Patents by Inventor Steven R. Fortner

Steven R. Fortner 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: 10018431
    Abstract: A nozzle block for a sootblower of the type for cleaning internal heat transfer surfaces of large scale coal fired combustion systems. For cleaning the internal surfaces, a cleaning medium is often used in the form of steam. Due to the cyclical operations and the process of condensation, condensate slugs of water can form in the sootblower fluid flow components. If these slugs are ejected against clean surfaces, undesirable erosion can occur. Several embodiments of nozzle blocks are described each having one or more ejection ports at their distal ends configured to maximize the ejection of condensates while minimizing their cross-sectional area which would diminish nozzle fluidic efficiency. Additional features enhance the ability of the nozzle block to separate and disperse condensate from the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: DIAMOND POWER INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew R. Harkleroad, Steven R. Fortner, Tony F. Habib, Clinton A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20150345878
    Abstract: A nozzle block for a sootblower of the type for cleaning internal heat transfer surfaces of large scale coal fired combustion systems. For cleaning the internal surfaces, a cleaning medium is often used in the form of steam. Due to the cyclical operations and the process of condensation, condensate slugs of water can form in the sootblower fluid flow components. If these slugs are ejected against clean surfaces, undesirable erosion can occur. Several embodiments of nozzle blocks are described each having one or more ejection ports at their distal ends configured to maximize the ejection of condensates while minimizing their cross-sectional area which would diminish nozzle fluidic efficiency. Additional features enhance the ability of the nozzle block to separate and disperse condensate from the slots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew R. Harkleroad, Steven R. Fortner, Tony F. Habib, Clinton A. Brown
  • Patent number: 7028926
    Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a sootblower design incorporates a downstream nozzle positioned on a nozzle block body and an upstream nozzle positioned longitudinally from the position of the downstream nozzle farther from a distal end of the nozzle block than that of the downstream nozzle. The upstream nozzle has a geometry that is different than the geometry of the downstream nozzle. By having nozzles of different geometries, each nozzle can be individually optimized for the flow conditions each nozzle experiences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Diamond Power International, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony F. Habib, David L. Keller, Steven R. Fortner
  • Publication number: 20040222324
    Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a sootblower design incorporates a downstream nozzle positioned on a nozzle block body and an upstream nozzle positioned longitudinally from the position of the downstream nozzle farther from a distal end of the nozzle block than that of the downstream nozzle. The upstream nozzle has a geometry that is different than the geometry of the downstream nozzle. By having nozzles of different geometries, each nozzle can be individually optimized for the flow conditions each nozzle experiences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Tony F. Habib, David L. Keller, Steven R. Fortner