Level Sensing Patents (Class 210/744)
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Patent number: 12209491Abstract: An automated sand dump system for oil and gas wells is provided that uses sensed parameters to determine and effective sand level within a sand trap. When the control system determines that the effective sand level reaches a predetermined level, an automated dump sequence is executed.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2023Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: ADS Services, LLCInventors: Brian Ellis, Scott Charles, John Thomas Scarborough
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Patent number: 12173567Abstract: A separator system and method may provide a four-way separator that may separate a material and remove a hazardous material. The hazardous material may include gas and sand that may be removed by the four-way separator. The separator system and method may further provide a main unit that may include three chambers or recirculation hoppers, an auger sand extractor, and a strap tank. The separator system and method may provide a faster rig-up time and may be exclusively driven by hydraulics.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2022Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Inventors: Troy Bollom, Jon Paul Rountree, Joe Don Selman
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Patent number: 12151250Abstract: A centrifugal separation system includes a centrifugal separator, a liquid feed mixture conduit, a light phase conduit, a heavy phase conduit, and a flow control system. The flow control system includes a controller, a counterpressure generating arrangement connected to a heavy phase conduit, a liquid feed mixture measuring device, and a light phase measuring device and/or a heavy phase measuring device. The counterpressure generating arrangement includes a heavy phase receiving vessel and a heavy phase pressure control arrangement connected to the vessel. The controller is configured to control the heavy phase pressure control arrangement based on measurements from the liquid feed mixture measuring device and on measurements from the light phase measuring device and/or the heavy phase measuring device in order to control a heavy phase counterpressure in the heavy phase outlet passage.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2019Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE ABInventors: Kasper Höglund, Peter Thorwid, Staffan Königsson
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Patent number: 12139420Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for separating an amount of a perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) from water which is contaminated with the substance. The method comprises the steps of: admitting an amount of the water, which includes an initial concentration of the substance, into a chamber via an inlet thereinto, and introducing a flow of gas into the chamber. The introduced gas induces the water in the chamber to flow, and produces a froth layer which is formed at, and which rises above, an interface with the said flow of water and of introduced gas in the chamber. The froth layer includes an amount of water, and also a concentrated amount of the substance in comparison compared with its initial concentration. The step of removal of at least some of the froth layer from an upper portion of the chamber occurs.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: OPEC Remediation Technologies Pty LimitedInventors: Steven Edward Phillips, David John Burns
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Patent number: 12031934Abstract: An apparatus senses the proportion of FOG flowing with effluent from a sink to a p-trap. A pipe portion is connectable for use as a tailpipe for a sink with a first electrode within the pipe portion and a second electrode outside the pipe portion. Conductors connect the first and second electrodes to a capacitance sensor, so changes in capacitance between the electrodes caused by changes in proportions of FOG content in effluent from the sink can be detected and/or monitored. The monitoring can be remote and can cause an action when an excess FOG content is detected.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2020Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: Thermaco IncorporatedInventors: William C. Batten, Sianna Haws, Fred Lehman, Lee Atkinson, Patrick Sturm
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Patent number: 12024443Abstract: An ion separation device for water body based on water jet vortex includes: a separation tank assembly including a tank and a water outlet pipe disposed in the tank, a collection separation plate and an impurity separation plate are disposed in the tank, and an inner space of the tank is divided into a collection region, a separation region, and an impurity region; and a first water delivery unit and a second water delivery unit. The first water delivery unit and the second water delivery unit are configured to generate high-pressure water flow and deliver the high-pressure water flow into the tank from two sides of the tank to generate a vortex in a water body and thus generate a centrifugal force, so as to make macromolecular impurities and metal ions in the water body be thrown away from a center of the tank.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2023Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: SWIRLOVA INCInventor: He Huang
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Patent number: 12000221Abstract: A system and method for separating two or more materials, such as a solid from a liquid, or a solid from a slurry, are provided. An exemplary system and method for separating drill cuttings from drilling fluids are provided, as well as a system and method of processing such separated drill cuttings. In another implementation, a system and method is provided for separating gold (or another mineral, element, or solid) from a slurry or liquid that includes mining cuttings.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2021Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: Flowback Fluids LLCInventor: Terry Gordon Culver
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Patent number: 11952765Abstract: A water reuse device for reusing waste water discharged from a bathroom or a kitchen as toilet flushing water, including: a water collecting tank (10); a storage tank (20) receiving the used water stored in the water collecting tank (10) and having a water level sensor (21); a toilet water tank (32) located at a lower level than the storage tank (20) and having a first water level sensor (36) and a second water level sensor (35); a first pipe (22) connecting the storage tank (20) and the toilet water tank (32); a first solenoid valve (40) installed in the first pipe (22); a second pump (38) installed in the toilet water tank (32); a backflow prevention valve (34) provided between the second pipe (33-2) and the third pipe (33-3); and a water shutoff valve (41) provided between a water supply pipe (31) and the water pressure control valve (41-1).Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Inventor: Kab Young Han
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Patent number: 11938422Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a separator vessel that is adapted to separate solids particles from a flow of a multi-phase fluid, a differential pressure sensing system that is adapted to measure a differential pressure of a column of the multi-phase fluid in the separator vessel and a control system that is adapted to determine at least one of a level, volume or weight of the separated solids particles within the separator vessel based upon at least the measured differential pressure of the column of the multi-phase fluid in the separator vessel.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2020Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ryan Malone, Sander Baaren, Eric Rasmussen, Richard Minter
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Patent number: 11892442Abstract: A comprehensive system for potential risk identification and pollution prewarning of groundwater comprises a cable laying device, a monitoring cable, and an electromagnetic retrieving device which are located in groundwater between two adjacent wells, wherein the two adjacent wells comprise a first well and a second well, the second well is located at a lower water level of the first well and communicates with the first well, the electromagnetic retrieving device is located in the second well, a plurality of sensors are arranged on the monitoring cable, and one end of the monitoring cable is connected to the cable laying device. The cable laying device comprises a device body, an anchoring module arranged at a bottom of the device body, and an electromagnetic adsorption module arranged on the device body. The monitoring cable is connected to the cable laying device after passing through the anchoring module.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2023Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Technical Centre for Soil, Agriculture and Rural Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Ecology and EnvironmentInventors: Yu Wang, Chunsheng Lv, Qijia Lou, Quanli Liu, Kuo Tang, Danqing Liu, Zhenyu Zhong, Xueting Shao, Jing Li, Dongdong Wang, Ke Li, Wei Wang, Zengguang Yan, Guanlin Guo, Hao Wu
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Patent number: 11619184Abstract: A method for determining an air mass in an air separator of a water direct injection system for injecting a water/fuel mixture into a combustion chamber of an engine of a motor vehicle. The air separator is disposed between a water pump for delivering water of the water/fuel mixture and a high-pressure pump for feeding the water/fuel mixture to a high-pressure injector for injecting the water/fuel mixture into the combustion chamber. The method includes increasing a pressure of the water from a first pressure value to a second pressure value by the water pump, determining a water volume delivered by the water pump during the increasing of the pressure of the water by the water pump, and determining the air mass in the air separator on a basis of the determined water volume delivered by the water pump.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2020Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Andreas Bruhn, Bjoern Hussmann, Marco Landwehr, Dirk Linse, Stefan Schott
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Patent number: 11577204Abstract: A water treatment membrane washing apparatus includes two ozone dissolving tanks for storing filtrate generated by filtering raw water through a water treatment membrane and gas aspirators provided for the respective ozone dissolving tanks, for mixing the filtrate with ozone gas supplied from an ozone supply unit to generate ozone gas containing filtrate, and is configured such that waste ozone gas generated in one of the ozone dissolving tanks is aspirated by the gas aspirator provided for the other ozone dissolving tank. After the filtrate from the raw water is pretreated by being mixed with the waste ozone gas in the aspirator, the pretreated filtrate is mixed with the ozone gas in the other ozone dissolving tank until it reaches a predetermined concentration. The ozone gas containing filtrate is supplied from the secondary side of the water treatment membrane to the primary side thereof to wash the eater treatment membrane.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2018Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Hiromichi Koga, Koichi Tokimori, Nozomu Yasunaga
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Patent number: 11524270Abstract: A method of mixing a pharmaceutical solution including adding a gas into an interior compartment of a mix bag to form a headspace. The interior compartment of the mix bag includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The headspace adjacent to the top portion contains gas. The method includes adding a solvent into the mix bag, and establishing a bubble column in the interior compartment by activating a recirculation assembly. The recirculation assembly includes a connecting pathway operably coupled to a recirculation pump. A first end of the connecting pathway is coupled to a top gas recirculation port and a second end is coupled to a bottom gas recirculation port of the mix bag such that the recirculation pump draws the gas from the headspace and delivers the gas to the interior compartment via the bottom gas recirculation port. The method includes adding a solute into the mix bag.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignees: BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC., BAXTER HEALTHCARE SAInventors: William Spencer Hurst, Kent Alan Williams, Donald A. Smith, Michael P. Wehrli, Luis Ernesto Criales Escobar, Jessica Tam, Joseph Edward Bigalke, Gert Najdeni, Karan Kerwell, Lushan Zhou, Michael Imeobong Essien
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Patent number: 11479959Abstract: The invention relates to a separation device for removing objects from a water flow, comprising a separation screen and a channel which forms an inlet and an outlet for the separation screen, wherein, during operation, a head water having a head water level can be provided in the inlet upstream of the separation screen and a tail water having a tail water level can be provided in the outlet downstream of the separation screen, wherein the outlet comprises an outlet cross-section for the water flow.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2019Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: JUERGEN KUHN UND MICHAEL KUHN GRUNDSTUECKSVERWALTUNGS—UND VERPACHTUNGS GBRInventors: Michael Kuhn, Stefan Blaha
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Patent number: 11293241Abstract: A system and method for recovering drilling fluid from shaker tailings includes a hopper and a cover that is pivotable between a first position in which the hopper is uncovered and a second position in which the hopper is covered. In the first position, the hopper receives the tailings, which are pumped via a low shear pump to a centrifuge. The drilling fluid extracted in the centrifuge is stored in a holding tank. In the second position, the cover is angled with respect to the direction of gravity so as to divert shaker tailings from being received in the hopper. Some fluid from the holding tank is sprayed into the hopper through nozzles to convey the deposited tailings toward the pump. A level detector senses the level of the mixture in the hopper, and an associated control system controls the pump speed and the cover position to control the operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, LPInventors: Rennie K. Zazula, Dean M. Bird, Mike R. Olson, Neil P. Mackley
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Patent number: 11235263Abstract: A separation system and method, of which the system includes a separation device comprising a mixed fluid inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, a tank coupled to the second outlet and configured to receive a solid from the separation device via the second outlet, and a solids-level sensor extending through the tank and positioned at an elevation above a bottom of the tank. The solids-level sensor is configured to detect a viscosity of a material within the tank at the elevation.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2019Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: ENERCORP ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS INC.Inventors: Nikolay Spiridonov, Rory Nagge, Tien Nguyen
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Patent number: 11105164Abstract: A system and method for separating two or more materials, such as a solid from a liquid, or a solid from a slurry, are provided. An exemplary system and method for separating drill cuttings from drilling fluids are provided, as well as a system and method of processing such separated drill cuttings. In another implementation, a system and method is provided for separating gold (or another mineral, element, or solid) from a slurry or liquid that includes mining cuttings.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: FLOWBACK FLUIDS LLCInventor: Terry Gordon Culver
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Patent number: 11090580Abstract: A method of dewatering a hydrocarbon storage tank carrying a first fluid layer that includes a first hydrogen concentration and a second fluid layer that includes a second hydrogen concentration includes receiving, from a sensor and by a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor, a value representing an amount of backscattered neutrons sensed by the sensor. The sensor is attached to a surface of a wall of the tank adjacent a fluid outlet of the storage tank. The sensor is configured to sense neutrons backscattered from the first fluid layer and an interface layer. The method includes comparing, by the processor, the value to a threshold, and actuating, by the processor, a valve fluidically coupled to the outlet of the storage tank to drain the first fluid layer from the storage tank while preventing the interface layer from leaving the storage tank.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2019Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Taher L. Al-Jundi, Aziz U. Rehman, Fadhel H. Asfoor, Isa H. Al-Mudaibegh
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Patent number: 11041469Abstract: A discharge control device for a filter system and a filter system for filtering a media flow of a first and a second medium is provided with a collecting chamber that collects the second medium separated from the media flow. A sensor arrangement with a first sensor unit, a second sensor unit, a first shut-off valve having a closure body, and a second shut-off valve is provided. The first sensor unit is operatively connected to the first shut-off valve. The first sensor unit has a float that purely mechanically actuates the closure body of the first shut-off valve. The second shut-off valve is arranged in series in flow communication with the first shut-off valve. The second shut-off valve has an electromagnetically actuatable valve controlled by the second sensor unit as a function of a fill level of second medium in the collecting chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2020Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbHInventors: Idriss Razgani, Christoph Baumann, Dietmar Talmon-Gros, Michal Tuma, Jan Svoboda
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Patent number: 11014022Abstract: A fuel dehydrator, including a control panel, a fuel pump electrically connected to the control panel, the fuel pump including a first inlet fluidly connected to a fuel supply, and a first outlet, a fuel filter including a second inlet fluidly connected to the first outlet and a second outlet, a water separator, including a third inlet fluidly connected to the second outlet, a third outlet fluidly connected to a fuel return, and an automatic water drain valve fluidly connected to a water drain and electrically connected to the control panel.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Power Drives, Inc.Inventors: Bradley R. Gates, Kevin W. O'Neal, Sean R. Jackson, Brandon Schwartz
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Patent number: 10962290Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-efficiency air water system for a tropical climate, including a filtration system, in which an evaporator is provided in an internal accommodating space of a main body, and a condenser is installed in a perforated portion formed passing through a side wall of the main body, so that air cooled in the main body is used to dissipate heat generated in the condenser so as to improve dehumidification efficiency. The configuration of the high-efficiency air water system comprises: an air suctioning unit that suctions and supplies external air; a water generating unit that condenses moisture from the air supplied from the air suctioning unit to generate water; and a water purifying unit that filters and purifies the water generated by the water generating unit to a drinkable or usable state.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2016Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: AIR WATER KOREA CO., LTD.Inventor: Jae Il Nam
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Patent number: 10704345Abstract: A system and method for recovering drilling fluid from shaker tailings includes a hopper and a cover that is pivotable between a first position in which the hopper is uncovered and a second position in which the hopper is covered. In the first position, the hopper receives the tailings, which are pumped via a low shear pump to a centrifuge. The drilling fluid extracted in the centrifuge is stored in a holding tank. In the second position, the cover is angled with respect to the direction of gravity so as to divert shaker tailings from being received in the hopper. Some fluid from the holding tank is sprayed into the hopper through nozzles to convey the deposited tailings toward the pump. A level detector senses the level of the mixture in the hopper, and an associated control system controls the pump speed and the cover position to control the operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2016Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.Inventors: Rennie K. Zazula, Dean M. Bird, Mike R. Olson, Niel P. Mackley
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Patent number: 10603605Abstract: An apparatus may include a float member and an output line. The float member is configured in contacting adjacency to first and second liquids contained in a container. The first liquid is less dense than the second liquid such that the first liquid floats on top of the second liquid. The float member may have a specific gravity selected responsive to the first and second liquids. When the second liquid is pulled from the container through the output line to a predetermined level, the float member occludes the output line. The specific gravity of the float member may be selected based on the fluid in the container previously, currently, or in the future, or some combination of the three. The specific gravity of the float member may be adjusted by changing material within the float member or changing the float member itself from a plurality of float members.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2017Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Guardian Systems, LLCInventors: Brent A Mills, Cody Cook, Joel H Young, Justin Mark Snodgrass
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Patent number: 10508421Abstract: A system for reclaiming water from moisture-laden building exhaust exiting a building through a vent is described herein, where the system can include one or more porous metal organic frameworks (MOFs) disposed downstream of the building exhaust vent for adsorbing water from the exiting moisture-laden building exhaust. The adsorped water can be desorped from the MOF, either naturally or aided by cooling the MOF. The desorped water can optionally be collected or directed elsewhere for use or collection.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventor: John James Wlassich
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Patent number: 10487600Abstract: A system and method for separating two or more materials, such as a solid from a liquid, or a solid from a slurry, are provided. An exemplary system and method for separating drill cuttings from drilling fluids are provided, as well as a system and method of processing such separated drill cuttings. In another implementation, a system and method is provided for separating gold (or another mineral, element, or solid) from a slurry or liquid that includes mining cuttings.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2015Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: FLOWBACK FLUIDS LLCInventor: Terry Gordon Culver
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Patent number: 10442405Abstract: The present application is directed to a system and method for processing fluid captured from a vehicle surface and routing the fluid to one or more fluid reservoirs of the vehicle. The system includes one or more reservoirs for storing captured fluid and one or more reservoirs for storing chemical based fluids such as antifreeze fluids. The system is operationally configured to convey chemical based fluid to the captured fluid reservoir(s) according to one or more preset ambient temperatures of the system prior to routing fluid to one or more fluid reservoirs of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2015Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: BRIMTECH, LLCInventor: James K Weigle
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Patent number: 10266441Abstract: A water treatment apparatus capable of sterilizing a storage tank and a sterilizing and cleansing method thereof are disclosed. The water treatment apparatus includes: a filter unit purifying raw water; a storage tank connected to the filter unit and storing purified water which has been filtered through the filter unit; an electrolytic sterilizer installed between the filter unit and the storage tank, electrolyzing only purified water which has been filtered through at least a portion of the filter unit to generate sterilization water, and supplying the sterilization water to the storage tank; a drain unit connected to the storage tank and discharging water accommodated in the storage tank; and a control unit controlling a water purification mode of the filter unit and a sterilization mode through the electrolytic sterilizer and the drain unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Coway Co., LtdInventors: Soo-Young Lee, Jung-Gyu Jang, Ui-Son Hwang, Claude Kwon, Jung-Hwan Lee, Chul-Ho Kim, Min-Suk Chang, In-Gyue Choi
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Patent number: 10117987Abstract: In the removal of white blood cells from blood, the efficiency of white blood cell removal by a filter is improved. Centrifugal force is applied to blood placed in a blood bag by centrifugal separation to form a plurality of separation layers having a concentration gradient of white blood cells. The separation layers are passed through a filter in ascending order of white blood cell concentration to remove the white blood cells from the separation layers. The separation layers from which the white blood cells have been removed are received in a first blood component bag.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2015Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: ASAHI KASEI MEDICAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Shuichiro Inadome, Nobukazu Shimada, Tomohisa Yokomizo
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Patent number: 9962478Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a therapeutic red blood cell exchange procedure are disclosed. In one aspect, a system includes a first flow path for flowing whole blood from a patient. A separator communicates with the first flow path for separating at least red blood cells from plasma. Second and third flow paths communicate with the separator for respectively flowing the separated plasma and red blood cells from the separator. A flow controller is associated with the flow paths to control fluid communication between the flow paths. The controller is configured to perform the procedure to achieve a target fraction of patient cells remaining, target hematocrit, and a target patient fluid volume change at the completion of the procedure based on data input by the operator.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2016Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.Inventors: Daniel R. Boggs, Kyungyoon Min, Lan T. Nguyen, John T. Foley, Brian C. Case
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Patent number: 9844473Abstract: An apparatus for cleansing wounds in which irrigant fluid from a reservoir connected to a conformable wound dressing and wound exudate from the dressing are recirculated by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing and a means for fluid cleansing and back to the dressing. The cleansing means (which may be a single-phase, e.g. microfiltration, system or a two-phase, e.g. dialytic system) removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The dressing and a method of treatment using the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLCInventors: Patrick Lewis Blott, Bryan Greener, Edward Yerbury Hartwell, Tina Michelle Walker, Derek Nicolini, Julian Lee-Webb
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Patent number: 9834451Abstract: Implementations of this disclosure are directed to systems, devices and methods for monitoring parameters associated with a body of liquid. In one embodiment, a device includes a container configured to be partially submerged in a liquid and includes sensors disposed within a submerged portion of the container to measure parameters associated with the liquid. An electronic component disposed within an unsubmerged portion of the container transmits information related to the parameters based upon which one or more actions related to treatment of the body of liquid are suggested.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2017Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: ConnectedYard, Inc.Inventors: Justin Miller, Mark Janes, Josh Kennedy, Scott Eklund
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Patent number: 9663931Abstract: A marine sanitizing and deodorizing device comprises a reservoir for containing sanitizing fluid, a dose controllable pump for discharging a predetermined dose of sanitizing fluid from the reservoir into a water inlet conduit of a marine toilet system, a flow detector for detecting the flow of water within the water inlet conduit, and a controller for controlling the dose controllable pump upon flow detection by the in use flow detector.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2011Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Inventor: Derek Withrington
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Patent number: 9661732Abstract: A plasma generation apparatus includes a flow path tube through which a liquid flows and which includes a concave portion and/or a convex portion on an internal wall surface thereof, a liquid feed device, a first electrode, a second electrode, a power source, and a control circuit which controls the liquid feed device and the power source. The concave portion and/or the convex portion causes, when the liquid flows therethrough, a pressure difference to be generated between at least part of the inside of the flow path tube and the external space, allowing a gas to be introduced into the liquid from the external space through a gas introduction path. The power source applies a predetermined voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode in a state in which a bubble containing the gas is generated in the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2015Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventor: Shin-Ichi Imai
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Patent number: 9605417Abstract: A system for harvesting rainwater for use in a skirt building. The skirt building includes a main building and a podium supporting the main building. The system includes: a standpipe; a buffer channel; a filter channel; and a green roof. The green roof includes a vegetation region including a baffled diversion corridor, and a bottom filtering layer including a drainage pipe. The standpipe is arranged on the main building and is connected to the buffer channel where the energy of rainwater flowing out of the standpipe is dissipated. The buffer channel, the filter channel, and the green roof are arranged on the podium, and the buffer channel communicates with the filter channel. The filter channel is connected to the green roof. The filter channel is divided into a plurality of sections respectively filled with different matrix materials.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2013Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignees: CHONGQING UNIVERSITY, Promotion Centre of Science and Technology Development, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People's Republic of ChinaInventors: Hongxiang Chai, Feng Zhang, Weijie Wang, Yanrong Bao, Luwei Guo, Shen Li, Hua Zhao
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Patent number: 9393359Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a therapeutic red blood cell exchange procedure are disclosed. In one aspect, a system includes a first flow path for flowing whole blood from a patient. A separator communicates with the first flow path for separating at least red blood cells from plasma. Second and third flow paths communicate with the separator for respectively flowing the separated plasma and red blood cells from the separator. A flow controller is associated with the flow paths to control fluid communication between the flow paths. The controller is configured to perform the procedure to achieve a target fraction of patient cells remaining, target hematocrit, and a target patient fluid volume change at the completion of the procedure based on data input by the operator.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.Inventors: Daniel R. Boggs, Kyungyoon Min, Lan T. Nguyen, John T. Foley, Brian Case
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Patent number: 9302207Abstract: A process separates out and removes water present in liquid fuels. The fuel supplies an internal combustion engine by a fuel delivery pump (12). Water is separated out at a filter (5) having a collecting space (27) for collecting separated water and connected upstream of the suction side (11) of the fuel delivery pump (12). The pump suction action counteracts outflow of water from the collecting space (27). Depending on the amount of water collected, the pump suction action is negated, and an outlet valve at an outflow orifice (37) of the collecting space (27) is opened by a discharge (43, 53) producing a pressure gradient enabling the discharge of water from the collecting space (27) over a discharge period when the fuel delivery pump (12) is operating.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2007Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: HYDAC FILTERTECHNIK GMBHInventors: Viktor Lauer, Martin Hager
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Patent number: 9295924Abstract: Water decontamination systems including one or more of an aerator module, a separator tower, and a contamination gas treatment system are described herein. Such systems are capable of removing contaminants, including volatile organic compounds, from the water. Certain volatile organic contaminants can be removed at high efficiencies. The systems may be automated to remove the contaminants and produce cleaned water on a continuous basis.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2013Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Liquid Separation Technologies and Equipment, LLCInventor: David S. Drewelow
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Patent number: 9005451Abstract: Method and device for treating a liquid effluent, in which this effluent enters a vessel. An intermediate level of liquid in the vessel is detected; an influx of a dilution liquid into the vessel is instigated; a high level of liquid in the vessel is detected; the influx of dilution liquid is stopped and a discharge of the fluid is instigated; a low level of liquid in the vessel is detected; the discharge of the liquid is stopped; and, while it is being discharged, the discharged liquid is exposed to light radiation in at least one treatment channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Sud est Eau PureInventor: Alain Picard
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Patent number: 8999170Abstract: A biological wastewater treatment system includes an equalization tank for sending a defined first portion of the wastewater to a submerged membrane filter. When the quantity of the received wastewater exceeds the defined first portion, a second portion of wastewater, formed from the wastewater that exceeds the defined first portion, is sent to a filtration process. The filtration process includes adding a flocculating agent to the second portion entering filtration, filtering the second portion, thereby producing retentive waste including flocculated material, and then sending the retentive waste to the submerged membrane filter.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Ovivo Luxembourg S.å.r.l.Inventor: Dennis Livingston
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Publication number: 20150090659Abstract: An upflow continuous backwash deep bed sand filter (UCBF) having a recycle line for returning carbonaceous denitrifying bacteria attached to biomass to the influent of the UCBF. The recycle line returns the biomass to the treatment process at a location upstream of the upflow continuous backwash filter. Further, a liquid level control unit is provided that reduces fluctuations and significant drop in the liquid level upstream of the upflow continuous backwash filter, thereby avoiding or minimizing flow turbulences, air induction, and undesirable wastewater aeration resulting in the need to dose excessive carbon source to remove dissolved oxygen in the aerated wastewater.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2013Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: John H. Reid, Wade Tanner
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Patent number: 8968580Abstract: A pumpbox apparatus includes a reservoir volume having a first inlet for receiving a feedstock stream and a second inlet for receiving a water stream, the reservoir volume being in communication with a discharge outlet disposed to discharge accumulated liquid from the reservoir volume. The reservoir volume is operable to accumulate the feedstock stream and the water stream in the reservoir volume while withdrawing a discharge stream through the discharge outlet to cause a flow of liquid through the pumpbox. The first inlet defines a first flow velocity region between the first inlet and the second inlet and a second flow velocity region between the second inlet and the discharge outlet. The first flow velocity is lower than the second flow velocity to facilitate flotation of a low specific gravity portion of the feedstock through the first region toward an upper surface of the liquid accumulated in the reservoir volume.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2010Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventors: Thomas Charles Hann, William Nicholas Garner
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Patent number: 8926843Abstract: A disc filter is provided having a controller for controlling effluent surges that are produced by the disc filter. The method entails sensing one or more process variables that are a function of the effluent, and based at least in part on the sensed process variables, the disc filter controls the flow of effluent in order to control or minimize effluent surges.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies SupportInventors: Michael Baker, Matt Stalter, Luke Wood, Mark Stewart
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Patent number: 8920651Abstract: In some embodiments, a wastewater treatment system may reduce contaminants in water. A system may include one or more bioreactors which include a substrate that supports a biofilm. The bacteria used to form the biofilm may be selected to maximize the reduction of contaminants in water. Various components of the wastewater treatment system may be optimized to improve the efficiency and energy consumption of the wastewater system.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Sam Houston UniversityInventor: Michael D. Rainone
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Publication number: 20140339174Abstract: A method of monitoring a low water volume within of a water circulation system is disclosed that includes detecting an auxiliary measurement associated with an ancillary device fluidly coupled with a reservoir of water in a water circulation system and then determining whether the ancillary device is performing under a low water volume operation. The low water volume operation is based upon a comparison between at least the detected auxiliary measurement of the ancillary device and a condition associated with a performance of the ancillary device under the low water volume operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventor: Eugene Bright
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Patent number: 8889007Abstract: The present invention is a wastewater treatment system utilizing a recirculating filter system comprising sand, gravel, or synthetic media. Septic effluent is continuously, or approximately continuously, dosed under pressure to the treatment media through pressure compensating drip irrigation emitters. The system comprises a commonly known septic tank and recirculation tank. Septic tank effluent is collected in the recirculation tank, from which it is continually dosed by means of a pump to the top of the treatment media of the recirculating filter through pressure compensating drip emitters. Continuous dosing of diluted residential septic tank effluent through drip irrigation emitters provides a slow consistent application of liquid rich in organic material and pathogens over the treatment media. The treated effluent is then recirculated if water is low or went to final disposal.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Inventors: David Mark Lowe, Richard D. Eldredge
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Patent number: 8889404Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing biogas from organic matter including a container (1) which is charged with fermentation substrate by a delivery system (13), and at least two stirring mechanisms (2) arranged in the container, the stirring mechanisms having propellers (3) which are rotated and generate mostly horizontal currents of the fermentation substrate in the container. The propeller diameters, the propeller geometries, and the positions of the propellers in the container are selected such that a shared mixing zone of the medium is generated in the container. Data for determining the mean speed and/or the viscosity of the medium in the mixing zone are detected and transmitted to a control unit (4) which varies actuating variables which modify the power input of the stirring mechanism into the mixing zone and/or the composition and/or the flow behavior of the container contents.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: KSB AktiengesellschaftInventors: Kai Rostalski, Peer Springer
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Publication number: 20140326678Abstract: A method for filling and venting a device for extracorporeal blood treatment is disclosed, such as a patient module in a heart-lung machine, without attached patient. A filling liquid from a filling liquid container located higher than the device flows by gravity via a venous side of the system into a reservoir and flows onwards into a blood pump located at the lower end of the reservoir, wherein a first controllable valve (HC1) for a venting line of a filter is opened and, after the response of an upper filling level sensor in the reservoir, is closed. An upper level of the filter is positioned higher than the upper filling level sensor, and a start-stop motion of the blood pump is performed, as a result of which a stepped flooding of the filter is made providing for an advantageous de-airing of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2011Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: Zoll LifeBridge GmbHInventors: Joachim Arzt, Gerhard Brieske
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Patent number: 8865002Abstract: The present application is directed to a system and method for processing fluid captured from a vehicle surface to provide a desired fluid product. The system includes sensors and control circuitry to determine system fluid volume levels and/or the ambient temperature of the system to safeguard the system against non-requested activation or deactivation.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Brimtech, LLCInventors: James K Weigle, Ben A Hammock, II, Robert Tupper
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Publication number: 20140305879Abstract: A method of supplying water using a natural water pipeline includes withdrawing impaired water from an impaired water body connected to a waterway and treating the impaired water from the impaired water body to produce treated water. The method also includes discharging the treated water into the waterway and conveying the treated water via the waterway to one or more locations proximate to one or more remote operational facilities that withdraws water from the waterway at the one or more locations. The method further includes receiving a monetary value from one or more operational entities operating the one or more remote operational facilities and providing at least a portion of one or more water access rights to the one or more operational entities in exchange for the monetary value.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Applicant: Hydration Company of PA LLCInventors: Brad J. Domitrovitsch, William A. Formica, III
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Patent number: RE46183Abstract: An appliance for sealing elastic hoses with a sleeve, which is plastically deformable and slipped onto the hose, has two jaws which are movable towards and away from each other. One jaw has two straight bars which project towards the other jaw and extend transversely of the sleeve to make two transverse indentations in the sleeve and the hose when the jaws are moving towards each other. The same jaw has a cutting edge which projects towards the other jaw and is directed transversely of the sleeve, the cutting edge making a substantially transverse cutting indication in the sleeve and the hose when the jaws are moving towards each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Merck Chemicals and Life Science ABInventor: Liv Arthun