The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 26, 2015
Filed:
Nov. 05, 2010
Philip Crouch, Brookfield, WI (US);
Gerald Gapinski, Dousman, WI (US);
Robert Smickley, Signal Mountain, TN (US);
Brian W. Voelker, Concord, NC (US);
Gilbert Y. Whitten, Mooresville, NC (US);
Philip Crouch, Brookfield, WI (US);
Gerald Gapinski, Dousman, WI (US);
Robert Smickley, Signal Mountain, TN (US);
Brian W. Voelker, Concord, NC (US);
Gilbert Y. Whitten, Mooresville, NC (US);
Midrex Technologies, Inc., Charlotte, NC (US);
MetalTek International, Inc., Waukesha, WI (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a reformer tube apparatus, including: an axially aligned tubular structure including a flange section, a top section, a middle section, and a bottom section; wherein the top section of the axially aligned tubular structure includes a first portion having a first wall thickness; wherein the top section of the axially aligned tubular structure includes a second portion having a second wall thickness; and wherein the top section of the axially aligned tubular structure includes a third portion having a transitioning wall thickness that joins the first portion to the second portion. The flange section includes a concentric flange disposed about a top portion thereof. The bottom section of the tubular structure includes a plurality of concentric wedge structures disposed about the interior thereof. The bottom section of the tubular structure also includes a recess disposed about the exterior thereof. The axially aligned tubular structure further includes a secondary flange section coupled to the flange section, wherein the secondary flange section includes a concentric flange disposed about a top portion thereof. Optionally, the reformer tube apparatus is disposed within a reformer used in a direct reduction process.