Patents Issued in December 5, 2017
  • Patent number: 9833704
    Abstract: A game control device according to the present invention includes: a correlator configured to correlate a plurality of objects with each of a plurality of users including a first user and a second user; a setter configured to set a plurality of object groups including more than one object selected from the plurality of objects correlated with each of the plurality of users for each of the plurality of users; an associator configured to associate each of the plurality of object groups set by the setter, with a group type; an executor configured to execute a battle game between an object group of the first user and an object group of the second user; a determiner configured to determine a group type of the object group of the second user before the battle game is executed; and a selector configured to select an object group of the first user from the plurality of object groups set for the first user, the object group of the first user applied to the battle game, the object group of the first user associated wit
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Owaku, Taku Endo
  • Patent number: 9833705
    Abstract: A game apparatus includes a CPU, the CPU judges a motion of a player on the basis of a cycle of a load value input from a load controller, and selectively displays an animation of a player object according to the motion. Furthermore, the CPU controls a moving amount or a moving velocity of the player object on the basis of the load value input from the load controller, and controls a moving direction of the player object according to a barycentric position of the player detected by the load controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Konishi
  • Patent number: 9833706
    Abstract: A touch panel detects a point in one of a plurality of unit areas at which an input was made, the unit areas being arranged in a matrix in an instruction plane. A game apparatus repeatedly acquires detection coordinates for locating a unit area detected by a pointing device. Also, the game apparatus repeatedly calculates, in response to the acquisition of the detection coordinates, detailed coordinates by which a point can be represented with accuracy in more detail than by the detection coordinates. The detailed coordinates indicate a point in the direction of a unit area indicated by previously acquired detection coordinates, as viewed from a predetermined reference point within a unit area indicated by currently acquired detection coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keizo Ohta
  • Patent number: 9833707
    Abstract: Ambient light control and calibration systems and methods are provided herein. According to some embodiments, exemplary systems may include a console that includes a processor that executes logic to control a plurality of nodes to reproduce a virtual lighting scheme of a virtual environment in a physical user environment. Additionally, the system may include a plurality of nodes that each includes a light emitting device, a receiver that communicatively couples the node to the console, and a processor that executes logic to control the light emitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Brian M. Watson
  • Patent number: 9833708
    Abstract: A system and method for creating a themed virtual environment is provided. A computer system is in communication with at least one remote user computer system, and a themed virtual environment creation module is executed by the computer system. The themed virtual environment creation module allows a user of the at least one remote computer system to: select a template virtual environment and a plurality of primitives to be placed in the virtual environment; define one or more attributes associated with the primitives; uploading indicia to be applied to the plurality of primitives; customize the plurality of primitives by applying the indicia to the primitives; and customize the template virtual environment by placing the plurality of primitives at desired locations in the template virtual environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: National Entertainment Collectibles Association, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Weinshanker, Milton Soong
  • Patent number: 9833709
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for securing a game console capable of processing game-related data. In use, the game-related data is scanned for detecting malware. Additionally, the game-related data is scanned for detecting spyware. Further, parental controls are executed during use of the game console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: McAfee, LLC
    Inventors: Mostyn J. Beechey, Paul N. Gartside, Henry C. Stern
  • Patent number: 9833710
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system are provided for ensuring the integrity and security of digital shuffles of cards or objects across multiple entities and/or jurisdictions. All entities participating in the shuffle can optionally review the forensic data to ensure that the shuffle was legitimate and that no other entity prematurely peeked at another entity's private hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Earl Irwin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9833711
    Abstract: A server device and the like that can make a whole game and SNS more active by promoting the movement of players between groups to enhance the mobility of game participants. A server device comprises: an information storage unit for storing information of a game in which a plurality of players are able to participate and which includes a battle event; and a control unit for accessing the information and executing an operation related to the game. The server device executes a predetermined step that includes performing, when a first player transfers from a first group to a second group, payment and receipt of transfer points as compensation for the transfer between at least two out of the first player, the first group, and the second group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GREE, Inc.
    Inventors: Koichi Suzuki, Eigo Isomura
  • Patent number: 9833712
    Abstract: A game system includes a game processing section that performs a process that implements a game, a data link processing section that determines that a data link activation condition has been satisfied when a data link start positional relationship has been established between a moving object and another moving object, and performs a process that produces a data link effect that changes at least one of the radar-related capability of the moving object and the performance of the moving object, and a display processing section that performs a display process that displays a display object that notifies a player of information about a data link. The data link processing section performs a process that prohibits production of the data link effect during at least one of a given first period after the game has started, and a given second period after production of the data link effect has been canceled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Jun Tamaoki, Makoto Yonezawa, Masayoshi Noda, Tsuyoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9833713
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides an information processing apparatus configured to be capable of communicating data with another information processing apparatus present within a prescribed range. The information processing apparatus includes a transmission and reception portion configured to receive information for communication from another information processing apparatus. The information for communication includes position information relating to an information processing apparatus which is a source of transmission of the information for communication. The information processing apparatus further includes a display portion. A display control module is configured to perform display processing based on a first distance calculated based on the position information relating to the information processing apparatus which is the source of transmission of the information for communication and position information relating to an apparatus including the display control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryutaro Takahashi, Eisaku Nakae, Masaki Wada, Yoshio Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 9833714
    Abstract: An online software Platform and method whereby a plurality of users compete to make predictions about the purchasing behavior of a plurality of consumers in a (typically digital) marketplace. The disclosed gamification method allows most product markets to be gamified via the software and algorithms comprising the disclosed standalone Platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: SQD Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Charles Olson, William Brett Sechrest, Erich Kipling Oliphant
  • Patent number: 9833715
    Abstract: A first list of available players is provided to each individual user who then selects a first fantasy lineup, where selections by another individual user does not preclude other individual users from also selecting the same player. First fantasy lineups are received from each individual user, the fantasy lineups comprising one or more players selected from the first list of available players. Each individual user may provide a replacement lineup prior to the end of a game. A subsequent list of available players is provided to each user and does not include players from the first fantasy lineup. Subsequent fantasy lineups from each individual user are received comprising only players selected from the subsequent list of available players. None of the players of the first fantasy lineup for an individual user is included in any subsequent fantasy lineup of the individual user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Inventors: Gearoid E. Moore, Vito Anthony Favazza, III, Andrew J. Norman
  • Patent number: 9833716
    Abstract: A web content sharing method, and a web content providing apparatus and a receiving terminal for web content sharing. In the web content sharing method according to an exemplary embodiment, the web content providing apparatus separates a plurality of web content items from a web page, disperses and moves the separated web content to each of the receiving terminals, and synchronizes the dispersed and moved web content between the receiving terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Min Jung Kim, Moon Soo Lee, Seung Joon Kwon, Kee Seong Cho, Won Ryu
  • Patent number: 9833717
    Abstract: To provide an ornament mechanism comprising a light-emitting element applied to an elastic material, and, a sports equipment and an amusement equipment decorated by the ornament mechanism. This ornament mechanism is provided with a transparent air cover and a light-emitting element. The transparent air cover is a cover that covers a core body and has air sealed inside. The light-emitting element is disposed between the core body and the transparent air cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: BLD Oriental Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi Ochi
  • Patent number: 9833718
    Abstract: A movable screen apparatus suitable for use in a themed entertainment environment. The movable screen apparatus includes a screen and a base configured for movement over surface. The movable screen apparatus includes a guidance arrangement and a drive arrangement, wherein said guidance and drive arrangements are operable, in use, to move the screen apparatus along a pre-defined looped path. The looped path is defined by a physical track which is contactable by the guidance arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: ROBOCOASTER LIMITED
    Inventor: Gino De-Gol
  • Patent number: 9833719
    Abstract: A robot 150 is placed on a touch panel. When touch sensor action sections 156a to 156c provided on a bottom face 150b of the robot act on a touch pad, an information processing device shows a face image in a rectangular area 16 of a display screen 14 of the touch panel. The rectangular area 16 corresponds to the bottom face of the robot. The face image is grabbed from the bottom face 150b of the robot 150 and appears in a face section 152. Further, the brightness of pixels in areas 18a and 18b of the display screen 14 is changed. The areas 18a and 18b correspond to optical sensors 160a and 160b provided on the bottom face 150b of the robot. The robot 150 detects the change in question, converting the change into a motion of an internal actuator, sound output, light emission, and so on in accordance with predetermined rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Keiji Togawa, Takeshi Yamagishi, Yoichi Nishimaki
  • Patent number: 9833720
    Abstract: A system for launching a toy projectile from a clip connector. The toy projectile has elongated arm elements and elongated leg elements. The toy projectile is launched from a clip connector launcher. The clip connector launcher has a housing with a top opening, side openings, and an internal divider. The elongated arm elements and the elongated leg elements from the toy projectile are inserted into the top opening of the clip connector housing. The elongated arm elements mechanically interlock with the side openings in the clip connector housing when in a fully engaged position. The leg elements are spread by the divider within the clip connector housing when in the fully engaged position. The elongated arm elements and the elongated leg elements store spring energy that releases to accelerate the toy character out and away from the clip connector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: KMA Concepts Limited
    Inventor: Steve Walterscheid
  • Patent number: 9833721
    Abstract: A device and technique for knotting an inflated balloon or forming a knot in another material is provided. One approach includes: holding a knot tying aid by a handle portion, the handle portion being positioned opposite a distal portion, the distal portion including several prongs (in one nonlimiting example at least three) extending away from the handle and being spaced apart from one another in correspondence to vertices of a triangle; winding a tag end portion of the inflated balloon about the prongs to form a loop; and passing part of the tag end portion through the loop to form a knot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Inventor: Marque Plouffe
  • Patent number: 9833722
    Abstract: The balloon display system used in indoor and outdoor show rooms and the like. The system includes a heavy plastic inflatable balloon. The balloon is mounted on top of a circular balloon holder cup. The cup and the balloon are attached to an upper end of a flexible rod. A lower end of a flexible rod can be attached to a flexible or a rigid, hollow mounting pole. A lower end of the mounting pole can be attached to an upper end of a ground stake. A lower end of the ground stake is inserted into a ground surface. Also the lower end of the mounting pole can be mounted on top of weighted base or stand or other upright objects. The system is designed to display one balloon or a plurality of balloons in a balloon cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: BALLOON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wicken, Gregg A. Wicken
  • Patent number: 9833723
    Abstract: A computer system and method for delivering synchronized metadata for a media to a target device that is associated with a plurality of peripherals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: OpenTV, Inc.
    Inventors: Claes Georg Andersson, John Michael Teixeira, Nicholas Daniel Doerring, Nicholas Fishwick, Colin Reed Miller
  • Patent number: 9833724
    Abstract: A detachable axle comprises an axial body, two engaging portions, and two pivoting portions. The two engaging portions are respectively formed on two axial ends of the axial body, each of the engaging portions has an engaging groove, and the engaging groove is radially formed on the engaging portion. The two pivoting portions are respectively formed on the two engaging portions and extend outwards from the engaging portions. In use, the detachable axle is engaged with a general building block by the two engaging portions. The two pivoting portions extend out of the two sides of the building block and wheels are mounted around the two pivoting portions, so the building block has a moving function. The axial body and the building block could be separated to make the building block become the general combining type. The versatility of the general building block is expanded without any limitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: T. K. Chin Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Howard Chin
  • Patent number: 9833725
    Abstract: An interactive cloud-based toy for children having a communicator located in the housing of the toy is provided. The communicator has electronic circuitry operatively coupled to a cloud database for transmitting and receiving data through a Bluetooth connection with a smart device. The cloud database corroborates and aggregates data across toys, third party cloud services, and provides customized content to the communicator. The cloud database is operatively connected to the electronic circuitry and is capable of receiving commands therefrom and transmitting data thereto. The cloud database includes provision for authorization of the user and a sensor group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Dynepic, Inc.
    Inventor: Krissa Watry
  • Patent number: 9833726
    Abstract: Described herein is a distillation system configured for continuous distillation under vacuum to produce an oil product such as an essential oil. Also described is a method of distillation and distillation product thereof. The distillation system comprises at least one distillation chamber for vaporizing a carrier liquid and passing it through a feedstock; a condenser fluidly connected to the at least one chamber; a separator fluidly connected to the condenser for separating a volatile oil product from a reformed carrier liquid; and a reflux tank fluidly connected to the separator and configured to store the reformed carrier liquid; a valve configured to dose carrier liquid from the reflux tank to the distillation chamber when the level of the carrier liquid in the distillation chamber falls below a predetermined level and a pump configured to maintain a positive carrier liquid pressure between the valve and the reflux tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: UNWUW Limited
    Inventor: Paul George Greaves
  • Patent number: 9833727
    Abstract: The present invention is a single oilfield treatment vessel for removing water, solids and gas from crude oil. The vessel functions to replace three separate normally used vessels: a gas separator, a free water knockout vessel and a heater treater. The present vessel functions more efficiently than the three vessels it replaces by virtue of its superior internals and efficiency based design. It pays for itself more quickly by increasing the quality and value of the effluent fluids and by reducing installation and operating costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Breakthrough Engenuity, LLC
    Inventor: Will D. Ball, IV
  • Patent number: 9833728
    Abstract: In one aspect there is provided a fluid treatment system for treating a contaminated fluid having a gaseous contaminant mixed or dissolved in the liquid portion thereof. The system comprises a generally enclosed and substantially airtight container defining an interior volume. The container comprises an inlet to receive the contaminated fluid, a gas outlet to discharge any gaseous contaminant and a liquid outlet to discharge any liquid that may be separated from said contaminated fluid. During operations, the container is sealed to maintain a seal between the interior volume and any outside environment, so as to prevent the escape of any liquids and gasses out of the interior volume, except as may be provided for via the inlet, the gas outlet or the liquid outlet. Also during operations, a continuous headspace is maintained between the at least one inlet and the at least one gas outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Inventor: Sheldon McKee
  • Patent number: 9833729
    Abstract: An apparatus for degassing of gaseous components from at least one curable material, particularly a curable material for building a composite part, for example, a rotor blade for a wind turbine, is provided in an embodiment herein. The apparatus includes at least one degassing chamber having at least one inlet for introducing a curable material for building a composite part, the curable material containing gaseous components into the degassing chamber and at least one outlet for removing a degassed curable material from the degassing chamber and at least one mechanical splitting means adapted to mechanically split up gaseous components contained within the curable material so as to release the gaseous components from the curable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Casper Houmann Jensen, Simon Kwiatkowski Pedersen
  • Patent number: 9833730
    Abstract: A self-cleaning system for a plate press (100) or cylinder press (110) for filtering a fluid product and for eliminating waste material accumulated on filter membranes (13) in a waste accumulation area (102) of the plate press (100) or cylinder press (110), said system comprising a drain port (DP) adjacent to the waste accumulation area (102), said system comprising an area (103) creating a circulation of water and/or forced air jets within the waste accumulation area (102) to expel the waste to the drain port (DP), whereby the waste accumulation area (102) is cleaned from the waste material without having to disassemble the plate press or cylinder press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: LES ÉQUIPEMENTS D'ÉRABLIÈRE CDL INC.
    Inventors: Marc-André Chabot, Stéphane Doyon
  • Patent number: 9833731
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure could generally provide a relatively easily squeezable beverage bottle that allows control of the flow rate of the liquid being dispensed to the user. The bottle could provide sufficient radial rigidity—or resistance to squeezing—to return to its original shape (or “bounce back”) at a suitable rate without experiencing permanent deformation or denting and to withstand the rigors of filling, shipping, transporting, dispensing, etc. The present disclosure generally provides a beverage bottle filtering system that provides adequate filtering of water taken from the bottle at a suitable rate. In one embodiment, the present disclosure could include a support system to adequately secure the filter media within a filter housing while ensuring a sufficient compression fit and seal of filter media within filter system to eliminate “bypass flow” (i.e., water that might leak past filter system) and prevent consumption of unfiltered water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: O2C Raleigh, LLC
    Inventors: Randy E. Carter, Brian D. Schumacher, Edward A. Kidston, Karim Rashid, Richard Smiedt
  • Patent number: 9833732
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter for continuous filtration of a suspension under pressure, with a pressure vessel (1), rotating filter elements (2) disposed in the pressure vessel (1), where the filter element (2) passes through one filter cycle for each rotation, with filter zones in liquid and gaseous phase, also with filtrate channels (4?) that are connected between the filter elements (2) and separate filtrate outlets (14, 14?, 215) for each filter zone, as well as a device to control the individual filtrate zones by means of a control disc (44), where the control disc (44) has filtrate outlets (114, 115) for liquid and gaseous phase. It is primarily characterized in that a venting zone (46) is provided before the filtrate outlet of the liquid phase, viewed in the direction of the filter cycle. Thus, the compressed air in the filter elements (2) and filtrate channels (4?) can be carried off and pressure-relieved in a favorable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Andritz AG
    Inventor: Rainer Prader
  • Patent number: 9833733
    Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning of gases, particularly sealing gas, includes a separator unit (3), particularly for separating liquids and/or particles from the gas flowing through the apparatus, and a collecting container (1) for the trapped substances. The separator unit (3) has a cyclone separator (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: HYDAC PROCESS TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Manfred Deutschmeyer, Bernhard Schlichter, Sergej Zeller
  • Patent number: 9833734
    Abstract: An air quality indicator for indicating high fine particle levels in an environment of interest. The indicator includes a frame maintaining first and second air filter media. The first air filter medium differs from the second air filter medium at least in terms of a change in visual appearance (e.g., color) when subjected to air flow containing fine particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Liming Xin
  • Patent number: 9833735
    Abstract: A method for removing sulfur-based gases from a gas stream comprises contacting a sulfur containing gas stream under dynamic flow conditions with granular activated carbon (GAC) to adsorb substantially all sulfur-containing gas from the gas stream. The granular activated carbon (GAC) can be derived from date palm pits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: Muhammad Shariq Vohra, Bashir Alhaji Labaran
  • Patent number: 9833736
    Abstract: In a method and a device for compressed air preparation in motor vehicles, ambient air is drawn in and compressed by a compressor (2), dried in a downstream air dryer (4, 4?) and delivered to compressed air consumers (storage tanks 14, 16). The air dryer (4, 4?) is regenerated with system air stored in a regeneration reservoir (30, 30?), passed via the air dryer (4, 4?) and vented via an associated vent valve (22). In predetermined operating states, a switch is made between a delivery phase and a regeneration phase via an electrically controlled governor (36, 36?). The delivery phase of the compressor takes place at least when compressed air consumption is high, and the regeneration phase takes place in the stationary mode at the idling speed of the drive motor, to keep the delivery phases short and to have sufficient time available for regeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Brinkmann, Konrad Feyerabend
  • Patent number: 9833737
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of separating one or more components from a feed composition, methods of desorbing one or more components from an absorbent fluid, as well as systems and apparatus that can carry out the methods. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of separating one or more components from a feed composition including contacting at least some of a first component of a feed composition including the first component with an absorbent fluid, to provide a contacted composition and a used absorbent fluid including at least some of the first component contacted with the absorbent fluid. In some embodiments the absorbent fluid can be an organosilicon fluid including an organosilicon including at least one of a hydroxy group, an ether group, an acrylate group, a methacrylate group, an acrylamide group, a methacrylamide group, and a polyether group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventors: Dongchan Ahn, Aaron J. Greiner, James S. Hrabal, Alexandra N. Lichtor
  • Patent number: 9833738
    Abstract: A method of generating oxygen depleted air on an aircraft, and an aircraft fuel tank inerting system. The method including the steps of passing a first proportion of air through an air pressure reduction device to produce a supply of reduced pressure air, passing a second proportion along one side of a membrane of an air separation module, exposing the other side of the membrane of the air separation module to the reduced pressure air, so that oxygen is extracted from the second proportion of air across the membrane and the air separation module exhausts oxygen depleted air for inerting an aircraft fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Stephen Burnell, Tim Leigh
  • Patent number: 9833739
    Abstract: A fossil fuel fired power plant exhaust gas clean-up system is provided to remove detrimental compounds/elements from the exhaust gas emitting from the power plant to protect the environment. This is accomplished primarily by directing the exhaust gas from a fossil fuel fired power plant through both a reaction chamber containing a chemically produced compound and a catalytic converter. The final exhaust gas can now be safely exhausted to the atmosphere and only contains nitrogen gas, oxygen, water and a trace amount of carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: MILLENIUM SYNTHFUELS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lai O. Kuku, Melvin Mathew, Michael P. Woudenberg
  • Patent number: 9833740
    Abstract: A process of removing SO2 from a flue gas with a trickling filter using modified ceramsite packing is described. The biological flue gas desulfurization process includes: feeding the flue gas containing sulfur dioxide through the column bottom into the biomembrane trickling filter at certain temperature, contacting with the modified ceramsite biomembrane packing and purifying, which purified flue gas is discharged via the column top; and spraying the nutrient fluid rich in high concentration of the desulfurization strain through the top to the modified ceramsite biomembrane packing, thereby the sulfur-bearing pollution source in the flue gas is degraded, so as to discharge a purified flue gas satisfying the environmental requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignees: CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION, RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF NANJING CHEMICAL INDUSTRIAL GROUP
    Inventors: Aixiang Hao, Songbai Mao, Jing Kong
  • Patent number: 9833741
    Abstract: Provided is a reciprocating submerged membrane filtration apparatus including: a membrane tank comprising a submerged membrane and configured to intake influent wastewater to be treated, the influent wastewater being filtered through the submerged membrane to produce treated water; and a reciprocation apparatus configured to move the membrane to create an inertia force which shakes foulants off from the submerged membrane under oxygen-deficient conditions, wherein the submerged membrane comprises a microfiltration (MF) membrane or an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: DOOSAN HEAVY INDUSTRIES & CONSTRUCTIONS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyung Keun Roh, Jaeho Ho
  • Patent number: 9833742
    Abstract: Provided is a cation exchange membrane having a stable ion exchange performance during usage, being excellent in basic properties such as membrane resistance and ion transportation as well as strength, and useful for electrodialysis and a method for producing the same. The cation exchange membrane is composed of a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer including an anionic group-containing anionic polymer segment and a vinyl alcohol polymer segment, and having a microphase separation structure having a domain size (X) in a range from 0 nm<X?150 nm. The method is composed of forming a membrane from a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer which is adjusted to contain salts in a proportion that the salt weight (C) relative to the polyvinyl alcohol copolymer weight (P) is [(C)/(P)] of 4.5/95.5 or lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignees: KURARAY CO., LTD., YAMAGUCHI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Takahiro Nakashima, Atsushi Jikihara, Takashi Wakui, Mitsuru Higa
  • Patent number: 9833743
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis treatment device includes: a first pressure vessel for treating an untreated water to produce a primarily treated water and a first permeated water; a second pressure vessel for treating the primarily treated water to produce a secondarily treated water and a second permeated water; a first cleaning solution tank for storing a first cleaning solution for cleaning the first pressure vessel; and a second cleaning solution tank for storing a second cleaning solution for cleaning the second pressure vessel. Each of the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel has therein a reverse osmosis membrane element having a reverse osmosis membrane. The first cleaning solution tank is connected to the first concentrate outlet pipe of the first pressure vessel, and the second cleaning solution tank is connected to the inlet pipe for the primarily treated water of the second pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Kotaro Kitamura, Shinichi Yoshikawa, Hiroki Miyakawa
  • Patent number: 9833744
    Abstract: Provided are processes of removing particulate fouling from a filtration membrane or for preventing membrane fouling by particulate matter. A process capitalizes on reversal of a naturally occurring diisophoretic particle deposition to actively move particulate material away from a membrane. A process includes placing a microparticle including a salt in proximity to a membrane such that the microparticle creates a gradient generated spontaneous electric field or a gradient generated spontaneous chemiphoretic field in the solvent proximal to the membrane that actively draws charged particles away from the membrane thereby removing charged particulate matter away from the membrane or preventing its deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Darrell Velegol, Abhishek Kar, Rajarshi Guha, Manish Kumar
  • Patent number: 9833745
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a filtration means (10) for the filtration of liquid media having a housing (12) and at least one filter element (16) arranged in said housing (12), wherein at least one of said filter element (16) at at least one axial end has a laterally outwardly extending flange (24), which is connected to said housing (12) forming a seal. Said flange (24) has a conical surface (25) projecting outwardly which interacts with a complementary conical surface (27) of a gasket (26) which is arranged between said flange (24) and said housing (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Nanostone Water GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Goebbert, Manfred Volz
  • Patent number: 9833746
    Abstract: Provided is a facilitated CO2 transport membrane having improved CO2 permeance and improved CO2 selective permeability. The facilitated CO2 transport membrane includes a separation-functional membrane comprising a hydrophilic polymer gel membrane which contains a CO2 carrier and a CO2 hydration catalyst, wherein the hydrophilic polymer is a copolymer including a first structural unit derived from an acrylic acid cesium salt or an acrylic acid rubidium salt and a second structural unit derived from vinyl alcohol. More preferably, the CO2 hydration catalyst has catalytic activity at a temperature of 100° C. or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignees: Renaissance Energy Research Corporation, Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Osamu Okada, Nobuaki Hanai, Peng Yan, Junya Miyata, Takehiro Nakasuji, Hayato Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 9833747
    Abstract: Provided is a polymer electrolyte membrane for SF6 separation, using a nitrate electrolyte, where the nitrate is solvated in the membrane to thus form ionic aggregates, whereby polar SF6 has difficulty passing through the membrane due to the barrier effect of the ionic aggregates, thus enabling the separation of SF6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Sangmyung University Industry-Academy Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Sang-Wook Kang, Woong-Gi Lee
  • Patent number: 9833748
    Abstract: A fluid deionizer includes at least one graphene sheet perforated with apertures dimensioned to allow a flow of fluid and to disallow at least one particular type of ion contained in the flow of fluid. A purge valve is placed in an open position so as to collect the at least one particular type of ion disallowed by the graphene sheet so as to clean off the at least one graphene sheet. Another embodiment provides a deionizer with graphene sheets in cylindrical form. A separation apparatus is also provided in a cross-flow arrangement where a pressurized source directs a medium along a path substantially parallel to at least one sheet of graphene from an inlet to an outlet. The medium flows through the plural perforated apertures while a remaining portion of the medium and the disallowed components in the medium flow out the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Stetson, Jr., Jonathan Mercurio, Alan Rosenwinkel, Peter V. Bedworth, Shawn P. Fleming, Aaron L. Westman
  • Patent number: 9833749
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite separation membrane that is applicable to carbon dioxide separation and recovery processes. The composite separation membrane includes a coating layer composed of graphene oxide and a bile acid or its salt on a porous polymer support. The composite separation membrane of the present invention, which includes a coating layer composed of graphene oxide and a bile acid or its salt, has both high carbon dioxide permeability and high selectivity for carbon dioxide over nitrogen, hydrogen or methane gas, is free of surface defects, and maintains a stable structure without deterioration of its performance even after long-term use. Due to these advantages, the composite separation membrane of the present invention can be applied to industrial fields involving carbon dioxide separation and recovery processes. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the composite separation membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: IUCF-HYU (INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION HANYANG UNIVERSITY)
    Inventors: Ho Bum Park, Hyo Won Kim, Hee Wook Yoon, Byung Min Yoo
  • Patent number: 9833750
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for impregnating a filter having pores suitable for retaining particles within them that may be present in a flow of air suitable for passing through the filter, according to which the filter made up of a polymer membrane is impregnated with one or more organometallic salts by applying a treatment using supercritical CO2, the metal M of each salt being chosen from among the group of rare earths, yttrium, scandium, chromium, or a combination thereof. The invention also relates to the obtained filter and an associated method for the collection and quantitative analysis of nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT À L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Sylvie Motellier, Simon Clavaguera, Korian Lhaute, Olivier Poncelet
  • Patent number: 9833751
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a water-treatment separation membrane including: a porous support and a polyamide layer formed on the porous support, wherein the polyamide layer contains an antioxidant having a solubility parameter value of 9 (J/cm3)1/2 to 22 (J/cm3)1/2, and a method of manufacturing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Young-Hoon Ko, Jae-Hong Kim, Keun-Won Song, Chong-Kyu Shin
  • Patent number: 9833752
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a radiation-resistant microporous membrane having a hydrophobicity gradient, to a method for the preparation thereof, and to the use of the membrane in the sterilizing filtration of gaseous fluids or as a liquid barrier in liquid-containing systems to be vented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: SARTORIUS STEDIM BIOTECH GMBH
    Inventors: Eberhard Wuenn, Tobias Schleuss
  • Patent number: 9833753
    Abstract: A fluid-driven stirring apparatus includes a fluid introduction passageway, a fluid chamber connectable to the fluid introduction passageway, a container for accommodating liquid to be stirred, and a stirring assembly. The stirring assembly includes a driving impeller arranged in the fluid chamber, a stirring shaft fixedly connected with the driving impeller and extending through the fluid chamber into the container, and a stirring member arranged on the stirring shaft and adjacent to the bottom of the container. Thus, the fluid drives the driving impeller to rotate the stirring shaft, so that the stirring member can stir the liquid in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Guangdong Xinbao Electrical Appliances Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiangang Guo, Mingjian Cai, Jinru Lin