Patents Examined by Joseph Drodge
  • Patent number: 9320992
    Abstract: A filter appliance may include a ring filter element arranged upright in a filter having an upper end disc and a lower end disc. A component may be arranged on the lower end disc and may include at least one of a water collection pot, a projecting nipple-shaped pin and at least one key profile. A function element may be configured to be inserted in a filter housing pot of the filter appliance, the function element including a channel configured to receive the component. A lock profile may be provided on the function element, wherein the lock profile corresponds to the at least one key profile of the lower disk. The filter appliance is may be operational provided the pin engages the channel and the key profile engages in the lock profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Braunheim
  • Patent number: 9320993
    Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus includes a base portion, a medium or media, and an elongated support portion. The base portion has a first end, a second end, and a side with an exterior surface. The first end has an inlet and outlet for receiving and dispensing a water flow, respectively. The medium or media is spaced within the base portion and receives fluid through the inlet, treats the fluid, and dispenses the fluid through the outlet. The elongated support portion extends from the second end of the base portion and has a sidewall. The sidewall has an exterior facing surface that is substantially aligned with the exterior surface of the side. The elongated support portion maintains a latch assembly location for engaging a filter head assembly and is configured to withstand torsional forces applied by the user for engagement and alignment with an elongated receiving cavity of an appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ginger Elayne Patera, Steven John Kuehl, David P. Cooper
  • Patent number: 9314716
    Abstract: A customizable multi-stage fluid treatment assembly typically includes a connector, a plurality of cartridges, and a cap. The plurality of cartridges have a treatment medium spaced within an interior volume of the individual cartridges, between the ends thereof. The ends of the plurality of cartridges are configured to receive a fluid, bring the fluid into operative contact with the treatment medium, and dispense the fluid from the opposing end of the cartridge. The connector is coupled with one end of the plurality of cartridges and has an inlet and an outlet for receiving and dispensing the fluid to and from an appliance. The cap is coupled with the other end of the plurality of cartridges, enclosing the fluid treatment assembly, which is configured to be received in a cavity of an appliance. The cartridges of the plurality of cartridges may be individually replaced with cartridges to meet customized needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ginger Elayne Patera, Steven John Kuehl, Mark M. Senninger
  • Patent number: 9315739
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the alteration of the ratio of the specific gravities of the oil and water phases resulting from the conversion of biomass to liquid products, the reduction of the conductivity and of metals of the product mixture, which each can aid in the removal of solids contained in the oil phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: KiOR, LLC
    Inventors: Ed Smith, Vicente Sanchez, Jeffrey C. Trewella, Stephen J. McGovern, Royce Roemisch, Jennifer Sorrells, Leslie May, Maria Magdalena Ramirez Corredores, Rocio Maria Banda, Lorerz Bauer
  • Patent number: 9315840
    Abstract: A biomass processing system includes: a hydrolysis processing unit that decomposes, under a high-temperature/high-pressure condition, biomass feedstock in a processing tank having a gas-liquid interface, and removes a lignin component and a hemicellulose component; a biomass solid content discharge unit that discharges a biomass solid content 20 which is a hot water insoluble element; a slurrying vessel that subjects the discharged biomass solid content to slurrying; and a hot water discharge liquid introducing line L2 that introduces, into the slurrying vessel 21, a hot water discharge liquid 16 including a biomass hot-water soluble element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES MECHATRONICS SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Minoru Genta, Seiichi Terakura, Hideo Suzuki, Yoshio Kuromi, Yoshitaka Kimura
  • Patent number: 9309576
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein include one embodiment that provides a method for controlling sugar crystallization. The method includes, during a crystallization process, determining supersaturation of a sugar slurry of syrup and regulating influx of syrup into the sugar slurry to promote sugar crystallization in a closed-loop manner based upon the determined supersaturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Edward Tay
  • Patent number: 9309466
    Abstract: A method to upgrade oil wherein an oil containing material is heated with a catalyst in a turbulent environment of less than about 1 volume percent oxygen to produce a vapor phase comprising an upgraded oil. Also disclosed is a thermal desorption process in which an oil contaminated substrate is contacted with an acidic reagent to form a peptizate, and the peptizate is mixed with a combustion effluent gas under turbulent conditions at a temperature above 200° C. to form the catalyst for the oil upgrading method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Racional Energy & Environmental Company
    Inventor: Ramon Perez-Cordova
  • Patent number: 9308307
    Abstract: The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel, where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The manifold includes diaphragms adapted to minimize the dead space between the dialysis machine pins and improve responsivity. The base unit has a planar surface for receiving a container of fluid, a scale integrated with the planar surface and a heater in thermal communication with the container. Embodiments of the disclosed portable dialysis system have improved structural and functional features, including improved modularity, ease of use, and safety features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Alec Huang, Brian Thomas Kelly
  • Patent number: 9302272
    Abstract: Froth flotation processes that include adding a beneficiating amount of a value mineral collector composed of an organic ammonium salt of a sulfur-containing acid to at least one stage of a froth flotation process to recover value minerals from mineral ore bodies are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: CYTEC TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Devarayasamudram Ramachandran Nagaraj, Peter Riccio, Tarun Bhambhani, Alan S. Rothenberg, Carmina Quintanar, Bing Wang
  • Patent number: 9304518
    Abstract: Valves, pumps, detectors, sample loops, fraction collectors and the like are individually incorporated into modules that are mountable in interchangeable manner at individual mounting sites on a base unit which also supports one or more chromatography columns. Each module includes fluid connections to other modules and a microcontroller joining the module to a computed and monitor through an electronic connector at each mounting site. The fluid connections between the modules and the column(s) are removed from the electronic connections and accessible to the user. A software platform recognizes the modules and their locations, coordinates fluid connections between the modules, and provides a variety of control, monitoring, data generating and data processing functions to generate chromatographic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Iovanni, Alec Gordon, Bob Avarbock, Wayne Bland, Glenn Price, Ken Baker, Farah Mavandadi, Christof Schultz
  • Patent number: 9303924
    Abstract: A heat exchanger that is constructed with a heat exchanger shell having inlet and outlet plenums and fluid inlet and outlet ports, and a tube sheet construction disposed in the heat exchanger shell. The tube sheet construction includes at least two separate tube sheets and a plurality of tubes that extend between the separate tube sheets. Each tube sheet includes at least two planar tube sheet segments and an interstitial layer disposed between the at least two tube sheet segments, and at least one sensor element supported by each of the interstitial layers. A control monitor controls flow through the shell by a feedback control from the sensor to an inlet control valve and/or a stimulus device excites the media layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Neptune-Benson, LLC
    Inventor: Paul F. Nehlen, III
  • Patent number: 9302274
    Abstract: Formulations for value mineral collector compositions composed of at least one first collector selected from an organic ammonium salt of an organic sulfur-containing acid; and at least one second collector selected from neutral collectors and/or organic ammonium salts of an organic sulfur-containing acids, such that the second collector is different from said first collector, are provided herein, along with methods for making and using same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: CYTEC TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Devarayasamudram Ramachandran Nagaraj, Peter Riccio, Tarun Bhambhani, Alan S. Rothenberg, Carmina Quintanar, Bing Wang
  • Patent number: 9302273
    Abstract: Froth flotation processes that include adding a beneficiating amount of a value mineral collector composed of an organic ammonium salt of a sulfur-containing acid to at least one stage of a froth flotation process to recover value minerals from mineral ore bodies are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: CYTEC TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Devarayasamudram Ramachandran Nagaraj, Peter Riccio, Tarun Bhambhani, Alan S. Rothenberg, Carmina Quintanar, Bing Wang
  • Patent number: 9289703
    Abstract: Tangential flow filtration device is provided wherein liners are provided between the filtration element and the top and bottom holders or manifolds. The liners incorporate the flow channels and inlet and outlet ports, as well as a sensor mount. The liners are made of an inexpensive material and therefore are disposable after a single use, making it more cost effective to dispose of them than to clean the conventional manifolds. The sensor mount accommodates a removable sensor, and isolates it from the fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Morrissey, Dennis Wong
  • Patent number: 9289543
    Abstract: An equipment housing, in particular the housing of a blood treatment device, having a housing wall and a closing flap for closing an opening in the housing wall. The closing flap is rotatably mounted with respect to a coupling element via a second pivot whereby the coupling element is rotatably mounted with respect to the housing wall via a first pivot. With the two pivots, the closing flap 20 can be disposed in at least a second and a third opened working position, in both of which positions the opening in the housing wall is not closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Syfonios
  • Patent number: 9284206
    Abstract: Methods and systems for treating contaminated flow-back water produced by hydraulic fracture are provided. The method involves precipitating metals from the flow-back water stream in a first reaction using at least one oxidizing agent, at least one pH adjusting agent, a source of sulfate and carbonate ions, and at least one co-precipitation agent. The precipitated metals may be dewatered using a first filter and may be used as an additive to drilling mud. The flow-back water may be further purified in a second reaction by addition of at least one pH adjusting agent and hydrated lime to precipitate salts. The precipitated salts may be dewatered using a second filter and may be used as an accelerating additive to concrete. The purified flow-back water may be stabilized by the addition of at least one pH adjusting agent to provide a water stream that may be reused in the hydraulic fracture drilling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Presutti
  • Patent number: 9282847
    Abstract: The Edo Cup is an in cup open suspended, accordion type paper single cup fillable beverage disposable filter. The filter can be in several shapes and sizes and may display corporate logs, up to an including religious symbols, sayings and holiday messages. The filter may enclose flavors (in the filter paper) or be pre-soaked in flavors prior to packaging for sale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Reginald Osagie Akpata
  • Patent number: 9284383
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for conversion of cellulosic material, such as chopped straw and corn stover, and household waste, to ethanol and other products. The cellulosic material is subjected to continuous hydrothermal pre-treatment without addition of chemicals, and a liquid and a fiber fraction are produced. The fiber fraction is subjected to enzymatic liquefaction and saccharification. The method of the present invention comprises: performing the hydrothermal pre-treatment by subjecting the cellulosic material to at least one soaking operation, and conveying the cellulosic material through at least one pressurized reactor, and subjecting the cellulosic material to at least one pressing operation, creating a fiber fraction and a liquid fraction; selecting the temperature and residence time for the hydrothermal pretreatment, so that the fibrous structure of the feedstock is maintained and at least 80% of the lignin is maintained in the fiber fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: INBICON A/S
    Inventors: Borge Holm Christensen, Lena Holm Gerlach
  • Patent number: 9284867
    Abstract: An oil filter module (10) has a connection for a filter element (14) and an oil-coolant heat exchanger (12). Arranged in a housing (26, 42) is a bypass line (20) for bypassing the oil-coolant heat exchanger (12). The bypass line (20) has a valve chamber (22) with a thermostat unit (24). The thermostat unit (24) controls an oil flow through the bypass line (20) according to a temperature of the oil. The housing is made up at least of a valve housing part (26) and a heat exchanger housing part (42). The valve chamber (22) is arranged in the valve housing part (26). A base plate (40) of the heat exchanger housing part (42) closes the valve chamber (22) lengthwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GMBH
    Inventor: Herbert Jainek
  • Patent number: 9272289
    Abstract: An industrially highly useful CNT separation method is provided whereby metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs can be efficiently separated and purified in large quantities in a short time period from CNTs containing these carbon nanotubes, using inexpensive equipment and in simple steps, and whereby metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs can be separated at low cost. The CNT separation method includes adding a CNT dispersion to a powder-charged separation vessel to selectively adsorb the semiconducting CNTs to the powder, and eluting the semiconducting CNTs adsorbed to the powder after collecting the metallic CNTs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Takeshi Tanaka, Hiromichi Kataura