Vibrator Attached To Mixing Chamber Wall Or Platform Patents (Class 366/114)
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Patent number: 11938455Abstract: A system for continuously processing a combination of materials includes a continuous process vessel having an outlet and one or more inlets. The continuous process vessel is configured to oscillate along an oscillation axis. An acoustic agitator is coupled to the continuous process vessel. The acoustic agitator is configured to oscillate the continuous process vessel along the oscillation axis. An outlet passage is in fluid communication with the outlet. At least a portion of the outlet passage or at least a portion of the continuous process vessel is disposed within a portion of the acoustic agitator.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2023Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Resodyn CorporationInventors: Peter Andrew Lucon, Zachary Ruprecht Martineau
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Patent number: 11772134Abstract: A method includes cleaning a wafer with a brush element where the brush element collects particles from the wafer during the cleaning process. The brush element is immersed in a first cleaning liquid. An ultrasonic or megasonic vibration is applied to the first cleaning liquid. The ultrasonic or megasonic vibration causes the particles to dislodge from the brush element into the first cleaning liquid. The particles contaminate the first cleaning liquid.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2018Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTDInventors: Han-Yeou Huang, Chun-Hsiang Fan
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Patent number: 11623189Abstract: A system for continuously processing a combination of materials includes a continuous process vessel having an outlet and one or more inlets. The continuous process vessel is configured to oscillate along an oscillation axis. An acoustic agitator is coupled to the continuous process vessel. The acoustic agitator is configured to oscillate the continuous process vessel along the oscillation axis. An outlet passage is in fluid communication with the outlet. At least a portion of the outlet passage or at least a portion of the continuous process vessel is disposed within a portion of the acoustic agitator.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2020Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: RESODYN CORPORATIONInventors: Peter Andrew Lucon, Zachary Ruprecht Martineau
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Patent number: 11439164Abstract: A cooking system that utilizes vibration to improve the convenience of preparing food and the quality of the finished product. The system uses a vibrating device coupled to a cooking vessel with a pad and/or isolation blocks disposed between the vibrator and the vessel. The cooking system can be adapted to prepare specific foods in specific quantities, such as popcorn in pre-packaged containers.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2018Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Kenyon Technologies, LLCInventor: Michael Reischmann
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Patent number: 11426029Abstract: The disclosure provides for a device for selectively agitating briquettes on a grill supporting plate. The device includes a variable frequency vibrational device, a power source, and a control circuit that controls the vibrational device at selected frequencies to create various Chladni patterns in the plate and, therefore, heating patterns over the surface of a briquette-supporting pan. The plate supports one or more pieces of charcoal and the device is integrated into the pan. When turned on, the vibrational device vibrates at a selected frequency. This vibration is translated to the briquette-supporting plate and causes different charcoal briquettes to selectively vibrate. The device is capable of selectively activating or pixilating briquettes to generate higher temperatures over different surface areas of the plate when the grill is cooking one or more pieces of food requiring different degrees of grilling or cooking.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: DABBLE VENTURES, LLCInventor: Vahan Ghazarian
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Patent number: 11369928Abstract: The disclosure provides for device for agitating a grill. The device includes a vibrational device, a power source, and a control circuit; wherein the control circuit controls the vibrational device and the power source provides power to the vibrational device. A pan of the grill houses one or more pieces of charcoal and the device is integrated into the pan. When turned on, the vibrational device vibrates at a high frequency. This vibration is translated into the pan and causes the pieces of charcoal to vibrate as well. The device is capable of withstanding a high temperature of the pan when the grill is cooking one or more pieces of food.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: DABBLE VENTURES, LLCInventor: Vahan Ghazarian
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Patent number: 11318429Abstract: Provided are an enclosed stirrer using intermittent resonance and a method. The enclosed stirrer comprises: two pairs of parallel tension springs (1), a fixing bracket (2), an elastic cantilever beam (3), a cantilever beam pressure clamping device (6), an eccentric motor (4), an arc-shaped cushion block (5), and an enclosed container (8). The enclosed container (8) is mounted on the fixing bracket (2) by the tension spring (1). The elastic cantilever beam (3) is installed below the enclosed container (8) and is axially parallel to the enclosed container (8). One end of the elastic cantilever beam (3) is mounted on the fixing bracket (2) as a clamping end, the other end of the elastic cantilever beam (3) is connected to the eccentric motor (4) as a movable end. The arc-shaped cushion block (5) is connected above the eccentric motor (4). The arc-shaped cushion block (5) reciprocally strikes the bottom of the enclosed container (8) during operation of the eccentric motor (4).Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2017Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Inventors: Zhaohui Ren, Hongcheng Qiu, Hui Li, Shangqing Li, Huihui Wang, Huaishuai Wu
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Patent number: 11221331Abstract: In an embodiment, an immunochemistry analysing system includes a source of paramagnetic particles, a source of fluid, a cuvette configured to receive the paramagnetic particles and the fluid, a pipette configured to (i) translate so that at least a portion of the pipette is located within the cuvette and (ii) dispense at least one of the paramagnetic particles and the fluid into the cuvette so that the paramagnetic particles and the fluid can be mixed within the cuvette, a motor configured to move the pipette while located in the cuvette, and a control unit configured to vary a motor drive of the motor to cause the pipette to mix the fluid with the paramagnetic particles within the cuvette.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2018Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Hycor Biomedical, LLCInventors: Mark Van Cleve, Taylor Reid, Gerold Firl, Yohei Yamamuro, Nathaniel Hague
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Patent number: 11064601Abstract: Examples of systems for imploding liquid liner are described. The imploding system comprises a vessel and a rotating member positioned within the vessel. The rotating member has a plurality of shaped blades that form a plurality of curved passages that have an inboard opening at an inner surface and an outboard end at an outer surface. The rotating member is at least partially filled with liquid medium. A driver is used to rotate the rotating member such that when the rotating member rotates the liquid medium is forced into the passages forming a liquid liner with an interface curved with respect to an axis of rotation and defining a cavity. The system further comprises an implosion driver that changes the rotational speed of the rotating member such that the liquid liner is imploded inwardly collapsing the cavity. The imploding liquid liner can be used in plasma compression systems.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2018Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Inventors: Joerg Zimmermann, David Franklin Plant, Robert Vlastimil Bouchal, Troy Nickolas Tyler, Victoria Suponitsky, Michael Harcourt Delage, Michel Georges Laberge, Malcolm Newton Williams
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Patent number: 10835880Abstract: A system for continuously processing a combination of materials includes a continuous process vessel having an outlet and one or more inlets. The continuous process vessel is configured to oscillate along an oscillation axis. An acoustic agitator is coupled to the continuous process vessel. The acoustic agitator is configured to oscillate the continuous process vessel along the oscillation axis. An outlet passage is in fluid communication with the outlet. At least a portion of the outlet passage or at least a portion of the continuous process vessel is disposed within a portion of the acoustic agitator.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2017Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Resodyn CorporationInventors: Peter Andrew Lucon, Zachary Ruprecht Martineau
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Patent number: 10563966Abstract: A powder trickier is provided. The trickier includes a hopper for containing powder in bulk. A dispensing tube has a portion thereof in flow communication with the hopper. A vibrator is associated with the dispensing tube to induce powder flow from the hopper into and through the tube for dispensing powder from a tube outlet.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2018Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Hornady Manufacturing CompanyInventor: David Haberman
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Patent number: 10561997Abstract: A mixing unit (100) for mixing of fluids is disclosed. The mixing unit (100) includes a mixing chamber (102) for holding one or more fluids and a driving assembly (104) operatively engaged to the mixing chamber (102). The driving assembly (104) is configured to oscillate the mixing chamber (102) for mixing the one or more fluids. The mixing chamber (102) of the mixing unit (100) enables better mixing of fluids in a convenient manner. Further less amount of cleaning fluids may be only required for cleaning the mixing chamber (102) after the mixing process. The mixing unit (100) can be used for mixing amino acids with different fluids however this unit can be used for mixing other fluids as well.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2015Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences ABInventors: Bjorn Olovsson, Daniel Carlsson, Mahias Osmark, Magnus Gamberg
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Patent number: 10053635Abstract: A method is disclosed for the treatment of a liquid, in particular a mineral oil, for increasing the portion of low-boiling fractions. The treatment comprises generating pressure waves having a first frequency, subjecting the liquid to said pressure waves in a region of application and feeding the so-treated liquid to a tank. At least one pipe flowed through by the treated liquid and immediately following said region of application is excited to oscillations of a second frequency, which is the resonance frequency of the excited system.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2011Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: PRISTEC AGInventors: Jose Miguel Delgado Castillo, Anibal Luis Veneciano Rivera, Ruediger Uwe Nuerk, Fedor Chernikov
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Patent number: 9504981Abstract: A nucleic acid purification device includes a housing and an adapter operatively attached to the housing. The adapter is configured to receive at least one well plate which includes a plurality of wells for receiving contents including at least a sample and a plurality of paramagnetic particles. The device also includes a motor disposed within the housing and configured to selectively move at least the adapter to thereby disrupt or shake the contents of the plurality of wells when the at least one well plate is received by the adapter. The device further includes at least one electromagnetic feature configured to selectively receive an electrical signal and thereby magnetize at least a portion of the plurality of paramagnetic particles when the plurality of paramagnetic particles are received by the plurality of wells and the at least one well plate is received by the adapter.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: True Health Diagnostics LLCInventor: William Ross Higgins
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Patent number: 9434596Abstract: The present application describes a product dispenser. The product dispenser may include at least one macro-ingredient source, at least one micro-ingredient source positioned about the dispenser, a diluent source, a dispensing valve, a number of pumps or metering devices, and a user interface. The user interface receives a request for a product type and instructs the pumps or metering devices to dispense a predetermined type and ratio of macro-ingredients, micro-ingredients, and diluent to the dispensing valve for a predetermined flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: The Coca-Cola CompanyInventors: Gregg Carpenter, David R. Newman, Jr., Nilang Patel, Paul A. Phillips, Arthur G. Rudick, Lawrence B. Ziesel
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Patent number: 9410256Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for separation of particulate from water using ultrasonically generated acoustic standing waves.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: FloDesign Sonics, Inc.Inventors: Jason Dionne, Bart Lipkens, Edward Rietman
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Patent number: 9302234Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a hand held pipette for aspirating and dispensing liquids including, a stirring device assembly, including a vibration inducing unit, a power source for the vibration inducing unit, and a control for the vibration inducing unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2013Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Inventor: Kunio Misono
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Patent number: 9028131Abstract: The present invention discloses a high intensity ultrasonic treatment method and apparatus that is used in conjunction with an existing commercial dough or batter mixer to enhance the rheological, aeration and textural properties of the dough or batter. This change in properties is a result of the phenomenon of acoustic cavitation induced in the dough or batter by treatment with high intensity ultrasonic waves. The present invention discloses a mixing bowl (20) of an existing mixer system that is preloaded with dough or batter, the bowl (20) is located at the center of an ultrasonic bath tank (101) filled with a working fluid. The effect of ultra-sonic waves with power levels above 1 kW can be observed over the entire or partial mixing period of the dough or batter. The ultra-sonic waves of the present invention are generated by a plurality of ultrasonic wave generators (104A, 104B) and piezoelectric transducers (1) mounted on a stainless steel tank (101).Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2011Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Universiti Putra MalaysiaInventors: Ling Nyuk Chin, Ching Mei Tan, Nasrul Fikry Che Pa, Yus Aniza Yusof
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Patent number: 8985836Abstract: A liquid supply device according to the invention includes a container which is filled with a liquid from a liquid storage portion, and the container includes a bottom surface portion, an upper surface portion, and a stirrer which moves in the bottom surface portion and stirs the liquid. The relationship between a height Ht in the vertical direction of a central portion in the container and a height Hb in the vertical direction of the stirrer satisfy the Expression: 0.40×Ht?Hb?0.90×Ht.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2011Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Shohei Shiono
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Patent number: 8905624Abstract: A system and method for controlling a mixing system at a peak energy efficiency point, maximum response point or reduced sound generation point based on displacement, velocity, acceleration or jerk operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Inventors: Harold W. Howe, Peter A. Lucon, Jeffrey D. Thornton, Brian Jay Seaholm
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Publication number: 20140269150Abstract: A bulk material handling assembly comprises a pair of spaced-apart walls, an elongate vibrator, a pair of saddle clamps, and a pair of locking members. The saddle clamps encircle and releasably secure the axial end portions of the vibrator to the spaced-apart walls of the bulk material handling assembly. The locking members are secured to the saddle clamps and to the end portions of the vibrator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: MARTIN ENGINEERING COMPANYInventor: Travis J. Miller
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Patent number: 8822210Abstract: An incubator (1) has an incubation chamber (2) and a shaking device (4) to shake receptacles (5) placed in the incubation chamber (2). A device chamber (3) adjoins the incubation chamber (2) and accommodates at least parts of the shaking device (4). The shaking device (4) has a base plate (8) that seals off the incubation chamber (2) from the device chamber 3. A shaking table (11) is on the inner face (9) of the base plate (8) and can be moved in a horizontal plane by a drive arm (10). A motor (34) is arranged on the outer face (37) of the base plate (8). The motor (34) drives a drive shaft (14) that is rotatably mounted in the base plate (8) and that is operatively connected to the drive arm (10).Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2009Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbHInventors: Reinhard Baumfalk, Stefan Obermann, Rainer Sandrock
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Patent number: 8789999Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for uniformly mixing fluid phases entrained in a porous material. A mixer may have a vessel and at least one porous material held by the vessel. At least one actuator may be acoustically coupled with at least one wall of the vessel for generating a wave. The wave effects mixing of at least two fluids in the porous material. The actuator may be a linear motor actuated with a control signal of predetermined frequency. The actuator may have a number of actuator pairs each including respective first and second actuators at respective first and second sides of the vessel. The actuators may be hinged for reciprocal movement. The actuators may be actuated to form a compression expansion wave to effect fluid motion in the porous material.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Igor I. Fedchenia
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Patent number: 8764275Abstract: A mixing and/or conveyance method and a mixing and/or conveyance device for a fluid substance, comprising a sample chamber, a cavity communicating with the sample chamber, said cavity being configured for accommodating a compressible medium, and a sound source that may be coupled to the compressible medium for the production of a fluctuation in pressure in the compressible medium. In the region of its mouth, the cavity is designed such that, in the case of an expansion in the volume of the compressible medium in the cavity, a directed fluid stream of the fluid substance escapes from the cavity through its mouth. A sample processing chip (‘lab on a chip’) comprising such a mixing and/or conveyance device.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2008Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Institut für Mikrotechnik Mainz GmbHInventors: Friedhelm Schönfeld, Malte Weniger
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Patent number: 8759421Abstract: Described is a continuous process for preparing nanodispersions including providing a composition comprising a liquid and a solute; heating the composition to dissolution of the solute to form a solution comprising the solute dissolved in the liquid; directing the heated solution through a continuous tube wherein the continuous tube has a first end for receiving the solution, a continuous flow-through passageway disposed in an ultrasonic heat exchanger, and a second end for discharging a product stream; treating the heated solution as the solution passes through the continuous flow-through passageway disposed in the ultrasonic heat exchanger to form the product stream comprising nanometer size particles in the liquid; optionally, collecting the product stream in a product receiving vessel; and optionally, filtering the product stream.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Alan Edward John Toth, Santiago Faucher, Yiliang Wu, Marko Saban
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Patent number: 8662735Abstract: Sonication of a medium for example in an immunoassay is provided by applying sound waves from a transducer to a vessel in which the medium is held by a sonotrode coupled between the transducer and the vessel. The sonotrode has a recess in which the vessel is held, the recess being formed by facing surfaces of a plurality of protruding portions of the sonotrode separated by slits and arranged around the recess. The sonotrode is coupled to the vessel by dry contact with the vessel without any coupling layers therebetween. The use of such a sonotrode provides the advantages of allowing effective sonication with relatively low energy loss and with a low temperature elevation.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2012Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Orion Diagnostica OyInventors: Juhani Luotola, Teuvo Sillanpaa
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Patent number: 8652830Abstract: An apparatus for stimulating cell includes a cell culture chamber, a control device, and first and second exciters. The cell culture chamber includes cell and culture medium. The control device receives first and second exciting signals, and controls magnitudes and phases of the received first and second exciting signals so that a sound pressure level in a focused zone is higher than a sound pressure level in a zone other than the focused zone, and outputs first and second controlled exciting signals. The first and second exciters receive the first and second controlled exciting signals and excite the cell culture chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Jennifer H. Shin, SunHee Kim, Jin Young Park, Yang-Hann Kim
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Publication number: 20140036615Abstract: A stirring apparatus includes a container support section supporting a medicine container, a rotational driving section rotating the medicine container supported by the container support section around a central axis of the medicine container, a vibration driving section reciprocal vibrating the medicine container supported by the container support section along the central axis of the medicine container, pressing rollers arranged opposed to the container support section, the pressing rollers pressing the medicine container across the medicine container between the pressing rollers and the container support section, and a control part controlling the rotational driving section and the vibration driving section. The pressing rollers are diagonally arranged.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Akinobu OKUDA, Yuki TAKENAKA
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Patent number: 8637326Abstract: Detection of detection target substances at a sensor portion is expedited and the efficiency thereof is improved in biological substance analysis, to enable accelerated analysis with high sensitivity. A biological substance analyzing cell equipped with a reaction chamber having a sample supply space, an acoustic matching layer which is provided at a predetermined region of an inner wall of the reaction chamber that faces another inner wall, and a sensor portion provided within the reaction chamber is employed. Ultrasonic waves are emitted such that a standing wave are generated between the acoustic matching layer and the inner wall of the reaction chamber that faces the acoustic matching layer. The detection target substance is concentrated by the capturing forces of the standing waves, and the concentrated detection target substance is detected at the sensor portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Fujifilm CorporationInventors: Kazuyoshi Horii, Ryuichi Nakayama, Yasutoshi Hirabayashi
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Patent number: 8621817Abstract: This invention discloses a method of building concrete walls, columns and other vertical or sloped structures using a vertically oriented vibrating screed and utilization of the thixotropic properties of wet concrete. The vertical screed is a simple, inexpensive and highly flexible apparatus that may be used for a wide variety of applications that involve the applying of cementicious material in the construction of a vertical structure. By using highly thixotropic concrete, the vertical screed is able to place concrete and other cementicious materials in a vertical plane much like concrete is placed with vibrating screeds in the horizontal plane. The vertical screed's applications range from applying a thin cementicious coating to placing concrete in a vertical plane to construct a wall or column. The various configurations of the vertical screed range from a small hand held device to a much larger mechanically controlled apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2011Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Inventor: Kenneth Robert Kreizinger
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Publication number: 20130201781Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for uniformly mixing fluid phases entrained in a porous material. A mixer may have a vessel and at least one porous material held by the vessel. At least one actuator may be acoustically coupled with at least one wall of the vessel for generating a wave. The wave effects mixing of at least two fluids in the porous material. The actuator may be a linear motor actuated with a control signal of predetermined frequency. The actuator may have a number of actuator pairs each including respective first and second actuators at respective first and second sides of the vessel. The actuators may be hinged for reciprocal movement. The actuators may be actuated to form a compression expansion wave to effect fluid motion in the porous material.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventor: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
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Patent number: 8496884Abstract: A stirring container in which liquid is contained is used in an analyzer for measuring a property of the liquid. The stirring container includes a recessed portion in which the liquid is held so that a meniscus is formed; and a sound wave generating unit disposed outside of a wall portion forming the recessed portion, and generates surface sound waves for stirring the liquid. The wall portion is configured so that a rising of the meniscus is lower than a rising of the meniscus formed by the liquid held in an assumed container whose cross section in a direction orthogonal to a depth direction of the recessed portion is the same as that of a circumscribed rectangle. The circumscribed rectangle is circumscribed about a portion, made of a same material as a part of the wall portion where the meniscus is formed, where the meniscus is formed in the relevant direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2007Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.Inventor: Miyuki Murakami
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Patent number: 8465196Abstract: Mixer for obtaining bone cement for medical applications comprising a mixing chamber in which the mixing of at least two components which form the cement is carried out, comprising means for generating and transmitting vibrations to the mixing chamber and a luer attachment through which the cement can exit.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2009Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Tecres S.p.A.Inventors: Giovanni Faccioli, Renzo Soffiatti
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Patent number: 8408782Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for uniformly mixing fluid phases entrained in a porous material. A mixer may have a vessel and at least one porous material held by the vessel. At least one actuator may be acoustically coupled with at least one wall of the vessel for generating a wave. The wave effects mixing of at least two fluids in the porous material. The actuator may be a linear motor actuated with a control signal of predetermined frequency. The actuator may have a number of actuator pairs each including respective first and second actuators at respective first and second sides of the vessel. The actuators may be hinged for reciprocal movement. The actuators may be actuated to form a compression-expansion wave to effect fluid motion in the porous material.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Igor I. Fedchenia
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Patent number: 8382363Abstract: A device and related method for mixing a powdered component and a liquid component with minimal user interaction are described. A powdered component and a liquid component are separately fed into a mixing chamber. The powdered component may be released into the liquid component by removing a barrier. Alternatively, the two components are drawn into the mixing chamber from respective sources by a vacuum. The mixture is sonicated at precise vibrational frequencies to control the physical properties of the final blended content. A piston-like device is used to remove the blended content from the mixing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2011Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Inventors: Subrata Saha, Pamela Saha
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Publication number: 20130003488Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a disposable and flexible mixing tank, configurable as a bag, having a sealed sleeve therein for arrangement of a mixing device. The volume of the mixing tank is defined by an inner wall of the mixing tank and an inner wall of the sleeve. The mixing tank may be used to mix, store, reconstitute and/or dispense materials therein. Draining of a mixture may be aided with pressurized gas. Heating or cooling of the contents of a mixing tank may be accomplished with a thermal exchange fluid disposed within a thermal exchange vessel and in thermal communication with the tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: ATMI BVBAInventor: Jean-Pascal Zambaux
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Patent number: 8342736Abstract: Sonication of a medium for example in an immunassay is provided by applying sound waves from a transducer to a vessel in which the medium is held by a sonotrode coupled between the transducer and the vessel. The sonotrode has a recess in which the vessel is held, the recess being formed by facing surfaces of a plurality of protruding portions of the sonotrode separated by slits and arranged around the recess. The sonotrode is coupled to the vessel by dry contact with the vessel without any coupling layers therebetween. The use of such a sonotrode provides the advantages of allowing effective sonication with relatively low energy loss and with a low temperature elevation.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2006Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Orion Diagnostica OyInventors: Juhani Luotola, Teuvo Sillanpää
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Patent number: 8268603Abstract: An apparatus for disrupting cells or viruses comprises a container having a chamber for holding the cells or viruses. The container includes at least one flexible wall defining the chamber. The apparatus also includes a transducer for impacting an external surface of the flexible wall to generate pressure waves in the chamber. The apparatus also includes a pressure source for increasing the pressure in the chamber. The pressurization of the chamber ensures effective coupling between the transducer and the flexible wall. The apparatus may also include beads in the chamber for rupturing the cells or viruses.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2005Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: CepheidInventors: Michael T. Taylor, Phillip Belgrader, Farzad Pourahmadi, William A. McMillan, Ronald Chang, Jesus Ching
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Patent number: 8252231Abstract: An analyzer includes plural stirrers that have plural sound-wave generating units, which are provided on respective vessels holding liquid and generate sound wave toward the liquid, and drive units, which drive the plurality of sound-wave generating units, and that stir the liquid using sound wave generated by the sound-wave generating units; a power detecting unit that detects traveling-wave power output from the drive unit and reflected-wave power reflected from the sound-wave generating unit; and a control unit that determines whether an abnormality occurs in each of the stirrers on the sound-wave generating unit side or on the drive unit side in each of the stirrers based on a reflectivity of the power, and controls continuation or suspension of an analytical work based on a result of the determination.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2010Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.Inventor: Nobuyoshi Tsuda
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Patent number: 8246238Abstract: A cavitation system in which a source gas, e.g., a reactant, is loaded into the cavitation medium prior to cavitation is provided. The cavitation system includes a cavitation chamber with suitable cavitation drivers and a cavitation medium reservoir, the chamber and reservoir being flexibly coupled together via a pair of conduits. The conduits can be fabricated from a plastic or, as is preferred for higher temperature liquids, a metal. Typically metal conduits are formed into a coil, thus providing the desired flexibility. Flexibility is required in order to allow the relative positions of the cavitation chamber and the cavitation medium reservoir to be varied.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Impulse Devices Inc.Inventor: Ross Alan Tessien
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Patent number: 8191587Abstract: A dosage-dispensing device for dosage material in powder- or paste form includes a holder device and at least one receiving device. At least one dosage-dispensing unit can be set into, as well as removed from, this receiving device. The dosage-dispensing device further includes at least one actuator whose action is directed at the receiving device. The receiving device is pivotably supported on the holder device with the freedom of performing a pendulous movement. The actuator can generate oscillatory pendulous movements of the receiving device.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AGInventors: Paul Luechinger, Marc Zehnder, Eduard Fringeli
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Patent number: 8187545Abstract: An hourglass-shaped cavitation chamber is provided. The chamber is comprised of two large spherical regions separated by a smaller cylindrical region. Coupling the regions are two transitional sections which are preferably smooth and curved. Although the chamber is preferably fabricated from a machinable material, such as a metal, it can also be fabricated from a fragile material, such as a glass. An acoustic driver assembly is incorporated within the chamber wall at one end of the cavitation chamber. The driver can be threadably coupled to the chamber or attached using an epoxy, diffusion bonding, brazing or welding. O-rings or other seals can be used to seal the driver to the chamber. The head surface of the driver assembly can be flush, recessed, or extended from the internal chamber surface. The head surface of the driver assembly can be flat or shaped. If desired, a second acoustic driver assembly can be incorporated within the chamber wall at the other end of the cavitation chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2005Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Impulse Devices Inc.Inventors: Daniel A. Phillips, Ross Alan Tessien, Richard D. Satterwhite
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Patent number: 8157433Abstract: A system for achieving bubble stability within a cavitation chamber is provided. The system includes an impeller assembly, the impeller assembly having at least one impeller blade located within the cavitation chamber. The impeller assembly is magnetically coupled to an external drive system which is used to rotate the impeller, thereby causing bubbles within the cavitation chamber to move toward the impeller's axis of rotation. As a consequence, the bubbles become more stable. Preferably the axis of rotation of the impeller is positioned in a substantially horizontal plane, thus allowing the rotating impeller to counteract the tendency of the bubbles to drift upward and to accumulate on the upper, inner surfaces of the cavitation chamber. The impeller can be rotated continuously throughout the cavitation process or stopped prior to, or during, bubble cavitation.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2005Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Impulse Devices Inc.Inventor: Ross Alan Tessien
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Patent number: 8096700Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating the temperature of the cavitation medium for a cavitation chamber is provided. The cavitation medium is pumped through the cavitation chamber through a pair of chamber inlets and an external conduit connecting the two inlets. An external heat exchanger is used to regulate the cavitation medium temperature, the heat exchanger being either directly or indirectly coupled to the conduit. The cavitation medium can be circulated through the heat exchanger during chamber operation or, once the desired cavitation medium temperature is achieved, operation of the circulation system can be suspended. The heat exchanger can be used to lower the temperature of the cavitation medium to a temperature less than the ambient temperature; to withdraw excess heat from the cavitation medium; or to heat the cavitation medium to the desired operating temperature.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Impulse Devices Inc.Inventor: Ross Alan Tessien
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Patent number: 8080202Abstract: A vibrator has a large strength of a standing wave even with a low driving voltage, thereby improving the accuracy of component separation. A device according to the present invention includes a substrate having a channel groove provided in an upper surface of the substrate, a seal provided above the substrate so as to cover an upper opening of the channel groove, a projection provided on an outer side wall opposite to the channel groove, and a vibrator causing the projection to warp and vibrate in a depth direction of the channel groove. The warping vibration of the projection is amplified due to effect of leverage, and generates a large stress on the outer wall of the channel groove having the projection provided thereon. Consequently, the strength of a standing wave in the channel groove increases even for a low driving voltage, thereby improving the accuracy of component separation.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2007Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Makoto Takahashi, Masaya Nakatani
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Patent number: 8057090Abstract: A device and related method for mixing a powdered component and a liquid component with minimal user interaction are described. A powdered component and a liquid component are separately fed into a mixing chamber. The powdered component may be released into the liquid component by removing a barrier. Alternatively, the two components are drawn into the mixing chamber from respective sources by a vacuum. The mixture is sonicated at precise vibrational frequencies to control the physical properties of the final blended content. A piston-like device is used to remove the blended content from the mixing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Inventors: Subrata Saha, Pamela Saha
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Patent number: 8038337Abstract: A method for treating extremely small particles of recycled polyethylene terephthalate comprises providing a quantity of RPET particles having an average mean particle size ranging from about 0.0005 inch to about 0.05 inch in diameter, heating the RPET particles to a temperature sufficient to cause at least a portion of the RPET particles to adhere to one another, and forming the adhered RPET particles into pellets, said pellets having substantially the same average surface-to-volume ratio as the bulk, un-adhered RPET particles.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2004Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.Inventors: Andreas Rathgeber, Matthias Wassermeier
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Patent number: 8017091Abstract: A device consisting of a low-RPM motor wherein the motor spins a flat disk, a peg is attached to the disk, a stationary spring armature wherein the peg can activate the stationary spring armature as the disk rotates, and a tube containing beads in a fluid positioned in a top plate wherein the spring armature can contact the tube. This device can further include a soft closed-cell foam top mounted on the top plate wherein the tube is inserted and maintained by the foam in such a way as to allow for slight motion of the tube induced by the contact by the spring armature.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2006Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Turan A. Kayagil, Julie A. Richardson
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Publication number: 20110199852Abstract: A beverage container for a blender includes one or more vibrating mechanisms coupled to a bottom portion of the beverage container or integrated within one or more walls of the beverage container. After a beverage has been blended, the one or more vibrating mechanisms are activated as the beverage is being poured. Vibrations from the one or more vibrating mechanisms are mechanically transmitted to the beverage container, thereby promoting the pourability of the beverage from the beverage container, including dislodging ingredients in the beverage that became lodged or trapped in crevices of the beverage container during the prior blending process, and freeing up beverage ingredients that accumulated at the bottom of the beverage container during the prior blending process.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2010Publication date: August 18, 2011Inventor: Peter Martin
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Patent number: 7980752Abstract: Ultrasound-assisted contactless stirring of liquids in a resonator cell by microparticles is achieved by repeated creating and destruction of nodal patterns associated with standing waves of various resonance frequencies causing continuous movements of microparticles inside the cell. Swept-frequency sonication technique includes using constant or variable rate of frequency change as well as a stepwise change of frequency of the transducer within a predefined range. Other useful provisions include initial detection of the set of resonance frequencies and periodic refreshing of that set. Control systems are described including means to automatically detect the resonance frequencies and maintain the operation of the transducer thereon. Advantageous designs of the apparatus are described for use in microstirring, mixing of liquids using magnetic microbeads, microbubbles, microtiter plates, microarray plates, etc.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Artann Laboratories IncInventor: Armen P. Sarvazyan