Patents Examined by Robert Spitzer
  • Patent number: 5846293
    Abstract: A method of admitting and receiving a sample into a gas chromatographic column is provided in which a step increase in pressure is performed in combination with the application of a negative axial thermal gradient to provide pre-separation of solutes in the sample within the inlet region of the column. The method includes the steps of introducing a sample into the column at a first pressure and temperature, rapidly raising the temperature to invoke a negative axial thermal gradient, and then substantially instantaneously increasing the pressure. The method causes the solutes in the sample to be partially separated into narrow zones within the inlet region, resulting in eventually achieving maximum resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: The University of Dayton
    Inventors: Wayne A. Rubey, Richard C. Striebich
  • Patent number: 5846298
    Abstract: Ozone is recovered from an ozone-oxygen mixture by adsorption using an adsorbent which comprises a zeolite selected from the group consisting of L type zeolite, Y type zeolite, ZSM-5, and mordenite in which at least 90% of the exchangeable cation content is in the ammonium form and the molar ratio of potassium to aluminum is less than about 0.25. Alternatively, a proton-exchanged L type zeolite can be used in which at least 90% of the exchangeable cation content is in the proton form and the molar ratio of potassium to aluminum is less than about 0.25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Landis Weist, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5843209
    Abstract: Membrane-based vapor permeation system for selective removal of a vapor from a fluid feed stream, wherein a countercurrent sweep stream is used that has a particular partial pressure of the vapor to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Bend Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Roderick J. Ray, David D. Newbold, Dwayne T. Friesen, Scott B. McCray
  • Patent number: 5843208
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for recovering sulfur hexafluoride ("SF.sub.6 ") from a gas stream using membrane separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Amar Anumakonda, Romulus Gaita, Stephen Yates, Jim Zhou
  • Patent number: 5840101
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the treatment of an endless web, wherein exhaust vapors, formed in a treatment chamber, are withdrawn together with returned gases with a vacuum from the treatment chamber and are led into a separator to be separated into gas and liquid. The gas is further heated in a vacuum generator and is then returned into the treatment zone, wherein the endless web is led in the treatment zone over rollers with heating devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: WET TEX Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Walter Keller
  • Patent number: 5840099
    Abstract: A process is set forth for the selective removal of water, CO.sub.2, ethane and C.sub.3 + hydrocarbons from gas streams, particularly a natural gas stream comprising primarily methane. The process comprises contacting the gas stream with an adsorbent material consisting exclusively of one or more compounds which are basic (i.e. compounds which, when contacted with a pH neutral aqueous solution, cause such solution to have a pH greater than 7.0) and which are mesoporous (i.e. compounds which have moderately small pores providing a surface area less than 500 m.sup.2 /g). The key to the present invention is the use of a single homogenous adsorbent without sacrificing performance. Typical mesoporous adsorbents which are useful in the present invention include zinc oxide, magnesium oxide and, in particular, activated alumina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilbur Clymer Kratz, Timothy Christopher Golden, Mohammad Ali Kalbassi
  • Patent number: 5840094
    Abstract: A filter assembly having first and second opposite frame members and a filter element removably secured to the first and second frame members is provided. The filter element is preferably a pleated paper filter, positioned in extension between opposite end panels. An arrangement is provided for securing the end panels to, and in extension between, the first and second opposite frame members. When the arrangement is assembled, an outer frame comprising the two frame members in the two end panels is provided. In the assembly, the pleated filter fills the area within the frame. The filter media can be conveniently removed and replaced in the frame, as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignees: Donaldson Company, Inc., Honeywell, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Osendorf, Brad Alan Terlson, Wallace Ronald Saldin, Eugene Joseph Takach, Jr., Timothy John Smith
  • Patent number: 5837027
    Abstract: A fill system and methodology for the manufacture of fluid storage and dispensing vessels containing sorbent material for holding a sorbable fluid, for on-demand dispensing of the fluid in the use of the vessel. The fill system and methodology are directed to minimizing the processing time required to dissipate the heat of sorption incident to the loading of the sorbable fluid onto the sorbent material, so that thermal equilibration time in the manufacture of the vessels is substantially reduced in relation to the use of only ambient convective air cooling for dissipation of the heat of sorption from the fluid-filled vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Karl Olander, James V. McManus
  • Patent number: 5837036
    Abstract: A process in which a gas containing ozone and an organic substance is brought into contact with an ozone-binding polymer to remove the ozone and activated carbon to remove the organic substance. The process preferably makes use of a filter containing an ozone-binding polymer and activated carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Ticona GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Schleicher, Jorg Von Eysmondt, Georg Frank
  • Patent number: 5837032
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of an apparatus and method for separating component gases in a gas mixture employing a glassy polymer membrane at temperatures at or slightly above the freezing point of any liquid present so as to achieve superior separator of gas components. The composition of certain monomers and polymers are claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: The Cynara Company
    Inventors: David J. Moll, Alan F. Burmester, Thomas C. Young, Kent B. McReynolds, James E. Clark, Charles Z. Hotz, Ritchie A. Wessling, George J. Quarderer, Ronald M. Lacher, Thomas O. Jeanes, Henry N. Beck, Stephen E. Bales, Bethanne L. Smith
  • Patent number: 5837034
    Abstract: A process for inhibiting the formation of carbon and/or coke from a carbon-containing reactive gas stream on the permeate side of an oxygen ion transport membrane, or for increasing the oxygen partial pressure thereon, by separating a feed gas stream to form an oxygen-depleted gas stream on the retentate side and a gas stream containing oxygen reaction products on the permeate side. The permeate side is purged with the carbon-containing reactive gas stream, and at least a portion of the exhaust gas stream formed from the reaction of the reactive gas stream with the separated oxygen is recirculated to purge the permeate side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nitin Ramesh Keskar, Ravi Prasad
  • Patent number: 5837038
    Abstract: A closing element intended for closing off an end of a capillary gas chromatography column comprises a closing body provided with a blind hole, which tapers over at least a portion of the length thereof, and the walls of the tapering portion of the hole include an angle with the centerline of the hole, this angle being so small that upon placement of the closing element on the end of the capillary gas chromatography column, a self-locking engagement between the end of the column and the closing element occurs. The closing element is manufactured from a form-retaining, inert, gastight material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: SGT Exploitatie B.V.
    Inventor: Martinus Frans van der Maas
  • Patent number: 5837039
    Abstract: An adsorbent material containing package is provided for use within the sealed canister of a liquid accumulator for an air conditioning system of the kind in which the suction tube within the canister has spaced upwardly extending legs connected by a bottom bite and in which the bleed opening in the bite is formed as a downwardly extending nipple. The adsorbent material package is formed with substantially identical first and second pouches formed of tubular porous polyester felt material with sealed upper and lower ends containing a quantity of adsorbent material. The pouches making up the package are joined to each other at upper flanges with the junction being located along an extension of a median line through the pouches and leaving the ends of the flanges free of attachment. The transverse width of the pouch flanges exceeds the spacing of the suction tube legs so that the flange end portions are splayed to receive one of the legs therebetween thereby locating the package in relation to the suction tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Stanhope Products Company
    Inventors: Douglas E. LeConey, Raymond B. Wood
  • Patent number: 5833738
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed showing a system for continuous purification of bulk source specialty gases to less than 10 part per billion levels. Corrosive and non-corrosive specialty gases are purified using this system. Depending on whether corrosive or non-corrosive gases are being purified and the contaminants of concern, the purification beds contain an absorber and/or getter. A dual bed system allows one bed to purify at ambient temperatures while a second bed undergoes regeneration, providing continuous purification for a bulk source specialty gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: D.D.I. Ltd.
    Inventors: Giovanni Carrea, Brian D. Warrick, Lewis J. Wickman
  • Patent number: 5833737
    Abstract: Krypton present in a trace amount in a gaseous oxygen/nitrogen mixture is effectively enriched by an adsorption/desorption process of the pressure variation mode using a system including at least three fixed bed adsorption columns packed with hydrogenated mordenite. At the end of adsorption operation in one column, a desorbed gas from another column is fed to the one column under substantially the same pressure as the pressure during adsorption operation for fully washing the one column. Thereafter, the one column is subject to desorption operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Institute of Research and Innovation
    Inventors: Takaaki Tamura, Mikio Kumagai
  • Patent number: 5830261
    Abstract: A deaeration assembly for removal of air or other gases dissolved in a liquid. The assembly includes a deaeration element having a gas-channel-forming component enclosed and sealed within an envelope formed of a non-porous fluoropolymer film. The assembly also includes a liquid-channel-forming component which can be positioned on the outside of the element, or can be enclosed with the gas-channel-forming component within the element. The assembly can be formed in spiral-wound or folded configurations for installation in a deaeration module or apparatus. The deaeration assembly is useful for removal of gases dissolved in chemically aggressive liquids, high-purity liquids, and other special liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventors: Sadakatsu Hamasaki, Masayuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5830262
    Abstract: A gas chromatography oven is endowed with a shutter for the influx of air from the outside and a pair of shutters for the controlled outflow of air from the oven, the shutters being positioned on the rear wall of the oven, near the corners of the rear wall. On the upper wall of the oven, at least one injector of the sample to be analyzed and at least one detector are lodged in a removable drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: ThermoQuest Italia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Marchini, Enzo Montagner, Giovanni Ostan
  • Patent number: 5830260
    Abstract: The waste gas accumulating in the drying of products containing volatile ingredients is cooled, the condensate obtained is subjected to crossflow membrane filtration and part of the cleaned waste gas is returned to the drying process. The concentrate obtained is put to a material, thermal or other use. The both effective and economic process is suitable for eliminating the aerosols, particularly the organic aerosols, present in the waste gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventors: Levent Yueksel, Wilhelm Johannisbauer, Katrin Burmeister, Heike Fleischmann
  • Patent number: 5827569
    Abstract: A hydrogen separation membrane having a good hydrogen selective permeance and a high stability, without any deterioration, even if exposed to a high temperature atmosphere or steam, which comprises a porous ceramic membrane with SiO.sub.2 deposited and filled into pores on the surface of the membrane and a SiO.sub.2 thin film formed on the surface of the membrane as a hydrogen selectively permeable film is produced by introducing a vaporized SiO.sub.2 source into pores on the surface of a porous ceramic membrane by suction established by providing a pressure difference between both sides of the membrane and thermally decomposing the SiO.sub.2 source, thereby forming, depositing and filling SiO.sub.2 into the pores and fully coating the outer surface of the membrane with a SiO.sub.2 thin film simultaneously where the SiO.sub.2 source is preferably a tetra(lower alkoxy)silane and the deposition of the SiO.sub.2 source is preferably carried out by a chemical vapor deposition process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventors: Shigeo Akiyama, Hiroshi Anzai, Shigeharu Morooka, Hideaki Maeda, Katsuki Kusakabe
  • Patent number: 5827355
    Abstract: An electrically regenerable gas filter system includes a carbon fiber composite molecular sieve (CFCMS) filter medium. After a separate medium-efficiency pre-filter removes particulate from the supply airstream, the CFCMS filter sorbs gaseous air pollutants before the air is recirculated to the space. When saturated, the CFCMS media is regenerated utilizing a low-voltage current that is caused to pass through the filter medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk A. Wilson, Timothy D. Burchell, Roddie R. Judkins