Patents Issued in November 18, 2008
  • Method for performing crystallization trials
    Patent number: 7452419
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a crystallization system comprising identifying a screen storage plate from among the plurality of screen storage plates stored in a screen storage station, each screen storage plate having a plurality of wells that contain a screen solution and at least a portion of the screen storage plates having a selection of screen solutions that is different from the selection of screen solutions held in other screen storage plates; having a transport mechanism transport the identified screen storage plate to a screen replicator; transporting a plurality of crystallization plates to the screen replicators; and having the screen replicator transfer the screen solutions from the identified screen storage plate to the plurality of crystallization plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Takeda San Diego, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Martin, John W. Palan
  • Apparatus and method for diamond production
    Patent number: 7452420
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing diamond in a deposition chamber including a heat-sinking holder for holding a diamond and for making thermal contact with a side surface of the diamond adjacent to an edge of a growth surface of the diamond, a noncontact temperature measurement device positioned to measure temperature of the diamond across the growth surface of the diamond and a main process controller for receiving a temperature measurement from the noncontact temperature measurement device and controlling temperature of the growth surface such that all temperature gradients across the growth surface are less than 20° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignees: Carnegie Institution of Washington, The UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Russell J. Hemley, Ho-kwang Mao, Chih-shiue Yan, Yogesh K. Vohra
  • Spraying bowl, rotary sprayer incorporating such a bowl and spraying installation incorporating such a sprayer
    Patent number: 7452421
    Abstract: The bowl according to the invention is equipped with first magnetic coupling means adapted to cooperate with second complementary magnetic coupling means fixed on a non-rotary part of a sprayer, these first and second coupling means being adapted to exert an at least partially axial effort inducing the coupling in rotation of the bowl with a corresponding drive member. The radial width of an annular or truncated surface defined by the first coupling means is greater than the total radial width of the coupling means borne by the non-rotary part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Sames Technologies
    Inventors: Caryl Thome, Patrick Ballu, Eric Prus, Laurent Giraud
  • Apparatus for coating photoresist having slit nozzle
    Patent number: 7452422
    Abstract: An apparatus for coating a photoresist onto a substrate includes a slit nozzle to apply the photoresist to the substrate, a slit nozzle driving unit to move the slit nozzle, and a photoresist supply unit connected to the slit nozzle to supply the photoresist to the slit nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: O-Jun Kwon, Jeong-Kweon Park
  • Diffusion system
    Patent number: 7452423
    Abstract: Provided is a diffusion system for forming a doping layer in a wafer. The diffusion system includes a bubbler for generating a doping gas; a premixer, which premixes the doping gas with reactive gases and preheats the gas mixture; a main chamber, in which the gas mixture reacts to the wafer; a buffer case, which externally isolates an exhaust port and a door for loading and unloading the wafer into and out or the main chamber; and a used gas exhaustion system, which exhausts a used gas after the reaction is finished in the main chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun-young Kim, Byoung-lyong Choi, Eun-kyung Lee
  • Vaporizer
    Patent number: 7452424
    Abstract: A vaporizer for generating a process gas from a gas-liquid mixture fluid includes a container defining a process space of the vaporizer. A supply head having a plurality of spray holes to spray the fluid is disposed within the container. A heating passage is disposed below the spray holes within the container. The heating passage is configured to heat the fluid passing therethrough and thereby generate the process gas. A gas delivery passage is connected to the container to laterally deliver the process gas from below the heating passage. A mist receiver is provided at the container below the gas delivery passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tsuneyuki Okabe, Shigeyuki Okura
  • Corn refining process
    Patent number: 7452425
    Abstract: A grain containing starch, such as corn, is refined. The grain is steeped in water at a temperature of about 125 to 160° F., which water is essentially free of sulfurous acid and contains recycled enzymes from downstream processes, in a counter-current steeping reactor for about 10 to 20 hours to produce an aqueous slurry of steeped grain having a moisture content of about 40 to 50 percent. The various components of the grain are then separated and the starch is converted to ethanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Langhauser Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Leon H. Langhauser
  • Process solutions containing surfactants used as post-chemical mechanical planarization treatment
    Patent number: 7452426
    Abstract: Process solutions comprising one or more surfactants are used to reduce the number of defects in the manufacture of semiconductor devices. In certain preferred embodiments, the process solution of the present invention may reduce defects when employed as a rinse solution either during or after the development of the CMP processing. Also disclosed is a method for reducing the number of defects on a plurality of post-CMP processed substrates employing the process solution of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Peng Zhang, Brenda Faye Ross
  • Corrosion resistant conversion coatings
    Patent number: 7452427
    Abstract: A conversion coating composition for coating a metal substrate is provided which imparts corrosion resistance to the underlying metal substrate. The conversion coating composition comprises an aqueous carrier and first and second rare earth element salts. A complete coating system employing the conversion coating composition is also provided as well as methods for conversion coating a metal substrate with the rare earth element conversion coating compositions of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Deft, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric L. Morris
  • Method for coating metal substrates with a radically polymerizable coating agent and coated substrates
    Patent number: 7452428
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and coating agents used in the method which provide good adherence to and good corrosion protection of metal substrates; the coating coating agents are cross-linkable via radical polymerization. Adhesion promoting compounds are present in the conversion layer in a quantity of about 0.01 to 40 weight percent and contain, on average, one reactive unsaturated group and at least one H-active group per molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Henkel KGaA
    Inventors: Matthias Koch, Kerstin Motzkat
  • Products made of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys with an improved compromise between static mechanical characteristics and damage tolerance
    Patent number: 7452429
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an extruded, rolled and/or forged product made of an aluminum alloy. Alloys of the present invention may comprise (by mass): Zn 6.7-7.5% Cu 2.0-2.8% Mg 1.6-2.2% at least one element selected from the group composed of: i Zr 0.08-0.20% Cr 0.05-0.25% Sc 0.01-0.50% Hf 0.05-0.20% and V 0.02-0.20% Fe+Si<0.20% other elements ?0.05 each and ?0.15 total, balance aluminum. Products of the present invention in some embodiments have an improved compromise between static mechanical strength and damage tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Pechiney Rhenalu
    Inventors: Julien Boselli, Fabrice Heymes, Frank Eberl, Timothy Warner
  • Method for reforming A1 alloy castings
    Patent number: 7452430
    Abstract: In reforming mechanical characteristics of a precipitation hardening type Al alloy casting, the Al alloy casting is subjected to a high temperature/high pressure treatment, then the pressure is reduced while maintaining the temperature of the Al alloy casting, and subsequently the Al alloy casting is subjected to solution treatment, quenching, and aging in this order. According to this method, mechanical characteristics of the casting can be reformed efficiently and economically and there can be obtained a reformed product of good quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Yasuo Manabe, Makoto Yoneda, Shigeo Kofune
  • Optical product cure oven
    Patent number: 7452431
    Abstract: A cure oven comprises a sealable door and one or more pressure valves mounted inside for curing optical subcomponents that have been assembled using an adhesive. The cure oven comprises a chamber that can be configured to receive several hundreds of assembled optical subcomponents. The cure oven is further coupled to a computerized system via a drive motor. The computerized system initiates the heating and cooling sequences, and indicates whether the door can be opened, or must remain shut. The cure oven maintains a certain pressure inside the oven chamber consistent with a rise in temperature, allowing assembled optical subcomponents to be cured at a much higher rate than possible without disassembling, or being damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Jack A. Gilkerson, Mansour Jannati, Christopher W. Johnson
  • Apparatus for and method of bonding nano-tip using electrochemical etching
    Patent number: 7452432
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus for and a method of bonding a nano-tip using electrochemical etching, in which a good bonding stability can be provided. The nano-tip bonding apparatus comprises a glass plate having a top surface of a certain desired area. An electrolytic solution having conductivity is placed on the top surface of the glass plate by means of surface tension. Means for moving reciprocally a base material having conductivity in opposite direction is provided. A carbon nano-tube is adhered to a pointed tip of the base material by means of an adhesive. An end portion of the carbon nano-tube is to be immersed in the electrolytic solution. A power supply is provided for applying an electric power to the electrolytic solution and the base material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Soo Hyun Kim, Jun Sok Lee, Jai Seong Choi, Gyung Soo Kang
  • Cushioned flooring system and methods for making and installing the same
    Patent number: 7452433
    Abstract: A flooring system includes a preformed cushion layer made up of a plurality of individual preformed cushioning body sections that are sandwiched between sealant layers to provide a liquid-impervious flooring material. Methods for manufacturing the body sections and installing the flooring system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Lauren Agrisystems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Woong Shin, Ron Felgenhauer
  • Methods and apparatus for surface preparation and dual polymeric layer coating of continuous-strip flat-rolled sheet metal, and coated product
    Patent number: 7452434
    Abstract: Processes and apparatus for manufacturing an engineered-composite combining rigid flat-rolled sheet metal continuous-strip and selected polypropylene thermoplastics, which are formulated into dual polymeric coating layers for extrusion deposition, as distinct layers, on a single surface at a time, of continuous-strip, traveling in-line at ambient temperature. Steps for forming a uniform thickness of polymeric layers across strip width, and attraction to an activated metallic surface which provides enhanced adhesion. Solidification of the polymeric layers is augmented by strip temperature during continuous-in-line travel; final dual-surface finishing provides for complete bonding of the polymeric layers on both metallic surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: ISG Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Sinsel, Mark V. Loen, Michael S. Bailey
  • Functional film
    Patent number: 7452435
    Abstract: A functional film of the invention includes a microparticulate-containing layer containing functional microparticulates. The microparticulate-containing layer inhibits the occurrence of cracks even when drawn 10%. When the functional film includes a microparticulate-containing layer containing conductive microparticulates, the microparticulate-containing layer exhibits a surface resistivity after drawn 10% which is at most 10 times greater than the surface resistivity prior to drawing. The invention thus implements a functional film which is unsusceptible to reduction or loss of its function due to deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Kiminori Tamai, Tadayoshi Iijima, Chieko Yamada, Shigeyo Miyamori
  • Transverse tape application method and apparatus
    Patent number: 7452436
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying tape tabs to a traveling web of material when the tape tabs are moving at a non-parallel angle to the web of material. An anvil that carries the tape tabs moves at a perpendicular or other non-parallel angle to the web. The invention allows placement of the tape tabs at different arrangements, such as the tape tabs running parallel to the web of material. A wheel with a protuberance located near the web contacts the web to press the web down and adhere a tape tap to the moving web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Curt G. Joa, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Andrews
  • Zipper attachment and a method of making the improved zipper attachment
    Patent number: 7452437
    Abstract: A zipper mechanism is stitched to one side of a base which has a layer of adhesive on the other side. A release liner covers the adhesive and includes a plurality of rows of slits which define sections which are separated from each other. The zipper mechanism is attached to the base by rows of stitches with the rows of stitches being located between sections of the release liner so the release liner can be separated from an adhesive layer covering position in sections without interference by the stitching. The zipper mechanism is formed by a method which slits the release liner just prior to stitching the zipper mechanism to the base and locating each row of stitches between adjacent rows of slits defined in the release liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: William E. Semons
  • Method of fixing a probe needle to a needle fixture of a probe card in semiconductor inspection equipment
    Patent number: 7452438
    Abstract: A needle fixture of a probe card and a needle fixing method in semiconductor inspection equipment include a needle fixture of a probe card in semiconductor inspection equipment including a printed circuit board; a needle fixture installed in the printed circuit board; a resin unit affixing a probe needle to the needle fixture using an adhesive; and a separation preventer for preventing separation of the resin unit from the needle fixture, wherein the separation preventer includes: a plurality of notches formed along a bottom surface of the needle fixture; and the adhesive filling the plurality of notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Sik Yu, Ji-Man Choi, In-Dae Shin
  • Vacuum lamination apparatus and vacuum lamination method
    Patent number: 7452439
    Abstract: A vacuum lamination apparatus for performing a vacuum lamination process on a lamination material includes a base plate having two opposing sides for placing the lamination material; and evacuation members having an approximately triangular cross-section and fixed hermetically to the base plate at the two opposing sides. Each of the evacuation members has an evacuation port with a constant distance relative to the base plate. The vacuum lamination apparatus also includes end plates fixed hermetically to ends of each of the evacuation member, and a cover sheet placed on the base plate for covering the lamination material and the evacuation members to form a lamination space for performing the vacuum lamination process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Holding Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Yokoyama
  • Method and device for producing laminated composite
    Patent number: 7452440
    Abstract: A polyolefin resin drawn sheet 4 is laminated on at least one face of a sheet-form core material 6 having a density of 30 to 300 kgf/m3. At this time, a sheet or film 5 made of a bonding synthetic resin or rubber having a flow starting temperature lower than the thermal deformation temperature of the core material 6 and the melting point of the drawn sheet 4 is interposed between the core material 6 and the drawn sheet 4. The resultant stack product is heated to not less than the flow starting temperature of the synthetic resin or the rubber and not more than the thermal deformation temperature of the core material 6 and the melting point of the drawn sheet 4. At the same time of or after the heating, the stack product is pressed to apply a compression strain of 0.01 to 10% to the core material 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michitaka Tsujimoto, Katsuo Matsuzaka, Koji Yamaguchi, Masashi Okabe, Masanori Hirata, Masafumi Ishiyama
  • Method for manufacturing membrane electrode assembly
    Patent number: 7452441
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly comprises a process for preparing a electrolyte membrane and two gas diffusion layers, and a bonding process for forming the membrane electrode assembly by pressing a layered unit in which the electrolyte membrane is sandwiched between each of the two gas diffusion layers in such a way that provided catalyst layers locate in the interfaces between the electrolyte membrane and the two gas diffusion layers, wherein the bonding process is undertaken in a condition in which the surfaces of the electrolyte membrane are temporarily liquefied or softened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Gang Xie
  • Gluing wood based materials with melaminic amino resin and resorcinol or tannin resin
    Patent number: 7452442
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of gluing wood based materials by providing an adhesive system onto wood based materials followed by curing, the adhesive system comprises a melaminic amino resin and a phenolic resin composition, wherein the phenolic resin composition comprises an acid and a phenolic resin. The invention also relates to an adhesive system and a stable phenolic resin composition as well as wood based products obtained by the method or through the use of the adhesive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Akzo Nobel N.V.
    Inventors: Salme Pirhonen, Benyahia Nasli-Bakir, Ingvar Lindh
  • Vacuum plasma generator
    Patent number: 7452443
    Abstract: A vacuum plasma generator is used for treating workpieces in a vacuum chamber. The vacuum plasma generator includes a mains connection for connection to a voltage supply network, and at least one mains rectifier. The at least one mains rectifier is connected to at least one first converter that generates at least one intermediate circuit voltage, a first RF signal generator, a second RF signal generator, and at least one 3 dB coupler. The first RF signal generator is connected to at least one intermediate circuit voltage, for generating a first signal of a basic frequency and of a first phase position. The second RF signal generator is connected to at least one intermediate circuit voltage, for generating a second signal of the basic frequency and of a second phase position. The least one 3 dB coupler couples the first and the second signal into an output signal of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: HUETTINGER Elektronik GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Glück, Christoph Hofstetter, Gerd Hintz
  • Digester wash extraction by individual screen flow control
    Patent number: 7452444
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for cooking wood chips in a digester for the separation of wood fibers from their bonded state, the digester having a vertical centerline, a substantially circular cross-section, and a wash zone adjacent the bottom end thereof and a plurality of individual wash screens disposed about the inner wall of the digester for the withdrawal of liquor from the wash zone. In the first step of the method, substantially equal volumes of liquor are dynamically withdrawn from the wash zone through individual ones of the wash screens, while monitoring of the flow rate of liquor exiting the digester through individual ones of the wash screens. The monitored flow rate is used to increase or decrease the flow rate from screens to a value substantially equal to the flow rate of liquor from the digester through each of the screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Dean Kenneth Lawrence, Wayne Hill, Stanislaus Leo Ludwig, David Richard Code
  • Non-woody fiber mulching mat and production method thereof
    Patent number: 7452445
    Abstract: A liquid fiber mulching mat of a non-woody fiber and the production method thereof are disclosed. The production method of a liquid fiber mulching mat for a non-woody fiber includes steps of providing a biopulp of a non-woody fiber plant, a polymer and water, mixing the biopulp, the polymer and water well for preparing a fiber pulp of the non-woody fiber plant, and applying the fiber pulp of the non-woody fiber plant on a surface of an article for forming the liquid fiber mulching mat. Besides, a solid fiber mulching mat of a non-woody fiber is disclosed. The fiber mulching mat can be used in farms for protecting the weeds and used in mountainside land for preventing soil collapse. Also the fiber mulching mat can be used in arid area for decreasing water evaporation and preventing desertification and dust storm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Yeun Foong Yu Paper MFG Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jenn-Wen Huang, Yu-Hsiang Peng
  • Apparatus and method for dewatering a fabric
    Patent number: 7452446
    Abstract: A fabric dewatering apparatus for use after a fabric cleansing apparatus in a paper machine including: an endless wicking substrate disposed for rotation about a dryer roll; the endless wicking substrate and the fabric brought into surface contact as the fabric traverses at least a portion of the dryer roll's circumference; and a wicking substrate dewatering apparatus disposed along the wicking substrate's travel path after the dryer roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hermans, Frank Stephen Hada
  • Steam distributor for steam showers
    Patent number: 7452447
    Abstract: A steam distributor that uses a porous metal plate to replace the conventional screen plate of a steam shower for distributing steam to a moving web such as the web of a paper making machine. Steam showers using a steam distributor with this porous metal plate can deliver extremely uniform steam to the surface of a paper web. Profiling steam showers constructed by using an array of the steam distributors are able to deliver the best profiling results for various paper products. The porous metal plate can be considered as an equivalent of a screen plate with thousands of micro-orifices arranged tightly in both the machine direction and the CD direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: ABB Ltd.
    Inventors: Shizhong Duan, Geoffrey Arthur Jones
  • Fat producing method
    Patent number: 7452448
    Abstract: A method for producing a fat by distillation and purification while preventing isomerization. The distillation and purification is conducted under an acidic condition to prevent isomerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Oil Company, Limited
    Inventors: Tadayuki Okada, Kotaro Yamaguchi
  • Apparatus for electrolysis of water
    Patent number: 7452449
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for electrolyzing water for enhanced production of oxygen, hydrogen and heat by the steps of (i) providing an electrochemical cell comprising an isotopic hydrogen storage cathode, an electrically conductive anode and an ionically conducting electrolyte comprising water, and (ii) impressing a repeating sequence of voltages across the cathode and anode comprised of at least two cell voltage regimes, a first cell voltage regime consisting of a voltage sufficient to enhance cathodic absorption of hydrogen, and a second cell voltage regime consisting of at least one voltage pulse which is at least two times the voltage of the first cell voltage regime for a total duration no greater than 0.10 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Lectro Press, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman L. Weinberg, Klaus Tomantschger, Robert S. Feldstein, J. David Genders, Joseph M. Rait
  • Dimensionally stable anode for the electrowinning of aluminum
    Patent number: 7452450
    Abstract: An anode for the electrolysis of aluminium made from an outer dense layer of a ceramic material on a dense core made from a composite of the ceramic material of the outer layer and an electronic conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASA
    Inventors: Stein Julsrud, Turid Risdal
  • Electrode plate and electrolysis apparatus for electrolyis, electrode plate unit, and method for electrolyzing compound comprising hydrogen
    Patent number: 7452451
    Abstract: An electrode plate for electrolysis is composed of a plate-form porous ceramic body for electrolyzing a hydrogen-comprising-compound solution, and a conductive portion provided at a part of the ceramic body, wherein particles for composing the ceramic body are comprised of any of fluoride carbon and an element difficult to react to oxygen, and wherein an outmost-nucleus-orbit electron number of the element is even, and porosity having an energy concentration field is provided between the particles in the ceramic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Kitada, Kosuke Niki
  • Carbon nanotube nanoelectrode arrays
    Patent number: 7452452
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microelectode arrays (MEAs), and more particularly to carbon nanotube nanoelectrode arrays (CNT-NEAs) for chemical and biological sensing, and methods of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: The Trustees of Boston College
    Inventors: Zhifeng Ren, Yuehe Lin, Wassana Yantasee, Guodong Liu, Fang Lu, Yi Tu
  • System for pH-neutral stable electrophoresis gel
    Patent number: 7452453
    Abstract: A gel and buffer system for gel electrophoresis wherein separation occurs at neutral pH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Invitrogen Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy V Updyke, Sheldon C Engelhorn
  • Anodized coating over aluminum and aluminum alloy coated substrates
    Patent number: 7452454
    Abstract: Using aqueous electrolytes containing complex fluorides or oxyfluorides such as fluorozirconates and fluorotitanates, ferrous metal articles and non-metallic articles having a first coating containing aluminum may be rapidly anodized to form a second protective surface coating. White coatings may be formed on articles using pulsed direct current or alternating current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Henkel KGaA
    Inventor: Shawn E. Dolan
  • System and method for producing metal powder by electrowinning
    Patent number: 7452455
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for producing a metal powder product using either conventional electrowinning or alternative anode reaction chemistries in a flow-through electrowinning cell. The present invention enables the production of high quality metal powders, including copper powder, from metal-containing solutions using conventional electrowinning processes, direct electrowinning, or alternative anode reaction chemistries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Phelps Dodge Corporation
    Inventors: Scot P Sandoval, Antonioni C Stevens, Timothy G Robinson, John O Marsden, Stanley R Gilbert
  • Recreational spas, sanitization apparatus for water treatment, and related methods
    Patent number: 7452456
    Abstract: A water sanitization apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a power unit, a housing with inlet and outlet openings for permitting the passage of water containing a bromide salt into the housing and water containing a free bromine and a sanitizing metal ion out of the housing, respectively, and first and second electrodes electrically connected to the power unit. The first electrode has a graphite or carbon substrate doped with copper, silver, and/or zinc. When operated as an anode, the first electrode converts bromide salt to free bromine and oxidize doped metal to sanitizing metal ion. Also provided are related water treatment systems and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Pioneer H2O Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Birkbeck
  • System and method for analyte measurement using dose sufficiency electrodes
    Patent number: 7452457
    Abstract: A method of measuring an analyte in a biological fluid comprises applying an excitation signal having a DC component and an AC component. The AC and DC responses are measured; a corrected DC response is determined using the AC response; and a concentration of the analyte is determined based upon the corrected DC response. Other methods and devices are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Burke, Nigel A. Surridge, Henning Groll
  • Process for the treatment of a hydrocarbon feedstock
    Patent number: 7452458
    Abstract: Process for treatment of a hydrocarbon feedstock that comprises a hydrocarbon-containing liquid phase and hydrogen, in which the feedstock is separated under a pressure P1 into a liquid L1 and a gas G1, that is compressed and brought into contact with a portion of L1 under a pressure P2>2×P1 to recover a liquid L2 and a hydrogen-rich gas G2; L2 is fractionated to obtain a stabilized liquid L4a that is free of LPG and lighter products, a liquid stream of LPG, and a gas stream G4 that is recycled, and in which one of gas streams: recompressed G1 and G4 is in counter-current contact with an unstabilized liquid AL that is obtained from or extracted from L1 or L2, whereby this unstabilized liquid is supercooled by at least 10° C. below its bubble point at pressure P2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Institute Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Eric Sanchez, Béatrice Fischer
  • Process for the removal of sulfur-oxidated compounds from a hydrocarbonaceous stream
    Patent number: 7452459
    Abstract: A process for the removal of sulfur-oxidated compounds from a hydrocarbonaceous stream containing sulfur-oxidated compounds wherein the hydrocarbonaceous stream containing sulfur-oxidated compounds is contacted with an adsorbent which selectively adsorbs sulfur-oxidated compounds from the hydrocarbonaceous stream to produce an adsorbent having adsorbed sulfur-oxidated compounds. The loaded adsorbent containing sulfur-oxidated compounds is contacted with a desorbent to produce a desorbent containing sulfur-oxidated compounds and an adsorbent having a reduced content of sulfur-oxidated compounds. The regenerated adsorbent is then used to remove additional sulfur-oxidated compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Schultz, John P. Brady
  • Leaf and debris catcher
    Patent number: 7452460
    Abstract: A leaf and debris catcher for removing leaves and/or debris from a body of water. The leaf and debris catcher includes a leaf and debris collection member having top, bottom, front, rear, first, and second sides, the bottom side defining an interior side. A female vertical stem extends from a central location on the interior side of the bottom side, the stem defining a bore having opposite open ends. At least one inward opening front flap is located at the front side of the leaf and debris collection member. A plurality of debris and leaf guides converge and extend from the at least one front flap. The first and second sides of the leaf and debris collection member define a plurality of male tongues, and the top and bottom sides define complementary female slots, which are aligned such that the tongues snap-fit into the complementary female slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Michael N. Blake
  • Floating skimmer for cleaning the surface of a body of liquid
    Patent number: 7452461
    Abstract: A skimmer device for cleaning the surface of a body of liquid having a housing with a front and rear opening. Disposed within the housing is at least one float, a removable tray, and a battery powered motor with an attached propeller. Attached to the exterior of the housing is a guide fin and a net. Additionally, the housing has a solar device thereon that operates to recharge the rechargeable battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Louis F. Riley
  • Vessel designed to collect waste on board
    Patent number: 7452462
    Abstract: A vessel travels over a surface of a body of water or a waterway to collect waste on and/or close to the surface. A retainer that traps and retains the waste is activated by creating a water flow channel that is connected to a water inlet and a water outlet on the vessel. The retainer is on at least one trajectory of said channel. Waste is collected without using a specific pumping or gathering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Ecoceane SAS
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Joliet
  • Apparatus for treating water
    Patent number: 7452463
    Abstract: Provided are a treatment apparatus for removing fluorine content from water to be treated and a method of treating water to be treated using the same. Water to be treated, containing fluorine, is introduced into a treatment tank over a first path. Slaked lime is added to the water to be treated over a second path. Calcium chloride is added to the water to be treated over a third path. Thus, the fluorine contained in the water to be treated combines with calcium forming slaked lime or calcium chloride, thus yielding calcium fluoride, which is immobilized. When a filter film immersed in the water to be treated is used for filtration, the calcium fluoride contained in the water to be treated is concentrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Umezawa, Masahiro Iseki, Daizo Takaoka, Motoyuki Tsuihiji, Takashi Igarashi, Hiromichi Ohtake
  • Chromatography column
    Patent number: 7452464
    Abstract: A chromatography column having a longitudinal axis and comprising a column wall with a first end and a second end, a first end plate assembly removably connectable to said first end of the column wall, a second end plate assembly removably connectable to said second end of the column wall, wherein said first end plate assembly, said column wall and said second end plate assembly are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the column wherein the column wall, and/or first end plate assembly and/or second end plate assembly is/are rotatable about an axis of rotation wherein said axis of rotation is parallel to the longitudinal axis of said column and positioned outside the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences AB
    Inventors: Per Uselius, Mats Olsson, Sven Wounder, Jerker Persson
  • Incubation treatment of sludge for pathogen reduction prior to digestion
    Patent number: 7452465
    Abstract: A method of treating sewage sludge comprises a pathogen reduction stage in which raw sludge is incubated for a predetermined incubation period at a temperature in the mesophilic temperature range. The sludge is incubated in a plurality of sequential vessels (1a,1b,1c) comprising an upstream vessel (1a) which receives the raw sludge to be incubated and a downstream vessel (1c) which discharges the incubated sludge. The sludge is fed from the upstream vessel (1a) to the downstream vessel (1c), via any intermediate vessels (1b), and subsequently discharged after spending a predetermined residence time in each vessel, the total residence time being said predetermined incubation period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: United Utilities PLC
    Inventor: Son Le
  • Method and apparatus for anaerobic digestion of biomasses and generation of biogas
    Patent number: 7452466
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an anaerobic digestion of biomasses with generation of biogas and sludge, wherein a hydrolyzation phase and a following fermentation of the biomass are included, wherein a hydrolyzation phase (5) and at least two following fermentation phases (7,8,9) are included and wherein the hydrolyzation (5) as well as the following fermentations (7,8,9) are performed in separate containers with specific measurement and control of the temperature, of the mixing degree, of the pH value and of the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventors: Rupert Binning, Fritz Mödinger, Paul Gasser
  • Induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor
    Patent number: 7452467
    Abstract: An induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor includes a vessel in which a septum or other partition is positioned to maintain solids in wastewater being treated toward a lower zone in the reactor. A gas trap, which may also comprise an overpressure protection device, may be arranged at an outlet of the vessel. A distribution plate may be located at an inlet. A central aperture is formed in the septum into which a plug control mechanism, such as an auger, may be positioned to force solids to the lower zone of the reactor or, alternatively, pull solids up above the septum so that they can be removed from the vessel, if desired. A mixer may be utilized in connection with the bioreactor to mix the contents and prevent a crust from forming at the top of the bioreactor. Still further, a wall may be positioned to extend above the septum around its perimeter to assist in separating solids from the wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignees: Andigen, LLC, Utah State University
    Inventors: Conly L. Hansen, Carl S. Hansen, Edward D. Watts, Kevin D. Pack
  • Method and apparatus for treatment of wastewater
    Patent number: 7452468
    Abstract: Introducing a combination of suspended attached growth Medias and biological reactants into a sewage treatment process with or without additional reaction to improve and increase capacity of a given process. Media and biological reactants can be disposed in a perforated container or flexible container that can be submerged in a sequencing bed reactor or the aeration and/or mixing tanks of an activated sludge sewage treatment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: William G. Smith