Patents Issued in May 1, 2018
  • Patent number: 9956503
    Abstract: A solvent diluted bitumen is produced by a method that includes adding paraffinic solvent to bitumen froth to form a solvent diluted bitumen froth, and discharging the solvent diluted bitumen froth into a vessel, such that settlement of the solvent diluted bitumen froth in the interior of the vessel establishes a heavier phase zone, a lighter phase zone, and an interface. A discharge point is located above the interface and within the lighter phase zone. Lighter phases separate up toward an overflow outlet of the vessel while heavier phases separate down toward an underflow outlet of the vessel. The solvent diluted bitumen is collected from the overflow outlet, and a solvent diluted underflow stream is collected from the underflow outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Fort Hills Energy L.P.
    Inventors: Shawn Van Der Merwe, John Khai-Quang Diep, Mohammed Reza Shariati, Gary Foulds
  • Patent number: 9956504
    Abstract: An integrated coalescing system for separating ionic liquid from a liquid hydrocarbon is provided, comprising: a. a bulk settler, that separates an emulsion comprising the dispersed ionic liquid with a wide range of droplet sizes into a clean ionic liquid phase and a separated liquid hydrocarbon phase comprising retained droplets; b. a pre-coalescer that receives the separated liquid hydrocarbon phase, separates out solid particles from the separated liquid hydrocarbon phase, and begins to form coalesced droplets of the retained droplets; and c. a coalescer that receives an effluent from the pre-coalescer, wherein the at least one coalescer comprises multiple layers of media having a fine pore size, and produces a clean hydrocarbon stream that is free of the dispersed ionic liquid and additional amounts of the clean ionic liquid phase. Also, a process is provided for separating an ionic liquid from a liquid hydrocarbon, using the integrated coalescing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Huping Luo, Hye-Kyung Cho Timken
  • Patent number: 9956505
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of removing acidic gas from a gaseous stream and regenerating an aqueous solution allows for the recovery of waste heat of stripping steam and more economical regeneration of the aqueous solution. In at least one embodiment, one or more rich solvent bypasses combine with a rich solvent heat exchanger to recover waste heat. In another embodiment, the apparatus and method include one or more rich solvent bypasses and a heater positioned upstream of the stripper to more economically regenerate an aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Gary Rochelle, Tarun Madan, Yu-Jeng Lin
  • Patent number: 9956506
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an oil-gas separation cylinder, an oil-gas separation device and an oil chromatography. The oil-gas separation cylinder comprises an oil-gas separation cylinder body of which axe extends in direction of up and down, a separating block which separates the oil-gas separation cylinder body into an upper cavity and a lower cavity, an oil-gas separation cylinder piston movably installed in the lower cavity, an oil inlet passage and an oil outlet passage, and an oil-gas separation cylinder vent arranged at upper end of the upper cavity, wherein both of the oil inlet passage and the oil outlet passage are communicated with the upper cavity, wherein the separating block is provided with a guiding hole and a spaying hole used to communicate the upper cavity to the lower cavity, or the separating block is provided with a spaying hole guiding oil used to communicate the upper cavity to the lower cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignees: XJ GROUP CORPORATION, STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA
    Inventors: Shuibin Zhou, Yishi Zhuang, Weijie Wang, Shenghui Wang, Hongwei He, Chang Liu, Qiuhua Shao, Guanghui Lu, Mingchao Yong, Sheng Lu, Guoyu Wang, Dongwu Gong, Jiqing Mu, Wumin Liang, Jianyong Liu
  • Patent number: 9956507
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a gas-liquid separation system and a method for operating a gas-liquid separation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: FMC Kongsberg Subsea AS
    Inventors: Henrik Johan Tuvnes, René Mikkelsen, Haakon Ellingsen
  • Patent number: 9956508
    Abstract: A method and means are described for rapidly evacuating trapped air from the top of a top-loaded liquid filter housing. An air vent means is provided that prevents complete sealing between a bypass valve and a sealing surface on an endcap of a replaceable filter element. The air vent means enables the rapid evacuation of trapped air in the top of the housing chamber, but permits only a negligible flow rate of liquid, for example oil, through the air vent means once air is evacuated due to high viscosity ratio of liquid, such as oil, versus air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Herman, Jeffrey B. Sharp
  • Patent number: 9956509
    Abstract: A filter assembly may include an outer insert and an inner insert. The outer insert having an aperture and a plurality of outer grooves. The outer grooves are formed in a radially outer periphery of the outer insert and are separated from each other and the aperture. The inner insert may be disposed within the aperture. A plurality of inner grooves may be formed in a radially outer periphery of the inner insert. Each of the outer and inner grooves may have a closed axial end and an open axial end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Mark DeVito, Dan McAninch
  • Patent number: 9956510
    Abstract: A filtration system for filtering a liquid includes a drum filter (2) having a primary inlet (4) and a primary outlet (6) in a housing (8), and a rotatable drum screen (10) arranged in the housing. A back flush element (12) is arranged on one side of the drum filter for back flushing filtered particles from the drum screen, and a gutter element (14) is arranged on an opposite side of the drum screen for collecting filtered particles, wherein the gutter element is connected to a secondary outlet (16) in the housing. The filtration system is furthermore provided with a buffer reservoir (18) having a reservoir inlet (20) which is connected to the secondary outlet so as to be closable. The filtration system further includes compression elements (34) for controlling a gas pressure (Pt) in the housing of the drum filter and a gas pressure (Pr) in the buffer reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: BASTENHOF CONSULTANCY B.V.
    Inventor: Dirk Bastenhof
  • Patent number: 9956511
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for a reusable water filter cartridge that includes a top portion with a pair of spaced apart bores for receiving an elongate member that is inserted through the bores, and a bottom portion selectively secured to the top portion and including a cavity. A filter element is contained within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Protect Plus, LLC
    Inventors: Robert William Lackey, Robert Charles Beckmann, Glenn F. Cueman
  • Patent number: 9956512
    Abstract: The present invention describes a hybrid device (1) for a recirculation shower, allowing purification and either recycling of water or discarding of water, wherein said hybrid device (1) comprises a recirculation loop (2), a filter system (4) with a nano-filter (5) such as for instance an electropositive nano-ceramic filter, e.g. a nano alumina (fiber) filter, at least one filter quality sensor (3), at least one pre-filter (6), and wherein the hybrid device (1) is arranged to redirect the water from recirculation to drainage when the at least one filter quality sensor (3) indicates the need thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Orbital Systems AB
    Inventor: Amir Mehrdad Mahdjoubi Namin
  • Patent number: 9956513
    Abstract: An air cleaner includes an upper casing, which has an inlet, a lower casing, which has an outlet and covers the lower opening of the upper casing, and a filter element, which is located inside the upper casing and the lower casing. The lower casing includes a looped application surface, on which an adhesive is applied to adhere the filter element, and a minute protrusion, which extends along the perimeter, is formed on the inner peripheral edge of the application surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazushige Maruyama
  • Patent number: 9956514
    Abstract: An air filter mounting/demounting apparatus for a microwave oven having easy mounting and demounting of the air filter is provided. The apparatus includes a base plate having an inlet port through which air is admitted to serve as a hood, an air filter installed at a position corresponding to the inlet port and configured to filter foreign substances being admitted through the inlet port, an air filter bracket coupled to the base plate, an air filter holder at which the air filter is assembled coupled to the air filter bracket to enable a sliding movement along the guide rail, a latch unit configured to be coupled to the base plate to maintain and release engagement of the air filter holder aged, and a spring installed at an inside the latch unit to deliver an elastic force to the air filter holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kwang Keun Kim, Jeon Hong Kang, Sang Won Yun, Se Hun Lee
  • Patent number: 9956515
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air filter element, particularly for a passenger compartment for the driver's cab of agricultural and work machines, in particular with spraying and atomizing devices for pesticides and fertilizers, having an adsorption filter layer with activated carbon, a fine filter layer in particular for separating aerosols and a circumferential sealing for separating the raw side from the clean side during installation into a filter housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Stinzendoerfer, Angelika Gohle, Michael Handstein
  • Patent number: 9956516
    Abstract: Air filter cartridges for use in air cleaner assemblies are described. The air filter cartridges typically comprise a stack of strips of fluted media secured to facing media and having an inlet flow face and an outlet flow face. In examples, a projection is provided extending outwardly from adjacent the outlet flow face of the media pack, as a projection supporting a seal arrangement. In examples, the seal arrangement is typically rectangular, with four straight and four rounded corners. The projection can be configured with open corners, and in some instances comprises tabs, to facilitate flexing of the projection to accommodate variations in a housing seal surface, with which the cartridge is installed. Air cleaner assemblies and components therefor, using cartridges in accord with the descriptions herein, are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Benny K. Nelson
  • Patent number: 9956517
    Abstract: A system for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from a flue gas generated via combusting a fossil fuel is provided. The system includes a carbonator and a classifier. The carbonator is configured to receive the flue gas and carbon absorbing particles. The classifier is fluidly connected to the carbonator and configured to receive a mixture that includes heat-transferring particles and the carbon absorbing particles. The mixture is fluidized within the classifier via the flue gas at a velocity such that the flue gas entrains and transports the carbon absorbing particles to the carbonator while the heat-transferring particles are not entrained nor transported to the carbonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY GMBH
    Inventors: Hao Tan, Michael Charles Balfe
  • Patent number: 9956518
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an acid gas capture system and method which can reduce the energy consumption by using the heat from the system itself of an acid gas capture system. The system and method according to the present invention causes heat exchange to occur between an absorbent discharged from the upper part of an absorption tower of the capture system and a mixed gas comprising an acid gas, and a portion of an absorbent solution which has absorbed the acid gas discharged from the lower part of the absorption tower, and additionally, the remaining absorbent solution excluding said portion thereof undergoes heat exchange with the regenerated high-temperature absorbent solution discharged from the reboiler to preheat the absorbent solution supplied to the regeneration tower, thereby reducing the thermal energy required by same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Il Hyun Baek, Jong Kyun You, Ki-Tae Park
  • Patent number: 9956519
    Abstract: An absorbent for desulfurization of combustion gas is provided. The absorbent includes about 1 to about 16 wt % of potassium carbonate (K2CO3); about 0.1 to about 10 wt % of a promoting agent including hindered cyclic amine, hindered cyclic amine bicarbonate, or a combination thereof; and a balance amount of water. In addition, a method of treating the combustion gas using the absorbent is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Shin-Tae Bae, Yeoil Yoon, Sungchan Nam, Soonkwan Jeong, Sungyeoul Park, Ilsoo Chun, Youngeun Kim
  • Patent number: 9956520
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide absorbent composition is described, including (i) a liquid, nonaqueous silicon-based material, functionalized with one or more groups that either reversibly react with CO2 or have a high-affinity for CO2, and (ii) a hydroxy-containing solvent that is capable of dissolving both the silicon-based material and a reaction product of the silicon-based material and CO2. The absorbent may be utilized in methods to reduce carbon dioxide in an exhaust gas, and finds particular utility in power plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert James Perry, Grigorii Lev Soloveichik, Malgorzata Iwona Rubinsztajn, Michael Joseph O'Brien, Larry Neil Lewis, Tunchiao Hubert Lam, Sergei Kniajanski, Dan Hancu
  • Patent number: 9956521
    Abstract: A multi-tower blower purge dryer system for use with a compressed air stream provided from a compressor is disclosed. In one form the system includes two dryers that can be alternated to dry the compressed air stream. The tower used to dry the compressed air stream can be referred to as the drying tower, and the tower being regenerated can be referred to as the regenerated tower. A number of valves and passages are used to connect the towers to one another and/or to an intake passage from the compressor. A blower purge heater is provided to regenerate the dryers. After a regeneration step in which a tower may be relatively warm, the valves can be actuated to place the warm regenerated tower in fluid communication with the intake passage from the compressor, which can then provide air to the drying tower. In this manner the regenerated tower is cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Henry Y. Mark, Janez Jakop
  • Patent number: 9956522
    Abstract: Methods of reducing the water content of a wet gas are presented. In one case, the method includes exposing the gas to an amine-terminated branched polymer solvent to remove a substantial portion of the water from the wet gas, exposing the diluted solvent to carbon dioxide to phase separate the solvent from the water, and regenerating the solvent for reuse by desorbing the carbon dioxide by the application of heat. In another case, the method includes exposing the gas to a cloud-point glycol solvent to remove a substantial portion of the water from the wet gas, heating the diluted solvent to above a cloud point temperature for the solvent so as to create a phase separation of the solvent from the water so as to regenerate the solvent for reuse, and directing the regenerated solvent to a new supply of wet gas for water reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: NRGTEK, INC.
    Inventor: Subramanian Iyer
  • Patent number: 9956523
    Abstract: A flue gas desulfurization unit is converted from operating with lime or magnesium enhanced lime under inhibited oxidation into a unit that operates using limestone under inhibited oxidation conditions. A ball mill grinding unit may be installed to crush the limestone thereby producing a suspended slurry of fine limestone particles which is pumped to the reaction vessel. When installed, the ball mill may be installed in the process immediately downstream of the existing slaking equipment. The suspended solution may be maintained at a pH in the range of 3.0 to 6.5, optimally at approximately 5.0 to increase the dissolution rate of the limestone reagent produced by the ball mill. The post-conversion process may also require the addition of organic acids and oxidation inhibitors to achieve better SO2 removal from the flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: AECOM Technical Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James David Colley, Sterling Michael Gray
  • Patent number: 9956524
    Abstract: A vacuum pump with abatement function is used for evacuating a chamber of a manufacturing apparatus. The vacuum pump with abatement function includes a vacuum pump having a discharge port to which one or more abatement parts for treating an exhaust gas discharged from the vacuum pump to make the exhaust gas harmless are attached. The one or more abatement parts are selected, depending on the amount and kind of the exhaust gas discharged from the vacuum pump, from plural kinds of abatement parts which have different treatment types of exhaust gas and/or different treatment amounts of exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiharu Nakazawa, Tetsuro Sugiura, Kohtaro Kawamura, Toyoji Shinohara, Takashi Kyotani, Keiichi Ishikawa, Seiji Kashiwagi, Yasuhiko Suzuki, Hideo Arai
  • Patent number: 9956525
    Abstract: An apparatus for purifying waste gases for an integrated semiconductor is provided, which includes a cover including a burner mounted thereon to generate a flame and a plurality of waste gas inlet pipes formed on a circumference of the burner to make waste gases flow therethrough; a reactor including upper and lower openings formed thereon so that the cover is detachably coupled to the upper opening, a converging member tapered to have a smaller diameter as going toward a lower portion thereof, and a transport pipe vertically arranged to communicate with an apex of the converging member, in which a water curtain is formed to prevent accumulation of by-products, to burn and discharge the inflow waste gases; and a cleaning portion integrally formed in the reactor to water-clean the burnt waste gases that are discharged into the reactor after passing through the transport pipe to collect particles. Since the burner, the reactor, and the scrubber are integrally formed in a body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Global Standard Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Duk Jun Kim, Sang Joon Park, Dong Keun Jeon, Ki Yong Lee, Hyun Uk Sin, Gyu Dong Moon
  • Patent number: 9956526
    Abstract: A poison-resistant catalytic converter includes a washcoat having a support material comprised of titania and/or silica and a plurality of platinum group metal particles disposed in the support material. The washcoat is disposed on a substrate having a plurality of cells that define respective apertures. The catalytic converter is resistant to poisoning from sulfur and phosphorous compounds while operating at low temperatures. Applications include spark ignited internal combustion engines in combined heat and power systems, vehicles, combustion turbines, boilers and other applications for utilities, industry and vehicle emissions control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Tecogen Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Roy, Robert Panora, Daniel Ott, David Wallace
  • Patent number: 9956527
    Abstract: A guide member for directing gas bubble flow along a membrane surface, the guide member having first and second side edges defining a channel for gas bubbles to flow along, the channel having an open bottom end through which the gas bubbles can enter the channel and an open top end through which the bubbles can exit the channel, and a diverting means adjacent the channel bottom end arranged to direct at least some of the incident gas bubbles in a first direction towards the channel bottom end. A membrane module assembly and a membrane filter system including the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Bionest Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Garfield R. Lord
  • Patent number: 9956528
    Abstract: Apparatus for energy-efficient conductive-gap membrane distillation includes a feed-liquid source and a distillation module. The distillation module includes a feed-liquid chamber in fluid communication with the feed-liquid source. The feed-liquid chamber includes a selectively porous material that allows a component of the feed liquid to pass through the selectively porous material and exit the feed-liquid chamber in vapor form but not in liquid form. The distillation module also includes a conductive-gap chamber adjacent to the selectively porous material on an opposite side of the selectively porous material from the feed-liquid chamber; a heat-transfer surface maintained at a lower temperature than the feed liquid in the feed-liquid chamber, wherein the heat-transfer surface is in thermal contact with the conductive-gap chamber; and a thermally conductive material extending across the conductive-gap chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: John H. Lienhard, Jaichander Swaminathan, David Elan Martin, Hyung Won Chung
  • Patent number: 9956529
    Abstract: A microfabricated filtration membrane including a substrate containing a plurality of micropores, an ion-selective layer, and at least two conductive layers configured to apply a voltage across the micropores. The geometry of the conductive layers matches the geometry of the micropores (or nanopores).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yong Ak Song, Supatra Yee Ping Lee, Nour Ashraf El Sayed Shabaka, Brian Kamau Ndirangu
  • Patent number: 9956530
    Abstract: A membrane filter module configured to treat a liquid contained in a tank at an ambient pressure. The module may have a header, with a bundle containing a plurality of substantially vertical hollow fiber membranes, wherein a lower end of each hollow fiber membrane is fixed in the header. The module may also have a gasification device adapted to periodically generate a gaseous bubble and configured to release the gaseous bubble within the bundle. The module may further have an enclosure that substantially surrounds the bundle that extends from a lower region to an upper region of the membrane bundle, wherein the enclosure is configured to retain the liquid introduced into the enclosure such that the liquid surrounds the membrane bundle. The gaseous bubble has a cross-sectional area that corresponds with a cross-sectional area of the enclosure, such that the cross-sectional area of the gaseous bubble occupies substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the enclosure as it flows along the bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Koch Membrane Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Taylour Johnson, David M Colby, Manwinder Singh
  • Patent number: 9956531
    Abstract: A device and methods are disclosed herein for fluid removal during wound treatment or for removal or dialysis of components from blood or tissue. A device is disclosed that includes a multilayer membrane including a plurality of layers; an electroactive polymer within each layer; and a controller operably connected to sequentially activate the electroactive polymer to alter one or more sizes of the plurality of the variably-sized pores within one or more layers of the multilayer membrane. A device is disclosed that includes a multilayer membrane including a plurality of layers; an actuator operably attached to the plurality of layers of the multilayer membrane; and a controller operably activating the actuator to alter a relative lateral position of the two or more layers of the multilayer membrane to align two or more of the plurality of pores within the plurality of layers of the multilayer membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Ralph G. Dacey, Jr., Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Dennis J. Rivet, Michael A. Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9956532
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a swirl is disclosed that is used to induce an axi-symmetric swirling flow to an incoming flow. The disclosed subject matter induces a uniform and axi-symmetric swirl, circumferentially around a discharge location, thus imparting a more accurate, repeatable, continuous, and controllable swirl and mixing condition of interest. Moreover, the disclosed subject matter performs the swirl injection at a lower pressure drop in comparison to a more traditional methods and devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Robert E. Haden, Donald G. Lorentz
  • Patent number: 9956533
    Abstract: A continuous mixer/reactor and a mixing process are provided in which materials flow in an orderly fashion along the length of a channel (9) and the materials are mixed in a direction transverse to the axis of the channel (9) by the provision of agitator elements (5, 7) within the channel (9) and shaking the channel (9) so that the agitator elements (5, 7) move within the channel (9) in the radial direction of the channel (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Ashe Morris Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Ashe, David Morris
  • Patent number: 9956534
    Abstract: The invention is related to a device for suspending particles in a fluid, wherein the mixing device includes a first magnet (1) rotating around a longitudinal axis (2), a mixing rod (4) attached to a mount (6), the mount including a second magnet (3), wherein the mount (6) moves in a substantially orthogonal motion to the longitudinal axis of the mixing rod (4) by the interaction of the rotating first magnet with the second magnet (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Miltenyi Biotec, GmbH
    Inventors: Dominik Hammerschmidt, Sven Ignatius, Martin Buscher, Ralf-Peter Peters
  • Patent number: 9956535
    Abstract: A container for accommodating high-viscosity materials, such as liquid concrete. The container has at least one bearing sleeve, which extends through a wall opening and is fastened in the container wall in a liquid-tight manner. A shaft extends through the bearing sleeve in such a way that an annular gap is left open. A shaft seal, which bridges the annular gap and is made of elastomeric material, is located at the container-interior end of the bearing sleeve. A lubricant is applied to the annular gap from the container exterior. The invention is characterized in that the shaft seal has, on the side thereof radially facing the shaft, a conveying thread that supports the conveying of the lubricant in the direction of the container interior, which conveying thread advantageously communicates with the container interior via a check valve open to the container interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Putzmeister Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Weimer, Raimund Maeckle
  • Patent number: 9956536
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a triple-responsive starch-based microgel and a preparation method thereof. The present disclosure prepares C6 oxidized starch and PNIPAM semi-interpenetrating network microgel, namely the triple-responsive starch-based microgel, mainly with pH sensitive C6 oxidized starch and temperature sensitive NIPAM (N-isopropylacrylamide) as raw materials, and using an inverse emulsion polymerization method. The triple-responsive starch-based microgel according to the present disclosure is a spherical particle with the particle diameter of 15-25 ?m, has pH, temperature and ionic strength-sensitivity, good biocompatibility and biodegradability, and can be widely used in the fields of nutrient protection, controlled drug release, protein separation and purification and the like. Meanwhile, its preparation process is simple and controllable with mild reaction conditions, and is suitable for large-scale production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Jiangnan University
    Inventors: Zhengyu Jin, Yaoqi Tian, Bao Zhang, Han Tao, Benxi Wei, Xiuting Hu, Chunsen Wu, Xueming Xu, Na Yang
  • Patent number: 9956537
    Abstract: A tube in tube continuous glass lined metal reactor includes: concentric tubular segments; (a) outer glass lined tube and (b) an inner glass lined segment disposed in the outer glass lined tube, defining thereby an intermediate glass lined region between the inner segment and the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH
    Inventors: Amol Arvind Kulkarni, Vivek Vinayak Ranade
  • Patent number: 9956538
    Abstract: The invention relates to macro- and micro-liquid marbles (i.e. droplets of liquid with a particulate-based shell), and in particular, to photo-responsive macro- and micro-liquid marbles encapsulating a substance therein. Methods for forming the macro- and micro-liquid marbles, and use of the macro- and micro-liquid marbles, in controlled release applications are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Jia Min Chin, Siok Wei Tay, Xiaobai Wang, Jianwei Xu, Andy Tzi Sum Hor
  • Patent number: 9956539
    Abstract: Within the scope of hydrothermal carbonization, biomass is converted to bio-coal and other products. Because biomass occurs at irregular intervals at different locations and also, in part, only individual method steps are required at different locations, however, an apparatus for treatment of biomass is integrated into a variable, mobile container, and mobile containers adapted to the individual steps of the method are provided, which can be transported in compact manner and can be adapted, in terms of size, in the setup situation. This arrangement allows effective equipping of the individual containers, which can be expanded into a setup situation on location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: AVA-CO2 Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Jan Vyskocil, Stepan Kusche
  • Patent number: 9956540
    Abstract: A structured packing sheet includes a top interface region, a first turning region, a central region, a second turning region, and a bottom interface region. The central region includes a plurality of corrugations extending thereacross in a linear fashion and arranged generally parallel to each other. The plurality of corrugations are arranged at a first angle with respect to a vertical axis. The top interface region and the bottom interface region include the plurality of corrugations extending thereacross in a linear fashion. The plurality of corrugations are arranged at a second angle with respect to the vertical axis. The second angle is smaller than the first angle. The first turning region and the second turning region include the plurality of corrugations extending thereacross. The plurality of corrugations have a plurality of breaks in the first turning region and the second turning region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: GTC Technology US LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Binkley, Casey F. Bowles, Phillip Bradley Fleming
  • Patent number: 9956541
    Abstract: Methods are provided herein for separating an aromatic compound from a lube base stock by contacting a lube base stock containing an aromatic compound with an organosilica material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott J. Weigel, Lei Zhang, Quanchang Li, Darryl Donald Lacy, Paul Podsiadlo, David Charles Calabro, Bal Kaul, James William Gleeson
  • Patent number: 9956542
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing molecular imprint polymers (MIP) by radical polymerization that uses at least one primer including at least two chemical functions capable of forming reactive radicals, thereby providing a locally high radical concentration for priming the polymerization on or about the imprint entity or molecule. The invention also relates to molecular imprint polymers (MIP) that can be obtained by the method of the invention, and to the use thereof in the production of biomimetic biosensors, biomimetic biochips, chemical sensors, specific adsorption separation devices, as a coating, particularly for releasing active ingredients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Universite de Technologie de Compiegne—UTC
    Inventors: Karsten Haupt, Arnaud Cutivet, Jeanne Bernadette Tse Sum Bui, Pinar Cakir
  • Patent number: 9956543
    Abstract: This invention provides a zirconia-based porous body having a pore diameter suitable for supporting catalytic active species, such as precious metals, small variability in pore diameter, and a sufficient specific surface area even after 12-hour heating at 1000° C. Specifically, the invention provides a zirconia-based porous body in particle form having (1) a pore diameter peak at 20 to 100 nm in the pore distribution by BJH method, a P/W ratio of 0.05 or more wherein W represents half width of the peak and P represents height of the peak in the measured pore distribution curve, and a total pore volume of 0.5 cm3/g or more; and (2) a pore diameter peak at 20 to 100 nm, the P/W ratio of 0.03 or more, a specific surface area of at least 40 m2/g, and a total pore volume of 0.3 cm3/g or more, after heat treatment at 1000° C. for 12 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: DAIICHI KIGENSO KAGAKU KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kodama
  • Patent number: 9956544
    Abstract: Heterogeneous catalysts with optional dopants are provided. The catalysts are useful in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane to C2+ hydrocarbons. Related methods for use and manufacture of the same are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Siluria Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne P. Schammel, Anja Rumplecker, Fabio R. Zurcher, Erik C. Scher, Joel M. Cizeron, Joel Gamoras
  • Patent number: 9956545
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel core-shell particles comprising a core of iron oxide and a shell of cobalt oxide, characterized in that they are spherical with a number average diameter, as measured by TEM, of between 1 and 20 nm. This invention is also directed to their uses in the manufacture of a catalyst, and to the method for preparing these particles, by precipitating cobalt oxide onto magnetite or hematite particles which are themselves precipitated from Fe(III) and optionally Fe(II) salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Total Raffinage Chimie
    Inventors: Vincenzo Roberto Calderone, Nirappurackal Raveendran Shiju, Gad Rothenberg, Daniel Curulla-Ferre
  • Patent number: 9956546
    Abstract: Provided is a supported catalyst for producing carbon nanotubes with a large specific surface area. The supported catalyst enables the production of carbon nanotubes with a large specific surface area in high yield. Therefore, the catalyst can be used in various fields. Also provided are carbon nanotubes produced using the supported catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: SungJin Kim, Dong Hyun Cho, KyungYeon Kang, Seungyong Son, Jinmyung Cha, Hyungsik Jang, Seungyong Lee, Jihee Woo
  • Patent number: 9956547
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing polyglycerol, comprising —providing a catalyst salt on a support, the catalyst salt having catalytic activity with respect to an etherification reaction of a polyol selected from the group of glycerol and oligoglycerols, —contacting the catalyst salt on the support with a fluid phase comprising a polyol selected from the group of glycerol and oligoglycerols, —and subjecting the polyol in the fluid phase to an etherification reaction in the presence of the catalyst salt, thereby forming the polyglycerol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignees: Clariant International Ltd., Universiteit Utrecht Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Anton Kaiser, Bert Marc Weckhuysen, Dirk Leinweber, Fiona Kirby, Franz Xaver Scherl, Hans Joachim Metz, Pieter Cornelis Antonius Bruijnincx
  • Patent number: 9956548
    Abstract: This disclosure provides for new catalyst systems and new methods for preparing and using the catalyst systems for generating a trimerization product. In an aspect, the new catalyst systems comprise a chromium carboxylate that is prepared by anhydrous metathesis. In another aspect, the catalyst system comprise a chromium carboxylate that is prepared by anhydrous metathesis and a metal pyrrolide compound. The catalyst systems imparts improved performance and/or reduced catalyst system cost to an olefin trimerization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Orson L Sydora, Ronald D Knudsen, Eduardo J. Baralt
  • Patent number: 9956549
    Abstract: A new class of organic-inorganic hybrid composite materials, composites of a fluoroalkyl fluorophthalocyanine and a solid-state support containing an imidazole group. The new class of composite materials can be used as a heterogeneous catalyst for the heterogeneous oxidation organic molecules in aqueous and some organic solvents systems is claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Seton Hall University
    Inventors: Hemantbhai Patel, Sergiu M. Gorun
  • Patent number: 9956550
    Abstract: A solid-supported palladium(II) complex which catalyzes the Mizoroki-Heck coupling reaction efficiently and a method of employing the solid-supported palladium(II) complex to synthesize cinnamic acid and derivatives thereof. The solid-supported palladium(II) complex is also stable and can be recycled without significantly losing catalytic activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Bassam El Ali, Mansur B. Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 9956551
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present application discloses a catalyst composition comprising: a) a reaction solvent or a reaction medium; b) organometallic nanoparticles comprising: i) a nanoparticle (NP) catalyst, prepared by a reduction of an iron salt in an organic solvent, wherein the catalyst comprises at least one other metal selected from the group consisting of Pd, Pt, Au, Ni, Co, Cu, Mn, Rh, Ir, Ru and Os or mixtures thereof; c) a ligand; and d) a surfactant; wherein the metal or mixtures thereof is present in less than or equal to 50,000 ppm relative to the iron salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Bruce H. Lipshutz, Sachin Handa
  • Patent number: 9956552
    Abstract: We provide a process for regenerating a spent acidic ionic liquid, comprising contacting the spent acidic ionic liquid with hydrogen and without an addition of a hydrogenation catalyst; wherein a conjunct polymer content is decreased in the spent acidic ionic liquid to produce regenerated acidic ionic liquid. We also provide a process for making an alkylate gasoline blending component, comprising: a) alkylating a mixture of isoparaffins and olefins using an acidic ionic liquid and an alkyl halide or a hydrogen halide, wherein a conjunct polymer accumulates in a spent acidic ionic liquid; and b) feeding the spent acidic ionic liquid and a hydrogen, and without an addition of a hydrogenation catalyst, to a regeneration reactor operated under selected hydrogenation conditions to produce a regenerated acidic ionic liquid that is used for the alkylating, wherein the conjunct polymer in the regenerated acidic ionic liquid is decreased by at least 50 wt %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Girgis, Huping Luo, Bong Kyu Chang, Hye-Kyung Timken, Steven Xugi Song, Michael Sean Driver