Patents Represented by Attorney Edmund W. Bopp
  • Patent number: 4190075
    Abstract: A double valve construction for gas or vacuum outlets which are operable by the insertion of an adapter to deliver gas or vacuum to an intended use including a secondary housing which is connected to the gas or vacuum and has a secondary valve. A primary housing is adapted to interfit with the secondary housing such that the secondary valve is opened but allowing the two housings to be adjustable for varying plaster thicknesses of the wall in which the outlet is mounted. The primary housing has a dust cap closing its delivery end. A primary valve is formed by the interrelationship of the primary housing into the secondary housing and normally prevents the gas or vacuum from reacting the primary housing. As an adapter is inserted into the primary housing, the dust cap is displaced a predetermined distance until it opens the primary valve allowing the gas or vacuum to enter the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1980
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Kayser
  • Patent number: 4186737
    Abstract: An all-pneumatic medical ventilator of the volume-limited type is provided with a pneumatically driven drug nebulizer for injecting medication into the patient's breathing circuit in response to a cyclic pressure signal from the ventilator. The nebulizer is driven either directly or indirectly, according to the desired mode of use, from the pressurized oxygen source of the ventilator. In a preferred mode, a given portion of the tidal volume of gas is temporarily withdrawn from the breathing circuit during inhalation and subsequently forcibly returned by way of the nebulizer to the breathing circuit. This takes place during the same inhalation period so that nebulized medication is added to the patient's breathing circuit without changing either the predetermined oxygen concentration or tidal volume of the breathing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1980
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Valenta, Kenneth T. Heruth
  • Patent number: 4180771
    Abstract: The invention relates to an insulated-gate field effect transistor which is adapted for detecting and measuring various chemical properties such as ion activity in a solution. The device has a chemically sensitive layer which overlies a portion of a substrate other than that covered by the gate insulator. When this chemically sensitive layer is exposed to a solution or other substance, the electric field in the substrate is modified which changes the conductance of the channel between a source region and a drain region. The change in conductance is related to the chemical exposure and can be detected with a current meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1979
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Guckel
  • Patent number: 4152379
    Abstract: A gas humidifying device is disclosed which includes a generally enclosed chamber defining a water reservoir, and an umbrella-shaped member positioned in the chamber with its downwardly facing peripheral edge normally extending beneath the surface of the water in the reservoir, whereby the interior of said member defines a gas accumulation space in contact with the water surface. Gas inlet means are connected to the gas accumulation space for introducing a dry gas to be humidified; and gas outlet means are connected to the chamber, and communicate with the chamber which is external to the gas accumulation space within the unbrella-shaped member. At least portions of the peripheral edge of the umbrella-shaped member are upwardly displaceable from the normal position to a position above the water surface and such displacements intermittently occur as pressure builds up in the gas accumulation space in consequence of gas flow proceeding to such space from the inlet means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1979
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventor: Manfred W. Suhr
  • Patent number: 4150494
    Abstract: methods and apparatus for recovering hydrocarbon solvents evaporated during the curing of solvent borne coatings in an oven include supplying an inert gas to the vicinity of the oven entrance and exit to substantially exclude oxygen therefrom while safely maintaining a solvent vapor partial pressure within the oven of at least 75% of the lower explosive limit of such vapor in air. The oven atmosphere is exhausted and passed to a condenser to enable recovery of at least 85% of the solvent vapor as a liquid. Preferably, condensation of the solvent vapor is effected by heat exchange with liquid nitrogen which is effective to vaporize the liquid nitrogen to produce nitrogen gas which may then be utilized to exclude oxygen from and to inert the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1979
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald D. Rothchild
  • Patent number: 4148129
    Abstract: A multifilamentary superconductor having a large number fo NbTi filaments in an aluminum alloy matrix which is stabilized by a high-purity aluminum sheath is disclosed, together with the method of its manufacture. An Al alloy billet having a number of NbTi rods disposed therein is extruded. A superpure Al sheath is added; this product is then enclosed in copper and wiredrawn after which the copper is etched off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1979
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventor: Morris S. Young
  • Patent number: 4146119
    Abstract: An improved carbon current collector is provided which is resistant to breakage due to sudden impacts in service. The invention is particularly useful when applied to pantographs for electric locomotives or trains, and comprises a carbon current collector to which is affixed a resilient pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventor: W. King Ingersoll
  • Patent number: 4136023
    Abstract: This invention provides improved methods and apparatus for dissolving oxygen in wastewater treatment processes such as is required to satisfy the biological oxygen demand in the activated sludge process for the biodegradation of organic impurities. The invention enables attainment of high concentrations of dissolved oxygen with minimum consumption of oxygen and power. Wastewater with the high concentration of dissolved oxygen may be mixed with a larger volume of untreated wastewater to achieve the desired oxygen concentration and maintain volatile solids in suspension in the bulk liquid for optimum efficiency of purification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1979
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley S. Kirk, Raymond M. Chappel
  • Patent number: 4131753
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vapor source assembly comprising a means for supporting at least one material to be vaporized, a plurality of electron-beam guns for producing electron beams, and a deflecting means for producing a magnetic field to deflect each electron beam through an arcuate path from its electron-beam gun to the material to be vaporized. The deflecting means includes a plurality of pairs of pole pieces positioned such that a north pole piece and a south pole piece, are on opposite sides of each electron-beam gun, and a plurality of magnetic means including magnets for interconnecting the south pole piece of each successive electron-beam gun with the north pole piece of the next successive electron-beam gun so as to form a single magnetic circuit. In preferred embodiments, the electron-beam guns are positioned below the maximum level of material in a cluster of crucibles, and two long pole pieces extend on opposite sides of the crucibles, but no pole piece extends between adjacent crucibles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1978
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazumi N. Tsujimoto, Paul S. McLeod
  • Patent number: 4131530
    Abstract: A sputtering method and target for depositing a crack-resistant metal coating on plastic is described. The target consists essentially of Cr, 5 to 30% Fe and 0 to 5% scavenger elements. Al, Ce, La, Ti and Zr, among others, are preferred scavengers. ABS plastic is a preferred substrate. The coated articles have the appearance of bright chromium metal, and are useful as automotive trim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1978
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Blum, Richard A. Lucariello
  • Patent number: 4130617
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a cuff or balloon for use with an endotracheal tube by means of a cold parison blow molding process. The method may be utilized for large quantity production of such cuffs yet affords reliable control of the thickness throughout the cuff. In carrying out the method, a thermoplastic or other elastomeric tube of predetermined dimensions and elasticity is prestretched a predetermined amount in the longitudinal direction. The tube is positioned within a hollow mold or, for quantity production in a series of such molds, having the mold internal configuration in the general shape of the desired end balloon form. The mold or molds are vented to atmosphere. Pressure is applied to the interior of the tube and such predetermined pressure is retained within the tube. The tube and mold(s) are then heated such that the tube softens and expands under the pressure to assume internal configuration of the mold(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1978
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean R. Wallace
  • Patent number: 4126451
    Abstract: A powder-metallurgy process, product, and assembly particularly adapted for manufacturing plates of hard-to-work materials, such as chromium and its alloys, are disclosed. The assembly is formed by placing a metal powder into the cavity of a die and disposing one punch or two opposed punches to intrude into the cavity and enclose the powder. Preferably, the powder is compacted by applying pressure to the punches, and the punches are fixed to the die with their outer ends protruding from the die. The enclosed powder may be purified, outgassed, and sealed under vacuum. The enclosed powder is consolidated and elongated by heating and compressing, preferably by rolling one or more times in a conventional rolling mill. The composite product is cooled slowly and cut to the desired size. Remnants of the die and punch may serve as frame and backing for the consolidated powder layer. The plates have application, for example, as sputtering targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1978
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventor: Harbhajan S. Nayar
  • Patent number: 4125446
    Abstract: A method for depositing aluminum layers having a predetermined reflectance or a predetermined resistivity is disclosed. The layers are deposited by sputtering a target comprising 90% or greater aluminum. The parameters which must be controlled include the partial pressure of reactive gases, such as nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen and water vapor, which are minor constituents of the sputtering gas, the total sputtering gas pressure, the substrate temperature, and the deposition rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1978
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Hartsough, Paul S. McLeod
  • Patent number: 4122221
    Abstract: A substrate or part holder is disclosed which allows rotation of at least two parts about their individual axes as well as rotation of all of the parts about a main axis. The part holder has a stub shaft for receiving each part, and a hollow housing attached to the end of a hollow shaft. An interior shaft is rotatable inside the hollow shaft and a central gear engages a gear on each stub shaft inside of the housing. Means are provided for mounting a part on each stub shaft outside of the housing. Rotation of the hollow shaft will cause rotation of all of the parts about the common axis, while any differential in rotation between the hollow shaft and the interior shaft will cause rotation of each part about the axis of the stub shaft to which it is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1978
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen R. Scheuermann
  • Patent number: 4118873
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for inerting the atmosphere adjacent a moving product surface such as a resin bearing web material includes passing the product through a device having entrance and exit tunnels and a treatment chamber therebetween at speeds up to 1,000 ft. per minute or greater. An inert gas flow is introduced into the entrance tunnel at a velocity relative to the velocity of the moving product surface such that a turbulent condition is established in the boundary layer of air dragged into the entrance tunnel by the moving product. Turbulence in the boundary layer promotes the rapid diffusion of atmospheric oxygen upwardly away from the moving product surface. The inert gas flow is of a magnitude sufficient to maintain oxygen concentration at the tunnel entrance at less than 20.8% thereby enabling such diffusion of oxygen. For slowly moving product surfaces, a high velocity cross flow inert gas stream is provided to establish a resultant relative velocity capable of generating the requisite turbulence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1978
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald D. Rothchild
  • Patent number: 4113082
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for supporting and transporting a multiplicity of workpieces during a process such as a batch-type vacuum coating process. The workpieces are placed in two stacks adjacent to process equipment inside a sealable chamber, and means are provided for moving substrates within each stack and between the stacks. Preferably, workpieces are successively conveyed from the top of one stack, through the process, to the top of the other stack, and simultaneously from the bottom of the second stack to the bottom of the first stack. The workpieces in the first stack are raised so that successive workpieces are presented at the top of the first stack. Similarly, the workpieces in the second stack are lowered to present successive workpieces at the bottom. Workpieces may be circulated through the stacks as many times as desired and may be processed one or more times during a single circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventor: Mitchell E. Timin
  • Patent number: 4111362
    Abstract: A carbon-dioxide (CO.sub.2) snow-making system comprising a snow horn having an upper chamber into which pairs of jets of CO.sub.2 are transversely injected from opposite directions, respectively. The expanding jet mixtures of snow and vapor are directed into collision along paths that lie generally in a single plane so as to intersect at an angle of 180.degree. in a central region of the chamber, thereby to dissipate the kinetic energy of the jets. Where more than two jets are directed into collision at a common point, the intersecting angles are so chosen that the resultant kinetic energy is substantially zero. High velocities and turbulence of the snow-vapor mixture are thereby minimized, and the snow discharges evenly from the chamber and through the horn without sticking thereto for uniform distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1978
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Carter, Jr., deceased
  • Patent number: 4106931
    Abstract: Steel powder metallurgy parts having approximately 0.2 to 10% carbon in the form of graphite and approximately 1% lubricant are sintered in the hot zone of a furnace under temperatures of approximately 2050.degree. F for periods of up to approximately 1.0 hour under an atmosphere comprised of at least 90% nitrogen, up to 9.75% hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a maximum 5% carbon monoxide, 0.25-2.0% methane or equivalent hydrocarbon and a dewpoint of the mixed atmosphere of less than -60.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventor: Harbhajan S. Nayar
  • Patent number: 4107557
    Abstract: An improved, closed-cycle magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power generation system wherein the MHD generator is fueled by sulfur burned in oxygen, together with stages for recovering sulfur dioxide, reducing SO.sub.2 to elemental sulfur, and returning reduced elemental sulfur to the MHD unit such that higher flame temperatures and ionization factors are obtained while pollutants typically generated by fossil-fueled MHD power generation systems are essentially eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 4104314
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to novel ethers of the formula:CF.sub.3 CH.sub.a X.sub.b --O--CF.sub.2 CH.sub.c F.sub.d Cl.sub.ewherein X is fluorine, chlorine or bromine, preferably fluorine, a is 1 or 2, b is 0 or 1, a plus b are 2, preferably both a and b being 1, c is 0 or 1, d is 0 to 2, e is 0 to 2, c plus d plus e are 3, preferably each of c, d, and e is 1, and a plus c are 1 or 2, preferably 2, with the proviso that when e is 1 or 2, X is fluorine or bromine, preferably fluorine. The compounds having less than eight fluorine atoms per molecule are useful as anesthetics, and all of the compounds are useful as solvents and dispersants for fluorinated materials. A highly preferred compound useful as an anesthetic is 1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl 1',1',2'-trifluoro-2'-chloroethyl ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1978
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross C. Terrell