Patents Examined by Stephen Ko
  • Patent number: 7862665
    Abstract: A drawer-type dishwasher includes a frame assembly, a tub, a wash arm and a pump system. The pump system includes a flow housing mounted at a rear portion of the tub and a drain conduit. The flow housing includes an inlet portion, an outlet portion, a pump portion and a drain port. Within the pump portion are arranged an impeller, a chopper mechanism as well as a plurality of flow straightening fins. A motor is mounted to the flow housing for driving the impeller and the chopper mechanism. The drain conduit is connected between the drain port and a drain line. A venturi is provided in the drain conduit to create a siphoning action the decreases an amount of time required to drain the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Kristen K. Hedstrom, Mark E. Palm, Rodney M. Welch
  • Patent number: 7857911
    Abstract: An improved scale conditioning composition and method is disclosed that results in improved dissolution and disruption of tube scale, hardened sludge and other deposits composed primarily of highly densified magnetite such as those found in heat exchange vessels, particularly steam generators. After treatment with the advanced scale conditioning composition, these magnetite rich deposits are more easily removed using known and commercially available high pressure hydro-mechanical cleaning techniques. The present invention further provides effective cleaning in a short period of time and at relatively low temperatures, while reducing the amount of waste produced and reducing the resulting corrosion of carbon and low alloy steel components within the steam generator during the cleaning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Robert D. Varrin, Jr., Sotaro Kaneda, Naonobu Sasada
  • Patent number: 7854806
    Abstract: A controlling method of a dishwasher is provided. The method includes a selecting of a wash cycle and inputting of command settings by a user, starting operation of the dishwasher according to the selected cycle and driving a wash pump and discharge member, and controlling the dishwasher during the cycle to end the wash cycle with an upper arm operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Haeng Cho, Joung Hun Kim
  • Patent number: 7845363
    Abstract: A paint roller cleaner (10) characterized in that it includes a housing (12) adapted to hold a paint roller (24) therein said housing (12) being a close fit around a paint roller (24); said housing (12) having an opening (16) adapted to receive a paint roller (24) said opening also serving to collect excess paint from the roller (24) for reuse in a first cleaning action; and external locking means (28) for securing said roller (24) in said housing (12) said locking means (28) attaching to a handle (32) of said paint roller whereby said paint roller (24) is restrained from movement relative to the housing (12) by the locking means (28); and whereby cleaning fluid under pressure is introduced into the housing under pressure to thereby effect a second cleaning action on said paint roller (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventor: Peter John Dominey
  • Patent number: 7828902
    Abstract: Compositions for cleaning concrete or other cementitious substrates that do not contribute to the alkali-silicate reaction are provided, and methods for use thereof The cleaning compositions comprise lithium salts such as lithium hydroxide, lithium oxide and/or lithium carbonate, at least one surface active agent, optionally a glycol ether and/or hydrocarbon solvent, a sodium-free or substantially sodium-free chelating agent or agents and/or one or more adjuncts at least partially contributing to the useful properties of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Chemtek, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Gates Kinnaird, David Linith Rigsbee
  • Patent number: 7828909
    Abstract: A mist generating device includes a mist generation vibrator, and a sealed vessel accommodating therein a fluid and provided at a side of a vibrating surface of the mist generation vibrator. A wall portion which constitutes a part of the sealed vessel and faces the mist generation vibrator has a thin film membrane and a mist of liquid outside the sealed vessel is generated by ultrasonic vibration transmitted from the mist generation vibrator via the fluid in the sealed vessel and the thin film membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Miyauti, Kazuyoshi Takeuchi, Shigeru Matsuo, Takayuki Inoue, Hiroaki Inui, Makoto Oyama
  • Patent number: 7819981
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning residue from components of an ion source region of an ion implanter used in the fabrication of microelectronic devices. To effectively remove residue, the components are contacted with a gas-phase reactive halide composition for sufficient time and under sufficient conditions to at least partially remove the residue. The gas-phase reactive halide composition is chosen to react selectively with the residue, while not reacting with the components of the ion source region or the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank DiMeo, Jr., James Dietz, W. Karl Olander, Robert Kaim, Steven E. Bishop, Jeffrey W. Neuner, Jose I. Arno
  • Patent number: 7815742
    Abstract: A method for the internal cleaning of a tank. An oil sump and a gas mixture which is diffused out of the oil sump and has a hydrocarbon-containing gas being present in the crude-oil tank. The gas mixture is sucked away out of the tank and a feed of an inert gas into the tank is permitted. An energy content of the sucked-away gas mixture is determined. The gas mixture is fed to a compressor for compressing the gas mixture, if the energy content of the gas mixture overshoots a limit value, in order to compress the gas mixture in the compressor. The gas mixture is fed to a consumer unit, if the energy content of the gas mixture undershoots the limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas Falkenstein Gewerbliche Vermietung und Verpachtung E.K.
    Inventor: Thomas Falkenstein
  • Patent number: 7806127
    Abstract: An enclosure for a smelt spout of a chemical recovery boiler comprises a skirt having a central region through which smelt flowing from the smelt spout falls into a dissolving tank. The central region is defined by a wall and has a trough disposed around its perimeter. The trough is supplied with a fluid that overflows the trough and flows downward across the wall toward the dissolving tank to clean and cool the skirt. The trough may have a depth substantially equal to the height of the skirt, and the fluid may include at least one of: water, weak wash, and green liquor. Water may be periodically supplied to the trough in lieu of the fluid to clean the trough. A nozzle system is configures to direct at least one shatter jet onto the smelt flowing from the smelt spout to break it up into smaller particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Steven R. Gibowski
  • Patent number: 7802579
    Abstract: A substrate treating apparatus includes a substrate support unit with a chuck on which a substrate is loaded; a bottom chamber having an open top and configured to surround the circumference of the chuck; a top chamber configured to open or close the top of the bottom chamber such that the substrate is dried while the top chamber is sealed from the outside; and a direct injection nozzle member installed at the top chamber to inject fluid directly to the substrate while the top of the bottom chamber is closed. According to the substrate treating apparatus, drying efficiency of an entire substrate is enhanced, external contaminants are blocked, and generation of an oxide layer is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Semes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Jong Kim, Kyo-Woog Koo, Jung Keun Cho
  • Patent number: 7799146
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of disinfecting the interior surfaces of barrels and destroying microorganisms is disclosed. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic apparatus includes a sonotrode encased in a sheath, placed within a bunghole of a barrel. An ultrasonic generator is connected to the sonotrode. The ultrasonic apparatus also includes an ultrasonic transducer connected to the ultrasonic generator and associated with the sonotrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Cavitus Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Arthur R. McLoughlin, Darren M Bates, Andrew S. Yap, William A. Wright
  • Patent number: 7793672
    Abstract: An apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has frame and a debris removal opening within the frame. The frame is secured to the ground by driving a blunt point of the frame into the ground. Further, the apparatus comprises a faucet positioned above the debris removal opening. Thus, a user may turn the faucet on to begin water flow and insert a garden tool into the opening. As the user inserts and/or removes the garden tool from the opening, the apparatus removes unwanted debris, e.g., mud, gravel, grass, etc., that is attached to the garden tool and washes the tool with the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: SCV Quality Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Samuel C. Vickroy
  • Patent number: 7784477
    Abstract: The disclosed system, device and method for automated non-contact cleaning of hardware articles generally includes: a cleaning chamber configured to at least partially enclose the hardware article to be cleaned; a plurality of nozzles configured to spray a sublimating agent on the hardware article; an air inlet configured to purge the chamber with a gas; and an air outlet configured to exhaust the purge gas, contaminants and sublimating agent from the chamber. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to realize improved non-contact cleaning function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Elaine E. Seasly, Zachariah A. Seasly
  • Patent number: 7765837
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub mounted within the cabinet, and a basket rotationally mounted within the tub for relative rotation therewith. A suspension assembly supports the tub within the cabinet. A variable speed motor is included for rotating the basket about a rotation axis, and an inverter is operatively coupled to the motor. A controller is operatively coupled to the inverter and the motor and is configured to control the motor based on a drag torque on the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Gregory Hoppe, Larry Lee Hawkins, Derek Lee Watkins, Mark Aaron Weaver, Michael Francis Finch, Stephen Bernard Froelicher, Benton Bartley Oukrop
  • Patent number: 7762108
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a suspension apparatus and a resonance avoiding method of a drum-type washing machine. The method adjusts elastic moduli of elastic members before a drum reaches a resonance speed during a dehydration cycle of the washing machine. If the rotating speed of the drum exceeds the resonance speed, the method returns the elastic moduli of the elastic members to an initial state, thereby preventing generation of resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Hyun Kim, Si Moon Jeon, Gwan Ryong Park, Seung Chul Park
  • Patent number: 7754018
    Abstract: The invention concerns a cleaning process for an immersed and towed seismic streamer (1), characterised in that a cleaning appliance (11), including a tool for cleaning the seismic streamer, is engaged around the seismic streamer, together with a hydrodynamic drag structure which results in the free movement of the cleaning appliance along the length of the seismic streamer (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: CGGveritas Services SA
    Inventors: Yann Georges Lepage, Laurent Jean Dollon
  • Patent number: 7748393
    Abstract: A produce cleaning machine provides baskets for holding large and small produce items and water sprayers for directing water jets onto the produce from above and below. One basket is motorized to rotate to more evenly clean the produce, while a further basket can be rolled in and out of the machine to make loading and unloading easier. The force of the spray is adjustable and the rotational speed of the motor is as well to provide for special handling of the produce. Rotation after cleaning is used to help dry the produce, and ultraviolet emission is used to sanitize the produce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Helen DiPanni
  • Patent number: 7749328
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating a dishwasher with a central control unit, by measuring the turbidity of the rinsing liquid and establishing the course of the program as a function of the turbidity of the rinsing liquid. In a pre-rinse operation, measurement values determined by a sensor system are derived from the soiling of the rinsing liquid and supplied to the control unit, which calculates therefrom associated parameters for the further course of the program and establishes the latter correspondingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Clemens Jung, Peter Schwarzweller, Konrad Petry, Reinhold Baltes
  • Patent number: 7718013
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method to clean enclosed spaces. The apparatus consists of an inlet-pipe (1) for cleaning-medium, equipped with thread (10) on outside where a vertical displacement nut (12) is located, which moves vertically when the drive-shaft (6), which is directly connected to a cleaning-medium distributor (18) and, indirectly to a shielding-pipe (8) and nozzle-arms (15, 21), is rotated by a motor (3). The upper nozzle-arms (21) and the vertical displacement nut (12) are interconnected through vertical displacement arms (14) so that the nozzle-arms move vertically and circularly in concert with the vertical displacement nut (12) when the motor rotates the drive-shaft (6). The method relates to cleaning of various enclosed spaces with different cleaning media and is effective for cleaning enclosed spaces such as storage tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Hallgrimur Jonsson
  • Patent number: 7695571
    Abstract: A wash/rinse system for a drawer-type dishwasher includes a wash mechanism having a paddlewheel and a spray bar mounted in a washing chamber of the dishwasher. The spray bar includes at least one nozzle that is positioned so as to deliver a jet of washing fluid onto a deflector member provided on the paddlewheel. Upon impacting the deflector member, the jet of washing fluid diverges into streams of washing fluid which are sprayed onto articles positioned in the washing chamber. Preferably, the spray bar includes a plurality of nozzles which direct multiple jets of washing fluid onto a corresponding plurality of deflector members. The paddlewheel is mounted so as to create random streams of washing fluid that are sprayed into the washing chamber to combine with washing fluid emanating from a lower wash arm to clean articles in the washing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis J. Purtilo, Timothy P. Schwartz, Thomas J. Wuestefeld