Patents by Inventor Russell James MacDonald
Russell James MacDonald 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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Patent number: 11904278Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrodialysis stack that may be used for the treatment of an electrically conductive solution. The stack includes two electrodes (at least one is a recessed electrode), a plurality of ion-transport membranes and stack spacers. The membranes and spacers are arranged between the electrodes to define electrodialysis cell pairs. The stack includes an electrically insulated zone that extends substantially from a distribution manifold past the recessed edge of the electrode and substantially from the recessed electrode to the opposite electrode for a distance that is about 8% to 100% of the total distance between the electrodes. The overlap distance that the electrically insulated zone extends past the recessed edge of the electrode is calculated as: distance in cm=(0.062 cm?1)*(exp(?60/total cp)*(area in cm2 of the manifold ducts of the concentrated stream at the recessed edge)+/?10%.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: John H. Barber, Wojciech Gutowski, Yongchang Zheng, Russell James MacDonald
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Publication number: 20230017973Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrodialysis stack that may be used for the treatment of an electrically conductive solution. The stack includes two electrodes (at least one is a recessed electrode), a plurality of ion-transport membranes and stack spacers. The membranes and spacers are arranged between the electrodes to define electrodialysis cell pairs. The stack includes an electrically insulated zone that extends substantially from a distribution manifold past the recessed edge of the electrode and substantially from the recessed electrode to the opposite electrode for a distance that is about 8% to 100% of the total distance between the electrodes. The overlap distance that the electrically insulated zone extends past the recessed edge of the electrode is calculated as: distance in cm=(0.062 cm?1)*(exp(?60/total cp)*(area in cm2 of the manifold ducts of the concentrated stream at the recessed edge)+/?10%.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: John H. BARBER, Wojciech GUTOWSKI, Yongchang ZHENG, Russell James MACDONALD
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Patent number: 11484839Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrodialysis stack that may be used for the treatment of an electrically conductive solution. The stack includes two electrodes (at least one is a recessed electrode), a plurality of ion-transport membranes and stack spacers. The membranes and spacers are arranged between the electrodes to define electrodialysis cell pairs. The stack includes an electrically insulated zone that extends substantially from a distribution manifold past the recessed edge of the electrode and substantially from the recessed electrode to the opposite electrode for a distance that is about 8% to 100% of the total distance between the electrodes. The overlap distance that the electrically insulated zone extends past the recessed edge of the electrode is calculated as: distance in cm=(0.062 cm?1)*(exp(?60/total cp)*(area in cm2 of the manifold ducts of the concentrated stream at the recessed edge) +/?10%.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2017Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: John H. Barber, Wojciech Gutowski, Yongchang Zheng, Russell James MacDonald
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Publication number: 20200156007Abstract: An ion exchange polymer is provided. The ion exchange polymer is a reaction product of a reaction between a crosslinker monomer and a cationic monomer. The crosslinker monomer is a reaction product of a reaction between a first crosslinking monomer and a second crosslinking monomer. Further, the cationic monomer comprises a quaternary ammonium group. A method for making an ion exchange polymer is also provided. The method comprises a step of preparing a curable solution and a step of curing the curable solution. The step of preparing the curable solution comprises mixing a pair of crosslinking monomers, a cationic monomer that comprises a quaternary ammonium group and an acid. A membrane is also provided. The membrane comprises the ion exchange polymer made by the method provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2020Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Yan GAO, Russell James MACDONALD, Kai ZHANG, Yonghong ZHAO
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Publication number: 20200070095Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrodialysis stack that may be used for the treatment of an electrically conductive solution. The stack includes two electrodes (at least one is a recessed electrode), a plurality of ion-transport membranes and stack spacers. The membranes and spacers are arranged between the electrodes to define electrodialysis cell pairs. The stack includes an electrically insulated zone that extends substantially from a distribution manifold past the recessed edge of the electrode and substantially from the recessed electrode to the opposite electrode for a distance that is about 8% to 100% of the total distance between the electrodes. The overlap distance that the electrically insulated zone extends past the recessed edge of the electrode is calculated as: distance in cm=(0.062 cm?1)*(exp(?60/total cp)*(area in cm2 of the manifold ducts of the concentrated stream at the recessed edge) +/?10%.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2017Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: John H. BARBER, Wojciech GUTOWSKI, Yongchang ZHENG, Russell James MACDONALD
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Publication number: 20200071462Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymerizing method where (i) an ionic crosslinker that includes a quaternary ammonium group and (ii) a non-ionic crosslinker, is polymerized in a reaction solution whose solvent is substantially a mixture of propylene glyocol (PG) and an aprotic amide-based solvent. The polymerization makes an anion-exchange polymer composition. The PG and the aprotic amide-based solvent are present in a weight ratio of from about 25:75 to about 70:30, and the reactants and solvents are present in amounts to generate the anion-exchange polymer composition with a theoretical water content from about 35% to about 60% (wt/wt).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2017Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Yonghong ZHAO, Russell James MACDONALD, John H. BARBER
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Patent number: 10576424Abstract: An ion exchange polymer is provided. The ion exchange polymer is a reaction product of a reaction between a crosslinker monomer and a cationic monomer. The crosslinker monomer is a reaction product of a reaction between a first crosslinking monomer and a second crosslinking monomer. Further, the cationic monomer comprises a quaternary ammonium group. A method for making an ion exchange polymer is also provided. The method comprises a step of preparing a curable solution and a step of curing the curable solution. The step of preparing the curable solution comprises mixing a pair of crosslinking monomers, a cationic monomer that comprises a quaternary ammonium group and an acid. A membrane is also provided. The membrane comprises the ion exchange polymer made by the method provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Yan Gao, Russell James MacDonald, Kai Zhang, Yonghong Zhao
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Publication number: 20200048421Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of producing a cation exchange polymer, the method includes polymerizing an anionic monomer in the presence of a polymerizable crosslinker having a cationic functional group. A sufficient amount of anionic monomer is used to provide both the anionic charges necessary for cation exchange, and the anionic charges necessary to pair with the cationic functional groups in the crosslinker.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2016Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Kai ZHANG, Li May GOH, Seng Yong GOH, John H. BARBER, Russell James MACDONALD, Yongchang ZHENG, Yonghong ZHAO
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Publication number: 20190358589Abstract: An ion conductive spacer for use in an electrodialysis reversal stack is disclosed, which includes a plastic netting and a polymeric coating coated on the plastic netting and containing charged groups. The morphology of the polymeric coating has interconnected ionic clusters which allow continuous and macroscopic ion transportation throughout a surface of the plastic netting. An electrodialysis reversal stack using the above ion conductive spacer and a process for preparing the above ion conductive spacer are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2018Publication date: November 28, 2019Applicant: BL Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Wei LU, Hongchen DONG, Jiyang XIA, Yongchang ZHENG, Su LU, John H. BARBER, Russell James MACDONALD
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Patent number: 10486151Abstract: An ion-exchange membrane is disclosed here including ion-permeable layers impregnated with an ion-exchange material and arranged in an order from one face of the membrane to the opposite face of the membrane such that opposing layers in the supporting membrane substrate provide sufficiently identical physical properties to substantially avoid irregular expansion when in a salt solution. The ion-permeable layers including at least one non-woven layer and at least one reinforcing layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2015Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: John H. Barber, Russell James MacDonald, Yongchang Zheng, Kai Zhang, Yonghong Zhao
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Patent number: 10328426Abstract: An ion exchange polymer composition is provided, which includes a primary crosslinker and a secondary crosslinker. The primary crosslinker includes a crosslinked ionic monomer including a quaternary ammonium group. A method for making the ion exchange polymer composition and materials prepared from the ion exchange polymer composition are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2018Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Russell James MacDonald, Chakravarthy S Gudipati, Kai Zhang
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Publication number: 20190153176Abstract: This specification describes an ion exchange membrane and a method of making it. The membrane may be used, for example, in an electrodialysis module or electrochemical cell. The membrane comprises an ion exchange polymer and inorganic particles preferably linked to the ion exchange polymer. To make a membrane, inorganic particles are mixed into an ion exchange membrane pre-cursor. A polymerization initiator or catalyst is then added and the resulting mixture is placed in a form and cured. The inorganic particles may comprise, for example, an oxidized form of graphite such as graphite oxide. The ion exchange polymer may comprise an ionic monomer, containing a quaternary ammonium group for anion exchange or a sulfonate group for cation exchange, along with a crosslinking co-monomer containing polymerizable diacrylic functionalities. The membrane is self-supporting and can be made without a supporting fabric.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Kai ZHANG, John H. Barber, Russell James MacDonald, Yongchang Zheng, Li May Goh, Yan Gao, Yonghong Zhao
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Patent number: 10273338Abstract: A self-supported ion exchange membrane including a polymerized and crosslinked monomer, where the monomer includes: a least one ionic group, a polymerized group, and a silicate group; and a polymer chemically bonded to crosslinked monomer through the silicate group.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: BL Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kai Zhang, John H. Barber, Russell James MacDonald, Yongchang Zheng, Li May Goh, Yan Gao, Yonghong Zhao
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Patent number: 10221289Abstract: This specification describes an ion exchange membrane and a method of making it. The membrane may be used, for example, in an electrodialysis module or electrochemical cell. The membrane comprises an ion exchange polymer and inorganic particles preferably linked to the ion exchange polymer. To make a membrane, inorganic particles are mixed into an ion exchange membrane pre-cursor. A polymerization initiator or catalyst is then added and the resulting mixture is placed in a form and cured. The inorganic particles may comprise, for example, an oxidized form of graphite such as graphite oxide. The ion exchange polymer may comprise an ionic monomer, containing a quaternary ammonium group for anion exchange or a sulfonate group for cation exchange, along with a crosslinking co-monomer containing polymerizable diacrylic functionalities. The membrane is self-supporting and can be made without a supporting fabric.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Kai Zhang, John H. Barber, Russell James MacDonald, Yongchang Zheng, Li May Goh, Yan Gao, Yonghong Zhao
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Publication number: 20180169646Abstract: An ion exchange polymer composition is provided, which includes a primary crosslinker and a secondary crosslinker. The primary crosslinker includes a crosslinked ionic monomer including a quaternary ammonium group. A method for making the ion exchange polymer composition and materials prepared from the ion exchange polymer composition are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2018Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Russell James MacDonald, Chakravarthy S Gudipati, Kai Zhang
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Patent number: 9925534Abstract: An ion exchange polymer composition is provided, which includes a primary crosslinker and a secondary crosslinker. The primary crosslinker includes a crosslinked ionic monomer including a quaternary ammonium group. A method for making the ion exchange polymer composition and materials prepared from the ion exchange polymer composition are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2015Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Inventors: Russell James MacDonald, Chakravarthy S Gudipati, Kai Zhang
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Publication number: 20180043345Abstract: An ion-exchange membrane is disclosed here including ion-permeable layers impregnated with an ion-exchange material and arranged in an order from one face of the membrane to the opposite face of the membrane such that opposing layers in the supporting membrane substrate provide sufficiently identical physical properties to substantially avoid irregular expansion when in a salt solution. The ion-permeable layers including at least one non-woven layer and at least one reinforcing layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2015Publication date: February 15, 2018Inventors: John H. BARBER, Russell James MACDONALD, Yongchang ZHENG, Kai ZHANG, Yonghong ZHAO
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Publication number: 20170355827Abstract: A self-supported ion exchange membrane including a polymerized and crosslinked monomer, where the monomer includes: a least one ionic group, a polymerized group, and a silicate group; and a polymer chemically bonded to crosslinked monomer through the silicate group.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2014Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventors: Kai ZHANG, John H. BARBER, Russell James MACDONALD, Yongchang ZHENG, Li May GOH, Yan GAO, Yonghong ZHAO
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Publication number: 20170266627Abstract: This specification describes an ion exchange membrane and a method of making it. The membrane may be used, for example, in an electrodialysis module or electrochemical cell. The membrane comprises an ion exchange polymer and inorganic particles preferably linked to the ion exchange polymer. To make a membrane, inorganic particles are mixed into an ion exchange membrane pre-cursor. A polymerization initiator or catalyst is then added and the resulting mixture is placed in a form and cured. The inorganic particles may comprise, for example, an oxidized form of graphite such as graphite oxide. The ion exchange polymer may comprise an ionic monomer, containing a quaternary ammonium group for anion exchange or a sulfonate group for cation exchange, along with a crosslinking co-monomer containing polymerizable diacrylic functionalities. The membrane is self-supporting and can be made without a supporting fabric.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: Kai ZHANG, John H. BARBER, Russell James MACDONALD, Yongchang ZHENG, Li May GOH, Yan GAO, Yonghong ZHAO
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Patent number: 9700850Abstract: An ion exchange membrane and a method of making it. The membrane may be used, for example, in an electrodialysis module or electrochemical cell. The membrane comprises an ion exchange polymer and inorganic particles preferably linked to the ion exchange polymer. To make a membrane, inorganic particles are mixed into an ion exchange membrane pre-cursor. A polymerization initiator or catalyst is then added and the resulting mixture is placed in a form and cured. The inorganic particles may comprise, for example, an oxidized form of graphite such as graphite oxide. The ion exchange polymer may comprise an ionic monomer, containing a quaternary ammonium group for anion exchange or a sulfonate group for cation exchange, along with a crosslinking co-monomer containing polymerizable diacrylic functionalities. The membrane is self-supporting and can be made without a supporting fabric.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2013Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kai Zhang, John H. Barber, Russell James MacDonald, Yongchang Zheng, Li May Goh, Yan Gao, Yonghong Zhao