Patents by Inventor Teppo J. Nurminen

Teppo J. Nurminen 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).

  • Filtering unit and method of sealing same
    Patent number: 6758970
    Abstract: Ceramic filter elements (1, 15, 26) have a feed surface covered with a ceramic filter membrane (4, 19). As a feed liquid flows over the feed surface, a portion of the liquid passes through the membrane and the filter and is discharged through a discharge surface as a permeate liquid flow. Between the feed and discharge surfaces, the filter element includes an impermeable surface portion (8, 24, 30) which contacts a seal or gasket assembly (17, 29). The seal or gasket assembly includes two seal portions (9, 10) which define a channel (12, 22, 31) in between. The channel connects with a discharge channel (11, 23, 32). In this manner, any liquid leaking between the filter element and another filter element or a housing (21, 27) enters the discharge channel (11, 23, 32). Liquid in the discharge channel indicates a leak in the seal and potential contamination of the permeate liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Steris Europe, Inc. Suomen Sivuliike
    Inventors: Teppo J. Nurminen, Martin J. Still