Patents by Inventor Kui-Chiu Kwok
Kui-Chiu Kwok 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: 20230321570Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for continuously manufacturing fibrous materials and products, such as filters. A system comprises a conveyor for advancing a substrate comprising fibrous materials from an upstream end to a downstream end, and a feeder for feeding groups of nanofibers into a fluid medium. A fiberization device is coupled to the feeder and configured to convert the groups of nanofibers into individual nanoparticles. A dispersion device coupled to the fiberization device disperses the nanoparticles into the substrate to form a fibrous material. This distributes the nanoparticles more uniformly throughout the fibrous material. In addition, the system continuously manufactures the material to form a product with improved quality, yield and reduced cost and time.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Andrew G. Platt, Lenny Pompeo, Kui-Chiu Kwok
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Publication number: 20230321572Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for separating and/or isolating individual nanoparticles from groups or clusters of nanofibers within a gaseous medium. The system comprises a housing configured to contain the groups of nanofibers, and a pump coupled to the housing. The system further includes one or more passages coupled to the pump and a gaseous medium within the passages. The pump is configured to propel the nanofibers through, or with, the gaseous medium against one or more surface(s) within the passages at a sufficient velocity and/or momentum to open up or separate, the groups of nanofibers into individual nanoparticles. Isolating individual nanoparticles in a gaseous medium and then dispersing them into a substrate or a fluid stream to form a product allows the nanoparticles to be distributed more uniformly and “in depth” throughout the product.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Andrew G. Platt, Lenny Pompeo, Kui-Chiu Kwok
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Publication number: 20220290871Abstract: A commercial cooking equipment exhaust hood system includes a hood structure including an inlet opening to an exhaust flow path through the hood. A filter unit is positioned along the exhaust flow path. An electrostatic precipitator unit is downstream of the filter unit. The electrostatic precipitator includes an ionizing section upstream of a collecting section. The ionizing section includes a plurality of ionizing flow paths having side profile patterns that vary in width between at least one wide section and at least one narrow section. The collecting section includes a plurality of collecting flow paths with side profile patterns of substantially uniform width and a repeating undulating side profile pattern. A UV light source may also be provided within the hood, with a controller operatively connected to control the UV light source via a dimmer to enable selective production various UV levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
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Patent number: 11371719Abstract: A commercial cooking equipment exhaust hood system includes a hood structure including an inlet opening to an exhaust flow path through the hood. A filter unit is positioned along the exhaust flow path. An electrostatic precipitator unit is downstream of the filter unit. The electrostatic precipitator includes an ionizing section upstream of a collecting section. The ionizing section includes a plurality of ionizing flow paths having side profile patterns that vary in width between at least one wide section and at least one narrow section. The collecting section includes a plurality of collecting flow paths with side profile patterns of substantially uniform width and a repeating undulating side profile pattern. A UV light source may also be provided within the hood, with a controller operatively connected to control the UV light source via a dimmer to enable selective production various UV levels.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
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Publication number: 20200049353Abstract: A commercial cooking equipment exhaust hood system includes a hood structure including an inlet opening to an exhaust flow path through the hood. A filter unit is positioned along the exhaust flow path. An electrostatic precipitator unit is downstream of the filter unit. The electrostatic precipitator includes an ionizing section upstream of a collecting section. The ionizing section includes a plurality of ionizing flow paths having side profile patterns that vary in width between at least one wide section and at least one narrow section. The collecting section includes a plurality of collecting flow paths with side profile patterns of substantially uniform width and a repeating undulating side profile pattern. A UV light source may also be provided within the hood, with a controller operatively connected to control the UV light source via a dimmer to enable selective production various UV levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
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Patent number: 10488056Abstract: A commercial cooking equipment exhaust hood system includes a hood structure including an inlet opening to an exhaust flow path through the hood. A filter unit is positioned along the exhaust flow path. An electrostatic precipitator unit is downstream of the filter unit. The electrostatic precipitator includes an ionizing section upstream of a collecting section. The ionizing section includes a plurality of ionizing flow paths having side profile patterns that vary in width between at least one wide section and at least one narrow section. The collecting section includes a plurality of collecting flow paths with side profile patterns of substantially uniform width and a repeating undulating side profile pattern. A UV light source may also be provided within the hood, with a controller operatively connected to control the UV light source via a dimmer to enable selective production various UV levels.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
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Publication number: 20180347826Abstract: A commercial cooking equipment exhaust hood system includes a hood structure including an inlet opening to an exhaust flow path through the hood. A filter unit is positioned along the exhaust flow path. An electrostatic precipitator unit is downstream of the filter unit. The electrostatic precipitator includes an ionizing section upstream of a collecting section. The ionizing section includes a plurality of ionizing flow paths having side profile patterns that vary in width between at least one wide section and at least one narrow section. The collecting section includes a plurality of collecting flow paths with side profile patterns of substantially uniform width and a repeating undulating side profile pattern. A UV light source may also be provided within the hood, with a controller operatively connected to control the UV light source via a dimmer to enable selective production various UV levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2017Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
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Patent number: 9993761Abstract: Fiber structures and methods are described that incorporate a body of a micron fiber modified by the attachment of discrete length nano-fibers. Numerous of these modified fiber structures can be assembled into air filter media. Further augmentations of the modified fibers and media can be implemented to improve filtration characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2015Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: LMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Kui-Chiu Kwok, Al Vatine, Scott B. Beier, Gary Pospisal
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Patent number: 9522357Abstract: Fiber structures and methods are described that incorporate a body of a micron fiber modified by the attachment of discrete length, crimped nano-fibers. Numerous of these modified fiber structures can be assembled into air filter media. Further augmentations of the modified fibers and media can be implemented to improve filtration characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignees: Products Unlimited, Inc., LMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kui-Chiu Kwok, Al Vatine, Scott B. Beier, Gary Pospisal
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Publication number: 20160220927Abstract: Fiber structures and methods are described that incorporate a body of a micron fiber modified by the attachment of discrete length nano-fibers. Numerous of these modified fiber structures can be assembled into air filter media. Further augmentations of the modified fibers and media can be implemented to improve filtration characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2015Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Kui-Chiu Kwok, Al Vatine, Scott B. Beier, Gary Pospisal
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Patent number: 9346064Abstract: A rotary atomizing applicator includes a shaping air system having first orifices discharging air against the outer surface of the bell cup, with the air following the bell cup and being released from the bell cup at the forward edge of the bell cup. A terminal portion of the outer surface of the bell cup directs the flow of air to shape the pattern of coating released from the bell cup. A second pattern of air is directed from outwardly and behind the bell cup inwardly toward the forward edge of the bell cup.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Carlisle Fluid Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David M. Seitz, Kui-Chiu Kwok
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Patent number: 9186881Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a manifold including an air tube disposed about a water tube. The system also includes multiple nozzles coupled to the manifold, where each nozzle is coupled to the air tube and the water tube.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2009Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Thomas Vinnay, Jens Froehlich, Kui-Chiu Kwok
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Patent number: 9137901Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a method and system for pulsed air-actuated micro-droplet on demand jetting, especially for jetting high viscosity liquids. A needle extends from a liquid chamber and terminates in a drop-forming orifice outlet from which micro-droplets are generated. At least two air jets direct a timed pulse of air at the drop-forming orifice outlet of the needle. The pulsed air is synchronized with the formation of a desired volume of liquid at the orifice outlet to extract and propel a micro-droplet at high velocity to a substrate. The air jets are turned on prior to the forming of the desired volume at the orifice outlet of the needle, and turned off after the micro-droplet had been produced.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Kui-Chiu Kwok
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Patent number: 9038199Abstract: A method and system for controlling ventilation in a welding helmet is provided. The invention may be adapted to a wide variety of system types, and may reduce or eliminate the need for a shroud or barrier around the head and neck of the welder, of the type used in PAPR systems. The airflow system includes forward and rearward air streams, directed onto the face of the welder, onto the top of the head of the welder, and toward the back of the head of the welder. The air streams help to cool the welder, provide a fresh source of air for breathing, and create a positive pressure system that reduces or excludes entrainment of contaminated external air into the forwardly directed air flow. Certain embodiments may include streams that are filtered, split or redirected via deflectors and conduits to achieve the aforementioned goals.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2009Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Kenneth S. Dobson, Kui-Chiu Kwok
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Patent number: 9039146Abstract: A material deposition system includes a frame, a support coupled to the frame to support an electronic substrate during a deposit operation, a gantry coupled to the frame, and a deposition head coupled to the gantry. The deposition head is movable over the support by movement of the gantry. The deposition head includes a chamber to hold material, an actuator to push a volume of material out of the chamber, a needle extending from the chamber and terminating in a needle orifice, and at least two air jets located on opposite sides of the needle orifice. A desired volume of material is formed at the needle orifice in response to the actuator, and each of the at least two air jets produce a timed pulse of air to create a micro-droplet from the desired volume and to accelerate the micro-droplet to high velocity.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2012Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Kenneth C. Crouch, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Robert W. Tracy, Rita Mohanty, Thomas J. Karlinski, Scott A. Reid
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Patent number: 9010910Abstract: A material deposition system includes a frame, a support coupled to the frame to support an electronic substrate during a deposit operation, a gantry coupled to the frame, and a deposition head coupled to the gantry. The deposition head is movable over the support by movement of the gantry. The deposition head includes a chamber to hold material, an actuator to push a volume of material out of the chamber, a needle extending from the chamber and terminating in a needle orifice, and at least two air jets located on opposite sides of the needle orifice. A desired volume of material is formed at the needle orifice in response to the actuator, and each of the at least two air jets produce a timed pulse of air to create a micro-droplet from the desired volume and to accelerate the micro-droplet to high velocity.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2014Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Kenneth C. Crouch, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Robert W. Tracy, Rita Mohanty, Thomas J. Karlinski, Scott A. Reid
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Patent number: 8979004Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a nozzle. The nozzle includes a liquid passage, a first pneumatic passage, and an exit surface. The exit surface includes at least one recirculation inducing feature configured to reduce deposits adjacent to the first pneumatic passage.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2009Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Kui-Chiu Kwok
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Publication number: 20150064345Abstract: A material deposition system includes a frame, a support coupled to the frame to support an electronic substrate during a deposit operation, a gantry coupled to the frame, and a deposition head coupled to the gantry. The deposition head is movable over the support by movement of the gantry. The deposition head includes a chamber to hold material, an actuator to push a volume of material out of the chamber, a needle extending from the chamber and terminating in a needle orifice, and at least two air jets located on opposite sides of the needle orifice. A desired volume of material is formed at the needle orifice in response to the actuator, and each of the at least two air jets produce a timed pulse of air to create a micro-droplet from the desired volume and to accelerate the micro-droplet to high velocity.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Kenneth C. Crouch, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Robert W. Tracy, Rita Mohanty, Thomas J. Karlinski, Scott A. Reid
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Patent number: 8939142Abstract: An exhaust system includes a hood structure having one or more of (i) an exhaust flow infeed surface extending downward from a lower end of the filter unit that helps to feed the thermal plume toward the filter unit, (ii) a bypass flow transition surface extending upward from the upper end of the filter unit and then forward to aid bypass flow in circulating back toward the filter aperture and (iii) a front wall structure that includes a downwardly extending wall portion with a chamfered and/or curved transition portion at its lower end and a rearwardly extending wall portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2013Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: ITW Food Equipment Group LLCInventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Bruce Lukens
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Publication number: 20140354733Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a method and system for pulsed air-actuated micro-droplet on demand jetting, especially for jetting high viscosity liquids. A needle extends from a liquid chamber and terminates in a drop-forming orifice outlet from which micro-droplets are generated. At least two air jets direct a timed pulse of air at the drop-forming orifice outlet of the needle. The pulsed air is synchronized with the formation of a desired volume of liquid at the orifice outlet to extract and propel a micro-droplet at high velocity to a substrate. The air jets are turned on prior to the forming of the desired volume at the orifice outlet of the needle, and turned off after the micro-droplet had been produced.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventor: Kui-Chiu Kwok