Patents Examined by Walter D. Griffin
  • Patent number: 11292014
    Abstract: Centrifuge counterbalances having an adjustable center of gravity are provided. Aspects of the centrifuge counterbalances include an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end, a weight configured to be reversibly immobilized at a position along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body and a base configured to operably couple the centrifuge counterbalance to a centrifuge. Also provided are methods for balancing a centrifuge rotor when separating components of a liquid sample by centrifugation as well as systems suitable for practicing the subject methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Arteriocyte Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Welborn, Rodney Sparks
  • Patent number: 11291931
    Abstract: A method and system for buoyant separation of a target constituent of a sample, the method comprising: at a process chamber, combining a volume of substrates having a first density with the sample, thereby producing a population of target-bound complexes comprising the target constituent bound to at least a portion of the volume of substrates; within the process chamber, physically separating the population of target-bound complexes from the sample based upon interaction between the volume of substrates and an applied force; aggregating the population of target-bound complexes at a collection region of the process chamber; extracting the population of target-bound complexes from the process chamber; and processing the target constituent from the population of target-bound complexes for further analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Akadeum Life Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon H. McNaughton, John G. Younger, Leo Ostruszka, Jonathan Roussey, Gene Parunak, Aaron Kehrer
  • Patent number: 11286183
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for treating and regenerating a spent caustic solution at ambient temperatures and pressure which includes oxidizing spent caustic wastewater with a brine solution and ozone mixture, supported by irradiation of the spent caustic wastewater by ultrasound. A range of wastewater treatment techniques may also be included to reach a desired effluent quality level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: ENVIROSYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Veselin Milosevic, Drago Kosanic, Fernando Naranjo Palacio
  • Patent number: 11279633
    Abstract: A system for generating a plasma discharge in liquid utilizes first and second electrodes spaced apart in an interior space of a vessel holding the liquid. A channel can be defined in certain embodiments at least partially by at least one of the first and second electrodes, and an inlet in fluid communication with the interior space is configured to generate a vortical fluid flow in the vessel. A method for generating a plasma discharge in liquid is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Onvector LLC
    Inventors: Jun Kang, Daniel J. Cho, HyoungSup Kim
  • Patent number: 11279634
    Abstract: A water treatment device includes, between at least two flat sheet-shaped grounded electrodes vertically disposed so as to be parallel to each other, a sheet-shaped high-voltage electrode having two edges opposing the respective grounded electrodes. The sheet-shaped high-voltage electrode is supported by a plurality of support members, and thus deformation of the high-voltage electrode in an up/down direction and a horizontal direction is suppressed, and the distance between each edge of the high-voltage electrode and the corresponding grounded electrode, i.e., an electric discharge gap length, can be kept even. Accordingly, uniform electric discharge can be maintained between the high-voltage electrode and the grounded electrode, whereby highly efficient water treatment can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gaku Oinuma, Teruki Naito, Yu Kamiya, Yasutaka Inanaga
  • Patent number: 11278011
    Abstract: A reacting canister utilizing transparent optical fiber technology coated with a photo-catalyst and a plasmonic layer, including yttrium aluminum garnet nanoparticles, disposed between the optical fiber and the photo-catalyst to degrade off-flavor compounds in aquacultured aquatic life. The degradation of off-flavored compounds—including 2-methylisoborneol—can be significantly enhanced by increasing the surface area of the catalyst. Coating individual transparent optical fibers and aligning those fibers in a canister configuration allows the treatment of large volumes of water in portable and scalable reactors. Once the fluid is treated, the fluid is returned to the reservoir containing the aquacultured aquatic life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Norma A. Alcantar, Daniela Miranda de Lima Stebbins, Kevan Main
  • Patent number: 11274052
    Abstract: A water treatment system (10) includes an ozone generator (3) combined with an electrolytic chlorine generator (4010) in a compact, efficient and serviceable assembly. The system (10) may include a modular and replaceable ozone generator (3), which allows a damaged or non-functional ozone generator (3) to be quickly and efficiently replaced. In order to protect the ozone generator (3) from damage, a fail-safe drain valve assembly may also be provided which will expel backflowing pool water before it is allowed to backflow into the ozone generator (3). The water treatment system (10) may further include an insulated electrolytic chlorine generator (4010) that mitigates or eliminates leakage current for efficient operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: INTEX MARKETING LTD.
    Inventors: Zhi Xiong Huang, Yonggui Chen, Yaw Yuan Hsu, Peilin Chen
  • Patent number: 11267734
    Abstract: Disclosed are a water treatment apparatus and a process for treating process water with ozone and ultraviolet radiation. The apparatus comprises a reactor (4) having a first (5) and a second (6) reaction chamber. The first reaction chamber (5) has a UV lamp (1), an air inlet (30) and a gas outlet (23). An air/ozone conduit (34) is connected to the gas outlet (23), via which an air/ozone mixture (b) can be fed into a water inlet conduit (31). The second reaction chamber (6) is connected to the water inlet conduit (31) and a water outlet conduit (32). The inlet conduit (31) may contain a water filter (18) as well as a controllable circulation pump (16) designed to pump water in the reactor direction. The water filter (18) may be arranged between the circulation pump (16) and the reactor (4). A recirculation conduit (33) comprises a pump (10) pumping water towards the inlet conduit (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Barbara Berson
  • Patent number: 11260403
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a rotating body driving and sealing structure in which a hermetically sealed space is formed between a rotating body and an outer case by sealing the inside and outside using a noncontact seal during rotation of the rotating body, in an airtight manner. A rotation coupling unit is provided at the upper end of a centrifugal cylinder, and even when the centrifugal cylinder is deformed during use causing an internal fluid to leak through a fitting portion of a bottom member to the centrifugal cylinder, the fluid leaks in the hermetically sealed space so that the driving system or the like is not contaminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsui Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazushige Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 11261108
    Abstract: An efficient, cost-effective, and efficacious technique for removing coal ash and other pollutants from waterways, ponds, marshes, holding tanks and other water sources and supplies. An apparatus comprising an open cage including electromagnets and/or permanent magnets and/or electrodes is supplied with electrical power to extract materials such as rare earth elements and/or heavy metals. The materials levitate to the surface, forming a shiny while leaving water substantially free of such materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: FisherH2O, LLC
    Inventor: David Keith Fisher
  • Patent number: 11253873
    Abstract: A centrifugal field-flow fractionation device capable of improving analysis performance and shortening analysis time is provided. A first channel 111 communicating with a channel member is formed on a rotational shaft 11 that rotates together with a rotor. A second channel 644 communicating with the first channel 111 is formed on a fixing portion 60 fixed in a state of facing the rotational shaft 11 along a rotational axis L. A mechanical seal 66 having a pair of seal rings 661 and 662 that come into contact with each other and a biasing member 663 is provided to attach one seal ring 661 to the rotational shaft 11 and the other seal ring 662 to the fixing portion 60. The biasing member 663 biases the pair of seal rings 661 and 662 in a direction in which the pair of seal rings come in contact with each other. Since the rotational shaft 11 can be rotated at a high speed and the liquid sample can be fed at a high pressure, the analysis performance can be improved and the analysis time can be shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kengo Aoki, Hiroki Honda, Haruhisa Kato
  • Patent number: 11247215
    Abstract: A centrifuge includes a swing rotor. Rotor arms of the swing rotor have recesses into which hangers of the swing rotor at least partially swing in a swung-out state. As a result, the centrifuge container and thus also the centrifuges are more compact, because the swinging-out requires less space. An inertial mass of the swing rotor is reduced due to the recesses provided therein, whereby energy consumption, primarily when starting the centrifuge, is significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Steffen Kühnert, Heinz Gerhard Köhn
  • Patent number: 11247151
    Abstract: A rotary vessel for a filter assembly has a rotor body rotatable about an axis of rotation and a spigot, integral or coupled with the rotor body, extending away from the rotary body along the axis of rotation. The spigot has an abutment surface against which, in use, a cooperating surface of the filter assembly abuts to inhibit movement of the rotary vessel relative to the cooperating surface and parallel to the axis of rotation. The filter assembly has a housing with main body and closure member separably attachable to the main body. The closure member retains the rotary vessel inside the housing and is separable from the main body to permit removal of the rotary vessel from the housing. A connector releasably couples the closure member to the rotary vessel such that the rotary vessel is removable from the housing by separating closure member and main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventors: Tiago Marques, Robin Nash, Angus Rouse, Anthony W. Fell
  • Patent number: 11247923
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are presented for optimizing the formation of gas nanobubbles in a disinfecting solution. In an example system for treating contaminated water, a centrifugal pump draws the water from a reservoir and circulates the water in and through a circuit of elements including a mixing chamber in the pump, a pressure vessel, a backflow valve, a Venturi injector, and a pair of nozzles immersed in the reservoir. The system injects ozone-rich gas into the fluid to produce an aqueous solution containing a volume of gas nanobubbles. The nozzles release the gas nanobubbles into the reservoir, creating highly reactive compounds that destroy organic compounds and other contaminants in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: NBOT Systems LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Domrese, Steve Gareleck
  • Patent number: 11241701
    Abstract: A tri-axial centrifuge apparatus for testing of petro-physical properties of a test sample includes a tri-axial sample holder located within an inner bore of a cell body. An axial pressure fluid supply line delivers an axial pressure fluid to apply an axial pressure on the test sample. A confining pressure fluid supply line delivers a confining pressure fluid to apply a biaxial confining pressure on the test sample. A test fluid holder contains test fluid and is static relative to the cell body. The axial pressure fluid, the confining pressure fluid, and the test fluid are contained in separate flow systems. A centrifuge has a window that is located on a portion of a path of the tri-axial sample holder. The tri-axial sample holder is loaded in the centrifuge and spinning with the centrifuge. An x-ray instrument is static and is aligned with the window of the centrifuge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Mustafa Hakimuddin
  • Patent number: 11224882
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a small rotor for a centrifuge, the rotor being configured such that numerous sample containers can be mounted simultaneously and it is easy to take out the sample containers. In an inner peripheral surface 20A of an outer wall part 20, recessed areas 20B locally carved outward are provided in areas between sample container insertion holes 11 that are adjacent to each other in a circumferential direction. In the locations of the recessed areas 20B, the spaces between adjacent sample containers 51 are wider, and the sample containers 51 can easily be taken out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Eppendorf Himac Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Sawa, Jun Sato
  • Patent number: 11225363
    Abstract: A water purification cap for covering a water bottle is provided. The cap may include a barrel and a shell. The shell may surround a first end of the barrel. The cap may include a charging site. The charging site may be integral to the shell. The charging site may include a positive pole, a negative pole and an RGB ring. The RGB ring may insulate between the positive pole and the negative pole. The RGB ring may display colors that indicate a status of the cap. The cap may include a UV-C LED. The UV-C LED may be proximal to a second end of the barrel. The light emitted from the UV-C LED may be UV-C rays. The UV-C rays may be in the range of 100-280 nanometers. The cap may include a touch sensor. When touched, the touch sensor may activate the UV-C LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Microlyses, LLC
    Inventor: Rakesh Guduru
  • Patent number: 11219904
    Abstract: A facility for the centrifugal clarification of a suspension includes a centrifuge and a device with a container having a tubular envelope surface at least in sections for conducting the medium, which is arranged on a liquid outlet of the centrifuge. The container with a tubular envelope surface at least in sections includes an inlet for supplying a pressurizing gas, and the volume of the container with a tubular envelope surface at least in sections is smaller than the double receiving volume of the centrifuge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: GEA MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT GMBH
    Inventors: Wolf-Dietrich Herberg, Meinolf Berlage
  • Patent number: 11219905
    Abstract: A drive device for a solid bowl screw centrifuge includes a motor for rotating a drum of the centrifuge, a transmission which is connected between the motor and the drum, and a cooling device for cooling the transmission during operation when the drum is rotating. The cooling device is an annular body which is fitted on the outside of the transmission and has an air guiding device that conducts air from farther outwards radially inwards onto a surface of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Hermeler, Volker Knospe, Martin Overberg, Stefan Terholsen, Andreas Knobel, Christian Driftschroeer
  • Patent number: 11213791
    Abstract: A microporous structure includes an array of nano wires and a coating about the nano wires of the array. The coating defines pores between the nano wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven Barcelo, Ning Ge, Anita Rogacs