Patents Examined by Frank M. Lawrence, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11701637
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a metal-organic framework (MOF) composition comprising a plurality of metal clusters, wherein the metal is chromium; and one or more tetratopic ligands; wherein the metal clusters and ligands associate to form a MOF with soc topology. A method of making a MOF comprising contacting a template MOF of formula Fe-soc-MOF and a reactant including chromium in a presence of dimethylformamide sufficient to replace Fe with Cr and form an exchanged MOF of formula Cr-soc-MOF. A method of sorbing water vapor comprising exposing a Cr-soc-MOF to an environment; and sorbing water vapor using the Cr-soc-MOF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: King Abdullah University of Science And Technology
    Inventors: Sk Md Towsif Abtab, Youssef Belmabkhout, Prashant Bhatt, Mohamed Eddaoudi
  • Patent number: 11697091
    Abstract: Sorbent material sheets provide for enhanced performance in vapor adsorbing applications over conventional canisters and other emissions control equipment. The sorbent material sheets can be formed as part of a small, lightweight canister, or can be integrated into a fuel tank. The sorbent material sheets can also be used as part of an onboard refueling vapor recovery system to control volatile organic compound emissions from fuel tanks of gasoline vehicles, such as automobiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: CALGON CARBON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael Greenbank
  • Patent number: 11697580
    Abstract: A Vapor Recovery Unit (VRU) includes a VRU heat exchanger and a sorbent material for the recovery of hydrocarbon vapors from the ullage of tanks. The VRU heat exchanger and sorbent material are useful in conjunction with a thermal transfer fluid to control the temperatures of the sorbent material during endothermic and exothermic reactions that occur when hydrocarbon vapors are adsorbed and desorbed, which increases performance and reduces the amount of sorbent material required to recover hydrocarbon vapors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: CALGON CARBON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Greenbank, Michael E. Lutz
  • Patent number: 11697925
    Abstract: Atmospheric moisture harvester systems include two beds with water capture material, such as metal-organic framework (MOF), a heater, two fans, and a condenser having two sides, operatively configured into adsorption and desorption modes, wherein the MOF beds are interchangeable to cycle between the desorption and water adsorption modes. The systems may further include a photovoltaic panel powering the fans and condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Omar M. Yaghi, Mathieu S. Prevot, Nikita Hanikel, Eugene A. Kapustin, Farhad Fathieh
  • Patent number: 11697090
    Abstract: Sorbent material sheets are wound around a center core of material that includes additional sorbent. This configuration further increases the packaging efficiency and performance of the sorbent material sheets as part of an overall housing or apparatus. In some embodiments, the sorbent material sheets are arranged in a stacked configuration. Configurations of the sorbent material sheets as part of a canister are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: CALGON CARBON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Greenbank, Robert H. Vaughn, Robert Gebhard, Steven Evanovich, Walter G. Tramposch, David T. Doughty, Andrew Herrman, Matthew Adomaitis, Richard A. Mimna
  • Patent number: 11691103
    Abstract: A first process and sorbent for removing ammonia from a gaseous environment, the sorbent comprised of graphene oxide having supported thereon at least one compound selected from metal salts, metal oxides and acids, each of which is capable of adsorbing ammonia. A second process and sorbent system for removing ammonia and a volatile organic compound from a gaseous environment; the sorbent system comprised of two graphene-based materials: (a) the aforementioned graphene oxide, and (b) a nitrogen and oxygen-functionalized graphene. The sorbents are regenerable under a pressure gradient with little or no application of heat. The processes are operable through multiple adsorption-desorption cycles and are applicable to purifying and revitalizing air contaminated with ammonia and organic compounds as may be found in spacesuits, aerospace cabins, underwater vehicles, and other confined-entry environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Precision Combustion, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Junaedi, Codruta Maria Zoican-Loebick, Kyle Hawley
  • Patent number: 11685886
    Abstract: A method for filtering a gas includes delivering a gas into a compartment of a gas filter assembly; applying a partial vacuum to the gas filter assembly so that the partial vacuum assists in drawing the gas through a porous filter body of the gas filter assembly that is at least partially disposed within the compartment of the gas filter assembly; and regulating the application of the partial vacuum based on a pressure reading of the gas upstream or downstream of the gas filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nephi D. Jones, Christopher D. Brau
  • Patent number: 11684889
    Abstract: A vehicle air purification system includes a first flow path which includes a first heating device (130-1), a first adsorption block (140-1), and a first flow path switching mechanism (150-1); and a second flow path that includes a second heating device (130-2), a second adsorption block (140-2), and a second flow path switching mechanism (150-2); and an air distribution mechanism (120) configured to distribute air flowing from the vehicle cabin to the first flow path and the second flow path; and a control device (20). The control device (20) controls components at a timing that can inhibit the flow of air from a flow path on the side where purification target substances to be purified are being desorbed into the vehicle cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Subaru Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11686415
    Abstract: A battery retaining system for a portable oxygen concentrator includes a first rail configured to receive a first slide of a battery, a second rail configured to receive a second slide of the battery, the second rail being spaced apart from the first rail so as to form a channel configured to receive the battery, and a flexible stiffening mechanism configured to impart a biasing force on a surface of the battery when the battery is received within the channel. The flexible stiffening mechanism includes a protrusion projecting from the first rail at least partially towards the second rail and a slit positioned behind the protrusion and configured to facilitate travel of the protrusion fore and aft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Inogen, Inc.
    Inventors: Brenton Alan Taylor, Peter James Hansen, Daniel Wayne Chin, Patrick Fitzlindon Burgess, Michael Pollack
  • Patent number: 11679355
    Abstract: An adsorber for purifying or separating a gas stream, wherein a granular-material filling system is made up of a cylinder that is perforated over all or part of its height, of the top end thereof of diameter Dext, and of the bottom end thereof. The distance Din-Dext is greater than twice the size of particles of the second granular material. A first granular material and the second granular material follow one another in the direction of circulation of the gas stream and are such that M>ADN. And, the second granular material is in contact both with at least a part of the outer surface of the granular-material filling system and at least a part of the inner surface of the domed top end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Guillaume Rodrigues, Bernard Fraioli, Patrick Pereira, Patrick Le Bot, Benjamin Morineau
  • Patent number: 11679357
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mutual switching type compressed air purification apparatus, comprising a main intake pipe, a main exhaust pipe, two vent valve assemblies, two drying cylinders and a solenoid valve. The main intake pipe is connected to the two vent valve assemblies of which inlet holes are communicated with the corresponding drying cylinders respectively, and air outlets of the drying cylinders are respectively connected to the main exhaust pipe. The solenoid valve is connected to a first pilot air hole of the first vent valve assembly, and also connected to a second pilot air hole of the second vent valve assembly to control the opening and closing of the vent valves, and valve cores of the solenoid valve are switched between a first valve position and a second valve position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: ZHUHAI HECA PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Yu Zhang
  • Patent number: 11673802
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage assembly includes at least one wafer formed of a substrate material that produces metal hydride when exposed to a hydrogen-rich carrier fluid. The wafer can be supported by a housing and arranged so that the hydrogen-rich carrier fluid can flow over a reaction surface of the wafer. At least one heating element can be arranged to transfer heat to the wafer to attain an operating temperature suitable for hydrogen charging on the reaction surface. A de-activation material may be provided on the reaction surface for inhibiting formation of surface oxide that impedes hydrogen absorption during charging and hydrogen desorption during discharging. The at least one wafer can include a plurality of monolithic plate wafers spaced apart about a central axis of the assembly. The at least one wafer can include a plurality of monolithic disc wafers in at least one stacked arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited / Énergie Atomique du Canada Limitèe
    Inventors: Randy W. L. Fong, James Patrick, Michael Gale
  • Patent number: 11673089
    Abstract: A method for producing an active carbon filter for a carbon canister includes forming a body having a honeycomb structure with a plurality of bleed passages from a polymer based material, and forming an adsorption layer along a surface of the body, where the adsorption layer is made of a carbon based material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Seyyed Mohsen Mousavi Ehteshami, Mohammad Usman, Sami Siddiqui, Zhuoyuan Li, Syed K Ali
  • Patent number: 11668524
    Abstract: Methods and systems for removing moisture from a refrigerant can utilize a desiccant-based system. The methods and systems can be employed in conjunction with a liquid natural gas (LNG) refrigeration circuit in either an online mode or an offline mode. For example, a system for removing moisture from a refrigerant can include: a refrigerant source; a moisture removal unit containing desiccant; and a refrigeration circuit comprising a refrigerant compressor, a refrigerant condenser, and a heat exchanger that are fluidly connected in a loop, wherein the refrigerant source is fluidly coupled to the moisture removal unit to supply a refrigerant from the refrigerant source to the moisture removal unit, and the moisture removal unit is fluidly coupled to the refrigeration circuit to supply the refrigerant from the moisture removal unit to the refrigeration circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Daryl A. Kenefake, Jeffrey Tatarzyn, Waleed H. Ahmed
  • Patent number: 11666856
    Abstract: An air composition adjusting device includes: an oxygen separator that separates oxygen from external air to be supplied to a target space; a gas supply path including a high concentration gas supply path for oxygen through which the oxygen separator communicates with the target space; and a controller that performs an oxygen concentration raising operation of supplying a high oxygen concentration gas, which has a higher oxygen concentration than external air before being treated by the oxygen separator, to the target space through the high concentration gas supply path for oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Noritaka Kamei, Naohiro Tanaka, Hidenori Matsui
  • Patent number: 11654592
    Abstract: A particulate filter having a honeycomb structure of a matrix of interconnected porous walls including inlet cells and outlet cells defining a plurality of inlet channels and outlet channels, respectively, wherein at least a portion of the outlet cells are larger than any of the inlet cells, and a cross-sectional shape of at least some of the outlet channels is rectangular. Honeycomb extrusion dies, honeycomb bodies, honeycomb structures, and methods of manufacture are described, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas Munroe Beall, Suhao He, Achim Karl-Erich Heibel, Kenneth Richard Miller, Pushkar Tandon, David John Thompson
  • Patent number: 11654393
    Abstract: Solid sorbents, and especially zeolites, are attractive candidates for CO2 direct air capture (DAC) and point source capture applications because of their potential for high selectivity, fast kinetics, and low energy CO2 capture cycles. A common issue with solid sorbents, including zeolites, is their low thermal conductivity, which makes them difficult to heat for regeneration without using complex and expensive heat transfer systems. This invention utilizes a modified TVSA process which utilizes the product CO2 gas itself as the heating medium for the adsorbent bed, alone or in conjunction with internal or external heaters. The use of CO2 as a heating medium allows efficient heating of the sorbent bed and enables high purity CO2 product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: CARBON CAPTURE INC.
    Inventors: Saeb Besarati, William T. Gross, Brian J. Holman, Eric W. Colbert, Dan Fang
  • Patent number: 11648505
    Abstract: A portable oxygen concentrator includes at least one separation mechanism and an oxygen storage tank, where the separation mechanism is connected to the oxygen storage tank and includes an air bag and a molecular sieve tank that is filled with a molecular sieve for adsorption. The air bag has an air inlet and an air outlet. The air bag is connected to the molecular sieve tank through a valve group, which includes a first single valve and a second single valve. The air bag is connected to the molecular sieve tank through the first single valve. Each of the two ends of the molecular sieve tank has at least one gas outlet. When an inner space of the air bag is compressed and expanded once, the molecular sieve in the molecular sieve tank adsorbs and desorbs once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: ANHUI XIAOSHAN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ji Lei
  • Patent number: 11648503
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an activated carbon scrubber apparatus 300 and a method of its operation for carbon dioxide (CO2) removal from a controlled environment. The scrubber apparatus is configured to switch between: an adsorption configuration in which it is configured to provide CO2-rich gas from the controlled environment to a sorbent bed 302 comprising activated carbon for CO2 adsorption, and to return the treated gas to the controlled environment; and a regeneration configuration in which it is configured to provide a regenerating gas from outside of the controlled environment to the sorbent bed to desorb CO2 and regenerate the activated carbon, and to discharge CO2-rich gas outside of the controlled environment. The method comprises alternately operating the scrubber apparatus in the adsorption configuration and the regeneration configuration over a plurality of cycles, wherein the scrubber apparatus is operated at a cycle frequency of between 4 and 30 cycles per hour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: THERMO KING LLC
    Inventors: Petra Stavova, Martin Vojik, Miguel Angel Ferrer Blas, Tomas Kohoutek, Michal Kolda
  • Patent number: 11638896
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method utilizing horizontal and vertical Adsorber bed(s) with multiple different reversible blower(s) and inputs operating in a vacuum pressure swing adsorption separation process to separate gases. The process is designed to provide a safer and more cost-effective adsorption system on a larger scale that captures and utilizes energy typically wasted during equipment transitions thereby achieving overall higher power efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Inventors: Lea Rose Vecchiarelli, Apurva Maheshwary, John Robert Ambriano, James Joseph Flaherty