Patents Examined by Jonathan Miller
  • Patent number: 11959043
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method for extracting a plant essential oil with dual auxiliaries, which includes: using an aromatic plant as a raw material, adding an extracting liquid prepared from the dual auxiliaries and water, stirring evenly for raw material wetting back, then distilling and collecting the essential oil, where the dual auxiliaries include a component A and a component B, the component A includes at least one of choline chloride and betaine, and the component B includes at least one of a natural acid, an amine, an alcohol and a saccharide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SHANGHAI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jing Hu, Weijun Deng, Fucheng Wei
  • Patent number: 11959023
    Abstract: A pyrolyser including (i) a pyrolysis chamber defining an interior compartment having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the pyrolysis chamber includes a feed inlet, a product outlet, an exhaust gas outlet, and an operational length comprising a linear distance from the feed inlet to the product outlet; (ii) a trough located in the lower portion of the interior compartment and extending through the pyrolysis chamber along the operational length of the pyrolysis chamber; and (iii) a material handling system comprising an paddle auger located within the trough and configured to convey biomass from the feed inlet towards the product outlet; wherein the paddle auger comprises an auger shaft, a plurality of sets of paddles directly or indirectly connected to the auger shaft, and a plurality of flights interconnecting the plurality of paddles is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: APPLIED GAIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sheila Macdonald Kyger, Sebastian Burn
  • Patent number: 11958200
    Abstract: An automatic robotic arm system and a coordinating method for robotic arm and computer vision thereof are disclosed. A beam-splitting mirror splits an incident light into a visible light and a ranging light and respectively guides to an image capturing device and an optical ranging device arranged in the different reference axes. In a calibration mode, a transformation relation is computed based on a plurality of the calibration postures and corresponding calibration images. In an operation mode, a mechanical space coordinate is determined based on an operation image and the transformation relation, and the robotic arm is controlled to move based on the mechanical space coordinate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Hung-Hsin Chen, Chia-Jun Yu, Qi-Ming Huang, Chin-Lun Chang, Keng-Ning Chang
  • Patent number: 11951435
    Abstract: A vapor separation system including a cooler having an inlet configured to receive an air-oil-water mixture, and an outlet configured to discharge separated oil and water in two different phases of matter. A first sensor is at the outlet of the cooler. A controller is communicatively coupled to the cooler, wherein the controller is configured to receive temperature feedback from the first sensor, and increase or reduce the amount of cooling, with the cooler and based on the temperature feedback, the oil-water mixture to a separation temperature configured to liquefy at least a portion of the oil in the air-oil-water mixture, while maintaining at least a portion of the water in the air-oil-water mixture in a vaporized state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Victor Alfonso Gonzalez Tellez, Tho V. Nguyen, Haitham J. Khamissi, Oswaldo Alberto Sanchez Rubio, Douglas A. Jones
  • Patent number: 11951416
    Abstract: A system includes an evaporator having sensors and selectable operational parameters and a controller configured to receive data and determine operational configuration for the evaporator. Selectable parameters relate to system heating, liquid flow rate, air flow rate, and environmental data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Mustafa F. Kaddoura, Natasha C. Wright
  • Patent number: 11946642
    Abstract: Provided is a waste water incineration method including (S10) supplying waste water to an evaporator to evaporate the waste water, (S20) supplying an evaporator top discharge stream discharged from the evaporator to an incinerator to incinerate the discharge stream, (S30) mixing a first incinerator discharge stream and a second incinerator discharge stream discharged from the incinerator to form a mixed discharge stream, and (S40) heat-exchanging the mixed discharge stream and a fresh air stream in a first heat exchanger, wherein the mixed discharge stream which has passed through the first heat exchanger is heat-exchanged in a second heat exchanger and discharged to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Tae Woo Kim, Sung Kyu Lee
  • Patent number: 11944919
    Abstract: An improved surface evaporation system where droplet size and spray configuration is controlled and modified based upon ambient conditions in order to prevent the spreading of salts and other contaminants outside of a treatment pit or specific area. Water droplet size can be controlled by adjustment of the spray nozzle side. Increasing the nozzle size to increase droplet size results in a reduction of mist travel direction (i.e., drift distance). Reducing the nozzle size decreases the droplet size, and increases drift distance. Similarly, changing the configuration of the spray will affect drift distance. For example, changing the spray direction and height from a vertical spray direction to a flatter, more horizontal direction (with resulting greater area) results in a substantially decreased drift distance. In addition, the system also takes into account the effects of wind speed and direction and humidity. Evaporation modules may use standard spray nozzles, or ultrasonic evaporators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: HYDROZONIX, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Patton
  • Patent number: 11938425
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a multi-bubbling region column tray and a corresponding plate column. The multi-bubbling region column tray includes: at least two bubbling regions, provided with first openings for liquid and gas to be mixed and in contact with each other; and at least one non-side downcomer, including at least one hanging downcomer, where the hanging downcomer has a bottom part which includes one or more second openings allowing the liquid to flow toward a lower left side, and one or more third openings allowing the liquid to flow toward a lower right side; and the bottom part of the hanging downcomer is designed to separate the liquid flowing out from the one or more second openings and the liquid flowing out from the one or more third openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Beijing Zehua Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Runxing Xie, Hongping Tang, Changzhi Wang
  • Patent number: 11938414
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for microfluidic fluid evaporation using femtosecond laser-patterned surfaces are disclosed. A microfluidic device may comprise a femtosecond laser-patterned substrate having at least one input path and at least one output path. The femtosecond laser-patterned substrate may comprise both superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic sections. Fluid deposited at an input path may be wicked to an output path due to the surface pattern. A heating device may be provided to heat the fluid to evaporate volatiles therefrom. Vacuums and gas streams may be used to aid in volatile removal. Gas streams may add gas to the microfluidic device to react with the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Connor Daniel Pearson, Sabrina Marie Wells Torres
  • Patent number: 11940187
    Abstract: A water treatment system of coupling a heat pump with multi-effect evaporation that comprises a lithium bromide absorption-type heat pump circulation system, a multi-effect evaporation circulation system and a compression-type heat pump circulation system is provided. The vapor in a tail-end evaporator of the multi-effect evaporation circulation system is introduced into a generator in the absorption-type heat pump to release heat and condense. A dilute solution in an absorber of the absorption-type heat pump is introduced into a first-effect evaporator to be evaporated by a treated water, and a condensation heat of the vapor generated by the generator of the absorption-type heat pump is recovered by an evaporator of a compressor heat pump, and another air source evaporator absorbs heat from ambient air to supply heat for the generator by a heat pump condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: JIANGSU UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jiubing Shen, Lele Jiang, Wenbin Wei, Yang Chen
  • Patent number: 11939238
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and a method for hydrate-based wastewater treatment and cold storage. The apparatus for hydrate-based wastewater treatment and cold storage includes a water chilling unit, a hydrate-based cold storage tank, an airflow disturbance device, a water layer positioning system, a spraying system, a suction filtration system, a heat exchange system, and a system monitoring device. The water chilling unit provides a secondary refrigerant at a low temperature. The secondary refrigerant flows through an evaporator coil in the hydrate-based cold storage tank for heat exchange. The airflow disturbance device induces hydrate nucleation. The water layer positioning system positions a contact surface between a water layer and a hydrate former after hydrate decomposition to facilitate drawing and separation of the treated upper water layer. The spraying system and the suction filtration system enhance the solid-liquid separation efficiency to improve the removal rate of pollutants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: DALIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Lunxiang Zhang, Yongchen Song, Xiaodong Wu, Jiazhu Bao, Chuanxiao Cheng, Zheng Ling, Jie Wang, Fan Wang, Yu Liu, Lei Yang, Mingjun Yang, Yanghui Li, Peng Wu
  • Patent number: 11926538
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the technical field of wastewater treatment, and provides a wastewater treatment method and apparatus based on hydrate-based water vapor adsorption. The apparatus includes a wastewater evaporation zone, a hydrate formation zone, a hydrate decomposition zone, and a data acquisition and control system. Rising water vapor and condensed water formed during evaporation of wastewater at normal temperature react with a hydrate former on a cooling wall surface to form a hydrate, continuous evaporation of the wastewater is promoted, the hydrate is scraped off to a collecting zone below by a scraper after being formed, and the hydrate is decomposed into fresh water, thereby realizing wastewater treatment. The present disclosure provides a method for treating complex wastewater containing a plurality of pollutants, where water vapor is consumed to form the hydrate to promote wastewater evaporation, and water obtained from the decomposition does not contain pollutants theoretically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: DALIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Yongchen Song, Lunxiang Zhang, Huilian Sun, Zheng Ling, Jiafei Zhao, Lingjie Sun, Lei Yang, Mingjun Yang, Yu Liu, Weiguo Liu, Yanghui Li, Xiang Sun, Lanlan Jiang
  • Patent number: 11920087
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a vessel having an interior chamber formed by a vessel wall. The vessel wall comprises a double-walled structure having an inner wall and an outer wall. A moveable lid is configured to form an airtight seal with the interior chamber in a closed position. A basket is positioned within the chamber. One or more vibration devices, such as transducers, are attached to the basket. A heating coil is positioned within the chamber and surrounding the basket. The heating coil is configured to heat the basket using induction heating. An airtight space is formed between the inner wall and the outer wall and is filled with a gas. The temperature within the chamber may be lowered by cooling the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventor: Terry O'Malley
  • Patent number: 11885760
    Abstract: A system for product water output. The system includes a controller, a first conductivity sensor in communication with the controller, a first product valve downstream from the first conductivity sensor and in communication with the controller, a second product valve downstream from the first product valve and in communication with the controller, a second conductivity sensor downstream from the second product valve and in communication with the controller, and a divert valve downstream from the first conductivity sensor and upstream from the first product valve and in communication with the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Ryan Keith LaRocque, Russell H. Beavis, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Andrew A. Schnellinger
  • Patent number: 11884621
    Abstract: A process for the separation of a natural gas stream is provided. The process includes receiving an effluent gas flow from a first fractionator operating at a first pressure, splitting the effluent gas flow into a first stream and a second stream, and passing the first stream through a heat exchanger thereby causing a phase change of at least a portion of the first stream from a gaseous state to a liquid state. The process includes inserting the first stream into an upper portion of a second fractionator operating at a second pressure. The second pressure is lower than the first pressure. The process includes inserting the second stream into a lower portion of the second fractionator, and diverting liquids from a lower portion of the second fractionator to the first fractionator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Enerflex US Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy W. Oneal
  • Patent number: 11884555
    Abstract: A fluid vapor distillation apparatus. The apparatus includes a source fluid input, and an evaporator condenser apparatus. The evaporator condenser apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical housing and a plurality of tubes in the housing. The source fluid input is fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser and the evaporator condenser transforms source fluid into steam and transforms compressed steam into product fluid. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a heat exchanger fluidly connected to the source fluid input and a product fluid output. The heat exchanger includes an outer tube and at least one inner tube. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a regenerative blower fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser. The regenerative blower compresses steam, and the compressed steam flows to the evaporative condenser where compressed steam is transformed into product fluid. The fluid vapor distillation apparatus also includes a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Ryan K. LaRocque, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Stephen M. Ent, Andrew A. Schnellinger, Prashant Bhat, Stanley B. Smith, III, Otis L. Clapp
  • Patent number: 11878260
    Abstract: A phase separation assembly includes a stand pipe configured to be located at a bottom of a distillation column, the stand pipe for directing a liquid phase of a hydrocarbon fluid through a bottom outlet to a heating assembly; a return conduit configured to direct heated hydrocarbon fluid from the heating assembly into the distillation column; a ring baffle configured to be located within the distillation column above the return conduit; and a horizontal plate configured to be disposed above the stand pipe. The ring baffle directs the heated hydrocarbon fluid around the inner circumferential wall of the distillation column so that vapor and liquid phases can separate. Weir features on the ring baffle can facilitate separation of vapor and liquid flows of the hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventor: Huping Luo
  • Patent number: 11878264
    Abstract: A system for a water producing device, which includes a renewable energy power system, an automated control module an atmospheric condenser system, a conveyor, an aquatic suction device, a water reservoir, and a water purification system. The components of the system are work conjointly to produce and process fresh water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Hydronomy, Inc.
    Inventors: Brittany Kendrick, Korey Salter, Xavier Henderson
  • Patent number: 11872514
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for producing fresh water from moisture-laden air. The apparatus has a frame supporting a plurality of condensation panels that each have a panel body defining a pair of condensation surfaces that will contact the moisture-laden air. A panel support mechanism supports each of the condensation panels in spaced apart relation to each other so each condensation surface contacts moisture-laden air. A flow channel inside the panel body defines a flow path for a cooling fluid that cools the condensation surfaces so the moisture-laden air will produce condensate thereon that collects as fresh water. The system includes a plurality of apparatuses, a chilling mechanism to cool the cooled fluid, inlet and discharge lines connecting the chilling mechanism and apparatuses, pumps to pressurize the cooled fluid, fans to move the moisture-laden air and water collecting surfaces to collect the fresh water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventor: Robert Jesse Flores
  • Patent number: 11865473
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus consistent with the present disclosure may provide electrical energy and thermal to extraction or separation equipment. Methods and apparatus consistent with the present disclosure may extract and concentrate essential elements plant matter. An amount of wasted heat energy collected from a engine that powers an electrical generator may be provided to an evaporation or separation process when electrical power is provided to extraction or separation processing equipment. Computers or electronics that control equipment consistent with the present disclosure may be remotely controlled via a mobile electronic device, when desired. Such computers or electronics may receive sensor data related to the operation of plat matter extractors, related separation equipment, or other equipment may be used to manage a production line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew David Hospodor, Robert James Rapp