Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Mark F. LaMarre
  • Patent number: 6150580
    Abstract: A waste destruction method using a reactor vessel to combust and destroy organic and combustible waste, including the steps of introducing a supply of waste into the reactor vessel, introducing a supply of an oxidant into the reactor vessel to mix with the waste forming a waste and oxidant mixture, introducing a supply of water into the reactor vessel to mix with the waste and oxidant mixture forming a waste, water and oxidant mixture, reciprocatingly compressing the waste, water and oxidant mixture forming a compressed mixture, igniting the compressed mixture forming a exhaust gas, and venting the exhaust gas into the surrounding atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Stuart K. Janikowski
  • Patent number: 6146432
    Abstract: This invention is a process for the passivation or deactivation with resp to oxygen of a carbonaceous material by the exposure of the carbonaceous material to an oxygenated gas in which the oxygenated gas pressure is increased from a first pressure to a second pressure and then the pressure is changed to a third pressure. Preferably a cyclic process which comprises exposing the carbonaceous material to the gas at low pressure and increasing the pressure to a second higher pressure and then returning the pressure to a lower pressure is used. The cycle is repeated at least twice wherein the higher pressure may be increased after a selected number of cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy
    Inventors: Thomas L. Ochs, William D. Sands, Karl Schroeder, Cathy A. Summers, Bruce R. Utz
  • Patent number: 6143939
    Abstract: A method for preparing olefins and halogenated olefins is provided comprising contacting halogenated compounds with diamonds for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature to convert the halogenated compounds to olefins and halogenated olefins via elimination reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Malvina Farcasiu, Phillip B. Kaufman, Edward P. Ladner, Richard R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6143944
    Abstract: A process for the consolidation and containment of solid or semisolid hazardous waste, which process comprises closing an end of a circular hollow cylinder, filling the cylinder with the hazardous waste, and then cold working the cylinder to reduce its diameter while simultaneously compacting the waste. The open end of the cylinder can be sealed prior to or after the cold working process. The preferred method of cold working is to draw the sealed cylinder containing the hazardous waste through a plurality of dies to simultaneously reduce the diameter of the tube while compacting the waste. This process provides a quick continuous process for consolidating hazardous waste, including radioactive waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Harry C. Hash, Mark C. Hash
  • Patent number: 6056125
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for the separation of coal from pyritic impurities using a modified froth flotation system. The froth flotation column incorporates a helical track about the inner wall of the column in a region intermediate between the top and base of the column. A standard impeller located about the central axis of the column is used to generate a centrifugal force thereby increasing the separation efficiency of coal from the pyritic particles and hydrophillic tailings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: U. S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Ralph W. Lai, Robert A. Patton
  • Patent number: 5980610
    Abstract: An apparatus and process that utilize a low temperature nonequilibrium plasma reactor, for improving the particulate removal efficiency of an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) are disclosed. A portion of the flue gas, that contains a low level of SO.sub.2 O.sub.2 H.sub.2 O, and particulate matter, is passed through a low temperature plasma reactor, which defines a plasma volume, thereby oxidizing a portion of the SO.sub.2 present in the flue gas into SO.sub.3. An SO.sub.2 rich flue gas is thereby generated. The SO.sub.3 rich flue gas is then returned to the primary flow of the flue gas in the exhaust treatment system prior to the ESP. This allows the SO.sub.3 to react with water to form H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 that is in turn is absorbed by fly ash in the gas stream in order to improve the removal efficiency of the EPS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Hann-Sheng Huang, Anthony J. Gorski
  • Patent number: 5968224
    Abstract: A method for the recovery of valuable materials from titanium grinding swarf is provided comprising the steps of sieving the accumulated titanium grinding swarf to remove unwanted coarse trash and grinding wheel fragments, pelletizing, and smelting in an electric arc furnace to produce ferrotitanium and/or high titanium slag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Stephen J. Gerdemann, Jack C. White
  • Patent number: 5939986
    Abstract: A warning system is provided for a mobile working machine to alert an individual of a potentially dangerous condition in the event the individual strays into a hazardous working zone of the machine. The warning system includes a transmitter mounted on the machine and operable to generate a uniform magnetic field projecting beyond an outer periphery of the machine in defining a hazardous working zone around the machine during operation thereof. A receiver, carried by the individual and activated by the magnetic field, provides an alarm signal to alert the individual when he enters the hazardous working zone of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: William H. Schiffbauer, Carl W. Ganoe
  • Patent number: 5932818
    Abstract: A vapor sample detection method where the vapor sample contains vapor and ambient air and surrounding natural background particles. The vapor sample detection method includes the steps of generating a supply of aerosol that have a particular effective median particle size, mixing the aerosol with the vapor sample forming aerosol and adsorbed vapor suspended in an air stream, impacting the suspended aerosol and adsorbed vapor upon a reflecting element, alternatively directing infrared light to the impacted aerosol and adsorbed vapor, detecting and analyzing the alternatively directed infrared light in essentially real time using a spectrometer and a microcomputer and identifying the vapor sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Vincent J. Novick, Stanley A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5520415
    Abstract: A heat resistant fabric shield that protects the inside surfaces of the top and side sections of an air bag cushion is disclosed. The fabric shield is attached to the air bag cushion adjacent to the gas inlet opening. Upon deployment of the cushion the fabric shield is moved into position by the flow of hot gases from the inflator to protect the inside surfaces of the cushion from the hot gases. After deployment the fabric shield falls into position on top of the inflator thus protecting and insulating the cushion from the hot inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Trudy C. Lewis, Lisa M. Frary
  • Patent number: 5478111
    Abstract: An improved device for controlling the rate at which gas is exhausted from an air bag cushion which is used in passenger vehicles. A novel gas vent is incorporated into the material from which the air bag is made, The vent comprises a dynamic vent that is impermeable to gas below a critical temperature and is permeable to gas above a critical temperature. The dynamic vent provides additional venting of gas during a high impact collision or when a larger than average occupant impacts onto the air bag cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Marchant, Bradley D. Harris
  • Patent number: 5470098
    Abstract: A retainer ring having expandable sides for attaching a passenger side air bag to a air bag module canister. The retainer ring accommodates slight variations in the canister thus permitting the air bag cushion to be securely fastened to the canister without the formation of gaps between the air bag cushion and the canister. This reduces gas leakage from the canister during deployment of the air bag cushion. A self-locking mechanism is also provided to permit assembly of the retainer ring without the need for fasteners or special tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Attila Szigethy, Brian C. Jenkins, Marc D. Folsom
  • Patent number: 5453233
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for reducing the loss of CVD manufactured parts due to cracking caused by mechanical stresses resulting from the mismatch of the coefficient of thermal expansion between the chemical vapor deposed part and the mandrel plate. The method and device provide a removable mandrel support which is removed after the chemical vapor deposition but prior to the cooling of the CVD part and the mandrel plates. This permits the CVD part to contract upon cooling without mechanical restriction, thus reduce cracking caused by contraction of the CVD part against a mold which does not contract substantially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: CVD, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Teverovsky, James C. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5445406
    Abstract: A device for securing an inflator to a module housing without the use of fasteners is disclosed. Flanges on the inflator pass through slots in the module housing when the inflator is rotated onto the housing. The module housing is clamped between the flanges and an inflator base plate in one embodiment. In a second embodiment the flanges engage with pockets formed on the module housing adjacent the inflator opening. Also, tabs mounted to the module housing can be engaged with flanges formed on a retention bracket by rotating the bracket into position. The retention bracket secures the inflator onto the module housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventor: David V. Jones
  • Patent number: 5443284
    Abstract: A clamping device for clamping an automotive air bag to an automotive air bag inflator. The clamping device includes an annular retainer ring and module housing. Axial descending members, in the form of tabs, pins, or circular posts are attached to the bottom of the annular retainer and pass through holes in the air bag and module housing. The axial descending members provide additional places wherein the shear stress of the air bag fabric can resist the forces applied to the air bag during deployment. Undersized fastener openings in the module housing in conjunction with annular retainer tabs bent to grasp the module housing clamp the air bag during assembly of the air bag module without installation, thus securing the inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Strahl, John E. Allard, Gary V. Adams
  • Patent number: 5441299
    Abstract: An air bag inflator subassembly is described which when installed onto a dashboard substrate forms a complete air bag inflator unit. The air bag inflator subassembly comprises a plurality of flanges formed integral to the body of the inflator. An air bag cushion and retainer cover are attached to the inflator subassembly. The subassembly eliminates the need for a separate canister and simplifies the process of installing the air bag inflator unit. The subassembly is installed on the dashboard substrate and is attached to the appropriate electrical connections. The subassembly utilizes existing vehicle hardware to form part of the air bag canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Lauritzen, Joseph L. Ralston, Larry D. Rose
  • Patent number: 5433472
    Abstract: A device for securing a passenger-side inflator to a module housing without the use of fasteners or special tools is disclosed. An elastically flexible tab formed into one wall of the canister and placed at an angle of about 3.degree. to about 45.degree. engages with a boss or recessed section at one end of the inflator. A raised section may be formed in the base of the inflator, which raised section engages with the outer wall of the inflator causing it to further engage with the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Green, Donald J. Paxton
  • Patent number: 5429716
    Abstract: Recycled paper pulp is de-inked by pulping it at neutral or alkaline pH with an aqueous deinking composition comprising one or more reducing agents. The preferred reducing agents are sodium bisulfite and sodium borohydride. Sodium hydroxide is preferably used to give the desired pH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice Hache, Sheri Prosperi
  • Patent number: 5426831
    Abstract: A retention device for securing electrical wires in an air bag module adjacent to an inflator. The push-on fastener tab of this invention quickly secures electrical wires while providing for easy removal. Further, the push-on fastener tabs occupy a minimum of space in the air bag module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank P. Leonelli, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5419584
    Abstract: An air bag cushion retention clip that, when used in conjunction with a two-part canister, distributes the deployment forces over the length of the clip. Further, the retention clip reduces the possibility that the sharp edges on the canister will cut through the air bag cushion during deployment thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick L. Halford