Patents Assigned to L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes
  • Process and device for detecting the activity of a substance on a micro-organism or on a mixture of micro-organisms
    Patent number: 4766063
    Abstract: The presence of fermentation inhibiting activity in a sample is determined by contacting the sample with bacterial strains and detecting the inhibition of the activity of the strains. A carrier (1) carrying microtitration cups arranged in four rows of cups (8) is provided. The cups of the same row contain a lyophilisate comprising a given bacterial strain. Each sample to be tested, effected in a tube (3), is diluted in a tube (4) containing a culture medium and bromocresol purple and then poured into the cups of a given column by means of an automatic pipette and cones (5). After incubation, a drop of janus green reagent in tube (6) is introduced in each cup and, after a new incubation, the number of cups which have produced a change in color indicates the degree of contamination of the mixture. The process may be applied in the determination of bacteriophages present in cheese-making vats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: l'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Boussemaer
  • Composition for disinfecting contact lenses
    Patent number: 4743447
    Abstract: A disinfecting solution for contact lenses, both hard lenses and flexible lenses, comprising an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Daniel Le Rouzic, Eric J. Laforte
  • Cooling process and tunnel
    Patent number: 4741168
    Abstract: The tunnel comprises a tube (1) in which are stacked parts (A) to be cooled, and an intermediate chamber (7) which surrounds the tube and around which is disposed a heat exchanger (3). Liquid nitrogen is vaporized upwardly in the exchanger, redescends in the chamber (7) and rises in the tube (1). The supply of liquid nitrogen is controlled by a temperature probe (17). Application in the cold fitting of parts in the mechanical industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Bernard Boyer, Louis Giacinti, Jean-Yves Thonnelier
  • Cryogenic reservoir with helically wound thermal insulation
    Patent number: 4741456
    Abstract: A reservoir for a cryogenic fluid comprises a vessel with an elongated filling neck. It is thermally insulated by means of a band of thermal insulating material wound around the neck and the vessel in a plurality of superimposed layers each of which has an edge adjacent the neck and an edge remote from the neck. A cord is helically wound around the neck in a plurality of turns. Each turn of the cord contacts the adjacent edge, as defined above, of each layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Jean-Yves Faudou, Bernard Simon
  • Process and plant for purification by adsorption on activated carbon and corresponding adsorber vessel
    Patent number: 4738694
    Abstract: A gas is purified by adsorption on activated carbon contained in an adsorber vessel. The carbon is desorbed by passing an inert gas therethrough at a sufficiently high temperature. The desorbed impurity is removed by refrigeration and the refrigeration is supplied by the vaporization of an inert gas in liquid phase. This vaporized inert gas, in turn, comprises the desorption gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Claude Godino, Philippe Duval, Benoit Ghnassia-Daudin
  • Apparatus for producing a jet of gas at high temperature
    Patent number: 4725715
    Abstract: A tubular case closed at its two ends respectively by a first side wall carrying two electric supply terminals and a second side wall carrying a hot gas outlet nozzle for discharging a jet of heated oxygen. A heating tube extends axially through the case constituting a heating resistance, the wall or this heating tube being provided in one of its end portions with at least one opening for the passage of the gas to the interior of the heating tube and the outlet nozzle. The case also includes a heat exchanger of thermoconductive material and gas pre-heating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Guy Salinier, Philippe Renault, Pierre Lelong, Christophe Dembinski
  • High porosity silicocalcareous mass
    Patent number: 4721698
    Abstract: A high porosity silicocalcareous mass is obtained by using in at least partial replacement of the usual silica, amorphous ultrafine synthetic silica particles having a specific surface between 150 and 300 m.sup.2 per gram, and a high absorption capacity, and optionally adding nonreactive synthetic fiber of either inorganic or organic origin to the mixture containing the particles. The high-porosity silicocalcareous mass can be used as a lining material for containers, which are intended for storing liquified or dissolved gases and also as an insulation material, such as sound insulation in building construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide--Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Maurice Bruni, Georges Delode, Rolland Perraudin
  • Fluid heating apparatus
    Patent number: 4718481
    Abstract: A water injection device having a plurality of superposed pipes (13), and a series of tubes (5) for circulating the fluid to be heated, are disposed inside a cylindrical case (6). Interconnecting devices are fixed to the injection device and support the series of tubes, to make the injection device and series of tubes a structurally independent, removable unit. The apparatus is useful for vaporization and heating by circulation of water of liquefied gasses at low temperature such as nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, argon, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Daniel Delatte
  • Process and apparatus for obtaining a mixture of substances having low boiling points
    Patent number: 4718772
    Abstract: The mixture is produced in the liquid state by first of all introducing in a reservoir (2) the most volatile substance in the liquid state and then circulating in a coiled tube (6) immersed in this liquid the other or each of the other substances in the liquid state before causing it to fall in the form of a spray in the reservoir. Application in the obtainment of reconstituted air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Pierre Delacour, Roger Prost
  • Cryogenic fluid transferring device
    Patent number: 4716946
    Abstract: The two end members (1, 4) are locked by a self-retractable hook (15) which engages in a groove (23) in the female end member (1). The hook (15) is connected to an actuating lever (11) biased by a spring (14) and provided with a push-button (20). Pivotally mounted on the other arm of the lever (11) is a yoke (6) mounted on the male end member (4). When the transfer has finished, the hook (15) is retracted by depressing the button (20) so as to unlock the coupling. In the event of frosting, by depressing the button (20) still further, the yoke (6) upwardly urges the female member (1) and separates the two end members. Application in the transfer of liquid oxygen from a storage container to a portable container for domestic oxygen treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Philippe Grigoletto
  • Process and installation for producing nitrogen under pressure
    Patent number: 4717410
    Abstract: The rich liquid received at the base of the main column (3) at high pressure is expanded in two stages. After the first expansion to medium pressure, it is distilled so as to produce an addition of pure nitrogen. The second expansion achieves the reflux in the medium pressure column (4). Liquid nitrogen is pumped from this column to the high pressure column (3) and all the nitrogen can be produced at high pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Maurice Grenier
  • Oxygen chemical generation respiration apparatus
    Patent number: 4717549
    Abstract: An oxygen chemical generation respiration apparatus of the cartridge type intended to receive an absorbing mass in the form of pellets such as potassium superoxide pellets, is provided with a central connector (5) for intake of the gases to be purified, vertically extended as an intake conduit (5') to a clearance space (9) above the housing bottom at the level of a lower perforated wall (7) supporting the regenerating charge, this conduit coming out in the center of this wall to which it is fastened; the upper part (6) of the cartridge housing, on the output side of the gases to be treated, is provided with a series of radiators (11) parallel to the direction of circulation of the gas flows in the regenerating charge, fastened to the housing walls (12) and whose length is less than the spacing between the two walls (7) and (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Jean Malafosse, Gerard Varlot, Michel Pierre
  • Composition for checking the functioning of fire detection installations and application to various types of detectors
    Patent number: 4715985
    Abstract: Compositions for checking the functioning of fire detectors comprising at least 75% of at least one haloalkane, up to 15% of at least one volatile organic compound selected from the group consisting of alcohols, oxoderivatives, and ethers, a small amount of an organic compound having a vapor pressure less than 0.1 millibar, and an optional propellant. The composition can be used to check the functioning of ionization detectors, combustible gas detectors, and optical smoke detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes George Claude
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Pean, Catherine Desvard, Jean-Paul Barbier
  • Waste water sludge thickener with odor control
    Patent number: 4711721
    Abstract: In a sludge thickener, supernatant fluid is drawn off via peripheral ducts and oxygenated at a suitable location. The supernatant fluid is thereafter reintroduced into the thickener via diffusers distributed transversely of the thickener and intermediate the peripheral ducts. The generation of nauseating smells is thereby prevented, and an advantageous increase of the concentration of the sludges is attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1987
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Bernard Jamonet, Alain Rigouard, Jean-Pierre Bouchez, Jean Duc
  • Process and the apparatus for the production of silicon hydrides
    Patent number: 4698218
    Abstract: Silicon hydrides are produced by acid hydrolysis of ternary silicon alloys. According to the process there are made to react an industrial ternary alloy of the formula M.sub.x M.sup.2.sub.y Si.sub.z, in which M.sup.1 is a reducing metal, M.sup.2 is an alkali alkaline-earth metal, with a dilute acid selected from hydracids and orthophosphoric acid, at a concentration of 2N to 6N, by adding the ternary alloy in the form of fine powder to the acid, the reaction being preformed between ambient temperature and 90.degree. C. The various hydrides are condensed, and separated by fractional evaporation under partial vacuum. The silicon hydrides--silane, disilane and higher polysilanes--after purification can be used as silicon vectors, depending on their chemical nature, particularly in the industries of electronic components, photovolaitic cells, photocopier drums and for frosting light bulbs by the dry method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Dominique Belot, Jean-Yves Rade, Jean-Francois Piffard, Christian Larquet, Philippe Cornut
  • Plasma welding or cutting system provided with a delay
    Patent number: 4692582
    Abstract: The plasma welding or cutting system comprises in particular a torch (2), a nozzle (3), a gas supply for the torch for supplying the torch with a plasma-producing gas, and an electrical supply for the torch for creating, maintaining or breaking an electric plasma welding or cutting arc. According to the invention, the system further comprises a delay system connected, on one hand, to the electrical supply for the torch, and, on the other hand, to the gas supply for the torch, the delay system being, when the torch is supplied by the gas supply and the electrical supply, responsive to the breaking of the electric arc of the torch and causing the closure of the gas supply after a predetermined period of time following the breaking of the electric arc so as to achieve the cooling of the torch and the maintenance of the nozzle against its seat during said period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Gerard Marhic
  • Continuous microbiological production of acetic acid and vinegar
    Patent number: 4687668
    Abstract: Process for continuous production of vinegar by microbiological conversion with oxygen enrichment of ethanol into acetic acid. In a first phase, the micro-biological conversion of ethanol into acetic acid is performed in the presence of air. After consumption of the oxygen in the air, in a second phase, the addition of oxygen, controlled by the demand of the system, is provided by injection of pure oxygen, the aeration gas being recycled, and the gas mixture expelled as soon as the carbon dioxide content reaches the threshold of 7%. After closing of the recycling circuit, the superoxygenated atmosphere is reconstituted with pure oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Charles Ghommidh, Jean-Marie Navarro, Philippe Girardon, Jean Amen
  • Method and apparatus for preparing frozen free-flowing food particles
    Patent number: 4687672
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for preparing frozen free-flowing particles of food product. Particles of solid food are supplied, or viscous food material is extruded, or liquid or semi-liquid food material is pumped through apertures, to a freezing stage. In the freezing stage, cryogenic substance is used to freeze the food material to a temperature at which the material is frangible. The frangible food material passes to a fracturing stage such as a fracturing mill, which produces frozen food particles of a size small enough to pass through discharge apertures of the fracturing stage. The discharged particles are screened to remove undersized particles which are recycled, the remaining frozen particles being generally within a defined size range and constituting the final product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Eugene C. Vitkovsky
  • Process for making amino alcohols by electrochemical reduction of nitro alcohols
    Patent number: 4678549
    Abstract: A process for producing amino alcohols by electrosynthesis of nitro alcohols.Reduction of the nitro group is performed in three stages on a cathode made of a material having a strong hydrogen overpotential. During the second stage of reduction, the electronegative potential is higher, and in the last stage the sulfuric solution of amino alcohol obtained is subjected to a purification operation by electro-electrodialysis (EED), followed by an elimination of water.The process is particularly useful for the production of 2-nitro-2-methyl-1-propanol, 2-nitro-2-methyl-1, 3-propanediol, 2-nitro-2-ethyl-1, 3-propanediol, 2-nitro-1-butanol, tris(hydroxymethyl) nitromethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Maurice Rignon, Jean-Claude Catonne, Francoise Denisard, Jean Malafosse
  • Process and installation for the congelation of grounds by means of a cryogenic liquid
    Patent number: 4676694
    Abstract: The injection of liquid nitrogen into the probe (2) is regulated in an on-off manner so as to maintain the temperature of the ground at the coldest point above a value within the range of between -140.degree. C. and -160.degree. C. so as to cause calefaction of the liquid nitrogen. The liquid nitrogen is alternately injected into the central passage (9) and into the annular passage (11) of the probe, these passages being thermally insulated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: l'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Pierre Karinthi, Maurice Gardent, Colette Regnier, Jean Tuccella