Patents Examined by Katherine Zalasky
  • Method and arrangement for securing a distributor plate to a backing plate of a chromatography column
    Patent number: 9387416
    Abstract: A chromatographic column that includes a distributor plate secured to a backing plate of the chromatography column without the need for releasable fixing means such as screws or bolts, by employing a negative pressure or vacuum to affix the distributor to the backing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: GE Healthcare BioSciences AB
    Inventor: Stefan K. Eriksson
  • Media bed filters for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow and method of using the same
    Patent number: 9387418
    Abstract: The present document describes a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow, the media bed filter comprising: a tank having: a top portion; a bottom portion defining a bottom surface for receiving a media bed, the media bed having a supporting media to be disposed on the bottom surface and a filtering media for covering the supporting media, the top portion of the tank being above the filtering media of the media bed; a raw liquid inlet in fluid communication with a nozzle configuration located in the top portion of the tank for providing the raw liquid flow in the tank in the form of a plurality of jets at a directional velocity substantially equal or greater to a disengagement velocity of the filtering media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Neptune-Benson, LLC
    Inventors: Marco Bosisio, Alain Silverwood
  • Device for plasma separation by means of a central channel structure
    Patent number: 9383293
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for sample separation, particularly for blood separation, in which the sample liquid is introduced into a feed device. The sample flows vertically through a separating device such as a filter or a membrane, so that sample particles are retained and separated off. The sample liquid thus separated, particularly blood plasma, is received by an inlet chamber underneath the separating device and conveyed by means of a channel in the lateral direction out of the inlet chamber. Particularly advantageously, the channel extends into the inlet chamber, the channel being formed by a recess in the base of the inlet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Microparts GmbH
    Inventors: Gert Blankenstein, Thanh Tu Hellmich-Duong, Dirk Kurowski, Dirk Osterloh
  • Liquid distributor and liquid collector for chromatography columns
    Patent number: 9383344
    Abstract: The present application relates to a liquid distributor and collector for columns for liquid chromatography with preferably round cross section, which is particularly suitable for columns with large diameter in relation to the packing height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Bayer Intellectual Property GmbH
    Inventors: Georg-Heinrich Klepp, Sebastian Böcker, Jochen Strube, Heinz Kansy, Hendrik Schmale
  • Flash chromatography column apparatus
    Patent number: 9375657
    Abstract: A flash chromatography apparatus which provides an improved apparatus for large and medium commercial scale flash chromatography columns. More particularly, the invention relates to a flash chromatography column and cartridge system for positioning and ease of loading and unloading of stationary phase agent in the flash chromatography column. The flash chromatography column further provides flow distributors to support the stationary phase and permit plug flow through the column. The apparatus of the present invention is a modular and can be disposed in any configuration to reduce maintenance cost and downtime in a commercial installation. Flash chromatography is widely used for purification of low molecular weight organic compounds and products of organic synthetic reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Orochem Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Anil R. Oroskar, Asha A. Oroskar, Ved Bhushan Gulati, Rakesh Vikraman Nair Rema
  • Method and apparatus for reducing the total dissolved solids of a solution
    Patent number: 9370747
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for reducing the total dissolved solids of a solution, a feed solution is conveyed to at least one first chamber of a unit, and a draw solution is conveyed to at least one second chamber thereof. A semi-permeable member arrangement is disposed between the chambers. The draw solution has a greater molar concentration than does the feed solution. Solvent from the feed solution is drawn through the membrane arrangement into the draw solution, reducing the solute concentration of the draw solution and increasing the solid concentration of the feed solution. Paddles provide continuous sweeping of opposite external surfaces of the membranes to reduce solute depositions on the surface facing the feed solution chamber, and to remove liquid permeate molecules from that external surface of the membranes that faces a draw solution chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: New Mexico Tech Research Foundation
    Inventor: Ashok Kumar Ghosh
  • Ionic liquid grafted mesoporous silica compositions for polar gas/non-polar gas and olefin/paraffin separations
    Patent number: 9370735
    Abstract: A composition comprising a mesoporous silica having grafted therewith an ionic liquid to form a mesoporous silica composition offers desirable levels of functionality, sorption, specific surface functionalization, and selectivity for polar gas/non-polar gas and olefin/paraffin separations. One particular embodiment employs silylated 3,3?-(2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diyl)bis(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium)bis-((trifluoromethyl-sulfonyl)amide as the ionic liquid. The mesoporous silica composition may be configured as, for example, a membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Deepak Akolekar, Victor J. Sussman, M J. Yanjarappa, Phani Kiran Bollapragada, Scott T. Matteucci, Peter N. Nickias
  • Desalination system and process
    Patent number: 9371244
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an effective system and method for reducing or eliminating the formation of scale in desalination systems. The system utilizes at least one pair of electrodes in direct contact with a liquid to induce an oscillating electric field directly in a portion of the liquid or a liquid stream of the desalination system. The electric field is capable of inducing bulk precipitation of ions, minerals, salts, particulates, contaminants or a combination thereof from the liquid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventor: Young I. Cho
  • Integrated gas sparger for an immersed membrane
    Patent number: 9364805
    Abstract: A gas sparger produces an intermittent flow of bubbles even if provided with a continuous gas flow. The sparger has a housing to collect a pocket of gas and a conduit to release some of the gas from the pocket when the pocket reaches a sufficient size. The housing is integrated with the potting head of a module. The conduit passes through the potting head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ronald Cumin, Reid Allyn Bayly, Youngseck Hong
  • Regeneration of chromatographic stationary phases
    Patent number: 9364772
    Abstract: Process for regenerating a chromatographic stationary phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
    Inventors: Per Larsen, Ole Schou, Eigil Schroder Rasmussen
  • Apparatus and method for separating solids from a solids laden drilling fluid
    Patent number: 9364777
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating solids from solids laden drilling fluid, the apparatus comprising a skid and a basket resiliently suspended thereto and a vibratory mechanism to vibrate the basket, the basket having at least one screen deck for receiving at least one screen, the basket having a feed end at which solids laden drilling fluid is introduced and a discharge end at which solids are discharged through a solids discharge opening, the apparatus further comprising a hood encompassing at least a discharge end of the basket and at least one extraction outlet arranged at the discharge end to remove fume laden air from the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: George Alexander Burnett
  • Filtration and dewatering apparatus
    Patent number: 9358482
    Abstract: A filtration apparatus which has a filtration chamber, and the filtration chamber has a fluid inlet, a filtered fluid outlet, a residue outlet, and a filtering element. The filtering element is situated between the fluid inlet and the filtered fluid outlet. The apparatus also includes a wiping member which is situated within, or about, the filtering element and which is adapted to wipe the surface of the filtering element. The wiping member also wipes any residue toward the residue outlet when the apparatus is in use. The filtration apparatus includes a first pumping configured to create a flow toward the filtering chamber, and a second pumping situated within the filtering chamber and configured to induce a counter-flow back toward the first pumping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: LIQUIDSTRIP LIMITED
    Inventor: Gregory Richard Morgan
  • Recycling cannabinoid extractor
    Patent number: 9358259
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for extracting cannabinoids from cannabis plant material plant material and for transporting low concentrations of cannabinoids in a solution of solvent includes at least a solvent tank, a hopper, and one or more pumps. A plurality of valves may also be incorporated into the invention. Plant material may be soaked, washed, and/or rinsed with a solvent that extracts essential elements from cannabis plant matter. The process minimally includes filling a hopper with plant mater, moving solvent from a solvent tank to the hopper, and moving solvent back to the solvent tank after an extraction. Repeating this process a plurality of times with new plant material increases the concentration cannabinoids in the solvent tank after each time the process is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventors: Andrew David Hospodor, Robert James Rapp
  • Gas sparger for an immersed membrane
    Patent number: 9358505
    Abstract: A gas sparger produces an intermittent flow of bubbles even if provided with a continuous gas flow. The sparger has a housing to collect a pocket of gas and a conduit to release some of the gas from the pocket when the pocket reaches a sufficient size. Optionally, a cover over an outlet from the conduit may break up or distribute the released gas. A large sparger for use with a commercial membrane module can comprise a plurality of smaller units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeff Cumin, Henry Behmann, Youngseck Hong, Reid Bayly
  • Hybrid type fiber filtering apparatus
    Patent number: 9352254
    Abstract: A hybrid type fiber filtering apparatus includes an enclosure, a strainer, a first filtering layer and a second filtering layer. The enclosure has an upper case and a lower case coupled to the upper case. The strainer is mounted inside the upper case in a longitudinal direction. The first filtering layer includes a plurality of fiber filters fixed between upper and lower fixing units and surround an outer circumferential surface of the strainer. The second filtering layer includes a plurality of fiber ball filters disposed inside the lower case. Raw water introduced into the upper case through a raw water inflow pipe passes through the first filtering layer, flows into the strainer, drops downwardly from an inside of the strainer, is introduced into the lower case, passes through the second filtering layer, and then, is discharged out through a filtered water discharge pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: DOOSAN HEAVY INDUSTRIES & CONSTRUCTION DO., LTD.
    Inventors: Woo Nyoung Lee, Sung Won Park, Yong Hae Park, Sung Woo Woo
  • Extraction devices, systems, and methods
    Patent number: 9327210
    Abstract: Extraction devices, methods, and systems are disclosed. Example devices have a solvent chamber, a plant material chamber, a collection chamber, and a solvent return that create a sealed, closed-cycle extraction and/or solvent purification process. Any extractable plant material can be used in the disclosed devices, methods, and systems although in some examples some form of the cannabis plant is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: CONNOISSEUR CONCENTRATES, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Jones
  • Honeycomb-shaped ceramic separation-membrane structure
    Patent number: 9327246
    Abstract: There is provided a honeycomb-shaped ceramic separation-membrane structure having higher pressure resistance than conventional ones and being capable of reducing production costs. The honeycomb-shaped ceramic separation-membrane structure is provided with a honeycomb-shaped base material, an intermediate layer, and a separation layer. At least part of a ceramic porous body has a structure where aggregate particles are bonded to one another by an inorganic bonding material component. In the ceramic separation-membrane structure, an internal pressure fracture strength capable of fracturing the structure by application of water pressure inside the cells is 7 MPa or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Teranishi, Makoto Miyahara, Makiko Ichikawa, Hideyuki Suzuki
  • Determining biofilm thickness in a membrane supported biofilm reactor
    Patent number: 9328004
    Abstract: A method of assessing biofilm thickness in a membrane supported biofilm reactor (MSBR) of the type comprising a lumen containing a gas phase, a liquid phase, and a gas permeable membrane providing an interface between the gas and liquid phases, the method comprising the steps of charging the lumen with an inert gas, closing the lumen to establish an initial elevated pressure in the lumen, measuring the rate of change of pressure within the lumen, and correlating the rate of change of pressure (dP/dt) with biofilm thickness. The step of correlating dP/dt with biofilm thickness involves correlating dP/dt with the rate of diffusion of the inert gas (dn/dt), correlating dn/dt with an overall mass transfer coefficient (K), correlating K with the mass transfer coefficient of the biofilm (kB), and correlating kB with the biofilm thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: University College Dublin, National University of Ireland, Dublin
    Inventors: Eoin Casey, Eoin Syron, Barry Heffernan
  • Preparative chromatography column
    Patent number: 9327213
    Abstract: A chromatography column design and a packing device, as well as a method for obtaining a column with a very compact and uniform bed are provided. The bed remains compact and uniform during operation of the column and during sanitization, storage and transportation of the column. The amount of hardware, particularly the hardware parts in contact with product, is minimized, especially with the implementation of an internal liner. With this internal liner, the packed bed can be separated from the column in intact form, or even prepared separately from, and outside of, the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sébastien Lefebvre, Lilian Portier, Maurice Agée
  • Porous body and honeycomb-shaped ceramic separation-membrane structure
    Patent number: 9321016
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a honeycomb-shaped ceramic porous body where the strength reduction upon forming a separation layer is less than conventional porous bodies. The ceramic porous body is provided with a honeycomb-shaped base material and an intermediate layer. At least a part of the ceramic porous body has a structure where aggregate particles are bonded to one another by an inorganic bonding material component. In the ceramic porous body, the intermediate layer thickness, which is the thickness of the intermediate layer, is 100 ?m or more and 500 ?m or less, the base material thickness at the shortest portion between the cells, but excluding the intermediate layer and the separation layer is 0.51 mm or more and 1.55 mm or less, and the ratio of the base material thickness to the intermediate layer thickness is 2.5 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Teranishi, Makoto Miyahara, Makiko Ichikawa, Hideyuki Suzuki