Patents by Inventor Paul K. Samples

Paul K. Samples 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: 20160048139
    Abstract: A real-time method for operating plant executing a chemical process, comprising continuously, periodically or intermittently obtaining one or more process variable measurements; optionally, continuously, periodically or intermittently estimating one or more inferred process variables from measured process variables and/or mathematical models; estimating the current state of the chemical process based on the process variable measurements and/or inferred process variables; assessing the current state of the chemical process; projecting future probable process state based on the current state of the chemical process; linking the current and/or future probable process state with information in a database, the information comprising preferred actions aimed at favorably influencing the future process state; providing the information to a chemical process plant operating personnel; and optionally, performing manual and/or automatic actions aimed at favorably influencing the future process state of the chemical proce
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Paul K. Samples, John R. Parrish
  • Patent number: 8862438
    Abstract: A method for improving the prediction of polymer properties and a system having improved polymer property prediction capabilities is provided. The method for improving the prediction of polymer properties comprises: (1) providing a polymer; (2) providing a prediction model; (3) utilizing said prediction model to define an average polymer property prediction value; (4) determining a feasible range; (5) measuring one or more properties of said polymer; (6) determining whether said one or measured polymer properties are within said feasible range: (7) validating said one or more measured polymer properties if said one or more measured polymer properties fall within the feasible range or invalidating said one or more measured polymer properties if said one or more measured polymer properties fall outside of the feasible range; (8) optionally updating said prediction model; (9) repeating said previous steps at least one or more times; and (10) thereby improving the prediction of polymer properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Drabish, John R. Parrish, Marcel Schaefer, Ivan J. Hartley, Paul K. Samples, Mark L. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8742035
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of controlling a gas-phase polymerization process. The method includes determining a difference between a control variable of the polymerization process, such as the production rate, and the desired value of the control variable; adjusting or maintaining a first manipulated variable to at least partially compensate for the difference between the control variable and the desired value; and adjusting or maintaining a second manipulated variable to at least partially compensate for the effect of adjusting or maintaining the first manipulated variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Paul K. Samples, John R. Parrish, Ivan J. Hartley, Jeffrey B. Drabish
  • Patent number: 8354481
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of controlling a gas-phase polymerization process. The method includes determining a difference between a control variable of the polymerization process, such as the production rate, and the desired value of the control variable; adjusting or maintaining a first manipulated variable to at least partially compensate for the difference between the control variable and the desired value; and adjusting or maintaining a second manipulated variable to at least partially compensate for the effect of adjusting or maintaining the first manipulated variable. The first and second manipulated variables can include process variables such as the fluidized bed weight, the catalyst concentration, the concentration of one or more monomers, the flow of one or more comonomers, the ratio of one comonomer to another comonomer, the activator concentration, the ratio of an activator to selectivity control agent, the concentration of a chain transfer agent, and the retardant concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Paul K. Samples, John R. Parrish, Ivan J. Hartley, Jeffrey B. Drabish
  • Publication number: 20120136482
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of controlling a gas-phase polymerization process. The method includes determining a difference between a control variable of the polymerization process, such as the production rate, and the desired value of the control variable; adjusting or maintaining a first manipulated variable to at least partially compensate for the difference between the control variable and the desired value; and adjusting or maintaining a second manipulated variable to at least partially compensate for the effect of adjusting or maintaining the first manipulated variable. The first and second manipulated variables can include process variables such as the fluidized bed weight, the catalyst concentration, the concentration of one or more monomers, the flow of one or more comonomers, the ratio of one comonomer to another comonomer, the activator concentration, the ratio of an activator to selectivity control agent, the concentration of a chain transfer agent, and the retardant concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Paul K. Samples, John R. Parrish, Ivan J. Hartley, Jeffrey B. Brabish
  • Patent number: 8093341
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of controlling a gas-phase polymerization process. The method includes determining a difference between a control variable of the polymerization process, such as the production rate, and the desired value of the control variable; adjusting or maintaining a first manipulated variable to at least partially compensate for the difference between the control variable and the desired value; and adjusting or maintaining a second manipulated variable to at least partially compensate for the effect of adjusting or maintaining the first manipulated variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: John R. Parrish, Paul K. Samples, Ivan J. Hartley, Jeffrey Brian Drabish
  • Patent number: 8032328
    Abstract: The invention provides a novel method of monitoring a process. The method also has the ability to take predetermined actions based on the monitored data. These actions avoid or mitigate process abnormalities or upsets that might impact product quality, production, and/or process efficiencies. The method includes the steps of: obtaining at least one input process variable; determining a comparative process value based on the at least one input process variable using a first method having a first time-based weighting function; determining an expected process value based on the at least one input process variable using a second method having a second time-based weighting function; determining a first deviation value based on the at least one input process variable or historical data; calculating a limit range having a maximum limit and a minimum limit using the expected process value and the first deviation value; and comparing the comparative process value to the limit range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Paul K. Samples, John R. Parrish, Debbie D. Rath, Thomas J. McNeil
  • Publication number: 20090177439
    Abstract: The invention provides a novel method of monitoring a process. The method also has the ability to take predetermined actions based on the monitored data. These actions avoid or mitigate process abnormalities or upsets that might impact product quality, production, and/or process efficiencies. The method includes the steps of: obtaining at least one input process variable; determining a comparative process value based on the at least one input process variable using a first method having a first time-based weighting function; determining an expected process value based on the at least one input process variable using a second method having a second time-based weighting function; determining a first deviation value based on the at least one input process variable or historical data; calculating a limit range having a maximum limit and a minimum limit using the expected process value and the first deviation value; and comparing the comparative process value to the limit range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Paul K. Samples, John R Parrish, Debbie R. Rath, Tom J. McNeil
  • Publication number: 20080119621
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of controlling a gas-phase polymerization process. The method includes determining a difference between a control variable of the polymerization process, such as the production rate, and the desired value of the control variable; adjusting or maintaining a first manipulated variable to at least partially compensate for the difference between the control variable and the desired value; and adjusting or maintaining a second manipulated variable to at least partially compensate for the effect of adjusting or maintaining the first manipulated variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Paul K. Samples, John R. Parrish, Ivan J. Hartley, Jeffrey B. Drabish