With Holder For Solid, Flaky Or Pulverized Material To Be Dissolved Or Entrained Patents (Class 137/268)
  • Patent number: 10197205
    Abstract: A pig receiver and method to retrieve pigs in pipeline pigging operations. In one embodiment, a pig receiver includes a pressure equalization system including a gate valve, wherein a first side of the gate valve is coupled to a downstream pressure connection, and wherein a second side of the gate valve is coupled to an upstream pressure connection. The pressure equalization system also includes a pressure equalization valve disposed between the downstream pressure connection and the upstream pressure connection. The pressure equalization system also includes a pig receiver unit, wherein a first side of the pig receiver unit is coupled to the downstream pressure connection downstream of the gate valve, and wherein a second side of the pig receiver unit is coupled to the upstream pressure connection upstream of the gate valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Cross Country Infrastructure Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Hodde
  • Patent number: 10190390
    Abstract: A shifting sleeve has differential piston areas so that applied pressure displaces the sleeve against spring bias, which preferably is a series of Belleville washer stacks associated with modular mandrel components, to obtain the desired opposing force to the movement initiated with pressure applied to differential piston areas. An indexing feature is located between the sleeve and the mandrel passage wall and on a predetermined number of cycles disables the Belleville washer stacks from biasing the sleeve in an opposed direction as when pressure is applied. At this time the pressure in the mandrel acting on the differential piston area simply shifts the sleeve to open a lateral port so that fracturing through the cement that was earlier placed with the port closed can take place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventors: Jason C. Mailand, Justin C. Kellner, James S. Sanchez, Paul Madero, Charles C. Johnson, Robert W. Putch
  • Patent number: 10182679
    Abstract: In order to specify, in the case of an apparatus for dispensing liquid foodstuffs, in particular milk products, an integrated cleaning system which is straightforward and reliable to handle, provision is made for a foodstuff-supply line to be provided with a connection, on which can be fitted an intake line which leads to a storage tank containing the liquid foodstuff, and for a connecting element to be provided, it being possible for this connecting element, when the intake line has been removed, to be fitted onto the connection in order for the foodstuff-supply line to be connected fluidically to the integrated cleaning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: FRANKE Kaffeemaschinen AG
    Inventors: Heinz Vetterli, Mariano Turi
  • Patent number: 10183877
    Abstract: A sewage treatment chlorinator for use at a site not connected to a municipal sewer system and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the sewage treatment chlorinator, a housing includes an external conduit coupled in a t-connection to a flow tube. An inner canister is sized to be selectively inserted and removed from the external conduit and includes a perforated end cap having a flow deck sized to suspend a chlorine tablet within a contact chamber of the flow tube. The flow tube receives effluent form an aerobic tank and discharge treated effluent to a post-treatment tank. At least a portion of the discharge from the flow tube is gravity-based discharge into the post-treatment tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: J. C. White
  • Patent number: 10173828
    Abstract: An indexable cartridge and method that is useable in either a stagnant fluid environment or in a moving fluid environment with the indexable cartridge floatable in a stagnant fluid environment and securable in a moving fluid environment with the indexable cartridge having a housing having one or more diffusion ports and a sleeve having one or more diffusion ports indexable to a diffusion port alignment through resilient yielding of the sleeve while a set of ribs inhibit lateral flow therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: KING TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Mark Snetting, Jeffrey D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10119287
    Abstract: A two-part dispensing device for a pool having a dispensing saddle with a static port therein for continual delivery of a first dispersant and a hold for floatingly supporting itself and an exchangeable dispensing pod therein with the dispensing pod having a dynamic port and a static port for a continual delivery of a dispersant wherein the static port delivery of a dispersant maintains the pool at a safe level when there is no human bather load on the pool and the condition of the disperant in the dispensing pod can be determined by the orientation of the dispensing saddle and the dispensing pod in the pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: KING TECHNOLOGY, INC
    Inventors: Joseph A. King, Jeffrey Johnson, Paul Freeberg, David Guy, Terry Goemen
  • Patent number: 10119355
    Abstract: A well drop releasing device has a housing attachable to a well tubing. The device has a well drop carrier to carry a well drop. The well drop carrier is linearly movable to move the well drop from an exterior the well tubing into an interior the well tubing and release the well drop in the interior of the well tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Rogozinski, Henry Rogers, Michael Malave
  • Patent number: 10118137
    Abstract: A solid product dispenser can be used to form a dilute liquid solution from a block of solid concentrate. In cases where only a small amount of liquid solution is needed, the solid product dispenser may dissolve the block of solid concentrate quickly and substantially uniformly to provide a solution of controlled concentration. This can be contrast with larger dispensing applications where a dispenser may dissolve a block of concentrate slowly at the start and more rapidly as the dispensing progresses, producing a solution with an average concentration higher than if only a small amount of solution were produced using the dispenser. In one example, the solid product dispenser includes a fluid distribution reservoir and a solid product reservoir positioned inside of the fluid distribution reservoir and over a platform on which the solid product sits. High pressure fluid flows between the two reservoirs, turbulently contacting the solid product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Ronald Schwartz, Ryan Joseph Drake, Hope Emily Weilage, Troy Andreas Anderson, Sarah Elise Gilbertson
  • Patent number: 10092934
    Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning a pneumatic conveyance system used to transport particulate material. The pneumatic conveyance system includes a material-introduction device for introducing particulate material into a convey line, and a motive air source for generating an air flow to propel the particulate material through the convey line. The cleaning system comprises a projectile comprising a cleaning surface for cleaning an interior of the convey line as the projectile travels through the convey line, a launcher for injecting the projectile into the convey line, with the launcher being coupled with the convey line at a position upstream from the material-introduction device, and a catcher vessel for receiving the projectile upon said projectile exiting the convey line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Schenck Process LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan O. Thorn, Russell A. Heinen
  • Patent number: 10088255
    Abstract: Heat transfer equipment often loses heat transfer capacity due to fouling and scaling which results in lost economic value in the form of lost heat, production, and the labor required for cleaning the equipment. A heat exchanger is provided, including: a first means of fluid communication to a shell (5); a second means of fluid communication to the shell; a flow diverter (2) for reversing the flow of fluid from the shell and the first and second means of communication; a tube (6) within the shell in fluid communication with both the first and second means of fluid communication; and a brush positionable within first and second brush housings (3), the brush housings positioned respectively on the first and second means of fluid communication, the brush moveable with the flow of fluid through the tube; wherein the tube is expandable independent of the shell. The tube is fixed to only one end of the shell without using tubesheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Back Porch Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Keith R Minnich
  • Patent number: 10072871
    Abstract: A corrosion inhibitor module for a packaged terminal air conditioner unit (PTAC) is provided. Condensate is pumped from a drain pan of the PTAC into a housing of the corrosion inhibitor module. The housing contains a corrosion inhibitor concentrate that is mixes with the condensate to form an inhibitor solution that is returned to the drain pan to prevent the corrosion of components that come in contact with the condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Patent number: 10065156
    Abstract: A dispensing system includes a dispenser, a logic device, a nozzle, a diluent source, and a solid product. The logic device controls spray on and spray off cycles to pulse diluent supplied to the nozzle. The diluent contacts the solid product to dissolve a portion of the solid product and create a use solution. Pulsing the spray of diluent controls the concentration of the dispensed product in the use solution by limiting the amount of excess dilutant added to the dispensed product. The product is more consistently dispensed and the concentration of the dispensed product in the use solution is more consistent. Additionally, the concentration of the dispensed product in the use solution can be controlled by changing at least one of a volume of diluent dispensed through the nozzle, a pressure of diluent, a pulsed diluent spray frequency, and a pulsed diluent spray duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: R. Ryan S. Carroll, Henry L. Carbone, II, Charles E. Wensman, Bruce W. White, John D. Morey
  • Patent number: 10060148
    Abstract: A system for limiting the flow from a dispensing valve when a dispensing cartridge is replaced with the system including a dispenser cartridge with a cam and a water socket with a flow limiter therein that is activeable in response to the position of the dispenser cartridge in the dispensing valve and operable in response to an upstream fluid pressure in the dispensing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: KING TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph King, Jeffrey Johnson, Paul Freeberg, David Guy, Terry Goeman, Kenneth V. Schomburg
  • Patent number: 10045658
    Abstract: A hot beverage maker is provided that has a water tank, a boiler, a dispensing device, a water outlet pipe and a control device. The control device of the hot beverage maker has a mechanical configuration that includes a rotatable cam provided inside the case of the hot beverage maker. The cam has bumps arranged in, for example, three circles about a periphery of the cam. Spring leaves are arranged to interact with the cam bumps. The spring leaves are electrically connected to control aspects of the hot beverage maker while the rotational position of the cam also controls other aspects of the hot beverage maker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: ELEC-TECH INTERNATIONAL CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Tony Wang, Yan Xiong
  • Patent number: 10029931
    Abstract: A multi-stage floatation dispenser for carrying a ballast, which may be a non-water consumable dispersant and at least one water consumable dispersant wherein the weight of the water consumable dispersant decreases as the water consumable dispersant is consumed with the weight of water consumable dispersant and the non-water consumable coordinated with the flotation capacity of a flotation dispenser to provide for either a two stage or a three stage dispensing mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: KING TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Joseph A King
  • Patent number: 10030401
    Abstract: A system for limiting the flow from a dispensing valve when a dispensing cartridge is replaced with the system including a dispenser cartridge with a cam and a water socket with a flow limiter therein that is activeable in response to the position of the dispenser cartridge in the dispensing valve and operable in response to an upstream fluid pressure in the dispensing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: KING TECHNOLOGY, INC
    Inventors: Joseph King, Jeffrey Johnson, Paul Freeberg, David Guy, Terry Goeman, Kenneth V. Schomburg
  • Patent number: 10022297
    Abstract: A container includes a dry concentrate designed such that the dry concentrate forms an acid liquid concentrate, or a part of an acid liquid concentrate, which is suitable for manufacturing a dialysis solution, on the dissolution of the dry concentrate in a liquid, preferably in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Kloeffel, Gerhard Wiesen, Francois Dumont d'Ayot, Philippe Laffay, Benoit Luaire
  • Patent number: 10001240
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a pig ramp for receiving and supporting a pig in a pig receiver includes a frame portion having an inner diameter, the inner diameter of the ring being larger than an outer diameter of a pig. The pig ramp also includes one or more ramp segments extending longitudinally away from the frame portion, the one or more ramp segments being coupled to a back side of the frame portion at a lower portion and positioned to receive and support the pig when positioned thereon to elevate the pig above a bottom of a tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
    Inventors: Danny Lee Dray, Bryan Anthony Crowe, David Abraham Fitch, William Lee Sprowls, John Charles Mollenkopf, Dustin Michael Howell
  • Patent number: 9980626
    Abstract: Dispensing techniques utilize existing fluid to dispense a solid block of chemical product concentrate. The solid chemical product concentrate may include, for example, detergents, disinfectants, sanitizers, rinse agents, or other cleaning agents. The dispenser monitors and controls the concentration of the chemical product in a use solution. When the concentration of the use solution falls outside of a target range, the dispenser routes existing fluid from within the system to the dispenser, where it interacts with and dispense a solid chemical product concentrate, thus raising the concentration of the chemical product in the use solution. In a dishmachine application, the existing fluid may include post wash or rinse fluid from the dishmachine, or may include use solution from a sump, tank, or other use solution storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jared R. Freudenberg, Ryan Jacob Urban, Thomas C. Rustad
  • Patent number: 9943781
    Abstract: A parallel assembly (2; 11; 51) of chromatography column modules (3a,b,c; 13a,b,c; 53a,b,c, 90a, b) connected in a rigid housing (21; 61), the assembly having one common assembly inlet (15; 55) and one common assembly outlet (17; 57), each column module comprising a bed space (29) filled with chromatography medium and each column module comprises integrated fluid conduits which when the column module is connected with other column modules in the rigid housing are adapted to connect the bed space (29) of the column module with the assembly inlet (15; 55) and the assembly outlet (17; 57), wherein the total length and/or volume of the fluid conduit from the assembly inlet to one bed space together with the length and/or volume of the fluid conduit from the same bed space to the assembly outlet is substantially the same for all bed spaces and modules installed in the parallel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: GE HEALTHCARE BIOPROCESS R&D AB
    Inventors: Klaus Gebauer, Manoj Kumar Ramakrishna, Daniel Salomonsson, Per Uselius
  • Patent number: 9937514
    Abstract: A valve module with floating member for use in a fluid applicator and a fluid applicator comprising said valve module are disclosed. The fluid applicator further includes a valve module that is configured to control a flow of fluid from the chamber to the cavity. The valve module includes an upper valve seat and a valve stem operatively coupled to the drive pin and extending from the chamber to the cavity. The valve module further includes a retaining tip attached to the valve stem and a floating member disposed in the cavity between the opening and the retaining tip such that the valve stem passes through the floating member and the floating member is movable along a longitudinal axis of the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Aaron Gould, Laurence B. Saidman
  • Patent number: 9839861
    Abstract: A swirl confetti blower is designed to create a conical swirl motion that would cause the confetti to blow down around and up/out the spouts. This blower consists of top that has the confetti loading doors, fan housing and fan blade guard, hanging bracket, the main housing body with the confetti snouts and the octagon vent bottom which is the confetti trough and the bottom air relief portion with the conical diffuser. Diversion of air flow is what helps the confetti to flow not only up and out but also out the bottom relief channel. This Vortex or Swirl is created by using a high velocity blower fan. The blower loads from the snouts or the doors on the top of the unit. This unit can be hung from a truss or positioned on a flat surface. This would be for either manual control or an external DMX unit that would be able to be controlled from a lighting console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Inventor: Roneé Holmes
  • Patent number: 9821279
    Abstract: Diffusion device intended to accept a flanged capsule containing a product that is to be diffused comprising a body, a bearing surface borne by the body directly or indirectly, an outlet passage for letting product out of the capsule, a knob mounted with the ability to rotate on the body, the knob comprising an upper part projecting axially beyond the bearing surface, the knob and the bearing surface being mounted with the capacity for helicoidal rotation relative to one another, a closure movement of the knob being able to bring the lower face of a rim of the device to face the bearing surface, the closure movement of the knob comprising a rotational movement of the knob with respect to the body causing a helicoidal movement between the knob and the bearing surface that is able to bring a lower face of the rim and the bearing surface closer together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SKINJAY
    Inventors: Nicolas Pasquier, Loic Dubos
  • Patent number: 9815052
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing device includes a dispensing cylinder, a first inlet and a second inlet. The first inlet is disposed within a first container on which the fluid dispensing device is mounted. The first inlet and the second inlet are configured to facilitate intake of only one fluid into the dispensing cylinder at a given point in time. The fluid dispensing device also includes a first outlet and a second outlet. The first outlet and the second outlet are configured to dispense only one fluid out of the dispensing cylinder at a given point in time. The fluid dispensing device further includes a valve assembly fluidically coupled to the first inlet and the second inlet, and to the first outlet and the second outlet. The valve assembly is configured to control flow of the fluids within and/or out of the dispensing cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventors: Ajay Jain, Atul Jain, Aviral Jain
  • Patent number: 9795245
    Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a first reservoir for receiving a liquid to be used for preparing a beverage and a hot water generator (‘HWG’) which has an inlet end, an outlet end and a passageway therebetween. The inlet end of the HWG is connected to the first reservoir. Liquid from the first reservoir flows into the HWG through the inlet end. A second reservoir is connected to the outlet end of the HWG. The second reservoir includes a discharge port. A fluid path connects the first and second reservoirs and bypasses the HWG. The kitchen appliance is operable for both pressurized brew/heat cycles and un-pressurized brew/heat cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick T Mulvaney, Adam Hanes, Willilam D Starr
  • Patent number: 9739411
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for traversing inside one or more pipes. In an embodiment, a fluid is injected into the one or more pipes thereby promoting a fluid flow. An inspection device is deployed into the one or more pipes at least partially filled with a flowing fluid. The inspection device comprises a housing wherein the housing is designed to exploit the hydrokinetic effects associated with a fluid flow in one or more pipes as well as maneuver past a variety of pipe configurations. The inspection device may contain one or more sensors capable of performing a variety of inspection tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of Americas as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Shaun Azimi, Darby Magruder, Justin Ridley, Anthony Lapp, Jodi Graf, Ross Pettinger
  • Patent number: 9725920
    Abstract: A system for limiting the flow from a dispensing valve when a dispensing cartridge is replaced with the system including a dispenser cartridge with a cam and a water socket with a flow limiter therein that is activeable in response to the position of the dispenser cartridge in the dispensing valve and operable in response to an upstream fluid pressure in the dispensing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: KING TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Joseph King, Jeffrey Johnson, Paul Freeberg, Kenneth V Schomburg, David Guy, Terry Goeman
  • Patent number: 9708826
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pool cleaning apparatus and a method for controlling such an apparatus comprising a body, a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, a drive device, a pumping device, a hydraulic circuit between a liquid inlet and a pumping outlet and via a cleaning device, a monitoring device providing electronic signals which are representative of a state of the apparatus, an electronic signal processing unit receiving and analyzing the signals of the monitoring device and controlling the pumping device, wherein, on detection of a removal event of the body from the liquid, the processing unit stops the pumping device after a predetermined emptying time in order to allow active emptying of the hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventors: Thierry Michelon, Louis Favie
  • Patent number: 9689848
    Abstract: Provided is a chromatography column stored in a storage container. The storage container for the column includes: a container body for storing the chromatography column; and a cover threadedly engaging with the container body. A groove for threaded engagement with the cover is formed in an inner wall of the container body. Sealing members are arranged on an inner bottom surface of the container body and a lower surface of the cover, respectively. When the container body and the cover are threadedly engaged with each other, the cover enters the container body to cause the sealing members on the inner bottom surface of the container body and the lower surface of the cover to press both a lower surface and an upper surface of the column, to thereby fix the column inside the container body and seal a fluid passage hole of the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SEKISUI MEDICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Yotani, Yuriko Nemoto, Hideki Muraki
  • Patent number: 9681612
    Abstract: A watering system includes a bottle unit or a water level control unit which has a float member to control the water level of the tank in a planting hole. The float member controls the operation of the water inlet valve and the water level in the bottle unit so as to control the amount of water that the planting hole provides to the soil outside the planting hole without using electricity. The plants are properly watered automatically all day long. The water permeates into the soil outside the planting hole to water the plants that are planted in a larger area. The watering system is suitable for watering the plants in a large area or in pots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Inventor: Yi-Hsi Li
  • Patent number: 9664024
    Abstract: A method for fracking and completing a well (10) having a well bore (12) through a formation (14) includes the steps of: packer jack fracking the formation using a packer (22) to form a packer fractured formation (28), moving the packer (22) to seal the packer fractured formation (28), and hydraulically fracturing the packer fractured formation (28) by injecting a fracking fluid (30) through the packer (22). These steps can then be repeated through successive intervals (I1, I2) of the formation (14). To complete a new well, a perforated liner (16) can be placed in the well bore (12) to direct the fracking fluid (30) into the packer fractured formation (28). To complete an existing or a new well having a cemented liner (58), the packer jack fracking step can also be used to break apart the liner (58) and form at least one opening (64) to provide a flow path for the fracking fluid (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Inventor: Henry A. Baski
  • Patent number: 9643143
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining a product chemistry from a product and a fluid is provided. A product is housed within a dispenser. A fluid is introduced through a manifold diffuse member having a plurality of ports. A cover is positioned adjacent the manifold diffuse member and includes a plurality of ports. The cover is able to be adjusted, for example, by rotating the cover, to align and un-align the manifold diffuse ports and the cover ports. This adjustment controls the flow characteristics of the fluid through the manifold diffuse member and cover to control the characteristics of the fluid in contact with the product. The adjustment of the cover to control the flow will provide a generally consistent concentration and erosion rate based upon known relationships between a characteristic of the fluid and the flow of the fluid in relation to the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Max Schultz, Jared R. Freudenberg, Ryan Joseph Drake, Brian Philip Carlson, Ryan Jacob Urban, Brian Doffing
  • Patent number: 9631485
    Abstract: A system for downhole telemetry employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a tubular body such as a pipe in a wellbore. The nodes allow hybrid wired-and-wireless communication between one or more sensors residing at the level of a subsurface formation and a receiver at the surface. The nodes employ electro-acoustic transducers providing node-to-node communication up a wellbore at high data transmission rates. A method of transmitting data in a wellbore uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along a tubular body to deliver an alternating electrical and acoustic transmission of data along the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Stuart R. Keller, Timothy I. Morrow, Max Deffenbaugh, Mark M. Disko, David A. Stiles
  • Patent number: 9623385
    Abstract: A chemical metering system for providing efficient access and replacement of chemical metering devices. The chemical metering system generally includes a chemical injector, a first tube fluidly connected to the chemical injector, a second tube adapted to be fluidly connected to a chemical supply, a releasable tube coupling removably and fluidly connected to the first tube and the second tube, and a metering device is adapted for controlling a flowrate of liquid chemical into the chemical injector from the chemical supply. The metering device is accessible for repair or replacement by removing the releasable tube coupling from either the first tube or the second tube for efficient access and replacement of the metering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Cleaning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Krause, Kenneth R. Smith, Vladimir Chernin
  • Patent number: 9612025
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a multiple effect evaporative condenser, at least one compressor, at least one heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and at least one multiple-effect evaporative condensers. The multiple effect evaporative condenser and the heat exchanger utilize a highly efficient heat exchanging pipe for performing heat exchange between water and refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventor: Lee Wa Wong
  • Patent number: 9539531
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispersing an additive from an additive cartridge disposed in a housing of an oil filter is provided. The method including the steps of: using stagnation pressure to disperse the additive from the additive cartridge; and regulating a flow rate of the additive from the additive cartridge by restricting an inlet opening of an outlet path of the additive cartridge, wherein a portion of the outlet path is formed in a surface of a first piece of a two piece connector providing fluid communication between and an interior and an exterior of the additive cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Fram Group IP, LLC
    Inventors: Gerard W. Bilski, Ronald P. Rohrbach, Zafar Hussain
  • Patent number: 9487938
    Abstract: An automatic protection device for an inlet valve or drain valve includes an inlet, an outlet, an on-off component, a control circuit, a control component, a water level inductor of the water tank and a water level inductor of the toilet. The water level inductor of the water tank and the water level inductor of the toilet are respectively connected to the control circuit, the control circuit drives the control component, the control component is connected to the on-off component to control the on-off component to open or close, thus connecting or disconnecting the inlet and the outlet. The automatic protection device will sound an alarm and automatically cut off the water supply when the drain valve fails to discharge, or when the toilet is plugged up and is unable to drain water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: WDI (XIAMEN) TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Feiyu Li
  • Patent number: 9422855
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for removing condensate from an intercooler of a turbocharged internal combustion engine. Using valves to drain condensate may create a direct fluidic connection between the compressed air of the intercooler and ambient exterior air, allowing both condensate and compressed air to escape due to valve design or failure of valve actuation devices. To provide a simple and reliable method for removing condensate without removing compressed air, a hollow valve is used to shuttle condensate from the intercooler to the exterior environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James M. Basile, Joseph Skrobowski, Scott Willis
  • Patent number: 9403131
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a solution of a solid product in a fluid. A freestanding apparatus comprises an inlet portion through which fluid enters, a reaction portion in which the fluid encounters and dissolves the product to form a solution, and an outlet portion from which the solution exits the apparatus. Fluid may encounter product from a single direction or multiple directions. The apparatus may be configured to receive a particularly shaped solid product, and may comprise a lid or gate to prevent fluid from contacting the product undesirably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jason D. Hedlund, John E. Thomas, Richard Ryan Carroll, Louis Holzman, Edward J. Snodgrass, Bernardo Parlange
  • Patent number: 9388330
    Abstract: The blasting material includes abrasives, and water in the range of 5 to 30 mass % both inclusive relative to a mass of the abrasives, the abrasives being prepared in advance such that all of the abrasives are uniformly wet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignees: FUJI ENGINEERING CO., LTD., FUJIGIKEN CO., LTD., WEST NIPPON EXPRESSWAT COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Masanobu Sugimoto, Kenichi Yamada, Toshihiro Hara, Masanobu Irie
  • Patent number: 9328487
    Abstract: A valve actuator assembly efficiently dispenses liquid soap to create bubbles. A faucet has a spout body including a valve port and seat. A valve gate door on an inlet side of the valve port is movable vertically relatively to the valve port between open and closed positions. The valve actuator assembly includes a hollow valve stem extending vertically from an exterior of the spout body into an interior thereof at the outlet side of the valve port. The hollow valve stem contains at least one orifice communicating with a hollow interior of the valve stem. The at least one orifice is exposed to a path of liquid flow from the valve port in the lower open position. A knob of the valve actuator assembly has an upwardly open funnel opening that communicates with the hollow interior of the valve stem to receive a liquid soap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas A. Wernke
  • Patent number: 9261302
    Abstract: A new and useful in-line internal plumbing line sanitizers for appliances apparatus that sanitizes the internal plumbing lines of appliances such as refrigerators with integrated ice makers and drinking water dispensers, is easily adaptable, can be made in different sizes for use with various appliances, and can house a variety of sanitizing agents. The apparatus can also be used by an ordinary consumer, increases the safety and efficiency of internal plumbing line sanitation procedures, and eliminates the need for expensive replacement of internal appliance plumbing lines. This device is believed to be useful in the domestic and commercial settings. A device according to the invention is also believed to be favorable for use by appliance service technicians, as well as lay people who want to sanitize an appliance periodically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Westmount, LLC
    Inventor: Serina Solanda Jung
  • Patent number: 9168492
    Abstract: The invention relates to elements for separating substances by distributing between a stationary and a mobile phase. Said separating elements comprise any stationary phase and a support element. The separating elements are part of a set that is provided with at least two separating elements Ti (i=2) encompassing different stationary phases Si (i=2). The set comprises at least three pieces of each type of separating element Ti with a specific stationary phase Si. The separating elements can be coupled to each other or interconnected in another manner so as to form a separating device. The invention further relates to a method for producing an optimized device for separating substance mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: BISCHOFF ANALYSENTECHNIK UND-GERAETE GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Bischoff, Sz Nyiredy, Klara Nyiredy-Mikita, Zoltan Szuecs
  • Patent number: 9103183
    Abstract: A ball launcher for dispatching balls into a wellbore that includes a manifold for selective attachment to a wellhead assembly and a magazine mounted on the manifold in which the balls are stored for distribution to the manifold. Chambers are provided in a cylinder in the magazine, so that by rotating the cylinder the chambers register with a bore in the manifold, through which the balls are delivered to the wellbore. Flowing a flushing fluid into the bore in the manifold urges the balls downward. An auxiliary line through the manifold provides a conduit for the flushing fluid into the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Henry X. He, Kwong-Onn Chan, Gene Ambrose
  • Patent number: 9039988
    Abstract: A set of vertically stackable interacting cartridges for improving the delivery of biocide of a bulk feeder by positioning the stackable cartridges in a stacked condition within a chamber in the bulk feeder wherein the stackable cartridges are maintained in vertical interacting flow alignment with each other to provide enhanced control of the delivery of the biocide carried within each of the stackable cartridges without replacing the control valves of the bulk feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: King Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. King, Jeffrey D. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20150114475
    Abstract: A drainage component in fluid communication with the fluid supply line includes a drain channel leading to a drain, the drain channel having an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall has a sealing surface approximate a three-way elastomeric valve. The elastomeric valve includes a moveable first wall having a first position when the fluid supply is on and a second position when fluid supply is off and a second wall connected to the moveable first wall, the second wall engaging a drain sealing surface when the first wall is in the first position. The elastomeric valve includes an orifice through which fluid may flow. When the pressure of the fluid on the elastomeric element increases, the second wall of the elastomeric valve engages the drain sealing surface. The elastomeric valve is preferably a fluoroelastomer to ensure both flexibility and resistance to a variety of chemical products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Ronald Schwartz, Andrew Max Schultz
  • Patent number: 9004094
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a valve (1), a valve closing body (14) and use of a valve (1) and a valve closing body (14) of the type used for injecting dry powder which is mixed with liquid, and where the dry powder is supplied under the liquid surface in a mixing vessel (11) in which a vacuum is typically maintained. The novel feature of a powder valve (1) according to the invention is that a closing body (14) of the valve in the closed position extends through the valve seat (13) of the valve and into the wet environment. It is hereby achieved that when the valve (1) is opened, powder or dust from powder is not deposited on the valve closing body (14). This is in spite of the valve closing body (14) being wet, due to contact with the liquid to which the powder is added. Due to its elongated shape, the valve closing body (14), which in the withdrawn position opens for inflow of powder, has the property that the inflowing powder dries the valve closing body (14) at first and keeps it dry subsequently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Holger Colding-Kristensen, Hans Henrik Mortensen
  • Patent number: 8985135
    Abstract: A system for dosing a stream of fluid with at least one active substance is provided. The system includes a housing which defines a chamber having an inlet and an outlet to enable the flow of fluid through the chamber. The system also includes a block containing the active substance, the block including a body having an outer surface and a passage therethrough defining an inner surface. The block is positioned within the housing chamber in an operative position between the inlet and the outlet so that in use fluid flows over the inner and outer surfaces of the block to dissolve and/or erode the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Quik Corp Fire Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Grant Sidney Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20150047718
    Abstract: An antimicrobial supply system employs a process water supply and incorporates a metallic ion supply connected to the process water supply to provide a high ion concentrate to an output. A dilution reservoir is connected to the metallic ion supply output and has an input from the process water supply. A pump is connected to an output of the reservoir. A manifold connected to the pump provides a dilute concentrate to at least one washing system and a recirculation loop to the dilution reservoir for enhanced mixing of the dilute concentrate. An electronics control module is connected to a first flow controller between the process water supply and the metallic ion supply and a second flow controller between the metallic ion supply and the reservoir for dilution control establishing a desired metallic ion concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Applied Silver, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Brown, Sean Morham
  • Patent number: 8955536
    Abstract: A faucet mountable water conditioning devices include a relatively simple configuration that allows for reduced cost, easy installation, and a pleasing aesthetic. In one or more implementations, a faucet mountable water conditioning device includes a universal faucet mounting mechanism. The universal faucet mounting mechanism allows the faucet mountable water conditioning device to connect and seal to a wide variety of faucet designs and sizes simply by pressing the mounting mechanism over the faucet. The faucet mountable water conditioning device can also include a base configured to hold a water conditioning source. In one or more implementations a connector can couple the base to the mounting mechanism; thereby, allowing the base to move between active and inactive positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Russell Bell, Patrick O'Loughlin, William Ouellette, Rachel Robinette, Evan Rumberger, William L. Smith