Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Weeks, Jr.

Thomas J. Weeks, Jr. 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).

  • Oxydehydrogenation process for preparing methacrylic acid and its lower alkyl esters
    Patent number: 4374270
    Abstract: Isobutyric acid or a lower alkyl ester thereof is oxidatively dehydrogenated in the vapor phase producing the corresponding .alpha.,.beta.-olefinically unsaturated derivative by contact with a heterogeneous catalyst in the presence of molecular oxygen. The catalyst is composed of the calcined oxides of iron and at least two members selected from the group consisting of antimony, niobium, tantalum and tungsten.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Assignee: Ashland Oil, Inc.
    Inventors: Ferdinand A. Ruszala, Thomas J. Weeks, Jr.
  • Apparatus for preparing aluminum alkoxides
    Patent number: 4288410
    Abstract: Aluminum alkoxides are prepared by the reaction of impure aluminum and monohydric alcohols in a process wherein impure metallic aluminum particles are continuously fed at a metered rate into a stoichiometric excess of alcohol. The novel apparatus disclosed permits the continuous introduction of the aluminum particles into the reactor and removal of non-reactive impurities through columns of ambient temperature alcohol which avoids contact of atmospheric oxygen with the reaction products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventors: Willis W. Weber, Richard F. Hill, Thomas J. Weeks, Jr.
  • Process for preparing aluminum alkoxides
    Patent number: 4242271
    Abstract: Aluminum alkoxides are prepared by the reaction of impure aluminum and monohydric alcohols in a process wherein impure metallic aluminum particles are continuously fed at a metered rate into a stoichiometric excess of alcohol. The novel apparatus disclosed permits the continuous introduction of the aluminum particles into the reactor and removal of non-reactive impurities through columns of ambient temperature alcohol which avoids contact of atmospheric oxygen with the reaction products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1980
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventors: Willis W. Weber, Richard F. Hill, Thomas J. Weeks, Jr.
  • Process for producing alumina
    Patent number: 4202870
    Abstract: Alumina is produced by the hydrolysis of aluminum alkoxide in a continuous process in which the hydrolysis reaction, the aging of hydrated alumina product and the stripping of occluded by-product alcohol from the alumina particles is accomplished in the same reaction vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1980
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventors: Willis W. Weber, Alexander J. Caglione, Albert C. Frost, Thomas J. Weeks, Jr.