Patents Examined by Joseph Drodge
  • Patent number: 9581395
    Abstract: A heat exchanger that is constructed with a heat exchanger shell having inlet and outlet plenums and fluid inlet and outlet ports, and a tube sheet construction disposed in the heat exchanger shell. The tube sheet construction includes at least two separate tube sheets and a plurality of tubes that extend between the separate tube sheets. Each tube sheet includes at least two planar tube sheet segments and a interstitial layer disposed between the at least two tube sheet segments, and at least one sensor element supported by each of the interstitial layers. A control monitor controls flow through the shell by a feedback control from the sensor to an inlet control valve and/or a stimulus device excites the media layer. In an alternate embodiment opposed position sensor elements may be provided at opposite sides of the tube sheet construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Neptune-Benson, LLC
    Inventor: Paul F. Nehlen, III
  • Patent number: 9574137
    Abstract: The invention shows an apparatus for recycling bituminous material bodies by melting, in particular for recycling bituminous composite material bodies comprising a composite material and a bituminous material, in particular roofing materials, in particular in the form of bituminous covering layers of roofing sheets, the apparatus including: a vessel having a vessel wall surrounding an interior space of the vessel extending along a vertical axis of the vessel for receiving the bituminous material bodies, a bottom plate and a compression plate extending transverse to the vertical axis wherein at least the compression plate has a number of through flow orifices adapted to allow a through flow of molten bituminous material, wherein the plates are movable along the vertical axis such that in a first operating state the compression plate is in a middle position for forming a melting space of larger size between the compression plate and the bottom plate for melting bituminous material in the melting space wherei
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventors: Jan-Niels Pochert, Daniel Appels
  • Patent number: 9562191
    Abstract: Liquid crystal compositions comprising a crude liquid crystal sample containing ions and polyamide particles are disclosed. Upon separation of the polyamide particles from the crude liquid crystal sample, a purified liquid crystal sample is produced, which shows a 1-2× reduction in ion concentration. Methods for carrying out purification processes are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: CITIZEN FINEDEVICE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Cory S. Pecinovsky
  • Patent number: 9556041
    Abstract: Selective scaling in water treatment systems in which desalination is performed is generally described. According to certain embodiments, the location of the formation of solid scale within a water treatment system is controlled by adjusting one or more system parameters, such as the temperature and/or flow velocity of a saline stream within the water treatment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Gradiant Corporation
    Inventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John, Jonn-Ross Andrews
  • Patent number: 9555178
    Abstract: According to at least one example embodiment, a system of monitoring blood leaks during hemodialysis therapy includes a wetness sensing device and a hemodialysis machine. The wetness sensing device is configured to transmit information wirelessly, the information being indicative of an absence of a liquid or a presence of a liquid. The hemodialysis machine includes, or is coupled to, a wireless receiver having two or more antennas. Signals received at the two or more antennas are decoded at the wireless receiver. If decoded signals indicate a detected wetness, the hemodialysis machine is caused to halt blood flow in and out of the machine and generate an alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Emmanuel Kotsos, Alexander J. Brown, Roland Levin, Fei Wang, Donovan Halliburton
  • Patent number: 9555374
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of conditioning suspended catalysts, wherein at least part of the catalyst-comprising reaction medium is taken from one or more reactors and the suspended, at least partially inactivated catalysts are separated off and purified by means of at least one membrane filtration, with at least one of the membrane filtrations being carried out as a diafiltration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Hartwig Voss, Ekkehard Schwab, Bram Willem Hoffer, Till Gerlach
  • Patent number: 9551982
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a water treatment control apparatus generates an indication to a water treatment facility referring to conditions including a drought status and a water treatment cost at the water treatment facility. The indication indicates a type of water to be taken by the water treatment facility between a plurality of types of water including river water from rivers, rainwater, and waste water used by a customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hisashi Kobayashi, Yoshitaka Kobayashi, Tetsuya Shinohara
  • Patent number: 9545584
    Abstract: A process for fractionating a nanoparticle composition, the process includes combining a first polymer, a second polymer, and a solvent to form a fluid and contacting the nanoparticle composition with the fluid. The nanoparticle composition includes a plurality of first nanoparticles, a plurality of second nanoparticles, and a dispersant disposed on an exterior surface of the first nanoparticles and the second nanoparticles. Fractionating the nanoparticle composition also includes forming a multiphase composition that includes a first phase and a second phase by partitioning the first polymer and the second polymer such that a concentration of the first polymer is greater than a concentration of the second polymer in the first phase, and the concentration of the second polymer is greater than the first polymer in the second phase, wherein the solvent is present in the first phase and the second phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventors: Constantine Y. Khripin, Ming Zheng
  • Patent number: 9540107
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system to direct water flow through a lavatory and to cleanse grey water through a series of treatment steps. The water may then be re-directed to the faucet for re-use in hand washing or other potable water use or to the toilet for flush water. The treatment steps are altered, depending upon the ultimate use of the water, as flush water need not be treated to the same level as potable water. The system may also function via a cascade of logic commands given by a series of electronic controllers, valves, and sensors which are fine-tuned to supply enough water to each component of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: MAG Aerospace Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Razmik B. Boodaghians, Kevin Huang, Christoph Goeschel, Christina Ortolan, Vikram Chauhan
  • Patent number: 9533243
    Abstract: A water filter includes a filter unit having a body portion adapted to be rotatingly received into a filter head assembly. An engagement protrusion extends from the body portion and is adapted for reception in a complementary receiver in the filter head assembly. An electronic device is disposed on the filter unit having a memory storage unit. A laterally extending key member is disposed on the body portion between the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface. The laterally extending key member is adapted to reposition an interference member from an interference position, whereby the body portion can be fully inserted into the filter head assembly to a non-interference position, whereby the body portion can be fully inserted into the filter head assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kruckenberg, John W. Morrison, Peter J. Richmond, Jeffrey A. Spindler
  • Patent number: 9533904
    Abstract: Organo clay and activated carbon are mixed to form a particle mixture. The particle mixture is contacted with waste water having chlorides and other contaminants, such as organic materials, heavy metals, chlorides, and low level radio nuclei in solution. Acids, oxidizing chemicals, and compressed air are added to pretreat and to treat the waste water. The mixture is filtered with catalytic activated carbon filters to remove the remaining contaminants. The filters produce a clean chloride solution that is discharged or is subjected to a finishing process to produce a marketable chloride product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Tom Lewis, III
  • Patent number: 9533087
    Abstract: An apparatus for extracorporeal blood treatment, comprising a treatment unit (2) having a first chamber (3) and a second chamber (4) separated from one another by a semipermeable membrane (5), a blood removal line (6) connected in inlet with the first chamber (3) and a blood return line (7) connected in outlet with the first chamber; an infusion line (9; 9a, 9b) of a replacement fluid and a fluid evacuation line (10) connected in outlet from the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Mauro Suffritti, Michela Carpani
  • Patent number: 9528660
    Abstract: A supercritical fluid extraction system including a housing, motor, linkage assembly, and carriage coupled to the linkage. A piston assembly includes a piston housing with a chamber, back check valve, and piston coupled to the carriage and movable within the piston housing. The piston assembly includes a fluid inlet fluidly communicating with the chamber, and receives, compresses, and expels fluid into an exit fluid line. An intake manifold receives fluid and provides an inlet pathway to the fluid inlet. A single-pass flow path fluidly connects the exit fluid line and a collection chamber, extending through the exit fluid line, a compression chamber, a flow modulator assembly, and the collection chamber. The fluid extracts liquid from solid material within the compression chamber when at a minimum pressure within the compression chamber, passes through the flow modulator assembly and precipitates the extracted liquid into the collection chamber when below the minimum pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Kotsiopoulos
  • Patent number: 9527010
    Abstract: A separation system comprises (i) at least two separation units, each separation unit comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, wherein the separation units are connected in series outlet to inlet to form a line of separation units, and (ii) sensing and adjustment means, provided in-line between each separation unit, for continuously monitoring and adjusting at least one environmental property parameter of fluid flowing from one separation unit to a subsequent separation unit in the line of separation units. Uses of the separation system and a method for purification of a liquid containing a desired species, using separation units and in-line adjustment of a fluid flow or flows, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Corp.
    Inventors: Alan M. Williams, Adam Kaletski, Lisa Stack, Daniel Go, John Krasnansky, David A. Wareheim, Bin Lin
  • Patent number: 9527037
    Abstract: A method for processing an amine-based solvent contaminated by the introduction of sulfur oxides is provided. A potassium compound is introduced into a contaminated solvent, and the contaminated solvent is cooled so that a solubility of a potassium sulfate becomes less than a specified concentration of potassium sulfate. Further, an oxidizing agent is introduced into the contaminated solvent so that a potassium sulfite is oxidized to potassium sulfate. The potassium sulfate is filtered out, wherein a prepared solvent is formed. Further, a device for processing an amine-based, sulfur oxide-contaminated solvent is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Rainald Forbert, Stefan Hauke, Ralph Joh, Frank Olschewski, Rüdiger Schneider
  • Patent number: 9522351
    Abstract: A filtration element for filtering a fluid medium comprising a rigid porous support of cylindrical shape having a longitudinal central axis (A) and comprising a plurality of channels for the circulation of the fluid medium to be filtered with a view to recovering a filtrate at the periphery of the support. The channels are parallel to a central axis of the support. The channels have at least three filtration crowns, characterized in that at the three crowns closest to the periphery of the support there is at least a substantial alignment of 3 adjacent axes among the axes of the flow and connection paths and the axes of the channels, which favors the mechanical strength of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: TECHNOLOGIES AVANCEES ET MEMBRANES INDUSTRIELLES
    Inventor: Philippe Lescoche
  • Patent number: 9522829
    Abstract: A novel method and device for treating a liquid are provided, wherein a concentrated liquid recovered using a centrifugal separation method can be utilized as ballast water. The present disclosure relates to a method for treating a liquid that comprises a storage step including carrying out a physical treatment using a centrifugal force with respect to a supply liquid to be supplied to a storage means located inside a housing, wherein the method comprises carrying out an aquatic organism-inactivating treatment contained in a concentrated liquid obtained by the physical treatment using a centrifugal force and supplying to the storage means the concentrated liquid subjected to the aquatic organism-inactivating treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Edagawa, Hiroshi Yamamoto, Hideki Nagaoka, Hidenori Funakoshi, Takuya Kotanagi, Takashi Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 9517425
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter element, a method for manufacturing the filter element, and use. The filter element (1) is formed of a solid-liquid filter fabric (2) and has at least one separately manufactured support element (14) fastened to it. The support is a plate-like piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Valmet Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Rauno Nordfors, Marko Salmela, Sanna Uusitalo
  • Patent number: 9517296
    Abstract: The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel, where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The base unit has a planar surface for receiving a container of fluid, a scale integrated with the planar surface, a heater in thermal communication with the planar surface, and a sodium sensor in electromagnetic communication with the planar surface. Embodiments of the disclosed portable dialysis system have improved structural and functional features, including improved modularity, ease of use, and safety features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, James Roswell Braig, David J Mishelevich, Charles Clemens, Clark Berg Foster, Martin Hering, Jan Brian Zwierstra, Russell Thomas Joseph, Victor Gura, Thomas Robinson, Milan Trcka, Daniele Ghidoli, Frank Isackson, Mark Forrest Smith
  • Patent number: 9517949
    Abstract: A water treatment apparatus and a water treatment method using the same are provided. The water treatment apparatus includes a cohesive agent input device configured to input a cohesive agent to raw water, a membrane filtering device, a raw water pump configured to transfer raw water including the cohesive agent therein to the membrane filtering device, a water supply flow path connecting a discharge side of the raw water pump to the inlet of the membrane filtering device, a circulation flow path connecting the raw water discharge opening of the membrane filtering device to the water supply flow path and a circulation pump provided in the circulation flow path to transfer discharged raw water to the water supply flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Rayoung Park, Yongjoo Yi, Woong Choi