Gas Condition Control In Housing For Receiver Patents (Class 141/51)
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Patent number: 11712638Abstract: An electrostatic spray dryer for drying liquid into powder including an elongated cylindrical drying chamber having an electrostatic spray nozzle at an upper end and a powder collection vessel at a lower end. The powder collection vessel includes a removable and replaceable filter collections sock made of filter material for receiving and collecting dried powder from the drying chamber. For cleaning residual powder from an inside wall of the drying chamber, a scraper member is provided that is coupled by magnetic attraction to a manually removable driver on the external surface of the wall.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2019Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.Inventor: Joseph P. Szczap
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Patent number: 11613454Abstract: A beverage dispensing machine for dispensing a mixed beverage has a first inlet configured to receive a concentrate; a second inlet configured to receive a base fluid; a gas inlet configured to receive a gas; a gas injection device configured to pulsate the gas into the concentrate such that the gas agitates the concentrate and is injected into the concentrate to form a gas-injected concentrate; and a dispensing valve configured to dispense the base fluid and the gas-injected concentrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: Marmon Foodservice Technologies, Inc.Inventor: E. Scott Sevcik
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Patent number: 10276415Abstract: A gas purge unit introduces a cleaning gas into a container with a main opening there through for taking a housed object in and out. The gas purge unit includes a blowout member and a supply portion. The blowout member with a cylindrical shape has an elongated hollow extending in a longitudinal direction and a discharge portion of a porous body connecting between the elongated hollow and the outside to discharge the cleaning gas. The supply portion is connected to the elongated hollow through a connection hole formed at one end of the blowout member to supply the cleaning gas to the elongated hollow.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: TDK CORPORATIONInventors: Takuya Kudo, Toshihiko Miyajima
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Patent number: 10090182Abstract: A load port device includes an installation stand, an opening and closing part, a gas introduction part, and a gas discharge part. The installation stand installs a container whose side surface has a main opening for taking in and out a wafer. The opening and closing part opens and closes the main opening. The gas introduction part introduces a cleaning gas from the main opening into the container. The gas discharge part has a bottom nozzle capable of communicating with a bottom hole formed at a position distant from the main opening more than a bottom surface middle on a bottom surface of the container. The gas discharge part is capable of discharging a gas in the container to an outside of the container.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: TDK CORPORATIONInventors: Tsutomu Okabe, Koichiro Oikawa
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Publication number: 20150096647Abstract: A fill control system includes a fuel storage vessel, a fuel inlet in fluid communication with the fuel storage vessel to provide fluid communication between a fuel source and the fuel storage vessel, and a fill control valve disposed between and in fluid communication with the fuel inlet and the fuel storage vessel, an actuation of the fill control valve causing a pressure level upstream thereof which emulates a full condition of the fuel storage vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventor: Jörg Schulze
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Patent number: 8978718Abstract: To generate a gas-curtain for a load-port-apparatus and to supply a purge-gas into a pod by a single gas source, provided is a gas purge device including: purge nozzles extending along an outer side of side edges of the opening portion; a curtain nozzle arranged above an upper edge of the opening portion; a gas supply pipe arranged in parallel to each purge nozzle, for supplying an inert gas to the purge nozzle and the curtain nozzle, the gas being supplied from the gas supply pipe to the purge nozzle in a direction orthogonal to an extending direction of the gas supply pipe; and a conductance adjusting unit arranged at an end portion of the gas supply pipe, for generating a pressure loss in a gas flow in a configuration in which the gas is supplied to the curtain nozzle at the end portion of the gas supply pipe.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Jun Emoto, Tadamasa Iwamoto, Toshihiko Miyajima
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Publication number: 20140290794Abstract: A balloon filling device is provided for filling balloons with air or water. The balloon filling device includes a container for holding fluid, a pump mechanism for pressurizing the container and a trigger mechanism for releasing fluid in the container. The trigger mechanism includes a nozzle for attaching and holding a balloon while releasing pressurized air or liquid within the container into the balloon. The pump mechanism includes a pressure relief valve for releasing air back through the pump mechanism to the outside of the container when the container is over-pressurized.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventor: Chon Seong Gan
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Patent number: 8800608Abstract: A machine for the preparation of pharmaceutical products is provided with a gripping and carrier device to transfer at least one container between a magazine and a dosage station for the preparation of a pharmaceutical product, and a box-type holding frame defining a chamber for the housing of magazine, gripping and carrier device, and dosage station; the chamber displaying an access aperture to magazine and being crossed by a sterile air flow adapted to avoid the entry of air from the external environment through aperture itself.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2012Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Health Robotics, S.R.L.Inventors: Paolo Giribona, Werner Rainer, Daniele Baldassari, Alferino Gabbarrini, Pietro Paluselli
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Publication number: 20140144546Abstract: A gas barrier arranged in a flow path of a liquid filling material with which containers are to be filled has a lattice-like honeycomb structure having a multiplicity of hexagonal channels. The channels are open on a gas-barrier top-side and a gas-barrier underside and separated from one another by ribs.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2012Publication date: May 29, 2014Inventor: Hans-Martin Schwarz
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Patent number: 8714207Abstract: A vertical round container (1) for storing liquids comprises a floating cover (6) covering the surface of the liquid. The cover is sealed in relation to the container wall by means of flexible sealing elements (18, 19) and includes, on the lower side thereof, at least one compartment (62) which is open towards the liquid and contains gaseous media/vapors. Devices (40a) are provided for determining the submersion depth of the cover, and supply/discharge lines (29) are provided for modifying the quantity of the gaseous medium in the at least one compartment. The supply/discharge lines for the gaseous medium are connected to a central unit (28) provided outside the container region.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2007Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Inventor: Heinrich Imhof
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Patent number: 8678048Abstract: The invention relates to the field of food industry, more particularly, to commercial equipment, and is useful in apparatuses for dispensing beer and other foaming and/or carbonated beverages from an isobaric storage to plastic bottles or glasses for sale in retail kiosks, shops, restaurants, and bars. The technical result of the present invention is a simplified maintenance both of the apparatus for a manual dispensing of beverages as a whole due to excluding the need for a sanitary treatment of a part of the filling pipe each time a container is filled and a simplified maintenance of taps due to eliminating the need for frequent washing of units and parts of these means after the dispensing of beer or another beverage is over. The technical result is reached by two embodiments of the three-way cock (6364), which are installed in the apparatus for a manual dispensing of foaming and/or carbonated beverages to uncovered containers (54).Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2009Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Inventor: Sergei Aleksandrovich Buchik
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Patent number: 8627859Abstract: A method and apparatus for recharging depleted tennis balls that uses pressurized gas. A recharge pressure vessel includes a cylindrical shell with a closed end and a spaced apart opening top with a connecting wall forming a charging chamber. The vessel may be pivotally secured to a base. A pressure port proximate the open end permits gas entry and exit for charging. The chamber may be filled with any number of discharged tennis balls and then is sealed and charged with high pressure gas such as carbon dioxide. The balls will become sufficiently recharged and the pressure may be released and the recharged balls remove from the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2010Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Rebounces, LLCInventor: William F. Dirst
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Publication number: 20130340887Abstract: A pressure-filling system (10) for filling a tank (2) and including a pressure-filling valve (11). The pressure-filling system (10) comprises a filling pipe (13) having a first end (13?) that is connected to said pressure-filling valve (11), and a second end (13?) that is connected to a check valve (14) that opens out into said tank (2), said filling pipe (13) being connected to a purge system (20) that opens out into said tank (2) so as to discharge a fluid contained in the filling pipe (13), said filling pipe (13) being connected to a branch pipe (15) that opens out to the open air (100) for dumping excess fluid from a tank in the event of excess pressure in the tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Inventors: Gregory Basset, Lionel Lollini
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Patent number: 8567454Abstract: An apparatus for sterile filling of beverage containers has a first module and a second module. The first module rinses and sterilizes empty containers and delivers the sterilized containers to the second module. The second module fills and caps the containers with beverage product at ambient temperature in an active sterilization zone utilizing an e-beam sterilization unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Stokely-Van Camp, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Mastio, Rei-Young Amos Wu, Michael F. McGowan, Subodh K. Raniwala, Gregory Schimmel, James D. Schuman, Steven Havlik
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Patent number: 8485771Abstract: In a load port apparatus, a door driving mechanism that supports a door through a communication opening portion leading to a mini-environment is housed in a housing chamber that is in communication with the mini-environment through the communication opening portion. Exhaust opening portions are provided in the upper portion of a wall of the housing chamber that is opposed to the communication opening portion and a bottom wall of the housing chamber. Thus, gas passages from the mini-environment to the housing chamber and then to the external space are formed. Thus, dust in the load port apparatus is removed.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Mutsuo Sasaki, Hitoshi Suzuki, Koichiro Oikawa
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Patent number: 8413693Abstract: A curtain nozzle is located above an opening portion in a FIMS. A gas curtain formed of inert gas for closing the opening portion is formed. A cover is so provided as to cover a part of the curtain nozzle so as to prevent peripheral gas around an opening of the curtain nozzle from being involved in the gas curtain of the inert gas emitted from the curtain nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2012Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: TDK CorporationInventor: Tsutomu Okabe
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Patent number: 8408254Abstract: The invention comprises a hydrogen source, a detachable connecting port to which a hydrogen storage container is connected in order to store hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen source, a container cooling unit (an air blower) for cooling a hydrogen storage container connected to the connecting port, a container connection recognition unit (a limit switch, a controller) for recognizing connection of a hydrogen storage container to the connecting port, and a fill-up detection unit (a pressure transmitter, a hydrogen remaining sensor, a controller) for detecting that the hydrogen storage container connected to the connecting port is filled up with hydrogen. Consequently, it contributes to simple and safe hydrogen filling in the general public.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2008Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.Inventors: Koichi Shibukawa, Yukio Sato, Yoshinori Kawaharazaki, Yasuhiro Fujita, Shouichi Sato
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Patent number: 8375998Abstract: A curtain nozzle is located above an opening portion (10) in a FIMS. A gas curtain formed of inert gas for closing the opening portion is formed. A cover is so provided as to cover a part of the curtain nozzle so as to prevent peripheral gas around an opening of the curtain nozzle from being involved in the gas curtain of the inert gas emitted from the curtain nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2011Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: TDK CorporationInventor: Tsutomu Okabe
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Patent number: 8297319Abstract: A method for pressurizing a substrate carrier including pressurizing a chamber that is of unitary construction with the carrier and/or a substrate cassette within the carrier and maintaining a pressure within the carrier by releasing gas from the chamber into the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2007Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Babbs, William Fosnight
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Patent number: 8297320Abstract: A machine for the preparation of pharmaceutical products is provided with a gripping and carrier device to transfer at least one container between a magazine and a dosage station for the preparation of a pharmaceutical product, and a box-type holding frame defining a chamber for the housing of magazine, gripping and carrier device, and dosage station; the chamber displaying an access aperture to magazine and being crossed by a sterile air flow adapted to avoid the entry of air from the external environment through aperture itself.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2006Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Health Robotics S.R.L.Inventors: Paolo Giribona, Werner Rainer, Daniele Baldassari, Alferino Gabbarini, Pietro Paluselli
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Publication number: 20120227861Abstract: There is provided an insert method of a negative-pressure generating member where, upon inserting a negative-pressure generating member 130 into a negative-pressure generating member accommodating chamber, the negative-pressure generating member 130 is inserted while being rotated to a predetermined rotation angle, is inserted to the bottom portion in the negative-pressure generating member accommodating chamber while retaining the rotated angle, and further, is inserted by rotating the negative-pressure member 130 in a reverse direction to the previous rotation direction, thereby increasing a density of the negative-pressure generating member in the partition wall adjacent section.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akira Shiba, Isamu Yoneda, Ryota Yamada
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Publication number: 20120060972Abstract: A curtain nozzle is located above an opening portion (10) in a FIMS. A gas curtain formed of inert gas for closing the opening portion is formed. A cover is so provided as to cover a part of the curtain nozzle so as to prevent peripheral gas around an opening of the curtain nozzle from being involved in the gas curtain of the inert gas emitted from the curtain nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: TDK CORPORATIONInventor: Tsutomu OKABE
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Patent number: 8132598Abstract: An apparatus for sterile filling of beverage containers has a first module and a second module. The first module rinses and sterilizes empty containers and delivers the sterilized containers to the second module. The second module fills and caps the containers with beverage product at ambient temperature in an active sterilization zone utilizing an e-beam sterilization unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2008Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Stokely-Van Camp, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Mastio, Rei-Young Amos Wu, Michael F. McGowan, Subodh K. Raniwala, Gregory Schimmel, James D. Schuman, Steven Havlik
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Patent number: 8082955Abstract: A curtain nozzle is located above an opening portion (10) in a FIMS. A gas curtain formed of inert gas for closing the opening portion is formed. A cover is so provided as to cover a part of the curtain nozzle so as to prevent peripheral gas around an opening of the curtain nozzle from being involved in the gas curtain of the inert gas emitted from the curtain nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2010Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: TDK CorporationInventor: Tsutomu Okabe
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Patent number: 7905258Abstract: A ventilation assembly for a machine for the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals. The ventilation assembly includes a suction apparatus and release apparatus for generating a circulation of air within a vacuum dispensing chamber, a product filling calibrator accommodated in the dispensing chamber and presenting a cavity accommodating a container to be filled with radiopharmaceutical, and a suction conduit adapted to connect a bottom portion of the accommodating cavity to the suction apparatus for creating a one-way flow in the accommodating cavity. Also, a machine that includes the ventilation assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2007Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Comecer S.p.A.Inventor: Paolo Bedeschi
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Patent number: 7841371Abstract: A curtain nozzle is located above an opening portion (10) in a FIMS. A gas curtain formed of inert gas for closing the opening portion is formed. A cover is so provided as to cover a part of the curtain nozzle so as to prevent peripheral gas around an opening of the curtain nozzle from being involved in the gas curtain of the inert gas emitted from the curtain nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2006Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: TDK CorporationInventor: Tsutomu Okabe
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Patent number: 7789609Abstract: Adjacent to an opening portion 10 in an FIMS system is provided an enclosure that encloses the operation space of a door and has a second opening portion 31 opposed to the opening portion 10. A curtain nozzle is provided above the upper edge of the opening portion 10 in the upper portion in the enclosure. A purge gas is supplied from the curtain nozzle along a direction from the upper edge to the lower edge of the opening portion. In addition, a gas outlet through which the purge gas flows from the interior of the enclosure out into the exterior is provided on the wall of the enclosure to which the purge gas flowing in the above described direction is directed, whereby an increase in the partial pressure of oxidizing gases in the interior of the FOUP is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2008Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Tsutomu Okabe, Jun Emoto
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Patent number: 7726353Abstract: A curtain nozzle is located above an opening portion (10) in a FIMS. A gas curtain formed of inert gas for closing the opening portion is formed, and at the same time, the inert gas is also supplied to an inside of a FOUP. Here, the direction of supply of the inert gas supplied to the inside of the FOUP is such that it does not have a flow component directing toward the gas flow forming the gas curtain. The above-mentioned structure prevents increase over time in a partial pressure of oxidizing gas in the FOUP fixed by a FIMS system in an open state.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2006Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: TDK CorporationInventor: Tsutomu Okabe
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Patent number: 7658211Abstract: A method and apparatus for recharging depleted tennis balls that uses compressed carbon dioxide. A recharge pressure vessel including a cylinder with a closed end and a spaced apart open end with a connecting wall forming a charging chamber. A pressure port proximate the open end permits gas entry and exit for charging. The chamber may be filled with any number of discharged tennis balls and then is sealed and charged with high pressure heavy molecular weight gas such as carbon dioxide. The vessel is then agitated to jostle the inserted balls and within 4 to 5 days, the balls will become fully pressurized and the pressure may be released and the recharged balls remove from the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2007Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Inventor: William F. Dirst
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Patent number: 7654291Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to easily and securely perform the removal operation of contaminant or the like from a wafer housed in a FOUP. To achieve the object, a purging apparatus of the present invention removes contaminant or the like from a wafer by moving a gas supply nozzle along a direction in which wafers are superimposed at the front of an opening while a lid of the FOUP is separated from a body and spraying clean gas on each wafer from the gas supply nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2004Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Toshihiko Miyajima, Hiroshi Igarashi, Hitoshi Suzuki
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Patent number: 7647950Abstract: A beverage bottling plant with a beverage bottle filling machine for filling beverage bottles, as well as the filling elements for the beverage bottle filling machine.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2006Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau AGInventor: Ludwig Clüsserath
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Publication number: 20090320781Abstract: An LNG supply system may include first and second LNG tanks, a connecting line connecting the first LNG tank with the second LNG tank and in which a time relay valve is disposed, a charging line one side of which is connected to a fuel supply portion and the other side of which is connected to the first LNG tank for charging fuel, a vent line, one side of which is connected to the second LNG tank and the other side of which is open, a direct line connecting the first LNG tank and the second LNG tank, and a supply line branched from one side of the connecting line to supply an engine with LNG, wherein the time relay valve is opened for a predetermined period so as to equalize the amount of LNG that is charged in the first LNG tank and the second LNG tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Sunggu Kwon
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Publication number: 20090293988Abstract: A fixed and/or stationary modular unit consists of a hydraulic fluid tank, a pressurization pump, and a compressed gas transportation system consisting of a cylinder or set of cylinders. Each cylinder has two ends, a charging end and a dispensing end, with actuated valves positioned at each end. A pair of valves are located at each charging end of each cylinder, with one valve connected to an incoming hydraulic fluid line and the other valve connected to a hydraulic fluid return line. A valve is connected at the dispensing end of each cylinder. Adapters at each end of the cylinder have curved J-tubes that extend into the cylinder. The J-tube on the charging end curves downward and the J-tube on the dispensing end curves upward. The cylinder or sets of cylinders are inclined to a desired level for the dispensing process.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: NEOgas Inc.Inventors: David W. Pang, ZhiQiang Shi, Mauricia Guerra
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Patent number: 7538972Abstract: Internally replenished gas-containing enclosures are described. Such enclosures include a replenishing gas source internal to the enclosure, wherein the gas source comprises a gas contained within a permeable membrane. Exemplary gas sources include a plurality of bubbles and pouches. Materials useful for the permeable membrane include glass, glass ceramics, metals, metal oxides, polymeric films, as well as combinations of such materials. The gas source may be located within the enclosure or it may be incorporated into a resin (e.g., an adhesive or a gasket) positioned between sections of an enclosure. Methods of internally replenishing an enclosure are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2005Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ellen Burts-Cooper, Robert C. Fitzer, Daniel B. Pendergrass, Jr.
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Publication number: 20080245676Abstract: Containment packages (10) having utility for transport of hazardous gases and security systems for controlling access to packages, e.g., hazardous gas containment packages (20). In a specific implementation, a containment package includes an overpack (11) for improving the safety and security of gas-containment vessels during transportation, e.g., air shipment, in which the overpack is pressurized by a protective gas at pressure in excess of the pressure in the gas-containment vessels, and a global positioning system (GPS) coordinated programmable lock and key system (30) is integrated with the containment package for controlled access to the gas-containment vessels only when the GPS component indicates that the containment package is at a specific geographic location.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2006Publication date: October 9, 2008Inventors: James V. McManus, Jerrold David Sameth, Frank Dimeo
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Patent number: 7343682Abstract: Fluid-dynamic-pressure bearing manufacturing method for more efficient and fail-safe degassing of bearing oil. Method makes it possible to prevent the generation of air bubbles in the course of an oil-charging operation that amounts to a step following degassing, and to single out the causative source of air bubbles when their generation has been detected. At the same time oil that is under a reduced-pressure environment within an oil-storing vacuum chamber is vacuum-degassed, immersed within the oil a stirrer for agitating and degassing the oil is rotated by indirect drive means, and the oil after having been degassed is supplied to a vacuum chamber where a fluid-dynamic-pressure bearing unit is retained—which has been pumped down to a pressure below the pressure within the oil-storing vacuum chamber—and is charged into the bearing clearances by raising the internal pressure of the bearing-retaining vacuum chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2004Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Nidec CorporationInventors: Shigeharu Sumi, Jyoichi Hiroshi, Hironori Ando
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Patent number: 7213622Abstract: A venting device, particularly for fluid storing reservoirs such as tanks, comprising a connecting part for establishing an air-conducting and/or fluid-conducting connection to the inside of the reservoir and comprising a closing part, which can be removed from the connecting part and which is provided, in particular, in the form of a closure cap. When the closure cap is fastened, at least one leakage point in the form of an air exchange opening exists between the closure cap and the connecting part. By virtue of the fact that a labyrinth-like seal effectively seals the respective leakage point at least from penetrants such as water and/or cleaning chemicals while not impairing an air exchange for the actual venting, the system of seal passages inside the labyrinth seal prevents the unwanted damage causing entry of the respective penetrant, also in the form of dirt or dust, into the reservoir or tank interior.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2003Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Rydac Filtertechnik GmbHInventors: Michael Sakraschinsky, Peter Naumann
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Patent number: 7191806Abstract: The opening of an oil container 11 for storing oil 12 is sealed airtight with a cover member 32. A one-sided-bag-shaped fluid dynamic pressure bearing 10 is seated on an O-ring 25 and fixed airtight onto the upper surface of a bearing seating 30. Inanexhaust position with the distal end portion of an injection tube 36 positioned away from an oil level, the inside of the oil container 11 is evacuated by a vacuum pump 22 through a suction/exhaust passage including a suction/exhaust through-hole 17, thus turning the inside of the one-sided-bag-shaped fluid dynamic pressure bearing (10) into a vacuum. In this state, a control device drives a moving device to raise the oil container 11 to an injection position and releases the suction/exhaust passage to the atmosphere. This causes the oil 12 to be injected into the one-sided-bag-shaped fluid dynamic pressure bearing 10 through an oil injection passage including the injection tube 36.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2004Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventors: Ryoji Yoneyama, Shinji Kinoshita, Toru Kumagai, Hiromitsu Gotoh, Atsushi Ohta
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Patent number: 7169489Abstract: Cassette based systems and methods of hydrogen storage, distribution, and recovery are disclosed. A cassette or other container may contain a hydrogen storage or storing material. Information may be stored in the material and subsequently read or accessed. A probe may be used to interrogate the material. The hydrogen content or other characteristics of the material may be determined based on the interrogation. A hydrogen dispensing unit may contain a depleted cassette acceptor to accept depleted cassettes and a charged cassette dispenser to dispense charged cassettes. The dispensing unit may be implemented in a hydrogen retail store or as a standalone unit. The retail store or the unit may connect to a hydrogen network and implement various business methods, as disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2002Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: FuelSell Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Scott D. Redmond
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Patent number: 7150299Abstract: A fluid control and gas delivery assembly and method for containing, receiving and storing hazardous fluids and for dispensing gas comprising a container, a fluid fill path, a gas dispensing path, a first shut-off valve, a pressure reducer, a fluid flow restrictor, a second shut-off valve and a fluid outlet connector. The first shut-off valve is positioned in said gas dispensing path upstream of a pressure reducer. A fluid flow restrictor downstream of the pressure reducer has a fluid flow restriction path configured to restrict the flow of the fluid delivered to the fluid flow restrictor at the delivery pressure to a maximum mass flow rate that is equal to or less than the allowable mass flow rate standard for the hazardous fluid. The second shut-off valve is positioned in said gas dispensing path downstream of said pressure reducer.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2003Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Lee Hertzler, Robert Harrison Shay, Alexandre de Almeida Botelho
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Patent number: 6830079Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling preforms with resin or slurry includes a tank for holding the slurry and an autoclave for holding the preforms. The tank and autoclave have a common vacuum system connected thereto, and the tank is disposed above the autoclave. This arrangement provides a compact casting system which utilizes a vacuum and gravity to transfer slurry from the tank to the preforms within the autoclave.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2003Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James M. Ahrens, Daniel Domanski, John A. Hornor, Ruth Hughes, Dennis James Landini, Roger Lee Ken Matsumoto, Hongyu Wang, Troy Frederick Brenner
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Patent number: 6827112Abstract: System for controlling a hazardous fluid distribution facility wherein a control arrangement is provided at the facility having a power on switch providing for its general energization and de-energization along with a start switch which is actuated by an operator for an interval of time sufficient for a gas pressure control monitor to assume an enable condition causing the actuation of tank valves and the enablement of emergency shut-off valves. A receiver is incorporated with the housing which performs in conjunction with strategically positioned emergency transmitters which are actuated by personnel in the event of a perceived emergency condition. The transmitters transmit an off-state signal which is responded to by the receiver circuit to vent the pneumatic actuation and enablement system as well as to disenable electrical input to pump motors. The transmitters are polled periodically by the receiver circuit to determine their operational status.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2003Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Inventor: Tracey T. Lemmon
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Patent number: 6789584Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing leakage from a fitting coupling a first and second fluid supply line to an environment surrounding the fitting is generally provided. In one embodiment, a containment apparatus includes a body having a first, second and third aperture formed therethrough. The body defines interior volume that is adapted to substantially enclose the fitting. The interior volume is adapted to be maintained at a pressure less than the surrounding environment to prevent fluid that may leak from the fitting from being released into the surrounding environment. In another aspect of the invention, a method for preventing fluid leakage from a fitting coupling a first and second conduit from entering an environment surrounding the fitting includes enclosing the fitting in a volume defined between a first shell and a second shell, evacuating the volume, and drawing air into the volume from between the shells.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2002Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Inventors: Charles B. Linam, Kurt J. Buchmann
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Patent number: 6779567Abstract: A transfer port apparatus (10) is provided to enable a worker to transfer one or more objects through a sealed passageway provided in the apparatus (10) from one sealed chamber into another sealed chamber. Transfer port apparatus (10) is adapted to be coupled to a movable canister (12) and a stationary isolator (16). Expandable airtight seals (72, 120) are deflated, doors (30, 40) are removed and an object (20) is transferred into the airtight clean working environment established in the isolator (16) through the sealed passageway established in transfer port apparatus (10) following coupling of canister (12) to isolator (16) using transfer port apparatus (10). After the object (20) is moved, doors (30, 40) are replaced and expandable airtight seals (72, 120) are inflated creating a substantially airtight seal. Movable canister (12) can be uncoupled from the transfer port apparatus (10).Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2002Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: La Calhene, Inc.Inventor: Michael A. Szatmary
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Patent number: 6736172Abstract: A machine for filling containers includes a series of filling stations, each of which is equipped with an impervious chamber for receiving a container to be filled. The chamber is opened in order to load or unload the container and closed in order to control the atmosphere in the chamber during the filling process. The chamber is delimited by an upper head section, which has a filling spout, by an essentially cylindrical lateral wall and by a base wall. The filling machine has element for modifying the volume of the closed chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: SidelInventors: Didier Chetaille, Rodolphe Saint-Martin, Andrea Lupi
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Patent number: 6672340Abstract: A method for filling a vehicle fuel tank with a gas is provided, in which the vehicle fuel tank (31) is connected to a delivery device (2) by a pressure-tight line (10) and the gas stored under pressure is filled into the vehicle fuel tank (31) from a storage unit (3) by means of the delivery device (2). The method comprises the following steps: the instantaneous value of a parameter, which is representative of the instantaneous level of filling of the vehicle fuel tank (31), is determined during filling with the aid of a sensor apparatus (32, 33) arranged in the vehicle fuel tank (31) the filling is ended when the parameter has reached a pre-settable end value.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2001Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: GreenField AGInventor: Heinz Mutter
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Publication number: 20030155032Abstract: The cooling tunnel is applicable to automatic packaging installations and comprises a main conveyor belt (1) adapted for the transport of packages (2) filled with hot liquid products through a cooling device (3), loading means (4) of packages (2) onto the main conveyor belt (1), unloading means (5) of packages (2) from the conveyor belt (1) and emptying means (6) of the packages (2). The loading means (4) are adapted for loading the packages (2) onto the main conveyor belt (1) forming successive sets (15), in which the packages (2) form an arrangement of orthogonal rows and columns, whereas the unloading means (5) are adapted for the simultaneous unloading of the packages (2) from each row of the sets (15) of packages (2).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2003Publication date: August 21, 2003Applicant: VOLPAK, S.A.Inventor: Ramon Pellicer Thoma
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Patent number: 6585008Abstract: An apparatus and method for breaching and venting sealed inner containers disposed within a drum, where the drum is evacuated to created a pressure differential resulting in expansion and rupture of the inner containers. The temperature may also be reduced to below freezing in the drum to reduce the elasticity of the inner containers, and the drum may also be pressurized to implode and rupture the inner containers.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2002Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: UltraTech International, Inc.Inventors: Mark D. Shaw, J. Tad Heyman, Laurence M. Bierce
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Patent number: 6581649Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivery of high purity reactive liquids using gaseous assist are described, the apparatus comprising a container body, the container body having fluidly connected thereto a gas inlet and a reactive liquid outlet, the gas inlet fitted with a means adapted to hold a gas filter media, and a gas filter media positioned within said means adapted to hold a gas filter media, the gas inlet having a gas inlet valve, the liquid outlet having a liquid outlet valve.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignees: L'Air Liquide - Societe Anonyme a'Directiore et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude, American Air LiquideInventor: Gregory M. Jursich
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Patent number: 6561231Abstract: Methods for filling transducers of a fully implantable hearing aid system with liquids having either a high or a low vapor pressure are described. Methods are also described for avoiding damage to transducers during their testing and shipment.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2002Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Inventor: Armand P. Neukermans