Sprayed Patents (Class 261/89)
  • Patent number: 11857908
    Abstract: Provided is an air purification apparatus and method. The apparatus comprises a body having a cavity, an air intake, and an air exhaust. A water reservoir, disposed within the cavity contains a fluid and is in fluid communication with the air intake. A first chamber is disposed within the cavity and is in fluid communication with the water reservoir and the air exhaust. A solar power assembly attaches to the body, the solar power assembly has one or more solar panels. The air purification apparatus has a battery in electrical communication with the one or more solar panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Walter Corporation LLC
    Inventor: Waynard Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11278839
    Abstract: Provided is an air purification apparatus and method. The apparatus comprises a body having a cavity, an air intake, and an air exhaust. A water reservoir, disposed within the cavity contains a fluid and is in fluid communication with the air intake. A first chamber is disposed within the cavity and is in fluid communication with the water reservoir and the air exhaust. A solar power assembly attaches to the body, the solar power assembly has one or more solar panels. The air purification apparatus has a battery in electrical communication with the one or more solar panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Walter Corporation LLC
    Inventor: Waynard Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11029085
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a BOG processing apparatus. The BOG processing apparatus includes a cooling device, a second cooling device, and a recovery device. The cooling device has a cooling drum, a BOC inlet part introducing the BOG, a first spray spraying LNG in an upward direction, a first filled layer contacting with the LNG and the BOG, a second spray spraying the LNG in a downward direction, a third spray spraying the LNG in a downward direction, a second filled layer adsorbing mist in the BOG, and a mist eliminator eliminating the mist in the BOG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Chiyoda Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 10981081
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a distillation apparatus and, more particularly, to a distillation apparatus for recovering a high purity product through fractionation of volatile components from a material to be distilled, by using thermal energy and centrifugal force. The distillation apparatus can recover a high purity product from the material to be distilled without significant damage by reducing a pressure drop according to driving of the apparatus and thereby minimizing the temperature difference in the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Hanwha Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Woo Youl Ahan, Hyelim Yang, Geunsik Lim, Sungup Choi, Jaekyu Jang
  • Patent number: 10722820
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas/liquid separator. According to an aspect of the present invention, provided is a gas/liquid separator, including a housing including a first supply part and a second supply part; a rotary shaft rotatably provided to the housing; a drive unit configured to rotate the rotary shaft; fixed cones disposed in an interior of the housing and each including a tilted area, diameters of which are decreased in a direction from the first supply part to the second supply part, a first through-hole, which passes the rotary shaft, and at least one second through-hole, through which a second fluid introduced via the second supply part passes; and rotary cones disposed in an interior of the housing so as to be spaced apart from the fixed cones and installed at the rotary shaft so as to rotate about the rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Dae Young Shin, Eun Jung Joo, Chang Hoe Heo, Sung Keun Jang, Joon Ho Shin
  • Patent number: 10519045
    Abstract: Seawater is deaerated using a rotating packed bed device having one or more rotatable packing rings within a housing, a liquid inlet for infusing seawater into an interior region defined by the packing rings, a gas outlet for accepting gas which has passed radially inwardly through the packing rings and removing the gas from the interior region, and a liquid outlet for removing a deaerated seawater stream from the housing. A shaft coupled to a motor drives the packing rings causing the packing rings to rotate. The feed seawater stream passes radially outwardly through each of the packing rings thereby forming the deaerated seawater stream having a lower concentration of oxygen, air and/or carbon dioxide therein than the feed seawater stream and a gas stream having been removed from the feed seawater stream. The deaerated seawater stream is then injected into a hydrocarbon producing reservoir in an EOR process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Marcus V. Dutra e Mello, Hua-Min Huang
  • Patent number: 10239806
    Abstract: The present invention belongs to the technology field of microbial fermentation of the sugar-containing raw materials for producing fuel ethanol. It specifically relates to a continuous separation device and process for producing fuel ethanol. The device is continuous distillation device, and is improvement of the distillation device in the prior art. The present invention utilizes a continuous ethanol separation process, which can make full use of fermentable sugar of the sweet sorghum straw (or sugar cane, sugar beet), increase ethanol yield, change the traditional mode of production, truly realize continuous ethanol separation process; and the waste materials produced in the procedure of distillation can be used either as fuel, or as animal feed, and this not only saves the cost, but also is greatly significant in environmental protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shizhong Li, Guangming Li
  • Patent number: 10107001
    Abstract: A cooling tower structure having a concrete perimeter foundation wall with a perimeter rebar grouping. The structure includes at least four columns formed of CMU blocks with at least two columns being freestanding and positioned approximate corners of the foundation wall. Each column further includes a column rebar grouping being tied into the perimeter rebar grouping. At least three bond-beams formed of CMU blocks are connected between the columns at least four feet above the foundation. The bond-beams include beam rebar groupings tying into at least one of the column rebar groupings. The structure includes housing walls formed of CMU blocks extending upward from the bond beams. At least one fan is on at least one pedestal column positioned within the foundation wall, with a pedestal rebar grouping extending though the pedestal column from a concrete pedestal footing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Syntech Towers, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Marks, Mark B. Spring, Davin O. Spring
  • Patent number: 9233325
    Abstract: In a centrifugal separator and method for cleaning of gas containing solid and liquid impurities. A stationary casing encloses a separation space through which gas flows. An inlet channel extends to the separation space and forms an inlet for the gas to be cleaned. A rotating member is provided in the separation space downstream the inlet and rotates about an axis of rotation. The rotating member comprises a number of separation discs and brings the gas to rotate for separating by means of centrifugal forces a main part of the impurities from the gas. A gas outlet channel is provided downstream the rotating member for discharging the cleaned gas. A first outlet is provided for discharging the impurities. A supply member is configured to permit the supply of a separation aid humidifying the particles, which aid is in the form of an aerosol, to the gas to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL TUMBA AB
    Inventors: Claes-Goran Carlsson, Jan Skoog, Tommy Myrvang, Jan Berntsson
  • Patent number: 8899495
    Abstract: A mist generating system includes an input pipeline, an iced water tank, a heat exchanger, a nebulizing pump, an output pipeline, a pressure regulating set and a pressure releasing set communicating with each other via a plurality of pipes. The iced water tank is connected between the input pipeline and the nebulizing pump. The iced water tank is connected to the heat exchanger. One end of the output pipeline is connected to the nebulizing pump. Another end of the output pipeline is connected to the pressure regulating set. The pressure regulating set is connected to the iced water tank. One end of the pressure releasing set connected between the nebulizing pump and the output pipeline. Another end of the pressure releasing set connected to the iced water tank. When the mist generating system is turned on, a volume of water is ejected toward the outside in a mist form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: Meng-Yao Chuang
  • Patent number: 8893984
    Abstract: An improved misting bottle and fan apparatus capable of both convective cooling and evaporative cooling independent of either other. The operator can select to have the convective cooling effects of air being blown over the operator. The operator can select to have the evaporative cooling effects of pressurized fluid forced through a small orifice showered down at the operator. In the alternative, the operator is able to select both style of cooling using this device. The positioning and shape of the atomizing device in relation to the forced air is unique as well as the shaping of the air flow optimizes the cooling effects. Location of the atomizing device is proscribed as to prevent the occurrence of drips and runs commonly associated with misting fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Sands, Michael Davis
  • Publication number: 20140331862
    Abstract: A vertically oriented co-current contacting system and methods for separating impurities from a gas stream including a vertically oriented co-current contactor (VOCC) located in-line within a pipe, a vertically oriented mixer (VOM) including an annular support ring configured to maintain the VOM within the pipe, a number of radial blades configured to allow a liquid stream to flow into the VOM, and a central gas entry cone configured to allow a gas stream to flow through a hollow section within the VOM, a vertically oriented mass transfer section downstream of the VOM. The VOM and the vertically oriented mass transfer section provide for efficient incorporation of liquid droplets including impurities from the gas stream formed from the liquid stream into the gas stream. The vertically oriented co-current contacting system also includes a separation system configured to remove the liquid droplets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: J. Tim Cullinane, Edward J. Grave, Stephanie A. Freeman
  • Patent number: 8728208
    Abstract: An air cleaner is described comprising a housing having an air inlet and an air exhaust extending therethrough, a refill for containing a reservoir of liquid which is releasable from the housing, a nebulizer within the housing configured, in use, to be in fluid contact with the source of liquid to generate a mist of liquid droplets, said nebulizer being configured, in use, to eject the mist upwardly, a chamber within the housing in which the mist is retained, a fan within the housing configured, in use, to generate a flow of air through the air inlet and into the chamber such that at least some of the contaminants in the air flow are urged by the mist out of the flow of air and toward the refill. A refill for the air cleaner is also described as well as the use of said air cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Reckitt & Colman (Overseas) Limited
    Inventors: Jocelin Langford, Ellen Piercy, Steve Walsh
  • Patent number: 8720869
    Abstract: A high-speed centrifugal atomization mixing net for an exhaust outlet pipe, including a spray pipe, a shaft sleeve, an induced air blade, and an atomization net. The spray pipe is capable of rotating. The shaft sleeve is fixedly disposed on the spray pipe. The induced air blade is disposed on the front of the shaft sleeve. The atomization net is disposed at the back of the shaft sleeve. A spray hole opposite to the shaft sleeve is disposed on a side wall of the spray pipe. Multiple inclined spray grooves are disposed on side wall of the shaft sleeve. An end of the induced air blade is bent. The bending direction of the induced air blade is the same as an inclination direction of the induced air blade. The bent part of the induced air blade is connected to an outer edge of the atomization net whereby forming a stop plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Hongsheng Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120261842
    Abstract: There is disclosed a non-electric portable manually operated misting fan assembly which is formed by a handle for allowing the user to grasp and manipulate the fan assembly, the handle formed by a container adapted to function as a reservoir for a supply of fluid and having an upper end which includes a pump assembly including a pump head extending upwardly therefrom for pumping fluid from the handle container through a fluid nozzle located in the pump head. The fan means are fixedly mounted on the handle and positioned above the pump head, the fan means bounded by an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being accurately formed over the pump head in order to allow the user to position his finger on the pump head to manipulate the pump in order to eject a fluid from the fluid reservoir incident to the fanning procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: Greg Steiner
  • Publication number: 20120261843
    Abstract: There is disclosed a non-electric portable manually operated misting fan assembly which is formed by a handle for allowing the user to grasp and manipulate the fan assembly, the handle formed by a container adapted to function as a reservoir for a supply of fluid and having an upper end which includes a pump assembly including a pump head extending upwardly therefrom for pumping fluid from the handle container through a fluid nozzle located in the pump head. The fan means are fixedly mounted on the handle and positioned above the pump head, the fan means bounded by an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being accurately formed over the pump head in order to allow the user to position his finger on the pump head to manipulate the pump in order to eject a fluid from the fluid reservoir incident to the fanning procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: Gregory Steiner
  • Publication number: 20120133062
    Abstract: A high-speed centrifugal atomization mixing net for an exhaust outlet pipe, including a spray pipe, a shaft sleeve, an induced air blade, and an atomization net. The spray pipe is capable of rotating. The shaft sleeve is fixedly disposed on the spray pipe. The induced air blade is disposed on the front of the shaft sleeve. The atomization net is disposed at the back of the shaft sleeve. A spray hole opposite to the shaft sleeve is disposed on a side wall of the spray pipe. Multiple inclined spray grooves are disposed on side wall of the shaft sleeve. An end of the induced air blade is bent. The bending direction of the induced air blade is the same as an inclination direction of the induced air blade. The bent part of the induced air blade is connected to an outer edge of the atomization net whereby forming a stop plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventor: Hongsheng ZHANG
  • Patent number: 8104746
    Abstract: A cooling tower system, including a principal cooling tower; an auxiliary cooling tower for receiving a portion of the warm water flow into the main tower; a central shaft mounted vertically in the auxiliary tower; a turbine mounted on a portion of the shaft; a cooling blade mounted on the upper end of the shaft; a water jetting system delivering warm water under pressure from the main cooling tower into the auxiliary cooling tower to impart rotation to the turbine blades for imparting rotation to the cooling blade; a quantity of high efficiency film fill in that portion of the tower below the turbine for receiving the water coming off of the turbine blades; air flow produced by rotation of the cooling blade upward through the fill in order to cool the water before it is returned to the main cooling tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Vincent Wiltz
  • Patent number: 7950630
    Abstract: This invention relates to a gas-liquid mixing device, forming a safety valve, designed capable of being incorporated into a gas-cleaning installation including a liquid tank (4), an inlet (1) for gas to be cleaned and an outlet (7) through which the gas flow is evacuated. It is characterized in that it has: a tube (2) sliding around the gas inlet (1) and including a peripheral float (8) located in its lower end and designed capable of floating in said tank (4), said sliding tube (2) being open in its lower portion, in order to draw liquid from said tank (4) by a venturi effect and to create a mist in a pressure-relief zone (5); a mixing chamber (6) interposed between said sliding tube (2) and said outlet (7), and designed capable of conveying the flow of said mist towards the bottom of said tank (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: WINDDROP
    Inventor: Gerard Curien
  • Patent number: 7938385
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for on-board refining of fuels within motorized vehicles. On board fuel refining is a finish-refining step that allows a fuel to be more precisely tailored to a particular vehicle and internal-combustion engine and to the current conditions under which the fuel is being used. In one embodiment, the fuel is subjected to fluid-shear forces and cavitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph L. Donnelly
  • Patent number: 7896319
    Abstract: A sauna apparatus includes a heating section for heating air to generate heated air, a heated-air-blowing section for sending the heated air, a humidifying section for humidifying air to generate humidified air, a humidified-air-blowing section for sending the humidified air, a merging chamber for mixing the sent heated air and the sent humidified air to generate heated and humidified air, and an outlet for blowing the heated and humidified air generated. This sauna apparatus provides air having uniform temperature distribution and uniform humidity distribution, and allows temperature and humidity to be controlled easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Fujii, Yoshio Ikari
  • Patent number: 7810794
    Abstract: There is disclosed a portable misting fan formed by upper and lower body portions which are joined together along a joint. The joint is improved by providing the lower body portion with a non-circular neck portion along its top end, and wherein the upper body portion includes two halves which terminate in lower body collar sections, intended to be joined together in overlying relationship relative to the neck portion. A rail and groove system is employed as between the upper first and second body portions, and the neck portion, so that the rails will slidingly engage the grooves in the neck portion rendering the joint resistant to rotation. The neck portion includes an aperture into which a sleeve is press fitted, the sleeve includes upper and lower lips, and the lower body collar sections include inwardly extending flanges which overlie and engage the upper and lower lips formed in the sleeve, thereby brace and secure the pump assembly within the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Yung Chen
  • Patent number: 7806388
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved handheld water misting fan device wherein the power source compartment is positioned within the device at a location remote from the fan motor thereby to remove any structure from the area bounded by the fan shroud. The relocation of the power source compartment leaves the area bounded by the shroud substantially unobstructed thereby to improve air flow. The device is formed in a dog bone shaped configuration to provide a narrow handle section for improved grippability, and an enlarged fluid reservoir at the lower end thereof for greater reservoir capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventors: Eric Junkel, Yung Chen
  • Patent number: 7651666
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices for dispensing air treatment chemicals, and refill units for use therewith. Some of these devices have a well facing the heater and a transparent wall to view the use up of the air treatment chemical. Other of these devices have a refill with wells positioned in opposing directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel E. Adair, Brian T. Davis, Gopal P. Ananth, David P. Mather
  • Patent number: 7595487
    Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of the present disclosure include: confining/focusing vortex flow transmission structures, mass spectrometry systems including a confining/focusing vortex flow transmission structure, methods of using the confining/focusing vortex flow transmission structure, methods of using mass spectrometry system, methods of transmitting droplets and ions, methods of evaporating droplets and desolvating ions, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventor: Andrei G. Fedorov
  • Patent number: 7566048
    Abstract: A fan spray device is provided with a housing having a shape of a character head. A fan assembly is provided on the character head housing with a propeller for generating a stream of forced air away from the housing. A spray assembly is provided on the housing proximate to the propeller to dispense liquid into the stream of forced air. A handle is operably connected to the housing for movement between a retracted position and an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Stylus, Inc.
    Inventor: Victor Ptak
  • Patent number: 7547364
    Abstract: A sprayer device including a generator for generating an air stream having a predetermined velocity and a nozzle unit for the discharge of liquid therefrom, whereby to produce a mist stream capable of being propelled to a predetermined location. The mist stream has a measurable and controllable lateral dimension at the predetermined location. The sprayer device is used particularly for moistening cattle, especially cows, in sheds, and taking into account the effect of the wind. Rows of sprayers project water sprays directed toward the cattle. The sprayers may be angularly shifted to take into account the deviating effect of the wind. A processor calculates the angular shift that is needed for the existing wind direction and intensity. All the sprayers concurrently receive the angular shift, which is transmitted to the first sprayer from a control station and successively from each sprayer to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Inventor: Arieh Jehuda Polak
  • Patent number: 7534404
    Abstract: New methods of operating surface reactors, and such reactors, particularly spinning disk reactors, require that a first reactant is fed to a reactor surface (20) and forms a thin radially outward moving film (60) thereon in a reaction passage (42) formed between the reaction surface (20) and a parallel, closely spaced (less than 1 mm) retaining surface (40). The passage thickness is precisely controllable and the surfaces (20, 40) move relative to one another so that strong shear is applied to the material between them. A second reactant is fed to the surface (20) as a second thin film (65) that as it enters the first film (60), preferably perpendicularly, it is immediately merged therewith along a correspondingly very narrow interaction line (66) by the shear at a rate such as to break up molecular clusters in the films, so that their molecules can aggressively and completely interact by forced interdiffusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Holl Partners LLC
    Inventor: Richard A. Holl
  • Patent number: 7513488
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for foaming glue for the production of wood-based sheets. Gluing substance and gas are fed (1,2) into the foaming device through nozzles (3,4), which are directed to mix the gluing substance and gas to be fed to form an essentially homogenous mixture prior to foaming. After this the gluing substance is foamed mechanically in the foaming chamber (5) with the aid of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Raute Oyj
    Inventors: Raili Kaarina Virtanen, legal representative, Jouni Rainio, Matti Virtanen
  • Patent number: 7510170
    Abstract: A humidifying fan includes a base, a water swinging device and a fan device. The base has a water tank for storing an appropriate amount of water or other liquids, and an atomized water hole. The water swinging device has a power element and a water swinging fan connected with a suction tube extending in the water tank and having slots in its inner wall and plural water exits. When water is sucked up to spray through the exits, it is dispersed by the swinging fan to get atomized. But, a large number of droplets without atomized are to attach on a fur comb set around the swinging fan and then drop in the water tank. The fan device consisting of blades and power element is to blow and spread the atomized water for cooling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Guan Hong Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Cheng Huang
  • Patent number: 7429288
    Abstract: A spinning impingement multiphase contacting device and method for heat or mass transfer are disclosed. A first fluid, from which the transfer is to occur, is caused to impinge and be entrained in a spinning permeable element, creating a highly dispersed phase. The highly dispersed phase contacts the second fluid to cause the desired heat or mass transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Cleveland Gas Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Nelson C. Gardner, Xintian Zheng, Robert E. Harris
  • Patent number: 7344126
    Abstract: The equipment of high-gravity multi-rotors zigzag rotating beds according to the present invention comprises a casing, a gas inlet and a liquid outlet being provided at the bottom of the casing, a gas outlet and a liquid inlet being provided at the top of the casing, a rotating shaft being provided at the center of the casing and going through the top and the bottom of the casing, a plurality of rotors being installed in series on the rotating shaft and being arranged in layers from top to bottom, and a middle feed inlet being provided on the side of the casing and being communicated with zigzag channels. The rotor comprises a mobile disk fixed on the rotating shaft and an immobile disk fixed on the casing, A series of concentric mobile and immobile circular baffle-sheets are fitted on the mobile disk and the immobile disk respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Zhejiang University of Technology
    Inventors: Jianbing Ji, Zhichao Xu, Yunliang Yu
  • Patent number: 7326283
    Abstract: A spinning impingement multiphase contacting device and method for heat or mass transfer are disclosed. A first fluid, from which the transfer is to occur, is caused to impinge and be entrained in a spinning permeable element, creating a highly dispersed phase. The highly dispersed phase contacts the second fluid to cause the desired heat or mass transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Cleveland Gas Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Nelson C. Gardner, Xintian Zheng, Robert E. Harris
  • Patent number: 7125527
    Abstract: Methods of operating surface reactors, and such reactors, particularly spinning disc reactors require that a first reactant is fed to the reactor surface and forms a thin film on the surface. A second reactant is fed to the surface in the form of a second thin film to interact with the first film so as to overcome the impedance to interaction between the two films imposed by the existence of molecular clusters in the films. Thus, each film is fed into the receiving film at a rate such as to break up the molecular clusters in the film and thereby permit the molecules to aggressively and completely interact with one another. In the spinning disc apparatus the films are fed at respective distances from the spin axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: KinetiChem, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Holl
  • Patent number: 7111829
    Abstract: A fuel processing device (2) is provided that produces fuel aerosol particles (5) that when mixed with combustion air, reduces or eliminates detonation (knock) in internal combustion engines, reducing fuel octane requirements and improving burning characteristics of the fuel. The device includes an adapter (10) between fuel injector (12) and port (14) for the fuel injector, the adapter being of a hollow cylindrical configuration. A plurality of plates (46) are disposed in the adapter, plates (46) provided with a central opening (50), with radially extending slots (52) extending away from the central opening (50). Each slot has one edge configured with a vane (56) that creates turbulence in the air/fuel mix passing through the adapter so that larger droplets are broken up into smaller droplets until an optimum droplet size is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Better Burn, LLC
    Inventor: Gilles L. DeLisle
  • Patent number: 7032893
    Abstract: Vapor-liquid contacting equipment includes a contact column in which a test liquid flows from top to bottom and a vapor flows from bottom to top, a rotary shaft which is inserted vertically in the contact column, rotors which are provided at different heights on the shaft, and which convert the test liquid into a thin film by centrifugal force and then discharge the test liquid from the outer periphery thereof, and trays which receive the test liquid discharged from an upper rotor and guide the test liquid to the center of a lower rotor. The rotors have furrows, which the test liquid flows over when the filmy test liquid flows out from the center of the rotor towards the outer periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Sotoyama, Keiji Iwatsuki, Teruhiko Mizota, Yuzo Asano, Masayuki Akiyama, Yuriko Iiyama
  • Patent number: 6736376
    Abstract: A fuel processing device is provided that produces properly sized fuel aerosol particles that when mixed with combustion air, reduces or eliminates detonation (knock) in internal combustion engines thus reducing fuel octane requirements for engines of a given compression ratio. The device includes an adapter between a fuel injector and a port for the fuel injector, the adapter being generally of a hollow cylindrical configuration. A plurality of plates are disposed in the adapter, the plates provided with a central opening, with radially extending slots extending away from the central opening. Each slot has one edge configured with a vane that creates turbulence in the air/fuel mix passing through the adapter so that larger droplets are broken up into smaller droplets until an optimum droplet size is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventor: Gilles L. DeLisle
  • Patent number: 6663695
    Abstract: A method for cleaning air utilizing an air cleaner which is smaller than conventional air cleaners, wherein a filter is formed on the peripheral portion of a disk and the filter is bent into a wave-shape such that irregularities of the wave are formed in the radial direction of the disk, so that air existing on the inside area of the disk is discharged to the outside of the disk through the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Kankyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Ike, Yasushi Ishikawa, Shigemi Watanabe, Kazunari Kakuta
  • Patent number: 6637729
    Abstract: Evaporative cooling apparatus monitors light and heavy temperature averages to minimize cycling of the apparatus on-and-off when the apparatus is being turned on in the morning when the ambient temperature is rising and is being turned off in the afternoon when the ambient temperature is falling. The apparatus is suspended above the ground and includes a hollow housing with a top portion and a bottom portion, a fan mounted in the top portion of the housing to direct air flow through the housing downwardly toward the ground, and nozzles mounted inside the housing to direct water droplets into air flowing from the fan through the housing. The apparatus also includes a hollow, tapered member which captures a portion of the air flow from the fan and directs the airflow into a central area of the housing to insure that air flowing through the central area moves downwardly toward the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Larry R. Gordon
  • Patent number: 6378845
    Abstract: A portable combination fan and humidifier includes a non-rigid water reservoir, a fan, a fastener for securing the reservoir and fan together, and a holder for facilitating carrying. In use, one hand of a user can hold the reservoir and the housing of the fan to squeeze the reservoir for shooting out a spray. At the same time, the fan is turned on to spray the spray into air. This can enhance environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Chin-Tien Hsu
  • Publication number: 20010049910
    Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing slurry comprising an oxidizing agent, a complexing agent, an abrasive, and an optional surfactant, as well as a method for using the chemical mechanical polishing slurry to remove copper alloy, titanium, titanium nitride, tantalum and tantalum nitride containing layers from a substrate. The slurry does not include a separate film-forming agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: VLASTA BRUSIC KAUFMAN, RODNEY C. KISTLER, SHUMIN WANG
  • Patent number: 6325362
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling occupants of an open-air vehicle with a mist of water provided by a spray nozzle and blown by a fan onto the occupants. An apparatus having a water reservoir, pump, heat exchanger, nozzle for atomizing water and fan provides a mist of water through directional vents resulting in enhanced evaporative cooling of the vehicle occupants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventors: Raymond O. Massey, Mark E. Massey, William C. Barwell, Alan L. Baezner, Erick D. Sossamon, Jeff Fisher
  • Patent number: 6290216
    Abstract: A rotary heat and/or mass transfer arrangement in which a liquid component undergoes heat and/or mass transfer with a vapor component includes a rotor 10 on which a layer of fluid is applied by nozzles 16. The flow across the rotor is actively disturbed by a radial row of nozzles 20, to enhance the heat and/or mass transfer coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Interotex Limited
    Inventors: Terence Leslie Winnington, Robert Lorton
  • Patent number: 6237896
    Abstract: A portable fan with misting nozzles for providing a cooling mist to the air flow of a fan. The portable fan with misting nozzles includes a fan assembly adapted for creating an air flow. A water supply assembly for storing water. A plurality of nozzles adapted for spraying a mist of water into the air flow of the fan assembly. The nozzles are in fluid communication with the water supply assembly. The nozzles are coupled to the fan assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventors: Ricky D. Hicks, Lee A. Criswell
  • Patent number: 6216961
    Abstract: The fan propelled misting apparatus for cooling an extended area by evaporative cooling includes a blower with a hollow, cylindrical mist discharge tube, and a fan for propelling air flow through the mist discharge tube; and a misting device connected to the blower for delivering a fine spray of water to the cylindrical mist discharge tube. The misting device includes a pressurizable fluid tank, such as a piston type pump, with a water supply tube connected between the pressurizable fluid tank and the mist discharge tube for delivering the fine spray of water to the cylindrical mist discharge tube. The water supply tube has a nozzle at a distal end of the water supply tube disposed in the mist discharge tube so as to deliver the fine spray of water in the air flow provided by the blower. A valve is provided for controlling flow of water through the water supply tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventors: Steven M. Utter, Geri Utter
  • Patent number: 6062546
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the transfer of mass with the aid of rotating surfaces. The fluid with which an exchange or transfer is to be made is introduced in parallel in one or more gaps or channels defined between the rotating surfaces. Rotation of the surfaces causes the major part of the fluid flow to pass through a rotating, flow mechanical boundary layer adjacent the rotating transfer surface in laminar or turbulent flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Bjorn Gudmundsson
  • Patent number: 6045660
    Abstract: Apparatus for use in the rectification of liquid mixtures (separation of liquid mixtures into their constituents) and other processes requiring equilibration of liquid and gaseous phases in which mechanical energy is used to create and repeatedly regenerate free flying liquid structures that facilitate the intimate interaction and equilibration of said phases beyond standard practice and thereby allow smaller, more compact, more efficient, and more accessible apparatus and make practical lower operating temperatures and the use of inert carrier gases and otherwise increase the engineering options available to designers of rectification equipment and other equipment requiring liquid/vapor equilibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventors: Kern Savage, Richard C. Wingerson, William Lee Woodie, John L. Wyatt, deceased, by Diana Jacobs, legal representative, by Melody Balport, legal representative, by Mark Wyatt, legal representative
  • Patent number: 5851271
    Abstract: A device for simultaneously filtering and humidifying an air flow uses an outer casing having a rotatable, reticulated filtering element. The air flow enters the casing and must pass through the filtering element by making abrupt change in directions. Particles in the air flow, due to their greater inertia, will not be able to follow the air flow and, therefore, will not pass through the filtering element. There are expelled through an opening. The air flow exists through an outlet that is within the perimeter of the filtering element. A water projector serves to both humidify the air flow and wetten the filter elements surface in order to capture particles in the air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Inventors: Fernando A. Baptista, Joao M. Pereira Dias Baptista
  • Patent number: 5843344
    Abstract: A combination portable fan and spray misting device for creating a cooling atomized mist spray. The fan includes an elongated body portion and a fan blade head portion which is attached in an upwardly and angled fashion relative to the body portion and which further includes a rotatable fan blade unit. The spray misting device furter includes a body containing a volume of a liquid and a spray applicator secured atop said body and capable of issuing an atomized fluid mist spray of the liquid in a direction from the rear of and both above and through the rotating fan blade unit to further cool, atomize and distribute the spray in a desired application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Circulair, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric E. Junkel, Lee Radtke, Linda M. Usher
  • Patent number: 5837167
    Abstract: A compact portable misting fan includes a novel and attractive housing which makes extremely efficient use of space, encased fan blades which are mounted between front and rear baffles, a liquid reservoir with an atomizer, conveniently located mist and fan controls, and an easily accessible battery compartment. The housing has a substantially flat profile with a substantially cylindrical upper section in which the fan is mounted and a substantially rectilinear lower section in which the reservoir and batteries are contained. The fan on/off switch is located on a lower portion of the cylindrical upper section and the misting button is located on an upper portion of the rectilinear lower section and on a side opposite to the fan switch. It is easily held in the user's hand so that the fan and the mister can be operated separately by thumb or index finger. A small hole is provided in the housing for the outlet of the atomizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Lederer