Patents by Inventor Kui-Chiu Kwok

Kui-Chiu Kwok 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).

  • Publication number: 20230321570
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for continuously manufacturing fibrous materials and products, such as filters. A system comprises a conveyor for advancing a substrate comprising fibrous materials from an upstream end to a downstream end, and a feeder for feeding groups of nanofibers into a fluid medium. A fiberization device is coupled to the feeder and configured to convert the groups of nanofibers into individual nanoparticles. A dispersion device coupled to the fiberization device disperses the nanoparticles into the substrate to form a fibrous material. This distributes the nanoparticles more uniformly throughout the fibrous material. In addition, the system continuously manufactures the material to form a product with improved quality, yield and reduced cost and time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew G. Platt, Lenny Pompeo, Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Publication number: 20230321572
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for separating and/or isolating individual nanoparticles from groups or clusters of nanofibers within a gaseous medium. The system comprises a housing configured to contain the groups of nanofibers, and a pump coupled to the housing. The system further includes one or more passages coupled to the pump and a gaseous medium within the passages. The pump is configured to propel the nanofibers through, or with, the gaseous medium against one or more surface(s) within the passages at a sufficient velocity and/or momentum to open up or separate, the groups of nanofibers into individual nanoparticles. Isolating individual nanoparticles in a gaseous medium and then dispersing them into a substrate or a fluid stream to form a product allows the nanoparticles to be distributed more uniformly and “in depth” throughout the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew G. Platt, Lenny Pompeo, Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Publication number: 20220290871
    Abstract: A commercial cooking equipment exhaust hood system includes a hood structure including an inlet opening to an exhaust flow path through the hood. A filter unit is positioned along the exhaust flow path. An electrostatic precipitator unit is downstream of the filter unit. The electrostatic precipitator includes an ionizing section upstream of a collecting section. The ionizing section includes a plurality of ionizing flow paths having side profile patterns that vary in width between at least one wide section and at least one narrow section. The collecting section includes a plurality of collecting flow paths with side profile patterns of substantially uniform width and a repeating undulating side profile pattern. A UV light source may also be provided within the hood, with a controller operatively connected to control the UV light source via a dimmer to enable selective production various UV levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Patent number: 11371719
    Abstract: A commercial cooking equipment exhaust hood system includes a hood structure including an inlet opening to an exhaust flow path through the hood. A filter unit is positioned along the exhaust flow path. An electrostatic precipitator unit is downstream of the filter unit. The electrostatic precipitator includes an ionizing section upstream of a collecting section. The ionizing section includes a plurality of ionizing flow paths having side profile patterns that vary in width between at least one wide section and at least one narrow section. The collecting section includes a plurality of collecting flow paths with side profile patterns of substantially uniform width and a repeating undulating side profile pattern. A UV light source may also be provided within the hood, with a controller operatively connected to control the UV light source via a dimmer to enable selective production various UV levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Publication number: 20200049353
    Abstract: A commercial cooking equipment exhaust hood system includes a hood structure including an inlet opening to an exhaust flow path through the hood. A filter unit is positioned along the exhaust flow path. An electrostatic precipitator unit is downstream of the filter unit. The electrostatic precipitator includes an ionizing section upstream of a collecting section. The ionizing section includes a plurality of ionizing flow paths having side profile patterns that vary in width between at least one wide section and at least one narrow section. The collecting section includes a plurality of collecting flow paths with side profile patterns of substantially uniform width and a repeating undulating side profile pattern. A UV light source may also be provided within the hood, with a controller operatively connected to control the UV light source via a dimmer to enable selective production various UV levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Patent number: 10488056
    Abstract: A commercial cooking equipment exhaust hood system includes a hood structure including an inlet opening to an exhaust flow path through the hood. A filter unit is positioned along the exhaust flow path. An electrostatic precipitator unit is downstream of the filter unit. The electrostatic precipitator includes an ionizing section upstream of a collecting section. The ionizing section includes a plurality of ionizing flow paths having side profile patterns that vary in width between at least one wide section and at least one narrow section. The collecting section includes a plurality of collecting flow paths with side profile patterns of substantially uniform width and a repeating undulating side profile pattern. A UV light source may also be provided within the hood, with a controller operatively connected to control the UV light source via a dimmer to enable selective production various UV levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Publication number: 20180347826
    Abstract: A commercial cooking equipment exhaust hood system includes a hood structure including an inlet opening to an exhaust flow path through the hood. A filter unit is positioned along the exhaust flow path. An electrostatic precipitator unit is downstream of the filter unit. The electrostatic precipitator includes an ionizing section upstream of a collecting section. The ionizing section includes a plurality of ionizing flow paths having side profile patterns that vary in width between at least one wide section and at least one narrow section. The collecting section includes a plurality of collecting flow paths with side profile patterns of substantially uniform width and a repeating undulating side profile pattern. A UV light source may also be provided within the hood, with a controller operatively connected to control the UV light source via a dimmer to enable selective production various UV levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Patent number: 9993761
    Abstract: Fiber structures and methods are described that incorporate a body of a micron fiber modified by the attachment of discrete length nano-fibers. Numerous of these modified fiber structures can be assembled into air filter media. Further augmentations of the modified fibers and media can be implemented to improve filtration characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: LMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kui-Chiu Kwok, Al Vatine, Scott B. Beier, Gary Pospisal
  • Patent number: 9522357
    Abstract: Fiber structures and methods are described that incorporate a body of a micron fiber modified by the attachment of discrete length, crimped nano-fibers. Numerous of these modified fiber structures can be assembled into air filter media. Further augmentations of the modified fibers and media can be implemented to improve filtration characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignees: Products Unlimited, Inc., LMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kui-Chiu Kwok, Al Vatine, Scott B. Beier, Gary Pospisal
  • Publication number: 20160220927
    Abstract: Fiber structures and methods are described that incorporate a body of a micron fiber modified by the attachment of discrete length nano-fibers. Numerous of these modified fiber structures can be assembled into air filter media. Further augmentations of the modified fibers and media can be implemented to improve filtration characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Kui-Chiu Kwok, Al Vatine, Scott B. Beier, Gary Pospisal
  • Patent number: 9346064
    Abstract: A rotary atomizing applicator includes a shaping air system having first orifices discharging air against the outer surface of the bell cup, with the air following the bell cup and being released from the bell cup at the forward edge of the bell cup. A terminal portion of the outer surface of the bell cup directs the flow of air to shape the pattern of coating released from the bell cup. A second pattern of air is directed from outwardly and behind the bell cup inwardly toward the forward edge of the bell cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Carlisle Fluid Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Seitz, Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Patent number: 9186881
    Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a manifold including an air tube disposed about a water tube. The system also includes multiple nozzles coupled to the manifold, where each nozzle is coupled to the air tube and the water tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Vinnay, Jens Froehlich, Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Patent number: 9137901
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a method and system for pulsed air-actuated micro-droplet on demand jetting, especially for jetting high viscosity liquids. A needle extends from a liquid chamber and terminates in a drop-forming orifice outlet from which micro-droplets are generated. At least two air jets direct a timed pulse of air at the drop-forming orifice outlet of the needle. The pulsed air is synchronized with the formation of a desired volume of liquid at the orifice outlet to extract and propel a micro-droplet at high velocity to a substrate. The air jets are turned on prior to the forming of the desired volume at the orifice outlet of the needle, and turned off after the micro-droplet had been produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Patent number: 9038199
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling ventilation in a welding helmet is provided. The invention may be adapted to a wide variety of system types, and may reduce or eliminate the need for a shroud or barrier around the head and neck of the welder, of the type used in PAPR systems. The airflow system includes forward and rearward air streams, directed onto the face of the welder, onto the top of the head of the welder, and toward the back of the head of the welder. The air streams help to cool the welder, provide a fresh source of air for breathing, and create a positive pressure system that reduces or excludes entrainment of contaminated external air into the forwardly directed air flow. Certain embodiments may include streams that are filtered, split or redirected via deflectors and conduits to achieve the aforementioned goals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Kenneth S. Dobson, Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Patent number: 9039146
    Abstract: A material deposition system includes a frame, a support coupled to the frame to support an electronic substrate during a deposit operation, a gantry coupled to the frame, and a deposition head coupled to the gantry. The deposition head is movable over the support by movement of the gantry. The deposition head includes a chamber to hold material, an actuator to push a volume of material out of the chamber, a needle extending from the chamber and terminating in a needle orifice, and at least two air jets located on opposite sides of the needle orifice. A desired volume of material is formed at the needle orifice in response to the actuator, and each of the at least two air jets produce a timed pulse of air to create a micro-droplet from the desired volume and to accelerate the micro-droplet to high velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Crouch, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Robert W. Tracy, Rita Mohanty, Thomas J. Karlinski, Scott A. Reid
  • Patent number: 9010910
    Abstract: A material deposition system includes a frame, a support coupled to the frame to support an electronic substrate during a deposit operation, a gantry coupled to the frame, and a deposition head coupled to the gantry. The deposition head is movable over the support by movement of the gantry. The deposition head includes a chamber to hold material, an actuator to push a volume of material out of the chamber, a needle extending from the chamber and terminating in a needle orifice, and at least two air jets located on opposite sides of the needle orifice. A desired volume of material is formed at the needle orifice in response to the actuator, and each of the at least two air jets produce a timed pulse of air to create a micro-droplet from the desired volume and to accelerate the micro-droplet to high velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Crouch, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Robert W. Tracy, Rita Mohanty, Thomas J. Karlinski, Scott A. Reid
  • Patent number: 8979004
    Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a nozzle. The nozzle includes a liquid passage, a first pneumatic passage, and an exit surface. The exit surface includes at least one recirculation inducing feature configured to reduce deposits adjacent to the first pneumatic passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Publication number: 20150064345
    Abstract: A material deposition system includes a frame, a support coupled to the frame to support an electronic substrate during a deposit operation, a gantry coupled to the frame, and a deposition head coupled to the gantry. The deposition head is movable over the support by movement of the gantry. The deposition head includes a chamber to hold material, an actuator to push a volume of material out of the chamber, a needle extending from the chamber and terminating in a needle orifice, and at least two air jets located on opposite sides of the needle orifice. A desired volume of material is formed at the needle orifice in response to the actuator, and each of the at least two air jets produce a timed pulse of air to create a micro-droplet from the desired volume and to accelerate the micro-droplet to high velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Crouch, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Robert W. Tracy, Rita Mohanty, Thomas J. Karlinski, Scott A. Reid
  • Patent number: 8939142
    Abstract: An exhaust system includes a hood structure having one or more of (i) an exhaust flow infeed surface extending downward from a lower end of the filter unit that helps to feed the thermal plume toward the filter unit, (ii) a bypass flow transition surface extending upward from the upper end of the filter unit and then forward to aid bypass flow in circulating back toward the filter aperture and (iii) a front wall structure that includes a downwardly extending wall portion with a chamfered and/or curved transition portion at its lower end and a rearwardly extending wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: ITW Food Equipment Group LLC
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Bruce Lukens
  • Publication number: 20140354733
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a method and system for pulsed air-actuated micro-droplet on demand jetting, especially for jetting high viscosity liquids. A needle extends from a liquid chamber and terminates in a drop-forming orifice outlet from which micro-droplets are generated. At least two air jets direct a timed pulse of air at the drop-forming orifice outlet of the needle. The pulsed air is synchronized with the formation of a desired volume of liquid at the orifice outlet to extract and propel a micro-droplet at high velocity to a substrate. The air jets are turned on prior to the forming of the desired volume at the orifice outlet of the needle, and turned off after the micro-droplet had been produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Kui-Chiu Kwok