Patents Examined by Bernard Nozick
  • Patent number: 5034033
    Abstract: An electronic air cleaning device (10) comprised of modular subassemblies including: an horizontal base (12), two vertical walls (14a) and (14b), vertical front and rear air filter (16a) and (16b), an electronic cell (22), an electric motor (80) with a fan (82) attached thereto, and a power supply (24), which walls (14a) and air filters (16a) and (16b) are interchangeable and symmetrically related, and which releasably engage one another to facilitate assembly/disassembly with the aid of simple tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: U.S. Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Alsup, Jr., William J. Saunders, Eric H. Albrecht, Rengaswamy Ramakrishnan
  • Patent number: 5033404
    Abstract: A barrier mechanism for isolating a drive chain from an active chamber in a Langmuir trough is provided. The chain drives a substrate mounted on a backing plate through the active chamber in order to coat the substrate. The chain passes through a "C" shaped barrier adjacent to the active chamber. The barrier mechanism comprises a resilient strip biased by a leaf spring to seal a side opening in the barrier. A wedge is mounted to the backing plate to open the resilient strip and leaf spring and thereby permit the backing plate to pass through the side opening as the substrate is driven into the active chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Nima Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Frank A. Grunfeld
  • Patent number: 5034029
    Abstract: An apparatus for effecting direct contact between a gas and a liquid which has at least one substantially vertical channel, formed for example by a pair of parallel plates, a port for introducing gas at a lower part of the channel, a port for introducing liquid to the channel, and a port for removing gas and liquid at an upper part of the channel, the height of the channel being substantially greater than the distance between the walls which define the channel such that gas at elevated pressure, when introduced into the channel, can cause liquid to move upwardly in the channel and to be removed from the channel. The apparatus may be associated with an electrolytic cell in which a gas is produced by electrolysis. Also, a process for effecting direct contact between a gas and a liquid is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventors: Keith Brattan, Stephen F. Kelham, Morris N. Nevin
  • Patent number: 5034038
    Abstract: A separator for a vacuum loading system is located in a flow path of an air/particulate mixture between a loading system and a vacuum pump, the vacuum pump drawing the air/particulate mixture from the loading system through a liquid chamber to trap particulate matter in a liquid while the air in the air/particulate mixture is drawn through the liquid and into an air chamber for return to the vacuum pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Alliance Plastics
    Inventor: Donald C. Olson
  • Patent number: 5034041
    Abstract: A tent-free technique, system, and apparatus for effecting protection of humans from airborne asbestos and other particulate contamination is disclosed. It comprises a first transparent cowling means operatively associated with drilling means and at least one filtration unit flow connected therewith. The first cowling means comprises two members slidably disposed relative to one another, with the first member thereof being more or less substantially fixed relative to the drilling means housing and the second member adapted to be more or less substantially fixed temporarily to the plane of the material first engaged by the drill bit. A second cowling means, also flow connected to said filtration unit, is operatively associated with the instant apparatus and more or less substantially fixed temporarily to the plane of the material lastly engaged by said drill bit. A third cowling means is operatively associated with sawing means and fixed relative to the housing thereof and adapted for enclosing the saw blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Tennessee Valley Authority
    Inventor: Garey Austin
  • Patent number: 5030262
    Abstract: An in-line vapor trap for removing water and/or oil vapor from a compressed air line which includes a manifold having spaced coaxial inlet and outlet openings, a hollow base suspended from the manifold, and replaceable cartridges connecting the manifold inlet to the hollow base and connecting the hollow base to the manifold outlet. A honeycomb structure is disposed in the lower portion of the base within the enclosed volume defined thereby, and cooperates with the base side and bottom walls to define a zone of substantially zero air movement for collection of liquid droplets. A depression in the base bottom wall forms a liquid sump, and a drain opens into the sump for drainage of captured liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: La-Man Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Overby
  • Patent number: 5030254
    Abstract: An electric precipitator has a plurality of parallel, longitudinally straight and throughoing, and transversely spaced longitudinal main beams, respective parallel, planar, and transversely spaced longitudinal main plates suspended from the beams, a plurality of parallel and longitudinally spaced cross plates extending generally orthogonally between the main plates and defining corners therewith, and respective oblique webs in the corners and each extending at about 45.degree. from the respective cross plate to the respective main plate. Thus the plates and webs together define octagonal-section passages. Respective electrodes extend centrally in the cells and, due to the octagonal section of these cells, there are no dead corners and, in fact, charge concentration is more uniform than in the hexagonal-section systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Bleiwerk Goslar GmbH & Co. KG Besserer & Ernst
    Inventors: Peter Heyen, Karl-Heinz Naumann, Horst Renneberg
  • Patent number: 5030258
    Abstract: A mist recovery apparatus is provided, which comprises a casing, an upper pipe plate and a lower pipe plate, a number of exhaust passing pipes each having a twisted plate therein, apertures formed at the side part of the casing to permit a cooling air flow to pass through the casing along the direction perpendicular to the exhaust passing pipes, a fume supply duct connected to the upper portion of the casing, and an exhaust duct disposed upwardly from the lower portion of the casing to the side of the casing so as to pass the exhaust from the exhaust passing pipes along the side of the casing and discharge the exhaust out of the casing. In such a structure, the mist contained in the exhaust produced from, for example, a rolling mill can be effectively separated and recovered and evolution of white smoke or fumes is greatly reduced. In order to achieve a more sufficient mixing of the exhaust and the air, a vertical chamber may be provided onto the discharge duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Sumitomo Light Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayasu Kisaragi, Kinzo Satomi
  • Patent number: 5030263
    Abstract: A pleated paper filter element is disclosed which is formed from a mechanically-treated filter paper (10') which has the side thereof opposite to the wire-side (12) mechanically teased so as to form thereon an open, textured layer (18) of raised fibers. The starting material used is a standard, commercially-available filter paper which is resin-impregnated with an uncured phenolic resin. The pleated paper filter element formed from the treated filter paper (10') displays, after the element has been heated to cure the resin, a substantial increase of up to 73.5% in the dust-holding capacity over a like element formed from the standard, commercially-available filter paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: AC Rochester Overseas Corporation
    Inventor: Stanley W. Kemp
  • Patent number: 5030260
    Abstract: The magnetic disk drive chemical breather filter of the present invention affords protection with respect to chemical vapors and gases in addition to trapping particulate pollutants. The chemical filter as described, protects against both organic vapors and inorganic gases. In addition particulate filters are interposed between the chemical filters and both the exterior atmosphere and internal atmosphere. The combined filter is isolated from both external and internal atmosphere by extended length diffusion passages. Both difffusion passages are composed of multiple parallel paths to prevent the blockage of any single path from impairing the functioning of the filter. Chambers formed at each side of the combined filter medium and access thereto by the diffusion passages at the center of one chamber and the periphery of the other enables the length of the air passage through the filter medium to be equal irrespective of the portion of the filter through which the air flow passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Beck, Charles A. Brown, Todd P. Fracek, Nigel F. Misso, Leo Volpe, Herman R. Wendt, Thomas A. Gregory
  • Patent number: 5030349
    Abstract: A fluid filter including a housing defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a filter element defining an upstream surface communicating with the fluid inlet and a downstream surface communicating with the fluid outlet, the filter element including at least one group of disk-like elements including at least one element of relatively fine porous material, having disposed on both sides thereof disk like elements of a relatively coarse porous material, each of the at least one groups having disposed on both sides thereof a grooved spacer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Inventor: Mordeki Drori
  • Patent number: 5026488
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for recycling contaminated industrial liquids. In the preferred embodiment, a conventional, medium-sized "van" type of truck houses, transports and powers a dual-loop assembly. A filter-loop assembly receives and stores recycling liquid in a waste liquid holding tank. The liquid is pumped through a pasteurizing heater and a separating centrifuge and back to the tank. Filter-test valves in the filter-loop enable testing to determine desired heating and separation.When flow-rate adjustments produce satisfactory heating and separation, the recycling liquid is directed through a cooler, out of the filter-loop and into an additive-loop assembly where the liquid is pumped from a clean liquid holding tank, by additive compound injections, and back to the clean tank. Additive-test valves in the additive-loop enable testing to determine required quantities of specific additive compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Butler Associates
    Inventor: John S. Mesheau
  • Patent number: 5025750
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a fastener, particularly a fastener with a head portion and shank portion, with a coating material is provided. The invention includes the steps of and apparatus for supporting the fasteners such that the fasteners are positioned for coating. The fasteners are conveyed such that the fasteners are moved through a plurality of operating stations and pass through a heating station where the shank portions of the fasteners are heated. Subsequently, at a material applying station, a coating material is applied to the heated shank portions. A preferred embodiment of the method and apparatus of the present invention includes supporting the fasteners on their head portions with the shank portions projecting upward, conveying the fasteners with their shank portions projecting upward for processing, heating the shank portion to a temperature above the melting point of the applied material and applying the material to the heated shank portion to form a coating thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Nylok Fastener Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene D. Sessa, Richard Duffy
  • Patent number: 5024681
    Abstract: A method for removing particulates from a gas is described incorporating an electrostatic precipitator and a barrier filter in series, i.e. baghouse, downstream of the electrostatic precipitator. The series arrangement enables the barrier filter to operate at significantly higher filtration velocities than normal 4.06-20.32 cm/s (8-40 ft/min) versus 0.76-2.54 cm/s (1.5-5 ft/min) and reduces the size of the barrier filter significantly. The invention overcomes the problem of the sensitivity of electrostatic precipitator particulate collection efficiency to variations in particulate and flue gas properties and the alternative of having to substitute the electrostatic precipitator with large barrier filters in which its use would be prohibited by cost and space considerations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
    Inventor: Ramsay Chang
  • Patent number: 5024684
    Abstract: A multistage vortex reactor for contacting a gas stream with a gas, a fluid or other stream, comprising a housing having end walls and a peripheral side wall defining an elongated generally cylindrical vortex chamber having an inlet end and an outlet end, a first inlet in the inlet end of the vortex chamber for introducing a first gas stream in a swirling motion into the vortex chamber, a second inlet for introducing a second gas stream adjacent the inlet end of the vortex chamber for flowing around at least a part of the vortex chamber for separating the first stream from said chamber walls, a supply duct divides a gas stream into at least a first gas stream and a second gas stream and introduces the first gas stream into the first inlet in the vortex chamber and the second gas stream into the second inlet, an injector for introducing a liquid into the first gas stream in the vortex chamber, and an outlet for continuously removing gas from the vortex chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: Pyropower Corporation
    Inventor: John T. Tank
  • Patent number: 5024685
    Abstract: An air treatment system which includes a wire-like corona electrode and an air permeable target electrode arranged concentrically around the corona electrode with the electrodes connected to a d.c. voltage source having a voltage causing a corona discharge at the corona electrode and an ion wind through the target electrode. The target electrode may have a substantially cylindrical configuration, in which case air flows axially into the target electrode through one or both of the open ends thereof and exits from the target electrode radially through its air permeable wall. The target electrode may also be divided into two or more separate parts arranged essentially concentrically around the corona electrode in mutually uniform spaced relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: Astra-Vent AB
    Inventors: Vilmos Torok, Andrzej Loreth
  • Patent number: 5024686
    Abstract: This invention relates to a novel gas-liquid contacting apparatus and method utilizing recycle spray contact trays disposed within a substantially vertical vessel. Each contact tray contains one or more housings defined by upstanding vertical wall members, said housings being open to gas flow at top and bottom. Within the housings, liquid spray is continuously generated by means of gas flowing upward past a first array of spaced-apart gas venturi-generating liquid conductors. Liquid flows from the tray floor outside the housing through the liquid conductors, is distributed into the gas, and is entrained upward as spray by the gas venturi action. The major apart of the liquid spray is captured by an array of horizontal open-ended foraminous or perforated tubes, in substantial side-by-side contact with each other. The spray issuing laterally from the tubes impinges on the vessel walls and liquid therefrom drains downward or falls by gravity to the tray floor, where the process is repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Inventor: Bernard J. Lerner
  • Patent number: 5022897
    Abstract: A method of coating a filter medium in a flowing gaseous stream, the method comprising: directing a gas stream along a feed path; combining with said gas stream a multiplicity of finished glass dust particles; positioning a fibrous filter medium along said feed path downstream of the point at which the glass dust particles are combined with said stream, the glass dust particles forming a coating on said filter medium to assist in the capture thereon of hazardous waste material in said stream, when said stream contains such material; maintaining the temperature of the gas stream below the softening point of the glass particles; and intermittently removing the particulate coating material and any such hazardous waste material from the filter medium and collecting the same; and a system for accomplishing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignees: Potters Industries, Inc., Roth Bros. Smelting Corp.
    Inventors: Gerald P. Balcar, Paul Krumrine, Neal Schwartz, Burton J. Sutker, Gail J. Wood
  • Patent number: 5021071
    Abstract: Vehicle tank pressure is controlled by adsorbing air from the tank in a zeolite bed, and passing fuel vapor back to the tank. The zeolite is later regenerated by application of heat and vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: S. Raghuma Reddy
  • Patent number: 5021831
    Abstract: In an electrophotographic/electrostatic recording apparatus especially for high speed recording, a toner image on a recording sheet is fused thereon by a flash lamp in a fixing unit, and smoke is generated thereby. Smoke and toner dust in the ambient air should be removed before it is exhausted out of the apparatus by drawing the air through an air filter. The invention discloses that is it effective to use an air filter structure comprising a plurality of filter units, wherein a first filter unit made of electrostatically charged fibrous material is utilized at the inlet side of the air filter. The first filter unit has a comparatively greater porosity and attracts and removes toner particles charged with the opposite polarity to that of the electrostatically charged fibrous material. Therefore, the air, a substantial part of toner dust being removed therefrom, can more easily enter into the following filter units for removal of smoke, resulting in increased endurance of the air filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Tonomoto