Patents by Inventor Rodney H. Banks
Rodney H. Banks 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).
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Publication number: 20090056897Abstract: A method for monitoring the deposition of one or more organic materials dispersed in an aqueous medium in a papermaking process comprising: measuring the rate of deposition of the organic materials from the aqueous medium on-to a quartz crystal microbalance having a top side contacting with the aqueous medium coated with a layer containing a non-swelling epoxy resin or a silicon containing polymer, and a second, bottom side isolated from the aqueous medium is disclosed. Additionally, a method for measuring the effectiveness of an inhibitor that decreases the deposition of the organic materials in a papermaking process is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventors: Sergey M. Shevchenko, Michael J. Murcia, Rodney H. Banks
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Patent number: 7479490Abstract: A system of equipment allowing addition of solid materials to a pressurized pipeline wherein said solid material is conveyed in such a way as to be readily dissolved by the liquid in said pipeline. The system includes a solid material transfer device that is used to transfer solid material to the point of intake in a pressurized pipeline, without allowing liquid from the process pipeline to access the solid material in the solid material feeder. The system of equipment has been found to be particularly useful in feeding pellets containing resazurin.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Nalco CompanyInventors: Robert R. Adams, Rodney H. Banks, Mita Chattoraj, Joe L. Schwartz
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Publication number: 20080305244Abstract: A method of monitoring a coating applied to a metal surface is disclosed. Specifically, the method comprises the following: applying a sol composition to a metal surface, wherein said composition contains one or more alkoxysilyl group containing compounds, a fluorophore, and a solvent; forming a gelled coating on said surface from said composition; measuring the fluorescence of said coating with a fluorometer, wherein said fluorometer is capable of measuring reflective fluorescence emission measurements; correlating the fluorescence of said coating with the thickness or weight of said coating, and/or with the concentration of alkoxysilyl group containing compound in the coating composition; and optionally applying an additional coating to said metal surface when the thickness of the coating is less than a desired amount or adjusting the concentration of the alkoxysilyl group containing compound applied to said surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2007Publication date: December 11, 2008Inventors: Ji Cui, Rodney H. Banks
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Publication number: 20080179028Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic control system, method and paper manufacturing machine using such control system for automatically controlling the amount of press section dewatering via the metered application of chemical dewatering agents applied to a paper web in a paper manufacturing process. The control system includes a feedback controller for controlling the amount of chemical dewatering agent applied to a paper web, and a monitoring device for obtaining a measurement of the moisture of the paper web exiting the press section.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2008Publication date: July 31, 2008Inventors: David Ira Weinstein, Michael Robert St. John, Rodney H. Banks, James L. Thomas
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Patent number: 7154603Abstract: Described and claimed is an interchangeable tip-open cell fluorometer comprising a housing and a fluorometric probe tip interchangeably connected to the housing, the probe tip including a probe tip housing defining an open cell and enclosing a probe optical arrangement, the probe optical arrangement including an excitation source and a fluorescence detector wherein the excitation source is aimed directly into the fluorescence detector such that a sample can be fluorometrically detected. Also claimed is a method of using this interchangeable tip-open cell fluorometer for detecting fluorescent signals emitted by one or more fluorophores from samples from a natural or industrial water system. The fluorometer, when coupled with a controller, is capable of monitoring and optionally controlling an industrial process or system.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2006Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Nalco CompanyInventor: Rodney H. Banks
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Patent number: 7095500Abstract: Described and claimed is an interchangeable tip-open cell fluorometer comprising a housing and a fluorometric probe tip interchangeably connected to the housing, the probe tip including a probe tip housing defining an open cell and enclosing a probe optical arrangement, the probe optical arrangement including an excitation source and a fluorescence detector wherein the excitation source is aimed directly into the fluorescence detector such that a sample can be fluorometrically detected. Also claimed is a method of using this interchangeable tip-open cell fluorometer for detecting fluorescent signals emitted by one or more fluorophores from samples from a natural or industrial water system. The fluorometer, when coupled with a controller, is capable of monitoring and optionally controlling an industrial process or system.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2004Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: Nalco CompanyInventor: Rodney H. Banks
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Patent number: 6901945Abstract: A system of equipment allowing addition of solid materials to a pressurized pipeline wherein said solid material is conveyed in such a way as to be readily dissolved by the liquid in said pipeline. The system includes a solid material transfer device that is used to transfer solid material to the point of intake in a pressurized pipeline, without allowing liquid from the process pipeline to access the solid material in the solid material feeder. The system of equipment has been found to be particularly useful in feeding pellets containing resazurin.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Nalco CompanyInventors: Robert R. Adams, Rodney H. Banks, Mita Chattoraj, Joe L. Schwartz
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Patent number: 6670617Abstract: Described and claimed is a Mirror Fluorometer comprising a rotatable mirror positioned such that it is capable of projecting a converging cone of excitation light onto one or more of the samples wherein the fluorescent signals emitted from fluorophores in the samples is detected. Also claimed is a method of using this Mirror Fluorometer for detecting fluorescent signals emitted by one or more fluorophores from samples from a natural or industrial water system. The fluorometer, when coupled with a controller is capable of monitoring and optionally controlling an industrial process or system, including a paper mill process.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2001Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Ondeo Nalco CompanyInventor: Rodney H. Banks
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Patent number: 6556027Abstract: Devices, methods and systems are provided for monitoring of industrial processes. Devices and systems are provided which include a controller module connected to a probe module having a specified metallurgy and a resistor module having a specified resistance value which is capable of identifying the metallurgy of the probe module to the controller module. A resistor device including a resistor having a resistance value which identifies a type of metallurgical material is also provided. The devices and systems provided are inexpensive, portable, easy to set-up and operate by unskilled personnel, may be connected to both desktop and portable computerized devices and can provide real-time monitoring of industrial processes.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Ondeo Nalco CompanyInventor: Rodney H. Banks
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Publication number: 20030006385Abstract: Described and claimed is a Mirror Fluorometer comprising a rotatable mirror positioned such that it is capable of projecting a converging cone of excitation light onto one or more of the samples wherein the fluorescent signals emitted from fluorophores in the samples is detected. Also claimed is a method of using this Mirror Fluorometer for detecting fluorescent signals emitted by one or more fluorophores from samples from a natural or industrial water system. The fluorometer, when coupled with a controller is capable of monitoring and optionally controlling an industrial process or system, including a paper mill process.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2001Publication date: January 9, 2003Inventor: Rodney H. Banks
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Patent number: 6475394Abstract: A system and method are provided which enables the monitoring and if desired controlling of fouling within a fluid system. The present invention includes a pseudo-fouling detector system with a pair of identical sensors, where said sensors measure a variable, such as, temperature or pH, in a fluid, producing an electric output representative of the variable. The variable measurements are used to calculate a fouling index which is further used to develop fouling treatment strategies for controlling the amount of fouling in the fluid system.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2000Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Ondeo Nalco CompanyInventors: Kun Xiong, Gary L. Horacek, Robert L. Wetegrove, Rodney H. Banks
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Patent number: 6440689Abstract: A method for monitoring the microbiological contamination of opaque media is described and claimed. In this method, a Fluorogenic Dye is added to an Aliquot of opaque medium. After a certain time period, a fluorometer capable of measuring fluorescent signals in an opaque medium is used to measure the fluorogenic signals of the Fluorogenic Dye and the Reacted Fluorogenic Dye. A Useful RATIO of the fluorescent signal of the Reacted Fluorogenic Dye to the fluorescent signal of the Fluorogenic Dye is calculated and the information gleaned from the RATIO is used to ascertain the state of microbiological contamination in the opaque medium.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2001Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Ondeo Nalco CompanyInventors: Rodney H. Banks, Nancy L. Casselman, Mita Chattoraj, Ronald V. Davis, Michael J. Fehr, Sasireka S. Ramesh, David P. Workman
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Publication number: 20020108911Abstract: A system and method are provided which enables the monitoring and if desired controlling of fouling within a fluid system. The present invention includes a pseudo-fouling detector system with a pair of identical sensors, where said sensors measure a variable, such as, temperature or pH, in a fluid, producing an electric output representative of the variable. The variable measurements are used to calculate a fouling index which is further used to develop fouling treatment strategies for controlling the amount of fouling in the fluid system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2000Publication date: August 15, 2002Inventors: Kun Xiong, Gary L. Horacek, Robert L. Wetegrove, Rodney H. Banks
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Publication number: 20020105346Abstract: Devices, methods and systems are provided for monitoring of industrial processes. Devices and systems are provided which include a controller module connected to a probe module having a specified metallurgy and a resistor module capable of determining a specified resistance value to identify the metallurgy of the probe module for the controller module. A resistor device comprising a resistor capable of determining a resistance value which identifies a type of metallurgical material is also provided. The devices and systems provided are inexpensive, portable, electrically safe, easy to set-up and operate by unskilled personnel, may be connected to both desktop and portable computerized devices and can provide real-time monitoring of industrial processes.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2001Publication date: August 8, 2002Inventor: Rodney H. Banks
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Publication number: 20020042092Abstract: A method for monitoring the microbiological contamination of opaque media is described and claimed. In this method, a Fluorogenic Dye is added to an Aliquot of opaque medium. After a certain time period, a fluorometer capable of measuring fluorescent signals in an opaque medium is used to measure the fluorogenic signals of the Fluorogenic Dye and the Reacted Fluorogenic Dye. A Useful RATIO of the fluorescent signal of the Reacted Fluorogenic Dye to the fluorescent signal of the Fluorogenic Dye is calculated and the information gleaned from the RATIO is used to ascertain the state of microbiological contamination in the opaque medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2001Publication date: April 11, 2002Inventors: Rodney H. Banks, Nancy L. Casselman, Mita Chattoraj, Ronald V. Davis, Michael J. Fehr, Sasireka S. Ramesh, David P. Workman
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Patent number: 6023070Abstract: A system and a method for monitoring fouling in a fluid stream are provided. A light source generates a light path directed to two distinct portions of a fluid stream, one of which includes a translucent conduit. The conduit experiences fouling on the walls thereof. The light directed towards the conduit is absorbed or scattered to a varying degree as a function of foulant thickness and composition and the wavelength of the light employed. A comparison of foulant contained in the fluid itself may be compared to the foulant in the conduit, and a signal representative thereof can be generated. As a result, dosage of agents added to the fluid stream to control the foulant in the system may be controlled.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1998Date of Patent: February 8, 2000Assignee: Nalco Chemical CompanyInventors: Robert L. Wetegrove, Rodney H. Banks
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Patent number: 5919707Abstract: The concentration of the active ingredient in a rolling oil emulsion can be rapidly determined, and correction of the concentration of the active ingredient can be undertaken by measuring the measuring the amount of light reflected from the emulsion at the peak absorbing wavelength of the dye to obtain a first reflectance value and measuring the amount of light reflected from said emulsion at a wavelength other than the peak absorbing wavelength of the dye to obtain a second reflectance value for at least two different concentrations of the rolling oil in the rolling oil emulsion, establishing a calibration curve, and then monitoring the rolling oil emulsion in like manner. The results may be utilized to feed additional additive to the emulsion, or may be used to feed water into the emulsion system.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1997Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: Nalco Chemical CompanyInventors: Rodney H. Banks, Charles C. Payne
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Patent number: 5382331Abstract: Method and apparatus for electrochemical monitoring of oxidizing agents, such as nitrite, or reducing agents in a water system and for controlling concentration levels for protecting surfaces exposed to the water. The apparatus includes a probe for selective exposure to fresh water samples of the system. The probe is connected to an analyzer that operates the probe and measures agent concentration by a chronoamperometry technique. A controller selectively feeds an agent to the water system in accordance with a set point to maintain a desired concentration level.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1993Date of Patent: January 17, 1995Assignee: Nalco Chemical CompanyInventor: Rodney H. Banks
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Patent number: 5264917Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring film formers in an opaque process stream by immersing a segment of a transparent eccentrically mounted rotatable disc in the fluid stream, allowing time to accumulate film formers, then rotating the disc to expose the previously immersed section to optical monitoring by which a sample transmittance may be compared to a reference transmittance; the disc may have a segment presenting a hydrophilic surface and another segment presenting a hydrophobic surface so that different kinds of film formers may be monitored.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1992Date of Patent: November 23, 1993Assignee: Nalco Chemical CompanyInventors: Robert L. Wetegrove, Rodney H. Banks
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Patent number: 5236845Abstract: A method for determining the presence of ferrous ion in boiler waters is described. The method can be used to directly measure the rate of corrosion occurring in boiler waters, and can measure the corrosion rates in the presence of boiler water treatment chemicals. The method uses a complex formed between only ferrous ion and a chemical 3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine-p,p'-disulfonic acid monohydrate reagent.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1992Date of Patent: August 17, 1993Assignee: Nalco Chemical CompanyInventors: Claudia C. Pierce, Roger W. Fowee, Rodney H. Banks