Patents by Inventor Mark Serafin
Mark Serafin 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: 20090071544Abstract: The invention includes a high pressure fluid processing device for shearing particles in a fluid mixture. The fluid processing device makes use of a first annular flow path that is directed toward a second annular flow path. The two annular flow paths flow toward one another through a bore in a cylinder and meet one another within the cylinder. The pressure fluid processing device includes two rods that are spaced apart from one another across an impingement zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2007Publication date: March 19, 2009Applicant: VEK NANOTECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: MARK SERAFIN, RICHARD D. OLMSTED
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Publication number: 20080203199Abstract: A method includes processing a guar dispersion including guar particles and a fluid via an intensifier pump system and a fluid processing device that breaks up at least some of the guar particles to reduce an average particle size of the guar particles. The method may further include combining an aqueous fluid with the guar dispersion to hydrate the guar, mixing a proppant with the hydrated guar to produce a fracture fluid, and hydraulic fracturing a well using the fracture fluid. The invention may allow for reduced hydration time of guar particles in the guar dispersion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Mark Serafin, Stanley R. Ellis, Neal K. Nelson
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Publication number: 20080185326Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a fluid processing system utilizing an open-end filter assembly to produce a product fluid. The system includes a fluid pump to deliver the raw fluid to a fluid processor and a heat exchanger to control the temperature of the processed fluid. The processed fluid is sent to an open-end filter assembly that allows a first portion of the processed fluid to pass through a filter element. A second portion of the processed fluid does not pass through the filter element and is directed back to the high pressure pump for further processing. In one example, the open-end filter assembly includes an outer cylinder that surrounds a cylindrical filter element to create an outer flow channel and an inner flow channel. Fluid may be introduced to the outer flow channel in a tangential orientation to enhance circular flow around the filter element.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2007Publication date: August 7, 2008Inventors: Mark Serafin, Stanley R. Ellis, Neal K. Nelson, Richard D. Olmsted
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Publication number: 20080144430Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a high pressure fluid processing device for mixing, reacting, or otherwise combining fluids. The fluid processing device includes opposing, annular flow channels of different annular path areas. A first fluid enters the fluid processing device and flows through the first annular flow channel while the second fluid enters the fluid processing device and flows through the second annular flow channel. The opposing flows of fluids collide with one another within the flow channels, and exit through an outlet. The different annular path areas of the two annular flow channels may allow the two fluids to have different densities, viscosities, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: Mark Serafin, Neal K. Nelson, Jr., Richard D. Olmsted
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Publication number: 20080105316Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for processing multiple fluid product streams. The techniques employ multiple intensifier pump systems in combination with a fluid processing device to mix, react or otherwise combine multiple fluid product streams. The intensifier pump systems produce fluid product streams with substantially uniform pressure levels for introduction into the fluid processing device. The fluid processing device directs the multiple fluid product streams at one another via opposing flow paths, providing a dispersed phase. The intensifier pump systems include supply pumps that deliver separate fluid products at intermediate pressure levels. Charge intensifier pumps receive the separate fluid products and apply hydraulic intensification to expel the products at high pressure levels. Product intensifier pumps receive the intensified fluid products and expel them at high pressures.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2006Publication date: May 8, 2008Inventors: Mark Serafin, Neal K. Nelson, Richard D. Olmsted
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Publication number: 20080076332Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a system that processes chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) slurries to reduce or eliminate large particles in the slurries, which can scratch integrated circuit wafers without substantially altering a percentage of solids in the CMP slurry by weight. In particular, the system breaks up particles of a CMP slurry using an intensifier pump system and a fluid processing device. The techniques have proven much more effective than conventional filtering techniques in reducing or eliminating scratches to integrated circuit wafers when a processed CMP slurry is used in a CMP process.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2006Publication date: March 27, 2008Inventors: Mark Serafin, Neal K. Nelson, Richard D. Olmsted
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Publication number: 20080003378Abstract: Producing magnetic-recording media includes providing a substrate and forming a plurality of functional layers over the substrate to provide a coated substrate adapted for recording. At least one of the layers of the magnetic-recording media is fluid jet printed as a printed layer. In some embodiments, the printed layer provides at least one of load-bearing functionality, head-cleaning functionality, adhesion-promoting functionality, reaction-promoting functionality, lubricating functionality, surface-cleansing functionality, magnetic-recording functionality, and edge-finishing functionality.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2006Publication date: January 3, 2008Inventors: Mark Serafin, Stephen R. Ebner, David C. Lowery, Neal K. Nelson, Michael Steiner
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Publication number: 20070140046Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a high pressure fluid processing device for mixing, reacting, or otherwise combining fluids. The fluid processing device includes opposing, annular flow channels. A first fluid enters the fluid processing device and flow through one annular flow channel while the second fluid enters the fluid processing device and flow through another annular flow channel. The opposing flows of fluids collide with one another within the flow channels, and exit through an outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2005Publication date: June 21, 2007Inventors: Mark Serafin, Neal Nelson
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Patent number: 7141119Abstract: A pressure-controlling dispersion delivery system for delivering a sheared dispersion comprising a plurality of ingredients to a coating device selected from a direct feed delivery system and a coating device flow-through delivery system, wherein a coating formed from a dispersion delivered through the pressure-controlling delivery system has a more consistent caliper than a coating formed from a similar sheared dispersion delivered to a coating device by means of a gear pump delivery system.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2003Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Imation Corp.Inventors: Travis A. Lemke, Mark Serafin
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Patent number: 6923865Abstract: Techniques for precisely controlling the size of particles in a coating solution delivered to a coating apparatus involve continuous classification of coating particle size using a tangential flow filter assembly. The techniques may be particularly useful in the preparation of coating dispersions for manufacture of magnetic recording media. A classification technique makes use of a tangential flow filter assembly that permits delivery of coating particles below a maximum size threshold to a coating path. The filter assembly may be disposed in a circulation path that includes one or more processing devices to reduce the size of coating particles carried by a coating solution. The filter assembly enables coating particles above the maximum size threshold to be recirculated through the circulation path and subjected to repeated processing to reduce particle size to a desired size range.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2002Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Imation Corp.Inventors: Mark Serafin, Stanley R. Ellis, Leroy C. Erickson, Scott A. Walker, Daniel W. Brandt
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Patent number: 6923213Abstract: The invention is directed to a high pressure fluid processing device for shearing particles in a fluid mixture. The fluid processing device makes use of annular flow paths. For example, a fluid mixture can be separated into two flow paths which are introduced to first and second annular flow paths on opposite sides of a flow path cylinder. The two annular flow paths flow toward one another through the cylinder, and meet one another within the cylinder. An outlet extends through the cylinder where the two annular flow paths collide allowing the fluid mixture flowing down the annular flow paths to be expelled through the gap.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2002Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Imation Corp.Inventors: Mark Serafin, Neal K. Nelson, Stanley R. Ellis
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Publication number: 20040234681Abstract: A pressure-controlling dispersion delivery system for delivering a sheared dispersion comprising a plurality of ingredients to a coating device selected from a direct feed delivery system and a coating device flow-through delivery system, wherein a coating formed from a dispersion delivered through the pressure-controlling delivery system has a more consistent caliper than a coating formed from a similar sheared dispersion delivered to a coating device by means of a gear pump delivery system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: Imation Corp.Inventors: Travis A. Lemke, Mark Serafin
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Publication number: 20040050430Abstract: The invention is directed to a high pressure fluid processing device for shearing particles in a fluid mixture. The fluid processing device makes use of annular flow paths. For example, a fluid mixture can be separated into two flow paths which are introduced to first and second annular flow paths on opposite sides of a flow path cylinder. The two annular flow paths flow toward one another through the cylinder, and meet one another within the cylinder. An outlet extends through the cylinder where the two annular flow paths collide allowing the fluid mixture flowing down the annular flow paths to be expelled through the gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2002Publication date: March 18, 2004Applicant: Imation Corp.Inventors: Mark Serafin, Neal K. Nelson, Stanley R. Ellis
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Publication number: 20030185974Abstract: Techniques for precisely controlling the size of particles in a coating solution delivered to a coating apparatus involve continuous classification of coating particle size using a tangential flow filter assembly. The techniques may be particularly useful in the preparation of coating dispersions for manufacture of magnetic recording media. A classification technique makes use of a tangential flow filter assembly that permits delivery of coating particles below a maximum size threshold to a coating path. The filter assembly may be disposed in a circulation path that includes one or more processing devices to reduce the size of coating particles carried by a coating solution. The filter assembly enables coating particles above the maximum size threshold to be recirculated through the circulation path and subjected to repeated processing to reduce particle size to a desired size range.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2002Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventors: Mark Serafin, Stanley R. Ellis, Leroy C. Erickson, Scott A. Walker, Daniel W. Brandt
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Patent number: 6558134Abstract: An intensifier pump system includes a supply pump for delivering fluid products at an intermediate pressure. The products are delivered to one or more intensifier pumps that take advantage of hydraulic intensification to expel the product at high pressures to assure continuous product deployment in various systems. After an extension cycle in one of the intensifier pumps, product is delivered from the supply pump at a pressure sufficient to retract the intensifier pump and fill the chamber with fluid.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Imation Corp.Inventors: Mark Serafin, LeRoy C. Erickson
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Publication number: 20030021700Abstract: An intensifier pump system includes a supply pump for delivering fluid products at an intermediate pressure. The products are delivered to one or more intensifier pumps that take advantage of hydraulic intensification to expel the product at high pressures to assure continuous product deployment in various systems. After an extension cycle in one of the intensifier pumps, product is delivered from the supply pump at a pressure sufficient to retract the intensifier pump and fill the chamber with fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2001Publication date: January 30, 2003Applicant: Imation Corp.Inventors: Mark Serafin, LeRoy C. Erickson
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Patent number: 6328542Abstract: A check valve system and method control the opening and closure of a check valve that supplies product fluid to an intensifier pump based on the position of a piston within the intensifier pump. Position sensing allows anticipation of different events along the path traveled by the piston, such as the start and end of advance, retract, and precompression cycles. The system and method operate to selectively open and close associated check valves based on the sensed position to carefully control the delivery of fluid to each intensifier pump. Active control of the check valves based on piston position allows more precise timing of fluid delivery in relation to the piston cycles. Anticipation of the onset of piston advance and retraction cycles can improve valve response time, providing more uniform fluid pressure for a continuous, steady, high pressure flow of fluid with minimal pressure fluctuation.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1999Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Imation.Corp.Inventors: Mark Serafin, LeRoy C. Erickson
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Patent number: 6051630Abstract: A process and a high pressure apparatus are disclosed which are useful in preparing magnetic dispersions and other dispersions of hard, non-compliant particulates. The apparatus can be monitored for clogs and wear and allows for relatively quick and inexpensive replacement of orifices. The apparatus includes a high pressure pump and a series of impingement chambers comprising an input manifold where the process stream is split into two or more streams and an output manifold where the streams are recombined after passing through restrictive orifices configured in such a manner that the streams impinge on each other at high velocities. The orifices in each succeeding impingement zone are the same size or smaller than the orifices in the preceding impingement zone, and the orifices in the final impingement zone must be smaller than the orifices in the first impingement zone.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1998Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Mark Serafin, Richard D. Olmsted, Richard M. Fuller, Bhaskar V. Velamakanni, Zvi Rogovin
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Patent number: 5927852Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and process for making multi-phase mixtures. The apparatus includes a high pressure pump, at least two high pressure mixing zones in series, and a high pressure heat exchanger located before the last high pressure mixing zone.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1997Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manfacturing CompanyInventor: Mark Serafin
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Patent number: 5852076Abstract: A process and a high pressure apparatus are disclosed which are useful in preparing magnetic dispersions and other dispersions of hard, non-compliant particulates. The apparatus can be monitored for clogs and wear and allows for relatively quick and inexpensive replacement of orifices. The apparatus includes a high pressure pump and a series of impingement chambers comprising an input manifold where the process stream is split into two or more streams and an output manifold where the streams are recombined after passing through restrictive orifices configured in such a manner that the streams impinge on each other at high velocities. The orifices in each succeeding impingement zone are the same size or smaller than the orifices in the preceding impingement zone, and the orifices in the final impingement zone must be smaller than the orifices in the first impingement zone.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1997Date of Patent: December 22, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Mark Serafin, Richard D. Olmsted, Richard M. Fuller, Bhaskar V. Velamakanni, Zvi Rogovin