Patents Examined by Matthew O. Savage
  • Patent number: 10220337
    Abstract: An apparatus including a basket of a vibratory separator configured to impart motion to a screen, a wedge angle coupled to the basket, and a wedge configured to engage with the wedge angle to secure the screen within the basket, in which a portion of the wedge is magnetic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Eric Cady
  • Patent number: 10213711
    Abstract: Described herein are filter assemblies for removing high molecular weight organic components from liquefied petroleum gas, as well as methods for removing high molecular weight components from liquefied petroleum gases. The filter assemblies include an upstream carbon-containing filter media pack and a downstream filter media pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Karthik Viswanathan, Philip Edward Johnson, Dustin Zastera, James Doyle, Gregory L. LaVallee, Janelle M. Hampton, Andrew J. Dallas
  • Patent number: 10214880
    Abstract: A greywater recovery and reuse system is shown, including a body for collecting, reconditioning and discharging greywater. The body has an inlet connection to a source of greywater; a filter for filtering the greywater; a tank for receiving the filtered greywater; a disinfector for disinfecting the filtered greywater; a pump for discharging the reconditioned greywater from said tank to a toilet that needs flushing water; a discharge connection to a sanitary sewer system; a fresh water connection and a control system for controlling the operation of the greywater recovery and reuse system. The system includes a controller for operating the system and dealing with certain alarm and status conditions. Methods of operating the system are also comprehended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventors: Carl L. Robb, N. Scott Baldwin, James Brian Mantyla, Michael F. Wilson, Stacey Charleen Gay, Timothy James Hendrie Poupore, Leo Peter Van Kampen, Robert Cooke
  • Patent number: 10207938
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for capturing a contaminant present in a body of water that includes a collection media for capturing the contaminant and a structure. The collection media has a first end secured to the structure. The collection media has a second buoyant end disposed opposite the first end wherein buoyant end is a free end. The structure does not float at the water surface and holds the first end of the collection media below the buoyant second end in the water column. When the apparatus is deployed in a water column having a depth greater than the height of the apparatus, the apparatus is selectively positioned in the water column at a desired height. A method of employing the collection media is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: OPFLEX TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James E. LaCrosse, Scott C. Smith, Glenn G. Wattley
  • Patent number: 10194741
    Abstract: A diatomaceous earth filter cleaner for cleaning flex tubes attached to a tube sheet of a diatomaceous earth filter. The diatomaceous earth filter cleaner has a hollow tube, a blast jet housing, an inner diameter scrub brush, and a fitting at an end of the hollow tube for coupling a hose connected to a water supply. The hollow tube of the diatomaceous earth filter cleaner has a length with a first end and a second end for receiving a flex tube. The blast jet housing is attached to the first end of the hollow tube and comprises an angled lip and a restricted orifice formed by an inner circumference of the blast jet housing for receiving a flex tube. The inner diameter scrub brush is received within the inner circumference of the blast jet housing and has an orifice for cleaning an outer circumference of the flex tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Inventors: Alex Rimbey, Jerid Rimbey
  • Patent number: 10192648
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems, apparatus and methods for the removal of cesium and other radionuclides from liquid waste contained in a high level waste tank. The invention includes transporting a stream of the liquid waste from the high level waste tank to one or more ion-exchange column assemblies to remove the cesium therefrom using a sorbent, such as, crystalline silico-titanate. The ion-exchange column assemblies include an ion-exchange column and an integrated shield. The column is concentrically positioned within the shield and an air gap is present between the column and the shield to provide passive cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Beck, Thomas J. Gammon, Gregory B. Harting
  • Patent number: 10173156
    Abstract: A filter cartridge includes a casing. A filter medium is disposed within the casing. A female inlet port and a female outlet port are mounted to the casing at an end portion of the casing. The female inlet port is offset from the female outlet port along the radial direction at the end portion of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Joseph Mitchell
  • Patent number: 10166528
    Abstract: An ammonia adsorption product is described which may be used for fresh caught fish and bait. The product may comprise functionalized tectosilicate compound and a buffer. High concentrations of ammonia produced by fish waste can be lethal, even though oxygen availability is rich enough to keep fish breathing. The product is a user-friendly, sustainable, affordable product which is able to extend the life of the fish by safely removing ammonia by an ion-exchange mechanism. This product can convert toxic ammonia into ammonium and uptake ammonium by releasing sodium ions in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Norma A. Alcantar, Wen Zhao, Sarina Joy Ergas
  • Patent number: 10167217
    Abstract: A process for the industrial production of sea water (M3) that is basically suitable for alimentary use, includes the following steps: drawing sea water with corresponding decantation (3); filtration (4); and sterilization (5), until a purified sea water (M1) is obtained; the process being characterized in that it envisages the further steps of: boron abatement (6) until a sea water is obtained with a boron content of less than one milligram per liter (M2); further filtration (7); sterilization (8) of the possible residual microorganisms; continuous and strict analyses, examinations, and checks (9) of the sea water in the respective various steps of purification thereof, to guarantee that a sea water (M3) is obtained that is microbiologically pure, filtered, and hence free from any pathogenic agents; and storage in tanks or bottling (10) of the purified sea water ready for use in various applications, amongst which basically alimentary use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: STERALMAR SRL
    Inventor: Pietro Di Liddo
  • Patent number: 10167206
    Abstract: Deionization equipment and methods of using such deionization equipment are provided. The deionization equipment allows for improved efficiency in removing spent deionization resin from deionization apparatuses, and also recharging functional deionization resin into deionization apparatuses. Embodiments of the deionization equipment include a resin transfer passage that includes an upper opening, a lower opening and an intermediate opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond H. Perdue
  • Patent number: 10167204
    Abstract: Embodiments of water filters comprise a filter housing configured to be disposed in a pour tray of a water filter pitcher, wherein a filter media cartridge is disposed inside the filter housing. The filter housing includes a housing floor, housing sidewalls extending upwardly, away from the housing floor, and at least one filter housing outlet disposed in one or more of the housing floor or the housing sidewalls. The filter media cartridge includes filter media, where the filter media cartridge comprises a cartridge floor spaced above the housing floor, cartridge sidewalls extending upwardly, away from the cartridge floor, and at least one filter media cartridge outlet disposed along one or more of the cartridge floor or the cartridge sidewalls. The water filter pitcher further includes a riser extending upwardly, away from the housing floor, and spaced between the housing sidewalls and the cartridge sidewalls, where the riser extends a distance above the cartridge floor. The riser forms a conduit volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Douglas Robert Utsch, Vince Breidenbach
  • Patent number: 10160664
    Abstract: A system and method for backwashing a sand filter in a wastewater treatment system. In one aspect, the invention can be a system for backwashing a sand filter comprising: a sand filter configured to remove solids from an untreated wastewater; a container storing chlorine fluidly coupled to the sand filter by a chlorine supply manifold; a flow control mechanism positioned on the chlorine supply manifold between the container and the sand filter, the flow control mechanism alterable between a first position whereby chlorine cannot flow from the container to the sand filter and a second position whereby chlorine flows from the container to the sand filter, the flow control mechanism being biased into the first position; and a processor operably coupled to the flow control mechanism and configured to automatically actuate the flow control mechanism into the second position upon detecting that the sand filter is being backwashed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventors: Gerard Willem Smiddy, Frank Leslie Smiddy
  • Patent number: 10155215
    Abstract: The removal of cyclic hydrocarbons from water sources and systems using an active adsorptive nanocomposite comprising multi-walled carbon nanotubes impregnated with metal oxide nanoparticles on the surface of and/or within the carbon nanotubes. A process for producing the active adsorptive nanocomposite is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Aamir Abbas, Basim Ahmed Abussaud
  • Patent number: 10155673
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of removing mercury from an aqueous solution comprising: providing an aqueous solution comprising chloramine and mercury; and contacting the aqueous solution with a medium comprising a porous carbon substrate comprising at least 1.5% by mass of sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark R. Stouffer, Meredith M. Doyle, Angela M. Moreno, Allen R. Siedle
  • Patent number: 10155216
    Abstract: The removal of cyclic hydrocarbons from water sources and systems using an active adsorptive nanocomposite comprising multi-walled carbon nanotubes impregnated with metal oxide nanoparticles on the surface of and/or within the carbon nanotubes. A process for producing the active adsorptive nanocomposite is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: King Fadh University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Aamir Abbas, Basim Ahmed Abussaud
  • Patent number: 10151099
    Abstract: An underdrain assembly for filtering particulates from a fluid having an upper structure connected to a bottom plate. At least one flow control vane is positioned between the upper structure and the bottom plate for directing and managing fluid flow through the assembly. The upper structure can have first and second filtration members, the second filtration member positioned between the first filtration member and the bottom plate. The second filtration member can have a shape that restricts fluid flow within the underdrain. The underdrain can have air and water inlets. The water inlet can have an end with a plate covering an upper portion thereof. The end can also include an opening having an angular cut forming an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the water inlet. Thus arranged, air is prevented from migrating out the water line. A resilient mounting arrangement for the underdrain is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Aqseptence Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Richard Ekholm, Richard Charles Maxson, Mark Edgar Watson, Fabrice Jean Alphonse Courageot
  • Patent number: 10138143
    Abstract: An ammonia adsorption product is described which may be used for fresh caught fish and bait. The product may comprise functionalized tectosilicate compound and a buffer. High concentrations of ammonia produced by fish waste can be lethal, even though oxygen availability is rich enough to keep fish breathing. The product is a user-friendly, sustainable, affordable product which is able to extend the life of the fish by safely removing ammonia by an ion-exchange mechanism. This product can convert toxic ammonia into ammonium and uptake ammonium by releasing sodium ions in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Norma A. Alcantar, Wen Zhao, Sarina Joy Ergas
  • Patent number: 10138146
    Abstract: A brine filtration device disposable at a bottom portion of a brine storage tank has inner and outer tubes having a plurality of fine slits in order to mechanically trap any large undissolved salt crystals that may be entrained within a sodium chloride solution. A plurality of beads are disposed between the inner and outer tubes to cause the sodium chloride solution to change direction (i.e., cause turbulence) which further promotes or facilitates dissolution of any undissolved salt crystals entrained within the sodium chloride solution. The sodium chloride solution continues to flow through the slits of the inner tube which further traps or catches any undissolved salt crystals. Additional changes in flow direction of the sodium chloride solution are also contemplated to further increase or facilitate dissolution of undissolved salt crystals entrained in the sodium chloride solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Inventor: Mark Malmquist
  • Patent number: 10138136
    Abstract: A liquid filter device can filter liquid flowing therethrough using a granulated filter media included in a tank. The liquid filter device can perform a backwash of the granulated filter media by creating active zones and inactive zones in the tank. In the active zones, the granules are agitated and driven by a flow of liquid toward the top of the tank. In the inactive zones, the granules fall by gravity toward the bottom of the tank. The liquid filter device can include a conduit, a hub and a number of laterals, each of which may individual fit through an opening in the tank and be assembled to form a combined structure that will not fit through the opening in the tank. The active zones may be created above a top surface of each of the laterals by including slots on the top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: New Aqua, LLC
    Inventor: Bret L. Petty
  • Patent number: 10131552
    Abstract: Mobile treatment systems and methods for use in removing sulfates from contaminated water using a pre-treatment subsystem configured to remove particulates and debris from the contaminated water and to produce pre-treated water; a treatment subsystem configured to remove sulfates from the pre-treated water and to produce treated water, the treatment subsystem including at least one treatment tank with a collection unit having one or more filters with pore or inlet sizes of approximately 0.35-1.2 mm; and at least one storage tank configured to collect the treated water. Optionally, the systems and methods may use a backwash subsystem configured to backwash the treatment subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Amperage Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Chad Allen Randal