Patents by Inventor Andreas C. H. Ruhl

Andreas C. H. Ruhl has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7033544
    Abstract: A control system for a regenerative thermal oxidizer in which contaminated air is first passed through a hot heat-exchange bed and into a communicating high temperature oxidation (combustion) chamber, and then through a relatively cool second heat exchange bed. The apparatus includes a number of internally insulated, ceramic filled heat recovery columns topped by an internally insulated combustion chamber. Contaminated air is directed into heat exchange media in one of said columns, and oxidation is completed as the flow passes through the combustion chamber. From the combustion chamber, the now clean air flows through another column containing heat exchange media, thereby storing heat in the media for use in a subsequent inlet cycle when the flow control valves reverse. The resulting clean air is directed via an outlet valve through an outlet manifold and released to atmosphere or is recirculated back to the oxidizer inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Megtec Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Tesar, Andreas C. H. Ruhl, Steven J. Zagar
  • Patent number: 6681497
    Abstract: Integrated web dryer and regenerative heat exchanger, as well as a method of drying a web of material using the same. The apparatus and method of the present invention provides for the heating of air and the converting of VOCs to harmless gases in a fully integrated manner via the inclusion of a regenerative combustion device as an integral element of the drying apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Megtec Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Bria, Alan D. Fiers, Andreas C. H. Rühl
  • Patent number: 6651357
    Abstract: Integrated web dryer and regenerative heat exchanger, as well as a method of drying a web of material using the same. The apparatus and method of the present invention provides for the heating of air and the converting of VOCs to harmless gases in a fully integrated manner via the inclusion of a regenerative combustion device as an integral element of the drying apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Megtec Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Bria, Alan D. Fiers, Andreas C. H. Rühl
  • Publication number: 20030096208
    Abstract: Integrated web dryer and regenerative heat exchanger, as well as a method of drying a web of material using the same. The apparatus and method of the present invention provides for the heating of air and the converting of VOCs to harmless gases in a fully integrated manner via the inclusion of a regenerative combustion device as an integral element of the drying apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Michael P. Bria, Alan D. Fiers, Andreas C.H. Ruhl
  • Publication number: 20020092198
    Abstract: Integrated web dryer and regenerative heat exchanger, as well as a method of drying a web of material using the same. The apparatus and method of the present invention provides for the heating of air and the converting of VOCs to harmless gases in a fully integrated manner via the inclusion of a regenerative combustion device as an integral element of the drying apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Michael P. Bria, Alan D. Fiers, Andreas C.H. Ruhl
  • Patent number: 6302188
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for a regenerative thermal oxidizer is described which includes at least one heat exchange column provided with a multi-layer of packing material including at least one layer of randomly packed and specially shaped and sized particles, each particle being formed of a high temperature stable material and preferably having a cylindrical outer wall and internal reinforcing vanes extending from the cylindrical outer wall to the center of the particle, and at least one layer of structured monolithic media having a plurality of flow passages in the direction of gas flow through the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Megtec Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas C. H. Ruhl, Edward G. Blazejewski, William L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5762880
    Abstract: Control system and method for monitoring and controlling the stoichiometry of a secondary air burner in a thermal oxidizer. The burner control system secures a certain stoichiometry independent of possible simultaneous changes of the gas mixture flow rate and/or of the combustible impurity concentration in the process gas. The firing rate of the burner is adjusted by a controller. Additionally, the flow of the burner fuel and of the process gas mixture are measured and transformed into separate signals. Both signals are sent to an evaluation apparatus that compares the signals and generates a third signal based upon that comparison. This third signal is in communication with a device that changes the gas mixture flow resistance, and thus the desired amount of gas mixture will be diverted for the combustion of the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Megtec Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas C.H. Ruhl, Kim A. Anderson, Michael G. Tesar