Involving Measuring, Analyzing, Or Testing During Synthesis Patents (Class 205/335)
  • Patent number: 7001085
    Abstract: A method of processing photographic material includes the steps of processing the photographic material in a processing solution, monitoring the concentration of a process-retarding by-product of the processing in the processing solution during operation of the method, reducing the concentration of the by-product in the processing solution by a first method and as the by-product concentration in the processing solution exceeds a predetermined level, activating simultaneous operation of a second method for a period of time to thereby ensure that the photographic material is always adequately processed. The invention enables rapid processing of film whilst maintaining low replenishment rates and low fixer solution temperature such that inadequately fixed film is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Christopher B. Rider, Nicholas J. Dartnell
  • Patent number: 6955922
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating an acid or base, e.g. for chromatographic analysis of anions. For generating a base the method includes the steps of providing a cation source in a cation source reservoir, flowing an aqueous liquid stream through a base generation chamber separated from the cation source reservoir by a barrier (e.g. a charged membrane) substantially preventing liquid flow while providing a cation transport bridge, applying an electric potential between an anode cation source reservoir and a cathode in the base generation chamber to electrolytically generate hydroxide ions therein and to cause cations in the cation source reservoir to electromigrate and to be transported across the barrier toward the cathode to combine with the transported cations to form cation hydroxide, and removing the cation hydroxide in an aqueous liquid stream as an effluent from the first base generation chamber. Suitable cation sources include a salt solution, a cation hydroxide solution or cation exchange resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Dionex Corporation
    Inventors: Yan Liu, Hamish Small, Nebojsa Avdalovic
  • Patent number: 6949179
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for making magnetically modified electrodes and electrodes made according to the method. Such electrode are useful as electrodes in batteries, such as Ni-MH batteries, Ni—Cd batteries, Ni—Zn batteries and Ni—Fe batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
    Inventors: Johna Leddy, Shelley D. Minteer
  • Patent number: 6890417
    Abstract: An electrolytic bath is divided into an anodic chamber and a cathodic chamber by a cation-exchange membrane. A base alkaline solution of high impurity concentration is supplied into the anodic chamber from a tank of a base material as well as a circulating anolyte overflowed from the anodic chamber is supplied and circulated from an anode circulating tank, and NaOH solution of low impurity concentration is supplied and circulated into the cathodic chamber through a tank of a refined solution. The concentration of the circulating anolyte is detected, and based on this detected value the supplying amount of the base NaOH solution is controlled and electrolysis is performed. Thus, the concentration of NaOH solution in the anodic chamber is kept stable, and the refined NaOH solution of low impurity concentration can be obtained in the cathodic chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Tsurumi Soda Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuro Yamashita, Takumi Manabe
  • Patent number: 6841292
    Abstract: A method and apparatus estimate hydrogen concentration in a reformate stream produced by a fuel processor of a fuel cell. A sensor measures carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and water in the reformate stream. A fuel meter controls fuel input to the fuel processor. An air meter controls air input to the fuel processor. A water meter controls water input to the fuel processor. A transport delay estimator recursively estimates transport delay of the fuel processor. A hydrogen estimator associated with the transport delay estimator, the air, water and fuel meters, and the sensor estimates hydrogen concentration in the reformate stream. The hydrogen estimator includes a fuel processor model that is adjusted using the estimated transport delay. The carbon monoxide, the carbon dioxide and the water are measured using a nondispersive infrared (NDIR) sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Patricia J. Nelson, Manish Sinha
  • Publication number: 20040232002
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the improvement of current efficiency in electrolysis. According to the method, a theoretical cell voltage is first calculated, which is compared with the measured voltage. The cumulative difference between the theoretical and measured cell voltage is monitored constantly and when this difference is proportioned to the current efficiency, information on the status of the process can be obtained continually. A decrease in current efficiency is a clear indicator of short circuits between the electrodes, and by means of the method according to the invention, it is possible to concentrate the short circuit removal work onto the correct cell groups, from the point of view of the current efficiency of the electrolysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Ari Rantala, Henri Virtanen
  • Publication number: 20040209132
    Abstract: A method and apparatus estimate hydrogen concentration in a reformate stream produced by a fuel processor of a fuel cell. A sensor measures carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and water in the reformate stream. A fuel meter controls fuel input to the fuel processor. An air meter controls air input to the fuel processor. A water meter controls water input to the fuel processor. A transport delay estimator recursively estimates transport delay of the fuel processor. A hydrogen estimator associated with the transport delay estimator, the air, water and fuel meters, and the sensor estimates hydrogen concentration in the reformate stream. The hydrogen estimator includes a fuel processor model that is adjusted using the estimated transport delay. The carbon monoxide, the carbon dioxide and the water are measured using a nondispersive infrared (NDIR) sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Patricia J. Nelson, Manish Sinha
  • Publication number: 20040168930
    Abstract: The invention relates to a regulation method for an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminium by means of reduction of alumina dissolved in a molten cryolite bath, wherein a solidified bath ridge is formed on the internal walls of the pot, a quantity B, referred to as the “ridge variation indicator”, which is sensitive to the variation of said solidified bath ridge, is determined and at least one of the setting means of the pot (such as the anode-metal distance) and/or at least one control operation (such as the addition of AlF3) is modified as a function of the value obtained for said indicator. The indicator may be determined from electrical measurements on the pot and/or from measurements of the liquid metal surface area. The method according to the invention makes it possible to regulate an electrolytic cell effectively at currents of up to 500 kA with an electrolyte bath with an AlF3 content greater than 11% and reduce the number of AlF3 content measurements in the bath considerably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Oliver Bonnardel, Claude Vanvoren
  • Publication number: 20040068865
    Abstract: The present invention provides high-throughput systems and methods for the fabrication and evaluation of electrode and electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cells. The present invention includes systems and methods for synthesizing and optimizing the performance of electrodes and electrode-electrolyte combinations and utilizes small-scale techniques to perform such optimization based on chemical composition and variable processing. Advantageously, rapid device performance systems and methods coupled with structural and surface systems and methods allow for an increased discovery rate of new materials for solid oxide fuel cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: John Lemmon, Chang Wei, Venkat Venkataramani, James Ruud, Wayne Hasz, Anthony Thompson, Curtis Johnson, Oltea Siclovan, Canan Hardwicke, Stephen Ruthowski, Melvin Jackson, Michael Pilliod
  • Patent number: 6682701
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating an acid or base, e.g. for chromatographic analysis of anions. For generating a base the method includes the steps of providing a cation source in a cation source reservoir, flowing an aqueous liquid stream through a base generation chamber separated from the cation source reservoir by a barrier (e.g. a charged membrane) substantially preventing liquid flow while providing a cation transport bridge, applying an electric potential between an anode cation source reservoir and a cathode in the base generation chamber to electrolytically generate hydroxide ions therein and to cause cations in the cation source reservoir to electromigrate and to be transported across the barrier toward the cathode to combine with the transported cations to form cation hydroxide, and removing the cation hydroxide in an aqueous liquid stream as an effluent from the first base generation chamber. Suitable cation sources include a salt solution, a cation hydroxide solution or cation exchange resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Dionex Corporation
    Inventors: Yan Liu, Hamish Small, Nebojsa Avdalovic
  • Publication number: 20040007475
    Abstract: There is a control system for a catalytic process. The control system has the following: a) an electroconductive support having a layer of a catalyst thereon; b) a means for applying DC current of one polarity to the catalyst layer and the opposite polarity to the electroconductive support; c) a means for controlling and varying the application of DC current; d) a means for measuring the polarization impedance across the catalyst layer and the electroconductive support; e) a means for comparing the measured polarization impedance with a reference value; and f) a means for varying the application of DC current to the catalyst layer and the electroconductive support when the measured polarization impedance differs from the reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: Catelectric, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Stancovski, Sridhar Seetharaman
  • Patent number: 6660156
    Abstract: A temperature handling subsystem (12) for a pipe electrochemical polishing system (10) has a chiller (46) and associated heat exchanger (44) for cooling the acid electrolyte (24) circulating through a pipe (28) while a cathode (14) is drawn therethrough for the purpose of electropolishing the interior of the pipe (24). A temperature control method (48) has a temperature low enough decision operation (58) wherein a temperature indicating control (38) is used to determine if the chiller (46) should be activated. The electrolyte (24) is pumped by an electrolyte pump from an electrolyte reservoir (22) containing a temperature indicating controller (38) for determining the temperature of the electrolyte (24) and further containing an electric heater (36) for heating the electrolyte (24), as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Therma Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Lorincz
  • Patent number: 6652733
    Abstract: A method of operating a reactor for removing impurities by electrochemical means from liquids, such as aqueous solutions. The liquid is passed through series of plateshaped reaction electrodes electrically insulated against each other with a liquid speed above a minimum to prevent dissociation into constituent gases, but sufficient to ensure interaction with an electrical current passing between the plateshaped electrodes. The latter has corrugated forms and/or their surfaces provided with embossed relief patterns to enhance the electrochemical effect between the electrodes. The conductivity of the treated liquid, the organic contents of the liquid and the flow of the liquid is measured and the length of the flow path for the liquid in the reactor is established in dependence on the measured parameters. Ultrasonic vibrations are generated in the flow path for stimulating a reaction process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Adept Technologies A/S
    Inventor: David Napper
  • Patent number: 6652732
    Abstract: A fan flow sensor for a gas generating proton exchange member electrolysis cell includes a switching device and a sail disposed in communication with the switching device. The sail is pivotally mounted and movable in response to an airflow from a fan. The sail is further configured to actuate the switching device in response to the airflow from the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence C. Moulthrop, Ricky S. Scott, Charles Bennet McCollough, Richard A. Dubey, Jr., A. John Speranza
  • Patent number: 6632347
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the electrochemical treatment of an aqueous solution in an electrolytic cell is described. Output solution having a predetermined level of available free chlorine is produced by applying a substantially constant current across the cell between an anode and a cathode while passing a substantially constant throughput of chloride ions through the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Sterilox Medical (Europe) Limited
    Inventors: Alan Buckley, Alexey Yurevich Popov, Martin Bellamy, Phil Collins
  • Patent number: 6592736
    Abstract: An automated chemical management system for managing the chemical content of an electrochemical bath used to deposit a material on the surface of a microelectronic workpiece is set forth. The automated chemical management system includes a dosing system that is adapted to dose an amount of one or more chemicals to replenish a given electrochemical bath constituent in accordance with a predetermined dosing equation. The chemical management system also includes an analytical measurement system that is adapted to provide a measurement result indicative of the amount of the given constituent in the electrochemical bath at predetermined time intervals. The chemical management system uses the measurement results to modify the dosing equation of the dosing system. In this manner, the replenishment operations executed by the chemical management system are effectively refined over time thereby providing more accurate control of the amount of the target constituent in the electrochemical bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Dakin Fulton, Thomas L. Ritzdorf
  • Publication number: 20030094378
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrochemical cell systems, pressure control systems, and methods for operating those systems. In one embodiment, the electrochemical cell system comprises: an electrochemical cell stack; a phase separation apparatus in fluid communication with the electrochemical cell stack; a water discharge in fluid communication with the phase separation apparatus; a first flow control device and a second flow control device disposed in fluid communication between the phase separation apparatus and water discharge; and a control device in operable communication with a sensor, the first flow control device, and the second flow control device. In one embodiment, the pressure regulating system comprises: means for generating hydrogen; means for sensing a liquid level within a phase separation apparatus disposed in fluid communication with the means for generating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventor: Jason Shiepe
  • Patent number: 6524464
    Abstract: A fan flow sensor for a hydrogen generating proton exchange member electrolysis cell includes a switching device and a sail slideably disposed on the switching device. The sail is configured to actuate the switching device in response to an airflow from a fan. The switching device may be actuatable in response to a magnet disposed on the sail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Dubey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6508928
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the recovery of a metal, such as silver, from a solution flowing through an electrolytic cell. A constant current is applied between the anode and cathode of the cell and the rate of change of the voltage monitored, the information obtained from the monitored change of voltage being used to control the rate of recovery of the metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Dartnell, Christopher B. Rider
  • Publication number: 20020182741
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating an acid or base, e.g. for chromatographic analysis of anions. For generating a base the method includes the steps of providing a cation source in a cation source reservoir, flowing an aqueous liquid stream through a base generation chamber separated from the cation source reservoir by a barrier (e.g. a charged membrane) substantially preventing liquid flow while providing a cation transport bridge, applying an electric potential between an anode cation source reservoir and a cathode in the base generation chamber to electrolytically generate hydroxide ions therein and to cause cations in the cation source reservoir to electromigrate and to be transported across the barrier toward the cathode to combine with the transported cations to form cation hydroxide, and removing the cation hydroxide in an aqueous liquid stream as an effluent from the first base generation chamber. Suitable cation sources include a salt solution, a cation hydroxide solution or cation exchange resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: Dionex Corporation
    Inventors: Yan Liu, Hamish Small, Nebojsa Avdalovic
  • Publication number: 20020179454
    Abstract: A system for producing one or more gases for enhancing combustion in an internal combustion engine, the engine having an intake, the system comprising: an electrolysis cell, for generating one or more combustion enhancing gases under pressure; a gas conduit, for connecting the electrolysis cell to the internal combustion engine; and a flow regulator, operatively connected between the electrolysis cell and the intake of the engine, for regulating a flow of the combustion enhancing gases to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: Global Tech Environmental Products Inc.
    Inventor: Bill Ross
  • Publication number: 20020175081
    Abstract: A method of processing photographic material includes the steps of processing the photographic material in a processing solution, monitoring the concentration of a process-retarding by-product of the processing in the processing solution during operation of the method, reducing the concentration of the by-product in the processing solution by a first method and as the by-product concentration in the processing solution exceeds a predetermined level, activating simultaneous operation of a second method for a period of time to thereby ensure that the photographic material is always adequately processed. The invention enables rapid processing of film whilst maintaining low replenishment rates and low fixer solution temperature such that inadequately fixed film is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Christopher B. Rider, Nicholas J. Dartnell
  • Publication number: 20020177233
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating an acid or base, e.g. for chromatographic analysis of anions. For generating a base the method includes the steps of providing a cation source in a cation source reservoir, flowing an aqueous liquid stream through a base generation chamber separated from the cation source reservoir by a barrier (e.g. a charged membrane) substantially preventing liquid flow while providing a cation transport bridge, applying an electric potential between an anode cation source reservoir and a cathode in the base generation chamber to electrolytically generate hydroxide ions therein and to cause cations in the cation source reservoir to electromigrate and to be transported across the barrier toward the cathode to combine with the transported cations to form cation hydroxide, and removing the cation hydroxide in an aqueous liquid stream as an effluent from the first base generation chamber. Suitable cation sources include a salt solution, a cation hydroxide solution or cation exchange resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: Dionex Corporation
    Inventors: Yan Liu, Hamish Small, Nebojsa Avdalovic
  • Patent number: 6361678
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting a short incident in an electrochemical cell (e.g., a Simons electrochemical fluorination cell or bipolar flow cell) using means for detecting vibration to detect vibration of an external piece on the cell. The present invention further provides a system for detecting a short incident in an electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William V. Childs, Christopher L. Gross, Mark P. Smith, Eric A. Schotz
  • Publication number: 20020029976
    Abstract: A reactor for removing impurities by electrochemcial means from liquids, such as aqueous solutions, and in which the liquid is passed through series of plateshaped reaction electrodes electrically insulated against each other with a liquid speed above a minimum to prevent dissociation into constituent gases, but sufficient to ensure interaction with an electrical current passing between the plateshaped electrodes. The latter has corrugated forms and/or their surfaces provided with embossed relief patterns to enhance the electrochemical effect between the electrodes. The reactor comprises one more interconnected units (A, B, C, D) with a series of plateshaped electrodes (1, 2) valve means (8) and holes (5, 6) in the plates for redirecting the liquid flow into and through the series of reaction electrodes (1, 2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: David Napper
  • Patent number: 6315954
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating high purity acid or base in an aqueous stream for use in analysis. For generating a base, the aqueous stream is directed through a cation exchange bed having first strongly acidic and second weakly acidic portions. An electrical potential is applied to the bed. Cations on the bed electromigrate into the aqueous stream while hydroxide ions are electrolytically generated to form a base-containing eluent. Analytes to be detected and the generated eluent flow through a detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Dionex Corporation
    Inventors: Hamish Small, Nebojsa Avdalovic, Yan Liu
  • Patent number: 6316271
    Abstract: A method for generating high purity acid or base in an aqueous stream for use in analysis. For generating a base for anion chromatography, the aqueous stream is directed through a cation exchange bed having strongly acid first and weakly acidic second portions. An electrical potential is applied to the bed. Cations on the bed electromigrate into the aqueous stream while hydroxide ions are electrolytically generated to form a base-containing eluent. Analytes to be detected and the generated eluent flow through a detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Dionex Corporation
    Inventors: Hamish Small, Nebojsa Avdalovic, Yan Liu
  • Patent number: 6316270
    Abstract: A method for generating high purity acid or base in an aqueous stream for use as an eluent for chromatography and, particularly, ion chromatography. For generating a base for anion chromatography, the aqueous stream is directed through a cation exchange bed having a first strongly acidic and a second weakly acidic portions. An electrical potential is applied to the bed. Cations on the bed electromigrate into the aqueous stream while hydroxide ions are electrolytically generated to form a base-containing eluent. Anions to be detected and the generated eluent flow through a chromatographic separator. The chromatographic effluent flows past a detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Dionex Corporation
    Inventors: Hamish Small, Nebojsa Avdalovic, Yan Liu
  • Patent number: 6254760
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides an electro-chemical deposition system that is designed with a flexible architecture that is expandable to accommodate future designs rules and gap fill requirements and provides satisfactory throughput to meet the demands of other processing systems. The electro-chemical deposition system generally comprises a front-end loading station, a mainframe including one or more processing cells, and an electrolyte replenishing system fluidly connected to the one or more electrical processing cells. The electrolyte replenishing system comprises a main electrolyte supply tank and an analyzer module and dosing module coupled thereto. The analyzer module includes one or more chemical analyzers to monitor the concentrations of various chemicals in the main electrolyte supply tank. Information provided by the analyzer module is transmitted via a central control system to the dosing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Shen, Yezdi Dordi, George Birkmaier
  • Patent number: 6225129
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating an acid or base, e.g. for chromatographic analysis of anions. For generating a base the method includes the steps of providing a cation source in a cation source reservoir, flowing an aqueous liquid stream through a base generation chamber separated from the cation source reservoir by a barrier (e.g. a charged membrane) substantially preventing liquid flow while providing a cation transport bridge, applying an electric potential between an anode cation source reservoir and a cathode in the base generation chamber to electrolytically generate hydroxide ions therein and to cause cations in the cation source reservoir to electromigrate and to be transported across the barrier toward the cathode to combine with the transported cations to form cation hydroxide, and removing the cation hydroxide in an aqueous liquid stream as an effluent from the first base generation chamber. Suitable cation sources include a salt solution, a cation hydroxide solution or cation exchange resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Dionex Corporation
    Inventors: Yan Liu, Hamish Small, Nebojsa Avdalovic
  • Patent number: 6146518
    Abstract: An improved process for providing hydrogen from an electrolytic cell having an anolyte solution having an anolyte liquid level; a catholyte solution having a catholyte liquid level; generating oxygen at an oxygen pressure above the anolyte level; generating hydrogen at a hydrogen pressure above the catholyte level; the improvement comprising detecting at least one of the anolyte and the catholyte liquid levels as anolyte level and catholyte level data; feeding the level data to central processing means; determining the pressure differential between the levels from the level data, and pressure adjustment data by the central processing means; and providing the adjustment data to pressure control means to maintain the pressure differential within a selected range. The process offers a low cost method of controlling the pressure differential to within 2 cm WC of a set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Stuart Energy Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Fairlie, William J. Stewart, Charlie Dong
  • Patent number: 6086724
    Abstract: Particulates are trapped by laser beam and brought into contact with electrodes to electrochemically and spectroscopically measure the reaction process thereof.Precise measurement of the process of chemical reactions such as electrochemical and photochemical ones of a single particulate is made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Research Development Corporation of Japan
    Inventors: Kiyoharu Nakatani, Hiroaki Misawa, Noboru Kitamura, Tatsuya Uchida
  • Patent number: 6083374
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for maintaining constant concentrations of substances contained in an electrolytic treatment bath, preferably in baths with aqueous solutions. In order to regenerate the continual depletion of chemicals, substance concentrates are added to the baths according to known methods. The rapid increase in concentrations of damaging substances in the processing solution is disadvantageous. In order to reduce this build-up, a further metering method is known, namely the continuous replacement of bath solution by creating a bath overflow. The addition of bath solution with the bath concentration is balanced out by the overflow. As a consequence of evaporation and entrainment this method also leads to the fact that the operating concentration cannot be maintained for a long period of time in chemically critical baths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Atotech Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Lorenz Kopp
  • Patent number: 6039861
    Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical reaction wherein a controlled amount of a first reagent is generated electrochemically at an electrode in electrical contact with a solution of an electrochemically inert salt, comprising applying a suitable electrical potential to the electrode for a suitable time to generate a controlled amount of the first reagent by electrochemical reaction between the electrode and a species in solution producing a localized thin layer environment comprising the first reagent in the vicinity of the electrode; and monitoring the amount or presence of the first reagent or a further species produced in solution in response to production of the first reagent. The method invention thus involves generating the first reagent in situ at an electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventors: Brian Jeffrey Birch, Nicholas Andrew Morris
  • Patent number: 6036921
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating high purity acid or base in an aqueous stream for use as an eluent for chromatography and, particularly, ion chromatography. For generating a base for anion chromatography, the aqueous stream is directed through a cation exchange bed. An electrical potential is applied to the bed. Cations on the bed electromigrate into the aqueous stream while hydroxide ions are electrolytically generated to form a base-containing eluent. Anions to be detected and the generated eluent flow through a chromatographic separator and a detector. In one embodiment, between separation and detection, the separated anion stream flows through a second cation exchange bed with no electrical potential applied. The second bed serves as a suppressor. After completion of the desired number of cycles, flow through the first and second cation exchange beds may be reversed by appropriate valving for the next sample stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Dionex Corporation
    Inventors: Hamish Small, Nebojsa Avdalovic, Yan Liu
  • Patent number: 6036838
    Abstract: In order to improve a method for determining the substance conversion during areal electrochemical reactions in at least one local surface area between a counterelectrode arrangement of an areal design and an electrode arrangement of an areal design, which has a contact element segment designed in accordance with the surface area and a contact element contacting the remaining surface areas and being electrically insulated in relation to the contact element segment, in such a manner that the substance conversion can be determined in as simple a manner as possible it is suggested that not only the contact element but also the contact element segment be connected to one current source or current drain provided for carrying out the electrochemical reaction, that a current flowing between the contact element segment and the current source or current drain via a conductor generate a magnetic field around the conductor and that the magnetic field be determined as a measure for the substance conversion in the local s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft -und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Christian Wieser, Axel Helmbold
  • Patent number: 6033549
    Abstract: In order to provide a method of electrolysis for the electrolysis of water, in which water is decomposed electrolytically from an electrolysis medium and the electrolysis gases hydrogen and oxygen obtained are each separated from the liquid electrolysis medium in a gas separator, wherein a supply of water to balance out the water consumption resulting from the electrolysis is controlled by a determination of an electrolysis medium volume which is determined by the total amount of electrolysis medium in the method of electrolysis, and by means of which the total volume of the electrolysis medium in the plant can be maintained constant, it is proposed that at least one physical quantity which is characteristic of the electrolysis, and whose variation causes a change in the electrolysis medium volume in addition to the change in the electrolysis medium volume resulting from the water consumption, is measured and there is calculated from a deviation of this quantity from a predetermined reference value for this q
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Volker Peinecke, Paul Mohr
  • Patent number: 6007693
    Abstract: A halogen generator produces a halogen sanitizing agent to sanitize water in a spa or other water feature. A coaxial wall fitting desirably couples the halogen generator to the water feature. The halogen generator desirably includes a bipolar electrolytic cell in which a center electrode plate rotates between stationary anode and cathode plates. The bipolar electrode includes a plurality of vanes which motivate water flow between the anode and the cathode. The vanes on the rotating electrode also produce a flow of water through the generator. In this manner, the bipolar electrode functions as a impeller to pump water through the halogen generator. The vanes are positioned between the electrode and cathode, and are sufficiently spaced from the cathode to inhibit scale formation on the cathode. The vanes, however, generally do not contact the cathode when rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Bioquest
    Inventor: Michael A. Silveri
  • Patent number: 5951842
    Abstract: A process for monitoring the electrolyte circulation in an electrolysis cell, in which an electrolyte flow generated by a circulation pump is generated between the electrodes of the electrolysis cell and the electrolysis is performed by a constant electrolysis current or electrode potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Gerhard Ueffinger
  • Patent number: 5840171
    Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical reaction wherein a controlled amount of a first reagent is generated electrochemically at an electrode in electrical contact with a solution of an electrochemically inert salt, comprising applying a suitable electrical potential to the electrode for a suitable time to generate a controlled amount of the first reagent by electrochemical reaction between the electrode and a species in solution producing a localized thin layer environment comprising the first reagent in the vicinity of the electrode; and monitoring the amount or presence of the first reagent or a further species produced in solution in response to production of the first reagent. The method invention thus involves generating the first reagent in situ at an electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventors: Brian Jeffrey Birch, Nicholas Andrew Morris
  • Patent number: 5840172
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ultra-high purity gas generator system, such as a hydrogen gas generator system and method, which employs a direct current source to supply proportional electrical current to a cathode in an electrolyte cell. The system comprises a metal cathode gas generator for hydrogen gas and a DC current for the metal cathode, wherein the output DC line current is continuously modified by a control circuit, which modifies the pulse width into the DC source, based on the variation in hydrogen gas pressure or flow from the cell. In the system and method, direct current is supplied to the palladium or palladium alloy cathode of an electrolytic cell, and the direct current is controlled or switched by monitoring the gas flow or pressure in the cell by a pressure or flow transducer, providing the output voltage to a control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Whatman Inc.
    Inventor: George Zugravu
  • Patent number: 5833830
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of electrowinning a metal from an electrolyte comprises the steps of measuring the redox potential of the electrolyte to obtain a measured value, comparing the measured value with a predetermined optimum value and adding a redox agent to the electrolyte to adjust the redox potential of the electrolyte to the optimum value. One embodiment of apparatus (10) for carrying out the method comprises a redox potential measuring device (20) having a housing for the flow of electrolyte therethrough and including a pair of electrodes (22, 24) for measuring the redox potential of an electrolyte flowing through the housing to produce an output measurement value and a redox controller (26) responsive to the output measurement value for controlling the addition of redox agent to the electrolyte of an electrolysis cell (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Cominco Ltd.
    Inventors: Jose Alberto Gonzalez Dominguez, Dilipkumar Devjibhai Makwana
  • Patent number: 5798035
    Abstract: A high throughput chemical synthesis system utilizing cylindrical reaction vessels is disclosed. Reaction vessels are utilized which include a tubular member adapted for placement of electronically readable identifying indicia thereon. The identifying indicia are representative of reaction conditions within the tubular member and of one or more reagents utilized in a reaction within the tubular members. A method of performing chemical synthesis on solid phase reactive material within a plurality of reaction vessels using a plurality of reaction stages resulting in final products and employing identifying indicia representing the reaction stages is also disclosed. The method includes reading the identifying indicia located on the reaction vessels, reacting one or more reagents within the reaction vessels under particular reaction conditions which may be determined by reading the identifying indicia, thereby synthesizing chemical compounds within the reaction vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Pharmacopeia, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Kirk, Robert H. Grubbs
  • Patent number: 5695628
    Abstract: The use of an aluminum foil is proposed for the chemical reduction of fluid and/or gas-like components, like CO.sub.2, and/or as a detector for electromagnetic radiation, e.g., in the ultra-violet spectrum. In this process the aluminum foil is subjected to a surface treatment which increases the surface coarseness. The coarse aluminum foil is placed as a negative electrode in an electrolyte bath containing the fluid and/or gas-like components which are to be reduced, thereby causing the aluminum foil to have a potential voltage. The coarse aluminum foil containing a potential voltage in the electrolyte bath is subjected to a photo emission process, e.g., placed under electromagnetic radiation which must be established, and the photo electric current is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Becromal S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Pietro Chiavarotti, Francesco di Quarto, Salvatore Piazza, Carmelo Sunseri
  • Patent number: 5604302
    Abstract: A starch gelatinization measuring system including an ohmic heater to hold and to heat the starch sample to be measured, the ohmic heater having a pair of plate electrodes for heating; a power supply unit electrically connected to the ohmic heater to control the supply of electric current and electric voltage to the plate electrodes of the ohmic heater; a temperature detector controlled to detect the temperature of the starch sample being heated by the ohmic heater; a data logger electrically connected to the power supply unit and the temperature detector to record the data of temperature, electric current, electric voltage during heating; and a computer electrically connected to the data logger to analyze the data provided by the data logger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Inventor: Wei-Chi Wang
  • Patent number: RE37194
    Abstract: A high throughput chemical synthesis system utilizing cylindrical reaction vessels is disclosed. Reaction vessels are utilized which include a tubular member adapted for placement of electronically readable identifying indicia thereon. The identifying indicia are representative of reaction conditions within the tubular member and of one or more reagents utilized in a reaction within the tubular members. A method of performing chemical synthesis on solid phase reactive material within a plurality of reaction vessels using a plurality of reaction stages resulting in final products and employing identifying indicia representing the reaction stages is also disclosed. The method includes reading the identifying indicia located on the reaction vessels, reacting one or more reagents within the reaction vessels under particular reaction conditions which may be determined by reading the identifying indicia, thereby synthesizing chemical compounds within the reaction vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Pharmacopeia, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Kirk, Robert H. Grubbs