Patents by Inventor Richard E. Zachary

Richard E. Zachary 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: 6173564
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use in monitoring for destructive wet compression power augmentation-related casing distortions in an industrial gas turbine equipped with and employing wet compression power augmentation, in the form of a) an outer ring member having an inner diameter which exceeds the outer diameter of a gas turbine section downstream of the compressor, b) three or more structural members spaced substantially equally over the outer ring member's inner circumference and which extend radially inwardly in a common plane to define a central opening about the gas turbine, with the common plane defined by the three or more members being parallel to a plane including the outer ring member over its circumference and the outer ring member's center of mass and with one of the three inwardly-extending members being equipped at its inner end with a socket or ball element of a ball and socket joint, and c) a laser reflector positioned on the outer ring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Richard E. Zachary
  • Patent number: 5930990
    Abstract: A wet compression power augmentation apparatus and method for effectively adding a mass flow of nebulized water to a gas turbine by use of a spray rack group assembly having at least one spray rack water pipe and at least one spray rack water nozzle. Nebulized water mass flow is added in increments such that operationally-induced thermal stresses within the gas turbine are sufficiently minimized to preserve the structural integrity of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Zachary, Roger D. Hudson
  • Patent number: 5867977
    Abstract: A wet compression power augmentation apparatus and method for effectively adding a mass flow of water particles to a gas turbine preferably by use of a spray rack group assembly having at least one spray rack water pipe and at least one spray rack water nozzle. Water mass flow is added preferably in increments such that operationally-induced thermal transients within the gas turbine are sufficiently minimized to preserve the structural integrity of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Zachary, Roger D. Hudson
  • Patent number: 4732660
    Abstract: An ion exchange membrane electrolyzer having at least one electrolytic cell containing a gas diffusion cathode, a current distributor, an anode supported by a wall of the electrolytic cell housing, and spacing means separating the current distributor which is in contact with said gas diffusion cathode from said ion exchange membrane wherein the force exerted by gas pressure applied to one face of the gas diffusion cathode is transmitted to said anode via said current distributor, and/or said spacing means, and said ion exchange membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Keith R. Plowman, Richard E. Zachary
  • Patent number: 4722773
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a hydraulically impermeable permselective membrane located between electrodes comprising at least one gas diffusion, laminar electrode having hydrophilic and hydrophobic layers and attendant current collector means is operated with greater efficiency by forcing the laminar, gas diffusion electrode against the current collector means so as to make and maintain electrical contact therebetween by means of gas pressure exerted against the hydrophobic side of the laminar, gas diffusion electrode opposite to that which faces the permselective membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Keith R. Plowman, Richard E. Zachary
  • Patent number: 4648711
    Abstract: A slight tube assembly, in combination with a sensing instrument, such as an optical pyrometer, for use in continuously monitoring the temperature of the first row of rotating blades in large gas turbines, particularly the type used in industry. Temperature data received by the pyrometer unit is fed to a control circuit, which regulates fuel input to the tubine to control the firing temperature. The key to obtaining reliable blade temperature data in the practice of this invention is the position of the sight tube in the turbine, which enables the pyrometer to "view" the rotating blades along a direct line of sight that penetrates a hot gas duct, but not the turbine section of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Richard E. Zachary
  • Patent number: 4294589
    Abstract: A method for removing trapped gases such as air under a pond liner comprising partially filling the pond excavation under the liner with a liquid such as water thereby floating the liner on the liquid and collecting the trapped gases between the surface of the liquid and the liner, progressively filling the pond on top of the liner with another liquid such as water thereby forcing the trapped gases beneath the liner to the sides of the pond and venting the gases up the sides of the pond to the atmosphere, and draining away the liquid under the pond liner thereby settling the liner onto the bottom of the pond excavation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Richard E. Zachary
  • Patent number: 4289807
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for the fusion processing of synthetic thermoplastic resinous materials, utilizing a first high-velocity stream of gas to transport the resinous material through an elongated passageway which directs the stream of gas and transported material onto a workpiece, thereby fusing the resinous material. The elongated passageway is defined by at least one wall having a plurality of foramina or pores through which a second stream of gas is directed to heat the resinous material to a fusion temperature and to provide a slip stream on the inner surface of the wall thereby preventing the resinous material from sticking to the surface. The first stream of gas may be heated to initiate or supplement the heating of the resinous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1981
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Marvin M. Christensen, Richard E. Zachary, Andra P. Dupont
  • Patent number: 4104905
    Abstract: A leak detecting apparatus comprises an opened-bottom box having a peripheral seal and a transparent top. Air is removed from the box by means of an ejector to provide a vacuum to inspect membrane for leaks and water pumped into the box to permit easy movement over membrane being tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1978
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Richard E. Zachary