Patents by Inventor Howard Littman

Howard Littman 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: 8691385
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for coating particulate material are provided. The apparatus includes a vessel having a top and a bottom, a vertically extending conduit having an inlet in the vessel and an outlet outside of the vessel, a first fluid inlet in the bottom of the vessel for introducing a transfer fluid, a second fluid inlet in the bottom of the vessel for introducing a coating fluid, and a fluid outlet from the vessel. The method includes steps of agitating a material, contacting the material with a coating material, and drying the coating material to produce a coated material. The invention may be adapted to coat aerogel beads, among other materials. A coated aerogel bead and an aerogel-based insulation material are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Howard Littman, Joel L. Plawsky, John D. Paccione
  • Patent number: 8685237
    Abstract: An improved draft tube spout fluid bed (DTSFB) mixing, handling, conveying, and treating apparatus and systems, and methods for operating are provided. The apparatus and systems can accept particulate material and pneumatically or hydraulically conveying the material to mix and/or treat the material. In addition to conveying apparatus, a collection and separation apparatus adapted to receive the conveyed particulate material is also provided. The collection apparatus may include an impaction plate against which the conveyed material is directed to improve mixing and/or treatment. The improved apparatus are characterized by means of controlling the operation of the pneumatic or hydraulic transfer to enhance the mixing and/or reacting by controlling the flow of fluids, for example, air, into and out of the apparatus. The disclosed apparatus may be used to mix particulate material, for example, mortar; react fluids with particulate material; coat particulate material, or simply convey particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Howard Littman, Joel L. Plawsky, John D. Paccione
  • Patent number: 8557336
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for coating particulate material are provided. The apparatus includes a vessel having a top and a bottom, a vertically extending conduit having an inlet in the vessel and an outlet outside of the vessel, a first fluid inlet in the bottom of the vessel for introducing a transfer fluid, a second fluid inlet in the bottom of the vessel for introducing a coating fluid, and a fluid outlet from the vessel. The method includes steps of agitating a material, contacting the material with a coating material, and drying the coating material to produce a coated material. The invention may be adapted to coat aerogel beads, among other materials. A coated aerogel bead and an aerogel-based insulation material are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Howard Littman, Joel L. Plawsky, John D. Paccione
  • Publication number: 20130017326
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for coating particulate material are provided. The apparatus includes a vessel having a top and a bottom, a vertically extending conduit having an inlet in the vessel and an outlet outside of the vessel, a first fluid inlet in the bottom of the vessel for introducing a transfer fluid, a second fluid inlet in the bottom of the vessel for introducing a coating fluid, and a fluid outlet from the vessel. The method includes steps of agitating a material, contacting the material with a coating material, and drying the coating material to produce a coated material. The invention may be adapted to coat aerogel beads, among other materials. A coated aerogel bead and an aerogel-based insulation material are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Howard LITTMAN, Joel L. PLAWSKY, John D. PACCIONE
  • Publication number: 20120295115
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for coating particulate material are provided. The apparatus includes a vessel having a top and a bottom, a vertically extending conduit having an inlet in the vessel and an outlet outside of the vessel, a first fluid inlet in the bottom of the vessel for introducing a transfer fluid, a second fluid inlet in the bottom of the vessel for introducing a coating fluid, and a fluid outlet from the vessel. The method includes steps of agitating a material, contacting the material with a coating material, and drying the coating material to produce a coated material. The invention may be adapted to coat aerogel beads, among other materials. A coated aerogel bead and an aerogel-based insulation material are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Howard LITTMAN, Joel L. PLAWSKY, John D. PACCIONE
  • Patent number: 8235577
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for coating particulate material are provided. The apparatus includes a vessel having a top and a bottom, a vertically extending conduit having an inlet in the vessel and an outlet outside of the vessel, a first fluid inlet in the bottom of the vessel for introducing a transfer fluid, a second fluid inlet in the bottom of the vessel for introducing a coating fluid, and a fluid outlet from the vessel. The method includes steps of agitating a material, contacting the material with a coating material, and drying the coating material to produce a coated material. The invention may be adapted to coat aerogel beads, among other materials. A coated aerogel bead and an aerogel-based insulation material are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Howard Littman, Joel L. Plawsky, John D. Paccione
  • Publication number: 20100051560
    Abstract: An improved draft tube spout fluid bed (DTSFB) mixing, handling, conveying, and treating apparatus and systems, and methods for operating are provided. The apparatus and systems can accept particulate material and pneumatically or hydraulically conveying the material to mix and/or treat the material. In addition to conveying apparatus, a collection and separation apparatus adapted to receive the conveyed particulate material is also provided. The collection apparatus may include an impaction plate against which the conveyed material is directed to improve mixing and/or treatment. The improved apparatus are characterized by means of controlling the operation of the pneumatic or hydraulic transfer to enhance the mixing and/or reacting by controlling the flow of fluids, for example, air, into and out of the apparatus. The disclosed apparatus may be used to mix particulate material, for example, mortar; react fluids with particulate material; coat particulate material, or simply convey particulate material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Howard LITTMAN, Joel L. PLAWSKY, John D. PACCIONE
  • Patent number: 7621668
    Abstract: An improved draft tube spout fluid bed (DTSFB) mixing, handling, conveying, and treating apparatus and systems, and methods for operating are provided. The apparatus and systems can accept particulate material and pneumatically or hydraulically conveying the material to mix and/or treat the material. In addition to conveying apparatus, a collection and separation apparatus adapted to receive the conveyed particulate material is also provided. The collection apparatus may include an impaction plate against which the conveyed material is directed to improve mixing and/or treatment. The improved apparatus are characterized by means of controlling the operation of the pneumatic or hydraulic transfer to enhance the mixing and/or reacting by controlling the flow of fluids, for example, air, into and out of the apparatus. The disclosed apparatus may be used to mix particulate material, for example, mortar; react fluids with particulate material; coat particulate material, or simply convey particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Howard Littman, Joel L. Plawsky, John D. Paccione
  • Publication number: 20080130399
    Abstract: An improved draft tube spout fluid bed (DTSFB) mixing, handling, conveying, and treating apparatus and systems, and methods for operating are provided. The apparatus and systems can accept particulate material and pneumatically or hydraulically conveying the material to mix and/or treat the material. In addition to conveying apparatus, a collection and separation apparatus adapted to receive the conveyed particulate material is also provided. The collection apparatus may include an impaction plate against which the conveyed material is directed to improve mixing and/or treatment. The improved apparatus are characterized by means of controlling the operation of the pneumatic or hydraulic transfer to enhance the mixing and/or reacting by controlling the flow of fluids, for example, air, into and out of the apparatus. The disclosed apparatus may be used to mix particulate material, for example, mortar; react fluids with particulate material; coat particulate material, or simply convey particulate material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Howard Littman, Joel L. Plawsky, John D. Paccione
  • Publication number: 20080113197
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for coating particulate material are provided. The apparatus includes a vessel having a top and a bottom, a vertically extending conduit having an inlet in the vessel and an outlet outside of the vessel, a first fluid inlet in the bottom of the vessel for introducing a transfer fluid, a second fluid inlet in the bottom of the vessel for introducing a coating fluid, and a fluid outlet from the vessel. The method includes steps of agitating a material, contacting the material with a coating material, and drying the coating material to produce a coated material. The invention may be adapted to coat aerogel beads, among other materials. A coated aerogel bead and an aerogel-based insulation material are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Howard Littman, Joel L. Plawsky, John D. Paccione
  • Patent number: 6279882
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for oxygenating a liquid. The apparatus includes a liquid pump fluidly connected to an injector having a liquid inlet forming a nozzle, a liquid outlet and an oxygen inlet therebetween, the injector arranged such that the injector liquid inlet is above the injector liquid outlet, and a downwardly opening first diffuser portion connected to the injector outlet. The first diffuser portion is serially connected to a second diffuser portion located below the first diffuser portion. Liquid being pumped by the pump is conducted downwardly through the injector and the first diffuser portion to the second diffuser portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Life International Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Littman, Kent L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6120008
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for oxygenating a liquid. The apparatus includes a liquid pump fluidly connected to an injector having a liquid inlet forming a nozzle, a liquid outlet and an oxygen inlet therebetween, the injector arranged such that the injector liquid inlet is above the injector liquid outlet, and a downwardly opening first diffuser portion connected to the injector outlet. The first diffuser portion is serially connected to a second diffuser portion located below the first diffuser portion. Liquid being pumped by the pump is conducted downwardly through the injector and the first diffuser portion to the second diffuser portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Life International Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Littman, Kent L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5254168
    Abstract: A fluid-bed particle coater having a dual-jet and spray arrangement and including an upstanding column which has an upper cylindrical section, a tapered intermediate section and lower cylindrical section. Depending from the lower cylindrical section is a cylindrical chamber which is inner-connected to tubular sections adapted for introducing multiple air streams via separately controlled inlet openings. The dual-jet and spray construction includes an upwardly-facing spray nozzle positioned in coaxial relationship to the tubular sections and a draft tube, and a downwardly-facing spray nozzle contained with a fountain tube which is disposed above the draft tube. The fountain and draft tubes concentrically intersect about the intermediate section of the column in an opened telescopic arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Inventors: Howard Littman, Morris H. Morgan, Stevan D. Jovanovic
  • Patent number: 5248222
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for transporting solid particles having a size range from 1/10 micron to 22 mm. in diameter, including a feed hopper formed of an inverted cone frustum, a cylindrical tube, and an inverted cone, a source of solid particles contained in the feed hopper, a transparent pipe inserted into the feed hopper coaxially with the axis of the feed hopper, fluid introducing pipes for introducing fluid such as gas or liquid into the bottom of the feed hopper including a spout inlet feed pipe at the apex of the inverted cone and coaxially located opposite the transport pipe and forming an adjustable gap between the bottom of the transport pipe and the top of the spout inlet pipe, and at least one annulus feed pipe entering a side wall of the inverted cone, and computer controlled values to regulate the temperature, humidity and rate of flow of the introduced fluid. The solid particles are fluidized in the hopper and then fed into the transport pipe to be delivered where desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Inventors: Howard Littman, Morris H. Morgan