Patents Examined by Walter D. Griffin
  • Patent number: 11866352
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method for removing chlorinated hydrocarbons in groundwater through step-by-step electrocatalytic dechlorination degradation. A double-chamber electrolyzer reactor is used to carry out step-by-step electrocatalytic dechlorination degradation to remove chlorinated hydrocarbons in groundwater. The double-chamber electrolyzer reactor comprises a cathode chamber, a proton exchange membrane, an anode chamber and an intermediate processing unit, wherein the cathode chamber is separated from the anode chamber through the proton exchange membrane, and the intermediate processing unit is connected between the cathode chamber and the anode chamber through a cathode chamber water outlet, an anode chamber water inlet and pipelines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Nanjing University
    Inventors: Ke Xu, Zhengqing Liu, Sijia Ma, Hongqiang Ren
  • Patent number: 11865552
    Abstract: A centrifuge apparatus includes a plurality of modules, each including a rotatable body, housing and flying leads, assembly. The modules can be selectively interconnected to allow adaptation of the processing capacity of the apparatus to process a liquid to remove components therefrom and/or to process a number of different liquids and allow the separation of one or more types of components therefrom simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Dynamic Extractions Limited
    Inventors: David Rooke, Colin Bright
  • Patent number: 11858830
    Abstract: A disinfection system for treating water. In a specific example, the system treats water prior to its upload to an aircraft or other passenger transportation vehicle. One or more replaceable filters are positioned within a filter chamber housing in order to expose water flowing through the system to filtration treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: MAG Aerospace Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Razmik Boodaghians, Darrel Hofmann, Nguyen Tram, Timothy Birbeck
  • Patent number: 11857982
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator apparatus for separating components of a fluid stream; the apparatus comprising a support structure and a centrifugal separator unit rotatably mounted on the support structure so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis extending through the centrifugal separator unit; a drive element for driving rotation of the centrifugal separator unit; wherein the centrifugal separator unit comprises a centrifugal separation chamber having an inlet which is connected or connectable to a source of fluid requiring separation, a first outlet for collecting a higher density component of the fluid stream, and a second outlet for collecting a lower density component of the fluid stream; the first outlet being connected or connectable to a first collector for collecting the higher density component and the second outlet being connected or connectable to a second collector for collecting the lower density component; the centrifugal separation chamber comprising a curved or inclined guide surface for g
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: GM INNOVATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Gerard Melling, Alan Suttie, Brian Loudon
  • Patent number: 11850575
    Abstract: Carbon-doped graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) compositions are synthesized from the chemical precursors melamine, cyanuric acid and barbituric acid. Phosphorus-doped g-C3N4 compositions are synthesized from the chemical precursors melamine, cyanuric acid and etidronic acid. Carbon- and phosphorus-doped g-C3N4 compositions, when in the presence of UV or visible light, can be used in water treatment systems to photocatalytically degrade persistent organic micropollutants such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), pesticides, and herbicides. Carbon- and phosphorus-doped g-C3N4 compositions can also be applied to surfaces of household and public items to kill protozoa, eukaryotic parasites, algal pathogens, bacteria, fungi, prions, viruses, or other microorganisms, preventing the transfer thereof between users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: The George Washington University
    Inventors: Danmeng Shuai, Qinmin Zheng
  • Patent number: 11834353
    Abstract: A UV reactor for disinfecting water. The UV reactor may include a cooling chamber in which heat from a UV source may be transferred to the water flowing through the UV reactor. The UV reactor may include driver circuitry operable to determine status information, such as health, of the UV source. The UV reactor may include a gas discharge path operable to substantially prevent accumulation of gas within a water treatment chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: Ziqi Wu, Joshua B. Taylor, Daniel L Schlenk, Jeffrey A. Shumate
  • Patent number: 11833528
    Abstract: Provided is a centrifuge apparatus for a processing cartridge, including a rotary plate and at least one cartridge holder, and the cartridge holder is rotatable around its centre axis and arranged off-centre the centre axis of the rotary plate and comprises an inner side wall surrounding a through-going passage, wherein the through-going passage is able to accommodate the processing cartridge; and the inner side wall includes a resilient locking assembly for interaction with at least one cooperating first abutting surface on the processing cartridge, such that the processing cartridge may be inserted into the through-going passage and releasably secured by the locking assembly; and at least one stopping element for interaction with at least one cooperating second abutting surface on the processing cartridge, the at least one stopping element being arranged to retain the processing cartridge at a desired vertical level when the cartridge is releasably secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: SpinChip Diagnostics AS
    Inventors: Ole Christian Tronrud, Sebastian Stenmark, Rolf Jahren, Torgeir Hamsund, Stig Morten Borch
  • Patent number: 11834352
    Abstract: System and method for treatment of a process fluid using ultraviolet light are provided. The system may have a wall, an inlet pipe and at least one length of brushes configured to brush a fluid along a side of the wall, generating a film on the fluid to be exposed to ultraviolet light as the fluid film flows along the wall. The system and method may further utilize at least one channel to provide fluid to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: LeBaron IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: E. Shem LeBaron
  • Patent number: 11827546
    Abstract: Waste water is remanufactured with ozone in a series of mixing vessels. The ozone is dispersed to both a top and a bottom portion of each mixing vessel, but in different amounts. This creates an electrical potential difference across the height of each mixing vessel which significantly improves the oxidation of organic carbon-based impurities and eliminates H2S and bacteria. Sludge and solids floating to the top of each mixing vessels are removed, as well as sludge and solids settling to the bottom of the mixing vessels. When oil and gas well waste water is treated in this manner, the resulting treated water is purified and has a high salt content suitable for oil or gas well injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Clean Water Tech, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy G. Coakley
  • Patent number: 11826763
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifuge rotor with a rotor body and a receptacle arranged centrally therein for receiving a drive head of a drive shaft of a centrifuge which can be rotated about an axis of rotation (R), and sample receptacles for accommodating a plurality of sample containers. A holding crown is arranged on a top side (O) of the rotor body facing away from an insertion side (E) of the drive head, said holding crown having an annular base body, which encloses a central opening, and prongs extending upward away from the top side (O), wherein the holding crown is arranged in such a way that the axis of rotation (R) runs through the central opening. The present invention further relates to a holding crown for use with a centrifuge rotor and having an annular base body enclosing a central opening and prongs emanating from the base body and extending upward, wherein the prongs are offset at least in the region of their free ends by a spacing (A) from an inner edge of the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Thermo Electron LED GmbH
    Inventors: Norman Ballhause, Romana Hinz, Jan Rother
  • Patent number: 11827544
    Abstract: A method of degrading 1,4-dioxane in the wastewater produced during the manufacture of alkyl ether sulfates is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) mixing from 100 to 10,000 ppm, preferably 1,000 to 4,000 ppm of ozone with the wastewater; (b) introducing H2O2 into the wastewater in an amount of 0.01 to 10, preferably 0.1 to 0.5 molar equivalents of H2O2 to ozone, and (c) mixing the ozone, H2O2, and wastewater to generate hydroxyl radicals reactive with the 1,4-dioxane, without the addition of a metal catalyst. The hydroxyl radicals react with the 1,4-dioxane and degrade it into carbon dioxide, water and/or carbonate. The method is effective to reduce a concentration of 1,4-dioxane in the wastewater from a range of about 10 ppm to about 1000 ppm of dioxane down to less than 5 ppb of 1,4-dioxane after treatment. The method is also effective for removing hydrocarbon species that may be present in the wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Matthew V. Vollmer, Donald E. Oulman, Aaron Brown, Dennis Smith, Doug Gustafson, Terry Applebury
  • Patent number: 11820675
    Abstract: A device that treats water with multiple wavelengths of light in order to modify the structure of the water. The device may have two light panels on two different sides of a transparent container that holds water to be treated. Each light panel may have light sources that emit three different wavelengths of light. Specific wavelength combinations have been found to produce the desired structural changes in water. Hydrogen and/or oxygen may be added to the water before or during treatment. Potential sources of hydrogen and oxygen may be an electrolysis unit attached to or integrated into the light treatment device, or a hydrogen bearing mineral that may be added to the water. Experiments that treat and then freeze the water demonstrate a novel structure via the formation of unusual crystalline forms in the frozen, treated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: SOLETLUNA HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: David Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11814304
    Abstract: A process of dissolving into to-be-treated water a peroxodisulfate and metal ions other than ions of alkali metals is performed by pouring equipment. An ultraviolet irradiation apparatus performs a process of treating the to-be-treated water, having the peroxodisulfate and the metal ions other than ions of alkali metals dissolved therein, with ultraviolet rays. By performing UV treatment on the to-be-treated water having the peroxodisulfate and metal ions dissolved therein, the inventive method and system achieve improved TOC decomposing performance and thus can particularly decompose a urea component in an efficient manner. Further, the to-be-treated water may be treated with an ion-exchange resin at a subsequent stage in such a manner that organic acids contained in the to-be-treated water having been subjected to the UV treatment are adsorbed to the ion exchange-resin, with the advantageous result that the concentration of TOC present in the to-be-treated water can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: PHOTOSCIENCE JAPAN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoyoshi Nakamura, Yuji Yamakoshi
  • Patent number: 11813553
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems, chambers, and methods for processing particles by washing, concentrating, and/or treating the particles. Some embodiments provide for the processing of cells that may be in a liquid medium (e.g., a liquid in which the cells were grown) and are processed by being washed and concentrated for later use in research or other therapies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Michael Taga, Anne Baker Oram, Linda A. Taylor, Dennis J. Hlavinka
  • Patent number: 11807555
    Abstract: An energy-efficient disinfection or sterilisation of contaminated liquid, such as water contaminated with viruses or microbes includes an asymmetric configuration of a cavitation nozzle made from dielectric material that enables the formation of a single, stable cavitation bubble of a large volume. A low-pressure gaseous plasma is continuously formed inside the cavitation bubble by electrodes to prevent contact of the metallic electrode with liquid water and Ohmic heating of the contaminated water. The electrodes are connected to a high voltage power supply. The power supply enables formation of a continuous stable gaseous discharge inside the cavitation bubble and radicals and radiation useful for destruction of viruses to the levels below the current US EPA standard in few minutes, while the temperature of liquid water remains practically unchanged. Use is not only for hospitals and pharmaceutical companies but the food industry and agriculture as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignees: Jozef Stefan Institute, National Institute of Biology, University of Ljubljana
    Inventors: Gregor Primc, Rok Zaplotnik, Miran Mozetic, Arijana Filipic, Ion Gutierrez Aguirre, David Dobnik, Matevz Dular, Martin Petkovsek
  • Patent number: 11807560
    Abstract: A water treatment system includes an ozone generator combined with an electrolytic chlorine generator in a compact, efficient and serviceable assembly. The system may include a modular and replaceable ozone generator, which allows a damaged or non-functional ozone generator to be quickly and efficiently replaced. In order to protect the ozone generator from damage, a fail-safe drain valve assembly may also be provided which will expel backflowing pool water before it is allowed to backflow into the ozone generator. The water treatment system may further include an insulated electrolytic chlorine generator that mitigates or eliminates current leakage for efficient operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Intex Marketing Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhi Xiong Huang, Yonggui Chen, Yaw Yuan Hsu, Peilin Chen
  • Patent number: 11795078
    Abstract: A water treatment system includes an ozone generator combined with an electrolytic chlorine generator in a compact, efficient and serviceable assembly. The system may include a modular and replaceable ozone generator, which allows a damaged or non-functional ozone generator to be quickly and efficiently replaced. In order to protect the ozone generator from damage, a fail-safe drain valve assembly may also be provided which will expel backflowing pool water before it is allowed to backflow into the ozone generator. The water treatment system may further include an insulated electrolytic chlorine generator that mitigates or eliminates current leakage for efficient operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Intex Marketing Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhi Xiong Huang, Yonggui Chen, Yaw Yuan Hsu, Peilin Chen
  • Patent number: 11795074
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell including a first chamber having an anode, a second chamber having a cathode, at least one ionic connection between the first chamber and the second chamber, such that liquid electrolyte from the first chamber is prevented from mixing with liquid electrolyte in the second chamber is provided. The first chamber and the second chamber can be arranged in parallel and positioned remotely from each other. An electrochemical system including the electrochemical cell, and first and second sources of saline aqueous solutions is also provided. Water treatment systems are also provided. A method of operating an electrochemical cell including introducing first and second saline aqueous solutions into first and second chambers of the electrochemical cell, and applying a current across the anode and the cathode to generate first and second products, respectively is also provided. A method of facilitating operation of an electrochemical cell is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: George Y. Gu, Simon Paul Dukes, Joshua Griffis, Michael J. Shaw
  • Patent number: 11786894
    Abstract: A whole blood separator device has a sleeve. The sleeve has a sleeve body. The sleeve body has an enlarged first proximal end portion and an enlarged second distal end portion and an intermediate cylindrical tube portion connecting the first proximal end portion and the second distal end portion. The sleeve body is configured to fit inside a test tube and receive whole blood which can be separated by centrifugation into a plasma layer in the proximal end portion, a buffy coat layer in the intermediate portion and a red blood cell portion in the distal portion. The whole blood separator device wherein at least the proximal end portion has an open end. Preferably, the distal end portion also has an open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventors: Ashim Gupta, Charles Bradley Simons
  • Patent number: 11786916
    Abstract: A centrifuge basket includes a frustum-shaped hollow body defining a pair of opposed ends, being a larger end and a smaller end. The body defines an internal screening surface extending between the ends, the screening surface defining a plurality of apertures arranged to drain liquid from within the body. A plurality of ribs project into an interior of the body from the screening surface, the ribs being arranged in a plurality of annular arrays. The arrays are spaced axially along the screening surface and the ribs of at least one of the arrays are arranged transversely, at a defined included angle, relative to a generatrix line that forms a shape of the screening surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: FB Rice
    Inventor: Denys Visser