Patents by Inventor Stephen James Smith
Stephen James Smith 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).
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Publication number: 20240131886Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Dee Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Michael Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett, Christopher T. Bate, Michael Patrick Cutter
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Publication number: 20240122777Abstract: Systems are provided for an imaging system isolation enclosure for use with a medical imaging system includes a pathogen impermeable enclosure for use with one or more of radiation imaging systems and magnetic resonance imaging systems, the pathogen impermeable enclosure is configured to provide a barrier between the imaging system and at least one of a patient user and an imaging room, and an air filtration system including an inlet to supply a cooling air flow to an interior of the imaging system isolation enclosure and an outlet to output exhaust air from an interior of the imaging system isolation enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2022Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Paul Francis FitzGerald, Uwe Wiedmann, Ross Christopher Stalter, Stephen Lorenco Araujo, Michael James Rishel, Chad Allan Smith
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Patent number: 10329210Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of ethene by vapor phase chemical dehydration of a feed comprising ethanol and optionally water and/or ethoxyethane, said process comprising contacting a dried supported heteropoly acid catalyst in a reactor with the feed-stream having feed temperature of at least 200° C.; wherein the pressure inside the reactor is at least 0.80 MPa but less than 1.80 MPa; and before the supported heteropolyacid catalyst is contacted with the feed-stream having a feed temperature of at least 200° C., the process is initiated by: (i) drying a supported heteropolyacid catalyst in a reactor under a stream of inert gas having a feed temperature of from above 100° C. to 200° C.; and (ii) contacting the dried supported heteropolyacid catalyst with an ethanol-containing vapor stream having a feed temperature of from above 100° C. to 160° C.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2015Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Technip E&C LimitedInventors: Stephen Roy Partington, Stephen James Smith, Nakul Thakar
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Patent number: 10144679Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of ethene by vapor phase chemical dehydration of a feed-stream comprising ethanol and optionally water and/or ethoxy ethane, said process comprising contacting a dried supported heteropolyacid catalyst in a reactor with the feed-stream having a feed temperature of at least 200° C.; wherein before the supported heteropolyacid catalyst is contacted with the feed-stream having a feed temperature of at least 200° C., the process is initiated by: (i) drying a supported heteropolyacid catalyst in a reactor under a stream of inert gas having a feed temperature of from above 100° C. to 200° C.; and (ii) contacting the dried supported heteropolyacid catalyst with an ethanol-containing vapor stream having a feed temperature of from above 100° C. to 160° C.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Technip E&C LimitedInventors: Stephen Roy Partington, Stephen James Smith, Nakul Thakar
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Publication number: 20170349504Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of ethene by vapour phase chemical dehydration of a feed comprising ethanol and optionally water and/or ethoxyethane, said process comprising contacting a dried supported heteropoly acid catalyst in a reactor with the feed-stream having feed temperature of at least 200° C.; wherein the pressure inside the reactor is at least 0.80 MPa but less than 1.80 MPa; and before the supported heteropolyacid catalyst is contacted with the feed-stream having a feed temperature of at least 200° C., the process is initiated by: (i) drying a supported heteropolyacid catalyst in a reactor under a stream of inert gas having a feed temperature of from above 100° C. to 200° C.; and (ii) contacting the dried supported heteropolyacid catalyst with an ethanol-containing vapour stream having a feed temperature of from above 100° C. to 160° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2015Publication date: December 7, 2017Inventors: Stephen Roy Partington, Stephen James Smith, Nakul Thakar
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Patent number: 9828319Abstract: A process for the acid-catalyzed dehydration of ethanol, the process comprising the steps of distilling an ethanol feedstock (101) comprising at least one nitrogen-containing contaminant to form an overhead stream (102) and a bottom stream comprising ethanol (103), wherein the distillation has a reflux ratio of at least 20:1; and reacting the bottom stream in the presence of an acid catalyst to form a product stream comprising ethylene.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Technip E&C LimitedInventors: Leslie William Bolton, Nigel Stewart Brown, Lewis Adam Heptonstall, Andrew John Hogben, Susan Elizabeth Little, Stephen James Smith
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Patent number: 9815404Abstract: A vehicle sound generator system is configured to generate a signal configured to drive one or more speakers produce sound waves simulating sounds associated with a desired engine type. The signal is based on one or more operating conditions of a vehicle. The vehicle sound generator system is configured to select sounds from a plurality of sounds based on the operating conditions of the vehicle. Each sound corresponds to a simulated sound of an engine operating in a respective gear. The vehicle sound generator system may generate the signal to drive the speakers to produce selected sounds to simulate shifting between the respective gears.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2013Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignees: Harman Becker Automotive Systems Manufacturing KFT, Harman International Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Colin Peachey, Carl Glen Dryhurst, Stephen James Smith, Jonathan R Lane
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Publication number: 20170260113Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of ethene by vapour phase chemical dehydration of a feed-stream comprising ethanol and optionally water and/or ethoxy ethane, said process comprising contacting a dried supported heteropolyacid catalyst in a reactor with the feed-stream having a feed temperature of at least 200° C.; wherein before the supported heteropolyacid catalyst is contacted with the feed-stream having a feed temperature of at least 200° C., the process is initiated by: (i) drying a supported heteropolyacid catalyst in a reactor under a stream of inert gas having a feed temperature of from above 100° C. to 200° C.; and (ii) contacting the dried supported heteropolyacid catalyst with an ethanol-containing vapour stream having a feed temperature of from above 100° C. to 160° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2015Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Stephen Roy Partington, Stephen James Smith, Nakul Thakar
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Publication number: 20160326080Abstract: A process for the acid-catalysed dehydration of ethanol, the process comprising the steps of distilling an ethanol feedstock (101) comprising at least one nitrogen-containing contaminant to form an overhead stream (102) and a bottom stream comprising ethanol (103), wherein the distillation has a reflux ratio of at least 20:1; and reacting the bottom stream in the presence of an acid catalyst to form a product stream comprising ethylene.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2014Publication date: November 10, 2016Applicant: TECHNIP E&C LIMITEDInventors: Leslie William Bolton, Nigel Stewart Brown, Lewis Adam Heptonstall, Andrew John Hogben, Susan Elizabeth Little, Stephen James Smith
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Patent number: 9233902Abstract: Process for removing acetone from a stream including acetone (A), methyl acetate (MA) and methyl iodide (MI), by (a) introducing the stream into a first distillation zone (FDZ); (b) introducing acetic acid (AA) into the FDZ, by adding AA to the stream or by introducing AA to the FDZ at or above the introduction point of the stream, or a combination thereof; (c) removing from the FDZ an overhead stream including MI and a bottoms stream containing A, MA, AA, and a reduced amount of MI; (d) introducing the bottoms stream into a second distillation zone (SDZ); (e) removing from the SDZ an overhead stream containing MA and MI and a bottoms stream containing A, MA and AA; (f) introducing the bottoms stream from (e) into a third distillation zone (TDZ); removing from the TDZ an overhead stream containing MA and A and a bottoms stream containing MA and AA.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2009Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: BP CHEMICALS LIMITEDInventors: Sean Anthony Hennigan, David Edward George Jeffers, Martin John Sellers, Stephen James Smith, Peter John Wilson
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Publication number: 20140177866Abstract: A vehicle sound generator system is configured to generate a signal configured to drive one or more speakers produce sound waves simulating sounds associated with a desired engine type. The signal is based on one or more operating conditions of a vehicle. The vehicle sound generator system is configured to select sounds from a plurality of sounds based on the operating conditions of the vehicle. Each sound corresponds to a simulated sound of an engine operating in a respective gear. The vehicle sound generator system may generate the signal to drive the speakers to produce selected sounds to simulate shifting between the respective gears.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicants: Lotus Cars Limited, Harman International Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Colin Peachey, Carl Glen Dryhurst, Stephen James Smith, Jonathan R Lane
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Patent number: 8620001Abstract: A vehicle sound generator system is configured to generate a signal configured to drive one or more speakers produce sound waves simulating sounds associated with a desired engine type. The signal is based on one or more operating conditions of a vehicle. The vehicle sound generator system is configured to select sounds from a plurality of sounds based on the operating conditions of the vehicle. Each sound corresponds to a simulated sound of an engine operating in a respective gear. The vehicle sound generator system may generate the signal to drive the speakers to produce selected sounds to simulate shifting between the respective gears.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Harman International Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Colin Peachey, Carl Glen Dryhurst, Stephen James Smith, Jonathan R. Lane
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Patent number: 8283493Abstract: Process for the production of acetic acid by (a) introducing methanol, methyl acetate, dimethyl ether and/or methyl iodide and carbon monoxide into a first reaction zone containing a liquid reaction composition comprising a carbonylation catalyst, optionally a carbonylation catalyst promoter, methyl iodide, methyl acetate, acetic acid and water, (b) withdrawing at least a portion of the liquid reaction composition together with dissolved and/or entrained carbon monoxide and other gases from the first reaction zone, (c) passing at least a portion of the withdrawn liquid reaction composition to a second reaction zone, wherein at least a portion of the dissolved and/or entrained carbon monoxide is consumed, (d) passing at least a portion of the liquid reaction composition from the second reaction zone into a flash separation zone to form a vapor fraction, which comprises acetic acid, methyl iodide, methyl acetate and low pressure off-gas, comprising carbon monoxide; and a liquid fraction, which comprises carbonyType: GrantFiled: February 11, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: BP Chemicals LimitedInventors: Clive Richard Breeden, Simon Frederick Thomas Froom, Sean Anthony Hennigan, Stephen James Smith
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Patent number: 8242040Abstract: A process for the removal of corrosion metal contaminants from a carbonylation catalyst solution comprising an iridium and/or rhodium carbonylation catalyst, an alkali and/or alkaline earth metal and corrosion metal contaminants in which the catalyst solution is contacted with a cation exchange resin having its active sites partially loaded with a sufficient amount of alkali and/or alkaline earth metal to maintain the concentration of said alkali and/or alkaline earth metal in the catalyst solution and recovering a catalyst solution of reduced corrosion metal contaminant content.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2005Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: BP Chemicals LimitedInventors: Andrew David Poole, Stephen James Smith
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Publication number: 20120106748Abstract: A vehicle sound generator system is configured to generate a signal configured to drive one or more speakers produce sound waves simulating sounds associated with a desired engine type. The signal is based on one or more operating conditions of a vehicle. The vehicle sound generator system is configured to select sounds from a plurality of sounds based on the operating conditions of the vehicle. Each sound corresponds to a simulated sound of an engine operating in a respective gear. The vehicle sound generator system may generate the signal to drive the speakers to produce selected sounds to simulate shifting between the respective gears.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicants: Lotus Cars Limited, Harman International Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Colin Peachey, Carl Glen Dryhurst, Stephen James Smith, Jonathan R. Lane
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Publication number: 20110269988Abstract: The present invention relates to a separation process for removing acetone from a mixture comprising acetone, methyl acetate and methyl iodide, said process comprising the steps of: (a) introducing said stream comprising acetone, methyl acetate and methyl iodide into a first distillation zone; (b) introducing acetic acid into said first distillation zone, either by addition of acetic acid to said stream comprising acetone, methyl acetate and methyl iodide or by introduction of acetic acid directly to the first distillation zone at one or more points at or above the point of introduction of said stream comprising acetone, methyl acetate and methyl iodide into the first distillation zone in step (a), or a combination of both; (c) removing from the first distillation zone an overhead stream comprising methyl iodide and a bottoms stream comprising acetone, methyl acetate, acetic acid, and a reduced amount of methyl iodide; (d) introducing into a second distillation zone the bottoms stream from step (c); (e) removType: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2009Publication date: November 3, 2011Inventors: Sean Anthony Hennigan, David Edward George Jeffers, Martin John Sellers, Stephen James Smith, Peter John Wilson
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Publication number: 20100324333Abstract: A process for the production of acetic acid comprising: introducing methanol and/or a reactive derivative thereof and carbon monoxide into a first reaction zone containing a liquid reaction composition comprising a carbonylation catalyst, optionally a carbonylation catalyst promoter, methyl iodide, methyl acetate, acetic acid and water; withdrawing at least a portion of the liquid reaction composition together with dissolved and/or entrained carbon monoxide from the first reaction zone; passing at least a portion of the withdrawn liquid reaction composition to a second reaction zone; passing at least a portion of the liquid reaction composition from the second reaction zone into a flash separation zone; wherein the temperature of the liquid reaction composition withdrawn from the first reaction zone is in the range of 170 to 195° C.; and the temperature of the liquid reaction composition passed from the second reaction zone to the flash separation zone is at least 8° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2009Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventors: Clive Richard Breeden, Simon Frederick Thomas Froom, Sean Anthony Hennigan, Stephen James Smith
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Patent number: 7799229Abstract: Process for the selective removal of Iridium carbonylation catalyst metal and/or at least one promoter selected from ruthenium, osmium and rhenium from a liquid composition comprising a carbonylation product, iridium carbonylation catalyst metal and/or the promoter metal, corrosion metals and optionally alkali or alkaline earth metals. The process is carried out by contacting the liquid composition with a chelating resin to remove at least a portion of the iridium carbonylation catalyst metal and/or at least one promoter metal contained in the liquid composition. The chelating resin contains at least one thiourea functional group. The process is suitable for treating process streams obtained in the production of carboxylic acids and/or carboxylic anhydrides.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2005Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: BP Chemicals LimitedInventors: Andrew David Poole, Stephen James Smith
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Publication number: 20100210448Abstract: A process for recovering tungsten from a spent catalyst comprising a supported heteropolytungstic acid characterised in that the process comprises: (a) contacting the spent catalyst with an extractant selected from water, methanol, ethanol or a mixture of any two or more thereof for sufficient time to extract at least part of the heteropolytungstic acid therefrom; (b) separating the extractant containing heteropolytungstic acid from the treated spent catalyst; (c) contacting the extractant containing heteropolytungstic acid with a strong acid ion exchange resin to remove corrosion metals contained therein and (d) recovering the treated extractant containing heteropolytungstic acid for subsequent use.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2008Publication date: August 19, 2010Inventors: Francois-Xavier Chiron, William Fullerton, Lesley Ann Key, Liam O'Neill, Stephen James Smith
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Patent number: 7741517Abstract: A process for the production of acetic acid by carbonylating methanol and/or a reactive derivative thereof with carbon monoxide in the presence of an iridium promoted carbonylation catalyst wherein the promoters are ruthenium and at least one of niobium and tantalum.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2007Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: BP Chemicals LimitedInventors: Andrew John Miller, Stephen James Smith