Patents Issued in January 26, 2016
  • Patent number: 9242840
    Abstract: A grapple hoist system for an agricultural vehicle is disclosed that includes a mast-mounted hoist including a boom arrangement and a winch and adapted to receive a main hoist cable and a grapple assembly including a plurality of radially-spaced, converging hook-shaped claws pivotally mounted about a common bulkhead and including a cable link attached to each of the hook-shaped claws, a plurality of cable link pulleys mounted on the common bulkhead, each cable link pulley adapted to carry an associated cable link, wherein the cable links are joined at the main cable beyond the cable link pulleys; and mounting devices for mounting the mast to an associated container or vehicle in a manner that enables it to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin K. Wenner, Tyler M. Wenner
  • Patent number: 9242841
    Abstract: A main body portion has a major section and a minor section integrally molded of an elastomeric material. The major section has a central aperture with an interior surface in a frusto-conical configuration. The minor section extends laterally from the major section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventors: Linda D. Appleby, Emma Louise Faasse
  • Patent number: 9242842
    Abstract: A device for producing containers for liquid includes a shaping unit for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers and a filling unit for filling the plastic containers with a liquid medium. At least one transporting device, which is used as an interface, lies between a discharging region of the shaping unit and a feeding region of the filling unit, the transporting device transporting plastic containers at least along some sections and individually between the shaping unit and the filling unit. The transporting device is designed such that at least one further process unit can be inserted between the shaping unit and the filling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Christoph Klenk
  • Patent number: 9242843
    Abstract: A funnel with the ability to receive and secure one or more inverted source containers for transferring fluids to a receiving container, without requiring the assistance of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: Joseph Nkwantabisa
  • Patent number: 9242844
    Abstract: A funnel for a water tank is for adapting to a water injection portion. The water injection portion is communicated with the water tank. The funnel includes a container body and a valve assembly. The container body has an inner wall, an abutting portion, an internal space, and an injection opening and an output opening which are communicated with the internal space. The valve assembly is abuttable against the abutting portion. The valve assembly includes an actuating member communicated with the output opening and a valve body which is coupled with the actuating member. When the actuating member is located in a first position, the container body is uncommunicated with the interior of the water tank. When the actuating member is away from the first position, the container body is communicated with the water tank to allow liquid flow into the water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: COSDA MANU FACTURING COMPANY
    Inventor: Lai-Cheng Liu
  • Patent number: 9242845
    Abstract: The inventive system and method advantageously enable superior preserved storage and selective dispensation of liquids by storing wine (or other liquids) in a pressurized environment to ensure that the stored liquid does not come into contact with air, and then by selectively dispensing a portion of the stored liquid, in accordance with a desired dispensing regime, by utilizing a controlled source of pressure force to apply a sufficient pressure to the pressurized environment to expel the desired volume of the liquid in a pressurized stream directed to a dispensing pouring interface through a conduit or equivalent delivery system. In at least several novel embodiments thereof, the system and method of the present invention are configured for use with wine-in-bag (“WinB”) products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Bevolution Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Harold Otto
  • Patent number: 9242846
    Abstract: A manifold having a first side, a second side, a first channel extending from the first side to the second side, and a second channel extending from the first side to the second side is disclosed. The first channel and the second channel each define a linear longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the first channel longitudinal axis and the second channel longitudinal axis are oblique to the first side and the second side of the manifold. The manifold of the present disclosure provides channels that can be easily cleaned and allow for an increased flow performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Rooftop Research, LLC
    Inventor: Robert S Burns
  • Patent number: 9242847
    Abstract: An insert is disclosed for use with a closed loop dispensing system. The insert includes a flat, ring-shaped venting member which permits air to pass therethrough but prevents liquid from passing therethrough. A foam liner is positioned at the underside of the venting membrane to shield or protect the venting membrane when the retainer disc of the insert is secured to the lower end of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: Rodney Laible
  • Patent number: 9242848
    Abstract: The diving nozzle includes a first tube and a second tube. The first tube having a first inlet and a first outlet. The first inlet connected to a supply of a first material. The first outlet operable to dispense the first material into the package. The second tube is moveable with respect to the first tube. The second tube having a second inlet and a second outlet. The second inlet connected to a supply of a second material. The second outlet operable to dispense the second material into the package. The first material is one of the product and the purging gas, the second material is the other of the product and the purging gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Pouch Pac Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: R. Charles Murray
  • Patent number: 9242849
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filling nozzle for dispensing a liquid into a tank of a motor vehicle, having a main valve (5). It is provided according to the invention that a safety valve (7) is arranged downstream of the main valve (5), which safety valve can be moved from a closed position into an open position by means of an opening movement directed in an upstream direction, and that a safety device (11) is provided which has an operative connection to the safety valve (7) and which is designed to detect the insertion of the filling nozzle into a tank provided for the corresponding liquid and which effects a movement of the safety valve from the closed position into the open position when an insertion of the filling nozzle into a tank provided for the corresponding liquid is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Elaflex Hiby Tanktechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Kunter, Ulrich Meyer
  • Patent number: 9242850
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of forming an out-of-plane electrode includes providing an oxide layer above an upper surface of a device layer, providing a first cap layer portion above an upper surface of the oxide layer, etching a first electrode perimeter defining trench extending through the first cap layer portion and stopping at the oxide layer, depositing a first material portion within the first electrode perimeter defining trench, depositing a second cap layer portion above the first material portion, vapor releasing a portion of the oxide layer, depositing a third cap layer portion above the second cap layer portion, etching a second electrode perimeter defining trench extending through the second cap layer portion and the third cap layer portion, and depositing a second material portion within the second electrode perimeter defining trench, such that a spacer including the first material portion and the second material portion define out-of-plane electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andrew B. Graham, Gary Yama, Gary O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9242851
    Abstract: A MEMS device includes a first sense electrode and a first portion of a sense mass formed in a first structural layer, where the first sense electrode is fixedly coupled with the substrate and the first portion of the sense mass is suspended over the substrate. The MEMS device further includes a second sense electrode and a second portion of the sense mass formed in a second structural layer. The second sense electrode is spaced apart from the first portion of the sense mass in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate, and the second portion of the sense mass is spaced apart from the first sense electrode in the same direction. A junction is formed between the first and second portions of the sense mass so that they are coupled together and move concurrently in response to an imposed force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC
    Inventors: Aaron A. Geisberger, Margaret L. Kniffin
  • Patent number: 9242852
    Abstract: A wafer-level passivation structure of a micro-device, a micro-device including the same, and methods of manufacturing the wafer-level passivation structure and the micro-device may be provided. In particular, the passivation structure may include a spacer that is disposed on a substrate, covers a portion of the first surface, and has an elastic property, and an anti-adhesion layer that is disposed on a surface of the substrate between the spacer. The spacer may form a lattice pattern. The spacer may be formed of a silicon. The anti-adhesion layer may be a metallic film, an oxide film, or a nitride film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jeong-yub Lee
  • Patent number: 9242853
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of gettering that provides for a high efficiency gettering process by depositing a gettering material on a roughened substrate surface, and an associated apparatus. In some embodiments, the method is performed by providing a substrate into a processing chamber having residual gases. One or more cavities are formed in the substrate at locations between bonding areas on a top surface of the substrate. Respective cavities have roughened interior surfaces that vary in a plurality of directions. A getter layer is deposited into the one or more cavities. The roughened interior surfaces of the one or more cavities enable the substrate to more effectively absorb the residual gases, thereby increasing the efficiency of the gettering process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuan-Chih Hsieh, Li-Cheng Chu, Hung-Hua Lin, Chih-Jen Chan, Lan-Lin Chao
  • Patent number: 9242854
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe hermetic encapsulation for MEMS devices, and processes to create the hermetic encapsulation structure. Embodiments comprise a MEMS substrate stack that further includes a magnet, a first laminate organic dielectric film, a first hermetic coating disposed over the magnet, a second laminate organic dielectric film disposed on the hermetic coating, a MEMS device layer disposed over the magnet, and a plurality of metal interconnects surrounding the MEMS device layer. A hermetic plate is subsequently bonded to the MEMS substrate stack and disposed over the formed MEMS device layer to at least partially form a hermetically encapsulated cavity surrounding the MEMS device layer. In various embodiments, the hermetically encapsulated cavity is further formed from the first hermetic coating, and at least one of the set of metal interconnects, or a second hermetic coating deposited onto the set of metal interconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah K. Haney, Weng Hong Teh, Feras Eid, Sasha N. Oster
  • Patent number: 9242855
    Abstract: Structure including nano-ribbons and method thereof. The structure include multiple nano-ribbons. Each of the multiple nano-ribbons corresponds to a first end and a second end, and the first end and the second end are separated by a first distance of at least 100 ?m. Each of the multiple nano-ribbons corresponds to a cross-sectional area associated with a ribbon thickness, and the ribbon thickness ranges from 5 nm to 500 nm. Each of the multiple nano-ribbons is separated from at least another nano-ribbon selected from the multiple nano-ribbons by a second distance ranging from 5 nm to 500 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Alphabet Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel A. Matus, Matthew L. Scullin
  • Patent number: 9242856
    Abstract: A microchip has a base die with a conductive interconnect and an isolation trench around at least a portion of the conductive interconnect, and a cap die secured to the base die. A seal, formed from a metal material, is positioned between the base die and the cap die to secure them together. The microchip also has a blocking apparatus, between the isolation trench and the metal seal, that at least in part prevents the metal material from contacting the interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Li Chen, Thomas Kieran Nunan, Kuang L. Yang
  • Patent number: 9242857
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to yeast cell wall microparticles loaded with nanoparticles for receptor-targeted nanoparticle delivery. In particular, the present invention relates to trapping nanoparticles either on the surface or inside a yeast glucan particles, for example, yeast glucal particles. The present invention further relates to methods of making the yeast cell wall particles loaded with nanoparticles. The present invention also relates to methods of using the yeast cell wall particles loaded with nanoparticles for receptor-targeted delivery of the nanoparticles, e.g., drug containing nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Gary R. Ostroff, Ernesto Soto
  • Patent number: 9242858
    Abstract: A Propagation Test instruction, a Decay Test instruction and a Cycle Test instruction provide testing of DC and AC interconnect circuits between circuits including JTAG boundary scan cells. A few additions to the Test Access Port circuitry, including gating producing a Capture Test Strobe (CTS) signal, and the boundary scan cells are required to implement the additional instructions. The instructions are extensions of the conventional JTAG operating structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 9242859
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the concurrent production of hydrogen and sulphur from a H2S-containing gas stream, with zero emissions. The method comprises the thermal oxidative cracking of H2S so as to form H2 and S2. Preferably, the oxidation is conducted using oxygen-enriched air, preferably pure oxygen. The ratio H2S/O2 in the feedstock is higher than 2:1, preferably in the range of 3:1-5:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: STAMICARBON B.V.
    Inventors: Lucio Molinari, Fabio Angelini, Lucia Barbato
  • Patent number: 9242860
    Abstract: Chlorine is prepared by catalytic oxidation of a hydrogen chloride stream having a content of sulfur in elemental or bonded form of less than 100 ppm, preferably less than 50 ppm, more preferably less than 5 ppm, most preferably less than 1 ppm, based on the weight of the hydrogen chloride stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Michel Haas, Rainer Bruns, Tim Loddenkemper
  • Patent number: 9242861
    Abstract: A method for joining or repairing boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). In joining BNNTs, the nanotube structure is modified with amorphous carbon deposited by controlled electron beam irradiation to form well bonded hybrid a-C/BNNT structures. In repairing BNNTs, the damaged site of the nanotube structure is modified with amorphous carbon deposited by controlled electron beam irradiation to form well bonded hybrid a-C/BNNT structures at the damage site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Jae Woo Kim, Emilie J. Siochi, Kristopher E. Wise, Yi Lin, John Connell
  • Patent number: 9242862
    Abstract: A compound [I] such as ammonium N-(chlorosulfonyl)-N-(fluorosulfonyl)imide is reacted with hydrogen fluoride to obtain a compound [II] such as ammonium N,N-di(fluorosulfonyl)imide. The obtained compound [II] is reacted with an alkali metal compound or the like to obtain a compound [IV] such as an N,N-di(fluorosulfonyl)imide alkali metal salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Nippon Soda Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiro Tsubokura, Michiaki Maruyama
  • Patent number: 9242863
    Abstract: Processes and reagents for inhibiting or eliminating scale formation during wet-process phosphoric acid production are provided and include adding to a wet-process phosphoric acid production stream a scale inhibiting amount of a reagent having an aliphatic or aromatic compound containing at least two hydroxy groups, and at least one amine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: CYTEC TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Sathanjheri A. Ravishankar, Bing Wang
  • Patent number: 9242864
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing lithium metal phosphates of a formula LiMPO4, wherein M is at least one type of bivalent metal, preferably selected from the first transition metal range. The inventive method consists in reacting a lithium phosphate with a metal salt and an acid phosphate source in a polar solvent for converting into a corresponding M-containing phosphate, in adding a basic lithium source for obtaining a precursor mixture for a desired lithium metal phosphate, in converting and separating the thus obtained mixture, preferably in hydrothermal conditions, in such a way that a desired final product is obtained, thereby receiving a lithium-containing filtrate. The addition of the basic lithium source initiates a lithium ion precipitation in the form of a lithium phosphate. The thus obtainable lithium phosphate can be reused in the form of a raw material, whereby said cycle enables lithium to be highly reusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: JOHNSON MATTHEY PLC
    Inventors: Gerhard Nuspl, Christian Vogler, Josefine Zuber
  • Patent number: 9242865
    Abstract: Production of bulk quantities of graphene for commercial ventures has proven difficult due to scalability issues in certain instances. Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of graphene can address at least some of these issues. Methods for production of graphene by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition can include: providing a metal substrate and a carbonaceous electrode, at least a portion of the metal substrate being located proximate to the carbonaceous electrode with a gap defined therebetween; applying a potential between the metal substrate and the carbonaceous electrode; exciting a plasma-forming gas in the gap between the metal substrate and the carbonaceous electrode in the presence of the applied potential, thereby forming a plasma; ablating a reactive carbon species from the carbonaceous electrode in the presence of the plasma; and growing graphene on the metal substrate from the reactive carbon species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Sinton, Peter V. Bedworth
  • Patent number: 9242866
    Abstract: An activated carbon manufacturing system can efficiently heat a wood material or carbide to promote a drying process, a carbonization process and an activation process in manufacturing activated carbon, and can reduce the environmental load involved in the manufacture of activated carbon. Specifically, a drying process of a wood material is achieved by heating the wood material with saturated steam at an appropriate temperature, and an initial carbonization process of the wood material is achieved by heating the wood material with superheated steam. Therefore, the wood material can be heated with high heat transfer efficiency, so that the heat loss can be reduced, and neither a drying device nor a first carbonizing device produces a gas containing a harmful constituent in the heating processes, so that the adverse effect on the environment can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: Haruo Uehara
  • Patent number: 9242867
    Abstract: The invention provides polycrystalline silicon having concentrations of dopants of 1-10 ppta of boron, 1-20 ppta of phosphorus, 1-10 ppta of arsenic, 0.01-1 ppta of aluminum, and having a charge carrier lifetime of at least 2000 and at most 4500 ?s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Wacker Chemie AG
    Inventors: Robert Baumann, Robert Hoelzl, Michael Weichselgartner
  • Patent number: 9242868
    Abstract: A process for separating monosilane from a mixture comprising monosilane and chlorosilanes comprising: a) Introducing mixture to a condenser (3) for separating lower-boiling chlorosilanes—containing monosilane from higher-boiling chlorosilanes enriched condensates; b) Collecting said higher-boiling condensates, in a condensate buffer (19) connected to the aforesaid condenser (3) by a condensate feed pipe (8); c) Sending higher-boiling chlorosilanes enriched condensates from the aforesaid condensate buffer (19) into a subcooler (21) which is installed on a reflux feed line (7) connected to the upper portion of a chlorosilane absorber (20); d) Feeding lower-boiling chlorosilanes—containing monosilane to the aforesaid chlorosilane absorber (20) for separating monosilane; e) Extracting monosilane—rich gas from the upper portion of the aforesaid chlorosilane absorber (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Isao Abe, Shinji Tomita
  • Patent number: 9242869
    Abstract: A mixed metal compound for pharmaceutical use is free from aluminum and has a phosphate binding capacity of at least 30%, by weight of the total weight of phosphate present, over a pH range of from 2-8. The compound is especially useful for treatment of hyperphosphataemia. The metals are preferably iron (III) and at least one of calcium, magnesium, lanthanum and cerium. A metal sulphate for pharmaceutical use is selected from at least one of calcium, lanthanum and cerium sulphate compounds and has a phosphate binding capacity of at least 30% by weight of the total phosphate present, over a pH range from 2-8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: OPKO IRELAND GLOBAL HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventors: Norman Bryson Roberts, Maurice Webb, Benjamin Joseph Rankin
  • Patent number: 9242870
    Abstract: A method of forming a gypsum based product is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: calcining a mixture of water and gypsum under conditions of raised temperature and pressure within a vessel to produce an alpha-hemihydrate slurry therein; passing the alpha-hemihydrate slurry from the vessel to a mixer for mixing with additional water to produce a settable slurry, which is arranged to set to form the gypsum based product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Placo SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Mongrolle, Jean-Luc Germain
  • Patent number: 9242871
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanoparticulate composition comprising nanoparticles with a particle-size distribution of d90?10 ?m, and optionally a surface-active agent. The present invention further relates to a method for the production of such a nanoparticulate composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey PLC
    Inventors: Michael Holzapfel, Andreas Laumann, Peter Bauer, Christian Vogler, Guoxian Liang
  • Patent number: 9242872
    Abstract: The present invention proposes the development of inorganic green pigment, having a general formula, RE2MoO6 (where RE is mixed rare earth metal and Mo is molybdenum metal) comprising mixed rare earth elements having atomic number in the range of 57 to 66 and having a composition of at least lanthanum in the range of 43-45% w/w, neodymium in the range of 33-35% w/w, praseodymium in the range of 9-10% w/w, samarium in the range of 4-5% w/w and other rare earths to a maximum of 5% w/w and molybdenum. The colorant can be prepared in a convenient and inexpensive method utilizing the solid state route by calcining the mixed rare earth carbonate and ammonium molybdate at a temperature range of 900-1100° C. for 3-6 h at a heating rate of 10° C./min followed by grinding. The well ground calcined powders were used for characterization of the pigments. The phase purity and optical properties of the prepared pigments were investigated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
    Inventor: Mundlapudi Lakshmipathi Reddy
  • Patent number: 9242873
    Abstract: A quaternary oxide foam, comprises an open-cell foam containing (a) a dopant metal, (b) a dopant nonmetal, (c) titanium, and (d) oxygen. The foam has the advantages of a high surface area and a low back pressure during dynamic flow applications. The inactivation of Escherichia coli (E. coli) was demonstrated in a simple photoreactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Jian-Ku Shang, Pinggui Wu, Rong-Cai Xie
  • Patent number: 9242874
    Abstract: A system for decontaminating a medium. The system can include a medium having one or more contaminants disposed therein. The contaminants can be or include bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses, and combinations thereof. A microwave energy radiation device can be positioned proximate the medium. The microwave energy radiation device can be adapted to generate a signal having a frequency from about 10 GHz to about 100 GHz. The signal can be adapted to kill one or more of the contaminants disposed within the medium while increasing a temperature of the medium by less than about 10° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: G. Dickey Arndt, Diane Byerly, Marguerite Sognier, John Dusl
  • Patent number: 9242875
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a calcium removal method capable of reducing operation cost. A solution L2 containing potassium or/and sodium, and calcium is passed through an ion-exchange resin 35 to separate the solution into a solution containing potassium or/and the sodium, and a solution containing calcium. Operation cost can remarkably be decreased since potassium carbonate is not required to remove calcium as before. Timing for changing a calcium-containing water L3 and a salt water L4 discharged from the ion-exchange resin can be performed based on at least one measurement result selected from the group consisting of: a calcium or chlorine concentration; electrical conductivity; and pH of a fluid which is discharged from said ion-exchange resin. The solution may be a filtrate L1 that is obtained by washing a chlorine bypass dust D generated in a cement burning process, or a leachate W of a final disposal site 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Taiheiyo Cement Corporation
    Inventors: Noritoshi Tamura, Takayuki Suzuki, Hirokazu Otani
  • Patent number: 9242876
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention pertain to porous membranes that comprise: (1) a plurality of pores with pore sizes of more than about 0.1 ?m in diameter; and (2) a plurality of hydrophilic molecules. Additional aspects of the present invention pertain to methods of separating organic compounds from a liquid sample by: (1) providing the porous membrane; and (2) flowing the liquid sample through the porous membrane in order to retain organic compounds on the porous membrane. Further aspects of the present invention pertain to systems for separating organic compounds from a liquid sample. Such systems comprises: (1) the porous membrane; and (2) a flowing unit that enables the liquid sample to flow through the porous membrane. Additional aspects of the present invention pertain to methods of making the above-described porous membranes by: (1) coating a surface of a porous membrane containing 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Andrew R. Barron, Samuel J. Maguire-Boyle
  • Patent number: 9242877
    Abstract: A process is provided for removing metal salt co-constituents from an iron-containing solution comprising: (a) decreasing the free acidity of the solution to produce a slurry; (b) optionally heating the solution or the slurry to a temperature at least 30° C.; (c) optionally aging the slurry; (d) adding one or more cationic polyelectrolyte flocculants to the slurry; and (e) separating a solid-containing portion from a liquid portion of the slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Kemira Oyj
    Inventors: Sheila St. Amour, Jan Pavlicek
  • Patent number: 9242878
    Abstract: A method for removing heavy metals from contaminated water, comprising collecting metal salt precipitates from a water softening process, drying said precipitates, contacting water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals with said precipitates, and collecting water having a reduced concentration of said heavy metal(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: KING ABDULAZIZ FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Saad A. Al-Jlil, Omar A. Al-Harbi
  • Patent number: 9242879
    Abstract: Methods for the use of peracid compositions having decreased hydrogen peroxide concentration for various water treatments, including oil- and gas-field operations, and/or other aseptic treatments are disclosed. In numerous aspects, peracetic acid is the preferred peracid and is treated with a peroxide-reducing agent to substantially reduce the hydrogen peroxide content. Methods for using the treated peracid compositions for treatment of drilling fluids, frac fluids, flow back waters and disposal waters are also disclosed for improving water condition, reducing oxidizing damage associated with hydrogen peroxide and/or reducing bacteria infestation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Keasler, Renato De Paula, Junzhong Li, David D. McSherry, Brandon Herdt, Richard Staub, Robert J. Ryther
  • Patent number: 9242880
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of controlling biological fouling of water containing items. The method involves combining at least two reactants, a peroxygen source and an acyl group donor to form peracetic acid. Because the peracetic acid can be made in situ, the entire sum of its short lifespan can be used controlling biocidal fouling and storage and transport is simplified. The invention further facilitates the ease of controlling biocidal fouling by allowing the injection of the biocidal agent in liquid form, in a non-acidic environment, and without the need for any halogen. This allows the inventive biocide to be used with chemistries for which prior art biocides are inapplicable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Amit Gupta, Charles J. Reedy, Barbara E. Moriarty, Jeffery M. Atkins
  • Patent number: 9242881
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for taking liquid anaerobic digestion effluent and increasing the solids content by using the effluent and biomass to further digest both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: Jason Chia Hsing Shih
  • Patent number: 9242882
    Abstract: A method and a system for selecting and retaining solids with superior settling characteristics, the method comprising feeding wastewater to an input of a processor that carries out a treatment process on the wastewater, outputting processed wastewater at an output of the processor, feeding the processed wastewater to an input of a gravimetric selector that selects solids with superior settling characteristics, and outputting a recycle stream at a first output of the gravimetric selector back to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignees: Hampton Roads Sanitation District, D.C. Water & Sewer Authority
    Inventors: Geert Nyhuis, Maureen O'Shaughnessy, Bernhard Wett, Charles Bott, Sudhir Murthy
  • Patent number: 9242883
    Abstract: A method for treating a sludge to be fed to a bioreactor for treating wastewater, or an anaerobic or aerobic sludge digester, the method comprising contacting the sludge with free nitrous acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
    Inventor: Zhiguo Yuan
  • Patent number: 9242884
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the controlled operation of an industrial oven which is heated in a regenerative manner and which comprises an oven chamber, in particular a melting tank, in particular for glass, having the following steps: injecting fuel into the oven chamber via at least one fuel injector, which is designed to inject fuel, practically without combustion air in particular, conducting combustion air to the oven chamber in a first period duration and conducting exhaust gas (AG) out of the oven chamber in a second period duration separately from the fuel in a periodically alternating manner by means of a left regenerator and right regenerator which are associated with the at least one fuel injector and which are designed to regeneratively store heat from the exhaust gas and transmit heat to the combustion air. A supply of the combustion air is automatically controlled by means of a control loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: SOFTWARE & TECHNOLOGIE GLAS GMBH (STG)
    Inventors: Peter Hemmann, Andreas Birle, Thomas Schulz, Helmut Heelemann
  • Patent number: 9242885
    Abstract: A sintered product having an average chemical composition such that, in weight percentages on the basis of the oxides: Cr2O3=80.0-99.0%; 0.5%?TiO2?9.0%; 0.2%?MgO?3.0%; and ZrO2?5.0%, provided that the ratio of TiO2/MgO is between 1.5 and 9.0 and the molar ratio TiO2/Cr2O3 is less than 0.12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN CENTRE DE RECHERCHES ET D'ETUDES EUROPEEN
    Inventors: Olivier Citti, Julien Fourcade
  • Patent number: 9242886
    Abstract: Delivery apparatus include an electrical circuit configured to heat a linear conduit and an elbow conduit. A first electrode can be mounted to an upstream portion of the linear conduit, a second electrode can be mounted downstream of the upstream portion, and a third electrode can be mounted to a curved segment of the elbow conduit within a footprint extension of a first passage of the linear conduit. In further examples, a delivery apparatus includes an electrical circuit with a first electrode mounted to an upstream portion of a linear conduit, a second electrode mounted to a downstream portion of the linear conduit, and a third electrode mounted to an elbow conduit. In still further examples, methods of heating molten glass include application of an electrical current such that neither a current flux through a linear conduit nor a current flux through an elbow conduit exceeds 8 amps/mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Richard Bergman, Raymond E. Fraley
  • Patent number: 9242887
    Abstract: In a known process for drawing a quartz glass strand, SiO2 particles are fed to a melting crucible and softened therein to form a quartz glass mass, and the softened quartz glass mass is pulled vertically downward as a quartz glass strand via a drawing nozzle which is provided in the bottom region of the melting crucible and has a gap-like drawing nozzle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Boris Gromann, Christian Neumann
  • Patent number: 9242888
    Abstract: To provide a method for manufacturing a glass blank for magnetic disk and a method for manufacturing a glass substrate for magnetic disk, which are capable of producing a glass blank for magnetic disk having a good surface waviness by press forming, and a method for manufacturing a glass substrate for magnetic disk. A method for manufacturing a glass blank for magnetic disk, which includes a forming process of press-forming a lump of molten glass using a pair of dies, wherein in the forming process, press forming is performed using thermally equalizing means for reducing a difference in temperature in the press forming surface of the die during pressing of the molten glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideki Isono, Hidekazu Tanino, Akira Murakami, Takashi Sato, Masamune Sato
  • Patent number: 9242889
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a formed article comprising forming an upper surface of a glass material that has been positioned on a forming surface of a mold to obtain the formed article by heating the glass material to a temperature permitting deformation to bring a lower surface of the glass material into tight contact with the forming surface. Glass having upper and lower surfaces being spherical in shape is employed as the glass material, a mold having a forming surface being a free-form surface other than a spherical surface is employed as the mold, the upper surface of the glass material is formed into a roughly offset surface relative to the forming surface of the mold. The present invention permits the manufacturing of formed articles of desired shape with high precision by hot sag molding method. The present invention also permits the easy and simple determination of the surface shapes of molds and glass materials employed in hot sag molding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuma Yamakaji, Mikio Chisha, Masaaki Matsushima, Noriaki Taguchi