Patents Examined by Henry A. Bennet
  • Patent number: 5505143
    Abstract: A method and a system is disclosed for controlling chemical reaction of a feed. The feed is directed into a reactor containing a molten metal bath to at least partially chemically react the feed to form an intermediate component. A portion of the intermediate component is combined with an off-gas which is emitted from the molten metal bath. At least a portion of the intermediate is then separated from the off-gas and returned to the molten metal bath. The returned intermediate component is then substantially converted to its atomic constituents. The atomic constituents subsequently exothermically react with other components of the molten metal bath for reaction to form compounds which are substantially stable at the operating conditions of the system, thereby allowing control of chemical reaction of the feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Molten Metal Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Nagel
  • Patent number: 5505163
    Abstract: A nozzle for a sootblower is used to project a cleaning agent against the internal surfaces of a boiler for removing fireside deposit. The nozzle of the present invention incorporates a passageway having a convergent segment between its entrance end most narrow point, the throat. Extending from the throat to the nozzle's exit is an expansion chamber in which the cleaning fluid passing therein expands and drops in pressure to substantially ambient pressure. The flow streams of the jet of the cleaning agent discharged from the nozzle is essentially parallel to the center axis of the nozzle. Additionally, the nozzles can be mounted diametrically opposed or spaced along the longitudinal axis of the lance tube. Moreover, the nozzles mounted in a lance tube can be mounted flush with the outside surface of the lance tube, contoured to its shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventor: Mohomed I. Jameel
  • Patent number: 5503551
    Abstract: A single rotary valve is designed to control feed, purge and exit flow in a multiple bed regenerative fume incinerator system thereby replacing the large number of valves heretofore used to operate such a system. The housing of the rotary valve has ports for connection to at least one feed conduit, to at least one exit conduit, to at least 3 regenerator bed conduits and includes an annular opening on the valve axis for a purge gas conduit. The purge gas conduit extends through the annular opening and connects to an interior cavity of the valve rotor which has a peripheral opening registrable individually with the regenerator bed ports. The valve rotor divides the interior chamber of the valve housing into a feed subchamber and an exit subchamber and includes a sealing plenum preventing leakage from the feed subchamber to the exit subchamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Inventor: Reagan Houston
  • Patent number: 5499516
    Abstract: An absorber (10) of an absorption refrigerating apparatus is constituted by two joined plates (52 and 54, respectively), which between themselves form a plurality of horizontal ducts (60) located above each other for the refrigerant. The bottom of the ducts shows small openings (64), through which the absorption liquid leaks down into the roof of ducts located below and moves downwards along their roofs and walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventors: Sven-Erik Andersson, Johnny S. Kornelind
  • Patent number: 5490396
    Abstract: A portable container which may be refrigerated is provided which is composed of a flexible floor, walls, and lid and composed of inner and outer walls with flexible refrigerant gel captivated between these walls, floor and lid. The lid may be closed to the container with a device selected from the group consisting of nylon zippers and velcro seals. The entire container may be compressed or folded in a relatively flat position in order to be easily placed into the freezer so that the gel can be frozen for cooling purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Inventor: Richard Morris
  • Patent number: 5490393
    Abstract: An absorption chiller having a generator absorber heat exchanger with a split device for directing a first portion of strong solution from the absorber to the generator at a first temperature, while simultaneously directing a second portion of strong solution from the absorber to the generator at a second temperature. The absorption chiller operates to transfer weak solution from the generator to the absorber at a temperature of about 265.degree. F., while transferring strong solution from the absorber to the generator at two different temperatures--preferably about 210.degree. F. and about 240.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Robur Corporation
    Inventors: Dale A. Fuesting, William E. Stephan, Richard H. Merrick
  • Patent number: 5488783
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a diffuser for a hair dryer comprising a diffuser body which is adapted to be secured to the nozzle of the hair dryer and includes a plurality of hair pickup elements (9, 10, 11) extending away from the diffuser body. At least one of the hair pickup elements (9, 10) is movably arranged on the diffuser body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: James W. Parkinson, Dieter Liebenthal
  • Patent number: 5488915
    Abstract: A method of operating an industrial furnace comprising the steps of; drawing a first gas flow of ambient air into the furnace; removing constituents of the first gas flow to increase the relative oxygen content of the remaining first gas flow, the removed constituents of the first gas flow comprising a second gas flow; firing the furnace using at least part of the remaining first gas flow as an oxidising medium; drawing waste gases from the furnace in a third gas flow; combining the second gas flow and the third gas flow; and releasing the combined second and third gas flows from the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Vert Investments Limited
    Inventor: Keith R. McNeill
  • Patent number: 5485686
    Abstract: The invention resides in a process air dryer system for plastics processing machines and method for drying process air comprising two desiccant towers repeatedly alternating between process and regeneration cycles. In addition to conventional bottom heaters, each tower has an additional generally central heater so as to reduce the time required to regenerate saturated desiccant. When a tower is undergoing regeneration of its desiccant, generally centrally heaters aid conventional bottom heaters in drying saturated desiccant so as to reduce conventional regeneration cycle time by as much as 25% to 30%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Dri-Air Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles F. Sears, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5485683
    Abstract: A centrifuge extractor designed for reclaiming industrial fluids from absorbent matts and pads is characterized by a fixed cylindrical housing and a rotating cylindrical screen concentrically arranged within the housing to define inner and outer housing chambers. With fluid laden matts and pads arranged in the inner chamber, the screen is rotated to separate the fluids from the matts and pads. The fluids pass through the screen and exit the outer chamber through an outlet at the bottom thereof. The fluids pass through coarse and fine particulate filters. Thus, the matts and pads are reusable and the fluids may be reused or recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Charles M. Neal
    Inventor: Glenn D. Morgan
  • Patent number: 5483754
    Abstract: The invention relates to the heat treatment of continuously moving length of textile material in a treatment apparatus with at least two successive treatment zones by means of hot gas. After it has been heated, all of the exhaust gas from the first treatment zone is introduced into the second treatment zone as fresh gas. An exhaust gas branch stream drawn off at the end of the second treatment zone is afterburned. The exhaust gas branch stream which has been heated in this way first of all preheats the second exhaust gas branch stream coming from the second treatment zone, and before being discharged into the atmosphere the exhaust gas branch stream coming from the first treatment zone and the fresh air air heated. In this way extremely economic operation of the entire treatment apparatus is provided, with reliable purification and disposable of the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Bruckner Trockentechnik GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Harry Gresens
  • Patent number: 5483756
    Abstract: A clothes dryer includes a housing, a back wall being joined to the housing, an at least approximately horizontally rotatably supported laundry drum having at least one bottom, and a bearing journal supporting the at least one bottom on the back wall. The bearing journal has a spherical bearing-relevant surface being secured to the back wall. The drum bottom has at least one bearing shell tightly embracing the spherical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Bosch-Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhard Heyder
  • Patent number: 5482458
    Abstract: A rotary kiln (10) is employed which is inclined downwardly from its charge end (12) to its discharge end (14) and has a maximum length to breadth ratio of 5:1. The interior space of the kiln (10) is heated by means of at least one burner (B1, B2) directed into the kiln from one end thereof to a substantially constant elevated process temperature. Material is fed into the kiln (10) so that it occupies a maximum of 10% of the cross-sectional area of the internal space of the kiln (10) at the charge end (12). Upon entering the kiln the material is subjected almost immediately to the required process temperature. As it moves along the bottom of the kiln (10) from the charge to the discharge end (14), heat transfer to the material is primarily by radiation from the combustion space and from the lining of the kiln (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Inventor: Robin A. Kyffin
  • Patent number: 5479783
    Abstract: In an absorption chiller comprising at least two chiller modules connected to each other and a method therefor in which an evaporator, an absorber, a condenser, a low-temperature generator, a high-temperature generator, a heat exchanger, an absorption solution pump and a refrigerant pump are functionally connected to one another, and gas, oil, vapor or exhaust gas discharged from a gas turbine, a diesel engine or another process is used as a heat source for the low-temperature generator or the high-temperature generator, the at least two chiller modules are connected to each other such that chilled water flows through the respective chiller modules in series while cooling water flows through the respective chiller modules in parallel, and that directions of flow of the chilled water and the cooling water are longitudinally reverse to each other in at least one chiller module which includes a final outlet for the chilled water, and, in the absorber of each chiller module, absorption solution is sprayed in at l
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuichiro Uchida
  • Patent number: 5477696
    Abstract: A temperature t.sub.hg of a solution 23a heated and concentrated in a generator 5, an outlet temperature t.sub.r of chilled water 21a flowed from an evaporator 1, and an outlet temperature t.sub.r of a flow of cooling water 22 fed from an absorber 2 to a condenser 4 are detected. A maximum allowable heating quantity Q* of generator 5 is calculated by means of a temperature t.sub.hg, t.sub.r and t.sub.c. A present heating quantity Q of generator 5 is controlled so as not to exceed a calculated maximum allowable heating quantity Q*. It is possible to prevent a heating quantity of the generator 5 from being excessively restricted and to prevent solution 23a from crystallizing at an outlet 6a of the heat exchanger 6. Further, loss of heat which occurs owing to returning generated refrigerant 24 to the concentrated solution 23a is obviated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Kawaju Reinetsu Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuhzo Takahata, Kunihiko Nakajima
  • Patent number: 5477847
    Abstract: A heating device including a first exothermic member disposed below a subject to be heated for preventing heat radiation from the subject while heating the subject from below, a second exothermic member disposed above the subject for preventing heat radiation from the subject while heating the subject from above, and a base or sandwiching and supporting body for bearing the subject sandwiched between the first exothermic member and the second exothermic member while securing a space under the first exothermic member. The heating device is convenient to carry about and capable of easily heating a food or the like without rapidly generating a great amount of heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Kiribai Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Ueki
  • Patent number: 5477703
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a geothermal cell and recovery system comprising a heat exchange zone located in the earth and separated from the earth by an impermeable barrier. A housing containing a fluid pump and compressor is submersed in heat exchange zone and a fluid conduit return assembly is positioned in the bottom section of the heat exchange zone. A fluid discharge assembly receives fluid from the pump and is positioned in the top section of the heat exchange zone. An underground heat pipe extends through the heat exchange zone. Back-fill material is positioned around the underground heat pipe and the housing heat pump is connected to said underground heat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventors: Peter Hanchar, Harry J. Hanchar
  • Patent number: 5476071
    Abstract: In a pressurized fluidized bed boiler, furnace means is divided into at least two separate furnaces: a furnace with an evaporator and a superheater disposed therethrough, and a furnace with the superheater and a reheater disposed therethrough. The furnaces are accommodated in separate pressure vessels, respectively. Air is supplied into the pressure vessels through air pipes connected to the pressure vessels, where it is used for pressurizing the pressure vessels, and then supplied into the furnaces through their lower portions, where it is used as a combustion air. An oxygen concentration meter is mounted in an exhaust gas pipe in an outlet of the furnace, and an air flow rate adjusting valve 3 is mounted outside each of the pressure vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Babcock-Hitachi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akio Nishiyama, Masataka Ogasawara, Kenji Higashikawa, Kimihiro Nonaka, Taro Sakata
  • Patent number: 5474034
    Abstract: A circulating fluidized bed boiler comprises a fluidized bed combustion chamber, a recirculating system for recirculating fluidized solids through the combustion chamber, and a plurality of tubes for withstanding supercritical pressure are disposed around the walls of the combustion chamber for circulating cooling fluid between an inlet header at the bottom of the chamber and an outlet chamber at the top of the combustion chamber. A water steam separator directs steam to a superheater and is bypassed during normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Pyropower Corporation
    Inventor: Ponnusami K. Gounder
  • Patent number: RE35199
    Abstract: An automatic ventilator closure is described which operates on the basis of an over-pressure within the conduit leading up to the ventilator outlet. Electrical interlocks control a motor to place the closure in an open or closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Inventor: Hubert Gervais