Patents by Inventor Thomas Grzanka

Thomas Grzanka 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: 8715467
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for purifying a chlorine supply that includes a chlorine component, a bromine component, and nitrogen trichloride. The method includes the steps of introducing the chlorine supply into a vaporizer, heating the chlorine supply in the vaporizer to form a vapor, and introducing the vapor into a distillation system to provide purified chlorine gas, a distillate that includes liquid chlorine and the bromine component, and a bottoms component including the nitrogen trichloride. The method also includes the steps of condensing the vapor in a reflux condenser, heating the condensate in a reboiler, removing the purified chlorine gas from the distillation system, and removing the distillate from the distillation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Robert A. Doerr, Steven D. Gagnon, Kenneth K. Bordelon, Johannes D. Jacobs, Thomas A. Grzanka
  • Publication number: 20130303803
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for purifying a chlorine supply that includes a chlorine component, a bromine component, and nitrogen trichloride. The method includes the steps of introducing the chlorine supply into a vaporizer, heating the chlorine supply in the vaporizer to form a vapor, and introducing the vapor into a distillation system to provide purified chlorine gas, a distillate that includes liquid chlorine and the bromine component, and a bottoms component including the nitrogen trichloride. The method also includes the steps of condensing the vapor in a reflux condenser, heating the condensate in a reboiler, removing the purified chlorine gas from the distillation system, and removing the distillate from the distillation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Robert A. Doerr, Steven D. Gagnon, Kenneth K. Bordelon, Johannes D. Jacobs, Thomas A. Grzanka
  • Patent number: 8519179
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of measuring entry of water and resulting corrosion in plants for producing isocyanates by reacting phosgene with one or more primary amines in a solvent. The invention further relates to an apparatus for producing such isocyanates, in the work-up section of which probes for monitoring corrosion are arranged in defined places.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Heiner Schelling, Ulrich Penzel, Eckhard Stroefer, Dirk Hablawetz, Dave Beckwith, Kai Thiele, Johannes Jacobs, Matthias Eiermann, Uwe Storck, Jon S. Speier, Thomas Grzanka, William Portwood
  • Patent number: 8512447
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for purifying a chlorine supply that includes a chlorine component, a bromine component, and nitrogen trichloride. The method includes the steps of introducing the chlorine supply into a vaporizer, heating the chlorine supply in the vaporizer to form a vapor, and introducing the vapor into a distillation system to provide purified chlorine gas, a distillate that includes liquid chlorine and the bromine component, and a bottoms component including the nitrogen trichloride. The method also includes the steps of condensing the vapor in a reflux condenser, heating the condensate in a reboiler, removing the purified chlorine gas from the distillation system, and removing the distillate from the distillation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Robert A. Doerr, Steven D. Gagnon, Kenneth K. Bordelon, Johannes D. Jacobs, Thomas A. Grzanka
  • Publication number: 20120108844
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of measuring entry of water and resulting corrosion in plants for producing isocyanates by reacting phosgene with one or more primary amines in a solvent. The invention further relates to an apparatus for producing such isocyanates, in the work-up section of which probes for monitoring corrosion are arranged in defined places.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Heiner Schelling, Ulrich Penzel, Eckhard Stroefer, Dirk Hablawetz, Dave Beckwith, Kai Thiele, Johannes Jacobs, Matthias Eiermann, Uwe Storck, Jon S. Speier, Thomas Grzanka, William Portwood
  • Publication number: 20110144381
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for purifying a chlorine supply that includes a chlorine component, a bromine component, and nitrogen trichloride. The method includes the steps of introducing the chlorine supply into a vaporizer, heating the chlorine supply in the vaporizer to form a vapor, and introducing the vapor into a distillation system to provide purified chlorine gas, a distillate that includes liquid chlorine and the bromine component, and a bottoms component including the nitrogen trichloride. The method also includes the steps of condensing the vapor in a reflux condenser, heating the condensate in a reboiler, removing the purified chlorine gas from the distillation system, and removing the distillate from the distillation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Robert A. Doerr, Steven D. Gagnon, Kenneth K. Bordelon, Johannes D. Jacobs, Thomas A. Grzanka
  • Patent number: 6098490
    Abstract: A trunk lid has an externally operated key lock cylinder that operates a latch mechanism inside the trunk by a cable assembly. The key lock cylinder is connected to the cable assembly by a universal actuator assembly including a housing having a ferrule for attachment to a sheath of the cable assembly. The universal actuator assembly further includes an attachment sleeve that is attached to the key lock cylinder in a predetermined angular orientation. The attachment sleeve has one end disposed in the chamber of the housing, with the one end having a plurality of radial teeth that engage radial lugs in the housing to index the sleeve with respect to the housing in a selected angular orientation to reduce the length of the cable assembly that is required. A rotor rotatably disposed in the housing has a central drive aperture for being driven by the key lock cylinder and an eccentric connector aperture for driving the cable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Kowalewski, Matthew John Karl, Thomas Grzanka, Robert Milne, Eric Michael Fischer, Vasanth Suratkal
  • Patent number: 5909918
    Abstract: A deck lid may be released via rotation of a latch release shaft. A pinion gear is operably connected with the release shaft for rotating the release shaft. An electric motor has a gear meshing with the pinion gear and is energizable to rotate the pinion gear. An electrical switch is located inside the vehicle for energizing the electric motor. According to the invention, a blocking member is movably mounted on the latch and movable between a normal disengaged position, permitting rotation of the pinion gear by the motor, and a blocking position in which the blocking member engages the pinion gear to block rotation thereof by the electric motor. In a preferred embodiment, the blocking member is slidably mounted on the latch and the pinion gear has a toothed periphery with a cutout into which the blocking member is slid to block rotation of the pinion gear, thereby causing the motor to stall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Kowalewski, Matthew John Karl, Thomas Grzanka, Robert Milne, Eric Michael Fischer, Vasanth Suratkal
  • Patent number: 5537848
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch system including a deadbolt locking mechanism. The deadbolt locking mechanism is disengaged manually from outside the vehicle using the key cylinder. The manual deadbolt disengagement mechanism is effective in disengaging the deadbolt in the event of total vehicle power loss. The deadbolt mechanism includes a power driven rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Grzanka, John I. Moceanu, Lloyd W. Rogers, Jr., Gary D. Bree
  • Patent number: 5040390
    Abstract: The disclosure involves a lock and control assembly which can be either manually operated after insertion of a key in a lock cylinder or electrically energized by a switch from a remote location so that it can be thereafter manually manipulated without insertion of the key in the lock cylinder. The lock and control assembly also includes a mechanical override means to enable it to be actuated to its locked position, but not its unlocked position, in the event of an electrical power failure or a failure in the energizable means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Narhari C. Mistry, Thomas Grzanka, Lawrence Youhanian