Patents Assigned to Process Engineering, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11959708
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes an inlet for receiving bulk solids, a plurality of heat transfer plate assemblies, a plurality of spacers disposed between adjacent heat transfer plate assemblies, and supports for supporting the heat transfer plate assemblies. The heat transfer plate assemblies include a first plate having a first pair of holes extending therethrough, the first plate having channels extending along a surface thereof, for the flow of fluid through the channels, and a second plate bonded to the first plate to enclose the channels, the second plate including a second pair of holes generally aligned with the first pair of holes to form through holes to facilitate flow of the fluid through the through holes and the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignees: Solex Thermal Science Inc., National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia, Vacuum Process Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashley D. Byman, Robert McGillivray, Brandon Emmanuel St Germain, Layne Charles, Kevin James Albrecht, Dereje Shiferaw Amogne, Matthew David Carlson, Clifford Kuofei Ho, Carl P. Schalansky, Aaron Edward Wildberger
  • Patent number: 11717892
    Abstract: Hybrid additive featured plates used to form an overall microchannel heat exchanger and corresponding method of manufacture are disclosed. Various additive manufacturing (AM) techniques may be used to form walls defining microchannel features on a plate substrate. The manufacturing method is a hybrid process in that leverages both additive and conventional manufacturing techniques to minimize both cost and fabrication time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignees: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, Vacuum Process Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew David Carlson, Yasmin Dennig, Judith Maria Lavin, David M. Keicher, Carl Schalansky
  • Publication number: 20140231055
    Abstract: The present invention provides a heat exchanging device, formable into a three dimensional configuration. The heat exchanger device may be of the heat sink type, a dual fluid type, or virtually any other as may be desired. The heat exchanger device comprises a main body which is formable into a three dimensional shape and has a plurality of individual subunit elements adapted to form a plurality of stacked heat exchanging units. The individual subunits have surface configurations which are adapted to allow fluid flow. The present invention also describes devices, methods of making a heat exchanging device and/or methods of attaching external components to the heat exchanging device without damaging internal structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Vacuum Process Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl Schalansky
  • Publication number: 20140231057
    Abstract: The present invention describes a heat exchanger and method of making the heat exchanger having flow directors for directing the flow of fluids to one or more portions of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger comprises a main body adapted for heat exchange having a plurality of channels adapted to receive fluid flow. The heat exchanger also includes a plurality of heat exchanging elements which provide exchange of heat as fluid flows therein and defines one or more fluid flow channels. At least one flow director is adapted for directing fluid flow from an external source to the fluid flow channels, whereby hydraulic efficiency is maximized by preventing fluid turbulence associated with non-directed flow of fluid within.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: VACUUM PROCESS ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Carl Schalansky
  • Publication number: 20130213616
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a heat exchanger incorporating integral fin and turbulence enhancement features which are designed to improve hydraulic efficiency and heat transfer rates. The heat exchanger device comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a back surface, and two opposing side surfaces to define a main body unit. The heat exchanger device further comprises a plurality of laminar elements, or plates, having surface configurations to provide for to fluid flow therein. In order to increase heat transfer rates through the mixing of fluid, the heat exchanger device in accordance with the present invention contains features which enhance and increase flow turbulence and heat transfer surface area, referred to as out-of-plane structures. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger device contains features which form vertical out-of-plane structures. Alternatively, the heat exchanger device contains features which form horizontal out-of-plane structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Vacuum Process Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Vacuum Process Engineering, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8398732
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray drying system provided with a gas filtering system, which system is intended for use in the pharmaceutical industry for aseptic production of sterile pharmaceutical products or in other industries e.g. production of food, where an intake of sterile air for the drying process is necessary. The spray drying system for providing a particulate material comprises a spray drying chamber (3), after treatment equipment (4, 5) placed downstream of the spray drying chamber and a process gas heater (2) placed upstream in relation to the spray drying chamber (3), wherein an inlet filter (1) capable of removing microorganisms at a temperature below 140° C., is placed upstream of the process gas heater (2) and that the process gas heater (2) is a non-flaking heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: GEA Process Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Turok, Soren Sten Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20100116294
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray drying system provided with a gas filtering system, which system is intended for use in the pharmaceutical industry for aseptic production of sterile pharmaceutical products or in other industries e.g. production of food, where an intake of sterile air for the drying process is necessary. The spray drying system for providing a particulate material comprises a spray drying chamber (3), after treatment equipment (4, 5) placed downstream of the spray drying chamber and a process gas heater (2) placed upstream in relation to the spray drying chamber (3), wherein an inlet filter (1) capable of removing microorganisms at a temperature below 140° C., is placed upstream of the process gas heater (2) and that the process gas heater (2) is a non-flaking heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: GEA PROCESS ENGINEERING INC.
    Inventors: Robert Howard Turok, Soren Sten Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20100069701
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray drying system provided with a neutralizing system, which system is intended for use in the pharmaceutical industry or in other industries, where the product is e.g. infectious, toxic or highly reactive and constitutes a risk for the surroundings and/or a health risk to people handling the product. The spray drying system comprises a spray drying chamber (1) comprising a drying chamber (1) provided with an atomizer device (17), followed by units (2, 3) for collecting of product powder and means (8) for cleaning the exhaust gas, wherein an atomization device (16) connected to a vessel (13) containing a neutralizer agent is placed upstream of the drying chamber (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: GEA Process Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Howard Turok, Søren Sten Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 7350960
    Abstract: In the field of continuous mixer apparatus for commingling particulate thermoplastic materials, employing at least one main rotor with a helical profile body configuration, an improved profile for the peripheral threads is provided. It presents a first upstream feed flight having a plurality of Lowenherz profile outer threads and second downstream feed flight having a plurality of screw-type outer threads, both being adjacent and integral with the periphery of the main rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Tech. Process & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelly A Ziegenfus, H. Slayton Altenburg, Donald E. Woodring, Harold L. Schafer, Jr., James Hower
  • Patent number: 6390666
    Abstract: In the field of helical bladed rotors, and their sealing assemblies an improved upstream seal for mixer rotors is provided. It includes a bushing-like visco sleeve subassembly, a sleeve shaped metallic liner positioned abutting the visco sleeve; a sleeve-like, visco seal having first and second peripheries, an L-shaped packing seat retainer, all configured to provide a single annular shaped inner chamber in which a single, rope-like packing component serves to minimize hardening of the packing assembly by minimizing feed particulate material leaking into the upstream visco seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Tech, Process & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold L. Schafer, Kelly Ziegenfus, Donald Woodring
  • Patent number: 5859977
    Abstract: A computer system is so configured as to be divided into a control system which should have high reliability and high responsiveness and an information system which does not access the control system. They are connected via a transmission path (transmission path of control system and transmission path of information system). Centralized management of development and maintenance is performed from a software maintenance system. In development and maintenance of software, management according to the feature of each software such as processing contents of each software, demanded reliability, and version up frequency is performed from a maintenance system for exclusive use by using a transmission path of information system. Thereby, development and maintenance having high reliability and expandability is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Process Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Shuji Nishiyama, Hiroaki Nakanishi, Hideki Sato, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Shigeru Endo, Toshimasa Saika, Teruyasu Nakahashi, Hiroyuki Hori, Tomohito Ebina, Keiichi Sannomiya, Shimako Tanno
  • Patent number: 4753098
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming tubes, rods and the like into a serpentine configuration. A plurality of guide rails are mounted on a supporting surface and carriage bars are slideable on the guide rails. A lazy tong linkage having bend forming members mounted thereon is slideably mounted on the carriage bars. A lazy tong linkage assembly is disposed on each side of a center line and expander mechanisms are provided for forcing the two spaced lazy tong linkages apart. Drive means connected to the carriage bars drives the lazy tong linkage to a collapsed position and this movement causes the bend forming members to form a straight tube or rod into a serpentine configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: Process Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl Roehm, William Toy, Jerry Lamb, Clyde Morehead, Ernest Bivens, Jerry Niehaus
  • Patent number: 4324326
    Abstract: The discharge assembly includes a pivotally mounted transfer conveyor to receive a flexible carrier from a descending process elevator and a discharge conveyor for discharging the items on the carrier onto a take-off conveyor. The diameter of the nose roller of the discharge conveyor is made relatively small so as to reduce the gap to the take-off conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Assignee: Design + Process Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Rouzas R. Khoylian, James R. Cowdery, David B. Park
  • Patent number: 4232779
    Abstract: The infeed and discharge assemblies are mechanically actuated by movement of the hook assemblies on the endless chains of the horizontal conveyor in order to sequentially direct the flexible carriers into and out of the respective vertical conveyors. Each of the infeed and discharge assemblies includes a pivotally mounted ramp assembly with a pair of latch assemblies at the ends for engaging an aligned pair of tracks in the respective vertical conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: Design & Process Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Rouzas R. Khoylian, James R. Cowdery, David B. Park
  • Patent number: 4177017
    Abstract: The system is used for pumping cryogenic liquids from delivery vehicles including trucks, semi-trailers and trailers. An internal combustion engine is mounted at the forward end of the vehicle or, in the case of a trailer truck at the forward end of the trailer, and drives a variable displacement hydrostatic transmission which comprises a hydraulic pump driven directly from the output shaft of the internal combustion engine. The transmission also comprises a high speed hydraulic motor coupled by hydraulic lines with the hydraulic pump and arranged in a closed loop system. The hydraulic motor is disposed at a rear end of the vehicle (trailer) and has its output shaft coupled directly to the cryogenic delivery pump of the vehicle. A control panel is mounted in a rear compartment of the vehicle and allows the operator to control, inter alia, engine speed, hydrostatic drive speed and cryogenic pump output pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1979
    Assignee: Process Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Schultz
  • Patent number: 4168014
    Abstract: Thermal insulation comprised of fiberglass boards or batts having relatively small diameter fiberglass fibers either bound or unbound is wound about the lading container pressure vessel of a tank truck, trailer or rail car. As the insulation is wound about a longitudinal section of the vessel, the insulation is squeezed from its free height to a lesser height to increase the density of the insulation and also permit passage of the outer jacket. The squeezing is preferably accomplished by wrapping each layer of insulation with a continuous wire mesh. The tension is maintained with the use of a long rod intertwined in the wire mesh, which rod is withdrawn after a section of the outer jacket is over a section of the vessel thereby permitting the insulation to expand and substantially fill the void between the vessel and outer jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1979
    Assignee: Process Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Schultz, Paul J. Eifel
  • Patent number: 4104783
    Abstract: Thermal insulation comprised of fiberglass boards or batts having relatively small diameter fiberglass fibers either bound or unbound is wound about the lading container pressure vessel of a tank truck, trailer or rail car. As the insulation is wound about a longitudinal section of the vessel, the insulation is squeezed from its free height to a lesser height to increase the density of the insulation and also permit passage of the outer jacket. The squeezing is preferably accomplished by wrapping each layer of insulation with a continuous wire mesh. The tension is maintained with the use of a long rod intertwined in the wire mesh, which rod is withdrawn after a section of the outer jacket is over a section of the vessel thereby permitting the insulation to expand and substantially fill the void between the vessel and outer jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1978
    Assignee: Process Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Schultz, Paul J. Eifel
  • Patent number: 3993189
    Abstract: A product conveyor for use in processing machinery such as freezers and the like, in which a series of product conveying mats is continuously moved in a closed path from a rising section in which the mats are raised gradually upwardly during the process, a transfer section in which the mats are transferred from the top of the rising section to a falling section where they are conveyed downwardly through the processing environment, and to an unloading station and a return section where the product is unloaded and the mats are returned to the input side of the rising section. Apparatus is provided for synchronizing the transitional movement of the mats from the different sections with their arrival so that the operations required to transfer the mats in turn through the different stages of the apparatus are accomplished smoothly and automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1976
    Assignee: Design & Process Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Rouzas R. Khoylian, Hans G. Haimberger, James R. Cowdery