Patents by Inventor Alan Smithies
Alan Smithies has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20120186452Abstract: A multiple layer HEPA filter media includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a first layer that includes a nonwoven synthetic fabric formed from a plurality of bicomponent synthetic fibers with a spunbond process, and having a bond area pattern of a plurality of substantially parallel discontinuous lines of bond area. The filter media also includes a second layer laminated onto the first layer. The second layer is formed from a micro-porous membrane. Further, the filter media includes a third layer laminated onto the second layer, with the third layer including a synthetic nonwoven fabric formed from a plurality of synthetic fibers. The synthetic fibers include at least two different synthetic fibers having different melting points. The third layer has a cover factor of less than about seven. In addition, the multiple layer filter media further includes a plurality of corrugations.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Inventors: Alan Smithies, Vishal Bansal, Nusrat Farzana, Cynthia Polizzi
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Patent number: 8206481Abstract: A composite filter media structure and an associated method of making are provided. The structure includes a base substrate that includes a nonwoven fabric substrate formed from a plurality of bicomponent synthetic fibers using a spunbond process. The composite filter media structure includes a nanofiber layer deposited on one side of the base substrate by an electro-blown spinning process. In one aspect, the base substrate and the nanofiber layer are configured to provide at least an 85% filtration efficiency measured in accordance with an ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test method. In another aspect, the nanofiber layer has a basis weight of about 2.0 g/m2 to about 3.0 g/m2.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: BHA Group, Inc.Inventors: Alan Smithies, Robert Henry Devine, II, Jack T. Clements
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Patent number: 8021456Abstract: A filter element for removing particles from a particulate laden fluid stream includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a filtration media formed into a tubular configuration and that a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart pleats. The filter element also includes at least one melt-extruded retention strap extending circumferentially around the filtration media to limit radial movement of the filtration media at operating temperatures up to about 500° F. Each melt-extruded retention strap is formed from a melt extrudable amorphous thermoplastic polyimide.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2008Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: BHA Group, Inc.Inventors: Thottupurathu Gopakumar, Alan Smithies, Jason Mei
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Publication number: 20110192125Abstract: A filter media including a scrim, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) media substrate upon the scrim, and a layer of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane adhered to the PTFE media substrate on the scrim. The filter media is pleatable and has air permeability of approximately 3-10 cubic feet/min at a 0.5 inch H2O pressure drop and an original filtration efficiency greater than 99.0% when tested in an unused, unpleated condition with a 0.3 micron challenge aerosol at a flow rate of 10.5 feet/min and when tested after a cleanable dust performance test according to ASTM D6830.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2010Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: BHA Group, Inc.Inventors: Alan Smithies, Karmin Lorraine Olson
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Patent number: 7985275Abstract: A high temperature filter medium for use in a filtering operation comprising, a nonwoven fabric substrate having a physical structure and comprising a plurality of polymeric fibers, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of polymeric fibers comprise a base polymer and at least a portion of the plurality of polymeric fibers comprise a secondary polymer, and wherein the base polymer, the secondary polymer, or both bond at least a portion of the polymeric fibers together, the nonwoven fabric substrate being capable of retaining the physical structure at a filtering temperature greater than 135° C. A method for making a filter medium being capable of retaining the physical structure at a filtering temperature greater than 135° C.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2006Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Alan Smithies
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Publication number: 20110146493Abstract: A filter assembly for use in a baghouse having a tubesheet with an opening therethrough. The filter assembly comprises a cage connectible with the tubesheet adjacent the opening. The cage includes wire members. A filter bag is supported by the wire members of the cage to maintain the filter bag in an operational condition and in fluid communication with the opening in the tubesheet. A reverse pulse jet cleaning system positioned to direct a cleaning pulse through the opening and into the filter bag for a plurality of cleaning cycles. The filter bag is made from laminated filter media. The laminated filter media includes a fabric substrate. The laminated filter media also includes a membrane laminated to the fabric substrate, the membrane comprising a single layer of expanded material of co-coagulated polytetrafluoroethylene with titanium dioxide particles. The titanium dioxide particles are present in the co-coagulated polytetrafluoroethylene in a range of about 0.5 wt % to 4.5 wt %.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Gopakumar Thottupurathu, Alan Smithies
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Publication number: 20110139008Abstract: A filter media including a scrim, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) media substrate upon the scrim, and a layer of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane adhered to the PTFE media substrate on the scrim. The filter media is pleatable and has air permeability of approximately 3-10 cubic feet/min at a 0.5 inch H2O pressure drop and an original filtration efficiency greater than 99.0% when tested in an unused, unpleated condition with a 0.3 micron challenge aerosol at a flow rate of 10.5 feet/min and when tested after a cleanable dust performance test according to ASTM D6830.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: BHA Group, Inc.Inventors: Alan Smithies, Karmin Lorraine Olson
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Patent number: 7942948Abstract: A filter element includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a first end cap, a second end cap, and a composite filter media structure. The composite filter media structure includes a base substrate that includes a nonwoven synthetic fabric formed from a plurality of bicomponent synthetic fibers with a spunbond process, and having a bond area pattern having a plurality of substantially parallel discontinuous lines of bond area. The base substrate having a minimum filtration efficiency of about 50%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure. The composite filter media structure also includes a nanofiber layer deposited on one side of the base substrate by an by electro-blown spinning process. The composite filter media structure having a minimum filtration efficiency of about 75%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure. The composite media structure further includes a plurality of corrugations formed at a temperature of about 90° C. to about 140° C.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: BHA Group, Inc.Inventors: Alan Smithies, Jack T. Clements, Jason Mei
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Patent number: 7927540Abstract: A method of making a composite filter media includes, in an exemplary embodiment, forming a nonwoven fabric mat that includes a plurality of synthetic fibers by a spunbond process, and calendaring the nonwoven fabric mat with embossing calendar rolls to form a bond area pattern comprising a plurality of substantially parallel discontinuous lines of bond area to bond the synthetic fibers together to form a nonwoven fabric, the nonwoven fabric having a minimum filtration efficiency of about 50%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure. The method also includes applying a nanofiber layer by electro-blown spinning a polymer solution to form a plurality of nanofibers on at least one side of the nonwoven fabric mat to form the composite filter media, the composite filter media having a minimum filtration efficiency of about 75%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignees: BHA Group, Inc., E. I. duPont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Alan Smithies, Jack T. Clements, David Charles Jones, Hyun Sung Lim
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Publication number: 20110016838Abstract: A composite filter media structure and an associated method of making are provided. The structure includes a base substrate that includes a nonwoven fabric substrate formed from a plurality of bicomponent synthetic fibers using a spunbond process. The composite filter media structure includes a surface layer deposited on one side of the base substrate where a thermal lamination process can be used to combine the base substrate and the surface layer. The surface layer is formed from a microporous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. In one aspect, the base substrate and the surface layer are configured to provide greater than 95% and equal to or less than 99.5% filtration efficiency measured in accordance with an EN 1822 test method. In another aspect, the filter media includes an embossing pattern or a plurality of corrugations formed using opposing rollers at a temperature of about 90° C. to about 140° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2009Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: BHA GroupInventors: Alan Smithies, Jack T. Clements, Cynthia Polizzi
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Publication number: 20100218471Abstract: A composite filter media structure and an associated method of making are provided. The structure includes a base substrate that includes a nonwoven fabric substrate formed from a plurality of bicomponent synthetic fibers using a spunbond process. The composite filter media structure includes a nanofiber layer deposited on one side of the base substrate by an electro-blown spinning process. In one aspect, the base substrate and the nanofiber layer are configured to provide at least an 85% filtration efficiency measured in accordance with an ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test method. In another aspect, the nanofiber layer has a basis weight of about 2.0 g/m2 to about 3.0 g/m2.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2009Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: BHA Group, Inc.Inventors: Alan Smithies, Robert Henry Devine, II, Jack T. Clements
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Publication number: 20100126130Abstract: A filter element for removing particles from a particulate laden fluid stream includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a filtration media formed into a tubular configuration and that a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart pleats. The filter element also includes at least one melt-extruded retention strap extending circumferentially around the filtration media to limit radial movement of the filtration media at operating temperatures up to about 500° F. Each melt-extruded retention strap is formed from a melt extrudable amorphous thermoplastic polyimide.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2008Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: Thottupurathu Gopakumar, Alan Smithies, Jason Mei
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Patent number: 7665615Abstract: A composite article includes a base material and a porous membrane laminated with the base material. The porous membrane has hydrophobic properties and includes at least one of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, woven polytetrafluoroethylene, and non woven polytetrafluoroethylene. A coating layer is formed on at least a portion of the porous membrane. The coating layer has hydrophilic properties and includes at least one of an organofunctional siloxane and a polyether urethane polymer.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Karmin Lorraine Olson, Alan Smithies
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Publication number: 20090071114Abstract: A gas turbine air inlet filter element is described. The filter element includes a first end cap, a second end cap, and a filter media. The filter media includes a nonwoven synthetic fabric formed from a plurality of bicomponent synthetic fibers with a spunbond process, and having a bond area pattern that includes a plurality of substantially parallel discontinuous lines of bond area. The filter media has a minimum filtration efficiency of about 50%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure. The filter media also includes an embossing pattern or a plurality of corrugations. The embossing pattern or the corrugations are formed using opposing rollers at a temperature of about 90° C. to about 140° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Inventors: Alan Smithies, Jack Clements, Cynthia Polizzi
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Publication number: 20080315464Abstract: A method of making a composite filter media includes, in an exemplary embodiment, forming a nonwoven fabric mat that includes a plurality of synthetic fibers by a spunbond process, and calendaring the nonwoven fabric mat with embossing calendar rolls to form a bond area pattern comprising a plurality of substantially parallel discontinuous lines of bond area to bond the synthetic fibers together to form a nonwoven fabric, the nonwoven fabric having a minimum filtration efficiency of about 50%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure. The method also includes applying a nanofiber layer by electro-blown spinning a polymer solution to form a plurality of nanofibers on at least one side of the nonwoven fabric mat to form the composite filter media, the composite filter media having a minimum filtration efficiency of about 75%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventors: Alan Smithies, Jack T. Clements, David Charles Jones, Hyun Sung Lim
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Publication number: 20080314010Abstract: A composite filter media structure includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a base substrate that includes a nonwoven synthetic fabric formed from a plurality of fibers with a spunbond process. The base substrate has a minimum filtration efficiency of about 50%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure A nanofiber layer is deposited on one side of the base substrate. The composite filter media structure has a minimum filtration efficiency of about 75%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventors: Alan Smithies, Jack T. Clements, David Charles Jones, Hyun Sung Lim
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Publication number: 20080315465Abstract: A method of making a composite filter media includes, in an exemplary aspect, forming a nonwoven fabric substrate that includes a plurality of bicomponent synthetic fibers by a spunbond process, calendering the nonwoven fabric substrate with embossing calender rolls to form a bond area pattern having a plurality of substantially parallel discontinuous lines of bond area to bond the synthetic bicomponent fibers together to form a nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric having a minimum filtration efficiency of about 50%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure. The method also includes applying a nanofiber layer by electro-blown spinning a polymer solution to form a plurality of nanofibers on at least one side of the nonwoven fabric. The composite filter media having a filtration efficiency of at least about 75%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventors: Alan Smithies, Jack T. Clements, Jason Mei
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Publication number: 20080314011Abstract: A filter element includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a first end cap, a second end cap, and a composite filter media structure. The composite filter media structure includes a base substrate that includes a nonwoven synthetic fabric formed from a plurality of bicomponent synthetic fibers with a spunbond process, and having a bond area pattern having a plurality of substantially parallel discontinuous lines of bond area. The base substrate having a minimum filtration efficiency of about 50%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure. The composite filter media structure also includes a nanofiber layer deposited on one side of the base substrate by an by electro-blown spinning process. The composite filter media structure having a minimum filtration efficiency of about 75%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure. The composite media structure further includes a plurality of corrugations formed at a temperature of about 90° C. to about 140° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventors: Alan Smithies, Jack T. Clements, Jason Mei
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Publication number: 20080276803Abstract: A method for processing flue-gas, in an exemplary embodiment, includes providing an absorber unit having a membrane contactor, channeling a combustion flue gas along a first surface of the membrane contactor, and channeling an ammonia-based liquid reagent along a second opposing surface of the membrane contactor. The method also includes partially separating the ammonia-based liquid from the flue gas such that the ammonia-based liquid and the flue gas contact at gas-liquid interface areas, defined by a plurality of pores of the membrane contactor, to separate CO2 from the flue gas by a chemical absorption of CO2 within the ammonia-based liquid to produce a CO2-rich ammonia-based liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2007Publication date: November 13, 2008Inventors: Jennifer Lynn Molaison, Alan Smithies
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Publication number: 20080272048Abstract: A filter cartridge comprises a pleat pack including filtration media for removing particulates from a particulate laden fluid stream moving in a first direction through the filtration media. The pleat pack is formed into a tubular configuration with a plurality of circumferentially spaced pleats. The filtration media is periodically subject to a cleaning fluid stream moving in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Potting material is at axially opposite end portions of the pleat pack to maintain the filtration media in the tubular configuration. A support tube is located on a first side of the pleat pack downstream of the filtration media in the first direction of fluid flow. A retention device limits movement of a portion of the filtration media when subjected to the periodic cleaning fluid stream. The retention device comprises a metal band and located on a second side of the filtration media opposite the first side.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2007Publication date: November 6, 2008Inventors: Jason Mei, Paul Santana Henry, Alan Smithies