Patents by Inventor Robert O. Crowder

Robert O. Crowder 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: 8623215
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a membrane module including a first plurality of fibers capable of filtering fluids that are helically wound in layers creating a mono helix. Fluids to be treated can flow radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the mono helix or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mono helix. The membrane module can further include a second plurality of fibers that are helically wound with the first plurality of fibers to create a dual helix. The second plurality of fibers can have different properties than the first plurality of fibers in order to achieve different filtering functionalities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Porous Media Corporation
    Inventors: Philip M. Rolchigo, John H. Burban, John Shanahan, Robert O. Crowder
  • Patent number: 8540807
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide venting and filtration systems with a membrane that is permeable to gas and substantially impermeable liquid. The systems can remove a gas from a liquid entrained with gas. The systems can include a reservoir in fluid communication with the membrane and a liquid outlet. The membrane can help prevent the gas from reaching the liquid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Porous Media Corporation
    Inventors: Robert O. Crowder, John H. Burban, Steven T. Jersey, Kevin Carlson, Michael Saveliev
  • Patent number: 8540808
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide venting and filtration systems with a membrane that is permeable to gas and substantially impermeable liquid. The systems can remove a gas from a liquid entrained with gas. The systems can include a reservoir in fluid communication with the membrane and a liquid outlet. The membrane can help prevent the gas from reaching the liquid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Porous Media Corporation
    Inventors: Robert O. Crowder, John H. Burban, Steven T. Jersey, Kevin Carlson, Michael Savellev
  • Publication number: 20130045903
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing contaminants from used lubricating or hydraulic oil includes a fluid transfer unit that includes an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port can be in fluid communication with a source of the used lubricating or hydraulic oil. The fluid transfer unit can define a fluid path. The apparatus can include a first adsorbent and a second adsorbent in the fluid path. The first adsorbent can include cellulose. The second adsorbent can include silica gel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Robert O. Crowder, John H. Burban, Andrew J. Ohotto, Abbey M. Vados, Michael M. Dimovski, David S. Kolstad
  • Publication number: 20120227587
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide venting and filtration systems with a membrane that is permeable to gas and substantially impermeable liquid. The systems can remove a gas from a liquid entrained with gas. The systems can include a reservoir in fluid communication with the membrane and a liquid outlet. The membrane can help prevent the gas from reaching the liquid outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Robert O. Crowder, John H. Burban, Steven T. Jersey, Kevin Carlson, Michael Savellev
  • Publication number: 20110260344
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a carbonation system or gas delivery system including a liquid inlet, a gas inlet, a mixture outlet, and a mixing cartridge or membrane module. The mixing cartridge or membrane module can enhance the simultaneous absorption of gas and the transfer of heat out of the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: John W. Shanahan, John H. Burban, Kenneth A. Peterson, Robert O. Crowder, Xijing Zhang, Michael Saveliev, Kevin Carlson
  • Publication number: 20110143232
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a membrane between a first stream of fluid that is partially or wholly in a gas phase and a second stream of fluid. The membrane includes a porous support and pores filled with a gel. The gel can selectively facilitate a transfer of compounds from the first stream to the second stream. The gel can be partially composed of the transferred compounds or materials with similar properties to the transferred compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: John H. Burban, John W. Shanahan, Robert O. Crowder, Xijing Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110100895
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a membrane module including a first plurality of fibers capable of filtering fluids that are helically wound in layers creating a mono helix. Fluids to be treated can flow radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the mono helix or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mono helix. The membrane module can further include a second plurality of fibers that are helically wound with the first plurality of fibers to create a dual helix. The second plurality of fibers can have different properties than the first plurality of fibers in order to achieve different filtering functionalities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Philip M. Rolchigo, John H. Burban, John Shanahan, Robert O. Crowder
  • Patent number: 7875176
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a membrane module including a first plurality of fibers capable of filtering fluids that are helically wound in layers creating a mono helix. Fluids to be treated can flow radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the mono helix or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mono helix. The membrane module can further include a second plurality of fibers that are helically wound with the first plurality of fibers to create a dual helix. The second plurality of fibers can have different properties than the first plurality of fibers in order to achieve different filtering functionalities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Porous Media Corporation
    Inventors: Philip M. Rolchigo, John H. Burban, John Shanahan, Robert O. Crowder
  • Publication number: 20100224540
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a membrane module including a first plurality of fibers capable of filtering fluids that are helically wound in layers creating a mono helix. Fluids to be treated can flow radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the mono helix or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mono helix. The membrane module can further include a second plurality of fibers that are helically wound with the first plurality of fibers to create a dual helix. The second plurality of fibers can have different properties than the first plurality of fibers in order to achieve different filtering functionalities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Philip M. Rolchigo, John H. Burban, John Shanahan, Robert O. Crowder
  • Publication number: 20100224545
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a membrane module including a first plurality of fibers capable of filtering fluids that are helically wound in layers creating a mono helix. Fluids to be treated can flow radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the mono helix or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mono helix. The membrane module can further include a second plurality of fibers that are helically wound with the first plurality of fibers to create a dual helix. The second plurality of fibers can have different properties than the first plurality of fibers in order to achieve different filtering functionalities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Philip M. Rolchigo, John H. Burban, John Shanahan, Robert O. Crowder
  • Publication number: 20100224562
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an ultraviolet disinfection system for use with a chamber containing fluid to be treated. The ultraviolet disinfection system includes an ultraviolet light source positioned outside of the chamber, a light manifold, and light fibers extending into the chamber. The light fibers radially disperse the ultraviolet light in order to provide a substantially uniform distribution of ultraviolet light along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis of the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Philip M. Rolchigo, John H. Burban, John Shanahan, Robert O. Crowder
  • Publication number: 20100139713
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a dipper well to clean smallwares, such as spoons, measuring cups, and ice-cream scoops. The dipper well can include a basin and a recirculation system. The recirculation system can draw a fluid from the basin. The recirculation system can include a filter to reduce contaminants in the fluid before the fluid is recycled back into the basin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: David J. Averbeck, Rebecca M. Tallon, Michael Saveliev, John W. Shanahan, Robert O. Crowder, John H. Burban, Steven T. Jersey, Philip M. Rolchigo
  • Publication number: 20100107878
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide venting and filtration systems with a membrane that is permeable to gas and substantially impermeable liquid. The systems can remove a gas from a liquid entrained with gas. The systems can include a reservoir in fluid communication with the membrane and a liquid outlet. The membrane can help prevent the gas from reaching the liquid outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Robert O. Crowder, John H. Burban, Steven T. Jersey, Kevin Carlson, Michael Saveliev
  • Publication number: 20080223212
    Abstract: A system and method for removing moisture from compressed air with the system having a membrane for passage of water vapor therethrough while preventing the flow of air therethrough and a diverter for diverting and reducing the pressure of a portion of the compressed air to enable the air at a reduced pressure to flow past one side of the membrane while the compressed air flows by the opposite side of the membrane to allow water vapor from the compressed air to pass through the membrane to the compressed air at the reduced pressure thereby providing for on-the-go reduction of amount of moisture in the compressed air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Robert O. Crowder, John H. Burban
  • Publication number: 20080173175
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating breathable oxygen gas from a source of gas and then humidifying the oxygen gas while preventing over humidification of the oxygen gas, the apparatus comprising a gas pathway located on a first side of a water transfer member, an oxygen gas pathway located on a second side of the water transfer member and a separator for separating the breathable oxygen gas from a gas located on the first side of the water transfer member and directing the breathable oxygen gas past the second side of the water transfer member while maintaining the pressure of the gas substantially equal to the pressure of the breathable oxygen gas to thereby humidify the breathable oxygen gas while preventing a moisture condensation in the breathable oxygen gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Spearman, John H. Burban, Robert O. Crowder, Carl M. Geisz
  • Patent number: 7331342
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating breathable oxygen gas from a source of gas and then humidifying the oxygen gas while preventing over humidification of the oxygen gas, the apparatus comprising a gas pathway located on a first side of a water transfer member, an oxygen gas pathway located on a second side of the water transfer member and a separator for separating the breathable oxygen gas from a gas located on the first side of the water transfer member and directing the breathable oxygen gas past the second side of the water transfer member while maintaining the pressure of the gas substantially equal to the pressure of the breathable oxygen gas to thereby humidify the breathable oxygen gas while preventing a moisture condensation in the breathable oxygen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Spearman, John H. Burban, Robert O. Crowder, Carl M. Geisz
  • Publication number: 20070277673
    Abstract: A system for supplying a compressed fluid with a reduced moisture content comprising a membrane dryer for receiving a compressed fluid and removing moisture therefrom, a compressed fluid source located upstream of the membrane dryer, a check valve located upstream of the membrane dryer to prevent backflow therethrough, an accumulator for receiving the compressed fluid discharged from the membrane dryer and an inlet on the membrane dryer for receiving a portion of a compressed fluid from the compressed fluid source wherein the portion of the compressed fluid is diverted from a compressed fluid located upstream of the membrane dryer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Robert O. Crowder, John H. Burban
  • Patent number: 6616735
    Abstract: A compressed gas system utilizing a membrane air dryer is shown wherein, during unloading, additional sweep gas is provided to the membrane air dryer to prevent excess moisture from being introduced into the accumulator at the end of each unloading cycle. A membrane air drier for use in such system is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Porous Media Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Burban, Robert O. Crowder
  • Patent number: 6585808
    Abstract: A membrane air drier utilizes an orifice to serve as the sweep air inlet with a sweep diffuser placed a short distance from the orifice. Preferably, an open channel extends from the product end of the membrane module on the shell side of the fibers with a porous diffuser at one end of the open channel and an orifice at the other end of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Porous Media Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Burban, Robert O. Crowder, Michael R. Spearman, Keith A. Roberts