Patents Examined by Robert J. Hill, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8153037
    Abstract: An apparatus for a continuous encapsulation process is provided. The apparatus is a vibrating tubing used alone, in series, or in combination with an encapsulation apparatus, which is used alone or in series. The vibrating tubing is a flat coil, a standing spiral, or a flume. The encapsulation apparatus includes a winding having coils disposed in an aqueous gelling solution. The winding is rotatable about its longitudinal center axis. The winding has adjacently spaced coils forming a plurality of chambers. Objects to be encapsulated are added to the apparatus such that when the winding is rotated, the chambers transport a volume of objects through the length winding in the aqueous gelling solution in a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Peder Oscar Andersen, Robert Kopesky, Christian Klein Larsen, Olav Gaserod, David Harvey, Sanhuang Tung
  • Patent number: 8147598
    Abstract: A jacket material into which a gas adsorbing device and core material are inserted is decompressed in a vacuum chamber, the opening is sealed, and then the jacket material is exposed to the atmosphere. In the atmospheric pressure, a pressure of about 1 atm which is equivalent to the pressure difference between the inside and outside is applied to the jacket material of the heat insulator. The jacket material is made of a plastic laminated film and is deformed by pressure. A protruding portion is plunged into a container to drill through holes, and a gas adsorbent in the container communicates with the inside of the jacket material. Thus, both during holding and in applying to the vacuum heat insulator, the gas adsorbent can be applied to the vacuum heat insulator without degradation, and the high degree of vacuum can be kept for a long time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masamichi Hashida, Kazutaka Uekado, Akiko Yuasa
  • Patent number: 8148168
    Abstract: The invention provides extraction columns for the purification of an analyte (e.g., a biological macromolecule, such as a peptide, protein or nucleic acid) from a sample solution, as well as methods for making and using such columns. The columns typically include a bed of extraction media positioned in the column, often between two frits. In some embodiments, the extraction columns employ modified pipette tips as column bodies. In some embodiments, the extraction columns are comprised of frits having a low pore. In some embodiments, the frits of the extraction columns have a pore volume of less than one microliter or less than 10% of the interstitial volume of the bed of extraction media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: PhyNexus, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas T. Gjerde, Allen Burge, Ronald Jones, Mark Abel
  • Patent number: 8147590
    Abstract: A filter separator and method, including an annular microfilter and a separation chamber within the microfilter including a plurality of mixing blades circulating fluid upwardly and downward within the chamber. When the apparatus is used to purify syngas, adherent metal oxide particles are circulated in the chamber to adsorb waste oxides. The apparatus is purged by injecting hot CO2 free gas into the chamber through the filter and the filter pores may be expanded during purging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Bayne Carew
  • Patent number: 8142547
    Abstract: A method for extraction of gas from liquid provides for reliable and accurate extraction of gases dissolved in fluids and routing the extracted gas to an analytical instrument. An extraction module comprises one or more fluorosilicone membranes molded into the shape of a flattened disk. The membranes are retained in a housing in a spaced apart relationship. The membrane is permeable to target gas(es), but not to the fluid. Porous support members support the membranes and prevent damage to them and the housing defines separate fluid flow paths for the fluid and the gas extracted from it. Fluid is passed over the membrane in a first fluid phase; target compounds in the fluid diffuse across the membrane to a second fluid phase until equilibrium is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Serveron Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Mahoney, Thomas Waters
  • Patent number: 8142538
    Abstract: A filter element in the form of a nonwoven self-supporting filtration web having rows of folded or corrugated spaced-apart pleats, the web containing continuous thermoplastic fibers a majority of which are aligned at 90°±20° with respect to the row direction. The filter element can be made by forming rows of pleats in such a nonwoven web and cutting the web to a desired size and shape. The filter elements can provide improved mechanical and filtration properties and can exhibit reduced susceptibility to pleat deformation and the loss of space between pleats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Douglas C. Sundet, Rahul R. Shah, John M. Brandner, Tien T. Wu
  • Patent number: 8142544
    Abstract: A system and a method are described for monitoring pressure imbalances in the adsorbent beds of a portable gas concentrator. Using the programmability features found in modern portable concentrators, various mitigative procedures to adjust for pressure imbalances and to predict the need for service are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Inogen, Inc.
    Inventors: Brenton Taylor, Peter Hansen
  • Patent number: 8142725
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising: a) an alkylation reactor holding an ionic liquid catalyst and a reactant mixture, b) a means for measuring levels of a halide in an effluent from the alkylation reactor, and c) a control system that receives a signal in response to the measuring and communicates changes in an operating condition that influences the yield of products from the reactant mixture. The control system is responsive to deviations outside a predetermined range of halide level that has been selected to obtain a ratio of a yield of an alkylate gasoline and a yield of a middle distillate from 0.31 to 4.0 in the product from the alkylation reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Sven Ivar Hommeltoft, Howard S. Lacheen
  • Patent number: 8142549
    Abstract: A method of reducing moisture in a fluorine-containing gas is described. The method may include the steps of providing a purifier material that includes elemental carbon, and flowing the unpurified fluorine-containing gas having an unpurified moisture concentration over or through the carbon-based purifier material. At least a portion of the moisture is captured in the purifier material so that a purified fluorine-containing gas that emerges downstream of the purifier material has a reduced moisture concentration that is about 50% or less of the unpurified moisture concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Millward, Joseph V. Vininski, Robert Torres, Jr., Tadaharu Wantanbe, Carrie L. Wyse, Mark Raynor, Dan Davia, Praveen Jha
  • Patent number: 8137980
    Abstract: The invention concerns a reagent system for the so-called on-board control of analytical elements, in particular test strips, containing an organic N-oxide or a nitroso compound. The invention also concerns analytical elements containing a reagent system for a detection reaction and a reagent system for an on-board control. Furthermore, the invention concerns a method for checking analytical elements in which a reagent system for an on-board control is examined optically or electrochemically with the aid of a measuring instrument for changes which could indicate a stress of the analytical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Volker Unkrig, Christine Nortmeyer, Carina Horn, Michael Marquant, Mihail Onoriu Lungu, Joachim Hoenes, Holger Kotzan, Joerg Dreibholz
  • Patent number: 8137443
    Abstract: The present invention provides an activated carbon having an average length/average diameter (L/D) of 0.8 to 1.2 and a difference between the 1/1-volume benzene adsorption rate and the 1/10-volume benzene adsorption rate of 6.0 g/100 mL or more, and a canister and an intake air filter utilizing such activated carbon as an adsorbent. The activated carbon has a substantially spherical configuration and excellent hydrocarbon adsorption/desorption capacity. A canister and an intake air filter utilizing such activated carbon as an adsorbent have excellent hydrocarbon adsorption/desorption capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Cataler Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Aono, Takayuki Suzuki, Yuji Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 8137440
    Abstract: A dryer and a drying apparatus attachable to a dryer are disclosed. A wheel having desiccant material is located in line and in close proximity with a heating element. The wheel includes a first portion positioned in an inlet air path and a second portion positioned in an outlet air path. The desiccant material removes water molecules from air within the inlet air path, and lowers the vapor pressure of the incoming air. In the outlet air path, heated air flows through the second portion to transfer energy to the desiccant material. The wheel rotates to change the desiccant material within the portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Protégé Enterprises
    Inventors: Charles Robert Dewald, III, Thomas L. Cristello
  • Patent number: 8133739
    Abstract: To provide a lead concentration determination reagent which realizes accurate, high-sensitivity, and simple-manner determination of the lead ion concentration (also referred to simply as “lead concentration”) of a sample solution in the presence of calcium ions, and a lead concentration determination method employing the reagent. The lead concentration determination reagent contains (A) a water-soluble porphyrin derivative or a salt thereof, (B) at least one member selected from among polyacrylamide, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyethylene glycol, and (C) a calcium-ion-supplying compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Kowa Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takaharu Asano
  • Patent number: 8133304
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the production of carbonaceous adsorption agents doped with elementary sulfur, in which sulfur is mixed with the adsorption agent, the mixture is heated to a temperature of between 120° C. and 150° C. and the temperature is maintained over a period of about an hour. The process is distinguished in that heating of the mixture is effected under a controlled oxygen-bearing atmosphere. The invention further concerns a process for waste gas cleaning using carbonaceous absorption agents doped with elementary sulfur. Preferably brown coal coke is used as the adsorption agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: RWE Power Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Heschel, Bernd Meyer, Maik Werner, Jürgen Wirling
  • Patent number: 8133740
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, materials and systems that can be used to determine qualitatively or quantitatively the level of uranium contamination in water samples. Beneficially, disclosed systems are relatively simple and cost-effective. For example, disclosed systems can be utilized by consumers having little or no training in chemical analysis techniques. Methods generally include a concentration step and a complexation step. Uranium concentration can be carried out according to an extraction chromatographic process and complexation can chemically bind uranium with a detectable substance such that the formed substance is visually detectable. Methods can detect uranium contamination down to levels even below the MCL as established by the EPA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignees: Clemson University Research Foundation, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy A. DeVol, Amy E. Hixon, David P. DiPrete
  • Patent number: 8133303
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing discharges into the atmosphere of mercury pollutants associated with dry process, precalciner cement manufacturing is shown. Raw feed meal used in cement production is heated in a special heating chamber to drive off volatile mercury pollutants, such as elemental mercury and mercury oxides. Preferably, the feed meal is heated to a temperature of at least 175° C. The gases that are driven off flow are then cooled to condense the mercury pollutants causing them to be adsorbed on carbon particles injected into the gas flow. The carbon particles containing the condensed mercury pollutants are then filtered out of gas flow, for example, using a fabric filter. The gas flow may be burned to destroy other volatile pollutants such as hydrocarbons and/or ammonia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventors: James J. Schwab, Ronald L. Hawks
  • Patent number: 8128806
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and equipment for fluid catalytic cracking for the production of middle distillates of low aromaticity that comprises cracking a mixed feed consisting of heavy fractions of hydrocarbons, in the absence of added hydrogen and employing a catalyst of low activity and low acidity, in a dense-bed FCC reactor to produce an effluent constituted of fractions of middle distillates and naphtha of low aromaticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.—Petrobras
    Inventors: Claudia Maria de Lacerda Alvarenga Baptista, Edisson Morgado Junior, William Richard Gilbert
  • Patent number: 8128809
    Abstract: A single stage process for desulfurization and ring opening of a sulphur containing hydrocarbon feedstock comprising: contacting said feedstock with hydrogen and a catalyst at a pressure of less than 100 bars wherein said catalyst comprises (I) a combination of molecular sieves consisting of at least one zeolite which has a faujasite structure and at least one fibrous zeolite which comprises essentially non-crossing one-dimensional channels and (II) a composition comprising at least one metal selected from group VIB of the periodic table and at least one metal from group VIII.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Statoil ASA
    Inventors: Stephan Wellach, Knut Grande, Jorunn Steinsland Rosvoll, Per Aksel Skjolsvik, Gotz Burgfels, Josef Schonlinner, Friedrich Schmidt, Volker Kurth
  • Patent number: 8127938
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for treating a hydrocarbon stream having one or more compounds with a boiling point of about 140-about 450° C. The apparatus can include an extraction zone and a regeneration zone. The extraction zone can include at least one settler. Each settler can have a height and a length. Typically the length is greater than the height. Also, the settler can form a boot, which can be adapted to receive a feed at one end. The regeneration zone may include a regenerator for an ionic liquid. The regenerator can include a column adapted to provide a regenerated ionic liquid to the extraction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David Nathan Myers, Manuela Serban, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Luigi Laricchia, John Patrick Brady
  • Patent number: 8129190
    Abstract: Tagged products (including tagged petroleum products) and methods of detecting the same are disclosed. The tagged petroleum products are tagged with a violanthrone, e.g., a substituted violanthrone and/or an isoviolanthrone, e.g., a substituted isoviolanthrone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Forshee, Peter Kottenstette