Patents Examined by Robert J. Popovics
  • Patent number: 11242678
    Abstract: A system for capturing and destroying hair and waste within a shower drain includes a basket placed in the drain which holds a rod including an enzyme blend. The basket captures hair or waste that is washed down shower drains The enzyme blend neutralizes the hair or waste. The result is a clear drain and clear plumbing, with minimal manual labor. The basket does not require removal because the hair and waste are neutralized before a clog can develop. The enzyme blend is safer for both users and the plumbing systems treated than conventional drain cleaning chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: NeverClog LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey J. Grumbach, Olaoluwa Faleye, Jacqueline Kirk
  • Patent number: 11241138
    Abstract: A fluid circulation system for dishwasher appliances includes a sump and a pump. The fluid circulation system further includes a filter at least partially disposed within a chamber of the sump and surrounding an impeller of the pump. The fluid circulation system includes a diverter. The fluid circulation system further includes a cleaning manifold disposed proximate an outer surface of a sidewall of the filter, the manifold defining a plurality of apertures for flowing fluid towards the outer surface of the sidewall of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: John Edward Dries
  • Patent number: 11230186
    Abstract: A motor vehicle tank subassembly for storing and discharging an operating liquid, encompassing a tank having a tank volume, a filling opening a withdrawal opening, and a conveying pump having intake and delivery sides, the intake side connected to the withdrawal opening, a material that forms a pore volume being received in the tank; the material that forms a pore volume, constituting a porous conveying body having a body volume, occupies only part of the tank volume, the porous conveying body embodied to receive liquid stored in the tank in its pore volume utilizing a capillary effect; the porous conveying body having a discharge portion connected to the withdrawal opening such that the withdrawal vacuum at the withdrawal opening brings about in pores of the discharge portion a discharge vacuum that overcomes the capillary effect occurring there; the remainder of the porous conveying body extending away from the discharge portion and the withdrawal opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Röchling Automotive SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Farina, Fabrizio Chini, Mirco Bragagnolo
  • Patent number: 11224830
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter element (1, 31) for use as a particulate filter in a cooling circuit (100), in particular of an electrochemical energy converter, having a conical grid support structure (3, 33). The filter element features at a first axial end a supply opening (23, 49) for supplying a cooling medium to be filtered into the filter element (1, 31) and the grid support structure (3, 33) carries a filter medium (4, 34). The filter element (1, 31) has axially opposite the supply opening (23, 49) a funnel (16, 40) for axially discharging and collecting particulate impurities, and is closed at second axial end. The conical grid support (3, 33) structure tapers from the first axial end to the second axial end. An arrangement of a fuel cell (102) having a a cooling circuit (100) with the filter element is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Wildermuth
  • Patent number: 11224831
    Abstract: A dam assembly is provided which is used to increase retention time on the shaker and therefore achieve maximum dryness of solids, such as cuttings, sand, dirt, and other particles. As solids are conveyed to the end of the shaker, the solids will begin to pile up behind the dam assembly. Once enough solids of sufficient weight pile up behind the dam assembly, the dam assembly will fold over and release the solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: DEL Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Kulbeth
  • Patent number: 11219845
    Abstract: A system for separating solids from a fluid includes a containment vessel having a V-shaped tank in fluid communication with an agitated overflow tank. Baffles within the V-shaped tank provide a series of zones where the fluid is deposited for processing. A shaftless auger at the bottom of the V-shaped tank transfers solids to an area where they are pumped to a first hydrocyclone assembly associated with a first shaker. Overflow from the hydrocyclone assembly and underflow from the first shaker is further processed by a second hydrocyclone assembly associated with a second shaker. Overflow from the second hydrocyclone assembly and underflow from the second shaker are deposited into overflow tank which contains the cleaned fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: DEL Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Kulbeth
  • Patent number: 11219846
    Abstract: A system for separating solids from a fluid includes a containment vessel having a V-shaped tank in fluid communication with an agitated overflow tank. Baffles within the V-shaped tank provide a series of zones where the fluid is deposited for processing. A shaftless auger at the bottom of the V-shaped tank transfers solids to an area where they are pumped to a first hydrocyclone assembly associated with a first shaker. Overflow from the hydrocyclone assembly and underflow from the first shaker is further processed by a second hydrocyclone assembly associated with a second shaker. Overflow from the second hydrocyclone assembly and underflow from the second shaker are deposited into overflow tank which contains the cleaned fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: DEL Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Kulbeth
  • Patent number: 11213771
    Abstract: The invention describes separation systems and methods for separating solids and liquids from one another. The system includes a rotating screen for supporting a slurry of solids and liquid. A fluid manifold is configured to the lower surface of the screen for applying a downward vacuum force through the screen. A cleaning manifold is configured to the screen for cleaning the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew Richard Hicks, Hugues Wanlin
  • Patent number: 11207617
    Abstract: A shearing blade is used in a filtration device including a filtering element having a filtering surface and a plurality of filter pores provided on the filtering surface for filtering unfiltered fluid introduced into a primary side, a scraper abutting the filtering element for cleaning the filtering surface by rotating in a rotational direction, a pillar provided in the primary side to which the scraper is attached, and a tube body. The front end portion of the shearing blade is at least disposed between the filtering surface and a circle defined by the outer circumferential end of the pillar in the radial direction, and the distance between the front end portion and the filtering surface in the radial direction is shorter than the distance between the rear end portion of the shearing blade and the filtering surface in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventor: Koichi Arai
  • Patent number: 11199253
    Abstract: An oil filter assembly for a differential housing, including a filter housing for releasably mounting in a drive axle housing and defining an internal volume for containing oil to be filtered, a mounting arrangement for releasably securing the filter assembly to a drive axle housing, and a filter element for filtering particulate contaminants from oil in a drive axle. The filter housing includes an inlet on an upper portion thereof and an outlet on a lower portion thereof to define an flow path therethrough, and wherein the filter element is located downstream of the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: J. C. Bamford Excavators Limited
    Inventors: Gareth Trimmer, Gethin Thomas, Tom Hurd
  • Patent number: 11168655
    Abstract: A fuel filter device includes a bag-shaped filter member filtering fuel that is drawn into a fuel pump, an inner frame member retaining the filter member in an expanded state, and a mounting member connected to the inner frame member and serving to communicate an internal space of the filter member with an outside. A valve chamber is defined by the inner frame member and the mounting member, and a check valve serving to prevent backflow of fuel is disposed in the valve chamber. The check valve includes a flat-plate shaped valve body having elasticity. The check valve opens against its weight when the fuel pump is operated, and the check valve closes due to its weight when the operation of the fuel pump is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kensuke Niwa, Koji Yoshida, Tatsuki Fukui, Hiroyasu Kariya
  • Patent number: 11161062
    Abstract: Filter systems disclosed herein collapse for storage purposes and include mechanisms to continuously fill an upper chamber, allowing it to be smaller and to include more filters. A UVC light in a lower chamber sanitizes water entering therein. Water entering the lower chamber may pass through a quartz tube near the UVC light for sufficient exposure. The UVC light may be cycled between shorter periods of higher intensity and longer periods of lower intensity. A low power source such as a small solar array and/or battery may power the UVC light. A proximity switch may control the UVC light by providing power to the light only when the upper chamber is engaged with the lower chamber which may protect the user from exposure to the UVC light. Sealing mechanisms between the upper and lower chambers, as well as tote mechanisms and an alternative bucket filter system are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: WellspringPure, LLC
    Inventors: Valdean Allen Johnson, Celia Roberts Johnson
  • Patent number: 11148071
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a filtration system with a separation system including a primary process vessel with a main body enclosing an internal volume, and a removable end cap coupled to one of the ends of the main body. The primary process vessel includes fluid apertures enabling a fluid stream to enter or exit the inner volume. The separation system includes a filter support positioned in the inner volume, and a filter assembly coupled to the filter support. In some embodiments, the filtration system further includes a support frame, and the separation system is mounted on the support frame. In some embodiments, the separation system is fluidly coupled to another separation system. In some embodiments, the filter assembly includes a coalescing filter. In some further embodiments, the filter assembly includes a filter configured and arranged to filter hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Pentair Filtration Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: John Byron Kelsey
  • Patent number: 11148340
    Abstract: A filtration device for extrusion processes, which comprises a material intake channel, which splits into a first intake channel and a second intake channel leading to a first filter chamber and a second filter chamber, the first and second filter chambers being provided in output with a first output channel and a second output channel, which in turn merge into a channel that is adapted to convey the material to an extrusion head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: C M PRODUZIONE S.R.L.
    Inventors: Carmine Prinzo, Alessio Prinzo
  • Patent number: 11141617
    Abstract: An irrigation recirculation and fire extinguishing system is provided that includes a water collection system, and a fluid conduit configured to receive water from the water collection system such that the water flows through the fluid conduit along a fluid flow path. A water distribution tank is configured to receive the water from the fluid conduit received from the water collection system, and a sprinkler head pump is configured to direct the water toward at least one sprinkler discharge nozzle. A dwelling pump is configured to direct the water toward at least one dwelling discharge nozzle that discharges water onto a dwelling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventor: Kevin McClain
  • Patent number: 11136772
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a pool filter backwash assembly is described that comprises a pool filter extension configured to be connected to a backwash outlet of a pool filter and a backwash shower head configured to convert a backwash stream from the backwash outlet to a spray directed away from the pool filter. In some embodiments, the pool filter backwash assembly further comprises a backwash shower extension and an angled adapter. In addition, a method of backwashing a pool filter is described in which a pool filter backwash assembly is attached to a backwash outlet of a pool filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventor: Montasser M. Elsawi
  • Patent number: 11123663
    Abstract: A convertible filtration system for use with cartridge filters and bag-type filters for filtering contaminated fluids comprising a filtration system housing, a base attached to the filtration system housing, and a lid mechanism for generating sealing pressure between the lid mechanism and the filtration system housing. The filtration system housing includes a basket support flange and an integral basin for accommodating both cartridge and bag-type filters. When fluid is introduced into the filtration system housing through one or more fluid inlet ports, the basket support flange and integral basin additionally serve to prevent contaminated fluids from contaminating any filtered fluids that exit the filtration system housing through one or more fluid outlet ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Clarus Fluid Intelligence, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph A. Koreis, Galen A. Bliss
  • Patent number: 11110397
    Abstract: A method and system for water-priming carbon micropore filter media using negative pressure. The method includes placing dry filter elements in a polymer bag, applying a vacuum of no more than approximately 33 kPa above zero pressure, and heat-sealing the bag using a heat-set bar; submerging, by a consumer, the vacuum-sealed bag with its the filter elements in water; the filters in the vacuum sealed bag are at least partially submerged, puncturing the bag to form one or more small openings in the bag below the water line. Breeching the vacuum causes the water to flow through the openings into the bag and the filter(s) to equalize the pressure between the water and the previously vacuum environment of the plastic bag, causing the surrounding water to quickly flow into the micro-pores of the filter media, thereby priming the carbon filter for use in the gravity-fed water-purification system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Pure Berkey, LLC
    Inventors: John Davis Whitaker, Kelly Murphy Whitaker
  • Patent number: 11111743
    Abstract: A gas tight shale shaker for enhanced drilling fluid recovery and drilled solids washing. A process and apparatus for liquid phase-solid phase separation of oil base drilling mud-containing drill cuttings is described including flowing the drilling mud-containing drill cuttings over a vibrating screen bed to cause a least a portion of the drilling mud to pass through the screen bed and the drill cuttings to remain on the screen bed. A diluent is added to the oil base drilling mud containing drill cuttings prior to flowing the drilling mud containing drill cutting over the screen bed. The entire process is performed in a gas-tight environment preventing escape of diluent from the process into the external atmosphere and preventing introduction of gases into the process from the external atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: RECOVER ENERGY SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Stan Ross, Wendell Palmer
  • Patent number: 11103812
    Abstract: What is presented is a filter for plastic material, in particular a device that filters recycled plastic material, to clean it of extraneous bodies and foreign elements by means of several filtration units within a single body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventor: Erica Canaia