Patents Examined by Thomas M. Lithgow
  • Patent number: 7398886
    Abstract: A press for the dehumidification of humid matter, in particular of residual waste is disclosed, which comprises a worm gear whereby the residual waste may be compressed mechanically. During transport with the aid of the worm gear, the humid matter is subjected to a drying medium, preferably pressurized air or a vacuum, whereby it is delivered from the press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Inventors: Christian Widmer, Hansrudolf Hartmann
  • Patent number: 7389881
    Abstract: A method of recovering a valuable component from a feed slurry in minerals processing plant for a mined material is disclosed. The method includes separating the feed slurry on the basis of particle size into at least two streams, of which one stream is a fines stream. The pH of the fines stream is then adjusted to be within a range in which contaminants on the surface of the fines are soluble so that contaminants dissolve from the surface of the fines. Thereafter, the valuable component is floated from the pH adjusted fines stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: BHP Billiton Pty Ltd
    Inventors: John Patrick Andreatidis, Christofo Torrisi
  • Patent number: 7390407
    Abstract: A liquid filter, in particular for the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine, having a housing with an inlet and an outlet formed from a housing pot having a substantially downwardly open filter element installation opening and a screw-on cover that closes the installation opening, and a filter element arranged in the housing, sealingly separating the inlet from the outlet. The screw-on cover has a drain for residual liquid present in the housing with a round drain opening arranged in the central axis of the housing. A device for opening and closing the drain opening is arranged in the area of the drain and connected to an end disk of the filter element so that it moves relative to the drain opening and opens the drain when the cover is unscrewed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Weindorf, Markus Kolczyk, Ralf Blum
  • Patent number: 7390406
    Abstract: A radiation source module comprising a support member, a radiation source assembly connected to the support member and a seal disposed on a first surface of the module, the seal operable to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the first surface and a second surface which is adjacent to the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Trojan Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Traubenberg, Jason J. Cerny, Mike Marcu, Michael P. Sarchese, David E. Sproule
  • Patent number: 7387725
    Abstract: A one-touch fitting type adapter and a filter assembly are provided in which the filter assembly used for machinery, such as a bidet or a refrigerator, is easily assembled with or disassembled from the adapter through a one-touch fitting manner such that the filter assembly is easily adapted for the machinery. A multiple adapter capable of coupling a plurality of adapters in series is provided such that a plurality of filter assemblies used for a water purifier, a water ionizer or a functional water maker are detachably engaged with the multiple adapter through a one-touch fitting manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Picogram Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Suk-Rim Choi, Seok-Bong Bang
  • Patent number: 7387726
    Abstract: An oil filter for an internal combustion engine with a cup-shaped housing that is releasably connectable to a receiving head. The housing has a first interlocking element that extends across at least a portion of the outer circumference of the housing and is interrupted by at least one axially extending recess. The filter element has a liquid-tight canister provided on its outer surface with second interlocking elements, which fit into the recesses of corresponding first interlocking elements when the filter element is installed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Wolf, Joachim Stinzendoerfer, Karlheinz Muenkel, Ralf Bauder, Norbert Maurer
  • Patent number: 7374689
    Abstract: A system for separating particles from a contaminated liquid stream includes an apparatus for mixing the liquid with one or more separation enhancement additives and gases. A pressure reducing device having a flow restrictor element within an enlarged tube receives the mixed liquid and creates bubble laden floccs by reducing the pressure of the liquid stream. The pressure reducing device empties into a bloom chamber of a flotation tank, where the bubble laden floccs are directed upwardly to an upper portion of the flotation tank. The flotation tank is configured such that the bubble laden floccs circulate within the upper portion of the flotation tank until they float to the upper surface, while decontaminated liquid flows to a lower portion of the tank for removal. A skimmer removes the floated contaminated floccs from the upper surface of the flotation tank into a dewatering apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Clean Water Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwain E. Morse, Wade O. Morse, Thomas G. Matherly
  • Patent number: 7360656
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method to improve the cleaner froth flotation process for the selective separation of ore values including, for example, copper, zinc, molybdenum, iron and mixtures there of, in existing flotation plants comprising the step of adding one or more acrylic acid polymers and copolymers to the cleaner froth flotation step in a standard multistep flotation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventor: Daniele Cristina Almeida Hummel Pimenta Santos
  • Patent number: 7361282
    Abstract: A buoyant component separator is disclosed for removing at least some floating contaminants from fluids. The component separator may be used with a marine engine exhaust system to reduce particulate matter and unburned fuel contained in liquid coolant before it is jettisoned overboard and pollutes the surrounding body of water. In one embodiment, the separator includes a first part for receiving a mixture of liquid and buoyant components and a second part joined by a communication passage, where the liquid flows through the communication passage to the second part and the buoyant components substantially accumulate in the first part. A method of separating a liquid from buoyant components is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Smullin Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph I. Smullin
  • Patent number: 7357865
    Abstract: An automatic transmission fluid (ATF) filtration system that combines both coarse filtering mesh and microfine depth filtering elements simultaneously to remove a wide range of particulate matter, but also maintains an unrestricted flow of ATF to the pump to ensure its volumetric efficiency is disclosed. In the present invention ATF at system pressure is delivered via a hydraulic circuit to a microfine depth filtering element for depth filtration (i.e. several layers of filter media) and, thereafter, is passed into the intake of the coarse filter element or, alternatively, between the intake of the coarse filter element and the pump intake. Because ATF flow through the coarse filter element is continuous and independent of the microfine depth filter element, the volumetric efficiency of the pump is maintained in all phases of operation even at the highest demand points such as at cold start-up, hot idle, and high volume/demand situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Sonnax Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg A. Nader
  • Patent number: 7344647
    Abstract: Recycled waste water is treated to remove contaminants and produce a sludge cake with a high percentage of solids and to produce a treated recycled waste water that can be discharged into a municipal sewer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Stewart Water Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventor: Timothy L. Stewart
  • Patent number: 7344638
    Abstract: A filter apparatus separates fine particles such as pine needles, threads, hairs and seeds from a liquid influent. A rotating grid assembly has multiple grid sections mounted by top-to-bottom connected links, supporting a filter media having specified openings sufficient for entrainment of miniscule particles. Grid sections are interchanged for collection and discharge of various sized particles using the same apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Hydro-Dyne Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Jay Ryan Conroy
  • Patent number: 7334688
    Abstract: A filtration system includes a filter medium that has two side edges. The filter medium is moveable in a longitudinal direction, and at least a segment of the filter medium is used to filter a fluid. Seals are used to seal the filter medium segment's side edges, and the seals are moveable with the filter medium in the longitudinal direction. Consequently, the seal may not need to be raised or deflated during indexing of the filter medium. Additionally, the indexing of the filter medium does not create wear on the filter medium and seal and does not cause distortion or tear of the filter medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Brian W. Pahl, Stephen Haub
  • Patent number: 7335300
    Abstract: A filter element is removably positionable within a filter housing defining a filter chamber for said filter element. The filter housing comprises a standpipe extending within the filter chamber. The filter element includes a tubular filter media circumscribing the standpipe, a first end cap supporting the filter media at one end thereof, a second end cap longitudinally spaced from the first end cap and supporting the filter media at the opposite end thereof, and a center tube extending between the first and second end caps. The center tube has at least one inlet opening therethrough at a first end thereof adjacent to the first end cap and a standpipe opening therethrough at a second end thereof adjacent to the second end cap. The second end cap has at least one intake opening therethrough radially spaced from the standpipe opening in the center tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Wix Filtration Corp LLC
    Inventors: Willie L. Stamey, Jr., Mark Allen Roll
  • Patent number: 7332079
    Abstract: The present invention is a floatation process and associated apparatus for removing heavy metal waste from various effluent water streams. The process and apparatus generally introduces a population of fine diameter air bubbles and one or more flocculating chemicals into an effluent stream to produce buoyant floc structures that include the heavy metals and that can be removed from the effluent stream. The present invention provides a reliable, cost-effective means of removing heavy metals from effluent water streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Industrial Waste Water Services, LLC
    Inventor: C. Lamar Coleman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7328806
    Abstract: A process of separating a desired constituent from a mixture of particulate matter including the steps of: conditioning a liquid mixture of particulate matter with a frothing agent to create a pulp; aerating the pulp to generate a float fraction of froth supported on the surface of a non-float fraction of pulp; separating a portion of froth from the float fraction; draining the separated froth; washing the separated froth with a liquid to dislodge particles comprising one or more of non-selectively attached, entrained, and entrapped particles; and recovering the washed froth, is disclosed herein. Also disclosed herein are a froth cleaning apparatus and a froth flotation apparatus for separating a desired constituent from a mixture of particulate matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: University of Illinois
    Inventors: Latif A. Khan, John Lytle, Ken Ho
  • Patent number: 7329347
    Abstract: The invention relates to a separating device for separating a first liquid from a second liquid, wherein the first liquid has a lower specific density than the second liquid. The separating device comprises a receptacle with an inside wall, an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is arranged above the outlet, and a separating member made of a permeable filter material that is capable of adsorbing the first liquid and is arranged within the receptacle between the inlet and the outlet and is configured in such a manner that it floats on the second liquid when it is clean, and sinks with the increasing adsorption of the first liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Beko Technologies GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Schlensker
  • Patent number: 7326342
    Abstract: A filter cartridge has a keyed end cap which is configured and shaped for unlocking an associated valve mechanism that comprises a latch device and a valve. In this manner, when the fuel filter cartridge is placed into a fuel filter housing having such a latch and valve mechanism, the fuel filter cartridge is operable therein to filter fluid and pass the fluid into a standpipe contained within the fuel filter housing. The fuel filter cartridge of this type generally includes pleated filter paper which is disposed between two opposed end caps. The keys may be provided along the bottom end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Baldwin Filters, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Richmond, Steven M. Todd, Kenneth W. Stirn
  • Patent number: 7320751
    Abstract: An adapter for a water supply system includes castlellations around the periphery of the mounting hub. The castellations eliminate the continuous sealing surface required for a standard filter end cap to effective seal to the adapter. The mounting hub has ribs on the internal periphery to prevent insertion of filter cartridge end caps with a flat O ring seal or with an O ring seal around the periphery thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: MPC, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher A. Donatelli
  • Patent number: RE40051
    Abstract: A self-venting drain valve is rotatably and slidably mounted to a filter assembly through an internally threaded base. The drain valve comprises a homogenously formed one-piece unitary valve body including a tubular valve stem portion and a valve knob portion. The valve stem portion includes a wall member defining an internal passageway provided with axially extending air vent openings through which ambient air can enter a filter housing through the internal passageway, and drain holes through which water is drained from the filter housing and the internal passageway. The air vent openings are formed through an upper portion of the wall member and are open to a top edge thereof, while the drain holes are formed through the lower portion of the wall member. The liquid drains from the filter housing through the internal passageway and the drain holes, then exits into the valve knob portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Wix Filtration Corp LLC
    Inventors: Willie L. Stamey, Jr., Mark A. Roll