Patents by Inventor Dung T. Vu

Dung T. Vu 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).

  • Process for reactive esterification distillation
    Patent number: 7667068
    Abstract: A process for producing organic acid di- or tri-esters, particularly citric acid tri-esters, with the available acid groups esterified using countercurrent reactive distillation using acid catalysts in a structured packing is described. In the reactive distillation an organic acid di- or tri-ester is formed by chemical reaction and purified to its final state within the single column. Organic acid di- or tri-esters are produced at relatively low cost, with less waste production in by-products of the reaction, and in a less complicated manner than prior processes. Organic acid di- and tri-esters have uses as solvents, as plasticizers and in conversion products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Dennis J. Miller, Navinchandra Asthana, Aspi Kolah, Dung T. Vu, Carl T. Lira
  • Manually and electrically controlled butterfly valve
    Patent number: 5238220
    Abstract: A butterfly valve is utilized to control air flow in the environmental control air distribution system of an aircraft. A linkage system enables the valve to be manually controlled under normal conditions but to be shut off remotely in case of an emergency condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Sidney D. Shell, Dung T. Vu