Patents Examined by David C Mellon
  • Patent number: 10420344
    Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a one-liquid stabilized hypobromous acid composition which contains substantially no bromate ions, has excellent sterilization performance, exhibits almost no corrosiveness relative to metals, and displays excellent storage stability. This method for producing the stabilized hypobromous acid composition includes a step in which a reaction is induced by adding, under an inert gas atmosphere, bromine to a mixed solution including water, an alkali hydroxide, and sulfamic acid, wherein the proportion of bromine added is not more than 25 wt % relative to the total weight of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: ORGANO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiro Yoshikawa, Shintaro Someya, Masato Tsuji, Chiharu Ohmori
  • Patent number: 10413871
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, compositions, kits and apparatuses for stabilizing membranes, membrane proteins, and/or membranes containing membrane proteins using hydrophobin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: DANISCO US INC
    Inventors: Stanley E. Mainzer, Jakob Broberg Kristensen, Maria Ines Plasencia Gil
  • Patent number: 10407321
    Abstract: A centrifugal, liquid-liquid separator relies on a sweep flow in excess of the flow rate naturally occurring in the heavy constituent or species being separated out from a lighter species, in order to prevent access by the long-chain polymers of the lighter species to solids that may separate out and make a durable composition of polymers and particles that adheres and compacts against the shell wall of the centrifuge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: THOUGHT PRESERVE, LLC
    Inventors: C. Michael Miller, David A. Bell
  • Patent number: 10406458
    Abstract: A regenerative filter that includes a filter housing having inlet and outlet zones; a fluid path provided between the inlet and outlet zones; a plurality of filter elements each having an outer surface filter media applied thereto and functioning to filter particulate or contaminants from the fluid path; and a tube sheet that is supported across the filter housing, that is disposed just before the outlet zone and that provides the support for the plurality of filter elements. The plurality of filter elements are disposed in an array and includes bridging members or elements that connect between adjacent filter elements, and that forms with the filter elements, a closed interstitial space between adjacent filter elements for liquid flow; a nanoscale barrier on interior surfaces, including that of the regenerative media itself, providing a mechanism to disrupt the cell wall of microscopic viruses and organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Blue Skies Global LLC
    Inventor: Paul F. Nehlen, III
  • Patent number: 10406482
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to osmotically driven membrane systems and processes and more particularly to systems and processes for handling feed streams without pretreatment and increased brine concentration for zero liquid discharge, including forward osmosis separation (FO), direct osmotic concentration (DOC), pressure-assisted forward osmosis (PAFO), and pressure retarded osmosis (PRO). The system includes: a plurality of forward osmosis units, each having a semi-permeable membrane assembly and a tank; and a separation system in fluid communication with the plurality of forward osmosis units and configured to separate the dilute draw solution into the concentrated draw solution and a solvent system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: OASYS WATER LLC
    Inventors: Nathan T. Hancock, Christopher Drover, Marek S. Nowosielski-Slepowron, Garrett Akie
  • Patent number: 10400721
    Abstract: A filtration system includes a particle counter configured to detect particles in a volume of fluid. The filtration system includes a control valve in fluid communication with the particle counter. The filtration system includes a controller in communication with the particle counter and the control valve. The controller may be configured to determine whether the detected particles exceed a predetermined threshold. The controller may be configured to command the control valve. The filtration system includes a filter in fluid communication with the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Norman David Knapp, Sudhindra Ayanji
  • Patent number: 10399881
    Abstract: A method for separating solid particulates from waste water includes receiving a first stream of waste water, and adjusting a specific gravity of the received waste water to within a pre-selected range. The method also includes channeling the adjusted waste water to a first hydro-cyclone system. The first hydro-cyclone system separates a first portion of solid particulates from the adjusted waste water. The method further includes transferring the first portion of solid particulates to a vibrating dewatering screen. The vibrating dewatering screen separates residual water from the first portion of solid particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Theodore Donais, Harvey Kent Dunning
  • Patent number: 10399015
    Abstract: An insert for use with a filter cap is provided. The insert comprises a cover portion including a top surface, a bottom surface, and a hexagonal perimeter defining a center, and an attachment portion extending from the bottom surface of the cover portion including a cylindrical annular wall centered on the cover portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., Advanced Filtration Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant Alan Morris, Patrick Allen Chinn
  • Patent number: 10393728
    Abstract: An apparatus that allows for separating and collecting a fraction of a sample. The apparatus, when used with a centrifuge, allows for the creation of at least three fractions in the apparatus. It also provides for a new method of extracting the buffy coat phase from a whole blood sample. A buoy system that may include a first buoy portion and a second buoy member operably interconnected may be used to form at least three fractions from a sample during a substantially single centrifugation process. Therefore, the separation of various fractions may be substantially quick and efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventor: Jennifer E. Woodell-May
  • Patent number: 10376626
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dialyzer holder to attach a dialyzer to a dialysis machine. During priming of a bloodline prior to a dialysis treatment, the dialyzer holder grips a dialyzer in approximately the center of the dialyzer, but allows movements of the dialyzer in an arc motion using two axes of rotation. The holder enables the dialyzer to move to a position where air can be primed from the dialyzer and, because the dialyzer can move toward the dialysis machine, this motion eliminates stress on the tubing connected to the bottom and top of the dialyzer and reduces the length of bloodline tubing necessary to accommodate dialyzer movement. The dialyzer holder incorporates an attachment point for a venous chamber for use during the priming procedure, enabling the venous chamber to move with the dialyzer, further reducing the tubing between the dialyzer and the venous chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn E. Jensen, DeLoy Lindley, Troy Dayton
  • Patent number: 10376814
    Abstract: A separator (e.g. an impact centrifugal separator) is for use in collection of liquid portions of a bi-phasic flowstream in a supercritical fluid system. A separator chamber defines an interior space, surrounded by a spiral channel and that has an exit at a lower portion of the separator chamber. A flowstream director (e.g. an entry lube) focuses the flowstream so that the flowstream impacts a wail of the spiral channel at an angle that promotes coalescence of the liquid component. The spiral channel may promote further coalescence of the liquid portions within the constraining spiral channel after impact. A central director may be included in the interior space of the separator chamber to promote flow of the gaseous component toward the exit. A dripper may be included in fluid communication with the spiral channel, for example, in the exit and to direct the coalesced liquid into a collection vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin E. Wikfors
  • Patent number: 10376821
    Abstract: A filter unit, or more specifically, a filter box for a chip conveyor for conveying cutting chips that are produced in the operation of a machine tool, such as a lathe or the like. More specifically, the exemplary filter unit has at least one internally located brush that is used for removing different types of chips contained in a coolant fluid and/or cutting oil used in machine tools during metal working through mechanical brushing and jolting the surface of the filtration element(s) of the filter unit. A chip conveyor and a method of filtering cutting fluid in a filtering chip conveyor is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: LNS MANAGEMENT SARL
    Inventors: Loic Pluvinage, Carlo Colombo
  • Patent number: 10369525
    Abstract: A membrane for fluid transfer includes a base membrane and a pattern, that covers a working area of a surface thereof, formed of a compatible material. The pattern has periodicity and/or amplitude that do not exceed 1 micrometer. A method of filtering a component from a solution includes passing the solution comprising the component through a membrane that includes a base membrane. The base membrane and a pattern that covers a working area of a surface thereof are formed of materials compatible with the solution. The pattern has periodicity and/or amplitude that do not exceed 1 micrometer, and reduces mass transfer of surface-accumulative soluble and/or suspended species and particulates from the solution to the membrane while the solution is passed through the membrane. A method of producing a membrane for fluid transfer includes forming a nanoscale pattern over a working area of a polymer membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, A BODY CORPORATE
    Inventors: Yifu Ding, Sajjad Maruf, John Pellegrino, Alan Greenberg
  • Patent number: 10370261
    Abstract: The improved liquid transportation and desalination system transports seawater or other saline liquids through a piped distribution system with essentially no moving parts by relying on MHD principles. A fluid pump device comprised of high-strength permanent magnets forming chambers through which the liquid passes and inter-chamber opposing electrode plates with an applied DC potential provide the magnetic flux density and electric current for generating the Lorentz forces acting on the liquid. The fluid pump device may be combined with a desalination filtration device for provision of fresh water near the end of the distribution line without the need for a largescale treatment plant. Desalination/filtration occurs through use of nano-porous graphene and/or carbon nanotube media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: MHD Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Allan Sanford, Fazle Hussain, Christopher Bryson
  • Patent number: 10369264
    Abstract: A filter apparatus for removing small molecule chemotherapy agents from blood is provided. The filter apparatus comprises a housing with an extraction media comprised of polymer coated carbon cores. Also provided are methods of treating a subject with cancer of an organ or region comprising administering a chemotherapeutic agent to the organ or region, collecting blood laded with chemotherapeutic agent from the isolated organ, filtering the blood laden with chemotherapeutic agent to reduce the chemotherapeutic agent in the blood and returning the blood to the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Delcath Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel S. Johnston, Jacques Chammas, William M. Appling, Samantha J. Barton
  • Patent number: 10369496
    Abstract: The present invention supplies partitioned water treatment systems that possess a plurality of chambers and vertical filtration units, and are operative to control and filter surface runoff water. Such systems are typically placed inline with surface runoff water conveyance system infrastructure, such as pipes, channels, and water storage units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Bio Clean Environmental Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Zachariha J. Kent
  • Patent number: 10365270
    Abstract: A method and an ejection device are provided for discharging contaminants out of a seal chamber of a rotating-fluid machine driving a main flow of contaminated fluid. The ejection device incorporates an obstacle for arresting a portion of the flow in the seal chamber to stagnation pressure, whereby a zone of fluid at stagnation pressure is created. A discharge passage is disposed in the seal chamber adjacent to a region of concentration of contaminants and in the zone of stagnation pressure created by the obstacle, whereby contaminants are pumped out via the discharge passage into the main driven flow. The discharge passage is disposed upstream of the obstacle and provides fluid communication between the seal chamber and a process side of the machine. The method and the ejection device are operative with a machine driving fluid in clockwise direction, in counterclockwise direction, and in both clockwise and counterclockwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: ETTEM ENGINEERING S.A. LTD.
    Inventor: Rammy A. Shellef
  • Patent number: 10364623
    Abstract: This disclosure is generally drawn to systems, devices, apparatus, and/or methods related to shaker/filtration systems for drilling environments. Specifically, the disclosed systems, devices, apparatus, and/or methods relate to extended handles on screens used in shaker/filtration systems for drilling environments. In some examples, extended screen handle(s) may include a fastening portion and a handling portion. The fastening portion may be adapted to be coupled to a screen along a side of the screen, and the handling portion may be coupled to the fastening portion. The handling portion may extend above the screen and extend about 25-100% of the length of the side of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: United Wire Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Ralph
  • Patent number: 10364170
    Abstract: Devices and systems for electromagnetic treatment of fluids are provided. In various embodiments, an electromagnetic fluid treatment apparatus comprises a first rod spacer, a second rod spacer, and at least one conductive rod. In various embodiments, the first rod spacer comprises a fluid pipe aperture and at least one rod aperture, and the second rod spacer comprises a fluid pipe aperture and at least one rod aperture wherein the rod aperture of the first rod spacer and the rod aperture of the second rod spacer are circumferentially aligned about a centerline axis. In various embodiments, the conductive rod comprises a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, wherein the first attachment portion is disposed in the rod aperture of the first rod spacer, the second attachment portion is disposed in the rod aperture of the second rod spacer, and the conductive rod extends therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Inventor: John Robert Lersch
  • Patent number: 10351449
    Abstract: An ice machine or ice maker is configured to produce ionized alkaline ice by having water pass through a medium which causes the water to become ionized. In certain embodiments, the medium contains group II elements, rare earth minerals, metal reducing agents, mineral buffers. The medium may be in a filter with the water passing through the filter to produce ionized alkaline water. The ionized alkaline water is then frozen by the ice machine or ice maker to produce ionized alkaline ice. Exposure of the water to magnetic forces may assist in the production of ionized alkaline water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Electrolyzed Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Philip Adams