Patents by Inventor Steven Benson

Steven Benson 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: 20090317320
    Abstract: A system and method for producing activated carbon comprising carbonizing a solid carbonaceous material in a carbonization zone of an activated carbon production apparatus (ACPA) to yield a carbonized product and carbonization product gases, the carbonization zone comprising carbonaceous material inlet, char outlet and carbonization gas outlet; activating the carbonized product via activation with steam in an activation zone of the ACPA to yield activated carbon and activation product gases, the activation zone comprising activated carbon outlet, activation gas outlet, and activation steam inlet; and utilizing process gas comprising at least a portion of the carbonization product gases or a combustion product thereof; at least a portion of the activation product gases or a combustion product thereof; or a combination thereof in a solid fuel boiler system that burns a solid fuel boiler feed with air to produce boiler-produced steam and flue gas, the boiler upstream of an air heater within a steam/electricity g
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER
    Inventors: Srivats SRINIVASACHAR, Steven BENSON, Charlene CROCKER, Jill MACKENZIE
  • Patent number: 7628969
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method that uses generated alkaline, alkaline-earth, and/or silica/alumina aerosols as a multifunctional additive to scavenge sulfur oxides in flue gas, minimize poisoning effects of sulfur oxides on mercury sorbent performance, and enhance particulate matter capture in electrostatic precipitators and other particulate filter devices by conditioning the fly ash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center Foundation
    Inventors: Michael J. Holmes, John H. Pavlish, Ye Zhuang, Steven A. Benson, Edwin S. Olson, Jason D. Laumb
  • Patent number: 7574968
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for use in combustion system for capturing gas phase pollutants such as SO3. In one example, the invention uses a computer model to model the combustion system. Particles are injected into the combustion system to capture the gas phase pollutants. The model is used to determine the injection location, as well as the size and amount of the particles to be injected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignees: Energy & Environmental Research Center, Marsulex Environmental Technologies Corporation, Alstom Technolog Ltd
    Inventors: Donald McCollor, Steven Benson, Bernard Hamel, Robin Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20090047200
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method that uses generated alkaline, alkaline-earth, and/or silica/alumina aerosols as a multifunctional additive to scavenge sulfur oxides in flue gas, minimize poisoning effects of sulfur oxides on mercury sorbent performance, and enhance particulate matter capture in electrostatic precipitators and other particulate filter devices by conditioning the fly ash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER
    Inventors: Michael J. Holmes, John H. PAVLISH, Ye ZHUANG, Steven A. BENSON, Edwin S. OLSON, Jason D. LAUMB
  • Publication number: 20070274886
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for removing and recovering metalloids from gasification systems. Also disclosed are methods for on-line removal of deposited entrained materials from a heat exchanger unit. A method is provided for on-line removal and recovery of deposits from fossil fuel gasification systems to improve plant performance and recover a valuable metalloid. Plant performance will be improved by decreasing impedance to gas flow and decreasing downtime required to clean the gas cooling system by providing an effective method to remove deposits while the gasification system is operating. In the preferred embodiment of the method, the deposits rich in condensed metals and metalloids are captured on heat transfer surfaces within the range of temperatures of about 400° C. to about 600° C., the temperature of the heat transfer surface is cycled causing the deposit to spall from the steel surface, and the deposits are removed from the gasifier without impacting gasifier operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: MICROBEAM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Benson, Margaret Laumb
  • Publication number: 20070209361
    Abstract: A turbocharger turbine housing with at least two volutes utilizing multiple nozzle rings to optimize the turbocharger's proficiency per application, and a valve to control the exhaust flow to selected volutes in the turbine housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Melvin Pedersen, Steven Benson
  • Publication number: 20060269893
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing material during a dental or endodontic procedure includes a housing having a motor with an output. A needle heating member including a chamber may receive a prefilled needle of dispensing material. A heater at least substantially surrounds the chamber for heating the material in the needle. A plunger is used to expel the material from the needle during activation of the motor. A reusable protective sheath is provided for disposition on the outside of the housing. A method of manufacturing a needle for use and dispensing a material during a dental or endodontic procedure includes drawing a blank of metal having a closed distal end, bending the blank at a desired angle, and removing a portion of the drawn metal from the distal end to open the distal end thereby forming the dispensing needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Applicant: ORMCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Carlos Aloise, William Du, Steven Benson, Brenton Lively, Gary Garman
  • Publication number: 20060063126
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing material during a dental or endodontic procedure includes a housing having a motor with an output. A needle heating member including a chamber may receive a prefilled needle of dispensing material. A heater at least substantially surrounds the chamber for heating the material in the needle. A plunger is used to expel the material from the needle during activation of the motor. A reusable protective sheath is provided for disposition on the outside of the housing. A method of manufacturing a needle for use and dispensing a material during a dental or endodontic procedure includes drawing a blank of metal having a closed distal end, bending the blank at a desired angle, and removing a portion of the drawn metal from the distal end to open the distal end thereby forming the dispensing needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventors: Carlos Aloise, William Du, L. Buchanan, Steven Benson, Brenton Lively, Gary Garman
  • Publication number: 20050247058
    Abstract: A turbocharger comprising a turbine, director, and compressor. The turbine may be formed as a turbine wheel surrounded by at least two scrolls. The at least two scrolls may direct exhaust gases supplied thereto toward the turbine wheel to cause rotation thereof. The director may control distribution of the exhaust gases between the at least two scrolls to optimize circumferential velocity in the scroll or volute, and thus impingement velocity on the turbine. The compressor may be driven by the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Melvin Pedersen, Steven Benson
  • Publication number: 20050053537
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for use in combustion system for capturing gas phase pollutants such as SO3. In one example, the invention uses a computer model to model the combustion system. Particles are injected into the combustion system to capture the gas phase pollutants. The model is used to determine the injection location, as well as the size and amount of the particles to be injected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Donald McCollor, Steven Benson, Bernard Hamel, Robin Rhodes
  • Patent number: 5590923
    Abstract: An apparatus for gripping hot investment molds either of the ring type or of the oval type, has a plastic handle with an elongated square tube extending therefrom. A trigger in the handle is connected to a linkage rod which pulls back on a closer frame. Rearwardly extending crossed tails of a pair of jaws are squeezed together by rearward movement of the closer, for closing outwardly extending palms of the jaws around an investment mold. The jaw assembly is removable so that jaws having shapes adapted specifically to engage either an investment ring or an investment oval can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Belle de St. Claire
    Inventors: Robert P. Berger, Steven Benson
  • Patent number: 5406999
    Abstract: A device for receiving dental investment solution to create an investment mold, has an oval casing which fictionally engages an oval base. Anti-rotation tabs of the base extend into anti-rotation slots in the casing, with both casing and base made of flexible plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Belle de St. Claire
    Inventors: Robert P. Berger, Steven Benson
  • Patent number: 5337804
    Abstract: An adjustable investment mold positioner includes a resilient band bent into a partial cylinder. Opposite ends of the band bound an opening at the side of the cylinder. A mold receiving member made of bent metal has side walls with bent connectors that are attached to the opposite ends of the band. A recess is formed between the side walls for receiving an oval investment mold. The outer cylindrical configuration of the positioner is readily engageable within the cradle of a conventional casting machine which is designed for normally receiving cylindrical investment molds. In this way, oval investment molds can be received in a secure manner within the conventional casting machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Belle De St. Claire
    Inventors: Robert P. Berger, Steven Benson