Apparatus For Selective Diffusion Of Gases (e.g., Semipermeable Membrane, Etc.) Patents (Class 96/4)
  • Patent number: 11857944
    Abstract: Metal organic resins, composite materials composed of the metal organic resins, and anion exchange columns packed with the composite materials are provided. Also provided are methods of using the composite materials to remove metal anions from a sample, methods of using the metal organic resins as fluorescence sensors for detecting metal anions in a sample, and methods of making the metal organic resins and the composite materials. The metal organic resins are amine-functionalized metal organic frameworks and their associated counter anions. The composite materials are composed of metal organic resin particles coated with organic polymers, such as alginic acid polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Mercouri G. Kanatzidis, Debajit Sarma, Emmanouil Manos
  • Patent number: 11781779
    Abstract: A ventilation member of the present disclosure comprises: a support having a through hole that serves as an air passage between inside and outside of a housing upon attaching the support to an opening of the housing; and an air-permeable membrane disposed on the support and closing the through hole. The support comprises: a supporting portion in which the through hole is provided and at which the air-permeable membrane is disposed, and an insertion portion extending from the supporting portion and having an end with a hook, wherein the insertion portion bends in a direction closer to a central axis of the ventilation member while the hook is passing through the opening by being inserted into the opening, and fixes the ventilation member to the opening with the hook engaging the housing after passing through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Youzou Yano, Yusuke Nakayama
  • Patent number: 11658313
    Abstract: A separator assembly for a fuel cell includes: a first separator having a protruding bead seal providing a seal; a second separator joined to the first separator to be integrated therewith and having an arched bulge protruding in the same direction as the bead seal at a location corresponding to a location where the bead seal is formed; a gasket provided on a concave surface of the bulge of the second separator at the location where the bulge is formed, the concave surface being opposite to a convex surface of the bulge; and a sealing agent applied to a convex surface of the bead seal of the first separator at the location where the bead seal is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Seong Il Heo, Yoo Chang Yang, Byeong-Heon Jeong
  • Patent number: 11596877
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a method for capturing alkenes that includes: associating the alkenes with metal-organic frameworks, where the metal-organic frameworks includes one or more metals and one or more ligands coordinated with the one or more metals, and where the metal-organic frameworks are conductive; and oxidizing the metal-organic frameworks, where the oxidizing results in a capturing of the alkenes by the metal-organic frameworks. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to a system for capturing alkenes that includes: metal-organic frameworks, where the metal-organic frameworks include one or more metals and one or more ligands coordinated with the one or more metals, and where the metal-organic frameworks are conductive; and an alkene feed source associated with the metal-organic frameworks, where the alkene feed source is configured to deliver an alkene feed to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Trustees of Dartmouth College
    Inventors: Katherine A. Mirica, Xiaoping Zhang, Lukasz K. Mendecki, Zheng Meng, Michael Ko
  • Patent number: 11590450
    Abstract: A CO2 separation system configured to separate CO2 from mixed gas containing CO2 includes a CO2 separator, a CO2 collector, and a pressure difference generator. The CO2 separator includes a separation membrane configured to separate the CO2 from the mixed gas, and a separation-membrane upstream chamber and a separation-membrane downstream chamber demarcated by the separation membrane. The CO2 separator is disposed to cause the mixed gas to flow into the separation-membrane upstream chamber. The pressure difference generator includes at least a negative pressure generator. The negative pressure generator is disposed on a gas path of the permeating gas that connects the separation-membrane downstream chamber and the CO2 collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kouseki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 11408607
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vaporizing liquid into the surrounding environment, including directing liquid from a liquid source to a vaporization port where the vaporization port has lateral dimensions varying from 10 um to 300 um, applying heat to the liquid in the vaporization port with an at least one heating element located in thermal communication to the vaporization port, and releasing vaporized liquid from the vaporization port into the surrounding environment so that fluid is transported through the depth of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Numerical Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl D. Meinhart, Brian Piorek, Nicholas B. Judy
  • Patent number: 11400423
    Abstract: A membrane is described for purifying or separating hydrogen from a multi-component gas stream such as syngas. This membrane uses a molecular pre-treatment, a transition metal, fluorine containing polymer, carbon fibers and carbon matrix sintered on a supportive screen. The membrane may be a bilayer membrane comprised of a layer containing high surface area carbon and another layer containing lower surface area carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: H24US CORP
    Inventors: Glen Robles, Robert Nimocks, Mike Rocke, Charity Cheiky
  • Patent number: 11225581
    Abstract: A carbon nanotube aligned film as well as a preparation method and application thereof are disclosed. The preparation method includes: providing a carbon nanotube dispersion solution comprising a selected carbon nanotube, a polymer as a carbon nanotube dispersing agent and binding to the selected carbon nanotube, an aromatic molecule binding to the selected carbon nanotube and allowing the surface of the selected carbon nanotube to have the same charges and an organic solvent being at least used for cooperating with the rest components of the dispersion solution to form uniform dispersion solution; and introducing a water phase layer to the upper surface of the dispersion solution to form a double-layer liquid phase system, partially or completely inserting a base into the double-layer liquid system, and then pulling out the base so as to form the carbon nanotube aligned film on the surface of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: SUZHOU INSTITUTE OF NANO-TECH AND NANO-BIONICS (SINANO), CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Bing Gao, Song Qiu, Hehua Jin, Qingwen Li
  • Patent number: 11211617
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell filter including a body including therein an internal space in which a fluid flows, an inlet port provided in the body and configured to receive a fluid discharged from a fuel cell stack, a gas-water separating membrane disposed in the internal space and configured to block a liquid fluid included in a fluid absorbed in the inlet port from flowing upwards, a discharge port provided in the body and configured to externally discharge the liquid fluid blocked in the gas-water separating membrane, a water absorbent disposed in the internal space and configured to absorb water included in a gaseous fluid passing through the gas-water separating membrane, and a gas outlet port provided in the body and configured to externally discharge gas separated in the gas-water separating membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Young-jun Sohn, Hwan Yeong Oh, Dong Won Shin, Seung-gon Kim, Byungchan Bae, Min-jin Kim, Sung-dae Yim, Tae-hyun Yang, Gu-gon Park, Won-yong Lee, Chang-soo Kim, Seok-hee Park
  • Patent number: 11123693
    Abstract: The present invention provides an asymmetric modified CMS hollow fiber membrane having improved gas separation performance properties and a process for preparing an asymmetric modified CMS hollow fiber membrane having improved gas separation performance properties. The process comprises treating a polymeric precursor fiber with a solution containing a modifying agent prior to pyrolysis. The concentration of the modifying agent in the solution may be selected in order to obtain an asymmetric modified CMS hollow fiber membrane having a desired combination of gas permeance and selectivity properties. The treated precursor fiber is then pyrolyzed to form an asymmetric modified CMS hollow fiber membrane having improved gas permeance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignees: GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION, AIR LIQUIDE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES U.S., LLC
    Inventors: Nitesh Bhuwania, William John Koros, Paul Jason Williams
  • Patent number: 11066301
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for separating and storing molecules, atoms and/or ions from air, wherein at least one air collecting means comprises at least one collecting tank configured to receive molecules, atoms and/or ions separated from air through an inlet and at least one membrane adapted to fit in the inlet of the collecting tank and configured to let a specified pre-determined size of molecules, atoms and/or ions to pass through the at least one membrane. The system further comprises at least one storing tank for storing the separated molecules, atoms and/or ions, and at least one outlet. The system according to the invention can be used to utilize the energy present in such molecules or separate unwanted gases present in the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventor: Claes Persson
  • Patent number: 10974191
    Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft environmental control and fuel tank inerting coupling system based on a membrane separation method. The dehumidification of gas in an aircraft environmental control system and the separation of oxygen and nitrogen in a fuel tank inerting system are realized respectively, based on the selective permeability of a membrane to water vapour/air and oxygen/nitrogen. In the coupling system, part of drying gas passing through a membrane dehumidification heat exchanger (5) enters a membrane air separator (9), and the other part thereof is cooled through a large expansion turbine (8) and then directed into a cockpit for refrigeration; and nitrogen-rich gas generated by the membrane air separator (9) is directed into a fuel tank for inerting. Oxygen-rich gas is mixed with gas supplied by the environmental control system, thus increasing the oxygen content of gas supplied by the aircraft cockpit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: BEIHANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Weixing Yuan, Yan Zheng, Bin Yu
  • Patent number: 10976222
    Abstract: A generally cylindrical, elongated thermal isolator for in-line placement proximate to a vaporizer of a sample take-off conditioning system for minimizing upstream heat migration from a sample vaporizer to prevent liquid sample pre-vaporization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Mustang Sampling LLC
    Inventor: Claude A. Rolston
  • Patent number: 10843136
    Abstract: A selectively permeable membrane device for separating a first fluid from a second fluid in a flow can include a membrane conduit configured to receive the flow and to allow permeation of the first fluid therethrough, and configured to not allow permeation of the second fluid. The device can include a residence time enhancing structure disposed within the membrane conduit and configured to increase residence time of the flow within the membrane conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Haralambos Cordatos, Sergei F. Burlatsky, Zissis A. Dardas
  • Patent number: 10807036
    Abstract: According to the present invention, in separating carbon dioxide by a membrane separation with a separation membrane system using an inorganic separation membrane from a mixed gas containing methane and carbon dioxide, and then by an acid gas removal process using an absorbent, by specifying the suitable range of the carbon dioxide mole fraction at the outlet on the carbon dioxide non-permeation side XCO2 in the membrane separation, which corresponds to an ideal separation factor of the inorganic separation membrane, the proper distribution conditions become feasible. As a result, a method for separating carbon dioxide in which the decrease of the production amount by methane permeation in the membrane separation and the energy loss accompanying the decrease are suppressed, and further the energy consumption in an acid gas removal process using an absorbent, which is a post-process, can be suppressed, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Kawazuishi, Masayuki Iwamura
  • Patent number: 10688553
    Abstract: A method of making integrated adsorption and heat exchanger devices for solid sorption refrigeration systems (1). An integrated adsorption and heat exchanger device comprises a solid material having formed therein both a porous adsorption structure, which is pervious to an adsorbate of said system, and a heat exchanger structure, which is impervious to said adsorbate, for heat exchange with the porous adsorption structure in operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bruno Michel, Patrick Ruch
  • Patent number: 10569887
    Abstract: A system and method onboard an aircraft includes a ram air temperature sensor, a bleed air temperature sensor, a valve, and a controller. The ram air temperature sensor is positioned to sense a ram air temperature of a ram air flow. The bleed air temperature sensor is positioned to sense a bleed air temperature of a bleed air flow, wherein the bleed air flow is cooled by a heat exchanger using the ram air flow. The valve is configured to control the bleed air flow upstream of the heat exchanger. The controller is configured to determine a bleed air threshold based on the ram air temperature, and control the valve to reduce the bleed air flow in response to the bleed air temperature reaching the bleed air threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Valiquette, Erin G. Kline, Christopher McAuliffe, Thomas M. Zywiak, James Joyce, Lauren Kodet
  • Patent number: 10563644
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for improving a vacuum in the housing of a machine, in particular a centrifugal-mass energy store, comprising a rotor, for example a shaft having a centrifugal mass arranged thereon, which rotor is supported on at least one superconducting bearing in a contactless manner and is arranged in a vacuum container. In order to maintain the operating state of the superconducting bearing, the superconducting bearing is thermally connected to a cold source cooled by a cryogenic medium. According to the invention, the vacuum in the vacuum container is improved by means of an adsorber thermally connected to a cooling apparatus. The cooling of the adsorber occurs preferably by means of evaporated cooling medium from the superconducting bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignees: Messer Industriegase GmbH, Messer Group GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Kutz, Friedhelm Herzog
  • Patent number: 10446852
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel-cell system. This system includes an anode electrode; a cathode electrode; a separator positioned between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, wherein the separator is not an ion exchange membrane; an anode catalyst; and a cathode catalyst, wherein the cathode catalyst is a non-precious metal catalyst or metal-free catalyst. The present invention also relates to a method of generating energy from crude fuel. This method involves providing a fuel-cell system and contacting the fuel-cell system with a crude fuel under conditions effective to generate energy from the crude fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenzhen Li, Neeva Benipal, Ji Qi, Yang Qiu
  • Patent number: 10332071
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a solution for handling text exchange input in a composite service environment. The method can included a step of conveying text exchange input to an ACM engine. The ACM engine can map the text exchange input to field and variable values of a component services application. A memory of the composite service environment can be updated using the mapping results. Specifically, field and variable values can be updated that are stored in the memory for a session of the component services application for which the text exchange input was provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William V. Da Palma, Baiju D. Mandalia, Victor S. Moore, Wendi L. Nusbickel
  • Patent number: 10144036
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for detecting an accumulation of a liquid on a transmission medium that may interfere with the propagation of guided electromagnetic waves on a surface of the transmission medium, and directing a device to remove at least a portion of the liquid accumulating on the surface of the transmission medium to mitigate the interference. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Mitchell Harvey Fuchs, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Kenneth C. Reichmann
  • Patent number: 10143947
    Abstract: A filter element for filtering a fluid is provided with a first end disc and a second end disc. An annularly arranged filter medium is held between the first and second end discs. The filter medium can be flowed through by a fluid to be filtered in a radial direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the filter element from an exterior of the filter element to an interior of the filter element. A fluid outlet socket is connected to the filter medium and extends away from the filter medium in an axial direction past the first end disc. The fluid outlet socket is provided with a wall and at least one vent hole extending through the wall in the radial direction. A fluid filter is provided with a filter housing and with the afore described filter element that is arranged in the filter housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Mann+Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Jokschas, Stefan Eichinger
  • Patent number: 10105657
    Abstract: Disclosed are a separation membrane including a Group 5-based alloy, wherein crystal particles in the alloy have an average minor axis length of about 3 ?m to about 10 ?m and an aspect ratio of about 1:8 to 1:20, wherein the alloy is represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, and a method of manufacturing the same. AxByCz??(Chemical Formula 1) In Chemical Formula 1, A is vanadium, niobium, or tantalum, B and C are same or different and are independently selected from nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), iridium (Ir), palladium (Pd), and platinum (Pt), x is a real number of greater than or equal to about 0.8 and less than 1, y+z=1?x, and y and z are independently real numbers of greater than or equal to about 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyoung-Seok Moon, Keunwoo Cho, Kwanghee Kim, Hyeon Cheol Park, Eun Seog Cho
  • Patent number: 9668366
    Abstract: A housing unit for electrical components for use in the automobile sector includes a housing part configured to be closed in a sealed manner by a housing cover arrangement. The housing cover arrangement comprises a membrane, at least one ventilation opening, a main cover element comprising a recess, and a cover closure element. The recess comprises an opening which is configured to be closed in a sealed manner by the membrane. The opening comprises a rib arrangement which is configured to pretension the membrane. The cover closure element is configured to close the recess so as to provide the at least one ventilation opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: PIERBURG PUMP TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Ronald Rathke, Michael Weinert, Wolfgang Zacher, René Patzner
  • Patent number: 9446348
    Abstract: The present invention provides gels, solutions, films, membranes, compositions, and other materials containing polymerized and/or non-polymerized room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). These materials are useful in catalysis, gas separation and as antistatic agents. The RTILs are preferably imidazolium-based RTILs which are optionally substituted, such as with one or more hydroxyl groups. Optionally, the materials of the present invention are composite materials comprising both polymerized and non-polymerized RTILs. The RTIL polymer is formed from polymerized RTIL cations typically synthesized as monomers and polymerized in the presence of the non-polymerized RTIL cations to provide a solid composite material. The non-polymerized RTIL cations are not covalently bound to the cationic polymer but remain as free cations within the composite material able to associate with charged subunits of the polymer. These composite materials are useful in catalysis, gas separation, and antistatic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventors: Jason E. Bara, Trevor K. Carlisle, Evan S. Hatakeyama, Douglas L. Gin, Richard D. Noble, Robert L. Kerr, Andrew L. LaFrate
  • Patent number: 9327231
    Abstract: Embodiments for a tubular ceramic-carbonate dual-phase membrane and methods for manufacturing the tubular ceramic-carbonate dual-phase membrane are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Jerry Y. S. Lin, Jose Ortiz-Landeros, Xue-Liang Dong
  • Patent number: 9326409
    Abstract: The electric component includes first and second members 30 and 40, at least one of which being used as an electric conductor. The first member includes a bus bar 31 and a resin member 32 for covering the bar and has a predetermined area where they expose to the exterior. The second member has an exposing portion where the surface of the aluminum wire 44 exposes and the exposing portion faces portions (H1, H3) where the bar 31 exposes to the exterior at the predetermined area. The first and second members are supported by a housing 10 including a resin at least having a part exposing to the exterior. In this electric component, the first member is configured such that the contact angle of the water droplet relative to the surface of the resin member 32 within the predetermined area is smaller than or equal to 70 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takato Sato
  • Patent number: 9308491
    Abstract: A contactor configured for use in a dehumidification system is provided including a plurality of contact modules. Each contact module has a porous sidewall that defines an internal space through which a hygroscopic material flows. Adjacent contact modules are fluidly coupled to form a multipass flow path for the hygroscopic material through the contactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sherif Kandil, Kenneth David Smith, Zidu Ma, Rajiv Ranjan, Frederick J. Cogswell, Zissis A. Dardas, Bart A. Van Hassel
  • Patent number: 9211497
    Abstract: An asymmetric gas separation membrane made of an aromatic polyimide mainly containing repeating units having an ether bond which is heated at a temperature near a softening point (Ts) of the aromatic polyimide, and a method for separating methanol from a methanol-containing mixed organic vapor by allowing methanol to selectively permeate the asymmetric gas separation membrane using the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: UBE INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Takada, Harutoshi Hoshino, Tomonori Kanougi, Toshimune Yoshinaga, Kenji Fukunaga
  • Patent number: 9175783
    Abstract: Embodiments for vacuum generation are provided. In one example, a method comprises when boost is below a threshold, generating vacuum with an actuator in a first position by flowing air from a compressor outlet to an intake manifold through a first ejector, and when boost is above the threshold, generating vacuum with the actuator in a second position by flowing air from the compressor outlet to a compressor inlet through a second ejector. In this way, vacuum may be generated by more than one ejector via actuation of a common actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, David Bell, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 9139440
    Abstract: A process for the production of nano-scaled graphene platelets which comprises: a) putting a graphite material in contact with molecular or atomic oxygen or a substance capable of releasing molecular or atomic oxygen, obtaining a precursor consisting of graphite material functionalized with oxygen groups (FOG), characterized by a carbon/oxygen molar ratio higher than 8:1 b) subsequently, reducing (chemically or physically) said FOG precursor obtaining nano-scaled graphene platelets characterized by a carbon/oxygen molar ratio higher than 20:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Versalis S.p.A.
    Inventors: Riccardo Felisari, Olga Valentino, Alessandro Casalini
  • Patent number: 9121626
    Abstract: The ventilation member of the present invention includes: a support; and an air-permeable membrane disposed on the support. The support includes: a base portion supporting the air-permeable membrane; and a leg portion extending from the base portion toward the interior space of a housing and adapted to fix the ventilation member to the opening of the housing. The leg portion includes: insertion portions separated from each other in a circumferential direction by slits formed between the insertion portions in an insertion start side of the leg portion, the insertion portions being adapted to be elastically deformed radially inwardly when the insertion portions are inserted into the opening and then to be fixed to the opening; and receding portions in the insertion portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Kou Uemura, Youzou Yano
  • Patent number: 9118044
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a manifold for a fuel cell with a multilayer structure by injection-molding individual manifolds, each having welding projections and welding guides, and bonding the injection-molded individual manifolds by vibration welding includes arranging welding projections of an upper individual manifold and welding guides of a lower individual manifold to be engaged with each other while maintaining a uniform gap between each other to bond a plurality of individual manifolds in an up and down stacking structure, pressing the lower individual manifold upward, and applying vibration to the upper individual manifold in the left and right direction, thus bonding the upper and lower individual manifolds. Among the welding projections of the upper individual manifold, a non-horizontal welding projection whose longitudinal direction does not coincide with the vibration direction of the individual manifold has a variable height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, Kia Motors Corporation, Wooshin Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Duck Whan Kim, Sae Hoon Kim, Young Bum Kum, Young Tae Kim, Chang Jun Lee
  • Publication number: 20150147668
    Abstract: A sweep membrane separator includes a membrane that is selectively permeable to a selected gas, the membrane including a retentate side and a permeate side. A mixed gas stream including the selected gas enters the sweep membrane separator and contacts the retentate side of the membrane. At least part of the selected gas separates from the mixed gas stream and passes through the membrane to the permeate side of the membrane. The mixed gas stream, minus the separated gas, exits the sweep membrane separator. A sweep gas at high pressure enters the sweep membrane separator and sweeps the selected gas from the permeate side of the membrane. A mixture of the sweep gas and the selected gas exits the sweep membrane separator at high pressure. The sweep membrane separator thereby separates the selected gas from the gas mixture and pressurizes the selected gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Douglas A. Thornton, Vincent J. Contini, Paul E. George, II
  • Publication number: 20150135957
    Abstract: A semipermeable gas separation membrane is plasma deposited from liquid organosiloxane monomer having at least three silicon atoms and an alpha hydrogen atom. The semipermeable membrane may be employed as a gas-selective membrane in combination with a porous substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Applied Membrane Technology, inc.
    Inventor: Ashok K. Sharma
  • Patent number: 9034083
    Abstract: An array of hollow fibers including a plurality of hollow fibers of a predetermined diameter configured to receive a gas having oxygen therein and transfer the oxygen to a fluid and/or transfer carbon dioxide in the fluid to a gas. The array is configured in a predetermined pattern having a predetermined packing density that is a fraction of a total cross-sectional area of the array occupied by the hollow fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Vivonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna M Galea, Kristen LeRoy, Nicholas Vitale
  • Publication number: 20150129489
    Abstract: The invention provides an organic-inorganic porous membrane which includes metal organic silica nano-particles impregnated in a polymer. The polymer includes a property of generating porous membrane using a phase inversion technique. The invention also provides a method for preparing the organic-inorganic porous membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)
    Inventors: Nezar Hassan Mohamed Khdary, Mamdouh Abdelsalam
  • Publication number: 20150122814
    Abstract: A dehumidifier comprises: a first channel for transporting air at a first pressure; a second channel for transporting air at a second pressure lower than the first pressure; and a graphene oxide barrier separating the first channel and the second channel. The relatively lower pressure of air in the second channel causes water vapour to be drawn out of the air in the first channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Franklin TICHBORNE, Joseph K-W LAM, Alessio CIPULLO, Stephen E. BURNELL
  • Publication number: 20150122122
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for removing carbon dioxide from hydrocarbons, the method comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a feed stream comprising hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide with one or more gas-separation membranes to produce a hydrocarbon-rich retentate gas stream and a permeate gas stream rich in carbon dioxide, the retentate gas stream containing less carbon dioxide relative to the feed stream; and (b) passing at least one of the retentate gas stream or the permeate gas stream through an absorption unit to produce a hydrocarbon-rich gas phase and a liquid absorbent phase containing said carbon dioxide. The present disclosure also relates to a system for doing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: W Nurul Ffazida W Mustapa, M Hanif M Halim, Farahdila Kadirkhan, Azman Shafawi, Athirah M Tamidi
  • Publication number: 20150122128
    Abstract: Hydrogen generation assemblies, hydrogen purification devices, and their components, and methods of manufacturing those assemblies, devices, and components are disclosed. In some embodiments, the devices may include frames with membrane support structures and/or may include a microscreen structure configured to prevent intermetallic diffusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: ELEMENT 1 CORP.
    Inventor: David J. Edlund
  • Publication number: 20150122727
    Abstract: Two-dimensional material based filters, their method of manufacture, and their use are disclosed. In one embodiment, a membrane may include an active layer including a plurality of defects and a deposited material associated with the plurality of defects may reduce flow therethrough. Additionally, a majority of the active layer may be free from the material. In another embodiment, a membrane may include a porous substrate and an atomic layer deposited material disposed on a surface of the porous substrate. The atomic layer deposited material may be less hydrophilic than the porous substrate and an atomically thin active layer may be disposed on the atomic layer deposited material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicants: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
    Inventors: ROHIT N. KARNIK, Suman Bose, Michael S.H. Boutilier, Nicolas G. Hadjiconstantinou, Tarun Kumar Jain, Sean C. O'Hern, Tahar Laoui, Muataz A. Atieh, Doojoon Jang
  • Patent number: 9023133
    Abstract: A vacuum pumping arrangement is described for pumping a gas stream containing hydrogen or other hydrogen-containing gas. The arrangement comprises a pumping mechanism for receiving the gas stream and exhausting a pumped gas stream at a sub-atmospheric pressure, and, downstream from the pumping mechanism, an ionic conducting membrane having one side exposed to the pumped gas stream and another side exposed to oxygen or other source of oxygen. In one example, the membrane is permeable to hydrogen, which permeates across the membrane to react with oxygen adsorbed on the other surface of the membrane. In another example, the membrane is permeable to oxygen anions, which permeate across the membrane to react with hydrogen within the gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventor: Robert Bruce Grant
  • Patent number: 9011580
    Abstract: Techniques are generally described herein for the design and manufacture of hydrogen generation apparatuses and systems. Other embodiments may also be disclosed and claimed. Some methods described herein pressing together a first end plate, one or more intermediate plates, and a second end plate using a press to form a hydrogen purifier module, and placing a plurality of clips around the hydrogen purifier module to hold the first end plate, the one or more intermediate plates, and the second end plate together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Azur Energy LLC
    Inventor: David Edlund
  • Publication number: 20150101986
    Abstract: Disclosed are mixed matrix polymeric membranes comprising a plurality of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), or in some aspects a zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), and a polymeric matrix, wherein the plurality of MOFs are attached to the polymeric matrix through covalent or hydrogen bonds or Van der Waals interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Ihab Nizar ODEH, Yunyang LIU
  • Publication number: 20150104554
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for extracting carbon dioxide (CO2) from a fluid stream and for delivering that extracted CO2 to controlled environments for utilization by a secondary process. Various extraction and delivery methods are disclosed specific to certain secondary uses, included the attraction of CO2 sensitive insects, the ripening and preservation of produce, and the neutralization of brine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Kilimanjaro Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner
  • Patent number: 9005345
    Abstract: An apparatus for gas separation a composite gas separation membrane having a gas separation layer disposed on a surface of a porous support. The gas separation layer has a plurality of gas permeable inorganic nano-particles embedded in a dense polymer forming substantially only discrete gas transport channels through the dense polymer layer, wherein direct fluid communication is provided from a feed side of the composite gas separator membrane to the porous support. Preferably, the inorganic nano-particles are porous molecular sieve particles, such as SAPO-34, ALPO-18, and Zeolite Y nano-particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Gas Technology Limited
    Inventors: Shiguang Li, Shaojun Zhou, Miao Yu, Moises A Carreon
  • Patent number: 9005344
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) used within a gas-generating apparatus. Hydrogen is separated from the reaction solution by passing through a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) having a hydrophobic lattice like member (36) disposed within a hydrogen output composite (32) further enhancing the ability of the hydrogen output composite's ability to separate out hydrogen gas and prolonging its useful life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Societe Bic, The Commissariat a L'energie Atomique et Aux Energies Alternatives (CEA)
    Inventors: Andrew J. Curello, Michael Curello, Constance R. Stepan
  • Patent number: 9005343
    Abstract: A blood filter device comprising: a housing comprising an outer wall and a first inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet; a membrane which is capable of separating plasma from the blood, wherein the membrane forms an inner chamber; a leukocyte and oxygen and/or carbon dioxide depletion media disposed wherein the inner chamber, the leukocyte and oxygen and/or carbon dioxide depletion media is capable of depleting leukocytes and oxygen and/or carbon dioxide from the blood; an outer chamber disposed between the outer wall and the membrane, wherein the plasma which permeates through the membrane enters the outer chamber and exits the filter device via the first outlet; whereby the blood which has been depleted of oxygen and/or carbon dioxide, leukocytes and plasma exists and filter device via the second outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: New Health Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsuro Yoshida, Paul J. Vernucci
  • Patent number: 9005333
    Abstract: A system and method for passive capture of ammonia in an ammonia-containing liquid effluent. The invention allows for the passage of ammonia through microporous hydrophobic gas-permeable membranes and its capture in a circulated stripping solution with concomitant production of a concentrated non-volatile ammonium salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Matias B. Vanotti, Ariel A. Szogi
  • Patent number: 9005334
    Abstract: A water-proof air-permeable filter (1) includes: a resin film (2) having formed therein a plurality of through pores (21); and a treated layer (3) having hydrophobicity and oil repellency, and formed on at least one of both surfaces in the thickness direction of the resin film (2) such that the treated layer (3) has openings (31) at positions corresponding to the through pores (21). The through pores (21) each have a predetermined size larger than or equal to 0.01 ?m and smaller than or equal to 10 ?m, and are uniformly distributed such that a density of the through pores falls within specific limits included in a range from 10 to 1×108 pores/mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Furuyama, Yozo Nagai, Junichi Moriyama