Patents Examined by Patrick Orme
  • Methods of dewatering of alcoholic solutions via forward osmosis and related systems
    Patent number: 11571660
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods and systems for dewatering alcoholic solutions via forward osmosis, where the concentration of alcohol in the draw stream is equal to or greater than the concentration of the alcohol in the feed stream. As the feed stream is concentrated the alcohol is retained in the feed stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: PORIFERA, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Benton, Olgica Bakajin, Jennifer Klare, Ravindra Revanur
  • Microfluidic devices containing reversibly pinned droplet samples and methods
    Patent number: 11554375
    Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising: (a) a plate comprising a substrate, a plurality of electrodes, and a first layer of hydrophobic material applied over the plurality of electrodes; (b) a processing unit operably programmed to perform a method of pinning an aqueous droplet within the microfluidic device; and (c) a controller operably connected to a power source, the processing unit, and the plurality of electrodes. The method of pinning an aqueous droplet comprises: applying an electric field of a first polarity to an aqueous droplet located on the surface of the layer of hydrophobic material and having a first contact angle, to cause the droplet to maintain a second contact angle in the absence of the electric field, wherein the aqueous droplet contains a surfactant and the second contact angle is less than the first contact angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Nuclera Nucleics Ltd.
    Inventor: Luke M. Slominski
  • Method of preparing hierarchical porous channel molecular sieve membrane and application thereof
    Patent number: 11554348
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a hierarchical porous zeolite membrane and an application thereof, comprising the following steps: a mesoporous structure-directing agent is added to limit the growth of zeolite crystals, and self-assembled in the crystallization process to generate a mesoporous structure. Based on a seed crystal induced secondary nucleation mechanism, this method can realize one-step hydrothermal synthesis of hierarchical porous zeolite membrane with the advantages of mild and controllable synthesis conditions, simple process, good repeatability, reduced energy consumption and cost savings. The hierarchical porous zeolite membrane prepared by the method has good cut-off performance, and the cut-off molecular weight is adjustable between 200 to 500,000 Da.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: NANJING UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Xuehong Gu, Xun Yao, Li Peng
  • Blood filter
    Patent number: 11547783
    Abstract: A blood filter device having an iron-chelating molecule, a haem-binding molecule and a haemoglobin-binding molecule bound to a support. Use of the device in a vessel containing blood, for example a blood bag or a flow line, removes haemolysis-derived components from the blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignees: IMPERIAL COLLEGE INNOVATIONS LIMITED, UCL BUSINESS LTD
    Inventors: Alan Christopher Spivey, Gregory John Quinlan, Nathan Davies
  • Removing components of alcoholic solutions via forward osmosis and related systems
    Patent number: 11541352
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to methods and systems for controllably removing one or more solutes from a solution. Examples disclosed herein relate to methods and systems for removing water from alcoholic beverages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Porifera, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Benton, Olgica Bakajin, Jennifer Klare, Ravindra Revanur
  • Electrically enhanced filter cartridge and methods for its use
    Patent number: 11534707
    Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus and related methods involving the use of replaceable treatment cartridges that include a treatment media, wherein the treatment cartridge is electrically enhanced to form regions of differing polarity within the cartridge. The treatment cartridge can include a pair of fixed polarity conductors that can be electrically connected to a power source so as to induce regions of differing polarity within the cartridge. The fluid treatment apparatus can be utilized to treat liquids including aqueous solutions as well as gases such as an air supply by exposing the fluid to the regions of differing polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: PARAGON WATER SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Karl J. Fritze
  • Water filtration system and method
    Patent number: 11534704
    Abstract: A modular water filtration system including a first filter manifold and a second filter manifold is provided. The first filter manifold includes a first bracket and a first pair of arm members horizontally extending from the first bracket. One of the first pair of arm members includes a protrusion defining a bore. The second filter manifold includes a second bracket and a second pair of arm members horizontally extending from the second bracket. One of the second pair of arm members includes a duct, and the duct is configured to receive the protrusion of the first filter manifold to provide fluid communication through the bore between the first filter manifold and the second filter manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: PENTAIR RESIDENTIAL FILTRATION, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Reckin, Tedd M. Schneidewend
  • Grey-water processing device for rail vehicles
    Patent number: 11535527
    Abstract: A processing device for grey water for a rail vehicle includes a grey water container, a grey water supply in an inlet region, a drain for processed grey water in an outlet region, and a slotted filter between the inlet and outlet regions that has at least one movable sliding member which touches the base of the grey water container in a lowered position and is lifted off the base in a raised position. The base of the grey water container rises from the inlet region to the outlet region. A cleaning outflow is disposed in the inlet region on the base side. A fresh water supply for supplying fresh water is disposed in the outlet region. A rail vehicle having at least one processing device for grey water for a toilet module or toilet bowl is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbH
    Inventors: Simon Gaedker, Frank Hugemann, Andreas Haeussler, Thomas Kuebeck
  • Liquid treatment apparatus and liquid treatment cartridge
    Patent number: 11529575
    Abstract: A device for forming a liquid treatment apparatus includes a main part, a receiving part including a cavity for receiving a connecting head of a replaceable liquid treatment cartridge having at least one port in liquid communication with an interior of the liquid treatment cartridge. The receiving part is journalled for movement between a first and a second position with respect to the main part. The head is insertable into and retractable from the cavity in the first position. The liquid treatment cartridge is lockable to the device by at least moving the receiving part with the inserted connecting head into the second position. The movement includes a component corresponding to an intrinsic rotation in a plane parallel to a direction of insertion. The movement further includes at least a component corresponding to a displacement of the receiving part relative to the main part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Brita SE
    Inventor: Jochen Zöller
  • Separation membrane element and operation method therefor
    Patent number: 11511233
    Abstract: According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a separation membrane element which has an element configuration having high fresh water production performance and high removal performance, has an improved membrane surface linear velocity whereby fouling due to hardly-soluble salts (scales) or organic matters is less likely to occur on the membrane surface particularly in high recovery ratio operation, and is excellent in fresh water production performance and removal performance over a long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Takeshi Konda, Kentarou Takagi, Hiroho Hirozawa, Hiroyuki Yamada, Hiroki Minehara, Hiroaki Tanaka, Monami Suzuki, Yutaro Suzuki
  • Predictive tool for monitoring RO and NF membranes
    Patent number: 11505473
    Abstract: A predictive system for monitoring fouling of membranes of a desalination or water softening plant includes ultrafiltration (UF) membranes, reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, and/or nanofiltration (NF) membranes. In addition, the system includes one or more UF skids including a plurality of UF units. Each UF unit contains therein a plurality of UF membranes. Further, the system includes one or more RO/NF skids including one or more RO/NF arrays. Each of the one or more RO/NF arrays includes a plurality of RO units, with each RO unit containing therein a plurality of RO membranes, a plurality of NF units, with each NF unit containing therein a plurality of NF membranes, or a combination thereof. Still further, the system includes UF sensors and/or RO/NF sensors. The system also includes a controller comprising a processor in signal communication with the UF sensors and/or the RO/NF sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: BP EXPLORATION OPERATING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: George Leslie Cunningham
  • Fluid filter and filter insert for the same
    Patent number: 11491425
    Abstract: A fluid filter is mountable on a connection flange having a central stand pipe and an exchangeable filter insert. The insert has a hollow cylindrical filter material body with two end plates on its end faces and is mountable on the stand pipe. A cup-shaped screw housing of the filter can be screwed to a free end of the stand pipe, and supports a seal on a free edge thereof, via which the screw housing is sealable against a connection flange sealing surface when mounted. The filter has a first arrangement on an end face area to center the end face area to the flange. The filter insert has a second arrangement on the end face area outer periphery for centering the screw housing free edge relative to the connection flange sealing surface. The second arrangement interacts in a centering manner with the screw housing free edge when installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Hengst SE
    Inventor: Wilhelm Ardes
  • Removing components of alcoholic solutions via forward osmosis and related systems
    Patent number: 11484837
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to methods and systems for controllably removing one or more solutes from a solution. Examples disclosed herein relate to methods and systems for removing water from alcoholic beverages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Porifera, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Benton, Olgica Bakajin, Jennifer Klare, Ravindra Revanur
  • Centrifugal fluid separation device
    Patent number: 11478792
    Abstract: A modular cassette and method for separating a composite fluid into at least two component parts thereof during centrifugation is provided. The modular cassette includes a fluid inlet portion, at least one fluid separation portion, at least one media chamber in fluid communication with the fluid separation portion, a fluid collection portion, at least one fluidic channel configured to form a fluid communication between at least two components of the cassette, at least one wax valve including undulating flow channel portions configured to close at least one of the fluidic channels, and at least one heating element configured to actuate the at least one wax valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Ladtkow, Dennis J. Hlavinka, Thomas J. Felt, Andrew Gloor, Jesse Janzen, Taylor Polodna, Luke Edwin Ladtkow
  • Filter segment with a light weight frame
    Patent number: 11478731
    Abstract: A disc segment adapted to be attached to other disc segments to form a disc assembly, the disc segment being in the form of a frame, the frame comprising a left side rail and a right side rail, and a plurality of spaced apart parallel horizontally extending ribs, each disc side including a corrugated wire mesh supported by the frame ribs, the corrugated wire mesh including crisscrossing wire strands, the strands crossing perpendicularly to each other, and the wire strands extend at an angle of 45 degrees relative to its frame rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Valmet Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Karl Gabrielsson, Tony Bjorkenius, Gregory Gilmore
  • Flat-plate filter for water treatment and flat-plate filter module comprising same
    Patent number: 11471833
    Abstract: A flat-plate filter for water treatment and a flat-plate filter module comprising the same are provided. The flat-plate filter for water treatment according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a piece-shaped filtration member comprising a first support and a membrane formed on both sides of the first support; and a support frame fitted in and coupled to the edge of the filtration member so as to support the filtration member, and having a flow path through which filtered water introduced from at least one surface of the filtration member flows, wherein a part of the filtration member is disposed in the flow path or at the edge of the flow path such that the first support is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Amogreentech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung Gu Han, Jae Yun Kim
  • Infusate containers
    Patent number: 11452803
    Abstract: The invention relates to infusate containers and related systems and methods for housing infusates that can be added to a fluid flow path for use during dialysis. The infusate containers can include a filter partitioning the containers into a first and second compartment, a draw tube for drawing up fluid from a bottom portion, a cap, a fluid connector for delivery and withdrawal of fluid from the two compartments, and a fluid connector for connection to a dialysis system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Lura, Thomas E. Meyer, Jin Huang, Yue Qiang Xue
  • System for purifying a liquid
    Patent number: 11439955
    Abstract: A valved raw liquid supply line, which is connected to a filtration unit including a liquid purification unit with an inlet and with outlets for purified liquid and drain liquid, a mixing device, a means for maintaining pressure, a means for maintaining a recirculating flow of liquid, which is located on a line supplying a mixture of raw liquid and concentrate upstream of the liquid purification unit, a recirculating line, a purified liquid line, a drain liquid line, and a control unit, which is connected to the means for maintaining pressure, pressure monitor, the raw liquid supply valve and a drain liquid discharge valve. The means for maintaining pressure is located on a raw liquid supply line upstream of the liquid mixing device. The technical result is a longer system working life, more efficient use of raw liquid, and reduced energy expenditure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: ELECTROPHOR, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Lvovich Shmidt, Yurij Vladimirovich Tatuev, Vladimir Sergeevich Urozhaev
  • Methods for producing a high protein corn meal from a whole stillage byproduct and system therefore
    Patent number: 11427784
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to corn dry-milling, and more specifically, to methods for producing a high protein corn meal from a whole stillage byproduct produced in a corn dry-milling process for making ethanol and a system therefore. In one embodiment, a method for producing a high protein corn meal from a whole stillage byproduct includes, in a corn dry-milling process for making ethanol, separating the whole stillage byproduct into an insoluble solids portion and a thin stillage portion. The thin stillage portion is separated into a protein portion and a water soluble solids portion. Next, the protein portion is dewatered then dried to define a high protein corn meal that includes at least 40 wt % protein on a dry basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Fluid Quip Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Chie Ying Lee
  • Functionalized microfluidic device and method
    Patent number: 11430279
    Abstract: A microfluidic platform and method are provided. The microfluidic platform includes a base having an outer surface and a plurality of wells formed in the outer surface thereof for receiving fluid therein. The plurality of wells are in fluid communication with each other. A lid includes a plurality of channels having corresponding inputs and outputs. The lid is moveable between a first position wherein the lid is disengaged from the base and a second position wherein the inputs of each channel communicate with corresponding wells in the base. The fluid in each well is drawn into corresponding channels through the inputs thereof by capillary action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: David J. Beebe, Erwin Berthler, Peter Cavnar, David John Guckenberger