Patents by Inventor Robert L. Bedard

Robert L. Bedard 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).

  • Publication number: 20230212068
    Abstract: Processes for increasing an affinity of a filter media to airborne viral particles. A fiber substrate comprising borosilicate is provided. The fiber substrate may comprise acidic functional groups. A metal salt solution is introduced to the fiber substrate to form a treated substrate. The metal salt solution includes divalent and/or trivalent metal cations. The pH of the metal salt solution is adjusted, and a divalent and/or trivalent metal cation is exchanged with a proton from the acidic functional groups. The metal may be present in an amount ranging from about 0.001 to about 3.0 wt. % of the treated fiber substrate. The treated fiber substrate is incorporated into a filter media before or after the deposition of the metal onto the fiber substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Robert L. Bedard, F. Stephen Lupton, David N. Myers
  • Publication number: 20220192187
    Abstract: A composite virucidal filter media is described. The filter media comprises a fibrous substrate comprising a plurality of intermingled fibers, a low cost, nontoxic, hydrophilic polymer without acidic functional groups deposited on a surface of the fibers without the formation of a continuous coating layer on the substrate, and a virucidal metal, a virucidal metal-containing compound, or combinations thereof deposited on the surface of the fibers comprising the hydrophilic polymer without acidic functional groups. The hydrophilic polymer without acidic functional groups can be charged or non-charged. Methods of making virucidal fibrous filter media are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Chunqing Liu, Chaoyi Ba, Xueliang Dong, Robert L. Bedard
  • Publication number: 20220117233
    Abstract: Processes for treating a fiber substrate are disclosed. A fiber substrate comprising borosilicate with acidic functional groups. A metal salt solution is introduced to the fiber substrate. The metal salt solution includes cations having an ionic charge of +2 or greater. The pH of the metal salt solution may be adjusted, and the cations are deposited on the glass fibers. The treated fiber substrate may be utilized to form a filter media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Robert L. Bedard, Paula L. Bogdan, F. Stephen Lupton, Mana Moarrefzadeh, Erin M. Broderick, Dennis F. van der Vliet, Hayim Abrevaya, James M. Hodges
  • Publication number: 20220062807
    Abstract: Processes for increasing the viricidal activity of a fiber substrate. The fiber substrate is provided. An antiviral treatment containing a quaternary ammonium or phosphonium compound is introduced to the fiber substrate to form an antiviral substrate. The treated fiber substrate is washed and dried. The antiviral treatment may occur before or after the fiber substrate is incorporated into the HEPA filter media in a papermaking process. Also a filter made from treated fiber substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: James M. Hodges, F. Stephen Lupton, Robert L. Bedard, Erin M. Broderick, Dennis F. van der Vliet, Mana Moarrefzadeh
  • Publication number: 20220061328
    Abstract: Processes for increasing a viricidal activity of a fiber substrate. The fiber substrate is provided. The fiber substrate may comprise acidic functional groups and may be acid leached to provide additional acidic groups. Metal ions may thereafter be exchanged with a proton from the acidic functional groups. A divalent metal is introduced to the fiber substrate. An antiviral metal is introduced and deposited onto the fiber substrate by galvanic displacement. Subsequently, a further antiviral metal is introduced and deposited on the fiber substrate by an electroless process. The treated fiber substrate is washed and dried. The deposition of antiviral metals onto the fiber substrate to form a treated fiber substrate may occur before or after the fiber substrate is incorporated into a filter media in a wet-laid paper making process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: James M. Hodges, Robert L. Bedard, F. Stephen Lupton, Dennis F. van der Vliet, Mana Moarrefzadeh, Hayim Abrevaya, Jon E. Ball, Erin M. Broderick, Paula L. Bogdan
  • Publication number: 20220061327
    Abstract: Processes for increasing a virucidal activity of a fiber substrate are disclosed. A fiber substrate comprising borosilicate is provided. The fiber substrate may comprise acidic functional groups. An antiviral metal salt solution is introduced to the fiber substrate to form an antiviral substrate. The pH of the antiviral metal salt solution is adjusted, and an antiviral metal ion is exchanged with a proton from the acidic functional groups. The antiviral metal is present in an amount ranging from about 0.001 to about 3.0 wt. % of the antiviral fiber substrate. The antiviral fiber substrate is incorporated into a filter media before or after the deposition of the antiviral metal onto the fiber substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Robert L. Bedard, Paula L. Bogdan, F. Stephen Lupton, Mana Moarrefzadeh, Erin M. Broderick, Dennis F. van der Vliet, Hayim Abrevaya, James M. Hodges
  • Patent number: 10195574
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Bedard, Christopher Naunheimer, Gavin P. Towler, Laura E. Leonard, Gregory O. Woodcock, Donald L. Mittendorf
  • Patent number: 10166524
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Bedard, Christopher Naunheimer, Gavin P. Towler, Laura E. Leonard, Rodolphe Dudebout, Gregory O. Woodcock, Donald L. Mittendorf
  • Patent number: 10160697
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Bedard, Christopher Naunheimer, Gavin P. Towler, Laura E. Leonard, Gregory O. Woodcock, Donald L. Mittendorf, Aziz Sattar, Christopher D. Gatto, Robert S. Murray
  • Patent number: 10029957
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Bedard, Christopher Naunheimer, Gavin P. Towler, Laura E. Leonard, Rodolphe Dudebout, Gregory O. Woodcock, Donald L. Mittendorf, Aziz Sattar, Christopher D. Gatto, Robert S. Murray
  • Publication number: 20170291860
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Robert L. Bedard, Christopher Naunheimer, Gavin P. Towler, Laura E. Leonard, Rodolphe Dudebout, Gregory O. Woodcock, Donald L. Mittendorf, Aziz Sattar, Christopher D. Gatto, Robert S. Murray
  • Publication number: 20170291861
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Robert L. Bedard, Christopher Naunheimer, Gavin P. Towler, Laura E. Leonard, Gregory O. Woodcock, Donald L. Mittendorf, Aziz Sattar, Christopher D. Gatto, Robert S. Murray
  • Publication number: 20170274337
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Robert L. Bedard, Christopher Naunheimer, Gavin P. Towler, Laura E. Leonard, Gregory O. Woodcock, Donald L. Mittendorf
  • Publication number: 20170216809
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Robert L. Bedard, Christopher Naunheimer, Gavin P. Towler, Laura E. Leonard, Rodolphe Dudebout, Gregory O. Woodcock, Donald L. Mittendorf
  • Patent number: 9707530
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Bedard, Christopher Naunheimer, Gavin P. Towler, Laura E. Leonard, Gregory O. Woodcock, Donald L. Mittendorf
  • Patent number: 9656229
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Bedard, Christopher Naunheimer, Gavin P. Towler, Laura E. Leonard, Rodolphe Dudebout, Gregory O. Woodcock, Donald L. Mittendorf
  • Publication number: 20170015606
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Robert L. Bedard, Christopher Naunheimer, Gavin P. Towler, Laura E. Leonard, Rodolphe Dudebout, Gregory O. Woodcock, Donald L. Mittendorf
  • Publication number: 20160229768
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Robert L. Bedard, Christopher Naunheimer, Gavin P. Towler
  • Patent number: 9222034
    Abstract: A process for removing at least one product from coal tar is described. The process involves extraction with an extraction agent or adsorption with an adsorbent. The extraction agent includes at least one of amphiphilic block copolymers, cyclodextrins, functionalized cyclodextrins, and cyclodextrin-functionalized polymers, and the adsorbent includes exfoliated graphite oxide, thermally exfoliated graphite oxide or intercalated graphite compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
  • Patent number: 9162952
    Abstract: A process for purifying at least one product from coal tar is described. The process involves separating a coal tar fraction having a boiling point in the range of about 180° C. to about 230° C. into an acidic portion and a non-acidic portion by contacting the fraction with a caustic compound. The acidic portion is separated into a cresol portion and a xylenol portion, and the non-acidic portion is separated into a naphthalene portion and a naphthalene co-boiler portion. The acidic portion and the non-acidic portions are separated by contacting with an adsorbent comprising small, discrete crystallites, the adsorbent having less than 10 wt % amorphous binder component. The various portions can be separated in a similar manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015