Patents by Inventor Zhanping Xu

Zhanping Xu 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).

  • Publication number: 20150001742
    Abstract: A fluid distribution device is presented for the collection and distribution of fluid between reactor beds. According to various aspects, the device includes a collection tray, a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the collection tray, a rough distribution tray in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, and a fine distribution tray in fluid communication with the rough distribution tray. The rough distribution tray includes a vapor chimney.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Zhanping Xu, Pengfei Chen
  • Publication number: 20150003187
    Abstract: A device is presented for the collection, mixing and distribution of fluid between reactor catalyst beds. According to various aspects, the device includes a collection tray, a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the collection tray, a rough distribution tray in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, and a fine distribution tray in fluid communication with the rough distribution tray. The mixing chamber includes at least one vapor chimney positioned about the mixing chamber central outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Zhanping Xu
  • Publication number: 20150000747
    Abstract: A fluid distribution device and method is presented for the collection and distribution of fluid between reactor beds. According to various aspects, the method includes a collection tray, a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the collection tray, a rough distribution tray in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, and a fine distribution tray in fluid communication with the rough distribution tray. The rough distribution tray includes a vapor chimney.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Zhanping Xu, Pengfei Chen
  • Publication number: 20150003188
    Abstract: A device and method are presented for the collection, mixing and distribution of fluid between reactor beds. According to various aspects, the device includes a collection tray, a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the collection tray, a rough distribution tray in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, and a distribution tray in fluid communication with the rough distribution tray. The mixing chamber includes at least one chimney positioned about mixing chamber central outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Zhanping Xu
  • Publication number: 20140333917
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to time-of-flight (TOF) systems, and methods for use therewith, that substantially reduce interference that the TOF system may cause to at least one other system that is configured to wirelessly receive and respond to IR light signals. Some such embodiments involve emitting IR light having a low frequency (LF) power envelope that is shaped to substantially reduce frequency content within at least one frequency range known to be used by at least one other system that may be in close proximity to the TOF system. Such embodiments can also involve detecting at least a portion of the emitted RF modulated IR light that has reflected off one or more objects. A TOF system can produce depth images in dependence on results of the detecting, as well as update an application in dependence on the depth images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Payne, Cyrus Bamji, Dawson Yee, Barry Thompson, Zhanping Xu, Brock Roland, Larry Prather, Travis Perry, Mike Fenton, Sunil Acharya, Algird Gudaitis, Matthew Morris
  • Publication number: 20140300700
    Abstract: An imager includes an emitter, an array of pixel elements, and driver logic. The emitter releases bursts of light pulses with pauses between bursts. Each element of the array has a finger gate biasable to attract charge to the surface, a reading node to collect the charge, and a transfer gate to admit such charge to the reading node and to deter such charge from being absorbed into the finger gate. The driver logic biases the finger gates with the modulated light pulses such that the finger gates of adjacent first and second elements cycle with unequal phase into and out of a charge-attracting state. To reduce the effects of ambient light on the imager, the driver logic is configured to bias the transfer gates so that the charge is admitted to the reading node only during the bursts and is prevented from reaching the reading node during the pauses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cyrus Bamji, Tamer Elkhatib, Swati Mehta, Zhanping Xu
  • Patent number: 8833742
    Abstract: An offshore co-current vapor-liquid contacting apparatus includes stages having contacting modules. Each contacting module includes a downcomer extending in a direction and has downcomer baffles distanced from each other in the direction to define downcomer cells within the downcomer. Each downcomer includes an outlet proximate to a co-current flow channel. A receiving pan extends substantially parallel to the downcomer and has receiving pan baffles distanced from each other in the direction to define receiving pan sections within the receiving pan. A vapor-liquid separation device has an inlet surface proximate to the co-current flow channel and an outlet surface above the receiving pan. Ducts are provided, with each duct having an upper end in fluid communication with a respective receiving pan section and a lower end in fluid communication with a selected downcomer cell in an immediately inferior stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Zhanping Xu, Lubo Zhou
  • Patent number: 8695953
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment may be a distribution tray for a vessel. Generally, the distribution tray includes a member, a compartment, and an insert. The member can form a first side and a second side. Typically, the first side is adapted to receive a liquid thereon. Additionally, the member can form a plurality of openings. Usually, the compartment extends through the member with a first portion protruding from the first side and a second portion protruding from the second side, and is adapted to permit the passage of a fluid there-through. The insert may be positioned within the compartment to constrict and then expand the passage of the fluid there-through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Zhanping Xu, Richard S. Hatami, Lev Davydov
  • Patent number: 8673246
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for contacting one or more fluids in a vessel. The process may include passing one or more fluids into a chamber from an overhead tray and providing a conduit outside the chamber coupling a respective spillway to a respective hole for increasing contact time inside the conduit. Typically, the chamber forms one or more sidewalls forming at least one hole and the overhead tray forms at least one spillway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Pengfei Chen, Zhanping Xu
  • Patent number: 8608833
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the selective absorption of gas components based on differences in their gas phase and liquid phase resistances to mass transfer. The methods advantageously utilize a gas-liquid contacting apparatus having contacting stages with co-current flow channels that can provide contacting with increased liquid phase resistance to mass transfer, for example in the spray regime such that the liquid is effectively dispersed as small droplets into the gas phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Zhanping Xu
  • Patent number: 8587771
    Abstract: A phase-based TOF system preferably generates an optical waveform with fast rise and fall times, to enhance modulation contrast, notwithstanding there will be many high order harmonics. The system is preferably operated with an odd number of phases, to reduce system bias error due to the higher order harmonics, while maintaining good modulation contrast, without unduly increasing system memory requirements. Preferably the system can dynamically calibrate (and compensate for) higher order harmonics in the TOF generated optical energy waveform, over time and temperature. Within the optical energy transmission channel, or within the optical energy detection channel, detection amplifier gain may be modified, and/or detector signal integration time may be varied, and/or digital values may be employed to implement calibration and error reduction The resultant TOF system can operate with improved phase-vs-distance characteristics, with reduced calibration requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Zhanping Xu, Travis Perry, Gage Hills
  • Publication number: 20130180595
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a method passing one or more fluids through a compartment. The method may include collecting a liquid on a tray, passing a vapor through the compartment, and mixing the vapor with the liquid entering the compartment via at least one aperture to impart swirling to the vapor and liquid exiting the compartment. Also, the compartment can include or consist of an interior wall and an exterior wall, and generally the compartment at least partially forms rifling on the interior wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: UOP, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Naunheimer, Zhanping Xu
  • Patent number: 8454731
    Abstract: Vapor-liquid contacting apparatuses comprising a primary contacting zone and a secondary contacting zone are disclosed. A representative secondary contacting zone is a secondary absorption zone, such as a finishing zone for subsequent contacting of the vapor effluent from the primary contacting zone to further remove impurities and achieve a desired purity of purified gas exiting the secondary absorption zone. The secondary contacting zone is disposed below the primary contacting zone, such that the secondary contacting zone, which must operate efficiently in removing generally trace amounts of remaining impurities, is more protected from movement than the more elevated, primary or initial contacting stages for bulk impurity removal. The apparatuses are therefore especially beneficial in offshore applications where they are subjected to rocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Zhanping Xu
  • Publication number: 20130062792
    Abstract: An offshore co-current vapor-liquid contacting apparatus includes stages having contacting modules. Each contacting module includes a downcomer extending in a direction and has downcomer baffles distanced from each other in the direction to define downcomer cells within the downcomer. Each downcomer includes an outlet proximate to a co-current flow channel. A receiving pan extends substantially parallel to the downcomer and has receiving pan baffles distanced from each other in the direction to define receiving pan sections within the receiving pan. A vapor-liquid separation device has an inlet surface proximate to the co-current flow channel and an outlet surface above the receiving pan. Ducts are provided, with each duct having an upper end in fluid communication with a respective receiving pan section and a lower end in fluid communication with a selected downcomer cell in an immediately inferior stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Zhanping Xu, Lubo Zhou
  • Publication number: 20130028799
    Abstract: Embodiments of vessels including liquid drain pipes are provided, as are embodiments of methods for draining liquid from reactor internals. In one embodiment, the vessel includes a vessel shell, a tray mounted within the vessel shell and over which liquid accumulates up to a maximum liquid level during vessel operation, and a liquid drain pipe. The liquid drain pipe includes a tubular body attached to the tray and projecting upward therefrom, a vapor inlet formed in the tubular body above the maximum liquid level, a liquid inlet formed in the tubular body between the maximum liquid level and the tray, and a drainage port formed in the tubular body and positioned to direct accumulated liquid above the tray to an area below the tray to permit the drainage of accumulated liquid from over the tray during vessel shutdown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Zhanping Xu, Pengfei Chen
  • Publication number: 20120304538
    Abstract: Vapor-liquid contacting apparatuses comprising a primary contacting zone and a secondary contacting zone are disclosed. A representative secondary contacting zone is a secondary absorption zone, such as a finishing zone for subsequent contacting of the vapor effluent from the primary contacting zone to further remove impurities and achieve a desired purity of purified gas exiting the secondary absorption zone. The secondary contacting zone is disposed below the primary contacting zone, such that the secondary contacting zone, which must operate efficiently in removing generally trace amounts of remaining impurities, is more protected from movement than the more elevated, primary or initial contacting stages for bulk impurity removal. The apparatuses are therefore especially beneficial in offshore applications where they are subjected to rocking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Zhanping Xu
  • Publication number: 20120241006
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for contacting one or more fluids in a vessel. The process may include passing one or more fluids into a chamber from an overhead tray and providing a conduit outside the chamber coupling a respective spillway to a respective hole for increasing contact time inside the conduit. Typically, the chamber forms one or more sidewalls forming at least one hole and the overhead tray forms at least one spillway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: UOP, LLC
    Inventors: Pengfei Chen, Zhanping Xu
  • Patent number: 8262787
    Abstract: Vapor-liquid contacting apparatuses comprising a primary contacting zone and a secondary contacting zone are disclosed. A representative secondary contacting zone is a secondary absorption zone, such as a finishing zone for subsequent contacting of the vapor effluent from the primary contacting zone to further remove impurities and achieve a desired purity of purified gas exiting the secondary absorption zone. The secondary contacting zone is disposed below the primary contacting zone, such that the secondary contacting zone, which must operate efficiently in removing generally trace amounts of remaining impurities, is more protected from movement than the more elevated, primary or initial contacting stages for bulk impurity removal. The apparatuses are therefore especially beneficial in offshore applications where they are subjected to rocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Zhanping Xu
  • Patent number: 8246017
    Abstract: A downcomer for a gas-liquid contacting device. The downcomer may include first and second spaced apart side walls, first and second end walls, a floor, and first and second opposing discharge walls. Generally, each end wall is coupled to a respective end of the first and second side walls. Typically, the floor is coupled to the side walls and end walls, and the floor has at least one section adapted for permitting the passage of liquid there-through. The first and second opposing discharge walls can be coupled to respective first and second side walls and having respective ends below the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Zhanping Xu
  • Patent number: 8246016
    Abstract: A downcomer for a gas-liquid contacting device. The downcomer may include first and second spaced apart side walls, first and second end walls, a floor, and first and second opposing discharge walls. Generally, each end wall is coupled to a respective end of the first and second side walls. Typically, the floor is coupled to the side walls and end walls, and the floor has at least one section adapted for permitting the passage of liquid there-through. The first and second opposing discharge walls can be coupled to respective first and second side walls and having respective ends below the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Zhanping Xu