Patents by Inventor Dean L. Smith
Dean L. Smith 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: 11939237Abstract: A fluid vapor distillation system. The system includes a control system for controlling a fluid vapor distillation apparatus including a blow down controller for controlling a blow down valve, a source flow controller for controlling a source flow valve, and a blow down level sensor in communication with a blow down controller and a source flow controller, the blow down level sensor sends signals related to the blow down level to the blow down controller and the source flow controller indicative of the blow down level, wherein the source flow controller actuates the source flow valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, and wherein the blow down controller actuates the blow down valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, whereby the blow down level and the source flow level are maintained using the blow down level sensor signals as input.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean Kamen, Ryan K. LaRocque, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Andrew A. Schnellinger, Prashant Bhat, Otis L. Clapp, Stanley B. Smith, III, Stephen M. Ent
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Patent number: 6902630Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning objects having generally irregular surface features, such as reloadable photographic cameras, has a partial enclosure having opposing side walls, and a top wall joining the opposing side walls. An air ionizing element composed of an ion emitter and an air knife is arranged in the enclosure for electrostatically neutralizing the object with ions entrained in a curtain-like stream of air directed onto the object.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2002Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Gerard W. Ernst, Thomas Albano, Dean L. Smith, Klaus R. Pohl
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Patent number: 6543078Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning objects having generally irregular surface features, such as reloadable photographic cameras, has a partial enclosure having opposing side walls, and a top wall joining the opposing side walls. An air ionizing element composed of an ion emitter and an air knife is arranged in the enclosure for electrostatically neutralizing the object with ions entrained in a curtain-like stream of air directed onto the object.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2000Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Gerard W. Ernst, Thomas Albano, Dean L. Smith, Klaus R. Pohl
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Patent number: 6490746Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning objects having generally irregular, undulating surface features, such as reloadable photographic cameras, has a partial enclosure having opposing side walls, and a top wall joining the opposing side walls. A pair of air ionizing members are arranged on the interior of the opposing side walls and a source of a curtain-like stream of air is arranged in the top wall.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Gerard W. Ernst, Thomas Albano, Dean L. Smith, Klaus R. Pohl
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Publication number: 20020152636Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning objects having generally irregular surface features, such as reloadable photographic cameras, has a partial enclosure having opposing side walls, and a top wall joining the opposing side walls. An air ionizing element composed of an ion emitter and an air knife is arranged in the enclosure for electrostatically neutralizing the object with ions entrained in a curtain-like stream of air directed onto the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2002Publication date: October 24, 2002Inventors: Gerard W. Ernst, Thomas Albano, Dean L. Smith, Klaus R. Pohl
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Patent number: 6226024Abstract: The present invention is for a vacuum imaging drum with vacuum holes for maintaining a boundary layer in an image processing apparatus (10). The image processing apparatus (10) with a vacuum imaging drum (300) for holding thermal print media (32) and donor sheet material (36) in registration on the vacuum imaging drum (300). A printhead (500) moves along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the vacuum imaging drum (300) as the vacuum imaging drum (300) rotates. The printhead (500) receives information signals and produces radiation which is directed to the donor sheet material (36) which causes color to transfer from the donor sheet material (36) to the thermal print media (32). The vacuum imaging drum (300) provides vacuum on its surface by means of a first plurality of holes. A second plurality of holes maintains a boundary layer (336) of air along the drum surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1999Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Roger S. Kerr, Dean L. Smith
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Patent number: 6138352Abstract: An extruded, tiered high fin density heat sink (10) uses extruded first base, second base and bridging elements (12, 16, 14) having an arrangement of closely spaced, parallel fins (20, 26, 32, 38) and recesses (22, 28, 34, 40) for receiving opposing fins in the elements. The fins (20, 38) in the first and second base elements (12, 16) are bonded to recesses (28, 34) in opposite common faces (24, 30) of bridging elements (14) while fins (26, 32) extending from both opposing faces (24, 30) of bridging element (14) are bonded in aligned recesses (22, 40) in the first and second base element (12, 16) forming an extruded, tiered, high fin density heat sink (10).Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1999Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Dean L. Smith, Edmund J. Sobresky, Roger S. Kerr
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Patent number: 6050332Abstract: An extruded, tiered high fin density heat sink (10) uses extruded first base, second base and bridging elements (12, 16, 14) having an arrangement of closely spaced, parallel fins (20, 26, 32, 38) and recesses (22, 28, 34, 40) for receiving opposing fins in the elements. The fins (20, 38) in the first and second base elements (12, 16) are bonded to recesses (28, 34) in opposite common faces (24, 30) of bridging elements (14) while fins (26, 32) extending from both opposing faces (24, 30) of bridging element (14) are bonded in aligned recesses (22, 40) in the first and second base element (12, 16) forming an extruded, tiered, high fin density heat sink (10).Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1999Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Dean L. Smith, Edmund J. Sobresky, Roger S. Kerr
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Patent number: 6043836Abstract: The present invention is for a vacuum drum (300) with countersunk holes (334). In one embodiment, vacuum holes (306), countersunk vacuum holes (334), and blind countersunk vacuum holes (336) on an outer surface of the vacuum drum are connected by vacuum grooves to facilitate holding multiple sheets of media on the vacuum drum (300), which revolves at high speeds.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1997Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Roger S. Kerr, Dean L. Smith, Douglas A. Hons
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Patent number: 6014162Abstract: The present invention is for an image processing apparatus (10) for sheet thermal print media. The image processing apparatus (10) comprises a vacuum imaging drum (300) for holding thermal print media (32) and dye donor sheet material (36) in registration on the vacuum imaging drum (300). A printhead (500) moves along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the vacuum imaging drum (300) as the vacuum imaging drum (300) rotates. The printhead (500) receives information signals and produces radiation which is directed to the dye donor sheet material (36) which causes color to transfer from the dye donor sheet material (36) to the thermal print media (32). The vacuum imaging drum (300), having media contours (328) on the outer surface to facilitate holding media onto a vacuum imaging drum (300) revolving at high speeds.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1997Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Roger S. Kerr, Dean L. Smith, Douglas A. Hons
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Patent number: 6009938Abstract: An extruded, tiered high fin density heat sink (10) uses extruded first base, second base and bridging elements (12, 16, 14) having an arrangement of closely spaced, parallel fins (20, 26, 32, 38) and recesses (22, 28, 34, 40) for receiving opposing fins in the elements. The fins (20, 38) in the first and second base elements (12, 16) are bonded to recesses (28, 34) in opposite common faces (24, 30) of bridging elements (14) while fins (26, 32) extending from both opposing faces (24, 30) of bridging element (14) are bonded in aligned recesses (22, 40) in the first and second base element (12, 16) forming an extruded, tiered, high fin density heat sink (10).Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1997Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Dean L. Smith, Edmund J. Sobresky, Roger S. Kerr
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Patent number: 6002419Abstract: The present invention is for an imaging processing apparatus (10) for thermal print medium. The image processor apparatus (10) comprises a vacuum imaging drum (300) for holding thermal print media(32) and donor sheets (36) in registration on the vacuum imaging drum (300). A printhead (500) moves along a line parallel to a longitudinal axis X of the imaging drum (300) as the imaging drum (300) rotates. The printhead (500) receives information signals and produces radiation which is directed to the donor (36) which causes color to transfer from the donor (36) to the thermal print media (32). At least part of a surface of the vacuum imaging drum (300) has micropaths over at least a portion of a surface of the vacuum imaging drum (300). In one embodiment the micropaths are produced by sandblasting (330). At least one vacuum hole or slot is located on the surface of the vacuum imaging drum (300), connecting to the micropaths.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1997Date of Patent: December 14, 1999Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Roger S. Kerr, Dean L. Smith, Douglas A. Hons
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Patent number: 5995367Abstract: An improved heat exchanger (10) has an extruded, multi-tiered heat sink (22) having a very high heat transfer coefficient structurally associated with a compact, high air velocity air moving means (14). Heat sink (22) has a first tier (56) formed by first fins (34) in a first base element (24) closely spaced apart from third fins (40) in an extruded bridging element (30). A second tier (60) of heat sink (22) is formed by second fins (52) in a second base element (26) closely spaced from fourth fins (46) opposing the third fins (40) in the bridging element (30). Air moving means (16) of the invention employs a backward curved impeller (14) driven by a compact planar dc motor (80) adapted to yield higher than normal impeller speeds with superior thermal transfer performance.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1997Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Dean L. Smith, Edmund J. Sobresky, Roger S. Kerr
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Patent number: 5988266Abstract: A high performance, high pin fin density heat sink (10) has mating first and second opposing base members (22, 24) having first and second pin fins (18, 20) extending generally perpendicularly therefrom. The pin fins (18, 20) are generally cylindrical and each bonded into recesses (30,32) formed on the opposing base member (22, 24). The spaces between nearest adjacent first and second pin fins (18, 20) form narrow fluid passageways (12) having a gas inlet in (14) for communicating with a heat generating body and gas out let end (16).Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Dean L. Smith, Edmund J. Sobresky, Roger S. Kerr
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Patent number: 5937517Abstract: A method of manufacturing a high performance, high fin density heat sink (10) uses extruded first and second base elements having an alternating arrangement of closely spaced fins and recesses for receiving opposing fins. The fins in the first and second base elements are bonded to the recesses formed in the common face of the opposing base element to form the bonded extruded heat sink.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1997Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Dean L. Smith, Edmund J. Sobresky, Roger S. Kerr
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Patent number: 5829514Abstract: A high performance, high pin fin density heat sink (10) has mating first and second opposing base members (22, 24) having first and second pin fins (18, 20) extending generally perpendicularly therefrom. The pin fins (18, 20) are generally cylindrical and each bonded into recesses (30, 32) formed on the opposing base member (22, 24). The spaces between nearest adjacent first and second pin fins (18, 20) form narrow fluid passageways (12) having a gas inlet in (14) for communicating with a heat generating body and gas out let end (16).Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1997Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Dean L. Smith, Edmund J. Sobresky, Roger S. Kerr
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Patent number: 5275726Abstract: An improved spiral wound element for separations is disclosed wherein the improvement comprises using as the feed/retentate space one or more layers of a material having an open cross-sectional area in the range 30 to 70% and as the permeate spacer material at least three layers of material two of which are fine and have an open cross-sectional area of about 10 to 50% surrounding a coarse layer having an open cross-sectional area of about 50 to 90%.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1992Date of Patent: January 4, 1994Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.Inventors: Joseph L. Feimer, Tan-Jen Chen, Dean L. Smith, Jr., Donald T. Bray, Deborah de la Cruz
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Patent number: 5238563Abstract: A multi-element housing is disclosed for the containment of multiple membrane separation elements in parallel. The multi-element housing is characterized in that the elements are grouped in parallel with a feed/retentate zone, defined by a space enclosed by two tube sheets arranged at the same end of the elements. The central mandrels of the elements pass through the feed/retentate zone space defined by the two tube sheets and empty permeate outside the defined space into a permeate collection zone from which it is removed, while the tube sheet directly attached to the element is in open relationship to the interior of the membrane element and retentate accumulates in the space between the top tube sheet and the bottom tube sheet from which it is removed.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1992Date of Patent: August 24, 1993Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering CompanyInventors: Dean L. Smith, Jr., Charles P. Darnell, Tan-Jen Chen, Richard J. Basile, Burghard H. Ruterbories, David H. Hopkins
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Patent number: 4692237Abstract: A process for removing suspended solids, particularly difficultly filterable inorganic solids, from an oil obtained as a refinery process fraction from steam and catalytic cracking units, shale oil retorting process fraction, or from coal conversion processes by adding to the oil an agglomerating agent which is a polyelectrolyte, usefully a water-in-oil emulsion of a water-soluble polymer whereby said solids are clustered together into readily separable agglomerates.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1985Date of Patent: September 8, 1987Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Edward C. Hsu, Philip Merchant, Jr., Dean L. Smith, Jr., Kevin P. Kelly, Sylvia M. Lacy
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Patent number: 4416754Abstract: Very finely divided particulate solids are removed from unconventional whole heavy petroleum crudes, heavy petroleum crude fractions, and residua, syncrudes and syncrude fractions, particularly shale oil and shale oil fractions, by the use of novel surface active agents. The surface active agent is characterized as an admixture of (I) a surfactant comprised of (A) an ethoxylated or propoxylated ester, or ester constituted of a 1,4 sorbitan skeleton to which at least one and up to three ethoxy, propoxy, or mixed ethoxy-propoxy, and at least one and up to three fatty acid substituents are attached through oxygen to the 2,3,5 and 6 carbon atoms; and preferably this compound (A), or mixture thereof, is further admixed with (B) an organo sulfonic acid; and more preferably an admixture of (B) an organo sulfonic acid and (C) an ammonium ion substituted, a substituted amonium ion substituted, or alkali metal substituted sulfonate.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1981Date of Patent: November 22, 1983Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.Inventors: Philip Merchant, Jr., Dean L. Smith, Jr.