With Control Means Responsive To Sensed Condition Patents (Class 204/661)
  • Publication number: 20100326831
    Abstract: Electrostatic filters, systems and methods having separate positively and negatively charged filter elements within electrically isolated filter tanks for electrostatically filtering particles from a fluid flow. Both positive charged connections biased to earth ground and negative charged connections biased to earth ground are made to the respective positive and negative charged filter elements, along with triboelectric induced charge accumulations from the fluid flow, for separating charged particles within the fluid flowing parallel through these oppositely charged filter elements. Variable resistors of a power supply connected to such filters, systems and methods provide for controlling and adjusting for any undesired voltage excesses and/or shortfalls within these filter tanks so that the fluid flowing exiting these filter tanks is unbiased to generate a filtered fluid having balanced electrostatic charges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Gerald L. Munson, David M. Butler, Daniel P. McCormick
  • Patent number: 7846340
    Abstract: A water treatment system provides treated or softened water to a point of use by removing a portion of any hardness-causing species contained in water from a point of entry coming from a water source, such as municipal water, well water, brackish water and water containing foulants. The water treatment system typically treats the water containing at least some undesirable species before delivering the treated water to a point of use. The water treatment system has a reservoir system in line with an electrochemical device. The electrochemical device of the water treatment system is operated at a low current and low flow rate to minimize water splitting or polarization, which minimizes scale formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Evgeniya Freydina, Anil D. Jha, Frederick Wilkins, Aytac Sezgi, Reshma Madhusudan
  • Patent number: 7837849
    Abstract: A method of removing particulate solids from an oil based drilling or completion fluid is disclosed. The method involves exposing the fluid to an electric field to electrically migrate particulate solids suspended therein, and collecting the migrated particulate solids to remove them from the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventors: Michelle Bridget Carrier, Gerald Henry Meeten
  • Patent number: 7799197
    Abstract: A nanopump for pumping small volumes of electrolyte solution under the control of a voltage source is described. The device includes a chamber and a nanopore membrane which partitions the chamber into upstream and downstream regions. When a voltage potential is applied across the membrane, electroosmotic flow through the membrane channels produces a precise-volume flow between the two chamber regions. A method for precise-volume pumping employing the nanopump and a nanopump device for determining the lengths of nucleic acid fragments in an electrolyte solution of different-length fragments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: The Ohio State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Derek J. Hansford, Robbie J. Walczak, Anthony A. Boiarski
  • Publication number: 20100147690
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing an oxygenated fluid. In accordance with various embodiments, a flow of pressurized fluid is established. A flow of oxygen is injected into the flow of pressurized fluid to provide a fluid/oxygen mixture. The mixture is passed through a venturi assembly in the presence of a magnetic field established by an adjacent magnetic assembly. The mixture is next flowed from the venturi assembly to a gas/liquid separation tank, where a liquid component of the mixture is passed downstream with a selected dissolved oxygen content and a gas component is directed back for injection into the pressurized fluid flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: GEIR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tore Audunson, Earl Meyer, Geir O. Eriksen
  • Publication number: 20100101957
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising at least vessel (2) for stocking conductive liquid (1) containing impurities; electromagnetic force generator (3) for generating electromagnetic force (F) capable of circulating the conductive liquid (1) in the conductive liquid (1); and discharging unit (4) for discharging nonmetallic impurities and deemed nonmetallic impurities (21a,21b) accumulated in low-pressure region (1a) by a pressure difference in conductive liquid (1) induced by the electromagnetic force (F), so that by the electromagnetic force (F), any nonmetallic impurities (21a) and deemed nonmetallic impurities (21b) are driven to the low-pressure region (1a), for example, liquid surface and separated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Hideo Araseki
  • Publication number: 20100051463
    Abstract: Water treatment, reconditioning, and reclamation systems and methods are described. The systems utilize two treatment vectors. The first treatment vector is created by flowing electrical current through a first conductive rod. The second treatment vector is created by delivering a magnetic pulse by way of a second conductive rod. Water to be treated is exposed to the two vectors simultaneously, which is accomplished by creating relative motion between the conductive rods and the water, either by moving the conductive rods or by moving the water. The electric current of the first treatment vector and the voltage and frequency of the magnetic pulse of the second treatment vector may be reduced as the treatment process proceeds. During treatment, total dissolved solids (TDS) rise and congeal at the top of the water. The congealed TDS are removed from the water. An additional filtering process may be applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Andre Kostrzewa
  • Publication number: 20100043703
    Abstract: The invention concerns an electric separation unit (28) for a liquid supply pipe (12), in particular for a supply pipe used for paint. Said unit comprises a housing (30) having a chamber (34), wherein a discharge sheath (44) is arranged. The latter forms part of a fluid channel, which extends from the inlet (52) to the outlet (54) of the housing (30). The liquid contained in the sheath can be discharged by pressurizing the outer part of the discharge sheath (44) and compressing said sheath, an isolating passageway not containing any liquid passage being thus obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Jan Reichler
  • Patent number: 7662268
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for measuring the zeta potential at the cylinder's outer surface. In the measuring cell, the cylinder is held coaxially inside a reference tube and a given solution is forced to flow through the annular flow channel between the cylinder and the reference tube. The streaming potential induced by the flow forced with a hydraulic pressure drop is measured to determine the zeta potential, ?m, of the cylinder's outer surface by using the following Equation, E _ ? ? ? P == - D ? ? ? k ? ( ? m + ? ref 2 ) ? F where D is the permittivity, ?ref is the zeta potential of the reference tube, ? is the viscosity of the solution, k is the electric conductivity of the solution, and F is a correction factor for the electrokinetic model. Moreover, this invention also discloses a system for measuring the zeta potential of the cylinder's outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Chung Yuan Christian University
    Inventor: Ching-Jung Chuang
  • Publication number: 20090127119
    Abstract: An electrical system of an electrochemical purification apparatus is presented. The system includes a plurality of electrodes for deionizing fluids passing through the electrodes, a power supply connected to the electrodes, the power supply providing power to the electrodes while maintaining a predetermined current, a predetermined voltage, or a power within some range, a programmable logic controller, connected to the power supply, for controlling the power supply, and a monitoring device connected to the programmable logic controller for delivering data regarding the system to the programmable logic controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: THE WATER COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Ward Witte, Brian C. Large, Michael Andrew Lawler, James R. Fajt
  • Patent number: 7524423
    Abstract: A method and system of generating a ringing magnetic pulse for the treatment of flowing liquids include's a coil and an SCR coupled in series with the coil to form a first loop. An electronic switch is coupled in series with the coil to form a second loop. An AC voltage signal is applied to the coil having first and second half-cycles. Current is conducted through the first loop during the first half-cycle when the SCR is forward biased while preventing current from conducting through the second loop. Current is conducted through the second loop during a portion of the second half-cycle while current is prevented from conducting through the first loop. Current is interrupted through the second loop during another portion of the second half-cycle upon the coil current reaching a predetermined value to interrupt current flowing through the coil, thereby generating a ringing magnetic pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Clearwater Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Wittmer, Walter F. J. Crewson
  • Patent number: 7524424
    Abstract: A fluid is treated by coil assembly close to the fluid. An AC power is provided to the coil assembly. Current is conducted from the AC source in a first loop including a first switch during at least a portion of a first half-cycle of the AC power source. The first switch is opened during a second half-cycle and a subroutine of producing a first ringing pulse in the coil assembly and a second and subsequent ringing pulse is performed. The second pulse may be produced after or before the preceding pulse substantially decays. An apparatus for the method includes a controller configured to close the first switch and open the second switch during the first half-cycle and to perform the subroutine of closing and then opening the second switch during the second half-cycle to produce at least one ringing pulse of current in the coil assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Clearwater Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Wittmer, Walter F. J. Crewson
  • Patent number: 7524413
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a fluid to destroy, remove, or reduce undesirable agents, such as microorganisms, particles or ions, contained in the fluid and/or to inhibit the formation of scale are disclosed. The invention includes an apparatus for treating a fluid to destroy, remove, or reduce undesirable agents, such as microorganisms, particles, or ions, contained in the fluid and/or to inhibit the formation of scale. The apparatus can include an open fluid directional means or conduit. The preferred open fluid directional means is a conduit manufactured of resilient, corrosion-resistant material. The apparatus is attached to a power source and has a controller means. The controller means is desirably a microprocessor and can include a switching means for regulating the current to the apparatus. However, simpler circuits and components can be used for the controller means. The apparatus includes a field generating means. The field generating means forms a treatment field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Clearwater Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Wittmer, Walter F. J. Crewson, John W. Lane
  • Publication number: 20090065360
    Abstract: Systems and methods for separating charged molecules on the basis of their differential electrostatic binding to a charged stationary phase comprise controlling the creation of simultaneous independent or dependent pH and additive gradients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Latchezar I. Tsonev, Allen G. Hirsh
  • Publication number: 20080302663
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrostatic fluid filtration system suitable for removing sub micron insoluble contaminants known to cause varnish from fluids such as dielectric fluids. The electrostatic fluid filtration system is configured to remove both water and other contaminants from a target fluid (e.g. a dielectric fluid) and comprises a cabinet, a computer control unit, and one or more substantially cylindrical filtration units, including at least one of a water filtration unit and an electrostatic contaminant filtration unit. In the contaminant filtration unit, the target fluid flows radially through the filtration media that is positioned between the electrode plates in a generally horizontal flow pattern. This forces the target fluid to traverse multiple energy fields in a serpentine fashion and in a single pass through the contaminant filtration unit. After flowing through each layer of the filtration media, the target fluid is discharged from the electrostatic contaminant filtration unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventor: Paul Jarvis
  • Publication number: 20080173327
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus has a two-fluid nozzle having an inner cylindrical member and an outer cylindrical member. Gas flows in the inner cylindrical member which is a gas passage and the processing liquid downwardly flows in a processing liquid passage constituted of the inner and outer cylindrical members. The gas and the processing liquid are mixed in a mixing area below the inner cylindrical member to generate fine droplets, and the droplets are ejected from an outlet of a lower end of the outer cylindrical member onto a substrate. Charge is induced on the processing liquid by generating an electric potential difference between a first electrode provided in the gas passage and a second electrode provided in the processing liquid passage, to generate charged droplets. In the nozzle, the first electrode is isolated from the processing liquid with a simple construction, and the droplets can be charged efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Masahiro Miyagi
  • Patent number: 7402239
    Abstract: A water purification apparatus, comprising a water pump, wherein the water pump inlet port receives water from an external source, a nonreturn valve in fluid communication with the water pump outlet port, and an ionizer chamber in fluid communication with the nonreturn valve output end, wherein the ionizer chamber doses a bacteriacide into water contained in the ionizer chamber. The apparatus also includes a filter, wherein the input end of the filter is in fluid communication with the output end of the ionizer chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Ionics Perpetual, Inc.
    Inventor: William Donald Charles Dorward
  • Publication number: 20080149485
    Abstract: A system and process for de-halogenating ballast water before releasing the ballast water from the vessel. In one embodiment, the system comprises a means for measuring the halogen content of the ballast water, a reducing agent source in fluid communication with the ballast water, and a means for controlling the amount of reducing agent supplied to the ballast water. In one aspect, the means for measuring the halogen content comprises one or more oxidation/reduction potential analyzers. In another embodiment, the system comprises one or more hypochlorite electrolytic cells for generating hypochlorite to treat the ballast water. One embodiment of the process for de-halogenating ballast water comprises measuring the oxidation/reduction potential of the ballast water and adding one or more reducing agents to the ballast water to de-halogenate the ballast water in response to the measured oxidation/reduction potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Harold E. Childers, Randolto Fernandez, Rudolf C. Matousek, James B. Moore, David W. Hill
  • Publication number: 20080128283
    Abstract: A water purification apparatus (10) which includes at least one emitter (12) and a processor (14). The emitter (12) is for emitting an electromagnetic wave having a specific frequency through water (14), with the emitter (12) also being configured to propagate the emitted wave through water (14). The processor (16) is arranged in communication with the emitter (12) which processor (16) is configured to automatically regulate a frequency of the electromagnetic wave emitted by the emitter (12) so that the specific frequency or harmonic components of said wave is similar to a resonant frequency of a particular impurity typically found in water (14) in an attempt to destroy the impurity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Adriaan Hendrik Janse Van Rensburg
  • Publication number: 20080121525
    Abstract: A power controller for electric generation from renewable energy and consumption of said energy, where appropriate, to produce hydrogen. The controller improves overall system efficiency by controlling electricity generation over a wider range of conditions, and by controlling the electric conversion to that required by the hydrogen converter much more efficiently, than systems which consist of independent controllers. An overall systems controller which dynamically optimizes the complete system to maximize the available inputs, such as renewable and stored energy, while providing the maximum desired outputs, such as power, hydrogen and income, taking into account the ultimate capacity of components along with historical, current and predicted future data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: George J. Doland
  • Patent number: 7354509
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system comprising means of decontaminating wastewater; means of measuring control parameters of the wastewater; means for controlling said decontamination means; and a programmable logic controller. The user is able to receive control parameter data and control the various processes of the wastewater treatment system from a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Inventor: Ronald C Mehl
  • Patent number: 7288185
    Abstract: A magnetic energy wave device has a winding spiral pipe, a magnetic conductive metal layer, a hollow coil holder, and a circuit board. A magnetic switch is assembled at a water inlet of the winding spiral pipe. The magnetic conductive metal layer is sleeved outside the winding spiral pipe. The winding spiral pipe and the magnetic conductive metal layer are assembled in the hollow coil holder. A coil is wound around the hollow coil holder. The circuit board is connected to an external power source, and is electrically connected to the magnetic switch and the coil. When water passes through the water inlet, the magnetic switch connects the power source and the coil. The coil and the magnetic conductive metal layer therefore produce dynamic magnetic fields to magnetize fully water in the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventor: Chien-Ku Hung
  • Patent number: 7267762
    Abstract: A fluid treatment system for reducing odor, bacteria, and biological oxygen demand from a fluid having at least one tube, a control box, and a pump. The at least one tube has a plurality of conductors in electrical communication with the control box. The control box controls the level of electrical communication to the plurality of conductors and the flow rate of the pump. The principle use is for biomass material derived from animals, however other fluids will benefit from this invention. For example, fluids derived from plants and humans will benefit from this application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Elm Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jamel Bourazak, Larry Coleman
  • Patent number: 7264712
    Abstract: A fluid treatment system for reducing odor, bacteria, and biological oxygen demand from a fluid having at least one tube, a control box, and a pump. The at least one tube has a plurality of conductors in electrical communication with the control box. The control box controls the level of electrical communication to the plurality of conductors and the flow rate of the pump. The principle use is for biomass material derived from animals, however other fluids will benefit from this invention. For example, fluids derived from plants and humans will benefit from this application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Elm Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jamel Bourazak, Larry Coleman
  • Patent number: 7011750
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a water treatment device in which temperature does not affect performance in nitrogen removal. Water circulates in a first anaerobic filter bed chamber 5, a second anaerobic filter bed chamber 10, a contact aeration chamber 14, a sedimentation chamber 19, and an electrolytic chamber 59 for phosphorus removal. The supernatant in sedimentation chamber 19 flows into a disinfection chamber 21 and is then sent to an electrolytic chamber 100 for nitrogen removal. An electrode pair is provided inside electrolytic chamber 100. Halogen ions present in the water are oxidized on the anode side. After halogen gas is generated, this gas reacts with water and generates hypohalous acid. On the cathode side, the nitrogen components in the water are converted to nitrate ions, and these nitrate ions are further converted to ammonium ions. The hypohalous acid and ammonium ions react, and the nitrogen components are converted to nitrogen gas by way of chloramine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kitayama, Masaki Moriizumi, Jun Hirose
  • Patent number: 6860990
    Abstract: A device for anti-bacterial treatment in particular decontamination and/or sterilisation of water and for killing micro-organisms in water, with a container designed to hold a water quantity intended to be treated and an electrode arrangement which is designed to act on the water quantity in the container and which can be connected and operated with an electrical signal generating device provided outside the container, where the electrical signal generating device can be operated low voltage and is intended to generate an electrical alternating signal between electrodes of the electrode arrangement with a maximum amplitude <50 V and a signal frequency in the range between 1 and 5000 kHz, in particular 5 to 50 kHz, where the signal generating device has an adjustment device designed for automatic changing of a maximum amplitude, an amplitude stroke and/or a signal/pause ratio of the alternating signal as a function of conductance value of the water quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventors: Ludwig Bartl, Andrew Cookson, Karel Stefka
  • Patent number: 6773602
    Abstract: A device and a method for production of magnetized water by changing the arrangement of molecules of water takes advantage of the phenomenon that molecules of water form clusters and become enriched in a pulsating magnetic field. The device may include a chamber, for placing a container of purified water in, wound with coils of wire a predetermined number of rounds; a means of supplying power to convert originally supplied alternating current of electricity into pulsating direct current signals and impress them on said coils for induction of a pulsating magnetic field to said chamber; a means of cooling said chamber; a means of sensing changes in temperature of said coils; a means of measuring time to gauge the time of magnetization of said purified water; and a means of control to stop input of direct current pulsating signals when the time spent on magnetizing has reached a preset time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Life Magnetized Water Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Suk-Keun Lee
  • Patent number: 6712947
    Abstract: A purifying apparatus for purifying flowing water includes a negative electrode plate disposed on a flowing water bed and a positive electrode plate disposed at an upper face opposite to the negative electrode plate, wherein the positive electrode plate is adapted to be dipped below a water surface of the flowing water with floats being disposed at least at upstream and downstream end portions or opposing side portions of the positive electrode plate in a flowing direction of the flowing water. A structure is provided for positioning the positive electrode plate at a position opposite the negative electrode plate. Also, as necessary, a vertical-movement structure is provided to allow vertical movement of the positive electrode plate and of a gas collecting unit. The positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are provided with an electric field generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Maekawa, Kazuo Fujita
  • Patent number: 6706179
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a water magnetizer including a permeance member and a cooking recipient. The permeance member consists of two parallel disks spaced apart each other by a plurality of partitions located along the periphery of the disks, such that there is clearance between the two parallel disks. The permeance member is placed into the cooking recipient that is charged with water. Then, the cooling recipient is placed onto an electromagnetic heater. When the electromagnetic heater powers on, inner coils of the electromagnetic heater regularly vibrate at high frequency to change the direction of electric current and then induce a swirled magnetic field in the clearance. The water would be boiled by a lot of heat generated from electron movement in the induced magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Aquatech Lifesciences Inc.
    Inventor: Shiao-Chih Lin
  • Patent number: 6585867
    Abstract: In a production system of electrolyzed water A, alkaline water and acid water produced in a pair of electrode chambers 12, 23 of an electrolyzer 10 are discharged from discharge conduits 41, 42 through a flow passage changeover valve 50. The discharge conduits 41, 42 are provided at their outlet portions with manually operated faucets 43, 44 and 45, 46. Water flow sensors 81, 82 ate provided to be turned on and off in accordance with the flow of water supplied from a water supply conduit 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Asano
  • Patent number: 6582592
    Abstract: A system is provided for removing dissolved metals from industrial wastewater by electrocoagulation. The system includes an electrocoagulation reactor with a DC power supply having an insulation support enclosure with positive and negative electrode plates disposed thereon. The electrode plates are insulated for each other but remain in direct contact with the wastewater as it flows between the electrodes. The DC power supply induces opposite charges on alternate electrodes thereby generating an electric field between adjacent electrodes to cause the electrodes to ionize and go into solution for interaction with the contaminants in the wastewater as it flows through the reactor. The reactor is housed in a pressure vessel container so the exterior pressure on the reactor is higher than its internal pressure preventing leakage of fluids and oxygen and hydrogen gases produced in the reactor by decomposition of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Hydrotreat, Inc.
    Inventor: Johnny Arnaud
  • Patent number: 6524450
    Abstract: In a production system of electrolyzed water A having an electrolyzer provided with electrodes 14, 15, each pair of inlet conduits 21, 22 and outlet conduits 31, 32, a pair of discharge conduits 41, 42 provided with faucets 43, 44; 45, 46 respectively, a flow passage changeover valve 50, each pair of drain conduits 61, 62 and drain valves 71, 72, a pair of flow quantity sensors 81, 82 and an electric control device 100, the electrodes 14, 15 are supplied with an electric power in response to a detection signal applied from the flow quantity sensors 81, 82 when the faucets 43, 44 or 45, 46 were opened, and simultaneously the drain valve 71 or 72 on the drain conduit 61 or 62 in connection to the discharge conduit 42 or 41 the faucets maintained in a closed condition is is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuo Hara
  • Publication number: 20020029970
    Abstract: This invention relates to the enhancement of chemical reactions by applying a high frequency electric field to a material. The frequency and amplitude of the electric field are selected in accordance with the properties of the reacting components in the bulk of chemical reactor. In general, the high frequency range is determined by the dielectric properties of reactant(s), that is, at any given temperature, when, for example, the specific conductivity starts to grow from its low frequency value. Typically, frequencies in the range of 100 kHz to 200 MHz or greater are suitable for the enhancement of the reactions. An electric field of any shape having Fourier components that when applied to a chemical process exhibits growth in the real part of conductivity relative to the low frequency value is of particular importance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Alexander Joseph Babchin, Jian-Yang Yuan, Ezra Eddy Isaacs, Haibo Huang, Ross Sam Chow, Richard Anthony McFarlane, Dmytro Vassily Prudkyy
  • Patent number: 6325907
    Abstract: An energy efficient flow-through capacitor, particularly for the concentration and/or separation of seawater. The flow-through capacitor is successively charged and discharged prior to the cell voltage exceeding 1.5 volts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventor: Marc D. Andelman
  • Patent number: 6309519
    Abstract: A reactor for removing impurities from aqueous solutions, wherein the liquid is passed through series of plateshaped reaction electrodes. The reactor comprises one more interconnected units (A, B, C, D) with a series of plateshaped electrodes (1, 2) valves (8) and holes (5, 6) in the plates for redirecting the liquid flow into and through the series of reaction electrodes (1, 2). A control system consists of a number of sensors (9, 10, 11) at the liquid inlet (3) of the reactor for measuring the conductivity of the treated liquid, the organic contents of the liquid and the flow of the liquid, and the transferring the output commands from a processor (7) to valve (8) for redirecting the liquid flow and for activating or deactivating the electrode unit or units (A, B, C, D) in dependence on the measured parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Adept Technologies A/S
    Inventor: David Napper
  • Patent number: 6193878
    Abstract: A multi-modal system for modifying water structure in a solution to continuously affect the hydration forces acting on the constituents in the solution. The system includes a containment vessel defining a treatment environment and including a wall defining a fluid passage and a fluid inlet. The inlet is coupled to the passage to centrifugally direct the solution helically along the wall. At least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit is disposed within the containment vessel. The electromagnetic energy delivery unit is responsive to generate variable electromagnetic energy sufficient to stimulate the solution and affect the hydration forces. Also provided is a controlling unit coupled to the electromagnetic delivery unit to alter the variable electromagnetic energy in response to spectral information about the solution and in accordance with optimal treatment parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: ZPM, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwain E. Morse, Thomas G. Matherly, Joe DeWitt, Miroslav Colic
  • Patent number: 5985108
    Abstract: A controlling apparatus which can control a continuous electrolytic ion water producing apparatus so that an excess current when the electrolyzing strength is not adjusted appropriately can be prevented with certainty and harmless electrolytic ion water can be obtained continuously from the continuous electrolytic ion water producing apparatus. When water flows through the electrolytic cell, it is energized by a power source circuit to electrolyze the water to obtain electrolytic ion water. When a range change-over switch is manually operated, a dc voltage of the power source circuit is controlled in response to the range change-over switch by a control unit and a switching regulator to produce an electrolyzing voltage corresponding to the operated position of the range change-over switch. The water is thus electrolyzed with an electrolyzing strength of the electrolyzing voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Miz Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Arai
  • Patent number: 5914021
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating a charged substance from a conductive fluid in which the conductive fluid is transported to a charged substance separation assembly where an electrostatic field is imposed to separate the charged substance from the fluid which passes through a porous separator and is collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: IMSCO, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Crose, Sol L. Berg
  • Patent number: 5902489
    Abstract: A chamber for exerting an ultrasound beam on a sample solution containing particles to be concentrated, separated or arranged is provided with a view toward arbitrarily controlling the shape of a spatial distribution of potential energy created by the ultrasound beam and concentrating, separating or periodically arranging the particles. In contrast to the chamber, irradiation ultrasound sources for generating ultrasound beams are provided to create an ultrasonic intensity distribution for producing a position potential energy distribution used to exert a force forwarded in a predetermined direction or a force staying at a predetermined region to each particle. Thus, a specific spatial distribution of potential energy can be realized by ultrasound beams each having a specific intensity, a specific frequency and a specific phase or an ultrasound beam formed by superimposing these on one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yasuda, Shin-ichiro Umemura, Kazuo Takeda, Mitsuru Tamura, Norio Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5879546
    Abstract: A water purification system has a series of sequential operating stations each adapted to remove successively finer suspended or dissolved matter from contaminated water. The sequential steps employed are a pH neutralization step, a particulate precipitation step, a pre-filtration step, a particulate coagulation step and a final filtration step. The particulate coagulation is achieved by means of a novel apparatus for the generation of an especially activated oxygen combined with electrically charged probes for agglomerating the particulate which is filtered in a subsequent station. The initially contaminated water passes through each step in the process and emerges as clean, reusable, water. By employing the process and the system of the invention, the process water is recycled, rather than wasted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Robert M. Burford
  • Patent number: 5788827
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus for removing particles from a nonconductive liquid, including: first sensing apparatus to sense a first net electrostatic charge on the particles in the liquid and to provide a first output signal indicative of the first net electrostatic charge; control and power apparatus to receive the first output signal; charging apparatus connected to the control and power apparatus to provide positive and negative electrostatic charging potentials to the particles; mixing apparatus connected to the charging apparatus to receive the liquid therefrom and to permit oppositely charged and noncharged ones of the particles to flocculate; and separating apparatus to remove flocculated particles from the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: M.A.G. Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald L. Munson
  • Patent number: 5783090
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing micro-organism concentrations in a liquid having a surface has a portion of a first electrode that is disposed within the liquid. A portion of a second electrode is also disposed within the liquid. The second electrode is spaced apart from the first electrode and, in one embodiment, consists of a copper and silver alloy wherein the ratio of copper to silver is in the range of from 1:1 to 11:3. A direct current power supply, having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, applies an electrical potential between the second electrode and the first electrode, thereby creating an electrical current from the second electrode to the first electrode and thereby liberating copper ions and silver ions from the second electrode into the liquid. In one embodiment, the electrodes are suspended from a floating member. In another embodiment, the electrodes are placed in a porous sheath that is suspended in the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: George S. Gleen