In Circuit Patents (Class 261/36.1)
  • Patent number: 7243909
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling apparatus and method wherein a supply sump and turbine are below grade. Water cooled from an above grade cooling tower fan and fill flows into the supply sump and is pumped through below grade pipes into a facility. Heat rejected water from the facility then flows through below grade pipes into a below grade collector sump. A collector sump pump pumps the heat rejected water above grade into a nozzle and back into the fill to be cooled. The present invention is constructed such that water is not idle in any above grade component. Accordingly, the risk of water freezing within the above grade components is drastically reduced. Moreover, the heat rejection water can by-pass all above grade components and travel directly into the supply sump in the event of reduced load from the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Edward C. Koplin
  • Patent number: 7237767
    Abstract: Hot water (12) in a bath (11) is pumped up by a suction pump (9) and introduced into a carbon dioxide gas dissolver (7) through solution flow rate adjusting means (14) and then, poured into the bath (11). Carbon dioxide gas supplied from a carbon dioxide gas cylinder (1) is introduced into the carbon dioxide gas dissolver (7) through gas flow rate adjusting means (5). At this time, the quantity of bubbles existing in artificial carbonated spring in a take-out pipe (15) is measured with a measuring device (13), and the solution flow rate adjusting means (14), gas flow rate adjusting means (5) and the like are controlled by means of a control device (16) using a relational expression between a preliminarily set quantity of bubbles and carbon dioxide concentration to obtain a desired concentration of carbon dioxide gas in carbonated spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Sakakibara, Ken Ooyachi, Hiroshi Tasaka
  • Patent number: 7201884
    Abstract: An improved process, such as a microbiological or enzymatic process, and apparatus, such as an apparatus for producing a cellular product, comprising introducing a gaseous feed stream of at least one gas of low solubility into an aqueous medium containing a microorganism capable of converting said gaseous feed stream to a cellular product, entraining the gas in the aqueous medium, stirring the gas-entrained aqueous medium so that the gas is retained within the reactor for a time sufficient for the microorganism to convert the majority of the gas to product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey David Cohen
  • Patent number: 7198254
    Abstract: The system for producing a micro-cluster liquid from a starting liquid utilizes a cavitation device with a plurality of reverse-fed pump volutes within a housing, where each volute establishes a rotational vortex for spinning the liquid in a circle and directing a liquid stream into a common chamber at a center of the housing. The starting liquid is pumped into the cavitation device at a first pressure and tangentially fed into each volute. The rotational vortex creates a partial vacuum within the spinning liquid so that cavitation bubbles are formed when the liquid exits the volute. The common chamber is maintained at a lower pressure so that the bubbles explode or implode upon exit from the volute to generate shock waves that break molecular bonds in the liquid. The volutes are oriented so that the liquid streams collide with each other within the common chamber, facilitating breakdown of molecular bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Aquaphotonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Holloway, William D. Holloway, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7152850
    Abstract: Hot water (12) in a bath (11) is pumped up by a suction pump (9) and introduced into a carbon dioxide gas dissolver (7) through solution flow rate adjusting means (14) and then, poured into the bath (11). Carbon dioxide gas supplied from a carbon dioxide gas cylinder (1) is introduced into the carbon dioxide gas dissolver (7) through gas flow rate adjusting means (5). At this time, the quantity of bubbles existing in artificial carbonated spring in a take-out pipe (15) is measured with a measuring device (13), and the solution flow rate adjusting means (14), gas flow rate adjusting means (5) and the like are controlled by means of a control device (16) using a relational expression between a preliminarily set quantity of bubbles and carbon dioxide concentration to obtain a desired concentration of carbon dioxide gas in carbonated spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Sakakibara, Ken Ooyachi, Hiroshi Tasaka
  • Patent number: 6998056
    Abstract: Apparatus and process for aerating a liquid with gas, the apparatus comprising a pressure vessel including a lower section containing the liquid and an upper section containing a volume of the gas. A pressure connection in the upper section of the pressure vessel adapted receives the gas. A nozzle in the upper section of the pressure vessel receives the liquid. An injector extends from the upper section of the pressure vessel to the lower section of the pressure vessel and has a head in fluid communication with the nozzle. Part of the gas volume is sucked in by the vacuum generated by the liquid injected, carried along together with the liquid and mixed intimately with the liquid at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Andritz AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Scherzinger, Helmuth Gabl
  • Patent number: 6905111
    Abstract: A carbonic water production apparatus equipped with a carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 3 and a circulation pump 1 wherein water in a bath 11 is circulated by the circulation pump 1, and a carbonic acid gas is fed into the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 3 to dissolve the carbonic acid gas in the water, and wherein the circulation pump 1 is a positive-displacement metering pump having a self-priming ability; a carbonic water production method using this apparatus; a carbonic water production method comprising an early step for producing a carbonic water and a concentration maintaining step for the carbonic water; a carbonic water production apparatus equipped with a control for controlling the feeding pressure of carbonic water gas so that give an intended concentration of carbonic acid gas; a carbonic water production apparatus which automatically discharges out a drain; and a carbonic water production apparatus combined with a portable foot bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Rayon Engineering Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Nagasaka, Hiroki Sakakibara, Yuichi Morioka, Katsuya Sanai, Michio Kanno, Satoshi Takeda
  • Publication number: 20040012101
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for periodically dumping liquids in an installation, in which liquids are recycled or otherwise accumulate dissolved and/or suspended contaminants, which process and apparatus makes use of a container for a liquid which is alternately filled and drained during operation of the installation, resulting in changing weight or buoyancy of the container or level of a float in the container, which actuates a dumping valve when a given critical weight, buoyancy or float level is exceeded or reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventor: Alan Dale Wright
  • Patent number: 6598862
    Abstract: An evaporative cooler and method of operation is provided in which the cooler includes a liquid distributor, a body having a surface for receiving liquid from the distributor, an air moving device for generating a flow of air over the surface of the body, a heat transfer working fluid conduit having a surface arranged to receive substantially all of the liquid from the body and a liquid recirculating mechanism to recirculate the liquid from the conduit surface to the body surface. In an embodiment the body occupies a plan area larger than the plan area occupied by the conduit. In an embodiment, the conduit is located outside of the flow of air. In an embodiment, the velocity of the liquid is increased after it leaves the body and before it engages the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Evapco International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Merrill, George R. Shriver
  • Patent number: 6585236
    Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide an aerator capable of performing aerobic operation feeding air into water, and anaerobic operation not feeding air into water efficiently, by simply switching the direction of rotation of an electric motor, without installing any lifting mechanism for lifting a rotary shaft provided with agitating blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi Kiden Kogyo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Tanabe, Kosuke Ode, Tomoya Okamura
  • Patent number: 6585854
    Abstract: A device and process for aerating dispersions, particularly for flotation of pulp suspensions, in a de-inking process where the pulp suspension containing dirt particles is sprayed into a tank together with air. The air is injected at a minimum of two successive points and mixed with the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Andritz AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Scherzinger, Helmuth Gabl
  • Patent number: 6565070
    Abstract: A reactor for aerating a fluid with a gas comprises a mixing tank (12) for the fluid and a centrally located vertical draft tube (13) submerged in the fluid to divide the mixing tank (12) into an inner chamber (21) and an outer chamber (23). The reactor further comprises a motor driven axial flow impeller (14) located in the draft tube (13) for circulating fluid downwardly through the inner chamber (21) and upwardly through the outer chamber (23). The reactor further comprises an external circuit for withdrawing a portion of the fluid from the mixing tank (12), aerating the fluid, and returning the aerated fluid to the mixing tank (12). The aerator is in the form of a venturi device (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventors: Robin John Batterham, Warwick Arthur Hoffmann, Nicholas Katsikaros
  • Patent number: 6511049
    Abstract: A cooling unit includes a housing (1) with an evaporating unit (7) installed on the inclined roof of a cabin and an external water reservoir (29) with a rising pump (31) installed lower down, between the cabin and the rear part of a truck. The return hose (15′) of the excess water gutter (45) coming from the evaporator has an upper end (14) connected to the front part of the gutter and then it crosses a rising stretch to leave by the rear part of the housing and descending down to its lower end which is connected at the outlet of the pump, together with the feed hose (6) of the evaporator by means of a coupling (47). The pump control is intermittent, with a duty cycle lower than 10%, sufficient to purge the return hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Col-Ven S.A.
    Inventors: Rafael A. Colussi, Néstor J. Vénica
  • Publication number: 20020195729
    Abstract: An evaporative cooler and method of operation is provided in which the cooler includes a liquid distributor, a body having a surface for receiving liquid from the distributor, an air moving device for generating a flow of air over the surface of the body, a heat transfer working fluid conduit having a surface arranged to receive substantially all of the liquid from the body and a liquid recirculating mechanism to recirculate the liquid from the conduit surface to the body surface. In an embodiment the body occupies a plan area larger than the plan area occupied by the conduit. In an embodiment, the conduit is located outside of the flow of air. In an embodiment, the velocity of the liquid is increased after it leaves the body and before it engages the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Richard P. Merrill, George R. Shriver
  • Publication number: 20020180070
    Abstract: The invention concerns a unit (10) comprising a chamber (4) for contacting liquid and fumes, means (10, 12) for distributing liquid into said chamber (4), a circuit (14) feeding the distributing means (10, 12) with liquid, comprising in particular a pump (16), a safety liquid reserve (10 arranged at a level higher than that of said chamber (4) and means for transferring (22, 26) said liquid by gravity, from the reserve to the feeding circuit. The transfer means (22, 26) are adapted to enable the liquid to flow in both ascending and descending directions, said flow being constantly possible in at least one of the two directions and occurring in one direction or the other depending on pressure conditions prevailing in the feeder circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Jacques Woillez, Fabrice Gourmelon
  • Publication number: 20020180072
    Abstract: A scrubber for removing soluble materials from harmful gaseous effluents with high efficiency and safety is disclosed. By using twice mixes of the scrubbing liquid and the harmful gaseous effluent, the scrubber meets the standards of environment protection. The scrubber of this invention also prevents the problems of factory safety presenting in the conventional fume scrubber. Owing to the high efficiency of the mixing of the harmful gaseous effluent and the scrubbing liquid, the production facilities or processing units need not stop operating once the supply of the scrubbing liquid terminates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Johnson Chuang, Jackson Chuang
  • Patent number: 6460831
    Abstract: A liquid coater which includes a mist feed tube (5) for feeding oil mist into an airtight container (2), an air hose (10) for feeding air into the airtight container (2) and a mist conveyor pipe (11) for conveying the oil mist pressurized by air inside the airtight container (2) to the outside of the container. Therefore, droplets and large mist particles can be trapped inside the container from the mist feed tube (5), and the mist can be conveyed at a high speed. The liquid coater has excellent applicability. The mist feed tube (5) has a double tube structure comprising an air tube (7) in which air flows, and an oil tube (6) which extends in the air tube (7) and in which the oil flows. The distal end of the oil tube (6) is positioned more inward than the distal end of the air tube (7), so that the oil mist can be fed by a simple construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji BC Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hattori
  • Patent number: 6460830
    Abstract: The device includes a vertical sheath (11) extending in a part of the height of the tank (1), a funnel (14) located around the upper part of the sheath (11), a vertical shaft (19) driving the propeller (20) in rotation, anti-vortex blades (24) located inside the sheath (11), below the propeller (20), a pipe (33) for injecting a gas under pressure in the sheath (11), below the anti-vortex blades (24), and uniquely static stirring obstacles (31, 32) for stirring the liquid (3) by turbulence inside the sheath (11), these obstacles being located below the anti-vortex blades (24). The invention is applicable for example to the treatment of fatty waste products extracted from town sewage effluents or agricultural food industries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Carbofil International
    Inventor: Alain Boulant
  • Publication number: 20020070465
    Abstract: A humidification system having a humidifier housing having a supply water inlet and an excess water outlet, which excess water outlet is in fluid communication with a water reservoir vessel. A pump is provided by way of which water in the water reservoir vessel is circulated to the supply water inlet of the humidifier housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Gerald Stephen Harvel, William Anthony Wangler, Ralph Lipsey Barnett
  • Publication number: 20020066968
    Abstract: A acclimatizer comprises a cabinet (1) with an evaporating unit (7) installed on the inclined roof of a cabin and an external water deposit (29) with a rising pump (31) installed lower down, between the cabin and the rear part of a truck. The return hose (15′) of the excess water collector (45) coming from the evaporator has an upper end (14) connected to the front part of the collector and then it crosses a rising stretch to leave by the rear part of the cabinet and descending down to its lower end which is connected at the outlet of the pump, together with the feed hose (6) of the evaporator by means of a coupling 47. The pump control is intermittent, with a useful cycle lower than 10%, sufficient to purge the return hose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Rafael A. Colussi, Nestor J. Venica
  • Patent number: 6398194
    Abstract: A water pressure-type aeration device including a water pump that generates powerful water pressure, with the water pumped through a water distribution head and a number of water distribution tubes which are placed throughout the water of a pond (or tank). The ends of the water distribution tubes are installed to cavitation housings, with the each of the cavitation housings connected at an angle of 90 degrees to the fresh air supply tubes which are directly conjoined to air filter and delivery devices floating on the surface of the water. When water is conveyed under pressure to the cavitation housings at the ends of the water distribution tubes, rear pressure constrictive openings in conjunction with a spray guide elements inside the housings generate powerful water pressure and the resulting friction across the tubular openings of fresh air supply tubes draw air in that is mixed with water in the cavitation housings and discharged from spray nozzles, thereby replenishing oxygen in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventors: Tsung-Hsin Tsai, Shih-Tse Wang
  • Patent number: 6283459
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a gas-liquid processing apparatus having a high contact efficiency of a gas and a liquid and a high reaction efficiency at a low production cost. A static type fluid mixer includes a passage pipe for the passage of a fluid and a spiral blade body arranged in the passage pipe with the longitudinal direction substantially perpendicularly but being absent in the center portion of the passage pipe. A liquid and a gas are supplied into the static type fluid mixer and a fluid is returned from the bottom portion of the static type fluid mixer to the upper portion via the pipe for the fluid circulation. The fluid is maintained in the static type fluid mixer at a pressured state higher than the atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Hisao Kojima
  • Patent number: 6273402
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mixing a gas and a liquid while concomitantly mixing and suspending solids and sludge at the bottom of a deep tank. The present invention includes a gas-liquid aerator which is adapted to be submerged below the surface of wastewater in a deep tank. An expanding high velocity gas-liquid mixture is caused to exit from the bottom of the submerged aerator device with enough force to mix and suspend settling solids and sludge at the bottom of the deep tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Tat Yan Cheng
  • Publication number: 20010011778
    Abstract: A reactor for aerating a fluid with a gas comprises a mixing tank (12) for the fluid and a centrally located vertical draft tube (13) submerged in the fluid to divide the mixing tank (12) into an inner chamber (21) and an outer chamber (23). The reactor further comprises a motor driven axial flow impeller (14) located in the draft tube (13) for circulating fluid downwardly through the inner chamber (21) and upwardly through the outer chamber (23). The reactor further comprises an external circuit for withdrawing a portion of the fluid from the mixing tank (12), aerating the fluid, and returning the aerated fluid to the mixing tank (12). The aerator is in the form of a venturi device (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventors: Robin John Batterham, Warwick Arthur Hoffmann, Nicholas Katsikaros
  • Patent number: 6264174
    Abstract: A high pressure tank installed in an emulsifier and connected between a bubble generator and a water pipe to receive a liquid from a water pump for enabling the liquid to be delivered to the bubble generator for making bubbles, the high pressure tank having a venturi tube extended from one side thereof to the water pipe for enabling a part of the liquid to be guided out of the high pressure tank to the water pipe for circulation, and an air valve installed in the venturi tube for enabling outside air to be drawn into the venturi tube to mix with the liquid passing through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventors: Tsun Shin Chang, Shih Ching Chuang
  • Patent number: 6257560
    Abstract: A fountain humidifier and air cleanser for providing moisture to surrounding air. The fountain humidifier and air cleanser includes a base including a skirt extending therefrom forming a reservoir for retaining a fluid therein and a hollow structure including a recess in a top side thereof and an open base side having an irregularly shaped edge. The hollow structure is removably positioned within the reservoir whereby fluid within the reservoir is able to flow into the structure through spaces present between the base side and reservoir due to the irregularly shaped edge. A pump is positioned within the hollow structure and a diverter is connected to the pump. The diverter extends through the recess in the top side of the hollow structure, wherein the pump pumps fluid within the reservoir against the diverter causing the fluid to form a dome shaped flow through the recess and back into the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Kevin Kim
  • Patent number: 6245129
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing solvents, utilizing a solvent removal unit equipped with an upper liquid supporting member provided with a bottom portion which supports the solvent suspension and which is provided with an opened hole, and a lower liquid supporting member provided at a lower side and at a distance from said upper liquid supporting member, such that the solvent suspension is dropped from the upper liquid supporting member to the lower liquid supporting member, and that the solvent suspension is brought into contact with a gaseous phase while it is being dropped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 6209856
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a gas-liquid processing apparatus having a high contact efficiency of a gas and a liquid and a high reaction efficiency at a low production cost. A static type fluid mixer includes a passage pipe for the passage of a fluid and a spiral blade body arranged in the passage pipe with the longitudinal direction substantially perpendicularly but being absent in the center portion of the passage pipe. A liquid and a gas are supplied into the static type fluid mixer and a fluid is returned from the bottom portion of the static type fluid mixer to the upper portion via the pipe for the fluid circulation. The fluid is maintained in the static type fluid mixer at a pressured state higher than the atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Hisao Kojima
  • Patent number: 6189869
    Abstract: A humidifier with a plurality of wettable wicks is disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, the humidifier includes a first wettable wick adapted to humidify an air stream and a first tray for holding water. The first tray is located in a position adapted to wet the first wick by capillary action. The humidifier includes a second wettable wick adapted to humidify the air stream and a second tray for holding water. The second tray is located in a position adapted to wet the second wick by capillary action and adapted to receive water from the first tray. A channel connects the two trays and transfers water from the first tray to the second tray when the water level in the first tray reaches a predetermined level. The use of the channel instead of a tube reduces water noise and the chances for vapor lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Terrence L. Stanek, Mark J. Tomasiak, Charles F. Wiegand
  • Patent number: 6186170
    Abstract: An ozone-water feeding facility is able to feed ozone-water at a highly-accurately controlled concentration from an ozone-water producing apparatus to a remote service location even under an intermittent usage condition. The facility includes an ozone-water producing apparatus disposed remote from an ozone-water service location; a circulating pipeline extending outwardly from the ozone-water producing apparatus and returning thereto by way of a neighborhood of the service location; and a short branch pipe branched from the circulating pipeline at the above neighborhood. The ozone-water is intermittently introduced from the branch pipe, to thereby supply the ozone-water at a specific concentration to the service location. The facility may preferably include a discharge side ozone-water conditioning portion for diluting the ozone-water intermittently introduced from the short branch pipe into a specific concentration before the supply of the ozone-water to the service location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Take-One Office, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihisa Koganezawa, Yukio Akahori