Patents by Inventor Niels Krebs

Niels Krebs 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: 10928131
    Abstract: A dryer (100), comprising a dryer chamber (101) coupled to a closed loop gas-circulating system for circulating gas through the dryer chamber (101); wherein the closed loop gas-circulating system recirculates the gas and comprises: a compressor (113) coupled to receive return gas from the dryer chamber (101) and to compress the return gas to provide compressed gas; a separator (109) sitting in the gas-circulating system for draining condensate from the gas; and a gas discharger (103; 104) coupled to receive compressed gas from the compressor (113) and to discharge the compressed gas through a discharger exit (118). The separator sits in the closed loop gas-circulating system downstream of the compressor to receive compressed gas and upstream of the gas discharger (103;104). Thereby drying efficacy is improved and is advantageous at relatively low drying temperatures such as below 40 degrees Celsius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Force Technology
    Inventor: Niels Krebs
  • Publication number: 20190310017
    Abstract: A dryer (100), comprising a dryer chamber (101) coupled to a closed loop gas-circulating system for circulating gas through the dryer chamber (101); wherein the closed loop gas-circulating system recirculates the gas and comprises: a compressor (113) coupled to receive return gas from the dryer chamber (101) and to compress the return gas to provide compressed gas; a separator (109) sitting in the gas-circulating system for draining condensate from the gas; and a gas discharger (103; 104) coupled to receive compressed gas from the compressor (113) and to discharge the compressed gas through a discharger exit (118). The separator sits in the closed loop gas-circulating system downstream of the compressor to receive compressed gas and upstream of the gas discharger (103;104). Thereby drying efficacy is improved and is advantageous at relatively low drying temperatures such as below 40 degrees Celsius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: Force Technology
    Inventor: Niels KREBS
  • Publication number: 20180360077
    Abstract: A method for sanitizing food products on a production line (201), and a production line (100) for processing food products (103), comprising: a first processing enclosure (101) and a second processing enclosure (102) and a conveyor system (103) configured to move a food product through the first processing enclosure (101) and onwards through the second processing enclosure (102). The first processing enclosure (101) is coupled to a gas supply system (113) delivering a flow of gas at a gas temperature above 70 degrees Celsius via an orifice (113; 114) to generate a first processing atmosphere within the first processing enclosure (101) exposing at least a portion of the surface of the food products, while travelling through the first processing enclosure, to a first processing temperature (Ts) which is above 60 degrees Celsius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Niels KREBS, Keith D. MEEKS, Aaron ORMOND
  • Publication number: 20180122622
    Abstract: This invention relates to enhancing a gas-phase reaction in a plasma comprising: creating plasma by at least one plasma source, and wherein that the method further comprises: generating ultrasonic high intensity and high power acoustic waves having a predetermined amount of acoustic energy by at least one ultrasonic high intensity and high power gas-jet acoustic wave generator, where said ultrasonic high intensity and high power acoustic waves are directed to propagate towards said plasma so that at least a part of said predetermined amount of acoustic energy is absorbed into said plasma, and where a sound pressure level of said generated ultrasonic high intensity and high power acoustic waves is at least substantially 140 dB and where an acoustic power of said generated ultrasonic high intensity and high power acoustic waves is at least substantially 100 W.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: Force Technology
    Inventors: Alexander BARDENSHTEIN, Henrik BINDSLEV, Niels KREBS, Yukihiro KUSANO
  • Patent number: 9089829
    Abstract: This invention relates to a sonic device (and a method) for enhancing a process involving a solid object and a gas, where the gas surrounds the object or at least is in contact with a surface of the object, the device comprising sonic means for applying a high intensity sound or ultrasound to at least the surface object, wherein the high intensity sound or ultrasound, during use of the sonic device, is applied directly in the gas that is also the medium through which the high intensity sound or ultrasound propagates to the surface of the object, whereby a laminar sub-layer at the surface of the object is reduced and/or minimized. The reduction of the laminar sub-layer provides increased heat transfer efficiency and/or increased catalytic speed and/or increased gas exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Force Technology
    Inventor: Niels Krebs
  • Patent number: 8657102
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for conveying objects (6) along a path, the path including an upstream portion (17) and a curved portion (13), the upstream portion (17) defining a direction of entry into the curved portion (13), the curved portion (13) defining a radially outward direction transverse to the direction of entry into the curved portion; the conveyor apparatus comprising suspension means (4) adapted to travel along the path and to carry an object (6) to be conveyed suspended at the suspension means (4); and deflection means (10) arranged to deflect an object (6) suspended at the suspension means (4) in the radially outward direction when the suspension means (4) travels along the upstream portion (17) towards the curved portion (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Force Technology
    Inventor: Niels Krebs
  • Patent number: 8399795
    Abstract: This invention relates to a plasma surface modification process (and a corresponding a system) of a solid object (100) comprising creating plasma (104) by a plasma source (106), application of the plasma (104) to at least a part of a surface (314) of the solid object (100), generating ultrasonic high intensity and high power acoustic waves (102) by at least one ultrasonic high intensity and high power acoustic wave generator (101), wherein the ultrasonic acoustic waves are directed to propagate towards said surface (314) of the object (100) so that a laminar boundary layer (313) of a gas or a mixture of gases (500) flow in contact with said solid object (100) is thinned or destructed for at least a part of said surface (314). In this way, the plasma can more efficiently access and influence the surface of the solid object to be treated by the plasma, which speeds the process time up significantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignees: Force Technology, Technical University of Denmark
    Inventors: Niels Krebs, Alexander Bardenshtein, Yukihiro Kusano, Henrik Bindslev, Henrik Junge Mortensen
  • Patent number: 8343421
    Abstract: According to the invention a method (and corresponding system) of enhancing application of high intensity acoustic waves is provided, wherein acoustic waves, e.g. ultrasound, and a gaseous medium, e.g. steam, coincide at a treatment zone. This is achieved by a combination of one or more high intensity acoustic generators and/or reflectors. In this way, enhanced efficiency in an area of the gaseous medium (or where the gaseous medium is to affect something) is obtained since a second generator or a reflector is located so that the acoustic waves directly influence the gaseous medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Force Technology
    Inventors: Niels Krebs, Carsten Langkjaer
  • Publication number: 20120205220
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for conveying objects (6) along a path, the path including an upstream portion (17) and a curved portion (13), the upstream portion (17) defining a direction of entry into the curved portion (13), the curved portion (13) defining a radially outward direction transverse to the direction of entry into the curved portion; the conveyor apparatus comprising suspension means (4) adapted to travel along the path and to carry an object (6) to be conveyed suspended at the suspension means (4); and deflection means (10) arranged to deflect an object (6) suspended at the suspension means (4) in the radially outward direction when the suspension means (4) travels along the upstream portion (17) towards the curved portion (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventor: Niels Krebs
  • Patent number: 8109217
    Abstract: A system, device and method for enhancing burning of a solid object in a combustion process is provided where one or more incineration devices (101) for burning a solid object (101), at least one sonic device (301) and wherein said at least one sonic device (301) is a transmitter of high intensity-ultrasound adapted to, during use, apply high intensity ultrasound to said solid object (101) thereby removing ash from said solid object (101) and increasing the speed of the burning of said solid object (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Force Technology
    Inventors: Niels Krebs, Jesper Cramer, Niels Hald Pedersen
  • Patent number: 8105451
    Abstract: A method and a device to be used in the process of manufacturing plates, such as fiberboards or the like boards, where the raw material in form of bio-mass particles, such as wood fibers or the like, applied with a thermosetting binder is spread onto a forming belt to form a mat, and where said mat by means of a hot press is compressed into the desired thickness of the finished plate and the thermosetting binder is hardened. According to the inventing a system and corresponding method for manufacturing biomass-based products is provided that has enhanced efficiency due to the application of ultra sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignees: Force Technology, Wesser Og Dueholm Arkitekt-Og Ingeniorfirma V/Sten Dueholm
    Inventors: Niels Krebs, Sten Dueholm
  • Patent number: 7931765
    Abstract: A method and a device to be used in the process of manufacturing plates, such as fiberboards or the like boards, where the raw material in form of biomass particles, such as wood fibers or the like, applied with a thermosetting binder is spread onto a forming belt to form a mat, and where said mat by means of a hot press is compressed into the desired thickness of the finished plate and the thermosetting binder is hardened. According to the invention the thermosetting binder is applied to the dried biomass particles in an airborne process, where the intense and homogeneous contact of the biomass particles and the droplets of fluent binder are facilitated by the use of ultrasound generated by the use of compressed air, water steam or another gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignees: Force Technology, Wesser Og Dueholm Arkitekt-Og Ingeniorfirma V/Sten Dueholm
    Inventors: Niels Krebs, Sten Dueholm
  • Publication number: 20110048251
    Abstract: This invention relates to enhancing a gas-phase reaction in a plasma comprising: creating plasma (104) by at least one plasma source (106), and wherein that the method further comprises: generating ultrasonic high intensity and high power acoustic waves (102) having a predetermined amount of acoustic energy by at least one ultrasonic high intensity and high power gas-jet acoustic wave generator (101), where said ultrasonic high intensity and high power acoustic waves are directed to propagate towards said plasma (104) so that at least a part of said predetermined amount of acoustic energy is absorbed into said plasma (104), and where a sound pressure level of said generated ultrasonic high intensity and high power acoustic waves (102) is at least substantially 140 dB and where an acoustic power of said generated ultrasonic high intensity and high power acoustic waves (102) is at least substantially 100 W.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicants: FORCE TECHNOLOGY, TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARK
    Inventors: Alexander Bardenshtein, Henrik Bindslev, Niels Krebs, Yukihiro Kusano
  • Publication number: 20100304146
    Abstract: This invention relates to a plasma surface modification process (and a corresponding a system) of a solid object (100) comprising creating plasma (104) by a plasma source (106), application of the plasma (104) to at least a part of a surface (314) of the solid object (100), generating ultrasonic high intensity and high power acoustic waves (102) by at least one ultrasonic high intensity and high power acoustic wave generator (101), wherein the ultrasonic acoustic waves are directed to propagate towards said surface (314) of the object (100) so that a laminar boundary layer (313) of a gas or a mixture of gases (500) flow in contact with said solid object (100) is thinned or destructed for at least a part of said surface (314). In this way, the plasma can more efficiently access and influence the surface of the solid object to be treated by the plasma, which speeds the process time up significantly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicants: FORCE TECHNOLOGY, TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARK
    Inventors: Niels Krebs, Alexander Bardenshtein, Yukihiro Kusano, Henrik Bindslev, Henrik Junge Mortensen
  • Patent number: 7695672
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus in form of a disinfecting apparatus comprising a steam device for combating germs on the surface of products, in particular of food products. The apparatus employs a combination of steam and ultrasound to kill germs on the surface of a product which is conveyed past the steam device. Pressurized steam is fed through a steam passage to an opening conveying the steam to a cavity, in which the steam is made to oscillate at a ultrasonic frequency. The oscillations in the steam prevent the steam from heating the products excessively, while germs presents on the surface of the products are heated and killed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Force Technology
    Inventor: Niels Krebs
  • Publication number: 20090288910
    Abstract: According to the invention a method (and corresponding system) of enhancing application of high intensity acoustic waves is provided, wherein acoustic waves, e.g. ultrasound, and a gaseous medium, e.g. steam, coincide at a treatment zone. This is achieved by a combination of one or more high intensity acoustic generators and/or reflectors. In this way, enhanced efficiency in an area of the gaseous medium (or where the gaseous medium is to affect something) is obtained since a second generator or a reflector is located so that the acoustic waves directly influence the gaseous medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Niels Krebs, Carsten Langkjaer
  • Publication number: 20090235851
    Abstract: A system, device and method for enhancing burning of a solid object in a combustion process is provided where one or more incineration devices (101) for burning a solid object (101), at least one sonic device (301) and wherein said at least one sonic device (301) is a transmitter of high intensity- ultrasound adapted to, during use, apply high intensity ultrasound to said solid object (101) thereby removing ash from said solid object (101) and increasing the speed of the burning of said solid object (101).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Niels Krebs, Jesper Cramer, Niels Hald Pedersen
  • Publication number: 20090211692
    Abstract: A method and a device to be used in the process of manufacturing plates, such as fibreboards or the like boards, where the raw material in form of bio-mass particles, such as wood fibres or the like, applied with a thermosetting binder is spread onto a forming belt to form a mat, and where said mat by means of a hot press is compressed into the desired thickness of the finished plate and the thermosetting binder is hardened. According to the inventing a system and corresponding method for manufacturing biomass-based products is provided that has enhanced efficiency due to the application of ultra sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicants: FORCE TECHNOLOGY, WESSER OG DUEHOLM ARKITEKT-OG INGENIORFIRMA V/STEN DUEHOLM
    Inventors: Niels Krebs, Sten Dueholm
  • Publication number: 20090007931
    Abstract: A method and a system to be used in the process of manufacturing plates, such as fibreboards, particleboards and the like boards, where the raw material in the form of biomass particles, such as wood fibres or wood particles of various size and shape are dried from its natural moisture content to a moisture content suitable to be applied with a thermosetting binder and be spread onto a movable forming belt to form a mat, and where said mat by means of a hot press is compressed into the desired thickness of the finished plate and the thermosetting binder is hardened. According to the invention, the drying process of the biomass particles is facilitated by the use of ultrasound to remove the sub-layer of air at the surface of the particles and thus to intensify the transport of heat energy into the particles and the transport of moisture from the particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicants: FORCE TECHNOLOGY, WESSER OG DUEHOLM ARKITEKT-OG INGENIORFIRMA V/STEN DUEHOLM
    Inventors: Niels Krebs, Sten Dueholm
  • Patent number: D822156
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: FORCE TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Niels Krebs