Ronald Glenn Matthews

US Patent:

D634459, Mar 15, 2011

Filed:

Mar 22, 2010

Appl. No.:

29/349276

Inventors:

Ronald Douglas Matthews - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

2606

US Classification:

D26 32

US Patent:

51602547, Nov 3, 1992

Filed:

Oct 4, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/771660

Inventors:

Ronald D. Bell - Austin TX
William C. Gardiner - Austin TX
John R. Howell - Austin TX
Ronald D. Matthews - Austin TX
Steven P. Nichols - Austin TX

Assignee:

Radian Corporation and the Board of Regents - Austin TX
The University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

F23D 1416

US Classification:

431 7

Abstract:

Apparatus for controlled low NO. sub. x combustion. First and second combustion zones are provided, each filled with a porous high temperature resistant matrix, the void spaces of which provide sites at which substantially all of the combustion occurs. The second zone is downstream of the first zone. Means are provided for mixing fuel and a gaseous source of oxygen and providing the resultant combustible mixture to the input end of the first combustion zone to establish fuel-lean conditions therein; and means for feeding the combustion products from the first zone to the second zone and augmenting same with further oxygen and sufficient additional fuel to create fuel-rich burning conditions therein to complete the oxidation of the products from the first zone. Cooling means are preferably mounted in proximity to the input end of the first combustion zone, for maintaining the temperature of the said combustible mixture at the input end below ignition temperature, thereby limiting the flame produced by combustion in the porous matrix to the downstream side of the cooling means. The corresponding method is also disclosed and claimed.

US Patent:

51414325, Aug 25, 1992

Filed:

Mar 15, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/670286

Inventors:

Ronald D. Bell - Austin TX
William C. Gardiner - Austin TX
John R. Howell - Austin TX
Mark M. Koeroghlian - Austin TX
Ronald D. Matthews - Austin TX
Steven P. Nichols - Austin TX

Assignee:

Radian Corporation - Austin TX
The Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

F23D 340

US Classification:

431 7

Abstract:

Burner apparatus for use in controlled low NO. sub. x combustion. Mixing and flow-directing means receive and mix fuel and air provided thereto and form a flow of the resulting combustible mixture. A combustion zone defined by a porous high temperature-resistant matrix includes an input end for receiving the combustible flow. Cooling means are mounted in proximity to the input end of the combustion zone, for maintaining the temperature of the flowing combustible mixture proximate the input end below ignition temperature, thereby limiting the flame produced by combustion in the porous matrix to the downstream side of the cooling means. The method for controlled low NO. sub. x combustion is also disclosed and claimed.

US Patent:

50762230, Dec 31, 1991

Filed:

Mar 30, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/502264

Inventors:

Brian L. Harden - Norman OK
Ronald D. Matthews - Austin TX
Steven P. Nichols - Austin TX
William F. Weldon - Austin TX

Assignee:

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

F02P 100
F02P 2300
H01T 1320

US Classification:

123143B

Abstract:

A plasma ignitor system capable of injection a narrowly focused high energy plasma jet into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine or continuous combustion system. The plasma ignitor features a high energy current pulse source and a geometrically configured coaxial or dual-rail ignitor system for deeper and more accurate injection of plasma into a combustion chamber of either large or small dimension.

US Patent:

43680577, Jan 11, 1983

Filed:

Oct 14, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/196397

Inventors:

Ronald D. Matthews - Austin TX

International Classification:

C10K 100
C10J 354

US Classification:

48197R

Abstract:

Processes for converting NH. sub. 3 contaminants of gaseous fuel to N. sub. 2. The processes involve reacting gaseous fuel containing NH. sub. 3 with a sufficient amount of NO at a temperature and for a time sufficient to convert a portion of the NH. sub. 3 to N. sub. 2. The processes disclosed are especially useful in converting NH. sub. 3 contaminants in coal gas to N. sub. 2.

US Patent:

50805770, Jan 14, 1992

Filed:

May 24, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/708090

Inventors:

Ronald D. Bell - Austin TX
William C. Gardiner - Austin TX
John R. Howell - Austin TX
Ronald D. Matthews - Austin TX
Steven P. Nichols - Austin TX

International Classification:

F23D 340

US Classification:

431 7

Abstract:

Low NO. sub. x combustion is effected by a method wherein a fuel, e. g. , natural gas, and a source of oxygen, e. g. , air, are mixed and the mixture is combusted in at least two successive combustion zones filled with a porous matrix, the void spaces of which provide sites at which substantially all of the said combustion occurs; viz. a first zone wherein the mixture is fuel-rich, and a second zone wherein the mixture is fuel-lean. Preferably, the method utilizes an additional combustion zone which precedes or is upstream of the first zone and is filled with a said porous matrix, wherein the mixture is fuel-lean. Apparatus for low NO. sub. x combustion is also provided which includes an arrangement for mixing fuel and oxygen, and at least first and second combustion zones filled with a said porous matrix, and means for providing a fuel-oxygen mixture to said first zone which is fuel rich, and for adjusting the resulting combustion products flowed to the second zone with additional fuel and oxygen as to provide a fuel-lean mixture therein. Preferably the apparatus also includes a zone or stage filled with a said porous matrix which precedes or is upstream of the first zone, to which the fuel and oxygen are initially provided as to establish fuel-lean conditions therein.

US Patent:

61196371, Sep 19, 2000

Filed:

Jul 6, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/347553

Inventors:

Ronald D. Matthews - Austin TX
Rudolf H. Stanglmaier - San Antonio TX
George Carver Davis - Ypsilanti MI
Wengang Dai - Canton MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02B 4308

US Classification:

123 3

Abstract:

A gasoline distillation apparatus (12) for an engine (14) includes a heated vapor separator (22), a condenser (24), and a controller (28). The heated vapor separator (22) partially vaporizes the engine's primary fuel (16) to generate a fuel vapor (44). The condenser (24) cools the fuel vapor (44) to produce a liquid secondary fuel (18) that is more volatile than the primary fuel (16). The controller (28) determines when the engine (14) is supplied with either primary (16) or secondary fuel (18). The secondary fuel (18) is used only during an initial engine operation period, while the primary fuel (16) is used all other times. After engine operation, the primary fuel (16) is purged from the engine (14) and replaced with the secondary fuel (18) to maximize secondary fuel (18) use during the initial engine operation period.

US Patent:

52111423, May 18, 1993

Filed:

Dec 31, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/815378

Inventors:

Ronald D. Matthews - Austin TX
Steven P. Nichols - Austin TX
William F. Weldon - Austin TX
Mark M. Koeroghlian - Austin TX
Richard W. Faidley - Austin TX

Assignee:

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

F02P 100
F02P 2300
H01T 1320

US Classification:

123143B

Abstract:

A plasma ignitor system capable of injecting a high energy plasma jet into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine or continuous combustion system. The plasma ignitor features a high energy current pulse source and a geometrically configured coaxial, dual-rail or three-rail ignitor system for deeper and more accurate injection of plasma into a combustion chamber of either large or small dimension.