Patents Assigned to Mine Safety Appliances Company
  • Apparatus and process for improved photoionization and detection
    Patent number: 5206594
    Abstract: Molecular ionization detection and analysis including processes and apparatus for photoionizing trace constituents in a carrier gas or effluent from a chromatograph in a manner that substantially increases the effective sensitivity. The invention uses a pulsed gas valve to introduce a high density gas sample into a vacuum system where the trace constituents in the jet are photoionized by an intense vacuum ultraviolet [VUV] pulse from a flashlamp. The ions are extracted from the beam under free molecular flow conditions. This source may be used with the ion energy analyzer to eliminate any interference due to background gases in the vacuum system and to provide mass analysis of the eluting trace constituents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventor: Edward C. Zipf
  • Lithium-iodine battery
    Patent number: 5139898
    Abstract: An improved lithium-iodine battery is resistant to failure caused by iodine vapor within the battery. The entire interface of the current collector with the lithium anode is isolated from other battery components by a rigid, electrical-insulating sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Alan A. Schneider, James R. Hetmanski, Darla J. Schrodt
  • Deuterated water test method
    Patent number: 5120659
    Abstract: A method for testing for the removal of tritiated water using deuterated water in which the infrared absorption spectra of deuterated water in an effluent stream passing through a tritiated water filtering media is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: William P. King, Ronald E. Thompson
  • Protective helmet
    Patent number: 5117506
    Abstract: A protective hat comprises a shell having a visor in which the underside of the visor is molded with a textured surface that diffuses reflected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: James K. Byrnes, Glenn C. Davis
  • Respiration monitor
    Patent number: 5095900
    Abstract: A respiration monitor that indicates respiration or loss of respiration by detecting carbon dioxide in expired air in an endotracheal tube comprises a tubular member adapted to receive respired air from an endotracheal tube and having diametrically opposed planar windows substantially transparent to infrared radiation; an infrared analyzer comprising a source means for producing an unmodulated beam of infrared radiation passing through the planar windows and respired air, and a solid state detector means to receive infrared radiation after passage through said windows and respired air and to generate an output signal in response to the presence of CO.sub.2 in respired air, means for detecting the time between signals generated by said detector, and alarm means responsive to a predetermined delay between said signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Glenn H. Fertig, William Nelko, Richard F. Abt
  • Strong base reagent
    Patent number: 5078906
    Abstract: .alpha.-Arylalkanoic acids are prepared by a method comprising the step of reacting an alkylaromatic compound corresponding to the desired .alpha.-arylalkanoic acid with a new metallation reagent solution. The reagent comprises the reaction product of alkyllithium or aryllithium and about two to five molar equivalents of potassium tert-alkoxide in a trialkylamine solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Kuen-Wai Chiu, Mary H. Staruch, David H. Ellenberger
  • Gas analyzer with diffusion filter
    Patent number: 5054328
    Abstract: A gas analyzer comprises a diffusion filter to segregate sampled gases containing liquid and particulate solid contaminants from the analyzer. A gas permeable diffusion membrane separates a flowing stream of dirty sample gas from a closed circuit clean gas stream circulated through an analyzer. The membrane does not pass liquids or particulate solids but does permit rapid diffusion of gases so the gas composition in the closed circuit rapidly reaches equilibrium with the sample gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Stephen E. Long, Albert A. Poli
  • Oxygen generating candles
    Patent number: 5049306
    Abstract: Alkaline earth metal and transition metal ferrates are used as burning catalysts and chlorine scavengers in chlorate candle oxygen generating compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventor: John S. Greer
  • Cover assembly and pre-filter for a respirator
    Patent number: 5036844
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cover assembly and pre-filter for use with a high-efficiency particulate filter of a respirator. The semi-rigid cover assembly fits easily and snugly over the high-efficiency particulate filter and remains in place due to friction between the edges of the ribs located on the inside of the cover housing and the sides of the high efficiency particulate filter. In this position, the ribs hold a removable pre-filter against the front face of the high-efficiency particulate filter while the cover housing protects both the pre-filter and high-efficiency particulate filter. This arrangement allows the inexpensive pre-filter which traps large diameter particulate matter, thereby extending the life of the more costly high-efficiency particulate filter, to be frequently and easily replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Thomas D. Pouchot, John W. Monsted
  • Filter cover assembly for a respirator
    Patent number: 5033507
    Abstract: The present invention provides a filter cover assembly for use with the filter of a respirator. The semi-rigid filter cover assembly fits snugly over the face of the filter and, with the use of a one-way valve assembly mounted therein, allows the user to continue using the respirator while at the same time containing any contaminated particulate matter that may fall out of the filter. This permits the user to continue using the respirator while in a decontamination zone without danger of dispersing contaminated matter. It also permits easy handling and storage of the filter between uses without necessitating the cleaning of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventor: Thomas D. Pouchot
  • Protective garment cooling device
    Patent number: 5027807
    Abstract: A protective garment or suit made of fluid impermeable material for use by workers in toxic and hostile environments having an air cooling deivce that divides air from a single airline supply into two separate fractions, one to provide respiratory air at the proper volume and pressure to a breathing mask and the other to provide cooling air at the proper volume and pressure to the inside of the suit to cool the body of the worker. The cooling device permits the delivery of different volumes of cooling air and respiratory air at the appropriate pressure. Further, the volumetric flow of respiratory air to the breathing mask can be adjusted by the worker while preventing it from being reduced below a predetermined safe minimum volumetric flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Layton A. Wise, David G. Aaron
  • Preparation of indole and indole derivatives
    Patent number: 5025096
    Abstract: Indole and indole derivatives are prepared by contacting under mild reaction conditions an N-(2-toly)formidate, N-(3-methyl-2-pyridyl)formimidate, or N-methyldiazyl formimidate with an alkali metal amide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Kuen-Wai Chiu, Lin-Chen Yu, John R. Strickler
  • Connector
    Patent number: 5020193
    Abstract: Straps having a rigid buckle are removably attached to a unitary flexible mounting lug comprising a substrate, a web extending vertically from the substrate, an elongate flange extending from one side of the web and a lip extending from the opposite side of the web, whereby the lug can be deformed to receive the buckle and secure it between the substrate and the flange and lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventor: Harry A. Kunze
  • Breathing mask-hose coupling
    Patent number: 4997217
    Abstract: A coupling formed of three integral pieces that snap-fit for assembly comprising a tubular adaptor having a threaded end and an outwardly extending flange, a tubular split nut that slidingly engages the adapter between the threaded end and the flange, and a ring member that slips over and tightly engages the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventor: Harry A. Kunze
  • Respirator filter means for removal of tritiated water
    Patent number: 4964900
    Abstract: A filter for a respirator for removal of tritiated water having a housing with fluid inlet and output ports. A filter chamber is interposed between and in communication with the inlet and outlet for containing the tritium filter medium. A tritium filter media is selected from a particulate activated carbon or a particulate silica gel in which the media has a moisture content of from about 25% to 40% by weight of the media and a particulate distribution size range of from 6.times.20 to 12.times.30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Ronald E. Thompson, William P. King
  • Non-contact inductive distance measuring system with temperature compensation
    Patent number: 4956606
    Abstract: A non-contact level measurement system for monitoring distances with very high accuracy between a sensor coil and a metallic object such as a molten liquid level over either very narrow or extended distances. Means are provided for compensating for temperature and other non-linear effects including other inductive fields, environmental changes and the like. The system incorporates an L-C resonant circuit connected between the output of an oscillator and the input of an operational amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Richard F. Kwiatkowski, Bruce C. Gallagher, Jack L. Bicehouse
  • Lithium-iodine depolarizer
    Patent number: 4952469
    Abstract: Improved lithium-iodine batteries have a depolarizer of charge transfer material of polyvinylpyridine and a divalent metal dibenzotetraazaanulene that is complexed with iodine in a ratio of 1 part by weight charge transfer material to 15 to 50 parts iodine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Steven P. Wicelinski, Henry J. Sunell
  • Helmet suspension having ratchet adjustment
    Patent number: 4942628
    Abstract: A head protection or helmet suspension is shown having a ratchet adjustment apparatus for the adjustment of the suspension size where the ratchet apparatus is comprised of three parts, all pre-molded of resilient plastic material and having a pre-molded spring fixed around the center of the adjustment knob to engage pins in the ratchet case to lock the suspension size in position. The assembly has no metal parts and is therefore suitable for use around electricity and electrical apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventor: Paul X. Freund
  • Process for the preparation of .alpha.-arylalkanoic acids
    Patent number: 4910337
    Abstract: .alpha.-Arylalkanoic acids are prepared by a method comprising the step of reacting an alkylaromatic compound corresponding to the desired .alpha.-arylalkanoic acid with a new metallation reagent solution. The reagent comprises the reaction product of alkyllithium or aryllithium and about two to five molar equivalents of potassium tert-alkoxide in a trialkylamine solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Kuen-Wai Chiu, Mary H. Staruch, David H. Ellenberger
  • Infrared fluid analyzer
    Patent number: 4902896
    Abstract: An infrared fluid analyzer for the detection of end tidal CO.sub.2. The analyzer is comprised of an IR source that irradiates a chamber filled with gas. CO.sub.2 present in the chamber absorbs the IR radiation at a certain wavelength. An IR detector determines the amount of IR radiation passing through the chamber unabsorbed and produces a signal corresponding to the CO.sub.2 in the chamber. At predetermined intervals a zero gas is reintroduced into the chamber for the system to be recalibrated. A span gas is only needed initially for calibration purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Glenn H. Fertig, Sr., Adrian C. Billetdeaux