Joseph Arno Horton, Jr

Title: Joseph Arno Horton, Jr.: Inventor of Temperature-Limited Heaters

Introduction

Joseph Arno Horton, Jr. is an inventor associated with Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Shell Oil Company. His patent work focuses on temperature-limited heaters designed for treating subsurface formations. He is named on 2 patents.

Latest Patents

Horton’s patents describe heater designs that regulate heat output through the properties and behavior of their materials.

“Adjusting Alloy Compositions for Selected Properties in Temperature Limited Heaters” describes a heater section made with iron, cobalt, and carbon. Its Curie temperature is below its phase-transformation temperature and is at least 740°C. When time-varying current is applied, the heater section provides electrical resistance for subsurface heating applications.

“Temperature Limited Heaters Using Phase Transformation of Ferromagnetic Material” describes a heater with a ferromagnetic conductor electrically coupled to an electrical conductor. The heater produces a greater amount of heat at lower temperatures and may produce less heat when the ferromagnetic conductor reaches a selected temperature or range and undergoes a phase transformation.

Career Highlights

Horton’s listed inventions address temperature control in heaters used to treat subsurface formations. The patents describe material-based approaches that can reduce heat output at selected temperatures, supporting the development of temperature-limited heating systems.

Collaborations

Horton’s listed coworkers include John M. Vitek and Michael P. Brady. His patent work is associated with Shell Oil Company.

Conclusion

Joseph Arno Horton, Jr.’s two patents focus on using alloy composition and ferromagnetic phase transformation to regulate heater performance in subsurface applications.