Patents by Inventor Michael M. Kearney

Michael M. Kearney 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).

  • Method of displacement chromatography
    Patent number: 6602420
    Abstract: A plurality of chromatographic separation operations, including a first simulated moving bed operation, are coupled into a process which functions, preferably through the application of continuous displacement chromatography, to recover a fraction rich in small organic molecules, notably betaine and/or invert from sucrose solutions, enabling the subsequent production of a high purity sucrose product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Amalgamated Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Kearney, Vadim N. Kochergin
  • Fractal device for mixing and reactor applications
    Publication number: 20020196706
    Abstract: Two or more independent and offset fluid transporting fractals allow the scaling and intermingling of two or more fluids separately and simultaneously prior to contacting the fluids with one another. The device provides rapid and homogeneous mixing and/or reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventor: Michael M. Kearney
  • Method of displacement chromatography
    Patent number: 6379554
    Abstract: A plurality of chromatographic separation operations, including a first simulated moving bed operation, are coupled into a process which functions, preferably through the application of continuous displacement chromatography, to recover a fraction rich in small organic molecules, notably betaine and/or invert from sucrose solutions, enabling the subsequent production of a high purity sucrose product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Amalgamated Research Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Kearney, Vadim N. Kochergin
  • Method of displacement chromatography
    Publication number: 20020027104
    Abstract: A plurality of chromatographic separation operations, including a first simulated moving bed operation, are coupled into a process which functions, preferably through the application of continuous displacement chromatography, to recover a fraction rich in small organic molecules, notably betaine and/or invert from sucrose solutions, enabling the subsequent production of a high purity sucrose product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Michael M. Kearney, Vadim N. Kochergin
  • Shallow bed fluid treatment apparatus
    Publication number: 20010032814
    Abstract: A column apparatus containing a shallow bed of material between fluid transporting fractals of large active surface area results in highly efficient processing with small equipment size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Michael M. Kearney, Kenneth R. Peterson, Michael M. Kearney
  • Simulated moving bed block displacement procedure
    Patent number: 6200390
    Abstract: A “block” of betaine is displaced from the circulation loop of an ion exclusion system configured as an SMB without disturbing the normal operation of the system. In practice, a betaine-concentrated fraction is withdrawn (17) from the circulating loop of the SMB while an equal volume of water is introduced (15) to the loop. The circulation loop thereby continues without disruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Amalgamated Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Kearney, Kenneth R. Peterson, Michael W. Mumm
  • Fractal cascade as an alternative to inter-fluid turbulence
    Patent number: 5938333
    Abstract: An artificial eddy cascade structure, useful as a fluid input and/or fluid collection device with respect to a contained volume of fluid, is provided as a fractal construct of recursively smaller fluid conduits of recursively greater number, whose terminal points fill the contained volume with a high degree of density. The cascade structure functions as an alternative to, or avoidance of, the inter-fluid turbulence normally associated with fluid transport, mixing, distribution and collection operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Amalgamated Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael M. Kearney
  • Sugar beet juice purification process
    Patent number: 5466294
    Abstract: A process for purifying the raw juice (diffusion juice) obtained from sugar beets replaces the traditional liming and carbonation purification methods with ion exchange softening and chromatographic separation operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: The Amalgamated Sugar Company
    Inventors: Michael M. Kearney, Vadim Kochergin, Kenneth R. Peterson, Larry Velasquez
  • Fluid transfer system with uniform fluid distributor
    Patent number: 5354460
    Abstract: A step-down nozzle for the even distribution of fluids at the interface between phases in a column or cell accommodating a plug flow operation is structured with an internal flow channel of recursive configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: The Amalgamated Sugar Company
    Inventors: Michael M. Kearney, Kenneth R. Petersen, Teunis Vervloet, Michael W. Mumm
  • Time variable simulated moving bed process
    Patent number: 5102553
    Abstract: The flow rates through the individual compartments of the sorbent bed of a simulated moving bed are controlled in accordance with time variable functions in each step to maintain an improved steady state waveform for the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: The Amalgamated Sugar Company
    Inventors: Michael M. Kearney, Kathleen L. Hieb
  • Chromatographic separator sorbent bed preparation
    Patent number: 4990259
    Abstract: An equilibrated percent solids waveform is established in a simulated moving bed process. A contraction phase of the waveform is monitored as it rotates through a circulation loop including a plurality of resin bed compartments. The contraction phase is followed by a desorbent phase. A slurry of resin is added to each compartment between the contraction and desorbent phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: The Amalgamated Sugar Company
    Inventors: Michael M. Kearney, Michael W. Mumm
  • Method and apparatus for the sorption and separation of dissolved constituents
    Patent number: 4412866
    Abstract: A simulated moving bed process divides the bed into separate zones, each of which includes one or more discrete vessels. The zones correspond to the functions of the process; typically sorption, displacement, elution and regeneration. Booster pumps in series with the vessels maintain a desired pressure head for each zone. The functions of each zone are rotated in sequence, the sequence being timed in relation to the migration of the front between adjacent phases in the fluid loop circulating through the zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Assignee: The Amalgamated Sugar Company
    Inventors: Karlheinz W. R. Schoenrock, Michael M. Kearney, D. Eugene Rearick
  • Sugar juice purification process
    Patent number: RE36361
    Abstract: A process for purifying the raw .Iadd.sugar .Iaddend.juice (diffusion juice).Iadd., such as that .Iaddend.obtained from sugar beets.Iadd., .Iaddend.replaces the traditional liming and carbonation purification methods with ion exchange softening and chromatographic separation operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Amalgamated Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Kearney, Vadim Kochergin, Kenneth R. Peterson, Lawrence Velasquez