Patents by Inventor Robert F. Hatcher

Robert F. Hatcher 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: 10238761
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved method for decontamination of a space and an integrated device that completes the decontamination cycle extremely fast while still being compact, lightweight, simple to operate and easy to move as a single unit. The method of the present invention delivers less biocide than is used in prior art methods at a very high rate of flux, allows the biocide to reside in the space being decontaminated to achieve a predetermined kill level, and then aerates the space. Because a nominal amount of biocide is used, there is less biocide to remove from the space than in prior art methods thereby reducing the time required for aeration and shortening the downtime for safe entry of the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Nanomist Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Kayyani C. Adiga, Rajani Adiga, Robert F. Hatcher, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9533064
    Abstract: A mist generator is used to deliver a high throughput extremely fine mist comprising a biocide. Flows of evaporating hot gas mix turbulently and enhance forced heat and mass transfer between the very fine droplets and the hot gas to form a well-mixed premixed evaporator, resulting in high humidity vapor formation well inside a tube. The high relative humidity vapor with elevated temperature is then condensed as it exits the tube and disperses into the volume to be decontaminated as a condensed vapor cloud, but neither as a mist nor as a pure vapor depending on temperature and humidity of room environment. The condensed vapor cloud may evaporate or settle on the volume surfaces and contents, whereby both dry vapor and condensed vapor are applied into the volume for the killing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Nanomist Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Kayyani C. Adiga, Robert F. Hatcher, Rajani Adiga
  • Patent number: 8790575
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for improving the efficiency of an aerator which is used for removing residual biocide used for decontamination, sterilization, sanitation, or disinfection processes. The apparatus comprises an aerator assembly that produces an optimum air flow region and a high surface area catalyst panel. The method comprises utilizing the apparatus with optimizing gas flow rates, residence time of the contaminated gas within the catalyst panel, air flow pattern, air transport rate, cleaned air discharge pattern, and the nature and configuration of the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Nano Mist Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Kayyani C. Adiga, Rajani Adiga, Robert F. Hatcher, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120125197
    Abstract: A decontamination apparatus is disclosed. The decontamination apparatus comprises a mist generator configured to generate a mist, a first conduit in fluid communication with the mist generator and configured to receive the mist, a stream movement device configured to move a stream, and a heating device configured to heat the stream moved by the stream movement device. The decontamination apparatus comprises a second conduit in fluid communication with the stream movement device and configured to receive the heated stream. The first conduit comprises a first outlet configured to pass the mist therethrough and the second conduit comprises a second outlet configured to pass the heated stream therethrough. The second outlet is positioned proximate to the first outlet. A portion of the mist evaporates into a vapor for decontamination of an environment when mixed with the heated stream outside of the first outlet, the second outlet, and the decontamination apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Szu-Min Lin, Robert C. Platt, JR., Robert G. Lukasik, Kayyani C. Adiga, Rajani Adiga, Robert F. Hatcher, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100218959
    Abstract: A method and device for suppression of fires related to heating appliances, vent hoods and work benches through deployment of very fine mist droplets, preferably less 100 micron diameter, into the firebase. A low momentum, high mist loading fine mist stream is introduced about the firebase. Mist is discharged to the firebase through diffusers or swirl channels so that the mist surrounding the firebase will be entrained into the firebase to secure and suppress the fire. After the fire is suppressed, the fine mist is further discharged to the hot oil surface for cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Nanomist Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Kayyani C. Adiga, Rajani Adiga, Robert F. Hatcher
  • Patent number: 6955063
    Abstract: A cooling method and apparatus including a mist-generating device is configured to generate a mist of droplets from water, dielectric liquids or any cooling liquids. The mist is produced having such volume, momentum, concentration and quality of scale so as to deter or avoid impingement or deposition of the mist droplets on a surface to be cooled or on surfaces within a heat dissipating system to be cooled. Effective cooling is provided by the high latent heat of vaporization of water or other suitable fluid, while surfaces normally subject to possible damage by wetting are protected from harmful contact from the fluid. Tangential flow technology and electronic ultrasonic atomizing devices may be used as one possible means to generate the required mist and control mist volume, momentum, concentration and quality. Other variables may be controlled to enhance the cooling of the mist, such as flow patterns and flow directions of the mist. Vaporized mist may be condensed and recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Nanomist Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Kayyani C. Adiga, Rajani Adiga, Robert F. Hatcher, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6883724
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for production, extraction and delivery of an aerosol mist with ultrafine droplets. A high frequency wave generating device or other process generates very small particles or droplets from a reservoir of liquid or material to be atomized. A helical flow of a carrier gas medium such as air is directed into a container and creates a high throughput aerosol of air and fine droplets. The aerosol is delivered through a suitable outlet such as by deflecting the aerosol upwards and providing a tube centrally situated with respect to the helical flow such that the aerosol will discharge through the tube in high quantity of throughput and high quality of stable aerosol of very fine mist droplets. The methods described utilize in-situ extraction of fine mist droplets using helical flow behavior as opposed to forced convection ejection of mist or inertial separation of droplets by separators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Nanomist Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Kayyani C. Adiga, Rajani Adiga, Robert F. Hatcher, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040250562
    Abstract: A cooling method and apparatus including a mist-generating device is configured to generate a mist of droplets from water, dielectric liquids or any cooling liquids. The mist is produced having such volume, momentum, concentration and quality of scale so as to deter or avoid impingement or deposition of the mist droplets on a surface to be cooled or on surfaces within a heat dissipating system to be cooled. Effective cooling is provided by the high latent heat of vaporization of water or other suitable fluid, while surfaces normally subject to possible damage by wetting are protected from harmful contact from the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Kayyani C. Adiga, Rajani Adiga, Robert F. Hatcher
  • Publication number: 20030127535
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for production, extraction and delivery of an aerosol mist with ultrafine droplets. A high frequency wave generating device or other process generates very small particles or droplets from a reservoir of liquid or material to be atomized. A helical flow of a carrier gas medium such as air is directed into a container and creates a high throughput aerosol of air and fine droplets. The aerosol is delivered through a suitable outlet such as by deflecting the aerosol upwards and providing a tube centrally situated with respect to the helical flow such that the aerosol will discharge through the tube in high quantity of throughput and high quality of stable aerosol of very fine mist droplets. The methods described utilize in-situ extraction of fine mist droplets using helical flow behavior as opposed to forced convection ejection of mist or inertial separation of droplets by separators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Kayyani C. Adiga, Rajani Adiga, Robert F. Hatcher