC Technology US LLCInventors: Jae-Man Cho, Namsun Ku, Michael J. Binkley
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Publication number: 20140144768Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2014Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: GTC Technology US, LLCInventors: Ian G. Buttridge, David Lin, Casey F. Bowles, SooWoong Kim, Michael J. Binkley
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Patent number: 8678357Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: GTC Technology US, LLCInventors: Ian G. Buttridge, David Lin, Casey F. Bowles, SooWoong Kim, Michael J. Binkley
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Patent number: 8540218Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 25, 2008Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: GTC Technology US LLCInventors: Michael J. Binkley, Casey Bowles
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Patent number: 8517352Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 3, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: GTC Technology US LLCInventors: Ian G. Buttridge, Soo Woong Kim, Gil Jong Kim, Michael J. Binkley
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Patent number: 8517354Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 20, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: GTC Technology US LLCInventor: Michael J. Binkley