Patents by Inventor Liviu V. Popa

Liviu V. Popa 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: 6960018
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and method for removing build-up on such measurement gauges. The inventive device and method involve a movable scraper that fits around a cylindrical shield of a measurement gauge and continuously removes the build-up on the shield. Movement of the scraper is accomplished by a magnetic coupling between a magnetic core attached to the scraper, which is inside a pipe or other piece of equipment, and solenoids that are installed on the outside of the pipe. The device and method of the invention ensure instantaneously correct readings from the measurement gauge and improve control and operation strategies of heat exchanges, with significant economic advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: ConAgra Grocery Products Company
    Inventors: Constantine Sandu, Liviu V. Popa, John J. Mercurio
  • Patent number: 6789938
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and method for removing build-up on such measurement gauges. The inventive device and method involve a movable scraper that fits around a cylindrical shield of a measurement gauge and continuously removes the build-up on the shield. Movement of the scraper is accomplished by a magnetic coupling between a magnetic core attached to the scraper, which is inside a pipe or other piece of equipment, and solenoids that are installed on the outside of the pipe. The device and method of the invention ensure instantaneously correct readings from the measurement gauge and improve control and operation strategies of heat exchanges, with significant economic advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: ConAgra Grocery Products Company
    Inventors: Constantine Sandu, Liviu V. Popa, John J. Mercurio
  • Publication number: 20040144403
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and method for removing build-up on such measurement gauges. The inventive device and method involve a movable scraper that fits around a cylindrical shield of a measurement gauge and continuously removes the build-up on the shield. Movement of the scraper is accomplished by a magnetic coupling between a magnetic core attached to the scraper, which is inside a pipe or other piece of equipment, and solenoids that are installed on the outside of the pipe. The device and method of the invention ensure instantaneously correct readings from the measurement gauge and improve control and operation strategies of heat exchanges, with significant economic advantages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Constantine Sandu, Liviu V. Popa, John J. Mercurio
  • Patent number: 6675877
    Abstract: A seal-less magnetically driven scraped-surface heat exchanger is provided that is particularly useful for aseptic processing. The heat exchanger comprises an elongated generally cylindrical heat transfer tube having an inlet, an outlet, and a sidewall defining a chamber between the inlet and the outlet. An elongated media tube is provided in surrounding relation to the heat transfer tube. A rotary shaft is mounted axially within the heat transfer tube. The rotary shaft has an outer surface and one or more scraper blades extending from the outer surface of the rotary shaft. A drive end containment shroud is mounted at an axial end of the heat transfer tube. The drive end containment shroud has a closed end, an open end, and a sidewall defining a drive chamber in open communication with the interior chamber of the heat transfer tube through the open end of the containment shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Conagra Grocery Products Company
    Inventors: Constantine Sandu, Liviu V. Popa, John J. Mercurio
  • Publication number: 20030062063
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and method for removing build-up on such measurement gauges. The inventive device and method involve a movable scraper that fits around a cylindrical shield of a measurement gauge and continuously removes the build-up on the shield. Movement of the scraper is accomplished by a magnetic coupling between a magnetic core attached to the scraper, which is inside a pipe or other piece of equipment, and solenoids that are installed on the outside of the pipe. The device and method of the invention ensure instantaneously correct readings from the measurement gauge and improve control and operation strategies of heat exchanges, with significant economic advantages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Constantine Sandu, Liviu V. Popa, John J. Mercurio
  • Publication number: 20030042007
    Abstract: A seal-less magnetically drive scraped-surface heat exchanger is provided that is particularly useful for aseptic processing. The heat exchanger comprises an elongated generally cylindrical heat transfer tube having an inlet, an outlet, and a sidewall defining a chamber between the inlet and the outlet. An elongated media tube is provided in surrounding relation to the heat transfer tube. A rotary shaft is mounted axially within the heat transfer tube. The rotary shaft has an outer surface and one or more scraper blades extending from the outer surface of the rotary shaft. A drive end containment shroud is mounted at an axial end of the heat transfer tube. The drive end containment shroud has a closed end, an open end, and a sidewall defining a drive chamber in open communication with the interior chamber of the heat transfer tube through the open end of the containment shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Constantine Sandu, Liviu V. Popa, John J. Mercurio