Patents by Inventor Richard J. Terrien

Richard J. Terrien 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: 7384548
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing an oil contaminant from a surface of an aqueous solution, comprising manually controlling a surface skimmer from a remote location to remove a layer or a batch of an oil contaminant from an oil-aqueous solution mixture by the skimmer, where the aqueous solution is contaminated by the oil as a result of an industrial process. The present invention also provides a system for carrying out the method, which comprises a surface skimmer, a collection means which is preferably a separator, a conduit connecting the skimmer to the collection means in an airtight fashion, and means for creating negative pressure in the skimmer, where the skimmer is capable of manual control from a remote location; in further embodiments, the system further comprises an air filtering means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Inventors: Richard J. Terrien, David T. Walker
  • Patent number: 7160473
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing an oil contaminant from the surface of an aqueous solution, comprising manually controlling a surface skimmer from a remote location to remove a layer or a batch of an oil contaminant from an oil-aqueous solution mixture by the skimmer, where the aqueous solution is contaminated by the oil as a result of an industrial process. The present invention also provides a system for carrying out the method, which comprises a surface skimmer, a collection means which is preferably a separator, a conduit connecting the skimmer to the collection means in an airtight fashion, and means for creating negative pressure in the skimmer, where the skimmer is capable of manual control from a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Universal Separators, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Terrien, David T. Walker
  • Patent number: 6827853
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing an oil contaminant from a surface of an aqueous solution, comprising manually controlling a surface skimmer from a remote location to remove a layer or a batch of an oil contaminant from an oil-aqueous solution mixture by the skimmer, where the aqueous solution is contaminated by the oil as a result of an industrial process. The present invention also provides a system for carrying out the method, which comprises a surface skimmer, a collection means which is preferably a separator, a conduit connecting the skimmer to the collection means in an airtight fashion, and means for creating negative pressure in the skimmer, where the skimmer is capable of manual control from a remote location; in further embodiments, the system further comprises an air filtering means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Universal Separators, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Terrien, David T. Walker
  • Patent number: 6790370
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing an oil contaminant from the surface of an aqueous solution, comprising manually controlling a surface skimmer from a remote location to remove a layer or a batch of an oil contaminant from an oil-aqueous solution mixture by the skimmer, where the aqueous solution is contaminated by the oil as a result of an industrial process. The present invention also provides a system for carrying out the method, which comprises a surface skimmer, a collection means which is preferably a separator, a conduit connecting the skimmer to the collection means in an airtight fashion, and means for creating negative pressure in the skimmer, where the skimmer is capable of manual control from a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Universal Separators, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Terrien, David T. Walker
  • Publication number: 20040104155
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing an oil contaminant from a surface of an aqueous solution, comprising manually controlling a surface skimmer from a remote location to remove a layer or a batch of an oil contaminant from an oil-aqueous solution mixture by the skimmer, where the aqueous solution is contaminated by the oil as a result of an industrial process. The present invention also provides a system for carrying out the method, which comprises a surface skimmer, a collection means which is preferably a separator, a conduit connecting the skimmer to the collection means in an airtight fashion, and means for creating negative pressure in the skimmer, where the skimmer is capable of manual control from a remote location; in further embodiments, the system further comprises an air filtering means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: Universal Separators, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Terrien, David T. Walker
  • Patent number: 6638437
    Abstract: A multi-directional flow gravity separator for separating a mixture of two immiscible fluids with different densities includes an elongated generally vertical tank, in which the mixture flows in a generally downward direction, and an effluent discharge tube through which the clarified effluent flows upward and out the tank. Alternatively, the separator includes an elongated vessel, or shroud, within the tank, through which the mixture flows in a generally upward direction before flowing downwardly in the tank; the clarified effluent is discharged from about the bottom of the tank. Alternatively, a separator includes both the elongated vessel and an effluent discharge tube. Alternatively, the vessel of a separator includes a coalescer; preferably, the coalescer results in an increased length of the fluid flow path through the vessel; most preferably, the coalescer is a helical spiraled vane, which results in a helical fluid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Universal Separators, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Terrien, David T. Walker
  • Publication number: 20020134739
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing an oil contaminant from the surface of an aqueous solution, comprising manually controlling a surface skimmer from a remote location to remove a layer or a batch of an oil contaminant from an oil-aqueous solution mixture by the skimmer, where the aqueous solution is contaminated by the oil as a result of an industrial process. The present invention also provides a system for carrying out the method, which comprises a surface skimmer, a collection means which is preferably a separator, a conduit connecting the skimmer to the collection means in an airtight fashion, and means for creating negative pressure in the skimmer, where the skimmer is capable of manual control from a remote location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: Universal Separators, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Terrien, David T. Walker
  • Publication number: 20020046977
    Abstract: A multi-directional flow gravity separator for separating a mixture of two immiscible fluids with different densities includes an elongated generally vertical tank, in which the mixture flows in a generally downward direction, and an effluent discharge tube through which the clarified effluent flows upward and out the tank. Alternatively, the separator includes an elongated vessel, or shroud, within the tank, through which the mixture flows in a generally upward direction before flowing downwardly in the tank; the clarified effluent is discharged from about the bottom of the tank. Alternatively, a separator includes both the elongated vessel and an effluent discharge tube. Alternatively, the vessel of a separator includes a coalescer; preferably, the coalescer results in an increased length of the fluid flow path through the vessel; most preferably, the coalescer is a helical spiraled vane, which results in a helical fluid flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: Universal Separators, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Terrien, David T. Walker
  • Patent number: 6277287
    Abstract: A suction skimmer with a vertically adjustable inlet for removing preferred upper portions of a liquid from a fluid body under substantially laminar flow conditions and which is self leveling in response to level changes in a fluid body. Suction skimming device includes a skimming sleeve elongated body member having a fluid flow passageway disposed proximally contiguous and slidably movable along the vertical axis of an elongated body sleeve guide member having a fluid flow passageway. The fluid flow passageway of the skimming sleeve member is in open communication with the fluid flow passageway of the sleeve guide member. The suction skimmer is provided with a flotation assembly to buoyantly support the skimming sleeve member thereby positioning the inlet first end of the skimming sleeve member near the surface of a fluid body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Universal Separations, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Terrien, David T. Walker
  • Patent number: 6183654
    Abstract: A suction skimmer with a vertically adjustable inlet for removing preferred upper portions of a liquid from a fluid body under substantially laminar flow conditions and which is self leveling in response to level changes in a fluid body. Suction skimming device includes a skimming sleeve elongated body member having a fluid flow passageway disposed proximally contiguous and slidably movable along the vertical axis of an elongated body sleeve guide member having a fluid flow passageway. The fluid flow passageway of the skimming sleeve member is in open communication with the fluid flow passageway of the sleeve guide member. The suction skimmer is provided with a flotation assembly to buoyantly support the skimming sleeve member thereby positioning the inlet first end of the skimming sleeve member near the surface of a fluid body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Universal Separators, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Terrien, David T. Walker