Patents Examined by Marian C. Knode
  • Patent number: 6479021
    Abstract: A device for improving waste vitrification in a disposable canister, the process for using the device, and the process for making the device. The disposable canister, also known as a module, has outer and inner containers with thermal insulation therebetween. The device includes an inner container of graphite having a layer of pyrographite on its external wall. The outer container is typically made of stainless steel. The inner container is heated, typically by induction, to melt the frit and waste. The melted mixture is then cooled to form a vitrified product in the module. The fabrication of the pyrographite coating on the inner container involves heating the container to about 1500 degrees centigrade in a methane atmosphere, then cooling the container to ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventors: James R. Powell, Morris Reich
  • Patent number: 6475332
    Abstract: An interlocking polishing belt apparatus is disclosed. The interlocking polishing belt apparatus includes an interlocking belt, which includes a plurality of studs each having an upper stud end and a lower stud end. In addition, the interlocking polishing belt apparatus includes a polishing belt that is in contact with the interlocking belt. The polishing belt has a plurality of polishing belt stud holes, each configured to interlock with an upper stud end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: John Boyd, Katgenahalli Y. Ramanujam, Sridharan Srivatsan, Xuyen Pham
  • Patent number: 6471921
    Abstract: The invention relates to mixed phase materials for the preparation of catalytic membranes which exhibit ionic and electronic conduction and which exhibit improved mechanical strength compared to single phase ionic and electronic conducting materials. The mixed phase materials are useful for forming gas impermeable membranes either as dense ceramic membranes or as dense thin films coated onto porous substrates. The membranes and materials of this invention are useful in catalytic membrane reactors in a variety of applications including synthesis gas production. One or more crystalline second phases are present in the mixed phase material at a level sufficient to enhance the mechanical strength of the mixture to provide membranes for practical application in CMRs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Eltron Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Pamela Van Calcar, Richard Mackay, Anthony F. Sammells
  • Patent number: 6464949
    Abstract: A steam-cracking unit comprises at least one multitube quenching exchanger, equipped with a non-obstructive impact separator for preventing the erosion of the tubular input plate. The impact separator is at least 50% opaque when viewed from transfer pipe. It is arranged inside of an input cone in such a way that there is free passage of at least 40 mm between the periphery of the impact separator and the cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Eric Lenglet, Jean-Pierre Burzynski, GĂ©rard Courteheuse, Roland Huin, Yves Gougne
  • Patent number: 6464825
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate processing chamber; a mechanism for long and unloading a substrate into and out of the chamber; a substrate heating source provided in the chamber; and a raw material supply source for supplying a raw material toward the substrate for processing. During processing of the substrate, the raw material for processing is supplied from a surface facing a surface of the substrate to be processed. When the substrate and a holder on which the substrate is placed are moved to a predetermined position for processing in the substrate processing chamber, a space in the substrate processing chamber is divided by the substrate into an upper space serving as a reaction space for processing and a lower space where the substrate heating source, etc. are placed. The apparatus also includes a magnetic force source for holding the holder at the predetermined position in a levitational manner by a magnetic force during processing of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 6464794
    Abstract: A process chamber used in the manufacture of a semiconductor device for etching a material layer on a semiconductor wafer includes an electrostatic chuck for holding the semiconductor wafer, and an annular edge ring which surrounds the side of the semiconductor wafer on the electrostatic chuck to prevent the semiconductor wafer from departing from its original position. The annular edge ring has a first side which faces the side of the semiconductor wafer and contacts firmly with the side of the semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-hyuck Park, Hee-duk Kim, Jung-hun Cho, Jong-wook Choi, Sung-bum Cho, Young-koo Lee, Jin-sung Kim, Jang-eun Lee, Ju-hyuck Chung, Sun-hoo Park, Jae-hyun Lee, Shin-woo Nam
  • Patent number: 6461978
    Abstract: In the case that a stacked layer, in which another metal layer is stacked on an Al layer or Al alloy layer having a low resistance, is used as a wiring material, an etchant is provided which can etch to a substantially equal etching rate by executing only one etching on the each metal layer composing the stacked layer. A method of manufacturing a substrate for an electronic device uses the etchant, producing an electronic device having the substrate. In order to achieve the object, the etchant has fluoric acid, periodic acid and sulfuric acid wherein the total weight ratio of the fluoric acid and periodic acid is 0.05˜30 wt %, the weight ratio of the sulfuric acid is 0.05˜20 wt %, the weight ratio of periodic acid to fluoric acid is 0.01˜2 wt %. Also each layer of wiring(5,12,14) formed by stacking Al layer or Al alloy layer and Ti layer or Ti alloy layer can be uniformly etched to substantially equal etching rate by the etchant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: LG. Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gyoo Chul Jo
  • Patent number: 6455012
    Abstract: An acid gas burner and reactor apparatus, and method when used in the Claus process, are improved over the prior art by the provision of a substantially continuous circular slot for the flow of a reactant gas from an annular conduit into the open outflow end of a conduit that is located centrally of the annular conduit and through which flows pressure air, or air enriched with oxygen, the circular slot surrounding the open discharge end of the central conduit so as to discharge an annular curtain of the reactant gas into the flow of pressure air, or oxygen enriched air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: S&B Engineers and Constructors, Ltd.
    Inventor: Lynn P. Walker
  • Patent number: 6455011
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating wastes by two-stage gasification recovers metals or ash content in the wastes in such a state that they can be recycled, and gases containing carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen gas (H2) for use as synthesis gas for ammonia (NH3) or production of hydrogen gas. The wastes are gasified in a fluidized-bed reactor at a low temperature. Then, gaseous material and char produced in the fluidized-bed reactor are introduced into a high-temperature combustor, and gasified at a high temperature and ash content is converted into molten slag. After water scrubbing and a CO conversion reaction, the gas is separated into H2 and residual gas. The residual gas is then supplied to the fluidized-bed reactor as a fluidizing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignees: Ebara Corporation, Ube Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Fujimura, Yoshio Hirayama, Shosaku Fujinami, Kazuo Takano, Masaaki Irie, Tetsuhisa Hirose, Shuichi Nagato, Takahiro Oshita, Toshio Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6451265
    Abstract: An assembly for mixing a polymer with water and activating the polymer includes a water/polymer mixing chamber immediately preceding a high shear nozzle formed by a spring loaded plug seated against an outlet orifice of the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: Alfonso M. Misuraca
  • Patent number: 6447672
    Abstract: A continuous, hot vapor injection process and apparatus is provided for recovering lube oil base stocks from used lubricating oil containing distillable liquid hydrocarbons and water. Also disclosed is an asphalt blend composition containing an asphalt component and the bottoms from the above process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Marathon Ashland Pertoleum LLC
    Inventors: Howard F. Moore, Donald P. Malone
  • Patent number: 6436354
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for the operation of a fuel cell to generate electric power from a feed stream comprising a hydrocarbon or an alcohol. The fuel cell comprises a proton exchange membrane which produces electric power from a hydrogen product stream which comprises essentially no carbon monoxide. The hydrogen product stream is produced from the feed stream in a novel steam reforming zone containing a steam reforming catalyst disposed in a bell-shaped catalyst zone. The bell-shaped catalyst zone is disposed over a combustion zone such that the exhaust gas from the combustion flows around the bell-shaped catalyst zone to heat the catalyst from the inside and the outside of the catalyst zone. Furthermore, the bell-shaped catalyst zone maintains a high inlet and a high outlet temperature to avoid methane slippage in the steam reforming zone. Heat for the steam reforming zone is provided by a fuel stream and at least a portion of the anode waste gas stream from the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: James W. Priegnitz, Anil R. Oroskar, Kenneth J. Stippich, Jr., Gavin P. Towler, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche
  • Patent number: 6432149
    Abstract: A gas impermeable vessel carrying a molten metal bath within the vessel bottom includes a downwardly directed baffle from a top wall of the vessel, which penetrates the bath to separate the vessel into a burner feed chamber and an outlet chamber with gas spaces above the level of the molten metal bath. A burner having a combustion chamber receiving an oxidant under pressure and fuel gas and pitch, combusts the pitch and passes the products of combustion at high velocity through a nozzle which opens directly or indirectly to the gas space above in the burner feed chamber such that a stream of carbon soot impinges against the surface of the molten metal bath and penetrates the same, thereby dissolving the carbon soot and disassociating gases such as carbon monoxide in the molten metal. Water may be supplied to the stream to effect disassociation of the hydrogen content in the molten metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC
    Inventor: Charles B. Miller
  • Patent number: 6432368
    Abstract: The ammonia content of fuel gas in an IGCC power generation system is reduced through ammonia decomposition, thereby reducing the NOx emissions from the plant. The power generation system includes a gasifier, a gas turbine and at least one catalytic reactor arranged between the gasifier and the gas turbine. The catalytic reactor may be either a three stage or two stage device. The three stage reactor includes a first catalyst which promotes water-gas-shift, a second catalyst which promotes CO methanation, and a third catalyst which promotes ammonia decomposition. The two stage reactor includes a first catalyst which promotes water-gas-shift and CO methanation and a second catalyst which promotes ammonia decomposition. The plural catalytic stages may be disposed in a single vessel or successively disposed in individual vessels, and the catalysts may be in a pelletized form or coated on honeycomb structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alan S. Feitelberg, Raul Eduardo Ayala, Stephen Lan-Sun Hung, David Joseph Najewicz
  • Patent number: 6420618
    Abstract: A premium synthetic lubricating oil base stock having a high VI and low pour point is made by hydroisomerizing a Fischer-Tropsch synthesized waxy, paraffinic feed wax and then dewaxing the hydroisomerate to form a 650-750° F.+ dewaxate. The waxy feed has an initial boiling point in the range of about 650-750° F., from which it continuously boils up to at least 1050° F. and has a T90−T10 temperature difference of at least 350° F. The feed is preferably hydroisomerized without any pretreatment, other than optional fractionation. The 650-750° F.+ dewaxate is fractionated into two or more base stocks of different viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Paul J. Berlowitz, Jacob J. Habeeb, Robert J. Wittenbrink
  • Patent number: 6419884
    Abstract: A reactor unit in a system for the production of hydrogen-rich gas from a liquid raw fuel includes (1) a reaction chamber for a reaction medium and which contains a catalyst material; and (2) two tempering chambers separated from one another. The two tempering chambers are associated with different areas of the reaction chamber, so that within the reaction chamber two reaction zones are formed, which can be held at different temperature levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Xcellsis GmbH
    Inventors: Barbara Strobel, Matthias Wolfsteiner
  • Patent number: 6419885
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a fired heater for heating a process fluid that uses U tubes provided with increased internal heat transfer surface to reduce tube metal temperatures and coking and at the same time is not prone to plugging from coke. The fired heater comprises a radiant section enclosure with a number of U tubes in the radiant section. The U tubes are formed by connecting one or more tubular sections, and the U tubes are provided with internal generally longitudinal fins. The invention also is directed towards a process utilizing a fined heater with U tubes as disclosed for producing olefins from hydrocarbon feedstocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur R. Di Nicolantonio, David B. Spicer, Victor K. Wei
  • Patent number: 6399030
    Abstract: A combined removal system for separating carbon dioxide and sulfur oxide gases from furnace flue gases employs a single vessel having two chambers. The chambers are separated by a series of baffles and drains. The lower, primary chamber contains reagent and a delivery system for removing sulfur oxides (SO2 and SO3) from the flue gases. The upper, secondary chamber has a reagent, typically an amine solution, for removing carbon dioxide from the flue gases. The baffles and drains permit the flue gases to rise from the primary chamber into the secondary chamber, while collecting the amine solution which is used to trap the carbon dioxide. Alternatively, the primary and secondary chambers may be separated by a horizontal segment or a combination of horizontal and vertical sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Paul S. Nolan
  • Patent number: 6399032
    Abstract: The plant for continuously regenerating foundry sand comprises a combustion chamber, in which a combustible gas is added to the sand, and a cooling chamber, in which the sand coming from the combustion chamber is cooled, both chambers being provided with systems for maintain the sand in a fluidized state. The chambers are also in direct communication with one another in the manner of communicating vessels in such a way that, during normal operation in equilibrium, the free surface of the sand may be at the same level in the two chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Fata Aluminium Division of Fata Group SPA
    Inventor: Bartolomeo Tosco
  • Patent number: 6388153
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making alpha-methylstyrene dimers by combining a cobalt catalyst, a free-radical initiator and an alpha-methylstyrene monomer, in an inert atmosphere, to form a mixture. The mixture is heated to a temperature in the range of 65° C. to 140° C. to form alpha methyl styrene dimers. The present invention also relates to the products produced by this inventive method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: E. I. duPont Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Alexei Alexeyevich Gridnev