Patents by Inventor Tony Zhang

Tony Zhang 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: 10684219
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons concentrations are determined in drilling cuttings samples by generating a model for predicting hydrocarbons concentrations. Methods include dividing multiple samples removed from drilling fluid into two one set analyzed using a retort, and another set analyzed using a handheld NIR spectrometer to obtain NIR diffuse reflectance data. PLS analysis is used to correlate the retort data with the diffuse reflectance data to generate a calibration model. The model is validated with samples having unknown hydrocarbons concentration. The model is used to predict the hydrocarbons concentration for samples removed from drilling fluid taken from the rig site using the spectrometer to obtain diffuse reflectance data. During measurements, each sample contains 0.1 to 10 wt % moisture and each sample is in a clear container pressed against the spectrometer window such that the IR source from the handheld device can pass to the drilled solids sample within the clear container without opening the clear container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Toni Zhang Miao, John Bryan Trenery, Jr., Deyuan Kong, Roopa Kamath, Robert Neil Trotter, Cory James McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20200132597
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons concentrations are determined in drilling cuttings samples by generating a model for predicting hydrocarbons concentrations. Methods include dividing multiple samples removed from drilling fluid into two one set analyzed using a retort, and another set analyzed using a handheld NIR spectrometer to obtain NIR diffuse reflectance data. PLS analysis is used to correlate the retort data with the diffuse reflectance data to generate a calibration model. The model is validated with samples having unknown hydrocarbons concentration. The model is used to predict the hydrocarbons concentration for samples removed from drilling fluid taken from the rig site using the spectrometer to obtain diffuse reflectance data. During measurements, each sample contains 0.1 to 10 wt % moisture and each sample is in a clear container pressed against the spectrometer window such that the IR source from the handheld device can pass to the drilled solids sample within the clear container without opening the clear container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Toni Zhang MIAO, John Bryan TRENERY, JR., Deyuan KONG, Roopa KAMATH, Robert Neil TROTTER, Cory James MCDANIEL
  • Patent number: 10619758
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for automatically detecting the failure configuration of a pneumatic actuator. A control module is operatively coupled to the actuator, and the actuator is operatively coupled to a valve having a flow control member. When a number of pilot valves included in the control module is indicative of a double-acting actuator, the failure configuration of the actuator is determined based on the number of pilot valves. When the number of pilot valves included in the control module is indicative of a single-acting actuator, the failure configuration of the actuator is determined by comparing a first measurement value obtained in response to moving the flow control member in a first direction to a first position and a second measurement value obtained in response to moving the flow control member in a second direction opposite the first direction to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT, VALVE AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Toni Zhang, Edwin Schreuder, Harry Hobert, Eric Yuan
  • Patent number: 10378808
    Abstract: An ice level sensor in an appliance that includes an ice storage housing and an ice maker. The housing receives ice from the ice maker. The ice level sensor includes a control circuit and one or more electrode arrays capable of detecting ice in the housing. The electrode arrays each contain one or more sense electrodes, and the control circuit detects ice in the housing based on a measurement of capacitance of the sense electrode(s). When the sensor detects that ice in the housing has reached a threshold level, the sensor can stop the ice maker from depositing more ice into the housing, to prevent overflow. The ice level sensor detects that ice has reached a threshold level by detecting changes in capacitance of a sense electrode or by detecting that the capacitance of a sense electrode reached a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Marquardt GmbH
    Inventors: David J. Fassett, Tony Zhang
  • Patent number: 10260960
    Abstract: A method and system for calculating a cold junction temperature comprises an offline phase comprising: determining an applicable algorithm for calculating a cold junction screw temperature, and deploying the applicable algorithm in firmware; and an online phase comprising: providing at least one measured temperature to the applicable algorithm deployed in firmware, calculating a temperature of a cold junction screw according to the applicable algorithm deployed in firmware, and assigning the calculated temperature of the cold junction screw as a cold junction temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Shen, Qibin Liu, Guokun Song, Tony Zhang, Aaron Shen
  • Patent number: 10113963
    Abstract: An integrated system for monitoring a chemical concentration in an ionic liquid, comprising: a. an online FTIR instrument with an ATR window; b. a sample conditioning station that removes light hydrocarbons and produces a degassed ionic liquid that is analyzed by FTIR; and c. a solvent flushing system that flows solvent across the ATR window. Also, a process for monitoring the chemical concentration, comprising: a. degassing the ionic liquid in the sample conditioning station; b. passing the degassed ionic liquid over an ATR window; c. periodically redirecting a flow of the degassed ionic liquid via a bypass line or an on-off valve that isolates the ATR window from the process unit that elutes the ionic liquid; and d. flowing a solvent and a purging gas over the ATR window during the periodically redirecting step c); and e. resuming the passing of the degassed ionic liquid over the ATR window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Huping Luo, Hye-Kyung Cho Timken, Toni Zhang Miao, Howard Steven Lacheen, Bi-Zeng Zhan
  • Patent number: 10094778
    Abstract: An integrated system for monitoring a chemical concentration in an ionic liquid, comprising: a. an online FTIR instrument with an ATR window; b. a sample conditioning station that removes light hydrocarbons and produces a degassed ionic liquid that is analyzed by FTIR; and c. a solvent flushing system that flows solvent across the ATR window. Also, a process for monitoring the chemical concentration, comprising: a. degassing the ionic liquid in the sample conditioning station; b. passing the degassed ionic liquid over an ATR window; c. periodically redirecting a flow of the degassed ionic liquid via a bypass line or an on-off valve that isolates the ATR window from the process unit that elutes the ionic liquid; and d. flowing a solvent and a purging gas over the ATR window during the periodically redirecting step c); and e. resuming the passing of the degassed ionic liquid over the ATR window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Huping Luo, Hye-Kyung Cho Timken, Toni Zhang Miao, Howard Steven Lacheen, Bi-Zeng Zhan
  • Patent number: 10041926
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for generating a site specific model for predicting TPH concentration in soil. The method includes dividing a plurality of soil samples taken from a field site into two sets of samples. One set is analyzed using GC-FID, and the other set is analyzed using a handheld FTIR spectrometer with an ATR window to obtain FTIR-ATR absorbance data. Partial least squares regression analysis is used to correlate the GC-FID TPH concentration data with the absorbance data to generate a calibration model. The model is validated with soil samples having unknown TPH concentration. The model is used to predict the TPH concentration of soil samples taken from the field site analyzed using the handheld Fourier transform-infrared spectrometer to obtain FTIR-ATR absorbance data for the soil samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Toni Zhang Miao, Rachel Mohler, Deyuan Kong, Ajit Ramachandra Pradhan, Michael E. Moir, Thomas Hoelen
  • Publication number: 20180094746
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for automatically detecting the failure configuration of a pneumatic actuator. A control module is operatively coupled to the actuator, and the actuator is operatively coupled to a valve having a flow control member. When a number of pilot valves included in the control module is indicative of a double-acting actuator, the failure configuration of the actuator is determined based on the number of pilot valves. When the number of pilot valves included in the control module is indicative of a single-acting actuator, the failure configuration of the actuator is determined by comparing a first measurement value obtained in response to moving the flow control member in a first direction to a first position and a second measurement value obtained in response to moving the flow control member in a second direction opposite the first direction to a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Toni Zhang, Edwin Schreuder, Harry Hobert, Eric Yuan
  • Publication number: 20180017540
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for generating a site specific model for predicting TPH concentration in soil. The method includes dividing a plurality of soil samples taken from a field site into two sets of samples. One set is analyzed using GC-FID, and the other set is analyzed using a handheld FTIR spectrometer with an ATR window to obtain FTIR-ATR absorbance data. Partial least squares regression analysis is used to correlate the GC-FID TPH concentration data with the absorbance data to generate a calibration model. The model is validated with soil samples having unknown TPH concentration. The model is used to predict the TPH concentration of soil samples taken from the field site analyzed using the handheld Fourier transform-infrared spectrometer to obtain FTIR-ATR absorbance data for the soil samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Toni Zhang Miao, Rachel Mohler, Deyuan Kong, Ajit Ramachandra Pradhan, Michael E. Moir, Thomas Hoelen
  • Patent number: D797237
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony Zhang
  • Patent number: D797903
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony Zhang, David Downey
  • Patent number: D813566
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: David Downey, Tony Zhang
  • Patent number: D817460
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony Zhang
  • Patent number: D817461
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: David Downey, Tony Zhang
  • Patent number: D820957
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Lauren Schaubach, Tony Zhang
  • Patent number: D823987
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: David Downey, Tony Zhang
  • Patent number: D839632
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: David Downey, Tony Zhang
  • Patent number: D839721
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: David Downey, Tony Zhang
  • Patent number: D862113
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands Inc.
    Inventors: David Downey, Tony Zhang