Patents Issued in March 22, 2016
  • Patent number: 9290350
    Abstract: Provided is a transport device including a first transport member that transports a sheet-shaped medium in a transport direction, a transport path that is formed by a first guiding member which guides the medium in the transport direction and a second guiding member which guides the medium in the transport direction, at least one of the first guiding member and the second guiding member including a widened part on a downstream side of a processing position and on an upstream side of a second transport member, a pressing member that presses the medium to the first guiding member, a processing unit that performs a processing on the medium which is transported in the transport path, and a second transport member that transports the medium, which is guided by the first guiding member and the second guiding member, in the transport direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seigo Makida, Takao Furuya, Yoshinari Iwaki
  • Patent number: 9290351
    Abstract: An improved contact nip roll, a method for assembling an improved contact nip roll, a system for nipping a web, and a method for nipping a web are provided. The improved contact nip roll integrates an inner softer core that can provide compliancy to web caliper variations, while rigid annular rings and a harder outer skin can maintain a uniform contact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kevin B. Newhouse, Bruce E. Tait, Waldo L. Lopez
  • Patent number: 9290352
    Abstract: A method and a device for creating a product stream of product units in a predefined sequence. The device includes a first conveying device with a grouping stretch for creating a cycled product stream of product units from fed products, in a predefined sequence. The device also includes a conveying-away device for conveying away the product units in the predefined sequence in a cycled product stream. The device further includes a bridging device that is designed such that product units amid the bridging of a conveying stretch section of the conveying-away device can be fed to the conveying-away device in a temporally successive manner and thus be sorted into the predefined sequence of product units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Werner Honegger
  • Patent number: 9290353
    Abstract: In a paper money accumulation unit (paper money accumulation device) of a paper money handling device, rollers sequentially input paper money from an upper side into a paper money accumulation space. Then, a support member is arranged in a state where the height with respect to an extended line of an input direction becomes large as being away from the rollers to the input direction of the paper money.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU FRONTECH LIMITED
    Inventors: Shoichi Deguchi, Hiroshi Yanagida, Shohei Koizumi
  • Patent number: 9290354
    Abstract: An installation for folding and stacking an endlessly producible web of corrugated cardboard comprises a folding device for folding a web of corrugated cardboard along predetermined folds and a stacking device which is arranged downstream of the folding device for stacking the web of corrugated cardboard, which has been folded along the folds, in stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: BHS CORRUGATED MASCHINEN-UND ANLAGENBAU GMBH
    Inventor: Martin Grill
  • Patent number: 9290355
    Abstract: A bulk electrical wire trailer having removable wire spool racks that include an isolated or independently rotating ground wire spool. The wire rack spools are removable from the trailer and the spools may be rotated and locked into any position facing the project. The bulk electrical wire trailer being used as method to readily distribute bulk wire to a job site or may be used as an incentive to attract electrical contractors to a distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Ken Worton
  • Patent number: 9290356
    Abstract: In a wire-processing machine, a belt-drive feeds a wire to a first swivel-arm with a first gripper. To feed the leading wire-end to processing stations, the first swivel-arm is set in a swiveling motion and/or in a linear motion. To feed the trailing wire-end to processing stations, the second swivel-arm is set in a swiveling motion and/or in a linear motion. After processing of the leading wire-end, by means of the belt-drive the desired cut-off length of wire is advanced and, by means of a transporting system, is transported further.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Komax Holding AG
    Inventor: Stefan Viviroli
  • Patent number: 9290357
    Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving a hose on a hose reel includes a base, a pair of opposed arms for supporting the hose reel, a tensioning assembly, and a drive assembly. Each of the arms having a reel support member near a distal end thereof, and the arms being moveable relative to one another between an engaged position wherein the arms are positioned so that the reel support members are supportingly engaged with a hub of a hose reel, and a non-engaged position wherein the arms are positioned so that the reel support members are disengaged from the hub. The drive assembly is supported by at least one of the first and second arms in a way that activation of the drive assembly causes at least one of the reel support members to rotate and thereby rotate the hose reel when the arms are in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Polypipe Handling Specialists, Inc.
    Inventors: P. Mike Mays, Trevor J. Mays, Michael K. Mays
  • Patent number: 9290358
    Abstract: A retractable cable system for coiling and uncoiling a cable. The system preferably includes an axle, a first drum having a spring nested inside the drum, a second drum, and a pulley assembly. The first drum is configured to be non-rotatably coupled to the axle while the second drum is configured to rotate around the axle. A cable is configured to wrap around the first and second drums and the pulley assembly, in which one of the ends of the cable is fixed to the system. The system prevents the cable from being twisted and allows the cable to maintain its geometry as the cable is being coiled and uncoiled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan L. Sparrowhawk
  • Patent number: 9290359
    Abstract: A method for controlling a fixture (122) includes receiving a message from a controller (102), determining whether the message includes an address associated with the fixture (122), retrieving an identifier of the controller (102) from the message responsive to determining that the message includes an address not associated with the fixture (122), determining whether the fixture (122) includes a fixture channel (204) controlled by the controller (102), and resetting a timer (203) associated with the fixture channel (204) controlled by the controller (102) responsive to determining that the fixture (122) includes the fixture channel (204) controlled by the controller (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Jason R. Armistead, James M. Collins, Dang V. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9290360
    Abstract: The endless escalator handrail is made up of a thermoplastic resin member having a first and a second curved portions and a joint section; a flat woven fabric bonded to an inner surface of the thermoplastic resin member; a first patch cloth having a base portion and a divergent portion, for being placed on the first curved portion side in the joint section; and a second patch cloth having a base portion and a divergent portion, for being placed on the second curved portion side in the joint section. The divergent potion of the first patch cloth is bonded onto the flat woven fabric at an inward side of the first curved portion, and the divergent potion of the second patch cloth is bonded onto the flat woven fabric at an inward side of the second curved portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Takeyama, Tomoko Hada, Atsushi Kawasaki, Yoshitomo Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9290361
    Abstract: A lifting device sensor unit comprises a housing, a first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver, and a wireless transceiver. The housing is configured to removably couple about a load line of a lifting device. The first GNSS receiver is coupled with the housing and configured for determining a sensor unit position in three dimensions. The wireless transceiver is coupled with the housing and configured for wirelessly providing information including the sensor unit position to a display unit located apart from the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Kurtis L. Maynard, John F. Cameron
  • Patent number: 9290362
    Abstract: A remote heave compensation system associated with a crane on a vessel may include a heave compensator arranged remotely from the crane and configured to translate in association with and to compensate for heaving motion of the vessel, an equalizer arranged on the crane and coupled to an end of a multiline system of the crane, a heave line secured to the equalizer at a first end and secured to the heave compensator at a second end, wherein compensating motion of the heave compensator is transferred to the equalizer by the heave line to compensate for heaving motion of the vessel and stabilize objects suspended from the multiline system of the crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: John E. Hey
  • Patent number: 9290363
    Abstract: A beam for use in construction equipment is made from tailor welded panels. At least one of the panels is made from at least two pieces of material such as steel welded together with the weld running the length of the beam. The weld between pieces of steel can either be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam, or the pieces can be tapered and the weld will be at an angle diverging from the longitudinal axis of the beam. The two pieces of material have a different compressive strength per unit of length in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the beam. In some embodiments a top panel is welded to two side panels to form two top corners of the beam and a bottom panel is welded to the two side panels to form two bottom corners of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: Arumugam Munuswamy, Donald C. Hade, Jr., Uday Sankar Meka, Ashok K. Bonde
  • Patent number: 9290364
    Abstract: The within invention relates to a crane with a boom slewable in a vertical pivoting plane and a bracing boom arrangement, particularly a derrick boom arrangement in which a luffing cable is arranged between the boom and the bracing boom arrangement, in which the luffing cable has at least two guying cables that run from two guying points arranged on the opposite side of the pivoting plane, which cables belong to the bracing cable arrangement, to the boom, in which the two guying cables are each movable by means of a winch and in which a mechanical coupling is provided between the two winches by means of which the movement of the two winches can be force coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Willim
  • Patent number: 9290365
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a system includes a lifting device for lifting a motor vehicle, a support structure for mounting the lifting device in a pit, and a carriage for supporting the lifting device from the support structure and being movable within the support structure. The system also includes a cover coupled to opposite sides of the carriage so that the cover extends away from the carriage and continuously between the opposite sides of the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: STERTIL BV
    Inventors: Kurt E. Polins, Glenn D. Felpel, Allan Pavlick
  • Patent number: 9290366
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising: a power unit; a work assembly coupled to the power unit comprising a first auxiliary device; and a fluid supply system. The fluid supply system may comprise: pump structure for supplying a fluid; a first manifold apparatus located on the power unit; a second manifold apparatus located on the work assembly; and fluid supply line structure coupled between the first and second manifolds. The first manifold may receive fluid from the pump structure and comprise valve structure for maintaining fluid pressure at an output port of the first manifold apparatus at a commanded pressure substantially equal to or greater than an operating pressure of the first auxiliary device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: William C. Jones, Jr., Karl L. Dammeyer, Darrin R. Ihle, Lucas B. Waltz
  • Patent number: 9290367
    Abstract: A tissue roll handling clamp, mountable on a vehicle such as a lift truck, has elongate, substantially equal-length, thin clamp arms with opposed tissue-engagement clamping surfaces. The clamp arms are capable of movement in unison by a frame assembly to alternative positions where the clamp arms extend longitudinally from the frame assembly selectively in either substantially horizontal or substantially vertical directions of extension. The frame assembly is capable of maintaining the respective clamping surfaces at substantially equal elevations to each other during such movement to substantially equalize the distribution of the weight of a clamped tissue roll between the opposed tissue-engagement clamping surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Cascade Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen P. Lyda
  • Patent number: 9290368
    Abstract: The invention discloses a metal positioning device. The device comprises a bottom section with a front end having a downward facing lip, a second back end having a handle, a side wall on both sides of said bottom section, said side walls running the length of the bottom section and a plurality of apertures formed along a longitudinal axis of said bottom section, said apertures being dimensioned to receive and allow passage of a lever bar therethrough. The invention further discloses a method of using the metal positioning device. The invention decreases the time needed to position metal sheets and eases the job for workers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Jack Miller
  • Patent number: 9290369
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lifting column for lifting a load, such as a vehicle, which includes a frame with a movable carrier and a drive which acts on the carrier; control means for control of the drive; a carrying part attached to the carrier for carrying the load; weight measuring means attached to the carrying part for measuring the weight of the load; and communication means for communicating a measurement signal of the weight measuring means indicative of the weight of the load to the control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Stertll B.V.
    Inventor: Jurjen Jan De Jong
  • Patent number: 9290370
    Abstract: A lifting apparatus for lifting a rectangular manhole cover includes an elongated frame having first and second end assemblies each supporting a hook adapted to engage a corresponding lifting block on a rectangular manhole cover, at least one end assembly being movable with respects to the other end assembly to expand a distance between the hooks. An actuator moves movable end assembly to change the distance between the hooks and force the hooks into engagement with the lifting blocks on an adjacent rectangular manhole cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: HLBP DESIGN CORP.
    Inventors: Michael T. Panio, Jeffrey Baynon
  • Patent number: 9290371
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a dispensing structure, a transportation mechanism linked with the dispensing structure and a staging structure linked with the transportation mechanism. A control system is linked with the dispensing structure, staging structure and the transportation mechanism. A sensor mechanism is linked with the control system. The sensor mechanism provides signals indicating the position of a cup. A cup identification system having an interactive display is connected to the control system. The display has visual characteristics indicating the position and characteristics of a cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant Crane, Thaddeus Jablonski, David M. Joyce, James Kasallis
  • Patent number: 9290372
    Abstract: A fluid distributor for uniformly distributing flow of a feed onto a chromatography column in a cost-effective way defines a distribution channel of generally conical shape between a solid back plate and a packed bed in the column, wherein the fluid distributor comprises at least two circular and/or annular fluid-permeable porous disks essentially filling the volume of the distribution channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences AB
    Inventors: Peter Bellqvist, Klaus Gebauer
  • Patent number: 9290373
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising: a mechanical seal fuel fill system including a fill line for transporting fuel into a fuel tank. The fill line may be operatively connected to a fill cup to receive a fill nozzle. The fuel fill system may also include a vapor canister to receive fuel vapors displaced during refueling from the fuel tank. The vapor canister may be fed via a canister vent valve inside the fuel tank. The fuel system may also include a recirculation line connecting the fuel tank to the fill line. The recirculation line may include an auxiliary valve in the fuel tank. The recirculation valve and the auxiliary valve may be in a parallel arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Vincent J. Marsala, Philip A. Yaccarino
  • Patent number: 9290374
    Abstract: The invention provides a micro-electro-mechanical device having differential capacitor of corresponding sizes, which includes a substrate; a top fixed electrode; a bottom fixed electrode; a mass, having a top electrode and a bottom electrode, wherein the top electrodes form a top capacitor with the top fixed electrode and the bottom electrodes form a bottom capacitor with the bottom fixed electrode; a top fixed electrode extension wall having an upper end connected to the top fixed electrode and a lower end connected to the substrate; and a bottom fixed electrode extension wall having a lower end connected to the substrate through the bottom electrode, wherein the bottom fixed electrode extension wall has no upper end connected to the top fixed electrode, and total areas of the top fixed electrode extension wall and the top fixed electrode facing the mass are substantially equal to total areas of the bottom fixed electrode extension wall and the bottom fixed electrode facing the mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INCORPORATION
    Inventor: Ming-Han Tsai
  • Patent number: 9290375
    Abstract: Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) ultrasonic transducers (CUTs) and methods for forming CUTs are described. The CUTs may include monolithically integrated ultrasonic transducers and integrated circuits for operating in connection with the transducers. The CUTs may be used in ultrasound devices such as ultrasound imaging devices and/or high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Butterfly Network, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Rothberg, Keith G. Fife, Tyler S. Ralston, Gregory L. Charvat, Nevada J. Sanchez
  • Patent number: 9290376
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a MEMS package. The MEMS package includes a MEMS IC comprising a MEMS substrate, a dielectric layer disposed over the MEMS substrate, and a piezoelectric layer disposed over the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer includes a flexible diaphragm made of dielectric material, and the piezoelectric layer includes a piezoelectric opening over the flexible diaphragm. A CMOS IC includes a CMOS substrate and an electrical interconnect structure. The CMOS IC is bonded to the MEMS IC so the electrical interconnect structure is proximate to the piezoelectric layer and so the CMOS IC encloses a back cavity over the flexible diaphragm. A support layer is disposed between the electrical interconnect structure and the piezoelectric layer. The support layer has a support layer opening which is disposed at a position vertically aligned with the flexible diaphragm and which is a part of the back cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Wen Cheng, Chien-Hsuan Tai, Chia-Hua Chu
  • Patent number: 9290377
    Abstract: A method of stacking a plurality of first dies to a respective plurality of second dies, each one of the first dies having a surface including a surface coupling region which is substantially flat, each one of the second dies having a respective surface including a respective surface coupling region which is substantially flat, the method comprising the steps of: forming, by means of a screen printing technique, an adhesive layer on the first dies at the respective surface coupling regions; and arranging the surface coupling region of each second die in direct physical contact with a respective adhesive layer of a respective first die among said plurality of first dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Malta) Ltd
    Inventors: Conrad Cachia, Kenneth Fonk
  • Patent number: 9290378
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a MEMS device includes providing a substrate having a front surface and a back surface, and forming a protruding engagement member on the front surface of the substrate. The protruding engagement member has an inner periphery defining a groove and an outer periphery. The method also includes forming a first trench having a first depth along the outer periphery, forming a patterned mask layer on the protruding engagement member covering the groove and exposing a portion of the first trench. The method further includes etching the exposed portion of the first trench to form a second trench having a second depth, removing the patterned mask layer, bonding the substrate with a MEMS substrate to form the MEMS device, and thinning the back surface to within the second depth. The method prevents dust from being deposited on the MEMS substrate as in the case of cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventors: Lushan Jiang, Xiaojun Chen, Xuanjie Liu, Liangliang Guo, Junde Ma
  • Patent number: 9290379
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a method for manufacturing a chip package is provided. The method includes arranging a chip over a substrate, the chip including a microphone structure and an opening to the microphone structure; and encapsulating the chip with encapsulation material such that the opening is kept at least partially free from the encapsulation material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventor: Horst Theuss
  • Patent number: 9290380
    Abstract: A mechanism for reducing stiction in a MEMS device by decreasing surface area between two surfaces that can come into close contact is provided. Reduction in contact surface area is achieved by increasing surface roughness of one or both of the surfaces. The increased roughness is provided by forming a micro-masking layer on a sacrificial layer used in formation of the MEMS device, and then etching the surface of the sacrificial layer. The micro-masking layer can be formed using nanoclusters. When a next portion of the MEMS device is formed on the sacrificial layer, this portion will take on the roughness characteristics imparted on the sacrificial layer by the etch process. The rougher surface decreases the surface area available for contact in the MEMS device and, in turn, decreases the area through which stiction can be imparted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Steimle, Ruben B. Montez
  • Patent number: 9290381
    Abstract: Described are single-walled metal oxide nanotubes having a plurality of organic functional units or moieties bonded generally in a covalent manner to the inner wall of the single-walled nanotubes. Functionalization of the single-walled metal oxide nanotubes is performed in a single-step during synthesis of the nanotubes. The organic functional units are found dispersed throughout the length of the inner wall and not sterically hindered or contained at only the mouth or ends of the single-walled metal oxide nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Sankar Nair, Dun-Yen Kang, Nicholas A. Brunelli, Christopher W. Jones
  • Patent number: 9290382
    Abstract: The invention enables efficient, rapid, and sensitive enumeration of living cells by detecting microscopic colonies derived from in situ cell division using large area imaging. Microbial enumeration tests based on the invention address an important problem in clinical and industrial microbiology—the long time needed for detection in traditional tests—while retaining key advantages of the traditional methods based on microbial culture. Embodiments of the invention include non-destructive aseptic methods for detecting cellular microcolonies without labeling reagents. These methods allow for the generation of pure cultures which can be used for microbial identification and determination of antimicrobial resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Rapid Micro Biosystems
    Inventor: Don Straus
  • Patent number: 9290383
    Abstract: A method for recycling exhaust gas from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The method includes: 1) introducing raw gas to a shift reactor to conduct a water-gas shift reaction, and collecting shift gas; 2) introducing the shift gas to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis device to yield a hydrocarbon fuel and exhaust gas, returning part of the exhaust gas as recycle gas; 3) introducing another part of the exhaust gas to a methanation reactor, allowing a methanation reaction to happen between the part of the exhaust gas and water vapor; 4) introducing a mixed gas product from the methanation reaction to a methane reforming reactor; 5) transporting the hydrogen and carbon monoxide resulting from the methane reforming reaction to a gas separator, separating the hydrogen and obtaining a mixed gas including carbon dioxide; and 6) returning the mixed gas including carbon dioxide to the methane reforming reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Wuhan Kaidi Engineering Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yilong Chen, Pingyu Kuai, Yan Gong, Xiaodong Zhan, Yanfeng Zhang, Jiaqi Jin
  • Patent number: 9290384
    Abstract: A process for preparing acetylene and synthesis gas by partial oxidation of hydrocarbons with oxygen, is disclosed. The process consists of separately preheating and then mixing a first input stream containing a hydrocarbon and a second input stream containing oxygen, supplying the first input stream and the second input stream via a burner block to a firing space, quenching a cracking gas obtained to produce a process water stream and a product gas stream, cooling the product gas stream in a cooling column by direct heat exchange with cooling water, depleting soot in an electrostatic filter, combining all process water streams and passing through soot channels, subjecting the combined process water stream to a cleaning operation by partial vaporization in a one-stage flash vessel to obtain a cleaned process water stream, and recycling the cleaned process water stream into the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Maximilian Vicari, Christian Weichert, Dirk Grossschmidt, Michael Russ, Mirko Haider, Horst Neuhauser, Michael L. Hayes
  • Patent number: 9290385
    Abstract: A hydrogen generation apparatus (100) includes: a reformer (10) configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas by using a raw material and steam; a raw material passage (21) through which the raw material that is supplied to the reformer (10) flows; a hydrodesulfurizer (13) provided downstream from a most downstream valve (11) on the raw material passage (21) and configured to remove a sulfur compound from the raw material; a sealer (15) provided on a passage (24) downstream from the reformer (10) and configured to block communication between the reformer (10) and the atmosphere; and a depressurizer (16) provided on the raw material passage (21) at a portion connecting the hydrodesulfurizer (13) and the reformer (10) and configured to release, to the atmosphere, pressure in the reformer (10) that has increased after the sealer (15) is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Taguchi, Tomoya Takeuchi, Kunihiro Ukai
  • Patent number: 9290386
    Abstract: A process and system for substantially eliminating contaminants from a gas and a gas produced therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SWAPSOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: James A Wasas
  • Patent number: 9290387
    Abstract: A structure for preparing an substantially aligned array of carbon nanotubes include a substrate having a first side and a second side, a buffer layer on the first side of the substrate, a catalyst on the buffer layer, and a plurality of channels through the structure for allowing a gaseous carbon source to enter the substrate at the second side and flow through the structure to the catalyst. After preparing the array, a fiber of carbon nanotubes may be spun from the array. Prior to spinning, the array can be immersed in a polymer solution. After spinning, the polymer can be cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Yuntian T. Zhu, Paul Arendt, Qingwen Li, Xiefie Zhang
  • Patent number: 9290388
    Abstract: Disclosed is a carbonaceous nanocomposite including: a substrate; a graphene sheet formed on a top surface of the substrate in parallel with the substrate; and a carbonaceous nanomaterial provided on another surface of the graphene sheet, the nanomaterial having an aspect ratio of 2 to 75,000 to make a predetermined angle with the graphene sheet. The carbonaceous nanocomposite according to the present disclosure has excellent adhesivity to the substrate and can be attached to the substrate without undergoing a pasting process. Since a two-directional current flow is generated, the electrical resistance of the graphene and carbon nanotube is considerably reduced. In addition, the graphene allows the carbon nanotube to have a high current density and a high specific surface area, thereby accelerating a redox reaction. The excellent heat-radiating property of the graphene sheet allows fast transfer of heat generated in the carbon nanotube to outside, thereby avoiding degradation of the carbon nanotube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: INJE UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Min-Hyon Jeon, Hyon-Kwang Choi, Sook-Hyun Hwang, Hyun-Kook Kim
  • Patent number: 9290389
    Abstract: A method including providing graphene on a growth substrate; providing a target substrate on the graphene to form a first composite including the target substrate and graphene; and removing at least a portion of the first composite from the growth substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Samiul Md Haque, Richard White, Chris Bower
  • Patent number: 9290390
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing activated charcoal from a precursor material comprising high mineral content plant or algal material by heating the precursor material under suitable conditions sufficient to produce activated charcoal therefrom. The invention also provides various applications of the activated charcoal per se.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF SURREY
    Inventors: Franciscus Antonius Anna Maria De Leij, James Peter Stratford
  • Patent number: 9290391
    Abstract: A silicon component in a processing chamber for performing an etching process on a substrate is provided. The silicon component contains recycled silicon obtained by a silicon component recycling method including: collecting silicon wastes from any one of a silicon component for a plasma etching apparatus and a silicon ingot for a semiconductor wafer; obtaining a content of impurity based on an electric characteristic of the collected silicon wastes; determining an input amount of the silicon wastes, an input amount of a silicon source material, and an input amount of impurity based on the content of impurity obtained in the measurement process and a target value of an electric characteristic of a final product; manufacturing a silicon ingot by inputting the silicon wastes, the silicon source material, and the impurity into a crucible; and manufacturing the final product using the silicon ingot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Kosuke Imafuku
  • Patent number: 9290392
    Abstract: The present application discloses a shape preserving chemical transformation of ZnO mesostructures into anatase TiO2 mesostructures using controlled low temperature TiCl4 treatment for optoelectronic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
    Inventors: Subas K. Muduli, Vivek V. Dhas, Onkar S. Game, Ashish P. Yengantiwar, Satishchandra B. Ogale
  • Patent number: 9290393
    Abstract: Processes for forming high iron content ferric chloride solutions, reconstituting ferric chloride solutions, and transporting the stable ferric chloride solutions with the high iron content are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: KEMIRA OYJ
    Inventors: Krister Eskilsson, Stig Gunnarsson, Jeffrey Campbell, Jan Pavlicek, Faziollah Azarnoush, Esko Tirronen
  • Patent number: 9290394
    Abstract: Provided is a method for decomposing at least one of organic compound contained in an aqueous solution by using a titanium dioxide photocatalyst that is excellent in both photocatalytic activity and solid-liquid separation performance for water treatment. The method includes: a step of adding catalyst particles into the aqueous solution; a step of decomposing the organic compound by irradiating the aqueous solution with light having a wavelength of 200 nanometers or more and 400 nanometers or less while stirring the catalyst particles in the aqueous solution; and a step of stopping the stirring, and separating the catalyst particles from the aqueous solution by sedimentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuko Maruo, Daisuke Ino
  • Patent number: 9290395
    Abstract: A method for stabilising or raising the pH of bodies of water and/or neutralising bodies of water is illustrated and described. According to the invention a feed material containing an unburnt lime product, the unburnt lime product having a granularity with a fraction <about 10 ?m of ?50%, is used to stabilise or raise the pH and/or neutralise bodies of water. With the aid of the proposed method the pH of bodies of water can be stabilised, raised and/or bodies of water can be neutralised effectively and in an ecologically harmless manner, and at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Rheinkalk GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang König, Wolfgang Rabe, Günter Scholz
  • Patent number: 9290396
    Abstract: A liquid treating device includes a liquid guide cylinder having liquid suction and ejection ports, a liquid supply unit that supplies liquid to the liquid suction port, a pumping-up unit that is provided within the liquid guide cylinder and suctions liquid from the liquid suction port and ejecting liquid from the liquid ejection port, a liquid ejection space part that enlarges liquid, which has been ejected from the liquid ejection port by the pumping-up unit, in an upper part of a closed tank, a gas supply unit that supplies gas in the liquid ejection space part under pressure, a reflux passage that circulates liquid from the liquid ejection space part through space between the tank and the liquid guide cylinder to a lower part of the liquid guide cylinder, and treated liquid taking-out piping that takes out treated liquid from a lower part of the tank to an exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA NIKUNI
    Inventors: Soichiro Osaki, Yuji Mizuno
  • Patent number: 9290397
    Abstract: An aeration control valve system may be used with a water treatment system to control aeration and flow of water in accordance with various operating cycles. The aeration control valve system causes air to be pumped or drawn into the water treatment system during an air charge cycle to provide an air charge for aerating the water to facilitate water treatment. The aeration control valve system releases the air during an air release cycle without requiring a backwash cycle. In one embodiment, the aeration control valve system includes a control valve unit configured for connection to a brine tank but instead fluidly coupled to an air intake inlet and an air release outlet for supplying and releasing air, respectively, when the valve cycle actuator is in the brine position and brine tank fill position, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: R.E. Prescott Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Russell E. Prescott
  • Patent number: 9290398
    Abstract: A water aeration system encases an air pump and a solar power controller in an encasement structure with one or more air permeable sidewalls. The encasement structure is mounted at or near a top end of a mounting pole. A solar panel is mounted directly or indirectly to the encasement or to the mounting pole at or near the top end of the mounting pole. An air conduit is threaded through a hollow channel in the mounting pole, and then underground and/or under water for joining to an immersed diffuser. The water aeration system operates without a battery or energy accumulator, and is tamper-resistant. The air pump and controller are inside the encasement structure, the solar panel and encasement structure are mounted several feet above the ground surface, and the conduit between the pump and the diffuser is held inside the mounting pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Linne Industries LLC
    Inventors: Craig Burton, Sandra Burton
  • Patent number: 9290399
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating wastewater in which the majority of solids and biological oxygen demand compounds are separated from the wastewater feed using a primary separation process, to produce a solids phase and a water phase. The solids phase is irradiated to reduce the level of pathogens such that it is safe to use as a soil substitute and/or additive so that the solids can thus be disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner. In additional embodiments, the solids that have been disinfected by radiation are mixed with a suitable inert filler material to produce a soil substitute, fertilizer, compost, or other soil additive. The liquid phase is treated in a substantially smaller system than would be required for treating the full-strength wastewater that can include a suspended media biological regeneration reactor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Siemans Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Conner, Osama I. Fageeha, Thomas E. Schultz