Patents Examined by Barry Richman
  • Patent number: 4765965
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for effecting a chemical reaction, including a mixer/charger for simultaneously mixing and electrically charging a fluid input to produce a charged fluid output, chemical reaction containment vessel for containing ingredients undergoing a chemical reaction separately from the mixer/charger, and a coupling for fluidically coupling the charged fluid output from the mixer/charger to the containment vessel to influence the chemical reaction. The method includes simultaneously mixing and electrically charging a fluid input to produce an electrically charged fluid output, and delivering the electrically charged fluid to a medium undergoing a chemical reaction to influence the chemical reaction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Autotrol Corporation
    Inventor: Paul R. Goudy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4524048
    Abstract: Plants are used for the reduction in volume of solid, bioinjurious wastes, especially radioactive wastes, in closed sheet metal containers, which consist of a closed containment enclosure having roller conveyors and other transportation elements, a container receiving lock, a high pressure press and a container discharge lock; a compacting apparatus is characterized by a container charging lock rotatable around the vertical axis and having a hydraulic cylinder for transporting the sheet metal container into the high pressure press and having a hydraulic for ejecting the shaped sheet metal container whereby a movable gripping element takes charge of transportation of the formed sheet metal container to the container discharge point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Nukem GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Schmidt, Walter Kohlpoth
  • Patent number: 4500492
    Abstract: An apparatus (21) and method is disclosed for keeping interior walls (28) of a reaction vessel (22) free of undesirable deposits of solid materials in gas-to-solid reactions. The apparatus (21) includes a movable cleaning head (36) which is configured to be substantially complementary to the interior contour of the walls (28) of the reaction vessel (22) and which is disposed in close proximity to the walls (28). The head (36) ejects a stream of gas with a relatively high velocity into a narrow space between the head (36) and the walls (28), and in accordance with Bernoulli's principle the head (36) is biased towards the walls (28) by the pressure prevailing in the reaction vessel (22). The gas ejected from the head (36) is of such composition that it does not participate significantly in the chemical reaction conducted in the reaction vessel (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Kazuo A. Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 4491565
    Abstract: A liquid-liquid contacting apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is useful in extracting mercaptans from a hydrocarbon stream such as cracked gasoline by nonturbulent countercurrent contacting of the hydrocarbon stream with an aqueous caustic solution. The denser liquid phase flows downward from an upper phase separation zone through a connecting cylindrical contacting zone into a lower phase separation zone. Liquid withdrawal and addition means communicate with each separation zone. A mass of fibrous contacting strands is suspended in the contacting zone. The contacting strands are preferentially wetted by either of the two liquid phases to provide a large surface area which enhances extraction capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Verachtert
  • Patent number: 4486389
    Abstract: A technique and apparatus for thawing a frozen blood plasma unit while maintaining the unit in a dry condition includes a water bath and a special holder which supports a thin plastic bag in which the plasma unit is contained. The holder maintains the bag and the plasma unit submerged in a manner which affords substantial thermal contact between the plasma unit and the water bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1984
    Assignee: Cryosan, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Darnell, Roman Kuzyk
  • Patent number: 4478793
    Abstract: A radial flow reactor design which allows the maintenance of a temperature profile along the height of a catalyst bed which descends through the reactor by gravity flow. Two feed inlet conduits are provided on the inlet side of the annular catalyst bed, with the inlets being divided by a porous flow control and distribution means. The inlet streams have different temperatures and the distribution means produces a changing admixture rate between the two streams along the bed. A preferred form of the distribution means is an open-topped cone located within the centerpipe of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony G. Vickers
  • Patent number: 4477414
    Abstract: An apparatus for evaporating a solution in constant proportions of the ingredients, including:(a) a solution container having a neck that extends upward from the center;(b) an impregnation member to be impregnated with the solution which is made of a water-absorbing material;(c) an impregnation member support;(d) a cylindrical tubular member that is fitted over a cylindrical tube that projects upward from the center of said support to thereby define an enclosed space;(e) a feed pipe inserted through the hole made in the center of said support, the lower part of said pipe being immersed in the solution in the container and the upper part thereof being within said cylindrical tubular member; and(f) a hole or slit made in the container and the impregnation support member so as to provide a passage that communicates the atmosphere with the space formed in the container by mounting the impregnation member support on the container,the impregnation member support being in the form of a supporting plate from the cent
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignee: Fumakilla Limited
    Inventors: Takayoshi Muramoto, Shingi Nishino, Toshiyuki Sasaki, Takanori Sasaki
  • Patent number: 4477415
    Abstract: An apparatus for the storage and production of hydrogen from a solid compound.The solid compound is a compound of at least one rare earth and a metal of group VIII of the periodic system, which can selectively fix hydrogen by hydrogenation. It is placed within a sealed container and is in a compact and machinable or workable form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Jean C. Fecan, Jean Morin
  • Patent number: 4476160
    Abstract: In a fluidized bed system, including a fluidized bed vessel and a separate stripping vessel below the fluidized bed wherein solids from the fluidized bed are introduced into the stripping vessel, there is provided a vent line from the top of the stripping vessel to the fluidized bed for venting gas from the stripper to the fuidized bed. A portion of the solids introduced into the stripper are carried into the vent line to maintain the static head between the top portion of the fluidized bed and the stripping vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: The Lummus Company
    Inventor: Utah Tsao
  • Patent number: 4473600
    Abstract: A fluid injection lozenge comprises two tubes supporting a perforate member forming a cage enclosing the space between the tubes. Each tube has a series of perforations along its length so that a fluid can be injected, through the tube, into the enclosed space. The lozenges are of use in catalytic converters of either the axial or radial flow design. In the case of a radial flow converter, a plurality of tubes are provided, preferably connected in pairs by the perforate members, to form a squirrel cage structure, disposed in the catalyst bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventor: Sydney P. S. Andrew
  • Patent number: 4389217
    Abstract: A recording device is described, useful as an integrated time-temperature or radiation-dosage history indicator. The device contains a substrate having deposited thereon at least two indicating units, one being unreacted and representing zero time of exposure and the other unit being pre-reacted. Each unit is comprised of an acetylenic compound containing at least one --C.tbd.C--C.tbd.C-- group, capable of reacting by 1,4-addition polymerization thereby forming an end-point color after an irreversible, progressive color change upon thermal annealing or exposure to actinic radiation. The end-point color represents an integrated time-temperature history of thermal annealing or radiation-dosage history. Each unit is constructed such that the time required to form the end-point color by thermal annealing at a given temperature or for a known thermal history, or exposure to actinic radiation at a given average radiation dosage rate, is predetermined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Ray H. Baughman, Gordhanbhai N. Patel, Granville G. Miller
  • Patent number: 4359448
    Abstract: A reactor for exothermic reactions provided with bundles of narrow axial cooling pipes, mounted between distributing and collecting drums ("steam headers") provided with tube sheets. The distributing drums are placed symmetrically around the outlet end of a central axial coolant inlet pipe, recovering from top to bottom of the reactor. A feed gas inlet at the bottom branches into feed pipes with a quantity of nozzles, in order to allow the gas to fluidize a mass of catalyst particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Pieter J. Schuurman, Marius B. Teekens
  • Patent number: 4350496
    Abstract: The relative aromatic activity of hydrocarbon compositions is determined by measuring and comparing the ability of the hydrocarbon compositions to be sorbed by a polymeric rubber matrix. The aromatic activity is useful in determining chemical, physical and/or biological activity of a hydrocarbon composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Inventor: Carlon C. Chambers
  • Patent number: 4339412
    Abstract: The danger of explosion due to decomposition of high-pressure industrial process gases, such as ethylene, is reduced by maintaining in an inert atmosphere at least part of an evacuation system included between a pressurized vessel within which the decomposition may take place, on the one hand, and the atmosphere, on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Assignee: Societe Chimique des Charbonnages - CdF Chimie
    Inventors: Pierre Durand, Guy Jouffroy
  • Patent number: 4336880
    Abstract: A liquid urine preservative comprised of boric acid and alkali formate dissolved in a bacteriostatic liquid, such as water or glycerine. The preservative may be included in an evacuated container for a urine sample to facilitate taking of correct sample amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1982
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Jack J. Mehl
  • Patent number: 4332775
    Abstract: Hydrogen is produced by dissociation of water in a rotary tubular reactor (1) having a receiving end covered by a cap (2) transparent to solar radiation and provided with a small window (12) connecting a collecting chamber (3) to an opaque insulated heating chamber (5).The tubular reactor (1) constitutes a "black chamber" provided with two series of tubes (7, 8) for heating and dissociating the water. Tubes (7) have a porous section (7a) for separating hydrogen by molecular diffusion according to Knudsen's principle.The concentrated solar radiation entering through the small window (12) falls on one end of the tubes (7, 8) and is largely absorbed by multiple reflections on these tubes.A slow rotation of the reactor (1) enables the bending forces and stresses due to the weight to be compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Pierre Genequand, Daniel M. Gross
  • Patent number: 4331633
    Abstract: A batch sterilizing unit, in the form of a tank having a top loading port and a bottom discharge port, holds a batch of cans for sterilization. The cans in contact with the door associated with the discharge port are prevented from transferring heat to the door and accordingly are maintained at sterilizing temperature by providing a perforated partition forming a wall of condensate sump. Thus the sterilizing medium, whether it be steam or water, is able to effect complete sterilization of those cans making contact with the partition. In addition, condensate is continually discharged from the unit, when steam is the sterilizing medium, insuring creation and maintenance of sterilizing temperatures to the cans resting on the discharge port door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Lathrop, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4330502
    Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor which is capable of burning material containing incombustible matter which during operation accumulates in the form of large particles in the lower part of the reactor, is provided. A discharge system which causes coarse particles to be discharged in a continuous manner without discharging fine particles or combustible matter is provided. The discharge means comprises a discharge compartment connected to an outlet of the distributor plate of the reactor. An upward flow pipe is centrally disposed in the discharge compartment. Air is supplied to the lower part of the discharge compartment. Coarse particles are withdrawn from the discharge compartment through a discharge pipe. Fine particles are blown back to the reactor through the upward flow pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Assignee: A. Ahlstrom Osakeyhtio
    Inventor: Folke Engstrom
  • Patent number: 4330506
    Abstract: A thermoevaporative insecticidal apparatus comprises a heat generating element 1 closely fitted to a porous carrier 6 the surface of which is impregnated with an effective ingredient and a receptacle 7 composed of a receiving tray 8 on which a plurality of supporting stands are disposed said heat generating element 1 being supported on the receptacle 7 so that said porous carrier 6 faces down opposite the receiving tray 8 and that said tray 8 is spaced from said porous carrier 6 by a distance of at least 1 cm; anda safety container assembly for use in the above type thermoevaporative insecticidal apparatus wherein a heat resistant supporting member 18 is attached to the annular outer surrounding walls 13 of a container member 14 so that said heat generating element is supportable by said heat resistant supporting member 18.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Assignee: Fumakilla Limited
    Inventor: Yasuharu Takei
  • Patent number: 4328187
    Abstract: An elastic holder for axial suspension of a monolithic catalyst body within a housing having a composite damping arrangement placed in the housing between the catalyst body and the housing walls and having a portion extending axially of the catalyst body for damping radial forces acting on the body, and end portions for damping axial forces acting on the catalyst body, and means cooperating with the damping means for elastically suspending the catalyzer body in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1973
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Kali-Chemie AG
    Inventors: Reimar Musall, Wilhelm Wolsing