Patents by Inventor Michael J. Roberts

Michael J. Roberts 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).

  • Publication number: 20150141716
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for thermochemically transforming biomass or other oxygenated feedstocks into high quality liquid hydrocarbon fuels. In particular, a catalytic hydropyrolysis reactor, containing a deep bed of fluidized catalyst particles is utilized to accept particles of biomass or other oxygenated feedstocks that are significantly smaller than the particles of catalyst in the fluidized bed. The reactor features an insert or other structure disposed within the reactor vessel that inhibits slugging of the bed and thereby minimizes attrition of the catalyst. Within the bed, the biomass feedstock is converted into a vapor-phase product, containing hydrocarbon molecules and other process vapors, and an entrained solid char product, which is separated from the vapor stream after the vapor stream has been exhausted from the top of the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Terry L. MARKER, Larry G. FELIX, Martin B. LINCK, Michael J. ROBERTS
  • Publication number: 20150100806
    Abstract: A system includes power supply units (PSUs) to supply power to components. For each PSU, a power conversion efficiency profile is determined. A maximum amount of power consumed during operation of the components is determined. A minimum number of PSUs capable of providing the maximum amount of power is determined. A first amount of power consumed at inputs of the minimum number of PSUs is calculated based on the maximum amount of power and based on the determined power conversion efficiency profile of each of the PSUs. A first number of PSUs to engage is determined, the first number greater than the minimum number of PSUs, wherein a total amount of power consumed at inputs of the first number of PSUs during operation of the system is less than the first amount of power, the determining based on the power conversion efficiency profile of each PSU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Ashish Munjal, Jaydev Reddy, Michael J. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20150060258
    Abstract: The present invention addresses the processing of waste and low-value products to produce useful materials in reliable purities and compositions, at acceptable cost, without producing malodorous emissions, and with high energy efficiency. In particular, the invention comprises a multi-stage process that converts various feedstocks such as offal, animal manures, municipal sewage sludge, tires, and plastics, that otherwise have little commercial value, to useful materials including gas, oil, specialty chemicals, and carbon solids. The process subjects the feedstock to heat and pressure, separates out various components, then further applies heat and pressure to one or more of those components. Various materials produced at different points in the process may be recycled and used to play other roles within the process. The invention further comprises an apparatus for performing a multi-stage process of converting waste products into useful materials, and at least one oil product that arises from the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Brian S. Appel, Terry N. Adams, Michael J. Roberts, William F. Lange, James H. Freiss, Craig Timothy Einfeldt, Michael Charles Carnesi
  • Publication number: 20150027184
    Abstract: A system and method for processing biomass into hydrocarbon fuels that includes processing a biomass in a hydropyrolysis reactor resulting in hydrocarbon fuels and a process vapor stream and cooling the process vapor stream to a condensation temperature resulting in an aqueous stream. The aqueous stream is sent to a catalytic reactor where it is oxidized to obtain a product stream containing ammonia and ammonium sulfate. A resulting cooled product vapor stream includes non-condensable process vapors comprising H2, CH4, CO, CO2, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Terry L. MARKER, Larry G. FELIX, Martin B. LINCK, Michael J. ROBERTS
  • Patent number: 8918656
    Abstract: An information handling system includes a plurality of power supply units (PSUs) to supply power to one or more system components. For each PSU of the plurality of PSUs, a power conversion efficiency profile for the PSU is determined using a power management control module of the information handling system. The power conversion efficiency profile represents a power conversion efficiency of the PSU for each of one or more power outputs capable of being supplied by the PSU. The power management control module determines a total amount of power to be supplied to a load of the information handling system, and engages a select number of PSUs to provide the total amount of power based on the total amount of power and the power conversion efficiency profiles of the PSUs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Dell Products, LP
    Inventors: Ashish Munjal, Jaydev Reddy, Michael J. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8859831
    Abstract: A system and method for processing biomass into hydrocarbon fuels that includes processing a biomass in a hydropyrolysis reactor resulting in hydrocarbon fuels and a process vapor stream and cooling the process vapor stream to a condensation temperature resulting in an aqueous stream. The aqueous stream is sent to a catalytic reactor where it is oxidized to obtain a product stream containing ammonia and ammonium sulfate. A resulting cooled product vapor stream includes non-condensable process vapors comprising H2, CH4, CO, CO2, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Terry L. Marker, Larry G. Felix, Martin B. Linck, Michael J. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8841495
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for thermochemically transforming biomass or other oxygenated feedstocks into high quality liquid hydrocarbon fuels. In particular, a catalytic hydropyrolysis reactor, containing a deep bed of fluidized catalyst particles is utilized to accept particles of biomass or other oxygenated feedstocks that are significantly smaller than the particles of catalyst in the fluidized bed. The reactor features an insert or other structure disposed within the reactor vessel that inhibits slugging of the bed and thereby minimizes attrition of the catalyst. Within the bed, the biomass feedstock is converted into a vapor-phase product, containing hydrocarbon molecules and other process vapors, and an entrained solid char product, which is separated from the vapor stream after the vapor stream has been exhausted from the top of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Terry L. Marker, Larry G. Felix, Martin B. Linck, Michael J. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8816144
    Abstract: Multistage processing of biomass to produce at least two separate fungible fuel streams, one dominated by gasoline boiling-point range liquids and the other by diesel boiling-point range liquids. The processing involves hydrotreating the biomass to produce a hydrotreatment product including a deoxygenated hydrocarbon product of gasoline and diesel boiling materials, followed by separating each of the gasoline and diesel boiling materials from the hydrotreatment product and each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Larry G. Felix, Martin B. Linck, Terry L. Marker, Michael J. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8809606
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing of waste and low-value products to produce useful materials in reliable purities and compositions, at acceptable cost, without producing malodorous emissions, and with high energy efficiency are disclosed. In particular, multi-stage processes are disclosed to convert various feedstocks such as offal, animal manures, municipal sewage sludge, tires, and plastics, that otherwise have little commercial value, to useful materials including gas, oil, specialty chemicals, and carbon solids. Disclosed processes subject the feedstock to heat and pressure, separates out various components, then further applies heat and pressure to one or more of those components. Various materials produced at different points in the process may be recycled and used to play other roles within the process. Also disclosed are apparatus for performing multi-stage processes of converting waste products into useful materials, and at least one oil product that arises from the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: AB-CWT LLC
    Inventors: Brian S. Appel, Terry N. Adams, Michael J. Roberts, William F. Lange, James H. Freiss, Craig T. Einfeldt, Michael Charles Carnesi
  • Patent number: 8784849
    Abstract: Isolatable, hydroxyapatite-targeting polymeric structures, and biologically active conjugates thereof, are provided. The polymeric structure includes a linear or branched water-soluble and non-peptidic polymer backbone, such as a PEG backbone, having at least two termini, a first terminus being covalently bonded to a hydroxyapatite-targeting moiety, such as a bisphosphonate, and a second terminus covalently bonded to a chemically reactive group, wherein said chemically reactive group is protected or unprotected. Methods of preparing and using hydroxyapatite-targeting polymeric structures, and biologically active conjugates thereof, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventors: Michael J. Roberts, Antoni Kozlowski
  • Publication number: 20140142109
    Abstract: The present invention provides combinations of active agents, such combinations comprising one or more antifolate compounds. The particularly can include methotrexate and one or more further antifolate compounds. In specific embodiments, the combinations are useful for treating certain conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The invention also provides articles useful to provide the combinations in desirable dosage forms and combinations. The combinations further may be useful in the treatment of further conditions, including abnormal cell proliferation, inflammatory diseases, asthma, and arthritis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Chelsea Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Roberts, Gerry Rowse
  • Patent number: 8730957
    Abstract: A system and method of enabling a transparent Ethernet switch are disclosed. According to an aspect, a network switch is disclosed. The network switch can include a plurality of physical ports configured to communicate data via a network. The network switch can further include a memory configured to store a first forwarding database, and a plurality of aggregate zone entries within the first forwarding database. The aggregate zone entries can also include a port identifier of first port of the plurality of physical ports to be used as a transparent port within a first aggregate zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Dell Products, LP
    Inventors: Hendrich M. Hernandez, Robert L. Winter, Bruce A. Holmes, Michael J. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8708383
    Abstract: The bucket lifting assembly is for use in lifting and transporting a bucket of no particular size via a fork of a forklift. The bucket lifting assembly is configured to attach onto opposing side handles of a bucket in order to lift and transport said bucket. The bucket lifting assembly is comprised of a lateral member that connects with vertical members that extend downwardly and engage opposing side handles of the bucket. The vertical members are able to slide laterally with respect to the lateral member so as to adjust for different bucket sizes. The lateral member includes a fort securing member that is affixed from underneath the lateral member such that a forklift fork is inserted and secured there between in order to prevent unintended separation when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventors: Michael J. Roberts, Ladawna J. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20140100395
    Abstract: Multistage processing of biomass to produce at least two separate fungible fuel streams, one dominated by gasoline boiling-point range liquids and the other by diesel boiling-point range liquids. The processing involves hydrotreating the biomass to produce a hydrotreatment product including a deoxygenated hydrocarbon product of gasoline and diesel boiling materials, followed by separating each of the gasoline and diesel boiling materials from the hydrotreatment product and each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Larry G. Felix, Martin B. Linck, Terry L. Marker, Michael J. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8658652
    Abstract: The present invention provides combinations of active agents, such combinations comprising one or more antifolate compounds. The particularly can include methotrexate and one or more further antifolate compounds. In specific embodiments, the combinations are useful for treating certain conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The invention also provides articles useful to provide the combinations in desirable dosage forms and combinations. The combinations further may be useful in the treatment of further conditions, including abnormal cell proliferation, inflammatory diseases, asthma, and arthritis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Chelsea Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Roberts, Gerry Rowse
  • Patent number: 8530653
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds that are specifically structured to provide enzyme inhibition. In specific embodiments, the enzyme inhibiting compounds exhibit antifolate activity. Particularly, the inventive compounds are formed of an antifolate residue that is active in inhibiting one or more of TS, DHFR, GAR, FPGS, and AICAR Tfase. The enzyme inhibiting compounds are useful in a variety of methods of treatment, including treating abnormal cell proliferation and treating inflammation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Chelsea Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8383681
    Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising droxidopa alone, or in combination with one or more further active ingredients, for the treatment of conditions, such as mood disorders, sleep disorders, or attention deficit disorders. In certain embodiments, the compositions useful in the methods of the invention comprise droxidopa and a compound selected from the group consisting of DOPA decarboxylase inhibiting compounds, catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibiting compounds, cholinesterase inhibiting compounds, monoamine oxidase inhibiting compounds, norepinephrine reuptake inhibiting compounds, selective serotonin reuptake inhibiting compounds, tricyclic antidepressant compounds, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibiting compounds, norepinephrine dopamine reuptake inhibiting compound, noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Chelsea Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Roberts, Simon Pedder
  • Patent number: 8372422
    Abstract: Isolatable, hydroxyapatite-targeting polymeric structures, and biologically active conjugates thereof, are provided. The polymeric structure includes a linear or branched water-soluble and non-peptidic polymer backbone, such as a PEG backbone, having at least two termini, a first terminus being covalently bonded to a hydroxyapatite-targeting moiety, such as a bisphosphonate, and a second terminus covalently bonded to a chemically reactive group, wherein said chemically reactive group is protected or unprotected. Methods of preparing and using hydroxyapatite-targeting polymeric structures, and biologically active conjugates thereof, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventors: Antoni Kozlowski, Michael J. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20130035528
    Abstract: A system and method for processing biomass into hydrocarbon fuels that includes processing a biomass in a hydropyrolysis reactor resulting in hydrocarbon fuels and a process vapor stream and cooling the process vapor stream to a condensation temperature resulting in an aqueous stream. The aqueous stream is sent to a catalytic reactor where it is oxidized to obtain a product stream containing ammonia and ammonium sulfate. A resulting cooled product vapor stream includes non-condensable process vapors comprising H2, CH4, CO, CO2, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Terry L. Marker, Larry G. Felix, Martin B. Linck, Michael J. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8335775
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for managing file versions. In one technique, versions of directories are created responsive to creation of versions of files descendant from the directories. Directory versions are associated with times. Interfile links are maintained so file versions descendant from a directory version reflect the directory version's time. In another technique, a mechanism is provided for tagging file versions that shouldn't be overwritten. Responsive to a first file version's update, it is determined whether that version is tagged. If so, a second version is stored while retaining the first version. Otherwise, the first version is deleted responsive to the second version's storage. In another technique, responsive to a first file version's change, it is determined whether first criteria are satisfied. If so, a second version is created while retaining the first version, and versions of the file's ancestor files that satisfy second criteria are created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Sedlar, Michael J. Roberts