Patents Issued in February 8, 2011
  • Patent number: 7883570
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating components of a fluid containing liquid and gas comprises a housing having at least one elongate channel. Each channel has an inlet end, an outlet end and rounded walls enabling the fluid flowing through the channel to flow substantially free of turbulent flow. Each channel defines a spiral path through the housing and acts to separate the fluid flowing through the channel into a gas-depleted outer portion and a liquid-depleted inner portion. The apparatus includes a liquid outlet port for the gas-depleted outer portion and a gas outlet port for the liquid-depleted inner portion. The housing may include a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the inlet end of the channel. The mixing chamber may include a surface the fluid impacts against. The apparatus may include a chamber at the outlet end of the channel. The chamber may have a gas outlet port closer to the outlet end of the channel than the liquid outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Star Oil Tools Inc.
    Inventor: Marcel Obrejanu
  • Patent number: 7883571
    Abstract: Purification method and apparatus for purifying a gas stream by oxygen removal. The apparatus includes primary and secondary oxygen separation zones and tubular electrically driven oxygen separation elements. There are more elements in the primary zone than the secondary zone so that low concentrations of oxygen can be obtained in a purified stream and turbulent flow conditions can also be obtained that will permit purification to very low levels. In addition, a junction is provided to connect the tubular separation elements to metallic elements such as manifolds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Andrew Lane, David M. Reed
  • Patent number: 7883572
    Abstract: A cleanable filter for particulate material, includes a zigzag pleated filter pack, spacers disposed between the pleats in the filter pack and a frame having an upper and lower part covering the respective upper and lower side of the filter pack that contains the ends of the fold lines and two lateral parts covering the opposite sides of the filter pack that contains the ends of the filter medium zigzag folded into a filter pack, the frame thereby leaving the opposite sides of the filter pack that contains alternate fold lines of the pleated filter pack, free for the passage of air. The filter medium in the filter pack includes a pleated sheet of polytetrafluorethylene and the spacers between the pleats consist of corrugated aluminum foils. An earthing element furthermore electrically connects the aluminum foils to each other and to an earth connection on the outside of the filter frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Camfil AB
    Inventor: Eckhard Neudeck
  • Patent number: 7883573
    Abstract: The present invention provides, for use in a semiconductor manufacturing process, a method (100) of preparing an ion-implantation source material. The method includes providing (110) a deliquescent ion implantation source material and mixing (110) the deliquescent ion implantation source material with an organic liquid to form a paste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Amitabh Jain
  • Patent number: 7883574
    Abstract: Nanoscale particles of benzimidazolone pigments are made by providing one or more organic pigment precursor(s) to a benzimidazolone pigment, providing a solution or suspension of a sterically bulky stabilizer compound that associates non-covalently with a benzimidazolone moiety on one of the pigment precursors, wherein the sterically bulky stabilizer compound is selected from the group consisting of substituted pyridine derivatives, alkylated benzimidazolone compounds, alkylated derivatives of aromatic acids, and mixtures thereof, and carrying out a coupling reaction to form a benzimidazolone pigment composition, whereby one or more functional moieties on the benzimidazolone pigment is non-covalently associated with the sterically bulky stabilizer, so as to limit an extent of particle growth and aggregation and results in nanoscale pigment particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Rina Carlini, Darren Andrew Makeiff
  • Patent number: 7883575
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the addition of biocidal agents to colloidal silicate coating compositions, said compositions being useful for coating structures prepared from Portland cement compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: Robert B. Bowers
  • Patent number: 7883576
    Abstract: An inorganic binder composition has a first constituent which is a poly(sialate) or a poly(sialate-siloxo) admixed with a second constituent which has one or more of: fly ash F, fly ash C, fumed silica, Al2O3, pozzolan, ground slag, nepheline syenite, anhydrous aluminum silicate, hydrous aluminum silicate, hydrous sodium hydroxide, silicic acid, potassium salt, and sodium salt. The binder is used to recycle and reuse revert materials from metal smelting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: Douglas C Comrie
  • Patent number: 7883577
    Abstract: An admixture formulation of at least one polycarboxylate dispersant and at least one naphthalene dispersant is provided. When the polycarboxylate dispersant and the naphthalene dispersant of the admixture formulation are combined at various ratios the admixture formulation reduces the tendency for bleed and segregation in cementitious mixtures without increasing water demand, retarding setting, increasing water sensitivity, promoting high viscosity, or reducing flow retention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Construction Research and Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Sandra R. Sprouts, Frederick R. Goodwin, Alessandro Dal Bo
  • Patent number: 7883578
    Abstract: Homogeneity residuals of the refractive index have a strong influence on the performance of lithography tools for both 193 and 157 nm application wavelengths. By systematic investigations of various defects in the real structure of CaF2 crystals, the origin of homogeneity residuals can be shown. Based on a quantitative analysis we define limiting values for the individual defects which can be either tolerated or controlled by optimized process steps, e.g. annealing. These correlations were carried out for all three relevant main crystal lattice orientations of CaF2 blanks. In conclusion we achieved a strong improvement of the critical parameters of both refractive index homogeneity and striae for large size lens blanks up to 270 mm diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hellma Materials GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Lutz Parthier, Michael Selle, Erik Foerster
  • Patent number: 7883579
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus which enables the work efficiency of maintenance to be improved. The substrate processing apparatus comprises a plurality of processing chambers 100 for carrying out plasma processing on a wafer to be processed. Each processing chamber 100 has a chamber lid 200 that can be suspended and supported by a crane unit 500. The crane unit 500 comprises an air cylinder 510 and a linear guide 520. The air cylinder 510 holds the chamber lid 200 movably in a vertical direction thereabove. The linear guide 520 holds the chamber lid 200 movably in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Akira Kodashima, Shinichi Miyano, Takehiro Kato
  • Patent number: 7883580
    Abstract: Ion implantation is used to grow nanotubes out of carbon and other materials. Catalytic material is placed on or in a membrane that physically and possibly environmentally separates an implantation chamber or region from a growth chamber or region. High-energy ions are implanted into the catalytic material from one side to grow nanotubes on an exposed surface in the growth chamber. Ion implantation via the membrane provides for greater flexibility to separate and independently control the implantation and growth processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Raythedn Company
    Inventors: Delmar L. Barker, Mead M. Jordan, W. Howard Poisl
  • Patent number: 7883581
    Abstract: Provided are a substrate processing apparatus and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The substrate processing apparatus includes a reaction vessel configured to process a substrate, a heater configured to heat an inside of the reaction vessel, a gas supply line configured to supply gas into the reaction vessel, a first valve installed at the gas supply line, a flow rate controller installed at the gas supply line, a main exhaust line configured to exhaust the inside of the reaction vessel, a second valve installed at the main exhaust line, a slow exhaust line installed at the main exhaust line, a third valve installed at the slow exhaust line, a throttle part installed at the slow exhaust line, a vacuum pump installed at the main exhaust line, and a controller configured to control the valves and the flow rate controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electric, Inc.
    Inventors: Naoharu Nakaiso, Kiyohiko Maeda, Masayuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 7883582
    Abstract: A gas exhaust unit evacuates the inside of a vacuum transfer chamber at a constant exhaust rate. An gas exhaust valve is kept normally open, and a purge gas (N2 gas) is supplied from a purge gas supply source into the vacuum transfer chamber via a mass flow controller (MFC) and an opening/closing valve. A main control unit controls a pressure in the vacuum transfer chamber to be within a specified range through a flow rate set value for the MFC while monitoring a pressure in the vacuum transfer chamber via a vacuum gauge. The main control unit determines occurrence of abnormality when the pressure exceeds a specified upper limit and then takes such actions as changing a flow rate set value for the MFC, giving an alarm and stopping the operation of a vacuum processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Masaki Kondo, Teruyuki Hayashi, Misako Saito
  • Patent number: 7883583
    Abstract: Apparatus for vaporizing a particulate material, comprising a metering apparatus including: a reservoir; a housing having an internal volume and first and second openings for respectively receiving and discharging the particulate material; a rotatable shaft disposed in the internal volume, the shaft having a smooth surface and a circumferential groove for receiving particulate material from the reservoir and for discharging the particulate material; the rotatable shaft and the internal volume cooperating such that the particulate material is transported by the circumferential groove and not along the remainder of the rotatable shaft; a scraper disposed in relation to the second opening, having at its end substantially the same cross section as the groove in the rotating shaft, the scraper cooperating with the groove to dislodge particulate material retained therein, and in response to the shaft rotating, delivers metered amounts of particulate material through the second opening; to the flash evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Global OLED Technology LLC
    Inventors: Michael Long, Thomas W. Palone, Bruce E. Koppe, Michael L. Boroson
  • Patent number: 7883584
    Abstract: The present invention is a solid rinse aid composition and methods of making and using the same. The solid rinse aid composition generally includes sodium sulfate and urea as solidification agents and an effective amount of an alcohol ethoxylate compound sheeting agent component and an effective amount of defoamer component. The solid rinse aid composition may also incorporate a preservative system including sodium bisulfate. The solid rinse aid composition may be phosphate-free, aminocarboxylate-free, and GRAS if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Janel M. Kieffer, Michael Bartelme, Kent Brittain, Matthew F. Zurbey, Yvonne M. Killeen
  • Patent number: 7883585
    Abstract: A method of using a wash cylinder or chamber for a cleaning station to clean an object or a person's body part includes nozzles on the interior of the cylinder, the nozzles of one embodiment comprising an increasing roll angle providing a novel spray pattern. Additionally, embodiments of the invention include methods of using fluid guidance and conveyance structures, angled nozzles, sealing structures, finger guards, nozzle ribs, wash chamber seating mechanisms and drains, and nozzle inlays having a plurality of nozzles. Also disclosed are methods of washing an object or body part using a wash cylinder or chamber and methods of assembling a wash cylinder or chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Resurgent Health & Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. Barnhill, Thomas M. Johannsen
  • Patent number: 7883586
    Abstract: Technology scanning and irradiating grain-oriented electrical steel sheet moving in a rolling direction at a speed Vl with an elliptical spot formed by a laser beam in the width direction at Vc to improve the core loss of the grain-oriented electrical steel sheet, which adjusts the angle ?s formed by the scan direction of the elliptical beam and the long axis of the ellipse based on the equation ?s=tan?1(Vl/Vc) and which constructs the system for adjusting the ?s by an optical system for laser irradiation comprised of a cylindrical lens telescope, scan mirror, and f? lens arranged in that order, a system for changing the angle of the cylindrical lens telescope with respect to the scan direction of the scan mirror, and a system for changing the distance between lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Sakai, Hideyuki Hamamura
  • Patent number: 7883587
    Abstract: A rare earth permanent magnet is prepared by providing a sintered magnet body consisting of 12-17 at % of rare earth, 3-15 at % of B, 0.01-11 at % of metal element, 0.1-4 at % of O, 0.05-3 at % of C, 0.01-1 at % of N, and the balance of Fe, disposing on a surface of the magnet body a powder comprising an oxide, fluoride and/or oxyfluoride of another rare earth, and heat treating the powder-covered magnet body at a temperature below the sintering temperature in vacuum or in an inert gas, for causing the other rare earth to be absorbed in the magnet body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Nakamura, Koichi Hirota, Takehisa Minowa
  • Patent number: 7883588
    Abstract: In a Cu—Bi based sintered alloy, to which hard particles, such as Fe3P, are added, the main constituent components of the microstructure are a Cu matrix, Bi phase and the hard particles. In the sintering method of the present invention, the flow of the Bi phase is suppressed to as low level as possible. The novel structure is that the contact between the Bi phase and hard particles is kept to a low ratio. A lead-free bearing used for a fuel injection pump according to the present invention contains from 1 to 30 mass % of Bi and from 0.1 to 10 mass % of hard particles having from 10 to 50 ?m of the average particle diameter, the balance being Cu and unavoidable impurities. The properties of the main component phases are utilized at a high level such that the sliding properties are equivalent to those of a Pb containing Cu-based sintered alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignees: Taiho Kogyo Co., Ltd., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromi Yokota, Daisuke Yoshitome, Hiroaki Hayakawa, Naruhiko Inayoshi, Youichi Murakami, Masashi Suzuki, Takahiro Nozu
  • Patent number: 7883589
    Abstract: The free-cutting copper alloy according to the present invention contains a greatly reduced amount of lead in comparison with conventional free-cutting copper alloys, but provides industrially satisfactory machinability. The free-cutting alloys comprise 71.5 to 78.5 percent, by weight, of copper, 2.0 to 4.5 percent, by weight, of silicon, 0.005 percent up to but less than 0.02, by weight, of lead, and the remaining percent, by weight, of zinc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Shindoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichiro Oishi
  • Patent number: 7883590
    Abstract: A method of forming high temperature heat treatable aluminum alloys that can be used at temperatures from about ?420° F. (?251° C.) up to about 650° F. (343° C.) are described. The alloys are strengthened by dispersion of particles based on the L12 intermetallic compound Al3X. These alloys comprise aluminum, copper, magnesium, at least one of scandium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium; and at least one of gadolinium, yttrium, zirconium, titanium, hafnium, and niobium. Lithium is an optional alloying element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Awadh B. Pandey
  • Patent number: 7883591
    Abstract: Disclosed is a Al—Zn alloy wrought product, and a method of manufacturing such a product, with an improved combination of high toughness and high strength by maintaining good corrosion resistance, the alloy including (in weight percent): Zn 6.0-11.0, Cu 1.4-2.2, Mg 1.4-2.4, Zr 0.05-0.15, Ti <0.05, Hf and/or V <0.25, and optionally Sc and/or Ce 0.05-0.25, and Mn 0.05-0.12, other elements each less than 0.05 and less than 0.50 in total, balance aluminium, wherein such alloy has an essentially fully unrecrystallized microstructure at least at the position T/10 of the finished product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Aleris Aluminum Koblenz GmbH
    Inventors: Rinze Benedictus, Christian Joachim Keidel, Alfred Ludwig Heinz
  • Patent number: 7883592
    Abstract: A method of forming bulk metallic glass engineering materials, and more particularly a method for forming coarsening microstructures within said engineering materials is provided. Specifically, the method forms ‘designed composites’ by introducing ‘soft’ elastic/plastic inhomogeneities in a metallic glass matrix to initiate local shear banding around the inhomogeneity, and matching of microstructural length scales (for example, L and S) to the characteristic length scale RP (for plastic shielding of an opening crack tip) to limit shear band extension, suppress shear band opening, and avoid crack development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Douglas C. Hofmann, William C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7883593
    Abstract: A novel pyrotechnic delay composition for use in metal delay fuse cartridges, including as its primary constituent Si—Al—Fe3O4 prepared from powdered form. The delay composition yields a progressive burning zone and burns substantially gas-free, is safe to handle, is resistant to moisture and degradation over time, can be incorporated within the confines of existing detonator shells, and poses no environmental hazards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James E. Rose, Magdy Michay, Jan Puszynski
  • Patent number: 7883594
    Abstract: Pile weatherstripping, which is clad with a wrapping of a film (14, 25, 104, 216) of flexible material, has one or more rows (19, 27, 100, 102, 212, 214) of pile (10, 24, 105, 233) on a backing (12, 28, 106, 218) in side-by-side relationship. The wrapping film material conforms to the outside surface of the row (19, 27, 100, 102, 214) of pile so as to define a bulb or bulbs which are completely filled with pile. Single row (19, 27) pile weatherstripping is made by wrapping the pile (10, 24) with the film material (14, 25) after first ultrasonically welding the film material along one edge thereof to the backing (12, 28) under the pile. Then, the film material (14, 25) may be bent around the pile as it moves through a guide (88). The film material (14, 25) is then attached along the opposite edge to the backing thereof so as to completely enclose and clad the row (19, 27) of weatherstripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Ultrafab, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Albanese, Robert C. Horton, Alan J. DeMello, Thongdy Chanthabane
  • Patent number: 7883595
    Abstract: A tire manufacturing method includes the steps of, when a green tire is molded, moving a toroidally expandable toroidal molding drum through a distance between a plurality of working stations at a specified tact time, disposing a carcass band and both bead cores on the drum in any working station and locking the bead cores, increasing the diameter of the molding drum, toroidally extending the carcass band between both bead cores, and rolling up the side portion of the carcass band around the bead cores in the outer radial direction, assembling tire component members with the bead cores locked to the toroidal molding drum and molding the green tire, and reducing the diameter of the molding drum, unlocking the bead cores, and removing the green tire from the molding drum, whereby the tires of a plurality of sizes can be sequentially molded, a conventional tire structure must not be largely changed, and an energy and time can be prevented from being wastefully consumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Nakada, Yuichiro Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7883596
    Abstract: A noise absorber carpet comprised of a fabric layer portion and a resinous backing layer portion is provided. The fabric layer portion and the resinous backing layer portion are heat bonded with a press into the noise absorber carpet, and the press includes perforation pins and a cooling medium. The resinous backing layer portion is provided with noise absorbing perforations formed by contact with the perforation pins of the press and cooled by the cooling medium. The perforations having been cooled by the cooling medium with the press simultaneously with the bonding of the resinous backing layer portion with the fabric layer portion and the cooling of the press by the cooling medium, thereby providing for instant curing and fixation of the shape of the perforations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Daiwa, Kabushiki Kaisha Yachiyo
    Inventor: Kohei Yamada
  • Patent number: 7883597
    Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes forming a groove in at least one of opposing planar surfaces of a cellular thermoform plastic substrate. The groove is formed at an edge region of the substrate. A stiffener is positioned in the groove, and a fiber matt is laid on the at least one planar surface containing the groove. The stiffener and fiber matt are embedded in a thermoset resin. The thermoset resin is cured to form a fiber reinforced thermoset plastic reinforcement. The substrate is then cross-sectionally cut to form a profile. The profile can be further finished to form a beveled siding for buildings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Integritect Consulting, Inc.
    Inventor: James Blahut
  • Patent number: 7883598
    Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum bonding a liquid crystal display device includes a unitary vacuum processing chamber, upper and lower stages provided at upper and lower spaces within the vacuum processing chamber for receiving first and second substrates, and at least one first substrate receiving system provided within the vacuum chamber to contact dummy areas between cell areas of one of the first and second substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Seok Lee, Sang Ho Park
  • Patent number: 7883599
    Abstract: There is provided a device for bonding ceramic structural bodies. In the state in which a set of ceramic structural bodies provided with a bonding agent between bonding surfaces and provided with elastic sleeves disposed on a peripheral surface of the set of the structural bodies are placed in a tubular container with an elastic sheet disposed between the elastic sleeves and the tubular container, the device is able to charge a hydrostatic pressure medium between the tubular container and the elastic sheet to press and bond the structural bodies. By bonding the ceramic structural bodies with the device, it may provide accurate positioning of the bonding surfaces. It may also provide a uniform distance between bonded surfaces, and reduce the number of bonding operations, thereby affording an excellent working efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Fujita, Takahisa Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7883600
    Abstract: An RF supply system is to be connected to an RF electrode disposed outside or inside a process chamber to assist a plasma process performed in the process chamber. This system includes an RF power supply, a matching unit, and an impedance converter. The RF power supply is configured to supply an RF power for plasma generation to the electrode through a transmission path. The matching unit is disposed on the transmission path between the RF power supply and the electrode, and configured to match a load impedance viewing from the RF power supply with an impedance of the RF power supply side. The impedance converter is disposed on the transmission path between the matching unit and the electrode, and configured to convert a load impedance viewing from the matching unit to an impedance higher than an actual impedance on the electrode side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Kenji Sato
  • Patent number: 7883601
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a plasma etching process includes plasma control structure that can vary a size of a plasma flow passage, vary a speed of plasma flowing through the plasma flow passage, vary plasma concentration flowing through the plasma flow passage, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih Ming Chang, Chi-Lun Lu
  • Patent number: 7883602
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method comprising same for removing metal oxides from a substrate surface are disclosed herein. In one particular embodiment, the apparatus comprises an electrode assembly that has a housing that is at least partially comprised of an insulating material and having an internal volume and at least one fluid inlet that is in fluid communication with the internal volume; a conductive base connected to the housing comprising a plurality of conductive tips that extend therefrom into a target area and a plurality of perforations that extend therethrough and are in fluid communication with the internal volume to allow for a passage of a gas mixture comprising a reducing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignees: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., BTU International, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun Christine Dong, Wayne Thomas McDermott, Alexander Schwarz, Gregory Khosrov Arslanian, Richard E. Patrick, Gary A. Orbeck, Donald A. Seccombe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7883603
    Abstract: A method for making a sheet of paper and/or cardboard and the like, comprises, prior to forming said sheet, adding to the fibrous suspension, separately or mixed, in any sequence of introduction, into one or more injection points, at least three dry strength agents respectively: first agent corresponding to a (co)polymer having a cationic filler density higher than 1 meq/g and exhibiting primary amine functions; a second agent corresponding to a synthetic organic (co)polymer having cationic filler density higher than 0.1 meq/g; and a third agent corresponding to a (co)polymer having an anionic filler density higher than 0.1 meq/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: S.P.C.M. SA
    Inventors: Rene Hund, Christian Jehn-Rendu, Fabrice Moretton
  • Patent number: 7883604
    Abstract: Tissue products are disclosed containing an additive composition. The additive composition, for instance, comprises an aqueous dispersion containing an alpha-olefin polymer, an ethylene-carboxylic acid copolymer, or mixtures thereof. The alpha-olefin polymer may comprise an interpolymer of ethylene and octene, while the ethylene-carboxylic acid copolymer may comprise ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer. The additive composition may also contain a dispersing agent, such as a fatty acid. The additive composition may be incorporated into the tissue web by being combined with the fibers that are used to form the web. Alternatively, the additive composition may be topically applied to the web after the web has been formed. For instance, in one embodiment, the additive composition may be applied to the web as a creping adhesive during a creping operation. The additive composition may improve the strength of the tissue web without substantially affecting the perceived softness of the web in an adverse manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Dyer, Michael R. Lostocco, Deborah Nickel, Troy M. Runge
  • Patent number: 7883605
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a process for pyrolyzing hydrocarbonaceous material are provided. In one embodiment the process for pyrolyzing hydrocarbonaceous material includes charging a reactor with a feed material comprising hydrocarbonaceous material, heating the feed material, and collecting liquid product from the reactor which is anaerobic in operation. At least 5% of the organic carbon atoms which are not present in an aromatic ring of a compound of the feed material are present in an aromatic ring of a compound in a liquid portion of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Charlie Holding Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Grispin
  • Patent number: 7883606
    Abstract: A method of producing microparticles including: (a) providing a system including: (i) a vessel containing a liquid; (ii) at least a first pair of electrodes; (iii) a mechanism for igniting an electrical arc between the electrodes; (b) disposing the first pair of electrodes within the liquid, and (c) effecting at least one pulsed electrical discharge between the electrodes so as to produce a plasma bubble, and to produce the microparticles, the microparticles being associated with the plasma bubble, wherein the pulsed electrical discharge has a pulse duration of less than 1000 microseconds, and wherein the pulsed electrical discharge has a current amplitude of at least 1 ampere (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventors: Nahum Parkansky, Raymond Leon Boxman
  • Patent number: 7883607
    Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes ion milling at a first angle of greater than about 25 degrees from normal relative to a media facing side of a thin film region of a magnetic head or component thereof for recessing the thin film region at about a constant rate for films of interest of the thin film region, planes of deposition of the films being oriented about perpendicular to the media facing side; and ion milling or plasma sputtering at a second angle of less than about 25 degrees from normal relative to the media facing side of the thin film region for recessing magnetic films therein faster than insulating films therein, the second angle being smaller than the first angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Glenn Biskeborn, Cherngye Hwang, Calvin Shyhjong Lo, Andrew C. Ting
  • Patent number: 7883608
    Abstract: A cathodic protection system wherein a metal structure is electrically connected to a sacrificial anode through a self encapsulating wire connector that can be assembled by unskilled persons and can be maintained in a protective condition around an electrical junction to enable the electrical junction to protected from an underground environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: The Patent Store LLC
    Inventors: William Hiner, Lloyd Herbert King, Jr., James C. Keeven
  • Patent number: 7883609
    Abstract: An alternating electric field is applied to ice (530) to generate a resistive AC having a frequency greater than 1000 Hz in interfacial ice at interface (554). A first electrode (510) and a second electrode (514) proximate to the interface are separated by an electrical insulator (512). An AC power source (520) provides a voltage of about 10 to 500 volts across the electrodes to create the alternating electric field. A portion of the capacitive AC associated with the alternating electric field is present in the interfacial ice as conductivity (resistive) AC, which causes dielectric loss heating in the interfacial ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: The Trustees of Dartmouth College
    Inventors: Victor Petrenko, Charles Sullivan, Lev Deresh
  • Patent number: 7883610
    Abstract: Apparatus for oxygenating an enclosed space as well as removing carbon dioxide from the enclosed space. The apparatus comprises a photolytic cell (16) having an anode compartment with a photo-active surface having the ability to convert water to oxygen; a cathode compartment having the ability to convert carbon dioxide and hydrogen to a solid or liquid medium; and a light source (20) for providing light photons (21) to said photolytic cell and activating the photo-reactive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Bruce F. Monzyk, Eric C. Burckle
  • Patent number: 7883611
    Abstract: An electrochemical sensor, especially for gases, is provided having a mediator compound based on transition metal salts of polybasic acids and/or transition metal salts of polyhydroxycarboxylic acids. The electrochemical sensor also contains a DLC, BDD or a precious metal thin-layer measuring electrode (3). The electrochemical sensor may be used for determining SO2 and H2S.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Drägerwerk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sabrina Sommer, Herbert Kiesele, Frank Mett
  • Patent number: 7883612
    Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic device for electrochemically regulating the pH of a fluid comprising: a cathode substrate; an anode substrate facing the cathode substrate and forming a reaction chamber with the cathode substrate; and a nonconductor which forms a boundary between the portions of the cathode substrate and the anode substrate that are capable of contacting one another, wherein at least one of the cathode substrate and the anode substrate is a semiconductor doped with impurities and the other is a metal electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-im Han, Joon-ho Kim
  • Patent number: 7883613
    Abstract: The present invention provides a capillary electrophoresis apparatus in which a capillary is easily attached to and detached from a migration medium filling unit without mixing impurities into the capillary. Mixture of impurities such as dust is also prevented when a capillary negative-electrode end is brought into contact with a sample stored in a vessel. Furthermore, temperature control is efficiently performed in the capillary. In the capillary electrophoresis apparatus, the whole of capillary array can be supported by grasping a grip portion by hand. A migration medium filling mechanism includes a slide mechanism which moves a polymer block with respect to a capillary head. The capillary electrophoresis apparatus includes a vessel in which a sample and a buffer can simultaneously be stored. Temperatures of the capillary and an irradiation and detection unit are controlled by a temperature control function provided in a thermostatic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Gomi, Ryoji Inaba, Motohiro Yamazaki, Hidenori Namba, Jin Matsumura, Hiromi Yamashita, Seiichi Ugai, Kazumichi Imai
  • Patent number: 7883614
    Abstract: The method for manufacturing an electronic part includes a step of forming an opening hole onto an insulating member sandwiched between a conductor film and a lower conductor layer, from the conductor film, a step of making a surface of the lower conductor layer adhering the insulating member as bottom of the opening hole, and making a metal plating as a conductor portion grow in the opening hole from the lower conductor layer. In the method, after metal plating has reached the conductor film, the metal plating is grown on the conductor film and the conductor portion as electrode, to thereby form a thickness enough to form an upper conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Gotoh, Hajime Kuwajima, Hiroki Hara, Hiroshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7883615
    Abstract: A method is provided for electrochemically depositing a polysaccharide mass having a selected physical state. According to an embodiment, an electrically conductive support of a substrate is contacted with an aqueous solution including a selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide, and the selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide is electrochemically deposited on the electrically conductive support while controlling deposition conditions to form the polysaccharide mass having the selected physical state, such as that of a hydrogel. Deposition may be performed in a spatially and/or temporally controlled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignees: University of Maryland, College Park, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
    Inventors: Gregory F. Payne, Li-Qun Wu, Reza Ghodssi, William E. Bentley, Gary W. Rubloff, Hyunmin Yi, Rohan Fernandes, Tianhong Chen, David A. Small
  • Patent number: 7883616
    Abstract: A method for production of a metal oxide and/or metal hydroxide coated metal material comprises immersing a metal material or electrolyzing a conductive material in an aqueous treatment solution at pH 2-7 containing metal ion and fluorine ion in a 4-fold or more molar ratio with respect to the metal ion, and/or containing a complex ion comprising at least a metal and fluorine in a 4-fold or more molar ratio with respect to the metal, to form on the surface of the metal material a metal oxide and/or metal hydroxide coating containing the metal ion and/or the metal, as well as a metal oxide and/or metal hydroxide coated metal material having a metal oxide and/or metal hydroxide coating produced by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromasa Shoji, Tsutomu Sugiura
  • Patent number: 7883617
    Abstract: This invention provides an electrochemical analysis method for accurately detecting a harmful substance such as arsenic contained in a solution. In the electrochemical analysis method, a working electrode and a counter electrode are disposed in an object electrolytic solution. A negative potential is applied to the working electrode to electrodeposit the electrolyte onto the surface of the working electrode and thus to form an electrodeposit. Next, the potential of the working electrode is sweeped in a positive potential direction to allow the electrodeposit to elute into the solution and, at the same time, to detect a current change upon a potential change and thus to analyze an object substance dissolved as an electrolyte in the object electrolytic solution. A boron-doped electroconductive diamond electrode or an electrode with gold deposited on its surface is used as the working electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Keio University
    Inventors: Yasuaki Einaga, Daisuke Yamada
  • Patent number: 7883618
    Abstract: Systems and processes for producing one or more olefins. A feed containing 90% by weight or more C4 and higher hydrocarbons can be cracked at conditions sufficient to provide an olefinic mixture and an aromatic mixture. The olefinic mixture can comprise 90% by weight or more C1 to C3 hydrocarbons. The aromatic mixture can comprise 90% by weight or more C4 and higher hydrocarbons and one or more aromatics. The aromatic mixture can be contacted with one or more solvents to selectively separate at least a portion of the one or more aromatics therefrom to provide an aromatic-rich mixture and an aromatic-lean mixture. At least a portion of the aromatic-lean mixture can be recycled to the feed prior to cracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Alan Claude, Anand Subramanian
  • Patent number: 7883619
    Abstract: A water treatment system including a UV bulb, a moisture detector, and a control circuit responsive to the moisture detector to terminate power to the bulb when moisture is detected. The moisture detector includes a nonconductive substrate and a pair of conductors on the substrate. When moisture is not present, the detector is nonconductive. However, when moisture accumulates on the detector, the moisture provides a conductive path between the conductors so that the detector becomes conductive. When moisture is detected, the control circuit terminates power to the bulb and/or provides an appropriate indication to the system user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: Karlis Vecziedins, Joshua K. Schwannecke, Michael E. Miles, William T. Stoner, Jr., Clinton H. Throop