Patents Examined by Christopher Kilner
  • Patent number: 5979173
    Abstract: The cargo area of a refrigerated railroad car is cooled by convectors positioned along the upper side and walls of the cargo side and end walls of the cargo compartment of the car. The convectors are cooled by a supply of carbon dioxide snow in a bunker above the cargo compartment. Alternately, vents between the bunker and the cargo compartment and along the upper side and end walls of the cargo compartment enhance and direct carbon dioxide vapor circulation between the cargo area and the bunker. The convectors and the vents can be used independently or in combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Lewis Tyree
  • Patent number: 5970720
    Abstract: An electrically cooled detecting system comprises: two or more heat regenerative refrigerators each having a cylinder with a cooling head at its one end; a holder for supporting the two or more heat regenerative refrigerators to dispose the one ends of the cylinders along a certain plane and the other ends of the cylinders on one side of the certain plane; a connector for thermally and rigidly connecting the cooling heads; and a detector being thermally connected to the connector. This system is not necessary to use liquid nitrogen. This system is compact and has a high energy resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignees: Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Katagiri, Yoshii Kobayashi, Yoshito Taguchi, Toshio Uchida
  • Patent number: 5938433
    Abstract: A soil remediation system having apparatus for decontaminating particulate matter or dust entrained in and exhausted with a hot gas stream from a rotary drum wherein the particulate matter is subjected to heat-loss through an outer cylindrical wall of the drum. The system includes an inclined drum having a burner arrangement for directing a flame and hot gas stream into and axially through the drum ro remediate soil being processed through the drum, and dust decontamination apparatus including a fixed sleeve concentric with a downstream end of the drum such that an annular cavity is formed between the sleeve and the drum, and a filtering arrangement adapted to receive the hot gas stream as the hot gas stream is exhausted from the drum and to remove particulate matter entrained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Cedarapids, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin L. Stimson, William David McFarland
  • Patent number: 5918475
    Abstract: According to the present invention, when leakage of refrigerant is detected during operation of an air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle, air outlets for a passenger and a solenoid valve for an air passage are closed. Accordingly, a compressor is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed since the solenoid valve is closed. In this way, refrigerant within an evaporator is sucked and discharged. Consequently, an amount of refrigerant leaking from an air conditioner casing due to damage of the evaporator can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hisayoshi Sakakibara, Shin Nishida
  • Patent number: 5913889
    Abstract: A cryostat (10') with a heat exchanger (13'); a valve (25') for controlling the flow of fluid through said heat exchanger (13'); and a snap disk (30') for actuating the valve (25'). In a specific embodiment, the snap disk (30') is constructed of at least two different materials (32', 34'), each having a different coefficient of thermal expansion. The snap disk (30') is mounted upon an orifice block (38') and coupled to a needle valve (25') by a connecting rod (40'). The needle valve (25') engages an orifice (16') in the orifice block (38'). The orifice (16') is in communication with the tubing (14') of a heat exchanger (13') via a channel (44') in the orifice block (38'). The geometry of the snap disk (30') is such that when the disk changes state, it snaps due to the thermal properties thereof. This ensures fast response with abrupt closure characteristics and considerable travel. In addition, the snap disk (30') allows for a simplified cryostat design with minimal weight and cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Hughes Electronics
    Inventors: Paul L. Buelow, Eric L. Ryba, Matthew M. Skertic
  • Patent number: 5901574
    Abstract: The device and the process are used to evaporate a liquid. A first (7) and a second (9) heat exchanger contain evaporation passages and passages for a heat transfer fluid. First heat exchanger (7) is designed as a falling film evaporator, second heat exchanger (9) is designed as a liquid bath evaporator. First heat exchanger (7) has means (13, 14) to introduce heat transfer fluid and means to drain heat transfer fluid. Second heat exchanger (9) includes means to introduce heat transfer fluid. The flow of the means for draining heat transfer fluid from first heat exchanger (7) is connected to the flow of the means for introducing heat transfer fluid into second heat exchanger (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wilhelm Rohde
  • Patent number: 5873261
    Abstract: Disclosed is an accumulator for a rotary compressor, the accumulator being formed with a lengthy L-tube, thus improving the efficiency of the compressor. The present invention includes a lengthy refrigerant transferring part formed around the outer circumference of the compressor to separate gaseous refrigerant from liquid refrigerant in the accumulator, and to send only the gaseous refrigerant into the cylinder; and a pipe fixing strip to fix the refrigerant transferring part to the compressor to prevent the movement of the refrigerant transferring part otherwise caused by the vibration and noise, thus improving the EER and the cooling capability of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jeong-Yong Bae
  • Patent number: 5871347
    Abstract: A system for the abatement of industrial process gases utilizes a rotary regenerative oxidizer comprised of one or more heat exchange beds, each bed comprised of a parallel, axial, and longitudinal array of heat regenerative channels that thermally and/or catalytically oxidize contaminated gases. Utilizing a rotary regenerative oxidizer, and if desired, a plurality of heat regenerative beds incorporated therein, facilitates the use of regenerative technology at lower gas flow rates, increases thermal efficiency, and significantly reduces the floor space normally required when implementing fixed-bed nonrotary regenerative oxidizers. The heat exchange channels may be catalytically treated to enhance oxidation of the pollutants at a lower temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Chen, Pascaline H. Nguyen, James C. Fu
  • Patent number: 5857356
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for the purification of a cryogenic fluid in liquid, diphase, gaseous or supercritical state, having a boiling point Pe, with at least one of its impurities having a boiling point Pe', with Pe'>Pe. The process includes at least one step selected from the group comprised by:a filtration step of at least one impurity in solid state,and an adsorption step of at least one impurity in liquid or gaseous state;and in which there is recovered at least one portion of the cryogenic fluid at least partially purified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Daniel Gary, Rene Lardeau, Philippe Fraysse, Frederic Castellanet
  • Patent number: 5845517
    Abstract: An air stream is compressed and divided into a first partial stream (4) used as the feed air stream for a low-temperature air rectification system (16), and a second partial stream (5) used as an oxidation agent in a chemical reaction (6). The waste gas from the chemical reaction is work expanded (9). The first partial stream (4) is introduced into one of rectifying columns (17, 18). A liquid product stream is withdrawn from one (18) of the rectification columns, compressed (28) and vaporized against a further compressed (31, 33) process stream (15) from the low-temperature rectification. At least a portion of the mechanical energy resulting from the work expansion (9) of the waste gas of chemical reaction (6) is used for further compression (31, 33) of the process stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Helmut Attlfellner
  • Patent number: 5836174
    Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system employing two rectifying sections in parallel within either the lower pressure column of a double column or in a side column, for producing product oxygen at both low and high purity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Fredric Billingham, Michael James Lockett, Dante Patrick Bonaquist
  • Patent number: 5836172
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for the purification of a cryogenic fluid in liquid, diphase, gaseous or supercritical state, having boiling point Pe, with at least one of its impurities having a boiling point Pe', with Pe'>Pe. The process includes at least one step selected from the group comprised by:a filtration step of at least one impurity in solid state,and an adsorption step of at least one impurity in liquid or gaseous state;and in which there is recovered at least one portion of the cryogenic fluid at least partially purified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude et L'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Daniel Gary, Rene Lardeau, Philippe Fraysse, Frederic Castellanet
  • Patent number: 5833455
    Abstract: A dry furnace roll design operates at a high temperature environment of a metal heating furnace by arranging weld metal joining a roll sleeve to roll bells at opposite ends in cavities formed in the sidewalls of the furnace. A dense filling of ceramic fiber material is held in each roll bell underlying the weld connection with the roll sleeve by discs. Ceramic fiber material is put into the cavity of the sidewall and held in place by a keeper plate. The masses of weld metal joining the roll sleeve to the roll bells are comprised of TIG weld metal formed in an inert gas. Multi-pass welding is performed while supporting the roll assembly during the welding operation at an angled relation to the horizontal. The roll is rotated in the angled relation to allow the deposition of weld metal in multiple passes and in an accurately controllable manner preferably by the use of a microprocessor to control the positioning of weld electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Bricmont, Inc.
    Inventor: Hugh B. Carr
  • Patent number: 5829272
    Abstract: A process and installation for the separation of air by permeation, for the production of high purity nitrogen. The installation comprises in series an air compressor (2), a refrigerator (3) cooled by air or water, a unit (4) for filtering out oil and water, an air reheater (5) and a permeator (6). The air reheater (5) is provided with a device (18A) for adjusting the temperature as a function of the temperature of the final refrigeration fluid that cools the compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude et L'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Lionel Barry
  • Patent number: 5826444
    Abstract: The process allows to liquefy a gaseous mixture consisting at least partly of a mixture of hydrocarbons, such as a natural gas, by using a cooling mixture that is obtained, after a first cooling step, in a state referred to as "condensed single-phase" state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Pierre Capron, Alexandre Rojey
  • Patent number: 5822994
    Abstract: This invention provides a low friction linear clearance seal for use in closed cycle cryogenic coolers. The clearance seal comprises a cylinder, a piston mounted within the cylinder for reciprocating movement and a self lubricating polymer liner bonded to the piston which forms an effective seal around the piston. The clearance seal improves the sealing capability between the piston and the cylinder and reduces heat generated by the motion of the piston along the cylinder wall. The clearance seal also improves the performance and reliability of the cryogenic cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel James Belk, Thomas S. Donahoe, Arthur R. Nelson, Gary W. Van Court
  • Patent number: 5819435
    Abstract: A duct connection system for use in a dryer ventilation duct system includes a pair of duct members that are joined together in overlapping relationship, and a connection joint for holding the duct members together. The connection joint includes a plurality of dimples projecting from an end portion and arranged circumferentially around one of the duct members for frictionally contacting another end portion of the other duct member. The end portions may be the ends of straight-walled duct components, or may be sleeves forming part of universal elbow sections, corrugated ducts, etc. The dimples extend either inwardly or outwardly from the end portion of the one duct member depending on whether the one duct member is received in or extends over the other duct member to frictionally engage and hold the duct members together. Each dimple includes a first frusto-conical crush zone integrally formed with the one end portion, and a second conical crush zone radially spaced from the first crush zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Nemco, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory W. Tuggle
  • Patent number: 5816200
    Abstract: A steam generator apparatus which includes an enclosure comprising vertically extending front and back waterwalls joined by opposed spaced first and second waterwalls, The enclosure also includes a plurality of spaced vertically extending windboxes, each of the windboxes faces the interior of the enclosure. Each of the windboxes comprises a plurality of modules that are configured for installation at respective elevations, each of the modules being dimensioned and configured for shipment to the installation site. Some forms of the invention further includes a vertically extending truss assembly and the ignitor and auxiliary air compartments are supported on the truss assembly. Other forms of the invention include air ducting supplying air to air compartments and the truss assembly extends within the ducting. Still other forms of the invention may utilize the truss assembly without the modular windbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Mann, Michael S. McCartney
  • Patent number: 5816052
    Abstract: An improved X-ray spectrometer detector system includes a mechanical cooling system with a compressor connected by supply and return lines to a cryocooler connected to an X-ray dispersive spectrometer detector for an electron microscope. Within a housing containing a cryocooler heat exchanger, a heat sink thermal mass is thermally connected to a cold finger heat conducting structure which has the X-ray detector mounted at its distal end. The housing insulates the cryocooler heat exchanger and the heat sink from the external ambient. The compressor unit is operated to cool the detector to a desired low operating temperature at which precision measurements may be made. When such measurements are to be made, the compressor is turned off to minimize vibrations that could interfere with X-ray detector measurements or the operation of the electron microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Noran Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Foote, Jon J. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 5816797
    Abstract: A method for preparing a thermoplastic material, with dry heat, for use in patient fixation. The method includes generating heat to a threshold temperature and transferring the heat to the thermoplastic material by a heat conductive path. Once the thermoplastic material has become pliable, it is molded into a cast for fixation purposes. The heat may be generated by a device having a housing and a member movable attached to the housing. The device also includes a heating element for providing a heat conductive path to the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: S&S X-Ray Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold Shoenfeld