Patents Examined by Scott Bushey
  • Patent number: 7810795
    Abstract: In a method for the foaming of at least one liquid or viscous substance, provision is made such that the substance is introduced into at least one closed chamber and that the chamber is set into an oscillatory motion during the introduction. A device for the foaming of at least one liquid or viscous substance, with a mixing apparatus, preferably for the performance of the method, is characterized in that a drive device for generating an oscillatory motion is arranged on the mixing apparatus. With the method and the device, the possibility arises, to particular advantage, of foaming a liquid or viscous substance without, for example, a rotating stirring tool heating the substance to be foamed or a stirring tool being present that projects into the mixing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: beba Mischtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Witte
  • Patent number: 7806388
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved handheld water misting fan device wherein the power source compartment is positioned within the device at a location remote from the fan motor thereby to remove any structure from the area bounded by the fan shroud. The relocation of the power source compartment leaves the area bounded by the shroud substantially unobstructed thereby to improve air flow. The device is formed in a dog bone shaped configuration to provide a narrow handle section for improved grippability, and an enlarged fluid reservoir at the lower end thereof for greater reservoir capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventors: Eric Junkel, Yung Chen
  • Patent number: 7806389
    Abstract: A flexible aeration panel is described, which does not include a rigid support plate. The flexible aeration panel can comprise a first perforated, flexible sheet sealed to a second non-perforated flexible sheet at their peripheral edges, thereby defining one or more cavities that are in fluid communication with at least one gas inlet. The flexible aeration panel can be configured to produce preferably evenly spaced bubbles of gas when positioned in a liquid body. Applications include, but are not limited to, aeration of wastewater, lakes, streams, water basins and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Parkson Corporation
    Inventors: Jose Francisco Abello, Ernesto Juan Iznaga
  • Patent number: 7802775
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for mixing of two fluids. The fluid is caused to flow into a mixing chamber (1). The gas is preferably mixed with the fluid before flowing into the mixing chamber. The chamber is vertically oriented and has a mainly cylindrical shape with smooth interior walls. The fluid is led into the chamber via a nozzle (7) in such a way that the fluid flows into the chamber at high velocity. During operation a turbulent gas/liquid phase is formed in the upper part of the chamber and mainly a fluid phase is formed in the lower part of the chamber. The fluid phase with mixed-in gas is drawn off from an outlet (8) arranged at the bottom of the chamber. The mixer could be connected to a transport pipe for fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Yara International ASA
    Inventors: Morten Emilsen, Svein Bekken, Roger Abrahamsen
  • Patent number: 7802774
    Abstract: A mechanical draft cooling tower is provided. The cooling tower includes a direct cooling section having a plurality of fill sheets. Water is sprayed downwardly over the fill sheets and is collected in a collection sump. The collection sump includes two end walls, two side walls, a floor and a drain. The end walls are sloped at the floor intersection. The floor is sloped to a center section where the drain is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Baltimore Aircoil Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Facius, André Helsen
  • Patent number: 7798475
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing small particles of a certain substance. The device includes first inlet means (4) for a solution or a suspension containing the substance and second inlet means (3) for an atomizing agent. The device further includes mixing means (12) for the solution and the atomizing agent and outlet means (13) for the particles. First (9, 10) and second (14, 11) conduit means are provided from the first (4) and second (3) inlet means respectively to the mixing means (12). According to the invention the first (9, 10) and second (14, 11) conduit means meet each other at the mixing means (12) at an angle of at least 30°. The invention also relates to a corresponding method and to use of the device and the method as well as to particles obtained by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Cens-Delivery AB
    Inventor: Mustafa Demirüker
  • Patent number: 7784770
    Abstract: A membrane exchange humidifier employs a water permeable membrane comprising a microporous polymer and a hydrophilic additive. In operation, the membrane preferably has favorable water transmission properties and resists transmission of reactant gas or other components. The membrane is suitable for use even when permeable in its dry condition to the wet or dry gases in the humidifier, and/or when the wet and dry gases are of different composition. By wetting the membrane, the presence of an amount of liquid water in the wet gas can reduce gas transmission through the membrane to an acceptable level. The humidifier is useful in fuel cell systems in which a reactant gas supply stream, such as the oxidant supply stream, is humidified primarily using water vapor from a fuel cell reactant exhaust stream. The humidifier is particularly suitable for use in conjunction with solid polymer fuel cell systems. The improved mechanical and welding properties of the membrane allow for a simpler humidifier configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: BDF IP Holdings Ltd.
    Inventor: Alexander D Mossman
  • Patent number: 7775508
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a precursor to a process chamber is described. The apparatus comprises an ampoule capable of receiving either a liquid precursor source material or a solid precursor source material. The ampoule is capable of delivering either a liquid precursor material to a vaporizer coupled to the process chamber, or a vaporized or gaseous precursor material to the process chamber. The ampoule also includes a continuous level sensor to accurately monitor the level of precursor source material within the ampoule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenric T. Choi, Pravin K. Narwankar, Shreyas S. Kher, Son T. Nguyen, Paul Deaton, Khai Ngo, Paul Chhabra, Alan H. Ouye, Dien-Yeh (Daniel) Wu
  • Patent number: 7770872
    Abstract: A flow device intended for a two-phase flow processing enclosure of the natural counter-flow type, in which an ascending gaseous flow and a descending liquid flow circulate. The device is formed by an appreciably horizontal tray having openings for the passage of the ascending gaseous flow, and a channel for recovering the descending liquid flow, the channel discharging into a flow orifice. The flow device includes a single guide device extending beneath the tray and connected to the flow orifice in such a way that the liquid flows on its outer wall. Also, a processing enclosure, particularly for processing a hydrocarbonated or aqueous type liquid flow, containing the flow device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Total Raffinage Marketing
    Inventor: Romain Delatour
  • Patent number: 7770873
    Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray apparatus having a tray with a fluid infeed section and a fluid travel section together with downcomer which is in fluid communication with the fluid travel section of the tray. A redirecting baffle is positioned at an inlet opening of the downcomer and push valves are provided in the fluid travel section of the tray. The push valves are preferably arranged in one or more zones of high concentration of push valves relative to one or more bubbling aperture zones with a lower concentration of push valves or no push valves. The redirecting baffle is provided in the downcomer and extends above the tray to capture fluid flowing horizontally off of the tray (e.g., exiting from a weirless or weir interface) and into a preferably concave upper portion of the redirecting baffle for controlling and redirecting the high momentum flow into and through the downcomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Mark W. Pilling, Markus Fischer, Giuseppe Mosca, Elena Tacchini
  • Patent number: 7766310
    Abstract: A steam humidifier having a water tank with a quick assembly feature. The steam humidifier includes a removable tank, where the removable tank is configured to contain water to be heated to generate steam and a handle that is configured to selectively secure the removable tank to the humidifier. The handle defines at least a first rotational position in which a tank support feature on the tank is engaged with a handle support feature on the handle such that the tank is attached to the humidifier. The handle further defines at least a second rotational position in which the tank support feature is disengaged from the handle support feature such that the tank is unattached from the humidifier. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Wolff, Wayne R. Anderson, Josef Novotny
  • Patent number: 7766309
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide manifold contains an internal passage providing communication between a pump supply, a liquid container, a gas container, and a beverage dispenser. A valve is located inside the internal passage. The valve has an open position in which communication exists between the liquid container, the gas container, and the beverage dispenser, but not with the pump supply. The valve has a closed position in which communication exists between the pump supply and the liquid container, and between the gas container and beverage dispenser, but the only communication between the pump supply/liquid container and the gas container/beverage dispenser is through an orifice that allows a restricted flow of carbon dioxide through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: John R. Smythe
  • Patent number: 7758025
    Abstract: An apparatus for air treatment includes at least one reservoir which can be filled with a liquid, an air-conveying device and a device which ensures that for the treatment of the air to be treated the air comes into contact with at least a part of the liquid. A circulating device is provided, by which liquid in the reservoir is conveyed in a circuit out of the reservoir and back into the latter. For the purpose of sterilising the liquid, a device for mechanico-physical opening of cell membranes, for instance by electroporation or cavitation, is provided in the circuit. Such an apparatus can also be used for purifying exhaust air in a surface treatment installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Eisenmann Anlagenbau GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Werner Swoboda, Kersten Link
  • Patent number: 7758026
    Abstract: A humidification apparatus which makes possible individual humidification of the air in a cabin of a passenger or cargo aircraft makes available a conditioning fluid to be ejected into the cabin from an outlet nozzle (10). The conditioning fluid contains as a component water which is sprayed at a spraying point in very close spatial association with the outlet nozzle (10). To avoid undesired local cooling of the cabin air caused by vaporization of the sprayed water, the conditioning fluid contains an air flow conducted to the outlet nozzle, into which the water is sprayed. The air flow is supplied to the spraying point at a temperature which is higher by a defined amount than a desired effective temperature of the air flow after emerging from the outlet nozzle. In another embodiment the conditioning fluid contains water as its only component, the water being sprayed at a temperature above the cabin temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Kulcke, Martin Dechow
  • Patent number: 7753348
    Abstract: A tray assembly is provided for improved gas/liquid contact when used in a large chemical process tower, resulting in better performance. Each tray assembly has two levels of tray decks and associated downcomers. Tray decks provide gas/liquid contact for mass transfer and the downcomers are required to clarify the liquid before entering the tray below. A novel downcomer configuration is provided for use in multipass trays. The shape of downcomer bottom chord is designed to allow for liquid to travel across any part of each tray deck at a similar distance between the inlet and the outlet weir. As a result, liquid on the tray deck travels in plug flow pattern. Benefits include a higher Murphree tray efficiency due to minimum liquid back-mixing, as well as minimum local entrainment due to uniform froth height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: AMT International, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam T Lee, Kuang-Yeu Wu, Larry W Burton
  • Patent number: 7748687
    Abstract: A fragrance disperser in one form includes a single fan that passes air over a wicked single or double fragrance. A second form has the fan reversible to provide two different airstreams that evaporate respective different fragrances one after the other. Where two fragrances are provided, the evaporation may be by respective electrical heaters. A fragrance source may be formed by two sheets joined together to form two chambers each receiving a respective wick and having respective exposed wick portions. The source may incorporate a source of electrical power. An alternative source has a reservoir for fragrance and a wick located in an air passage forming part of the source so that an air flow is guided through the passage past the wick to evaporate fragrance. Where two fragrances are provided, the fragrance sources may be located side-by-side and matching fragrances may have, for example, matching indicia on the sources so that the match can be easily determined visually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: CTR Consultoria Tecnica e Representacoes, Lda
    Inventors: Richard P. H. Pankhurst, Brian D. Smith, Michael J. Evans
  • Patent number: 7748688
    Abstract: The invention relates to a packing structure (1) for a fluid exchange column, the packing structure defining an exchange surface for at least one down-flowing liquid phase that is to be put into intimate contact with at least one up-flowing gas phase, the structure including a volume formed by a plurality of rows of bundles of tubes (10), each bundle having four tubes (10a-10d) respectively oriented along four directions (D10a-D10d) forming an angle relative to the axis of the structure, the plurality of tubes forming a plurality of passages opening out to the outside surface of the structure (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: SNECMA Propulsion Solide
    Inventors: Rémi Bessettes, Jean-Pierre Maumus
  • Patent number: 7744067
    Abstract: A mass and/or heat transfer column is provided with a multiphase vapor distributor with distributes a vapor stream about the inner periphery of the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Stone & Webster Process Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sabah A. Kurukchi, Joseph M. Gondolfe, John A. Stippick, Kenneth J. Fewel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7744069
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for gassing liquids, particularly waste water, including a gas supply line (1) and at least one gassing element (2), which has a longitudinal axis (L) and can be attached to the gas supply line in a positive manner. In order to simplify the mounting of the gassing element (2), the invention provides that the gassing element (2) has at least one fixing plate (8), which laterally projects relative to the longitudinal axis (L) and which serves to establish a non-positive connection with the gas supply line (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Invent Umwelt-Und Verfahrenstechnik AG
    Inventor: Marcus Hoefken
  • Patent number: RE41723
    Abstract: A cooling tower support grid includes a lattice frame having a first series of bars which intersect a second series of bars to form a plurality of openings. Splash bar retaining clips are integrally formed as part of the lattice frame extending in opposed relation into each of the openings. This eliminates the need to handle separate retaining clips and, thereby, simplifies the installation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Integrid Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd Olson, Nicolaos Papadopoulos