Patents by Inventor Daniel R. Schneeberger

Daniel R. Schneeberger 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).

  • Patent number: 7879134
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to systems used to measure mercury in gaseous emissions. In one aspect, the invention is directed to the use of silicon carbide as material for a thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, at least one of silicon nitride, silicon boride, and/or boron nitride is used as material for a thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to an improved pyrolyzer design, in which a thermal pyrolysis unit comprises a tailpiece that allows water to be injected at the heated exit of the thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a coalescing filter in a scrubbing unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a hydrophobic filter element in a scrubbing unit. One or more of these elements may be used in a conditioning module of a continuous emissions monitoring system, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Tekran Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Frank H. Schaedlich, Daniel R. Schneeberger
  • Patent number: 7850901
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to systems used to measure mercury in gaseous emissions. In one aspect, the invention is directed to the use of silicon carbide as material for a thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, at least one of silicon nitride, silicon boride, and/or boron nitride is used as material for a thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to an improved pyrolyzer design, in which a thermal pyrolysis unit comprises a tailpiece that allows water to be injected at the heated exit of the thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a coalescing filter in a scrubbing unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a hydrophobic filter element in a scrubbing unit. One or more of these elements may be used in a conditioning module of a continuous emissions monitoring system, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Tekran Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Frank H. Schaedlich, Daniel R. Schneeberger
  • Patent number: 7799113
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to systems used to measure mercury in gaseous emissions. In one aspect, the invention is directed to the use of an inert covalently bonded material selected from silicon carbide (SiC), silicon oxides (SiOn, n=1-2), silicon nitride (e.g. Si3N4), silicon boride (e.g. SiB6), boron nitride (e.g. BN) and mixtures thereof as material for a thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to an improved pyrolyzer design, in which a thermal pyrolysis unit comprises a tailpiece that allows water to be injected at the heated exit of the thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a coalescing filter in a scrubbing unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a hydrophobic filter element in a scrubbing unit. One or more of these elements may be used in a conditioning module of a continuous emissions monitoring system, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Tekran Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Frank H. Schaedlich, Daniel R. Schneeberger, Glenn A. Norton
  • Patent number: 7713742
    Abstract: A calibration gas generation method and apparatus for generating a selectively humidified calibration gas to a measurement probe includes a delivery conduit having a conduit inlet adapted to receive a carrier gas stream and a conduit outlet for delivering a calibration gas stream. The apparatus is provided with a first injection unit having a first intake in fluid communication with a first reservoir and a first outlet in fluid communication with the delivery conduit, the first reservoir being adapted to hold a first analyte in liquid form, and a second injection unit having a second intake in fluid communication with a second reservoir and a second outlet in fluid communication with the delivery conduit, the second reservoir being adapted to hold a humidificant in liquid form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Tekran Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Frank R. Schaedlich, Daniel R. Schneeberger
  • Patent number: 7618581
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to systems used to measure mercury in gaseous emissions. In one aspect, the invention is directed to the use of silicon carbide as material for a thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, at least one of silicon nitride, silicon boride, and/or boron nitride is used as material for a thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to an improved pyrolyzer design, in which a thermal pyrolysis unit comprises a tailpiece that allows water to be injected at the heated exit of the thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a coalescing filter in a scrubbing unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a hydrophobic filter element in a scrubbing unit. One or more of these elements may be used in a conditioning module of a continuous emissions monitoring system, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Tekran Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Frank H. Schaedlich, Daniel R. Schneeberger
  • Publication number: 20090011512
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to systems used to measure mercury in gaseous emissions. In one aspect, the invention is directed to the use of silicon carbide as material for a thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, at least one of silicon nitride, silicon boride, and/or boron nitride is used as material for a thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to an improved pyrolyzer design, in which a thermal pyrolysis unit comprises a tailpiece that allows water to be injected at the heated exit of the thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a coalescing filter in a scrubbing unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a hydrophobic filter element in a scrubbing unit. One or more of these elements may be used in a conditioning module of a continuous emissions monitoring system, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: TEKRAN INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frank H. Schaedlich, Daniel R. Schneeberger
  • Publication number: 20090000484
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to systems used to measure mercury in gaseous emissions. In one aspect, the invention is directed to the use of silicon carbide as material for a thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, at least one of silicon nitride, silicon boride, and/or boron nitride is used as material for a thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to an improved pyrolyzer design, in which a thermal pyrolysis unit comprises a tailpiece that allows water to be injected at the heated exit of the thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a coalescing filter in a scrubbing unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a hydrophobic filter element in a scrubbing unit. One or more of these elements may be used in a conditioning module of a continuous emissions monitoring system, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: TEKRAN INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frank H. Schaedlich, Daniel R. Schneeberger
  • Patent number: 6475802
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for collecting a sample gaseous mercury, to differentiate between different gaseous mercury components. A quartz denuder module is provided having a coated extended surface for adsorbing reactive gaseous mercury. After collection of a sample, the coating it is heated to desorb the mercury as elemental gaseous mercury, which can then be detected and measured in conventional analyzer. During the sampling phase, as reactive gaseous mercury is removed from the sample flow in the denuder, the sample can then be passed to the analyzer for detection of elemental gaseous mercury. Where particulate mercury may be present, a filter trap can be provided downstream from the denuder. Separate steps can be provided for heating and pyrolysis of particulate mercury, for separate measurement in the analyzer. The pump module can be configured to a past the gas sample through scrubbers, to generate zero air as a flushing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Tekran Inc.
    Inventors: Frank H. Schaedlich, Daniel R. Schneeberger
  • Publication number: 20010014478
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for collecting a sample gaseous mercury, to differentiate between different gaseous mercury components. A quartz denuder module is provided having a coated extended surface for adsorbing reactive gaseous mercury. After collection of a sample, the coating it is heated to desorb the mercury as elemental gaseous mercury, which can then be detected and measured in conventional analyzer. During the sampling phase, as reactive gaseous mercury is removed from the sample flow in the denuder, the sample can then be passed to the analyzer for detection of elemental gaseous mercury. Where particulate mercury may be present, a filter trap can be provided downstream from the denuder. Separate steps can be provided for heating and pyrolysis of particulate mercury, for separate measurement in the analyzer. The pump module can be configured to a past the gas sample through scrubbers, to generate zero air as a flushing gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: FRANK H. SCHAEDLICH, DANIEL R. SCHNEEBERGER
  • Patent number: 5660795
    Abstract: A cartridge for collecting a sample of mercury or other substance of interest has a tubular housing and an insert, for example, of gold or another metal. The insert comprises a number of wire meshes sintered together to form a substantially unitary insert having an extended surface area, or otherwise is formed as a solid with a large surface area. The housing is provided with a groove and an internal projection as a mechanical coupling formations, to engage and retain the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Tekran Inc.
    Inventors: Frank H. Schaedlich, Daniel R. Schneeberger
  • Patent number: 5597535
    Abstract: Mercury Detection Method and Apparatus utilizes cartridges including gold for adsorbing mercury as an amalgam. The adsorbed mercury is desorbed by heating and passed through a Cold Vapour Atomic Fluorescence Spectrophotometer. Each cartridge is flushed with an inert gas, so that air and contaminants are never passed directly through the detector, so only inert gas passes through it. To further prevent adsorption of contaminants, the cartridges are maintained at a minimum temperature, above ambient temperature and below 100.degree. C. To enable unattended calibration, a permeation source is provided having a permeation chamber and a valve assembly, including 3 separate valves, to ensure that in an off state mercury vapour cannot leak to the cartridges. To ensure an efficient use of the inert gas, its flow can be adjusted between 3 different levels, for flushing, desorption of mercury, and an idle state to maintain the apparatus purged air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Tekran Inc.
    Inventors: Frank H. Schaedlich, Daniel R. Schneeberger