Patents Examined by Ryan Coleman
  • Patent number: 10357137
    Abstract: A cleaning device for an autonomous floor treatment appliance, the cleaning device being suitable for cleaning wall portions that are close to a floor and border a floor surface to be cleaned, includes a fixing element to connect the cleaning device to a housing portion of the autonomous floor treatment appliance and a cleaning element carrier having a cleaning element, the cleaning element carrier being connected to the fixing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: MIELE & CIE. KG
    Inventor: Dominik Holz
  • Patent number: 10036424
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for replacing grease in a main bearing of a wind turbine, the main bearing located in a housing and the housing having least one cover plate. the bearing cover plate is removed from the housing, grease is manually removed from the main bearing, and a flushing cover is installed on the housing in place of the bearing cover plate. The flushing cover has at least two parts, the parts fitting around the main shaft, and each part having a seal so that when its attached to the bearing housing, the flushing cover forms a seal with the main shaft. The flushing cover has holes allowing access to the main bearing, and a solvent or oil is sprayed via one of the holes onto the main bearing to remove grease, the remaining holes being sealed by a removable plug. Solvent or oil is pumped out of the housing via a port at the bottom of the housing or flushing cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: INSIGHT ANALYTICS SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Richard Smith, Ashley Crowther, Jesse Harris Graeter, Scott Macindoe, Michael Ulfert Homemann
  • Patent number: 9953826
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a substrate includes supplying to a substrate a film-forming processing liquid which includes a volatile component and forms a film on the substrate, vaporizing the volatile component in the film-forming processing liquid such that the film-forming processing liquid solidifies or cures on the substrate and forms a processing film on the substrate, supplying to the substrate having the processing film a strip-processing liquid which strips the processing film from the substrate, and supplying to the processing film formed on the substrate a dissolving-processing liquid which dissolves the processing film after the supplying of the strip-processing liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Miyako Kaneko, Keiji Tanouchi, Takehiko Orii, Itaru Kanno, Meitoku Aibara, Satoru Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9895041
    Abstract: A cleaning device may include a solution tank configured to store cleaning solution. The device delivers the cleaning solution from a pump discharge of the cleaning device to a flow meter. The device initiates a priming mode by opening a first valve associated with a bypass line of the device, closing a second valve associated with a cleaning head of the cleaning device, and delivering the cleaning solution from a discharge of the flow meter to the inlet of the solution tank through the bypass line. When the device is primed, it initiates cleaning by closing the first valve associated with the bypass line, opening the second valve associated with the cleaning head, and delivering the cleaning solution to the cleaning head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Diversey, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Balas, Stephen D. Herr, Henry L. Hillman, Jr., Victor Chi-Chih Huang, Ralph McCann, Kevin L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9880091
    Abstract: A method and system for automated ultrasonic cavitation cleaning in a liquid analysis system and measurement of a process liquid contained inside a container or flowing in a process line by means of an inline or side-stream optical system. The method and system can be used in high pressure subsea conditions by means of an automated piston driven system for isolating the analysis chamber and achieving low pressure conditions inside the analysis chamber during the cavitation cleaning mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventor: Arne Henriksen
  • Patent number: 9873143
    Abstract: A produce bin washer for washing produce bins of an open-box type may include a housing and a conveyor for advancing a plurality of empty produce bins along a path of travel through the housing. The produce bin washer may include at least one scrubbing brush within the housing adjacent the conveyor and along the path of travel. The produce bin washer may also include a positioner within the housing for sequentially lifting and rotating each empty produce bin from the conveyor onto the at least one scrubbing brush to scrub the interior, and returning the empty produce bin to the conveyor. A sprayer may be within the housing for spraying a cleaning solution onto the empty produce bins, and a collector may also be within the housing for collecting sprayed cleaning solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: John Bean Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Clint P. Arrington
  • Patent number: 9865451
    Abstract: A method for cleaning an interior of a process chamber after performing a process of forming a carbon-containing film on a substrate in the process chamber includes performing a cycle a predetermined number of times. The cycle includes supplying a modifying gas into the process chamber to modify deposits including the carbon-containing film deposited on a surface of a member in the process chamber and supplying an etching gas into the process chamber to remove the modified deposits through a thermochemical reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI KOKUSAI ELECTRIC, INC.
    Inventors: Takaaki Noda, Shingo Nohara, Yoshiro Hirose
  • Patent number: 9859110
    Abstract: An ultrasonic wave applying liquid is supplied to one principal surface of a substrate while a liquid film of a first liquid being formed on another principal surface of the substrate. The ultrasonic wave applying liquid is obtained by applying ultrasonic waves to a second liquid. Ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the other principal surface and the liquid film, thereby ultrasonically cleaning the other principal surface. The first liquid has a higher cavitation intensity, which is a stress per unit area acting on the substrate by cavitation caused in the liquid when ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the liquid present on the principal surface of the substrate, than the second liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Hanawa, Katsuhiko Miya, Yuta Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9826882
    Abstract: A pump and filter assembly including an impeller adapted to recirculate liquid, a housing defining an interior and exterior, a rotating filter having an upstream surface and a downstream surface, the filter located within the interior such that liquid being pumped through the pump and filter assembly passes through the filter from the upstream surface to the downstream surface to effect a filtering of the liquid, and a granular agent supply with granular agent cleaning the rotating filter by scouring the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jacquelyn R. Geda, Antony M. Rappette
  • Patent number: 9815093
    Abstract: A substrate processing method using a cleaning liquid containing a foaming agent that foams due to application of foaming energy, and including a foaming energy supplying step of applying the foaming energy to the cleaning liquid in contact with the substrate to clean the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayoshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9801519
    Abstract: A package for delivering a cleaning solution to a surface to be cleaned includes a sealed packet having a cleaning solution therein with at least a portion of an outer lower surface thereof having at least one weakened, frangible area that is adapted to rupture when a predetermined pressure is applied to an upper surface of the packet. The cleaning solution in the packet can be discharged through the frangible areas when the packet is positioned on a surface and the predetermined pressure is applied to the packet to rupture the packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Reed, Jr., Eric J. Hansen, Douglas J. Medema
  • Patent number: 9786488
    Abstract: A liquid processing method for liquid-processing a substrate includes setting a substrate on a substrate holding device which rotates the substrate such that the substrate is held in horizontal position, supplying processing liquid to center portion of the substrate such that the center portion positioned center side with respect to peripheral portion of the substrate is liquid-processed, positioning a discharge port of a processing liquid nozzle toward downstream side in rotation direction such that the liquid is discharged to the peripheral portion obliquely to surface of the substrate and along tangential direction of the substrate while the substrate is rotated, and discharging gas from a gas nozzle perpendicularly to the surface of the substrate toward position that is adjacent to liquid landing position of the liquid on the surface of the substrate and is on the center side of the substrate, while the liquid is discharged to the peripheral portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Akiko Kai, Takafumi Niwa, Shogo Takahashi, Hiroshi Nishihata, Yuichi Terashita, Teruhiko Kodama
  • Patent number: 9764364
    Abstract: A movable wafer probe may include: an immersion hood including a top body portion and a bottom foot portion, the top body portion having first inner sidewalls surrounding a top opening, the bottom foot portion having second inner sidewalls surrounding a bottom opening; a transducer disposed above the bottom opening and within the top opening, the transducer spaced apart from the first inner sidewalls of the top body portion by a first spacing, the first spacing forming a fluid exhaust port; and a fluid input port extending through the transducer, a bottom end of the fluid input port opening to the bottom opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying-Hsueh Chang Chien, Chin-Hsiang Lin, Chi-Ming Yang, Ming-Hsi Yeh, Shao-Yen Ku
  • Patent number: 9759514
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a breech thread protector for cleaning bore of a firearm from breech area of the barrel to the muzzle of the barrel. The breech thread protector includes an elongated tubular member having a proximal open end and a distal open end. The invention is also related to an assembly including the breech thread protector, a kit for cleaning the bore of the barrel, and a method for cleaning bore of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Inventor: Paul A. Burke
  • Patent number: 9757008
    Abstract: A dishwasher with a tub at least partially defining a washing chamber, a liquid spraying system, a liquid recirculation circuit, and a liquid filtering system where the liquid filtering system includes a rotating filter and where a granular agent contacts the rotating filter to clean the filter. Methods of cleaning a rotating filter provided within a liquid flow by scouring the filter with a granular agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jacquelyn R. Geda, Antony M. Rappette
  • Patent number: 9728396
    Abstract: An ultrasonic wave applying liquid is supplied to one principal surface of a substrate while a liquid film of a first liquid being formed on another principal surface of the substrate. The ultrasonic wave applying liquid is obtained by applying ultrasonic waves to a second liquid. Ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the other principal surface and the liquid film, thereby ultrasonically cleaning the other principal surface. The first liquid has a higher cavitation intensity, which is a stress per unit area acting on the substrate by cavitation caused in the liquid when ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the liquid present on the principal surface of the substrate, than the second liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Hanawa, Katsuhiko Miya, Yuta Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9704728
    Abstract: A substrate cleaning apparatus performs scrub cleaning of a surface of a substrate with an elongated cylindrical roll cleaning member. The substrate cleaning apparatus includes a roll holder for supporting the cleaning member and rotate the roll cleaning member, a vertical movement mechanism for vertically moving the roll holder so that the roll cleaning member applies a roll load to the substrate at the time of cleaning the substrate by actuation of an actuator having a regulating device, a load cell for measuring the roll load, and a controller for performing feedback control of the roll load through the regulating device based on the measured value of the load cell. The substrate cleaning apparatus further includes a monitor unit for monitoring whether an operation amount of the regulating device falls outside an allowable range of a preset reference value of an operation amount corresponding to a preset roll load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Maeda, Soichi Isobe, Hiroshi Shimomoto, Hideaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9687131
    Abstract: A self-propelled floor cleaning device includes a manually controlled or program-controlled first cleaning vehicle, which moves across a treatment path across a surface, which is to be cleaned, including a first cleaning device for carrying out a dry cleaning step. A second cleaning vehicle, including a second cleaning device for carrying out a wet cleaning step, is coupled to the first cleaning vehicle such that the second cleaning vehicle follows the first cleaning vehicle on the treatment path thereof. The second cleaning vehicle can be connected to the first cleaning vehicle via a releasable mechanical coupling. However, it can also be in operative connection with the first cleaning vehicle via only a data transmission path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventors: Nazli Eidmohammadi, Sabrina Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 9662686
    Abstract: A device and method for treating the surface of a semiconductor wafer provides a treatment fluid in the form of a dispersion of gas bubbles in a treatment liquid generated at acoustic pressures less than those required to induce cavitation in the treatment liquid. A resonator supplies ultrasonic or megasonic energy to the treatment fluid and is configured to create an interference pattern in the treatment fluid comprising regions of pressure amplitude minima and maxima at an interface of the treatment fluid and the semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH AG
    Inventors: Frank Ludwig Holsteyns, Alexander Lippert
  • Patent number: 9661980
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes an independent presoak system which may be activated by a user of the dishwasher. The dishwasher presoak system utilizes a storage tank, supply tubes, and set of nozzles which are independent from components used in a washing cycle such that a presoak detergent is applied to items placed within a washing compartment of the dishwasher without being diluted by a standard wash cycle. As part of the presoak system, the dishwasher features a detection system which allows the user to select an automatic presoak operating state whereby the dishwasher utilizes a sensor to determine if items placed into the washing compartment are sufficiently dirty to need a presoak cycle prior to a washing cycle. The dishwasher further relies on a control system to analyze samples taken of the dirtiness levels of items placed within the washing compartment and determine whether a presoak option is necessary or suggested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignees: BSH Home Appliances Corporation, BSK Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Casey Carr, Mike Holmes, Melvin Rich