Work Or Work Parts Movable During Treatment Patents (Class 134/23)
  • Publication number: 20030168083
    Abstract: A vacuum extraction system is provided for extracting contaminants from rotating electrical devices. In an exemplary embodiment, the vacuum extraction system extracts conductive dust from the current collection system of a synchronous generator with a static excitation system. As the brushes (24) of the static excitation system wear against the collector rings (26), they produce conductive dust, which if permitted to accumulate, may cause electrical shorts and arcing and severe damage to the rotating electrical device. Methods and systems consistent with the vacuum extraction system of the present invention extract conductive dust from a rotating electrical device through vacuum passages (50, 62, 67, 72, 77) in the rotating electrical device into a removable dust capture media (46) to prevent dust accumulation and possible electrical damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventor: Maurice A. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 6616771
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for cleaning a contaminated cannula so that it may be reused includes moving the contaminated cannula from a drug reconstitution station where the cannula is used to prepare a drug solution into a first rinsing station where the cannula is cleaned. A database is referred to to determine what drug solution the cannula has been contaminated with, and to determine a first amount of cleaning fluid that needs to be passed internally through the cannula, and a second amount of cleaning fluid that needs to be passed externally about the cannula so that there is effectively no contaminant remaining inside and outside of the cannula. The first amount of cleaning fluid is passed internally through the cannula. The second amount of cleaning fluid is passed externally about the cannula. After the cannula is cleaned, the cannula is moved to the drug reconstitution station to prepare another drug solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Forhealth Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel A. Osborne, Dennis Tribble, William C. Aven
  • Patent number: 6607607
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for substantially cleaning fill from a borehole, variously including in preferred embodiments disturbing, particulate solids of fill while RIH, entraining particulates while POOH, jetting downhole while RIH and jetting uphole while POOH, and controlling at least one of a pump rate regime or a POOH rate regime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Scott A. Walker, Jeff Li, Graham Wilde
  • Patent number: 6596232
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed to effectively flow the fluid through the lumen device during the cleaning, disinfecting or sterilizing process, preferably with the use of two interfaces and two sources of fluid. By flowing the fluid into two adjacent compartments, the loss of the fluid due to the gap can be reduced or eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Szu-Min Lin, Mitch Agamohamadi
  • Patent number: 6588436
    Abstract: A liquid waste disposal and canister flushing system for a medical canister including a press-fit canister lid, features a cabinet with an opening and a sink with a drain positioned therein. A mounting bracket is affixed to the cabinet and includes a shaft connected to the canister bracket for rotating the canister and a shaft connected to the lid removal bracket for removing the canister lid from the canister. The canister is secured within the canister bracket and is rotated from an initial position to a drainage position. The canister lid is positioned on the removal bracket and is rotated from an initial position to a removal position. Once the canister is rotated into the drainage position, the pressurized and diluted cleaning solution source is activated to flush the contents out of the canister and into the sink and drain. After the canister is sanitized it may be removed from the system and reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Dornoch Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Dunn, Lawrence E. Guerra
  • Patent number: 6585829
    Abstract: A method of washing a container,including charging a material to be contained into a container body having a mouth-and-neck portion; mounting a container closure on the mouth-and-neck portion of the container body, the container closure having a top panel wall, a cylindrical skirt wall extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the top panel wall, and a washing liquid passage formed in at least one of an upper portion of the skirt wall and a peripheral edge portion of the top panel wall; and jetting a washing liquid at the container closure so that the washing liquid passes through the washing liquid passage and enters a space between the mouth-and-neck portion of the container body and the skirt wall of the container closure, thereby washing an outer peripheral surface of the mouth-and-neck portion of the container body and an inner peripheral surface of the skirt wall of the container closure. The washing liquid is at a temperature of 65° C. to 70° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Japan Crown Cork Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Suzuki, Yuuki Yoneyama
  • Patent number: 6530427
    Abstract: A control installation for solid cleaning members circulating in a heat exchanger includes interception arrangements interposed on the heat exchanger outlet pipe, a return pipe which recycles toward the inlet pipe a return flow containing the solid cleaning members, and a control device for the solid cleaning members. Between the interception arrangements and the control device there is a concentration device dividing the return flow into two parts. The return pipe is part of circulation arrangements which generate a counter-current flow through the interception arrangements and which include suction arrangements in line with the interception device to take up the solid cleaning members retained thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: E. Beaudrey et Cie
    Inventor: Philip Jackson
  • Patent number: 6530386
    Abstract: A method for cleaning returnable bottles and similar containers used in the food industry. The method uses an enzymatic solution during the cleaning process. The cleaning results are at least as good as conventional methods, without requiring an increase in the duration of cleaning. The method substantially reduces bottle corrosion and waste water pollution compared to conventional methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Henkel Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Siegfried Bragulla, Brian Glanville, Andreas Potthoff, Harald Kluschanzoff, Alfred Laufenberg
  • Publication number: 20030034054
    Abstract: A washing machine adopting a clutch structure wherein a power switching motor for controlling a brake band and a clutch lever in multi-stage is separately applied from a drainage motor, such that various kinds of water currents can be embodied according to the multi-control of the power switching motor and a washing method adequate to needs of cloth protection and coping with varying cloths can be provided to thereby enable to protect damage of cloths in advance, the washing machine comprising: a spin-dry tub rotably disposed in a water tub and connected to a dram and a gear case via a power line; a pulsator rotably disposed in a spin-dry tub and connected to a driving shaft coupling and a driving shaft via power line; a brake band for braking and releasing the rotation of the drum; a clutch spring for disconnecting and connecting the power of the driving shaft coupling and the gear case; and power switching motor for controlling in multi-stage operations of clutch sprig and the brake band, the washing method
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Joon-Yeop Lee, Ki-Su Lee
  • Patent number: 6491762
    Abstract: A method for removing non-stick coatings from cookware or bakeware products is disclosed. The method includes the step of determining the angles of the primary surfaces of a pan having a coating to be removed. The method further includes the step of configuring a high-speed, multiport, rotating cleaning head to provide at least one water jet associated with each primary surface. The method further includes the step of employing the cleaning head to deliver an ultra-high pressure water jet directed at the pan while tracking the cleaning head along a plane substantially parallel to the upper surface of the pan. Using the method of the present invention, a coating may be removed from a pan in a single pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventors: Gilbert L. Bundy, Bradley S. Moore
  • Patent number: 6485576
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing a coating layer of SOG or photoresist from a wafer flat side on a wafer by first injecting a flow of a cleaning solution at the bottom surface of the wafer at a location adjacent to the edge of the wafer, and then rotating the wafer at a rotational speed sufficiently high so as to cause the cleaning solution being pulled from the bottom side to the top side of the wafer by flowing around the edge to remove the coating layer covering the unintended area on the top surface of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Taiwan SEmiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan-Chi Huang, Chi-Shen Lo
  • Patent number: 6478033
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for cleaning films and particulates from the compressor section and combustion contaminants from the combustion and turbine sections of a combustion turbine. Particulate films and contaminants adhering to the internal components of the compressor section of a turbine are readily removed by pumping a foamed cleaning solution such as a foamed, aqueous surfactant solution through the compressor section. Contaminants resulting from fuel combustion and deposited in the combustion and turbine sections are removed by pumping a second, foamed cleaning solution through those sections. The second solution typically comprises a foamed, aqueous acid solution optionally including a corrosion inhibitor. The compressor section must be isolated from such acid solutions, e.g. by pumping the foamed surfactant solution through the compressor section prior to and simultaneously with pumping the foamed acid solution through the combustion section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: HydroChem Industrial Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles D. Foster
  • Patent number: 6474348
    Abstract: A method of removing ceramic core material from an internal passage of a superalloy airfoil casting using a CNC controlled fluid spray nozzle in a manner that the fluid spray nozzle is caused to laterally scan and/or rotary orbit an area of one or more openings of one or more passages at an exterior casting surface to improve removal of material residing in the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignees: Howmet Research Corporation, Controlco Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Beggs, Paul C. Jensen
  • Patent number: 6475444
    Abstract: A rinsing tray system for pipette tips or transfer needles, arranged in the form of a matrix and having a bottom tray and a top tray, protrusions which have through-apertures arranged perpendicular to the base of the top tray and at the same grid spacing from one another as the pipette tips or transfer needles, projecting into the interior of the top tray, wherein the bottom tray having at least one inlet in order to be continuously filled with rinsing liquid and at least one outlet being present on the top tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: CyBio Instruments GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Zimmermann, Uwe Naumann
  • Patent number: 6461442
    Abstract: A process including providing a hollow imaging drum having a first end, a second end, an outside surface, an inside surface and coating material on both the inside surface and the outside surface at at least the first end, simultaneously contacting the coating material on both the inside surface and the outside surface at the first end of the drum with resilient foam material, flowing liquid solvent for the coating material to the foam material where the foam material contacts the first end of the drum, the foam material being insoluble in the flowing solvent, producing relative movement between the foam material and the drum to simultaneously wipe both the inside surface and the outside surface of the first end of the drum with the foam material and solvent material and simultaneously remove coating material from the inside surface and the outside surface of the first end of the drum, and flowing the solvent away from the drum to carry away coating material removed from the inside surface and the outside sur
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Bush, Michael J. Duggan, Kathryn A. Wallace, Henry T. Mastalski
  • Patent number: 6425954
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing holes includes processing device for providing ultrasonic cleaning process to an inner wall of a hole formed on a work piece, and for providing electrolytic cleaning process to said hole, a cleaning tank for storing a cleaning fluid, which is used as a processing fluid for ultrasonic processing and a processing fluid for electrolytic processing, said work piece being immersed in said cleaning fluid, a horn electrode tool serving as a horn tool for said ultrasonic processing means and an electrode tool for said electrolytic processing means, and support device supporting said horn electrode tool movable forward or backward in relation to said hole formed on said work piece in said cleaning tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sankyo Seiki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Motonori Usui
  • Patent number: 6397862
    Abstract: A method for cleaning garbage disposals comprises the steps of: mixing the starting materials in order to form an effervescent tablet; packaging the tablet in a moisture resistant pouch; placing the tablet in a garbage disposal unit; running warm water into the garbage disposal unit and turning on the garbage disposal for about 20 seconds; turning off the water and the garbage disposal, permitting the foam generated to maintain contact with all surfaces for about five minutes; and followed by rinsing away any left-over residue with generous amounts of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventors: Richard A. DeSenna, Hilton G. Dawson, Ryan Giffin Moore
  • Patent number: 6398876
    Abstract: Stainless steel is pickled by a chemical and/or electrochemical pickling process using an acid liquid, containing substantially no nitric acid. The process uses a spent electrolyte solution from an electrochemical, neutral salt pickling tank, such as a sodium sulfate pickling tank. The spent electrolyte solution is added to an acid solution to form a pickling acid capable of pickling stainless steel, oxidizing Fe2+ to Fe3+ and reducing Cr6+ to Cr3+.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Andritz—Patentverwaltungs-Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Jovan Starcevic, Dietfried Gamsriegler
  • Publication number: 20020029793
    Abstract: A liquid waste disposal and canister flushing system for a medical canister including a press-fit canister lid, features a cabinet with an opening and a sink with a drain positioned therein. A mounting bracket is affixed to the cabinet and includes a shaft connected to the canister bracket for rotating the canister and a shaft connected to the lid removal bracket for removing the canister lid from the canister. The canister is secured within the canister bracket and is rotated from an initial position to a drainage position. The canister lid is positioned on the removal bracket and is rotated from an initial position to a removal position. Once the canister is rotated into the drainage position, the pressurized and diluted cleaning solution source is activated to flush the contents out of the canister and into the sink and drain. After the canister is sanitized it may be removed from the system and reused.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: James L. Dunn, Lawrence E. Guerra
  • Publication number: 20020026952
    Abstract: A method of and a device for cleaning a silicon wafer, and a method of and a device for cleaning contamination metals and contamination particles adhered on the wafer surface at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: NAOHIKO FUJINO, HIROSHI TANAKA, JUNJI KOBAYASHI, JIRO NAKA, YASUHIRO ASAOKA, TAKUYA NOMOTO
  • Patent number: 6340395
    Abstract: A wet spray cleaning process for removing thick organic layers including hardened photoresist from the surface of silicon wafers yields low residual particle counts for photoresist thicknesses up to 3 microns, and maintains low residual particle density for oxide-covered wafer regions. The cleaning process uses multiple cycles of SPM/DI/APM/DI, without an intervening drying step therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacques Bertrand, Barry Dick, Shu Tsai Wang, Weiwen Ou, Lynne A. Okada, Yen C. Chu
  • Patent number: 6336976
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming holes includes processing device for providing ultrasonic cleaning process to an inner wall of a hole formed on a work piece, and for providing electrolytic cleaning process to said hole, a cleaning tank for storing a cleaning fluid, which is used as a processing fluid for ultrasonic processing and a processing fluid for electrolytic processing, said work piece being immersed in said cleaning fluid, a horn electrode tool serving as a horn tool for said ultrasonic processing means and an electrode tool for said electrolytic processing means, and support device supporting said horn electrode tool movable forward or backward in relation to said hole formed on said work piece in said cleaning tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sankyo Seiki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Motonori Usui
  • Patent number: 6322633
    Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning carriers or containers used to carry semiconductor wafers has a door cleaner adjacent to a centrifugal box cleaner. Box holder assemblies are attached to a rotor within the box cleaner. Upper and lower hooks on the box holder assemblies hold boxes as the rotor spins. The door cleaner has a base which holds doors in a vertical and upright position. An elevator lowers the base into an ultrasonic cleaning tank. The tank lid seals the tank during use. Ultrasonic cleaning fluid is filtered and cycled into and out of the tank. Boxes and their doors, such as front opening unified pods (FOUP) are both efficiently cleaned and handled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Bexten, Jerry R. Norby
  • Patent number: 6308719
    Abstract: A pre-clean deluge system for cleaning automobile white bodies including a cleaning solution filtration and distribution system. The filtration system includes a series of filters specially adapted to remove metal particles from the cleaning solution. The distribution system includes deluge cannons that are position so as to deliver cleaning solution to the interior of the white body in a location during the white body travel so that the particles flushed therefrom are introduced into a small tank prior to a main tank in which the white body is subsequently immersed. The distribution system also provides regulated flow of cleaning solution to the deluge cannons, as well as a bypass to facilitate cycling of cleaning solution for end-of-shift filtration purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: John McTighe, Derek Heath, Jeff McKinley, Shawn Guthrie, Gene Hunt
  • Patent number: 6302968
    Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods for sanitizing ware without staining, spotting or corroding. In its most preferred mode, the method comprises the steps of washing the ware in an automated ware washing machine and rinsing the ware at either high or low temperatures with a sanitizing rinse composition. The destaining, sanitizing concentrate composition preferably comprises peroxyacetic acid, acetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide using higher levels of acetic and peroxyacetic acid and a lower level of hydrogen peroxide. The sanitizing rinse composition may preferably be used at a concentration of peroxyacetic acid of at least 30 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Burton M. Baum, Steven E. Lentsch, Thomas R. Oakes
  • Patent number: 6298865
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for washing a plurality of cored lettuce heads as they are harvested in the field is disclosed. The apparatus incorporates a multi-segment hinged conveyer forming a loop, at least one support platform having an opening, at least one lettuce head guide connected to the support platform and an aqueous solution spraying system. Workers harvest lettuce heads, core the lettuce heads and then place them on the lettuce head guides which are moving along the conveyer. The lettuce heads are conveyed to an aqueous solution spraying system which washes the cored areas of the lettuce heads. The lettuce heads are then removed from the conveyer into a produce bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventors: Richard S. Brown, Eugene D. Rizzo
  • Patent number: 6263887
    Abstract: A liquid waste disposal and canister flushing system and method for a medical canister including a lid with at least first and second ports features a cabinet with an opening and a sink with a drain positioned therein. A removable lid covers the cabinet opening. A canister holder in the form of a ring or bucket is positioned within the chamber defined between the sink and cabinet opening. The canister holder is supported by a rod that is rotatably positioned in the cabinet. The rod is also connected to an electric motor or lever so that the canister holder, and therefore the canister positioned therein, may be rotated between an initial position and a drainage position. The canister is secured within the canister holder and tubing, which is in communication with a source of pressurized and diluted cleaning solution, is connected to the first canister port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Dornoch Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Dunn
  • Patent number: 6257253
    Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods for sanitizing ware without staining or spotting. In its most preferred mode, the method comprises the steps of washing the ware in an automated ware washing machine and rinsing the ware at either high or low temperatures with a sanitizing rinse composition. The destaining, sanitizing concentrate composition preferably comprises peroxy acetic acid, acetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide. The sanitizing rinse composition may preferably be used at a concentration ranging from about 600 ppm to 4000 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Eugene Lentsch, Dale W. Groth, Thomas R. Oakes, Burton M. Baum
  • Patent number: 6258178
    Abstract: A heated high pressure air and/or a high pressure water are spouted through nozzles. Therefore, the coated layer is removed without crushing the bumper unlike in the conventional method, and therefore, a plurality of process steps can be skipped. Thus the bulk of the apparatus can be reduced, the operating cost can be lowered, and the environment can be protected. The method for removing a coated layer includes the step of installing a bumper to be subjected to a removal of the coated layer. Then the coated layer is removed from the bumper by spouting water and/or a pre-heated air to the bumper. Then the bumper is carried to a predetermined psition after removing the coated layer, and then the bumper is detached. The apparatus includes an installing/detaching means for installing/detaching the bumper to be subjected to a removal of the coated layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Agency for Technology and Standards, MOCIE
    Inventors: Hyong Ki Choi, Yong Moo Lee, John Hee Hong, Yang Soo Lim
  • Patent number: 6248177
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a wafer carrier utilizes two isolated fluidic circuits. The wafer carrier having an interior and an exterior. The carrier is sealingly attached to a cleaning apparatus having separate isolated areas, one isolated area including the interior and the other the exterior. Fluid of the first fluidic circuit is sprayed on the interior and fluid from the second circuit is sprayed on the exterior reducing cross contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Fluoroware, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Halbmaier
  • Patent number: 6240934
    Abstract: The treatment, for example the cleaning of holes or recesses in workpieces, is problematic when the holes or recesses have an opening width of below 0.5 mm, and especially when the latter do not penetrate the workpiece (blind bores). In known methods, gas bubbles adhering to the side-walls of holes of this type cannot be removed or liquids situated within the holes cannot be effectively exchanged. With the method according to the invention an effective exchange of the liquid contained in the holes and situated outwith the holes is made possible. For this purpose the liquid treatment means is sprayed as a jet into the holes, said jet having a diameter which is smaller than that of the holes. Furthermore, a device is described for carrying out this method which is characterised by a nozzle with one or several nozzle discharge openings with a diameter below 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Atotech Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Durst, Gunter Brenn, Michael Schafer, Heinrich Meyer, Heribert Streup
  • Patent number: 6234002
    Abstract: Automated apparatus and method to aid in the servicing of fuel injectors is adapted to be selectively operated in a test mode or a cleaning mode. The test mode senses flow rate through the injector and current draw of the injector solenoid, and provides the operator with visual indication and a printed record of the data. The cleaning mode begins with a testing sequence to record baseline flow and current draw data, cycles through predetermined cleaning steps including flowing a cleaning agent through the injector, checks the flow rate and current draw of the injector during and after the cleaning cycle, and repeats the testing sequence. This testing-cleaning cycle may be repeated until either the injector meets predefined performance criteria or until a pre-selected limit has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventors: David W. Sisney, Paul E. Stauffer
  • Patent number: 6196237
    Abstract: A method for washing cored heads of lettuce includes placing such heads in a position with their cored holes facing downwardly toward an upwardly-directed spray of an aqueous solution, directing such a spray into, and washing the holes, then pushing the heads from that position onto a conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Fresh Express Corp.
    Inventors: Richard S. Brown, Eugene D. Rizzo
  • Patent number: 6196238
    Abstract: A heated high pressure air and/or a high pressure water are spouted through nozzles. Therefore, the coated layer is removed without crushing the bumper unlike in the conventional method, and therefore, a plurality of process steps can be skipped. Thus the bulk of the apparatus can be reduced, the operating cost can be lowered, and the environment can be protected. The method for removing a coated layer includes the step of installing a bumper to be subjected to a removal of the coated layer. Then the coated layer is removed from the bumper by spouting water and/or a pre-heated air to the bumper. Then the bumper is carried to a predetermined psition after removing the coated layer, and then the bumper is detached. The apparatus includes an installing/detaching means for installing/detaching the bumper to be subjected to a removal of the coated layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Co., Agency for Technology & Standards, MOCIE
    Inventors: Hyong Ki Choi, Yong Moo Lee, John Hee Hong, Yang Soo Lim
  • Patent number: 6073637
    Abstract: A method of a gas turbine compressor (1) in which droplets of a cleaning fluid are sprayed into the compressor, comprising the steps of: spraying droplets of a substantially first uniform size into or onto the fluid path for a first period; and then spraying droplets of a substantially second uniform size into or onto the fluid path for a second period, wherein the first and second uniform droplet sizes are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Speciality Chemical Holdings Limited
    Inventors: John Hayward, Gordon Winson, Aage Raatrae
  • Patent number: 6059892
    Abstract: A conveyor (20) for transporting and inverting strap pans (22) or other pans used for baking. The conveyor includes a closed-loop drive chain (26) to which a number of pan cars (54) are pivotally attached. The pan cars are provided with magnetic bars (36) that create attractive force to hold the strap pans to the pan cars. The conveyor also includes an incline guide (204). When the conveyor is actuated, the pan cars run against the incline guide so as to cause the initial inversion of the pan cars. As the pans cars are inverted they abut against a positioning rail located along side of the drive chain. The positioning rail is shaped to control both the rate at which the pan cars are inverted from their normal upright position and then it is further shaped to force the pan cars to then return to their initial upright position. The inversion of the pan cars causes a like inversion of the strap pans secured to the pan cars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: LeMatic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale J. LeCrone, Aaron Weaver, Ted Olney, Richard J. Sackman, Steve Bentley
  • Patent number: 6059890
    Abstract: A method for removing contaminants from the interior of pipe by vibration. This method includes the single step of securing a vibrator to a pipe with contaminated interior and vibrating the pipe until the contaminants are dislodged. This has particular application to sand bailers used in oil well servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Ronald Stephen Sedore
  • Patent number: 5979469
    Abstract: A method for rinsing a synthetic sponge material, the synthetic sponge material being formed through a process which leaves residue or particulate matter in pores of the synthetic sponge material, the method includes the steps of:a) contacting a rinsing solution with the synthetic sponge material; b) centrifuging the sponge material containing the rinsing solution; c) changing the hydrostatic pressure of the rinsing solution during said centrifuging step to expand and relax the pores of the synthetic sponge material to effectively pump the rinsing solution into and out of the pores, wherein the residue or the particulate matter in the pores of the synthetic sponge material are removed. The hydrostatic pressure can be changed by varying fluid supply pressure or varying centrifugal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Xomed Surgical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Cercone, F. Barry Bays
  • Patent number: 5954067
    Abstract: A method for washing a cored head of lettuce includes placing the head in a position such that the cored hole faces downwardly, spraying an aqueous solution upwardly into the cored hole for a time and at a pressure sufficient to wash the hole, and then propelling the cored washed lettuce head upwardly from the washing position onto a conveyor for the lettuce head with minimal damage to that head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Fresh Express, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Brown, Eugene D. Rizzo
  • Patent number: 5908041
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a spray stream nozzle employed in dispensing upon a photoexposed blanket photoresist layer formed over a semiconductor substrate a photoresist developer solution. There is first provided a spray stream nozzle having a minimum of one aperture formed therein. There is then provided through the spray stream nozzle a volume of a photoresist developer solution sufficient to develop a photoexposed blanket photoresist layer formed over a semiconductor substrate placed beneath the spray stream nozzle. Finally, there is provided then through the spray stream nozzle a volume of a solvent which is not susceptible to clogging the spray stream nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gey-Fung Wei, Tsun-Ching Lin, Jo-Fei Wang, Hsiao-Lan Yeh
  • Patent number: 5891255
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing swarf from machined components are described, in which a component is mounted on support means and the latter is vibrated in a manner to cause the component to be accelerated alternately in one direction and then the other, for a period of time. The acceleration is such as to cause the component to momentarily lift off the support means during at least part of each of the vibrations so as to bounce repetitively on the support means. The latter includes fingers adapted to engage non-critical regions of the components to reduce damage to machined surfaces or distortion of the machined component during vibration. A fluid flushing may precede and/or follow the vibration step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Unova U.K. Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey Crick
  • Patent number: 5876512
    Abstract: A method for excavating solid materials within a pressurized storage tank by inserting a flexible lance under pressure within an outlet of the tank, the lance sealed off so that pressure is maintained in the tank, and flowing a pressurized fluid into the storage tank to excavate the solid material from the tank by allowing the material to be sucked out of the outlet port of the tank for collection. The method also includes flowing water under pressure adjacent the exit port for affecting a greater suction on the solids and providing a fluid medium for the solids to easily flow from the tank. The system which undertakes the method of the present invention may be utilized on a skid so as to make the system occupy less space when utilized on the rig floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventors: Thomas F. Desormeaux, Kenny Desormeaux, Anthony Theriot, Paul Alexandrenko
  • Patent number: 5868860
    Abstract: When washing objects, such as turbine compressors, which operate with large quantities of air and are therefore internally soiled by and coated with contaminants carried by the air, finely-divided liquid is sprayed onto and through the object. The liquid is finely-divided to a degree at which the particles of the liquid will follow the same routes to and through the object as those previously taken by the air-borne contaminants. The quantities of finely-divided liquid are sprayed through at least one nozzle toward and through the object at an overpressure within the range of 50-80 bars at a liquid particle size in the range 250-120 .mu.m and with a total volumetric flow through the nozzle or nozzles within the range of 0.5-60 l/min., and with a liquid particle velocity of 100-126 m/sec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Gas Turbine Efficiency AB
    Inventor: Peter Asplund
  • Patent number: 5863350
    Abstract: A bearing cleaning method and accompanying kit is provided which allows for the cleaning of roller blade wheel bearings. By following a succession of steps in cooperation with a kit comprising a modular stacking unit and container and closely sized to receive the unit, a user can quickly and easily clean a plurality of roller blade wheel bearings agitating an organic solvent partially filling the container. A plurality of roller blade wheel bearings are stacked within a modular stacking unit comprising a multitude of cylindrical spacing elements, a pair of planar end caps, with each planar end cap including two integral spacing elements, and a resilient band member. The modular stacking unit, once assembled, is placed within the interior volume of a container, along with a small quantity of organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Carl Lekavich
  • Patent number: 5820692
    Abstract: A process module which can be integrated with a reduced pressure cluster tool system for semiconductor wafer processing to perform ambient or near ambient pressure reactions without requiring an intermediate buffer chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: FSI Interntional
    Inventors: James J. Baecker, D. Scott Becker, Michael J. Foline, Todd K. Maciej
  • Patent number: 5779816
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for wet processing a wafer which includes a processing chamber, in which the wafer is processed, and a means for supporting and rotating the wafer about an upright axis within the processing chamber. A nozzle through which a flow of fluid is directed onto the wafer is positioned downwardly over the wafer. The nozzle includes a nozzle housing in communication with a fluid supply and at least two tubes forming angled extensions from the nozzle housing. Each tube has an inner end and an outer end and directs a fluid flow from the inner end through the outer end to a predetermined location on the wafer while the wafer is rotated within the processing chamber. The inner end of each tube has an angled opening larger than the diameter of the inner end of each tube and the diameter of the outer end of each the tube is larger than the diameter of the inner end which reduces the fluid pressure and increases the fluid flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventor: Tieu T. Trinh
  • Patent number: 5779815
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for removal of a lumen filler and/or other soluble residues from hollow filament bundles are described. The hollow filament bundles are first roughly cleaned by centrifuging, after which in a process preferably containing multiple steps they are cleaned by spraying and centrifuging. The first spraying step is preferably carried out in a pass-through mode and each of the additional steps under recirculation. After a constant concentration has been attained, the cleaning baths in each case are employed for a lower-order treatment step, the cleaning bath of the first spraying step being fed to a recycling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Akzo Nobel NV
    Inventors: Hans-Gunter Breidohr, Manfred Martin, Bernhard Krautwurst, Martin Konig
  • Patent number: 5735964
    Abstract: An assembly for cleaning a tube bundle including a plurality of elongated tubular lances movable within an outer shell. A flexible fluid hose within the shell extends to the manifold in the lower portion of the assembly, which in turn transmits pressurized fluid to the plurality of lances. The hydraulic motor powers a rack and pinion assembly to reciprocate the lances, while a plurality of spring biased plates each cover a slot in the lance housing. The assembly of the present invention utilizes a receiving manifold and a lance manifold connected by a plurality of nipples for a desirable low pressure drop. A pair of series connected valves allows the hydraulic fluid flow and the pressure to the drive motor to be separated controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventor: Jim E. Amuny
  • Patent number: 5737709
    Abstract: Described is a method of removing explosive agents from the interior of explosive agent filled bodies such as munitions shells. A rotating nozzle is inserted into an opening cut into the shell. Ultra-high pressure fluidjets (i.e. above 40,000 psi) are projected from orifices in the nozzle onto the explosive agent in the shell. Explosive agent and explosive agent laden fluid is contained and carried away from the shell for recycle or disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventors: Heather L. Getty, Paul L. Miller, Michael S. Cypher, Joseph H. Lamon, David P. Hatz, Millard M. Garrison, Lonny D. Hill, Dennis A. Martinson, Ray Elbert Reynolds, Jose P. Munoz
  • Patent number: 5728229
    Abstract: A test probe cleaning apparatus for a test probe fixture having a multitude of test probes protruding therefrom, comprises a pan for containing a cleaning fluid, an upstanding brush in the pan, and a carriage for holding an inverted test probe fixture. The carriage is movable over the brush so that the test probes can be passed through the brush to be cleaned thereby. In a preferred embodiment, an arrangement is provided for gauging the height of the test probes. The height of the carriage can then be adjusted to match the height of the test probes. The apparatus simplifies the cleaning of test probes in the high technology industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Newbridge Networks Corporation
    Inventor: Alain Despres