Responsive To Material Level Patents (Class 210/104)
  • Patent number: 11938264
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described to flush debris from a suction pipe network installed in a medical office. A filter, an amalgam separator and at least one flexible vacuum line are disconnected from a suction pipe network. The suction pipe network has a main trunk line, a downstream end, and at least one branch line. A neutral pH cleaning fluid solution is passed through the main trunk line from a location downstream of the at least one branch line to flush debris from the main trunk and the at least one branch line. The neutral pH cleaning fluid solution is collected subsequent to the neutral pH cleaning fluid solution being circulated through the main trunk line and the at least one branch line. Then, the filter, the amalgam separator and the at least one flexible vacuum line are reconnected to the suction pipe network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventor: Rodney A. Sandburg
  • Patent number: 11891314
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and an apparatus and relative method for removing hydrocarbons from a water body, in particular for the remediation of hydrophobic contaminated hydrocarbons present as a demixed phase. The device of the invention is equipped with at least one sensor which determines its position with respect to the demixed phase in the body of water, allowing automated modification of the position of the device with respect to the demixed phase in optimising its separation and recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: ENI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Chiodini, Stefano Loda
  • Patent number: 11654396
    Abstract: The reverse osmosis system with at least one high pressure pump, which supplies untreated water to at least one module pipe, in which a membrane with a permeate collecting pipe is arranged, includes a permeate outlet of the at least one module pipe that is connected by means of a first conduit to a permeate tank, which is in communication by means of a further conduit, connected into which there is a permeate supply pump, with a loop feed line, to which a plurality of dialysis devices are connected and that branching off from the first conduit there is a bypass conduit, which discharges into the further conduit downstream of the permeate tank and the permeate supply pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: FIDICA GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Manfred Völker, Thomas Reinhart
  • Patent number: 11406745
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for determining a fluid balance between a first volume flow in a first section of a fluid circuit and a second volume flow of a second section of the fluid circuit. The method may also include adjusting, assuming or detecting a first temperature in the first section of the fluid circuit and a second temperature in the second section of the fluid circuit, or detecting a temperature difference between the first and the second sections. The method may also include detecting a second volume flow in a second section of the fluid circuit and forming a balance from at least the first volume flow and a corrected value of the second volume flow. The corrected value is determined from the detected second volume flow and the second temperature and/or the temperature difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Petra Abel, Alexander Heide, Dejan Nikolic, Arne Peters, Elke Schulte, Christoph Wiktor
  • Patent number: 11236000
    Abstract: A new wet oxidation process of wastes, specifically of mixtures of at least two, liquid (wastewaters) and dense (sludges), pumpable wastes is described. An apparatus useful for a wet oxidation process of this type is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: 3V GREEN EAGLE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Franco Sardelli
  • Patent number: 11198999
    Abstract: Method and system for treatment of a wastewater stream at a location is disclosed. The wastewater stream includes a floating waste component such as sewer FOG or oil and an aqueous component such as water. The wastewater stream is directed from the location to a separator through an intake which is fluidly connected to the location and the separator. The separator separates the floating waste component from the aqueous component. The separated floating waste component is directed to a floating waste discharge outlet associated with the separator and the separated aqueous component is directed to an aqueous discharge outlet associated with the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Muddy River Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Douglas Jack, Robert John Stephenson, Michael Stephen Gardner
  • Patent number: 11147414
    Abstract: A coffee machine is disclosed having a water system intended to be connected to a water supply system, a filter unit disposed at the inlet of the water system, a pump, a tank disposed in the water system between the filter unit and the pump, a sensor unit disposed in the tank and suitable for measuring at least one quality parameter of the water contained in the tank, a monitoring unit electrically connected to the sensor unit to receive electrical signals that are indicative of the measured water quality parameters, transduce the electrical signals in numerical values and compare the numerical values of the measured parameters with preset threshold ranges, and a user interface operatively connected to the monitoring unit and having an alarm to indicate when a water parameter is out of the preset threshold range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventor: Simone Foglia
  • Patent number: 11097040
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining at least one of the peritoneal pressure in the abdomen of a patient, and the drainage state of the abdomen of a patient, includes at least one pump for conveying a dialysis solution into the abdomen, and at least one measurement device for measuring the pressure in the dialysis solution. The apparatus has at least one control unit configured to control the pump and the measurement device such that a first measurement of the pressure is carried out by the measurement device with a stationary pump to obtain a first measured pressure value. The pump subsequently operates to convey a partial volume of the total inflow volume of the dialysis solution into the abdomen. The pump then stops, and a second measurement of the pressure is carried out by the measurement device to obtain a second measured pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Torsten Hochrein, Frank Hedmann
  • Patent number: 11071931
    Abstract: Self-cleaning inline filters that utilize sensors to measure pressure differential and activate a self-cleaning mode are disclosed. In the self-cleaning mode, the self-cleaning inline filters of the present disclosure utilize back, reverse, and/or counter-current fluid flow to separate two filter elements. The back, reverse, and/or counter-current fluid flow also flushes particulates out of the filter, such that the particulates are captured by a mechanical trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: United Launch Alliance, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Jay J. Breidenbach
  • Patent number: 10994064
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for sensing fluid characteristics of peritoneal dialysate infused into and removed from a patient during treatment. The systems and methods include sensors, processors, and flow paths for determining patient health based on the fluid characteristics of the peritoneal dialysate. The system can be a peritoneal dialysis cycler which can include an infusion line; an effluent line; at least one pump positioned in the infusion and/or effluent line; and at least one sensor fluidly connected to the effluent line. The sensor can be at least one of a flow sensor, an ion selective electrode, a pH sensor, a pressure sensor, a refractive index sensor, and a temperature sensor. The method can include infusing peritoneal dialysate through an infusion line; removing peritoneal dialysate through an effluent line; and determining at least one fluid characteristic of the peritoneal dialysate in the effluent line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. Gerber, Christopher M. Hobot
  • Patent number: 10960355
    Abstract: A inventive two-stage batch-CCD RO system includes two separate batch-CCD units of a different number of modules per stage with more modules in the first-stage—N(1)>N(2). A two-stage batch-CCD process proceeds when both units execute parallel fixed flow variable pressure desalination sequences of same operational set-points [flux, module recovery and batch sequence recovery (R)], with brine of a former first-stage used as second-stage feed. In two-stage batch CCD RO systems of high N(1)/N(2) ratio whereby the relative production of permeates of the two stages complies to: ?(1)>>?(2), most of the permeates are produced in the first-stage under mild conditions and contribute to the low energy and salinity of permeates of the entire process. Compared with the performance of a single-stage batch-CCD RO unit, a two-stage system of the same module-number will render a performance of super RO characteristics, unmatched by any existing RO methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: DESALITECH LTD
    Inventor: Avi Efraty
  • Patent number: 10960123
    Abstract: In one aspect, a peritoneal dialysis system includes a tray for supporting a bag that can receive dialysate from a source of dialysate, multiple force sensors disposed adjacent a portion of the tray that is in contact with the bag when the bag is supported by the tray, and one or more processors configured to receive data from the multiple force sensors and to determine, based on the data, an amount of dialysate contained in the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Thomas Ortega, Nicolas Huntington
  • Patent number: 10656045
    Abstract: The present invention is a performance analysis apparatus for fluid distribution equipment that operates independently of the control system of the fluid distribution equipment to automatically determine when equipment is not functioning correctly. It comprises an analyzer computer, one or more sensor sets, and a computer program. The sensor sets are connected to the analyzer computer and comprise sensors for measuring physical properties of fluid distribution equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Inventors: Kathleen Mary Mutch, Richard Laszlo Madarasz
  • Patent number: 10656050
    Abstract: An exhaust gas sampling system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a dilution air source that provides dilution air to a first flow path and a first flow meter that measures a first mass flow rate in the first flow path. The system further includes a sampling probe, a second flow meter, a first valve, and a leak detection module. The sampling probe provides exhaust gas to the first flow path at a location downstream from the first flow meter. The second flow meter measures a second mass flow rate in the first flow path at a location downstream from the sampling probe. The first valve regulates exhaust gas flow from the sampling probe to the second flow meter. The leak detection module detects a leak in the system based on measurements of the first and second mass flow rates taken when the first valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: AVL TEST SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Gerald Marek
  • Patent number: 10640392
    Abstract: A water quality management device is provided with a water quality index value acquisition unit which acquires water quality index values including a makeup water quality index value indicating water quality of makeup water and a circulating water quality index value indicating water quality of circulating water, and a determining unit which determines an amount of concentration control associated with a concentration rate of a circulating water system based on the water quality index values acquired by the water quality index value acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Masanori Fujioka, Toru Tanaka, Akihiro Hamasaki, Atsushi Sugimoto, Mayumi Saito, Yoshiyuki Hamaji
  • Patent number: 10603423
    Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system includes: a drain container; a drain line placed in fluid communication with the drain container and configured to be placed in fluid communication with a patient's peritoneal cavity; a vacuum source configured to apply a pneumatic force to cause used dialysis fluid to flow through the drain line from the patient's peritoneal cavity to the drain container; a weight sensor configured to output a weight of used dialysis fluid delivered to the drain container from the patient's peritoneal cavity; and a controller configured to: (i) determine an actual flow rate of used dialysis fluid removed from the patient's peritoneal cavity based on the output from the weight sensor; (ii) compare the actual flow rate to a desired flow rate; and (iii) adjust the pneumatic force applied by the vacuum source to attempt to match the actual flow rate to the optimal flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignees: BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC., BAXTER HEALTHCARE SA
    Inventors: Robert W. Childers, Scott Keeling, Li Pan
  • Patent number: 10590895
    Abstract: A work machine includes an engine, a fluid path via which a fuel oil is supplied to the engine, a first filter provided in the fluid path, a pump provided between the engine and the first filter in the fluid path to suck and output the fuel oil, a second filter provided between the engine and the pump in the fluid path, and a third filter provided between the engine and the second filter in the fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Matsumiya, Takashi Miura, Shintaro Nakabayashi, Shoichi Kawano, Yoshiaki Araki
  • Patent number: 10577782
    Abstract: A device integrated hot and cold tap water and hot and cold purified water including a casing pipe, a water guide mechanism, a touch switch, a microcontroller, a pulling head, and first and second magnetic components is provided. The water guide mechanism includes first and second pipelines disposed in the casing pipe. The first and second pipe lines are respectively provided with a first valve body and a touch control assembly. The touch switch and the microcontroller are electrically connected with the touch control assembly. The pulling head includes a fixed cylinder provided in a water outlet of the casing pipe and a bubble former fixed in the fixed cylinder. An interior of the bubble former has an inner waterway and an outer waterway. The first and second pipelines communicate with the water outlet of the casing pipe through the outer waterway and one end of the inner waterway, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Guangzhou Seagull Kitchen and Bath Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuqi Gao, Qianfeng Peng, Rongbao Wei, Fu Luo
  • Patent number: 10578225
    Abstract: The automated gray water system comprises a three port diverter valve and a wireless switch controller. The three port diverter diverts gray water collected within a building from a first port to a second port when an internal mechanism of the valve is in a first valve position and from the first port to a third port when the internal mechanism of the value is in a second valve position. In the first valve position, gray water is passed to a water purification and/or storage system and may be used as a non-potable resource. As a non-limiting example, the gray water may be used for landscape irrigation. In the second valve position, the gray water is passed to a public sewer system or septic system. The position of the valve may be controlled from a smart device via a wireless link to the wireless switch controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Inventors: Anthony Mayorga, Ronald Hernandez
  • Patent number: 10550564
    Abstract: A system for flushing a conduit having an inlet, an outlet, and at least one flow restricted outlet between said inlet and said outlet. There is a pump operative to periodically be turned on and off for pumping a liquid from a liquid source to the inlet, a pressure pulse being generated when the pump is turned on. A hydraulically actuated indexing valve has an inlet connected to the second outlet end of the conduit, the indexing valve including a valve element assembly indexable between a plurality of indexed positions in response to a plurality of pressure pulses, wherein in at least one of the indexed positions, return flow from the second outlet end of the conduit flows through the outlet of the valve to increase flow rate through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Inventor: Jerry L. McKinney
  • Patent number: 10532146
    Abstract: An apparatus for extra-corporeal blood treatment and a method of presetting an initial mode of treatment in the opening phase of an extra-corporeal blood treatment are controlled based on the opening phase of a haemodiafiltration, in which particularly fast removal of electrolytes such as potassium or of urea occurs. The apparatus has a control and computing unit for presetting an initial mode of treatment, in which over a preset interval of time, substituate is fed to the extra-corporeal blood circuit, dialysis fluid is not fed through the dialyser and instead only ultrafiltrate is withdrawn from the dialyser and, on expiry of the preset interval of time, dialysis fluid is fed through the dialyser. Alternatively, dialysis fluid is provided during the preset interval of time through the dialyser at a dialysis fluid flow rate that is smaller than the dialysis fluid flow rate after the preset interval of time has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Tomas Jirka, Joerg Jonas, Volker Nier, Wolfgang Wehmeyer
  • Patent number: 10507471
    Abstract: Provided is a gravity separation device wherein occurrences of shelving, flashing, and the like inside the device can be suppressed, variations in the flow rate of underflow obtained by gravity separation can be minimized and underflow can be stably extracted. This gravity separation device, which separates overflow and underflow using differences in specific gravity from mixed material, is provided with a separation section that has a supply pipe for supplying a slurry of the mixed material at the top and separates that slurry into overflow and underflow, and a deposition section that is positioned below the separation section and wherein the underflow that has been separated by precipitation is deposited. An extraction pipe for extracting the underflow is connected to the deposition section, and a valve for extracting the underflow and a metering pump for quantitatively extracting the underflow are provided in the extraction pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hirotaka Higuchi
  • Patent number: 10500330
    Abstract: A method for collecting and washing shed blood includes providing a blood salvage reservoir and a blood salvage system. The user may connect a vacuum inlet port on the reservoir to a vacuum outlet port on the salvage system, connect an inlet port on the reservoir to a patient, and connect a vacuum source to a vacuum connection port on the salvage system. The method may then (1) draw a vacuum on the reservoir to draw shed blood into the reservoir, (2) disconnect the reservoir from the surgical field and salvage system, and (3) connect a second reservoir. The first blood salvage reservoir may then be connected to an automated blood processing system, and the collected blood may be introducing into the automated blood processing system and washed. The blood processing system may then return a portion of the washed blood to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Haemonetics Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Schwarz, Seth Kasper, Lisa Fahey
  • Patent number: 10471374
    Abstract: A filtration system is configured to provide clean fuel to a running combustion engine. The filtration system may be configured to be connected to a main fuel tank for storing contaminated fuel, and to be connected to a fuel supply of a combustion engine. A filtration circuit may include at least one filter, a first auxiliary fuel tank for containing fuel, and a first fuel pump configured to pump the fuel from the first auxiliary fuel tank through the filtration circuit back to the first auxiliary fuel tank. A second auxiliary fuel tank may be connectable to said first auxiliary fuel tank for receiving fuel from the first auxiliary fuel tank via a transfer valve. A control unit may be configured to control the transfer valve such that the first auxiliary tank is fluidly connected to the second auxiliary fuel tank only if fuel of a desired contamination level is contained in the first auxiliary tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Troy D. Cope, Robert Graumuller
  • Patent number: 10450515
    Abstract: A separation tank for crude oil. Fluid enters an inlet section of a center column of the tank via an offset inlet pipe so the fluid enters swirling. Solids that settle in the inlet section are removed by a center column drain and a solids removal system. Free gas rises and exits from the top of the tank. Liquid flows out of the center column via a diffuser that spirals the fluid evenly toward the wall of the tank where oil coalesces and wicks upward. Liquid flows downward around two flow diverting baffles where more oil coalesces and wicks upward via an oil conduit into the oil layer. The water flows under the lower flow diverting baffle and exits the tank through the outlet section. A large circular oil collector weir uniformly removes oil from the oil layer. Interface draw offs located below the oil-water interface remove excess BS&W.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: KBK Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Will D. Ball, IV
  • Patent number: 10422117
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile sanitary device, comprising a bowl having an upper opening, a water storage tank which is connected to the bowl via a water conduit that supplies water from the water storage tank to the bowl, a wastewater tank which is connected to the bowl via a wastewater line that discharges the wastewater out of the bowl from a bowl outlet opening to the wastewater tank, a first intermediate tank which is inserted into the water conduit between the water storage tank and the bowl or into the wastewater line between the bowl outlet opening and the wastewater tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Evac GmbH
    Inventors: Dennis Getmann, Patrick Meyer
  • Patent number: 10406465
    Abstract: A drain control device for a filter system for filtering a media flow of a first medium and a second medium, wherein the filter system has a collecting chamber collecting the second medium separated from the media flow and provided with a media outlet, has a sensor arrangement with at least a first sensor unit. The first sensor unit detects a filling level of the second medium in the collecting chamber. The first sensor unit has a first optical sensor. One or more shut-off valves are arranged at the media outlet. The first sensor unit is coupled with the one or more shut-off valves to automatically drain the second medium from the collecting chamber through the media outlet when a predetermined filling level of the second medium in the collecting chamber is reached. A filter system with such a drain control device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Sradnick
  • Patent number: 10406464
    Abstract: A drain control device for a filter system for filtering a media flow of a first medium and a second medium, wherein the second medium separated from the media flow collects in a collecting chamber of the filter system, has sensor arrangement with at least a first sensor unit and a second sensor unit. The first and second sensor units detect a filling level of the second medium in the collecting chamber. The first and second sensor units operate based on a different action mechanism, respectively. One or more shut-off valves are arranged at a media outlet of the collecting chamber. The first and second sensor units are operatively connected with the one or more shut-off valves to automatically drain the second medium from the collecting chamber through the media outlet when a drain criterion is reached. A filter system with such a drain control device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Sradnick
  • Patent number: 10308361
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a reservoir (40) that is easily removed from a grey water flush system. The reservoir is made modular so that rather than removing an entire reservoir/pump/circuitry system, the reservoir (40) can be separately removed from the system. The reservoir can also be made disposable, which can save cleaning and refurbishment costs. This can also increase turn-around time for maintenance of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: MAG Aerospace Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Razmik B. Boodaghians, Andrew Chan, Sung Hong
  • Patent number: 10308534
    Abstract: A portable, personal advanced-oxidation water treatment system based on ozone and a catalyst such as titanium dioxide that can cycle and purify water to make it potable by removing organic contaminants. The unit can be used for long periods of time without having to replenish the active portions. The unit can be carried in a backpack or in a vehicle. Fresh water is typically loaded into the unit, and the unit is cycled until the water is pure enough to drink. A battery is used to produce ozone and to cycle the water through a reaction vessel and can optionally be charged with a small solar panel The unit can also be powered directly from a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Fleck, John A. Pidgeon
  • Patent number: 10286337
    Abstract: A water treatment filter backwash process control system, comprising a control system that receives filter level data and filter backwash turbidity data. The control system having a filter level set point, wherein the filter level set point corresponds to a desired filter media bed expansion. The control system having a filter backwash turbidity set point, wherein the control system controls the filter backwash process by, while monitoring the filter backwash turbidity, sending one or more output signals that are used to control a backwash inlet liquid flow in order to maintain a desired media bed expansion, and stop the backwash inlet liquid flow when the filter backwash turbidity set point is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Inventor: Mark W. Romers
  • Patent number: 10275625
    Abstract: A marker system including at least one sensor configured to be positioned relative to a container to obtain information regarding content within the container, and a control module which receives the sensed information. Based on the sensed information, the system determines if the content of the container is approved for use for the particular application and/or equipment. By way of example, the information being sensed can be a marker chemical added to the content of the container, an ingredient in the container, or information read from outside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Ekins, Corbett M. Hancock
  • Patent number: 10264742
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system, particularly for vegetation cultivation, including a water reserve, a device for controlling the flow towards the exterior of the volume contained in the reserve, including a floating regulator placed in the reserve to monitor the level thereof, which floating regulator defines a chamber having at least one upper inlet orifice in fluidic communication with the reserve volume, at least one lower calibrated outlet orifice of reduced section in communication with the exterior, such that the floating regulator allows a discharge of water towards the exterior via the outlet orifice at constant flow rate as long as the water level in the reserve is above the height of the inlet orifice and interrupts the discharge of water towards the exterior via the outlet orifice when the water level is below the inlet orifice to then define a water reserve. The invention also relates to the floating regulator, the use thereof and/or of the system, and a water reserve control method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Sarl Le Prieure
    Inventors: Raphael Lame, Jean-Christophe Grimard
  • Patent number: 10226562
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting at least one characteristic relating to a patient's glucose metabolism, having steps to be performed during an extracorporeal treatment of the patient's blood, particularly during a dialysis treatment, of the extracorporeal addition of glucose and/or insulin and extracorporeal measurement of a glucose concentration and/or an insulin concentration. The invention further proposes a corresponding device. In addition, the invention proposes a method for determining the composition of the dialysate for the extracorporeal treatment of a patient's blood having the steps of determining a glucose level in the patient's blood during the dialysis session and adapting the amount of glucose added to the dialysate or blood based on the glucose level determined. To this end, the invention proposes a corresponding device. The invention further proposes a blood treatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Elke Schulte, Carsten Müller
  • Patent number: 10207227
    Abstract: An compact hydraulic manifold for transporting shear sensitive fluids is provided. A channel network can include a trunk and branch architecture coupled to a bifurcation architecture. Features such as tapered channel walls, curvatures and angles of channels, and zones of low fluid pressure can be used to reduce the size while maintaining wall shear rates within a narrow range. A hydraulic manifold can be coupled to a series of microfluidic layers to construct a compact microfluidic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher DiBiasio, Joseph L. Charest, Jeffrey T. Borenstein, Ernest S. Kim, Daniel I. Harjes, Kevin Hufford
  • Patent number: 10125034
    Abstract: A permeable reactive weir having at least one outer wall which defines a chamber that holds reactive filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventor: Erick McWayne
  • Patent number: 10100713
    Abstract: Methods and systems are providing for improving engine coolant level estimation to reduce engine overheating. The level of fluid in a coolant overflow reservoir is inferred based on the fluid level in a hollow vertical standpipe fluidically coupled to the reservoir at top and bottom locations, while the fluid level in the standpipe is estimated based on echo times of an ultrasonic signal transmitted by a sensor positioned in a recess at the bottom of the vertical standpipe. Engine power is limited differently based on distinct coolant level states determined based on a change in level of coolant in the reservoir over a duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Karen Willard, Michael Joseph Giunta, Robert Andrew Wade, Samer Ibrahim, Casey Dietrich, Matt Gerow
  • Patent number: 10092861
    Abstract: A wash separator comprises a vessel containing a first fluid and a second fluid whereby the second fluid has a different density from the first fluid. The first fluid (3) is immiscible with the second fluid and the first and second fluids are separated from each other by an interface. A feed stream comprising a dispersion of the first and second fluid wherein the second fluid forms a disperse phase in the form of droplets is distributed within the first fluid in the vessel forming a continuous phase. A distribution element is provided in the vessel to distribute the feed stream into the second fluid. The feed stream after having been discharged from the distribution element has a retention time of at most 15 minutes in the feed second fluid in the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: SULZER CHEMTECH AG
    Inventor: Ansor Gabler
  • Patent number: 10066372
    Abstract: An economizer system and method for saving heat and water, comprising a bathing facility for receiving hot water from a water heater through a pipeline; a first valve for controlling the flow of hot water received by the bathing facility; a second valve for allowing the flow of an initial volume of cold water existing in the pipeline between the water heater and the bathing facility 1 through a filling line; and a holding tank for collecting the initial volume of cold water flowing from the filling line before the hot water is delivered to the bathing facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Inventor: Ricardo Chicurel
  • Patent number: 10053384
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes a wastewater collection system, at least one aeration subsystem aerating the aerobic portion, and at least one filtration subsystem. The wastewater collection system has an anoxic portion, an aerobic portion downstream of the anoxic portion, an anaerobic portion downstream of the aerobic portion. The filtration subsystem includes at least one bioreacting filter receiving fluid from the aerobic portion, being operable to filter wastewater received from the aerobic portion, and discharging filtered fluid into the anoxic portion, an oxygen contactor fluidically connected between the aerobic portion and the at least one bioreacting filter and operable to diffuse oxygen into the fluid being supplied from the aerobic portion, and an oxygen supply operable to supply oxygen to the oxygen contactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Biofilter Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Mark B. Robertson, David O'Keefe, John D. Cox, Daniel T. White
  • Patent number: 10029190
    Abstract: An oil-water separator for separating mixed density fluids, such as oil and water, oily sediment laden water and the like, as well as portable, in-tank and towable and anchorable boom containment systems kits and methods employing the same. The oil-water separator employs at least two oil-separation chambers operating in opposing but synergistic separation modes in parallel. The oil-separation chambers alternate distribution of a single mixed fluid density stream between the chambers using a partial vacuum source to draw the stream into one chamber, while concurrently stopping inflow of the stream into another chamber by removing the vacuum source. The apparatus allows each chamber to switch back and forth between (a) actively separating and removing less dense fluid (e.g., oil) when the partial vacuum is applied, and (b) passively separating the less dense fluid (e.g., oil) and removing the more dense fluid (e.g., water) when the partial vacuum source is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Pacific Petroleum Recovery Alaska, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Kennedy
  • Patent number: 10000704
    Abstract: An intelligent controls system for remotely monitoring and controlling a chemical process is disclosed. The system comprises a piece of remote field equipment for performing the chemical process, a user device, a server, and program codes to perform the steps of establishing an equipment-server and a client-server connection, receiving a set of chemical process input parameters and a set of desired chemical process output parameters, controlling a set of chemical process control parameters to achieve the desired chemical process output parameters, and providing an interface to allow an operator to manually control and/or manually override the set of chemical process control parameters. The controls system allows any piece of remote field equipment for performing complex chemical processing to be monitored, controlled, and operated remotely. A large array of distributed field equipment situated around the world can all be controlled primarily through a single interface provided in a central control center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Pioneer Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Young, Matthew Lewis, Gevorg Sargsyan, Kevin Hotton, Robert M Zubrin
  • Patent number: 9995293
    Abstract: A method for automatic mutual alternation between an arbitrary number of pumps by the control of each individual pump, which makes use of a start condition for a state change from an inactive state of the pump into an active state of the pump to be performed, as well as makes use of a stop condition for a state change from the active state into the inactive state to be performed. The method includes a sub method (Find start condition) that includes the step of, after a predetermined stage, arbitrarily changing the start condition of the individual pump within predetermined limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: XYLEM IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Martin Larsson, Alexander Fullemann
  • Patent number: 9993753
    Abstract: A device for filtering ballast water which performs filtering by installing a filter element having a conical shape in a concentric circle direction inside the device for filtering ballast water that accommodates a filter portion, and introducing ballast water from a lower end of the device for filtering and passing same through the filter element inside the device for filtering, and for discharging backwash water containing foreign substances that are inside a filter by way of differential pressure, which is created by a driving portion communicating with a filter element by rotating a suction portion that is located on a lower end of the device for filtering. Particularly, the present invention relates to a high-efficiency candle-type device for filtering ballast water having a high-density filter structure, wherein the driving portion is positioned on a lower portion of a housing so that more filter elements can be accommodated inside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Panasia Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo-Tae Lee, Tae-Sung Pyo, Su-Kyu Lee
  • Patent number: 9981866
    Abstract: A method and system for treatment of flow-back and produced water from a hydrocarbon well in which fracturing operations are carried out using a phase separation and creating of positive charge in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: MBL Water Partners, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph G. Munisteri
  • Patent number: 9975104
    Abstract: Processing unit for assisting and/or performing a processing basic operation for a chemical reaction, with an operating unit for preparing a contribution for the processing basic operation and a frame for accommodating the operating units, the frame having an extension dL in the longitudinal direction which corresponds substantially to an integral multiple ZL of an integral portion NL of an extension LL, in the longitudinal direction of an interior of a standard transport container, in accordance with DIN ISO 668, and/or the frame having an extension dQ in the transverse direction with corresponds substantially to an integral multiple ZQ of an integral portion NQ of an extension LQ in the transverse direction of an interior of a standard transport container, in particular in accordance with DIN ISO 668, wherein different processing units can be stored in a pool for different processing basic operations and be assembled in modular and flexible manner in the standard transport container for the synthesis of a g
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: BAYER AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Lars Frye, Florian Lipski, Stefan Schmitz, Nicolai Krasberg, Dietmar Günther, Carsten Meyer, Carsten Conzen, Ulrich Liesenfelder, Ingo Steinmeister, Karl-Robert Boos, Wolfgang Güdel, Karl-Hermann Koeching
  • Patent number: 9977352
    Abstract: A device manufacturing method forms a liquid immersion area under a projection system via which an exposure light is projected, while supplying a liquid via a liquid supply inlet of a liquid retaining member and collecting the supplied liquid along with a gas via a liquid recovery outlet of the liquid retaining member. The liquid retaining member surrounds a tip portion of the projection system, which has a last optical element having a surface. The liquid retaining member has a surface opposite to the surface of the last optical element with a gap between the surfaces. A substrate is exposed with the exposure light through the liquid of the liquid immersion area, while moving the substrate below and relative to the projection system and the liquid retaining member. One of the liquid and the gas is separated from the other which have been collected via the liquid recovery outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignees: NIKON CORPORATION, NIKON ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nagasaka, Takeshi Okuyama
  • Patent number: 9957697
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to maintaining water quality in a water distribution by controlling a flushing apparatus. In one example implementation, a flushing apparatus performs steps comprising flushing the water distribution system in accordance with a residual flush program, flushing the water distribution system in accordance with a turbidity flush program, flushing the water distribution system in accordance with a pH flush program, and flushing the water distribution system in accordance with a time-based flushing program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Moriz Taylor, Harold Thomas Mosley
  • Patent number: 9950283
    Abstract: To provide a supernatant water discharge device capable of preventing overflow from a settling pond due to severe rain. The supernatant water discharge device comprises: a submersible pump 10 provided in a first settling pond D; a floating member 30 that makes the submersible pump 10 float on a water surface; a distance sensor 41 that measures a distance to a sediment S; an anemometer 42; and a controller 50 that stops the submersible pump 10 if a measured value from the distance sensor 41 or the anemometer 42 reaches a threshold. By predicting severe rain, discharge of supernatant water W to a second settling pond P can be stopped. This can prevent overflow from the second settling pond P due to severe rain. If the sediment S gets close to the submersible pump 10 as a result of a drop in water level or increase in a deposition height, the submersible pump 10 can be stopped. This can prevent failure of the submersible pump 10 due to suction of a solid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahide Tajika, Yoshiharu Nagamoto
  • Patent number: 9895630
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for accurately measuring and allocating treated oil. Separators can be modified to include automatic control systems utilizing active flow controls and level sensors. The automatic control systems can be configured to cause oil to flow at a rate and with a duration sufficient to accurately measure the amount of oil transferred from the separator. The systems and methods also provide for a method of correcting for oil density variations. The systems and methods also allow for fail-safe operations by having the active flow controls fail in an open position allowing pre-existing passive flow control valves to operate normally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Valin Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Adler, Steven Thomas Croft, Jared Micah Lanig