Patents by Inventor George W. Smith
George W. 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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Publication number: 20110203992Abstract: A hybrid method and system of treating wastewater with reduced energy usage is disclosed. The treatment system has a sorption system, an anaerobic digester that digests or converts at least a portion of the solids or sludge from the sorption system, and an aerobic treatment tank that partially reduces oxygen demand of a portion of the sludge from the sorption tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: Siemens Water Technologies Corp.Inventors: Wenjun Liu, Edward John Jordan, George W. Smith
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Publication number: 20110089105Abstract: A hybrid method and system of treating wastewater with reduced energy usage is disclosed. The treatment system has a sorption system, an anaerobic digester that digests or converts at least a portion of the solids or sludge from the sorption system, and an aerobic treatment tank that partially reduces oxygen demand of a portion of the sludge from the sorption tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: SIEMENS WATER TECHNOLOGIES CORP.Inventors: Wenjun Liu, Edward J. Jordan, Joseph E. Zuback, George W. Smith
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Publication number: 20100191377Abstract: A wastewater treatment system comprising: a first treatment zone (11) fluidly connected to one or more further treatment zones (12-14), a membrane module (16) comprising a filter membrane is positioned in or fluidly connected to the further treatment zone; and a gravity settling device (15) fluidly connected to the first treatment zone (11) to receive overflow therefrom. A method of treating wastewater comprising flowing wastewater through one or more treatment zones (11-14) to produce a fluid product which is passed through a filter membrane (16) to produce a concentrated mixed liquor and a filtrate; returning at least a portion of the concentrated mixed liquor to at least one of the treatment zones (11); when the flow of wastewater water exceeds a predetermined level, flowing a portion of the returned mixed liquor to a gravity settling device (15) and clarifying the mixed liquor within the gravity settling device (15).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2007Publication date: July 29, 2010Inventors: George W. Smith, Dennis J. Barnes
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Patent number: 7674463Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic mice deficient in corticotropin releasing factor receptor 2 (CRFR2). Mice deficient for CRFR1 exhibit decreased anxiety-like behavior and a decreased stress response. In contrast, CRFR2 null mutant mice are hypersensitive to stress and display increased anxiety-like behavior. These mice are useful for the study of anxiety, depression, and the physiology of the HPA axis. CRFR2 null mutant mice also exhibit increased angiogenesis in all tissues examined. Thus, CRFR2 antagonists may be used to stimulate angiogenesis for the treatment of various conditions. In contrast, CRFR2 agonists may be used to inhibit angiogenesis. A combination of urocortin and bFGF was observed to stimulate rapid hair growth.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2000Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Research Development FoundationInventors: Kuo-Fen Lee, Wylie W. Vale, Tracy L. Bale, George W. Smith
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Publication number: 20090263406Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for regulating fertility in mammals. In general, the invention relates to a novel protein produced by oocytes named JY-1, and nucleic acids encoding the JY-1 protein, for controlling folliculogenesis and early embryonic development, particularly in monoovulatory species. In particular, the present invention provides nucleic acid and amino acid sequences encoding JY-1, vectors for the expression of JY-1, host cells expressing JY-1, RNAi probes for reducing levels of JY-1 message, and antibodies to JY-1. Specifically, developing and mature oocytes express JY-1 in vivo, while granulosa cells treated in vitro with recombinant JY-1 (rJY-1) protein reduced cell proliferation while increasing progesterone synthesis and estradiol production. Further, reducing JY-1 protein in developing embryos in vitro using inhibitory siRNA constructs corresponded with arrested blastocyte maturation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2008Publication date: October 22, 2009Inventors: Jianbo Yao, George W. Smith, Anilkumar Bettegowda, Paul M. Coussens, James J. Ireland
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Publication number: 20090075380Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for increasing the success of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Specifically, the inventions described herein increase the survival rate of manipulated embryos for increasing post implantation numbers of viable offspring. In particular, the present invention provides for compositions and methods for allowing further embryonic development and increasing rates of embryonic maturation, such as increasing cleavage rate, TE numbers, and blastocyte formation of in vitro fertilized and nuclear transfer embryos in media comprising follistatin, thereby providing for increased survival of fertilized and manipulated embryos leading to increased numbers of live offspring from in vitro fertilized and implanted nuclear transfer embryos. Further provided are diagnostic kits for determining transplantation potential.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Inventors: George W. Smith, Kyungbon Lee, Catherine VandeVoort
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Publication number: 20040034882Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic mice deficient in corticotropin releasing factor receptor 2 (CRFR2). Mice deficient for CRFR1 exhibit decreased anxiety-like behavior and a decreased stress response. In contrast, CRFR2 null mutant mice are hypersensitive to stress and display increased anxiety-like behavior. These mice are useful for the study of anxiety, depression, and the physiology of the HPA axis. CRFR2 null mutant mice also exhibit increased angiogenesis in all tissues examined. Thus, CRFR2 antagonists may be used to stimulate angiogenesis for the treatment of various conditions. In contrast, CRFR2 agonists may be used to inhibit angiogenesis. A combination of urocortin and bFGF was observed to stimulate rapid hair growth. The CRFR2 mutant mice are also useful for the study of the effects of CRFR2 deficiency on homeostatic responses to stress, including a high-fat diet, repeated cold stress, and glucose and insulin challenges.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2003Publication date: February 19, 2004Inventors: Wylie W. Vale, Tracy L. Bale, Kuo-Fen Lee, George W. Smith
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Patent number: 6592762Abstract: A process for treating BOD, nitrogen and phosphorus containing wastewater. The process includes introducing wastewater influent into an anaerobic zone having activated sludge and mixing the wastewater influent with the activated sludge in the anaerobic zone to form a mixed liquor. The mixed liquor is introduced into an oxygen-deficit aeration zone, and denitrified mixed liquor from the oxygen-deficit aeration zone is recycled to the anaerobic zone for mixing therein with wastewater. The process also includes transferring the mixed liquor from the oxygen-deficit aeration zone to an oxygen-surplus aeration zone, transferring a portion of the mixed liquor from the oxygen-surplus aeration zone to a settling zone wherein a supernatant is separated from settled sludge and recycling at least a portion of the settled sludge to the oxygen-deficit aeration zone as recycled activated sludge.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: United States Filter CorporationInventor: George W. Smith
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Publication number: 20030042199Abstract: A process for treating BOD, nitrogen and phosphorus containing wastewater. The process includes introducing wastewater influent into an anaerobic zone having activated sludge and mixing the wastewater influent with the activated sludge in the anaerobic zone to form a mixed liquor. The mixed liquor is introduced into an oxygen-deficit aeration zone, and denitrified mixed liquor from the oxygen-deficit aeration zone is recycled to the anaerobic zone for mixing therein with wastewater. The process also includes transferring the mixed liquor from the oxygen-deficit aeration zone to an oxygen-surplus aeration zone, transferring a portion of the mixed liquor from the oxygen-surplus aeration zone to a settling zone wherein a supernatant is separated from settled sludge and recycling at least a portion of the settled sludge to the oxygen-deficit aeration zone as recycled activated sludge.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2001Publication date: March 6, 2003Applicant: United States Filter CorporationInventor: George W. Smith
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Patent number: 6353152Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic mice deficient in corticotropin releasing factor receptor 2. Corticotropin releasing factor is a critical integrator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in response to stress. CRF and its related molecule urocortin bind CRF receptor 1 and CRFR2 with distinct affinities. CRFR2 mutant mice were hypersensitive to stress and displayed increased anxiety-like behavior. Mutant mice had normal basal feeding and weight gain, but exhibited decreased food intake following food deprivation. Intravenous UCN dramatically decreased the mean arterial pressure in the controls but had no effect in the mutants. A deficiency of CRFR2 results in a significant increase in urocortin mRNA in the rostral region of the Edinger Westphal and a significant increase in CRF mRNA in central nucleus of the amygdala. These results demonstrate that the CRFR2 mutant mice, opposed to CRFR1 mutant mice, have an increased sensitivity to stress and display anxiety-like behavior.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2000Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignee: Research Development FoundationInventors: Kuo-Fen Lee, Wylie W. Vale, Tracy L. Bale, George W. Smith
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Patent number: 5928089Abstract: An improved golf club having a curved or angled hosel is provided. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the hosel has an upper end axially aligned with and securely attached to the lower end of the elongated shaft, a lower end attached to the top of the clubhead approximately 0.625" inset from the heel. The preferred hosel also has a curved middle member configured such that the leading edge of the sole is substantially aligned with the forwardly facing surface of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1998Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Inventor: George W. Smith
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Patent number: 5720672Abstract: An improved golf club having a curved or angled hosel is provided. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the hosel has an upper end axially aligned with and securely attached to the lower end of the elongated shaft, a lower end attached to the back of the clubhead approximately 0.625" from the heel and substantially midway between the sole and the upper edge of the back. The preferred hosel also has a curved middle member configured such that the leading edge of the sole is substantially aligned with the forwardly facing surface of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1996Date of Patent: February 24, 1998Inventor: George W. Smith
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Patent number: 5225104Abstract: A film of a polymer dispersed liquid crystal material having improved light scattering and solar attenuation properties, which utilizes a significantly reduced amount of the liquid crystal component as compared to conventional polymer dispersed liquid crystal films, is provided. These improved properties are obtained by the addition of preferably up to about three volume percent of an organic photoaccelerator chosen from the group of amines or aminobenzoates, to the liquid crystal-polymer precursor mixture prior to curing of the mixture.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1991Date of Patent: July 6, 1993Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Thomas H. Van Steenkiste, Nuno A. Vaz, George P. Montgomery, Jr., George W. Smith
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Patent number: 5211876Abstract: Liquid crystal films are potentially useful for automotive displays and for automotive windows and sunroofs with variable optical transmission. The present invention provides a liquid crystal material having an extended wavelength response and a method for making the same. The size of the liquid crystal microdroplets within the material are controlled such that a polydisperse liquid crystal film is formed. Controlling the curing parameters during the cure of a supersaturated mixture of liquid crystal in polymer precursor allows for the fabrication of a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal material containing a multimodal distribution of microdroplet sizes which provides a film acting as both as a visible light shutter and a strong scattered of infrared radiation.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1990Date of Patent: May 18, 1993Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Nuno A. Vaz, Thomas H. Van Steenkiste, George W. Smith, George P. Montgomery, Jr.
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Patent number: 5096282Abstract: A method of forming a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film is disclosed which consists of forming a solution of LC dissolved in a monomer, photopolymerizing the solution to form a film having a dispersion of LC bubbles therein, establishing a correlation between the LC bubble size and selected characteristics of the film, selecting a LC bubble size corresponding to desired film characteristics, and controlling the conditions of photopolymerization to achieve said LC bubble size. The LC bubble size is controlled by means of the UV exposure intensity, exposure temperature, exposure wavelength, LC concentration and/or concentration of polymerization initiator. Correlations are noted between LC bubble size and the resulting film's threshold and operating voltages for optical transmission, contrast ratio, absolute transmissivity and electro-optical response times.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1990Date of Patent: March 17, 1992Assignees: Hughes Aircraft Co., General Motors Corporation, Delco Electronics CorporationInventors: John D. Margerum, Anna M. Lackner, Elena Ramos, George W. Smith, Nuno Yaz, James L. Kohler, Charles R. Allison
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Patent number: 5044769Abstract: An ultrasonic distributed temperature sensor comprises an elongate ultrasonic waveguide in the form of steel or nickel wire 0.16 cm in diameter and up to 10 meters long, which is strung around the area whose temperature is to be monitored, eg an aircraft engine. The wire is provided with discontinuities in the form of annuli welded on to it to form annular flanges, which serve to partially reflect ultrasonic pules launched into one end of the wire. These flanges, known as "posi-notches", divide the waveguide, and thus the area to be monitored, into a number of zones, the size of each zone being determined by the spacing of the adjacent flanges defining it. In operation, the temporal spacing of each pair of successive partially reflected pulses is a measure of the average temperature of the zone defined by the flanges producing that pair of pulses.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1990Date of Patent: September 3, 1991Assignee: Schlumberger Industries LimitedInventors: Konrad Kulczyk, George W. Smith
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Patent number: 5022014Abstract: An ultrasonic fire detector comprises an elongate ultrasonic waveguide, e.g. in the form of a wire, which is arranged to be strung around the area to be monitored for fire. An ultrasonic pulse generator launches longitudinal ultrasonic pulses into one end of the waveguide, for reflection from the far end. The waveguide is arranged such that local heating due to a fire changes its acoustic impedance at the location of the local heating, the change in acoustic impedance being sufficient to produce partial reflection of the ultrasonic pulses. Detection of the partially reflected pulses thus indicates the presence of a fire, and their time of arrival gives the location of the fire along the waveguide. The acoustic impedance change can be produced by providing the waveguide with notches filled with low melting-point alloy, by applying a temperature-induced stress to the waveguide, or simply by the temperature gradient caused by the fire.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1989Date of Patent: June 4, 1991Assignee: Schlumberger Industries LimitedInventors: Konrad Kulczyk, Malcolm P. Perks, George W. Smith
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Patent number: 5021188Abstract: Optically responsive films comprising birefringent nematic and/or birefringent chiral nematic liquid crystal microdroplets dispersed in electron beam cured polymeric reaction products are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1989Date of Patent: June 4, 1991Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Nuno A. Vaz, George W. Smith
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Patent number: D632955Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2010Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Interactive Vending CorporationInventors: George W. Smith, III, Mark W. Sprenger
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Patent number: D638882Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2010Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Interactive Vending CorporationInventors: George W. Smith, III, Mark W. Sprenger