Patents by Inventor Thomas Bruno

Thomas Bruno 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: 11214742
    Abstract: Apparatus, processes, and systems for removal of solids from a hydrocarbon stream. The present disclosure utilizes a surfactant to reduce interfacial tension between a hydrocarbon phase and a water (or aqueous) phase to promote solids to be pulled by gravity out of the hydrocarbon phase and into the water phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert P. Lucchesi, Mohsen S. Yeganeh, Geoffrey M. Keiser, Jessica L. Vreeland, Thomas Bruno
  • Patent number: 10314418
    Abstract: A method of making a pillow includes obtaining a first pillow half having an outer surface and an inner surface having a first cavity formed therein, filling the first cavity with a first filler material, obtaining a second pillow half having an outer surface and an inner surface having a second cavity formed therein, and filling the second cavity with a second filler material. The method includes, after the filling steps, juxtaposing the inner surface of the first pillow half with the inner surface of the second pillow half and joining the first and second pillow halves together to form a pillow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Comfort Revolution, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Bruno
  • Publication number: 20190159612
    Abstract: A method of making a pillow includes obtaining a first pillow half having an outer surface and an inner surface having a first cavity formed therein, filling the first cavity with a first filler material, obtaining a second pillow half having an outer surface and an inner surface having a second cavity formed therein, and filling the second cavity with a second filler material. The method includes, after the filling steps, juxtaposing the inner surface of the first pillow half with the inner surface of the second pillow half and joining the first and second pillow halves together to form a pillow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Bruno
  • Publication number: 20190016968
    Abstract: Electro-kinetic separation processes for removing solid particles from hydrocracker process streams are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Ivy D. Johnson, Bhupender S. Minhas, Jessica Wittman, Sara L. Yohe, Thomas Bruno
  • Publication number: 20180251689
    Abstract: Apparatus, processes, and systems for removal of solids from a hydrocarbon stream. The present disclosure utilizes a surfactant to reduce interfacial tension between a hydrocarbon phase and a water (or aqueous) phase to promote solids to be pulled by gravity out of the hydrocarbon phase and into the water phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Robert P. LUCCHESI, Mohsen S. YEGANEH, Geoffrey M. KEISER, Jessica L. VREELAND, Thomas BRUNO
  • Patent number: 10039396
    Abstract: A method of making a pillow includes obtaining a first pillow half having an outer surface and an inner surface having a first cavity formed therein, filling the first cavity with a first filler material, obtaining a second pillow half having an outer surface and an inner surface having a second cavity formed therein, and filling the second cavity with a second filler material. The method includes, after the filling steps, juxtaposing the inner surface of the first pillow half with the inner surface of the second pillow half and joining the first and second pillow halves together to form a pillow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Comfort Revolution, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Bruno
  • Patent number: 8469081
    Abstract: A method and device for reducing sulfidation corrosion and depositional fouling in heat transfer components within a refining or petrochemical facility is disclosed. The heat transfer components are formed from a corrosion and fouling resistant steel composition containing a Cr-enriched layer having a surface roughness of less than 40 micro inches (1.1 ?m) and a protective layer formed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Mark A Greaney, Thomas Bruno, Ashley E. Cooper, Ian A Cody, ChangMin Chun
  • Patent number: 8470097
    Abstract: A method of providing sulfidation corrosion resistance and corrosion induced fouling resistance to a heat transfer component surface includes providing a silicon containing steel composition including an alloy and a Si-partitioned non-metallic film formed on a surface of the alloy. The alloy is formed from the composition ?, ?,and ?, in which ? is a metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, and mixtures thereof, ? is Si, and ? is at least one alloying element selected from the group consisting of Cr, Al, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Sc, La, Y, Ce, Ru, Rh, Ir, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Ga, Ge, As, In, Sn, Sb, Pb, B, C, N, P, O, S and mixtures thereof. The Si-partitioned non-metallic film comprises at least one of sulfide, oxysulfide and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: ChangMin Chun, Mark A Greaney, Thomas Bruno, Ian A Cody, Trikur A Ramanarayanan, LeRoy A Clavenna
  • Patent number: 8465599
    Abstract: A method of providing sulfidation corrosion resistance and corrosion induced fouling resistance for a heat transfer component is disclosed. The heat transfer component includes a heat exchange surface formed from a chromium-enriched oxide containing material formed from the composition ?, ?, and ?, wherein ? is a steel containing at least about 5 to about 40 wt. % chromium, ? is a chromium enriched oxide (M3O4 or M2O3 or mixtures thereof) formed on the surface of the steel ?, wherein M is a metal containing at least 5 wt. % Cr based on the total weight of the metal M, and ? is a top layer formed on the surface of the chromium-enriched oxide ?, comprising sulfide, oxide, oxysulfide, and mixtures thereof. The top layer ? comprises iron sulfide (Fe1-xS), iron oxide (Fe3O4), iron oxysulfide, iron-chromium sulfide, iron-chromium oxide, iron-chromium oxysulfide, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: ChangMin Chun, Mark A. Greaney, Thomas Bruno, Ian A. Cody, Trikur A. Ramanarayanan
  • Publication number: 20120273091
    Abstract: A method of providing sulfidation corrosion resistance and corrosion induced fouling resistance to a heat transfer component surface includes providing a silicon containing steel composition including an alloy and a Si-partitioned non-metallic film formed on a surface of the alloy. The alloy is formed from the composition ?, ?, and t, in which ? is a metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, and mixtures thereof, ? is Si, and t is at least one alloying element selected from the group consisting of Cr, Al, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Sc, La, Y, Ce, Ru, Rh, Ir, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Ga, Ge, As, In, Sn, Sb, Pb, B, C, N, P, O, S and mixtures thereof. The Si-partitioned non-metallic film comprises at least one of sulfide, oxysulfide and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: ChangMin Chun, Mark A. Greaney, Thomas Bruno, Ian A. Cody, Trikur A. Ramanarayanan, LeRoy R. Clavenna
  • Patent number: 8286695
    Abstract: An insert for reducing sulfidation corrosion and depositional fouling is disclosed. The insert is formed from a corrosion and fouling resistant steel composition containing a Cr-enriched layer and having a surface roughness of less than 40 micro inches (1.1 ?m).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Greaney, James E. Feather, Thomas Bruno, ChangMin Chun, Clifford Hay
  • Publication number: 20120246935
    Abstract: A method and device for reducing sulfidation corrosion and depositional fouling in heat transfer components within a refining or petrochemical facility is disclosed. The heat transfer components are formed from a corrosion and fouling resistant steel composition containing a Cr-enriched layer having a surface roughness of less than 40 micro inches (1.1 ?m) and a protective layer formed thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark A. GREANEY, Thomas BRUNO, Ashley E. COOPER, Ian A. CODY, ChangMin CHUN
  • Patent number: 8211548
    Abstract: A heat transfer component that is resistant to both corrosion and fouling is disclosed having a heat exchange surface formed from a silicon containing steel composition including an alloy and a non-metallic film formed on a surface of the alloy. The alloy is formed from the composition ?, ?, and ?, in which ? is a metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, and mixtures thereof, ? is Si, and ? is at least one alloying element selected from the group consisting of Cr, Al, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Sc, La, Y, Ce, Ru, Rh, Ir, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Ga, Ge, As, In, Sn, Sb, Pb, B, C, N, P, O, S and mixtures thereof. The non-metallic film comprises sulfide, oxide, carbide, nitride, oxysulfide, oxycarbide, oxynitride and mixtures thereof. The surface roughness of the heat transfer component is less than 40 micro inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: ChangMin Chun, Mark A. Greaney, Thomas Bruno, Ian A. Cody, Trikur A. Ramanarayanan, LeRoy R. Clavenna
  • Patent number: 8201619
    Abstract: A method and device for reducing sulfidation corrosion and depositional fouling in heat transfer components within a refining or petrochemical facility is disclosed. The heat transfer components are formed from a corrosion and fouling resistant steel composition containing a Cr-enriched layer and having a surface roughness of less than 40 micro inches (1.1 ?m).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Greaney, Thomas Bruno, Ashley E. Cooper, Ian A. Cody, ChangMin Chun
  • Publication number: 20110277888
    Abstract: A method of providing sulfidation corrosion resistance and corrosion induced fouling resistance for a heat transfer component is disclosed. The heat transfer component includes a heat exchange surface formed from a chromium-enriched oxide containing material formed from the composition ?, ?, and ?, wherein ? is a steel containing at least about 5 to about 40 wt. % chromium, ? is a chromium enriched oxide (M3O4 or M2O3 or mixtures thereof) formed on the surface of the steel ?, wherein M is a metal containing at least 5 wt. % Cr based on the total weight of the metal M, and ? is a top layer formed on the surface of the chromium-enriched oxide ?, comprising sulfide, oxide, oxysulfide, and mixtures thereof. The top layer ? comprises iron sulfide (Fe1-xS), iron oxide (Fe3O4), iron oxysulfide, iron-chromium sulfide, iron-chromium oxide, iron-chromium oxysulfide, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: ChangMin CHUN, Mark A. GREANEY, Thomas BRUNO, Ian A. CODY, Trikur A. RAMANARAYANAN
  • Patent number: 8037928
    Abstract: A heat transfer component that is resistant to corrosion and fouling is disclosed. The heat transfer component includes a heat exchange surface formed from a chromium-enriched oxide containing material formed from the composition ?, ?, and ?, wherein ? is a steel containing at least about 5 to about 40 wt. % chromium, ? is a chromium enriched oxide (M3O4 or M2O3 or mixtures thereof) formed on the surface of the steel ?, wherein M is a metal containing at least 5 wt. % Cr based on the total weight of the metal M, and ? is a top layer formed on the surface of the chromium-enriched oxide ?, comprising sulfide, oxide, oxysulfide, and mixtures thereof. The top layer ? comprises iron sulfide (Fe1-xS), iron oxide (Fe3O4), iron oxysulfide, iron-chromium sulfide, iron-chromium oxide, iron-chromium oxysulfide, and mixtures thereof. The metal M of the chromium enriched oxide (M3O4 or M2O3 or mixtures thereof) may comprise Fe, Cr, and constituting elements of the steel ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: ChangMin Chun, Mark A. Greaney, Thomas Bruno, Ian A. Cody, Trikur A. Ramanarayanan
  • Patent number: 7991028
    Abstract: A high-powered diffraction limited diode pumped solid-state source optically end pumps a compact, widely tunable solid state material. Imaging of the collimated pump beam into the tunable medium produces ideal volumetric overlap producing high conversion efficiencies. Fully integrated pump source provides pump energy at or near the peak absorption wavelength. Birefringent elements placed intracavity are used for linewidth narrowing and tuning of the laser wavelength. Tunable active medium is placed in linear cavity arrangement utilizing a confocal or hemispherical arrangement. Mode waist is minimized in crystal such that there is optimal overlap with pump source while simultaneously maximizing extraction efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas Bruno
  • Publication number: 20070207329
    Abstract: A heat transfer component that is resistant to corrosion and fouling is disclosed. The heat transfer component includes a heat exchange surface formed from a chromium-enriched oxide containing material formed from the composition ?, ?, and ?, wherein ? is a steel containing at least about 5 to about 40 wt. % chromium, ? is a chromium enriched oxide (M3O4 or M2O3 or mixtures thereof) formed on the surface of the steel ?, wherein M is a metal containing at least 5 wt. % Cr based on the total weight of the metal M, and ? is a top layer formed on the surface of the chromium-enriched oxide ?, comprising sulfide, oxide, oxysulfide, and mixtures thereof. The top layer ? comprises iron sulfide (Fe1-xS), iron oxide (Fe3O4), iron oxysulfide, iron-chromium sulfide, iron-chromium oxide, iron-chromium oxysulfide, and mixtures thereof. The metal M of the chromium enriched oxide (M3O4 or M2O3 or mixtures thereof) may comprise Fe, Cr, and constituting elements of the steel ?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: ChangMin Chun, Mark Greaney, Thomas Bruno, Ian Cody, Trikur Ramanarayanan
  • Publication number: 20070187078
    Abstract: An insert for reducing sulfidation corrosion and depositional fouling is disclosed. The insert is formed from a corrosion and fouling resistant steel composition containing a Cr-enriched layer and having a surface roughness of less than 40 micro inches (1.1 ?m).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Mark Greaney, James Feather, Thomas Bruno, ChangMin Chun, Clifford Hay
  • Publication number: 20070178322
    Abstract: A heat transfer component that is resistant to both corrosion and fouling is disclosed having a heat exchange surface formed from a silicon containing steel composition including an alloy and a non-metallic film formed on a surface of the alloy. The alloy is formed from the composition ?, ?, and ?, in which ? is a metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, and mixtures thereof, ? is Si, and ? is at least one alloying element selected from the group consisting of Cr, Al, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Sc, La, Y, Ce, Ru, Rh, Ir, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Ga, Ge, As, In, Sn, Sb, Pb, B, C, N, P, 0, S and mixtures thereof. The non-metallic film comprises sulfide, oxide, carbide, nitride, oxysulfide, oxycarbide, oxynitride and mixtures thereof. The surface roughness of the heat transfer component is less than 40 micro inches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: ChangMin Chun, Mark Greaney, Thomas Bruno, Ian Cody, Trikur Ramanarayanan, LeRoy Clavenna