Patents Examined by John Adee
  • Patent number: 4683056
    Abstract: Cold trap apparatus for the purification of liquid metal such as sodium comprises a cooled vessel (20) within which a number of concentric cylinders (23) are located such that the liquid metal flow takes place downwardly in the gap between the vessel (20) and the outermost cylinder (23) and upwardly along the gaps between the cylinders (23). The cylinders (23) present extended surfaces across which the liquid metal flows with deposition of solute (24) along such surfaces. The surfaces of the cylinders (23) may be of a roughened nature with respect to the liquid metal flow, e.g. they may be covered with a single layer mesh (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: John Humphries, Neil S. Morrison
  • Patent number: 4680110
    Abstract: A fuel processor device is described which is particularly adapted for replacing existing fuel filters of diesel powered machines and fuel consuming devices. The fuel processor designs described have inlet and outlet passages within their upper surface and include a lower plate assembly which provides a mounting location for various elements such as water sensors, drain valves, temperature sensors and heaters which are provided in accordance with the user's needs. The lower plate assembly may be mounted directly to a housing by a through bolt or matching threads or may be made integral with the fuel processor housing. The fuel processor device may include an integral throwaway filter element or the element may be integrated with the fuel processor housing. Various control means may be employed in connection with the fuel processor disclosed wherein the automatic drain water or other accumulated impurities from the lower portion of the fuel processor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: Davco Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Leland L. Davis
  • Patent number: 4671870
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for overpressured thin-layer chromatographic technique, comprising at least one carrier plate arranged adjacent a closed space, a sorbent layer arranged on the surface of said carrier plate, means for covering the surface of said sorbent layer under influence of overpressure generated in said closed space, a first inlet for admitting solvent to said sorbent layer, a second inlet for admitting overpressurizing medium into said closed space, a heating unit for altering temperature of said sorbent layer and a temperature control unit for energizing said heating unit. The apparatus according to the invention ensures improved efficiency of the chromatographic developments carried out under overpressure. By means of the apparatus chromatograms can be obtained with increasing speed of separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Inventors: Ildiko F. Tompa, Attila Nagy, Erno Tyihak, Szabolcs Nyiredy, Gizella V. Petri, Sandor Meszaros, Laszlo Szepesy, Laszlo Vida, Emil Mincsovics, Gabor Kemeny, Piroska Baranyi
  • Patent number: 4663036
    Abstract: An improved drop box for septic systems is disclosed including a generally rectangular-shaped, tapered box member, a plurality of invert openings formed on the sidewalls thereof, a locking lid having structural support elements operable to transfer weight carried by the lid to the box's sidewalls, and improved seal means snap-fitted to each invert opening which act to sealingly receive a drain pipe forcibly inserted therethrough. A membrane-type seal plug is provided to block off any unused invert opening. An alternate version of the improved seal means having turbine-blade stiffening means is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Tuf-Tite, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick P. Strobl, Jr., Theodore W. Meyers
  • Patent number: 4657676
    Abstract: Sedimentation field flow fractionation apparatus having a rotor-mounted fractionation column, has detectors positioned to observe the fluids from the column while still in the rotor. Designs include parallel reference and fractionation columns having their outflows compared in a rotor-mounted fluid flow density balance. Optionally weired channel columns provide a free fluid surface for more efficient resolution. Horizontal rotational axes are preferred. Rotor-mounted fluid flow density balances are also provided which are suitable for detecting liquid density changes in the other applications, such as liquid chromatography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventors: Colin M. Keary, David Shepherd
  • Patent number: 4655923
    Abstract: An industrial desilter apparatus includes a manifold having inflow and outflow conduits of invariant diameter, a plurality of cyclone separators in communication with the manifold, and one or more adaptor members for connecting the tubular inflow and/or outflow portions of a cyclone separator having any diameter with the corresponding inflow and/or outflow conduits of the manifold. A set of adaptors includes a first singularly-constructed, tubular member for connecting the inflow portion of said cyclone separator having any diameter to the inflow conduit of the manifold and a second singularly-constructed, tubular member for connecting an outflow portion of said cyclone separator having any diameter to the corresponding outflow conduit of the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Inventor: Vincent D. Leone
  • Patent number: 4655911
    Abstract: A filter device is disclosed in which the filter element is made to spin about itself during reverse-flow, flushing operational stage thereof. The device comprises a sprinkle member rotatably supported inside the filter element. Reaction forces generated by water jets forced through the sprinkle member cause its rotation, and the filter element is then caused to rotate by the jets sprayed against its inner surface. In a preferred embodiment disclosed, the filter is of the disc-type, provided with a hydraulic cylinder adapted to release the compact engagement of the disc. The discs become separated from each other, each disc being imparted the rotational movement of the rotating jets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: AR-KAL Plastics Products Beit Zera (1973)
    Inventor: Elhanan Tabor
  • Patent number: 4655910
    Abstract: Liquid filter devices, particularly for irrigation systems are known to comprise automatic, periodic reverse-flow rinsing arrangements, whereby water is flushed in the opposite direction to release clogged particles from the filter member. The disclosed devices utilize the reverse, flushing water flow to release the filter member of the device from its normal, stationary position, and rinse it by jets. The jets are also useful to impart a rotatable movement to the filter member. In the case of disc filters, the discs become released and spaced from each other, and individually spin during the rinsing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: AR-KAL Plastics Products Beit Zera (1973)
    Inventor: Elhanan Tabor
  • Patent number: 4655917
    Abstract: A chromatography column apparatus which utilizes sorbant material in a tube which has a first and second end portion. The first end portion of the tube includes a plug having a passage through the same. The plug fits in the same, adjacent the sorbant material, and is movable within the tube. An end fitting is also employed which has a portion that is placed within the tube adjacent the plug. The end fitting has a passage therethrough which communicates with the passage of the plug. A seal is used inside the tube between the plug and the end fitting. The end fitting and plug are held together. The second end portion of the tube is enclosed and also includes a passage from the interior to the exterior of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Rainin Instrument Co.
    Inventors: Carl L. Shackelford, Kenneth Rainin
  • Patent number: 4654052
    Abstract: A method and device for separating trace amounts of relatively large molecules in the gas or vapor state from a low molecular weight gas or vapor is disclosed. The method and device are particularly useful for interfacing a gas or liquid chromatograph to a mass spectrometer. The device comprises an enclosed chamber to which a vacuum system is attached. Two sample transfer columns are inserted through opposite sides in the chamber. The first column has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter or bore of the second column and the end of the first column may be moved into the bore of the second column. A second vacuum source is applied to the second transfer column. When a sample mixture in the gas or vapor state passes from the first column into the second column, the fractional split in the bulk or carrier stream between the two vacuum systems is accurately controlled solely by the diameters of the two columns and the extent to which the first column in inserted into the second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Inventor: Daryl Sharp
  • Patent number: 4652367
    Abstract: In a filter with fluid connections, an upper housing part (1) and a lower housing part (8) a flat filter blank (7) is sealingly clamped in like a sandwich between their circular and circumferential opening edges (6) and flange parts (11) in such a manner between the interconnected housing parts (1,8) that fluid can penetrate from one housing part (1) into the other housing part (8) only through the selectively permeable flat filter blank (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Sartorius GmbH
    Inventors: Fritz Reulecke, Gunter Pradel
  • Patent number: 4650588
    Abstract: A device for detecting changes in surface tension of eluant from a liquid chromatography column has in a preferred embodiment an arrangement for suspending a droplet of liquid eluting from a liquid chromatography column, a pair of electrodes in contact with the droplet, and a meter for measuring a quantity related to the resistance of the droplet of liquid.A method for measuring the surface tension of a liquid includes forming a droplet of the liquid, causing the droplet to be supported by support elements, causing each of a pair of electrodes to come into contact with a different region of the droplet, and measuring a quantity related to the resistance of the droplet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Detection Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald J. Diebold
  • Patent number: 4650576
    Abstract: Apparatus for heating and filtering diesel fuel in which incoming diesel fuel is passed in a heat-exchange relationship with already heated and filtered diesel fuel, is further heated by either an electric heater or by other means, is passed through a filter, and then is passed in a regenerative heat-exchange relationship with the incoming diesel fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: David F. Leary, Richard N. Olds
  • Patent number: 4645591
    Abstract: A self-cleaning canister type filter (1). A cylindrical canister enclosure (3) has, at one end, end plate (2) with fluid inlets (4) and outlet (6) therein. A spring-loaded hollow annular piston (30) is slideably mounted on the exterior of central tubular cylinder (10) and within upper cylinder (28) for a downward movement against compression spring (32) to initially force a back-flow of filtered fluid through filter element (14), lifting contaminant particulate solids from its filtering surface (15). Inlet valve opening (64) is opened to fluid flow when piston (30) attains a compressed position. Filter element (14) is closely spaced to canister enclosure inner wall surface (9) for rapid flow of fluid over the inlet surface (15) of the filter element (14) to scour solids to sump (5) in the lower portion of the canister enclosure (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Inventor: Benedict R. Gerulis
  • Patent number: 4639312
    Abstract: A control system has been invented for feeding settled sludge to two filter presses without the use of a surge tank. The system provides for constant feed rates from a solids settling tank, even as filter press capacity decays and the filter press is taken off stream for dumping. This is accomplished by providing two modes of operation. The first mode provides for the feeding of a single filter press. The second mode provides control when both filter presses are fed. The second mode is actuated by elevated pressure differential across a filter press, which signals the valve to move, to bring a second filter press on line while compensating for flow rate and finally shuts down the first filter press after a timed interval.The need for a surge drum is eliminated by maintaining continuous upstream and downstream operation of the filter presses in a sludge dewatering process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Deborah E. R. Quock, Timothy L. Triplett, Don E. Childress
  • Patent number: 4639318
    Abstract: A tubular filter which is primarily intended for filtration of liquid flowing substantially radially towards the interior of the filter. The filter comprises two layers (10, 11) of mineral wool. An interior layer (10) has the fibres oriented substantially concentrically to the tube axis and an outer filter layer (11) of mineral wool has the fibres oriented substantially radially to the tube axis. The material of the tubular filter must be arranged so that its density increases from the outer portion of the tubular filter towards its inner portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Gullfiber AB
    Inventor: Ralf G. Andersson
  • Patent number: 4637879
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for filtering a liquid--in particular milk. There is provided a tubular stainless steel casing (2) which has an inlet (3) and an outlet (4) for the milk. The casing (2) houses a filtering device (5) comprising a cage of metal rods (305) welded to a coiled spring (405) and which has fitted thereon a disposable filter sock (6). The filter sock (6) is held in operative position on the filtering device (5) by a collar (205) and a plug (7) adjacent the outlet (4) while at the opposite end of the casing (2) there is provided a removable lid (9) held in use in a locked position by a lock nut (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Inventor: Philip J. Hartley
  • Patent number: 4636316
    Abstract: A liquid chromatographic analytical column includes an end cap that is abutted with an end edge of a holder body when the analytical column is fully inserted into a bore in the holder body. An end cap mounted to a precolumn is compressed between the end cap of the analytical column and an end nut connected to a holder union. The holder union has a central passage that admits the precolumn therethrough and a stop that engages a ferrule placed around the precolumn to compress the ferrule against the analytical column end cap to form a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: John Harris, Nelson Cooke, Kristine Olsen
  • Patent number: 4636308
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a well drilling operation where drilling fluids are used and recycled. More particularly, it relates to novel method and apparatus for reclaiming valuable drilling fluids otherwise discarded with solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Inventor: Don D. Summers
  • Patent number: RE32694
    Abstract: This invention concerns the method of separation of Co from Ni in an aqueous solution containing Co from Ni salts, with an organic solvent containing 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester and/or 3,5,5-trimethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-3,5,5-trimethylhexyl ester and/or isodecyl phosphonic acid monoisodecyl ester as an effective extractant for the separation of Co from Ni, the method which requires fewer stages in the solvent extraction equipment and less organic solvent than the conventional method, and which can very effectively separate Co from Ni in high purity and in high yield. The continuous separation of Co from Ni according to this invention enables the separation of Co with purity above 99% in a yield above 99% and Ni with purity above 99% in a yield above 99%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Diahachi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Fujimoto, Isami Miura, Kazuo Noguchi