Patents Examined by Allison M Gionta
  • Patent number: 8617404
    Abstract: Particular aspects of the inventive technology may, in embodiments, relate to a fluid filter apparatus that includes a filtered fluid conduit that has a length that is at least three times a characteristic diameter; and a plurality of holes, wherein at least one of said holes has a first shape and engages an end cap during fluid filter operation, and wherein at least one other of said holes has said first shape and passes filtered fluid from outside of said filtered fluid conduit to a conduit interior during fluid filter operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Harvard Corporation
    Inventors: Otto Knottnerus, Larry Langmeier, Mark Berger
  • Patent number: 8607992
    Abstract: A ceramic filter comprising: (a) from about 75% to about 95% by weight of diatomaceous earth; (b) from about 10% to about 20% by weight of a flux; and (c) from about 0.03% to about 0.4% by weight of a metallic compound; the percentages by weight being percentages by weight of the ceramic filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Aqua-Nu Filtration
    Inventors: Patrick Farrelly, Sean McCormack, Robert Verkerk, David Maybin
  • Patent number: 8584871
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to solution electrospinning processes for fabricating fibers, to the fibers prepared thereby, and to non-woven webs, fabrics, porous composite filter media, and articles comprising the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventors: Joey W. Storer, James F. Sturnfield, Leonardo C. Lopez, Rudolf J. Koopmans, Rene Broos, Wu Chen, Gerrit J. Brands
  • Patent number: 8580570
    Abstract: A polymer-based PLOT capillary column prepared by in situ copolymerization of a functional monomer, which usually contains the retentive chemistries, and a crosslinking monomer, which enhances the strength of the polymer matrix, is disclosed. Also disclosed is a system comprising the polymer-based PLOT column coupled to a mass flow or concentration sensitive detector, for carrying out a chemical analysis method on samples separated by liquid chromatography using the column, and a process for using the system. Columns of the invention can be prepared in a robust fashion with a very narrow i.d., e.g., 5-15 ?m. Thus, they are suitable for commercial use in ultratrace LC/MS proteomic analysis. Columns according to the invention are characterized by high resolving power and high column-to-column reproducibility. When these columns are coupled on-line with, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventors: Barry L. Karger, Jian Zhang
  • Patent number: 8557120
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for collectively separating all the actinides (III), (IV), (V) and (VI) present in a strongly acidic aqueous phase, from the fission products, and in particular from the lanthanides, which are also present in this phase, using two extractants that operate in unconnected chemical fields. Applications: reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuels, especially to recover plutonium, neptunium, americium, curium and, possibly, uranium present in trace amounts, in a grouped manner but selectively with respect to the lanthanides, from a solution for dissolution of an irradiated nuclear fuel, downstream of a uranium extraction cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Xavier Heres, Manuel Miguirditchian, Pascal Baron, Laurence Chareyre
  • Patent number: 8551338
    Abstract: A wafer-shaped hollow fiber module adapted for in-line use in a piping system. The piping system may include two standard bolted flange connections, and at least one wafer-shaped hollow fiber module sealed between the two standard bolted flange connections. The wafer shaped hollow fiber module includes: a cylindrical housing having an open end and a closed end having a first sealing surface and an inlet port; at least one side port through the cylindrical housing; an end cap united to the open end having a second sealing surface and an outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Celgard LLC
    Inventors: Gareth P. Taylor, Amitava Sengupta
  • Patent number: 8544158
    Abstract: A fluid filter includes a filter element having a filtering media disposed between two endplates. One endplate includes an open flow passage that allows a working fluid to flow into or out of the media during operation. The other endplate includes a connection structure. A cover houses the filter element, and has an opening that is an inlet or outlet in fluid communication with the opening of the one endplate. The cover includes another fill opening proximate the other endplate. A cap is connected to the connection structure of the other endplate to close the opening of the cover. The cover is retained between the cap and other endplate. Generally, the attachment configuration between the cap and the other endplate of the filter element helps ensure that the filter element with the correct micron rating is installed in a filtration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Carey A. Curt, Ismail C. Bagci, Gregory D. Shope, Terry W. Shults, Pierrick Bonzi
  • Patent number: 8540874
    Abstract: A rotary filter is provided with greatly expanded filter media area within the flow stream of material to be filtered due to use of a series of cylindrical filter cartridges consisting of a core and cylindrical filter media that are attached to and within a rotary disc, thus providing much greater filter area within the size constraints of the rotary disc and the flow channel. This allows removal of contaminating material in the flow stream. The retaining methods used for these cartridges restrains their movement within the flow stream thus allowing backflushing by reversing flow direction and venting the backflush material. The attachment and construction further allows easy removal and replacement of filter media and cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventor: Hubert Patrovsky
  • Patent number: 8540079
    Abstract: A sludge filtration apparatus has a sludge tank configured to store sludge and at least one filter assembly. The filter assembly includes a filtration membrane for filtering the sludge and a pipe insertable in the filtration membrane to supply air to a secondary side of the filtration membrane for dislodging the sludge from the filtration membrane. The pipe has a plurality of holes for discharging gas, namely air, to an area in which the filtration membrane inclines downwardly with the secondary side thereof. The sludge filtration apparatus can prevent thickened sludge from remaining in an upper portion of the filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Metawater Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Yoshida, Mikimasa Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8530108
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes membrane electrode assemblies disposed in a planar arrangement. Each membrane electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane, an anode catalyst layer, and a cathode catalyst layer disposed counter to the cathode catalyst via the electrolyte membrane. Interconnectors (conductive members) are provided on the lateral faces of the electrolyte membranes disposed counter to each another in the neighboring direction of the membrane electrode assemblies. Each interconnector includes a support portion protruding toward the central region of the electrolyte member on the cathode side of the electrolyte membrane. The support portion is in contact with the cathode-side surface of an edge of the electrolyte membrane, and the electrolyte membrane is held by the support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Hiroki Kabumoto, Takashi Yasuo, Gerard F McLean, Jeremy Schrooten
  • Patent number: 8528747
    Abstract: Solid phase extraction (SPE) disks may be manufactured by providing a suspension comprising glass microfibers and a suspension comprising one or more sorbents and forming a disk by combining the suspensions or by layering the suspensions. This may be followed by a drying procedure to create the finished disk. A disk mold including a collar and plug may be used to establish the size and shape of the disk. Examples of various constructions and processes for forming the disks are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Horizon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Dinnean, Robert S. Johnson, Steve J. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8506812
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane separation method and a relevant equipment, in particular to a method and an equipment for membrane separation utilizing concentration polarization during membrane filtration process, especially, to a concentration process and equipment and a drawer special for drawing a concentration polarization layer. The direct removal of the concentration polarization layer from membrane surface not only decreases the adverse influence of concentration polarization on membrane separation but also obtains concentrated retention components, thereby significantly improving the ability to maintain membrane flux, solving the twinborn problems concerning concentration polarization and membrane fouling during the membrane separation process, and achieving a high-efficiency concentration for retention components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Yinhua Wan, Xiangrong Chen, Zhiguo Su, Guanghui Ma, Xiaoguang Jiao, Fei Shen, Zhanfeng Cui
  • Patent number: 8501001
    Abstract: A fluid filter includes a filter element having a filtering media disposed between two endplates. One endplate includes an open flow passage that allows a working fluid to flow into or out of the media during operation. The other endplate includes a connection structure. A cover houses the filter element, and has an opening that is an inlet or outlet in fluid communication with the opening of the one endplate. The cover includes another fill opening proximate the other endplate. A cap is connected to the connection structure of the other endplate to close the opening of the cover. The cover is retained between the cap and other endplate. Generally, the attachment configuration between the cap and the other endplate of the filter element helps ensure that the filter element with the correct micron rating is installed in a filtration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Carey A. Curt, Ismail C. Bagci, Gregory D. Shope, Terry W. Shults, Pierrick Bonzi
  • Patent number: 8496839
    Abstract: A filter device including at least one filter chamber between a filter plate and a counter plate when the device is closed, into which chamber a suspension can be inducted on a cake side of a filter cloth through at least one filling shoe anchored in the filter plate and clamping the cloth with the filter plate in a sealing manner. The suspension permeates the cloth to the filtrate side, wherein the suspension solid content deposits on the cloth as a filter cake, and the filter and counter plates are offset from each other when the device is open, and the cake is removable from the chamber. In order to simplify the disassembly of the cloth, the shoe is movably anchored in the filter plate, and the shoe is automatically lifted off from the filter plate and the clamping of the filter cloth is released when the device is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Outotec Oy
    Inventor: Heinz Bonn
  • Patent number: 8460542
    Abstract: A suction filter may comprise a bag-shaped filter member and a passage member. The passage member is disposed in an internal space of the filter member. The passage member has a fuel passage and a plurality of openings, and guides fuel from the internal space to the outside of the internal space. The openings communicate the internal space of the filter member to the fuel passage. When the passage member is cut along a surface thereof perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the passage member in each of the openings, a position on an outer circumferential surface of the passage member in the cut surface, in which the distance between the outer circumferential surface and the filter member is the smallest, is distant in a circumferential direction from a position on the outer circumferential surface where the opening is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihide Oku, Tetsuya Hara, Yoshinobu Kato
  • Patent number: 8460552
    Abstract: A method and device that identify impairments of the blood flow in an extra-corporeal blood circuit during extracorporeal treatment of the blood using an extracorporeal haemodialysis device, where the phase angle of at least one harmonic oscillation of an oscillating pressure signal that propagates in the extracorporeal blood circuit is determined. Impairments of the blood flow are detected in the extracorporeal blood circuit based on a characteristic modification of the phase angle of at least one harmonic oscillation of the pressure signal. A temporal modification of the phase angle may be compared with a predefined threshold value and an impairment is detected if the value of the modification of the phase angle is greater than the predefined threshold value. The method and device permit an early identification of a coagulation of the blood that flows through the haemodialysis unit, so that countermeasures can be initiated promptly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Pascal Kopperschmidt, Malte Gross
  • Patent number: 8459470
    Abstract: A grafted nonwoven substrate is disclosed having average fiber sizes of 0.7 to 15 microns, and a void volume of 50 to 95%, and a polymer comprising cationic aminoalkyl(meth)acryloyl monomer units grafted to the surface of the nonwoven substrate. The article may be used as a filter element to purify or separate target materials, such as oligonucleotides or monoclonal antibodies (MAb), from a fluid mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Douglas E. Weiss, Clinton P. Waller, Jr., Michael R. Berrigan, Andrew W. Rabins, Jeffrey A. Lucas, Kannan Seshadri, Catherine A. Bothof
  • Patent number: 8425779
    Abstract: In a method for converting fluctuating energy into a stable energy supply, the fluctuating energy is derived from the group of solar energy, wind power, waves or water currents, this energy being delivered to a first pump being integrated in a pressure circuit for delivering stable energy and the pressure circuit comprising a pressure amplifier with a double-cone device being driven by the liquid flow circulated by the first pump. This allows the stabilization of fluctuating energy to be used e.g. in desalination plants without supplemental storage energy and without reverting to electric current conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: DCT Double-Cone Technology AG
    Inventor: John Stark
  • Patent number: 8414766
    Abstract: A serviceable device for filtering lubricating oil includes an inlet and an outlet, a first filtering element and an absorption filtering element. The absorption filtering element is configured to absorb a fluidic contaminant present in the lubricating oil when in contact with the absorption filtering element. A flow path for the lubricating oil is from the inlet, through the first filtering element, and out the outlet. The flow path further includes lubricating oil contact with the absorption filtering element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Mordukhovich, James L. Linden, Andrew M. Mance
  • Patent number: 8377306
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for treating a fluid. According to the invention, the fluid is contacted with a substrate at the surface of which there is a network of organic molecules, hereafter referred to as “network molecules”. There is a central core and at least one lateral arm, the molecules being adsorbed at the surface of the substrate. The invention also concerns a two-dimensional molecular sieve formed by the substrate at the surface of which a network of network molecules is adsorbed. The invention further concerns a module for treating a fluid including a circulating device for the fluid to be treated, the device containing one or more two-dimensional molecule sieves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Andre-Jean Attias, Fabrice Charra, Ludovic Douillard, Celine Fiorini, David Kreher, Fabrice Mathevet, Guillaume Schull