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).
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Patent number: 10928131Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 6, 2017Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Force TechnologyInventor: Niels Krebs
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Publication number: 20190310017Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2017Publication date: October 10, 2019Applicant: Force TechnologyInventor: Niels KREBS
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Publication number: 20180360077Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2016Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Niels KREBS, Keith D. MEEKS, Aaron ORMOND
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Publication number: 20180122622Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Applicant: Force TechnologyInventors: Alexander BARDENSHTEIN, Henrik BINDSLEV, Niels KREBS, Yukihiro KUSANO
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Patent number: 9089829Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 21, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Force TechnologyInventor: Niels Krebs
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Patent number: 8657102Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 10, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Force TechnologyInventor: Niels Krebs
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Patent number: 8399795Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 9, 2008Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignees: Force Technology, Technical University of DenmarkInventors: Niels Krebs, Alexander Bardenshtein, Yukihiro Kusano, Henrik Bindslev, Henrik Junge Mortensen
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Patent number: 8343421Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 6, 2007Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Force TechnologyInventors: Niels Krebs, Carsten Langkjaer
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Publication number: 20120205220Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2010Publication date: August 16, 2012Inventor: Niels Krebs
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Patent number: 8109217Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 10, 2007Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Force TechnologyInventors: Niels Krebs, Jesper Cramer, Niels Hald Pedersen
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Patent number: 8105451Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 17, 2006Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignees: Force Technology, Wesser Og Dueholm Arkitekt-Og Ingeniorfirma V/Sten DueholmInventors: Niels Krebs, Sten Dueholm
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Patent number: 7931765Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 24, 2005Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignees: Force Technology, Wesser Og Dueholm Arkitekt-Og Ingeniorfirma V/Sten DueholmInventors: Niels Krebs, Sten Dueholm
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Publication number: 20110048251Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2008Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicants: FORCE TECHNOLOGY, TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARKInventors: Alexander Bardenshtein, Henrik Bindslev, Niels Krebs, Yukihiro Kusano
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Publication number: 20100304146Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2008Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicants: FORCE TECHNOLOGY, TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARKInventors: Niels Krebs, Alexander Bardenshtein, Yukihiro Kusano, Henrik Bindslev, Henrik Junge Mortensen
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Patent number: 7695672Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 27, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Force TechnologyInventor: Niels Krebs
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Publication number: 20090288910Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2007Publication date: November 26, 2009Inventors: Niels Krebs, Carsten Langkjaer
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Publication number: 20090235851Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2007Publication date: September 24, 2009Inventors: Niels Krebs, Jesper Cramer, Niels Hald Pedersen
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Publication number: 20090211692Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2006Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicants: FORCE TECHNOLOGY, WESSER OG DUEHOLM ARKITEKT-OG INGENIORFIRMA V/STEN DUEHOLMInventors: Niels Krebs, Sten Dueholm
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Publication number: 20090007931Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2005Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicants: FORCE TECHNOLOGY, WESSER OG DUEHOLM ARKITEKT-OG INGENIORFIRMA V/STEN DUEHOLMInventors: Niels Krebs, Sten Dueholm
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Patent number: D822156Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2017Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: FORCE TECHNOLOGYInventor: Niels Krebs