Patents Issued in December 31, 2013
  • Patent number: 8617281
    Abstract: A cellulosic feedstock composition including an oil content of up to 15% of the composition, a cellulose content of 40-99% of the composition, a hemicellulose content of 2-20% of the composition, a lignin content of less than 15% of the composition, a nitrogen containing organic compound content of less than 20% of the composition, a protein containing organic compound content of less than 20% of the composition, a mineral content of less than 5% of the composition, a sand content of less than 5% of the composition, and a dirt content of less than 25% of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Cleantech, Inc
    Inventors: Refael Aharon, Israel Biran, Ronny Banker
  • Patent number: 8617282
    Abstract: A method of preparing a fertilizer by feather processing inserts a weighed feather into a reaction container, and then adds caustic potash. Water is then added, and feather disintegration occurs. Phosphoric acid is poured into the mixture, and then the pH is measured—and if necessary improved with phosphoric acid or caustic potash. Epsom salt, vitriol of iron, boric acid, manganic sulphate, zinc sulphate, cuprous sulphate, ammonium molybdate and calcium nitrate are mixed in, and the mixture is partitioned into transportation containers depending on the weight of caustic potash included in the mixture using a drain pump through appropriate filter under constant stirring. The mixture is diluted with water, and the whole mass is perfectly mixed. Humic acids are then mixed into the diluted mixture to form a final keratin fertilizer with humic acid additive in colloid form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: {hacek over (S)}tefan Szoeke, Róbert Vysoký, Jaroslav Kocák
  • Patent number: 8617283
    Abstract: A solid mineral composition including the following formula (I): Calcium carbonate from 4.58% to 77.8%, Dolomite from 3.85% to 69.29%, Rock salt from 5.7% to 12.4%, Lignosulphate from 4.25% to 8.49%, Potassium sulphate from 0.37% to 2.44%, Magnesium oxide from 0.01% to 0.07%, and Elemental sulphur from 0.009% to 0.066%, the above percentages consisting of the weight percentages of each of the compounds, relative to the total weight of the the mineral composition dry matter, for increasing the fertility of a soil by causing an increase in at least one enzymatic activity contained in the soil, selected from (i) phosphatase, (ii) ?-xylosidase, (iii) ?-glucosidase and (iv) ?-glucosidase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: PRP Holding
    Inventors: Philippe Mora, Miambi Edouard, Roy Virginie, Stephanie Giusti, Didier Blin, Thibaut Veyrier, Bruno Daridon
  • Patent number: 8617284
    Abstract: A macronutrient sustained release composition for a plant locus having nitrogen containing macronutrient compound adsorbed on the surface of hydroxyapatite phosphate nanoparticles, and a process for preparation thereof. The macronutrient adsorbed hydroxyapatite phosphate nanoparticles are encapsulated within cavities present in wood such that the biodegradation of the wood releases the adsorbed macronutrient compounds in a slow and sustained manner to the soil. Further, the macronutrient particles are encapsulated within the cell cavities of wood and wood is coated with cellulose modified hydroxyapatite phosphate nanoparticles such that the rupture of the nanocoating initiates the nitrogen release followed by the biodegradation of the wood releases the rest of the adsorbed macronutrient compounds in a slow and sustained manner to the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (Pvt) Ltd
    Inventors: Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Lilantha Samaranayake, Sunanda Gunasekara, Ajith De Alwis, Veranja Karunaratne, A. Nadeesh Madusanka
  • Patent number: 8617285
    Abstract: A dry, flowable fertilizer is provided that includes multiple dry, flowable biosolids pellets. Each of the pellets has a pellet surface. Potassium salt grains are adhered to the pellet surfaces and a dust control agent coating is applied to retain the grains on the pellet surfaces. The resultant dry, flowable fertilizer has higher potassium loadings to the potassium salt grains than previous biosolids based fertilizers. A process of forming a fertilizer is also provided that includes tumbling dry, flowable biosolids pellets with powdered potassium salt grains to form a mixture. An aqueous spray is added to adhere the salt grains to the pellet surfaces. With the application of a dust control agent, the salt grains are retained. Potassium levels in NPK units of from 1 to 15 are routinely achieved with greater than 90 elemental % of the potassium is from the surface decorating potassium salt grains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Synagro Technologies, Inc., The Andersons, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Culp, Joseph David Hodges, Kenneth L. Wetherington, Jr., Terry Lee Wiseman
  • Patent number: 8617286
    Abstract: The method for increasing yield of crop plants uses foliar application to the plants during the plant growth stage of a granular fertilizer consisting essentially of urea, ammonium sulfate and a fertilizer stabilizing agent. The stabilizing agent regulates and slows down decomposition nitrogen in urea and/or ammonium sulfate to maximize use thereof. The granular fertilizer has a urea/ammonium sulfate weight ratio of about 4/1 and contains at least 40% nitrogen and at least 4% sulfur. The relatively high N—S fertilizer is applied at relatively high rates of about 100 to 150 pounds per acre to ensure that the fertilizer nutrients are always available to the plants at several stages of growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: John M. Rizzo
  • Patent number: 8617287
    Abstract: A liquid mineral composition for leaf spraying to improve the adaptive response of plants to a change in environmental conditions. The composition includes the following formula (I) with percentages based on weight per total weight of the composition: total ammoniacal nitrogen (N %) 0.08% to 2% potassium as K20 3% to 6% magnesium as MgO 0.4% to 0.8% sodium as Na20 1% to 2% calcium as CaO 0% to 0.5% total sulphates as SO3 3% to 6% total phosphorus as P2O5 0% chlorides Cl 1% to 2% hydrogen carbonate (% of HCO3) 1.2% to 3.0% boron 0.1 to 0.2% copper 0.018% to 0.03% manganese 0.00005% to 0.006% iodine 0.02% to 0.04% zinc 0.00005% to 0.006% iron (mg/kg) 0.0002 to 0.003 water amount sufficient for 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: PRP Holding
    Inventors: Bruno Daridon, Thibaut Veyrier
  • Patent number: 8617288
    Abstract: A sintered material for valve guides consists of, by mass %, 0.01 to 0.3% of P, 1.3 to 3% of C, 1 to 4% of Cu, and the balance of Fe and inevitable impurities. The sintered material exhibits a metallic structure made of pores and a matrix. The matrix is a mixed structure of a pearlite phase, a ferrite phase, an iron-phosphorus-carbon compound phase, and a copper phase, and a part of the pores including graphite that is dispersed therein. The iron-phosphorus-carbon compound phase is dispersed at 3 to 25% by area ratio, and the copper phase is dispersed at 0.5 to 3.5% by area ratio, with respect to a cross section of the metallic structure, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Powdered Metals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Fujitsuka, Hideaki Kawata
  • Patent number: 8617289
    Abstract: A hardfacing composition essentially consisting of from about 50 to 75 percent by weight of a carbide phase having a particle size distribution of ±20% or less of a median particle size; and from about 25 to 50 percent by weight of binder phase is disclosed. Drill bits having such hardfacing compositions disposed thereon are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Lockstedt, Gregory T. Lockwood
  • Patent number: 8617290
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a Fe—Si alloy powder. A method for manufacturing a Fe—Si alloy powder includes: providing a mixture of an Al2O3 powder, an active agent powder, a Si powder, and a Fe powder; heating the mixture with a temperature of 700° C. to 1200° C. in the hydrogen atomosphere; magnetically separating a Fe-containing material from the mixture; and separating a Fe—Si alloy powder by soaking the Fe-containing material in an alkali solution. In the heating of the mixture, the Si powder is deposited on the surface of the Fe powder and diffused into the Fe powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Ji-Young Byun, Yoon-Bae Kim, Hyun-Kwang Seok, Jang-Won Kim, Dow-Bin Hyun, Heon-Phil Ha, Do-Hyung Kim
  • Patent number: 8617291
    Abstract: A method of preparing a supported gas separation membrane, comprising: preparing crystalline seeds from a synthesis mixture comprising an aluminum source, a phosphorous source, a silicon source, at least one organic templating agent and water; applying the seeds to a porous support to produce a seeded porous support; contacting the seeded porous support with a synthesis gel under hydrothermal synthesis conditions to produce a coated porous support; and calcining the coated porous support is described. A supported gas separation membrane made by this method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Brendan Dermot Murray, Paul Jason Williams
  • Patent number: 8617292
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of obtaining carbon dioxide from a CO2-containing gas mixture. The methods combine the benefits of gas membrane separation with cryogenic temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: David J. Hasse, Sudhir S. Kulkarni, Edgar S. Sanders, Jr., Jean-Pierre Tranier, Paul Terrien
  • Patent number: 8617293
    Abstract: A porous membrane structure is disclosed, which includes a porous substrate, a mesoporous, aluminum oxide layer disposed on the substrate; and a relatively thin, continuous, microporous barrier layer disposed on the mesoporous aluminum oxide layer, also formed from aluminum oxide. The membrane is capable of improving hydrogen selectivity within a gas stream, e.g., a synthesis gas composition. Membrane supports containing these structures are also described, as well as gas separation modules, and related processes. Power plants which incorporate the gas separation modules are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Geoffrey Mark Eadon, Anthony Yu-Chung Ku, Vidya Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 8617294
    Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies and hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and/or fuel cell systems including the same. The PSA assemblies include, or are utilized with, combustion fuel stream supply systems that are adapted to regulate the flow of a byproduct stream from the PSA assembly for delivery to a heating assembly for use as a combustible fuel stream, such as to maintain at least a hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing system at a hydrogen-producing temperature or range of temperatures. In some embodiments, the combustion fuel stream supply system is configured to ensure that the supply of combustible fuel from the PSA assembly to the heating assembly contains at least a sufficient fuel value, such as to maintain at least the hydrogen-producing region at or within a predetermined hydrogen-producing temperature or range of temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: DCNS SA
    Inventors: Patton M. Adams, Travis A. Bizjak, James A. Givens
  • Patent number: 8617295
    Abstract: An air filter that includes a primary filter and a polishing filter. The primary filter comprises a monolith 10 that contains active-particulate. The air-to-be-filtered travels through the primary filter in a path generally parallel to the passageways 12. The polishing filter 36 has first and second major surfaces and also contains active-particulate. The polishing filter is generally arranged such that air travels from the first major surface to the second major surface when passing through it. The inventive filter demonstrates extraordinary performance over the same primary and polishing filters taken individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Britton G. Billingsley, Larry A. Brey
  • Patent number: 8617296
    Abstract: A filling pistol for the filling under pressure of an object essentially with nitrogen. The filling pistol has a housing with an inlet opening connectable to an air source, such as an air compressor, to supply air to the pistol. A separation device is incorporated downstream of and connected to the inlet opening to obtain essentially nitrogen-rich gas. An outlet opening is connected to the separation device and is connectable to the object to supply nitrogen-rich air from the filling pistol to the object. The separation device is provided between the air inlet and the nitrogen outlet of an exchangeable separation cartridge. An operating element sets the filling pistol to an operating condition to fill the object with nitrogen-rich air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin Mfg. Etten-Leur NL
    Inventors: Barry Dallinga, Johannes Henricus Antonius Marie Kamp
  • Patent number: 8617297
    Abstract: A CO2-facilitated transport membrane of excellent carbon dioxide permeability and CO2/H2 selectivity, which can be applied to a CO2 permeable membrane reactor, is stably provided. The CO2-facilitated transport membrane is formed such that a gel layer 1 obtained by adding cesium carbonate to a polyvinyl alcohol-polyacrylic acid copolymer gel membrane is supported by a hydrophilic porous membrane 2. More preferably, a gel layer supported by a hydrophilic porous membrane 2 is coated with hydrophilic porous membranes 3 and 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Renaissance Energy Research Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Okada, Masaaki Teramoto, Reza Yegani, Hideto Matsuyama, Keiko Shimada, Kaori Morimoto
  • Patent number: 8617298
    Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator is provided with a ionizing unit and a collecting unit placed on the downstream side of the ionizing unit, and the ionizing unit has discharge electrodes each of which generates a corona discharge and a ground electrode plate connected to the earth, and in this structure, the ground electrode plate is provided with an insulating substrate, a resistor formed on the surface of the insulating substrate and a conductive section that is electrically connected to the resistor on the surface of the insulating substrate, and the discharge electrodes face the resistor of the ground electrode plate at a predetermined interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kengo Nakahara, Ryou Katou
  • Patent number: 8617299
    Abstract: A canister includes a first fuel vapor adsorption device and a second fuel vapor adsorption device. The second fuel vapor adsorption device can adsorb a part of fuel vapor that still remains in a gas after desorption by the first fuel vapor adsorption device. The second fuel vapor adsorption device includes a first passage containing a fuel vapor adsorption material and a second passage containing no fuel vapor adsorption material. The first passage and the second passage allow the gas to flow therethrough. A gas introduction device allows the fuel vapor to flow from the second passage into the first passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masakazu Hasegawa, Masahiro Sugiura
  • Patent number: 8617300
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filtering media having a photocatalytic action which has a thickness of at least 2 mm, which is homogeneous and which is devoid of orifice apparent to the naked eye, comprising a felt of inorganic fibers, the fibers of which are coated with a coating comprising a catalyst having a photocatalytic action, said felt exhibiting a weight per unit area of between 30 and 80 g/m2, said coating representing 5 to 80% of the weight of said media, said media exhibiting a gas pressure drop of less than 150 Pa at 1 m/s in unpleated condition. This media is intended to be incorporated in a purifier of gas, such as air, furthermore comprising a system for illuminating said media with UV radiation. The media exhibits an excellent purification efficiency and a very low pressure drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Quartz S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Riviere, Paul Sargood, Laurent Molins
  • Patent number: 8617301
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for depositing elemental metal M(0) films on semiconductor substrates are disclosed. One of the disclosed methods comprises: heating the semiconductor substrate to obtain a heated semiconductor substrate; exposing the heated semiconductor substrate to a composition containing a metal precursor, an excess amount of neutral labile ligands, and a supercritical solvent; exposing the metal precursor to a reducing agent and/or thermal energy at or near the heated semiconductor substrate; reducing the metal precursor to the elemental metal M(0) by using the reducing agent and/or the thermal energy; and depositing the elemental metal M(0) film while minimizing formation of metal oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Ian Wagner
  • Patent number: 8617302
    Abstract: A white ink composition contains a white or whitish pigment, an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) resin or a polyolefin wax, and a fluorene resin or a styrene acrylic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Ippei Okuda, Tsuyoshi Sano
  • Patent number: 8617303
    Abstract: Crosslinking systems suitable for use in a polymer melt composition wherein the polymer melt composition comprises a hydroxyl polymer; polymeric structures made from such polymer melt compositions; and processes/methods related thereto are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Stephen Wayne Heinzman, Linda Evers Smith, Gregory Charles Gordon, Larry Neil Mackey, John Gerhard Michael, Mark Ryan Richards
  • Patent number: 8617304
    Abstract: A bio-based coating for a building automatically transmits or reflects heat gain from infrared sunlight. The coating is composed of bio-based polymerized oil and a catalyst that is also a thermochromic material. The catalyst reduces the temperature for polymerization of the oil to create a suspension that forms a hardened mixture when cooled below about 100 degrees Centigrade. The thermochromic properties of the catalyst are operable to switch the hardened mixture from transparent to reflective of infrared light when the temperature rises above a switching temperature in an approximate range of 18 degrees Centigrade to 35 degrees Centigrade. The method of using the coating involves spraying a hot bio-based coating on the roof surface and allowing it to cool. The method of making involves heating the suspension to a reaction temperature, holding at the reaction temperature, and, introducing an air flow through the mixture at the reaction temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: Ben Wen, Jessica Peng Zhang
  • Patent number: 8617305
    Abstract: Novel families of tri-valent metal complexes including scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, aluminum, gallium, indium, manganese, antimony, bismuth; and of divalent metal complexes including magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, manganese, cobalt, iron, nickel, ruthenium, copper, zinc, cadium are disclosed. These metal complexes can be used as precursors to deposit metal or metal oxide films in semi-conductor industries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Xinjian Lei, Daniel P. Spence
  • Patent number: 8617306
    Abstract: The present invention relates to hetero-coagulated silica-alumina mixed oxide compositions that have a sharp refractive index and narrow refractive index dispersion between about 1.46 and 1.60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Transparent Materials, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick M. Lambert, Joseph F. Bringley
  • Patent number: 8617307
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an alkali-activated binder which can be used as a binder for replacing cement, and more particularly, to an alkali-activated binder, and to mortar, concrete, concrete products, and wet loess paving material comprising the binder, in which inorganic sodium-free alkaline materials are contained to reduce the total amount of Na2O and K2O in concrete, thus improving the workability and the strength stability and inhibiting the alkali-aggregate reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Industry Foundation of Chonnam National University
    Inventors: Jin Kyu Song, Keun Hyeok Yang
  • Patent number: 8617308
    Abstract: A cementitious mixture for high-volume production of masonry products comprises a hydraulic binder accounting for 20 wt % or more of the cementitious mixture, the hydraulic binder comprising 75 to 100 wt % Class C fly ash with a CaO equivalent content of at least 15% by weight. The cementitious mixture also comprises one or more aggregates, and a set control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Calstar Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Scott Douglas, Dustin Marion Hulbert, Amitabha Kumar, Thomas McClure Pounds, Julie Robyn Rapoport, Michael Alexander Telischak, Susanne Rebecca Williams
  • Patent number: 8617309
    Abstract: A method for improving the thermal characteristics of cement compositions is provided in which fine resilient graphitic carbon particles (“RGC”) are substituted for a portion of the fine aggregate (typically sand) in the cement formulation. For the purposes of the present disclosure, “fine” is intended to describe particulates having a mesh size of less than about 8 mesh, or a particle size of less than about 2.38 mm, or, more preferably when referring to RGC, a mesh size of less than about 16 mesh and a particle size of less than about 1.19 mm. “Resilient” is intended to describe graphitic carbon particles that exhibit a rebound of at least about 20% after compression to 10,000 psi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Superior Graphite Co.
    Inventors: Peter Roy Carney, Craig Allen Baer, David J. Derwin, Changjun Zhou, Frank A. Wawrzos, Marcin Tlustochowicz
  • Patent number: 8617310
    Abstract: Methods of evaluating a superabrasive volume or a superabrasive compact are disclosed. One method may comprise exposing a superabrasive volume to beta particles and detecting a quantity of scattered beta particles. Further, a boundary may be perceived between a first region and a second region of the superabrasive volume in response to detecting the quantity of scattered beta particles. In another embodiment, a boundary between a catalyst-containing region and a catalyst-diminished region of a polycrystalline diamond volume may be perceived. In a further embodiment, a boundary may be perceived between a catalyst-containing region and a catalyst-diminished region of a polycrystalline diamond compact. Additionally, a depth to which a catalyst-diminished region extends within a polycrystalline diamond volume of a polycrystalline diamond compact may be measured in response to detecting a quantity of scattered beta particles. A system configured to evaluate a superabrasive volume is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Vail
  • Patent number: 8617311
    Abstract: In this silicon single crystal wafer for IGBT, COP defects and dislocation clusters are eliminated from the entire region in the radial direction of the crystal, the interstitial oxygen concentration is 8.5×1017 atoms/cm3 or less, and variation in resistivity within the wafer surface is 5% or less. This method for manufacturing a silicon single crystal wafer for IGBT includes introducing a hydrogen atom-containing substance into an atmospheric gas at a hydrogen gas equivalent partial pressure of 40 to 400 Pa, and growing a single crystal having an interstitial oxygen concentration of 8.5×1017 atoms/cm3 or less at a silicon single crystal pulling speed enabling pulling of a silicon single crystal free of grown-in defects. The pulled silicon single crystal is irradiated with neutrons so as to dope with phosphorous; or an n-type dopant is added to the silicon melt; or phosphorous is added to the silicon melt so that the phosphorous concentration in the silicon single crystal is 2.9×1013 to 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Sumco Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ono, Shigeru Umeno, Wataru Sugimura, Masataka Hourai
  • Patent number: 8617312
    Abstract: A method of forming (and system for forming) layers, such as calcium, barium, strontium, and/or magnesium, tantalates and/or niobates, and optionally titanates, on a substrate by employing a vapor deposition method, particularly a multi-cycle atomic layer deposition process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian A. Vaartstra, Stefan Uhlenbrock
  • Patent number: 8617313
    Abstract: A system for preparing a semiconductor film, the system including: a laser source; optics to form a line beam, a stage to support a sample capable of translation; memory for storing a set of instructions, the instructions including irradiating a first region of the film with a first laser pulse to form a first molten zone, said first molten zone having a maximum width (Wmax) and a minimum width (Wmin), wherein the first molten zone crystallizes to form laterally grown crystals; laterally moving the film in the direction of lateral growth a distance greater than about one-half Wmax and less than Wmin; and irradiating a second region of the film with a second laser pulse to form a second molten zone, wherein the second molten zone crystallizes to form laterally grown crystals that are elongations of the crystals in the first region, wherein laser optics provide Wmax less than 2×Wmin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: James S. Im, Paul C. Van Der Wilt
  • Patent number: 8617314
    Abstract: An organic material deposition system and method are provided. The organic material deposition apparatus may include a chamber having a processing space formed therein, a source supply device that generates an organic source and injects and diffuses the organic source into the processing space through a shower head provided in the processing space. The substrate is supported by a stage device that moves the substrate upward and downward within the processing space to adjust a distance between the substrate and the shower head. A pumping port provided at an upper positioned at an upper portion of the processing space provides a vacuum exhaust path that directs flow through the processing space toward the stage device. This allows an organic thin film with a uniform thickness to be deposited using an apparatus with a relatively simple configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: ADP Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Ung An, Ki Taek Jung, Jong Yeoul Ji, Sang Leoul Kim
  • Patent number: 8617315
    Abstract: A process is proposed for recovery of water in the sugar cane processing in production mills of sugar and alcohol or only alcohol (ethanol). In the process, the thermal energy available in the exhausted steam from the electric energy generation turbines is transferred to the different mixed juice processing phases, with the reuse of the exhausted steam condensates in the boilers and of the other condensates, after using thermal energy, for imbibition, in the juice extraction phase, for cooling in the process, after passing through cooling towers, for other industrial uses and for possible treatment or use in the irrigation out of the productive system in the mill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Dedini S/A Industrias de Base
    Inventors: Paulo Eduardo Mantelatto, Celina Kiyomi Yamakawa, Antonio Rogério Perira César, José Luiz Olivério, Fernando Cesar Boscariol, Marcilio Nogueria do Amaral Gurgel
  • Patent number: 8617316
    Abstract: A dishwasher is provided comprising one or more power consuming functions and a controller in signal communication with an associated utility. The controller can receive and process a signal from the associated utility indicative of current cost of supplied energy. The controller operates the dishwasher in one of a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode based on the received signal. The controller is configured to change the power consuming functions by adjusting one or more of an operation schedule, an operation delay, an operation adjustment, and a selective deactivation of at least one of the one or more power consuming functions to reduce power consumption of the dishwasher in the energy savings mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael F. Finch, John K. Besore, Jeff Donald Drake, Darin Franks, Erick Paul Graven, Om Hari, Steven Keith Root, Nagaraju Valluri, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Eric K. Watson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Patent number: 8617317
    Abstract: Renewable, non-volatile cleaning compositions incorporating ethyl ester solvents are disclosed. Preferred compositions employ non-volatile C8-16 ethyl ester solvents. All-purpose cleaning compositions incorporating the non-volatile C8-16 ethyl ester solvents, further include an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant, an alcohol ethoxylate surfactant, and water. Preferably the compositions are free of anionic, cationic and amphoteric surfactants and/or co-solvents. The invention also discloses methods employing the non-volatile solvent all-purpose cleaning compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Dennis Levitt
  • Patent number: 8617318
    Abstract: A liquid processing apparatus including: a second housing; a first housing capable of being brought into contact with the second housing; a holding part configured to hold an object to be processed; a rotation driving part configured to rotate the object to be processed held by the holding part; front-side process-liquid supply nozzle configured to supply a process liquid onto a peripheral portion of a front surface of the object to be processed held by the holding part; and a storage part disposed on a side of a rear surface of the object to be processed held by the holding part, the storage part being configured to store the process liquid having been passed through the object to be processed. The respective first housing and the second housing can be moved in one direction, so that the first housing and the second housing can be brought into contact and separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Amano, Satoshi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8617319
    Abstract: A dishwasher is provided which can determine whether a filtering device needs to be cleaned based on the time taken for a drain pump to discharge wash fluid from a sump. The dishwasher can make this determination without a manual examination of food waste collected in the filtering device. A related method of controlling the dishwasher based on such a determination is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Ro Mon Son
  • Patent number: 8617320
    Abstract: A wash system for cleaning the exposed surfaces of a contaminant collection device that includes a source of pressurized cleaning solution and a rinse appliance. The rinse appliance includes a first flow path that is adapted to direct the pressurized cleaning solution against a plurality of interior surfaces of a sampling head of the contaminant collection device and a vacuum tube that couples the sampling head to a collection chamber of the contaminant collection device. The rinse appliance may also include a second flow path that is adapted to direct the pressurized cleaning solution against a plurality of interior surfaces of the collection chamber and a separator filter installed therein. The rinse appliance further includes a dipping tank adapted to receive the cleaning solution after passing through one of the first and second flow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Microbial-Vac Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne D. Carlsen, Jared G. Maughan, Kris Nosack, Joshem Coy Gibson, Kelly Maureen Black, Jared V. Bradley, Kevin Joseph Church
  • Patent number: 8617321
    Abstract: The present invention provides a surface treatment method for an aluminum alloy and a surface treatment method for a magnesium alloy, which enable providing the surface of an aluminum alloy containing magnesium or the surface of a magnesium alloy with sufficient corrosion resistance to corrosive gases, while preventing the surface from scattering magnesium therefrom even when used in a vacuum at a temperature of not less than 300° C. In this method, a carbon fluoride compound is applied over the surface of the aluminum alloy containing magnesium or the surface of the magnesium alloy, followed by heating in an oxygen atmosphere, thereby forming a fluoride passivation film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Ulvac, Inc., Ulvac Techno, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunji Misawa, Sakae Inayoshi, Hiroshi Sato
  • Patent number: 8617322
    Abstract: A laminated structure by internal oxidation includes an alloy coating layer structured as columnar grains. The alloy coating layer includes a first metal element and a second metal element, wherein the first metal element is oxidized more easily than the second metal element. The surface layer portion of the alloy coating layer has a plurality of oxide layers and a plurality of metal layers stacked alternately with each other. The material of the oxide layers includes the oxide of the first metal element and the material of the metal layers includes the second metal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: National Taiwan Ocean University
    Inventors: Yung-I Chen, Rong-Tan Huang, Bing-Nan Tsai
  • Patent number: 8617323
    Abstract: The method according to the invention comprises the following operations: a) prepare a substrated formed of the said intermetallic alloy; b) deposit a coating of gold on the surface to be protected of the substrate; and c) subject the substrate thus equipped with the gold coating to annealing in controlled conditions in order to bring about limited diffusion of the gold into the surface to be protected. The invention is applicable in particular to parts of gas turbines, e.g. parts of aircraft engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: ONERA (Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches Aerospatiales)
    Inventors: Marie-Pierre Bacos, Pierre Josso
  • Patent number: 8617324
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can provide a method for producing hot dip galvannealed steel sheet which exhibits high strength, high ductility, and a significant degree of alloying. Such exemplary method can be applied to, e.g., a pickled hot rolled steel sheet or an annealed and pickled cold rolled steel sheet containing between about 0.02% and about 0.2% C and between about 0.15% and about 2.5% Mn, and may include one or more procedures for rinsing the sheet, preplating the sheet with Ni, rapidly heating the sheet in a nonoxidizing atmosphere to a sheet temperature of about 430° C. to 500° C., then hot dip plating the sheet in a galvanizing bath containing between about 0.05% and about 0.2% Al, and then immediately heating the sheet rapidly for an alloying treatment. Such exemplary method can provide an improved alloying speed, improved plating appearance and better plating adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Ishizuka, Kazumi Nishimura, Ikuo Kikuchi, Kaoru Kawasaki, Junji Haji
  • Patent number: 8617325
    Abstract: A system and method for actively damping tension members modulates the natural frequency of shape memory alloys incorporated into tension members, such as suspension ropes or cables. The frequency of the tension member can be modulated by heating the shape memory alloy, such modulation preventing potentially destructive resonance with natural exciting forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Elevator Corporation
    Inventors: Rory S. Smith, Stefan Kaczmarczyk
  • Patent number: 8617326
    Abstract: Advanced bipropellant fuels with fast ignition upon mixing with storable oxidizer (N2O4, nitric acid) have been synthesized and demonstrated. The bipropellant fuels are based upon salts containing dicyanamide or tricyanomethanide anions and employ at least two hydrazine functionalities in the cations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Stefan Schneider, Tommy W. Hawkins, Michael S. Rosander
  • Patent number: 8617327
    Abstract: The present invention is an electrically controlled propellant comprising a binder, an oxidizer, and a cross-linking agent. The boric acid (the cross-linking agent) has been found to function as a cross-linking agent for the high molecular binder used to make the propellant, thereby improving the composition's ability to withstand combustion without melting. The present invention also may include 5-aminotetrazole (5-ATZ) as a stability-enhancing additive. The binder of the present invention may include polyvinylalcohol (PVA) and/or the co-polymer of polyvinylalcohol/polyvinylamine nitrate (PVA/PVAN).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Digital Solid State Propulsion LLC
    Inventors: Arthur Katzakian, Charles Grix
  • Patent number: 8617328
    Abstract: An economical, low residue, mortar increment propellant container manufactured of foamed celluloid, which is composed of 50 to 84% nitrocellulose, having a nitrogen content of from about 10.5 to about 13.5%, and about 15 to about 50% camphor. The burn rate of the foamed celluloid can be enhanced by the addition of energetic additives, such as energetic plasticizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Ming-Wan Young, Costas G. Gogos, Niloufar Faridi, Linjie Zhu, Peter Bonnett, Howard Shimm, Elbert Caravaca, Joseph Palk, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8617329
    Abstract: Provided is a method of fabricating an organic light emitting display. The method includes forming an organic layer pattern on a substrate by irradiating a predetermined region of a donor substrate with a laser beam using a laser irradiation apparatus, the laser irradiation apparatus having a spatial light modulator (SLM). The spatial light modulator is used to form the organic layer pattern using the LITI method. Accordingly, it is possible to adjust various types of incident light to homogeneous and to have a desired profile. Therefore, there is provided a method of fabricating an organic light emitting display which is capable of forming an organic layer pattern without using a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Ho Lee, Tae-Min Kang, Jin-Soo Kim, Seong-Taek Lee
  • Patent number: 8617330
    Abstract: The present invention describe a process and an installation for the production of stiff recyclable sandwich-type polymeric panels, preferably polypropylene-based panels, and the panel obtained, comprising three lines, in one of which a polymeric polypropylene-based foamed core is produced by extrusion (line A); the structural skins are produced in a second line (line B), which skins are formed by a polypropylene-based lamina reinforced with wood fiber, on which lamina there is applied an also polypropylene-based surface coating layer reinforced with glass fibers; in the third line the structural skins produced in line B are adhered by heat and pressure to the foamed core produced in line A. The sandwich panel produced has a thickness between 7 and 40 mm, an overall density of 400-700 kg/m3 and an elastic modulus of 5-10 GPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: ULMA CyE, S. Coop.
    Inventors: Aitor Fabian Mariezkurrena, Marcelo de Sousa Pais Antunes, Jose Ignacio Velasco Perero