Portable Patents (Class 204/271)
  • Patent number: 11891708
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved Kolbe reactor system for converting electrical power into a hydrocarbon fuel and hydrogen. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a Kolbe reactor system comprising an open cavity Kolbe reactor and an initial hydrocarbon chemical formulation comprising from about 3N to about 6N C2-C5 carboxylic acid and from about 2M to about 4M alkali C2-C5 carboxylate, wherein the C2-C5 carboxylate and carboxylic acid have the same carbon alkyl length. The Kolbe reactor system can be continuously fed with C2-C5 carboxylic acid to maintain the initial formulation for a continuous process. Electrical energy is stored by converting the carboxylic acid to hydrocarbon fuel and hydrogen, and is recovered by combustion of the hydrocarbon fuel and hydrogen, and or conversion in a hydrogen fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventors: James P. O′Malley, Donald Montgomery
  • Patent number: 10995794
    Abstract: A device for injecting a fluid into a mechanical system that may undergo heating, comprising at least one body containing a thermally triggered charge generating combustion gas, ignition of the charge being able to be triggered under the action of an ignition command and/or under the effect of a heat contribution, from a heating area of the body toward the charge, a reservoir containing the fluid, means for fastening the device to the mechanical system, the fastening means adapted to put the reservoir in fluid communication with the mechanical system, and means for delivering pressurized fluid outside the reservoir through the action, directly or through intermediate means, of the combustion gases. Within the device, the fastening means comprise at least one injection sleeve provided with an outer thread coated with an anti-loosening adhesive film. The invention also relates to a mechanical system equipped with at least one such device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: SKF AEROENGINE FRANCE
    Inventor: Hervé Carrerot
  • Patent number: 10371685
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are presented for monitoring a concentration of a specific halogen in a body of water such as a spa or bathing unit for example. The apparatus comprises a housing in which is positioned an optical absorption analyzer for making first and second measurement of transmission of ultraviolet light from a light source emitting light at a specific wavelength. The second and first measurements are taken respectively before and after the ultraviolet light has travelled through a sample of water and are used to derive a concentration of the specific halogen. The derived concentration may then be communicated to a user using a display device and/or may be used to control operational components of a bathing unit for adjusting the concentration of halogen in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: GECKO ALLIANCE GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Benoit Laflamme, André Villemaire, Jean-François Gravel, Serge Caron
  • Patent number: 10329675
    Abstract: The invention concerns an electrochemical reactor or modular unit designed to obtain a pure gas mixture of hydrogen and oxygen through the water electrolysis process. The electrochemical reactor includes a containment cabinet that is defined by four walls which form a prismatic cube with a base, and it is open at its upper surface. Within it, a number of conductive or semi-conductive plates are housed in parallel and insulated from each other, connecting all the cells by means of soldered electric connection, located at the ends of the cube, as well as other devices used for the dehumidification of gas and the refrigeration of condensed water. Its internal configuration is designed to allow for easy replenishment of water, while maintaining the isolation of the cells during operation. The abovementioned electrolysis occurs inside the cube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventor: Luis Alfonso Delgado Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8974646
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a portable hydrogen-rich water generator that includes a separable drinking cup, an electrolytic cell which includes an anode, a cathode, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, etc. and is disposed at the bottom of the drinking cup, a reservoir base on which the drinking cup is mounted and in which an anode reaction of the electrolytic cell is generated, a float valve which allows water to be continuously supplied at a certain water level from a water tank, and a power supply to apply direct current power to the electrolytic cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventors: Inchol Park, Ilbong Kim
  • Patent number: 8926804
    Abstract: A fluid container with an output of drinkable activated and vitalized fluids, preferably activated and vitalized water, preferably for fluid intake, includes a hollow body with an opening for filling fitted with a connector connecting an openable cap. An outlet for the bottle is provided for dispensing the fluid. The outlet is fitted with a galvanic processing device for galvanic fluid treatment of the fluid and to produce a swirling motion of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventors: Franti{hacek over (s)}ek Pancurák, Ladislav Jurec
  • Publication number: 20150001066
    Abstract: A wipe for anti-microbial disinfecting includes a flexible substrate and an anti-microbial ion source integrated on the substrate. The flexible substrate is made entirely or in part of woven fiber cloth, non-woven fiber cloth, woven synthetic cloth, non-woven synthetic cloth, or natural fiber cloth. The anti-microbial ion source is configured to dissolve in an aqueous solution to form an anti-microbial solution. The flexible substrate is configured to absorb the anti-microbial solution for use in cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Ashok V. Joshi
  • Patent number: 8702915
    Abstract: Small, autonomous, low cost electrochemical gas generators containing an electrochemical cell assembly, a commercially available battery and a current controlling mechanism. Current control, which defines the gas generation rate, is achieved either electronically by means of a resistor or through mass transfer control by means of a gas permeable film of known permeability. In either case, the gas generation rates are generally from 0.1 to 10 cc/day. The gas source must contain an electrochemically active gas such as oxygen or hydrogen. Air is the preferred source for oxygen. These miniature gas generators, generally are less than 1.5 cm in diameter and length, require novel, compact, electrochemical cell assemblies. Various cell assemblies, generally 1 cm in diameter and less than 0.5 mm thick, are described. These miniature gas generators are used for the controlled release of fluids such as pheromones, fragrances, insect repellents, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: M & R Consulting Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Henri Maget
  • Patent number: 8529737
    Abstract: The portable device of the present invention for regulating the hardness of drinking water includes a collapsible electrode group (20) including ion-adsorbing electrodes (21) and (22) and a power supply (13) for applying a voltage between the ion-adsorbing electrode (21) and the ion-adsorbing electrode (22). The first ion-adsorbing electrode (21) includes a first electrically conductive material capable of adsorbing ions. The second ion-adsorbing electrode includes a second electrically conductive material capable of adsorbing ions. In an example, a voltage is applied between the first ion-adsorbing electrode (21) and the second ion-adsorbing electrode (22), with the first and second ion-adsorbing electrodes (21) and (22) being immersed in the drinking water (25). The applied voltage regulates the amount of ions adsorbed on the first and second electrically conductive materials, and thereby the hardness of the drinking water is regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Tanah Process Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Tanahashi, Masakazu Tanahashi, Takanori Nakano
  • Publication number: 20130175161
    Abstract: A fluorine gas manufacturing plant wherein F2 is manufactured by the electrolysis of KF/HF compositions. The plant comprises skid modules for: HF storage, the electrolytic cells, storage and purification of the manufactured F2 raw gas, for fluorine gas delivery including a single buffer tank or multiple storage units, scrubbers to provide purified waste gas, for providing cooling water circuits, analysis, electrical rectifiers, an electrical sub-station with transformers and emergency supply, and for utilities including a control room with laboratory and a rest room for the personnel. The advantage of the skids is that they can be separately manufactured in workshops, tested, transported to the facility and assembled there. A great advantage is the safety aspect, a reliable F2 production for 24 hours and 7 days a week of high purity F2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: SOLVAY SA
    Inventors: Philippe Morelle, Oliviero Diana, Peter M. Predikant, Joachim Lange, Holger Pernice, Francis Feys, Alain Fobelets, Maurizio Paganin
  • Patent number: 8419909
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for storing foodstuff comprising: a container for accommodating water and the foodstuff; at least one electrode unit having a negative electrode within the container and a positive electrode therewithin facing the negative electrode; and a power supplier for supplying electric power to the electrode unit, thereby inducing electrolysis between the negative electrode and the positive electrode set apart from each other so as to generate oxidants, and removing bacilli of decaying foodstuff by the oxidants, and thus, maintaining the freshness of foodstuff for a long time without freezing or refrigeration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Chil-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 8382964
    Abstract: A solar-powered pool skimmer is disclosed. The solar-powered skimmer may include lid having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a solar cell affixed to the upper surface of the lid. A pair of electrodes is electrically affixed to the terminals of the solar cell, and is each capable of being stored in a retracted position and moved to an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Kevin Boedecker
  • Publication number: 20130001071
    Abstract: A drop-in cell for the electrolytic purification of water, for example bathwater or service water, with an electrolysis cell that can carry a flow of water, is built into an oblong, e.g., cylindrical, electrically insulating sheath or jacket, and has two contact electrodes mutually positioned a distance apart from each other. A float is situated at least at the one end region of the jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Robert HERMANN, Michael SCHELCH, Wolfgang STABER, Wolfgang WESNER
  • Patent number: 8337690
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of an electrochemically activated liquid. The ORP is reduced by emitting ions from an ion generator into the electrochemically activated liquid, wherein the ions have a charge polarity that is opposite to the ORP of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventor: Bruce F. Field
  • Patent number: 8333873
    Abstract: A method for killing microorganisms in water, by passing an aqueous feed solution comprising of water containing some form of halide salt into a non-membrane electrolysis cell comprising an anode and a cathode, adjacent to the anode, while flowing electrical current between the anode and the cathode to electrolyze the aqueous feed solution and convert the halide salt to anti-microbial mixed oxidants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Pur Water Purification Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Elmen Tremblay, Daniel F. Nesbitt, Dimitris Ioannis Collias, Michael Donovan Mitchell, Craig Merillat Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8323462
    Abstract: A device for adjustment of the pH of a target liquid includes a working electrode (10), an electrolyte chamber (16) which holds an electrolyte (14), a counter electrode (12) in electrical contact with the electrolyte, a junction (18) which spaces the electrolyte from a target liquid (20) when the working electrode is in contact therewith, and a source of current (22), for supplying current to the working electrode for electrolysis of water at the working electrode, whereby the pH of the target solution is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
    Inventors: Miklos Gratzl, Gautam Nithyanand Shetty
  • Patent number: 8319654
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided, which includes an electrolysis cell, a liquid flow path that passes through the electrolysis cell, and an indicator light. The indicator light is illuminated as a function of an operating characteristic of the electrolysis cell and luminous flux radiated from the light illuminates liquid along at least a portion of the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Bruce F. Field, Todd R. Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 8282795
    Abstract: The torch with integrated electrolytic action for the surface treatment of metals, comprises a peak-paddle (2) connected with the unipolar electric current supply (7, 16) from an external apparatus, the other pole being connected with the metal surface being treated, and has the electrolytic solution used, for the specific treatment, arranged in a tank (6, 21) connected to said torch to supply said peak-paddle through channels inside said torch; the electrolytic solution being put under pressure in the delivery direction through a dosaging device of said solution controlled by the user. Different embodiments are described with manually actuated pumps and/or rigid or flexible tanks for spraying by the user. The tank (6, 21) is advantageously made removable, to allow the replacement of the electrolytic solution and to change the type of work to be carried out on the metallic surface in a quick and clean manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: EDK Research AG
    Inventors: Michele Lapelosa, Stefano Muratori
  • Patent number: 8163142
    Abstract: A hydrogen system for internal combustion engines, comprising a housing assembly having at least three internal chambers divided by at least two dividing plates. The two dividing plates include a lower dividing plate and an upper dividing plate. Each comprises a plurality of through holes to allow aqueous solution to flow and circulate through the three internal chambers. A hydrogen generator is mounted onto the housing assembly at a predetermined angle. The hydrogen generator comprises a first predetermined number of negative charged plates, a second predetermined number of neutral plates, and a third predetermined number of positive charged plates. The hydrogen generator generates oxygen and hydrogen gas for use in an internal combustion engine to improve combustion efficiency and to decrease emissions. The hydrogen generator serves as an electrolysis cell to generate the oxygen and hydrogen gas with electric current from a power source being passed through the aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Giulio Stama
  • Patent number: 8142624
    Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing method of normal saline solution and cleansing apparatus for contact lens, more particularly, a cleansing apparatus for contact lens comprising: a lens receiver for accommodating lenses, at least one electrode unit including a negative electrode and a positive electrode which set apart from the negative electrode each other, a power supply for supplying electric current to the negative electrode and the positive electrode, thereby effectively disinfecting and sterilizing viruses and bacteria and to remove foreign substances within the short time and protein on contact lenses in the lens receiver by oxidants generated by electrolysis in the electrode unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Chil-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 8137514
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing sterilized water, spraying apparatus thereof and capsule containing salt using therein, more particularly, comprises a container having a water receiver for accommodating water; at least one negative electrode having at least one negative electrode projection formed thereon in the water receiver; at least one positive electrode having at least one positive electrode projection formed thereon arranged to face the negative electrode projection in the water receiver; and a power supply for supplying electric current to the negative electrode and the positive electrode, thereby promptly manufacturing a large amount of sterilized water within a short time, and thus, enabling users to use for disinfecting and sterilization the fresh sterilized water immediately after directly manufacturing the sterilized water without having aseptic to injured area or the inside of a nose for rhinitis' patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Chil-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 8012339
    Abstract: A hand-held spray apparatus is provided, which includes a tank for holding a supply of liquid to be treated and a functional generator carried by the hand-held spray apparatus. The functional generator receives the liquid from the tank and has an anode chamber and a cathode chamber separated by an ion exchange membrane and electrochemically activates the liquid that is passed through the functional generator. A spray output is coupled to an output of the functional generator and dispenses the electrochemically activated liquid as an output spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventor: Bruce F. Field
  • Publication number: 20110147203
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drop-in cell for disinfection of water from bathing pools, particularly whirlpools, with an electrolytic cell (10) which can be flowed through by water and has two contact electrodes (1, 2), which are positioned in parallel and spaced apart from each other, and preferably at least one bipolar diamond particle electrode (3), which is arranged between the contact electrodes (1, 2) at a distance from them. The electrodes (1, 2, 3) are joined together by spacers (4) located between them to form an elongate, approximately cuboidal electrode pack, which is embedded in a casing (6) of plastic or synthetic resin while leaving an inflow and an outflow free. The user/customer is therefore provided with a drop-in cell which can be positioned in the circuit of the pool water or in the whirlpool and can be “installed” or, as and when required, removed and/or replaced without any problem by the user/customer himself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Robert HERMANN, Michael SCHELCH, Wolfgang STABER, Wolfgang WESNER
  • Patent number: 7959785
    Abstract: A hand-held spray apparatus is provided, which includes a tank for holding a supply of liquid to be treated and a functional generator carried by the hand-held spray apparatus. The functional generator receives the liquid from the tank and has an anode chamber and a cathode chamber separated by an ion exchange membrane and electrochemically activates the liquid that is passed through the functional generator. A spray output is coupled to an output of the functional generator and dispenses the electrochemically activated liquid as an output spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventor: Bruce F. Field
  • Patent number: 7914662
    Abstract: A portable apparatus for treating polluted water by electrocoagulation. The apparatus comprising at least two electrodes (1,2). The apparatus also includes a housing (4), electrically isolated from the at least two electrodes (1,2), to which the at least two electrodes (1,2) are fixed spaced apart from one another. When the at least two second electrodes (1,2) are at least partly submerged in the polluted water and provided with an electrical potential, one of the at least two electrodes (2) is sacrificial so as to provide ions to the polluted water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventor: Vivian Noel Edward Robinson
  • Patent number: 7824537
    Abstract: An electrochemical device including: (a) a semiconductor layer, wherein the semiconductor is silicon or silicon carbide, and where the layer has a thickness from 1 to 1000 ?m; (b) a TiO2 layer on the semiconductor layer, where the layer may include an alkaline earth oxide MO up to an amount where the layer is MtiO3, and where the layer has a thickness from 5 nm to 1 mm; (c) a grid of inert metal on the TiO2 layer, arranged so as to be able to apply a electric field across the TiO2 layer; and (d) an ohmic contact on the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Gen-X Power Corp
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Christensen, Nicholas George Wright, Terrence Arthur Egerton
  • Patent number: 7785451
    Abstract: The fast and convenient usage of clean and pure oxygen supply devices will meet the requirements of medical application and special environment safety issues. The electrochemical oxygen concentration is a device by using an electrochemical reactor of one electrode of oxygen reduction and another electrode of oxygen generation. The operation of electrochemical reactor can achieve the easy control of air oxygen from one side to another side of this thin mask structure and the materials, design and engineering of this electrochemical oxygen concentration is workable for medical application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Chang Gung University
    Inventors: Shioujenq Andrew Lin, Yingjeng James Li
  • Patent number: 7767066
    Abstract: An electrochemical reactor and process for electrolyzing a substance to change at least a portion of the substance from a first state to a second state. The reactor comprises a tubular body having a first end portion defining an opening and a second end portion defining an electrolysis chamber. The electrolysis chamber includes a well adapted to hold the substance and at least two electrodes for electrolyzing the substance in the well. The volume of the well is less than about 3 milliliters. The reactor further comprises a coupling for releasably and sealingly connecting the reactor body to an auxiliary device body. The coupling is adapted to provide a vacuum tight seal between the reactor body and the auxiliary device and to allow the reactor body to rotate about an axis of rotation independent of the auxiliary device while the reactor body is sealingly connected to the auxiliary device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventors: Michael A. May, John E. Kuo
  • Publication number: 20100147700
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided. The method includes for example, treating a liquid in an apparatus to increase suspension properties of the liquid and dispensing the treated liquid from the apparatus to a surface or volume of space so as to create an electrically conductive path by the treated liquid from the apparatus to the surface or volume of space. During the step of dispensing, an alternating electric field is generated from the apparatus to the surface or volume of space, through the liquid along the conductive path, wherein the electric field is sufficient to destroy at least one microorganism from the surface or in the volume of space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: TENNANT COMPANY
    Inventors: Bruce F. Field, Thomas R. Denison
  • Patent number: 7658823
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical gas generator including a substrate for providing a surface for electrode deposition, a first electrode deposited on the surface for providing an electrical connection with a conducting medium, a second electrode deposited on the substrate for generating a gas, and a plurality of members extending from at least one side of the first electrode placed alternately with a plurality of extensions protruding from at least one side of the second electrode for improving generator efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: PerkinElmer LAS, Inc.
    Inventors: Avinash Dalmia, Otto J. Prohaska
  • Publication number: 20090308758
    Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing method of normal saline solution and cleansing apparatus for contact lens, more particularly, a cleansing apparatus for contact lens comprising: a lens receiver for accommodating lenses, at least one electrode unit including a negative electrode and a positive electrode which set apart from the negative electrode each other, a power supply for supplying electric current to the negative electrode and the positive electrode, thereby effectively disinfecting and sterilizing viruses and bacteria and to remove foreign substances within the short time and protein on contact lenses in the lens receiver by oxidants generated by electrolysis in the electrode unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Chil-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 7632338
    Abstract: A fuel stabilization unit includes an electrochemical device for promoting the formation of water utilizing oxygen from a fuel stream for generating an oxygen partial pressure differential across an oxygen permeable membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Ned E. Cipollini
  • Publication number: 20090205972
    Abstract: An electrolytic device and method for generating a disinfecting solution that utilizes an electrical circuit and storage battery. The electrical circuit preferably conditions the power received from a variety of power sources to charge the storage battery and conditions the power stored in the storage battery to provide the appropriate power to maximize the disinfection efficacy of the disinfecting solution. The device may incorporate one or more other devices such as an LED, an electrical power takeoff, a clock, a compass, a transmitter device, a receiver device, a position locating device, a direction indicating device, and/or a camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Kuhlmann, Dan Matthews, Justin Sanchez, Rodney E. Herrington
  • Patent number: 7544277
    Abstract: Sensors for the electro-chemical analysis of samples and methods for the manufacturing of sensors allow for more efficient manufacture and use of electro-chemical sensors. Flexible sheets, such as polycarbonate sheets, are used to easily manufacture sensor components, with sensor chemistry being applied to the sensor components at manufacture. Sensors may be manufactured with modular components, enabling easy production-line manufacture and construction of electro-chemical sensors with significant cost savings and increased efficiency over existing sensor styles and sensor manufacturing techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Bayer Healthcare, LLC
    Inventor: Frank W. Wogoman
  • Patent number: 7504015
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for producing elementary oxygen or for increasing the concentration thereof in the inhaled air of a user. According to the invention, water is split into hydrogen and elementary oxygen by means of electrical energy (electrolysis), the elementary oxygen is mixed with the inhaled air, and the hydrogen is mixed with the surrounding air in order to be converted back into water (fuel reaction). The splitting of the water into hydrogen and elementary oxygen and the conversion of the hydrogen and surrounding air into water take place simultaneously and continuously, forming a reaction circuit, and are coupled to each other, the electrical energy produced during the conversion being used to reduce the energy demand for the splitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Hecker, Stefan Fiedler, Rudolf Schinagl
  • Publication number: 20080210552
    Abstract: The present invention describes four preferred embodiments of an apparatus aimed to the production of a dilute solution of sodium hypochlorite. It uses the process of the electrolysis of a dilute solution of sodium chloride in water by means of two metallic electrodes immersed in the solution. The electricity needed may be delivered by a range of sources like disposable cells (alkaline), rechargeable batteries, photovoltaic modules (PVM) or electromechanical generators, like alternators or dynamos, moved by human power. All the apparatus described operate in batch mode. They are small lightweight portable units, easily transportable anywhere, in remote areas or emergency situations where chemicals or electricity is not available. Main use is the purification of drinking water, but also the production of sterilizing solutions for wound disinfection, washing etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventor: Giovanni Del Signore
  • Patent number: 7316857
    Abstract: A miniature, battery-like device is described for the generation of gases or as a power source or battery. The generation of carbon dioxide and hydrogen by electrochemical decomposition of an aqueous oxalic acid solution is detailed. One of the electrodes of the internally located electrochemical cell is in intimate contact with the cathode cap of the device, while the other electrode is under compression from an internal spring of variable length which is in electrical contact with the anode cap. The low-cost device is easy to fill and assemble. It can be used for the controlled release of small quantities of fluid, delivered at low flow rates for long periods of time, such as pheromones, fragrances, insecticides, pesticides. It can also be used as power source using liquid fuels such as methanol and ambient air as a source of oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Inventors: Steven T. Swanson, Henri J. R. Maget
  • Patent number: 7306725
    Abstract: A device for antibacterially treating, in particular decontaminating and/or sterilizing water and for killing microorganisms in water, which device is developed to work together with a container designed for holding a quantity of water intended for treatment, and has an electrode arrangement set up for pulsing the quantity of water in the container, the electrode arrangement being connectable to and operable with an electrical signal-generating device, and the device having a discoid housing, which is preferably provided in the container in detachable or removable form, and having the electrode arrangement on at least one flat outer side of the housing, and the electrical signal-generating device in the interior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: REV22AG
    Inventors: Ludwig Bartl, Andrew Cookson, Karel Stefka
  • Patent number: 7198694
    Abstract: An integrated tool and automatic calibration systems that enable wet chemical processing chambers, lift-rotate units and other hardware to be quickly interchanged without having to recalibrate the transport system or other components to the replacement items. These tools are expected to reduce the down time associated with repairing or maintaining processing chambers and/or lift-rotate units so that the tools can maintain a high throughput. Several aspects of these tools are particularly useful for applications that have stringent performance requirements because components are more likely to require maintenance more frequently, and reducing the down time associated with maintaining such components will significantly enhance the integrated tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Woodruff, Jeffry Alan Davis, Randy A. Harris, David P. Mattson, James J. Erickson, Matthew C. Egloff
  • Patent number: 7156962
    Abstract: There are provided an electrode for electrolysis which takes into consideration safety to human bodies and environmental pollution upon disposal of the electrode, produces ozone with high efficiency and has excellent durability, a production process of the electrode, and an active oxygen producing device using the electrode. In an electrode 5 for electrolysis which has an electrode catalyst at least on the surface and produces ozone or active oxygen in for-treatment water by electrolysis, the electrode catalyst contains a dielectric which constitutes more than 70% of the surface area of the electrode catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohito Koizumi, Naoki Hiro, Tsuyoshi Rakuma, Katsuhiko Mushiake, Masahiro Iseki, Hiroyuki Umezawa, Yurika Koizumi, Yasuhito Kondo
  • Patent number: 7008523
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for disinfecting or sanitizing a desired object. The apparatus includes a container for an aqueous solution; the container may be a spray bottle. The apparatus includes an electrolytic cell, containing an electrolyte, an electrical power source, a control circuit for providing an electric charge to the electrolyte to create an oxidant, and a fluid connection between the cell and container to permit introduction of the oxidant into the aqueous solution to create a disinfectant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: MIOX Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney E. Herrington
  • Patent number: 7005075
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrolytic cell that is completely sealed during the electrolysis operation during production of oxidant. Gasses generated within the electrolysis operation, primarily hydrogen that is liberated at the cathode surface, increase the pressure within the cell, and the gas pressure is ultimately utilized to expel the oxidant from the cell chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney E. Herrington, Gregg C. Mich, Kevin Schwarz
  • Patent number: 6942766
    Abstract: A chlorine generator cell (10) contains components that require physical isolation between the anode compartment (20), cathode compartment (30), and outside environment. The cell (10) also contains a membrane (50) that provides selective electrical conductivity between the anode compartment (20) and cathode compartment (30). The cell (10) consists of a series of pipe fittings that allow access to the interior of cell (10) for placement of water and salt to generate chlorine. The anode stem (71) and cathode stem (81) located outside of cell (10) are connected to a power supply (91). Power supply (91) may be further connected to a power controller (92) that allows for adjustment of the energy output of power supply (91) to the optimum energy level, thus the desired chlorine output. This invention provides a chlorine generator that is portable, yet is allows for expanded size with additional pipe fittings as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Chris Alan Lemke
  • Patent number: 6936142
    Abstract: A vessel for contacting a plurality of objects with a fluid. An upwardly directed stream of fluid and a portion of the objects are confined in a conduit such that the fluid stream causes the objects to flow upward from a moving bed thereof to a disengaging position from where they fall onto a distribution shield and move downward to a feed position. The vessel may be used for treating electrically conductive objects wherein the fluid is an electrolyte, an electrode is positioned to contact the moving bed, and a counterelectrode is positioned in spaced relation to the moving bed. The vessel may be fixed or portable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Inventors: George Hradil, Edward Hradil
  • Patent number: 6843895
    Abstract: A portable device for the electrochemical processing of liquids which comprises a dielectric casing with cylindrical and coaxially aligned electrodes and an inter-electrode diaphragm partitioning the inter-electrode space into an anode and a cathode chamber, and current lead-ins. The cylindrical diaphragm made of ceramics on the basis of aluminum and zirconium oxides is installed coaxially to the electrodes. The electrodes and diaphragm are tightly fixed to make up an electrode-diaphragm unit whose anode and cathode chambers have elements for inputting and outputting liquids being processed, and the electrode-diaphragm unit itself is tightly fixed within the casing. The casing has ports in which hydraulic connector and an electric connector are tightly installed. Quick-disconnect hydraulic connections are connected on the casing's inner surface with the input and output elements of the electrode-diaphragm unit's anode and cathode chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Electro-Chemical Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Vitold M. Bakir, Svetlana A. Panicheva, Yuri G. Zadorozhni
  • Patent number: 6824656
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical gas generator including a substrate for providing a surface for electrode deposition, a first electrode deposited on the surface for providing an electrical connection with a conducting medium, a second electrode deposited on the substrate for generating a gas, and a plurality of members extending from at least one side of the first electrode placed alternately with a plurality of extensions protruding from at least one side of the second electrode for improving generator efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: PerkinElmer Instruments LLC
    Inventors: Avinash Dalmia, Otto J. Prohaska
  • Patent number: 6800181
    Abstract: A device for cleaning jewelry and the like has a housing with an electro-cleaning part and a steam cleaning part. A cleaning bath tank is made of an electrically conductive material. The tank is supported in the electro-cleaning part and can be connected to an electric potential and filled with a conductive fluid that cleans more effectively when heated. The jewelry cleaning device also has an electrical conductor extending into the tank, one that is electrically insulated from the tank and can be connected to an electric potential. There can be placed into the tank an insert with a support surface and conductive engagement means supported so that jewelry engages in an electrically conductive way with the insert. The insert is placed to avoid direct electrical contact between the engagement means and the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Inventor: Carlo L. Accattato
  • Publication number: 20040178061
    Abstract: A device for cleaning jewelry and the like is disclosed, having a housing with an electro-cleaning portion and a steam cleaning portion, and a cleaning bath tank formed of an electrically conductive material. The tank is supported within the electro-cleaning portion of the housing and is connectable to an electric potential and fillable with a conductive fluid that exhibits enhanced cleaning properties when heated. The jewelry cleaning device also has an electrical conductor that extends into the interior of the tank. The electrical conductor is electrically insulated from the tank and connectable to an electric potential. Further, the device has an insert positionable in the tank, and this insert includes a support surface, and a conductive engagement means supported by the insert, for electrical conductive engagement with jewelry to be cleaned. The insert is positioned to avoid direct electrical contact between the conductive engagement means and the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Carlo L. Accattato
  • Patent number: 6736966
    Abstract: A portable oxidant generator for generating a chlorine or chlor-oxygen solution suitable for sterilizing contaminated drinking water, thereby providing a water disinfection system and potable water. The oxidant generator includes an electrolytic chamber and a power supply or source. The chamber holds a salt brine solution such that the solution is in contact with an anode and cathode included in the chamber. The power supply provides electrical charge that is passed between the anode and cathode through the salt brine solution. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a combination manual pump/switch is activated and injects electrolyte into the cell chamber and electrolyzes the solution. In one embodiment, as electrolysis proceeds, hydrogen gas is liberated and causes a gas pressure within the cell chamber thereby forcing the freshly generated oxidant solution from the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney E. Herrington, Frank Hand
  • Patent number: 6632336
    Abstract: A portable acidic water atomizer includes a casing; a source liquid tank provided within the casing; an electrolytic bath, for electrolyzing the supplied source liquid into acidic water and alkaline water; a pump for supplying source liquid within the source liquid tank to the electrolytic bath; an atomizing unit for spraying acidic water created in the electrolytic bath to outside of the casing; a waste liquid pipe, connecting the electrolyte bath and the waste liquid tank, for drawing alkaline liquid created by the electrolytic bath to a waste liquid tank; a control unit for controlling operation of the atomizing unit, the electrolytic bath, and the pump; and a power supply for driving the pump, electrolytic bath, atomizing unit and control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Mikuni Corporation
    Inventor: Shoji Kasuya