Patents Examined by Jason M. Greene
  • Patent number: 11872525
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to porous media with adjustable fluid permeabilities and related systems and methods. In certain cases, the fluid permeability of a porous medium can be adjusted by applying an electrical potential to the porous medium. In some such cases, the application of the electrical potential to the porous medium results in the deposition of material over or the removal of material from the porous medium. Also disclosed herein are systems and methods for capturing species (e.g., acid gases) in which porous media with adjustable fluid permeabilities are used, for example, to control the flow of fluid into and out of a medium used to capture the species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Yayuan Liu, Trevor Alan Hatton
  • Patent number: 11866667
    Abstract: An energy efficient process for NGL recovery and production of compressed natural gas (CNG) in which natural gas is fed to a first gas separation membrane-based separation stage where it is separated into a permeate and a retentate. The high C3+ concentration first stage permeate is chilled and separated to provide liquid phase NGL and a gaseous phase. The first stage retentate is separated at a second gas membrane-based separation stage to produce a retentate meeting pipeline specifications for CNG (including hydrocarbon dewpoint) and a permeate that is recycled to the first stage. The gaseous phase, constituting a low BTU fuel, may be used in on-site power generation equipment and/or in internal combustion engines. The second stage permeate (and optionally the third stage retentate) is (are) recycled back to the first stage to enhance the production of NGL and CNG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Liquide Advanced Technologies U.S. LLC
    Inventor: Yong Ding
  • Patent number: 11857916
    Abstract: In a device for separating methane from a gas mixture containing methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, comprising a gas compressor, two or three membrane separation stages downstream of the compressor and a hydrogen sulfide adsorber, comprising a bed of activated carbon having catalytic activity for oxidizing hydrogen sulfide with oxygen, arranged upstream of the membrane separation stages, oxygen content and relative humidity can be adjusted for optimum adsorption capacity of the hydrogen sulfide adsorber by recycling permeate from the second membrane separation stage, which receives the retentate of the first membrane separation stage, to a point upstream of the hydrogen sulfide adsorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Evonik Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Florian Winkler
  • Patent number: 11857903
    Abstract: A cover for a filter system for filtering a fluid has a fluid channel arranged at an inner side of the cover. The cover has a rim and at least one opening arranged in the rim to allow the fluid to pass through, wherein the opening is connected in fluid communication with the fluid channel. The fluid channel is connected in fluid communication with the interior of a filter element of the filter system. A seal for the cover has a first sealing ring and a second sealing connected to each other by flanks. The filter system has a housing with a housing part that is closable by the cover. A filter element is exchangeably arranged in the housing, and the fluid channel of the cover is connected in fluid communication to the interior of the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventors: Pascal Neef, Torsten Fritzsching, Philipp Hettkamp, Mario Rieger
  • Patent number: 11857915
    Abstract: A gas separator includes a separation membrane complex in which a separation membrane with pores having a mean pore diameter less than or equal to 1 nm is formed on a porous support, and a gas supply part that supplies a mixed gas including CO2 and another gas from the side of the separation membrane to the separation membrane complex. Then, CO2 in the mixed gas is caused to permeate through the separation membrane and the support and is separated from the mixed gas in a state in which at least part of a permeation surface of the support, from which a gas having permeated through the separation membrane is exhausted, has a temperature lower by 10° C. or more than the temperature of the mixed gas before being supplied to the separation membrane complex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Noda, Kenji Yajima, Katsuya Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11850549
    Abstract: A dehumidification mechanism for an appliance includes a blower that delivers humid process air along an airflow path. A drum is positioned along the airflow path. A condensing apparatus dehumidifies the humid air to define dehumidified air. A membrane has a plurality of nanopores that define a portion of the airflow path within the condensing apparatus. The humid air is delivered along the membrane having the plurality of nanopores and the nanopores operate through capillary condensation to dehumidify the humid air and separate condensate away from the humid air to define the dehumidified air. The condensate removed by the nanopore membrane is delivered away from the airflow path and to a condensate collection area within the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher A Hartnett
  • Patent number: 11845027
    Abstract: Fibrous filter medium that includes a surface-loading filter layer comprising fine fibers having an average diameter of less than 1 micron; a depth loading filter layer; and a support layer; wherein the layers are configured and arranged for placement in a gas stream with the surface loading filter layer being the most upstream layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Qiong Gao, Richard Patrick DeJong, Gregory S. Tronnes, Jason A. Tiffany, Giancarlo M. Izzi
  • Patent number: 11839855
    Abstract: A filter medium is provided. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the filter medium is implemented by including: a porous second support and a nanofiber web which are sequentially stacked on each of an upper portion and a lower portion of a first support; and a channel through which a filtrate filtered in the nanofiber web flows in a direction of the first support, wherein the first support, the second support, and the nanofiber web satisfy predetermined conditions on a basis weight and a thickness of each layer. In a water treatment operation of the filter medium, the shape, structural deformation, and damage of the filter medium can be minimized, excellent filtration efficiency can be implemented, and a channel can be smoothly secured, thereby securing high flux. In addition, even at high pressure applied during backwashing, the filter medium has an extended use period due to excellent durability of the filter medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: AMOGREENTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ui Young Jeong, In Yong Seo
  • Patent number: 11827647
    Abstract: Compositions, devices, and methods relating to the use of mixed-matrix membranes containing metal-organic frameworks to separate gases are generally described. In some embodiments, branched nanoparticles made at least in part of metal-organic frameworks are described. In some embodiments, the morphology and size of the branched nanoparticles are controlled by the presence of a chemical modulator during synthesis. In some embodiments, the branched nanoparticles are uniformly distributed in a mixed-matrix membrane. In some embodiments, the mixed-matrix membrane is configured to separate one or more gases from a gas mixture. In some embodiments, the branched nanoparticles contribute at least in part to an increase in permeability, selectivity, and/or resistance to plasticization of the mixed-matrix membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Aramco Services Company
    Inventors: Zachary Smith, Lucas Chi, Benjamin James Sundell, Ke Zhang, Steven C. Hayden, Daniel J. Harrigan, Hyunhee Lee
  • Patent number: 11819790
    Abstract: Articles and methods involving filter media are generally provided. In certain embodiments, the filter media includes at least a first layer, a second layer, and an adhesive resin positioned between the first layer and the second layer. In some embodiments, the first layer may be a pre-filter layer or a support layer. The second layer may, for example, comprise fibers formed by a solution spinning process and/or may comprise fine fibers. In some embodiments, the adhesive resin may be present in a relatively low amount and/or may have a low glass transition temperature. The filter media as a whole may have one or more advantageous properties, including one or more of a high stiffness, a high bond strength between the first layer and the second layer, a high gamma, and/or a low increase in air resistance after being subjected to an IPA vapor discharge. The filter media may be, for example, a HEPA filter and/or an ULPA filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Hollingsworth & Vose Company
    Inventors: Sudhakar Jaganathan, Douglas M. Guimond, Carrie Liu
  • Patent number: 11813563
    Abstract: An adsorptive gas separation process and system is provided for separating at least a first component from a multi-component fluid mixture, or specifically for separating carbon dioxide from a combustion gas stream. The adsorptive gas separation process comprises an adsorbing step, a first regenerating step, an optional second regenerating step and an optional conditioning step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Svante Inc.
    Inventors: Andre Boulet, Soheil Khiavi
  • Patent number: 11813561
    Abstract: Pleated filtration media, filtration media packs, and filtration elements containing projections are disclosed. The pleated filtration media includes projections on at least one surface, the projections configured to engage adjacent media sheets so as to reduce masking of the media. The pleated media and media pleat packs contain protrusions on the surface of the media. These protrusions are three dimensional structures that are on the surface of the media and are provided by forming the protrusion directly in the filtration media or applying structures, such as adhesive beads, or onto one or both faces of the media. Elongation of the adhesive bead can facilitate greater separation of the adjacent faces of pleated media if desired. These protrusions, also referred to herein as projections or dimples, can either contact each other or contact flat media and keep adjacent media faces from becoming in intimate contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Buettner, Gregg T. Geiger, Paul A. Way
  • Patent number: 11813571
    Abstract: A submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus uses low temperature concentrate or brine from the desalination apparatus to provide a high volume cold liquid stream to an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) heat engine. The OTEC engine also employs a warm liquid stream and uses the cold and warm liquid streams to obtain electrical power from a closed-cycle or open-cycle heat exchange and generator system. Use of the concentrate or brine stream provides a much greater liquid volume and much greater cold thermal energy content than would be obtained by using cold desalinated product water from the desalination apparatus in the OTEC heat engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: NATURAL OCEAN WELL CO.
    Inventors: Robert A. Bergstrom, Michael M. Porter
  • Patent number: 11806661
    Abstract: Provided are a polymer having a constituent component represented by formula (I) below, a method for producing the polymer, a diamine compound suitable as a raw material for the polymer, a gas separation membrane haying a gas separation layer including the polymer, and a gas separation module and a gas separation apparatus that have the gas separation membrane. In the formula (I), RA, RB, and RC represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a halogen atom. Herein, at least one of RA, RB, or RC represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a halogen atom. The alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is not trifluoromethyl and ** represents linking sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Hironaka
  • Patent number: 11806656
    Abstract: This document presents an apparatus for a flexible air filter media that can be configured for shipping and storage having one or more flexible inserts mounted to the filter media along one or more portions of the accordion folds of the air filter material. The current invention permits the air filter apparatus to fold along both X and Y axes, create a tri-fold, and bend in a manner that provides for a much smaller volume for shipping purposes. The invention also permits attaching the flexible material to the center of the filter media and also inserts which allow sections of the air filter media to be nested one into another to reduce both shipping and storage volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: SECOND NATURE BRANDS, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin James Barry, Thaddeus Worth Tarkington
  • Patent number: 11806660
    Abstract: Carbon dioxide gas in a high-pressure gas to be treated is stably separated using a separation membrane. Upon separating carbon dioxide gas in a high-pressure gas to be treated using a separation membrane module including a separation membrane, a preliminary boosted gas is supplied to the separation membrane module before the supply of natural gas is started to boost a pressure on a primary side of the separation membrane to a preliminary pressure between a stand-by pressure and an operating pressure. Thus, when the supply of a high-pressure gas to be treated is started to increase the pressure of the separation membrane module to an operating pressure, an abrupt decrease in temperature of the gas to be treated can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: JGC Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Teratani, Syuichi Oguro, Hiroaki Hasegawa, Junya Okazaki
  • Patent number: 11806678
    Abstract: An article having a nanoporous membrane and a nanoporous graphene sheet layered on the nanoporous membrane. A method of: depositing a layer of a diblock copolymer onto a graphene sheet, and etching a minor phase of the diblock copolymer and a portion of the graphene in contact with the minor phase to form a nanoporous article having a nanoporous graphene sheet and a nanoporous layer of a polymer. A method of: depositing a hexaiodo-substituted macrocycle onto a substrate having a Ag(111) surface; coupling the macrocycle to form a nanoporous graphene sheet; layering the graphene sheet and substrate onto a nanoporous membrane with the graphene sheet in contact with the nanoporous membrane; and etching away the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Manoj K. Kolel-Veetil, Paul E. Sheehan
  • Patent number: 11801478
    Abstract: To regenerate, by a simple method, an inorganic separation membrane separating non-hydrocarbon gas contained in treatment target gas. Provided in separating the non-hydrocarbon gas contained in the treatment target gas is a regeneration gas supply path supplying moisture-containing regeneration gas to a primary side of the inorganic separation membrane in a separation membrane module. As a result, it is possible to regenerate the inorganic separation membrane by supplying moisture-containing CO2 gas to the inorganic separation membrane and then supplying dry natural gas. Accordingly, there is no need to use dry regeneration gas and the CO2 gas supplied via, for example, a pipeline can be used as it is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: JGC Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hasegawa, Syuichi Oguro, Shogo Teratani, Junya Okazaki, Mizuki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 11794144
    Abstract: A CO2 concentration device has an adsorbent body formed from sheet material. Solid adsorbent particles are adhered onto at least a single surface of the sheet material and then the sheet material is wound onto itself or laminated in layers. The adsorbent body is divided into at least into a processing zone and a regeneration zone. CO2 is adsorbed in the processing zone when the processing zone is wet with water and a CO2 containing gas is passed through. The regeneration zone desorbs CO2 when saturated steam is passed through. Condensation heat from the steam condensing causes CO2 desorption. The solid adsorbent particles may be aligned in a linear or a staggered arrangement when the solid adsorbent particles are adhered to the sheet material to follow a gas flow and form gas introduction paths between adjacent layers of the sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: SEIBU GIKEN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Okano
  • Patent number: 11786870
    Abstract: Disclosed are a CMS membrane, characterized in that it is obtainable by pyrolysis of a polyimide composed of the monomers 1-(4-aminophenyl)-1,3,3-trimethyl-2H-inden-5-amine and 5-(1,3-dioxo-2-benzofuran-5-carbonyl-2-benzofuran-1,3-dione of the following formulae: preferably by pyrolysis of the polyimide having the CAS number 62929-02-6, and a supported CMS membrane comprising a CMS membrane obtainable from a polyimide by pyrolysis and a porous support, characterized in that a mesoporous intermediate layer is provided between the CMS membrane and the porous support. Further disclosed are a process for preparing the supported membrane, the use of the membranes for separating gas mixtures or liquid mixtures, an apparatus for gas separation or for liquid separation, and the use of the polyimide for preparing a CMS membrane by pyrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
    Inventors: Patrick Tchoua Ngamou, Mariya E. Ivanova, Wilhelm Albert Meulenberg, Olivier Guillon