Patents by Inventor Ulrich Kogelschatz

Ulrich Kogelschatz 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: 8263178
    Abstract: A process for the in-flight surface treatment of powders using a Dielectric Barrier Discharge Torch operating at atmospheric pressures or soft vacuum conditions is described herein. The process comprising feeding a powder material into the Dielectric Barrier Discharge Torch yielding powder particles exhibiting a reduced powder agglomeration feature; in-flight modifying the surface properties of the particles; and collecting coated powder particles. An apparatus for surface treating micro- and nanoparticles comprising a Dielectric Barrier Discharge Torch operating at atmospheric pressure or soft vacuum conditions is also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Tekna Plasma Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Maher I. Boulos, Ulrich Kogelschatz, Christine Nessim
  • Publication number: 20080145553
    Abstract: A process for the in-flight surface treatment of powders using a Dielectric Barrier Discharge Torch operating at atmospheric pressures or soft vacuum conditions is described herein. The process comprising feeding a powder material into the Dielectric Barrier Discharge Torch yielding powder particles exhibiting a reduced powder agglomeration feature; in-flight modifying the surface properties of the particles; and collecting coated powder particles. An apparatus for surface treating micro- and nanoparticles comprising a Dielectric Barrier Discharge Torch operating at atmospheric pressure or soft vacuum conditions is also described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Tekna Plasma Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Maher I. Boulos, Ulrich Kogelschatz, Christine Nessim
  • Patent number: 6407383
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for fluorescence measurement of oil residues in water. The core of the invention is to use a powerful, narrow-band excimer lamp to excite intensive fluorescence radiation to detect the latter with a photodiode or the like, and to determine the oil concentration therefrom. The excimer lamp can be designed as a flat radiator a hollow cylindrical inner radiator or a tubular radiator, and can be combined with a through-flow or free fall measuring cell. The excimer lamp is advantageously operated in a pulsed or modulated fashion, the fluorescence radiation is measured at a right angle to the exciting radiation, the emitted and/or transmitted exciting light is monitored with the detectors, and a redundant measuring arrangement with a plurality of excimer lamps and fluorescence detectors is provided. The sensor is distinguished by reliability, freedom from maintenance and a long service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: John Byatt, Thomas Kleiner, Ulrich Kogelschatz, Daniel Matter
  • Patent number: 6284157
    Abstract: In a discharge reactor with a low-current gas discharge, an inlet gas made of a CH4—CO2 gas mixture is converted into a synthesis gas having an H2—CO gas mixture which has a higher energy content than the inlet gas. For a predeterminable synthesis gas volume ratio R=H2/CO, the requisite CO2 proportion in the inlet gas can be derived from a function curve (f) or calculated according to V=−4.76·R3+37.57·R2−99.13·R+105.39.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Baldur Eliasson, Ulrich Kogelschatz, Li-Ming Zhou
  • Patent number: 6136278
    Abstract: In an electrical discharge reactor for facilitating chemical reactions, power consumption and yield of chemical reactions are optimized, and heat dissipation is improved, by filling an interspace between a first electrode (1) and a second electrode (2) of the discharge reactor with a block (4) of rigid, open-pored dielectric material. The material preferably has a porosity of 80-90%. The skeleton of the block can consist of glass, quartz or ceramic. The diameter of the pores in the block, in which micro-discharges occur, represents an effective gap width that is critical for the progress of the silent discharge. The diameter of the pores can, for example, be between 0.05 millimeters and 0.2 millimeters to optimize power consumption. As a safeguard against breakdown, a barrier layer (5) of a nonconductive, solid material can be provided between the electrodes (1, 2). To facilitate a reaction of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 to form methanol and water, or to facilitate a reaction of CO.sub.2 and CH.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Baldur Eliasson, Ulrich Kogelschatz
  • Patent number: 6045761
    Abstract: So that fuels can be produced efficiently from an undesirable greenhouse gas, the gas is subjected, together with a catalyst gas, preferably nitrogen or nitrous oxide, and a hydrogen-containing gas or vapour, to a silent electric discharge in a 1st reactor (4). In the process, excited or ionized atoms and/or molecules are formed which are converted, in a catalyst reactor (8) comprising a copper-containing 1st catalyst (8'), to H.sub.2 and possibly CO. Via an expansion valve (9), a liquid (13) separates from a fuel in a liquid vessel (11). Gases escaping from the liquid vessel (11) are passed over a thermal reactor (14) containing a 2nd catalyst (15) and expanded via an expansion valve (16). In a downstream liquid vessel (11') CH.sub.3 OH, for example, separates as the desired liquid fuel (13'). The 1st reactor (4) and the thermal reactor (14) may be combined in a container comprising a plurality of reaction chambers which are parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Alain Bill, Baldur Eliasson, Eric Killer, Ulrich Kogelschatz
  • Patent number: 5766319
    Abstract: In electric filters with a negative corona, an aerosol is formed in the entrance area if ammonia is present in the flue gas, reducing the separation performance of the filter. To avoid this, spray electrodes and separation electrodes provided in the entrance area of the filter are wired so that a positive corona forms there. In sections downstream in the flow direction of the gas, spray electrodes and separation electrodes are wired such that a negative corona forms there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventor: Ulrich Kogelschatz
  • Patent number: 5431714
    Abstract: In the process for investigating particles situated in a gas, a gas stream is guided past a miniaturized UV excimer radiator. In this case, the particles are ionized and subsequently filtered out, and the resultant photoelectrically induced current is measured. Since particles from different sources (petrol engine, diesel engine, cigarette smoke) exhibit a wavelength dependence which is characteristic of the source, by measurements at at least two wavelengths, which is readily possible when using UV excimer radiators with different gas fillings, pollutants can be detected according to the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Heinz K. Burtscher, Daniel A. Matter, Ulrich Kogelschatz
  • Patent number: 5432398
    Abstract: In a UV excimer radiator, the ignition behavior during the initial ignition or relatively long operating pauses is improved by providing means for local field distortion in the discharge space. These means can either be local constrictions provided in a pinpointed fashion or a disturbing body made from aluminum oxide or titanium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Heraeus Noblelight GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Kogelschatz
  • Patent number: 5386170
    Abstract: An additional capacitance in the form of a molding (12") composed of dielectric material is inserted in an inner space of an ultraviolet light excimer radiator, making it possible to enforce loss-free control of the axial and/or radial distribution of the power consumption and ultraviolet light intensity. In the irradiation of wide substrates such as sheets, papers, and the like coated with paint, lacquers or adhesives, in particular, this measure is advantageous if all the regions of the substrate are to be irradiated with approximately the same dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Heraeus Noblelight GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Kogelschatz
  • Patent number: 5214344
    Abstract: In order to be able in the case of UV high-power omni-directional radiators to direct the generated radiation only in a preferred direction, and to avoid shading by the inner dielectric tube (2), the outer electrodes (4) are arranged only on a part of the circumference of the outer dielectric tubes (1). In this way, the object to be irradiated or the substance to be irradiated can thus be arranged directly in the range of emission of the discharges (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Ltd.
    Inventor: Ulrich Kogelschatz
  • Patent number: 5207955
    Abstract: The process removes or partially structures the surface of a substrate of a polymer, i.e. polyamide, polyimide and polycarbonate. The surface of the substrate is irradiated in a vacuum with an incoherent UV radiation which has a wavelength of 60 nm to 400 nm, preferably a wavelength of 172 nm. In order to form the structures, a mask is placed on the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Hilmar Esrom, Ulrich Kogelschatz
  • Patent number: 5198717
    Abstract: In the cooling of UV high-power radiators, the cooling of the inner electrodes (5) which are at high tension potential is critical insofar as it is necessary to use fully demineralized water or oil for this purpose. Since a cooling body (9) must in any event be employed for the external cooling, this cooling body is utilized at the same time as heat exchanger for the internal cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Ltd.
    Inventors: Ulrich Kogelschatz, Christoph von Arx
  • Patent number: 5194740
    Abstract: The irradiation device for gaseous or liquid substances has at least one high-power radiator with a discharge chamber (4) filled with filling gas. The filling gas contained therein emits radiation under the influence of quiet electrical discharges. The discharge chamber (4) immediately adjoins a treatment chamber (6) whose walls consist throughout of non-metallic material. An electrode pair (2, 7) and an ac source (12) connected to the two electrodes serve to feed the discharge, the coupling of the discharge chamber (4) to the electrodes being performed essentially capacitively. It is even possible, in particular, to treat by means of an irradiation device of such a design corrosive media or media for which extreme degrees of purity are the aim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Ltd.
    Inventors: Ulrich Kogelschatz, Christoph von Arx
  • Patent number: 5173638
    Abstract: The high-power radiator includes a discharge space (12) bounded by a metal electrode (8), cooled on one side, and a dielectric (9) and filled with a noble gas or gas mixture, both the dielectric (9) and also the other electrode situated on the surface of the dielectric facing away from the discharge space (12) being transparent for the radiation generated by quiet electric discharges. In this manner, a large-area UV radiator with high efficiency is created which can be operated at high electrical power densities of up to 50 kW/m.sup.2 of active electrode surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: BBC Brown, Boveri Ag
    Inventors: Baldur Eliasson, Peter Erni, Michael Hirth, Ulrich Kogelschatz
  • Patent number: 5149377
    Abstract: An apparatus for coating substrates by photolytic dissociation or decomposition of a coating material includes a reactor vessel. A UV radiation source and the substrate to be coated are both disposed in the reactor vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hilmar Esrom, Ulrich Kogelschatz
  • Patent number: 5013959
    Abstract: A high-power radiator, especially for ultraviolet light, wherein in order to increase the efficiency in the case of UV high-power cylindrical radiators, the inner dielectrics (3) are very small in comparison with the outer dielectric tube. A privileged direction of radiation is achieved by eccentric arrangement of the dielectrics and outer electrodes (2) only on the surface adjacent to the inner dielectric (3), and simultaneous construction of the outer electrode (7) as a reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Limited
    Inventor: Ulrich Kogelschatz
  • Patent number: 5006758
    Abstract: In a UV high-power radiator, the electrodes (6', 6") consist of wires embedded in a glass dielectric (3). The dielectric is arranged spaced between two UV-transparent sheets (1, 2). The discharge spaces (8, 9) are filled with a filler gas emitting radiation under discharge conditions. The surface discharges (10) form on the dielectric surface in each case between two adjacent electrode wires (6', 6"). A high-power radiator constructed in this manner is characterized by simple and economical construction and high UV yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Ltd.
    Inventors: Bernd Gellert, Ulrich Kogelschatz
  • Patent number: 4983881
    Abstract: The high-power radiation source for visible light includes a discharge space (4) bounded by dielectrics (1, 10) and filled with a noble gas or gas mixture. Adjacent to the dielectrics (1,10) are luminescent coatings (5,11). Both the dielectric (1,10) and the electrode (6,12) situated on the surfaces of the dielectrics facing away from the discharge space (4) are transparent to the radiation generated by the dark electrical discharges. In this way, a large-area radiation source with high efficiency is provided which can be operated with high electrical power densities of up to 50 kW/m.sup.2 of active electrode surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Ltd.
    Inventors: Baldur Eliasson, Ulrich Kogelschatz
  • Patent number: 4945290
    Abstract: The high-power radiator includes a discharge space (4) bounded by dielectrics (1, 2) and filled with a noble gas or gas mixture and electrodes (5, 6). The electrodes (5, 6) are transparent to the radiation produced by silent electrical discharges and are, situated on the surfaces of the di-electrics facing away from the discharge space. In this manner, a large-area UV radiator with high efficiency is produced which can be operated with high electrical power densities of up to 50 kW/m.sup.2 of active electrode surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: BBC Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Baldur Eliasson, Ulrich Kogelschatz