Patents by Inventor William R. Materna

William R. Materna 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: 8693518
    Abstract: A high temperature industrial furnace roof system having first and second spaced apart hanger brick rows with a filler row disposed therebetween and a cable system including a plurality of electrical cables. The filler row includes a plurality of filler elements having at least one removable heating module with a heat source. The cable system operatively connects the heat source with a power source and permits the removable heating module to be removed from the respective filler element while the respective heat source remains operatively connected with the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Merkle International Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Lindeman, Stephen Coates, William R. Materna, Timothy Park
  • Patent number: 8428096
    Abstract: This invention relates to an industrial furnace roof filler element to allow replacement of a failed heat source during operation. The filler element can include a lower portion, a module, an aperture, a protuberance, a bore and/or a heat source. This invention also relates to a method of operation for an industrial furnace wherein a failed heat source is replaced during operation of the industrial furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Merkle International, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Lindeman, Stephen Coates, William R. Materna, Timothy Park
  • Publication number: 20110058589
    Abstract: A high temperature industrial furnace roof system having first and second spaced apart hanger brick rows with a filler row disposed therebetween and a cable system including a plurality of electrical cables. The filler row includes a plurality of filler elements having at least one removable heating module with a heat source. The cable system operatively connects the heat source with a power source and permits the removable heating module to be removed from the respective filler element while the respective heat source remains operatively connected with the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Fred LINDEMAN, Stephen Coates, William R. Materna, Timothy Park
  • Patent number: 7726249
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and a method for at least partially isolating a zone of an industrial furnace. The apparatus includes a hanger block and a hanger clamp. The method includes removably mounting a hanger block with respect to a furnace structure. A hanger clamp is engaged with the hanger block. A curtain structure is mounted in the hanger block, and the hanger clamp is mounted to an adjustable support or mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Merkle International, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Materna, Fred Lindeman, Timothy Park
  • Publication number: 20090320727
    Abstract: A shield for a refractory structure that houses refractory bricks. The refractory bricks are assembled with respect to each other to form a refractory wall, roof or another refractory structure. A hanger can be used to suspend or mount at least one refractory brick. In order to extend the service life of the hanger, a shield can cover at least a portion of the hanger, such as a hanger rod, to prevent dust particles from accumulating on the rod or another hanger element. Reducing or eliminating dust particles, particularly metal dust particles, can extend the service life of hanger components and can also reduce costs associated with maintenance and repair of refractory structures, particularly within industrial furnaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: William R. Materna
  • Publication number: 20080271656
    Abstract: This invention relates to an industrial furnace roof filler element to allow replacement of a failed heat source during operation. The filler element can include a lower portion, a module, an aperture, a protuberance, a bore and/or a heat source. This invention also relates to a method of operation for an industrial furnace wherein a failed heat source is replaced during operation of the industrial furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Fred Lindeman, Stephen Coates, William R. Materna, Timothy Park
  • Publication number: 20080271655
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and a method for at least partially isolating a zone of an industrial furnace. The apparatus includes a hanger block and a hanger clamp. The method includes removably mounting a hanger block with respect to a furnace structure. A hanger clamp is engaged with the hanger block. A curtain structure is mounted in the hanger block, and the hanger clamp is mounted to an adjustable support or mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: William R. Materna, Fred Lindeman, Timothy Park
  • Patent number: 5558691
    Abstract: An adjustable vibrating plate cullet feeder for feeding recycle glass to melting furnaces. Independent control of the rate of cullet feed is obtained by adjustment of at least one of: the angle of the feeder plate, the intensity of the vibration, and the frequency of the vibration. The vibrating plate cullet feeder may be positioned to feed over a batch charger or may feed directly into the melting furnace and may be controlled by the batch charger or independently by a furnace level or composition controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Merkle Engineers, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry L. Horn, Barry R. James, William L. Merkle, William R. Materna, Stephen J. Coates
  • Patent number: 4960058
    Abstract: A self-positioning refractory structure having a generally cylindrical casing. A plurality of positioning refractories, a plurality of filler refractories and a plurality of wedge refractories are interlocked with respect to each other and positioned to form a structure having a curved cross section within the cylindrical casing. The positioning, filler and wedge refractories are interlocked with respect to each other. The length of each positioning refractory is greater than the length of each filler and wedge refractories thus defining an annular space between the casing wall and the refractories. Each positioning refractory has a cold end in positioning and supporting contact with an inside wall of the casing and a hot end directed toward a center of the self-positioning refractory structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Merkle Engineers, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Materna
  • Patent number: 4809621
    Abstract: Refractory bricks, suspended wall of refractory bricks, and a method for mounting refractory bricks for protection of membrane boiler tube walls. The pre-fired brick has a rectangular generally flat exterior face, a top face having an upper groove extending across the top face generally parallel to the exterior face, a bottom face having a lower groove extending across the bottom face generally parallel to the exterior face, the upper groove being deeper than the lower groove, the upper and lower grooves sized and spaced to accommodate mounting bars attached to the membrane boiler tube wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Merkle Engineers, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Materna