Patents by Inventor Michael J. McInerney

Michael J. McInerney 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: 5739028
    Abstract: A chromium-resistant strain of Shewanella alga BrY and method of using such for removing chromium (VI) from a chromium-contaminated waste stream involving treating the waste stream with the chromium-resistant strain under anaerobic conditions whereby Cr(VI) in the waste stream is reduced, the chromium generally forming a precipitate which can be separated from the waste stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Frank Caccavo, Jr., Michael J. McInerney
  • Patent number: 5569596
    Abstract: A chromium-resistant strain of Shewanella alga BrY and method of using such for removing chromium (VI) from a chromium-contaminated waste stream involving treating the waste stream with the chromium-resistant strain under anaerobic conditions whereby Cr(VI) in the waste stream is reduced, the chromium generally forming a precipitate which can be separated from the waste stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Frank Caccavo, Jr., Michael J. McInerney
  • Patent number: 4879240
    Abstract: Mutant strains of Thiobacillus denitrificans are used to inoculate an environment containing sulfate and sulfate-reducing bacteria to control the net formation of sulfide. The mutant strains are tolerant of significant concentrations of soluble sulfides and may also be tolerant of glutaraldehyde which is a biocide effective against sulfate-reducing bacteria and which may also be added to the environment. One environment for use of the invention is in a water injection well for the secondary production of petroleum and another is the control of sulfide production in the treatment of waste materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Kerry L. Sublette, Maron E. Woolsey, Francis S. Manning, Anne D. Montgomery, Michael J. McInerney
  • Patent number: 4621592
    Abstract: A flash boiler or steam generator includes a shell defining a combustion chamber. A coil bank is mounted adjacent to the combustion chamber and includes an inner coil defining a heat absorption chamber. An intermediate coil is positioned in the chamber surrounding the inner coil. An outer coil surrounds the intermediate coil. The outer coil is in serial communication with a source of fluid and with the inner coil. The inner coil is in serial communication with the intermediate coil and the intermediate coil communicates with an outlet. To limit pressure drop through and increase heat transfer by the coils, the diameter of the inner coil is larger than the diameter of the outer coil and the diameter of the intermediate coil is larger than the diameter of the inner coil. To further increase the heat absorption efficiency of the coil bank, an extended surface is defined on at least a portion of the outer coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Vapor Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. McInerney
  • Patent number: 4593654
    Abstract: A feedwater controller for a flash type water tube boiler wherein feedwater flow through steam generating coils heated by combustion gases is compensated and adjusted, in order to provide proper combustion heat input over a broad range of boiler operating pressures and feedwater temperatures. Flowing feedwater affects combustion heat input through predetermined variations in fuel and air input to the boiler's burner. As disclosed, the first embodiment utilizes temperature and pressure compensating gates in a cylindrical orifice containing a spherical flow control member. Fuel/air control of the generator is provided through movement of the flow control member due to the forces induced by flowing feedwater. In an alternate embodiment, utilizes a piston in the feedwater flow path having a slotted cylindrical metering orifice attached thereto. Internal of the cylindrical orifice is a cooperating temperature compensated helical flow control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: Vapor Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. McInerney
  • Patent number: 4558739
    Abstract: Subterranean paths of water flow are impeded or changed by the facilitation of microbial growth therein. Either indigenous bacterial growth may be stimulated with nutrients or the formation may be first seeded with bacteria or their spores which inhibit fluid flow after proliferation. These methods and bacteria are usable to alter the flow of water in a waterflooded oil formation and to impede the outflow of contaminated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: The Board of Regents for the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Michael J. McInerney, Gary E. Jenneman, Roy M. Knapp, Donald E. Menzie
  • Patent number: 4522261
    Abstract: A pure culture of Bacillus licheniformis strain JF-2 (ATCC No. 39307) and a process for using said culture and the surfactant lichenysin produced thereby for the enhancement of oil recovery from subterranean formations. Lichenysin is an effective surfactant over a wide range of temperatures, pH's, salt and calcium concentrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: The Board of Regents for the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Michael J. McInerney, Gary E. Jenneman, Roy M. Knapp, Donald E. Menzie
  • Patent number: 4067684
    Abstract: Apparatus controlling a plurality of fuels of different heat contents to a fluid heater burner including valves for selectively connecting the fuels to the burner and pressure responsive fuel flow regulators responding to the combined fuel/air pressure at the fuel burner to provide a given level of output for the boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1978
    Assignee: Vapor Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. McInerney
  • Patent number: 3942355
    Abstract: A hot water generator capable of producing a maximum rate of water temperature increase without generation of vapors including a heat exchanger in the form of an annularly shaped helical coil through which the water to be heated is pumped and which is connected to a piping system including a load and a combustor for rapidly providing increased combustion which is controlled in response to the temperature of the water at the outlet of the coil so that the heater can produce a maximum rate of water temperature rise without causing boiling and generating vapors in the coil. The method concerns the shock testing of piping components by producing nearly theoretical maximum heat flux rate very quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1976
    Assignee: Vapor Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. McInerney, Robert T. Brady