Patents Examined by Tim Miles
  • Patent number: 5178653
    Abstract: The invention relates to an appparatus where the wet scrubbing of several different gas flows is carried out in at least three scrubbing towers, and the droplet separation of scurbbed gases takes place in a cyclonic, uniform droplet separator constructed of several cylinders, so that the obtained product is a pure and droplet-free gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Outokumpu Research Oy
    Inventors: Launo L. Lilja, Valto J. Makitalo, Bror G. Nyman
  • Patent number: 5178799
    Abstract: In a carbonated beverage dispensing apparatus including a dispensing valve, carbon dioxide gas is introduced into a liquid to be dispensed through the dispensing valve, and a temperature sensor is arranged to sense the temperature of the liquid, either in a carbonation tank or in the path through which the liquid is fed to the carbonation tank. A control, responsive to the temperature sensor, controls a valve which regulates the pressure at which carbon dioxide is introduced into the liquid. The carbon dioxide pressure increases with increasing liquid temperature, so that the carbonation level in the liquid dispensed through the dispensing valve is maintained at a substantially constant level. Both mechanical and electronic controls are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Wilshire Partners
    Inventors: John Brown, Allen L. Rogala
  • Patent number: 5176856
    Abstract: An ultrasonic wave nebulizer has a vibrator-heater assembly unit (4) mounted at bottom of a water container (1) for converting water to mist, and heating water to provide warm mist. The assembly unit (4) has a circular piezoelectric vibrator element (9), and a ring-shaped conductive plate (7) surrounding said vibrator element (9). A heater (11) is attached on the rear surface of the conductive plate (7) so that the heater (11) is out of water. The assembly unit (4) has also a circuit element (13) for energizing the vibrator element (9). Water is heated, preferably, at less than 70.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Takahashi, Makoto Ono
  • Patent number: 5176855
    Abstract: An improved carburetor uses a butterfly air valve having a controlled air pressure difference across it and positions a tilt valve, proportionally to feed the liquid fuel with a predetermined pressure difference across the fuel valve and the metered fuel is picked up by air and fed into the main air stream below the throttle place through a small air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: David P. Ward
    Inventor: James S. Jones
  • Patent number: 5174928
    Abstract: The structure, method of fabrication and uses of enclosed double plate heat transfer panels with prefabricated main panel bodies are introduced. In most applications, a pane is used to conduct a gas-liquid interaction such as vaporization, condesation, gas absorption, gas description, endothermic and exothermic chemical reactions inside while having a heat interaction with a fluid outside that undergoes a complementary operation. A panel (41) incorporates one or more of the following key features:(a) It comprises a prefabricated main body (42) and two reinforced mainfold conduits (47) and (49) welded to the main panel body by welds (45).(b) It has nozzles (48) for applying a liquid film inside the panel.(c) The inside surfaces (51) are textured to improve wettability and drainage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Silk Partnership
    Inventors: Chen-Yen Cheng, Wu-Cheh Cheng
  • Patent number: 5171487
    Abstract: A thermo-magnetic vaporizer carburetor comprised of a vaporization reaction chamber which includes South pole exposed magnetic means uniformly around the chamber. The South pole magnetic field alters the molecular structure of the fuel so that it is more rapidly dispersed in the fuel/air mixture entering the I.C. engine. The liquid fuel enters the thermo-magnetic vaporizer under high pressure at ambient temperature and is conducted into a circular spiral arrangement of tubing of approximately six turns where the change-of-state transition is made from a liquid fuel to a fuel vapor. The circular spiral tubing assembly of the vaporization reaction chamber is the conduit for the fuel, as well as an electrical heating element that vaporizes the fuel that is flowing through it. The vaporized fuel exits vaporization reaction chamber and is directed to the exit port of the central vane gimbal where it is injected into the low pressure point of the spinning intake air vortex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Inventor: Paul H. Hudz
  • Patent number: 5171485
    Abstract: An ELECTRONIC FRAGRANCE EMITTING SYSTEM FOR MOTORED VEHICLES. The system consists of a plastic reservoir which houses liquid fragrance, and a pump that extracts liquid fragrance from the reservoir and transports it to a holder mounted in the passenger air vent. Action is initiated by a button mounted on the dashboard or console. The precise amount of fragrance extracted is controlled by an event timer mounted under the dashboard. Once fragrance enters holder it is quickly absorbed via a felt pad. AC Heater or vented air entering vehicle cabin will then distribute fresh scent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Roger D. Ryan
    Inventor: Roger D. Ryan
  • Patent number: 5171486
    Abstract: A humidifier includes a rotating circular base plate driven by a motor through a gear reduction mechanism. A plurality of elongated troughs are mounted in a spaced circular array adjacent a periphery of the base plate, such that outer edges of the troughs are disposed on the surface of a cylinder. The troughs may have a variety of different transverse cross-sectional shapes, such as semi-circular, U-shaped, or V-shaped. A centrally disposed drive shaft extends axially from the base plate and includes a plurality of radially extending circumferentially spaced fins. The rotating base plate and attached troughs are mounted in a housing having an inlet duct and an outlet duct connected in a cold air return duct of a conventional forced air type furnace. A water tank disposed in the bottom of the housing is connected by a float valve to a water supply source such that a constant water level is maintained in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Inventor: Harry Penno
  • Patent number: 5169567
    Abstract: A reservoir is arranged to include a water inlet conduit and a water outlet conduit. The reservoir includes an aeration manifold effecting aeration of water contained within the reservoir, wherein the aeration manifold cooperates with a water dispersion manifold to enhance aeration of water directed into the reservoir. Various nozzle structure is mounted to the dispersion manifold to enhance aeration in a passive manner in association with the aeration manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Inventors: James J. Daugherty, Paul E. Hampton
  • Patent number: 5167879
    Abstract: The invention relates to an open-surface component for transferring heat and/or material between a gas and a liquid that are conveyed in crosscurrent and/or countercurrent flows, comprising a plurality of panels (1) that are disposed next to one another and are provided with shaped portions (2) in the form of channels or channel portions for guiding the aforementioned fluid flows through, with the channel or channel portions enabling a spreading out, transverse to the directions of the main flows, of the respective fluid flows between two adjacent panels (1). In order at relatively low pressure drops to enable a high transfer capacity of the open-surface component, the panels (1) that are provided with channel-like shaped portions (2) are additionally provided with a shaping transverse to the two main dimensional directions of the panels (1), and in particular preferably via a semicircular, sinusoidal, or serpentine wavy configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Balcke-Durr Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andreas Streng
  • Patent number: 5167877
    Abstract: An air purifier with perfume dispensing control, comprising a base plate which has a controller and an air pump, a stepped cap mounted on said base plate at the top for holding a plurality of perfume dispensers, a rotary table mounted on said stepped cap and said perfume dispensers at the top, a hood for securing said stepped cap, said perfume dispensers and said rotary table to said base plate, a trigger arm assembly controlled by an electromagnet to alternatively move back and forth causing said rotary table to rotate, and a stop arm assembly to stop said rotary table from reverse rotation. Compressed air from the pump is alternatively delivered to the perfume dispensers while the rotary table is caused to rotate, causing the perfume dispensers to give off different pleasant smells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Inventor: Wen-Chung Pai
  • Patent number: 5167878
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device designed to more efficiently aerate a body of liquid. The aeration device generally includes a nozzle, a liquid delivery means, and an air delivery means. The nozzle is submersed within the body of liquid and directed substantially laterally relative to the surface of the body of liquid. The nozzle includes a liquid delivery tube, which defines an upstream end of the nozzle, a coaxially aligned contraction member having a converging profile, a coaxially aligned throat member having a uniform diameter, and a coaxially aligned diffuser member having a diverging profile and an exit facing downstream, and a coaxially aligned focus member having a uniform diameter all of which are in fluid communication in series relative to one another. The liquid delivery tube is in fluid communication with the liquid delivery means, which draws liquid from the body of liquid and delivers it under pressure to the liquid delivery tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Aeras Water Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic S. Arbisi, Charles C. S. Song
  • Patent number: 5164125
    Abstract: A downcomer tray assembly for vapor liquid contact towers. The region of the tray beneath an upper downcomer is constructed with a raised, perforated region for facilitating vapor passage therethrough and improving mass transfer efficiency. The downcomer includes a series of grouped discharge orifices disposed above either the perforated inlet or, in some cases, covered inlet areas which comprise momentum barriers. The covered areas in conjunction with the grouped orifices break the momentum of the liquid impacting upon the inlet area to reduce weeping. The vapor rising through the open inlet area sections is also selectively directed into the liquid discharged from the grouped downcomer orifices to promote uniform aeration of the liquid. A splash deflectror is disposed outwardly of the raised inlet area to reduce any liquid maldistribution flowing from the inlet area and to deflect liquid splashed outwardly therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Glitsch, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Binkley, John T. Thorngren
  • Patent number: 5162088
    Abstract: An evaporator including a housing defining an air inlet, an air outlet, and a reservoir for a liquid supply; a blower for producing air flow in a path between the inlet and the outlet; a vessel retained by the housing above the reservoir and adapted to retain a liquid volume; a wick means retained by the vessel and comprising a source portion submerged in the liquid volume and an evaporative portion disposed in the air flow path, the wick means adapted to provide by capillary action liquid flow from the source portion to the evaporative portion; and a pump means for pumping liquid from the reservoir to the vessel so as to maintain the liquid volume therein. The output capacity of the evaporator is increased by pumping liquid from a reservoir upwardly to a supply vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Duracraft Corporation
    Inventors: Johnson Peng, Bernard Chiu
  • Patent number: 5160458
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas injection apparatus for dissolving a gas in a flowing liquid. The apparatus comprises a conduit having a passageway through which flowing liquid flows. An injection pipe in communication with the passageway is provided for injecting gas into the flowing liquid so that a plurality of undissolved gas bubbles are produced within the flowing liquid. Preferably, the passageway has a pair of opposed centrally located side pocket regions for dividing the flowing liquid into a main flow region flowing in the predominant direction of flow of the liquid and two circulating side flow region situated along side the main flow region and within which the gas dissolves. The gas dissolved in the side flow regions produces a concentration gradient driving the gas from the side flow regions into the main flow region for discharge out of an outlet of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Loo T. Yap
  • Patent number: 5160667
    Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of liquid by aeration is provided. The apparatus has a motor, a propeller carried by a motor-driven shaft, an airflow passage to the propeller, and bearings supporting the shaft at at least one location spaced from the motor. In accordance with the present invention, an air pocket is established about at least one of the bearings for keeping liquid from the bearings as by a conical member extending over the shaft from the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Aeromix Systems, Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter S. Gross, Eric Bollensen, Richard Rajendren
  • Patent number: 5160461
    Abstract: An improved system is provided for thoroughly chilling a beverage such as water flowing into a refrigerated reservoir. The system includes an injector nozzle disposed generally at an upper end of the reservoir, together with a dispense valve for drawing the beverage in chilled form from a lower end of the reservoir. A vertically elongated and rotatably driven impeller shaft is mounted within the reservoir and carries a spaced plurality of vaneless impeller disks for causing the beverage flowing downwardly through the reservoir to undergo a plurality of directional changes in a radially outward direction for improved heat transfer with a chiller coil wrapped about the reservoir. This improved heat transfer provides for efficient beverage chilling prior to dispensing. The system is particularly useful in dispensing chilled water, juices, and soft drink beverages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Ebtech, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce D. Burrows
  • Patent number: 5160459
    Abstract: A fluid mixer for submerging within a body of liquid to transfer and mix the fluid in the body of liquid. The mixer does not draw liquid through an opening and has no sharp corners so debris within the body of liquid cannot plug the mixer. The apparatus comprises a rotatable shaft with a hollow passage and a fluid intake to the hollow passage. An impeller is attached to the end of the shaft. The impeller has two circular discs, substantially the same diameter. The discs are coaxial with the shaft and have a space therebetween. The hollow passage within the shaft is in communication with the space between the discs. A plurality of impeller blades are spaced apart about the impeller and extend outwards from the space between the discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Inventors: Claudio Guarnaschelli, Marco G. Guarnaschelli
  • Patent number: 5158713
    Abstract: An arrangement of troughs is disposed above a liquid/distribution tray in a counter-current column for collecting and mixing liquid from an upper exchange portion prior to distribution onto the tray. The arrangement includes duct-like troughs each of which has a base with a closed first part and a second part with at least one outlet for liquid. As a result, the liquid trickled into each trough is mixed transversely prior to being expelled onto the distributor tray thus levelling out any differences in concentration along the length of the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventors: Lorenzo Ghelfi, Raymond C. Pluss
  • Patent number: 5158714
    Abstract: A vapor-liquid distribution method and apparatus utilize a cap assembly for attachment over an opening in a deck tray of a gas-liquid contact apparatus (e.g., catalytic reactor). The cap assembly comprises a riser located over the opening in the deck tray, and providing fluid communication from an upper surface to a lower surface of the deck tray. A cap encompasses an upwardly extending end of the riser. A key feature of the assembly is the provision of a dispersion plate in a lower end of the riser which provides a flow restriction for two phase fluids flowing through the riser to produce a mist flow of the two phases. Preferably, the dispersion plate has a plurality of openings therethrough, at least the outer openings being provided with tabs to disperse the mist flow radially outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Chien-Cheng J. Shih, Ben A. Christolini