Patents Issued in March 1, 2022
  • Patent number: 11261052
    Abstract: A retractor device includes a housing including a back plate, a faceplate spaced apart from the back plate, and a sidewall extending between the back plate and the faceplate. The retractor device also includes a rotatable reel inside the housing, a spring biasing rotation of the rotatable reel in one direction, a tether wound around the rotatable reel, and an end fitting coupled to an end of the tether. A retainer of the housing is in contact with the end fitting when the end fitting is in the retracted position. The retractor device also includes at least one bearing inside the housing proximate to the retainer, and first and second extension openings in the sidewall of the housing on opposite sides of the retainer. The tether is configured to engage the bearing when the tether is extended through one of the first and second extension openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: WEST COAST CHAIN MFG. CO.
    Inventor: Andrew Castañeda
  • Patent number: 11261053
    Abstract: A method for generating a control signal to a conveyor system, the conveyor system configured to serve at least a plurality of robots, includes receiving, in a control entity, a service call for a first robot, the service call being associated with a priority of the first robot; determining, by the control entity, the priority of the first robot; and generating, by the control entity, a control signal to the conveyor system to serve the service call for the first robot in accordance with the determined priority of the first robot. A control entity, a robot and a system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jere Vuorenala, Niko Elomaa
  • Patent number: 11261054
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of automatically generating and populating one or more car floor buttons on a configuration tool display wherein the configuration tool is in communication with an elevator cabin of an elevator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Chih-Hung Aaron King, Sean Luis Stecker, Finley Williamson
  • Patent number: 11261055
    Abstract: Elevator systems and methods of operation include a tension member support positioned within an elevator shaft, a tension member suspended from the tension member support within the elevator shaft, and a slack detection system. The slack detection system includes at least one biasing element housed within the tension member support and operably coupled to the tension member, the at least one biasing element arranged to receive a load from the tension member and a switch arranged to be moved from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the at least one biasing element, wherein when in the second position the switch triggers an emergency stop of an elevator car within the elevator shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Antoine Adrian Blanchard, Emmanuel Convard, Arnaud Cazé
  • Patent number: 11261056
    Abstract: Counterweights for elevator systems are described. The counterweights include a frame and a counterweight safety system attached to the frame. The safety system includes a safety brake mounted to an upright of the frame and configured to enable engagement with a guide rail to apply a braking force. A sheave is mounted to the frame and configured to operably connect to tension members. The sheave is configured to move between a first position when under tension and a second position when the tension is lost. A connecting link operably connects the sheave to the safety brake. The connecting link has first and second link members operably connected between the sheave and the safety brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Aurelien Fauconnet, Franck Rivoiret, Frederic Beauchaud
  • Patent number: 11261057
    Abstract: An elevator guide having a base attached to an elevator component, a guide riding along a portion of a rail and a spring biasing the guide in contact with the rail. The guide includes one or more of the following: (i) a guide support member operably associated with the guide for movably supporting the guide so that the guide can move toward and away from a corresponding surface of the rail member wherein the guide support member has a plurality of spring engagement sections configured to vary a system effective spring rate; (ii) a roller including a non-metallic rim molded about a bearing; (iii) two independently adjustable stops and, (iv) an opening adjustment member mounted about a notch in the base to vary the distance between the base and the rail. The opening adjustment member has a width and/or depth greater than a width and/or depth of the notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: ELEVATOR SAFETY COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew James Laughton, Jeffrey Lachica Geroso
  • Patent number: 11261058
    Abstract: The arrangement comprises at least one travelling cable, a guide rail extending from a pit floor at least to a middle of an elevator shaft, an intermediate fixing point positioned in connection with the guide rail, the at least one travelling cable being fixedly attached in said intermediate fixing point, a travelling cable keeper being movably supported on the guide rail so that the travelling cable keeper is movable upwards and downwards along the guide rail, the at least one travelling cable being movably supported in support points on the travelling cable keeper, a path of the at least one travelling cable through the support points in the travelling cable keeper being curved, the at least one travelling cable being movable through the support points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Zhizhong Yan, Antti I. Maki, Jaakko Kalliomaki, Takeshi Ogata
  • Patent number: 11261059
    Abstract: The invention relates to an a drive machinery for an elevator, the drive machinery comprising a rotatable drive sheave for driving plurality of ropes of the elevator, the drive sheave comprising a central cylinder, which comprises a central axis around which the central cylinder is rotatable; plurality of circular rim members surrounding the central cylinder, each said rim member comprising an outer rim surface for engaging a rope. Said plurality of circular rim members includes one or more rotatably mounted circular rim members, each said rotatably mounted circular rim member being mounted on the central cylinder rotatably around said central axis relative to the central cylinder and relative to one or more of the other circular rim members, and in that said drive sheave moreover comprises a control means for controlling rotation of each said rotatably mounted circular rim member relative to the central cylinder and relative to one or more of the other circular rim members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Juha Helenius, Raimo Pelto-Huikko
  • Patent number: 11261060
    Abstract: A mechanically-based arrangement for locking a stairlift chair relative to a stairlift carriage in the event of a failure within the drive that is provided to maintain the chair level as the stairlift is in operation. The arrangement uses inter-engaging components that are engaged and dis-engaged in timed relationship to rotation of the levelling motor. At all times at least one set of inter-engaging components are engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Stannah Stairlifts Limited
    Inventor: Max Daniel Woodhams
  • Patent number: 11261061
    Abstract: A stairlift may include a rail and a drive unit having a chair and a carrier. The carrier may be adapted to drive along the rail, and the chair may be supported by the carrier. The chair may have a folding mechanism that comprises a base body fixed to the carrier, a seat body that is foldably fixed by way of a seat joint to the base body, a leg body that is foldably fixed to the seat body by way of a leg joint, and a footrest body that is foldably fixed to the leg body by way of a footrest joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: TK HOME SOLUTIONS S.V.
    Inventor: Wilco Van Eijgen
  • Patent number: 11261062
    Abstract: Disclosed is a modular sheave unit including: a bearing that includes an outer race, an inner race and one or more rolling elements therebetween; and a sleeve that includes one or both of: an outer sleeve axially surrounding the outer race, the outer sleeve including an outer surface defining a groove, the groove configured to receive a belt; and an inner sleeve axially surrounded by the inner race and disposed between the inner race and a mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: David R. Torlai, Jun Ma
  • Patent number: 11261063
    Abstract: A nacelle-mountable lift system for mounting and dismounting a rotor blade of a wind turbine involves a jib crane, the jib crane having a base removably mountable on a nacelle of the wind turbine and a jib mounted on the base. The jib has a boom arm supported on the base by at least one support strut extending between the base and the boom arm. A winch is mounted on the boom arm. At least two sheaves are rotatably mounted on the boom arm. A holder is connectable to the blade. At least two lift cables pass over the at least two sheaves connecting the holder to the winch. The boom arm is positionable to position the holder beyond a rotor hub of the wind turbine when the crane is mounted on the nacelle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventors: Glen D. Aitken, Ruud Bakker
  • Patent number: 11261064
    Abstract: A lift crane includes a carbody; a rotating bed comprising a counterweight support frame; a boom; a counterweight unit supported on the counterweight support frame in a moveable relationship with respect to the counterweight support frame; and a counterweight unit movement device connected between the rotating bed and the counterweight unit to move the counterweight unit toward and away from the boom. The crane is configured such that during crane operation, the moment generated by the counterweight unit acts on the rotating bed predominantly through the counterweight support frame. Alternatively, the crane can include a mast. In some embodiments the same basic crane is configured to be set-up with two different counterweight options, i) a counterweight unit directly supported on the counterweight support frame and ii) a counterweight support beam moveably connected to the remainder of the rotating bed and a counterweight unit supported on the counterweight support beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Manitowoc Cranes, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski
  • Patent number: 11261065
    Abstract: A lifting apparatus for a highly-mounted device includes a main body installed at a predetermined height so that a drum for winding a wire rope and a first driving motor for giving a rotating force to the drum are installed thereto; a lifting body suspended from the wire rope and having a device coupling portion provided at a lower end thereof; an accommodation structure located at a lower portion of the main body and having an open lower portion so as to be coupled with the lifting body; a stopper installed at the accommodation structure and caught by a suspending protrusion provided to the lifting body to give an anti-falling function for the lifting body; and an upper contact point and a lower contact point respectively installed at the main body and the lifting body to make contact with each other when the lifting body is moved up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Reel Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeong Hoon Shin
  • Patent number: 11261066
    Abstract: A spare tire winch mechanism which performs the steps of lowering the spare tire from its location and locating the flat tire on this location via a rope winding assembly. A worm gear and a threaded drum prevent the rope from winding onto the threaded drum in an overlapping and irregular manner which results in locking of the parts and the damage to the parts due to the application of extreme force during the winding. The spare tire performs free fall movement with its own weight as a result of the tire wrench being activated with a pulling force applied perpendicular to the floor axis and the worm gear disconnects from the drum body, in case one of the tires of the motor vehicle needs to be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventors: Mustafa Yilmaz, Erol Can Yalcin, Umur Sezer Saritas, Ovgu Yagiz Cicek, Nil Nisa Dede
  • Patent number: 11261067
    Abstract: A waste pump removal apparatus for removing pumps from reception areas for maintenance. The waste pump removal apparatus includes a frame having front and back ends, a top and a bottom; a loader attachment coupled to the back end of the frame and adapted to mount to a loader; a pump attachment pivotably connected to the front end of the frame and adapted to be coupled to a waste pump; and an actuator mounted to the frame and in communication with the pump attachment for pivoting the pump attachment relative to the frame to remove the waste pump from a reception area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventor: Bradley Donald Ridl
  • Patent number: 11261068
    Abstract: A steering method of a multi-directional industrial truck for controlling a movement of the multi-directional industrial truck from a starting position into a target position. The method includes selectively controlling automatically at least one of a rotatory component of the movement and a translatory component of the movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: HUBTEX MASCHINENBAU GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Juergen Keller
  • Patent number: 11261069
    Abstract: An automated guided vehicle includes a chassis and a load supporting apparatus positioned on the chassis, the load supporting apparatus including a platform to support a load, one or more weight sensors located in contact with the platform, the one or more weight sensors configured to provide a signal indicative of a weight of the load on the platform, and an electronic processor arranged in electronic communication with the one or more weight sensors. The electronic processor is configured to receive the signal from each of the one or more weight sensors, and the electronic processor is configured to process the signal and determine stability of the load on the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Logistics and Supply Chain Multitech R&D Centre Limited
    Inventors: Wing Leung Chow, King Sau Wong, Lu Sze Wai, Kwai Yuen Tiu
  • Patent number: 11261070
    Abstract: An automated cork extractor includes a housing for enclosing a motor, a corkscrew, and a cork sleeve that does not move with respect to the housing during extraction of a cork from a bottle neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventor: William Huckestein
  • Patent number: 11261071
    Abstract: A Rapid Beverage Consumption Device operating to provide consistent dual puncturing of a beverage container, without direct exposure of a user to sharp piercing elements, ventilated flow of the beverage contents via a predetermined path, and leak resistance for quick consumption of the beverage and avoidance of spillage, thereby reducing waste, reducing the likelihood of the user getting wet and for providing entertainment to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventor: Amanda Clifton
  • Patent number: 11261072
    Abstract: An aseptic filling machine and an aseptic filling method are provided with which a petaloid-shape bottle or an unstable bottle is filled with sterilized content and sealed with a sterilized cap in an aseptic atmosphere is discharged without a delay from an aseptic zone to a non-aseptic zone and even if the petaloid-shape bottle or the unstable bottle falls over on a discharging conveyor when being discharged from the aseptic zone to the non-aseptic zone, a stopping time of the aseptic filling machine is shortened by providing a barrier chamber into which air containing a gas of a sterilizer is supplied and a discharge portion chamber that shields discharge portions that are provided downstream of the sealing portion that fills the content into the bottle and seals the bottle with the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Takaku, Atsushi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 11261073
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a first liquid comprising a second liquid, the apparatus having: a male coupling configured to enter and establish a friction seal with a female coupling of a container containing the second liquid by inserting the male coupling into the female coupling and applying a load to the male coupling, the load being provided by the weight of a portion of the apparatus; a spout; and a pump for causing the second liquid to exit the container and the first liquid to be dispensed via the spout after the friction seal is established between the female and male couplings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventor: Edward Showalter
  • Patent number: 11261074
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for dispensing a mixture of at least two liquid components. The apparatus may comprise an A liquid component source fluidly connected with an A liquid component pump driven by a first motor; and a B liquid component source fluidly connected with a B liquid component pump driven by the first motor. Each of the A liquid component pump and the B liquid component pump may comprise at least two chambers. The A liquid component pump and the B liquid component pump may be fluidly connected with a dispenser unit. There may be one or more A liquid temperature regulators between the A liquid component pump and the dispenser unit. Similarly, there may be one or more B liquid temperature regulators between the B liquid component pump and the dispenser unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: At Group, LLC
    Inventors: Alvin B. Ricouard, Troy A. Organo
  • Patent number: 11261075
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a liquid level in a vessel is described. Embodiments of the system can include a liquid level measuring assembly, a user device, and a vessel. The liquid level measuring assembly can include an ultrasonic sensor assembly, a control module, and a mount body configured to place the ultrasonic sensor assembly proximate a bottom of a vessel. Typically, the system can be implemented with a vessel having a substantially cylindrical shape and including a chime. The mount body can be adapted to removably couple to the inside of the chime of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventors: Drew V. Crosier, Patrick Auell, Randon Kruse
  • Patent number: 11261076
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a nozzle to dispense a beverage. The beverage dispenser further includes a camera to capture an image of the beverage as the beverage is dispensed from the nozzle. The camera has a field of view that includes the beverage. The beverage dispenser further includes a light source that illuminates the field of view of the camera. The beverage dispenser further includes a computer. The computer analyzes the image of the beverage and determines a characteristic of the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Karol, Anthony Romano, Thore Mainart Bücking, Timothy Charles King, Joseph Albert Dolphin, Roger Bradley Millington
  • Patent number: 11261077
    Abstract: A dispensing assembly for an appliance includes a dispenser and a mounting panel positioned below the dispenser, the mounting panel defining a sliding pocket and a locking indentation. A tray assembly is slidably mounted to the mounting panel within the sliding pocket and includes a drip tray defining a locking flange for receipt within the sliding pocket and a plunger mechanism movably mounted to the drip tray for moving a locking pin between an engaged position where the vertical position of the drip tray is locked and a disengaged position where the drip tray is movable along the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Danister Abeygunawardana, Jianwu Li, Gregory Scott Carr, Brent Alden Junge
  • Patent number: 11261078
    Abstract: An improved fill cap for delivering a fluid from a fluid transporting mechanism to a fluid tank is disclosed. A connection plate is coupled to an opening of the fluid tank and a probe is disposed within the fluid tank and coupled to the connection plate at a first distal end. The fluid flows into the fluid tank through an outlet at a second distal end of the probe. A valve is disposed at the second distal end of the probe and is movable between an open position and a closed position to control fluid flow out of the probe outlet. An arm is coupled to the valve and moves the valve between the open and closed positions and a float is coupled to the arm that moves the arm depending on the level of fluid in the fluid tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Texas Fueling Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mason Duncan, Hanan Tuchshnieder
  • Patent number: 11261079
    Abstract: A distribution station includes a mobile trailer, a pump on the mobile trailer, a manifold on the mobile trailer and connected with the pump, a plurality of hoses in communication with the manifold, and a plurality of valves on the mobile trailer. Each of the valves is situated between the manifold and a respective different one of the hoses. Each of a plurality of fluid level sensors is associated with a respective different one of the hoses. The fluid level sensors are operable to detect respective different fluid levels. A controller is configured to operate the valves responsive to signals from the fluid level sensors, activate and deactivate the pump, identify whether there is a risk condition based upon at least one variable operating parameter, and deactivate the pump responsive to the risk condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: FUEL AUTOMATION STATION, LLC
    Inventor: Ricky Dean Shock
  • Patent number: 11261080
    Abstract: Various systems, devices, and methods are provided for facilitating communication between a forecourt controller and a fuel dispenser. In certain aspects, a fuel controller translator is provided for translating commands transmitted between the forecourt controller and the fuel dispenser. For example, where the forecourt controller transmits commands that are compatible with the payment terminal, but not with the fuel controller, the fuel controller translator can translate the commands received from the forecourt controller into a format compatible with the fuel controller. Conversely, the fuel controller translator can translate commands received from the fuel controller into a format that is compatible with the forecourt controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Wayne Fueling Systems LLC
    Inventors: Henry Fieglein, Richard Carlsson
  • Patent number: 11261081
    Abstract: A micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) assembly includes a stationary stage, a rigid stage, at least one flexure configured to slidably couple the stationary stage and the rigid stage, at least one flexible electrode coupled and essentially orthogonal to one of the stationary stage and the rigid stage, and at least one rigid electrode coupled and essentially orthogonal to the other of the stationary stage and the rigid stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: MEMS DRIVE (NANJING) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Matthew Ng, Xiaolei Liu
  • Patent number: 11261082
    Abstract: A micromechanical device that includes a silicon substrate with an overlying oxide layer and with a micromechanical functional layer lying above same, which extend in parallel to a main extension plane, a cavity being formed at least in the micromechanical functional layer and in the oxide layer. An access channel is formed in the oxide layer and/or in the micromechanical functional layer which, starting from the cavity, extends in parallel to the main extension plane and in the process extends in a projection direction, as viewed perpendicularly to the main extension plane, all the way into an access area outside the cavity. A method for manufacturing a micromechanical device is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Eckhard Graf, Holger Rumpf, Jens Frey, Jochen Reinmuth, Kurt-Ulrich Ritzau, Achim Breitling
  • Patent number: 11261083
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) package featuring a flat plate having a raised edge around its perimeter serving as an anti-stiction device, and an associated method of formation. A CMOS IC is provided having a dielectric structure surrounding a plurality of conductive interconnect layers disposed over a CMOS substrate. A MEMS IC is bonded to the dielectric structure such that it forms a cavity with a lowered central portion the dielectric structure, and the MEMS IC includes a movable mass that is arranged within the cavity. The CMOS IC includes an anti-stiction plate disposed under the movable mass. The anti-stiction plate is made of a conductive material and has a raised edge surrounding at least a part of a perimeter of a substantially planar upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Lee-Chuan Tseng, Chang-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 11261084
    Abstract: A method of forming a microelectromechanical device wherein a beam of the microelectromechanical device may deviate from a resting to an engaged or disengaged position through electrical biasing. The microelectromechanical device comprises a beam disposed above a first RF conductor and a second RF conductor. The microelectromechanical device further comprises at least a center stack, a first RF stack, a second RF stack, a first stack formed on a first base layer, and a second stack formed on a second base layer, each stack disposed between the beam and the first and second RF conductors. The beam is configured to deflect downward to first contact the first stack formed on the first base layer and the second stack formed on the second base layer simultaneously or the center stack, before contacting the first RF stack and the second RF stack simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: QORVO US, INC.
    Inventors: Robertus Petrus Van Kampen, Lance Barron, Mickael Renault, Shibajyoti Ghosh Dastider, Jacques Marcel Muyango, Richard L. Knipe
  • Patent number: 11261085
    Abstract: A method to remove selected parts of a thin-film material otherwise uniformly deposited over a template is disclosed. The methods rely on a suitable potting material to encapsulate and snatch the deposited material on apexes of the template. The process may yield one and/or two devices during a single process step: (i) thin-film material(s) with micro- and/or nano-perforations defined by the shape of template apexes, and (ii) micro- and/or nano-particles shaped and positioned in the potting material by the design of the template apexes. The devices made from this method may find applications in fabrication of mechanical, chemical, electrical and optical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Nanotech Security Corp.
    Inventors: Mohsen Keshavarz Akhlaghi, Clinton K. Landrock
  • Patent number: 11261086
    Abstract: A process for the co-production of methanol and ammonia is described comprising the steps of: (a) forming a first synthesis gas stream by reacting a first portion of a hydrocarbon feedstock and steam in a steam reformer, (b) forming a second synthesis gas stream in parallel to the first synthesis gas stream by reacting a second portion of the hydrocarbon feedstock with an oxygen-containing gas and steam in an autothermal reformer, (c) synthesising methanol from a first process gas comprising the first synthesis gas stream, and (d) synthesising ammonia from a second process gas prepared from the second synthesis gas stream, wherein a purge stream containing hydrogen is recovered from the methanol synthesis step (c) and a portion of the purge gas stream is fed to the autothermal reformer and/or the second synthesis gas in step (b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Davy Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Alan Ingham, Madhanakrishnan Janardhanan, John David Pach, Kar Chi Yiu
  • Patent number: 11261087
    Abstract: A method for preparing Cl—SO2NHSO2Cl including a step of chlorinating sulphamic acid with at least one chlorinating agent and at least one sulphur-containing agent, the method resulting in a flow F1, preferably liquid, including Cl—SO2NHSO2Cl and a gas stream F2 including HCl and SO2, the method including a step a) of treating the gas stream F2. Also, a method for preparing LiFSl including the abovementioned method for preparing Cl—SO2NHSO2Cl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: ARKEMA FRANCE
    Inventors: Philippe Leduc, Dominique Deur-Bert
  • Patent number: 11261088
    Abstract: A method for production of ammonium phosphate from phosphate rock slurry. The method includes: introducing flue gas containing SO2 into a phosphate rock slurry, to yield an absorption solution; evaporating waste ammonia water containing 10-20 wt. % ammonia to yield ammonia gas; introducing the ammonia gas into the absorption solution at a temperature of 110-135° C. until a neutralization degree of the absorption solution reaches 1.5-1.6, thus yielding an ammonium phosphate solution and calcium sulfate; separating the calcium sulfate from the ammonium phosphate solution; and introducing the ammonium phosphate solution to a granulator for granulation to yield ammonium phosphate granules; drying and sieving the ammonium phosphate granules, thereby yielding ammonium phosphate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: KUNMING UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Ping Ning, Rui Cao, Xueqian Wang, Senlin Tian, Yixing Ma, Langlang Wang, Yingjie Zhang, Peng Chen
  • Patent number: 11261089
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate having good powder flowability and good dispersibility in water. An anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate powder containing agglomerated particles formed by agglomerating anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate particles having a modal pore diameter/mean particle diameter ratio of 0.2 to 0.34 exhibits good powder flowability and good dispersibility in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventors: Shota Minami, Akihito Bando
  • Patent number: 11261090
    Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a lithium cobalt phosphate represented by the following general formula (1):LixCo1-yMyPO4 (1), wherein 0.8?x?1.2 and 0?y?0.5, and M represents one or two or more metal elements selected from the group consisting of Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe, Cr, Mn, Ni, Al, B, Na, K, F, Cl, Br, I, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, Y, Yb, Si, S, Mo, W, V, Bi, Te, Pb, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Ga, Ge, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, and Ho; the method comprising: a first step of adding an organic acid and cobalt hydroxide to a water solvent, and then adding phosphoric acid and lithium hydroxide thereto to prepare an aqueous raw material slurry (1); a second step of wet-pulverizing the aqueous raw material slurry (1) with a media mill to obtain a slurry (2) containing a pulverized product of raw materials; a third step of spray-drying the slurry (2) containing the pulverized product of raw materials to obtain a reaction precursor; and a fourth step of firing the reaction precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: NIPPON CHEMICAL INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Junya Fukazawa
  • Patent number: 11261091
    Abstract: A carbon nanosheet, which is a sheet-form carbon nanomaterial having a larger area as compared with that of a similar conventional product and a side length of about 1 ?m, and a method for producing the carbon nanosheet. The carbon nanosheet production method includes a step of mixing a solution of an iron atom-containing compound dispersed in a solvent with an alcohol, to thereby prepare a solution mixture; and a step of irradiating the solution mixture with plasma, to thereby produce a carbon nanosheet. The carbon nanosheet has a side length of 0.5 ?m to 2.5 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION NAGOYA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Masaru Hori, Hiroki Kondo, Kenji Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 11261092
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing graphene. The method comprising: A) mixing graphite powders with a silk fibroin nanofiber solution, performing mechanical stirring to exfoliate graphite to form graphene flakes; wherein the silk fibroin nanofibers in the silk fibroin nanofiber solution have a crystallinity of 40% or above; the silk fibroin nanofibers have a diameter of 10 to 30 nm; the silk fibroin nanofibers have a length of 100 nm to 3 ?m; the mechanical stirring has a shearing speed of 1,000 to 50,000 rpm; and the duration of the mechanical stirring is 10 min to 6 h; B) centrifuging the solution obtained in step A) after exfoliation to remove unexfoliated graphite; and C) centrifuging the centrifuged solution obtained in step B), and separating graphene from the silk fibroin nanofibers to obtain the graphene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SOOCHOW UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Qiang Lu, Xiaoyi Zhang, Liying Xiao
  • Patent number: 11261093
    Abstract: A process for the nitrogen doping of a material includes a set of carbon atoms in the sp2 hybridization state. The process further includes the material not being oxidized beforehand, then placing the material in contact with dinitrogen. Irradiating the material and the dinitrogen placed in contact with a beam of electrons or of light ions whose energy is greater than or equal to 0.1 MeV, to obtain a material wherein some of the carbon atoms in the sp2 hybridization state is nitrogen-doped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignees: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, ÉCOLE POLYTECHNIQUE, COMMISSARIAT À L'ÉNERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ÉNERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Catherine Corbel, Irina Shchedrina, Jean-Philippe Renault
  • Patent number: 11261094
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing nano carbon micro particles, including the following steps: step one: digesting the Malvaceae plants to produce solutions containing lignin; step two: extracting lignin condensation from the solution containing lignin, and then removing salt from the lignin condensation to form material containing lignin; step three: carbonizing the material containing lignin to form carbides; step four: crushing the carbides; step five: performing high-frequency heat treatment on the crushed carbides to obtain carbon micro particles; further including step six: crushing again the carbon micro particles so that the carbon micro particles are nano-sized and finely pulverized. The high-purity carbon micro particles obtained by the present invention have excellent properties in aspects of conductivity, wear resistance, heat resistance, corrosion resistance, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventors: Peng Wu, Yanting Cai
  • Patent number: 11261095
    Abstract: A manufacturing system and method for recycling and smelting crushed silica from silicon plants, including a crushed silica storage device, granulator, submerged arc furnace, transfer device, forming device and cooling system. Firstly silicon waste is collected, then crushed silica is output to a granulator. The granulator mixes the waste irregular crushed silica with water, and granulates and produces small particles having an uniform grain size as the raw material for smelting. The raw material is smelted in the submerged arc furnace. The forming device evenly pours the silicon liquid into the cooling system according to a set flow rate. The silicon liquid is solidified to form silicon pellets, and then a lift system is used to lift the formed silicon pellets, wherein the silicon liquid poured into the cooling system has a uniform diameter. The system can rapidly and efficiently smelt the silicon waste from the silicon plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: ChengDu Silicon Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shi Yang, Xu Zhou
  • Patent number: 11261096
    Abstract: A polymer inactivation method for a polycrystalline silicon manufacturing device, wherein the polymer byproducts are treated and additionally treated in a manner that controls the rate of reaction. The polymer byproducts are treated with a first inert gas under partial vacuum and a second oxygen containing gas to convert the polymer byproducts. The reaction rate can be controlled by regulating the fill pressure of reactant gas, controlling the amount of oxygen in the reactant gas, and stripping of the raw polymer with heat and or a vacuum. The solid byproduct remaining after treating the polymer, which is predominately silicon suboxides (SiOx) and silicon dioxide (SiO2), is inert and is easily removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Polycrystalline Silicon America Corporation (MIPSA), MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthias Colomb, Rick Deckbar, Bryan Nettles
  • Patent number: 11261097
    Abstract: The present invention provides crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites having a maximum pore size of eight tetrahedral atoms, wherein the zeolite has a total proton content of less than 2 mmol per gram. The zeolite may comprise 0.1 to 10 wt.-% of at least one transition metal, calculated as the respective oxide and based on the total weight of the zeolite. It may furthermore comprise at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal in a concentration of 0 to 2 wt.-%, calculated as the respective metal and based on the total weight of the zeolite. The zeolites may be used for the removal of NOx from automotive combustion exhaust gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Jan Hoffmann, Michiel De Prins, Sam Smet, Sreeprasanth Pulinthanathu Sree, Elke Jane June Verheyen, Johan Adriaan Martens, Leen Van Tendeloo, Frank-Walter Schuetze
  • Patent number: 11261098
    Abstract: Methods and systems for production of consistently-sized BEA zeolite nano-crystals incorporating at least one metal oxide, the method including removing an organic template from a BEA zeolite comprising an organic template via calcination; desilicating the BEA zeolite following the step of removing the organic template; incorporating at least one metal oxide into the structure of the BEA zeolite after the step of desilicating; protonating the BEA zeolite after the step of incorporating the at least one metal oxide; and calcining the BEA zeolite after the step of protonating to form a modified BEA zeolite product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignees: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: Emad Naji Al-Shafei, Oki Muraza, Mohamed Ahmed, Ki-Hyouk Choi, Ali Al-Nasir, Zain Hassan Yamani
  • Patent number: 11261099
    Abstract: A dual pressure process for the synthesis of ammonia from a make-up gas, wherein the make-up gas is reacted in two steps in series, the second step operating at a greater pressure than the first step, and wherein a portion of the effluent of the first step is recycled back to the first step, said portion containing unreacted make-up gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Casale SA
    Inventor: Sergio Panza
  • Patent number: 11261100
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for making a calcium carbonate containing material, wherein the process includes a specific drying procedure and allows for the provision of calcium carbonate materials with reduced moisture pick-up and low porosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Omya International AG
    Inventors: Matthias Buri, Catherine Jean Ridgway, Patrick A.C. Gane, Samuel Rentsch, René Burkhalter, Armelle Senti-Wenk, Martin Brunner, Gil Morieras, Tazio Fornera
  • Patent number: 11261101
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for preparing a vanadium battery electrolyte by using a waste vanadium catalyst. The method includes step A: soaking a waste vanadium catalyst in an oxalic acid solution for 2-8 h, to generate a solution containing vanadyl oxalate; step B: cleaning the waste vanadium catalyst, and collecting the vanadyl oxalate solution; and step C: adding a polyacid ester into the vanadyl oxalate solution; and after full reaction, removing impurities by filtration, and concentrating the filtrate to obtain a vanadyl oxalate mother solution. The method for preparing a vanadium battery electrolyte by using a waste vanadium catalyst according to the present invention does not generate wastes which cause environmental pollution in the treatment process, and can make a solution in the waste vanadium catalyst treatment process generate the electrolyte for preparing a vanadium battery. The process is simple and the treatment cost is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Hunan Sanfeng Vanadium Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaodi Xu, Xingjiang Tian