Patents Examined by Katherine Zalasky
  • Portable water quality instrument
    Patent number: 10247673
    Abstract: A hand-held microfluidic testing device is provided that includes a housing having a cartridge receiving port, a cartridge for input to the cartridge receiving port having a sample input and a channel, where the channel includes a mixture of Raman-scattering nanoparticles and a calibration solution, where the calibration solution includes chemical compounds capable of interacting with a sample under test input to the cartridge and the Raman-scattering nanoparticles, and an optical detection system in the housing, where the optical detection system is capable of providing an illuminated electric field, where the illuminating electric field is capable of being used for Raman spectroscopy with the Raman-scattering nanoparticles and the calibration solution to analyze the sample under test input to the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: OndaVia, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Peterman, Merwan Benhabib, Samuel Kleinman
  • Corrosion protection in tubing used chromatography
    Patent number: 10232287
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a liquid chromatography system includes a chromatography port and a tubing assembly having a chromatography tube coupled at one end to the chromatography port. The end of the tube has an end face covered with a corrosion-resistant material, for example, gold. The corrosion-resistant nature of the material protects the end of the tube from corrosion or erosion, which improves the quality and reliability of a seal between the end face of the tube and a sealing surface of the port. Alternatively, or in addition to covering the end face of the tube with the corrosion-resistant material, a gasket covered with or made of the corrosion-resistant material can be disposed between the end face of the tube and the port. This gasket extends the reach of the tube to facilitate bottoming out the tube within the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kurt D. Joudrey, Steven D. Trudeau, Paul Keenan, Joseph A. Luongo, Daniel J. McCormick, Eugene Berthiaume
  • Membrane and electrodialysis based seawater desalination with salt, boron and gypsum recovery
    Patent number: 10226740
    Abstract: A method of producing desalinated water and recovering minerals from the feedwater uses membrane separation and electrodialysis brine concentration. This process can recover all of the minerals as high purity industrial minerals, including capturing the calcium and sulfate as agricultural grade gypsum and boron as high purity boric acid. In addition the process allows the use of low cost lime or dolime to produce valuable magnesium hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: HL Seawater Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Steven Wallace
  • Superhydrophilic and oleophobic porous materials and methods for making and using the same
    Patent number: 10220351
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a porous material having a surface that is concurrently both superhydrophilic (having a first apparent advancing dynamic contact angle of less than or equal to about 5° for water) and oleophobic (having a second apparent advancing dynamic contact angle of greater than or equal to about 90°) or superoleophobic (a second apparent advancing dynamic contact angle of greater than or equal to about 150° for oil). Such materials can be used in a separator device to separate a liquid-liquid mixture of immiscible components (e.g., oil and water) or miscible components (e.g., alcohols). Separation apparatus incorporating such materials and methods of making and using these materials are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignees: The Regents of The University of Michigan, The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Anish Tuteja, Arun Kumar Kota, Gibum Kwon, Joseph M. Mabry
  • Pre-filter water skimmer
    Patent number: 10214931
    Abstract: A pre-filter skimmer system that reduces the amount of debris and particles entering the water filter in order to increase the longevity of the water filter is disclosed. The pre-filter skimmer system includes a chamber including an inlet and an outlet, wherein the water enters via the inlet and exits via the outlet. The water enters a first collector that is positioned at least partially within the chamber, the first collector configured to capture particles of a first size carried by the water. From here, the water enters a second collector that is positioned downstream of the first collector, wherein the second collector is configured to capture particles of a second size smaller than the first size that passed through the first collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Asia Connection LLC
    Inventors: Mitch Saccoccio, Jonathan Bonelli
  • Blood purification column
    Patent number: 10213543
    Abstract: A blood purification column includes an adsorbent and a casing whose two ends are open ends, wherein the adsorbent is housed inside the casing, and wherein one of two casing ends is a blood inflow-side end portion and another is a blood outflow-side end portion, and wherein a filter is disposed at the blood inflow-side end portion and/or the blood outflow-side end portion of the casing, and wherein the filter satisfies (1)-(3): (1) an opening rate thereof is greater than or equal to 5% and less than or equal to 80%; (2) an equivalent diameter of an aperture thereof is greater than or equal to 1 ?m and less than or equal to 5000 ?m; (3) a ratio of the equivalent diameter of the aperture thereof to an average circle equivalent diameter of void spaces of the adsorbent is greater than or equal to 45%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Fujieda, Yoshiyuki Ueno, Kazumi Tanaka
  • Seawater desalination system and energy recovery apparatus
    Patent number: 10207224
    Abstract: An energy recovery apparatus which is used in a seawater desalination system includes a cylindrical chamber (CH) being installed such that a longitudinal direction of the chamber is placed in a vertical direction, a concentrated seawater port (P1) for supplying and discharging the concentrated seawater, a seawater port (P2) for supplying and discharging the seawater, a flow resistor (23) provided at a concentrated seawater port (P1) side in the chamber (CH), and a flow resistor (23) provided at a seawater port (P2) side in the chamber (CH). The flow resistor (23) provided at the concentrated seawater port (P1) side and the flow resistor (23) provided at the seawater port (P2) side comprise at least one perforated circular plate, and the perforated circular plate has holes formed at an outer circumferential area outside a predetermined diameter of the circular plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tamami Takahashi, Masanori Goto, Akira Goto, Motohiko Nohmi, Kazuya Hirata
  • Adaptor for a chromatography column
    Patent number: 10201768
    Abstract: An adaptor for a chromatography column, the adaptor comprising a substantially circular bottom plate provided with an end surface; a ring shaped wall element arranged at the periphery of the bottom plate. The bottom plate and the wall element having a common axis and the adaptor is provided with a filter connection arrangement for removably connecting a filter on the end surface of the bottom plate of the adaptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES AB
    Inventors: Stefan Kjell Eriksson, Andreas Bergstrom
  • Fluid purification methods, devices, and systems
    Patent number: 10189728
    Abstract: A fluid purification system has cells whose purifying capability can be regenerated. Some of the cells are arranged in series to reach a high level of purification. An automatic valve network is controlled to cycle the cells in a way that levels the loads on each, thereby maximizing the service interval for replacing expired cells, enabling all of the cells to be replaced at the same time after having each contributing approximately equally to the purification load, and operated such that at any one time, at least one cell is regenerated so as to enable continuous up-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: NxStage Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Turk, William K. Weigel, Goetz Friederichs, Jeffery B. Hover
  • Fluid purification methods, devices, and systems
    Patent number: 10189727
    Abstract: A fluid purification system has cells whose purifying capability can be regenerated. Some of the cells are arranged in series to reach a high level of purification. An automatic valve network is controlled to cycle the cells in a way that levels the loads on each, thereby maximizing the service interval for replacing expired cells, enabling all of the cells to be replaced at the same time after having each contributing approximately equally to the purification load, and operated such that at any one time, at least one cell is regenerated so as to enable continuous up-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: NxStage Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: William K Weigel, Goetz Friederichs, Joseph E Turk, Jefferey B Hover, Sr.
  • Flow splitting in supercritical fluid chromatography systems
    Patent number: 10183238
    Abstract: A method includes passing a mobile phase fluid flow comprising liquefied CO2 through a separation column; then introducing a makeup fluid flow into the mobile phase fluid flow to form a mixed fluid flow; and then splitting the mixed fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael R. Jackson, James E. Usowicz, Lucas O. Tiziani, Joseph A. Jarrell, Douglas P. Wittmer
  • Elongated scraper profile
    Patent number: 10179301
    Abstract: An elongated scraper profile is provided, preferably for a dewatering device that serves the purpose of dewatering sludge. The scraper profile features a lip section extending in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the scraper profile, which serves the purpose of scraping sludge components from a screen surface. The scraper profile features a fastening section extending in the direction of the longitudinal extension, which serves the purpose of fixing the scraper profile with the assistance of a retainer assembly. The scraper profile also features an intermediate section connecting the lip section and the fastening section, whereas the intermediate section is flexibly formed in a direction running perpendicular to the longitudinal extension, such that the lip section is moveable in the direction of the fastening section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: HUBER SE
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Bechtl
  • Integrated gas sparger for an immersed membrane
    Patent number: 10173175
    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: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ronald Cumin, Reid Allyn Bayly, Yongseck Hong
  • High purity chromatographic materials comprising an ionizable modifier
    Patent number: 10159911
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel chromatographic materials, e.g., for chromatographic separations, processes for its preparation and separations devices containing the chromatographic material; separations devices, chromatographic columns and kits comprising the same; and methods for the preparation thereof. The chromatographic materials of the invention are high purity chromatographic materials comprising a chromatographic surface wherein the chromatographic surface comprises a hydrophobic surface group and one or more ionizable modifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Daniel Wyndham, Pamela C. Iraneta, Thomas H. Walter
  • High purity chromatographic materials comprising an ionizable modifier
    Patent number: 10150098
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel chromatographic materials, e.g., for chromatographic separations, processes for its preparation and separations devices containing the chromatographic material; separations devices, chromatographic columns and kits comprising the same; and methods for the preparation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin D. Wyndham, Pamela C. Iraneta, Thomas H. Walter
  • Crystallization system with frame elements
    Patent number: 10143971
    Abstract: A system for crystallizing a material that is dissolved in a solvent includes: a crystallization device through which a solution that is to be concentrated flows, the solution including the solvent containing the material to be crystallized and dissolved in the solvent, and a liquid having a lower temperature than the solution to be concentrated. The system includes at least one flow channel guiding the solution to be concentrated and at least one flow channel guiding the liquid, where the inner space of each respective flow channel guiding the liquid is delimited at least in part by a membrane wall that is permeable for the vaporous solvent, where a vapor pressure difference enables the solvent to pass from the solution to be concentrated across the membrane wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Major Bravo Limited
    Inventor: Wolfgang Heinzl
  • System and process for equalization of pressure of a process flow stream across a valve
    Patent number: 10139050
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system and process for the equalization of pressures of a flow stream across one or more valves is provided. A process circuit having clean non-abrasive fluid and at least one slave cylinder for transmitting pressure to a process flow stream is employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: SOLRAY HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventor: Christopher Francis Bathurst
  • Biofilm media, treatment system and method of wastewater treatment
    Patent number: 10138148
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for treatment of contaminated water employing a mobile supported biofilm. The treatment systems include a bioreactor, a mobile biofilm disposed within the bioreactor, and a solid-solid separation unit attached to the bioreactor. The solid-solid separation unit is adapted to receive an effluent stream from the bioreactor, wherein the effluent contains the mobile biofilm, and separate at least a portion of the mobile biofilm from the effluent and return it to the bioreactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: RENEWABLE FIBERS, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua P. Boltz, Glen T. Daigger, David Austin, Bruce Johnson
  • Method and apparatus for processing and analyzing filtered particles
    Patent number: 10130902
    Abstract: A filter arrangement with a top element and a bottom element and a filter element therebetween captures oversized particles on the upper surface of the filter element and tangentially rinses these particles using an elution fluid to provide a concentration of particles in a relatively low volume of fluid for further analysis. A configuration using a slider valve may also be utilized. Additionally, an arrangement of supply and receiving containers may be used to minimize the number of containers required. A mass flow meter may be incorporated to measure the flow of elution fluid. Finally, a wash stage of the filtering process may be used to introduce stain onto the particles for further analysis, such as that associated with Gram staining and these stained particles may be further analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: POCARED DIAGNOSTICS LTD.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gurfinkel, Gal Ingber
  • Composite column for use in high pressure liquid chromatography
    Patent number: 10130900
    Abstract: A multi-walled tube that is useful as an analytical column in which chemical mixtures can be separated into their individual components is described. In order to be acceptable as an analytical column, the inner surface of the multi-walled tube must support effective separation, but not react chemically with or contaminate the solvent or the analyte (sample to be separated). Grade 316 stainless steel is typically preferred for this purpose. Moreover, the inner diameter (ID) surface of the multi-walled column is preferably very smooth (less than 10 micro inch Ra) with no interruptions in the surface such as scratches, pits, or asperities. However, since the column is designed to be attached to chromatographic equipment using standard size connection features, the size of standard fittings define the outer diameter (OD) of the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Bandera Acquisition, LLC
    Inventors: Mark W. Broadley, John K. Eckert