Patents by Inventor Robert T. Sprague

Robert T. Sprague 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: 10010840
    Abstract: A fluid distribution apparatus is disposed in a fluidized bed reactor and includes a distributor pipe configured to carry a fluid and a centerpipe fluidly connected to the distributor pipe and enclosing a conical distributor for receiving the fluid from the distributor pipe. The conical distributor is defined by an exterior radius including the centerpipe, an upper end including an upper angled circular plate, and a lower end including a lower circular plate. The fluid distribution apparatus further includes a plurality of inlet nozzles fluidly connected to the conical distributor and disposed through the centerpipe for distributing the fluid from the conical distributor to a bed of the fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Robert T. Sprague
  • Publication number: 20160001245
    Abstract: A fluid distribution apparatus is disposed in a fluidized bed reactor and includes a distributor pipe configured to carry a fluid and a centerpipe fluidly connected to the distributor pipe and enclosing an annular space for receiving the fluid from the distributor pipe. The annular space is defined by an interior radius including a cylindrical plug disposed concentrically within the centerpipe, an exterior radius including the centerpipe, an upper end including an upper circular plate, and a lower end including a lower circular plate. The fluid distribution apparatus further includes a plurality of inlet nozzles fluidly connected to the annular space and disposed through the centerpipe for distributing the fluid from the annular space to a bed of the fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventor: Robert T. Sprague
  • Patent number: 9162205
    Abstract: A fluid distribution apparatus is disposed in a fluidized bed reactor and includes a distributor pipe configured to carry a fluid and a centerpipe fluidly connected to the distributor pipe and enclosing an annular space for receiving the fluid from the distributor pipe. The annular space is defined by an interior radius including a cylindrical plug disposed concentrically within the centerpipe, an exterior radius including the centerpipe, an upper end including an upper circular plate, and a lower end including a lower circular plate. The fluid distribution apparatus further includes a plurality of inlet nozzles fluidly connected to the annular space and disposed through the centerpipe for distributing the fluid from the annular space to a bed of the fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Robert T. Sprague
  • Publication number: 20140183281
    Abstract: A fluid distribution apparatus includes a distributor pipe configured to carry a fluid and a continuously tapered, ring-shaped collar distributor connected to the distributor pipe. The collar distributor includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a continuous height along its circumference, the continuous height being at least as high as a diameter of the distributor pipe, the second portion extending from either end of the first portion and having a height that continuously tapers along its circumference from a height that is equivalent to the height of the first portion to a second height that is smaller than the height of the first portion. The distributor pipe connects to the collar distributor at the first portion. The apparatus further includes a plurality of inlet nozzles connected to the collar distributor. The second height is at least as great as a diameter of one the plurality of inlet nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Hadjira Iddir, Robert Sanger, Robert T. Sprague, Franz-Marcus Nowak
  • Publication number: 20140186225
    Abstract: A fluid distribution apparatus is disposed in a fluidized bed reactor and includes a distributor pipe configured to carry a fluid and a centerpipe fluidly connected to the distributor pipe and enclosing an annular space for receiving the fluid from the distributor pipe. The annular space is defined by an interior radius including a cylindrical plug disposed concentrically within the centerpipe, an exterior radius including the centerpipe, an upper end including an upper circular plate, and a lower end including a lower circular plate. The fluid distribution apparatus further includes a plurality of inlet nozzles fluidly connected to the annular space and disposed through the centerpipe for distributing the fluid from the annular space to a bed of the fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Robert T. Sprague
  • Patent number: 7442283
    Abstract: A device and process is presented for producing hydrogen peroxide on an as needed basis is disclosed. The process and device produces hydrogen peroxide on a small scale without the addition of chemicals and disposal of waste streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sanjay N. Gandhi, Robert T. Sprague, Lin Li, Massimo Sangalli, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Richard A. Janicki, Anil R. Oroskar, Laszlo T. Nemeth, Kerry S. Crosby, Pat Palmese
  • Patent number: 7097642
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for cutting and cauterizing of tissue. The apparatus comprises a cutting edge of a blade. The apparatus further comprises a conduit having a catalyst located near the conduit outlet, and the conduit is for delivering a combustible mixture of gases. The gases react in the presence of the catalyst and generate heat. The heat generated cauterizes blood vessels when applied to the cut tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert T. Sprague, Gavin P. Towler
  • Patent number: 7022229
    Abstract: An apparatus is presented for separating chemicals using adsorption separation methods. The apparatus uses a plurality of adsorption units holding adsorbent, where the adsorption units are serially connected and are moved to shift the relative position of the feeds and drawoffs to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gavin P. Towler, Stephen R. Dunne, Robert T. Sprague
  • Patent number: 6997213
    Abstract: A multiport rotary valve is described providing the interconnection of a plurality of conduits with a predetermined cycle. The valve uses a stack of plates defining channels and ports to form the fluid circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gavin P. Towler, Anil R. Oroskar, Robert T. Sprague
  • Patent number: 6979402
    Abstract: An apparatus is presented for separating chemicals using adsorption separation methods. The apparatus uses a plurality of adsorption units holding adsorbent, where the adsorption units positioned in a cylindrical spool, are serially connected and the spool is rotated to shift the relative position of the feeds and drawoffs to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert T. Sprague, Gavin P. Towler, Anil R. Oroskar