Patents Examined by Robert James Popovics
  • Patent number: 9752306
    Abstract: A strainer may include a basket portion and a handle or tower portion attached to the basket portion. The handle portion may project away from the basket portion and may be movable between a deployed position and a compressed position, for instance by applying a downward force on the handle portion. The top end of the handle portion may be above the flange of the basket portion, and the handle portion may include a plurality of openings to permit passage of liquid through the handle portion even if the basket portion is filled with waste. The handle portion may be formed of a plurality of sections, and the sections may fold over each other in an accordion configuration in the compressed position. The handle portion may also be resilient, such that the handle portion naturally returns to its deployed position after being moved into its compressed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: Nicholas Scamuffa
  • Patent number: 9732910
    Abstract: A processing-liquid supply apparatus includes a source, a discharge device, a supply channel connecting the source and discharge device, a filter device positioned in the channel to form first side having the source and second side having the discharge device, a pump device positioned in the channel, and a control device which controls suction and discharge by the pump device. The control device controls the pump device such that the liquid is discharged from the discharge device, that remaining of the liquid on the second side is suctioned to be returned to the first side and that the remaining of the liquid returned to the first side flows from the first toward second side together with refill of the liquid from the source, and the control device is set such that return amount of the liquid to the filter device is equal to or greater than amount of the discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Koji Takayanagi, Kousuke Yoshihara, Yuichi Terashita, Toshinobu Furusho, Takashi Sasa
  • Patent number: 9707498
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for treating and removing particulate matter from fluid or treating and removing fluid from a recoverable particulate matter from fluid circulating into, through and out of an industrial operation, and for washing a disposable cartridge filter used therein. The influent fluid is maintained at a flow rate such that the differential pressure across the cartridge filter is no greater than 10 psi to prevent the buildup of non-porous filter cake. A pressure detecting mechanism and method is also provided to detect the amount of deposited particulate matter inside the cartridge filter, so that an operator can determine whether the cartridge filter should be taken out to remove or recycle the deposited particulate matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: FILTRATION TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Hampton, Greg Wallace
  • Patent number: 9688376
    Abstract: Provided are a system and a method for treating ballast water for a ship, the system including a rotary filtration apparatus including a filter that is cylindrically formed so as to surround an axis, that is rotatable around the axis, and that has a pleated shape that is folded in a cylinder radial direction; and an electric motor for rotating the filter. A distance between the cleaning nozzle and a recess of the filter is 120 mm or less. The system and the method are configured to perform a steady-state operation that satisfies the following conditions a to d: a) a rotation speed of the filter during a filtering operation is in the range of 20 to 100 rpm, b) a flow speed of cleaning water ejected from the cleaning nozzle is 250 m/min or more, c) a flow rate of filtered water per unit area of the filter is 5.1 m/h or less, and d) a flow rate of discharged water discharged from the discharge channel is 5% of the flow rate of filtered water or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Munetsugu Ueyama, Isao Ozawa, Kenichiro Miyatake, Ryusuke Nakai
  • Patent number: 9675915
    Abstract: The disclosed technology regards a water/solids separator for filtering slurry into residue cakes and filtrate water. The separator includes a frame supporting a plurality of rollers supporting a filter media belt, a plurality of blades and wipers for cleaning the rollers and removing excess filtrate water and cake material, and an inlet water manifold to distribute slurry water uniformly on the filter media belt. The frame supports a filter bed, with a slurry receiving area having a perforated panel at its base, for receiving, pre-filtering and moving the slurry through the separator, and a filter bed collection tub with an exit aperture for collecting and delivering filtrate to a water holding tank. The filter media belt traverses the plurality of rollers, through and about the filter bed, supported along a portion of its path by the perforated panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Englo, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Wayne Warden, Sita Miller, Rubin Shmulsky, Joseph C Finn, Ronald C Lane
  • Patent number: 9677235
    Abstract: Plant for melting and cleaning of snow and ice, distinguished in that the plant comprises a means for melting using enthalpy of a water source in order to melt snow and ice, and a means for cleaning for cleaning out the pollution from the water phase that contains the melted snow and ice. Method for melting and cleaning of snow and ice, using the plant according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: NCC Construction AS
    Inventor: Terje Myrhaug
  • Patent number: 9650020
    Abstract: A wash water reclaim system comprising a platform, the platform comprising a left peripheral edge and a right peripheral edge; a separation chamber, the separation chamber approximately located at the center of the platform; a recycled water storage chamber, the recycled water storage chamber located at either the left peripheral edge or the right peripheral edge of the platform; at least one pipe, the at least one pipe connecting the separation chamber to the recycled water storage chamber; at least one loading deck; the at least one loading deck located between the separation chamber and the recycled water storage chamber, the at least one loading deck angled downward toward the separation chamber; and at least one grating, the at least one grating covering at least a portion of the separation chamber and/or at least a portion of the recycled water storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: RAPIDTECH, LLC
    Inventors: Randolph Bindas, Christopher J. Joyal, Neil J. Dick
  • Patent number: 9649581
    Abstract: A seal for preventing the bypass of solids from a filter screen assembly that can be used in water and wastewater treatment. The seal can include an L-shaped bracket and a housing that can include a channel-shaped member. A first panel of the L-shaped bracket can be inserted into a groove of a belt of the filter screen assembly so as to fill that groove. The belt can be insertably received into a channel recess of the channel-shaped member of the housing. A second panel of the L-shaped bracket can be fastened to one side wall of the channel-shaped member. By securing the L-shaped bracket to the channel-shaped member of the housing, a track is formed for slidably engaging the belt during its rotational movement. The belt's contact with the first panel of the L-shaped bracket inserted into the belt's groove forms a tight, continuous seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventor: Jay Conroy
  • Patent number: 9631641
    Abstract: Provided are a pump system with pumps aligned parallel to each other and a method for cleaning strainers easily and conveniently. Provided are the pump system and the method of controlling the same by which the frequent block of the strainers by particulates and/or debris and thereby the cleaning of the strainers can be done easily. Provided are the pump system and the method of controlling the same by which the time loss and expenses can be saved much in contrast to conventional pump systems occurring the efforts to loosen and tighten each of the bolts of the strainer during the exchange of the strainers, inconvenience and expenses loss of gasket exchange and its damages during the cover disassembled, and needs to remove insulating means and heat new insulating means, thereby to minimize the efforts in management of the pump system and save time and expenses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventor: Byoung Hwa Choi
  • Patent number: 9573082
    Abstract: Water treatment apparatus includes raw water special air mixing nozzles (7); filtering tank (5) housing filter layer (4) including two layers of upper layer (2) and lower layer (3), the upper layer including a filter medium with a smaller specific gravity and a larger particle size than a filter medium of the lower layer; a water collection pipe (13) removing filtered water and supplying reverse cleaning water to the filter layer during reverse cleaning; drainage trough (12); and upper layer cleaning apparatus (10), in which the upper layer cleaning apparatus includes upper layer cleaning pipe support member (17), upper layer cleaning water pipe (18), surface-cleaning special air mixing nozzles (19), air suction pipe (20), and horizontal air pipes (31 and 32) and the raw water special air mixing nozzles (7) are attached to raw water inflow tank (70) provided on a part of the drainage trough (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: NAGAOKA INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hitoshi Mimura, Tadao Oiwa, Hui Lang Cai
  • Patent number: 9573413
    Abstract: A paint caddy includes a base having at least two walls and a pole coupled to and extending upwardly from the base. The base has at least one base support extending between the walls for capturing and supporting a paint tray therebetween. The pole has at least a substantially vertical portion and a substantially horizontal portion, with the substantially horizontal portion serving as a handle for carrying a paint tray. A hook extends from the pole and is positioned below and spaced from the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: GJP ENTERPRISES, LLC
    Inventor: Greg Krusoe
  • Patent number: 9573085
    Abstract: An oil sump, preferably made of plastic or metal, for motors or transmissions and having a filter housing, comprises a filter housing top shell, a filter housing bottom shell, a filter medium, a filter inlet, and a filter outlet, and an oil drain opening in the floor area of the oil sump, which is implemented in such a way that it is closable using an oil drain screw having external thread, which comes from the oil sump bottom side. The filter housing comprises an internal thread which is implemented to receive the external thread of the oil drain screw, the filter housing being at least partially fastened on the oil sump via the oil drain screw, which closes the oil drain opening and engages using its external thread in the internal thread on the filter housing side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: IBS FILTRAN KUNSTSTOFF-/METALLERZEUGNISSE GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Beer, Dietmar Sahm, Wolfgang Stausberg, Andreas Piehlk, Michael Jacob
  • Patent number: 9567719
    Abstract: A collection device for aquatic life and debris for a traveling water screen. The collection device allows sharing of water provided from a high pressure nozzle while shielding aquatic life from a high pressure spray produced by the high pressure nozzle. The collection device enables separate collection of items exposed to a high pressure spray and items protected from a high pressure spray while reducing water costs. The collection device includes a first compartment for collecting aquatic life collected by a water screen and a second compartment for collecting debris collected by the water screen. A shield dissipates or blocks a high pressure spray directed into the second compartment from entering the first compartment. A filter allows fluid to flow from the second compartment into the first compartment while blocking aquatic life in the first compartment from entering the second compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ross Doyle, Timothy A. Woodrow, Mitchell G. Pansano, Jr., John C. Hawkins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9561454
    Abstract: A debris filter has a housing, a filter screen mounted to the housing and disposed so as to extend across a flow path through the housing, a debris extractor mounted to the housing, and a splitter bar also mounted to the housing. The debris extractor and the filter screen are so mounted to the housing as to enable rotation of the filter screen and the debris extractor relative to one another. The debris extractor has a debris intake opening and the debris extractor and the splitter bar are so mounted to the housing that the intake opening is positionable adjacent to or in juxtaposition with the splitter bar with the splitter bar overlapping and shielding the intake opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: OVIVO INC.
    Inventor: Andrew L. Browning
  • Patent number: 9561978
    Abstract: A screw press has a cylindrical screening section mounted to a frame. The screening section is able to rotate but can be prevented from rotating. A sprayer system is operable to spray water on the screening section. In a cleaning process, the screening section is rotated while water is sprayed against it. Optionally, the power required to rotate the screen may be provided by an auger drive mechanism. The screening section may have openings sized to retain flocculated solids. The screw press may be used to thicken a sludge from a waste water treatment plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Anaergia Inc.
    Inventors: Michael David Theodoulou, Juan Carlos Josse
  • Patent number: 9555352
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pump and filter system and method. The system includes a housing with a housing cavity and a filter cartridge, and a pump positioned in the housing cavity. The filter cartridge splits the housing cavity into a filtered region and an unfiltered region and the pump is located in the filtered region. The method includes operating the pump to pull fluid through a housing inlet into the unfiltered region, to pull fluid across the filter cartridge into the filtered region via suction pressure of the pump, and to force the fluid through the pump to a housing outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Ryan Weaver, Brian Boothe
  • Patent number: 9555346
    Abstract: A filter includes a plurality of annular filter elements arranged in axially staggered relation. An axial flow path includes a plurality of flow path segments, some being filtered by a respective filter element, and others bypassing a respective filter element. Various combinations are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP INC.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Holm, Michael J. Connor, Peter K. Herman, Scott W. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 9539529
    Abstract: A method for reclaiming and reusing a substantial portion of the waste water creating during the backwashing of a pool filter. The system uses a separate floating debris filter to remove solids before pumping the waste water into a sediment retention tank. The waste water is stored in the sediment retention tank for about a day, during which time the suspended solids settle to the bottom. The water in the sediment retention tank is then pumped back into the circulating pool system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventor: Stanton Jeffery Mullis
  • Patent number: 9498738
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing field enhanced separations on a feed, such as a petroleum feed, a refinery feed, or another type of hydrocarbonaceous feed. The system can allow for increased throughput of feed per volume of the separation device or system while performing a desired amount of field enhanced separation. The field enhanced separation can include separation by thermal diffusion, optionally enhanced by the presence of an electric field in the channel for performing the separation by thermal diffusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Amar S. Wanni, Lei Zhang, Jason M. McMullan, Gregory J. DeMartin, Michel Daage
  • Patent number: 9492854
    Abstract: A food waste management system includes a tank having an internal chamber for containing food waste and sufficient water for fully submersing the food waste. The system further includes a water supply system for supplying water to the internal chamber, a gas supply system for supplying a gas to the internal chamber, a discharge system for discharging water and food waste from the internal chamber, a grinder system for grinding the food waste, the grinder system being disposed in the internal chamber to be fully submersed in the water, a circulation system disposed in the internal chamber for circulating water and food waste and a control system for controlling operation of the food waste management system in accordance with a desired control process. The system further includes a nutrient additive to be supplied to the internal chamber in predetermined amounts at predetermined intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: ENVIROPURE SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: James Slanina