Patents by Inventor Robert William Ford

Robert William Ford 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: 6938654
    Abstract: System for the transportation and storage of a product which comprises a tank including cylindrical wall section and two ends, wherein the cylindrical wall section and two ends define a cylindrical tank periphery, and wherein the tank periphery has an interior and an exterior. The system utilizes a valve box that includes one or more side walls, a bottom wall, and a removable, sealable top cover which can be attached to the one or more side walls to seal the valve box, wherein the valve box side walls are sealably joined to the cylindrical wall. One or more process valves are disposed in the valve box, wherein each valve has a first and a second end, wherein each first end is connected to a pipe which passes through a wall of the valve box for introducing product into the tank or withdrawing product from the tank. A purge valve and pressure measurement means are installed in fluid communication with the valve box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Yliy Gershtein, Robert William Ford, John Frederick Cirucci
  • Patent number: 6814092
    Abstract: A process and system for conditioning a bulk container for ultra-high purity liquefied gas. Vapor is generated in the container from a conditioning quantity of the ultra-high purity liquefied gas by imposing a temperature difference on the container so that the vapor condenses when a temperature difference is achieved. The resulting liquid reflux, e.g., the condensed liquid drips or flows back to the conditioning quantity of the liquified gas, washes or removes contaminants, e.g., particles, metal and moisture, from the interior surface of the container. A portion of the vapor is vented from the container for reclamation. The used conditioning liquid may also be reclaimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Lachawiec, Jr., Vladimir Yliy Gershtein, Ronald Martin Pearlstein, Robert William Ford
  • Publication number: 20040065382
    Abstract: System for the transportation and storage of a product which comprises a tank including cylindrical wall section and two ends, wherein the cylindrical wall section and two ends define a cylindrical tank periphery, and wherein the tank periphery has an interior and an exterior. The system utilizes a valve box that includes one or more side walls, a bottom wall, and a removable, sealable top cover which can be attached to the one or more side walls to seal the valve box, wherein the valve box side walls are sealably joined to the cylindrical wall. One or more process valves are disposed in the valve box, wherein each valve has a first and a second end, wherein each first end is connected to a pipe which passes through a wall of the valve box for introducing product into the tank or withdrawing product from the tank. A purge valve and pressure measurement means are installed in fluid communication with the valve box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Vladimir Yliy Gershtein, Robert William Ford, John Frederick Cirucci
  • Publication number: 20040045802
    Abstract: A process and system for conditioning a bulk container for ultra-high purity liquefied gas. Vapor is generated in the container from a conditioning quantity of the ultra-high purity liquefied gas by imposing a temperature difference on the container so that the vapor condenses when a temperature difference is achieved. The resulting liquid reflux, e.g., the condensed liquid drips or flows back to the conditioning quantity of the liquified gas, washes or removes contaminants, e.g., particles, metal and moisture, from the interior surface of the container. A portion of the vapor is vented from the container for reclamation. The used conditioning liquid may also be reclaimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Anthony J. Lachawiec, Vladimir Yliy Gershtein, Ronald Martin Pearlstein, Robert William Ford
  • Patent number: 6651703
    Abstract: A system for the transportation and storage of a product comprising a tank including a cylindrical wall section and two ends which define a cylindrical tank periphery, wherein the tank periphery has an interior and an exterior; a recessed valve box including one or more side walls, a bottom wall, and a removable, sealable top cover which can be attached to the one or more side walls to seal the valve box, wherein the valve box side walls are sealably joined to the cylindrical wall section such that the valve box extends through the cylindrical wall section into the interior of the tank periphery and is partially or totally disposed in the interior of the tank periphery; and one or more valves disposed in the valve box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Yliy Gershtein, Robert William Ford, Christopher R. Butler, Eugene Y. Ngai
  • Patent number: 6637469
    Abstract: A container for holding a solid, liquid and/or gaseous phase product therein and for use within a transportable or stationary support structure. The container maximizes the compressed product volume contained therein and prevents liquid and/or contaminant entrainment during gaseous product delivery from liquid phase product. The system allows for product withdraw when the level is above the delivery valves using, at a minimum, two delivery legs linked by a compartment or housing that connects the delivery point and a container head space via a removable manway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Hoffman, Vladimir Yliy Gershtein, Alexandre De Almeida Botelho, Robert William Ford, Paul David Kottler
  • Publication number: 20030178093
    Abstract: A system for the transportation and storage of a product comprising a tank including a cylindrical wall section and two ends which define a cylindrical tank periphery, wherein the tank periphery has an interior and an exterior; a recessed valve box including one or more side walls, a bottom wall, and a removable, sealable top cover which can be attached to the one or more side walls to seal the valve box, wherein the valve box side walls are sealably joined to the cylindrical wall section such that the valve box extends through the cylindrical wall section into the interior of the tank periphery and is partially or totally disposed in the interior of the tank periphery; and one or more valves disposed in the valve box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Vladimir Yliy Gershtein, Robert William Ford, Christopher R. Butler, Eugene Y. Ngai
  • Publication number: 20030178091
    Abstract: A container for holding a solid, liquid and/or gaseous phase product therein and for use within a transportable or stationary support structure. The container maximizes the compressed product volume contained therein and prevents liquid and/or contaminant entrainment during gaseous product delivery from liquid phase product. The system allows for product withdraw when the level is above the delivery valves using, at a minimum, two delivery legs linked by a compartment or housing that connects the delivery point and a container head space via a removable manway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Steven W. Hoffman, Vladimir Yliy Gershtein, Alexandre De Almeida Botelho, Robert William Ford, Paul David Kottler
  • Patent number: 6616769
    Abstract: A process and system for conditioning a bulk container for ultra-high purity liquefied gas. Vapor is generated in the container from a conditioning quantity of the ultra-high purity liquefied gas by imposing a temperature difference on the container so that the vapor condenses when a temperature difference is achieved. The resulting liquid reflux, e.g., the condensed liquid drips or flows back to the conditioning quantity of the liquified gas, washes or removes contaminants, e.g., particles, metal and moisture, from the interior surface of the container. A portion of the vapor is vented from the container for reclamation. The used conditioning liquid may also be reclaimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Lachawiec, Jr., Vladimir Yliy Gershtein, Ronald Martin Pearlstein, Robert William Ford
  • Patent number: 6614009
    Abstract: A high flow rate, transportable, ultra high purity gas vaporization and supply system is provided which includes a vessel suitable for carrying large quantities of a liquefied gas, valves to operate with liquid or gas phases, a loading/unloading unit disposed on the vessel for loading and unloading the liquefied gas to be supplied, and a heater containing heating elements permanently positioned on the vessel to supply energy into the liquefied gas. The heater causes the liquefied gas to be supplied through the loading/unloading unit as a gas. A heater controller is also provided which uses process variables feedback for regulating the heating elements to maintain and regulate gas output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Yliy Gershtein, Alexandre De Almeida Botelho, Bruce H. Greenawald, Mark A. Lusignea, Kevin J. McMahon, Robert William Ford
  • Publication number: 20030062065
    Abstract: A process and system for conditioning a bulk container for ultra-high purity liquefied gas. Vapor is generated in the container from a conditioning quantity of the ultra-high purity liquefied gas by imposing a temperature difference on the container so that the vapor condenses when a temperature difference is achieved. The resulting liquid reflux, e.g., the condensed liquid drips or flows back to the conditioning quantity of the liquified gas, washes or removes contaminants, e.g., particles, metal and moisture, from the interior surface of the container. A portion of the vapor is vented from the container for reclamation. The used conditioning liquid may also be reclaimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Anthony J. Lachawiec, Vladimir Yliy Gershtein, Ronald Martin Pearlstein, Robert William Ford
  • Publication number: 20030062361
    Abstract: A high flow rate, transportable, ultra high purity gas vaporization and supply system is provided which includes a vessel suitable for carrying large quantities of a liquefied gas, valves to operate with liquid or gas phases, a loading/unloading unit disposed on the vessel for loading and unloading the liquefied gas to be supplied, and a heater containing heating elements permanently positioned on the vessel to supply energy into the liquefied gas. The heater causes the liquefied gas to be supplied through the loading/unloading unit as a gas. A heater controller is also provided which uses process variables feedback for regulating the heating elements to maintain and regulate gas output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Vladimir Yliy Gershtein, Alexandre De Almeida Botelho, Bruce H. Greenawald, Mark A. Lusignea, Kevin J. McMahon, Robert William Ford
  • Patent number: 6514564
    Abstract: A dynamic blending gas delivery system and method are disclosed. A blended gaseous mixture produced in accordance with the method is used in chemical vapor deposition tools or similar process tools. One embodiment is a multi-step method for processing a plurality of fluids to form a blended gaseous mixture and supplying the blended gaseous mixture to a distribution header from which the blended gaseous mixture is delivered to at least one tool. The first step is to supply a first fluid. The second step is to heat the first fluid to a temperature where at least some portion of the first fluid is a vapor. The third step is to superheat the vapor portion of the first fluid to a temperature sufficient to avoid condensation of the blended gaseous mixture delivered to the at least one tool. The fourth step is to supply a second fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre de Almeida Botelho, Thomas Anthony Del Prato, Robert William Ford
  • Publication number: 20010009138
    Abstract: A dynamic blending gas delivery system and method are disclosed. A blended gaseous mixture produced in accordance with the method is used in chemical vapor deposition tools or similar process tools. One embodiment is a multi-step method for processing a plurality of fluids to form a blended gaseous mixture and supplying the blended gaseous mixture to a distribution header from which the blended gaseous mixture is delivered to at least one tool. The first step is to supply a first fluid. The second step is to heat the first fluid to a temperature where at least some portion of the first fluid is a vapor. The third step is to superheat the vapor portion of the first fluid to a temperature sufficient to avoid condensation of the blended gaseous mixture delivered to the at least one tool. The fourth step is to supply a second fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Alexandre de Almeida Botelho, Thomas Anthony Del Prato, Robert William Ford
  • Patent number: 6217659
    Abstract: A dynamic blending gas delivery system and method are disclosed. A blended gaseous mixture produced in accordance with the method is used in chemical vapor deposition tools or similar process tools. One embodiment is a multi-step method for processing a plurality of fluids to form a blended gaseous mixture and supplying the blended gaseous mixture to a distribution header from which the blended gaseous mixture is delivered to at least one tool. The first step is to supply a first fluid. The second step is to heat the first fluid to a temperature where at least some portion of the first fluid is a vapor. The third step is to superheat the vapor portion of the first fluid to a temperature sufficient to avoid condensation of the blended gaseous mixture delivered to the at least one tool. The fourth step is to supply a second fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemical, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre de Almeida Botelho, Thomas Anthony Del Prato, Robert William Ford