Patents by Inventor Wilson Kurt Whitekettle

Wilson Kurt Whitekettle 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: 8784659
    Abstract: A process has been found which increases the efficiency and effectiveness of introducing antimicrobial compounds into complex biofilm matrices through the use of liposome carriers, thereby removing the biofouling in industrial water bearing systems, including piping, heat exchanges, condensers, filtration systems and fluid storage tanks. According to one embodiment of the invention, antimicrobial compound containing liposomes are added to water systems prone to biofouling and biofilm formation. The liposomes, being similar in composition to microbial membranes or cells, are readily incorporated into the existing biofilm. Once the antimicrobial compound containing liposomes become entrained with the biofilm matrix, the decomposition or programmed disintegration of the liposome proceeds. Thereafter, the biocidal aqueous core is released to react directly with the biofilm encased microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wilson Kurt Whitekettle, Gloria Jean Tafel, Qing Zhao, Linna Wang, Dorothy Reynolds, Paul Frail, Juan Jiang, David M. Polizzotti
  • Publication number: 20130266669
    Abstract: A method has been found for the inhibition of microbial biofilm on surfaces in contact with systems, such as aqueous systems. In accordance with the method, an effective amount of a modified tannin biofilm control agent is fed to the system water. The modified tannin biofilm control agent comprises a reaction product of an amine, an aldehyde and tannin and provides a good environmental profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Juan Jiang, Jeffrey Melzer, Wilson Kurt Whitekettle, Guixi Zhang, Qing Zhao
  • Publication number: 20120114728
    Abstract: A biodelivery system has been found which increases the efficiency and effectiveness of introducing antimicrobial compounds into complex biofilm matrices through the use of liposome carriers, thereby removing the biofouling in industrial water bearing systems, including piping, heat exchanges, condensers, filtration systems and fluid storage tanks. According to one embodiment of the invention, antimicrobial compound containing liposomes are added to water systems prone to biofouling and biofilm formation. The liposomes, being similar in composition to microbial membranes or cells, are readily incorporated into the existing biofilm. Once the antimicrobial compound containing liposomes become entrained with the biofilm matrix, the decomposition or disintegration of the liposome proceeds. Thereafter the biocidal core is released to react directly with the biofilm encased microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Wilson Kurt Whitekettle, Gloria Jean Tafel, Kimberly Murphy, Qing Zhao
  • Publication number: 20110052655
    Abstract: A method for controlling protozoa trophozoites and cysts wherein one or more biocides or non-biocidal agents are encapsulated within a micro-capsule or nano-capsule and then introduced into an aqueous system. The micro-capsule or nano-capsule has an exterior composition adapted for digestion by the protozoa. A vesicle for controlling protozoa trophozoites and cysts is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Wilson Kurt WHITEKETTLE, Gloria Jean Tafel, Dorothy G. Reynolds, Paul Robert Frail, Linna Wang, Juan Jiang, Qing Zhao
  • Publication number: 20110052656
    Abstract: A process has been found which increases the efficiency and effectiveness of introducing antimicrobial compounds into complex biofilm matrices through the use of liposome carriers, thereby removing the biofouling in industrial water bearing systems, including piping, heat exchanges, condensers, filtration systems and fluid storage tanks. According to one embodiment of the invention, antimicrobial compound containing liposomes are added to water systems prone to biofouling and biofilm formation. The liposomes, being similar in composition to microbial membranes or cells, are readily incorporated into the existing biofilm. Once the antimicrobial compound containing liposomes become entrained with the biofilm matrix, the decomposition or programmed disintegration of the liposome proceeds. Thereafter, the biocidal aqueous core is released to react directly with the biofilm encased microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Wilson Kurt Whitekettle, Gloria Jean Tafel, Qing Zhao, Linna Wang, Dorothy Reynolds, Paul Frail, Juan Jiang, David M. Polizzotti
  • Patent number: 7824557
    Abstract: A process has been found which increases the efficiency and effectiveness of introducing antimicrobial compounds into complex biofilm matrices through the use of liposome carriers, thereby removing the biofouling in industrial water bearing systems, including piping, heat exchanges, condensers, filtration systems and fluid storage tanks. According to one embodiment of the invention, antimicrobial compound containing liposomes are added to water systems prone to biofouling and biofilm formation. The liposomes, being similar in composition to microbial membranes or cells, are readily incorporated into the existing biofilm. Once the antimicrobial compound containing liposomes become entrained with the biofilm matrix, the decomposition or programmed disintegration of the liposome proceeds. Thereafter the biocidal aqueous core is released to react directly with the biofilm encased microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wilson Kurt Whitekettle, Gloria Jean Tafel, Qing Zhao
  • Publication number: 20100266525
    Abstract: A method has been found for the removal of microbial biofilm on surfaces in contact with systems, including but not limited to aqueous systems, which comprises adding to the aqueous system an effective amount of a carbosilane-based surfactant to substantially remove microbial biofilm, from surfaces in aquatic systems, while presenting minimal danger to non-target aquatic organisms at discharge due to their very low discharge concentrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Wilson Kurt WHITEKETTLE, Wenqing Peng, Su Lu, Juan Jiang
  • Publication number: 20100239650
    Abstract: A biodelivery system has been found which increases the efficiency and effectiveness of introducing antimicrobial compounds into complex biofilm matrices through the use of liposome carriers, thereby removing the biofouling in industrial water bearing systems, including piping, heat exchanges, condensers, filtration systems and fluid storage tanks. According to one embodiment of the invention, antimicrobial compound containing liposomes are added to water systems prone to biofouling and biofilm formation. The liposomes, being similar in composition to microbial membranes or cells, are readily incorporated into the existing biofilm. Once the antimicrobial compound containing liposomes become entrained with the biofilm matrix, the decomposition or disintegration of the liposome proceeds. Thereafter the biocidal core is released to react directly with the biofilm encased microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Wilson Kurt Whitekettle, Gloria Jean Tafel
  • Publication number: 20100239627
    Abstract: A biodelivery system has been found which increases the efficiency and effectiveness of introducing antimicrobial compounds into complex biofilm matrices through the use of liposome carriers, thereby removing the biofouling in industrial water bearing systems, including piping, heat exchanges, condensers, filtration systems and fluid storage tanks. According to one embodiment of the invention, antimicrobial compound containing liposomes are added to water systems prone to biofouling and biofilm formation. The liposomes, being similar in composition to microbial membranes or cells, are readily incorporated into the existing biofilm. Once the antimicrobial compound containing liposomes become entrained with the biofilm matrix, the decomposition or disintegration of the liposome proceeds. Thereafter the biocidal core is released to react directly with the biofilm encased microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Wilson Kurt Whitekettle, Gloria Jean Tafel
  • Publication number: 20100239630
    Abstract: A biodelivery system has been found which increases the efficiency and effectiveness of introducing antimicrobial compounds into complex biofilm matrices through the use of liposome carriers, thereby removing the biofouling in industrial water bearing systems, including piping, heat exchanges, condensers, filtration systems and fluid storage tanks. According to one embodiment of the invention, antimicrobial containing liposomes are added to water systems prone to biofouling and biofilm formation. The liposomes, being similar in composition to microbial membranes or cells, are readily incorporated into the existing biofilm. Once the antimicrobial compound containing liposomes become entrained within the biofilm matrix, the decomposition or disintegration of the liposome proceeds. Thereafter the biocidal core is released to react directly with the biofilm encased microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Wilson Kurt Whitekettle, Gloria Jean Tafel
  • Publication number: 20100239651
    Abstract: A biodelivery system has been found which increases the efficiency and effectiveness of introducing antimicrobial compounds into complex biofilm matrices through the use of liposome carriers, thereby removing the biofouling in industrial water bearing systems, including piping, heat exchanges, condensers, filtration systems and fluid storage tanks. According to one embodiment of the invention, antimicrobial compound containing liposomes are added to water systems prone to biofouling and biofilm formation. The liposomes, being similar in composition to microbial membranes or cells, are readily incorporated into the existing biofilm. Once the antimicrobial compound containing liposomes become entrained with the biofilm matrix, the decomposition or disintegration of the liposome proceeds. Thereafter the biocidal core is released to react directly with the biofilm encased microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Wilson Kurt Whitekettle, Gloria Jean Tafel
  • Publication number: 20100239626
    Abstract: A biodelivery system has been found which increases the efficiency and effectiveness of introducing antimicrobial compounds into complex biofilm matrices through the use of liposome carriers, thereby removing the biofouling in industrial water bearing systems, including piping, heat exchanges, condensers, filtration systems and fluid storage tanks. According to one embodiment of the invention, antimicrobial compound containing liposomes are added to water systems prone to biofouling and biofilm formation. The liposomes, being similar in composition to microbial membranes or cells, are readily incorporated into the existing biofilm. Once the antimicrobial compound containing liposomes become entrained with the biofilm matrix, the decomposition or disintegration of the liposome proceeds. Thereafter the biocidal core is released to react directly with the biofilm encased microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Wilson Kurt WHITEKETTLE, Kimberly Murphy, Qing Zhao
  • Patent number: 7785478
    Abstract: A method for controlling protozoa trophozites and cysts wherein biocides or control agents are encapsulated within microcapsules or manufactured into the core of liposomes, thereafter the biocide containing microcapsules or liposomes are then introduced into an aqueous system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wilson Kurt Whitekettle, Gloria Jean Tafel
  • Publication number: 20100158852
    Abstract: A method has been found for the removal of microbial biofilm on surfaces in contact with systems, including but not limited to aqueous systems, which comprises adding to the aqueous system an effective amount of a polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxane surfactant to substantially remove microbial biofilm, from surfaces in aquatic systems, while presenting minimal danger to non-target aquatic organisms at discharge due to their very low discharge concentrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Wilson Kurt WHITEKETTLE, Juan Jiang, Xudong Huang
  • Publication number: 20090039034
    Abstract: A method for controlling protozoa trophozites and cysts wherein biocides or control agents are encapsulated within microcapsules or manufactured into the core of liposomes, thereafter the biocide containing microcapsules or liposomes are then introduced into an aqueous system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Wilson Kurt Whitekettle, Gloria Jean Tafel
  • Publication number: 20090039035
    Abstract: A process has been found which increases the efficiency and effectiveness of introducing antimicrobial compounds into complex biofilm matrices through the use of liposome carriers, thereby removing the biofouling in industrial water bearing systems, including piping, heat exchanges, condensers, filtration systems and fluid storage tanks. According to one embodiment of the invention, antimicrobial compound containing liposomes are added to water systems prone to biofouling and biofilm formation. The liposomes, being similar in composition to microbial membranes or cells, are readily incorporated into the existing biofilm. Once the antimicrobial compound containing liposomes become entrained with the biofilm matrix, the decomposition or programmed disintegration of the liposome proceeds. Thereafter the biocidal aqueous core is released to react directly with the biofilm encased microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Wilson Kurt Whitekettle, Gloria Jean Tafel, Qing Zhao