Patents Examined by Ana M. Fortuna
  • Patent number: 10315935
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems, apparatus, and methods for fluid purification (e.g., water) with a ceramic elements configured to remove solids (e.g., particles) and charged particles (e.g., dissolved salts). For example, the present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to a cross-flow fluid ceramic element comprising (a) an elongate ceramic membrane filter having a first filter end, a second filter end, at least one filter side, and at least one interior channel spanning the length of the filter, (b) a first ion removal unit comprising a first substrate having a first net polarity (e.g., innately or upon application of a current) configured to reversibly bind ions of opposite polarity, and (c) a second ion removal unit comprising a second substrate having a second net polarity (e.g., innately or upon application of a current) configured to reversibly bind ions of opposite polarity, wherein the first and second polarity are opposite of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: 1934612 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony L. Powell, Brian E. Butters
  • Patent number: 10316279
    Abstract: A multi-stage filtration apparatus (100) for heterogeneous food admixtures comprises supply means (I1) for introducing a input heterogeneous admixture (All) being introduced to the multi-stage filtration apparatus (100), a pre-filtration station (M1) which is intended to receive the input heterogeneous admixture (All) being introduced and to separate it into a first admixture portion (Filtr1) and a residual solid admixture portion (Sol1), a filtration station (M2) comprising at least one tangential filter (F1) which is provided to separate from the first admixture portion (Filtr1) a concentrated suspension portion (Concentrata) and a final filtered portion (Finale), at least one supply device (I2) which is provided to circulate the first admixture portion (Filtr1) in the filtration station (M2). The pre-filtration station (M1) comprises at least one vibrating sieve (V1) in order to separate the heterogeneous admixture (All).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: VELO ACCIAI S.R.L.
    Inventors: Luigino Mazzocato, Giovanni Velo
  • Patent number: 10293307
    Abstract: The invention relates to a monolithic tangential flow separator element for separating a fluid medium for treatment, the element comprising a rectilinear rigid porous support (2) of three-dimensional structure having formed therein at least one channel (3) for passing a flow of the fluid medium for treatment in order to recover a filtrate at the peripheral surface of the support. The monolithic rigid porous support (2) includes obstacles (9) to the flow of the fluid for filtering on or in the inside wall(s)) of the channel(s), the obstacles presenting identity of material and of porous texture with the support, and also presenting continuity of material and of porous texture with the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: TECHNOLOGIES AVANCEES ET MEMBRANES INDUSTRIELLES
    Inventor: Jérôme Anquetil
  • Patent number: 10293348
    Abstract: In a centrifugal scroll screen apparatus there is provided a scroll assembly (20) driven by a scroll assembly drive shaft (25) and being connected to the scroll assembly by an axial adjuster comprising a shaft cam portion (92) and a scroll portion (96) each having a respective camming surface (94) whereby relative rotation of the scroll portion (96) and the shaft portion (92) axially adjusts the proximity of the vanes to a coaxial conical screening surface, and a locking ring (97) selectively operable to rotationally secure the scroll portion (96) and the shaft portion (92).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: WEIR MINERALS AUSTRALIA LTD
    Inventor: Michael Trench
  • Patent number: 10287185
    Abstract: A sustainable system for removing and concentrating per- and polyfluoroallcyl substances (PFAS) from water. The system includes an anion exchange vessel having a selected anion exchange resin therein configured to remove PFAS from the water. A line coupled to the vessel introduces a flow of water contaminated with PFAS such that the PFAS bind to the selected anion exchange resin and are thereby removed from the water. A regenerant solution line is coupled to the anion exchange vessel to introduce an optimized regenerant solution to the anion exchange vessel to remove the PFAS from the anion exchange resin, thereby regenerating the anion exchange resin and generating a spent regenerant solution comprised of the removed PFAS and the optimized regenerant solution. A separation and recovery subsystem recovers the optimized regenerant solution for reuse and separates and concentrates the removed PFAS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Emerging Compounds Treatment Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Nickelsen, Steven E. Woodard
  • Patent number: 10280093
    Abstract: A water treatment method includes: introducing an aqueous solution containing impurities into a first tank; irradiating, from a light source, photocatalytic particles with ultraviolet light, to turn the aqueous solution introduced into the first tank into primary post-treatment water with which the impurities have been treated; reducing pressure in a first chamber by a filtering pump to filter the primary post-treatment water with a filtering membrane, the filtering separating the primary post-treatment water into the photocatalytic particles stopped at the filtering membrane and secondary post-treatment water that passes through the filtering membrane and does not contain the photocatalytic particles; measuring concentration of photocatalytic particles in the first tank; measuring the difference in pressure between the first chamber and the second chamber; and when the concentration of the photocatalytic particles is equal to or smaller than the first threshold value and the difference in pressure between th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Takaoka, Yasuhiro Hashimoto, Daisuke Ino
  • Patent number: 10279284
    Abstract: A waste water separation vessel is provided having a wedge shaped body with an internal water containing volume. The body is configured to trap FOG and wastes within the body allowing water to pass through the body. At least one top facing access port to allow access to the internal volume of the body is provided and the wedge shaped body tapers outwardly from top to bottom to define a larger bottom area than a top area. The side walls include vertically oriented strengthening ribs which define intervening indentations, and each lower end of the vertically oriented ribs is connected to a generally horizontal beam which defines closed bottom ends on the indentations. When the vessel is buried in the ground the wedge shaped body and the closed bottom indentations interact with the ground to help oppose any buoyancy forces acting on the buried body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: CANPLAS INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: James Mantyla, Andrew Neil Bird, Timothy James Poupore, Steve Armstrong
  • Patent number: 10272388
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices related to removing fluids from a patient are provided. In one instance, fluid is removed from the patient and delivered to a canister using reduced pressure. Reduced pressure is supplied to the canister via a reduced-pressure delivery conduit that includes a moisture processing device and a hydrophobic filter. The moisture processing device condenses moisture from the air to prevent condensation from occluding the hydrophobic filter. The moisture processing devices includes an expanded volume and one or more liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable membranes. The liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable membrane allows vapor to egress the moisture processing device. Other systems, methods, and devices are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Locke, Timothy Mark Robinson, Aidan Marcus Tout
  • Patent number: 10264909
    Abstract: A pour over filter is described, that is suitable for brewing a single serving of coffee, tea or other like beverages. The filter apparatus of the invention is particularly well suited for percolating or drip brewing coffee or tea into a serving cup. The apparatus includes a filter assembly having an interlocking annular flange that allows a user to elevate the filter assembly within the serving cup or to submerge the filter assembly within the drinking cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Vision Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Hertaus
  • Patent number: 10265658
    Abstract: An energy-saving water purifying system has a tube, two pistons, a movable component, a pump, and a filter. The two pistons are mounted in the tube. The movable component is moveably mounted between two block portions of the tube. Two magnetic elements are mounted on the movable component and repulse magnetic elements of the two pistons. The movable component selectively blocks one of two wastewater entrances of the tube. An outlet of the pump is connected to two check valves of the two inlets in parallel. An inlet of the filter is connected to two check valves of the two outlets in parallel. A wastewater exit of the filter is connected to the two wastewater entrances of the tube in parallel. The water purifying system is switched by magnetic force so that the structure is simplified, energy is saved, and cost and fault rate are decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: ETEN TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventor: Hui-Tsu Chia
  • Patent number: 10258728
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing selective sorbent-based regeneration of dialysate. The systems and method provide for dialysate regeneration to be carried out intermittently throughout a dialysis session, decreasing the necessary amounts of sorbent materials and infusates to conduct dialysis. The system and methods allow for regeneration of dialysate as needed based on the concentration of waste species in the dialysate, allowing for effective treatment with a decreased need for sorbent materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin T. Gerber
  • Patent number: 10258905
    Abstract: A hydrocyclone vibration measurement system includes an upper vibration sensor attached to the overflow of a hydrocyclone and a lower vibration sensor attached to the underflow of the hydrocyclone. A vibration analysis system includes an ADC, an overall vibration value processing channel, and one or more band pass filters. The overall vibration value processing channel generates overflow and underflow scalar vibration values representing overall vibration measured at the overflow and underflow portions of the hydrocyclone. The vibration analysis system may interface with a DCS to provide control information for controlling the hydrocyclone based on the overflow and underflow scalar vibration values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Electric (US) Holding Corporation (Chile) Limitada
    Inventors: Stewart V. Bowers, Timothy Scott Bassett, Tuhin Banerjee, Michael Schaffer, Daniel Nower
  • Patent number: 10252196
    Abstract: A filtering apparatus includes a screen assembly removably positioned within an inner cavity of a screen chamber. The screen assembly includes a frame portion at a first end and a screen portion extending from the frame portion to a second end. The frame portion includes an end block and frame members interconnecting the end block and the screen portion. The screen portion includes an outer screen and an inner screen disposed within an interior space of the outer screen. An outer wall of the outer screen and an outer wall of the inner screen each includes a plurality of openings. The screen chamber includes a removable end cover with a key for rotationally locking the screen assembly in the inner cavity. A screen manifold may include a first fluid path including the screen chamber, and further including a bypass fluid path having a bypass valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Advanced Tool and Supply, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Duhon, Shannon Duhon, Shawn Gallow, Yury Remedio
  • Patent number: 10245559
    Abstract: The present invention provides nanofiltration membranes with reduced chemical reactivity that can be utilized in manufacturing processes where reactive feedstocks and/or products are utilized or produced. Methods of making and using the membranes are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Novomer, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Lapointe, Scott D. Allen, Han Lee, Thomas Widzinski, Jay J. Farmer
  • Patent number: 10246349
    Abstract: A method of desalinating water through application of acoustic pressure shock waves to a slush to separate ice crystals from brine and recovering desalinated water from the separated ice crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: SANUWAVE, INC.
    Inventors: Iulian Cioanta, John Jackson
  • Patent number: 10238785
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hemodialysis membrane for the treatment of hemolytic events, especially acute episodes of hemolysis which lead to elevated levels of plasma free hemoglobin. The present disclosure further relates to methods of removing hemoglobin from the blood of patients undergoing a hemolytic event. The treatment and method encompasses using a hemodialysis membrane which is characterized in that it comprises at least one hydrophobic polymer and at least one hydrophilic polymer and in that it has a MWRO of between 15 and 20 kD and a MWCO of between 170-320 kD, or, in the alternative, has a MWRO of between 9 and 14 kD and a MWCO of between 55 kD and 130 kD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: GAMBRO LUNDIA AB
    Inventors: Markus Storr, Bernd Krause, Michael Hulko, Oliver Amon
  • Patent number: 10239773
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to processes and systems for maintaining a live culture of microorganisms in the activated sludge unit of a refinery during an extended refinery shut-down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Gennaro Dicataldo, Joshua D. Crow, Shana L. Bender
  • Patent number: 10232316
    Abstract: Provided is a reciprocating submerged membrane filtration apparatus including: a membrane tank comprising a submerged membrane and configured to intake influent wastewater to be treated, the influent wastewater being filtered through the submerged membrane to produce treated water; and a reciprocation apparatus configured to move the membrane to create an inertia force which shakes foulants off from the submerged membrane under oxygen-deficient conditions, wherein the submerged membrane comprises a microfiltration (MF) membrane or an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hyung Keun Roh, Jaeho Ho
  • Patent number: 10226750
    Abstract: A composite filter aid may include a first mineral selected from diatomaceous earth and natural glass. The filter aid may also include a second mineral having and aspect ratio greater than about 2:1, and a binder. The filter aid may have a permeability ranging from 0.2 to 20 darcys. A method for making a composite filter aid may include blending a first mineral, a second mineral, and a binder, wherein the first mineral comprises at least one of diatomaceous earth and natural glass, and the second mineral has an aspect ratio greater than about 2:1. The method may further include agglomerating the first mineral and second mineral in the presence of the binder to form the composite filter aid. A method for filtering a beverage may include using the composite filter aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Imerys Filtration Minerals, Inc.
    Inventor: Bo Wang
  • Patent number: 10214436
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment device for decomposing solid matter using aerobic microorganisms in a bacteria bed, includes a decomposition tank that accommodates the solid matter obtained by crushing food waste and the bacteria bed, a water supply capable of supplying water to the decomposition tank, and a stirrer for stirring the solid matter and the bacteria bed in the decomposition tank. The bacteria bed includes a carrier made of a synthetic resin having a plurality of pores and microorganisms carried in the plurality of the pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ogawa, Keiichiro Fujimoto