Pressure Sensed Patents (Class 95/19)
  • Patent number: 7357822
    Abstract: In order to calculate an estimation of the quantity of accumulated particulates in a filter (32), a first estimation calculation unit (100) that outputs first estimation data (XA) calculated from the filter before and after differential pressure, and a second estimation calculation unit (110) that outputs second estimation data (XB) based on the engine operation status. Of the first and second estimation data (XA, XB), the estimation data having the higher dependability, as viewed from the engine speed at that time, is selected, whether or not to regenerate the filter is determined and with the differential between the first and second estimation (XA, XB) also taken into consideration, when the differential is larger than a prescribed value, even if the engine speed is high, the first estimation data XA is not selected since there is a risk that the dependability of the estimation value is low due to cracking of the accumulated particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Hamahata, Tomonori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7326276
    Abstract: When a shutoff signal is entered to shut off a fuel gas manufacturing apparatus, it is determined whether a PSA mechanism is in a prescribed shutoff state or not. If the PSA mechanism is judged as not being in the prescribed shutoff state, the fuel gas manufacturing apparatus is continuously operated until the PSA mechanism is brought into the prescribed shutoff state. Then, if the PSA mechanism reaches the prescribed shutoff state, the fuel gas manufacturing apparatus is shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Sumi, Hiroshi Machida, Satoshi Hanai
  • Patent number: 7314509
    Abstract: A gas/liquid phase separator includes a fluid inlet, a vapor outlet, a liquid outlet, and first and second valves disposed in fluid communication with the liquid outlet. Both valves are controllable in response to a fluid level in the gas/liquid phase separator. Both valves are further disposed in parallel fluid communication with each other. A method of controlling a liquid level in the phase separator includes sensing an amount of liquid in the phase separator, sensing a system pressure, and selectively opening a valve disposed in fluid communication with the phase separator to drain the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Proton Energy System, Inc.
    Inventors: A. John Speranza, Andrzej E. Stanek, Angelo A. Morson, Justin D. Baltrucki
  • Patent number: 7311755
    Abstract: Method of operating an oxygen-permeable mixed conducting membrane having an oxidant feed side and a permeate side, which method comprises controlling the differential strain between the oxidant feed side and the permeate side by varying either or both of the oxygen partial pressure and the total gas pressure on either or both of the oxidant feed side and the permeate side of the membrane while changing the temperature of the membrane from a first temperature to a second temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Francis Carolan
  • Patent number: 7296399
    Abstract: Methods for extracting and compressing an inert gas from an exhaust gas of an engine relate to providing an inert gas processing system including a multi-stage gas compressor to receive the exhaust gas from an exhaust gas processing system, a cooling and extraction system to receive the exhaust gas from each stage of the multi-stage gas compressor and remove liquids from the exhaust gas, and a controller to monitor operation of the inert gas processing system. The methods include processing the exhaust gas before each stage of the multi-stage gas compressor to clarify the inert gas in the exhaust gas, processing the exhaust gas after each stage of the multi-stage gas compressor to clarify the inert gas in the exhaust gas and compressing the inert gas processed for export from the inert gas processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Robert A. Hoff, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7294169
    Abstract: A method for operating a filter assembly having a filter medium includes applying a constant or nearly constant static DC potential to dust entering the filter assembly and the filter medium, passing dust-laden gas through the filter medium in a first direction through the filter assembly while the filter medium is statically charged with the DC potential, measuring pressure drop through the filter assembly, and, in response to the pressure drop meeting a preset limit, reversing the polarity of the DC potential to thereby allow dust particles on the filter medium to drop off the filter medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7288137
    Abstract: A particulate trap has a plurality of filters and an air distributor. The air distributor has a first flow member and a second flow member. Each of the first and second flow members have a plurality of openings to allow exhaust flow through the plurality of filters. At least one of the first and second flow members is movable to selectively block exhaust flow to at least one of the plurality of filters at a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kartik Ganesan Iyer, Kerry Allen Delvecchio, Joanna Louise Costura
  • Patent number: 7261762
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting and predicting air filter condition for an air handling system operates by determining a system resistance to air flow. The system resistance is utilized to determine a detection statistic indicative of current filter condition and to predict remaining life of the air filter. The system resistance is determined using models that approximate the expected operation of the air handling system. The approximation is then compared to actual values to obtain a difference. Once the difference between the approximated value exceeds a threshold value, an alarm is initiated that is indicative of system resistance. The remaining air filter life is then determined by using historically gathered data, or by using a known degradation rate of the air filter. Once the remaining life of the air filter is estimated, replacement can be scheduled that would coincide with other maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Pengju Kang, Mohsen Farzad, Slaven Stricevic, Payman Sadegh, Alan M. Finn
  • Patent number: 7222517
    Abstract: A method for determining the characteristic properties of soot particles originating from combustion processes utilizes the determination of the blackening of a filter paper. In order to allow for achieving a quick and relatively accurate determination of the particle sizes, possibly of further characteristics as well, a method of this kind provides that the pressure conditions on the filter paper are established as well. It is advantageous for this purpose to determine the differential pressure on the filter and/or filter paper caused by the deposition of the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventor: Erich Schiefer
  • Patent number: 7192463
    Abstract: An exhaust gas aftertreatment filter system for an internal combustion engine includes an aftertreatment filter disposed in-line with an exhaust gas conduit coupled to an internal combustion engine, a mounting bracket defining a mounting surface and at least one leg extending from the mounting bracket, the at least one leg defining a mounting foot at a distal end thereof with the mounting foot of the at least one leg and the mounting surface of the mounting bracket defining a first air gap therebetween, the mounting foot of the at least one leg secured to the aftertreatment filter, and at least one electrical component secured to the mounting surface of the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: John V. Shutty, Eric B. Andrews
  • Patent number: 7186290
    Abstract: A filter system includes a source of clean filter media adjacent a channel through which fluid passes. The filter media is automatically advanced from the source to the channel and eventually to a sealed container adjacent the channel. The filter media is automatically advanced through the channel, where it is replaced with clean filter media in the channel. A controller controls the advancement of the filter media based upon time or based upon a current condition of the filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Darren S. Sheehan, Susan D. Brandes, Robert Chiang, Brad Reisfeld
  • Patent number: 7179320
    Abstract: A method to desorb water from a desiccant of an air recharge system comprises the steps of a) filling a purge reservoir using an air compressor and a desiccant dryer to produce discharge air, b) stopping the air compressor; c) back purging the desiccant, and d) vent resetting the system, wherein the filling a purge reservoir step does not result in an addition of discharge air to an air storage tank in fluid communication with the purge reservoir and wherein the air storage tank is filled with an amount of the discharge air such that the air storage tank is at a full storage tank pressure prior to filling the purge reservoir. A method of filling an air storage tank of an air recharge system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Iies, Mike S. Koerner
  • Patent number: 7153342
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system of a diesel engine comprises a PM filter installed in an exhaust passage line of the engine to collect particulate matter (PM) in the exhaust gas from the engine; a pressure difference sensor for detecting a pressure difference between upstream and downstream portions of the PM filter; a control unit which comprises a collected PM amount estimating section that estimates an amount of collected PM in the PM filter based on the pressure difference; and a reactivation timing judging section that, based on the estimated amount of the collected PM, judges a reactivation time when the reactivation of the PM filter is needed; and a reactivation carrying out system that, upon judgment of the reactivation time, carries out a predetermined operation to increases the temperature of the PM filter thereby to burn the collected PM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimasa Koga, Junichi Kawashima, Naoya Tsutsumoto, Terunori Kondou, Makoto Otake, Takao Inoue
  • Patent number: 7153341
    Abstract: A process for controlling the volume of dry air, dried to a predetermined degree of dryness, from a sweep manifold of an air dryer system, flowing over a plurality of gas/liquid fluid separating membranes, comprising: diverting a predetermined volume of dried air to the manifold; sensing one of the flow volume and humidity values of the remainder of the dried air or the pressure differential within the system; and utilizing one of the differential pressure to control the predetermined volume of dried air and utilizing a controller for achieving the predetermined degree of dryness by controlling at least one solenoid valve which, in turn, controls the flow volume of the predetermined volume of dried air diverted to the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Dean Hoyt, Douglas Moore
  • Patent number: 7147688
    Abstract: A map which defines a relationship of an exhaust gas pressure P2 at the outlet of a filter (13) to a load Q and rotation speed Ne of an engine (1) is prepared, and an exhaust gas pressure P1 at the inlet to the filter (13) is determined from a differential pressure ?P between the front and rear of the filter and the outlet pressure P2 obtained by referring to the map. The inlet pressure P1 determined in this manner is used to determine an exhaust gas volumetric flow rate Q1, and thus an accurate particulate accumulation SM, which is required to determine the need for regeneration of the filter (13), can be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Terunori Kondou, Junichi Kawashima, Naoya Tsutsumoto, Takao Inoue, Toshimasa Koga, Makoto Otake
  • Patent number: 7147693
    Abstract: An engine exhaust gas purification device is disclosed. The purification device has a filter (13) which traps particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas from an engine; a differential pressure detection sensor (16) which detects a differential pressure of the filter; a sensor (14, 15, 21, 31, 33) which detects an engine running state, and a microcomputer (22). The microcomputer (22) is programmed to compute an estimated ash amount ASH_a of the filter based on the detected differential pressure; compute an oil consumption amount OC_total based on the detected engine running state; compute an ash density DENS_ASH from the oil consumption amount OC_total and estimated ash amount ASH_a, and compute an ash amount ASH of the filter based on the oil consumption amount OC_total and ash density DENS_ASH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Inoue, Junichi Kawashima, Naoya Tsutsumoto, Makoto Otake, Terunori Kondou, Toshimasa Koga
  • Patent number: 7118613
    Abstract: A control unit for controlling operation of a fuel-fired burner includes a housing having an air inlet which is open to an interior chamber of the housing. An air pump is positioned in the interior chamber of the housing and has an air inlet which is open to the interior chamber of the housing. The air pump generates reduced air pressure in the interior chamber which draws air into the housing and into the pump's inlet. This flow of air cools an electronic controller along with other components position in the housing. The air pump may be operated to draw air from the interior chamber of the housing and supplies the air to a combustion chamber of the fuel-fired burner to facilitate operation of the burner. An associated method of advancing air to a fuel-fired burner is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Arvin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilbur H. Crawley, Randall J. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7108736
    Abstract: A method of installing a molecular sieve bed gas enrichment system in a vehicle such as an aircraft. A system controller, a product gas distribution conduit, a high pressure gas supply conduit which extends from a high pressure gas source, and a plurality of molecular sieve beds are installed in the vehicle. Each sieve bed has a first port which delivers product gas through a check valve to an outlet duct. Each sieve bed also includes a second port connected to a valve assembly which is controlled by the system controller to connect the second port either to a gas supply duct during a charging phase or to a venting duct during a venting phase. The outlet duct for each sieve bed is connected to the product gas distribution conduit, and the gas supply duct for each sieve bed is connected to the high pressure gas supply conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell Normalair-Garrett (Holdings) Limited
    Inventor: Robert John Phillips
  • Patent number: 7097689
    Abstract: A process and system for purifying an impure gas to produce a purified gas in a gas purification system and protecting the system from damage by a) passing a portion of a first gas stream into a reactor vessel, which exits as a second purified gas stream; b) combining a portion of the second purified gas stream with another portion of the first gas stream to form a combined gas stream; and c) passing the combined gas stream into a sensing device to regulate the flow of the first and second gas streams into the reactor vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Fredric Billingham, Jerry Michael Mahl
  • Patent number: 7048775
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device and method for monitoring the integrity of filtering installations consisting of a filter housing (1) designed to perform integrity tests and for filtration, equipped with a plurality of filter elements (2, 3) and an electronic testing and monitoring unit (4) designed for monitoring and performing integrity tests, said filter elements (2, 3) having each a storage element and a communicating part (7) being connected to the monitoring and testing unit arranged in the filtering housing, whereon data of said electronic storage elements can be read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Sartorius AG
    Inventors: Maik Jornitz, Reinhard Baumfalk, Ralf Lausch, Christian Oldendorf, Oscar-Werner Reif
  • Patent number: 7048777
    Abstract: The invention uses both heating and cooling zones to prevent the precipitation of solids onto equipment surfaces until they are efficiently removed from the gas phase via one or more heat exchangers. Each heat exchanger may be regenerated to melt off the solids when the amount collected becomes excessive. A storage plenum is available under each heat exchanger to store the melted solids until final removal to avoid the need to open the equipment for the removal of the unwanted solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Air Liquide America, L.P.
    Inventor: Richard A. Sauer
  • Patent number: 7041157
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating and converting exhaust particulates from a stream of exhaust gas, especially a diesel engine, into gaseous substances, in which the exhaust gas is guided through a honeycomb filter (6) made from a porous ceramic material whose axially extending channels (1, 2) are open merely at one face side of the filter and are closed off at the respective other face side, and a voltage is applied to electrodes (3, 4) extending parallel to the channels (1, 2) of the honeycomb filter (6). The closure of the channels (1, 2) at the face side is made in such a way that the channels (1, 2) each extending at the same normal distance from one of the electrodes (3, 4) are either all open or all closed off at their face side (9). The channels (1, 2) are mutually offset in a brickwork-like way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Carl Maria Fleck
  • Patent number: 7033548
    Abstract: System for removal of targeted pollutants, such as oxides of sulfur, oxides of nitrogen, mercury compounds and ash, from combustion and other industrial process gases and processes utilizing the system. Oxides of manganese are utilized as the primary sorbent in the system for removal or capture of pollutants. The oxides of manganese are introduced from feeders into reaction zones of the system where they are contacted with a gas from which pollutants are to be removed. With respect to pollutant removal, the sorbent may interact with a pollutant as a catalyst, reactant, adsorbent or absorbent. Removal may occur in single-stage, dual-stage, or multi-stage systems with a variety of different configurations and reaction zones, e.g., bag house, cyclones, fluidized beds, and the like. Process parameters, particularly system differential pressure, are controlled by electronic controls to maintain minimal system differential pressure, and to monitor and adjust pollutant removal efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Enviroscrub Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kathleen S. Pahlman, legal representative, Steve C. Carlton, Ray V. Huff, Charles F. Hammel, Richard M. Boren, Kevin P. Kronbeck, Joshua E. Larson, Patrick A. Tuzinski, Steve G. Axen, John E. Pahlman, deceased
  • Patent number: 6984252
    Abstract: A dust collection apparatus includes a container and a suction pump that sucks dust and transports it into the container. A filter is provided on a side surface of the container. This filter passes air but prevents passage of the dust in the container. A pressure detector detects an internal pressure of the container. The internal pressure of the container fluctuates due to a variation in an effective area of the filter for allowing the air to pass according to the dust collected and accumulated in the container. A dust accumulating quantity calculator which determines a quantity of the dust in the container based on the pressure detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Tanimoto
  • Patent number: 6974565
    Abstract: System for removal of targeted pollutants, such as oxides of sulfur, oxides of nitrogen, mercury compounds and ash, from combustion and other industrial process gases and processes utilizing the system. Oxides of manganese are utilized as the primary sorbent in the system for removal or capture of pollutants. The oxides of manganese are introduced from feeders into reaction zones of the system where they are contacted with a gas from which pollutants are to be removed. With respect to pollutant removal, the sorbent may interact with a pollutant as a catalyst, reactant, adsorbent or absorbent. Removal may occur in single-stage, dual-stage, or multi-stage systems with a variety of different configurations and reaction zones, e.g., bag house, cyclones, fluidized beds, and the like. Process parameters, particularly system differential pressure, are controlled by electronic controls to maintain minimal system differential pressure, and to monitor and adjust pollutant removal efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Enviroscrub Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kathleen S. Pahlman, Steve C. Carlton, Ray V. Huff, Charles F. Hammel, Richard M. Boren, Kevin P. Kronbeck, Joshua E. Larson, Patrick A. Tuzinski, Steve G. Axen, John E. Pahlman
  • Patent number: 6969413
    Abstract: A flow rate of gas supplied to a diesel particulate filter is increased when it is determined that rapid combustion of collected particulates, which are collected by the particulate filter, is likely to occur based on an operating state of an internal combustion engine. Alternatively, the flow rate of gas supplied to the filter is increased when it is determined that rapid combustion of the collected particulates is initiated based on a state of the particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeto Yahata, Makoto Saito, Tsukasa Kuboshima, Shinichiro Okugawa, Masumi Kinugawa
  • Patent number: 6962654
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying dissolved gases (such as oxygen, ozone, chlorine etc.) for chemical and biological processes is described. The methods and apparatus described are particularly suitable for use in the biodegradation of organic matter (such as in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment), and other uses. The apparatus may comprise a dissolved gas supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Hydrotreat, Inc.
    Inventor: Johnny Arnaud
  • Patent number: 6960241
    Abstract: A paper trap includes a trap chamber. An outlet of the trap chamber is preferably connected to an inlet of the exhaust bypass damper. An inlet of the trap chamber is coupled to dust capture hoods and an outlet of the bypass chamber is coupled to a dust collector. A perforated plate is disposed in the trap chamber to prevent scraps of paper from passing through the paper trap. The paper trap includes a normal operating position and a cleaning position. In a normal operating position, air from the dust capture hoods flows through the paper trap. In a cleaning position, a paper disposal opening is uncovered to remove scraps of paper from the perforated plate. A junction between the trap chamber and bypass chamber is covered and a bypass inlet uncovered. Air flows into the bypass inlet and out-of-the outlet of the bypass chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Inventor: Douglas S. Slenz
  • Patent number: 6939444
    Abstract: A sulfur-bearing residue treatment system is provided for the recovery of valuable organic components and the reduction of capital costs and operating costs. The treatment system involves the use of a stripping vessel in conjunction with a heating apparatus. All elements of the treatment system may be coupled together to form one integral piece of equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Curtis Instad Carlson, Jr., Michael Stanley DeCourcy, Jamie Jerrick John Juliette, Thomas Albert Kaminski, Nicole Rendon Koegel, Nelson Ivan Quiros, Paul Benjamin Schladenhauffen, Peter John Schmeidler, Robert R. Maven, William Harry Engle, Jr., Arthur Meisch
  • Patent number: 6926756
    Abstract: A method and system to control the operation of a scrubber, in which, the system includes a valve to control the flow of an exhaust from a tool, a sensor to determine whether the valve is open or closed and a controller to control the operation of the scrubber depending on whether the valve is open or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Macronix International Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng Mu Yuan, Hour Chin Di
  • Patent number: 6913636
    Abstract: An inerting system provides air with reduced oxygen content by flowing and directing air through an air separation module. Optimal working pressure for the air separation module is obtained with two compressors. A first compressor elevates air from the aircraft cabin to a second pressure. The second pressure is at an intermediate level below the working pressure of the air separation module. A second compressor elevates air from the second pressure to the working pressure. The second compressor is driven by air that is exhausted through a turbine. The pressure difference between air at the working pressure and air required by the fuel distribution system is used to power the turbine and drive the second compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Defrancesco, Thomas Zywiak, Harold W. Hipsky
  • Patent number: 6911062
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for filtering contaminants from a pressurized fluid. First and second filter elements are arranged within a housing to receive a flow of pressurized fluid. Respective first and second portions of the flow are directed through the filter elements and impinge opposing sides of a piston member which is biased in a first position by a collapsible pressure responsive member, such as a buckling pin. So long as the differential pressure across the first filter element is below a selected threshold, the first portion of the flow passes through an outlet of the housing and the second portion of the flow is blocked. Once sufficient contaminants have been captured by the first filter element, however, the resulting increase in differential pressure causes a collapse of the pressure responsive member. This moves the piston to a second position and directs the second portion of the flow to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Taylor Innovations, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Julian S. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6887291
    Abstract: Filter devices and methods for collection of carbon nanomaterials, including fullerenes, produced in gas phase reactors are provided. The filter devices provide for in situ cleaning of filters to release captured product for collection. Product can be released and removed from the reactor without disrupting continuous synthesis of carbon nanomaterials. The filter devices facilitate increased reactor operation and larger scale production of carbon nanomaterials. The filters are cleaned by application of a motive force and/or a gas flow to the filter. In a specific embodiment filters are cleaned by a reverse flow of gas pulses to the filter provided. The invention also provides reactor systems for gas phase synthesis of carbon nanomaterials that can be operated continuously employing the filter device of this invention. Preferred reactor systems are those which synthesize carbon nanomaterials by combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: TDA Research, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Michael Alford, Michael D. Diener
  • Patent number: 6887293
    Abstract: The invention is a method of monitoring a filter for absorbing paint particles produced during spray painting with a spray gun in a paint spray booth coupled to an exhaust pump, the method includes the steps of: 1) installing a filter between the booth and exhaust pump; 2) determining the initial pressure drop across a filter prior to use of the spray booth; 3) determining the maximum allowable pressure drop for the filter prior to the requirement that spraying activities must be terminated by adding the initial pressure drop of the filter to the maximum allowable increase in pressure drop across the filter before the of spraying activities must be terminated; 4) providing a warning when a first portion of the maximum allowable pressure drop is reached; and 5) preventing the use of the spray gun when a second portion, greater than the first portion, of the maximum allowable pressure drop is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Glen Silva Abad, Ralph Edward Jaffke, Jorge Arthur Millan
  • Patent number: 6878195
    Abstract: An air extraction and treatment unit is located above a source of contaminated air. The apparatus has a series of ultraviolet tubes for treating the decontaminated air. The unit is arranged such that in use substantially no direct or reflected ultraviolet light is visible from outside the unit. Furthermore even when a removable filter is removed, there is no direct line of sight to the ultra-violet source. The unit further has a first switch being disposed between a first filter and the unit. The first switch modulates the ultraviolet tubes between at least a first condition and a second condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Vent Master (Europe) Ltd.
    Inventor: Phillip George Gibson
  • Patent number: 6869468
    Abstract: An air extraction and treatment unit (2) is located above a source of contaminated air. The apparatus has a series of ultraviolet tubes (20) for treating the decontaminated air. The unit is arranged such that in use substantially no direct or reflected ultraviolet light is visible from outside the unit. Furthermore even when a removable filter (4) is removed, there is no direct line of sight to the ultra-violet sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Vent Master (Europe) Ltd.
    Inventor: Phillip George Gibson
  • Patent number: 6869504
    Abstract: A vacuum pump (P0) provides vacuum to a paper machine deaeration tank (11) which has an inlet duct (10) through which the tank is supplied with wire water. A discharge duct (12) extends from the deaeration tank (11). There is an overflow (14) for the wire water in the discharge duct at the discharge end of the discharge duct (12). The overflow (14) of the discharge duct (12) is located below the deaeration tank (11) and opens to a free air space. The discharge duct (12) includes a branch duct (15a1) for a flow which is passed to the headbox (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Matti Hietaniemi
  • Patent number: 6846347
    Abstract: A method of operating a life support system for an aircraft, the system including a plurality of oxygen supply apparatus, each of which in use is operable to supply product gas, which may be pure oxygen or oxygen enriched gas, to a breathing gas supply apparatus, at least one of the oxygen supply apparatus being a main oxygen supply apparatus and the remainder of the oxygen supply apparatus being auxiliary oxygen supply apparatus, the main oxygen supply apparatus being operable independently of the auxiliary oxygen supply apparatus, characterized in that the method includes operating the main oxygen supply apparatus and supplying product gas to each of the auxiliary oxygen supply apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell Normaliar-Garrett (Holdings) Limited
    Inventors: Robert John Phillips, Adrian Simons, Norman Francis Charles Barns
  • Patent number: 6843834
    Abstract: The replacement of filters for Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) is often time-consuming and labor-intensive. Organizations having responsibility for many apartment or dormitory units can spend a significant fraction of their man-hours replacing such filters. A novel approach to reducing the labor for this task is to attach one end of sheet-type filtering material to a dispensing roll, and the other end to a gathering roll; both rolls being affixed to a frame. The assembly is installed into an air duct and the filtering material allowed to blouse, somewhat. The flow of air is intermittent in typical HVAC systems, so when the air begins to flow, the filtering material is forced, due to its resistance to flow, in the direction of the flow. This energy—a force applied through a distance—is utilized by a lever arm bracket to advance the gathering roll. In this fashion, new material leaves the dispensing roll and is exposed to the air, while the dirty filter sheet accumulates on the gathering roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Jerry H. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 6835231
    Abstract: In a process for the production of nitrogen by adsorption on carbons or similar molecular sieves contained in a cylinder (2), the amount of Q1 of nitrogen obtainable from the cylinder at the required purity at the cylinder pressure Pp is calculated; compressed air is fed to the cylinder which is brought to a pressure value at least equal to the pressure Pp and in any case greater than the pressure present in a collecting reservoir (3); at any cycle a fixed amount Q2 (where Q1≧Q2) of gas is transferred from the adsorber cylinder to the reservoir (3) and the cylinder is depressurised after each transfer to regenerate carbons. Also claimed are an apparatus for the production of nitrogen, the use of such an apparatus is a drink dispensing device and a drink dispensing device comprising such an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Inventor: Lorenzo Cogotzi
  • Publication number: 20040244582
    Abstract: A method for determining the characteristic properties of soot particles originating from combustion processes utilizes the determination of the blackening of a filter paper. In order to allow for achieving a quick and relatively accurate determination of the particle sizes, possibly of further characteristics as well, a method of this kind provides that the pressure conditions on the filter paper are established as well. It is advantageous for this purpose to determine the differential pressure on the filter and/or filter paper caused by the deposition of the particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Erich Schiefer
  • Patent number: 6821315
    Abstract: Spray-painting apparatus and method in which provision is made for: an inlet for the air under pressure; a heating unit for the compressed air; an air drying/separation unit including hollow-fiber membranes; adjustment of the heating of the treated air; adjustment of the pressure of the treated air; adjustment of either the dew point or the percentage of oxygen in the treated air in the case of hollow fiber membranes for nitrogen separation; and an outlet for the treated air to be used as paint carrier fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Eurosider S.a.S. di Milli Ottavio & C.
    Inventor: Ottavio Milli
  • Patent number: 6790257
    Abstract: An airflow feedback control method and apparatus for fan filter unit (FFU) is proposed, which is designed for use with a fan filter unit that is widely used in semiconductor fabrication factories for dust-clearing purpose, for controlling the fan filter unit to generate a constant amount of airflow equal to a preset desired amount. The proposed FFU airflow feedback control method and apparatus is characterized by that it utilizes bell inlet as an airflow measuring nozzle and that airflow is used as feedback parameter to control the FFU, rather than utilizing motor speed as feedback parameter by prior art. This feature allows the fan filter unit to continuously generate a fixed amount of airflow equal to the preset desired amount even if there is a pressure change at the site of installation, thus lessening the problems of insufficient air change rate and sideward-going airflows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ming-Shan Jeng, Meen-Dau Hoo, Juhn-Jie Chen, Kuo-Hsiang Yang
  • Publication number: 20040173090
    Abstract: A map which defines a relationship of an exhaust gas pressure P2 at the outlet of a filter (13) to a load Q and rotation speed Ne of an engine (1) is prepared, and an exhaust gas pressure P1 at the inlet to the filter (13) is determined from a differential pressure &Dgr;P between the front and rear of the filter and the outlet pressure P2 obtained by referring to the map. The inlet pressure P1 determined in this manner is used to determine an exhaust gas volumetric flow rate Q1, and thus an accurate particulate accumulation SM, which is required to determine the need for regeneration of the filter (13), can be calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Terunori Kondou, Junichi Kawashima, Naoya Tsutsumoto, Takao Inoue, Toshimasa Koga, Makoto Otake
  • Patent number: 6783571
    Abstract: For cleaning of crankcase gas produced by an internal combustion engine, that is arranged for propelling a vehicle, use is made of a centrifugal separator having a centrifugal rotor that is mounted on the vehicle. The cleaning efficiency of the centrifugal separator is changed by changing the rotational speed of an electrical motor, that is connected to a source of current on the vehicle and arranged for driving said centrifugal rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventor: Mats Ekeroth
  • Patent number: 6743277
    Abstract: A cargo or bulk product off-load system includes a compressor (10) that pressurizes air. The air is dried by a dryer (12, 14) and routed to a supply tank (16). From the supply tank, the air is either used to pressurize service reservoirs (24, 26) or to assist the off-load system. Air stored in the service reservoirs (24, 26) is used to pressurize purge volumes associated with the dryers (12, 14). The compressor (10) operates at a lower pressure when supplying air to assist the off-load system than when pressurizing the service reservoirs (24, 26). Controllers (30, 40) coordinate switching of airflow, and alternating purging and drying of the dryers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: David J. Goodell, Charles e. Eberling
  • Patent number: 6736980
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a filter module that may incorporate sensors to measure various characteristics of fluid flow and filtration. The sensors may be MEMS and may measure the temperature, flow rate, pressure, etc. of the fluid. Sensor measurements may be used to determine the occurrence of harmful events, such as cavitation or particle breakthrough, or to predict the remaining service life of a filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: PTI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Moscaritolo
  • Patent number: 6712877
    Abstract: An oxygen concentrator system includes at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system and a plenum subsystem. The at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system produces oxygen-enriched air which is outputted to both the oxygen concentrator system output and to a plenum chamber within the plenum subsystem. The plenum chamber is trickle charged with the oxygen-enriched air when the at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system produces an excess amount of oxygen-enriched air. Should the demand for oxygen-enriched air exceed the capability of the at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system, additional oxygen-enriched air is provided by the plenum chamber until such time that the capability of the at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system exceeds the demand of oxygen-enriched air. At that time, oxygen-enriched air is no longer provided by the plenum chamber but rather the plenum chamber is again trickle charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tuan Q. Cao, Gary Byrd, Lyle Berkenbosch, Craig Schledewitz
  • Patent number: 6712888
    Abstract: An exhaust filtration control system for creating environmentally protected zones. The system includes, a diverter valve, a valve actuator coupled to the diverter valve, a control switch electronically coupled to the valve actuator for switching the valve actuator between an engaged state and a disengaged state, a wireless transmitter, and a wireless receiver coupled to the control switch for receiving a signal from the wireless transmitter and for sending a signal to the control switch upon receiving a signal from the wireless transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Albert F. Siska
  • Patent number: 6695893
    Abstract: A continuous flow dryer system for compressed air includes first and second air dryers for receiving and alternately drying compressed air from a source. The dried air from the first dryer is transmitted to the second dryer. First and second reservoirs store the dried compressed air. A plurality of control valves in the second air dryer are used for distributing the dried air to the respective reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Fred W. Hoffman, Charles E. Eberling, Leonard A. Quinn