Patents by Inventor Michel R. Thenin

Michel R. Thenin 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: 11033914
    Abstract: A fluidized bed spray drying system for drying liquid into powder including an elongated drying chamber, a spray nozzle assembly at an upper end of the drying chamber and a powder collection chamber at a lower end of the drying chamber. A drying gas inlet is provided in the powder collection chamber and a drying gas outlet is provided at an upper end of the drying chamber. A plurality of cylindrical filter elements at the upper end of the drying chamber are in communication with the exhaust gas outlet for filtering drying gas borne powder from drying gas exiting the drying chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ackerman, Christopher W. Barnes, Adam C. Bright, David C. Huffman, Scott J. Kocsis, Kristopher E. Roskos, Glenn R. St. Peter, Brian K. Smith, Joseph P. Szczap, Michel R. Thenin
  • Patent number: 10933343
    Abstract: A spray drying system for drying liquid into powder including an elongated body and a closure arrangement at opposite upper and lower ends of the elongated body for forming a drying chamber within the elongated body. One of the closure arrangements including a drying gas inlet for introducing drying gas into the drying chamber. A spray nozzle assembly is supported in one of the closure arrangements. The lower end closure arrangement including a powder collection vessel for collecting powder dried in the drying chamber. The powder collection vessel is configured such that a blanketing gas may be directed into the interior of the powder collection vessel to blanket the powder in the powder collection chamber and thereby protect the powder from exposure to the drying gas from the drying chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Szczap, Michel R. Thenin, Joel R. Migchelbrink
  • Patent number: 10543495
    Abstract: A spray drying system for drying liquid into powder including a plurality of processing towers each including an elongated drying chamber, a spray nozzle assembly at an upper end of the drying chamber and a powder collection chamber at a lower end of the drying chamber. The powder collection chamber of each processing tower being configured to discharge power to a common conveyor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ackerman, Christopher W. Barnes, Adam C. Bright, David C. Huffman, Scott J. Kocsis, Kristopher E. Roskos, Glenn R. St. Peter, Brian K. Smith, Joseph P. Szczap, Michel R. Thenin
  • Patent number: 10286411
    Abstract: An electrostatic spray dryer for drying liquid into powder including an elongated body defining a drying chamber, a spray nozzle assembly at one end of the drying chamber and a filter element housing and powder collection chamber at an opposite end. A non-structural non-metallic liner is disposed within the elongated body in spaced relation to an inner wall surface for defining an internal drying zone. The liner is releasably supported within the body for enabling selective removal and replacement following a particular usage. The illustrated elongated body has a modular construction comprising a plurality of modules, with at least one being selectively removable and replacement for altering the length of the drying chamber for a particular spray application. The liner also is replaceable with a liner of a length corresponding to the altered length of the drying chamber or with a different diameter for a particular usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ackerman, Christopher W. Barnes, Adam C. Bright, David C. Huffman, Scott J. Kocsis, Kristopher E. Roskos, Glenn R. St. Peter, Brian K. Smith, Joseph P. Szczap, Michel R. Thénin, Chin Ping Su, Robert M. Sobel
  • Publication number: 20190126163
    Abstract: A spray drying system for drying liquid into powder including an elongated body and a closure arrangement at opposite upper and lower ends of the elongated body for forming a drying chamber within the elongated body. One of the closure arrangements including a drying gas inlet for introducing drying gas into the drying chamber. A spray nozzle assembly is supported in one of the closure arrangements. The lower end closure arrangement including a powder collection vessel for collecting powder dried in the drying chamber. The powder collection vessel is configured such that a blanketing gas may be directed into the interior of the powder collection vessel to blanket the powder in the powder collection chamber and thereby protect the powder from exposure to the drying gas from the drying chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph P. Szczap, Michel R. Thenin, Joel R. Migchelbrink
  • Publication number: 20190022675
    Abstract: A spray drying system for drying liquid into powder including a plurality of processing towers each including an elongated drying chamber, a spray nozzle assembly at an upper end of the drying chamber and a powder collection chamber at a lower end of the drying chamber. The powder collection chamber of each processing tower being configured to discharge power to a common conveyor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ackerman, Christopher W. Barnes, Adam C. Bright, David C. Huffman, Scott J. Kocsis, Kristopher E. Roskos, Glenn R. St. Peter, Brian K. Smith, Joseph P. Szczap, Michel R. Thenin
  • Publication number: 20180236468
    Abstract: A fluidized bed spray drying system for drying liquid into powder including an elongated drying chamber, a spray nozzle assembly at an upper end of the drying chamber and a powder collection chamber at a lower end of the drying chamber. A drying gas inlet is provided in the powder collection chamber and a drying gas outlet is provided at an upper end of the drying chamber. A plurality of cylindrical filter elements at the upper end of the drying chamber are in communication with the exhaust gas outlet for filtering drying gas borne powder from drying gas exiting the drying chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ackerman, Christopher W. Barnes, Adam C. Bright, David C. Huffman, Scott J. Kocsis, Kristopher E. Roskos, Glenn R. St. Peter, Brian K. Smith, Joseph P. Szczap, Michel R. Thenin
  • Publication number: 20170120267
    Abstract: An electrostatic spray dryer for drying liquid into powder including an elongated body defining a drying chamber, a spray nozzle assembly at one end of the drying chamber and a filter element housing and powder collection chamber at an opposite end. A non-structural non-metallic liner is disposed within the elongated body in spaced relation to an inner wall surface for defining an internal drying zone. The liner is releasably supported within the body for enabling selective removal and replacement following a particular usage. The illustrated elongated body has a modular construction comprising a plurality of modules, with at least one being selectively removable and replacement for altering the length of the drying chamber for a particular spray application. The liner also is replaceable with a liner of a length corresponding to the altered length of the drying chamber or with a different diameter for a particular usage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ackerman, Christopher W. Barnes, Adam C. Bright, David C. Huffman, Scott J. Kocsis, Kristopher E. Roskos, Glenn R. St. Peter, Brian K. Smith, Joseph P. Szczap, Michel R. Thénin
  • Patent number: 8613400
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly that produces a cone-shaped spray pattern of entrained liquid droplets is disclosed. The nozzle includes an ultrasonic atomizer for atomizing a liquid on an atomizing surface located at the end of an atomizing stem. The nozzle assembly is supplied pressurized air that is directed to the atomizing surface by intercommunicating ports, chambers and/or channels. To provide the cone-shaped spray pattern, the ports, chambers and/or channels cause or direct the pressurized gas to rotate about the atomizing stem. When the rotating pressurized gas exits the nozzle assembly via proximate the atomizing surface, atomized liquid droplets become entrained in the gas. The rotating pressurized gas propels the droplets forward and moves at least some droplets circumferentially outward in the cone-shaped spray pattern. In various embodiments, the pressure of the gas can be adjusted to control the size and shape of the cone-shaped pattern and the distribution of droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Filicicchia, David C. Huffman, Michel R. Thenin
  • Patent number: 8297530
    Abstract: A spray nozzle assembly that utilizes ultrasonic atomization techniques to atomize a liquid into a cloud of small or fine droplets is disclosed. The nozzle assembly also can use various air or gas atomizing technologies to propel the generally directionless droplet cloud toward a surface or substrate to be coated. The propelled droplet cloud may at this state have a conical or cone-shaped spray pattern. Additional air or gas atomizing technologies can be utilized to shape the propelled droplet cloud into a flattened fan-shaped spray pattern that can be usable in various industrial applications. The shape of the spray pattern and the distribution of droplets within the pattern can be adjusted by manipulation of the gas pressure used in gas atomization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Filicicchia, David C. Huffman, Michel R. Thenin
  • Publication number: 20100258648
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly that produces a cone-shaped spray pattern of entrained liquid droplets is disclosed. The nozzle includes an ultrasonic atomizer for atomizing a liquid on an atomizing surface located at the end of an atomizing stem. The nozzle assembly is supplied pressurized air that is directed to the atomizing surface by intercommunicating ports, chambers and/or channels. To provide the cone-shaped spray pattern, the ports, chambers and/or channels cause or direct the pressurized gas to rotate about the atomizing stem. When the rotating pressurized gas exits the nozzle assembly via proximate the atomizing surface, atomized liquid droplets become entrained in the gas. The rotating pressurized gas propels the droplets forward and moves at least some droplets circumferentially outward in the cone-shaped spray pattern. In various embodiments, the pressure of the gas can be adjusted to control the size and shape of the cone-shaped pattern and the distribution of droplets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: SPRAYING SYSTEMS CO.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Filicicchia, David C. Huffman, Michel R. Thenin
  • Publication number: 20100213273
    Abstract: A spray nozzle assembly that utilizes ultrasonic atomization techniques to atomize a liquid into a cloud of small or fine droplets is disclosed. The nozzle assembly also can use various air or gas atomizing technologies to propel the generally directionless droplet cloud toward a surface or substrate to be coated. The propelled droplet cloud may at this state have a conical or cone-shaped spray pattern. Additional air or gas atomizing technologies can be utilized to shape the propelled droplet cloud into a flattened fan-shaped spray pattern that can be usable in various industrial applications. The shape of the spray pattern and the distribution of droplets within the pattern can be adjusted by manipulation of the gas pressure used in gas atomization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Filicicchia, David C. Huffman, Michel R. Thenin
  • Patent number: 6899288
    Abstract: A spray bar having a plurality of laterally spaced nozzles mounted in a row on a header block for discharging a row of liquid spray patterns, and a method of manufacture. The spray bar header includes a plurality of separate plates, each formed with a plurality of nozzle-receiving apertures and with one or more faces of adjacent interfacing plates being formed with grooves which define fluid passages for the supply liquid, atomizing and nozzle-actuating air, and heating fluid. The plates preferably are electroplated/electropolished for thorough and efficient cleaning upon disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Filicicchia, Michel R. Thenin, Robert L Trottier
  • Patent number: 6827289
    Abstract: A liquid spraying system having a spray head and a recirculating liquid supply system for directing pressurized supply liquid to the spray head with a portion of the liquid being directed from the spray head as a discharging spray and a portion of the supply liquid exiting the spray head as a return liquid. The liquid supply system includes two separate selectively pressurizable liquid containable tanks each having a respective fluid conduit coupled to the spray head. The liquid supply system has (1) a first cycle of operation in which the first tank is pressurized and the second tank is depressurized so that pressurized liquid is supplied from the first tank to the spray head and return liquid is directed to the second tank, and (2) a second cycle of operation in which the second tank is pressurized and the first tank depressurized so that liquid is supplied to the spray head from the second tank and return liquid is directed to the first tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Filicicchia, Michel R. Thenin, Robert L. Trottier
  • Publication number: 20030213855
    Abstract: A liquid spraying system having a spray head and a recirculating liquid supply system for directing pressurized supply liquid to the spray head with a portion of the liquid being directed from the spray head as a discharging spray and a portion of the supply liquid exiting the spray head as a return liquid. The liquid supply system includes two separate selectively pressurizable liquid containable tanks each having a respective fluid conduit coupled to the spray head. The liquid supply system has (1) a first cycle of operation in which the first tank is pressurized and the second tank is depressurized so that pressurized liquid is supplied from the first tank to the spray head and return liquid is directed to the second tank, and (2) a second cycle of operation in which the second tank is pressurized and the first tank depressurized so that liquid is supplied to the spray head from the second tank and return liquid is directed to the first tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Filicicchia, Michel R. Thenin, Robert L. Trottier
  • Publication number: 20030136862
    Abstract: A spray bar having a plurality of laterally spaced nozzles mounted in a row on a header block for discharging a row of liquid spray patterns, and a method of manufacture. The spray bar header includes a plurality of separate plates, each formed with a plurality of nozzle-receiving apertures and with one or more faces of adjacent interfacing plates being formed with grooves which define fluid passages for the supply liquid, atomizing and nozzle-actuating air, and heating fluid. The plates preferably are electroplated/electropolished for thorough and efficient cleaning upon disassembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Filicicchia, Michel R. Thenin, Robert L. Trottier
  • Patent number: 6536683
    Abstract: A liquid spraying system having a spray head and a recirculating liquid supply system for directing pressurized supply liquid to the spray head with a portion of the liquid being directed from the spray head as a discharging spray and a portion of the supply liquid exiting the spray head as a return liquid. The liquid supply system includes two separate selectively pressurizable liquid containable tanks each having a respective fluid conduit coupled to the spray head. The liquid supply system has (1) a first cycle of operation in which the first tank is pressurized and the second tank is depressurized so that pressurized liquid is supplied from the first tank to the spray head and return liquid is directed to the second tank, and (2) a second cycle of operation in which the second tank is pressurized and the first tank depressurized so that liquid is supplied to the spray head from the second tank and return liquid is directed to the first tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Filicicchia, Michel R. Thenin, Robert L. Trottier