Patents Examined by Charles Hart
  • Patent number: 5294236
    Abstract: An effluent metering system includes an adapter connectable between the air outlet port on a vacuum cleaning appliance and a supplemental effluent metering device. The adapter preferably has a tubular shell which defines an inlet for receiving a flow of air discharged from the air outlet port. The adapter also has a pair of outlets. A first fluid passage in the shell connects the inlet with a first one of the outlets for exhausting air into a filter. A second fluid passage in the shell connects the inlet with a second one of the outlets for exhausting air into the supplemental metering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Baird Meter Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Baird
  • Patent number: 5290344
    Abstract: A clarifying apparatus for waste and dirty filters of a cartridge type is used in the dry cleaning machine. The filters become dirty after they are used for a long time necessitating replacement. The clarifying apparatus is used to treat the dirty filters. The apparatus is used after a plurality of waste filters are connected in series and they are placed in a pressure tank 5 and sealed. The apparatus has a reheating means 6 installed around the outer circumferential face of the pressure tank, a circulation duct 53 connecting a side 51 of hot air taking-in and another side 52 of an outlet for hot air containing solvent has a cooling means 54 recovering solvent and a heating means 55 placed downstream of the cooling means. Hot air is supplied from a hot air taking-in port 51 of the pressure tank 5 to through the serially-connected core pipes 11 and around respective waste filters 1 in order to evaporate remaining solvent and recover it, and clarify the dirty filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Onodera Doraikuriiningu Kojo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaji Onodera
  • Patent number: 5290330
    Abstract: A device for filtering air comprising a filter housing having an air inlet for directing flow of air drawn into the housing from atmosphere and an air outlet for directing flow of air exhausted from the housing to atmosphere, the air drawn into the housing carrying air contaminants therewith. A plurality of cylindrical filter stacks having substantially parallel longitudinal axes are disposed in the housing. The filter stacks have outer cylindrical filter walls and inner passages extending therethrough along the longitudinal axes. The filter stacks are capable of filtering the air drawn into the housing by trapping the air contaminants in the filter walls when air is drawn through the filter walls into the inner passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignees: The Johns Hopkins University, Envirco Corp.
    Inventors: Byron S. Tepper, Robert S. Suchomski
  • Patent number: 5290331
    Abstract: A localized clean air system for operating theaters and a method of supplying clean air to a localized region in such situations. A fan is connected to a delivery head, which has an outlet for directing inlet clean air to the localized region in a particular pattern. A streamlined body is positioned in the outlet so that, in use, the clean air flows around the body and is modified thereby to form, immediately downstream of the body, an inner region of low velocity air encircled by an outer region of higher velocity air. Preferably, the streamlined body is symmetrical about its axis and is aligned with the clean air flow, for instance by being centrally positioned in the air outlet. The streamlined body preferably comprises a rounded head and a tapered tail. A diffuser is disposed in the clean air flow upstream of the streamlined body to minimize turbulence in the air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: University of Bath
    Inventors: Anthony W. Miles, Norman J. Wood, Guy A. Wilson, Stephen C. Wilcox
  • Patent number: 5288312
    Abstract: A slug flow mitigation and gas separation device for well production fluids includes a primary fluid inlet conduit and a slug mitigation and gas separation chamber formed by a conduit section mounted generally vertically above the primary conduit. Spaced apart branch conduits interconnect the primary conduit with the slug mitigation and separation chamber and a check valve is interposed in the branch conduit disposed in the downstream direction of fluid flow through the device. Gas vent conduits are in communication with the slug mitigation and separation chamber for conducting separated gas away from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Payne, Miroslav M. Kolpak
  • Patent number: 5286283
    Abstract: Air dryer for a compressed air system includes a desiccant canister and a tubular oil filter received within a cavity within the canister circumscribed by a desiccant bed. A tubular oil filter is mounted on a removable module so that the module and the oil filter may be removed from the air dryer without disturbing the desiccant canister. Accordingly, the oil filter is replaced at more frequent intervals than is the desiccant. During purging, purge air is bypassed around the oil filter directly to the exhaust port through a check valve permitting communication through a bypass passage only during purging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Goodell
  • Patent number: 5286282
    Abstract: An air dryer for compressed air braking systems includes a desiccant canister which is provided with a double helix insert which cooperates with the walls of the canister to define a pair of intertwined, serpentine, pneumatically isolated flow paths. The flow paths extend through the canister between the end walls and are filled with a desiccant material. A single center line valve mechanism is provided to switch between the flow paths so that one of the flow paths is purged at the same time that the other flow path is pressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Goodell, James P. Koenig
  • Patent number: 5286281
    Abstract: Apparatus for separating particulate solids from a process gas stream which includes one or more primary separation chambers, preferably ballistic separation chambers, for removing a major portion of the solids entrained in the gas stream. One or more secondary separator chambers containing multi-cyclones are employed for removing substantially all of the remaining solids from the gas discharged from the primary separator chamber. The ballistic separation chamber has an inlet portion and a larger diameter outlet portion, and it may have an arcuate shape to aid in the separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Inventor: David B. Bartholic
  • Patent number: 5284507
    Abstract: A vacuum waste containment system to operate in situations where limited water is available and discharge of liquid and waste is undesirable. The system is powered by an external vacuum source. The vacuum draws the waste into a holding tank through an air water separator. The majority of the liquid and waste is deposited into the tank while the residual water is separated and drained back into the tank before reaching the vacuum source. The system has been designed for low weight to be reliable and require minimum maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Larry J. Ashton, John F. Sollinger
  • Patent number: 5284586
    Abstract: A wire mesh filter screen has a flat disc shape and is seated on a flat bottom counterbore in a threaded fitting. A circular knife edged punch pierces a ring of material from the counterbore wall surrounding the disc periphery. A second flat punch axially deforms the ring over the disc periphery to securely retain the screen in the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas E. DeSalvo
  • Patent number: 5282877
    Abstract: A filtration apparatus is described wherein entrained solids are removed from particulate-carrying fluid by filtration under vigorous conditions with filter tubes. The filter apparatus comprises a plurality of tiers of filters, each tier comprising filter tubes supported on a tube sheet. The apparatus also contains a tiered conical sluicing system to concentrate and centralize the particulates. The solids discharge from the filter tubes and pass through the sluicing system to exit the apparatus through particulate outlet means. The use of the apparatus is characterized by a reduced re-entrainment of particulates in the fluid leaving the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Shell Oil Co.
    Inventors: Phillip E. Unger, Petrus J. A. Tijm, Hendrik A. Dirkse
  • Patent number: 5282876
    Abstract: Impure steam is partially cooled on a first side of an energy transfer dee, forming a condensate substantially free of CO.sub.2 and other non-condensible gases. The condensate is separated from the impure steam and accumulated in a separator/accumulator. The condensate stream is conveyed through a control valve back to a second side of the energy transfer device for reheating to steam substantially free of CO.sub.2 and other non-condensible gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by The Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Gary L. Murphy, Robert C. Lovo, Sanjoy Banerjee
  • Patent number: 5283012
    Abstract: A multi-level film fill industrial size water cooling tower is disclosed having upper and lower film fill packs arranged one above the other, and wherein a self-balancing hot water distribution system is provided for directing flows of hot water from the main supply line to respective distributors which are proportional to flow of hot water in the main supply line. Laterally extending distribution pipes connected to the main supply line in overlying relationship to the film fill packs have restrictor nozzles thereon all located in a common horizontal plane, so that the flow of hot water from all of the nozzles remains proportional to the flow in the main supply line. Each of the restrictor nozzles is vented to the surrounding atmosphere to prevent creation of significant negative pressure on the hot water flowing from each nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: The Marley Cooling Tower Company
    Inventors: Bugler, III: Thomas W., Jack D. Bliven
  • Patent number: 5281245
    Abstract: This invention relates to a flue gas treatment apparatus for treating flue gas in which a contaminant in the form of fine solid particles and a gaseous air pollutant are mixed. In the flue gas treatment apparatus, a gas suction portion (29a) for drawing flue gas therethrough is formed in a funnel (27), jet nozzles (30a,30b,30c) for jetting out compressed gas along an inner peripheral wall of the funnel 27 are provided adjacent the gas suction port (29a), and a discharge port (27a) is formed in a lower part of the funnel (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Sanko' Industry Corporation
    Inventor: Yun Suk Yang
  • Patent number: 5281118
    Abstract: A vulcanized rubber device to envelop a tire being recapped or retreaded, when place in an autoclave to vulcanize the rubber strip cemented between the new tread and the treated tire. This device, has an annular form, with a "U" section, whose lateral surfaces (5), are provided with a hole (2) and (4), and surrounding a circular opening (3), but has a new feature; a ring with grooves (1), on the inside of each internal lateral surface (4) and (5), forming radiating furrows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Uniao Industrial de Borrachs S/A UNISA
    Inventor: Marconi G. Alvarenga
  • Patent number: 5281246
    Abstract: An air cleaner assembly for capturing and filtering fumes is provided which comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a pair of filter cartridges supported therein and a blower. A channel and baffle assembly direct the flow of air drawn into the housing in a vortical pattern around the filter cartridges to separate heavier particles in the air and to efficiently draw the air through the filter cartridges. The separated particles collect in a pair of dust trays that are provided with flow directional lips to prevent the vortical air flow from disturbing the deposited particles. A backflushing assembly cleans the filter cartridges of the particles that are collected thereon by pulsing the particles away with a blast of air directed through the entire length of the filter cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Metal-Fab, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun Ray, Robert G. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5279632
    Abstract: A plenum-type ceiling for a clean room is formed of modules having lateral side portions which are adapted to be attached together into a grid-like network. Bottom portions of the lateral sides of each module are inwardly stepped to provide downwardly facing recessed channels for the installation of lighting, fire extinguishing equipment and other facilities so that the ceiling is substantially planar and without facilities or lighting protruding therefrom. Inwardly and outwardly facing channels are also provided at the lower edge of the inwardly stepped portions of the sides in order to form an annular trough as a seal structure for mounting of air filters and air flow control devices. A bracket is also provided for suspension of objects such as partitions from outwardly facing channels in a manner which substantially eliminates entrainment of air near the ceiling and the avoidance of interference with the facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Donald W. Decker, Edward L. Pepe
  • Patent number: 5279629
    Abstract: An air handling and filtering system is provided for with conventional textile machines. The apparatus includes a common vacuum system for drawing first and second independent airstreams through the textile machines. A filtering system operates with the vacuum system to filter the useful white waste fiber material from all of the first airstreams. Individual filtering devices are provided for each textile machine and are housed in end-housing units disposed as one end of the textile machine. The individual filtering devices filter generally waste fiber material from the second airstreams drawn through the textile machines. The individual filtering devices can be isolated from the common vacuum system so that the individual waste fiber filters can be cleaned without stopping or otherwise affecting the critical first airstream so as not to detrimentally affect yarn formation at the spinning stations of the textile machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: LTG Lufttechnische GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Stueble
  • Patent number: 5277705
    Abstract: Device for separating and collecting ultrafine atomized powder from the gas stream of a gas atomizing apparatus comprises a housing having an interior wall oriented at an angle relative to horizontal so as to form a downwardly converging, conical expansion chamber, an inlet conduit communicated to the expansion chamber proximate an upper region thereof for receiving the gas stream, and an outlet proximate a lower region of the expansion chamber. The inlet conduit is oriented at a compound inclined angle (with respect to horizontal) selected to promote separation and collection of powder from the gas stream in the expansion chamber. The compound angle comprises a first entrance angle that is greater than the angle of repose of the powder on the housing interior wall such that any powder accumulation in the inlet conduit tends to flow down the wall toward the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Iver E. Anderson, Robert L. Terpstra, Jeffery A. Moore
  • Patent number: 5275634
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a cyclone which separates excess powder aspirated from a powder coating cabin, and cyclones for carrying out this cleaning method are created, with cleaning air being aspirated during the cleaning operation from the lower end of the cyclone via the cyclone interior, the immersion tube and the clean gas channel, and at least the outer surface of the immersion tube and the cyclone interior facing surface of the bottom of the clean gas channel is cleansed by means of compressed air blasts which exit from nozzles and directly impact these surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Inventor: Erich Kramer