Patents Examined by David A. Simmons
  • Patent number: 6572765
    Abstract: A filtering system for swimming pools includes a cylindrical filter housing in which a filter bag is supported in a perforated liner. A skimmer housing is mounted on the cylindrical housing and skims water off of the surface of the pool, which communicates to the inlet chamber through a perforated skimmer basket which catches debris floating on the surface of the pool water. The main drain of the pool is connected directly to the inlet chamber. An outlet of the cylindrical housing communicates directly with the inlet port of a pump that returns filtered water to the pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Filter Specialists, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven L. Lincke
  • Patent number: 6569219
    Abstract: An air filter element has a cylindrical filter media sleeve axially slidable along and around an inner liner from either axial end of the sleeve. First and second end caps at distally opposite axial ends of the liner and sleeve each have a central aperture, the aperture in the first end cap providing air flow therethrough in communication with the hollow interior of the liner, the aperture in the second end cap retaining a closing cover. The cylindrical filter media sleeve extends axially along the inner liner and is axially retained between the cover and the first end cap. The cover is removably mounted to the second end cap in snap-in relation and axially retains the sleeve on the inner liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Nelson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Connor, Kent J. Kallsen, Rebecca A. Beier, Carl P. Harris, Mark V. Holzmann, Robert A. Bannister
  • Patent number: 6565620
    Abstract: An arrangement for providing combustion air as well as cabin air for a motor vehicle includes an engine air intake duct which opens through the fire wall of the motor vehicle so that cabin air is used for combustion air. Fresh cabin air is continuously introduced to the vehicle cabin through a filter arrangement disposed in the trunk of the vehicle so that atmospheric air is first drawn through the filter element in the trunk of the vehicle to provide cabin air and the cabin air is then drawn for use as combustion air through an opening in the vehicle fire wall. In an additional embodiment of the invention, there is an additional combustion air filter disposed in the cabin of the vehicle for filtering cabin air prior to using the cabin air as combustion air. With this arrangement the combustion air filter is easy to change. In both embodiments available space the engine compartment of the vehicle can be increased because the air filter has been removed from the engine compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Van Greeson
  • Patent number: 6565635
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments of the apparatus address the challenges of rotary PSA systems, both axial and radial flow, with M>1 by providing interpenetrating, layered manifolds to accommodate all of the steps of a complex PSA cycle, suitable with equal compactness for any value of “M”. This approach extends readily to accommodate a plurality of rotary PSA modules and their cooperating compression machinery within a single layered manifold assembly for a single PSA plant train. Described embodiments of the rotary PSA apparatus include stators that define fluid ports. In particular embodiments of the described apparatus, a second stator defines pressure swing adsorption cycle sectors, each sector being defined by a light product delivery port, light product withdrawal ports, and light reflux return ports. The adsorber elements may directly contact one or more of the stators in a fluidly sealing manner (i.e., have a clearance gap of from about 0 to about 50 microns) using described reinforced adsorbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: QuestAir Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Matthew Babicki, Brian Sellars, Ian Spencer Parker, David G. Doman, Alain Carel, Surajit Roy
  • Patent number: 6558457
    Abstract: A drying agent box 10 which serves to remove moisture from air, especially for a compressed-air brake apparatus, and which comprises a housing 11 with at least one inlet 14 and at least one outlet 15, the housing 11 being formed by a container 12 and a flange 13. A drying agent body 18, which has a stable shape, is contained in the housing 11. Channels 22 may optionally be provided in the drying agent body for guiding the flow of air through the body. Different ways of installing the drying agent body 18 in the housing 11 also are described. Due to the stable shape of the drying agent body 18, the structure of the drying agent box is simplified because there is no need for components to hold a granular drying agent in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Kolczyk
  • Patent number: 6554886
    Abstract: A porous adsorbent with a urea compound having a urea linkage within the molecule thereof and an inorganic acid and/or an organic acid supported on a porous support is shown. The porous adsorbent is capable of efficiently eliminating lower aldehydes at ordinary temperature for a prolonged period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Kuraray Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Yoshikawa, Masaki Fukuura, Shushi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6554880
    Abstract: Apparatus for a discharge vent on an air circulation system includes structures for controlling the direction and quantity of airflow. Filter elements may be provided to help reduce contaminants that might otherwise be discharged through the vent. Preferred methods for assembling and using the apparatus are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: David T. Northcutt
  • Patent number: 6554881
    Abstract: A filter media having a synthetic microfiber polymer fine fiber web wherein the diameter of the fibers is between about 0.8 to about 1.5 microns. The filter media is acceptable for use in ASHRAE applications. Constructions with a low DP backing, support or prefilter layers of coarse fiber provide large area filter webs of high efficiency and a stale and high threshold value of alpha above eleven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Hollingsworth & Vose Company
    Inventor: David Thomas Healey
  • Patent number: 6554879
    Abstract: A trap apparatus includes a discharge path for evacuating a hermetically sealed chamber through a vacuum pump, a hermetically sealed trap container extended across the discharge path and a regeneration path disposed adjacent to the discharge path, a trap unit disposed in the trap container for attaching a product in a discharged gas thereon and removing the product form the discharged gas, the trap unit being selectively located at the discharge path or the regeneration path, a valve element disposed on both sides of the trap unit and being movable integrally with the trap unit, and a sealing material mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the valve element so as to slide over an inner circumferential surface of the trap container when the trap unit is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventor: Norihiko Nomura
  • Patent number: 6551387
    Abstract: A discharge gas containing PFC gas including CF4 and NF3 generated from a manufacturing process (10) is adsorbed at an adsorbing device (18) and then desorbed using nitrogen as a purge gas. A desorbed gas with CF4 and NF3 concentrated can be obtained in this manner. The desorbed gas is then supplied to a chromatographic separator (20) for chromatographic separation with nitrogen as a carrier gas. In this manner, CF4 and NF3 within the PFC gas can be separated. In particular, because the gas is once concentrated at the adsorbing device (18), chromatographic separation of the gas constituents can be efficiently performed. By independently concentrating CF4 and NF3 obtained by the chromatographic separation, high purity gas constituents of the PFC gas can be obtained, and reused at the manufacturing process (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Organo Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Abe, Sadamitsu Tanzawa, Seiji Hiroki, Yoshinori Tajima, Takashi Futatsuki
  • Patent number: 6551368
    Abstract: A dust filter has a vertically oriented filter housing and a partition dividing the filter housing into a lower dust-contaminated air chamber and an upper clean air chamber. The partition has a plurality of openings. Self-supporting filter tubes are suspended from the openings and extend into the lower dust-contaminated chamber, wherein the self-supporting filter tubes are open upwardly in a direction toward the clean air chamber. Several self-supporting filter tubes are combined to a filter bundle, respectively, wherein a spacing between the self-supporting filter tubes of each filter bundle is smaller than a spacing of the filter bundles relative to one another. A device for cleaning off dust and product particles adhering to outer surfaces of the self-supporting filter tubes is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Intensiv-Filter GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Friedel Kordas
  • Patent number: 6551388
    Abstract: A volume compensator assembly for a vapor canister includes a partition adapted to be disposed in an interior chamber of the vapor canister and having a single opening extending therethrough. The volume compensator assembly also includes a grid pattern disposed on the partition about the opening to guide airflow to the opening. The volume compensator assembly further includes a spring connected to the partition and contacting the vapor canister to move the partition for compensation of a volume of a bed of vapor adsorbing material in the vapor canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Oemcke, Andrew J. Stanton, Duane A. Swanson
  • Patent number: 6547853
    Abstract: A method for removing moisture from gas containing vapor of a solvent using a dry dehumidifier, includes removing moisture from at least a part of dehumidifier regenerating outlet gas and reusing the dehumidified gas as regenerating gas. Reuse of partial gas on the regenerating outlet side makes it possible to condense efficiently vapor of a solvent contained in exhaust gas as dehumidification is continued, to produce small quantity of high concentration gas thereby, and in case of making removal treatment of vapor of a solvent to miniaturize an apparatus for this purpose as well as to reduce prominently costs required for equipments and others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Fukuhori, Keiichiro Kametani
  • Patent number: 6547854
    Abstract: A new method for making low-cost CO2 sorbents that can be used in large-scale gas-solid processes. The new method entails treating a solid substrate with acid or base and simultaneous or subsequent treatment with a substituted amine salt. The method eliminates the need for organic solvents and polymeric materials for the preparation of CO2 capture systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: McMahan L. Gray, Yee Soong, Kenneth J. Champagne
  • Patent number: 6547851
    Abstract: A component gas concentrator includes an air compressor, an air-tight first container containing a molecular sieve bed, the first container in fluid communication with the compressor through a first gas conduit, and an air-tight second container in fluid communication with the first container through a second gas conduit. A gas flow controller such as PLC controls actuation of valves mounted to the gas conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Wearair Oxygen Inc.
    Inventor: John Lee Warren
  • Patent number: 6547861
    Abstract: Trace impurities such as organic compounds and carbon monoxide in reactive fluids such as ammonia, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide, and chlorine are reduced to sub-ppb levels using gas purifying systems that contain a preconditioned ultra-low emission (P-ULE) carbon. P-ULE is capable of removing impurities from a reactive fluid down to parts-per-billion (ppb) and sub-ppb levels without concurrently emitting other impurities such as moisture or carbon dioxide into the purified reactive fluid. The P-ULE carbon is prepared by heating a carbon material to temperatures from 300° to about 800° C. in an ultra-dry, inert gas stream, to produce an ultra-low emission (ULE) carbon material, subjecting the ULE carbon to a second activation process under a reactive gas atmosphere to produce a P-ULE carbon and storing the P-ULE carbon in an environment that minimizes contamination of the P-ULE prior to its use in a gas purifier system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Matheson Tri-Gas,, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans H. Funke, Dan Fraenkel, Virginia H. Houlding
  • Patent number: 6547845
    Abstract: A vault for storing collectibles has a system for forcibly entering an incoming air, which after it has been filtered exits the vault along with undesirable substances trapped in a vault chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: James E. Grant, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6544310
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment filter and method is provided for filtering engine exhaust. Varying cell size is provided to spread trapped contaminant particulate along a distribution pattern reducing heat concentration and the risk of melting during regeneration, to minimize hot-spot meltdown otherwise caused by high density concentration of trapped particulate during regeneration. Cell size is varied by varying volume and/or height and/or width and/or length. Tapering of cells is also provided to change the cross-sectional area from the upstream to the downstream end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. A. Badeau, Z. Gerald Liu, Thomas M. Yonushonis, William C. Haberkamp, Randolph G. Zoran, Murray R. Schukar
  • Patent number: 6544319
    Abstract: An HFBD purification process includes: (a) contacting a composition containing HFBD with an adsorbent to remove from the HFBD at least two impurities selected from the group consisting of water, an alcohol, hydrofluoric acid and a fluorinated olefin, wherein the adsorbent is a solid having an average pore diameter of about 5 Å and the adsorbent is contacted with the HFBD at a rate of at least 2.7 kg of the HFBD per hour; and (b) recovering from the adsorbent a purified HFBD product containing at least 99.9 vol. % HFBD, a reduced amount of the impurities and less than 0.1 vol. % hexafluoro-2-butyne. Alternatively, the process can be conducted at any contacting rate to produce 99.96 vol. % HFBD. The process can also be conducted at any contacting rate in a bed within a column having a length of at least 30 cm and an inner diameter of at least 2.5 cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Arnold Krouse, John Chodur
  • Patent number: 6540805
    Abstract: A high-performance filter for an intake air for a gas turbine according to the present invention includes a low-efficiency filter media and a high-efficiency filter media superposed closely on each other in the named order from an upstream side in a direction of an air flow. Each of the filter media is formed with a filtering area of 20 to 35 m2. The filter media having a filtration efficiency of 40 to 70% for particles having a particle size of 0.3 &mgr;m is disposed as a layer upstream in the air flow direction, and the filter media having a filtration efficiency of 90 to 99.99% for particles having a particle size of 0.3 &mgr;m is disposed as a downstream layer. In addition, a filter unit according to the present invention is made using the above filter, Thus, even when the filter unit is used for atmospheric dusts including a high concentration of dusts having a particle size of 0.3 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Nippon Muki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Ohno, Fumio Nakajima, Hitoshi Niinuma