Gas Flow Rate Sensed Patents (Class 95/23)
  • Publication number: 20100154630
    Abstract: Methods and systems of purifying an acetylene process gas are described. The methods may include the steps of providing an acetylene vessel containing source acetylene mixed with a solvent impurity, and flowing the source acetylene through a purification container that holds a cooled purifying medium, where at least a portion of the solvent impurity in the source acetylene separates as a liquid impurity on the purifying medium. The method may also include removing the liquid from the purification container and flowing a purified acetylene gas from the purification container. The purified acetylene gas has a concentration of the solvent impurity of about 5 vol. % or less, and the separated liquid impurity is removed without interrupting the flow of the acetylene while the purified acetylene gas flows from the purification container to keep the concentration of the solvent impurity substantially constant in the purified acetylene gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc.
    Inventors: Praveen Jha, Joseph V. Vininski
  • Patent number: 7722700
    Abstract: Component gas is separated from a gas mixture. Component gas flow rate, or demand, is determined. One or more gas separator operating parameters is changed based on the component gas flow rate. For example, gas flow rate can be approximated by measuring a rate of pressure decay of a product tank during a time period in which the tank is not being replenished by the separating system. When it is determined that the flow rate is relatively low, operating parameters of the separating system are changed to improve system performance with the lower demand. For example, a target product tank pressure at which sieve beds are switched can be lowered when demand is lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Sprinkle
  • Patent number: 7713330
    Abstract: A tower ionizer air cleaner is provided. The tower ionizer air cleaner includes a tower chassis, with a base of the tower chassis including a small footprint, one or more airflow inlet openings in the tower chassis, one or more airflow outlet openings in the tower chassis and substantially opposite to the one or more airflow inlet openings, and an ionizer element positioned within the tower chassis. The tower ionizer air cleaner further includes one or more fan units substantially vertically located within the tower ionizer air cleaner and affixed to the tower chassis. The one or more fan units are configured to provide an airflow between the one or more airflow inlet openings and the one or more airflow outlet openings and through the ionizer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Bohlen, Thomas A. Oreck, Bruce Kiern, Christopher M. Paterson, Charles W. Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20100083829
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure swing adsorption process, also known as PSA process, which is modified with a view to utilizing the heat from the post-adsorption stream coming from the molecular sieves to heat/vaporize the pre-adsorption stream containing the hydrated product or the mixture component(s) to be adsorbed in said sieves. The present invention provides alternative arrangements for the heat exchanger system in order to use the thermal potential of the post-adsorption stream with the elimination or minimization of the risk of a slug flow regime in the exchangers, the so-called “gush,” which would be a natural result from the periodic oscillation characteristic of PSA processes. With this, the vapor consumption with the modified process according to the present invention is considerably reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Adler Gomes Moura, Daniel Moczydlower
  • Publication number: 20100071698
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oxygen concentrator in which a pulsation detection device for detecting pulsation of oxygen supplied and a control device for controlling an amount of air supplied from a compressor based on the detection results in a pressure swing adsorption-type oxygen concentrator, which is equipped with an adsorption bed filled with an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing nitrogen relative to oxygen, the compressor for supplying air to the adsorption bed, a channel switching valve to repeat in a constant timing an adsorption step, in which air is supplied from the compressor to the adsorption bed to isolate concentrated oxygen and a desorption step, in which the adsorption bed is evacuated to regenerate the adsorbent and a flow rate measuring device for determining a supply flow rate of concentrated oxygen produced and an amount of oxygen produced is controlled by a feedback with a flow rate sensor by itself after paying attention to variation of a product flow rate caused by sup
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Teijin Pharma Limited
    Inventor: Hisashi Kiritake
  • Patent number: 7678177
    Abstract: A membrane air dryer includes a proportioning valve for providing sweep air to the dryer. The valve may be located in an easily accessible location and may be oriented so that the movable valve element extends transverse to the length of the shell. The valve may be configured to allow air to flow back from the delivery port to the fibers during a compressor unload cycle to maintain pressure on the fibers, while blocking flow of air from the delivery port to the sweep chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventor: Randall W. Nichols
  • Patent number: 7678165
    Abstract: A particle separator which broadly includes: an inner wall, an outer wall and a splitter, wherein the inner and outer walls define an air intake passageway, and wherein the splitter is positioned between the inner and outer walls so as to define a scavenge air flow passageway connected to the intake passageway and a main air flow passageway connected to the intake passageway; the inner wall having a humped-shaped portion between the intake passageway and the main air flow passageway; the humped-shaped portion having a peak and a radius of curvature at any point on the hump-shaped portion of the inner wall after the peak corresponding to a degree of curvature of from about 30 to about 60 degrees; and a boundary layer control mechanism for providing active boundary layer control along the inner wall after the peak and within the main air flow passageway. Also provided is a method for providing active boundary layer flow control along the inner wall after the peak and within the main air flow passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Walter Jackson Tingle, Wayne R. Oliver, Kevin Kirtley
  • Publication number: 20100037684
    Abstract: Methods of monitoring replacement of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) by a non-particulate matter filter. The disclosed methods takes into account a change in delta pressure based soot load estimates (DPSLE) over time to detect whether the DPF has been replaced. The estimate, which is measured by the delta pressure drop across the filter, can be used to determine whether a device that does not have the capability of trapping soot, such as a muffler, has been inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Harshbarger, Daniel D. Wilhelm, Purna Chander Nalla
  • Publication number: 20100037768
    Abstract: A method and to a device for the regeneration of a particle arranged in the exhaust gas train of an internal combustion engine. An exhaust gas stream to be cleaned is supplied to the at least one particle filter. At least in a regeneration mode, a predetermined amount of an exhaust gas stream to be heated is branched off from the exhaust gas stream upstream of an exhaust gas turbine of an exhaust gas turbocharger which branched-off stream, after it has been heated by a heater is mixed in the form of a heated exhaust gas stream at a point upstream of the at least one particle filter back into the residual gas stream which is coming from the exhaust gas turbine and which is at a lower temperature than that of the other stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG
    Inventor: Andreas Döring
  • Patent number: 7655065
    Abstract: A regeneration method for a particulate filter includes estimating a quantity of particulate matter trapped within the particulate filter, comparing the quantity of particulate matter to a predetermined quantity, heating at least a portion of the particulate filter to a combustion temperature of the particulate matter, and introducing hydrocarbon fuel to the particulate filter. The hydrocarbon fuel facilitates combustion of the particulate matter to regenerate the particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, David B. Brown
  • Publication number: 20100018391
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating a medium, the apparatus including structure for generating a flow of a working fluid in a flow path, treatment structure for subjecting the medium to treatment and a delivery device for delivering the medium to the treatment structure, the treatment structure and the delivery device being operable in response to the flow of working fluid. A refuge chamber and method utilize such apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Geoffrey Allan Whittaker, Gerald John Ness
  • Patent number: 7645319
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for renovating a combined system consisting of a blast furnace supplied with an oxidant fluid received at least partly from an air/gas separation unit (ASU). The method consists in injecting, before renovation, at least 50% of the flow rate of the blower feeding the blast furnace into an ASU to produce oxygen whose purity is greater than 90% by volume of O2 which feeds the blast furnace, in controlling the blower airflow rate and the pressure of the air derived therefrom by a regulator which measures the flow rate and/or pressure at the input and/or output of a cleaning stage which is mounted upstream of the separation unit to control the flow rate and pressure of the air derived from the blower. The fluid feeding the blast furnace consists of pure oxygen or diluted by air produced by the cryogenic separation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Richard Dubettier-Grenier, Michel Devaux, Jean-Marc Peyron
  • Publication number: 20100000405
    Abstract: A method of treating exhaust gases is described comprising the introduction of a treatment composition including or comprising a micelle encapsulating compound. A preferred embodiment the treatment comprises by volume; from about 4 to about 40 parts of an alkoxylated C16-C18 tertiary amine surfactant, from about 1 to about 15 parts of at least one carboxylic acid having from 4 to 16 carbon atoms; about 1 to 6 parts of at least one of a C6-C14 alcohol, from 0 to 10 parts of a C4 and lower alcohol, with the balance being water to create a total of about 100 parts by volume. The treatment composition may be introduced into a confined flow path for exhaust gases at a rate of 0.1 to 6% although a range above and below that may be suitable. The invention also extends to a system for treating exhaust gases comprising a confined flow path for the exhaust gases and an application arrangement for applying a treatment composition comprising or including a micelle encapsulating surfactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: Green Leader Technologies Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Greiner, Grahame Peter Higgs, Robert Cunningham Gardiner, Inia Wharengarangi Timu
  • Publication number: 20090308244
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method with associated device for the removal of fine particulates from the air in open areas and includes the phases of suction intake, filtering and re-emission into the atmosphere of the air taken from the environment at a height near the ground. The device also provides for the cleaning of the filtering equipment and for the discharge of the washing sludge for subsequent disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: MIX PROGETTI S.R.L.
    Inventors: Angelo Brichese, Ermanno Faggin, Erik Faggin
  • Patent number: 7611564
    Abstract: A process for recovery of n-propyl bromide solvent includes mixing a solvent laden vapor stream with an additive and reclaiming the solvent using a carbon adsorption system. A carbon adsorption system and an additive dispensing system form a system for the recovery of n-propyl bromide. These processes and systems use an additive that includes an acid scavenger and a carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Parts Cleaning Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Joe McChesney, James R. Goodrich
  • Patent number: 7608132
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provide multiple consecutive purges of an air dryer in a vehicle compressed air system. A dryer throughput sensor has an output indicative of the amount of compressed air that is passed through the dryer. In response, a CPU determines the number of purges needed to purge the dryer; and a valve is operated by the CPU to initiate multiple purges of the dryer when the compressor is unloaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: William P. Fornof, Paul Reisinger
  • Patent number: 7600388
    Abstract: A refrigerator incorporates an air filter for filtering an airflow passing along at least one refrigeration component into surrounding spaces. The air filter is positioned in an upper machine compartment which houses refrigeration components associated with maintaining temperatures in the refrigerator. At least one sensor is arranged adjacent the air filter to determine a parameter of the air flow. A control, including an air filter analyzer, determines a need for an air filter change based on the sensed parameter. In addition to removing impurities from the airflow, the air filter includes scented media which adds fragrance to the airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: William James Vestal
  • Publication number: 20090241772
    Abstract: The invention relates to a particle separator for separating drill cuttings from an air flow, including a main separator (15) that comprises an air inlet (17) connectable to a suction nozzle, an air filter (19) arranged downstreams of said air inlet (17) and an air outlet (18) arranged downstreams of said air filter (19), the particle separator comprising means for generating an air flow, in the direction from said air inlet (17) to said air outlet (18). The particle separator also comprises means (41) for measuring a quantity of said air flow, and means for controlling the air flow generating means based on the measured quantity. The invention also relates to a drill rig comprising such a particle separator and a method for controlling such a particle separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: Jonas Stenstrom
  • Publication number: 20090235816
    Abstract: A filtering apparatus (50) for removing noxious gases from an environment including: a source of compressed gas (60) connected to a regulating valve (62) to regulate a supply of compressed gas; at least one airflow device (5) including a compressed gas inlet (10) for receiving gas from the supply of compressed gas at greater than ambient atmospheric pressure, the gas inlet (10) being operably connected to the regulating valve (62); and a permeable noxious gas filter (55) arranged in gaseous communication with the airflow device (5); wherein the supply of compressed gas to the airflow device (5) causes the airflow device (5) to draw ambient air (64) from the environment through a primary intake (42), thereby generating a flow of air through the noxious gas filter (55) and causing the substantial removal of noxious gases from the flow of air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Anthony FARRUGIA, Ernest James Benson, David Ian Holm
  • Patent number: 7569093
    Abstract: A filtering system for monitoring fluid emissions from a process includes a plurality of filter assembly sections arranged in a parallel fluid flow manner with respect to each other so as to selectively receive a sample fluid (e.g., a sample gas) entering at an inlet of the system. Each filter assembly section includes a filter unit to filter particulate materials from a fluid flowing through the filter, first and second valves disposed at upstream and downstream locations of the filter unit, and a blowback flow path configured to selectively direct a cleaning fluid through the filter unit in a direction that opposes a direction in which the sample fluid flows through the filter unit. Each filter assembly section can be selectively isolated from other portions of the system so as to prevent the sample fluid from flowing through the filter assembly section while allowing a cleaning fluid to be delivered through the blowback flow path of the filter assembly section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventors: Pavol Pranda, William A. Von Drasek, Kenneth A. Mulderink
  • Patent number: 7559227
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a flow disruption within a gas chromatograph (GC) inlet. A controller controls an input flow of a gas entering a chamber of the GC inlet, and the output flow of gas leaving the chamber. A flow disruption is detected when at least one of the input and output flows deviates from a target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Q. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7537641
    Abstract: A process and equipment for treating natural gas produced by a well that has recently been stimulated, and that contains an undesirably high concentration of the fracturing gas used to stimulate the well. The process involves treating the gas by membrane separation, and provides for control of treatment parameters to compensate for the changing concentration of fracturing gas in the produced gas, as well as changes in gas flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala, Ankur Jariwala
  • Patent number: 7527680
    Abstract: Data of a barometric pressure that a barometric pressure sensor outputs, and data of an air volume that an air-volume sensor outputs are input into a system control circuit. The system control circuit is provided with a table storing portion. In the table storing portion, a control table is stored. The control table is formed of a plus supplied-voltage value to fan power set by a barometric pressure value and an air-volume value, and a warning instruction. In a case that the warning instruction is selected based on the barometric pressure value and the air-volume value, the system control circuit turns on a warning-use LED so as to inform a user that a filter is clogged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotake Horiguchi, Takeshi Higashino, Ryosuke Sato
  • Patent number: 7517388
    Abstract: A gas-separation module allows a sweep gas to be introduced at selectively variable locations, and in selectively varying amounts, along the length of the module. The sweep gas enters the module through a perforated conduit. A slotted sleeve, disposed within the conduit, selectively blocks and unblocks perforations in the conduit. Rotation of the sleeve causes slots to come into, or out of, registration with the perforations. The sleeve permits varying amounts of sweep gas to be introduced at different locations along the length of the module. Rotation of the sleeve changes the profile of introduction of sweep gas, and can be used to optimize the performance of the module for each of a set of different pressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Generon IGS, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Jensvold
  • Patent number: 7517386
    Abstract: A filter module and method for facilitating rapid flow setting and/or cost-effective balancing of airflow through a plurality of filters is provided. In one embodiment, the filter module includes at least one port configured to provide a metric indicative of flow through the housing assembly. In various other embodiments, at least one port is utilized for sensing differential pressure across a flow restrictor, such as a damper assembly and/or a diffuser plate of the housing assembly, an orifice plate disposed in a collar or ductwork coupled to collar, and the like. In another aspect of the invention, a method for replacing an air filter is provided that includes the steps of replacing an air filter disposed in a filter housing assembly, and setting a damper position using a damper position indicator to return air flow through the filter to a predetermined rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Camfil Farr, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Morse
  • Publication number: 20090056535
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method for selecting particles, such as based on their morphology, is disclosed. In a particular example, the particles are charged and acquire different amounts of charge, or have different charge distributions, based on their morphology. The particles are then sorted based on their flow properties. In a specific example, the particles are sorted using a differential mobility analyzer, which sorts particles, at least in part, based on their electrical mobility. Given a population of particles with similar electrical mobilities, the disclosed process can be used to sort particles based on the net charge carried by the particle, and thus, given the relationship between charge and morphology, separate the particles based on their morphology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Hans Moosmuller, Rajan K. Chakrabarty, W. Patrick Arnott
  • Patent number: 7481869
    Abstract: A dry gas production system for supplying dry gas to a pressurized space, such as an underground conduit or an aerial cable. The dry gas production system may include a modular enclosure that has a removable support to which multiple dry gas production modules are mounted. The support may be a mobile rack wheeled inside the enclosure and likewise removed from the enclosure while supporting the dry gas production modules. The dry gas production system may include multiple dry gas production modules that are operated as required to meet the dry gas demand for the pressurized space. The module compressor may include a variable frequency drive for driving the compressor motor at different speeds and may optionally include a mount with vibration isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Andrew LLC
    Inventors: Troy I. Vanderhoof, Brian Cross, Roger Hanson, Sandy B. Becker
  • Publication number: 20080289493
    Abstract: An advanced methane and ammonia recovery system processes gaseous waste from domestic livestock and poultry farms to reduce the green house gasses which are presently dumped into the environment and to produce useful material. The system includes a gas recovery system. The methane and ammonia recovery system captures ammonia and methane and converts the ammonia into fertilizer and methane into energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: SAL CARO
  • Patent number: 7427311
    Abstract: Volatile suspended particles are eliminated from an aerosol by heating the aerosol to a temperature at which the volatile suspended particles evaporate and diluting the aerosol with a dilution gas. The sequence heating and diluting may be performed in any order. According to another aspect of the invention, dilution of the raw gas takes place such that raw gas is led to a measurement gas channel through which measurement gas flows, wherein the quantity of raw gas transferred per unit of time is dependent on the volume flow in the raw gas channel. According to a further aspect of the invention, in a condensation nucleus counter the number and intensity of scattered light pulses is evaluated in order to be able to draw conclusions on the reliability of the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Matter Engineering AG
    Inventors: Heinz Burtscher, Markus Kasper, Ulrich Matter
  • Publication number: 20080196580
    Abstract: A portable oxygen concentrator includes a reservoir adapted to store oxygen-enriched gas, a delivery valve adapted to communicate with the reservoir, a pressure sensor adapted to measure a reservoir pressure within the reservoir and to measure a pressure drop across the delivery valve, and an input device adapted to receive a pulse does setting. A controller coupled to the pressure sensor and monitors the reservoir pressure and the pressure drop across the delivery valve. The controller is also coupled to the delivery valve to selectively open the delivery valve for pulse durations based on the pulse dose setting to deliver pulses of gas from the reservoir to a user. The controller further adjusts the pulse durations based at least partially upon the reservoir pressure and the pressure drop across the delivery valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: Respironics Oxytec, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter L. Bliss, Charles R. Atlas, Jr., Scott Cameron Halperin
  • Publication number: 20080190287
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for filtering a volume of gas. In one embodiment, the invention is a filtering apparatus having a hollow vessel with inlets and outlets, channels in communication with the inlets and outlets, a form of filter media, and an uninterruptible flow controlling device for regulating the circulation of gas within the apparatus. In another embodiment, the invention is a method incorporating an uninterruptible filtering apparatus to remove evaporated liquid from a volume of gas by passing the gas over a filter media contained within a hollow vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: ORAVA APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: John E. Orava
  • Patent number: 7407528
    Abstract: The method serves for operating an air fractionization installation for obtaining oxygen on board an aircraft, with at least two molecular sieve chambers. A part mass flow of the oxygen obtained in the respective adsorbing molecular sieve chamber is supplied for flushing a desorbing molecular sieve chamber. The quantity of the flushing oxygen led to the desorbing molecular sieve chamber is controlled by way of this.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: DAe Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Rittner, Rüdiger Meckes, Jürgen Pfennig
  • Patent number: 7396390
    Abstract: An oxygen enrichment apparatus includes an oxygen enriching unit for generating oxygen-enriched air and a discharge unit for discharging the oxygen-enriched air transferred from the suction unit. The oxygen-enriched air generated by the oxygen enriching unit has an oxygen concentration ranging from about 25% to 35%. The apparatus also includes a suction unit for suctioning the oxygen-enriched air from the oxygen enriching unit and a control unit for controlling the operation of the suction unit. The main body is provided with a display unit for indicating a state that the oxygen-enriched air is being discharged out by the discharge unit. The oxygen enriching unit has at least one oxygen enriching membrane for generating the oxygen-enriched air and a condensed water treating unit is installed at an air passage for guiding the oxygen-enriched air from the oxygen enriching unit to the discharge unit via the suction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Hayashi, Toshiyuki Yoshida, Yasuo Oshima, Yoshitaka Murata, Teruyuki Yasuda, Hiroyuki Senoo
  • Publication number: 20080156187
    Abstract: A particle separator which broadly comprises: an inner wall, an outer wall and a splitter, wherein the inner and outer walls define an air intake passageway, and wherein the splitter is positioned between the inner and outer walls so as to define a scavenge air flow passageway connected to the intake passageway and a main air flow passageway connected to the intake passageway; the inner wall having a humped-shaped portion between the intake passageway and the main air flow passageway; the humped-shaped portion having a peak and a radius of curvature at any point on the hump-shaped portion of the inner wall after the peak corresponding to a degree of curvature of from about 30 to about 60 degrees; and a boundary layer control mechanism for providing active boundary layer control along the inner wall after the peak and within the main air flow passageway. Also provided is a method for providing active boundary layer flow control along the inner wall after the peak and within the main air flow passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Walter Jackson Tingle, Wayne R. Oliver, Kevin Richard Kirtley
  • Patent number: 7374604
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for flue gas treatment, wherein the provided system comprises a quench module, a first control module, a filter collecting module, a wet scribing module and a regeneration module. In this system, parts of the particles contained in flue gas are removed in the quench module and the wet scribing module by a first scrubbing solution, and then in wet scribing module a second scrubbing liquid containing particles is formed. Next, the second scrubbing solution is treated in the regeneration module to form a third scrubbing solution, wherein the third scrubbing solution is then fed back to the quench module and/or the wet scrubbing module to substitute the first scrubbing solution for repeating what originally performed via the first scrubbing solution. Furthermore, this invention discloses a method for flue gas treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Chung Yuan Christian University
    Inventor: Chien-Song Chyang
  • Patent number: 7374601
    Abstract: An inerting system and method characterized by a primary air separation module configured to communicate with an upstream source of pressurized air at elevated temperature for production of a primary downstream flow of nitrogen-enriched air to be delivered to a space to be inerted; a secondary air separation module configured to communicate with the upstream source of pressurized air at elevated temperature for production of a supplemental downstream flow of nitrogen-enriched air to be delivered to a space to be inerted when high nitrogen-enriched airflow is desired during a high flow period; and a flow controller configured to provide a warming flow through the secondary air separation module to heat the secondary air separation module to above ambient temperature during a warming period other than the high flow period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Bonchonsky, Steven C. Dow, Robert F. Golles, Bryan D. Jensen, Mike Bonchonsky
  • Publication number: 20080066616
    Abstract: Component gas is separated from a gas mixture. Component gas flow rate, or demand, is determined. One or more gas separator operating parameters is changed based on the component gas flow rate. For example, gas flow rate can be approximated by measuring a rate of pressure decay of a product tank during a time period in which the tank is not being replenished by the separating system. When it is determined that the flow rate is relatively low, operating parameters of the separating system are changed to improve system performance with the lower demand. For example, a target product tank pressure at which sieve beds are switched can be lowered when demand is lower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Sprinkle
  • Publication number: 20080047426
    Abstract: The present system is an adsorption system for separating air into a concentrated gas component, which has an air supply, a compressor for receiving and compressing the air supply, providing a compressed air supply, and molecular sieve material for separating the compressed air supply into a concentrated gas component. The adsorption system delivers at least 5 liters per minute (LPM) of concentrated gas component from the molecular sieve material in which the system has a specific total weight per LPM <9 lbs/LPM. Additionally, an output quantity of the concentrated gas is delivered by the adsorption system and a purging quantity of the concentrated gas is dispensed into a sieve chamber of the adsorption system undergoing a purge cycle. The purging quantity has a value equal to or less than the difference between the maximum quantity and the output quantity, and the purging quantity is controlled based on the output quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph T. Dolensky
  • Publication number: 20080000349
    Abstract: An air filter monitor (10) and method of utilizing such to monitor an air filter is disclosed wherein the monitor has a housing (11), an air flow detector (12) with accompanying electrical circuit (13), and a mounting strap (22) which is configured to be secured to a conventional air vent grill of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. The air flow detector includes a freely rotating impeller and a sensor (30) which senses the rotational speed of the impeller (29). The electrical circuit also includes a central processing unit (CPU) (32), a battery source (33), a calibrating switch (35), and a light indicator (36). The CPU includes memory for retaining an initial airflow velocity, and means for comparing the current airflow velocity with the initial airflow velocity. The CPU compares the current airflow velocity to the initial airflow velocity and actuates the light should a threshold drop in airflow velocity be reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Robert J. Pape, Jeffrey Bowman
  • 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: 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: 7141090
    Abstract: An emission sampling system includes an exhaust gas probe for sampling exhaust gas. A dilution gas source provides a dilution gas, and a mixing device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas probe and the dilution gas source to mix the sampled exhaust gas and the dilution gas to form a diluted exhaust gas. A particulate filter is in fluid communication with the mixing device downstream therefrom. A dilution temperature conditioning device is arranged between the dilution gas source and the mixing device for obtaining a desired dilution gas temperature. A temperature sensor is arranged in the sampling system for producing a temperature signal corresponding to a temperature of fluid flowing through the sampling system. A controller is connected to the temperature sensor for processing the temperature signal and determining a filter temperature from the temperature signal. The controller commands the conditioning device in response to the filter temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: AVL North America Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Marek, Norbert Kreft
  • 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: 7086535
    Abstract: A separator for intended use in separating particles having a selected charge from a particle mixture entrained in or carried by a fluid flow is disclosed. The separator comprises a tubular, elongated body for receiving the fluid flow. At least one and preferably a pair of electrodes may be provided to create an electric field in at least a portion of the body through which the fluid flow passes, and at least one partition defines first and second channels for receiving the flow downstream of the portion of the body including the electric field. In one embodiment, the electrode is oriented such that a direction of an electrical field force acting on particles having a selected charge passing through the electric field is not perpendicular to a direction of gravity. A system incorporating the separator is disclosed, along with a diffuser and related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: John M. Stencel, Tapiwa Zabron Gurupira
  • Patent number: 7025801
    Abstract: The treatment unit comprises N adsorption units, N being greater than or equal to 1, operating on a parametrized cycle split uniformly into at most N phase times. Further more, use is made of a control unit for controlling the treatment unit, designed to modify at least one parameter of the cycle. Each time there is a predicted change in the composition of the feed gas, the control unit is sent a pre-established signal representing this change. The processing unit then processes the signal to determine the parameters of an exceptional operating cycle of the treatment unit which cycle is suited to the predicted change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme àl Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventor: Christian Monereau
  • Patent number: 7011693
    Abstract: A PSA unit for purifying hydrogen in a fuel processor system. The PSA unit employs rotary valves that cycle the pressurization of vessels, including an adsorbent, between a high pressure state and a low pressure state. The purified hydrogen is released from the vessels through a purified gas output port when the vessels are in the high pressure state and the impurities are released through an exhaust port when the vessels are in the low pressure state. The PSA unit also employs a mass flow control device and a pressure sensor in the purified gas output port. A controller receives a pressure signal from the pressure sensor, and controls the flow through the mass flow control device and the speed of the rotary valves so that the proper pressure is maintained at the hydrogen output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kiran Mallavarapu, John B Ruhl, Craig S. Gittleman
  • Patent number: 6984256
    Abstract: An operational state of a system for filtering imaging by-products from an airflow is monitored by comparing a measurement of the flow rate of the airflow to a threshold. Additionally, an operational state of a filtration element is monitored by accumulating a count indicative of the remaining capacity of the filtration element in a memory device coupled to the filtration element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Creo Inc.
    Inventors: Anton W. Lamprecht, Dean Laurent Leonard, William John Dall, David Bruce Burgess, Alexander Kheifets
  • 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