Patents by Inventor Tracy A. Fowler
Tracy A. Fowler 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).
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Patent number: 11376545Abstract: The disclosure provides for an adsorbent bed assembly for separation of gaseous mixtures. The assembly includes a body defining an interior cavity. The body includes an outer shell, and first and second ends engaged with the outer shell that include inputs/outputs. A central support structure is positioned within the interior cavity and is engaged with the body or forms a portion thereof. Anti-telescoping devices are positioned about the central support structure, at least one of which is affixed to the central support structure. Each anti-telescoping device includes a plurality of spokes extending within the interior cavity from or proximate the central support structure towards the outer shell.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Tracy A. Fowler, Ananda Nagavarapu, William Alan Whittenberger, Haridas Attur, Brian Lee Davis
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Patent number: 11318410Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for modulating fluid flow in a cyclical swing adsorption system that includes multiple adsorption bed vessels that are in fluid communication. When opening a valve to transition an adsorption bed vessel into a blowdown stage or a re-pressurization stage of a cyclical swing adsorption process, the valve is partially lifted from a closed position prior to being fully lifted. The valve includes a flow restriction aid positioned to restrict flow through the valve when the valve is in the partially lifted position.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: John W. Fulton, William N. Yunker, Tracy A. Fowler
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Patent number: 11260339Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve passing streams through adsorbent bed units to remove contaminants, such as water, from the stream. As part of the process, the adsorbent bed unit may provide access to the adsorbent material within the adsorbent bed unit without having to remove one or more of valves, conduits and manifolds.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Robert F. Tammera, Bruce T. Kelley, Sebastian Chialvo, Ananda K. Nagavarapu, William Barnes, Tracy A. Fowler
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Publication number: 20200346162Abstract: The disclosure provides for an adsorbent bed assembly for separation of gaseous mixtures. The assembly includes a body defining an interior cavity. The body includes an outer shell, and first and second ends engaged with the outer shell that include inputs/outputs. A central support structure is positioned within the interior cavity and is engaged with the body or forms a portion thereof. Anti-telescoping devices are positioned about the central support structure, at least one of which is affixed to the central support structure. Each anti-telescoping device includes a plurality of spokes extending within the interior cavity from or proximate the central support structure towards the outer shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2020Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: Tracy A. Fowler, Ananda Nagavarapu, William Alan Whittenberger, Haridas Attur, Brian Lee Davis
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Publication number: 20200197856Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for modulating fluid flow in a cyclical swing adsorption system that includes multiple adsorption bed vessels that are in fluid communication. When opening a valve to transition an adsorption bed vessel into a blowdown stage or a re-pressurization stage of a cyclical swing adsorption process, the valve is partially lifted from a closed position prior to being fully lifted. The valve includes a flow restriction aid positioned to restrict flow through the valve when the valve is in the partially lifted position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2019Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: John W. Fulton, William N. Yunker, Tracy A. Fowler
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Patent number: 10675615Abstract: The disclosure relate generally to structures, forms, and monoliths, and methods of preparing the same. This disclosure can produce uniform structured passageways or channels of active material, including adsorbent or catalyst, by imprinting or molding features into a paste on a support that can be subsequently assembled into a gas or liquid treating structure, i.e. a monolith. The paste, which can include an active material, binder, and other potential additives, can be applied to the support or pushed through a support (as in a mesh) as a thin film. The paste can be imprinted, stamped, shaped or otherwise handled to give features of desired height, shape, width, and positioning. When stacked or rolled, the features of one layer contact a subsequent layer, which seal to form passageways. The resulting structure can have high cell-density (>1000 cells per square inch) and a large volume fraction of active material.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2019Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Tracy A. Fowler, Thomas M. Smith, Joshua I. Cutler, Jenna L. Walp
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Publication number: 20190366261Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve passing streams through adsorbent bed units to remove contaminants, such as water, from the stream. As part of the process, the adsorbent bed unit may provide access to the adsorbent material within the adsorbent bed unit without having to remove one or more of valves, conduits and manifolds.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Robert F. Tammera, Bruce T. Kelley, Sebastian Chialvo, Ananda K. Nagavarapu, William Barnes, Tracy A. Fowler
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Patent number: 10427088Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve passing streams through adsorbent bed units to remove contaminants, such as water, from the stream. As part of the process, the adsorbent bed unit may provide access to the adsorbent material within the adsorbent bed unit without having to remove one or more of valves, conduits and manifolds.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Robert F. Tammera, Bruce T. Kelley, Sebastian Chialvo, Ananda K. Nagavarapu, William Barnes, Tracy A. Fowler
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Publication number: 20190255521Abstract: The disclosure relate generally to structures, forms, and monoliths, and methods of preparing the same. This disclosure can produce uniform structured passageways or channels of active material, including adsorbent or catalyst, by imprinting or molding features into a paste on a support that can be subsequently assembled into a gas or liquid treating structure, i.e. a monolith. The paste, which can include an active material, binder, and other potential additives, can be applied to the support or pushed through a support (as in a mesh) as a thin film. The paste can be imprinted, stamped, shaped or otherwise handled to give features of desired height, shape, width, and positioning. When stacked or rolled, the features of one layer contact a subsequent layer, which seal to form passageways. The resulting structure can have high cell-density (>1000 cells per square inch) and a large volume fraction of active material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: Tracy A. FOWLER, Thomas M. Smith, Joshua I. Cutler, Jenna L. Walp
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Patent number: 10322365Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve passing streams through adsorbent bed units to remove contaminants, such as water, from the stream. As part of the process, the adsorbent bed unit may include additional space for the valves on the head of the adsorbent bed unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2016Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Reseach CompanyInventors: Tracy A. Fowler, Shwetha Ramkumar, Jeffrey W. Frederick, Ananda K. Nagavarapu, Sebastian Chialvo, Robert F. Tammera, John W. Fulton
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Patent number: 10307749Abstract: The disclosure relate generally to structures, forms, and monoliths, and methods of preparing the same. This disclosure can produce uniform structured passageways or channels of active material, including adsorbent or catalyst, by imprinting or molding features into a paste on a support that can be subsequently assembled into a gas or liquid treating structure, i.e. a monolith. The paste, which can include an active material, binder, and other potential additives, can be applied to the support or pushed through a support (as in a mesh) as a thin film. The paste can be imprinted, stamped, shaped or otherwise handled to give features of desired height, shape, width, and positioning. When stacked or rolled, the features of one layer contact a subsequent layer, which seal to form passageways. The resulting structure can have high cell-density (>1000 cells per square inch) and a large volume fraction of active material.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2015Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Tracy A. Fowler, Thomas M. Smith, Joshua I. Cutler, Jenna L. Walp
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Patent number: 10220346Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve passing streams through adsorbent bed units to treat the feed stream to remove certain contaminants from the stream. In the method and system, active valves may be used with passive valves to manage the flow of the streams through the adsorbent bed units.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Tracy A. Fowler, Richard A. Huntington, John W. Fulton
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Patent number: 10100613Abstract: The present disclosure provides a subwater heat exchanger that includes a duct, first coils, a first impeller and a second impeller. The duct is configured to receive a first fluid. The first coils are inside of the duct and are configured to receive a second fluid that is heated or cooled by the first fluid. The first impeller is inside of the duct that is configured to initiate flow of the first fluid around the first coils. The second impeller is inside of the duct and is substantially in line with the first impeller along a duct lateral axis of the duct.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Nicholas F. Urbanski, Robert D. Denton, Charles J. Mart, Tracy A. Fowler
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Patent number: 10040022Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve passing streams through adsorbent bed units to remove contaminants, such as water, from the stream. As part of the process, the adsorbent bed unit may include additional space for the valves of the adsorbent bed unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2016Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Tracy A. Fowler, Shwetha Ramkumar, Jeffrey W. Frederick, Ananda K. Nagavarapu, Sebastian Chialvo, Robert F. Tammera, John W. Fulton
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Publication number: 20170266604Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve passing streams through adsorbent bed units to remove contaminants, such as water, from the stream. As part of the process, the adsorbent bed unit may provide access to the adsorbent material within the adsorbent bed unit without having to remove one or more of valves, conduits and manifolds.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: Robert F. Tammera, Bruce T. Kelley, Sebastian Chialvo, Ananda K. Nagavarapu, William Barnes, Tracy A. Fowler
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Patent number: 9764252Abstract: A system and method for enhancing separation of a denser phase liquid from a lighter phase liquid within a multiphase stream. In one example, a cyclonic coalescer has a tubular housing and a plurality of coaxial flow chambers extending in the axial direction of the housing. A swirling element is associated with each of the plurality of coaxial flow chambers. The swirling elements are constructed and arranged to impart a tangential velocity of the stream flowing through the associated flow chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2013Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Scott M. Whitney, Edward J. Grave, Tracy A. Fowler
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Publication number: 20170145803Abstract: Systems and methods for dehydrating a natural gas stream are provided herein. The system includes a lean solvent feed system, including a line from a topsides facility, wherein the line is configured to divide a lean solvent stream to feed lean solvent to each of a number of co-current contacting systems in parallel. The co-current contacting systems are placed in series along a wet natural gas stream, wherein each of the co-current contacting systems is configured to contact the lean solvent stream with the wet natural gas stream to adsorb at least a portion of the water from the wet natural gas stream to form a dry natural gas stream. A rich solvent return system includes a line to combine rich solvent from each of the plurality of co-current contacting systems and return a rich solvent stream to the topsides facility.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Norman K. Yeh, J. Tim Cullinane, Tracy A. Fowler, Shwetha Ramkumar, Donald P. Shatto
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Publication number: 20170113175Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve passing streams through adsorbent bed units to remove contaminants, such as water, from the stream. As part of the process, the adsorbent bed unit may include additional space for the valves on the head of the adsorbent bed unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2016Publication date: April 27, 2017Inventors: Tracy A. Fowler, Shwetha Ramkumar, Jeffrey W. Frederick, Ananda K. Nagavarapu, Sebastian Chialvo, Robert F. Tammera, John W. Fulton
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Publication number: 20170113173Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve passing streams through adsorbent bed units to treat the feed stream to remove certain contaminants from the stream. In the method and system, active valves may be used with passive valves to manage the flow of the streams through the adsorbent bed units.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2016Publication date: April 27, 2017Inventors: Tracy A. Fowler, Richard A. Huntington, John W. Fulton
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Publication number: 20170113176Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve passing streams through adsorbent bed units to remove contaminants, such as water, from the stream. As part of the process, the adsorbent bed unit may include additional space for the valves of the adsorbent bed unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2016Publication date: April 27, 2017Inventors: Tracy A. Fowler, Shwetha Ramkumar, Jeffrey W. Frederick, Ananda K. Nagavarapu, Sebastian Chialvo, Robert F. Tammera, John W. Fulton