Patents by Inventor Pramod K. Sharma

Pramod K. Sharma 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: 6042964
    Abstract: The battery contains at least one electrode such as graphite that intercalates a first species from the electrolyte disposed in a first compartment such as bromine to form a thermally decomposable complex during discharge. The other electrode can also be graphite which supplies another species such as lithium to the electrolyte in a second electrode compartment. The thermally decomposable complex is stable at room temperature but decomposes at elevated temperatures such as 50.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. The electrode compartments are separated by a selective ion permeable membrane that is impermeable to the first species. Charging is effected by selectively heating the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Pramod K. Sharma, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, Gregory S. Hickey
  • Patent number: 5599764
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adsorbent formed by the pyrolysis of a hydrophobic silica with a pore size greater than 5 .ANG., such as SILICALITE.TM., with a molecular sieving polymer precursor such as polyfurfuryl alcohol, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylidene chloride, phenol-formaldehyde resin, polyvinylidene difluoride and mixtures thereof. Polyfurfuryl alcohol is the most preferred. The adsorbent produced by the pyrolysis has a silicon to carbon mole ratio of between about 10:1 and 1:3, and preferably about 2:1 to 1:2, most preferably 1:1. The pyrolysis is performed as a ramped temperature program between about 100.degree. and 800.degree. C., and preferably between about 100.degree. and 600.degree. C.The present invention also relates to a method for selectively adsorbing organic molecules having a molecular size (mean molecular diameter) of between about 3 and 6 .ANG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Pramod K. Sharma, Gregory S. Hickey
  • Patent number: 5484580
    Abstract: A sorbent capable of removing trace amounts of oxygen (ppt) from a gas stream at a high temperature above 200.degree. C. comprising a porous alumina silicate support such as zeolite containing from 1 to 10 percent by weight of ion exchanged transition metal such as copper or cobalt ions and 0.05 to 1.0 percent by weight of an activator selected from a platinum group metal such as platinum. The activation temperature, oxygen sorption and reducibility are all improved by the presence of the platinum activator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Pramod K. Sharma
  • Patent number: 5471291
    Abstract: In imaging apparatus (1) a contact heater (9) applies heat and electrical bias to a toner image on an intermediate accumulator (5). The bias is of polarity to repel the toner. The toner image is coalesced such that additional heating may be reduced or eliminated at the transfer to paper (7) by pressure roller (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd L. Janes, Alexander D. Meade, Ashok Murthy, Pramod K. Sharma, Peter E. Wallin
  • Patent number: 5469247
    Abstract: Cleaning roller (7) contacts intermediate transfer roller (4), each rotating at the same surface speed to avoid rubbing. The cleaning roller has an electric potential sufficient to remove toner from the transfer roller to clean it. Silicone oil is applied by a roller 29, which is wetted by oil from a oil impregnated wiper (31). The oil facilitates cleaning and reduces wear of the intermediate transfer roller, which is typically soft to facilitate transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuangti T. Cheng, Ashok Murthy, Jeanne M. Saldanha-Singh, Pramod K. Sharma
  • Patent number: 5436708
    Abstract: A printer or other imaging apparatus (1) in which two or more images in registration are transferred from a photoconductor (3) to an intermediate transfer drum (5). The transfer drum has very stable resistivity, which is achieved by the body of the drum being cesium iodide filled polyurethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Dreyfuss, Todd L. Janes, Alexander D. Meade, Pramod K. Sharma, Peter E. Wallin
  • Patent number: 5412459
    Abstract: In an electrostatic printer (1) paper (11) is first conditioned by being thoroughly dried by rollers (13 and 15), which also immobilize the paper so that it does not wrinkle. The paper is then kept hot on flat plate 17 before it moves into the transfer nip of intermediate transfer drum (5) and transfer roller (7). The paper does not wrinkle on the plate and toner image is transferred to a wide range of papers with exceptional quality and consistency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Borsuk, Kuangti T. Cheng, Joe D. Moss, Robert G. Newman, Pramod K. Sharma
  • Patent number: 5314853
    Abstract: A sorbent capable of removing trace amounts of oxygen (ppt) from a gas stream at a high temperature above 200.degree. C. comprising a porous alumina silicate support such as zeolite containing from 1 to 10 percent by weight of ion exchanged transition metal such as copper or cobalt ions and 0.05 to 1.0 percent by weight of an activator selected from a platinum group metal such as platinum. The activation temperature, oxygen sorption and reducibility are all improved by the presence of the platinum activator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Pramod K. Sharma
  • Patent number: 5308729
    Abstract: A liquid toner having a mineral oil vehicle, a blend of Surlyn ionomeric resin and Nucrel resin, pigment and, as charge director, lecithin, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and calcium Petronate. The charge director optimizes speed of recovery of charge properties during continual use. The mineral oil does not vaporize well and is readily condensed, thus permitting use as a confined toner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley L. Beach, Carla M. Butler, Terence E. Franey, Ashok Murthy, Pramod K. Sharma, Ajay K. Suthar
  • Patent number: 5252528
    Abstract: Efficient, regenerable sorbents for removal of H.sub.2 S from moderately high temperature (usually 200.degree. C.-550.degree.C.) gas streams comprise a porous, high surface area aluminosilicate support, suitably a zeolite, and most preferably a sodium deficient zeolite containing 1 to 20 weight percent of binary metal oxides. The binary oxides are a mixture of a Group VB or VIB metal oxide with a Group IB, IIB or VIII metal oxide such as V-Zn-O, V-Cu-O, Cu-Mo-O, Zn-Mo-O or Fe-Mo-O contained in the support. The sorbent effectively removes H.sub.2 S from the host gas stream in high efficiency and can be repetitively regenerated at least 10 times without loss of activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Gerald E. Voecks, Pramod K. Sharma
  • Patent number: 5219819
    Abstract: Carbon molecular sieves modified by the incorporation of finely divided elemental copper useful for the selective sorption of oxygen at elevated temperatures. The carbon molecular sieves can be regenerated by reduction with hydrogen. The copper modified carbon molecular sieves are prepared by pyrolysis of a mixture of a copper-containing material and polyfurfuryl alcohol to form a sorbent precursor. The sorbent precursors are then heated and reduced to produce copper modified carbon molecular sieves. The copper modified carbon molecular sieves are useful for sorption of all concentrations of oxygen at temperatures up to about 200.degree. C. They are also useful for removal of trace amount of oxygen from gases at temperatures up to about 600.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Pramod K. Sharma, Panchalam K. Seshan
  • Patent number: 5081097
    Abstract: Carbon molecular sieves modified by the incorporation of finely divided elemental copper useful for the selective sorption of oxygen at elevated temperatures. The carbon molecular sieves can be regenerated by reduction with hydrogen. The copper modified carbon molecular sieves are prepared by pyrolysis of a mixture of a copper-containing material and polyfunctional alcohol to form a sorbent precursor. The sorbent precursors are then heated and reduced to produce copper modified carbon molecular sieves. The copper modified carbon molecular sieves are useful for sorption of all concentrations of oxygen at temperatures up to about 200.degree. C. They are also useful for removal of trace amount of oxygen from gases at temperatures up to about 600.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Pramod K. Sharma, Panchalam K. Seshan
  • Patent number: 5057473
    Abstract: Efficient, regenerable sorbents for removal of H.sub.2 S from fluid hydrocarbons such as diesel fuel at moderate condition comprise a porous, high surface area aluminosilicate support, suitably a synthetic zeolite, and most preferably a zeolite having a free lattice opening of at least 6 Angstroms containing from 0.1 to 0.5 moles of copper ions, lanthanum ions or their mixtures. The sorbent removes sulfur from the hydrocarbon fuel in high efficiency and can be repetitively regenerated without loss of activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Gerald E. Voecks, Pramod K. Sharma
  • Patent number: 4964881
    Abstract: Methods are described for impregnating coal with calcium carbonate by utilizing an aqueous phase ionic reaction between calcium acetate, calcium hydroxide, and water with CO.sub.2 contained within the coal. The coal is enriched in CO.sub.2 by contacting it with CO.sub.2 at high pressure, in either a continuous or pulsed mode. The inclusion of CO.sub.2 in the coal during the process does not involve evacuating the coal and subsequently absorbing CO.sub.2 onto the coal as in prior methods. Rather, the coal is treated with carbon dioxide at high pressure in a practical and viable approach. The impregnation of coal by calcium compounds not only reduces sulfur emissions by effectively tying up the sulfur as calcium sulfide or sulfate, but also increases the gasification or combustion rate. The invention also encompasses the use of other Group IIA elements, as well as the coal products resulting from the methods of treatment described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: The California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Pramod K. Sharma, Gerald E. Voecks, George R. Gavalas