Patents by Inventor Robert Sterling

Robert Sterling 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: 20120078010
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the extractive recovery of an acid catalyst from an aqueous mixture of glycolic acid with an extraction solvent comprising a tertiary amine or an onium carboxylate compound, a modifier, and a diluent. The acid catalyst, which can comprise strong acids such as sulfuric acid, alkyl sulfonic acids, and fluoroalkyl sulfonic acids, can be recovered by back extraction with aqueous formaldehyde and recycled to a process for the preparation of glycolic acid by the acid-catalyzed carbonylation of formaldehyde.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott Donald Barnicki, Stephen Neal Falling, Jeffrey Scott Kanel, Robert Sterling Kline, Peter Borden Mackenzie
  • Patent number: 7987766
    Abstract: The hydraulic cylinder apparatus has a crescent shaped length housing a piston of like shape. The crescent shape provides for fit into constrained spaces where a fully cylindrical cylinder cannot fit. Multiple crescent shaped case ring lands with case rings seal the length of the piston proximal to the top of the case. The plurality of piston ring lands and piston rings seal the sliding piston to the walls of the case's internal hydraulic fluid well. The numerous ports of the apparatus, both upper and lower, provide for more convenient application than would otherwise be provided. Hose routing can thereby be best suited to a particular application. An added advantage of the apparatus is the negation of piston and mount rotation, a feature not typically possible with cylindrical hydraulic cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Sterling Price
  • Patent number: 7737298
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of acetic acid or mixtures of acetic acid and acetic anhydride in a carbonylation process wherein a mixture comprising methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether and methyl iodide is contacting in the liquid phase with carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst at elevated pressures and temperatures. Methanol, water, or a mixture thereof is added to an acetic anhydride-containing stream within a flash evaporation zone to convert some or all of the acetic anhydride to acetic acid and optionally methyl acetate and to provide heat for the evaporation of a portion of the product effluent produced by the carbonylation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Robert Sterling Kline, Gregory Abbott Wellman, Jr., Brandon Tyler Earls, Jerry Lee Bewley
  • Publication number: 20070287862
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of acetic acid or mixtures of acetic acid and acetic anhydride in a carbonylation process wherein a mixture comprising methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether and methyl iodide is contacting in the liquid phase with carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst at elevated pressures and temperatures. Methanol, water, or a mixture thereof is added to an acetic anhydride-containing stream within a flash evaporation zone to convert some or all of the acetic anhydride to acetic acid and optionally methyl acetate and to provide heat for the evaporation of a portion of the product effluent produced by the carbonylation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Sterling Kline, Gregory Abbott Wellman, Jr., Brandon Tyler Earls, Jerry Lee Bewley
  • Publication number: 20070187125
    Abstract: A shock attenuating coupling device is provided for a rotary impact tool for drivingly connecting a hammer mechanism to a drive anvil. The shock attenuating coupling device includes a first coupling member, a second coupling member, a drum, a shoe, and a body of resilient material. The first coupling member has a first drive portion. The second coupling member has a second drive portion. The drum is provided proximate the first drive portion and the second drive portion and has a radially inner engagement surface. The shoe is provided within the drum and between the first drive portion and the second drive portion. The shoe has a radially outer surface capable of being expanded in a radially outer direction. The body of resilient material is interposed between the drum and the shoe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Sterling, Matthew Sterling
  • Publication number: 20070158090
    Abstract: A shock attenuating coupling device is provided for a rotary impact tool for drivingly connecting a hammer mechanism to a drive anvil. The shock attenuating coupling device includes a first coupling member, a second coupling member, and a body of resilient material. The first coupling member has a longitudinal drive portion with an input end configured to couple for rotation with a hammer mechanism and an output end with a first jaw portion. The second coupling member has an output end configured to couple for rotation with a drive anvil and an input end with a second jaw portion configured to cooperate in longitudinally overlapping and circumferentially spaced-apart relation with the first jaw portion. The body of resilient material is interposed between the first jaw portion and the second jaw portion. A rotary impact tool with the shock attenuating coupling device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Sterling, Matthew Sterling
  • Publication number: 20070123520
    Abstract: A method for using thiazine dyes, especially methylene blue, alone or in combination with low levels of light, to treat or prevent avian influenza virus is described. Examples of useful thiazine dyes are methylene blue, azure A, azure C, toluidine, and thionine. The preferred dye is methylene blue, administered orally twice a day.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: Christopher Wood, Robert Sterling
  • Publication number: 20060225903
    Abstract: A shock attenuating coupling device is provided for a rotary impact tool for drivingly connecting a hammer mechanism to a drive anvil. The shock attenuating coupling device includes a first coupling member, a second coupling member, and a body of resilient material. The first coupling member has a longitudinal drive portion with an input end configured to couple for rotation with a hammer mechanism and an output end with a first jaw portion. The second coupling member has an output end configured to couple for rotation with a drive anvil and an input end with a second jaw portion configured to cooperate in longitudinally overlapping and circumferentially spaced-apart relation with the first jaw portion. The body of resilient material is interposed between the first jaw portion and the second jaw portion. A rotary impact tool with the shock attenuating coupling device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Sterling, Matthew Sterling
  • Publication number: 20060194911
    Abstract: A mixture comprising (1) a cross-linkable thermosetting resin, excluding phenol and unsaturated polyester resins, providing composition and intimately admixed therewith, (2) from about 1.0% to about 8%, by weight, based on the weight of the mixture, of a fluorocarbon additive which is substantially non-chemically reactive with the thermoset resin selected from the group consisting of a fluorocarbon oil, a fluorocarbon gum, a fluorocarbon grease and mixtures thereof, the fluorocarbon additive having a lower surface energy than that of the thermoset resin formed by cross-linking the composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Sterling, Eugene Goldberg
  • Publication number: 20050103566
    Abstract: A pneumatic tool (610) and a muffler assembly (600) therefor, for quieting the operation of the pneumatic tool, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the muffler assembly (600) is slidably disposed within the exhaust passage (616) and includes a tube member (602) having a proximal flange (604), an intermediate tubular portion (606) with apertures (608), and a distal receptacle (620). The tubular portion may include a blocking plate (618) therein. A porous, sound-deadening panel (622) is disposed about the tubular portion, and a diffuser panel (630) is disposed in the distal receptacle. A perforated end cap (624) holds the muffler assembly in place. In operation, the exhaust enters the tube member, is directed transversely through apertures in the tubular portion and through the porous panel, then back into the distal portion of the tube member, through the diffuser panel, and exits through the end cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Applicant: Exhaust Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Sterling
  • Patent number: 6596882
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of recovering and purifying 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from an epoxidation effluent gas obtained by the vapor phase, catalytic, partial oxidation of 1,3-butadiene (butadiene) with molecular oxygen in the presence of a silver catalyst wherein the epoxybutene-laden epoxidation product gas is reacted with a water-miscible solvent to absorb the epoxybutene. The disclosed process includes a method of separating epoxybutene from the solvent and other reaction by-products by a novel combination of distillation and decantation steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Scott Donald Barnicki, Jerome Leonard Stavinoha, Jr., Robert Sterling Kline, Steven Edward Briley, Jackie Lee Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6582565
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the recovery and purification of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from mixtures comprising epoxybutene and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons containing five to seven carbon atoms having boiling points between about 20° C. and 115° C. by means of extractive distillation of the epoxybutene using certain extractive distillation solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Scott Donald Barnicki, Robert Sterling Kline
  • Publication number: 20030060644
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of recovering and purifying 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from an epoxidation effluent gas obtained by the vapor phase, catalytic, partial oxidation of 1,3-butadiene (butadiene) with molecular oxygen in the presence of a silver catalyst wherein the epoxybutene-laden epoxidation product gas is reacted with a water-miscible solvent to absorb the epoxybutene. The disclosed process includes a method of separating epoxybutene from the solvent and other reaction by-products by a novel combination of distillation and decantation steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Scott Donald Barnicki, Jerome Leonard Stavinoha, Robert Sterling Kline, Steven Edward Briley, Jackie Lee Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6500970
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process of recovering 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from an epoxybutene-laden reaction product gas by absorption into a high-boiling solvent. Also disclosed is a process for the purification of the epoxybutene by separating epoxybutene from the solvent and other reaction by-products by a novel combination of distillation and decantation steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Scott Donald Barnicki, Jerome Leonard Stavinoha, Jr., Robert Sterling Kline, Jackie Lee Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6444096
    Abstract: A process for the recovery and purification of cyclobutanone from a crude product mixture obtained from an oxidation product mixture resulting from the oxidation of cyclobutanol to cyclobutanone in the presence of water. The process provides for the recovery of cyclobutanone in a purity of at least 90 weight percent by a combination of distillation steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Scott Donald Barnicki, Timothy Richard Nolen, Robert Sterling Kline, Dewey Wayne Fuller, Jr., Mary Kathleen Foster, Stephen Neal Falling
  • Patent number: 6395913
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of recovering and purifying 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from a reaction product gas, obtained by the vapor phase catalytic partial oxidation of 1,3-butadiene with oxygen over a silver catalyst. The recovery and purification comprises absorption of the epoxybutene into a water-miscible solvent followed by separation of the absorbed epoxybutene from the absorbent by extraction into a water-immiscible solvent. A method of recovering and purifying epoxybutene from the extraction solvent and other reaction by-products by a novel combination of distillation and decantation steps also is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Scott Donald Barnicki, Jerome Leonard Stavinoha, Jr., Robert Sterling Kline, Jackie Lee Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6270739
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the efficient removal of carbon dioxide from a gas recycle system generated in an epoxidation process wherein 1,3-butadiene is selectively oxidized to 3,4-epoxy-1-butene. Carbon dioxide at low partial pressure is absorbed into an alkanolamine solution from a low pressure recycle gas stream containing high levels of oxygen. Also disclosed is a means for reclaiming the alkanolamine from a solution of a carbon dioxide-alkanolamine salt or adduct formed in the carbon dioxide removal process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Scott Donald Barnicki, John Robert Monnier, Jerome Leonard Stavinoha, Jr., Robert Sterling Kline, Gary Wayne Hartley
  • Patent number: 6018061
    Abstract: A process for recovering 3,4-epoxy-1-butene from a vapor phase catalytic oxidation reactor effluent where 1,3-butadiene is reacted with oxygen over a silver catalyst, the process includes the steps of contacting the reactor effluent with an absorbent in an absorber and vaporizing in the absorber an effective amount of a non-reactive coolant to cool the absorber to a temperature of less than about 40.degree. C. and a pressure of less than about 4 bar. Advantageously, the vaporization of the non-reactive coolant proximate to the absorber allows the absorber to be operated at lower temperatures and pressures than heretofore possible and provides a further advantage of allowing higher O.sub.2 concentrations in the feed to the epoxidation reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Scott Donald Barnicki, Robert Sterling Kline, James Alan Kenning, Anthony Dominick Messina
  • Patent number: 5777539
    Abstract: An inductor or transformer uses a multilayer printed circuit board to form the conductor turns. Each layer comprises a dielectric sheet and a conductor printed on the sheet. Each of the conductors has approximately the same shape as each other (such as circular or rectangular), is superimposed on the other conductors and is substantially closed on itself (with a gap to separate the two ends). A multiplicity of through-hole vias are evenly spaced around the conductors and pass through the multiplicity of layers. Successive vias make an electrical connection between successive pairs of adjacent conductors such that current passes in the same direction through all of the conductors. Each layer provides (N-1)/N turns such that N layers provide N-1 complete turns. A ferrite core material passes through a hole in the printed circuit board within the conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Victor Folker, Randhir Singh Malik, Robert Sterling Rowland