John Mark Shell

US Patent:

50542915, Oct 8, 1991

Filed:

Jul 25, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/557641

Inventors:

Thomas L. Davis - Raleigh NC
John P. Shell - Raleigh NC
Robert N. Elliott - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

F25D 1302
F25D 2500

US Classification:

62 62

Abstract:

Agricultural crops are cooled immediately after harvest to prevent postharvest deterioration. A forced-air cooling system is utilized wherein air permeable containers of produce are stacked in rows within a warehouse to define multiple cooling bays. Each bay is independently operated for the sequential loading, cooling and unloading of its contents without appreciable energy losses to surrounding bays.

US Patent:

55378137, Jul 23, 1996

Filed:

Mar 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/399534

Inventors:

Thomas L. Davis - Raleigh NC
John P. Shell - Raleigh NC
Todd W. Beadle - Wilkesboro NC
Keith S. McAllister - Raleigh NC
Alexander O. Hobbs - Cary NC

Assignee:

Carolina Power & Light Company - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

F02G 300

US Classification:

60 3905

Abstract:

The operational capacity and efficiency of a combustion turbine is increased by treating the turbine inlet air to increase its density. The inlet air treatment is achieved in a columnar tower with the inlet air being drawn in at the top of the tower. Treatment water is injected into the tower at a downward velocity greater than that of the inlet air to establish a vertically descending, two-phase co-current flow of inlet air and treatment water. The system utilizes the natural phenomenon of drag-induced pressure boost to the air achieved by the difference in the relative velocities of the inlet air and the treatment water in the co-current flow. By utilizing a cold treatment water, for example at 32. degree. -40. degree. F. , the tower creates a direct contact heat transfer situation that cools the inlet air, thereby further increasing its density. The invention serves to increase the operational capacity and efficiency of existing or new peaking combustion turbines at a cost per kW that is substantially less than that of installing new peaking combustion turbine capacity, while also permitting enhanced load following capabilities for the electric utility's control center.

US Patent:

50193007, May 28, 1991

Filed:

Jul 25, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/557634

Inventors:

Thomas L. Davis - Raleigh NC
John P. Shell - Raleigh NC
Robert N. Elliott - Raleigh NC
Carsie K. Denning - Coats NC

Assignee:

Carolina Power & Light Company - Raleigh NC
North Carolina Alternative Energy Corporation - Research Triangel Park NC
North Carolina Department of Economic - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

B01F 304

US Classification:

261 231

Abstract:

A direct contact water-to-air heat exchanger includes a columnar air/water contact chamber which includes inclined sheet-like turning vanes for establishing three heat transfer zones therein and a partly countercurrent, partly crosscurrent heat exchange environment. The heat exchanger has applicability for supplying cold moisture laden air in the postharvest forced air precooling of agricultural produce.

US Patent:

20230025966, Jan 26, 2023

Filed:

Jul 19, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/867732

Inventors:

- Gamer NC, US
John P. Shell - Raleigh NC, US
Kimberly L. Ingram - Goldsboro NC, US
Bryan Joseph Johns - Clayton NC, US

International Classification:

B01F 35/221
B01F 27/112
B01F 35/212
B01F 35/21

Abstract:

Disclosed are various embodiments of a rocker-style treatment tank equipped with instrumentation. In one embodiment, a rocker treatment tank includes a dasher configured to oscillate within treatment liquid in the rocker treatment tank. The dasher includes a dasher shaft, one or more dasher arms coupled to the dasher shaft, and at least one dasher blade coupled to the dasher arm(s). The rocker treatment tank also includes one or more sensors configured to provide data directly or indirectly indicating a torque transmitted to the dasher to effect oscillation.

US Patent:

20190274320, Sep 12, 2019

Filed:

May 18, 2017

Appl. No.:

16/302176

Inventors:

- Garner NC, US
John P. Shell - Raleigh NC, US

International Classification:

A22C 21/00
A22B 7/00
B65G 15/30

Abstract:

A system for vacuum chilling poultry product includes: a vacuum chamber configured to be evacuated to chill poultry product in the vacuum chamber; at least one inclined or vertical conduit coupled to the vacuum chamber, with the at least one conduit configured to hold at least one water seal when the vacuum chamber is evacuated; and a conveying mechanism that is configured to continuously convey the poultry product upwardly through the at least one conduit, then into and through the vacuum chamber, and then downwardly through the at least one conduit.

US Patent:

20190090495, Mar 28, 2019

Filed:

Nov 21, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/198215

Inventors:

- Garner NC, US
John P. Shell - Raleigh NC, US

International Classification:

A22B 5/00
F28F 5/06
F25D 13/06
B65G 33/32
A23B 4/06
B65G 33/04
A22C 21/00

Abstract:

A poultry chiller includes a tank and an auger rotatably held in the tank. The auger includes a first auger section and a second auger section. The first auger section includes a first auger shaft and a first auger flight. The first auger flight includes a first helical portion on the first auger shaft and a first flight extension that extends away from the first helical portion. The second auger section includes a second auger shaft coupled to the first auger shaft and a second auger flight. The second auger flight includes a second helical portion on the second auger shaft and a second flight extension that extends away from the second helical portion. The chiller includes a hanger bearing assembly between the first and second auger sections and extending to an upper portion of the tank.

US Patent:

20170325468, Nov 16, 2017

Filed:

Jul 28, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/663205

Inventors:

- Gamer NC, US
John P. Shell - Raleigh NC, US

International Classification:

A22B 5/00
F25D 13/06
B65G 33/32
B65G 33/04
A23B 4/06
F28F 5/06
A22C 21/00

Abstract:

A poultry chiller includes a tank and an auger rotatably held in the tank. The auger includes a first auger section and a second auger section. The first auger section includes a first auger shaft and a first auger flight. The first auger flight includes a first helical portion on the first auger shaft and a first flight extension that extends away from the first helical portion. The second auger section includes a second auger shaft coupled to the first auger shaft and a second auger flight. The second auger flight includes a second helical portion on the second auger shaft and a second flight extension that extends away from the second helical portion. The chiller includes a hanger bearing assembly between the first and second auger sections and extending to an upper portion of the tank.

US Patent:

20170042165, Feb 16, 2017

Filed:

Aug 9, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/232445

Inventors:

- Garner NC, US
John P. Shell - Raleigh NC, US

International Classification:

A22B 5/00
A22C 21/00
F25D 13/06
A23B 4/06
B65G 33/04
B65G 33/32

Abstract:

A poultry chiller includes a tank and an auger rotatably held in the tank. The auger includes a first auger section and a second auger section. The first auger section includes a first auger shaft and a first auger flight. The first auger flight includes a first helical portion on the first auger shaft and a first flight extension that extends away from the first helical portion. The second auger section includes a second auger shaft coupled to the first auger shaft and a second auger flight. The second auger flight includes a second helical portion on the second auger shaft and a second flight extension that extends away from the second helical portion. The chiller includes a hanger bearing assembly between the first and second auger sections and extending to an upper portion of the tank.