Porous Sheet Patents (Class 261/100)
  • Patent number: 11007493
    Abstract: A gassing device for the intermittent introduction of oxygen-containing gas or air into the waste water of a sewage treatment plant includes at least one membrane and a support body supporting the membrane and having gas-inlet openings. The membrane comprises a support membrane and a gassing membrane, wherein through-openings are arranged in the support membrane and continuous perforation slits are arranged in the gassing membrane and connected to the through-openings of the support membrane, or project into same, or are arranged inside the through-openings. The gassing membrane has a greater elasticity and is softer than the support membrane. The width of the through-openings of the support membrane decrease from the outer side and the gassing membrane projects partially or completely into the through-openings of the support membrane, and has a corresponding negative contour in relation to the through-openings of the support membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventor: Alexander Ott
  • Patent number: 10821257
    Abstract: A humidifier for humidifying a flow of air to be delivered to a patient includes a base unit having at least one wall defining a receiving space. The base unit also includes a variable volume reservoir configured to hold a body of water and receive the flow of air to humidify the flow of air for delivery to the patient. The receiving space is configured to receive the variable volume reservoir and the variable volume reservoir is conformable to a shape of the receiving space. The humidifier further includes a heater for heating the body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Ronald James Huby
  • Patent number: 10767260
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a process chamber accommodating a substrate; a gas supply system; and an exhaust system. The supply system includes a vaporizer and a mist filter, the mist filter including a plurality of first plates and a plurality of second plates. Each of the first plates includes a first plate portion having a plurality of first grooves on a surface thereof and a first flow path. Each of the second plates includes a second plate portion having a plurality of second grooves on a surface thereof and a second flow path. When the plurality of first and second plates are arranged alternatively, the plurality of first grooves are configured to face the second flow path and the plurality of second grooves are configured to face the first flow path, such that the first flow path and the second flow path are not in-line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: KOKUSAI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kosuke Takagi, Atsushi Hirano
  • Patent number: 10744221
    Abstract: An air scenting assembly includes: a scent container which at least initially contains a scent perfume, and a scent perfume extracting mechanism, which is configured to release scent perfume from the scent container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: COMMON SENSE HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Ewoud Kees Kuijper
  • Patent number: 10730002
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for removing submicron particles from a gas stream, in particular from urea prilling off-gas, wherein a Venturi ejector is used. A method comprises contacting a gas stream containing submicron particles in a Venturi ejector with an injected high velocity scrubbing liquid to provide a pumping action, wherein the scrubbing liquid has an initial velocity of at least 25 m/s and wherein the ratio of scrubbing liquid and gas flow is between 0.0005 and 0.0015 (m3/h)/(m3/h).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Stamicarbon B.V.
    Inventors: Brian Sayre Higgins, John Marshall Tate, III, Robert Arthur Yates, Marcel Julien Pomerleau, Jon Michael Heon, Wilfried Marc Renaat Dirkx, Juan Coloma González
  • Patent number: 10702622
    Abstract: A system and method for application controlled fragrance generation are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: receiving a fragrance trigger from an application, the fragrance trigger being associated with a particular fragrance that corresponds to an event, action, image, sound, or gesture depicted in the application, determining a temperature needed to cause the particular fragrance to be emitted from a fragrance cartridge; and causing a thermal element to heat the fragrance cartridge to the determined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Hong W. Wong, Jiancheng Tao, Vivek M. Paranjape, Cheong W. Wong, Xiaoguo Liang, Wah Yiu Kwong, Shaorong Zhou, Russell S. Beauregard
  • Patent number: 10639432
    Abstract: A fluid sample dispenser includes a microdosing device for outputting, during an activation state, a fluid sample at a fluid sample outlet to the environment, wherein the microdosing device is placeable adjacent to a person's nose so that a distance between the outlet of the microdosing device and a nostril of the person's nose is within a predefined range, and a microdosing driver unit for adjusting a dosing rate of the scent sample output at the scent sample outlet by selectively activating the microdosing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Martin Richter, Sebastian Kibler, Juergen Kruckow
  • Patent number: 10386100
    Abstract: In one aspect, a heat exchanger layer for an adsorption bed heat exchanger assembly is provided. The heat exchanger layer includes at least one fluid tube configured to supply a heat transfer fluid, a sorbent containment structure having a plurality of compartments, and a sorbent disposed within the plurality of compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederick J. Cogswell, Parmesh Verma, Catherine Thibaud, Bart A. Van Hassel, Thomas D. Radcliff, Subramanyaravi Annapragada, Abdelrahman ElSherbini
  • Patent number: 10208969
    Abstract: Provided is a humidification and air cleaning apparatus. The humidification and air cleaning apparatus includes: a water tank storing water; a watering housing disposed inside the water tank, suctioning water of the water tank thereinto, pumping the suctioned water to an upper side when rotating, and spraying the pumped water; a watering motor providing a torque to the watering housing; and a power transmission shaft disposed inside the watering housing, connecting the watering motor and the watering housing, and delivering a torque of the watering motor to the watering housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Chungook Chong, Jieun Choi, Sanghyuk Son, Jungwoo Lee, Taeyoon Kim, Younggu Lee, Kunyoung Lee, Hyuckju Kwon, Jongsu Lee, Kyoungho Lee, Unchang Jeong
  • Patent number: 10101100
    Abstract: A heat exchange fill apparatus for use with a cooling tower that employs a support frame assembly. The heat exchange fill apparatus has a media fill pack that is comprised of fill pack media modules wherein a stake, prevents the modules from shifting with respect to one another. The modules are installed in a cooling tower of the like via a hanging fill support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall W. Powell, Duane Krehbiel, Jeff McMillen, Paul W. Hink, Eldon F. Mockry
  • Patent number: 9731478
    Abstract: An evaporative element for use in a humidifier. In order to reduce the amount of chloride species evaporated into the air with the water, the evaporate element includes a dechlorination agent, such as sulfur compounds, ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, or combinations thereof. The dechlorination agent can be applied to the water retaining elements of the evaporate element or to the rigid members used to support the water retaining elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: RPS Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Schuld, Curt Weber, Donald N. Jursich
  • Patent number: 9623135
    Abstract: A volatile substance delivery system includes a volatile substance container to contain a volatile substance, a volatile substance delivery structure, and a volatile substance drop delivery system to deliver a drop of the volatile substance to the volatile substance delivery structure for delivery to an ambient environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Microlin, LLC
    Inventors: Ashok V Joshi, David J Erekson, Jessica Elwell, Jeremy Heiser
  • Patent number: 9470463
    Abstract: A heat exchange fill apparatus for use with a cooling tower that employs a support frame assembly. The heat exchange fill apparatus has a media fill pack that includes a of fill pack media modules wherein a stake, prevents the modules from shifting with respect to one another. The modules are installed in a cooling tower of the like via a hanging fill support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Powell, Duane Krehbiel, Jeff McMillen, Paul Hink, Eldon Mockry
  • Publication number: 20150145153
    Abstract: A steam dispersion system for building humidification is disclosed. At least a portion of the steam dispersion system is comprised of a flexible material that is collapsible for changing the outer dimension of the portion comprised of the flexible material from a greater, higher-pressure, size, to a smaller, lower-pressure, size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: James Michael Lundgreen, David Michael Baird, Joseph T. Haag, Mark Allen Kirkwold
  • Patent number: 8940171
    Abstract: A system for treating wastewater including at least one water-treatment pathway having at least one wastewater inlet, at least one oxygen-permeable, water-impermeable wall, separating an interior of the pathway from outside air, and at least one treated wastewater outlet and arranged for at least aerobic treatment of the wastewater as it flows from the at least one wastewater inlet to the at least one treated wastewater outlet, at least one wastewater supply conduit, supplying the wastewater to the at least one wastewater inlet of the water-treatment pathway and at least one treated wastewater conduit, supplying treated wastewater from the at least one treated wastewater outlet of the at least one water-treatment pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Emefcy Limited
    Inventors: Ronen Itzhak Shechter, Lior Eshed, Eytan Baruch Levy, Tamar Ashlagi Amiri
  • Patent number: 8936234
    Abstract: A method of mass transfer includes the steps of: supplying a first fluid and a second fluid into a mass transfer apparatus, wherein the mass transfer apparatus includes a vessel which has a head region, a base region and a mass transfer region, wherein the first fluid is brought into contact with the second fluid at least in the mass transfer region, wherein the mass transfer region is arranged between the head region and the base region and the mass transfer region includes a structured packing which includes a plurality of neighboring layers of fabric which includes fiber strands of a non-metallic material. The mass transfer apparatus is operated at a fluid load of at most 3 m3/m2/h. The fabric of the structured packing includes fiber strands of a non-metallic material which are formed as weft threads, wherein the weft threads have a yarn count of at least 100 g/1000 m and the weft threads include at least 20 yarns/25.4 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Werner Wicki, Marcus Duss, Llja Ausner
  • Publication number: 20140353854
    Abstract: A gas/fluid mass exchange apparatus includes a gas permeable membrane which is arranged to separate a first region for receiving a gas flow, from a second region for receiving a fluid flow. The apparatus further a support element which is arranged to maintain the shape and orientation of the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Haemair Limited
    Inventors: William Richard Johns, Steven W. J. Brown, Richard Phillips, Dale Rogers
  • Patent number: 8889082
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for dispensing the fragrance of an odor control substance. The apparatus includes a housing defining a housing interior adapted to receive a refill component. The refill component includes a container with liquid odor control substance and a wick. The refill component is installed from the bottom into the housing for ease of servicing. A pump device in the housing dispenses a dose of the liquid odor control into a wicking area of the refill component. In another embodiment, the refill component includes the pump device. The pump device is installed into the housing when the refill component is replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: San Jamar, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd J. Muderlak, Kenneth J. Muderlak
  • Publication number: 20140319706
    Abstract: A water vapour transport membrane comprises a nanofibrous layer disposed on a macroporous support layer, the nanofibrous layer coated with a water permeable polymer. A method for making a water vapour transport membrane comprises forming a nanofibrous layer on a macroporous support layer and applying a water permeable polymer to the nanofibrous layer. The water permeable polymer can be applied for so that the nanofibrous layer is substantially or partially filled with the water permeable polymer, or so that the coating forms a substantially continuous layer on one surface of the nanofibrous layer. In some embodiments of the method, the nanofibrous layer is formed by electro-spinning at least one polymer on at least one side of the porous support layer. In some embodiments, the support layer is formable and the method further comprises forming a three-dimensional structure from the water vapour transport membrane, for example, by compression molding, pleating or corrugating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: DPOINT TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Nicholas Huizing, Frank K. Ko
  • Patent number: 8870165
    Abstract: This application is directed to a fragrance dispenser attachably connected to a fan comprising: a housing having openings defined in the housing; a fragrance reservoir included in the housing for receiving a fragrance medium containing a fragrance; a cover operably associated with the opening for restricting airflow into the fragrance reservoir; and, a cover actuator operably connected to the cover having an open position allowing airflow into and out of the fragrance reservoir for dispensing a fragrance and a closed position for restricting airflow into and out of the fragrance reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Nathan A. Scolari
  • Publication number: 20140264969
    Abstract: A single-layer diffuser membrane constructed of first and second compounds. The first compound has structural and flexibility properties suitable for applying air to wastewater through a plurality of perforations formed through the membrane and the second compound is suitable for inhibiting fouling of the membrane. The first compound may comprise polyurethane and the second compound may comprise polytetrafluoroethylene. The concentration of the second compound within the membrane may be between about 3.0 vol. % and 20.0 vol. %. The second compound may be dispersed adjacent the perforations to inhibit fouling of the perforations. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the method for constructing the membrane. Upon the mixing of the first and second compounds, the mixed composition may be formed into a membrane through, for example, an extrusion process or a molding process. Perforations may be created either during or after the forming of the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Environmental Dynamics International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Tharp, Warrick S. Wadman, Randall C. Chann
  • Publication number: 20140264968
    Abstract: A method of forming an energy exchange assembly may include forming a plurality of creases and a plurality of slits in a membrane sheet according to a predefined pattern, positioning a first spacer on top of a first forming area of the membrane sheet, folding the membrane sheet over a top of the first spacer so that a second forming area is positioned over the top of the first spacer, sealing a first portion of the first forming area to a first outer lateral wall of the first spacer, and positioning a second spacer on top of the second forming area, thereby stacking the second spacer over the first spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: VENMAR CES, INC
    Inventors: Blake Norman Erb, Stephen Hanson, Mohammad Afshin, Kenneth Paul Coutu
  • Publication number: 20140252664
    Abstract: A fill pack assembly and method for assembling a fill pack from individual sheets utilizes integrally bonded sheet pairs. Each sheet pair is a pair of two individual adjacent fill sheets which have been bonded together via any suitable bonding method. A plurality of the thus formed sheet pairs can then be attached together to form an entire fill pack or portion of a fill pack. Such fill packs are useful in heat exchange devices such as industrial cooling towers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Eldon F. MOCKRY, Ohler L. Kinney, JR., Kenneth P. MORTENSEN, Glenn S. BRENNEKE
  • Patent number: 8794602
    Abstract: A method of mass transfer includes the steps of: supplying a first fluid and a second fluid into a mass transfer apparatus, wherein the mass transfer apparatus includes a vessel which has a head region, a base region and a mass transfer region, wherein the first fluid is brought into contact with the second fluid at least in the mass transfer region, wherein the mass transfer region is arranged between the head region and the base region and the mass transfer region includes a structured packing which includes a plurality of neighboring layers of fabric which includes fiber strands of a non-metallic material. The mass transfer apparatus is operated at a fluid load of at most 3 m3/m2/h.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Werner Wicki, Markus Duss, Ilja Ausner
  • Patent number: 8727322
    Abstract: An enclosure defines a confined space configured to store goods that can be advantageously maintained by controlling the water vapor levels to which the goods are exposed. A water vapor conversion element, at which liquid water is converted to water vapor, can be operably associated with the confined space to distribute that water vapor to the confined space. A water delivery unit is operatively associated with the water vapor conversion element and is configured to deliver water in liquid form to the water vapor conversion element. The water delivery unit can comprise a drip chamber configured to deliver the water essentially one drop at a time. The enclosure can comprise a drawer in a refrigeration appliance such as a household refrigerator. A sensor configured to determine the water vapor level present in the confined space can be operable to selectively control the distribution of water vapor to the confined space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Hall
  • Publication number: 20140077402
    Abstract: A humidification cell of a fuel cell apparatus includes a first outer plate and a second outer plate. A gas chamber, a humidification water chamber, and a water-permeable membrane that separates the two chambers are disposed between the first outer plate and the second outer plate starting from the first outer plate. A first water-permeable support element is disposed between the first outer plate and the membrane. The first support element is made of a woven fabric formed of a plastic. A discharge and an entrainment of liquid water can be prevented during load changes or other non-stationary fuel cell operating states accompanied by a sudden change of gas volume flow in that the plastic is a fluoropolymer or a fluoroplastic. Advantageously, the fluoropolymer or fluoroplastic is formed at least partly, preferably entirely, of an alternating copolymer of ethylene and chlorotrifluorethylene (E-CTFE).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Torsten Brandt, Armin Datz, Albert Hammerschmidt, Joachim Hoffmann, Silke Latzel, Arno Mattejat
  • Publication number: 20140054804
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a membrane humidifier for a fuel cell including: a case; a hollow fiber membrane module covering the case; a housing coupled to both ends of the hollow fiber membrane module; a plurality of hollow fiber membranes arranged in the case; and a hollow fiber membrane guide structure installed at one end or both ends of the hollow fiber membrane module and having a potting material layer formed therein to fix the plurality of hollow fiber membranes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Hyunyoo Kim, Hyuckroul Kwon
  • Patent number: 8657266
    Abstract: A water vapor transfer unit with separator plates and a method of making the same. In such an assembly, an ionomer coating that facilitates moisture transfer from a moisture-rich flowpath to a moisture-deficient flowpath and an underlying separator may both be prepared from continuous, roll-based methods. The ionomer may be applied to a separator assembly as the last processing step such that the handling of the fragile membrane is kept to a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Annette M. Brenner, Timothy J. Fuller, Lijun Zou
  • Publication number: 20140048961
    Abstract: A diffusor for diffusing a gas into a liquid including a membrane, a supporting structure supporting the membrane and a holder arranged to connect the supporting structure to a gas supply conduit, at least a part of the membrane being perforated. The membrane defines an inner chamber, and at least a part of the supporting structure is arranged in the inner chamber of the membrane, the supporting structure including at least one channel extending from an inlet opening that is in, direct or indirect, fluid communication with the gas supply conduit to an outlet opening that is in fluid communication with the inner chamber of the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: XYLEM IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Johan Tegle, Stefan Nordemo, Per Porath
  • Publication number: 20140015151
    Abstract: A liquid vaporizer includes a first housing having a liquid-supplied surface to which a chemical solution is supplied, a heater, a mesh, a first holder and a second holder attached to the outer edge portions of the mesh, the outer edge portions opposing each other in a direction of spreading of the mesh, first cover bolts, stems supported by the first housing so as to be movable along a specific direction inclined with respect to the liquid-supplied surface, second cover bolts, coil springs biasing the stems along the specific direction and bring the mesh into intimate contact with the liquid-supplied surface, and a lid member covering the mesh from a side of the liquid-supplied surface to seal a space around the liquid-supplied surface with the first housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Masayuki KOUKETSU, Hiroshi ITAFUJI, Masayo OKADA
  • Publication number: 20140010936
    Abstract: A spout, system, and method for producing a foam from a pressurized mixture of a liquid containing gas bubbles, e.g., air bubbles. The spout consists of a spout enclosure defining the body of the spout, and which receives the pressurized mixture and conveys the foam out of the spout enclosure. The spout enclosure houses a plurality of screens disposed in series that successively screen the pressurized mixture. Each screen is separated from a consecutive screen by a screen spacing. The screening of the pressurized mixture progressively transforms the gas bubbles in the liquid into foam bubbles of a smaller and generally uniform size. The system uses a manifold having a plurality of intakes which introduce under pressure into a chamber gas, and a solute, solvent or liquid, thereby generating the pressurized mixture containing gas bubbles. This mixture is conveyed out of the chamber via an outtake to the spout enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: VKI TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Alain Boily, Jorge Barbales, Marc St. Germain, Marc-Andre Vaillant
  • Publication number: 20140001658
    Abstract: Humidifier apparatus for a respiratory apparatus includes a housing providing a gas flow path, a heater apparatus, and a water supply distribution member configured and arranged to deliver water vapour to the gas flow path. The water distribution member is provided to the housing and in thermal communication with the heater apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: ResMed Limited
    Inventor: Alexander Virr
  • Patent number: 8603580
    Abstract: A method for vaporizing a liquid for subsequent thin film deposition on a substrate. The method comprises vaporizing a liquid which is disposed within a tubular porous metal body. The porous metal body comprises a first surface defining a first carrier gas flow path and a second surface defining a second carrier gas flow path in a substantially opposite direct to the first carrier flow path. Vapor is generated from the liquid and added to a carrier gas that passes sequentially in direct contact along the first and second surfaces of the porous metal body to form a gas/vapor mixture with the carrier gas first flowing along the first surface and then along the second surface thereby providing a gas/vapor mixture for thin film deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: MSP Corporation
    Inventor: Benjamin Y. H. Liu
  • Patent number: 8551409
    Abstract: A blower type chemical diffusing apparatus is small in thickness, simple in structure, and reduced in cost. The apparatus allows the chemical and a battery to be exchanged readily and facilitates electrically connecting the battery to the motor in the blower. The apparatus casing includes a first and a second side casing counterpart hinged together to allow opening and closing. The apparatus further includes a blower with a motor and fan mounted in the first casing body. A chemical cartridge is disposed between the blower and the second casing body, and contains a chemical impregnated body which includes a carrier in the form of a sheet impregnated with the chemical. The first casing body has a battery accommodating recess in which dry cells are removably accepted to drive the motor and thereby to rotate the fan. Air is thus forced to flow through the chemical cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Fumakilla Limited
    Inventors: Kazunori Yamamoto, Shinya Kawamura, Satoshi Yamasaki, Yasuharu Takei
  • Publication number: 20130087936
    Abstract: A water vapor transport membrane for a membrane humidifier and a method for making the water vapor transport membrane are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Annette M. Brenner, Timothy J. Fuller, Lijun Zou
  • Publication number: 20130026666
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a humidifying medium which adopts a natural humidifying system and has excellent lifespan characteristics. The humidifying medium according to the present invention is formed by coupling a linerboard to one or both sides of a corrugated board. The corrugated board and the linerboard have different average pore diameters, and the humidifying medium of the present invention may be formed by coupling a linerboard having an average pore diameter of 35Ëś40 ?m to one or both sides of a corrugated board having an average pore diameter of 8-10 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: LG HAUSYS, LTD.
    Inventors: Ju-Hyung Lee, Moon-Suk Han, Seong-Moon Jung
  • Patent number: 8337604
    Abstract: A system for removing unwanted contaminates from gases using a scrubber, which comprises a housing, a reaction chamber having a liquid level, an inlet connected to a source containing gases to be scrubbed with a contamination concentration greater than zero ppb to saturation. A gas exit port connected to the housing is used for evacuating scrubbed gas and a sintered permeable membrane is disposed across the reaction chamber, which provides a reaction zone in the plurality of pores when gases to be scrubbed are introduced to the membrane on a first side while the membrane is immersed in the lean liquid; and a cleaned gas on a second side wherein the clean gas initially has a drop in contamination concentration of at least 99 percent and gradually decreasing to 70 percent as additional gases to be scrubbed are introduced to the plurality of pores without replacing the lean liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Vapor Point, LLC
    Inventors: Jefferey St. Amant, Kenneth R. Matheson, Keith Nathan
  • Patent number: 8329347
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a water vapor transport device having a wet flow field layer having a coarse microtruss structure disposed between a pair of fine microtruss structures. The coarse and fine microtruss structures of the wet flow field layer are formed from a radiation-sensitive material. A dry flow field layer has a coarse microtruss structure disposed between a pair of fine microtruss structures. The coarse and fine microtruss structures of the dry flow field layer are also formed from a radiation-sensitive material. A membrane is disposed between the wet flow field layer and the dry flow field layer and adapted to permit a transfer of water vapor therethrough from the wet fluid to the dry fluid to form a humidified fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Rock, Yeh-Hung Lai, Gerald W. Fly
  • Publication number: 20120299206
    Abstract: Disclosed is a generator of oxygen-rich water. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a generator of oxygen-rich water, including: a housing; a water tank provided in the housing; an oxygen generator provided in the housing; and a mixing unit mixing water supplied from the water tank and oxygen generated from the oxygen generator, wherein the mixing unit includes a hollow fiber membrane therein, and the hollow fiber membrane includes an inlet to which at least one end of a hollow fiber is fixed and a protrusion in which a body of the hollow fiber protrudes and is provided so that water and oxygen flows into an opening of at least one end fixed to the inlet and is discharged to the protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Sang Oh KWON, Jae Young HWANG
  • Patent number: 8302943
    Abstract: A humidifier pad assembly for a humidifier that is configured for adding humidity to an air stream of an HVAC system of a building or other structure. The humidifier pad assembly may include a frame for holding a replaceable humidifier pad within the housing of the humidifier. The frame may be structured to hold the replaceable humidifier pad within the housing such that a back major surface of the replaceable humidifier pad generally faces the back side of the housing, and a front opposing major surface of the humidifier pad generally faces the front side of the housing. The frame may further be structured to permit removal and replacement of the replaceable humidifier pad through the front side of the frame. In some cases, the housing may be configured such that the frame (and the replaceable humidifier pad) may be slid out of apertures in the right side and/or left side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Bin Wang, Xin Hua Cao, Brad Terlson, David Quam
  • Publication number: 20120267804
    Abstract: A room humidifying apparatus is provided which operates with minimum cost and without any electrical power. The humidifier is located so as to make use of a stream of air coming from a register. The humidifier has a casing carrying a main water tank, a water pan and an evaporative filter element which are located in the casing. The tank drips water onto the filter element, which has a lower portion located in the water pan to collect any excess water dripping down the filter element and also to moisten it with capillary effect. Heated air from the register becomes humidified on passing through the filter element. The water tank can be filled manually from the top or be detachable and filled through a bottom refill opening. Alternatively, the water tank can be connected to a water source with a valve to regulate the flow of water into the water tank. The water tank may be balanced so as to displace, for example tilt, from a first position when it contains water to a second position when it is empty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Jeri Rodrigs, James Henderson, Kevin J. Bailey
  • Patent number: 8235361
    Abstract: A structured packing for a reactor is formed from a metal sheet to promote heat and mass transfer near the wall of the reactor. The structured packing causes lateral flow of fluids flowing through the packing such that jet impingement of at least one reactor wall is promoted. The packing may be used in a cylindrical, annular or plate-type reactor, e.g., a catalytic reactor, or a heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Tribute Creations, LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan Jay Feinstein
  • Publication number: 20120193818
    Abstract: A diffuser tube is capable of preventing sludge from entering the tube when a diffusion operation is not performed, thereby preventing clogging of diffusion holes and inside of the tube and reducing a pressure loss during the diffusion operation. The diffuser tube is formed of an elastic tubular body, and slit cutting surfaces of a diffusion slit are slanted with respect to a radial direction of a membrane member in a slanted surface portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Youichirou HIROSE, Yasunobu OKAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20120193820
    Abstract: A membrane cartridge is manufactured by repeatedly folding and joining two strips of membrane to form a cross-pleated cartridge with a stack of openings or fluid passageways configured in an alternating cross-flow arrangement. The cartridge can be modified for other flow configurations including co-flow and counter-flow arrangements. Methods for manufacturing such cross-pleated membrane cartridges, as well as apparatus used in the manufacturing process are described. Cross-pleated membrane cartridges comprising water-permeable membranes can be used in a variety of applications, including in heat and water vapor exchangers. In particular they can be incorporated into energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) for exchanging heat and water vapor between air streams being directed into and out of buildings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: DPoint Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Greg MONTIE, James Franklin Dean, Curtis Mullen, Robert Hill
  • Publication number: 20120175304
    Abstract: A mass transfer device, such as a desorption device has fluid channels, to transfer a component one fluid to the other. A microsieve is provided separating the channels. The microsieve comprising a sieve layer with a thickness of less than two micrometer deposited on a substrate with openings to expose areas of the sieve layer with holes straight through the sieve layer. The remaining portions of the substrate form a support web to support the sieve layer. In an embodiment the liquid channel is provided on the side of the microsieve opposite the substrate portions. An efficient very low height (e.g. 25 micrometer) liquid channel may be realized in this way. Preferably the liquid is supplied using a channel plate facing the microsieve, with grooves opposite wider portions of the substrate, the liquid flowing out sideways from the grooves into areas where the low height liquid channel is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: FluXXion B.V.
    Inventors: Benjamin Brocades Zaalberg, Franciscus Antonius Pronk
  • Patent number: 8137853
    Abstract: A membrane humidifier for a fuel cell with a wet side plate having a plurality of flow channels formed therein and a dry side plate having a plurality of flow channels formed therein, the flow channels of the wet side plate adapted to facilitate a flow of a wet gas therethrough and the flow channels of said dry side plate adapted to facilitate a flow of a dry gas therethrough, wherein a pressure drop in the humidifier is minimized and a humidification of a proton exchange membrane in the fuel cell is optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yan Zhang, Annette M. Brenner, Hubert A. Gasteiger, Steven G. Goebel, Glenn W. Skala
  • Publication number: 20120052964
    Abstract: An underwater device for generating a vortex ring includes a liquid chamber, and a fluid or air chamber contiguous to the liquid chamber and separated by a partition wall. The liquid chamber includes a generally rigid section and a compressible or flexible section. The rigid section includes an opening for selectively loading the liquid chamber with a liquid and for discharging a vortex ring therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: Eric W. Curry
  • Patent number: 8114676
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring the concentrations of organic and inorganic carbon, or of other materials, in aqueous samples are described, together with related, specially adapted components and sub-assemblies and related control, operational and monitoring systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: GE Analytical Instruments
    Inventors: Gregory B. Conway, Michael R. Scaer, Paul Melanson, Gordon K. Francis, Pei Huang
  • Publication number: 20110287404
    Abstract: Reactors that allow mixing and gasification by converting the entire floor of the reactor vessel to a sparge filter is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Therapeutic Proteins Inc.
    Inventor: Sarfaraz K. Niazi
  • Publication number: 20110260344
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a carbonation system or gas delivery system including a liquid inlet, a gas inlet, a mixture outlet, and a mixing cartridge or membrane module. The mixing cartridge or membrane module can enhance the simultaneous absorption of gas and the transfer of heat out of the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: John W. Shanahan, John H. Burban, Kenneth A. Peterson, Robert O. Crowder, Xijing Zhang, Michael Saveliev, Kevin Carlson