Patents Examined by Zeinab EL-Arini
  • Patent number: 7114507
    Abstract: The invention is to a process for removing contaminants from a compressor and/or compressor intercooler in a methanol to olefin separation system. The process comprises compressing an effluent in a compressor having an inlet and an outlet and a compressor surface, the compressing occurring under conditions effective to form a contaminant on the compressor surface. A contaminant-removal medium is injected into the compressor or intercooler and the contaminant-removal medium contacts the contaminant under conditions effective to remove the contaminant from the compressor or intercooler inner surface thereby forming a mobile contaminant. The mobile contaminant is then removed from the compressor or intercooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, David R. Lumgair, Nicolas P. Coute, Paul N. Chisholm, Cor F. van Egmond
  • Patent number: 7105062
    Abstract: A method for cleaning an exhaust stack tube of an oil tank heater comprises the steps of securing collection drums at open ends of a heater tube using attaching straps; securing a drop cloth over an exhaust end of the heater tube with an attaching strap; interconnecting the collection drums to one of a vacuum apparatus and a receptacle container; attaching a nozzle to an end of a high pressure hose; inserting the nozzle under the drop cloth and into an exhaust end of the heater tube; forcing wash water under pressure through the nozzle; guiding the nozzle to the top of the exhaust stack; pulling the nozzle back a few feet and, again, guiding the nozzle upward while rotating the nozzle; and repeating this process until the nozzle reaches the bottom of the exhaust stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Inventor: Brian Crichton
  • Patent number: 7097714
    Abstract: The cleaning of particles from an electrostatic chuck. In one embodiment, a method of cleaning an electrostatic chuck in a processing chamber is disclosed. The method comprises directing a flow of gas across the electrostatic chuck to dislodge particles from the electrostatic chuck and removing the flow of gas and particles through an exhaust port in the processing chamber. In this embodiment, the vacuum integrity of the chamber is not compromised during the cleaning of the electrostatic chuck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventor: John J. Hackenberg
  • Patent number: 7097713
    Abstract: A method for removing a metallic layer from the surface of a ceramic substrate, the method including the steps of immersing the metallic coated ceramic substrate in a solution of up to 31% hydrochloric acid for a sufficient time to at least substantially dissolve or remove the metallic layer therefrom, removing the ceramic substrate from the acid solution, rinsing the ceramic substrate in a rinse solution, and annealing the ceramic substrate at a predetermined temperature for a sufficient time to at least reduce damage or defects in the surface of the ceramic substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: The Boc Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Reginald Burgess, Ian Martin Davis
  • Patent number: 7097717
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for collecting particulate contaminants removed using a CO2 decontamination medium from an early step of a decontamination process. The device removes particulate contaminants from a contaminated subject by a decontamination stream, and simultaneously forms another stream for collecting such contaminants into a collecting filter, thus preventing such contaminants from diffusing into the atmosphere. The device forms streams between the nozzles and the surface of the contaminated subject to readily move the nozzles along the surface of the subject without frictional resistance, to reduce the sense of fatigue of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignees: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Chong-Hun Jung, Jei-Kwon Moon, Hui Jun Won, Won-Zin Oh, Jae-Hyung Yoo
  • Patent number: 7081168
    Abstract: A method of removing iron oxide scale and coating sheet metal bonds a pre-paint to a wustite layer of the sheet metal. The iron oxide scale on the sheet metal generally comprises three layers prior to surface conditioning: a wustite layer, a magnetite layer, and a hematite layer. The wustite layer is bonded to a base metal substrate of the sheet metal. The magnetite layer is bonded to the wustite layer, and the hematite layer is bonded to the magnetite layer. Conditioning the surface of the sheet metal includes bringing a surface conditioning member into engagement with the surface of the sheet metal in a manner to remove substantially all of the hematite and magnetite layers from the surface, and in a manner to remove some but not all of the wustite layer from the surface. The portion of the wustite layer that remains bonded to the base metal substrate of the sheet metal protects the surface from oxidation until the surface is coated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: The Materials Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kevin C. Voges
  • Patent number: 7081167
    Abstract: A method of removing iron oxide scale from sheet metal and galvanizing the sheet metal includes bonding galvanizing zinc to a wustite layer of the sheet metal. The iron oxide scale on the sheet metal generally comprises three layers prior to surface conditioning: a wustite layer, a magnetite layer, and a hematite layer. The wustite layer is bonded to a base metal substrate of the sheet metal. The magnetite layer is bonded to the wustite layer, and the hematite layer is bonded to the magnetite layer. Conditioning the surface of the sheet metal includes bringing a surface conditioning member into engagement with the surface of the sheet metal in a manner to remove substantially all of the hematite and magnetite layers from the surface, and in a manner to remove some but not all of the wustite layer from the surface. The portion of the wustite layer that remains bonded to the base metal substrate of the sheet metal protects the surface from oxidation until the surface is galvanized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: The Material Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kevin C. Voges
  • Patent number: 7081169
    Abstract: A method of removing iron oxide scale and cold reducing sheet metal leaves a wustite layer on the sheet metal. The iron oxide scale on the sheet metal generally comprises three layers prior to surface conditioning: a wustite layer, a magnetite layer, and a hematite layer. The wustite layer is bonded to a base metal substrate of the sheet metal. The magnetite layer is bonded to the wustite layer, and the hematite layer is bonded to the magnetite layer. Conditioning the surface of the sheet metal includes bringing a surface conditioning member into engagement with the surface of the sheet metal in a manner to remove substantially all of the hematite and magnetite layers from the surface, and in a manner to remove some but not all of the wustite layer from the surface. The portion of the wustite layer that remains bonded to the base metal substrate of the sheet metal protects the surface from oxidation, even after subsequent cold reduction of the sheet metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: The Material Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kevin C. Voges
  • Patent number: 7052557
    Abstract: Filters used in the food and beverage industry can be cleaned by contacting the filters with a cyclic nitroxyl compound and a reoxidator or with a nitroxonium compound in a bromine-free process. The nitroxyl can be TEMPO or its 4-acetamido or 4-acetoxy derivative, and the nitroxonium compound can be the corresponding oxidized ion obtained by enzymatic or metal catalyzed oxidation. The reoxidator may be a peracid, such as peracetic acid, persulphuric acid or permanganic acid, or a metal complex with a hydroperoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek (TNO)
    Inventors: Jan Matthijs Jetten, Jan Pieter Van Der Lugt, Hendrik Arend Van Doren, Mario Tarcisius Raymundus Van Wandelen
  • Patent number: 7048803
    Abstract: A method of dissolving scale comprises contacting the scale with a solution of an alkali metal bisulfate. Another method of dissolving scale comprises contacting the scale with a solution of an alkali metal bisulfate and a strong mineral acid. A further method of dissolving scale comprises contacting the scale with a solution of an alkali metal bisulfate and an inorganic oxidizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Jones-Hamilton Co.
    Inventor: Benjamin D. Williams
  • Patent number: 7045021
    Abstract: A customizable car wash blending and method is provided. The method includes the steps of positioning a vehicle adjacent a set of sensors (step 10), measuring a variety of parametric data relating to macroscopic debris and surface film formed on a surface of the vehicle, calculating the quantity of presoak components to be added to a presoak solution (step 70), blending the presoak solution (step 80), and applying the presoak solution to the vehicle (step 110). Quantities of presoak enhancing agents are also calculated from the sensor readings (step 120) along with the calculation of the number and type of wash cycles required for the vehicle (step 130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Unitec, Inc.
    Inventors: Murray Ewing, Jeff Ousborne, Erik Eden, David Honigs, Fred J. Eden, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7040327
    Abstract: There is disclosed a die cleaning method for removing a forming-material from a die used in forming the forming-material containing a binder, comprising the steps of: removing a part or all of the binder contained in the forming-material from the die; and removing the forming-material from the die, whereby the forming-material in the die can be removed without damaging or deforming the die for use in forming the forming-material containing the binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, LTD
    Inventors: Yukihisa Wada, Takahisa Kaneko, Masayuki Nate
  • Patent number: 7037380
    Abstract: A compound such as Alq3 accumulated on the inner surface of a chamber at the time of organic EL device production and wasted is recovered and recycled, whereby the production cost is reduced. The inner surface of a chamber or the surface of components in the chamber to which a compound such as Alq3 has adhered is cleaned with a fluorinated alcohol such as 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentanol to recover Alq3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Nobuya Hayashi, Shinichiro Narui, Hidekazu Okamoto, Masaaki Tsuzaki
  • Patent number: 7037381
    Abstract: Method for stripping ceramic coatings from the surfaces of articles. The apparatus includes a dedicated pressure vessel, such as an autoclave, which is maintained at an elevated temperature. Caustic solution is preheated to a first elevated temperature before injecting it into the autoclave, and the caustic solution is filtered and cooled after use in the autoclave. The articles are stripped of coating by maintaining the articles at an elevated temperature and pressure for a predetermined time. Various options include the use of analytical equipment to maintain the chemistry of the caustic solution and use of a volatile organic solution to prepressurize the autoclave and shorten cycle time. The articles are transferred to a separate pressure vessel after completion of the stripping operation so that the autoclave used for stripping can be maintained at an elevated temperature, thereby shortening the cycle time for stripping of additional articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Howard J. Farr, Keith H. Betscher, Richard R. Worthing, Jr., D. Sangeeta, Himanshu B. Vakil, Curtis A. Johnson, Thomas J. Cartier, Jr., Edward B. Stokes, Heinz Jaster, Alexander S. Allen
  • Patent number: 7028697
    Abstract: A dish-cleaning appliance comprising a sink having a bowl defining a wash chamber with an open top for providing access to the wash chamber. A liquid recirculation system is provided for spraying liquid throughout the wash chamber. A drain conduit can be provided, alone or in combination with the recirculation system, for draining liquid from the wash chamber when the drain is closed. A fill control system is provided to ensure that the dishwashing cycle is not started with liquid in the wash chamber and that the sink drain is properly closed. One or more sensors can be provided for enabling the fill control system. The sensors can be located within the drain above the location where the drain is plugged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph E. Christman, Ryan K. Roth
  • Patent number: 7014716
    Abstract: An improved method and system for cleaning a cylinder of a printing press. One method involves soaking a strip of cleaning fabric on a press with a low volatility organic compound solvent. Excess solvent, if any, is removed to place the strip of cleaning fabric in functional equilibrium with the solvent. The cleaning fabric is then used to clean a cylinder. Alternatively, the strip of cleaning fabric is soaked on site by contacting the strip of cleaning fabric with the solvent and wrapping the strip of cleaning fabric into a cleaning fabric supply roll. The cleaning fabric is then brought in engagement with a printing press having a cylinder to be cleaned without disposing a sleeve around the fabric roll and without substantially disturbing the distribution of the solvent in the fabric roll and detrimentally affecting the cleaning ability of the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Baldwin Graphic Systems Inc.
    Inventors: C. Robert Gasparrini, Peter E. Anselmo, Walter H. Cano
  • Patent number: 7007701
    Abstract: The invention is to a process for removing contaminants from a compressor and/or compressor intercooler in a methanol to olefin separation system. The process comprises compressing an effluent in a compressor having an inlet and an outlet and a compressor surface, the compressing occurring under conditions effective to form a contaminant on the compressor surface. A contaminant-removal medium is injected into the compressor or intercooler and the contaminant-removal medium contacts the contaminant under conditions effective to remove the contaminant from the compressor or intercooler inner surface thereby forming a mobile contaminant. The mobile contaminant is then removed from the compressor or intercooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, David R. Lumgair, Nicolas P. Coute, Paul N. Chisholm, Cor F. Van Egmond
  • Patent number: 7000621
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of processing a substrate. The apparatus includes a wet-cleaning chamber, a drying chamber, and a substrate transferring chamber which transfers a substrate to and from the wet-cleaning chamber and the drying chamber. The drying chamber is one of a supercritical drying chamber or a low pressure drying chamber. The wet-cleaning chamber is one of a single-wafer cleaning chamber, a horizontal spinning chamber, a megasonic wet-cleaning chamber, or a horizontal spinning chamber having acoustic waves transmitted to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Verhaverbeke
  • Patent number: 6997193
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a wash and rinse system that operates to dislodge soil particles that adhere to internal surfaces of a washing chamber. During wash and rinse cycles, the washing chamber is initially filled to a first level with washing fluid. The washing fluid is drawn into a wash system through operation of a pump, that causes the washing fluid in the washing chamber to fall to a second level, and directed to a spray arm that sprays jets of washing fluid onto the kitchenware. Thereafter, the wash system enters a pause period during which the washing fluid is caused to return to the first level in the washing chamber to loosen particles from walls of the chamber. After the pause period, the trajectory of the jets of washing fluid is varied to further clean the kitchenware and the internal surfaces of the washing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Elick, Scott D. Raches
  • Patent number: 6997192
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is an apparatus having a cleaning tank 2, a megasonic energy source 3, and an intake pipe 6 where a membrane contactor 9 is coupled to the intake pipe 6 to change the concentration of nitrogen gas in the deionized water 8 contained in intake pipe 6 to a range between 5.4% to 54% of saturation. Another embodiment is a method of changing the concentration of nitrogen gas in deionized water 8 to a range between 5.4% to 54% of saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Nilesh S. Doke, Mona M. Eissa, Jeffrey A. Hanson