Patents by Inventor Brian M. McDonald
Brian M. McDonald 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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Patent number: 11918935Abstract: Provided are spacers, ion-exchange devices comprising spacers, and methods of preparing spacers for improved fluid distribution and sealing throughout an ion-exchange device. These spacers can include an internal cavity surrounded by a perimeter of the spacer. The perimeter can have a first opening and a second opening within the perimeter, and the first opening and the second opening can be located on opposite sides of the internal cavity. The spacers can also have a first and second plurality of channels located within the perimeter, wherein each channel of the first and second plurality of channels extends from the internal cavity towards the first opening or the second opening.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2023Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Inventors: Brian M. McDonald, Michael James Connor, Jr.
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Patent number: 11912591Abstract: Provided are water treatment systems and methods of treating water that include separating dissolved salts from a feed stream using an organic solvent brine stream. For example, described are water treatment systems comprising: an electrodialysis device comprising an inlet feed stream, an inlet brine stream, an outlet product stream, and an outlet brine stream; and a precipitation tank comprising an inlet stream and an outlet stream, wherein the inlet stream of the precipitation tank comprises the outlet brine stream of the electrodialysis device, and the inlet brine stream of the electrodialysis device comprises the outlet stream of the precipitation tank, and wherein inlet brine stream and outlet brine stream comprises an organic solvent.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Inventors: Brian M. Mcdonald, Ethan L. Demeter
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Patent number: 11911729Abstract: The present disclosure is directed ion-exchange systems and devices that include composite ion-exchange membranes having 3D printed spacers on them. These 3D printed spacers can drastically reduce the total intermembrane spacing within the system/device while maintaining a reliable sealing surface around the exterior border of the membrane. By adding the spacers directly to the membrane using additive manufacturing, the amount of material used can be reduced without adversely impacting the manufacturability of the composite membrane as well as allow for complex spacer geometries that can reduce the restrictions to flow resulting in less pressure drop associated with the flow in the active area of the membranes.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2023Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Inventors: Ethan L. Demeter, Michael James Connor, Jr., Chad Unrau, Brian M. McDonald
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Patent number: 11833474Abstract: The present invention provides a device capable of reducing the resistance and increasing the ion exchange rate in an electrodialysis, electro-deionization, or capacitive deionization apparatus and a method for producing said device. More specifically, the device is an electrodialysis spacer designed to have an ionically conductive surface of either cationic nature, anionic nature or a combination of both, which act as conductive pathways for ions as they move towards their respective electrode. The method of producing said spacer involves coating a substrate, such as a woven mesh, expanded netting, extruded netting or non-woven material, with perm-selective ionomer solutions and applying that substrate to an inert spacer material that has undergone chemical or mechanical etching.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: MIS IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Brian M. McDonald, Ethan L. Demeter
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Patent number: 11701619Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to ion-exchange systems and devices that can monitor key parameters related to the performance of the ion-exchange device. Specifically, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can provide real time voltage drop across groups of membrane pairs using diagnostic spacer borders between the pairs. In addition, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can monitor the compression force applied by the compression plates holding the ion-exchange systems and devices together.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2019Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: MIS IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Michael James Connor, Jr., Brian M. McDonald, Ethan Demeter, Thomas Beales
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Publication number: 20230182040Abstract: Provided are spacers, ion-exchange devices comprising spacers, and methods of preparing spacers for improved fluid distribution and sealing throughout an ion-exchange device. These spacers can include an internal cavity surrounded by a perimeter of the spacer. The perimeter can have a first opening and a second opening within the perimeter, and the first opening and the second opening can be located on opposite sides of the internal cavity. The spacers can also have a first and second plurality of channels located within the perimeter, wherein each channel of the first and second plurality of channels extends from the internal cavity towards the first opening or the second opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2023Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: Magna Imperio Systems Corp.Inventors: Brian M. MCDONALD, Michael James CONNOR, JR.
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Publication number: 20230149858Abstract: The present disclosure is directed ion-exchange systems and devices that include composite ion-exchange membranes having 3D printed spacers on them. These 3D printed spacers can drastically reduce the total intermembrane spacing within the system/device while maintaining a reliable sealing surface around the exterior border of the membrane. By adding the spacers directly to the membrane using additive manufacturing, the amount of material used can be reduced without adversely impacting the manufacturability of the composite membrane as well as allow for complex spacer geometries that can reduce the restrictions to flow resulting in less pressure drop associated with the flow in the active area of the membranes.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2023Publication date: May 18, 2023Applicant: Magna Imperio Systems Corp.Inventors: Ethan L. DEMETER, Michael James CONNOR, JR., Chad UNRAU, Brian M. MCDONALD
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Patent number: 11638886Abstract: Provided are spacers, ion-exchange devices comprising spacers, and methods of preparing spacers for improved fluid distribution and sealing throughout an ion-exchange device. These spacers can include an internal cavity surrounded by a perimeter of the spacer. The perimeter can have a first opening and a second opening within the perimeter, and the first opening and the second opening can be located on opposite sides of the internal cavity. The spacers can also have a first and second plurality of channels located within the perimeter, wherein each channel of the first and second plurality of channels extends from the internal cavity towards the first opening or the second opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2022Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: Magna Imperio Systems Corp.Inventors: Brian M. McDonald, Michael James Connor, Jr.
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Patent number: 11583809Abstract: The present disclosure is directed ion-exchange systems and devices that include composite ion-exchange membranes having 3D printed spacers on them. These 3D printed spacers can drastically reduce the total intermembrane spacing within the system/device while maintaining a reliable sealing surface around the exterior border of the membrane. By adding the spacers directly to the membrane using additive manufacturing, the amount of material used can be reduced without adversely impacting the manufacturability of the composite membrane as well as allow for complex spacer geometries that can reduce the restrictions to flow resulting in less pressure drop associated with the flow in the active area of the membranes.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2019Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Magna Imperio Systems Corp.Inventors: Ethan Demeter, Michael James Connor, Jr., Chad Unrau, Brian M. McDonald
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Patent number: 11571637Abstract: Provided are spacers, ion-exchange devices comprising spacers, and methods of preparing spacers for improved fluid distribution and sealing throughout an ion-exchange device. These spacers can include an internal cavity surrounded by a perimeter of the spacer. The perimeter can have a first opening and a second opening within the perimeter, and the first opening and the second opening can be located on opposite sides of the internal cavity. The spacers can also have a first and second plurality of channels located within the perimeter, wherein each channel of the first and second plurality of channels extends from the internal cavity towards the first opening or the second opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2022Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Magna Imperio Systems Corp.Inventors: Brian M. McDonald, Michael James Connor, Jr.
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Publication number: 20220219098Abstract: Provided are spacers, ion-exchange devices comprising spacers, and methods of preparing spacers for improved fluid distribution and sealing throughout an ion-exchange device. These spacers can include an internal cavity surrounded by a perimeter of the spacer. The perimeter can have a first opening and a second opening within the perimeter, and the first opening and the second opening can be located on opposite sides of the internal cavity. The spacers can also have a first and second plurality of channels located within the perimeter, wherein each channel of the first and second plurality of channels extends from the internal cavity towards the first opening or the second opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2022Publication date: July 14, 2022Applicant: Magna Imperio Systems Corp.Inventors: Brian M. MCDONALD, Michael James CONNOR, JR.
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Publication number: 20220212124Abstract: Provided are spacers, ion-exchange devices comprising spacers, and methods of preparing spacers for improved fluid distribution and sealing throughout an ion-exchange device. These spacers can include an internal cavity surrounded by a perimeter of the spacer. The perimeter can have a first opening and a second opening within the perimeter, and the first opening and the second opening can be located on opposite sides of the internal cavity. The spacers can also have a first and second plurality of channels located within the perimeter, wherein each channel of the first and second plurality of channels extends from the internal cavity towards the first opening or the second opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2022Publication date: July 7, 2022Applicant: Magna Imperio Systems Corp.Inventors: Brian M. MCDONALD, Michael James CONNOR, JR.
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Patent number: 11311820Abstract: Provided are spacers, ion-exchange devices comprising spacers, and methods of preparing spacers for improved fluid distribution and sealing throughout an ion-exchange device. These spacers can include an internal cavity surrounded by a perimeter of the spacer. The perimeter can have a first opening and a second opening within the perimeter, and the first opening and the second opening can be located on opposite sides of the internal cavity. The spacers can also have a first and second plurality of channels located within the perimeter, wherein each channel of the first and second plurality of channels extends from the internal cavity towards the first opening or the second opening.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Magna Imperio Systems Corp.Inventors: Brian M. McDonald, Michael James Connor, Jr.
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Publication number: 20210276892Abstract: Provided are water treatment systems and methods of treating water that include separating dissolved salts from a feed stream using an organic solvent brine stream. For example, described are water treatment systems comprising: an electrodialysis device comprising an inlet feed stream, an inlet brine stream, an outlet product stream, and an outlet brine stream; and a precipitation tank comprising an inlet stream and an outlet stream, wherein the inlet stream of the precipitation tank comprises the outlet brine stream of the electrodialysis device, and the inlet brine stream of the electrodialysis device comprises the outlet stream of the precipitation tank, and wherein inlet brine stream and outlet brine stream comprises an organic solvent.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2021Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicant: Magna Imperio Systems Corp.Inventors: Brian M. MCDONALD, Ethan L. DEMETER
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Publication number: 20210198126Abstract: Provided are water treatment systems and methods of treating water that include separating boron and concentrating lithium. For example, described are water treatment systems comprising: a first phase comprising a first plurality of electrodialysis units configured to separate boron from a feed stream, and a second phase comprising a second plurality of electrodialysis units, wherein the feed stream of at least one electrodialysis unit of the second plurality of electrodialysis units comprises an outlet brine stream of at least one electrodialysis unit of the first plurality of electrodialysis units, and wherein the second plurality of electrodialysis units are configured to produce a product brine stream achieving 90-99% lithium recovery.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2020Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: Magna Imperio Systems Corp.Inventors: Ethan L. DEMETER, Brian M. MCDONALD, Rachel Guia GIRON
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Patent number: 11020713Abstract: The present disclosure is directed an ion exchange membrane that has an increased affinity for a specific ionic species. The ion exchange membranes disclosed herein include ionophores that can increase ion-selectivity. These ion exchange membranes can be incorporated to various ion-exchange systems or devices that can selectively separate ions of value.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Magna Imperio Systems Corp.Inventors: Ethan Demeter, Michael James Connor, Jr., Brian M. McDonald
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Publication number: 20210001275Abstract: The present invention provides a device capable of reducing the resistance and increasing the ion exchange rate in an electrodialysis, electro-deionization, or capacitive deionization apparatus and a method for producing said device. More specifically, the device is an electrodialysis spacer designed to have an ionically conductive surface of either cationic nature, anionic nature or a combination of both, which act as conductive pathways for ions as they move towards their respective electrode. The method of producing said spacer involves coating a substrate, such as a woven mesh, expanded netting, extruded netting or non-woven material, with perm-selective ionomer solutions and applying that substrate to an inert spacer material that has undergone chemical or mechanical etching.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2020Publication date: January 7, 2021Applicant: Magna Imperio Systems Corp.Inventors: Brian M. MCDONALD, Ethan L. DEMETER
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Patent number: 10799834Abstract: The present invention provides a device capable of reducing the resistance and increasing the ion exchange rate in an electrodialysis, electro-deionization, or capacitive deionization apparatus and a method for producing said device. More specifically, the device is an electrodialysis spacer designed to have an ionically conductive surface of either cationic nature, anionic nature or a combination of both, which act as conductive pathways for ions as they move towards their respective electrode. The method of producing said spacer involves coating a substrate, such as a woven mesh, expanded netting, extruded netting or non-woven material, with perm-selective ionomer solutions and applying that substrate to an inert spacer material that has undergone chemical or mechanical etching.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2017Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: MAGNA IMPERIO SYSTEMS CORP.Inventors: Brian M. McDonald, Ethan L. Demeter
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Publication number: 20200155967Abstract: Provided are spacers, ion-exchange devices comprising spacers, and methods of preparing spacers for improved fluid distribution and sealing throughout an ion-exchange device. These spacers can include an internal cavity surrounded by a perimeter of the spacer. The perimeter can have a first opening and a second opening within the perimeter, and the first opening and the second opening can be located on opposite sides of the internal cavity. The spacers can also have a first and second plurality of channels located within the perimeter, wherein each channel of the first and second plurality of channels extends from the internal cavity towards the first opening or the second opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2019Publication date: May 21, 2020Applicant: Magna Imperio Systems Corp.Inventors: Brian M. MCDONALD, Michael James CONNOR, JR.
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Publication number: 20200114314Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to ion-exchange systems and devices that can monitor key parameters related to the performance of the ion-exchange device. Specifically, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can provide real time voltage drop across groups of membrane pairs using diagnostic spacer borders between the pairs. In addition, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can monitor the compression force applied by the compression plates holding the ion-exchange systems and devices together.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Applicant: Magna Imperio Systems Corp.Inventors: Michael James CONNOR, JR., Brian M. MCDONALD, Ethan DEMETER, Thomas BEALES