Patents by Inventor William A. Von Drasek

William A. Von Drasek 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: 11976955
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for determining a fluid level of and the amount of fluid remaining in a container. A portable measuring device can include a housing, a sensor, and a measurement system. The sensor can be supported by the housing and can detect a fluid level of the container. The measurement system can be configured to receive information including a measurement of the container, to determine an amount of fluid in the container based on a measurement of the container and a detected fluid level of the container, and to output the amount of fluid in the container and geometric information of the container. A method can include supplying such a device, placing the device proximal to or in abutment with and moving the device along an outer surface of the container, providing a signal to a user, and outputting the amount of fluid in a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Ashish Agarwal, Brandon M. Davis, William Von Drasek, Divigar Lakshmanan
  • Patent number: 11953445
    Abstract: Systems for and methods of monitoring and analyzing deposit in an industrial water system are provided. The methods comprise heating a substrate while the substrate contacts industrial water in the industrial water system to form deposit on the substrate. A series of digital images of the substrate while the substrate contacts the industrial water in the industrial water system is created. A region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is defined. A deposit feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is identified. The deposit feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is analyzed to determine a deposit trend of the substrate in the industrial water system. Generally, the systems are configured so as to be capable of carrying out one or more of the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Von Drasek
  • Patent number: 11946841
    Abstract: A method of analyzing a substrate contacting a fluid present in an industrial system is provided. The method comprises creating a series of digital images of the substrate while contacting the fluid present in the industrial system. A region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is defined. A corrosion feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is identified. The corrosion feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is analyzed to determine a corrosion trend of the industrial system. In certain embodiments of the method, the fluid is industrial water, and the industrial system is an industrial water system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Von Drasek, Xuejun Wang
  • Patent number: 11662314
    Abstract: The disclosed systems and method utilize the autofluorescence, optic imaging, and heat transfer resistance technologies to monitor the same simulated surface area for deposits. The systems and methods may provide continuous monitoring, detection, characterization and quantification of deposits. Utilizing this information, an associated control system may initiate alarms, initiate a chemical treatment operation, and adjust corresponding chemical treatment and preventive protocols to minimize and/or eradicate the issue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kun Xiong, Xuejun Wang, William A. Von Drasek, Brandon Davis
  • Publication number: 20230048064
    Abstract: A method of analyzing a substrate contacting a fluid present in an industrial system is provided. The method comprises creating a series of digital images of the substrate while contacting the fluid present in the industrial system. A region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is defined. A corrosion feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is identified. The corrosion feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is analyzed to determine a corrosion trend of the industrial system. In certain embodiments of the method, the fluid is industrial water, and the industrial system is an industrial water system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: William A. Von Drasek, Xuejun Wang
  • Publication number: 20230029668
    Abstract: Systems for and methods of monitoring and analyzing deposit in an industrial water system are provided. The methods comprise heating a substrate while the substrate contacts industrial water in the industrial water system to form deposit on the substrate. A series of digital images of the substrate while the substrate contacts the industrial water in the industrial water system is created. A region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is defined. A deposit feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is identified. The deposit feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is analyzed to determine a deposit trend of the substrate in the industrial water system. Generally, the systems are configured so as to be capable of carrying out one or more of the methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventor: William A. Von Drasek
  • Publication number: 20220335371
    Abstract: A chemical product consumption monitoring device using force sensors integrated into a sealed sensor housing for retrofit installation on liquid or solid product chemical feeding systems used in water treatment. The sensor design is flexible and can be used with products having different form factors such as discs, bottles, pellets, or pails. The sensor is used to monitor the product consumption rate based on weight or percentage for inventory management by forecasting replenishment scheduling and provide a process for automatic ordering. By combining the product consumption measurement with other sensor data from the dispenser, chemical delivery system, or process, allows tracking dispenser performance and alarming if malfunctioning. Additionally, using data from different sources provides remote visibility for scheduling maintenance and troubleshooting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventor: William Von Drasek
  • Patent number: 11465916
    Abstract: Systems for and methods of monitoring and analyzing deposit in an industrial water system are provided. The methods comprise heating a substrate while the substrate contacts industrial water in the industrial water system to form deposit on the substrate. A series of digital images of the substrate while the substrate contacts the industrial water in the industrial water system is created. A region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is defined. A deposit feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is identified. The deposit feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is analyzed to determine a deposit trend of the substrate in the industrial water system. Generally, the systems are configured so as to be capable of carrying out one or more of the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Von Drasek
  • Patent number: 11467072
    Abstract: A method of analyzing a substrate contacting a fluid present in an industrial system is provided. The method comprises creating a series of digital images of the substrate while contacting the fluid present in the industrial system. A region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is defined. A corrosion feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is identified. The corrosion feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is analyzed to determine a corrosion trend of the industrial system. In certain embodiments of the method, the fluid is industrial water, and the industrial system is an industrial water system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Von Drasek, Xuejun Wang
  • Publication number: 20220260979
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for tracking data associated with a creping process. The techniques include measuring process data, wherein the process data includes vibration data, and wherein measuring process data includes measuring vibration data of a creping blade using one or more vibration sensors. The techniques further include assigning a score for the process data, including assigning a vibration score for the vibration data. The techniques also include generating an index score based on the score for the process data and the vibration score for the vibration data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: William A. Von Drasek, Gary Samuel Furman, JR.
  • Publication number: 20220251781
    Abstract: A method of treating brown stock in a brown stock washing process is provided. The method includes measuring a refractive index of a brown stock; and dosing an additive to the brown stock according to at least the refractive index of the brown stock. A system for controlling dosing of an additive to a brown stock washing process is also provided. The system includes a refractive index measurement device; a controller configured to receive data provided by the refractive index measurement device and transform the data into additive addition output instructions; and an additive delivery unit configured to receive and execute the additive addition output instructions from the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: William Von Drasek, Prasad Y. Duggirala, Dorota Smoron, Christopher Powers, David Sirois, Khaled Zouaoui, Michael Kjerulf
  • Publication number: 20210403343
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to recycling automotive phosphate rinse water. An apparatus and method is disclosed for treating process water containing phosphate. The apparatus may include a process water line. The process water line may be in fluid communication with a sample process water line. The sample process water line may be in fluid communication with a dilution line. The sample process water line, the dilution line, and a phosphate analyzer may be in fluid communication with a diluted process water line. The apparatus may also include a chemical additive feed line in fluid communication with the process water line downstream from the sample process water line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Williams, Tony Veljan Mackovski, Bruce Tait, Joseph Peter Miknevich, Alex Michael Bogda, Aarthi Narayanan, William A. Von Drasek
  • Patent number: 11136246
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to recycling automotive phosphate rinse water. An apparatus and method is disclosed for treating process water containing phosphate. The apparatus may include a process water line. The process water line may be in fluid communication with a sample process water line. The sample process water line may be in fluid communication with a dilution line. The sample process water line, the dilution line, and a phosphate analyzer may be in fluid communication with a diluted process water line. The apparatus may also include a chemical additive feed line in fluid communication with the process water line downstream from the sample process water line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Williams, Tony Veljan Mackovski, Bruce Tait, Joseph Peter Miknevich, Alex Michael Bogda, Aarthi Narayanan, William A. Von Drasek
  • Patent number: 11041271
    Abstract: Vibration sensors can be used in paper making systems and methods to determine various aspects of the paper making operation. Vibration sensors, for example, positioned on cleaning blades configured to clean various deposits off of rollers in a paper making system can output vibration data that can be indicative of the vibration of the blade. The vibration data can be analyzed in order to characterize the cause of the vibration and/or the location of the vibration within a paper making system. If the vibration data satisfies a predetermined condition, a corrective action can be initiated. Different corrective actions can be initiated based on the characterized cause and/or location of the vibration in order to effectively improve the operation of the system while minimizing costly system shut downs and major maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic Luneau, Fouad M. Moukannas, Gary S. Furman, David I. Weinstein, William Von Drasek
  • Publication number: 20210123865
    Abstract: The disclosed systems and method utilize the autofluorescence, optic imaging, and heat transfer resistance technologies to monitor the same simulated surface area for deposits. The systems and methods may provide continuous monitoring, detection, characterization and quantification of deposits. Utilizing this information, an associated control system may initiate alarms, initiate a chemical treatment operation, and adjust corresponding chemical treatment and preventive protocols to minimize and/or eradicate the issue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kun Xiong, Xuejun Wang, William A. Von Drasek, Brandon Davis
  • Patent number: 10765999
    Abstract: A method for controlling treatment of an industrial water system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing an apparatus for controlling delivery of at least one treatment chemical, the apparatus comprising at least one sensor and an electronic input/output device carrying out a protocol; measuring a parameter of the industrial water system using the at least one sensor; relaying the measured parameter to the electronic device; adjusting the protocol based on the measured parameter; delivering a concentrated treatment chemical into a stream of the industrial water system according to the adjusted protocol, the concentrated treatment chemical comprising an active ingredient, the active ingredient traced as necessary, the active ingredient having a concentration; repeating the measuring, the adjusting, and the delivering; and optionally repeating the steps for n-number of parameters, n-number of active ingredients, and/or n-number of concentrated treatment chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Narasimha M. Rao, Steven R. Hatch, William A. Von Drasek
  • Publication number: 20200207639
    Abstract: Systems for and methods of monitoring and analyzing deposit in an industrial water system are provided. The methods comprise heating a substrate while the substrate contacts industrial water in the industrial water system to form deposit on the substrate. A series of digital images of the substrate while the substrate contacts the industrial water in the industrial water system is created. A region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is defined. A deposit feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is identified. The deposit feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is analyzed to determine a deposit trend of the substrate in the industrial water system. Generally, the systems are configured so as to be capable of carrying out one or more of the methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventor: William A. Von Drasek
  • Publication number: 20200209122
    Abstract: A method of analyzing a substrate contacting a fluid present in an industrial system is provided. The method comprises creating a series of digital images of the substrate while contacting the fluid present in the industrial system. A region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is defined. A corrosion feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is identified. The corrosion feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is analyzed to determine a corrosion trend of the industrial system. In certain embodiments of the method, the fluid is industrial water, and the industrial system is an industrial water system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: William A. Von Drasek, Xuejun Wang
  • Patent number: 10604896
    Abstract: The invention embodies the application of different combinations of the monitoring and data processing aspects as a means to develop an early warning chatter alarming system. Configuring an early warning chatter alarming system can be as simple as using n? alarm settings to develop an alarming strategy from different trend conditions such as overall RMS, selected vibration frequencies, slope analysis, and wavelet analysis. A higher level of alarming is provided by using a time integrated approach to account for both intensity of the alarm variable and duration. Combining these different aspects with a predictive model incorporates process-operating conditions to enhance the alarming sensitivity for earlier detection and reduce false positives. Finally, combining the different alarming aspects with a rule-based decision making approach such as fuzzy logic allows alarming based on qualitative analysis of different data streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Von Drasek, Gary S. Furman, Jr., Sammy L. Archer
  • Publication number: 20200096377
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for determining a fluid level of and the amount of fluid remaining in a container. A portable measuring device can include a housing, a sensor, and a measurement system. The sensor can be supported by the housing and can detect a fluid level of the container. The measurement system can be configured to receive information including a measurement of the container, to determine an amount of fluid in the container based on a measurement of the container and a detected fluid level of the container, and to output the amount of fluid in the container and geometric information of the container. A method can include supplying such a device, placing the device proximal to or in abutment with and moving the device along an outer surface of the container, providing a signal to a user, and outputting the amount of fluid in a container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Ashish Agarwal, Brandon M. Davis, William Von Drasek, Divigar Lakshmanan