John R Howell

5160254, Nov 3, 1992

Oct 4, 1991

7/771660

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

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

F23D 1416

431 7

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.

5141432, Aug 25, 1992

Mar 15, 1991

7/670286

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

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

F23D 340

431 7

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.

5410672, Apr 25, 1995

Feb 8, 1994

8/193617

Franklin L. Sodek - Temple TX
John R. Howell - Bruceville TX

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

G06F 1500

395425

A method is provided for handling overflows of data blocks in a system using a banded buffer. A block of data is transferred from a memory to a first band in the banded buffer. A determination is made that a portion of the block of data being transferred exceeds a boundary of the first band, and in response a description block for the portion of the block of data which exceeds the boundary of the first band is created. The description block is written into a memory queue and when a second band in the banded buffer becomes available, that portion of the data block which exceeds the boundary of the first buffer band is transferred into the second buffer band.

4984434, Jan 15, 1991

May 3, 1990

7/518740

John L. Peterson - Round Rock TX
John R. Howell - Austin TX

F25B 1700

62 94

A hybrid air conditioning system which simultaneously dehumidifies and cools air using standard vapor-compression equipment and aqueous solutions of liquid desiccant. By using a circulating liquid desiccant and an adiabatic humidifier, a more efficient refrigerant cycle is utilized. Moreover, conditioned air can be delivered at the same temperature and absolute humidity as conventional vapor-compression systems but without overworking the compressor.

5080577, Jan 14, 1992

May 24, 1991

7/708090

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

F23D 340

431 7

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.

4941324, Jul 17, 1990

Sep 12, 1989

7/405624

John L. Peterson - Round Rock TX
John R. Howell - Austin TX

F25B 1700

62 94

A hybrid air conditioning system which simultaneously dehumidifies and cools air using standard vapor-compression equipment and aqueous solutions of liquid desiccant. By using a circulating liquid desiccant and an adiabatic humidifier, a more efficient refrigerant cycle is utilized. Moreover, conditioned air can be delivered at the same temperature and absolute humidity as conventional vapor-compression systems but without overworking the compressor.

5218670, Jun 8, 1993

Aug 5, 1992

7/926131

Franklin L. Sodek - Temple TX
John R. Howell - Bruceville TX

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

G06K 1500

395115

A method is provided for handling overflows of data blocks in a system using a banded buffer. A block of data is transferred from a memory to a first band in the banded buffer. A determination is made that a portion of the block of data being transferred exceeds a boundary of the first band, and in response a description block for the portion of the block of data which exceeds the boundary of the first band is created. The description block is written into a memory queue and when a second band in the banded buffer becomes available, that portion of the data block which exceed the boundary of the first buffer band is transferred into the second buffer band in accordance with the description block.

4373347, Feb 15, 1983

Apr 2, 1981

6/250319

John R. Howell - Austin TX
C. S. Patrick Peng - Houston TX

Board of Regents, University of Texas System - Austin TX

F25B 1500

62112

A hybrid double absorption air cooling system employing a liquid desiccant solution and capable of operating at low heat source temperature between 55. degree. C. and 80. degree. C. is provided. In one embodiment the system which utilizes low-grade thermal energy, includes an open absorber employing a liquid desiccant solution for absorbing moisture from air passing therethrough, a cooling coil adapted for cooling air passing through the open absorber, and a vapor-absorption refrigeration system which employs the liquid desiccant solution as an evaporable refrigerant and is adapted for cooling and circulating a working fluid, such as water, through the cooling coil and for circulating the desiccant solution through the open absorber. In an alternate embodiment, an open evaporator is adapted for providing cooling water to the open absorber.