Patents Examined by Terry Cecil
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Patent number: 9193607Abstract: Water treatment apparatus for supplying ozonated water to appliances, such as clothes washing machines. First and second water aspirators include respective first and second Venturi tubes. One aspirator is designed for a relatively higher water flow rate, and the other is designed for a relatively lower water flow rate. A valve selectively directs water from a water inlet to a water outlet through either the first or the second water aspirator. Ozone from an ozone generator is drawn either into water flowing through the first Venturi tube or water flowing through the second Venturi tube, depending on the position of the valve. A water flow sensor includes a microphone physically connected for sensing a sound characteristic of operation of a Venturi tube. A controller effects a time delay for maintaining activation of the ozone generator for a predetermined time duration even after water flow has ceased.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2015Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Maxia Investments, LLCInventors: Allen M. Johnston, Gary E. Endres
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Patent number: 9186606Abstract: A cutting fluid filtration device attached to a machine tool has the function of backwashing a filter for filtering impurities in a cutting fluid when the filter is clogged. Whether or not the filter is clogged is determined by integrating the time during which the liquid level of the cutting fluid in a clean fluid tank falls below a lower-limit position by means of a sensor configured to detect the height of the liquid level of the cutting fluid. When a preset reference value is exceeded by the resulting integrated value, it is determined that the filter is clogged.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2013Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: FANUC CORPORATIONInventor: Mitsuyoshi Ishihara
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Patent number: 9168470Abstract: A filter element (32) and a filter device (10). The filter element (32) can be arranged in a filter housing (16) of the filter device. The filter element (32) has an annular closed filter medium (34) connected with at least at one end face with an end member (36, 38). An annular anti-drain membrane (44) opens and closes at least one fluid opening (26) of the filter housing (16) and is arranged on the side of the at least one end member (38) that is facing away from the filter element (34). The surface of the contact section (60) of the anti-drain membrane (44) has at least one relief-like adhesion disturbance area (64) for disturbing an adhesion of the anti-drain membrane (44) to the contact section (60).Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2012Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: MANN + HUMMEL GMBHInventors: Andrés Moreno Linares, Florentin Van Uffelen, Silke Miess, Gerhard Seidler, Marco Goedecke
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Patent number: 9169130Abstract: A component filter device which is added to a new or existing multi-chamber septic tank to filter the effluent of the septic tank to improve the quality of the water entering a method of dispersal. The device uses a spiral wound membrane filter to filter the effluent. The membrane filter contains open channel spacers to channel the bubbles which scour the membrane leaves. An air lift pump is used to pump permeate. A three-way actuator valve directs the airflow to either the pump or to a bubble diffuser. A two-way actuator valve directs the flow of permeate. A low water indicator directs the operation of the device. The device uses bubble scouring and back washing to clean the membrane leaves. A blower, two actuator valves and a low water indicator are the only moving parts of the device.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2012Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Inventors: Ray Gauthier, Peter Michel
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Patent number: 9162186Abstract: The present invention provides a filtration assembly in the form of a disposable cartridge. A key feature of the invention is a filtration chamber having a porous membrane also referred to as a filter, a sample inlet to the filtration chamber, and an outlet for outflow of the fraction of sample that does not penetrate the membrane. The membrane can be used in any configuration, for example a hollow fiber. The fraction of sample that penetrates the membrane is referred to as the filtrate, and the fraction that does not penetrate the membrane is referred to as the retentate or concentrate. Some uses of the cartridge are to prepare plasma from blood, and to prepare a plasma ultra-filtrate from plasma, without the need for centrifugation. Many therapeutic drugs are highly protein bound, and a plasma ultra-filtrate is sometimes required to measure the unbound biologically active drugs.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2012Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: CHROMEDX CORP.Inventor: James Samsoondar
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Patent number: 9145308Abstract: An oil spill cleanup device is described. The device includes a container and at least one flexible hollow elongated member extending from the container. The device floats in water and can be used to collect and separate oil from the contaminated water. Water is collected by the elongated member, which has several exterior one-way valves that allow contaminated water to enter the member. The contaminated water is pushed towards and into the container by the wave motions of the surrounding water. The elongated member has internal one-way valves that help to direct the contaminated water towards the container. Once in the container, the contaminated water can separate into water and oil due to differences in specific gravity. Multiple devices can be connected together to form a barrier for containing the contaminated water within a limited area.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2012Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: Fluor Technologies CorporationInventor: Gary J. Mason
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Patent number: 9132368Abstract: The manner in which a liquid filtration in which a liquid is separated from a solid substance by means of a filter can be best realized generally depends on the specific conditions. The invention relates to a filter device for separating a mixture of solid substance and a liquid.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2011Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: LOMAPRO B. V.Inventors: Louis Van Schie, Marinus Arnoldus Wilhelmus Maria Van Hulten
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Patent number: 9121399Abstract: A straining device for a drainage pump, the straining device comprising a body defining an inner chamber; at least one straining element by which liquid may enter the chamber; and at least one outlet by which liquid may leave the chamber. The straining device further includes a liquid level sensor arranged to detect the level of a liquid in which said straining device is located during use and, upon determining that said liquid level exceeds a threshold, to cause an activation signal to be sent to said pump. The liquid level sensor comprises non-contact sensing means such as an electric field sensor. The sensor is located at the top of the straining device and arranged to project its sensing field upwardly.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Munster Simms Engineering LimitedInventor: Richard Bovill
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Patent number: 9114337Abstract: An appliance for washing objects is disclosed that effectively and energy-efficiently filters oil-based residue from a fluid such as washing fluid that drains from a basin in the appliance. In one illustrative embodiment, an appliance includes a novel filter assembly for filtering oil-based residue out of the washing fluid. The filter assembly includes a filter layer composed of a material that is both oleophilic and hydrophobic. The filter assembly forms part of a fluid distribution system that has different configurations. A first configuration allows for recirculating filtered wash fluid from an outlet of the filter assembly back into the basin of the appliance. A second configuration allows for draining both the washing fluid from the outlet of the filter assembly and the oil-based residue from a bypass zone of the filter assembly to an appliance outlet.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2011Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Paul Mathew, Ramasamy Thiyagarajan, Nikhil Subhashchandra Tambe, Duraiswamy Srinivasan
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Patent number: 9115821Abstract: A condensate valve for condensate that is connectable to the inlet side of at least one oil/water separator of a compressor. The condensate valve is triggered for opening and closing via a blocking element. The outlet of the condensate valve discharges directly into a condensate collecting tank. The condensate valve also forms a pressure reducer for reducing the pressure of the outflowing condensate and discharges directly to the condensate collecting tank. Preferably, the condensate valve comprises a movable piston which can be pressed against a small-diameter opening of the valve seat when the condensate valve is closed by a blocking element. The piston has a larger cross-sectional area at its outlet side than at its inlet side on which condensate acts via an overflow line when the condensate valve has been opened. The overflow line can be formed by at least one through channel which extends axially through the piston.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2010Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Bauer Kompressoren GmbHInventors: Heinz Bauer, Josef Winnerl
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Patent number: 9101709Abstract: A dialysis fluid cassette that includes a base and a flexible membrane attached to the base. The flexible membrane and the base cooperate to at least partially define a venting chamber and a fluid channel fluidly connected to the venting chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2013Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbHInventors: Josef Beden, Uwe Hahmann, Martin Herklotz, Martin Lauer, Joachim Manke, Peter Scheunert, Manfred Weis
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Patent number: 9101858Abstract: There is disclosed an automatic cleaning apparatus for a septic tank filter. The cleaning apparatus has a brush operable to move across a screen disposed internally of the filter. The brush is tethered, via a cable and at least one pulley, to a weighted float disposed in an effluent pump chamber associated with the septic tank. The brush therefore moves vertically across the screen with vertical changes the level of effluent in the septic tank.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Inventor: Phillip Clark Frey
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Patent number: 9096446Abstract: A water purifying apparatus comprises: a filtering unit; a water tank unit for storing water having passed through the filtering unit; an extraction unit for selectively extracting the water stored in the water tank unit; and a cleaning system for sequentially controlling a cleaning process and a rinsing process of the water tank unit. Since cleaning and rinsing processes for the water purifying apparatus are automatically executed by a series of consecutive processes, the user may directly clean the water purifying apparatus if necessary without requiring a Codi's visit. Furthermore, the number of times that the Codi visits the users home for cleaning of the water purifying apparatus is reduced. This may allow the Codi to have an enhanced working efficiency, and to pay less effort to a cleaning process for the water purifying apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2009Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Deul-Re Min, Min-Je Cho, Young-Jin Kim, Sung-Yong Shin
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Patent number: 9079123Abstract: A mechanical separator for separating a fluid sample into first and second phases within a collection container is disclosed. The mechanical separator may have a separator body having a through-hole defined therein, with the through-hole adapted for allowing fluid to pass therethrough. The separator body includes a float, having a first density, and a ballast, having a second density greater than the first density. A portion of the float is connected to a portion of the ballast. Optionally, the float may include a first extended tab adjacent a first opening of the through-hole and a second extended tab adjacent the second opening of the through-hole. In certain configurations, the separator body also includes an extended tab band disposed about an outer surface of the float. The separator body may also include an engagement band circumferentially disposed about at least a portion of the separator body.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2013Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and CompanyInventors: Jamieson W. Crawford, Ravi Attri, Christopher A. Battles, Benjamin R. Bartfeld, Gregory R. Hires
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Patent number: 9079129Abstract: A filter cartridge includes a substantially cylindrical filter media having a first end and a second end wherein the second end has an opening adaptable to receive a fluid outlet. The filter media is adapted to allow fluid to pass from an exterior of the filter media to an interior space of the filter media. A divider is positioned adjacent to the exterior of the filter media, and the divider has a closed end connected to the first end of the filter media and an open end that is longitudinally-spaced from the second end of the filter media such that at least a portion of the filter media located adjacent to the second end of the filter media is not directly adjacent to the divider. The divider extends a majority of the distance from the first end to the second end of the filter media.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2010Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Davco Technology, LLCInventors: Paul B. Smith, Kevin J. Rucinski, Alfred Tondreau, Ken Conti
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Patent number: 9067802Abstract: A drainage device includes a closed chamber, a liquid pumping mechanism, and a liquid discharge mechanism. The drainage device can also include a controller. The closed chamber may be filled with liquid and gas for discharge. The liquid pumping mechanism pumps the liquid in the closed chamber, and prevents the liquid in the liquid pumping mechanism from flowing back to the closed chamber. The liquid discharge mechanism discharges the liquid in the liquid pumping mechanism to the outside, and prevents outside air from flowing into the closed chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: Ming-Lu Yang, Ya-Dong Zhang, Tian-En Zhang, Yue Li
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Patent number: 9067804Abstract: A solar powered water purification canteen includes a container, UV LED lights and a solar power panel. The container is adapted to hold a fluid and has a reservoir, an inlet and an outlet. The UV LED lights are around the reservoir and are adapted to kill any bacteria from fluid in the reservoir. The solar power panel is positioned on the outside of the container adapted to power the UV LED lights.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2012Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Inventor: Thomas L. Jones
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Patent number: 9061222Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering a liquid utilize a filter apparatus including a bypass filter, a full flow filter, and a flow balancing element for dividing a total inlet flow of fluid to the filter apparatus into a bypass portion, passing through the bypass filter, and a full flow portion, passing through the full flow filter. The bypass filter has a lower filtering efficiency than the full flow filter element, so that a venturi tube is not required for causing the bypass portion to pass through the bypass filter. The flow balancing element divides the flow into a desired bypass portion and a desired full flow portion, at a predetermined operating temperature. Below the operating temperature, the bypass portion increases and the full flow portion decreases, the bypass portion becoming greater than the full flow portion at a second predetermined temperature below the operating temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2009Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Baldwin Filters, Inc.Inventor: Greg Fisher
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Patent number: 9045359Abstract: A reverse osmosis negative-ion water dispenser comprising a polypropylene filter element, a granular active carbon filter element and a compressed active carbon filter element inside a housing; a low pressure switch, a booster pump, an inlet solenoid valve, an RO filter bottle, an RO membrane and two water outlets for concentrated water and pure water respectively are also provided, wherein the water outlet for concentrated water is connected with a flush solenoid valve and a waste water proportioner assembly, the water outlet for pure water is connected with a storage tank through a high pressure switch and a float switch; the storage tank is provided with a high-low level three-line water level switch and connected to a combined hot and cold exchange tank. A negative-ion generating device comprising a solenoid valve, a fast heating equipment and a negative-ion filter device is provided to generate negative-ion.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Guangdong Pinshine Environmental Technologies Co., LtdInventors: Chen-Sheng Tsai, Qi-Ming Xia, Tie-Gang Chen, Qin Zhou
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Patent number: 9044696Abstract: A module insert includes at least one water level sensor, at least one valve and at least one flow channel for the water. The module insert has at least one container having sorbent mechanism for collecting contaminants from the separated water. A pressure-resistant housing is configured to protect an interior of the module insert from the pressure of the fuel.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2009Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Mahle International GmbHInventors: Michael Braunheim, Matthias Gänswein, Jörg Hrodek, Sven Siegle, Richard Wlassa