Patents Represented by Attorney Larry R. Cassett
  • Patent number: 5268019
    Abstract: Air is taken from the air compressor of a gas turbine including in addition to the compressor a combustion chamber and an expansion turbine. The gas turbine drives an alternator. The air taken from the compressor is cooled in heat exchanger to remove heat of compression therefrom. The air is separated in an air separation plant into oxygen and nitrogen. A stream of oxygen is withdrawn from the plant and used in a blast furnace in which iron is made. The off-gas from the blast furnace is a low grade gaseous fuel. It is compressed in compressor which has interstage cooling to remove at least some of the heat of compression. The compressed fuel gas is passed through the heat exchanger countercurrently to the air stream. The resulting pre-heated fuel gas flows into the combustion chamber of the gas turbine and is burned therein to generate gaseous combustion products that are expanded in the turbine. A nitrogen stream is withdrawn in the air separation plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventor: Thomas Rathbone
  • Patent number: 5268497
    Abstract: A process for the production of an ethylenically unsaturated nitrile from a hydrocarbon feed stream comprised of a mixture of an alkene and an alkane by reaction with an oxygen-containing gas and ammonia. The alkene is converted to unsaturated nitrile by reaction with the oxygen and ammonia in the presence of a suitable catalyst in an ammoxidation reactor; the nitrile product is recovered from the product stream; some of the byproduct carbon oxides and some of the inert gas introduced into the system with the reactants are removed from product stream and the remainder of this stream, now rich in unreacted alkene and alkane, and containing the rest of the byproduct gases and inert gases is introduced into a reactor which contains a catalyst that causes alkane contained in the gas stream to convert to the corresponding alkene. The effluent from the dehydrogenation reactor is recycled to the ammoxidation reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramakrishnan Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 5265638
    Abstract: An intermittent suction device for removing fluids from a patient where the duty cycle between the OFF and ON cycles is controlled by a magnetically susceptible diaphragm that switches back and forth between first and second positions, representing ON and OFF positions, by controlling the differential pressure across the diaphragm. The diaphragm is biased toward it first position by a permanent magnet that acts to attract the flexible diaphragm. The device has few moving parts and its duty cycle and overall cycle times are easily adjusted by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: BOC Health Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell J. Fischer, Ronald L. Tobia, Michael D. Leshner
  • Patent number: 5265639
    Abstract: A magneto-pneumatic timing device is disclosed that provides a pressure signal alternating between a high and a low pressure output signal. The duty cycle may be varied as well as the overall cycle time. A magnetically biased flexible diaphragm divides a chamber into a pair of subchambers and the differential pressure between the subchambers is controlled to cause the flexible diaphragm to pull away from the magnetic bias to one position and to return to its biased position. Control of the output pressure signal is carried out by varying the resistance in certain of the pneumatic passages that are part of the control function for the differential pressure. The device is relatively simple and inexpensive to construct and features very few moving parts, thus it is reliable and capable of high production, low cost manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: BOC Health Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Tobia, Russell J. Fischer
  • Patent number: 5264608
    Abstract: A process for the production of an ethylenically unsaturated nitrile from a hydrocarbon feed stream comprised of a mixture of an alkene and an alkane by reaction with an oxygen-containing gas and ammonia. The alkene is converted to unsaturated nitrile by reaction with the oxygen and ammonia in the presence of a suitable catalyst in a first ammoxidation reactor; the nitrile product is recovered from the product stream; some of the byproduct carbon oxides and some of the inert gas introduced into the system with the reactants are removed from product stream and the remainder of this stream, now rich in unreacted alkene and alkane, and containing the rest of the byproduct gases and inert gases is introduced with additional oxygen-containing gas and ammonia into a second ammoxidation reactor which contains a catalyst that catalyzes reaction between the alkane, oxygen and ammonia to produce additional unsaturated nitrile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramakrishnan Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 5262537
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a method for treating a condition of nausea and vomiting in a mammal which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroimidazo[4,5-c]pyridinyl-6-carboxylic acid derivative represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are hydrogen or lower-alkyl; R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower-alkyl, nitro, amino, cyano, and alkylmercapto; R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower-alkyl, aryl, and aryl lower-alkyl, or R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a 5- or 6-member saturated hydrocarbon ring; R.sub.6 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower-alkyl, aryl lower-alkyl, formyl, lower-alkyl carbonyl, and aryl carbonyl; R.sub.7 is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, thienyl, indolyl, indazolyl, benzo[b]furanyl, benzo[b]thiophenyl, and R.sub.8 R.sub.9 --N--; R.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Anaquest, Inc.
    Inventors: Bao-Shan Huang, Danging D. Feng, Martin Gall, Suzanne M. Evans, Vidyadhar M. Paradkar, Raghunathan V. Nair, Tamara B. Latham
  • Patent number: 5262547
    Abstract: Petrochemicals are produced by the vapor phase reaction of a hydrocarbon with substantially pure oxygen in the presence of a suitable catalyst. In the improved process, the principal product is removed, carbon monoxide, present in the reactor effluent as a byproduct, is oxidized to carbon dioxide and part of the gaseous effluent, comprised mainly of carbon dioxide and unreacted hydrocarbon, is recycled to the reactor. Removal of carbon monoxide from the recycle stream reduces the hazard of a fire or explosion in the reactor or associated equipment. The use of carbon dioxide as the principal diluent increases heat removal from the reactor, thereby increasing the production capacity of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramakrishnan Ramachandran, Arthur I. Shirley, Lien-Lung Sheu
  • Patent number: 5260202
    Abstract: The recoverable yield of recombinant human albumin in the fermentation of genetically engineered yeast that expresses the albumin and secretes it into the culture medium is increased by the addition of a stabilizing agent comprising a polyoxyalkylene compound, for example, polypropylene glycol or a polyoxypropylene/polyoxyethylene copolymer. The presence of these compounds in concentrations of from about 0.5 to 10 g per liter, preferably 1 to 5 g per liter, of fermentation broth prevents the degradation of the rHA produced under intensive fermentation conditions thereby raising the effective yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Delta Biotechnology Limited
    Inventors: Peter M. Clarke, David J. Mead, Stephen H. Collins
  • Patent number: 5259935
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for surface passivating stainless steel articles against the effects of corrosive materials having activities anywhere from aqueous salt solutions to corrosive gases such as hydrogen chloride and silane. Additionally, after the treatment and exposure of the article to moisture, when the article is subsequently flushed with a dry gaseous fluid, the time that the article takes to exhibit an acceptable moisture outgassing rate is reduced over an untreated article. In accordance with the present invention, the surface to be passivated is flushed with a dry gaseous fluid, chemically non-reactive with the stainless steel and containing essentially no oxygen. During such flushing, the articles is baked and cooled. The baking is accomplished at a predetermined temperature and time (preferably between about 250.0.degree. C. and about 500.0.degree. C. for about 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Davidson, Robert Sherman, Richard Paciej, Takashi Sakanaka, Shigeki Hayashi, Yoshiyuki Nakahara
  • Patent number: 5258056
    Abstract: Apparatus and process for the production of a purified product gas at a user specified product gas demand from a feed gas containing impurities which includes at least one treatment zone having an inlet and outlet region, a sensing device for detecting a change in product gas demand, a device for generating a first signal, a device for translating the first signal and comparing the same to a standard, and a device for converting the translated signal to a second signal which operates a valve to vary the feed rate of the gas entering the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur I. Shirley, Alberto I. LaCava
  • Patent number: 5255555
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the particle response characteristic of a device. In accordance with the apparatus and the method, a fluid which can comprise a gas stream is passed through the device and an input pulse of particles is introduced into the fluid before entering the device. As a result, an output pulse of particles is produced in the fluid being discharged from the device. The input and output pulses of particles are recorded on the basis of particle count versus time. A sufficient number of repetitions are completed such that signal averaging of the input and output pulses of the particles produces statistically repeatable reference and response pulses of particles. A comparison between the reference and response pulses of particles is the particle response characteristic of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin McKeique
  • Patent number: 5253536
    Abstract: A rotary type flowmeter having a variable orifice through which the flow to be measured is directed toward a rotatable needle. A preload is also applied and which may be varied as desired. By the use of the variable orifice and with the preload, the same flowmeter may be used for differing ranges of flow by minor adjustment and various indicating scales may be taylored to the particular flow being monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: BOC Health Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Jones, Michael D. Leshner
  • Patent number: 5249576
    Abstract: The universal pulse oximeter probe [of the present invention] utilizes an inexpensive sensor connector configuration to enable the cable section of the probe to be used numerous times. The [sensor connector is mechanically simple and electrically reliable to interconnect the sensor elements with the cable that connects the pulse oximeter system to the sensor elements. This sensor connector enables the user to obtain significant benefits due to the fact that the expensive cable segment of the probe is a separable element from the housing that contains the sensor elements. In particular, the] cable segment of the probe consists of a connector that is compatible with the pulse oximeter system and which functions to interconnect the pulse oximeter system with a plurality of conductors, the far end of which are terminated in the sensor connector [of the present invention].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: BOC Health Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel S. Goldberger, Timothy A. Turley, Kirk L. Weimer
  • Patent number: 5248320
    Abstract: A method of compressing oxygen includes passing the oxygen into a vessel 12 containing finely divided material. Next a driving gas, for example, air is compressed to a greater pressure than the oxygen and passed through the vessel 12 and the bed of material contained therein which creates a plug flow effect such that the oxygen is compressed by the air substantially without back-mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventors: Michael E. Garrett, Alberto LaCava
  • Patent number: 5245405
    Abstract: A gas analysis cell having a pressure control system eliminates pressure variations in the gas cell regardless of changes in restriction, gas viscosity and barometric pressure. Since optical alignment through the gas cell is sensitive to gas pressure, maintaining a constant pressure in the gas cell makes the system more stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: BOC Health Care, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Mitchell, Joseph W. Carter, Donald E. Gregonis
  • Patent number: 5242535
    Abstract: A method of forming a copper circuit pattern on a ceramic substrate. In accordance with the method, first and second layers of copper oxide and copper are applied to the ceramic substrate. Selected regions of the copper are then masked so that unmasked regions are formed on the copper in a configuration of the copper circuit pattern. Masked regions are formed on the copper adjacent the unmasked regions, where copper cannot be plated. The unmasked regions of the copper are plated in a neutral pH solution by a reverse pulse plating process. The masking is then removed and the copper and copper oxide layers are etched so that the copper and copper oxide is removed from the unmasked regions. Thereafter, the remaining copper is direct bonded to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Satish S. Tamhaukar, Edward Chang, Richard Paciej, Mark J. Kirschner
  • Patent number: 5241851
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of performing an instantaneous moisture concentration measurement of a gas having a rapidly changing moisture concentration. This method has direct application to a method of determining the drydown characteristics of an environment in which a series of instantaneous moisture concentration measurements are made during the drying of the environment. In accordance with the present invention, a standard gas is generated having a known moisture concentration estimated to be essentially equal to the instantaneous moisture concentration of the gaseous fluid (which could be a purge gas used in drying an environment) at a selected instant of its rapidly changing moisture concentration. The standard gas is then sampled. At the selected instant, the gaseous fluid is sampled and its instantaneous moisture concentration is compared with the known moisture content of the standard gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Tapp, Henry Berger
  • Patent number: 5240939
    Abstract: Muscle relaxant nitrogen bridge tetrahydroisoquinolines are disclosed. The novel compounds are represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein A is ##STR2## M represents --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --Z--(CH.sub.2).sub.n or ##STR3## R is a C.sub.1-3 alkoxy group, or adjacent Rs are a methylenedioxy group, R.sub.1 is lower alkyl; n is 1-6;m is 2 or 3; p is 1-3; Z is --N.sup.+ (R.sub.2 R.sub.3)--, --N(R.sub.4)--, ##STR4## and --N[(CH.sub.2).sub.n --A--R.sub.5 ]--; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are independently lower alkyl groups wherein a carbon atom within the chain may be replaced by a heteroatom, lower cycloalkyl, lower cycloalkyl lower alkyl, aryl, aryl lower alkyl, a 4- to 6-member heteroring or may be combined with the nitrogen to form a heteroring; R.sub.4 is a straight- or branched- chain C.sub.1-10 alkyl wherein a carbon atom within the chain may be replaced by a heteroatom, lower cycloalkyl, lower cycloalkyl lower alkyl, aryl, or a heteroring, which groups may be substituted or unsubstituted; or ##STR5## R.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Anaquest, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald M. Demko
  • Patent number: 5237822
    Abstract: Air is compressed in a compressor and has water vapor and carbon dioxide removed therefrom in an apparatus. A portion of the resulting purified air is then cooled by passage through a main heat exchanger to a temperature suitable for its separation by rectification. The air is then introduced into the higher pressure stage of a double rectification column (which also has a lower pressure stage). Liquid oxygen is withdrawn from the lower pressure stage by a pump and is vaporized by passage through the heat exchanger countercurrently to the aforementioned air to form a high pressure gaseous oxygen product. A second portion of the purified air is further compressed in compressors and is then passed through the heat exchanger 6 countercurrently to the oxygen product, thereby helping to warm such product. A part of the first portion of air is withdrawn from an intermediate region of the heat exchanger, is expanded in a turbine and is introduced into the lower pressure rectification stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventor: Thomas Rathbone
  • Patent number: 5238396
    Abstract: Fuel is burned in accordance with a burning method and apparatus in two stages and in the presence of first and second oxygen-containing gases, respectively. The second oxygen-containing gas has a higher concentration of oxygen than the first oxygen-containing gas. The fuel stream is burned in a first of the two stages at a first equivalence ratio sufficiently greater than 1.0, so that thermal NO.sub.x formation is inhibited, a more heat transfer effective luminous flame is achieved and a combustible mixture comprising unburned and partially oxidized fuel and fuel radicals is produced for combustion in the second of the two stages. The combustible mixture is burned in the second of the two stages at an equivalence ratio of no greater than about 1.0 so that maximum heat is transferred to the first of the two stages to stabilize combustion therein, and the fuel radicals are sufficiently oxidized by the second oxygen-containing gas to inhibit formation of prompt NO.sub.x.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Loo T. Yap