Patents Examined by Walter D. Griffin
  • Patent number: 11313188
    Abstract: A method for treating drilling mud includes directing a first flow portion of a flow of drilling mud to a decanter centrifuge, directing a second flow portion of the flow of drilling mud to a solids particle recovery hopper, and separating an underflow from the first flow portion with the decanter centrifuge, wherein the underflow includes first solids particles having a first density. The underflow is directed to the solids particle recovery hopper, the underflow is mixed with the second flow portion in the solids particle recovery hopper, and a flow of the mixed underflow and second flow portion is directed from the solids particle recovery hopper to an active mud tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: NOV CANADA ULC
    Inventors: Rennie K. Zazula, Dean M. Bird, Donald T. Crosswhite
  • Patent number: 11311889
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator bowl includes a rotor casing enclosing a separation space in which a stack of frustoconical separation discs is arranged to rotate around a vertical axis of rotation, wherein the separation discs are arranged with the imaginary apex pointing to the axially lower end of the rotor casing; a feed inlet at the axially lower end for receiving the fluid mixture to be separated; a distributor for distributing the fluid mixture from the inlet to the separation space, the distributor being arranged for guiding the fluid mixture to be separated continuously from an axially lower position at the inlet to an axially upper position in the separation space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Kasper Höglund
  • Patent number: 11312642
    Abstract: A fluid sterilizing device includes a first reaction chamber, a second reaction chamber, a communication chamber and a light source. The first reaction chamber is connected to a fluid inlet. The second reaction chamber is connected to a fluid outlet. The communication chamber is connected the first reaction chamber with the second reaction chamber. The light source is configured to emit sterilization light to enter the first reaction chamber and the second reaction chamber. The fluid inlet allows a fluid to enter the first reaction chamber, the communication chamber allows the fluid to pass through and enter the second reaction chamber, and a flow velocity distribution of the fluid in the second reaction chamber is different from that of the fluid in the first reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chien-Chun Lu, Chen-Peng Hsu, Karthickraj Muthuramalingam
  • Patent number: 11306010
    Abstract: A method and device for maintaining a body of water in a sanitized condition wherein the body of water is free from a source of bicidal metal ions and free from bromide or bromine compounds that can sanitize the body of water, the method including that steps of maintaining a chlorine level in the body of water at a level of between 1 ppm and 1.0 ppm; introducing a non-chlorine based oxidizing agent into the body of water wherein the chlorine level in combination with the oxidizing agent is selected so as to be insufficient to sanitize the body of water, and introducing a compound having a hydantoin ring therein into the body of water whereby the combination of the chlorine and the oxidizing agent sanitize the body of water without the presence of a source of biocidal metal ions to supplement the chlorine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventors: David Guy, Joseph A King, Randy Roseth, Brett Libby
  • Patent number: 11306014
    Abstract: A wash water processing method and a wash water processing apparatus in a simple structure capable of effectively decomposing organic matters and killing bacteria contained in wash water, extending the life of a filter of a filtration apparatus and an ion-exchange resin and, furthermore, extending a bacteria-killing/washing interval of a washing processing part. In the wash water processing apparatus (11) and the washing method, a wash water accommodation part (12) into which processed water processed in a washing processing part (10) flows and a filtration mechanism part (14) are connected and the wash water accommodation part has connected in a circulatable manner thereto an inflow flow path and an outflow flow path of a sterilization and purification unit which organically couples respective functions of an ozone supply part which supplies ozone, an ultraviolet irradiation part which irradiates with ultraviolet rays, and a photocatalysis part which causes a photocatalyst to act.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignees: KITZ CORPORATION, TOYO VALVE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Yata, Takako Sakurai, Satoshi Ito, Toshiharu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11298689
    Abstract: Disclosed are various combinations of three different metal-oxide photocatalysts with three different bandgaps that can be used to harvest multiple wavelengths of incident solar radiation and to thus efficiently degrade recalcitrant contaminants. The photocatalysts are from the class of transition metal oxides and are non-toxic compounds based on earth-abundant materials. In some embodiments, particles of the photocatalysts are formed to be greater in diameter than about 0.1 ?m in order to make them easier to filter out after treating the contaminant. In some embodiments, the metal-oxide photocatalysts are zinc oxide which is ultraviolet active, hematite which is active in the visible spectrum, and copper oxide which is active in the near infrared spectrum. Various combinations in various embodiments achieve measured contaminant degradation rates greater than the sum of the degradation rates of the individual photocatalysts that make up the combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
    Inventors: Emily Asenath-Smith, Emma K Ambrogi
  • Patent number: 11298707
    Abstract: A method and a device for monitoring the rotational speed of an element are disclosed. The element may be part of a centrifuge, e.g. a motor, drive shaft, or rotor of a laboratory centrifuge. The rotational speed of the element is not determined directly, but rather clock cycles are counted while the element rotates by a predetermined rotational angle. Exceeding a predetermined rotational speed is determined by comparing a number of counted cycles with a predetermined value. The method and device can be implemented in hardware without requiring a microcontroller with corresponding software, thereby eliminating a need to software certification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Uwe Beukert, Thomas Sporn
  • Patent number: 11292014
    Abstract: Centrifuge counterbalances having an adjustable center of gravity are provided. Aspects of the centrifuge counterbalances include an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end, a weight configured to be reversibly immobilized at a position along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body and a base configured to operably couple the centrifuge counterbalance to a centrifuge. Also provided are methods for balancing a centrifuge rotor when separating components of a liquid sample by centrifugation as well as systems suitable for practicing the subject methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Arteriocyte Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Welborn, Rodney Sparks
  • Patent number: 11291931
    Abstract: A method and system for buoyant separation of a target constituent of a sample, the method comprising: at a process chamber, combining a volume of substrates having a first density with the sample, thereby producing a population of target-bound complexes comprising the target constituent bound to at least a portion of the volume of substrates; within the process chamber, physically separating the population of target-bound complexes from the sample based upon interaction between the volume of substrates and an applied force; aggregating the population of target-bound complexes at a collection region of the process chamber; extracting the population of target-bound complexes from the process chamber; and processing the target constituent from the population of target-bound complexes for further analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Akadeum Life Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon H. McNaughton, John G. Younger, Leo Ostruszka, Jonathan Roussey, Gene Parunak, Aaron Kehrer
  • Patent number: 11286183
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for treating and regenerating a spent caustic solution at ambient temperatures and pressure which includes oxidizing spent caustic wastewater with a brine solution and ozone mixture, supported by irradiation of the spent caustic wastewater by ultrasound. A range of wastewater treatment techniques may also be included to reach a desired effluent quality level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: ENVIROSYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Veselin Milosevic, Drago Kosanic, Fernando Naranjo Palacio
  • Patent number: 11279633
    Abstract: A system for generating a plasma discharge in liquid utilizes first and second electrodes spaced apart in an interior space of a vessel holding the liquid. A channel can be defined in certain embodiments at least partially by at least one of the first and second electrodes, and an inlet in fluid communication with the interior space is configured to generate a vortical fluid flow in the vessel. A method for generating a plasma discharge in liquid is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Onvector LLC
    Inventors: Jun Kang, Daniel J. Cho, HyoungSup Kim
  • Patent number: 11279634
    Abstract: A water treatment device includes, between at least two flat sheet-shaped grounded electrodes vertically disposed so as to be parallel to each other, a sheet-shaped high-voltage electrode having two edges opposing the respective grounded electrodes. The sheet-shaped high-voltage electrode is supported by a plurality of support members, and thus deformation of the high-voltage electrode in an up/down direction and a horizontal direction is suppressed, and the distance between each edge of the high-voltage electrode and the corresponding grounded electrode, i.e., an electric discharge gap length, can be kept even. Accordingly, uniform electric discharge can be maintained between the high-voltage electrode and the grounded electrode, whereby highly efficient water treatment can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gaku Oinuma, Teruki Naito, Yu Kamiya, Yasutaka Inanaga
  • Patent number: 11278011
    Abstract: A reacting canister utilizing transparent optical fiber technology coated with a photo-catalyst and a plasmonic layer, including yttrium aluminum garnet nanoparticles, disposed between the optical fiber and the photo-catalyst to degrade off-flavor compounds in aquacultured aquatic life. The degradation of off-flavored compounds—including 2-methylisoborneol—can be significantly enhanced by increasing the surface area of the catalyst. Coating individual transparent optical fibers and aligning those fibers in a canister configuration allows the treatment of large volumes of water in portable and scalable reactors. Once the fluid is treated, the fluid is returned to the reservoir containing the aquacultured aquatic life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Norma A. Alcantar, Daniela Miranda de Lima Stebbins, Kevan Main
  • Patent number: 11274052
    Abstract: A water treatment system (10) includes an ozone generator (3) combined with an electrolytic chlorine generator (4010) in a compact, efficient and serviceable assembly. The system (10) may include a modular and replaceable ozone generator (3), which allows a damaged or non-functional ozone generator (3) to be quickly and efficiently replaced. In order to protect the ozone generator (3) 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 (3). The water treatment system (10) may further include an insulated electrolytic chlorine generator (4010) that mitigates or eliminates leakage current for efficient operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: INTEX MARKETING LTD.
    Inventors: Zhi Xiong Huang, Yonggui Chen, Yaw Yuan Hsu, Peilin Chen
  • Patent number: 11267734
    Abstract: Disclosed are a water treatment apparatus and a process for treating process water with ozone and ultraviolet radiation. The apparatus comprises a reactor (4) having a first (5) and a second (6) reaction chamber. The first reaction chamber (5) has a UV lamp (1), an air inlet (30) and a gas outlet (23). An air/ozone conduit (34) is connected to the gas outlet (23), via which an air/ozone mixture (b) can be fed into a water inlet conduit (31). The second reaction chamber (6) is connected to the water inlet conduit (31) and a water outlet conduit (32). The inlet conduit (31) may contain a water filter (18) as well as a controllable circulation pump (16) designed to pump water in the reactor direction. The water filter (18) may be arranged between the circulation pump (16) and the reactor (4). A recirculation conduit (33) comprises a pump (10) pumping water towards the inlet conduit (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Barbara Berson
  • Patent number: 11260403
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a rotating body driving and sealing structure in which a hermetically sealed space is formed between a rotating body and an outer case by sealing the inside and outside using a noncontact seal during rotation of the rotating body, in an airtight manner. A rotation coupling unit is provided at the upper end of a centrifugal cylinder, and even when the centrifugal cylinder is deformed during use causing an internal fluid to leak through a fitting portion of a bottom member to the centrifugal cylinder, the fluid leaks in the hermetically sealed space so that the driving system or the like is not contaminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsui Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazushige Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 11261108
    Abstract: An efficient, cost-effective, and efficacious technique for removing coal ash and other pollutants from waterways, ponds, marshes, holding tanks and other water sources and supplies. An apparatus comprising an open cage including electromagnets and/or permanent magnets and/or electrodes is supplied with electrical power to extract materials such as rare earth elements and/or heavy metals. The materials levitate to the surface, forming a shiny while leaving water substantially free of such materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: FisherH2O, LLC
    Inventor: David Keith Fisher
  • Patent number: 11253873
    Abstract: A centrifugal field-flow fractionation device capable of improving analysis performance and shortening analysis time is provided. A first channel 111 communicating with a channel member is formed on a rotational shaft 11 that rotates together with a rotor. A second channel 644 communicating with the first channel 111 is formed on a fixing portion 60 fixed in a state of facing the rotational shaft 11 along a rotational axis L. A mechanical seal 66 having a pair of seal rings 661 and 662 that come into contact with each other and a biasing member 663 is provided to attach one seal ring 661 to the rotational shaft 11 and the other seal ring 662 to the fixing portion 60. The biasing member 663 biases the pair of seal rings 661 and 662 in a direction in which the pair of seal rings come in contact with each other. Since the rotational shaft 11 can be rotated at a high speed and the liquid sample can be fed at a high pressure, the analysis performance can be improved and the analysis time can be shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kengo Aoki, Hiroki Honda, Haruhisa Kato
  • Patent number: 11247215
    Abstract: A centrifuge includes a swing rotor. Rotor arms of the swing rotor have recesses into which hangers of the swing rotor at least partially swing in a swung-out state. As a result, the centrifuge container and thus also the centrifuges are more compact, because the swinging-out requires less space. An inertial mass of the swing rotor is reduced due to the recesses provided therein, whereby energy consumption, primarily when starting the centrifuge, is significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Steffen Kühnert, Heinz Gerhard Köhn
  • Patent number: 11247151
    Abstract: A rotary vessel for a filter assembly has a rotor body rotatable about an axis of rotation and a spigot, integral or coupled with the rotor body, extending away from the rotary body along the axis of rotation. The spigot has an abutment surface against which, in use, a cooperating surface of the filter assembly abuts to inhibit movement of the rotary vessel relative to the cooperating surface and parallel to the axis of rotation. The filter assembly has a housing with main body and closure member separably attachable to the main body. The closure member retains the rotary vessel inside the housing and is separable from the main body to permit removal of the rotary vessel from the housing. A connector releasably couples the closure member to the rotary vessel such that the rotary vessel is removable from the housing by separating closure member and main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventors: Tiago Marques, Robin Nash, Angus Rouse, Anthony W. Fell