Patents by Inventor Thomas E Frankel
Thomas E Frankel 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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Publication number: 20230322598Abstract: Aspects of the invention describe a tube diffuser design and associated saddle design that allow the two elements to be easily and quickly attached to each other in the field for the purpose of aerating wastewater. The tube diffuser is cylindrical and includes a gas distribution section spanning across an interior diameter of the tube diffuser. The saddle includes a pair of engagement arms that are able to couple to this gas distribution section of the tube diffuser. Once the tube diffuser is attached to the saddle and the assembly is submerged in wastewater, the saddle may be used to transport air from an air distribution pipe to the tube diffuser. The air may then be made to leave the tube diffuser as a plume of air bubbles.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Thomas E. Frankel, Seoungil Kang, Todd D. Ritter
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Publication number: 20230136410Abstract: A wastewater filter cartridge includes a peripheral frame, two filter media sheets, two sets of angled fins, and a filtered water outlet. The two filter media sheets are attached to the peripheral frame in spaced face-to-face relation such that they combine with the peripheral frame to define an interior volume within the filter cartridge. At the same time, the two sets of angled fins are attached to the peripheral frame external to the interior volume and project away from the filter media sheets at oblique angles. As wastewater passes through the two filter media sheets into the interior of the filter cartridge, the two filter media sheets act to reduce the suspended solids in the wastewater. Once in the interior volume of the filter cartridge, the filtered water is collected via the filtered water outlet, which is connected to the interior volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2021Publication date: May 4, 2023Inventors: Thomas E. Frankel, Seoungil Kang, Todd D. Ritter
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Patent number: 11530147Abstract: A process for forming a biofilm carrier suitable for use in a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) is presented. A blowing agent is mixed with a plastic material to form a blended material. The blended material is then heated to a temperature where the blowing agent liberates gas by decomposition. The heated blended material is extruded through a die to provide the extrudate with a profile of the biofilm carrier. Advantageously, biofilm carriers produced in this manner have increased effectiveness when compared to conventional biofilm carriers.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2020Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Inventors: Thomas E. Frankel, Seoungil Kang, Todd D. Ritter
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Publication number: 20210403352Abstract: A process for forming a biofilm carrier suitable for use in a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) is presented. A blowing agent is mixed with a plastic material to form a blended material. The blended material is then heated to a temperature where the blowing agent liberates gas by decomposition. The heated blended material is extruded through a die to provide the extrudate with a profile of the biofilm carrier. Advantageously, biofilm carriers produced in this manner have increased effectiveness when compared to conventional biofilm carriers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2020Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Thomas E. Frankel, Seoungil Kang, Todd D. Ritter
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Patent number: 10773982Abstract: A diffuser assembly includes a flexible diffuser membrane and a diffuser body. The flexible diffuser membrane defines a perimeter edge bead along four edges. The diffuser body defines an underlying body portion underlying the flexible diffuser membrane, and a perimeter edge frame covering a covered portion of the perimeter edge bead. The edge frame defines an inside surface that conforms to an outside shape of the covered portion of the perimeter edge bead. The perimeter edge frame is integral to the underlying body portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2017Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Inventors: Thomas E. Frankel, Seoungil Kang, Todd D. Ritter
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Patent number: 10633267Abstract: A diffuser assembly includes a flexible diffuser membrane and a diffuser body. The flexible diffuser membrane defines a circumferential bead. The diffuser body defines a circular plate underlying the flexible diffuser membrane, and an edge ring covering a covered portion of the circumferential bead. The edge ring defines an inside surface that conforms to an outside shape of the covered portion of the circumferential bead. The edge ring is integral to the diffuser body. Such a diffuser assembly may provide a disposable diffuser assembly option with many advantages over conventional technologies such as improved ease of installation, lower weight, and lower cost.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2016Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Inventors: Thomas E. Frankel, Seoungil Kang, Todd D. Ritter
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Publication number: 20190047887Abstract: A diffuser assembly includes a flexible diffuser membrane and a diffuser body. The flexible diffuser membrane defines a perimeter edge bead along four edges. The diffuser body defines an underlying body portion underlying the flexible diffuser membrane, and a perimeter edge frame covering a covered portion of the perimeter edge bead. The edge frame defines an inside surface that conforms to an outside shape of the covered portion of the perimeter edge bead. The perimeter edge frame is integral to the underlying body portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2017Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Thomas E. Frankel, Seoungil Kang, Todd D. Ritter
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Publication number: 20180236412Abstract: An apparatus for use with a wastewater treatment tank is described. The apparatus includes a track, pipe modules coupled to the track such that the pipe modules are translatable along the track, and diffusers attached to the pipe modules. Each pipe module defines a respective partially curved mating surface, a respective partially curved mating cavity, and a respective gas passage passing through it. The respective partially curved mating surface of a first pipe module is inserted into the respective partially curved mating cavity of a second pipe module, while the respective partially curved mating surface of the second pipe module is inserted into the respective partially curved mating cavity of a third pipe module. Each gas passage of the pipe modules is in gaseous communication with the other gas passages of the pipe modules. At the same time, each diffuser is in gaseous communication with the gas passages of the pipe modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2017Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Thomas E. Frankel, Seoungil Kang, Todd D. Ritter
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Publication number: 20170210652Abstract: A diffuser assembly includes a flexible diffuser membrane and a diffuser body. The flexible diffuser membrane defines a circumferential bead. The diffuser body defines a circular plate underlying the flexible diffuser membrane, and an edge ring covering a covered portion of the circumferential bead. The edge ring defines an inside surface that conforms to an outside shape of the covered portion of the circumferential bead. The edge ring is integral to the diffuser body. Such a diffuser assembly may provide a disposable diffuser assembly option with many advantages over conventional technologies such as improved ease of installation, lower weight, and lower cost.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2016Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventors: Thomas E. Frankel, Seoungil Kang, Todd D. Ritter
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Patent number: 9678091Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a system comprising a data processor, a gas conducting device, and a sensor. The gas conducting device is submerged and transports a gas. The sensor is connected to the gas conducting device, is also submerged, and is operative to determine a characteristic of the gas conducting device or the gas. The sensor is further operative to transmit data representing the characteristic to the data processor. In one or more non-limiting embodiments, the system comprises a wastewater treatment system, and the gas conducting device comprises a pipe or a diffuser.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Inventors: Eric D. Duden, Marc D. Kessman, Thomas E. Frankel, Seoungil Kang, Todd D. Ritter
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Patent number: 9539550Abstract: An apparatus is presented that includes a body and a membrane. The body defines an externally hemispherical body portion with an orifice, as well as a channel passing through the body and terminating in the orifice. The membrane is formed at least in part of an elastomeric material and overlies a portion of the externally hemispherical body portion. The membrane defines a plurality of holes therein, and a plug that is inserted into the orifice and the channel. When submerged at the bottom of a wastewater treatment tank and in gaseous communication with a distribution conduit providing compressed gas, the apparatus may function to release bubbles into the wastewater. When the compressed gas is turned off, the apparatus acts as a check valve that stops water from entering the diffuser and the distribution conduit.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Inventors: Thomas E. Frankel, Seoungil Kang, Todd D. Ritter
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Patent number: 9498756Abstract: An apparatus comprises a distribution conduit, a diffuser body, and an insert. The distribution conduit defines an aperture. The diffuser body defines a mating tube, at least a portion of the mating tube passing through the aperture, and the mating tube defining a mating tube passage therethrough with an inside sidewall. The insert is at least partially disposed in the mating tube passage and presses against the inside sidewall so as to cause the mating tube to expand. Removal of the mating tube from the distribution conduit is thereby inhibited.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Inventors: Thomas E. Frankel, Seoungil Kang, Todd D. Ritter
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Patent number: 9440200Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to an apparatus comprising a proximal end adapter, a distal end adapter, a support tube, and a flexible diffuser membrane. The support tube is disposed between the proximal end adapter and the distal end adapter, and comprises an outward facing surface that defines a series of ridges thereon. The diffuser membrane, in turn, defines a plurality of perforations, and surrounds at least a respective portion of each of the proximal end adapter, the distal end adapter, and the support tube.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2013Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Inventors: Thomas E. Frankel, Seoungil Kang, Todd D. Ritter
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Publication number: 20160184780Abstract: An apparatus comprises a distribution conduit, a diffuser body, and an insert. The distribution conduit defines an aperture. The diffuser body defines a mating tube, at least a portion of the mating tube passing through the aperture, and the mating tube defining a mating tube passage therethrough with an inside sidewall. The insert is at least partially disposed in the mating tube passage and presses against the inside sidewall so as to cause the mating tube to expand. Removal of the mating tube from the distribution conduit is thereby inhibited.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2014Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Thomas E. Frankel, Seoungil Kang, Todd D. Ritter
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Publication number: 20140374928Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to an apparatus comprising a proximal end adapter, a distal end adapter, a support tube, and a flexible diffuser membrane. The support tube is disposed between the proximal end adapter and the distal end adapter, and comprises an outward facing surface that defines a series of ridges thereon. The diffuser membrane, in turn, defines a plurality of perforations, and surrounds at least a respective portion of each of the proximal end adapter, the distal end adapter, and the support tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Thomas E. Frankel, Seoungil Kang, Todd D. Ritter
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Publication number: 20140095115Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a system comprising a data processor, a gas conducting device, and a sensor. The gas conducting device is submerged and transports a gas. The sensor is connected to the gas conducting device, is also submerged, and is operative to determine a characteristic of the gas conducting device or the gas. The sensor is further operative to transmit data representing the characteristic to the data processor. In one or more non-limiting embodiments, the system comprises a wastewater treatment system, and the gas conducting device comprises a pipe or a diffuser.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: Stamford Scientific International, Inc.Inventors: Eric D. Duden, Marc D. Kessman, Thomas E. Frankel, Seoungil Kang, Todd D. Ritter
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Patent number: 8657268Abstract: Wastewater is treated by providing a distribution conduit and providing a diffuser assembly. An aperture is created in the distribution conduit having an initial minimum diameter. The diffuser assembly, in turn, comprises a diffuser membrane in fluidic communication with a mating tube. The mating tube has an initial outside diameter at a location along its length greater than the initial minimum inside diameter of the aperture. The mating tube is inserted into the aperture until the location on the mating tube that, before insertion, had the initial outside diameter is encircled by the aperture where the aperture, before insertion, had the initial minimum inside diameter. This forms an airtight interference fit between the distribution conduit and diffuser assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Inventors: Gregory P. Smiltneek, Martin M. Smiltneek, Robert B. Wheeler, David T. Redmon, Thomas E. Frankel, Arthur W. Phenicie, Mark T. Raether
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Publication number: 20130088190Abstract: A system for recovering energy while treating a body of wastewater comprises a tank, a plurality of diffusers, a propeller, and a generator. The tank contains the body of wastewater. The plurality of diffusers is immersed in the body of wastewater and is operative to create motion therein by the discharge of bubbles. The propeller is immersed in the body of wastewater and is operative to spin in response to the motion in the body of wastewater. The generator is linked to the propeller and is operative to generate electrical energy in response to the spinning of the propeller.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2012Publication date: April 11, 2013Inventors: Seoungil Kang, Thomas E. Frankel, Todd D. Ritter
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Patent number: 8376325Abstract: A diffuser membrane for use in a wastewater treatment application comprises an additive or coating operative to substantially reduce the ability of at least a portion of the diffuser membrane to buildup static charge. Aeration efficiency and contamination resistance are thereby improved.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Inventors: Thomas E. Frankel, Seoungil Kang, Todd D. Ritter
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Patent number: 8241549Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a structure for a diffused aeration system. More particularly, the invention encompasses a diffuser membrane where at least a portion of the surface has been treated with at least one layer of fluorine, to form a fluorinated elastomeric gas diffuser membrane. The invention also includes the deposition of fluorine atoms on the surface of a non-fluorine containing membrane to create a permanent fluoro-elastomeric surface layer. Tubular and disc diffuser members are also disclosed that have at least a portion of them treated with at least one layer of fluorine. A process of making the inventive diffuser membrane is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2008Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Inventors: Thomas E. Frankel, Seoungil Kang, Todd D. Ritter