Patents Examined by Nam Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9254453
    Abstract: Method for removing hydrogen sulfide from fluids such as oil and gas well drilling, treatment, and production fluids and effluents from hydrocarbon operations and mineral mining operations. The sulfide scavenger used in the method is a gluconate salt other than ferrous gluconate. The gluconate salt is added to the fluid along with an iron source if iron is not already in the fluid. The gluconate reacts with the iron and forms iron gluconate in the fluid, which in turn reacts with the hydrogen sulfate to form iron sulfide which may be readily removed from the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Cato Russell McDaniel, Carl J. Thaemlitz
  • Patent number: 9255020
    Abstract: A device for sewage treatment including a reactor and a magnetic field generator. The reactor includes a water inlet at the upper end, a water outlet on the side wall, and a sludge outlet at the lower end. A stirrer and an aeration device are disposed in the reactor. The reactor is filled with magnetic powder and activated sludge. The magnetic field generator includes a magnetic field tester, an iron cover, a power supply, a transformer, and a spiral coil. The spiral coil loops around the outer surface of the reactor. The transformer, the spiral coil, and the power supply are connected in sequence. The iron cover surrounds the periphery and the bottom of the reactor, and the magnetic field tester is disposed within the reactor. A method for sewage treatment using the device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Nanjing University
    Inventors: Hongqiang Ren, Chuan Niu, Jinju Geng, Ke Xu
  • Patent number: 9249038
    Abstract: A water purifier includes a filter part to filter water, a storage part to store the water filtered by the filter part, and a separation unit to partition a space within the storage part into a plurality of spaces. A contact part is disposed between an inner surface of the storage part and the separation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Younghoon Ha, Kobong Choi, Jonghun Park, Ho Seon Choi, Joonho Jang, Sangho Kim, Kang Hyun Lee, Kyu Seong Choi, Je Wook Jeon
  • Patent number: 9249039
    Abstract: A process for separating a sludge stream containing particulate matter into a stream containing predominantly clarified water and a stream containing predominantly particulate matter is disclosed. The process involves passing the sludge stream through a solid reagent contactor bed composed of solid reagent tablets having a copolymer composition for particle aggregation as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,076,391. The dissolution of the solid reagent tablets into the sludge stream treats the sludge and makes it amenable for the speedy settling of concentrated sludge at the bottom of a sludge concentrator tank leaving a relatively clean water phase to rise to the top. The process is particularly useful for recovering water from mining sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa
  • Patent number: 9238585
    Abstract: A process for removal of non-polar compounds from water, wherein the non-polar compounds exist in dissolved or dispersed form, wherein the water is led through a preparation tank wherein the temperature is adjusted and wherein possible solid particles are removed. The water is then led via pipe into a reactor tank and is mixed with a hydrate forming compound, wherein simultaneously hydrate seeds are added which have been recycled for continuous use in the process; whereby the drops or molecules of the non-polar compounds are attached or associated to hydrate particles being formed in the reactor tank. The hydrate particles are separated from the water and melted. The hydrate forming compound is recycled to the reactor tank and the non-polar compounds discharged. In addition, a device for use of the process as well as hydrates for removal of non-polar compounds in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: SINVENT AS
    Inventors: Tore Skjetne, Roar Larsen, Are Lund
  • Patent number: 9233341
    Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for inspecting filters for extracorporeal blood treatment devices, e.g., filters for filtering dialysis fluid. The inspection of the filter according to the present invention is based on the measurement of the flow potential before and after changing the fluid flow of an electrolytic fluid between a transversal flow through the semi-permeable membrane of the filter and a longitudinal flow along the semi-permeable membrane of the filter, or vice versa. Changing the flow direction of the electrolytic fluid results in a change to the conductivity proceeding from a base value P to a higher value P2 or a lower value P1, wherein the conductivity readjusts to the base value P after a certain time interval T1, T2. An improper state of the filter is determined on the basis of the change in conductivity after changing the flow direction of the electrolytic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Pascal Kopperschmidt, Christoph Bocklet
  • Patent number: 9227864
    Abstract: A method and chemical composition are provided which permit operation of evaporative cooling towers at increased cycles of concentration without formation of calcium scale. The method can include first determining the calcium hardness and total alkalinity of the makeup water, calculating the operating cycles of concentration using a formula developed for the specified chemical composition, then dosing the treated water to maintain a constant level of the chemical composition. The method permits scale-free operation of evaporative cooling towers at a minimum of two (2) cycles of concentration over existing technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ProChemTech International, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Edward Keister
  • Patent number: 9227860
    Abstract: A system for sensing and measuring water characteristics or an external factor and initiating controlling the water characteristics of the body of water which may be based on external factor where the controlling of the water characteristics can be achieved through dosing or nondosing of an inactive material through an active material or dosing both an active material and an inactive material in the body of water in response to measured levels of water characteristics to enable the water to be used for either internal or external use in controlling harmful organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: KING TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Joseph A. King
  • Patent number: 9222721
    Abstract: Disclosed is a clean water filter of a refrigerator, comprising: a clean water filter allowing water flowed into the refrigerator to be cleaned; a filter head to which the clean water filter is detachably coupled; a rotation cover rotatably coupled to the filter head and provided to receive at least a portion of the clean water filter and filter head; and a rotation part formed on a side of the filter head and allowing the rotation cover to be rotated with respect to the filter head, wherein the rotation cover rotates centering on a shaft parallel to the length direction of the clean water filter. With the present embodiment, the radius of rotation of the rotation cover is formed to be small, making it possible to minimize interference between the rotation cover and the stored goods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Seongwook Kim
  • Patent number: 9220800
    Abstract: A dissolved ozone delivery system comprises a generator for producing gaseous ozone, a bottle for holding a liquid suitable for receiving the gaseous ozone, flow conduits for delivering the gaseous ozone to the bottle and dissolving the ozone into the liquid to form an ozonated liquid, and a multicomponent bottle closure sealing device. The multicomponent bottle closure sealing has several discrete gas flow passageways for channeling the ozone gas into the bottle, venting undissolved gas and delivering the ozonated liquid to an exterior surface for decontamination thereof or medical instruments for sterilization or use in medical or dental procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: THEROZONE USA, INC.
    Inventor: James E. Shenberg
  • Patent number: 9222941
    Abstract: The present invention provides a glucose sensor having a glucose receptor containing a binding site of formula (I): wherein X, n, m and R1 are defined herein. Also provided is a glucose sensor molecule for use in such a glucose sensor, the glucose sensor molecule containing the binding site of formula (I). The binding site has been found to have particularly good selectivity for glucose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Lightship Medical Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Paul Barwell, Tony James
  • Patent number: 9220392
    Abstract: A filter for use in a washing appliance is disclosed. The filter includes an inlet, an outlet, a filter chamber and a mesh strainer placed between the inlet and outlet. The mesh strainer strains water or liquid flowing into the filter as the water flows into the inlet and out of the outlet. The mesh strainer filters out particulate matter from the flow through the filter. The liquid flowing into the filter flows across the mesh to clean the filter and dislodge at least some of the particulate matter trapped in the mesh. The filter chamber includes at least one baffle within it. The baffle divides the filter chamber into an upper portion and lower portion. The particulate matter washed off collects in the lower portion of the filter chamber due to rotational flows created in the filter due to the filter chamber boundaries and the baffles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: FISHER & PAYKEL APPLIANCES LIMITED
    Inventors: John Richard James Morrison, Anthony John Green
  • Patent number: 9218876
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may relate to adjusting an aspect of a programming pulse for one or more memory cells, such as based at least in part on one or more detected programmed resistance values for the one or more memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Alessio Spessot, Paolo Fantini, Massimo Ferro
  • Patent number: 9212070
    Abstract: A water treatment system is provided including a tank having a top, a control valve, and an air inlet. The control valve is positioned on the top of the tank and in fluid communication with the tank. The control valve includes a plurality of orifices in fluid communication with a source of untreated water, a treated water outlet, a drain, and a source of sterilizing fluid. The air inlet is in fluid communication with the tank and with a first venturi. The control valve is operative to control the flow of untreated water through the first venturi to draw air through the air inlet and into the tank. The control valve includes a sterilizer valve that is operative to open and close at least one passage in fluid communication between the control valve and the source of sterilizing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: CHANDLER SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: William D. Chandler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9211351
    Abstract: A method for flow-through aqueous liquid sterilization which employs apparatus operating at substantially fixed temperatures and pressures and variable flow rates through the apparatus for controllably processing aqueous liquids to achieve predetermined values of Sterility Assurance Levels (SAL's).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventor: John G. Bowen
  • Patent number: 9206059
    Abstract: An installation and a method for removing dissolved biodegradable compounds as a biological treatment step upstream of an equipment to be protected from biofouling being part of a ground water, surface water or tertiary wastewater treatment line, wherein said upstream biological treatment step is carried out in at least one packed bed bioreactor comprising a vessel or a tank filled with packing elements, characterized in that: iv) said packing elements of said packed bed show a void fraction of at least 70% and the flow velocity of water through said packed bed bioreactor is at least 20 m/h, so that said packed bed does not have a removal efficiency of suspended solids in water, if any, of more than 30%; v) said packing elements of said packed bed show a specific surface area of at least 750 m2/m3; vi) said process does not require the use of any biocide or biostatic compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Harry Brouwer, Erich Wittmann
  • Patent number: 9199866
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process that uses reverse osmosis (RO) or nanofiltration (NF) membranes and ion exchange (IX) water softening resins to maximize the production of drinking water, purified industrial service water or recycled purified municipal or industrial effluents. The membrane and ion exchange units are configured in a manner that enables operation of the system at high permeate recoveries in the range 90% to 99%, thus producing purified drinking water with a minimum volume of wastewater to drains and a very low membrane cleaning or membrane replacement frequency. The process mitigates membrane fouling and scale formation and minimizes the use of water treatment chemicals including acidic and alkali solutions and sodium chloride salt that is normally required to regenerate the IX resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Inventor: Riad A. Al-Samadi
  • Patent number: 9199202
    Abstract: A filter element attachment is provided and is attachable to a filter element. The filter element attachment includes a housing for receiving at least a part of the filter element; at least one display configured to display information associated with the filter element. The filter element attachment may be associated with a corresponding filter cartridge and a filter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Maggiore, Leon Vanwormer
  • Patent number: 9193614
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for sealed pressurized enclosure containing a sludge digester designed to receive wastewater from commercial establishments for the purpose of removing fats, oils and greases using the high velocity impact provided by the sludge digester. Air containing ozone is pumped through the sludge digester causing a flow of material so that the stream of material is directed onto a series of stationary concentric ridges wherein the solids in the liquid material are forcefully impacted against the stationary concentric ridges so as to break the solid particles up into smaller particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas R. McGuffin
  • Patent number: 9181138
    Abstract: The present application relates to systems and methods for processing organic material. The methods may include extraction of biochemical nutrients from organic material, such as food scraps. The method can include comminuting the organic material to form a slurry from components comprising liquid and organic material; combining the slurry with microorganisms, such as a yeast, under aerobic conditions to form a mixture of the slurry and yeast; aerating the mixture; and forming a biomass and a nutrient-rich broth, in which the biochemical nutrients are stabilized and anabolized. The systems may, in some embodiments, be configured to perform the methods of processing organic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: WISErg Corporation
    Inventors: Larry LeSueur, Jose Lugo, Ken Deering, Victor V. Tryon, Michael Bridges, Lee Wilkerson, Trevor Lewis