Patents by Inventor George J. Hyfantis, Jr.

George J. Hyfantis, Jr. 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: 5976377
    Abstract: A system for the treatment of waste water including hydrocarbons and of a high biological oxygen demand. Preferably, the system includes a portable platform suitable for transport from site to site. A reaction vessel defining a substantially vertically oriented flow path therethrough for flowable waste water is mounted with its lower portion within and surrounded by a collection basin which receives waste water for treatment and recycling via trickling down through a biomass disposed on packing material within the reaction vessel. Simultaneously with the trickle down of the waste water, ambient air is forced upwardly countercurrent to the flow of the waste water to provide oxygen to the biomass, to enhance the flow of waste water over the biomass, and to sweep gaseous products from the reaction vessel. Optionally, oxygen is introduced into the collection basin to enhance biodegradation reactions within the collection basin. The system may be operated in either batch mode or continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Environmental Systems Corporation
    Inventors: George J. Hyfantis, Jr., James Randall McKennon
  • Patent number: 4862733
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting leaks in a liquid-containing tank. The method and apparatus employ an internal reference cell immersed in the liquid in the tank which contains a volume of the liquid isolated from flow communication with the liquid in the tank while having a surface which is exposed to the ambient conditions above the surface of the liquid in the tank. The level of the fluid in the tank and in the reference cell are monitored over a period of time. Level changes in the tank which do not correspond to level changes due to the temperature and evaporative effects observed in the reference cell are indicative of a leak in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Inventors: George J. Hyfantis, Jr., Richard A. Ellis, Reg W. McCulloch
  • Patent number: 4781057
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting leaks in a liquid-containing tank. The method and apparatus employ an internal reference cell immersed in the liquid in the tank which contains a volume of the liquid isolated from flow communication with the liquid in the tank while having a surface which is exposed to the ambient conditions above the surface of the liquid in the tank. The level of the fluid in the tank and in the reference cell are monitored over a period of time. Level changes in the tank which do not correspond to level changes due to the temperature and evaporative effects observed in the reference cell are indicative of a leak in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Inventors: George J. Hyfantis, Jr., Richard A. Ellis, Reg W. McCulloch