Patents Examined by Paul J Durand
  • Patent number: 8623219
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for level control in a fluid purification apparatus. The apparatuses and methods include a fluid purification apparatus and a level sensor that regulates operation of the fluid purification apparatus. The level sensor may further operate a bypass valve or a heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Next Generation Filtration Systems, LP
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Geiger
  • Patent number: 8617402
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of raising the pH of a body of water having a pH of less than 4.5 by introducing neutralizing agent, the raising of the pH taking place in at least two stages thus: at pH levels below 4.5, a first neutralizing agent having a final conductivity of not more than 100 ?S/cm, and, after attainment of a pH of at least 4.5, a second neutralizing agent, having a final conductivity of more than 100 ?S/cm, is introduced into the body of water, the final conductivity of the neutralizing agents being defined as the conductivity of an aqueous suspension or solution of neutralizing agent in solution equilibrium at 25° C., having a neutralizing agent content of 0.015% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Rheinkalk GmbH
    Inventors: Christopher Pust, Günter Scholz, Helma Honig, Wolfgang König
  • Patent number: 8617401
    Abstract: An apparatus for optimizing water purification profile, has a front processing unit, a booster pump having a water inlet, a rear processing unit, a waterflow control unit, an emission control unit, a control circuit, and a temperature sensing probe. The front processing unit is connected to the water inlet via a pipe. The control circuit corresponds to the emission control unit. The temperature sensing probe senses water temperature. The control circuit is connected to the temperature sensing probe whereby automatically adjusting time of producing purified water in a periodic cycle. The apparatus implements a constant water utilization rate as water temperature changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Shenzhen Inike Electrical Appliances Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dingshan Jiang, Kai Zhao
  • Patent number: 8608955
    Abstract: An automatic strainer assembly for straining a slurry comprises an inlet for receiving the slurry, a horizontally disposed strainer body in fluid communication with the inlet, and a rotatable strainer member received within the body having an inner surface and an outer surface. One or more scrapers are positioned for removing material from the outer surface of the strainer assembly. A collection vessel is positioned substantially below the body for receiving material scraped from the outer surface of the strainer member. A transport member can be provided for returning the scraped material to the slurry supply for reprocessing thereof. An outlet expels the strained slurry. A manual or automatic washdown system is provided for removing the slurry from the strainer member. A radial bearing assembly and radial seal are associated with the drive shaft of the strainer member to prevent galling. A method for processing a slurry is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: TM Industrial Supply, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl A. Steiner, Yousif A. Khalid Al-Abdullah, Ricky L. Jackson
  • Patent number: 8591745
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a process of running the system that allows for the long term filtration of product without loss of filtration capability due to clogging or fouling. The system is a normal flow filtration system having one or more filter cartridges attached to an outlet of a housing in the system. The filter cartridge(s) are contained within a bowl and depend preferably vertically from the outlet. Liquid enters the bowl of the housing and contacts the outer surfaces of the one or more cartridges. Impurities are trapped on or in the surface of the filter and the filtered liquid flows through the filter and through the outlet. One or more parameters such as flow rate, transmembrane pressure drop and/or time are measured and when the desired parameter(s) are met, the filtration ceases. A backflushing occurs back through the filter cartridges so as to remove the trapped impurities on or in the filter surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Filipe Merino, Luis Penacho, Miquel Iribarren, Antonio Vicente, Angel Cabria, Juan Carlos Pineiro
  • Patent number: 8580125
    Abstract: A method and system for control of a gas or chemical. In one embodiment, the system comprises a reactor for receipt of a fluid and the gas and/or chemical for dissolving, mixing, diffusing, or infusing the gas and/or chemical into the fluid, and a controller to control the flow of the fluid and the gas and/or chemical into the reactor. In some embodiments, the system may also monitor the operation of the system in accordance with predetermined operating conditions. In at least one embodiment, the system also comprises a gas/chemical generation system for generation of the gas and/or chemical to be introduced into the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Eco Oxygen Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Clidence, Richard E. Speece
  • Patent number: 8567610
    Abstract: A fuel filter system having a fuel filter (14) and water separation device (20), a water collecting chamber (24) with a drain line (26, 28) and controllable water discharge valve (30). A cleaning component (32) is disposed in the drain line behind the water discharge valve (30). A suction line (38) connects a fuel tank (40) with the fuel pump (18). Between the water collecting chamber (24) and cleaning component (32) a connecting line (36) branches to suction line (38) having a pressure controlled stop check valve (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Mann + Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Weindorf, Marco Schweikart
  • Patent number: 8562841
    Abstract: One possible embodiment of the invention could be a continuous flow separator for biodiesel formation and a method of operating same. The separator could comprise tank with hollow interior forming a main compartment, a weir-formed compartment, and a sump, the weir being formed at one end of the tank, the sump being formed in the tank bottom, the main compartment being located over the sump; a set of horizontally stacked plates received within the main compartment over the sump, each plate features a series of conical structures, cone apertures, and trough apertures; wherein the plates are so configured and stacked that the cone apertures align to form series of cone aperture columns while the trough apertures align to form series of trough aperture columns. The biodiesel moves up the cone aperture columns over a weir into the separate compartment while glycerine descends the trough aperture columns to the sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: James Philip Hygate
  • Patent number: 8557126
    Abstract: Disclosed is a chemical administrator which delivers a chemical solution into a water supply line for a water-consuming device, e.g., a toilet in a recreational vehicle, for the purpose of treating waste-water before it is disposed in a holding tank. The apparatus has a container which holds the chemical solution. It also has a chemical administering system which siphons the chemical from the container into the water supply line using a vacuum created by the water moving through it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Stephen J. Futch
  • Patent number: 8501013
    Abstract: A system is provided for water purification for a recirculation shower in a transport with a filtration unit, a first backwash line and a second backwash line. The filtration unit is designed to filter used shower water. The first backwash line and the second backwash line are designed to clean the filtration unit with a backwashing. The first backwash line is designed to convey backwash water to the filtration unit. The second backwash line is designed to discharge backwash water from the filtration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Simone Guttau, Christiane Lindauer
  • Patent number: 8486275
    Abstract: An automated water treatment system and methods for treating raw water to produce potable water are disclosed. The system is a self-contained portable water treatment system having several selectable treatment subsystems and a controller which automatically selects and controls the mode of operation from a transient, normal or backwashing mode, automatically controls the flow of water through a treatment path based upon the selected mode of operation and the measured water quality characteristics of the water at selected locations, automatically determines, based upon the selected mode of operation and the water quality parameter measurements, which of the plurality of the selectable subsystems is needed to produce potable water at the output; and automatically direct the flow of water through a treatment path through the system to bypass the water treatment subsystems and elements that are not needed to produce potable water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Omni Water Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Allan Wolf
  • Patent number: 8486272
    Abstract: A method for keeping constant a pH of a medical liquid being drained from a container includes adding CO2 and at least one other gas or gas mixture to the container during the draining of the medical liquid. An apparatus associated with the method has an outflow for the medical liquid, at least one inflow for the CO2 and an inflow for the other gas or gas mixture, and an electronic control for the determination and automatic supply of a quantity of the CO2 during the draining of the medical liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Achim Rauch
  • Patent number: 8475664
    Abstract: The overflow and underflow effluents of a conventional hydrocyclone are discharged into enclosed vessels, so that the operating pressure may be manipulated for each effluent independently of other operating parameters. Each of the effluent vessels is equipped with a source of pressurized gas to form a gas blanket over the effluent at a controllable pressure. Such variable pressures in each vessel, in combination with the pressure of the incoming feed stream, provide the necessary parameters to implement pressure-differential-ratio control, thereby improving the efficiency of separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: FLSmidth A/S
    Inventors: Paul Martin Keyser, Timothy John Olson
  • Patent number: 8469100
    Abstract: An integrated fluid filtration and recirculation system and method are provided for re-circulating and filtering fluid that is used in well cleaning operations. The system is incorporated within an enclosure, which is transportable, such as on a vehicle trailer. The system has power generation capability, thereby making the system capable of operating as a stand-alone unit. Chemicals may be infused into the filtered fluid from an integral chemical supply allowing the system to also function as a treatment facility for the fluid. The components of the system are arranged in a linear fashion that enables the system to maintain a minimum profile for transport upon a conventional trailer, yet the system provides enough room within the enclosure to allow operators to repair/inspect each of the system components. The enclosure may be climate controlled, and the enclosure may include removable panels for operation of the system in temperate conditions when climate control is unnecessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Engineering Fluid Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: William O. Irvine, Benjamin Allen Galassini
  • Patent number: 8454895
    Abstract: This invention refers to continuous flow devices for detecting and/or removal of contaminants from a liquid stream. The device comprises a cartridge with an inlet and outlet for the liquid stream, a radiation incident and emerging wall portion and optically transparent support material packed in the cartridge such that a liquid stream can pass between voids or spaces formed within the optically transparent material, as well as a radiation source and detector. The support material comprises molecules for capturing at least one contaminant on the surface of the support material and each of the capture molecules comprises at least one reporter group which emits a signal upon binding of the contaminant. Another form of the invention refers to a rotatable support within the liquid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Nanyang Technological University
    Inventors: Karina Yew-Hoong Gin, Trevor R. Garrett
  • Patent number: 8454838
    Abstract: A method and system for treating water, and using the treated water for the cooling of industrial processes is disclosed. The water is treated and stored in a large container or artificial lagoon, has high clarity and high microbiological quality. A system of the invention generally includes a containing means, such as a large container or artificial lagoon, a coordination means, a chemical application means, a mobile suction means, and a filtration means. The coordination means monitors and controls the processes in order to adjust water quality parameters within specified limits. The large container or artificial lagoon can act as a heat sink, absorbing waste heat from the industrial cooling process, thus creating thermal energy reservoirs in a sustainable manner, which can be later used for other purposes. The method and system can be used in any industrial cooling system with any type of water available, including fresh water, brackish water, and seawater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Crystal Lagoons (Curacao) B.V.
    Inventor: Fernando Fischmann T.
  • Patent number: 8439112
    Abstract: A system and method for separating solids from return fluids in well drill-out, flow back, well-test, and other production operations. Solids are collected in a filter comprising a perforate inner tube inside a solid outer tube with an annulus therebetween. The fluid stream from the well enters the filter through the inner tube so that the solids are captured inside and the filtrate flows out through the annulus. The filtrate is passed though a flow back line to a flow back tank. As needed, the solids are removed from the inner tube into a debris tube without interrupting the fluid flow through the filter. Chokes are included for equalizing the pressure along the flow path as the debris is moved from the filter to the debris tube and from the debris tube into to a debris pit so that dramatic changes in pressure are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Bronco Oilfield Services, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Droke
  • Patent number: 8435413
    Abstract: A method of controlling the concentration of P of cleaning solution waste water starts by providing a waste water buffer tank capable of either sending the waste water to a waste water treatment plant or storing the waste water after the waste water is accepted. The concentration of P in the cleaning solution is set within a target concentration range, and matter to be treated is treated. The concentration of P in the waste water is measured in the waste water buffer tank. When the measured value of the concentration of P is less than a selected upper limit, the waste water is sent from the waste water buffer tank to the waste water treatment plant. When the measured value of the concentration of P is higher than the selected upper limit, sending the waste water to the waste water treatment plant is stopped, and the waste water is stored in the waste water buffer tank. The concentration of P is reduced to a value within the target concentration range, and the matter to be treated is treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Yoneda, Takahiro Sugano, Nobuyuki Sato
  • Patent number: 8431028
    Abstract: A system for automated water drainage in a fuel system includes a fuel-water separator, a water sensor, first and second drain valves, a drain pressure sensor, and a control system, which is operably connected to the first and second drain valves, the water sensor, and the drain pressure sensor. The water sensor is disposed in the fuel-water separator for detecting the presence of water. The first drain valve is in fluid communication with the fuel-water separator, and the second drain valve is in fluid communication with the first drain valve; a fluid duct connects the first and second drain valves. The drain pressure sensor is positioned in the fluid duct, for detecting pressure levels in the fluid duct. The control system automatically operates the first and second drain valves, for removing purge liquid from the fuel-water separator, based on signal outputs of the water sensor and the drain pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Larry Gene Anderson, Sandeep Banga, Sivanaga Venu Varma Dantuluri, Shawn Michael Gallagher, Jaslok Kaur
  • Patent number: 8414781
    Abstract: An in-line flow separator comprises an uphill section of pipeline which, in use, carries a gravitationally stratified flow of a first liquid and a second denser liquid. The second liquid forms a sump extending uphill from the foot of the uphill section, and an interface between the first and second liquids on the uphill section is inclined from the horizontal. An extraction port in the pipeline extracts the second liquid from the sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michel Berard, Kamal Babour, Ibrahim Babelli