Patents Examined by Frank Lawrence
  • Patent number: 8480793
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for removing contaminant in a fluid (e.g., chemical and petrochemical gas streams) using nanostructures of a sorbent material coated on plates such as a silicon wafer. A plurality of such coated plates can be assembled to form a sorption structure having channels between the plates. When a fluid containing the contaminant is directed through the channels, the contaminant is adsorbed by the nanostructures of the sorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Mohsen S. Yeganeh, Bhupender S. Minhas, Harry W. Deckman
  • Patent number: 8480796
    Abstract: Disclosed is a formulation for the absorption of CO2, which comprises water, at least one CO2 absorption compound and a carbonic anhydrase as an activator to enhance the absorption capacity of the CO2 absorption compound. The invention also concerns the use of carbonic anhydrase, in a CO2 absorption solution to increase the CO2 absorption rate of such solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: CO2 Solution Inc.
    Inventors: Sylvie Fradette, Olivera Ceperkovic
  • Patent number: 8480797
    Abstract: Several embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for removing compositions comprising dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or related compounds, or odors associated with same. In several embodiments, the systems include activated carbon filters, adsorbents, odor adsorbing fabrics, masks, clean air members and clean air supply assemblies. Methods for reducing the concentration of a DMSO metabolite, or the odors associated with said DMSO metabolite are provided in some embodiments. In some embodiments the systems and methods facilitating the treatment of traumatic brain injury, ischemic stroke, atherosclerosis, spinal cord trauma, and neurodegenerative illnesses with compositions comprising DMSO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Abela Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Cozean, Colette Cozean, Efrain Gonzales, Stanley W. Jacob
  • Patent number: 8480792
    Abstract: The disclosure provides zeolitic frameworks for gas separation, gas storage, catalysis and sensors. More particularly the disclosure provides zeolitic frameworks (ZIFs). The ZIF of the disclosure comprises any number of transition metals or a homogenous transition metal composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Omar M. Yaghi, Hiroyasu Furukawa, Bo Wang
  • Patent number: 8480791
    Abstract: Sorbents for removal of mercury and other pollutants from gas streams, such as a flue gas stream from coal-fired utility plants, and methods for their manufacture and use are disclosed. The methods include injecting a sorbent consisting essentially of recovered and separated fluid cracking catalyst particles into a flue gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Xiaolin D. Yang, David M. Stockwell, Pascaline H. Tran, Lawrence Shore
  • Patent number: 8480786
    Abstract: Information used for creating an adsorption isostere of a substance to be measured in a measuring system (container) is obtained by repeating alternately a first control step of changing temperature or pressure of the measuring system by a fixed amount by adjusting a gas amount supplied to/discharged from the measuring system, and a second control step of changing pressure or temperature of the measuring system by adjusting the gas amount supplied to/discharged from the measuring system until a gas adsorption amount of the substance to be measured becomes the same as before execution of the first control step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignees: Shinshu University, Bel Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Taku Iiyama, Kazuyuki Nakai
  • Patent number: 8475576
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a component for producing vacuum insulation systems, comprising at least one insulation layer which is surrounded by a casing, wherein the gas pressure in the insulation layer can be reduced by means provided in the component, wherein the means for reducing the gas pressure is embodified as activatable. The present invention further describes a vacuum insulation system comprising a component according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Markowz, Thorsten Schultz, Juri Tschernjaew, Farid Usmanov, Wojciech Pisula, Ruediger Schuette
  • Patent number: 8475569
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon adsorber and a thermoplastic resin combined and formed to a porous scavenger for insertion into the air intake system of a motor vehicle engine. The resulting porous scavenger adsorbs volatile hydrocarbon molecules from raw fuel remaining in the air intake when the engine is shout off. The adsorbed molecules are then stripped or purged from the scavenger and reintroduced into the air intake when the engine is next started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hurley, Samuel A. Incorvia
  • Patent number: 8470073
    Abstract: The apparatus and process for separating hydrogen isotopes is provided using dual columns, each column having an opposite hydrogen isotopic effect such that when a hydrogen isotope mixture feedstock is cycled between the two respective columns, two different hydrogen isotopes are separated from the feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Leung K. Heung, Henry T. Sessions, Xin Xiao
  • Patent number: 8470395
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a rotary gas separation device, such as a rotary pressure swing adsorption device. The rotary pressure swing device can include, for example, a rotor with a plurality of adsorber elements, a stator with a plurality of conduits, and a rotary valve comprising a seal assembly positioned between the rotor and the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals Inc.
    Inventors: Soheil Alizadeh Khiavi, Jeff Alvaji, Christopher R. McLean
  • Patent number: 8470078
    Abstract: A process and system for removing tars from synthesis gas uses glycerol produced as a byproduct of biodiesel manufacture. The biodiesel may be made from various oil feedstocks such as canola, rapeseed, or soybean oils. Associated with the harvesting of these crops may be the ready availability of byproduct biomass useful as feedstock for gasification. In addition, methanol may be sourced from the gasification of biomass to exploit a potential synergy between biodiesel manufacture and biomass gasification. The present invention develops those synergies further by making use of a byproduct stream from the manufacture of biodiesel to remove tars from the gasifier synthesis gas and to provide a useful end use for the byproduct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: IHI E&C International Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Robertson
  • Patent number: 8460435
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing high-concentration ozone gas has a plurality of adsorption/desorption columns and a plurality of valves capable of switching opening/closing of the passage of gas flowing into or out of the adsorption/desorption columns, such that each of the adsorption/desorption columns can performs ozone adsorption processing, evacuation processing or desorption processing. At least two of the adsorption/desorption columns are placed in a serial cycle arrangement to constitute a main adsorption/desorption column group, and one or more of the other adsorption/desorption columns is placed in parallel with the main adsorption/desorption column group to constitute an auxiliary adsorption/desorption column. The auxiliary adsorption/desorption column performs desorption processing during a period in which none of the adsorption/desorption columns of the main adsorption/desorption column group is performing desorption processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignees: Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichiro Tabata, Yujiro Okihara, Tetsuya Saitsu, Noriyuki Nakamura, Ryohei Ueda, Koji Ota, Yasuhiro Tanimura
  • Patent number: 8460444
    Abstract: An equipment for the pressurized adsorption of gaseous carbon dioxide from boiler flue gas for oil recovery by well injection comprising a boiler for generating high pressure steam, a high pressure water pump, a tower scrubber, a compressor, an absorber, a separation tank, a flash pot, a solvent pump, a stripper, an air pump, a carbon dioxide compressor, a purifier, a carbon dioxide pressurizer, a drying beds, a membrane module, a nitrogen pressurizer and a mixing tank. With rational design and handsome practicability, the comprehensive mate equipment, when producing steam by the boiler, can obtain carbon dioxide liquid and nitrogen, thus realizing “single injection”, “double injection” or “triple injection” of steam, gaseous carbon dioxide and nitrogen and thereby gaining favorable results of crude oil output increase as well as environment protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Liaohe Petroleum Exploration Bureau, CNPC
    Inventors: Fengshan Zhang, Yuanwen Gao
  • Patent number: 8460425
    Abstract: The disclosure concern air cleaners. Preferred air cleaners are shown which include a housing and a removable and replacement primary filter cartridge. Optional and advantageous features are shown. An optional mechanical interlock, operated with a non-threaded, movement of the cartridge, is provided between the primary filter cartridge and the housing. The preferred primary filter cartridge is conical in shape. A preferred optional safety or secondary filter cartridge is shown. Preferred methods of assembly and use are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Pnc.
    Inventors: James Scott, Carolyn Finnerty, Steven Gieseke, Douglas Iddings, William Juliar, Gregory LaVallee
  • Patent number: 8454730
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a gas storage and supply system and its operation processes having pre-selected temperature and pressure limits are disclosed. Various temperature and pressure profiles may be used to supply stored gas to a gas consuming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Rittmar Von Helmolt, Ulrich Eberle, Dieter Hasenauer
  • Patent number: 8454729
    Abstract: A system and related method for purifying indoor air comprising: a filter bed comprising a growing medium suitable for growing plants rooted therein and configured to be capable of sustaining an airflow therethrough between a top surface thereof and a bottom surface thereof; a micro-irrigation system comprising a plurality of irrigation source outlets for delivering water to the filter bed in a substantially-uniform fashion; an active region of the filter bed comprising that region of the filter bed configured so as to substantially have the airflow flowing therethrough; and micro-irrigation system configured such that water therefrom is capable of being projected so as to reach at least 50% of a top surface area of the active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventors: Martin Mittelmark, Billy C. Wolverton
  • Patent number: 8449649
    Abstract: Systems and methods for initiating startup of PSA assemblies in hydrogen-processing assemblies, which may include a hydrogen-generation assembly and/or a fuel cell stack. The systems and methods include startup procedures that provide for pressurization of the adsorbent beds of the PSA assembly without the need for a stored quantity or other supply of purified hydrogen gas. The systems and methods additionally or alternatively include startup procedures that restrict or even prevent contamination of portions of the PSA assembly, hydrogen storage devices and/or accumulator tanks with an impure gas stream and/or decrease accumulation of the impure gas stream therein. This impure gas stream may be the mixed gas, reformate, or other gas stream that is intended to be purified by the PSA assembly when the PSA assembly is in its hydrogen-purifying operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Idatech, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin Charles Greenough
  • Patent number: 8449857
    Abstract: A method for saturating or re-saturating ammonia storage material (1) capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing ammonia in one or more storage containers (2), wherein said material is partly or fully depleted of ammonia, with ammonia to a predetermined saturation degree comprises a. placing the storage container(s) (2) in direct or indirect contact with a thermostatting medium (4) at a temperature level TT? about 65° C.; and b. connecting the storage container(s) (2) to a source of gaseous ammonia wherein at least during a part of the method the gaseous ammonia during saturating or re-saturation of the ammonia storage material (1) is at a pressure PS? about PT, wherein PS is the ammonia pressure during saturating or re-saturating of the ammonia storage material (1) and PT is the equilibrium vapor pressure of liquid ammonia at the temperature level TT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Amminex A/S
    Inventors: Tue Johannessen, Ulrich Joachim Quaade, Johnny Johansen, Henrik Wagner-Pedersen
  • Patent number: 8440005
    Abstract: An active carbon filter intended for the fuel supply system of the internal combustion engine of a vehicle consists of a housing (1), inside of which flow paths for the different operating states of the filter are established between the ports (10, 11, 12) for connection with the top space of a tank, the ambient atmosphere and the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine. Proceeding from the port (11), these flow paths are characterized by chambers situated one in back of the other for pre-warming the air, an adjacent chamber (22) equipped with a first heating unit, an adjacent chamber (23) that accommodates active carbon particles, and another, adjacent chamber (28) that accommodates active carbon particles, is equipped with a second heating unit (34), and is provided with the ports (10, 12). This yields the establishment of optimal, in particular thermal conditions for the regeneration of the active carbon particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: A. Kayser Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Lang, Heiko Freter, Detlef Wolf
  • Patent number: 8440001
    Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention relate to systems for removing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or related compounds, or odors associated with same. The systems include adsorbents, odor adsorbing fabrics, masks, clean air members and clean air supply assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Abela Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventor: Colette Cozean