Patents Issued in February 26, 2008
  • Patent number: 7335267
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a stationary supporting base for mounting a semiconductor wafer thereon, and a rotatable heating unit having a plurality of heating lamps located above the wafer. The stationary supporting base is fixed and the rotatable heating unit rotates horizontally on a rotating axis. Therefore, the uniformity of wafer heating can be improved, and the breakage or the warpage of the wafer can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Kwean Choi
  • Patent number: 7335268
    Abstract: An inorganic compound for removing polymers after a semiconductor etching process and related methods and apparatus are disclosed. An example compound includes DIW, H2SO4, H2O2 and HF. An example method for removing polymers generated during etching processes removes the polymers by using the example compound forms a protective oxide film on at least one of a metal line, a via hole and a pad open area by using H2O2, and protects the at least one the metal line, the via hole and the pad open area by the protective oxide film while removing the polymers by using HF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang Woo Nam
  • Patent number: 7335269
    Abstract: A Pb-free solder alloy based on Sn as matrix is provided, which is a metal that has no toxicity and is environmental friendly. The Pb-free solder comprises a tetra-nary composition consisting essentially of about 99.0 weight % Sn, 0.3 to 0.4 weight % Ag, and 0.6 to 0.7 weight % Cu, with off-eutectic melting temperature of 217 to 227 degree Celsius. The fourth component is a non-metallic phosphorus (P), and 0.01 to 1.0 weight % of phosphorus is added into said composition to improve better micro-structural stability and hence reduce the formation of dross when hand soldering, wave soldering and reflow soldering during the electronic assembly installation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Aoki Laboratories Ltd.
    Inventor: Wai Yin David Leung
  • Patent number: 7335270
    Abstract: A stable, low-temperature ignition gas generating composition has a heating starting temperature of 170 to 220° C. The gas generating composition includes ammonium perchlorate, a chlorine scavenger, and microcrystalline carbon powder. The chlorine scavenger is sodium nitrate or aluminun/magnesium mixed powder, and the microcrystalline carbon powder is activated carbon or charcoal. The gas generating composition may include 40 to 58% by weight of ammonium perchlorate, 30 to 43% by weight of the chlorine scavenger, and 1 to 30% by weight of the microcrystalline carbon powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: NOF Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Serizawa, Katsuhiko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7335271
    Abstract: A fabricated microstructure includes a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions are capable of providing substantially parallel adhesive force at a surface of between about 60 and 2000 nano-Newtons. A flexible shaft supports the protrusions, and a flexible member or beam is attached to the shaft to form a manipulator or gripper device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Lewis & Clark College
    Inventor: Kellar Autumn
  • Patent number: 7335272
    Abstract: After photographing a surface on which an ABS is formed, and the outer shape of a slider, the ABS and an engraved region formed within the ABS are identified from a photographed image. A reference that becomes a guide for attaching to a suspension is then computed, and a positional relationship between the reference and the outer shape of the slider is stored as association information. Next, the outer shape of the slider is measured, and measured values are compared to the association information and a reference is read out when attaching the slider to the suspension. An adhesive is discharged, from below, onto a suspension attachment surface of the slider based on the reference. The slider may then be attached to the suspension while holding the slider in a state where the ABS is positioned on an upper side of the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignees: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd., TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Takanuki, Osamu Shindo, Akimasa Nakao, Satoshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7335273
    Abstract: A method of making mutually-reinforced elastic strand/film composites and laminates in which film breakage, strand breakage, and strand alignment problems are minimized or avoided. The method includes casting an elastomeric adhesive film onto a chill roll, extruding elastic strands onto the film while the film is on a chill roll, and stretching the film and strand composite. The stretched composite may be laminated between two facing sheets. Additionally, tension in the composite may be controlled through film composition, strand composition, add-on rate, stretching the composite, and combinations of any of these approaches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Cristian M. Neculescu, Peiguang Zhou, Daniel J. Wideman, Bruce Achter
  • Patent number: 7335274
    Abstract: A production method of a decorative film comprising a step of, in a state in which a transparent resin film is laid on a surface of a laminate sheet in which a pattern layer is placed on one surface of a base film of a thermoplastic resin, inserting the laminate sheet and the transparent resin film into between a pair of endless belts placed opposite each other, thereby obtaining a decorative film, wherein the transparent resin film is preheated by contact with a peripheral surface of a preheat roll urged toward the endless belt, and the transparent resin film is run so as to constantly contact a peripheral surface of at least one guide roll during a period between departure from the peripheral surface of the preheat roll and contact with the laminate sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Polumer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Aso, Satoshi Tamura, Atsushi Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 7335275
    Abstract: A laminate of inorganic sheet and polyester resin having an overall thickness of 5 to 25 mils and having an elongation at break in both the cross direction and machine direction of at least 25%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: David Wayne Anderson, Dariusz Wlodzimierz Kawka
  • Patent number: 7335276
    Abstract: A method of forming a laminate of at least two layers including at least one aramid paper with at least one layer of polymer by calendering opposing surfaces of the aramid paper at different temperatures prior to laminate formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Dariusz Wlodzimierz Kawka, David Wayne Anderson, Michael Joseph Brown
  • Patent number: 7335277
    Abstract: A vacuum processing apparatus comprising a transfer unit disposed at a center thereof, plural processing chambers, each processing chamber having a processing table for supporting an object to be processed and carrying out processing using a gas; and a mass flow controller unit interposed between two processing chambers for supplying gas to the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Akitaka Makino, Youji Takahashi, Minoru Soraoka, Hideki Kihara, Susumu Tauchi
  • Patent number: 7335278
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck 108 is provided on a lower electrode 106 provided inside a processing chamber 102 of an etching apparatus 100, and a conductive inner ring body 112a and an insulating outer ring body 112b are encompassing the outer edges of a wafer W mounted on the chuck surface. The temperatures of the wafer W and the inner and outer ring bodies 112a and 112b are detected by first˜third temperature sensors 142, 144 and 146. A controller 140 controls the pressure levels of He supplied to the space between the center of the wafer W and the electrostatic chuck 108 via first gas outlet ducts 114 and to the space between the outer edges of the wafer W and the electrostatic chuck 108 via second gas outlet ducts 116 and the quantity of heat generated by a heater 148 inside the outer ring body 112b based upon the information on the temperatures thus detected so that the temperatures of the wafer W and the inner ring body 112a are set roughly equal to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron AT Limited
    Inventors: Chishio Koshimizu, Hiroyuki Ishihara, Kimihiro Higuchi, Koji Maruyama
  • Patent number: 7335279
    Abstract: The invention provides a low density paperboard material and associated method for use in producing an insulated container, and is especially well-suited for making cups. The paperboard material comprises a paperboard web including wood fibers and expanded microspheres, and has a relatively low density ranging from about 6 to about 10 lb/3MSF/mil, a relatively high caliper ranging from about 24 to about 35 mil, and an internal bond strength of at least about 80×10?3 ft-lbf., preferably at least 100×10?3 lft-lbf. For applications such as cups the material is also coated on one or both sides with a barrier coating, preferably low density polyethylene, to limit liquid penetration into the web. The low density paperboard material of the invention is convertible for manufacture of containers, particularly cups, and exhibits insulative properties comparable to higher cost materials conventionally used to make cups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Kosaraju Krishna Mohan, Alexander A. Koukoulas, Peter Matthew Froass, David Verd Reed
  • Patent number: 7335280
    Abstract: A method in the measurement of the flatness of the flow surface of a headbox of a paper machine is disclosed. The flatness is determined by placing a measuring tool on the flat surface formed by the flow surface and measuring the position of the measuring tool at each point. A measuring sensor is arranged in the measuring tool, in order to determine the distance between the measuring tool and the flat surface. In addition, the dimensions provided by the measuring sensors are read and the position of the measuring tool and the dimensions from the measuring sensors are combined, in order to determine the values of the measured points. The invention also relates to equipment in the measurement of the flatness of the flow surface of the headbox of a paper machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Petri Lampi, Jukka Sallinen
  • Patent number: 7335281
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid medium containing composite ultrafine particles comprises the steps of preparing a dispersion medium that is a liquid medium in which ultrafine particles of different materials from each other are dispersed, introducing the dispersion medium into first and second chambers, respectively, applying high frequency voltage to the chambers and exciting dispersion media, applying direct current voltage to each dispersion medium on the downstream side than the applying position of the high frequency voltage and electrifying these in different polarities from each other, and aggregating/bonding by means of excitation transfer as well as electrostatically aggregating ultrafine particles each other in the liquid medium in the crashing field by injecting the dispersion media electrified in different polarities from each other through two nozzle sections at a high speed, and crossing/crashing each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Seiji Kagawa
  • Patent number: 7335282
    Abstract: A sputtering process and magnetron especially advantageous for low-pressure plasma sputtering or sustained self-sputtering, in which the magnetron has a reduced area but full target coverage. The magnetron includes an outer pole face surrounding an inner pole face with a gap therebetween. The outer pole of the magnetron of the invention is smaller than that of a circular magnetron similarly extending from the center to the periphery of the target and has a substantially larger total magnetic intensity. Thereby, sputtering at low pressure and high ionization fraction is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventors: Jianming Fu, Praburam Gopalraja, Fusen Chen, John Forster
  • Patent number: 7335283
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus which permits making a composite oxide thin film excellent in crystallinity easily and at a low temperature, with the capability of controlling the basic unit cell structure as desired, and without the need for a post annealing, as well as a composite oxide thin film thereby, especially a Cu group high temperature superconducting thin film, are disclosed. A thin Cu group high temperature superconducting film, which is constituted of a charge supply block (1) and a superconducting block (2), is formed on a substrate by alternately sputtering from a sputtering target having a composition of the charge supply block (1) and a sputtering target having a composition of the superconducting block (2) and repeating such an alternate sputtering operation a number of times needed for the film to reach a desired thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignees: Japan Science and Technology Corporation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Yoshiko Ihara, legal representative, Hideyo Ihara, legal representative, Hidetaka Ihara, legal representative, Gen-ei Ihara, legal representative, Chiaki Ihara, legal representative, Sundaresan Athinarayanan, JiaCai Nie, Hideo Ihara
  • Patent number: 7335284
    Abstract: A modular electrochemical cell having two interchangeable assemblies each with a support structure defining a cylindrical recess and having a fitting for connecting a pipe to the assembly. A disc-shaped electrode is arranged inside each recess and the assemblies are arranged relative to each other so that their respective electrodes face each other. A modular insert is inserted between the assemblies to define an open space between the electrodes and to distribute fluid to a plurality of openings spaced from each other along an edge of this open space. Securing members secure together the two assemblies and the modular insert, and passages in the support structures convey fluid between the fittings and the modular insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Adamant Technologies SA
    Inventors: Werner Haenni, Cédric Faure, Philippe Rychen
  • Patent number: 7335285
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrolytic anode for use in electrolytically synthesizing a fluorine-containing substance by using an electrolytic bath containing a fluoride ion including: an electroconductive substrate having a sure including an electroconductive carbonaceous material; and an electroconductive carbonaceous film having a diamond structure, the electroconductive carbonaceous film coating a part of the electroconductive carbonaceous substrate, and a method for electrolytically synthesizing a fluorine-containing substance using the electrolytic anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignees: Permelec Electrode Ltd., Toyo Tanso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuneto Furuta, Masaharu Uno, Yoshinori Nishiki, Tetsuro Tojo, Hitoshi Takebayashi, Masashi Kodama
  • Patent number: 7335286
    Abstract: The invention relates to measuring the concentration of analytes with the aid of an oxidase in an immersion sensor situated in a fluid or in a matrix containing fluid. Oxygen diffuses into the enzyme layer from within, from a gas-filled space connected to the atmosphere and/or to an oxygen reservoir. This enables oxygen saturation of the oxidase in a low-oxygen or oxygen-free medium and/or at high analyte concentrations. The analyte diffuses into the enzyme layer in a channel or a number of channels which contain(s) water and limit(s) diffusion, wherein the channel/channels on the surface of the sensor is/are filled with a protein-impermeable, hydrophilic matrix. By increasing the channel cross-section on the surface of the sensor and/or by connecting the channel/channels to a protein-impermeable, porous, hydrophilic layer on the surface of the sensor, the effect of outer deposits on the diffusion resistance of the analyte is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Disetronic Licensing AG
    Inventors: Peter Abel, Rudolf Ehwald, Uwe Beyer
  • Patent number: 7335287
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical sensor for determining the concentration of a group IA metal in a fluid such as molten metal. The sensor comprises a substantially pure quantity of the group 1A metal as a reference electrode (13) contained in a sensor housing (3), and a solid electrolyte constituting at least part of the sensor housing (3). The electrolyte is in electrical contact with the reference electrode (13) and the sensor is capable of operating at temperatures in excess of 973K. In a preferred arrangement, the sensor comprises a two part elongate conductor (15), a first part (17) of which extends from the reference electrode (13) into a refractory seal (11a), and a second part (19) of which extends from within the refractory seal (11a) externally of the sensor, the two parts (17, 19) being welded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignees: Foseco International Limited, Ionotec Limited
    Inventors: Ivor W Jones, Glyn Atherton, Francis M Stackpool
  • Patent number: 7335288
    Abstract: Methods for electrodeposition of copper on a noble metal layer of a work piece are provided. An exemplary method includes exposing the noble metal layer to an electrodeposition composition. The electrodeposition composition comprises a copper salt, a suppressor, an accelerator and an electrolyte. The electrodeposition of copper on a surface of the noble metal layer is initiated by application of a predetermined current density to the work piece. The electrodeposition of copper is terminated upon the occurrence of a predetermined event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Vishwas V. Hardikar
  • Patent number: 7335289
    Abstract: A method of producing high purity electrolytic copper through halide-bath electrowinning is provided. The method includes the steps of: growing copper in dendritic form to be deposited on a cathode; and recovering growth ends of 3.0 mm or shorter from the dendrites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignees: Nippon Mining & Metals Co., Ltd., Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Haiki, Kazuhiko Motoba, Hiroshi Oda
  • Patent number: 7335290
    Abstract: An active portion of a nano-size element is selectively destroyed by applying an electric potential to the nano-size element having a carbon network structure of carbon as an outer shell while immersed in an electrolytic solution. For example, an electric potential of 1.20 to 1.60 V (RHE) is applied to the carbon nanotubes in electrolytic solution so as to oxidize the active portion in each carbon nanotube and to thereby selectively remove the ends. Consequently, an open end is created in the carbon nanotube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Equos Research
    Inventors: Kei Miyagi, Keiji Kunimatsu
  • Patent number: 7335291
    Abstract: There are provided a water treating method and water treating apparatus which can significantly improve an effect of eliminating microorganisms contained in water intended for drinking and cooking or waster water and a hydroponics system using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhito Kondo, Yasuhiko Shimizu, Masahiro Iseki
  • Patent number: 7335292
    Abstract: The present invention provides a metal electrode stabilized by a coating, the coating comprising a sulfur containing moiety in its molecular structure. The coating may also include a hydrophilic group and a spacer between the sulfur containing moiety and the hydrophilic group. Preferably, the sulphur-containing moiety is selected from the group comprising thiol, disulphide and SOx, and the hydrophilic group is selected from the group comprising hydroxyl, amine, carboxyl, carbonyl, oligo (ethylene oxide) chain, and zwitterionic species. Compounds useful in the present invention include 2-mercaptoethanol, 2-mercaptoethylamine, 3-mercaptopropionic acid, thiophene, 4-carboxythiophene, cysteine, homocysteine, and cystine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: LifeScan, Inc.
    Inventors: Alastair McIndoe Hodges, Ronald Chatelier
  • Patent number: 7335294
    Abstract: An integrated lancing and measurement device is provided comprising a sensor designed to determine the amount and/or concentration of analyte in a biological fluid having a volume of less than about 1 ?L. A piercing member is adapted to pierce and retract from a site on the patient to cause the fluid to flow therefrom, and the sensor is positioned adjacent to the site on the patient so as to receive the fluid flowing from the site to generate an electrical signal indicative of the concentration of the analyte in the fluid. The sensor is comprised of a working electrode comprising an analyte-responsive enzyme and a redox mediator, and a counter electrode. An analyte monitor is operatively connected to the sensor and adapted to measure the signal generated by the sensor. Also provided are analyte measuring methods that optionally employ the integrated lancing and measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Heller, Benjamin Feldman, James Say
  • Patent number: 7335295
    Abstract: There is provided a coated zeolite catalyst in which the accessibility of the acid sites on the external surfaces of the zeolite is controlled and a process for converting hydrocarbons utilizing the coated zeolite catalyst. The zeolite catalyst comprises core crystals of a first zeolite and a discontinuous layer of smaller size second crystals of a second zeolite which cover at least a portion of the external surface of the first crystals The coated zeolite catalyst finds particular application in hydrocarbon conversion processes where catalyst activity in combination with zeolite structure are important for reaction selectivity, e.g., catalytic cracking, alkylation, disproportional of toluene, isomerization, and transalkylation reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jannetje Maatje van den Berge, Gary David Mohr, Kenneth Ray Clem, Wilfried Jozef Mortier, Machteld Maria Mertens, Michael C. Bradford
  • Patent number: 7335296
    Abstract: A system for processing supercritical and subcritical fluid capable of bringing the inside of at least one processing container (1) formed in a flow passage into a supercritical or subcritical high pressure field, wherein thermal operation is applied to process fluid to apply thermal expansion to the fluid to produce a pressure difference between the processing container (1) and the outside, whereby a specified temperature and the high pressure field suitable for the processing of the supercritical or subcritical fluid can be provided in the processing container (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Tohoku Techno Arch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Arai, Hiroshi Inomata, Richard Lee Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7335297
    Abstract: A gravel vacuum, including a pump, a detachable suction base connected to the pump to which a suction tube can be attached, a filter connected to the suction base, a return assembly, at least one valve, and an alternate flow path. The pump impels a flow of water from the suction base, through the filter, and out the return assembly. The valve permits adjustment of volume of the flow for different sizes of fish aquariums. The alternate flow path reduces back pressure on the pump when the valve is used to adjust the volume of the flow. Also, a method of using the gravel vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Fred C. Getsinger
  • Patent number: 7335298
    Abstract: A modular aquarium filter includes one or more cartridges connected in series. The cartridges may contain filter media for chemical, biological and/or mechanical filtration. In addition, the cartridges are designed such that they provide a unique internal helical geometry to increase the contact area and flow rate of the water with the filter media. The helix may be optionally adjusted to provide different thickness filter layers for aquarium filtration. The pitch of the flights of the helix may be varied to provide enhanced centrifugal flow of the water within the cartridge. The present invention also provides self-sealing valve assemblies at the filter inlet and outlet, which when disconnected shut off the flow of water through the filter to expedite exchange of the cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: T.F.H. Publications, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen S. Axelrod
  • Patent number: 7335299
    Abstract: A dual filter apparatus and a process of making a dual filter apparatus that minimizes disruption to the normal flow pattern through the filter apparatus by forming a porous medium suitable to carry a fluid activator and placing an activator proximate the porous filter medium for in situ fluid treatment and removal of debris from the fluid by screening action of the porous filter medium that entraps debris thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: King Technology, Inc
    Inventor: Joseph A. King
  • Patent number: 7335300
    Abstract: A filter element is removably positionable within a filter housing defining a filter chamber for said filter element. The filter housing comprises a standpipe extending within the filter chamber. The filter element includes a tubular filter media circumscribing the standpipe, a first end cap supporting the filter media at one end thereof, a second end cap longitudinally spaced from the first end cap and supporting the filter media at the opposite end thereof, and a center tube extending between the first and second end caps. The center tube has at least one inlet opening therethrough at a first end thereof adjacent to the first end cap and a standpipe opening therethrough at a second end thereof adjacent to the second end cap. The second end cap has at least one intake opening therethrough radially spaced from the standpipe opening in the center tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Wix Filtration Corp LLC
    Inventors: Willie L. Stamey, Jr., Mark Allen Roll
  • Patent number: 7335301
    Abstract: The present invention encompasses a leaf packet useful in forming a spiral filtration module, wherein the fold area of the leaf packet is reinforced with a UV cured adhesive. The invention further encompasses a spiral filtration module wherein the fold line, side seams and/or axial seams of the membranes utilized in the module are reinforced with a UV curable adhesive. The present invention further encompasses the method for making such leaf packet and such spiral filtration modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Koch Membrane Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Haitao Cheng
  • Patent number: 7335302
    Abstract: A centrifuge basket having a basket casing, on the inside of which is formed a working screen for separating off suspension liquid. The basket casing has openings of elliptical design. The openings are offset in relation to one another in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction of the basket casing. The contours of the openings overlap in the axial direction such that the basket circumference is covered by openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Eckhard Bartsch, Hans-Heinrich Westendarp
  • Patent number: 7335303
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the collection of alkalophilic/alkaline-tolerant microbes and use of said microbes in water glass wastewater treatment. The wastewater is treated directly with alkalophilic/alkaline-tolerant microbes cultured on granular activated carbon without any prior pH adjustment. Subsequently, water glass is separated from the biotreated water by lowering its pH. Alternatively, water glass is separated from biotreated water by distilling the water as water and water glass have different boiling points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Development Center for Biotechnology
    Inventors: Ru-rong Wu Hsiao, Mei-hsien Yeh, Hsiu-ping Pearl Lin
  • Patent number: 7335304
    Abstract: Methods for treating aqueous effluent, which include reducing sludge formation during the biological treatment of an aqueous effluent. The sludge formation is reduced by injecting an ozone containing gas into an aeration tank which contains the effluent. The affluent is in contact with microorganisms in the tank at least once during the method. The ozone containing gas contains at least 2.5 mg of ozone per liter of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Philippe Campo, Jérôme Cluzeau, Christian Jalbert
  • Patent number: 7335305
    Abstract: A system for controlling the aerobic phase of a wastewater treatment cycle in a sequencing batch reactor, comprising a tank, an air blower, at least one sensor for measuring the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the tank, and means to control the length of time that the air blower introduces air into the wastewater and to maintain at a constant level the volume of air introduced per time by the air blower. The length of time that the air blower introduces air is determined by the change in the slope of the curve representing the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the wastewater. The volume of air to be introduced per time by the air blower is determined based on the average concentration of dissolved oxygen from the previous wastewater treatment cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Vision Envirotech International Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: William Cheuk, Anthony Lau, Raymond Wong, Peter Doig, Bud Fraser
  • Patent number: 7335306
    Abstract: A chromatographic medium including thioether ligands bound to a cross-linked polymer matrix. The polymer is an organic polymer and the medium is hydrophilic. A method of manufacturing the media is also described. The media are useful in the chromatographic separation of components from solution, and in particular for the interseparation of platinum group metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignees: Anglo Platinum Limited, University of Strathclyde
    Inventors: Richard Alasdair Grant, Francesco Luigi Bernardis, David Colin Sherrington
  • Patent number: 7335307
    Abstract: Ruthenium compounds, either alone or in combination with other remediating compounds, can be used to oxidize, remove and sequester contaminants in water and soil or sediments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: U.S. EPA
    Inventors: Kirk G. Scheckel, Christopher A. Impellitteri, James A. Ryan
  • Patent number: 7335308
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an installation for treating liquids, especially for purifying contaminated water. Said method consists of the following steps: the raw water is pre-purified by adding a foam-forming reaction agent; the pre-purified water undergoes a main purification process by foaming the water with ionising radicals contained in the exhaust from the subsequent steps, in a known perforated cylinder washer, the foam formed is eliminated; the de-foamed water is ionised; and the impurities in the purified water are sedimented. The purified water is then additionally purified, the mud consisting of impurities from the pre-purification and the main purification process is physically separated, and the transformation of raw water into purified water is carried out continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Hermann Berthold
  • Patent number: 7335309
    Abstract: A method for removing metal compounds from waste water comprising the steps of adjusting the pH of the water to from 5 to 12 and preferable 6 to 9; aerating the waste water; adding a flocculating agent to the water and allowing floccules including metal compounds to form; and separating said floccules including metal compounds from the water. An apparatus for carrying out this method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Sanford M. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 7335310
    Abstract: A method of treating hardly decomposable harmful substance comprising (A) a step for adding coagulant into wastewater containing a hardly decomposable harmful substance, (B) a step for performing solid-liquid separation which separates a solid containing the hardly decomposable harmful substance from a liquid, and (C) a step for decomposing the hardly decomposable harmful substance by bringing peroxide into contact with the separated solid. Efficiently and safely treating the hardly decomposable harmful substances by means of low-cost facilities realizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoshi Suzuki, Takahiro Kawabata, Hideo Miyamoto, Takahisa Muramoto, Masashi Machida, Shingo Ogoshi
  • Patent number: 7335311
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating sludge, comprises a press for dewatering the sludge, a compaction device for receiving and compacting sludge dewatered by the press, a shredder for receiving and shredding sludge compacted by the compaction device, and a tube conveyor for conveying shredded sludge from the shredder. The press is controlled to vary the flow rate of the sludge in response to at least one sensed operational parameter of the press, such as the momentary power for operating the press, pressure in the sludge in the press, sludge concentration in the press, sludge feed flow to the press or separated water flow from the press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Nordic Water Products AB
    Inventor: Jesper Christophersson
  • Patent number: 7335312
    Abstract: A centrifuge with combinations of multiple features is disclosed. In one aspect, a centrifuge for removing more dense material from a fluid medium includes a fluid separation wall placed within a sleeve. The fluid separation wall rotates around the axis of rotation. A receptacle aids in separation of the more dense material from the fluid medium. The receptacle defined in a part by a respective geometry and a respective shape. An opening extends from the void area to the outer surface to transport the more dense material to the containment zone. An excitation apparatus associated with the receptacle creates a vibration within the receptacle. The centrifuge may further include a valve ring including a valve orifice the valve ring having a first position which blocks the more dense material from exiting the receptacle and a second position that allows the more dense material to move into the containment zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Phase Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis Kirker, Berkeley F. Fuller
  • Patent number: 7335313
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vortex-based centrifugal separator for removing solids from a liquid/solids fluid stream in two stages. A fluid stream under pressure is introduced at the top of the cylindrical separator at a tangential angle forming helical downward flow. The first stage uses a centrally-located spin plate for reversing the cleaner interior flow of the vortex back upward, while the heavier solids settle at the bottom of the chamber for periodic removal. In the second stage, a plurality of louvered slots in an upper discharge pipe remove finer solids from the exiting upward fluid flow prior to discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Griswold Controls
    Inventor: Emmanuel G. Moya
  • Patent number: 7335314
    Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as a stent or graft, having asperities on a designated region of its outer surface is disclosed. The asperities can serve to improve retention of one or more layers of a coating on the device and to increase the amount of coating that can be carried by the device. The asperities can be formed by using a stream of pressurized grit to roughen the surface. The asperities can also be formed by removing material from the outer surface, for example, by chemical etching with or without a patterned mask. Alternatively, the asperities can be formed by adding material to the outer surface, for example, by welding powder particles to the outer surface or sputtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Z. Wu, Sameer Harish, Deborra Sanders-Millare, Judy A. Guruwaiya, Daryush Mirzaee, Syed Hossainy, Charlene Chen
  • Patent number: 7335315
    Abstract: The present invention attracts a wafer 6, placed on a susceptor 5, toward the susceptor 5 by the electrostatic attractive power of an electrostatic chuck electrode 7, varies the output voltage of a variable direct current power source 23 for the electrostatic chuck electrode 7 while measuring the temperature of the wafer 6 by a temperature detection sensor 21; and detects the potential of the wafer 6 based on the output voltage of the variable direct current power source 23 at a time when the temperature of the wafer 6 peaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Matsuda, Yuichi Kawano, Masahiko Inoue
  • Patent number: 7335316
    Abstract: A plastic magnet precursor which can be supplied in molding a plastic magnet with a constant composition without requiring kneading in which a resin is melted and sheared. Through injection molding using the precursor, a plastic magnet having little deterioration of magnetic properties and a small variation in quality is obtained. The plastic magnet precursor according to the present invention includes an Nd—Fe—B isotropic magnet powder and a ferrite anisotropic magnet powder subjected to coating with a titanate coupling agent, and a thermoplastic resin powder adhered around the magnet powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takako Takei, Takeshi Araki, Takanori Sone, Hiroyuki Teramoto, Takayuki Hanaki, Noriaki Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 7335317
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of preparing a polymer composite using a giant magnetostrictive material, and more particularly, to polymers composite having various improved properties, in which the advantageous structure of the giant magnetostrictive material produced by unidirectional solidification can be maintained by removing the eutectic phase from the magnetostrictive material and filling resulting voids with a polymer resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Soon Hyung Hong, Oh Yeoul Kwon, Won Je Park