Patents Assigned to APV North America, Inc.
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Patent number: 8291748Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a leak between two fluid paths of an assembled plate heat exchanger by evacuating one or both fluid paths to a low pressure, introducing a test gas to one of the fluid paths to create a pressure differential between the fluid paths, and testing for the presence of test gas in the second fluid path.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: APV North America, Inc.Inventors: Hemant Kumar, Jonathan Graham Shaw
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Patent number: 7886580Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a leak between two fluid paths of an assembled plate heat exchanger by evacuating one or both fluid paths to a low pressure, introducing a test gas to one of the fluid paths to create a pressure differential between the fluid paths, and testing for the presence of test gas in the second fluid path.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2007Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: APV North America, Inc.Inventors: Hemant Kumar, Jonathan Graham Shaw
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Patent number: 7000689Abstract: A fluid connector for providing an inlet/outlet connection to a connecting grid of a heat exchanger is disclosed in which the connector has a tubular body formed with an integral outwardly directed flange by means of which a fluid tight connection to the connecting grid can be achieved. The flange may be sealed relative to an aperture in a plate of the connecting grid. Alternatively, the aperture may be provided with a structural ring and the flange sealed relative to the structural ring for adapting the aperture to the size and/or position of the flange. A set of structural rings may be provided for use of the connecting grid with different connectors. The structural ring may allow the connector to be detached without disassembling the connecting grid. The aperture may be closed by a blanking disc.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2002Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: APV North America, Inc.Inventors: Derek I Finch, Gary A Crawford, Neil E Jarman
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Patent number: 6899163Abstract: A plate heat exchanger includes first and second plates, a package of heat transfer plates arranged between the first and second plates, and a closure system. The closure system includes a plurality of tie bar assemblies. Each tie bar assembly includes a tie bar extending between the first and second plates, and a threaded member threadedly engaging the tie bar. The closure system and the first and second plates are relatively arranged and configured such that relative rotation between the tie bar and the threaded member of each tie bar assembly is operative to move the first plate towards and away from the second plate to close and open, respectively, the plate heat exchanger. The plate heat exchanger is arranged and configured such that the heat transfer plates can be removed from the plate heat exchanger without relocating any of the tie bars.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2003Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: APV North America, Inc.Inventors: Derek I Finch, Ranjieve Ariarasah
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Patent number: 6745961Abstract: A colloid mill utilizes a motor-driven shaft configuration that connects to the rotor of the colloid mill to the electric motor rotor. In this way, the mill rotor shaft is directly driven. Complex gear or belt drive arrangements between a separate electric motor and the fluid processing components of the colloid mill are thus avoided. Moreover, the gap between the mill rotor and mill stator can be adjusted simply by axially translating the motor-driven shaft. Such translation is provided by a timing belt-based arrangement to limit backlash. As a result, a simple hand-operated knob or stepper motor arrangement can be used to control the gap.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2001Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: APV North America, Inc.Inventor: Harald O. Korstvedt
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Patent number: 6591968Abstract: An apparatus and method for conditioning conveyor chains in commercial ovens of the type having a continuous conveyor chain supported in a track for transporting bakery products through the oven. A portion of the conveyor chain and supporting track transits outside the heated baking area of the oven and an automatic chain lubricator is positioned along the portion of the track transiting outside the baking area of the oven. A fan for creating a flow of cooling air and at least one air duct are located outside the baking area. The duct receives one end cooling air from the fan and directs the cooling air on to the conveyor chain along the portion thereof located outside the heated baking area of the oven and upstream from the lubricator. Also, an air knife is disposed upstream of the lubricator and directed onto the chain to remove undesired debris, etc., therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: APV Baker, Inc. A division of APV North America, Inc.Inventors: Richard E. Snell, Robert Floyd Lanham
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Publication number: 20030037922Abstract: A cuttings processing system for treating cuttings produced while drilling wells using a drilling mud containing a hydrocarbon and a method for using the same are disclosed. The processing system can include a fan, a solids removal system, a heater, and a spin flash drying chamber. The fan can be configured to circulate the vapor within the system. The solids removal system can be configured to remove particulates from the vapor to provide filtered vapor. A heater is provided to heat the filtered vapor into the superheated region. The heater can be associated with the solids removal system to receive the filtered vapor therefrom. The drying chamber is configured to receive the cuttings. The drying chamber is connected to the heater to receive the superheated and filtered vapor therefrom to promote the emitting of the vapor from the cuttings. The drying chamber is connected to the solids removal system to convey the vapor and dried particulates thereto to form a substantially closed loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2002Publication date: February 27, 2003Applicant: APV North America, Inc.Inventor: Stewart Gibson
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Patent number: 6478081Abstract: A plate heat exchanger comprising a stack of heat transfer plates which together with sealing means define first and second flow passages for first and second fluids respectively. The heat transfer plates are formed with through holes defining an inlet channel communicating with the first flow passages and a gasket is arranged around the through holes in the gap between each pair of heat transfer plates forming a first flow passage. The gasket can be inserted in and/or removed from the gap between a pair of permanently joined heat transfer plates and can include a tube for producing a pressure drop for flow of fluid from the inlet passage to the first flow passage.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1999Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: APV North America Inc.Inventor: Jonathan Graham Shaw
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Publication number: 20020030129Abstract: A colloid mill utilizes a motor-driven shaft configuration that connects to the rotor of the colloid mill to the electric motor rotor. In this way, the mill rotor shaft is directly driven. Complex gear or belt drive arrangements between a separate electric motor and the fluid processing components of the colloid mill are thus avoided. Moreover, the gap between the mill rotor and mill stator can be adjusted simply by axially translating the motor-driven shaft. Such translation is provided by a timing belt-based arrangement to limit backlash. As a result, a simple hand-operated knob or stepper motor arrangement can be used to control the gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Applicant: APV North America, Inc.Inventor: Harald O. Korstvedt
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Patent number: 6305626Abstract: A colloid mill utilizes a motor-driven shaft configuration that connects to the rotor of the colloid mill to the electric motor rotor. In this way, the mill rotor shaft is directly driven. Complex gear or belt drive arrangements between a separate electric motor and the fluid processing components of the colloid mill are thus avoided. Moreover, the gap between the mill rotor and mill stator can be adjusted simply by axially translating the motor-driven shaft. Such translation is provided by a timing belt-based arrangement to limit backlash. As a result, a simple hand-operated knob or stepper motor arrangement can be used to control the gap. Specifically, a thrust bearing is supported in a threaded sleeve that mates with the colloidal mill body. The timing belt engages the sleeve to rotate it relative to the body, thus adjusting the thrust bearings axially along the motor driven shaft and thereby controlling the gap between the mill stator and mill rotor.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1999Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: APV North America, Inc.Inventor: Harald O. Korstvedt
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Patent number: 6305836Abstract: A homogenization valve includes a housing and stacked valve members within the housing. The valve members have central holes therethrough defining a high pressure volume. Each valve member includes a valve seat defining, with a valve surface, gaps through which fluid is expressed radially from an inside high pressure volume to the outer low pressure volume. An actuator closes one end of the central volume and acts on the valve members to control the width of the gaps. A pressure barrier is positioned within the central volume to reduce the force from the central volume acting on the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1999Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: APV North America, Inc.Inventor: Michael Jarchau
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Patent number: 6244739Abstract: A homogenization valve includes a housing and stacked valve members within the housing. The valve members have central holes therethrough defining a high pressure volume. Each valve member includes a valve seat defining, with a valve surface, gaps through which fluid is expressed radially from an inside high pressure volume to the low pressure volume. The actuator acts on the valve members to control the width of the gaps. The valve member includes circumferentially spaced, compressible spacing elements to maintain the gap. The actuator controls substantially all of the gap widths by compressing the spacing elements. Annular springs are positioned within the high pressure volume in spring-grooves in the valve members to align adjoining pairs of valve members to maintain the stacked member configuration.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1999Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: APV North America, Inc.Inventors: Michael Jarchau, Harald O. Korstvedt, Blaine Potter
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Patent number: 6238080Abstract: A homogenization valve includes a housing and stacked valve members within the housing. The valve members have central holes therethrough defining a low pressure volume. Each valve member includes a valve seat defining with a valve surface, gaps through which fluid is expressed radially from an outside high pressure volume to the central low pressure volume. The actuator acts on the valve members to control the width of the gaps. A counterbalancing mechanism reduces the amount of actuator force required to maintain a predetermined homogenization pressure.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1999Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: APV North America, Inc.Inventor: Michael Jarchau
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Patent number: 5749650Abstract: An homogenization valve design yields improved homogenization efficiency. The length of the valve surface relative to the valve seat or land is controlled so that the overlap is limited. This allows convergence between turbulent mixing layers and a homogenization zone. Preferably some overlap is provided, however, to contribute to the stability of the valves and avoid destructive chattering.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1997Date of Patent: May 12, 1998Assignee: APV Homogenizer Group, a Division of APV North America, Inc.Inventors: Richard R. Kinney, William D. Pandolfe, R. Daniel Ferguson