Flow Dividing Compartments Patents (Class 137/262)
  • Patent number: 11358188
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rinsing beverage residue from a mechanical interface between threads of a bottle and threads of a bottle cap is described. The bottle cap may include a sealable coating to create a seal against a rim of the bottle. The bottle cap may also include passages to allow pressurized water to be injected into an upper inner region of the bottle cap. The pressurized water is prevented from entering the bottle due to the seal between the rim of the bottle and the sealable coating of the bottle cap. Therefore, the pressurized water is caused to escape through the mechanical thread interface toward a lower inner region of the bottle cap where the water escapes from the cap at atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Nolan Smith
  • Patent number: 11338217
    Abstract: A distillation apparatus has a cooling spiral surrounding at least a part of a vertical extent of a fraction collector in the disclosed technology. Connecting to and/or extending into an interior space of the fraction collector is an end of a vertically-extending passageway. This passageway is functionally connected at an other end to a lower-end entry portal. An outer cover substantially covers the cooling spiral, fraction collector, and a portion of the vertically-extending passageway, excepting for a top portal, a side exit portal, at least one cooling spiral intake, and at least one cooling spiral outtake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventor: Elliot Kremerman
  • Patent number: 11260318
    Abstract: A mass transfer column comprising: a shell (12); an open internal region (14) defined by said shell; and a mass transfer assembly (16) positioned in the open internal region (14), the mass transfer assembly (16) comprising: a dividing wall (18) forming first and second sub-regions; one or more zones of mass transfer structures positioned in the first and second sub-regions (22 and 24); and a liquid flow divider (48) positioned above the dividing wall (18) for delivering a volumetric split of liquid to the first and second sub-regions. The liquid flow divider (48) may comprise a moveable weir (68) or a valve (180) in order the change the ratio of liquid flow between the two sub-regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Koch-Glitsch, LP
    Inventor: Izak Nieuwoudt
  • Patent number: 10987607
    Abstract: A distillation apparatus has a cooling spiral surrounding at least a part of a vertical extent of a fraction collector in the disclosed technology. Connecting to and/or extending into an interior space of the fraction collector is an end of a vertically-extending passageway. This passageway is functionally connected at an other end to a lower-end entry portal. An outer cover substantially covers the cooling spiral, fraction collector, and a portion of the vertically-extending passageway, excepting for a top portal, a side exit portal, at least one cooling spiral intake, and at least one cooling spiral outtake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Inventor: Elliot Kremerman
  • Patent number: 10967292
    Abstract: A distillation apparatus has a fraction collector with an internal region surrounded by a concave wall with portals. An inner wall of a lower vertical tube extends downward from the concave wall. An outer wall of the lower vertical tube surrounds a portion of a vertical extent of the inner wall and extends downward from a portion of the fraction collector exterior to the concave wall. A cooling channel extends from above into a portion of the fraction collector interior to the concave wall. An outer shell substantially covers the fraction collector, a portion of a vertical extent of the inner and outer walls of the vertical tube, and a portion of a vertical extent of the cooling channel, excepting for a lower portal from which a portion of a vertical extent of the inner and outer walls of the vertical tube extend, an upper portal from which a portion of a vertical extent of the cooling channel extends, and a side portal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Elliot Kremerman
  • Patent number: 10859278
    Abstract: An evaporative cooler having a pressurized water distribution system that provides even water distribution to evaporative media pads within the evaporative cooler, even when the evaporative pads are canted and/or are not in perfect alignment. The pressurized water distribution system generally includes a distribution assembly with a pressurized flow path portion and a non-pressurized flow path portion, and a supply assembly. The evaporative cooler may also include other features that enhance aesthetics and/or cooling capacity, such as supplemental evaporative media pads, a perforated lid, an internal retaining frame, angled louvers, and/or a dropper that allows for a low-profile installation on a roof of a building or other structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Seeley International Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Haynes, Finn Gascoigne Woodhouse, Ian Howard Pendergrast, Lorinda Yvonne Abeyarathna, Robert William Gilbert, Shane Antony Harris, Shoji Sinclair
  • Patent number: 10800594
    Abstract: Apparatus and installation methods for sampling ports are disclosed. Sampling ports include a port housing and a lid assembly. The lid assembly is configured to sealably close against the port housing. Additionally, the lid assembly can be secured, such as with a lock, to the port housing. In one aspect, the port housing includes a sample mount arrangement configured to receive a sampling assembly. The sample mount arrangement defines a sampling channel and the port housing defines a sampling opening and a first securing mount. The lid assembly includes a latch arrangement and defines a second securing mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Quality Mangement, Incorporated
    Inventor: Mark Jordan Schwab
  • Patent number: 10502468
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a subcooling heat exchange assembly, which controls magnitude of subcooling of refrigerant circulated through the cooling system. The subcooling heat exchange assembly includes a first fluid line fluidly coupled to an output of a condenser to enable a first portion of the refrigerant output from the condenser to flow through the first fluid line; a second fluid line fluidly coupled to the output of the condenser to enable a second portion of the refrigerant output from the condenser to flow through the second fluid line; and an expansion valve disposed along the second fluid line, in which the expansion valve exerts a first pressure drop on the second portion of the refrigerant that facilitates extracting heat from the first portion of the refrigerant flowing through the first fluid line using the second portion of the refrigerant flowing through the second fluid line when valve position of the expansion valve is greater than a threshold position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Douglas A. Kester, Curtis W. Caskey, James K. Spitzer, Chandra Yelamanchili, Nicholas P. Mislak, Rajiv K. Karkhanis
  • Patent number: 10161656
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes a heat exchanger including a plurality of refrigerant tubes, a distributor disposed on one side of the heat exchanger to divide a refrigerant so that the refrigerant flows into a plurality of flow paths, a plurality of capillary tubes extending from the distributor toward the plurality of refrigerant tubes, a guide tube guiding an introduction of the refrigerant into the distributor, an inlet tube connected to an inlet-side of the distributor, and a bending part disposed between the guide tube and the inlet tube to switch a flow direction of the refrigerant. The inlet tube extends in a horizontal direction or an inclined direction to guide a liquid refrigerant of a two-phase liquid refrigerant so that the liquid refrigerant flows into a lower portion of the inlet tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Eunjun Cho, Beomsoo Seo, Kiwoong Park
  • Patent number: 9909824
    Abstract: A liquid distributor is provided for receiving and distributing a liquid stream in a mass transfer column. The liquid distributor has a plurality of elongated primary troughs and a plurality of secondary troughs that are positioned adjacent the primary troughs at a location to receive at least some of the individual primary discharge streams from the primary troughs. Splash baffles are spaced a preselected distance from liquid discharge holes in the side walls of the secondary troughs to receive at least some of the individual secondary discharge streams and cause a lateral spreading thereof as the individual second discharge streams descend along the splash baffles and drip from lower edges thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Koch-Glitsch, LP
    Inventors: Izak Nieuwoudt, Darran Matthew Headley, Patrick K. Quotson
  • Patent number: 9689621
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is described and which includes a heat exchanger portion defining a multiplicity of internal passageways, and wherein at least one of the passageways is defined in part by a wicking structure; and a source of ammonia refrigerant which is supplied to the internal passageways of the heat exchanger portion, and wherein substantial equal amounts of liquid refrigerant are supplied to each of the passageways defined by the heat exchanger portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Colmac Coil Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce I. Nelson
  • Patent number: 9089787
    Abstract: A liquid distributor is provided for receiving and distributing a liquid stream in a mass transfer column. The liquid distributor has a plurality of elongated primary troughs and a plurality of secondary troughs that are positioned adjacent the primary troughs at a location to receive at least some of the individual primary discharge streams from the primary troughs. Splash baffles are spaced a preselected distance from liquid discharge holes in the side walls of the secondary troughs to receive at least some of the individual secondary discharge streams and cause a lateral spreading thereof as the individual second discharge streams descend along the splash baffles and drip from lower edges thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: KOCH-GLITSCH, LP
    Inventors: Izak Nieuwoudt, Darran Matthew Headley, Patrick K. Quotson
  • Patent number: 8789720
    Abstract: A fuel tank which has partition walls capable of flowing fuel into a fuel suction port more easily at the time of the acceleration/deceleration of a vehicle is provided. A fuel tank 11 for vehicle has a fuel suction port 22 through which a fuel pump sucks fuel in the fuel tank 11 from the lower portion of the inner space of the fuel tank 11, a first partition wall 31 surrounding one of the front and and the rear and the sides of the fuel suction port 22 to have an opening to the other of the front and the rear and preventing the fuel from moving to one of the front and the rear, and a second partition wall 32 surrounding the sides and the other of the front and the rear of the first partition wall 31 to have an opening to one of the front and the rear and preventing the fuel from moving to the other of the front and the rear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ishii, Hidenori Arisawa
  • Patent number: 8752581
    Abstract: A hydraulic tank for an industrial truck having a tank lower part with a base and a side wall and produced in one piece, a tank cover which is connected to an upper edge of the side wall, is produced in one piece and defines at least one hydraulic medium receiving chamber together with the base and the side wall, at least one hydraulic medium intake pipe extending from a hydraulic medium suction connector of the tank cover, and at least one hydraulic medium return pipe extending from a hydraulic medium return connector of the tank cover, wherein the hydraulic medium intake pipe and the hydraulic medium return pipe, together with the tank cover, form a tank upper part which is assembled as a modular unit with the tank lower part to form the hydraulic tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Johannes Haslberger
  • Patent number: 8707937
    Abstract: Fuel systems and methods for controlling fuel systems in a vehicle with multiple fuel tanks are provided. An exemplary vehicle fuel system includes a first fuel tank including a first pressure sensor, and a second fuel tank. The system may further include a fuel tank isolation valve positioned to selectively decouple the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank. The system may further include an electronic controller configured to identify which of the first fuel tank and second fuel tank includes a fuel system leak by selectively decoupling the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank via the fuel tank isolation valve, responsive to an identification of the fuel system leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns
  • Patent number: 8539938
    Abstract: Fuel systems and methods for controlling fuel systems in a vehicle with multiple fuel tanks are provided. An exemplary vehicle fuel system includes a first fuel tank including a first pressure sensor, and a second fuel tank. The system may further include a fuel tank isolation valve positioned to selectively decouple the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank. The system may further include an electronic controller configured to identify which of the first fuel tank and second fuel tank includes a fuel system leak by selectively decoupling the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank via the fuel tank isolation valve, responsive to an identification of the fuel system leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns
  • Patent number: 8491720
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to an HVPE chamber. The chamber may have two separate precursor sources coupled thereto to permit two separate layers to be deposited. For example, a gallium source and a separate aluminum source may be coupled to the processing chamber to permit gallium nitride and aluminum nitride to be separately deposited onto a substrate in the same processing chamber. The nitrogen may be introduced to the processing chamber at a separate location from the gallium and the aluminum and at a lower temperature. The different temperatures causes the gases to mix together, react and deposit on the substrate with little or no deposition on the chamber walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ishikawa, David H. Quach, Anzhong Chang, Olga Kryliouk, Yuriy Melnik, Harsukhdeep S. Ratia, Son T. Nguyen, Lily Pang
  • Patent number: 8420178
    Abstract: A liquid sending method comprises the steps of sending a coating solution to a liquid sending pipe, passing the coating solution to an orifice which is provided at a part of the liquid sending pipe to prevent a vibration propagation and passing the coating solution to a pulsation absorb device which is provided at a part of the liquid sending pipe where is located at a downstream of the orifice, wherein the pulsation absorb device includes a first chamber that a liquid can flow in and out, a second chamber which is introduced a gas, and a diaphragm which separates the first chamber and the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Yasuda, Hitoshi Satou, Kazuhiro Oki
  • Patent number: 8397735
    Abstract: An apparatus for level control in a fluid tank is provided, wherein the fluid tank is designed to accommodate a supply of a fluid. The apparatus includes at least one conveying line through which the fluid can flow and which has at least one control opening which is hydraulically connected to the fluid tank. The control opening is designed to at least largely prevent fluid flowing out of the conveying line and into the fluid tank when at least one minimum level in the fluid tank is exceeded, and the control opening is further designed to allow fluid to flow out of the conveying line and into the fluid tank when the at least one minimum level in the fluid tank is undershot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Meiko Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Roederer, Joachim Franz
  • Patent number: 8100873
    Abstract: A reduced pressure treatment system includes a porous pad positioned at a tissue site and a canister having a collection chamber, an inlet, and an outlet. The inlet is fluidly connected to the porous pad. A reduced pressure source is fluidly connected to the outlet of the canister to such that fluid from the tissue site may be drawn into the collection chamber. A hydrophobic filter is positioned adjacent the outlet to prevent liquid from exiting the collection chamber through the outlet. A baffle is positioned within the canister to create a tortuous path between the inlet and the outlet to prevent premature blocking of the hydrophobic filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Paul Jaeb, Randall Paul Kelch, Christopher Brian Locke, James Luckemeyer, Terrie Lea McDaniel, Bruce Phillips, Timothy Mark Robinson, Abhay Jaswal, Kevin Higley, Tyler Simmons
  • Patent number: 8052845
    Abstract: The reflux divider for a separation column has portions for the transfer of material arranged in parallel which are mutually bounded by a vertical dividing wall and which include members for the controlled dividing of a liquid to be treated. A reflux divider feeds part flows to the respective portions employing connection lines that are feed from a common container. A restrictor valve is used in one connection line to control the flow based on signals from a pair of flow meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Laurent Zuber, Christian Gottlieb Bachmann, Ilja Ausner
  • Patent number: 7972561
    Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic device comprising at least one micro-channel connected at one end to an enclosed area, characterized in that it also comprises an inlet circuit and an outlet circuit connected to the enclosed area and between which the fluid can be discharged without any contact with the micro-channel, wherein at least one of said inlet and outlet circuits can be controlled in such a way that the pressure at the end of the micro-channel can be modified independently from the pressure at the other end of the micro-channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignees: Centre National de la Recherche, Institut Curie
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Viovy, Claus Futterer, Nicolas Davis Minc, Jean Rossier, Jean-Hugues Codarbox
  • Publication number: 20080251127
    Abstract: The reflux divider for a separation column has portions for the transfer of material arranged in parallel which are mutually bounded by a vertical dividing wall and which include members for the controlled dividing of a liquid to be treated. A reflux divider feeds part flows to the respective portions employing connection lines that are feed from a common container. A restrictor valve is used in one connection line to control the flow based on signals from a pair of flow meters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Laurent Zuber, Christian Gottlieb Bachmann, Ilja Ausner
  • Patent number: 7255123
    Abstract: The invention Described is a device (1) for dividing a stream of particulate or pulverulent material into at least two substreams. The device has a housing (2) with a substantially vertical inlet duct (3) and two or more outlet ducts (4, 5, 6, 7) emanating from separate openings, and being separated by partition walls (9) extending radially relative to the centreline of the inlet duct (3). The device also has a rotor 11) which is located in immediate extension of the inlet duct (3), with its axis of rotation coinciding with the centreline (10) of the inlet duct. The rotor (11) has a radially configured surface (11a) for directing the falling material stream radially outwards into the free space (12) above the outlet ducts. The device is peculiar in that the radial partition walls (9) can be adjusted in the circumferential direction. The result will be a freely variable ratio between an arbitrary number of outlet substreams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: F. L. Smidth A/S
    Inventors: Niels Ole Cedergaard, Mogens Juhl Föns
  • Patent number: 6533557
    Abstract: This invention relates to a positive displacement pump which allows a liquid additive (such as liquid fertilizer) to be introduced into another liquid stream (such as water) and to be mixed in a constant proportion. One end of the pump can be connected to a faucet and the other end to a typical garden hose or other device. Water enters the pump through a faucet and is redirected (bent) by an upper stator which allows the water to rotate turbine vanes. The turbine is rotatably connected to a cam and the rotation of the cam moves pistons which allows liquid fertilizer to be drawn in from its reservoir. The liquid fertilizer flows through a tube and into one of two pistons. Then, the liquid fertilizer is dispelled through one of the exit tubes through the pumping action of the pistons. The water which was used to turn the turbine then combines with the liquid fertilizer as it comes out of the exit tubes and a water/fertilizer mixture is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: David G. Williams
  • Patent number: 6530393
    Abstract: A fuel tank for a motor vehicle has at least one reservoir which is arranged within the fuel tank, and a fuel pump associated with the reservoir. A filling conduit for filling the tank with fuel is of such a design that at least a partial flow of the fuel flowing through the filling conduit can be fed directly to the reservoir. The filling conduit opens at its delivery end into an open catch receptacle which communicates with the reservoir by way of at least one discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Georg Reinelt
  • Patent number: 6395139
    Abstract: There is provided a feed distributor for feeding liquid to a liquid distributor. The feed distributor has an elongated body sized to extend across the liquid distributor and an inlet defined in the one of the ends thereof. One or more passageways are provided within the body extending between the ends of the body. Each passageway has an elongated outlet configured to discharge the liquid across the liquid distributor. Each passageway has a taper configured to promote a constant liquid velocity within the passageway. As a result, a uniform liquid distribution of the liquid out of the elongated outlet and therefore to the liquid distributor are promoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Potthoff
  • Patent number: 6269851
    Abstract: In the case of a filling pipe for a fuel tank a branching element is arranged in a section of the filling pipe. The flow of the inflowing fuel preferably runs along an outer wall of the filling pipe, so that a subflow is in each case conducted directly to the antisurge tower through a lower cross-sectional area. Larger volume flows, which completely fill the cross section, pass for the most part directly into the fuel tank. By this means, a sufficient basic supply of the antisurge tower is ensured irrespective of the volume flow produced during filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Knut Meyer, Peter Andreas Löw
  • Patent number: 6158485
    Abstract: In the case of a filling device for a motor vehicle fuel tank, a distributing element extends from a filling nozzle to an anti-surge tower of the motor vehicle. When there is a low volume flow of fuel in the filling nozzle, the distributing element supplies all of the fuel to the anti-surge tower. When there is a large volume flow, the greater part of the fuel passes directly into the fuel tank. It is thereby ensured that during an initial filling or emergency filling with a jerrycan, virtually all of the fuel passes into the anti-surge tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Knut Meyer, Peter Andreas Low, Thomas Zapp, Christian Kochsmeier
  • Patent number: 6148863
    Abstract: A multi-compartment tank structure for an agricultural air cart is formed in a modular configuration with two, three or more containers operable to carry different supplies of materials to the field. Each container is formed with an interlocking mating wall structure having a pair of spaced apart geodesic-like lobes separated by a curved key portion recessed with respect to the lobes. One container having a convex mating wall configuration interfits with another container having a complementary concave mating wall structure. In the three or more compartment configuration, the interior container is provided with both convex and concave opposing mating walls to cooperate with the adjacent containers. The lobes are formed from a number of planar surface segments to create the geodesic-like appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Flexi-Coil Ltd.
    Inventors: Russell J. Memory, Montgomerie B. Summach, Cameron D. Bodie
  • Patent number: 5841355
    Abstract: The optimum electrolyte level sensing method and the automatic topping up apparatus for storage wet cell are disclosed. The difference in the conductivities between the distilled water and the electrolyte is utilized. An injection outlet portion (15), an adjust ring (14), and two wires are used to detect the optimum electrolyte level to supply distilled water to storage cells. The feedback control to maintain the constant optimum electrolyte level of storage cells is carried out by a single microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute
    Inventors: Sang-Min Bae, Young-Joon Son, Jae-Won Lee
  • Patent number: 5726404
    Abstract: This invention provides a valveless method and apparatus for high speed switching of liquid flow between intersecting microchannels. Liquid flow is controlled by manipulating external driving pressures. The switch comprises three intersecting microchannels, each having a liquid reservoir at its nonintersecting end for liquid inlet and outlet. It further includes applying a driving pressure to each reservoir switching the driving pressures. The microswitch of this invention operates to establish a liquid flow from a first channel to a second channel by applying a pressure differential between the first and second reservoirs, while simultaneously preventing flow into the third channel by applying a pressure to the third reservoir which equals the pressure at the junction of the three channels. By switching one or more driving pressures, the flow to the second channel can be stopped and the liquid flow redirected to the third channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventor: James P. Brody
  • Patent number: 5597480
    Abstract: A gradient generator comprising plural vessels of identical height but varied in cross section filled with compositional different liquids, having inlets for filling and outlets connected to a common discharge tube for discharge and delivering; but said plural vessels are formed by plural pieces of non-rigid bags with different profiles arranged side by side and sandwiched within a clearance of an erect parallel plate pair, and has an extrusion means at bottom to extrude and press flat of said filled plural non-rigid bag vessels parallel from their bottom toward the top when said outlets connected to said common discharge tube is at top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Inventor: Deming Zhou
  • Patent number: 5457825
    Abstract: A plurality of water injection nozzles (16) are spaced around the tub (12) of a hydrotherapy spa (10) for injecting a pulsating flow of water and air into the main body of water (14) in the tub (12). The pulsation is produced by a distribution valve (30), (80) including rotor (46) , (92) which is rotated by the inlet water flow and distributes the inlet water to outlets (40,42,44), (90) which are connected to the nozzles (16) respectively. The rotor (46), (92) is formed with a groove (48), (96) which sequentially aligns with and connects the outlets (40,42,44), (90) to the inlet (34), (86). Since each outlet (40,42,44), (90) is periodically connected to and disconnected from the inlet (34), (86), the water is supplied to each nozzle (16) in a pulsating or chopped manner. The sequence in which the water is distributed to the nozzles (16) is fixed, enabling a rippling effect to be produced in which the pulsation appears to rotate around the spa (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: B&S Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Holtsnider
  • Patent number: 5444879
    Abstract: A plurality of water injection nozzles (16) are spaced around the tub (12) of a hydrotherapy spa (10) for injecting a pulsating flow of water and air into the main body of water (14) in the tub (12). The pulsation is produced by a distribution valve (30), (80) including a rotor (46), (92) which is rotated by the inlet water flow and distributes the inlet water to outlets (40,42,44), (90) which are connected to the nozzles (16) respectively. The rotor (46), (92) is formed with a groove (48), (96) which sequentially aligns with and connects the outlets (40,42,44), (90) to the inlet (34), (86). Since each outlet (40,42,44), (90) is periodically connected to and disconnected from the inlet (34), (86), the water is supplied to each nozzle (16) in a pulsating or chopped manner. The sequence in which the water is distributed to the nozzles (16) is fixed, enabling a rippling effect to be produced in which the pulsation appears to rotate around the spa (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: B&S Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Holtsnider
  • Patent number: 5333640
    Abstract: A flow divider, i.e. a splitter, to receive flow through an input port, is arranged in respective embodiments, with each embodiment respectively dividing flows, with each flow comprising a combined flow of a substance, consisting of multiple small units, and a gas flow under pressure, with the energy of the gas flow moving all the multiple small units of the substance throughout the flow divider for delivery therefrom through outlet ports thereof. In one embodiment, a housing has an input portion and an output portion, with the input portion having a central input port extending from the exterior into the interior thereof, and an interior recess to receive a seal, and with the output portion having a centered cavity to receive a centered shaft and a disc rotor on the shaft, and outlet ports extending from the centered cavity to the exterior of the housing. After installing the seal, shaft, and disc rotor, the housing portions are secured together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Inventors: Steven M. Swift, Jon C. Houghton
  • Patent number: 5040516
    Abstract: A projection is provided in a fuel tank for dividing the fuel tank into two tubs. A supporting member is secured on a top of the projection. A fuel pump and a fuel metering device are securely mounted on the supporting member. A service hole is formed in the wall of the fuel tank opposite to the supporting member for inspecting the fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Teruo Haraguchi
  • Patent number: 4847208
    Abstract: A device and method for automating immunohistochemical staining of biological material on glass slides is presented. The slides are placed on a base with the tissue section facing upwards. A "chamber" consisting of a rectangular plastic box with a hinged overhead door is clamped directly over the tissue section. A rubber gasket seals the chamber--slide interface. Reagents are dropped on to the tissue section by opening the hinged overhead plastic door. When the door is closed, the chamber is sufficiently sealed so as to prevent evaporation. Washing of the tissue section is accomplished by the addition and aspiration of buffer through ports in the chamber. The ports are connected via flexible tubing to a manifold. Because the wash steps are peformed in tandem and do not require manual manipulation of slides, a significant time savings is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Inventor: Steven A. Bogen
  • Patent number: 4549567
    Abstract: A fluid distributor in which a rotor having a distributing passageway is positioned above pie-shaped exit compartments in a tubular housing. The passageway extends from a central opening in the housing downward and with a circumferential cant to just above the compartmented exits, whereby a fluid input produces a rotation of the rotor, and as it rotates, the fluid is sequentially fed to and discharged through the compartmented exits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Inventor: Donelson B. Horton
  • Patent number: 4297846
    Abstract: The invention relates to a two-compartment reservoir for liquid, comprised of two superposed parts and provided with a transfer channel which opens into both compartments and which runs parallel to the plane of the liquid contained in the reservoir.The junction plane of the two parts of the reservoir is inclined, with respect to the bottom of each of them, at an angle ".alpha./2", which permits to manufacture with the same parts two types of reservoirs: the first one for horizontal installation and the other one for inclined installation, at an angle ".alpha.".Suitable grooves, provided in the walls, of the two parts cooperate in both cases to form the transfer channel parallel to the plane of liquid.The invention is particularly useful in hydraulic braking systems for automotive vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Assignee: Benditalia S.p.A.
    Inventor: Leonardo Cadeddu
  • Patent number: 4283205
    Abstract: An inlet flue system for conducting particulate-containing gases to the inlet nozzles of a multiplicity of electrostatic precipitator chambers comprises an elongated plenum located generally above the nozzles. The plenum is substantially entirely open at the bottom, and the inlet ends of the perimeter walls of branch ducts leading from the open bottom define a series of outlet openings from the plenum. The open bottom construction leaves the plenum substantially free of upwardly facing surfaces where particulates can settle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Inventor: John L. Schumann
  • Patent number: 4175591
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved stationary slurry distributor characterized by a centrally-located standpipe to receive the incoming slurry, a multi-apertured manifold at the base of the standpipe for continuously distributing the contents of the latter into a plurality of separate compartments bordering the periphery thereof, outlets in the bottom of each compartment, stopper-type valves independently operable to plug one of the outlets, and at least one overflow port in the side of each compartment arranged in misaligned relation to the inlet and slurry stream issuing therefrom, these ports being effective to both prevent the escape of the slurry therethrough when the outlet is open and, alternatively, bypass the flow when the outlet from the compartment is closed so as to not increase the flow into and through the other compartments then in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Assignee: Humphreys Engineering Company
    Inventor: Merrill Welker