Patents Examined by Tim Miles
  • Patent number: 5514193
    Abstract: An air humidifier includes a chamber through which a stream of air flows, a liquid atomizing device arranged in the chamber for humidifying the air flowing through the chamber, and an adjustable water separator located downstream of the atomizing device for separating excess water drops from the humidified air in accordance with predetermined humidification parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: LTG Lufttechnische Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Gerd-Eugen Schaal, Paul Wenger, Klaus Gunther
  • Patent number: 5433764
    Abstract: A filter consisting of a conventional filter medium mounted between retaining layers of a porous fabric cut to fit the shape of the opening in the mechanism in which it is to be mounted. A tab extends from one edge of the filter. Around the outer periphery of one of the retaining layers is a layer of adhesive which is, in turn, covered by a protective layer of paper, cardboard or the like. Upon removal of the protective layer, the filter is held in place by the layer of adhesive against its mounting. The protective paper is left on a portion of the tab, thereby, reinforcing the tab and allows it to remain free to manipulate the filter assembly during installation and removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: Arthur L. Matschke
  • Patent number: 5431860
    Abstract: A mixing device, especially for a fermenter, capable of dispersing gas in a broth therein, in which a number of propeller mixers are provided on a vertically extending shaft. The lower propeller mixer is a gas dispersing mixer having a hollow hub and open channels on the blades extending from this hub and tapering outwardly. At least one intermediate propeller mixer has some blades shorter than others and of reverse flow direction, some blades having baffle bars on trail edges thereof. The upper propeller mixer has the longer blades without channels and flow modifying elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Richter Gedeon Vegyeszeti Gyar Rt.
    Inventors: Laszlo Kozma, Sandor Kovats, Bela Makadi, Laszlo Cseke, Sandor Pusztai, Mihaly Kaszas, Gyorgy Santha, Istvan Bartho, Karoly Zalai, Gyula Beszedics, Gabriella Kordik, Karoly Gergely, Miklos Feder
  • Patent number: 5429650
    Abstract: A smoke stack, which discharges contaminated gases, is provided with a plenum chamber, at its end, formed of one or more stacked modules. Each module includes a hollow cylindrical housing, from which protrudes, in various radial directions, a plurality of ducts, each being provided with a nozzle at its end. The nozzle has a central passageway through which a portion of the gases pass and is discharged into the atmosphere, and a second passageway which directs the air around the discharging gases for imparting a swirling action to the commingled gases. An ultra low volume of treatment fluid, usually a liquid chemical, is progressively discharged into the central passageway so that fog is generated as the gases and liquid emerge. Relief valves for the gas discharge into this fog. An accumulator tank at the top of a chamber or a metering pump supplies the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Lowndes Engineering Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Craig O. Hoffmann, David W. Waldron, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5429776
    Abstract: An arrangement in an internal combustion engine comprises a membrane carbureter (10) having a fuel chamber (12) provided with a movable membrane (11) cooperating with a valve (17) for controlling the fuel supply to said fuel chamber. The air inlet of the carbureter is connected to a filter housing (31) provided with an air filter (32) for cleaning the inlet air, and a pressure chamber (13) is disposed adjacent said membrane and connected to said filter housing to control the fuel supply in relation to the pressure drop across said air filter (32). According to the invention, the membrane (11) is arranged in parallel with a wall (33) of the filter housing, and said wall is disposed adjacent to the pressure chamber (13) and provided with an opening (34) via which said pressure chamber communicates with the interior of said filter housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: Dag Edlund
  • Patent number: 5427719
    Abstract: A carbutetor having an intake pass, an axially movable throttle valve, a main nozzle, a main jet fixedly disposed on the lower end of the main nozzle having an axial channel, a conical surface and a planar surface. The main jet comprises a plurality of downwardly directed oblique holes formed on the conical surface and extending to the axial channel. The surface of the oblique holes is made of a rough surface in order to reduce the boundary layer of fuel flowing through the oblique holes, thereby creating a smooth flow of fuel and improving fuel efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kenso
    Inventor: Machiko Oshima
  • Patent number: 5424011
    Abstract: A steam humidifier apparatus for tractors to save gas comprising a container, the container being of a vertical orientation with a convex semi-cylindrical vertical surface at a first edge and a concave semi-cylindrical vertical surface at a second edge opposite from the first edge, with a closed bottom wall and a top wall having a threaded aperture therein; a support for the container, the support having a lower horizontal base and vertically extending sidewalls, the sidewalls including a concave semi-cylindrical vertical surface adapted to receive the convex semi-cylindrical vertical surface of the container, the sidewalls also having an opening for exposing the concave semi-cylindrical vertical surface of the container, the base also having a concave semi-cylindrical surface coextensive with the concave semi-cylindrical vertical surface of the container supported thereon; straps having first ends secured to the support adjacent to one free vertical edge at the opening and having second ends adapted to be re
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Inventor: Victor G. Bold
  • Patent number: 5422045
    Abstract: Apparatus which accelerates the cooling of the stored water cooled in the storage tank after a refilling operation so that it corresponds to the temperature that is normally reached after a relatively long water storage period. The apparatus includes a carbonator tank having at least one spray opening in the water feed line leading into the head-space region of the carbonator storage tank and where the spay opening is directed to the side walls of the tank in the vicinity of an ice bank formed on an upper inner wall surface thereof. An additional spray opening is oriented so that it points directly at the water surface and by a relatively simple valving arrangement both downward and/or lateral sprays can be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignees: The Coca-Cola Company, Bosch-Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Notar, Udo Schwander, Gerd Hegel, Raimond Gatter
  • Patent number: 5422044
    Abstract: A gas injection and heating device and method for the bubbling of a gas into a body of hot liquid to be interacted with the gas. The device comprises an elongate heat exchange gas container, designed to be immersed in the hot liquid to pre-heat the gas in situ by heat exchange with the liquid. Cold gas is supplied to the elongate gas container, circulated therethrough to become heated to the liquid temperature, and then released from a nozzle into the depth of the liquid in the form of small bubbles of hot gas having a large liquid interfacial mass transfer area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan T. Y. Cheng
  • Patent number: 5422043
    Abstract: A diffuser for dispersing gas bubbles into a liquid is formed of gas permeable material having a high surface tension at an interface with the liquid and a low surface tension in a region inward from the interface. The upstream region with the low surface tension resists liquid backflow, and the high surface tension of the interface keeps the bubbles small as they depart from the diffuser and enter the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Inventor: William A. Burris
  • Patent number: 5417894
    Abstract: An adjustable seal assembly is provided for better sealing along the length of modulator blades used in industrial humidifiers. The assembly comprises a channel that runs parallel with the blades. A seal is attached along the length of the channel and positioned for contact with a blade in the closed position. A threaded rod has one end attached to a midpoint along the channel and the other end threaded through a part of the frame of the bypass section such that rotating the threaded rod bows the channel so that the seal attached to the channel can be bowed to match any bow that may be in the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Air & Refrigeration Corp.
    Inventor: Billy R. Witte, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5413742
    Abstract: A post-mix beverage preparation and dispensing unit includes a carbonator tank coupled to a feed water branching circuit. The branching circuit selectively feeds fresh water from a pressurized fresh water source to the storage tank where the water is mixed with CO.sub.2 gas and is fed to a concentrate mixing station or it feeds fresh water through a heat exchanger which is coupled to the cooled carbonated water of the carbonator tank to cool a supply of fresh water which is then delivered to the same mixing station along with the proper concentrate of the proper amount. A selected beverage is delivered to a dispensing station and can either be a carbonated beverage or a non-carbonated beverage depending on the desire of the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignees: The Coca-Cola Company, Bosch-Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventor: Raimond Gatter
  • Patent number: 5413741
    Abstract: A plurality of corrugated plates are arranged in parallel relationship with corrugations in adjacent plates extending in a criss-crossing pattern to form a packing element for a heat exchange or mass transfer column. The plates are spaced closer together by providing reliefs in adjacent plates at the points of intersection between the criss-crossing corrugations. The reliefs allow the corrugations on the adjacent plates to extend into each other to reduce the spacing between the plates. The reliefs may be in the form of apertures or recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Koch Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Buchholz, Neil Yeoman, Frank E. Mattke
  • Patent number: 5411680
    Abstract: A diaphragm-type carburetor has a high speed adjusting needle and a low speed/idle adjusting needle which are independently supplied with fuel from the metering chamber. The path for fuel to the low speed/idle needle has a valve which is controlled by the angular position of the throttle shaft such that when the throttle shutter is closed the valve is open whereas when the throttle shutter is open the valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Tillotson, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerard McCarthy, Roger Bowles
  • Patent number: 5411681
    Abstract: Disclosed is a random packing element for use in exchange process apparatus, for example. The packing element features boughed strips and projections to provide an abundant supply of liquid flow surfaces, drip points and gas flow-through passages to enhance the interfacing of fluids in the exchange process packing bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Jaeger Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander M. Seah, deceased, Beverly Derrick, heir, Zohtan Seah, heir, Jamel Seah, heir
  • Patent number: 5407605
    Abstract: High capacity, low cost fractionation trays comprise a flat perforated decking surface sectioned into parallel contacting areas by triangular downcomers. The bottom edges of two inclined sidewalls join together to form V-shaped downcomers having a limited number of perforations in their sidewalls to allow downward liquid passage. An imperforate zone is present in the central region of each sidewall. A layer of packing material may be provided close to or adjacent the bottom surface of the tray. The packing is located in the disengagement zone under the tray but does not extend downward to the next tray below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Michael R. Resetarits, Daniel R. Monkelbaan, Robert J. Miller
  • Patent number: 5407606
    Abstract: Apparatus useful for heat exchange by evaporative cooling when employed in conjunction with a conventional cooling tower. The arrangement includes a header pipe which is used to divert a portion of the water in the cooling tower supply conduit up stream of the cooling tower to a multiplicity of vertical pipes and spray nozzles which are evenly spaced external to the cooling tower so as to produce a uniform spray pattern oriented toward the central axis of the cooling tower and thereby induce an air flow into the cooling tower which is greater than otherwise achieved. By spraying the water to be cooled towards the cooling tower in a region external to the cooling tower in a manner such that the spray falls just short of the cooling tower basin, the spray does not interfere with the operation of the cooling tower, proper, and the-maximum increase in air velocity is achieved just above the cooling tower basin where it is most effective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Tennessee Valley Authority
    Inventor: Charles F. Bowman
  • Patent number: 5407607
    Abstract: A device for enhancing contact between a first fluid having a predominant direction of flow and a second fluid, comprises a layer of material generally disposed in a plane that is aligned with the direction of flow. The layer has a plurality of rows of corrugations projecting out of the plane for deflecting the fluids. Each row of corrugations is arranged in a diagonal with respect to the direction of flow so that an elongated vertex of each corrugation in said row is offset from the elongated vertex of an adjacent corrugation in the row with respect to the diagonal. Among other advantages, the offset, diagonally adjacent vertices are highly effective in interrupting the liquid and vapor flows, thereby improving mixing efficiency while also decreasing vapor pressure drop and increasing flow throughput.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Inventor: Thomas W. Mix
  • Patent number: 5407604
    Abstract: A humidifier that can be used on a forced air circulation system for injecting atomized liquid into the cold air portion of that forced air circulation system includes a neubilizer for atomizing water fed thereto. The humidifier can be used in conjunction with an air cooling system and includes a demineralizing filter for removing white dust before the water reaches the humidifier. The filter can take various forms and can include several elements. One form of the humidifier can be connected between a hot air plenum and a cold air plenum of the forced air circulation system whereby the pressure drop between these two plenums is used to move moisture entrained air into the cold air plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Inventor: Douglas Luffman
  • Patent number: 5405435
    Abstract: An economical deaerator unit for use in boiler feedwater systems for eliminating non-condensible gases, the unit having a containment vessel with a divided internal chamber with an upper scrubbing section and a lower heating and deaerating section with gases flowing from the lower section to the upper section for venting, and with water flowing from the upper section to the lower section for supply to a boiler system with water circulation in the deaerator unit being accomplished by gravity without a transfer pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Inventor: Martin Bekedam