Plural Solid Sorbent Beds Patents (Class 96/121)
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Patent number: 7416580Abstract: A filter assembly for removing particulate contaminants and chemical contaminants from an incoming dirty air stream for a fuel cell. The filter assembly also includes a noise suppression element that reduces sound waves or noise emanating from any equipment, such as a compressor. The filter assembly can include a particulate filter portion for removing physical or particulate contaminants, a chemical filter portion for removing chemical contaminants, or can have both portions.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2005Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Donaldsom Company, Inc.Inventors: William Nyman, Randy Bourget, Staffan Linnersten, Donald H. White
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Patent number: 7402193Abstract: A portable oxygen concentrator includes a pair of sieve beds having first and second ends, a compressor for delivering air to the first ends of the sieve beds, a reservoir communicating with the second ends of the sieve beds, and an air manifold attached to the first ends of the sieve beds. The air manifold includes passages therein communicating with the compressor and the first ends of the sieve beds. A set of valves is coupled to the air manifold, and a controller is coupled to the valves for selectively opening and closing the valves to alternately charge and purge the sieve beds to deliver concentrated oxygen into the reservoir. An oxygen delivery manifold communicates with the second ends of the sieve beds for delivering oxygen from the reservoir to a user. Pressure sensors may be provided in the reservoir and/or delivery line for controlling operation of the controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Respironics Oxytec, Inc.Inventors: Peter L. Bliss, Charles R. Atlas, Jr., Scott Cameron Halperin
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Patent number: 7399449Abstract: A microfabricated diffusion source to provide for a controlled diffusion rate of a vapor comprises a porous reservoir formed in a substrate that can be filled with a liquid, a headspace cavity for evaporation of the vapor therein, a diffusion channel to provide a controlled diffusion of the vapor, and an outlet to release the vapor into a gas stream. The microfabricated diffusion source can provide a calibration standard for a microanalytical system. The microanalytical system with an integral diffusion source can be fabricated with microelectromechanical systems technologies.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2003Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Michael C. Oborny, Gregory C. Frye-Mason, Ronald P. Manginell
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Patent number: 7399347Abstract: A control valve structure for an oxygen machine uses a motor to link a disc to spin, which activates a pair of valve rods to open and close in sequence through rotation of the motor to control air flow.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2005Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Inventor: Shao-Shih Huang
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Patent number: 7393381Abstract: A plurality of different layers of filter media are used to remove siloxanes from a gas stream. Based on an analysis of the specific gas stream to be filtered, a filter media having an average pore size enabling the preferential removal of a specific class of contaminants is selected for each different class of contaminants. The layers are arranged in sequential order such that contaminants having a higher molecular weight are preferentially removed by the first layers. Collectively, the layers define a segmented activity gradient that enables each class of contaminants present in the gas stream to be preferentially removed in a different layer, preventing removal competition between different classes of contaminants. Preferable adsorption media exhibit a relatively narrow range of pore sizes. Both inorganic adsorption media and carbon-based adsorption media exhibiting a relatively narrow range of pore sizes can be used.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2005Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Applied Filter Technology, Inc.Inventors: Paul M. Tower, Jeffrey V. Wetzel
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Publication number: 20080148938Abstract: The present invention relates generally to adsorbents for use in pressure swing adsorption (PSA) prepurification processes. The invention more particularly relates to the design of adsorbent zones to be used in PSA prepurification processes that are expected to provide for extensions in PSA cycle time, thereby reducing blowdown loss and operating costs associated with the process. One particular embodiment of the present invention includes a first adsorption zone containing activated alumina and a second adsorption zone of an alumina-zeolite mixture or composite adsorbent in which the volume of the first zone does not exceed 50% of the total volume of the first and second zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2006Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventor: Salil Uday Rege
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Patent number: 7384454Abstract: A water production unit is provided having two modes of operation for extracting water from exhaust and air.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2005Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventor: Stephen Tongue
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Patent number: 7368005Abstract: A portable oxygen concentrator includes a pair of sieve beds having first and second ends, a compressor for delivering air to the first ends of the sieve beds, a reservoir communicating with the second ends of the sieve beds, and an air manifold attached to the first ends of the sieve beds. The air manifold includes passages therein communicating with the compressor and the first ends of the sieve beds. A set of valves is coupled to the air manifold, and a controller is coupled to the valves for selectively opening and closing the valves to alternately charge and purge the sieve beds to deliver concentrated oxygen into the reservoir. An oxygen delivery manifold communicates with the second ends of the sieve beds for delivering oxygen from the reservoir to a user. Pressure sensors may be provided in the reservoir and/or delivery line for controlling operation of the controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Respironics Oxytec, Inc.Inventors: Peter L. Bliss, Charles R. Atlas, Jr., Scott Cameron Halperin
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Publication number: 20080078289Abstract: The invention provides a system and method comprising an apparatus for removing contaminants from a gas in a semiconductor processing device, which can include a filter unit having at least two parallel filter stages located therein. The filter stages are designed to remove a least a portion of the contaminants present in the gas flowing through them. The apparatus can also include a flow controller for distributing the gas flow among the filter stages. In one embodiment, the controller may consist of a diffuser plate. The invention also provides a sampling tube orifice for gas flow control in a system or method of the invention. In another embodiment, an apparatus for removing contaminants from a gas in a clean room comprises a filter unit having at least two parallel filter stages, which are used to remove a portion of the contaminants in the gas as it passes through the apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2005Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: John E. Sergi, John Gaudreau, Oleg P. Kishkovich, William Goodwin, Devon A. Kinkead
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Patent number: 7350521Abstract: Oxygen concentrator system having a portable oxygen generator unit adapted to generate a non-humidified oxygen-rich gas and a stationary base unit adapted to generate a humidified oxygen-rich gas, wherein the portable oxygen generator unit and the stationary base are adapted for operation in a coupled mode and an uncoupled mode. The portable oxygen generator unit includes a first flow coupling adapted to receive the humidified oxygen-rich gas when operating in the coupled mode, piping means adapted to combine the non-humidified oxygen-rich gas and the humidified oxygen-rich gas to form a humidified oxygen-rich gas product, and an oxygen-rich gas product delivery port. The stationary base unit is adapted to recharge a rechargeable power supply system in the portable oxygen generator unit when the units are coupled.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2005Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Roger Dean Whitley, Glenn Paul Wagner, Matthew James LaBuda
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Publication number: 20080047435Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2006Publication date: February 28, 2008Inventors: Joseph T. Dolensky, Marvin Zeigler
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Patent number: 7329304Abstract: A portable oxygen concentrator includes a pair of sieve beds having first and second ends, a compressor for delivering air to the first ends of the sieve beds, a reservoir communicating with the second ends of the sieve beds, and an air manifold attached to the first ends of the sieve beds. The air manifold includes passages therein communicating with the compressor and the first ends of the sieve beds. A set of valves is coupled to the air manifold, and a controller is coupled to the valves for selectively opening and closing the valves to alternately charge and purge the sieve beds to deliver concentrated oxygen into the reservoir. An oxygen delivery manifold communicates with the second ends of the sieve beds for delivering oxygen from the reservoir to a user. Pressure sensors may be provided in the reservoir and/or delivery line for controlling operation of the controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Respironics Oxytec, Inc.Inventors: Peter L. Bliss, Charles R. Atlas, Jr., Scott Cameron Halperin
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Patent number: 7318859Abstract: A compact sorbent filter for selectively sorbing contaminants and method of removing contamination from an enclosure with a filter is disclosed. Filters of the present invention comprise two or more modular adsorbent units that can be foldably connected and possibly symmetric about one or more axis. In another aspect, the invention provides a laminar support, having at least one edge, a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the article is folded along the fold line about the at least one edge of the laminar support such that the first adsorbent assembly is adjacent to the first side of the laminar support and the second adsorbent assembly is adjacent to the second side of the laminar support. In this aspect, the laminar support may be exposed or covered by the adjacent adsorbent assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2004Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Gore Enterprise HoldingsInventors: Earl R. Ball, Edwin G. Dauber, Darlene K. Gorton, Rajan H. Gidumal
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Patent number: 7316732Abstract: An activated carbon filter that treats a gas stream having a varying relative humidity, the gas stream contaminated with at least one of formaldehyde, an acid gas and an alkaline gas. The filter includes a plurality of activated carbon granules mixed together in a carbon bed filter. A first portion of the granules supports both manganese dioxide and potassium hydroxide. A second portion of the granules supports both potassium iodide and potassium hydroxide. A third portion of the granules supports phosphoric acid. The different portions operate to catalyze the oxidation of formaldehyde and other contaminants at varying humidity. The potassium hydroxide optionally chemisorbs any carboxylic acid by-products of the formaldehyde. Also provided is a method to treat a gas stream with the filter.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2005Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: Roy M. Taylor, Jr., Roy W. Kuennen, Gregory K. Evans
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Patent number: 7316734Abstract: A volatile organic compound treatment apparatus including an adsorber coming into contact with a gas to be treated and adsorbing volatile organic compounds; a plurality of pairs of electrodes, divided into a plurality of groups, which generate electric discharge so that a part of the adsorber is exposed to the electric discharge; and an electric discharge control mechanism for controlling whether or not the electric discharge is generated in what pair of the electrodes by applying a voltage to every group of the pair of electrodes such that different parts of the adsorber are sequentially exposed to the electric discharge.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2005Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koji Ohta, Masaki Kuzumoto, Yasuhiro Tanimura, Hajime Nakatani, Toshiaki Yoshizumi, Hideo Ichimura
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Publication number: 20080000352Abstract: The present invention relates to cryogenic air separation processes and systems that employ a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) prepurification process. It is advantageous to operate the PSA process at a pressure comparable to or below the operating pressure of the highest pressure column in the cryogenic separation unit. Following PSA prepurification, the air can be split into at least two fractions, with at least a portion of the air being directed to the cryogenic separation unit and at least a portion of the remaining air being further pressurized in at least one stage of compression.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2006Publication date: January 3, 2008Inventors: Henry Edward Howard, Jeffert John Nowobilski
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Publication number: 20070295214Abstract: An airflow channel module for oxygen concentrator is provided, including at least two molecular sieves, an oxygen storage unit, an air expelling unit, an air channel module, an air intake/expel module, and an automatic valve. The airflow channel module utilizes the oxygen storage channel and the air channel hidden inside the air channel module, the air intake channel, the air expelling channel and the air supply channel hidden in the air intake/expel module, and the automatic valve to control the flow of the air, oxygen and the nitrogen. By modularizing the airflow channel and eliminating the exposed hoses in conventional oxygen concentrator, the airflow channel module simplifies the assembly and maintenance of the oxygen concentrator.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2006Publication date: December 27, 2007Inventor: Yueh Chen Lin
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Patent number: 7311763Abstract: An improved gas separation vessel apparatus is provided. The gas separation vessel apparatus is adapted to separate oxygen and other process gases, and it employs both vertically-, or alternatively, horizontally-positioned vessels. The gas separation vessels disclosed contain removable radial-flow bed cartridge-type adsorbent subassemblies, which may be replaced, substituted, or serviced with minimal system down time.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2005Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Inventor: David Lloyd Neary
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Publication number: 20070289445Abstract: A gas separator works on a pressure swing principle. The separator includes multiple sieve beds, preferably five arranged in pentagonal fashion about a centerline, and a control valve. The control valve includes a rotor and a stator. The rotor is mounted for rotation relative to the stator. One part of the rotor allows pressurized gas to flow to the stator and thereon to one or more, and preferably two, of the sieve beds for separation. Another part of the rotor blocks flow of gas through the stator to or from one or more of the sieve beds, and yet another part of the rotor allows waste gas to flow from one or more of the sieve beds back through the stator to an exhaust. The separator may be used as part of a system. In a method of use, sieve beds are cycled between adsorption, de-pressurization, purging, and pre-pressurization phases.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2006Publication date: December 20, 2007Inventors: Mei Hua, Cao Guo Chen
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Patent number: 7306657Abstract: An oxygen concentrating apparatus including an output variable type compressor. Oxygen-concentrated gas may be supplied either continuously or synchronized with inhalation or timing of inhalations. In one aspect, when synchronous operation is selected, the compressor is operated at a lower output in comparison with continuous supply operation. In a second aspect, when synchronous operation is selected, the supply quantity of oxygen-concentration gas is set to zero during the exhalation period.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2004Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideaki Yagi, Junichi Akiyama
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Patent number: 7303611Abstract: A humidity adjusting apparatus includes at least one desiccant linearly reciprocated between a dehumidifying unit and a drying unit, and a motor for driving the desiccant to be moved, thereby improving dehumidifying and humidifying efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2004Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Seong Won Bae, In Hwa Jung, Deok Huh, Sim Won Chin
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Patent number: 7297187Abstract: A gas separation apparatus comprises: at least two absorption beds respectively including an absorbent for absorbing certain gas; at least two three-way valves respectively installed on conduits for respectively connecting the absorption beds and outside of the apparatus; and a pump respectively connected to each end of the absorption beds and the three-way valves, for discharging gas absorbed by the absorbent and gas that is not absorbed by the absorbent. Gas that is absorbed by the absorbent and gas that is not absorbed by the absorbent are discharged by the single pump, thereby having a simple structure and reducing an installation space and a fabrication cost.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2004Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Don-Hee Lee, Seong-Moon Cho
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Patent number: 7294179Abstract: Two types of activated charcoals having different adsorption and desorption functions are appropriately disposed in a canister. Gas movement is evenly dispersed via an air space and diffuser equipped between the two activated charcoals. Thereby, leakage of fuel vapor from the canister to the atmosphere is minimized without implementing a supplementary component (e.g., a subsidiary canister), and reduction of the consumption amount of the activated charcoal by eliminating a dead volume.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation and Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Eui Sik Kim, Chun Kyu Park
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Patent number: 7279029Abstract: System for producing an oxygen-rich gas comprising (a) a primary gas mover including a first and a second compressor, wherein the primary gas mover is characterized by a weight Wp; (b) a drive motor adapted to drive the first and second compressors; (c) a rechargeable power supply characterized by a weight, Wb; and (d) a pressure/vacuum swing adsorption unit adapted to separate the pressurized feed air into an oxygen-rich product at a product flow rate Fp and an oxygen-depleted waste gas, wherein the adsorption unit comprises a plurality of adsorber beds containing an adsorbent and characterized by a total adsorbent weight Wa; and wherein the combined weight, Wt, of the adsorbent, the primary gas mover, and the rechargeable power supply is characterized by the expression 0.75 Fp<Wt<2.02 Fp where Fp is in liters per min (at 23° C. and 1 atma pressure), and Wa, Wp, and Wb are in pounds.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: James Michael Occhialini, Roger Dean Whitley, Glenn Paul Wagner, Matthew James LaBuda, Craig E. Steigerwalt
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Patent number: 7276107Abstract: The present invention relates to a PSA system using an indexing rotary dual valve regulating a stepping mode of operation that controls a variable bed inlet feed flow rate, controllable pressure between feed lines in different beds of the PSA system and varied output flow rate of product gas such as high purity hydrogen gas.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mohamed Safdar Allie Baksh, Michael S. Manning, Andrew C. Rosinski, James Smolarek, Alan Barnard Stewart, Bernard Thomas Neu
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Patent number: 7273511Abstract: A method and an apparatus for enriching a combustible gas. The gas mixture is initially flowing in a distribution line at a set pressure. Part of the mixture is bypassed to a separate line where it is then compressed. This compressed stream is then treated in a gas separation unit and is injected back into the distribution system at about the set pressure.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2003Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Guillaume De Souza, Pascal Tromeur
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Patent number: 7273051Abstract: Oxygen generation system having a portable oxygen generator unit including a portable air separation device for the generation of an oxygen-rich gas, a primary gas pump including means to supply air to the portable air separation device, a primary motor to drive the gas pump, a rechargeable power supply to drive the motor, connector means adapted to deliver power to the rechargeable power supply, flow coupling means to transfer the oxygen-rich gas from the portable oxygen generator unit, and a first oxygen-rich gas product discharge port. The system also includes a stationary base unit adapted to couple with the portable oxygen generator unit, wherein the stationary base unit has a stationary power supply system including connector means adapted to recharge the rechargeable power supply in the portable oxygen generator unit, flow coupling means to receive the oxygen-rich gas from the portable oxygen generator unit, and an optional second oxygen-rich gas product discharge port.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2004Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Roger Dean Whitley, Glenn Paul Wagner, Matthew James LaBuda
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Patent number: 7264647Abstract: A device for enriching air with oxygen in an aircraft, and a method for operating the device provides product gas enrichment with oxygen with minimum requirements. An oxygen measurement apparatus analyzing the product gas flow as well as a throughput sensor are provided in combination with a change-over device. A flow connection to an outlet channel is created in a first switch position, and a flow connection to a consumer conduit exists in a second switch position. A device for producing a change-over signal from the first switch position to the second switch position is provided if the determined oxygen output as a product of the product gas flow and the oxygen concentration has reached or exceeded a predefined threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Dräger Aerospace GmbHInventors: Rüdiger Meckes, Wolfgang Rittner, Herbert Meier
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Patent number: 7264648Abstract: A plurality of different layers of filter media are used to remove siloxanes from a gas stream. Based on an analysis of the specific gas stream to be filtered, a filter media having an average pore size enabling the preferential removal of a specific class of contaminants is selected for each different class of contaminants. The layers are arranged in sequential order such that contaminants having a higher molecular weight are preferentially removed by the first layers. Collectively, the layers define a segmented activity gradient that enables each class of contaminants present in the gas stream to be preferentially removed in a different layer, preventing removal competition between different classes of contaminants. A polymorphous graphite is used as the filter media, because that material is available in a range of well-controlled pore sizes, as opposed to conventional activated carbon filter media, which generally exhibits poorly-controlled pore sizes.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2004Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Applied Filter Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey V. Wetzel, Paul M. Tower
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Patent number: 7255727Abstract: The invention concerns a treatment method which consists in using a pressure swing adsorption treatment unit (16) and causing said treatment unit (16) to follow a nominal operating cycle, based on nominal operating conditions and in order to ensure minimal performances of the feed gas treatment. It further consists in providing at least a pre-programmed auxiliary operating cycle, different from the nominal cycle, and, when the operating conditions differ from the nominal conditions to the extent that the treatment unit (16) no longer achieves its minimal performances, in imposing to the treatment unit (16) to follow the or one of the auxiliary cycles.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2003Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme à Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges ClaudeInventors: Christian Monereau, Guillaume De Souza
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Patent number: 7218983Abstract: In at least one aspect, the invention provides an electronic device fabrication facility (Fab) that uses small lot carriers that may be transparently integrated into an existing Fab that uses large lot carriers. A manufacturing execution system (MES) may interact with the inventive small lot Fab as if the small lot Fab is any other Fab component in an existing large lot Fab without requiring knowledge of how to control small lot Fab components (e.g., beyond specifying a processing recipe). A small lot Fab according to the present invention may encapsulate the small lot Fab's internal use of small lot components and present itself to a large lot Fab's MES as if the small lot Fab is a component that uses large lot carriers.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2004Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Amitabh Puri, David Duffin, Eric A. Englhardt
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Patent number: 7171963Abstract: A product pump for pumping separated product gas from an oxygen concentrator which produces oxygen-rich product gas by utilizing a vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) process. The oxygen concentrator comprises a cartridge containing an adsorbent material for separating the product gas from ambient air, a vacuum pump which provides a vacuum source, a valve for selectively connecting the vacuum pump to the cartridge and product pump, and a reservoir. The product pump comprises a pumping chamber having a product gas inlet and a product gas outlet, a piston movable in the chamber, a vacuum inlet in the chamber on an opposite side of the piston from the product gas inlet and outlet for providing a vacuum to cause the piston to draw product gas through the product gas inlet into the chamber, and a spring for providing a spring force to force the product gas out the product gas outlet.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2005Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: VBOX, IncorporatedInventors: Theodore W. Jagger, Nicholas P. Van Brunt, John A. Kivisto, Perry B. Lonnes
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Patent number: 7169213Abstract: A multi-channel modular device (10) processes between two fluid streams of different compositions. The device (10) includes a porous body (150) having a first plurality of feed-flow pathways (110) disposed in the body (150) for transporting a first stream (180). A pathway wall (114) surrounds each of the first plurality of feed-flow pathways (110) for processing the first stream (180) into a first composition (1852) and a second composition (1802). At least one feed-flow inlet (1101) is disposed in the body (150) for introducing the first stream (180) into the first plurality of feed-flow pathways (110). At least one feed-flow outlet (1102) is disposed in the body (150) for discharging the remaining first stream containing the second composition (1802). At least one second pathway (210) is disposed in the body (150) for transporting a second stream (280) having a second inlet (2101) and a second outlet (2102).Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Wei Liu, Jimmie L. Williams, Yuming Xie
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Patent number: 7156903Abstract: A portable pressure swing adsorption apparatus and conservation device for medical use, and a sound enclosure for the apparatus having two isolating sections to enclose the apparatus, the enclosure having an inlet in one of the sections for allowing ambient air into the enclosure and an outlet in the other section for enabling waste gases from the apparatus to exit the enclosure and causing the ambient air and waste gases substantially to change direction within the enclosure before entering or exiting the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2004Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: AirSep CorporationInventor: Norman R. McCombs
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Patent number: 7138008Abstract: A filter assembly for removing particulate contaminants and chemical contaminants from an incoming dirty air stream for a fuel cell. The filter assembly also includes a noise suppression element that reduces sound waves or noise emanating from any equipment, such as a compressor. The filter assembly can include a particulate filter portion for removing physical or particulate contaminants, a chemical filter portion for removing chemical contaminants, or can have both portions.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2004Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.Inventors: Eivind Stenersen, William Michael Nyman, Richard Thomas Canepa
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Patent number: 7128775Abstract: The present invention is a pressure adsorber vessel that employs a radial adsorbent bed with a variable perforated flow distributor to provide an effective uniform fluid flow though the adsorbent bed.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2004Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.Inventors: Cem E. Celik, James Smolarek
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Patent number: 7125439Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing clean air to an environment. Incoming air, which may be contaminated with chemical, nuclear or biological contamination is initially cooled and water is removed from the cooled air by a first cooler, a first water separator, a second cooler and a second water separator. The cooled air is passed through a regenerative pressure swing absorption system which removes the contaminants. The resulting, cleaned, air is expanded by an expander. The expanded, cleaned air is provided to the environment, after being used in the second cooler to clean the incoming air.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2004Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Aircontrol Technologies LimitedInventor: Edward John Bennett
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Patent number: 7114932Abstract: A pivoting vane rotary compressor includes a housing having a generally pear-shaped chamber. A rotor mounted within the chamber defines a main and constricted chamber regions. Reversible intake and exhaust ports alternately introduce air into and exhaust air from the chamber. The rotor carries pivotable vanes and a motor drives the rotor alternately in opposing first and second directions to open the vanes and define compartments that transmit the air through the chamber between the ports. Air introduced through one of the ports is compressed and discharged through the other port. A concentrator employs a pair of these compressors as well as associated filters and crossover valves.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2004Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Inventor: Stuart Bassine
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Patent number: 7097696Abstract: An air dryer system including two substantially identical canister-type air dryer units. Each includes a moist air inlet, a first desiccant, a dry air outlet, and means for supplying dry air to a storage facility. The system also includes a bleed valve supplying a small portion of the dry air to regenerate a second desiccant, and a first moist air purge valve. The system operates in the opposite mode and supplies air to a storage facility. Located between the moist air inlets and the desiccants are a pair of air-oil separators. In these, upwardly directed air flows through a housing, striking a deflector plate, and escapes beneath a vertically extending fence and through vents containing a filter medium.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2004Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: SKF USA Inc.Inventors: Monte Salzman, Tom Mahoney
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Patent number: 7025803Abstract: A system and a process for recovering high concentrations of methane from crude natural gas and solid waste landfill exhaust gas uses a sequential combination of a pressure swing adsorber unit operation to remove volatile organic compounds from the crude feed gas mixture followed by a membrane separation unit operation. The membrane separation uses a membrane which is selectively gas permeable to reject transmission of methane and thus to produce a permeate depleted in methane relative to the feed mixture. The permeate is also free of volatile organic compounds and is recycled to the pressure swing adsorber unit operation to regenerate saturated adsorbers.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme A Directoire et Counsel de Surveillance Pour L'Etude et L'Exploration des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Kenneth J. Wascheck, Charles L. Anderson
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Patent number: 7014690Abstract: An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from an air stream. Such expandable desiccant element includes at least one first expandable containment section capable of expanding a first predetermined amount, at least one second expandable containment section capable of expanding a second predetermined amount which is greater than the first predetermined amount connected to the first expandable containment section. Such at least one first expandable containment section and at least one second expandable containment section forming a predetermined shape.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies CorporationInventors: Matthew D. Mitsch, Brian L. Cunkelman
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Patent number: 6991770Abstract: A hydrogen storage tank has an outer cylinder and a cylindrical hydrogen storage module within the outer cylinder spaced apart from an inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder to provide a hydrogen passage therebetween. The cylindrical hydrogen storage module includes a lamination having a plurality of hydrogen storage units filled with powdery hydrogen absorption material and a hydrogen absorption and desorption surface on an entire outer peripheral surface, while interposing a heating/cooling element between ones of adjacent units. First and second main passages penetrate the lamination in a lamination direction of the units, and permit heating fluid and cooling fluid to flow therethrough. Sub passages branch from the main passages and extend over within each of the heating/cooling elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2001Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takanori Suzuki, Izuru Kanoya, Mitsuya Hosoe
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Patent number: 6936093Abstract: A multilayer filter assembly for use inside an electronic enclosure, such as a hard disk drive enclosure containing a rotating disk, is disclosed. The filter assembly provides filtration of air entering the enclosure, as well as air circulating within the enclosure. The filter assembly is generally a single-piece unit that can be formed without a rigid frame, thus allowing the filter assembly to be produced at a reduced cost. In one implementation of the invention, the multilayer filter assembly contains at least two particulate removal layers covering, enclosing, and dividing at least two adsorbent regions. One of the adsorbent regions is configured to be placed flush against an interior wall of the electronic enclosure to allow air to flow in and out of the enclosure, while the other adsorbent region is configured to be placed in an upright position in the enclosure with exposed surfaces that allow airflow through this portion of the filter assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.Inventors: Katsushi Isogawa, Carl J. Soldner, Kristin Fischer, Vijay K. Garikipati, James P. Hand
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Publication number: 20040255778Abstract: Contemplated configurations and methods include a hydrogen pressure swing adsorption unit that receives a feed gas comprising a hydrogen production stream and a non-recycled hydrogen-containing waste stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2004Publication date: December 23, 2004Inventor: Satish Reddy
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Publication number: 20040244585Abstract: A device for enriching air with oxygen in an aircraft, and a method for operating the device provides product gas enrichment with oxygen with minimum requirements. An oxygen measurement apparatus analyzing the product gas flow as well as a throughput sensor are provided in combination with a change-over device. A flow connection to an outlet channel is created in a first switch position, and a flow connection to a consumer conduit exists in a second switch position. A device for producing a change-over signal from the first switch position to the second switch position is provided if the determined oxygen output as a product of the product gas flow and the oxygen concentration has reached or exceeded a predefined threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventors: Rudiger Meckes, Wolfgang Rittner, Herbert Meier
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Publication number: 20040244584Abstract: A method for reducing shock during a flow of fluid between a higher pressure vessel and a lower pressure vessel. The method includes the steps of providing a conduit between the higher pressure vessel and the lower pressure vessel, and minimizing a rate of pressure change within the second vessel caused by the flow of fluid along the conduit from the higher pressure vessel. The minimizing step includes controlling a rate of flow of fluid between the first vessel and the second vessel over a predetermined duration.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2003Publication date: December 9, 2004Applicant: H2GEN INNOVATIONS, INC.Inventors: Franklin D. Lomax, John S. Lettow, Michael Sean Streeks, Vinay Prasad
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Patent number: 6797027Abstract: A filter assembly for removing particulate contaminants and chemical contaminants from an incoming dirty air stream for a fuel cell. The filter assembly also includes a noise suppression element that reduces sound waves or noise emanating from any equipment, such as a compressor. The filter assembly can include a particulate filter portion for removing physical or particulate contaminants, a chemical filter portion for removing chemical contaminants, or can have both portions.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.Inventors: Eivind Stenersen, William Michael Nyman, Richard Thomas Canepa
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Patent number: 6783576Abstract: Gas purifier system containing a preconditioned ultra-low emission (P-ULE) carbon for reducing trace impurities such as organic compounds and carbon monoxide in reactive fluids such as ammonia, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide, and chlorine to sub-ppb levels. P-ULE is capable of removing impurities from a reactive fluid down to parts-per-billion (ppb) and sub-ppb levels without concurrently emitting other impurities such as moisture or carbon dioxide into the purified reactive fluid. The P-ULE carbon is prepared by heating a carbon material to temperatures between about 300° C. to 800° C. in an ultra-dry, inert gas stream, to produce an ultra-low emission (ULE) carbon material, subjecting the ULE carbon to a second activation process under a reactive gas atmosphere to produce a P-ULE carbon and storing the P-ULE carbon in an environment that minimizes contamination of the P-ULE prior to its use in a gas purifier system.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc.Inventors: Hans H. Funke, Dan Fraenkel, Virginia H. Houlding
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Patent number: 6783577Abstract: A gas purifier system containing an ultra-low emission (ULE) carbon material for reducing trace impurities such as organic compounds and carbon monoxide to sub-ppb levels in gases such as nitrogen, helium and argon. Ultra-low emission (ULE) carbon materials is capable of removing impurities from a gas stream down to parts-per-billion (ppb) and sub-ppb levels without concurrently emitting other impurities such as moisture or carbon dioxide to the purified gas stream. The carbon material is superactivated by heating the carbon to temperatures between 300-800° C. in an ultra-dry, inert gas stream. The ultra-low emission (ULE) carbon material is handled and stored in an environment that minimizes contamination from moisture and other oxygenated species in order to maintain its ppb and sub-ppb impurity removal and low emission properties.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc.Inventors: Hans H. Funke, Dan Fraenkel, Virginia H. Houlding
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Patent number: 6764755Abstract: A channelized sorbent material comprises porous sorbent particles characterized by an average pore diameter. Each sorbent particle has at least one interior channel of an average transverse dimension (i.e. transverse diameter) that is at least ten times larger than the average pore diameter of the porous sorbent particle. The interior channel may constitute a single cylindrical through-bore in the sorbent particle, or alternatively, an array of intersecting or non-intersecting channels. The porous sorbent particles preferably comprise bead activated carbon particles. Such channelized sorbent material is particular useful as sorbent media in an adsorption-desorption apparatus for storage and dispensing of a sorbable fluid.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2001Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.Inventors: Glenn M. Tom, Steven J. Hultquist