Patents Examined by Pamela A. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 6116171
    Abstract: A pulverized coal combustion burner has a circumferential distribution of pulverized coal density at an outlet portion of a pulverized coal nozzle made uniform, and a complete NO.sub.x decrease is attained. An oil gun (01) for stabilizing combustion is provided at a center portion. An annular sectional oil primary air flow path (02) surrounds the oil gun (01), and an annular sectional pulverized coal and primary air mixture flow path (14) surrounds the oil primary air flow path (02). Around the mixture flow path (14) is an annular sectional secondary air flow path (15), and an annular sectional tertiary air flow path (16) surrounds the secondary air flow path (15). A pulverized coal supply pipe is connected in the tangential direction to the mixture flow path (14). Further, an entering angle control (28) of the mixture is provided within the pulverized coal supply pipe (11). Within the mixture flow path (14), a pulverized coal density dividing cylinder (25) is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Oota, Toshimitsu Ichinose, Masaharu Ooguri, Hitoji Yamada
  • Patent number: 6079072
    Abstract: A frame assembly supports a work surface of either flexible material or of sections of foldable and unfoldable relatively rigid material all so that the frame assembly and material may either be unfoldable and rigidized or folded into a compact package. The flexible frame assembly includes a pair of spaced poles and a number of hinged sections aligned so that the poles and material can be folded in sections. The poles rotate to permit either a frame folded disposition or a frame rigidized disposition. Embodiments include stretchers, screens and enclosures. The rigid material assembly provides a collapsible and rigidizable space spanning structure formed with a number of hinged sections of center supports and plates hingedly connected together to be either folded into a relatively compact device or unfolded and hingedly positioned to form rigidized space spanning structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Philip Furgang
    Inventor: Elli Katsiri
  • Patent number: 5987769
    Abstract: There is provided an improved centrifugal dryer that includes a motor section or portion, a dryer section or portion disposed therebelow, and a reservoir section or portion disposed below the dryer portion, the dryer portion being hingedly attached to the reservoir portion. A product slurry is introduced into the dryer portion through a center inlet pipe and flows into the dryer section where the product is dried by forcing the fluid in the slurry through apertures in a perforated screen held in position between upper and lower screen positioning plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Carter Day International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle D. Ackerman, David A. Hauch
  • Patent number: 5915813
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for drying a wet web and modifying the moisture profile of the web. A plurality of gas burners are located within the interior of a through air dryer hood to variably heat air passing through the hood interior before it contacts a wet web on a through air dryer web support. The flowing air within the hood interior is divided into air flow portions directed toward different incremental width portions of the wet web. The burners are separately controlled to vary the heat of the individual flowing air portions to provide a uniform web moisture profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Joiner
  • Patent number: 5868082
    Abstract: A dual fuel gasification-combustion system (44)with multi-stage fluidised bed gasifier (32)for complete carbon conversion of the input fuel using single or combineable oxidants and sulphur sorbents to produce a clean fuel gas and combustion gas at any pressure for use with boilers gas turbines,or, combined cycle gas-steam turbines.The application (44) for combined cycle power includes a multi-stage gasifier (32)with design number of stages to maximise carbon conversion of input liquid or solid fuels being connected to a gas turbine (53)via gas cleaners (45),(47)and afterburner (46)to produce a clean combustion gas entering the gas turbine. The system has coolant conduits (6) in the gasifier and in the afterburner at (50) and generated steam from the boiler (54) for the steam turbine (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: John Hunter
  • Patent number: 5842285
    Abstract: A drying apparatus comprising a cylindrical drum (1) for drying, on the outside surface of the drum (1), pulp-shaped and viscous substances, such as for instance coffee milk powder, or band-shaped products, such as for instance paper, cardboard or textile, the apparatus comprising means for heating the drum (1) from the inner space of the drum (1), the means for heating the drum from the inner space of the drum (1) comprising a number of gas burners (2) juxtaposed in axial direction of the drum and controllable independently of one another. In furher elaboration of the invention, the gas burners are radiant burners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Gastec N.V.
    Inventor: Geuko van der Veen
  • Patent number: 5836084
    Abstract: An automated stencil dryer includes a holder mechanism for holding a stencil, a discharge mechanism for discharging air against a stencil positioned in the holder, and a driver mechanism operatively coupled to the discharge mechanism for automatically moving the discharge mechanism so that compressed air can be discharged fully across the surface of the stencil. In one embodiment, the discharge mechanism includes a pair of air knives disposed parallel to one another on opposite sides of the holder so that the stencil is between the air knives when the stencil is positioned in the holder. The air knives are oriented inward toward the stencil when the stencil is positioned in the holder so that air discharged from the air knives is directed against the stencil. In another embodiment, the discharge mechanism includes a pair of air distribution pipes disposed parallel to one another on opposite sides of the holder so that the stencil is between the distribution pipes when the stencil is positioned in the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Robert Jackson, Wallace E. Croghan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5823008
    Abstract: A mobile cold air supply unit which comprises, as housed in a single casing, an air compressor-expander constituted of an integral combination of a motor, an air compressor and an air expander, an air-to-water heat exchanger and an air-to-air heat exchanger, is furnished in the casing with air tubing for interconnecting the aforesaid components at an air pressure not higher than 5 kg/cm.sup.2, and is provided with a cold air discharge connection, a return air intake connection, a cooling water outlet connection and a cooling water intake connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignees: Kajima Corporation, NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Nikai, Motohisa Uda, Naoki Shindo, Takeshi Fuse
  • Patent number: 5822881
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating refuse by non-combustibly shrinking plastics in the refuse. The trash is heated to a temperature of at least 250.degree. to 500.degree. for a minimum period of time. A rotatable chamber heats the refuse and transports the refuse for the minimum period of time. An operator controls the rate of rotation of the chamber and thus the time of heating in accordance with the moisture content of the refuse. A steam/air mixture used as a heat medium serves to kill bacteria in the refuse in addition to shrinking and drying the refuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventors: Frank T. Romweber, Dennis F. Sowa
  • Patent number: 5819673
    Abstract: Improved methods for the treatment of liquid chemical compounds and process systems for practicing those methods are provided. The methods are practiced by spraying the liquid chemical compounds into a matrix bed of heat resistant materials at temperatures sufficiently high to oxidize the chemical compounds. The sprayed liquid chemical compound is preferably heated to its gaseous state prior to contacting the matrix bed. Processing steps for removing coke deposits in the matrix bed are also provided. The methods are particularly advantageous for the destruction of chemical agents and munitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Thermatrix Inc.
    Inventors: Ann C. Heywood, Richard J. Martin, John D. Stilger, Andrew B. King
  • Patent number: 5819544
    Abstract: A high pressure pumping system for pumping cryogenic liquid from a low pressure holding cylinder to a high pressure gas cylinder (or other high pressure utilization system) includes a high pressure piston pump having a unidirectional flow input and a unidirectional flow output, immersed in the cryogenic liquid in a low pressure pump container that is fed cryogenic liquid from the low pressure holding cylinder, the pressure in said pump container being maintained so that driving the pump piston pumps cryogenic liquid from the bulk tank to the high pressure utilization system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Martin D. Andonian
  • Patent number: 5815941
    Abstract: A pellet conditioning device (10) for the cooling and/or drying of preformed discrete pellets (148) is provided which includes an upright pellet-receiving bin (12) with a dual grate assembly (18) therein. The assembly (18) includes a stationary first grate comprising a plurality of upright, apertured grate wall members (86), and a shiftable second grate including a plurality of elongated, obliquely oriented plates (106) located between and in spanning relationship to adjacent pairs of the wall members (86). Shifting structure (20) is provided for selective and sequential translational, rectilinear shifting movement of the lower margins (110) of the plates (106) so as to successively open and close a pellet passageway (117) adjacent each lower margin (110). A duct and fan arrangement (38) is also provided with the bin (12) so as to draw cooling air currents through the grate assembly (18) and pellets (148) therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Lavon G. Wenger, Douglas S. Clark, Nicholas B. Scott
  • Patent number: 5815944
    Abstract: Described are a device and methods for drying hosiery and other articles of clothing in a way which is aesthetically pleasing and efficient. In one embodiment, the invention provides an enclosure comprising a bottom portion; suspending means disposed above the bottom portion for hanging the hosiery and/or other articles of clothing within the enclosure; absorption means which, during normal use, is disposed above the bottom portion and below the hosiery and/or other articles of clothing when hung within the enclosure, for absorbing liquid which may drop from the hosiery and/or other articles of clothing when wet; and attachment means for attaching the enclosure to a substantially vertical surface; whereby the hosiery and/or other articles of clothing may be stored to dry while remaining substantially concealed within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: James R. Palmer
  • Patent number: 5813139
    Abstract: A method for facilitating the drying of carpet More specifically, the present invention relates to using a coiled corkscrew-like device to lift and hold wet wall-to-wall carpeting and padding off of the floor so that air may be blown under the carpet to dry the carpet. The present invention includes a coiled rod, a handle, and a mounting washer. The handle and the rod are welded to opposing sides of the mounting washer. The rod is made from 3/16 of an inch diameter stainless steel and is sharpened to a needle point at the terminal end. The sharpened end of the device is used to puncture a small hole in the carpet. The handle is then rotated about the axis of the coiled rod which raises the carpet off of the floor. Once all of the carpet has been lifted from the floor, one side of the carpet is opened and an air blower is installed to blow air under the carpet. The device is capable of lifting approximately nine square yards of carpeting and padding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventor: Ryan C. Lillicotch
  • Patent number: 5806341
    Abstract: Air is compressed in an arrangement of compressors. A first flow of the thus compressed air flows through a main heat exchanger from its warm end to its cold end and is liquefied by passage through a valve. Two second stream of compressed air are taken. One is expanded in one expansion turbine and the other in another expansion turbine. The streams leaving the valve and the one expansion turbine are separated in a double rectification column. Liquid oxygen product is extracted from outlet thereof. Part is taken as liquid product and the rest is vaporized by passage through the heat exchanger from its cold end to its warm end and taken as gaseous oxygen product. The ratio of liquid oxygen product to total oxygen product is capable of being varied. Accordingly a chosen but variable proportion of the two second air streams flows to the double rectification column and a chosen but variable proportion of the two second air streams is returned to the arrangement of compressors to an intermediate compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventor: Thomas Rathbone
  • Patent number: 5799506
    Abstract: A method of chilling, cooling or likewise refrigerating a product with the aid of the cold content of a condensed gas, wherein the product, preferably in a gas or liquid state, is caused to pass at least one product-cooling heat-exchanger. According to the invention, the condensed gas is vaporized in at least one evaporation heat-exchanger and the vaporized gas is delivered to the product-cooling heat-exchanger for cooling the product therein. The gas heated by the product in the product-cooling heat-exchanger is then returned to the evaporation heat-exchanger for vaporization of the condensed gas therein. The invention also relates to an arrangement for use in carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: AGA AB
    Inventors: Sven-Ake Johansson, Per Olof Ekeblad
  • Patent number: 5797195
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for the dynamic cleaning of semiconductor fabrication equipment and particularly quartzware with thermally activated nitrogen trifluoride wherein the cleaning effluent is safely removed and cleaning by-products isolated or diluted to provide for efficient cleaning and rapid restarts of fabrication equipment so cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignees: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., GEC, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Alan Huling, Charles Anthony Schneider, George Martin Engle
  • Patent number: 5794548
    Abstract: A furnace having a continuous ash discharge stoker which includes a fuel distributor apparatus for delivering associated particulate fuel to an associated continuous ash discharge furnace which includes a housing having an inlet for a particulate fuel and an inlet for pressurized air. The housing includes a surface for directing the flow of the associated particulate fuel and an outlet cooperating with the surface through which the associated particulate fuel and air exit the housing. The apparatus includes a nozzle dimensioned and configured to direct pressurized air along a face of the surface to establish a boundary layer between the surface and the associated particulate fuel flowing over the surface. In some forms of the invention the nozzle comprises first and second flat plates disposed in mutually parallel spaced relationship. The first and second flat plates may each be disposed in generally aligned relationship to at least a portion of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis N. Barlow
  • Patent number: 5791151
    Abstract: A method is described for preserving tissues and organs, in particular of tissues and organs for transplantation, in which the tissue or organ to be treated is temporarily stored in a well-cooled state, in particular at a temperature in the range from -3.degree. C. to 3.degree. C., for a predeterminable time in an oxygen atmosphere, in a space which can be closed off in air tight manner, wherein the oxygen atmosphere is built up in the space which can be sealed off in air tight manner with a pressure which lies above the atmospheric pressure, and wherein the pressure in the closed space is kept at a pressure lying above the atmospheric pressure for the whole or the further period of intermediate storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventors: Hubert Verhaag, Wilfried Schworer, Jurgen Schlegel
  • Patent number: RE35990
    Abstract: A waste disposal system (10) which provides for the destruction of solid and liquid waste materials, through a controlled and monitored flow, from the loading of the material to be processed to the expulsion of clean nontoxic and sterile air and inert solid residue. The system includes; a waste loading module (30), a shredding module (33), an injection module (34), a fist combustion chamber (40), a second combustion chamber (50), a first cooling module (60), an electrostatic module (701), a reducing catalyst module (70), an oxidizing catalyst module (80), a liquid filtering module (90), a neutralization module (100) and second cooling module (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: NCE Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph M. Greene, Patrick C. Malone