With Indicating Means (e.g., Color Change Indicator, Etc.) Patents (Class 96/117.5)
  • Patent number: 7399346
    Abstract: A quick-change filter system including at least one base, and at least one quick-change filter having an inlet, an outlet, and a filter housing. The base includes a filter coupling part having a gas inlet stub for connection to the inlet, and a gas outlet stub for connection to the outlet. The filter housing is at least partly filled with filter material, and is connected to the inlet and the outlet. The quick-change filter further includes quick-change coupling containing the inlet and the outlet of the quick-change filter and arranged for cooperation with the filter coupling part. The base is configured for manual connection to the quick-change filter, and for automatic, gastight sealing of the gas outlet stub and the gas inlet stub when decoupling the quick-change filter from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Scientific Glass Technology Singapore Pte Ltd.
    Inventor: Marinus Frans van der Maas
  • Publication number: 20080110337
    Abstract: A saturation level of moisture and/or other contaminants is determined in a desiccant material by determining an electrical parameter across the desiccant material. An air dryer includes a housing, a desiccant in the housing, and an electrical contact in the desiccant. A level of at least one of moisture and other contaminants is determined as a function of an electrical parameter between two electrical contacts of dissimilar materials that electrically contact the desiccant. Alternatively, the level of at least one of moisture and other contaminants is determined as a function of an amount of the reflected light received by the optical sensor from the desiccant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Fred W. Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W. Nichols, David J. Taneyhill, Justin R. Miller
  • Publication number: 20080038603
    Abstract: A fuel processor and a fuel cell system which have a desulfurizer with multiple sensors, and a method of measuring an adsorbent state in of an adsorbent the desulfurizer The desulfurizer determines the saturation state of the adsorbent using a signal difference between at least two sensors installed adjacent to an inlet and an outlet of the desulfurizer. The desulfurizer provides an accurate determination of the saturation of the adsorbent, and can be used to determine when the adsorbent should be changed. Two desulfurizers can be alternatively used to allow for a consistent fuel flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-chul LEE, Soon-ho Kim, Doo-hwan Lee, Do-young Seung, Kang-hee Lee
  • Patent number: 7323035
    Abstract: A dehumidifying device for absorbing water vapour from ambient air comprising a container having an opening to permit water vapour to enter the container, the container having a water-absorbing agent disposed therein for absorbing water vapour, wherein a first portion of the water-absorbing agent is adapted to provide an indication of water absorption faster than a second portion of the water-absorbing agent following exposure of the first and second portions of water-absorbing agents to water vapour, thereby providing an early indication of the operation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Paul William Robinson, Richard Paul Harbutt, David Bedford
  • Patent number: 7320725
    Abstract: A disposable cartridge air/gas dryer apparatus for installation in an air/gas line delivering compressed air or gas to an air/gas-driven tool. The dryer includes a pressure vessel having first and second ends, an inlet port, and an outlet port. A disposable dryer cartridge is disposed in the pressure vessel. The cartridge includes a casing and a quantity of a drying composition in the casing. A cartridge support surface in the pressure vessel supports a first end of the cartridge. A cartridge-receiving opening is provided in the pressure vessel for inserting and removing the cartridge in the pressure vessel. A cover removably covers the opening and captures a second end of the cartridge. The dryer can be provided with a handle so that it can be easily and quickly replaced by opening the cover, pulling out the cartridge and inserting a new cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Arno, Daniel Blaszkowiak
  • Patent number: 7285156
    Abstract: A low-profile dryness indicator for point-of-use operation in an air/gas line delivering compressed air or gas to an air/gas-driven tool. The apparatus includes a vessel having a first end, a second end, and a central portion formed by a light transmissive wall that defines a containment chamber containing a dryness-indicating material, such as a color-changing desiccant or moisture sensitive paper. A rigid protective housing is disposed around the vessel wall and has one or more view ports for viewing the dryness-indicating desiccant in the containment chamber. The protective housing is closed by first and second end cap fittings that are each configured for connection to a compressed air/gas line, or to an air tool, and include a passage for transferring air or gas to or from an adjacent one of the plenum-defining cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventors: Michael J. Arno, Allan A. Hoerner
  • Patent number: 7153345
    Abstract: High capacity sulfur oxide absorbents utilizing manganese-based octahedral molecular sieve (Mn—OMS) materials are disclosed. An emissions reduction system for a combustion exhaust includes a scrubber 24 containing these high capacity sulfur oxide absorbents located upstream from a NOX filter 26 or particulate trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Liyu Li, David L. King
  • Patent number: 7018448
    Abstract: A gas cabinet assembly for dispensing of gas to a process facility such as a semiconductor manufacturing tool. A purge gas dry scrubber is integrated with the gas flow circuitry and a venturi pump in the gas cabinet. Purge gas is flowed through the flow circuitry in the gas cabinet subsequent to on-stream dispensing of process gas through such flow circuitry, and forms a purge effluent including the residual process gas. The purge effluent is flowed through a dry scrubber unit to sorptively remove the process gas species from the purge effluent. The resultant process gas-depleted purge effluent is vented from the gas cabinet, e.g., into the ducting of the house exhaust system of the process facility. Monitoring of the relative depletion of the dry scrubbing medium in the dry scrubber may be carried out with endpoint detection, e.g., using colorimetric change techniques, toxic gas monitor devices, or PLC/CPU arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Wodjenski, Jose I. Arno
  • Patent number: 6997975
    Abstract: A universal pan or pot lid is disclosed, absorbing and filtering steam and smell with the optional aid of a sucking fan. This lid preferably of transparent material is provided with a filter changing color when it is saturated and arranged in a burn proof ergonomic knob that can be detached from the lid flat allowing an easy cleaning and washing of all its components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Roberto Stefanoni
  • Patent number: 6991671
    Abstract: A fluid storage and dispensing apparatus including a fluid storage and dispensing vessel having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an integrated gas cabinet assembly including such fluid storage and dispensing apparatus and/or a point-of-use ventilation gas scrubber in the vented gas cabinet. By the use of physical adsorbent and chemical sorbent media, the gas cabinet can be enhanced in safety of operation, e.g., where the process gas supplied from the gas cabinet is of a toxic or otherwise hazardous character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Brestovansky, Michael J. Wodjenski, Jose I. Arno, J. Donald Carruthers
  • Patent number: 6979361
    Abstract: An end of service life indicator (ESLI) device for a fluid filter is included on the filter and visually indicates when the life of the filter has expired. The ESLI indicates the depletion of the filter by changing the color density on a surface of the device to a color density having a well distinguishable contrasting pattern that is easily recognizable even by individuals who are color-blind. The contrasting pattern may express text indicative of the state of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventors: Gueorgui Milev Mihayiov, Kirollos Salama Kirollos, Tesfa-Michael Tekleab
  • Patent number: 6918952
    Abstract: A quick-change filter system provided with at least one base and at least one quick-change filter, which base is provided with a filter coupling provided with a gas inlet stub for connection to an inlet of the filter and with a gas outlet stub for connection to an outlet of the filter, the filter being provided with a housing, which is at least partly filled with filter material and to which the inlet and the outlet are connected, and with a quick-change coupling arranged for cooperation with the filter coupling of the base, the coupling containing the inlet and the outlet of the filter, the base being provided with a mechanism for manually connecting the filter to the base, and being provided with a sealing mechanism for automatic, gastight sealing of the gas outlet stub and the gas inlet stub when decoupling the filter from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: SGT Singapore Holdings Pte Ltd.
    Inventor: Marinus Frans van der Maas
  • Patent number: 6908502
    Abstract: A deodorizer mounting for engagement into a wall-mounted electrical outlet box including an adsorber unit for removing gases and odors from the ambient atmosphere, a generally L-shaped bracket including a horizontal leg and a vertical leg, a cover plate having a front side and a rear side, at least one prong, mounted to and extending perpendicularly from the rear side of the cover plate, sized and spaced to engage the female receptacle of the electrical outlet box, and a means to affix the front side of the cover plate to the vertical leg of the L-shaped bracket. A mounting device and method of installation obviates or at least reduces the poor aesthetics of conventional wall-mounted adhesive units and the relatively high replacement costs for non-securable room deodorizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Inventor: Wallace Wireman
  • Patent number: 6890373
    Abstract: An adsorbent includes core particles containing an adsorbing material; a porous coating layer including a polymer material that coats the core particles; and an underlying layer containing a metal compound and disposed between the core particles and the porous coating layer. The porous coating layer is formed by spraying and applying a suspension or a solution containing the polymer material over the adsorbing material, or by immersing the adsorbing material into the suspension or the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Nemoto, Hisashi Mori, Tadashi Kuwahara
  • Publication number: 20040231517
    Abstract: A quick-change filter system provided with at least one base and at least one quick-change filter, which base is provided with a filter coupling part provided with a gas inlet stub for connection to an inlet of the quick-change filter and with a gas outlet stub for connection to an outlet of the quick-change filter, the quick-change filter being provided with a filter housing, which is at least partly filled with filter material and to which the inlet and the outlet are connected, and with a quick-change coupling arranged for cooperation with the filter coupling part of the base, the quick-change coupling containing the inlet and the outlet of the quick-change filter, the base being provided with means for manually connecting the quick-change filter to the base, and being provided with sealing means for automatic, gastight sealing of the gas outlet stub and the gas inlet stub when decoupling the quick-change filter from the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventor: Marinus Frans van der Maas
  • Publication number: 20040129142
    Abstract: A deodorizer mounting for engagement into a wall-mounted electrical outlet box. The present invention is constituted by an adsorber unit for removing gases and odors from the ambient atmosphere, a generally L-shaped bracket including a horizontal leg and a vertical leg, a cover plate having a front side and a rear side, at least one prong, mounted to and extending perpendicularly from the rear side of the cover plate, sized and spaced to engage the female receptacle of the electrical outlet box, and a means to affix the front side of the cover plate to the vertical leg of the L-shaped bracket. The invention provides a mounting device for deodorizers and a method of installation which obviates or at least reduces the poor aesthetics of conventional wall-mounted adhesive units and the relatively high replacement costs for non-securable room deodorizers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Wallace Wireman
  • Patent number: 6742355
    Abstract: The invention relates to a receiver-drier for use in an air conditioning system. This receiver-drier has (a) a lower portion defining a lower chamber in the receiver-drier; (b) an upper portion defining an upper chamber in the receiver-drier; and (c) a strainer for removing foreign particles from the refrigerant. The lower portion has an inlet for allowing the refrigerant to flow into the lower chamber and an outlet for allowing the refrigerant to flow out of the lower chamber. Each of the inlet and the outlet is formed at a bottom of the lower portion. The upper chamber is on top of the lower chamber and is charged with a desiccant for removing moisture from the refrigerant. The strainer is disposed at a position in a flow of the refrigerant from the inlet to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignees: Calsonic Kansei Corporation, Calsonic Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuo Ichimura, Yoshikazu Takamatsu, Yoshitoshi Noda, Akira Tsukamoto, Mitsutoshi Sugano, Yoshihiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6716276
    Abstract: A desiccant system in which a body of water-vapor-adsorbing desiccant material is sealed in a bag which is permeable to water vapor, but not to liquid water or particulates. A humidity indicator is sealed to the bag, and is sensitive to humidity within the bag, but not to water or water vapor outside the bag. The indicator changes color when a predetermined humidity level has been reached within the bag, and thereby to signal that the bag should be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Desiccare, Inc.
    Inventors: Calvin L. Loop, Bradley A. Wolk, Bernard Joseph Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6689194
    Abstract: Oxides of carbon and other impurities are removed from a hydrogen fuel supply stream (12) for a fuel cell (30). A getter element (20) sufficient for chemisorbing the oxides of carbon from the hydrogen is removably connected to the fuel cell anode side. The fuel stream is passed through the getter element so as to chemisorb the oxides of carbon onto the getter, thereby providing a purified stream of hydrogen (26) to the fuel cell anode. The getter is removed from the fuel cell when the getter is spent and replaced with a fresh getter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc
    Inventors: Steven D. Pratt, Sivakumar Muthuswamy, Ronald J. Kelley, Robert W. Pennisi
  • Patent number: 6663679
    Abstract: The invention is a device for monitoring humidity, comprising a first layer, which is a visual indicator, a second layer covering and obscuring the first layer, with the second layer comprising a deliquescent material. The deliquescent material picks up moisture and dissolves itself in the moisture, becoming transparent and exposing the first layer. Also included is a viewing means, such as a sight glass, disposed on the opposite side of the second layer from the first layer. The components of the device are mounted or placed in an enclosure that allows entrance of moisture. The activation humidity level may be selected by choosing the appropriate deliquescent material. The device may be in the form of a component of a moisture-containing system and used to detect the moisture should it leave its containment. It may also be in the form of a stand-alone device, such as a capsule, used to monitor exposure to humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: William P. Duncan
  • Publication number: 20030205129
    Abstract: A system and a method for controlling or reducing moisture levels in building cavities. Desiccant is used in combination with various containers for placing the desiccant into building cavities to control levels of moisture and mold in the cavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Shane A. Kretsinger, Jack Lee Meyer
  • Patent number: 6623549
    Abstract: A desiccant containing cartridge (10) has a cap (12) and a generally cylindrically cross-sectioned cup (14) for holding desiccant particles (16) and a dye wafer (18). The cup (14) includes spaced inner and outer wall portions (20, 24) connected by a transverse portion (28) to define a chamber (30) having an opening (32) for the placement of a dye wafer (18) and desiccant particles (16). The cap (12) has a planar portion (52) having outer circumference (53) and inner circumference (54) defining aperture (55) for receiving inner wall portion (20) of the cup (14) and being designed for receipt in chamber (30) to cover opening (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Stanhope Products Company
    Inventors: John M. Evans, Glenn D. Perrine
  • Publication number: 20030121418
    Abstract: A desiccant system in which a body of water-vapor-adsorbing desiccant material is sealed in a bag which is permeable to water vapor, but not to liquid water or particulates. A humidity indicator is sealed to the bag, and is sensitive to humidity within the bag, but not to water or water vapor outside the bag. The indicator changes color when a predetermined humidity level has been reached within the bag, and thereby to signal that the bag should be replaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Calvin L. Loop, Robert C. Loop, Bradley A. Wolk, Bernard Joseph Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6533839
    Abstract: There is provided a three-dimensional adsorbent particle filter having a width, depth and at least one exposed outer face. The filter comprises darkly colored adsorbent particles having an L-value of 60 or less, preferably 20 or less providing a dark contrasting background. Reflective particles are present at the outer face of the filter at levels that allow a user to visually differentiate the filter based on the contrast between the reflective particles and the dark adsorbent particles. Different reflective particle or combinations of reflective particles are used with different filters to differentiate the filters each from the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jason D. Janisch, Robert M. Swinehart
  • Publication number: 20030029320
    Abstract: There is provided a three-dimensional adsorbent particle filter having a width, depth and at least one exposed outer face. The filter comprises darkly colored adsorbent particles having an L-value of 60 or less, preferably 20 or less providing a dark contrasting background. Reflective particles are present at the outer face of the filter at levels that allow a user to visually differentiate the filter based on the contrast between the reflective particles and the dark adsorbent particles. Different reflective particle or combinations of reflective particles are used with different filters to differentiate the filters each from the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Jason D. Janisch, Robert M. Swinehart
  • Patent number: 6497756
    Abstract: A rotationally adjustable respirator cartridge having a self-contained end of service life indicator adjacent the interior of a sidewall of the cartridge shell and in contact with the filter medium provides a color-changing display field that is visible to the wearer of the respirator through a transparent portion of the sidewall. A display window is defined by an opaque border area that surrounds the sensor display field and obscures a predetermined portion of the downstream end of the indicator to provide a desired margin of safety to the wearer. In order to permit the wearer to rotationally position the color-changing display field in the line of sight through the transparent portion of the respirator facepiece, the cartridge is provided with a rotatable mounting assembly that is continuously rotatable in one direction and that forms a seal with the cartridge shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: North Safety Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Len Curado, Edna M. deMedeiros
  • Patent number: 6464760
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portable air sterilization and filtration apparatus for removing contaminants from the ambient atmosphere, having a housing with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, filter media and ultraviolet light source, and a motorized fan for maintaining a flow of air through the housing from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. The invention also includes easy access to the filter medium and to the ultraviolet light sources for periodic replacement or cleaning, and integrates a safety lock feature whereby the removal of the filter or the removal of an ultraviolet light source would open the power circuit to the ultraviolet light source, preventing accidental irradiation of the user. The ultraviolet light sources also activate an indicator light viewable by the user when the ultraviolet light sources are energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventors: John C. K. Sham, Kumkit Kunavongvorakul
  • Patent number: 6432176
    Abstract: A closed storage reservoir has at least one feed and discharge line for compressed gas and, in its interior, a gas flow control system which connects the feed and discharge line to a solid filling for storing the compressed gas in the interior. To ensure the highest possible specific storage capacity of the device and to enable the device to be used as a tank system for a fuel cell, the solid filling comprises carbon nanostructures which are joined to form larger, cohesive conglomerates. A device for measuring the filling level of the compressed gas in the storage vessel may be a device for measuring the nuclear magnetic resonance or a device for measuring the mass flow rates of the compressed gas. A temperature sensor and a heating/cooling device having an inlet connection piece and an outlet connection piece for a heating/cooling medium and a cooling passage connected to the connection pieces are provided in order to set a defined temperature in the storage vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Holger Klos, Walter Schütz
  • Patent number: 6346143
    Abstract: An odor adsorptive filter for use in refrigerators, freezers, and/or other cold storage units, is removably securable to one of the interior walls or panels of the unit and adsorbs odoriferous matter from spoiled foods, strong food odors, etc. as the air within the unit circulates. The present filter comprises a filter housing which is removably secured within the refrigerator or freezer by suction cups which adhere securely to the smooth surfaces of such units, without damage or marring of the surface. The filter element is in turn removably secured within the filter housing, for replacement as necessary. The filter element comprises a woven or nonwoven fiber material, with the fibers being coated or impregnated with an odor adsorbent material such as baking soda and/or activated carbon in some form. The filter element, or the housing, may also include a pleasant scent which will permeate the air in the cold storage device as unpleasant odors are adsorbed by the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventor: Kimberly F. McGowan
  • Patent number: 6296693
    Abstract: A life cell for use in a disaster and a filtration system utilized with such a life cell. The life cell includes a contaminant detector, for detecting the presence of a contaminant in a volume of air, and an air filtration system for removing contaminants from the volume of air. The air filtration system of the life cell includes an air inlet, HEPA filter in fluid communication with the air inlet for removing particulate contaminants from the volume of air, and a carbon filter in fluid connection with the HEPA filter for removing chemical and biological contaminants from the volume of air. A blower is placed in fluid communication with the carbon filter and HEPA filter and acts to draw the volume of air from the air inlet, through the HEPA filter and carbon filter, and exhaust the volume of air such that a positive pressure is created. The preferred life cell includes a carbon filter made up of two layers of foam, an activated carbon filter medium, and a Whetlerite carbon filter medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventor: Walton W. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 6224651
    Abstract: A process for separation of a gas mixture by pressure swing adsorption, in which a pressure swing cycle comprising a sequence of steps which define adsorption, decompression/regeneration and pressure rise phases is employed for the or each adsorber. The cycle furthermore comprises at least temporarily at least one step of isolating the adsorber (II; IV) during which the pressure variation in the isolated adsorber is recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Christian Monereau, Yves Engler, Guillaume De Souza, Pierre Olivier Dolle