Including Pump Patents (Class 366/182.2)
  • Patent number: 7448790
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of circulating cavitation fluid within a cavitation fluid circulatory system is provided. The system provides a means of circulating the cavitation fluid through a cavitation chamber, before or during cavitation chamber operation, as well as a means of draining and filling the chamber with minimal, if any, exposure of the cavitation fluid to the outside environment. The apparatus includes a network of conduits coupling the cavitation chamber to a cavitation fluid reservoir and at least one external fluid pump. Preferably the cavitation fluid reservoir serves the dual function of fluid reservoir and degassing chamber. Manipulation of various valves within the conduit network allows the cavitation fluid to either be pumped from the reservoir into the cavitation chamber or from the cavitation chamber into the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross Alan Tessien, Dario Felipe Gaitan, David G. Beck
  • Patent number: 7419296
    Abstract: A gel mixing system that employs a dynamic diffuser for quickly removing the air from the fluid as the fluid exits a traditional gel mixer and employs progressive dilution of the gel in a series of hydration tanks to maximize hydration time without allowing the gel to become so viscous that it is not easily diluted or pumped. High shear agitation of the fluid between the hydration tanks helps to increase the hydration rate. Progressive dilution of the gel increases residence time of the gel in the tanks and results in longer hydration time in the limited tank space available, resulting in continuous production of gel that is almost fully hydrated when it is pumped to the fracturing blender and subsequently to the well bore without the need for an increase in the volume of the hydration tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Serva Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas E. Allen
  • Patent number: 7416096
    Abstract: A container of liquid color material has a diaphragm liquid color pump located therewithin for providing liquid color from the container and non-drip apparatus for releaseably connecting the container with a blender for supply of liquid color thereto and methods for pumping and supplying liquid color incorporating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventor: Stephen B. Maguire
  • Patent number: 7384183
    Abstract: An apparatus capable of mixing and dispensing a decontaminant foam that is useful in strategic and tactical decontamination comprises in one embodiment a plurality of tanks 11, a pump assembly that is capable of mixing binary or multi-component decontaminant fluids in a desired ratio, and a manifold for mixing the fluids. In an alternative embodiment, the invention provides a mobile decontamination module, wherein a wheeled platform is provided for supporting the tanks 11, pump assembly, manifold, and a boom for dispensing foam-based of liquid-based decontaminant such that the module is compatible with the on-load and off-load equipment aboard a heavy transport vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Global Ground Support, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Lee Smith
  • Patent number: 7344299
    Abstract: A batter mixing apparatus and process is disclosed for mixing a dry batter mix with a predetermined amount of water is adapted to continuously measure the temperature and the viscosity, in centipoises, with an inline viscometer. The controls of the apparatus are fully automated using a programmable logic controller in conjunction with a touchscreen display that provides real-time data, process control parameters, and a choice of batter recipes. Once the batter has reached a desired viscosity, a variable speed feed pump is used to pump the batter to a batter applicator where a food product is coated. Excess batter from the applicator is collected and returned to the mixing apparatus via a pump. The viscosity and temperature of the returned batter is measured and adjusted automatically with dry batter mix or water in order to satisfy the set parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: MP Equipment Company
    Inventor: Jerrill Sprinkle
  • Patent number: 7278776
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for injecting a liquid dye into a polymer melt, which includes a metering pump with a metering inlet and a metering outlet. The metering inlet connects to a dye tank and the metering outlet connects to a polymer melt carrying component. To add the liquid dye to the polymer melt in the melt carrying component in a quantity that is as uniform and accurate as possible, the invention provides for connecting the metering inlet of the metering pump to a feed outlet of a feed pump, which connects with its feed inlet to the tank. With that, it is possible to generate a feed pressure at the metering inlet of the metering pump, which can be adapted to an injection pressure at the metering outlet of the metering pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Saurer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Helbing, Georg Stausberg, Jörg Alexander, Jürgen Hasenburg
  • Patent number: 6935769
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing multi-layered, laminated, lipid-based sweet confections comprises tempering the lipid-based formulation for each layer, and depositing them separately onto a moving conveyor belt, which is passed through a cooling tunnel between the station where the first layer is placed on the conveyor belt and the station where the next layer is placed. If more than two layers are to be made, additional stations are employed further along the conveyor belt. A set of fingers is located at each station so as to striate the layers as they pass beneath the fingers, so as to govern the width of each ribbon that is thus formed. The width of the fingers in each successive set of fingers is not greater than the width of the fingers in the preceding set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Cargill Limited
    Inventors: Van Miller, Rene Miller
  • Patent number: 6827479
    Abstract: A uniform small particle homogenizer for liquid product comprising a pair of intensifier cylinder pumps (20) driven by a hydraulic system (22). The pumps have a power stroke side and a suction stroke side, and a pair of proximity sensors (24) that interface with each pump to detect forward and rearward movement. A microprocessor (26) with timing capabilities controls the sequential operation of each pump with the power stroke of each pump timed to alternately produce a flow of the liquid product with a precisely timed flow overlap period from the alternating pumps. Since the power stroke takes a longer time than the suction stroke, the instant each power stroke is started the opposite pump is timed to hesitate and slightly overlap until a constant product flow-rate is produced from the alternating pumps, which eliminates large variances in pressure and therefore achieves uniformity in product particle size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Amphastar Pharmaceuticals Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Zhishi Xia, Mary Ziping Luo, Jack Yongfeng Zhang
  • Patent number: 6793387
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method of preparing a mixture using a computerized apparatus having a plurality of vessels, each of which is arranged on a support structure and oriented for dispensing a fluent substance through at least one exit port and a first flow channel. Each first flow channel is in further communication with a dedicated measurement assembly, for dosing fluent substance so dispensed, and a second flow channel. The apparatus also includes a receptacle support; and can further incorporate a user interface for receiving a first input concerning the mixture plus a storage device to hold instructions for locating a respective one of the second flow channels and the receptacle support in operative relation. The apparatus can further comprise titration and mixing modules; and an alternative apparatus and method can utilize a support structure having a framework moveably coupled to a sustaining member, whereby many flexible-walled vessels can be accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Chata Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin D. Neas, Dennis L. Templar, Harry J. Tiffany, III
  • Patent number: 6698915
    Abstract: A blender mixes a liquid and a quantity of particulate solids for use in hydrocarbon well operations. The blender is mounted on a vehicle having a suction manifold of rectangular tubing. The long side of the rectangular tubing is vertical, is positioned on one side of the vehicle and provides a large number of inlet connections which, in use, connect to hoses leading to tanks filled with a frac liquid or the like. The discharge manifold may be a mirror image of the suction manifold. The rectangular suction manifold tubing provides greater spacing between the inlet connections and greater volume throughput in use. Also, the rectangular suction manifold tubing is tilted so that the inlets are angled toward the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Rolligon Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Dearing, Scott A. Toler, Daniel R. King
  • Publication number: 20030169637
    Abstract: A magnetohydrodynamic fluidic system mixes a first substance and a second substance. A first substrate section includes a first flow channel and a first plurality of pairs of spaced electrodes operatively connected to the first flow channel. A second substrate section includes a second flow channel and a second plurality of pairs of spaced electrodes operatively connected to the second flow channel. A third substrate section includes a third flow channel and a third plurality of pairs of spaced electrodes operatively connected to the third flow channel. A magnetic section and a control section are operatively connected to the spaced electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California.
    Inventors: Abraham P. Lee, Asuncion V. Lemoff, Robin R. Miles
  • Publication number: 20030142580
    Abstract: A container of liquid color material has a diaphragm liquid color pump located therewithin for providing liquid color from the container and non-drip apparatus for releaseably connecting the container with a blender for supply of liquid color thereto and methods for pumping and supplying liquid color incorporating the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen B. Maguire
  • Publication number: 20030117890
    Abstract: A blender mixes a liquid and a quantity of particulate solids for use in hydrocarbon well operations. The blender is mounted on a vehicle having a suction manifold of rectangular tubing. The long side of the rectangular tubing is vertical, is positioned on one side of the vehicle and provides a large number of inlet connections which, in use, connect to hoses leading to tanks filled with a frac liquid or the like. The discharge manifold may be a mirror image of the suction manifold. The rectangular suction manifold tubing provides greater spacing between the inlet connections and greater volume throughput in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Michael P. Dearing, Scott A. Toler, Daniel R. King
  • Patent number: 6464385
    Abstract: A material blending tank 1 is formed in a pressure-resistant, and tightly closable vessel, in its inner cavity, into which predetermined quantities of starting materials are charged, followed by hermetically sealing the tank; a material adjusting tank 2 is formed in a large size, into which a predetermined quantity of solvent is filled so as to be able to pump out from its bottom part by means of a pump P; the pump P functioning to pressure-feeding the solvent pumped out of the material adjusting tank 2 into the inner cavity of the material blending tank 1 through its bottom side. In the course of the pressure-feeding of the solvent, when the air within the material blending tank 1 is compressed to a high pressure level, the operation of the pump P is stopped and the solvent which has been pressure-fed into the material blending tank 1 is subjected to reverse flow through the inner cavity of the pump P into the material adjusting tank 2 by the pressure of the air compressed in the material blending tank 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Kyowa Vacuum Engineering Ltd
    Inventors: Hiromiti Akimoto, Ryouji Sunama
  • Patent number: 6392072
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for conducting a mass transfer between a gas and a liquid, or for conducting a chemical reaction between a gas and a liquid. The method comprises supplying a liquid into a dynamic mixer, supplying a stripping gas or a reaction gas into the dynamic mixer, and flowing the liquid and the stripping gas or the reaction gas through the dynamic mixer in a turbulent co-current flow. The dynamic mixer includes a columnar casing, a rotor within the casing, which rotor has blades along substantially an entire length thereof, and stator blades positioned between the rotor blades within the casing along substantially an entire length of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Mastrans AS
    Inventor: Norolf Henriksen
  • Publication number: 20020051406
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a starting material adjusting apparatus for preparing the starting materials in the form of slurry, wherein no use is made of an agitator which is expensive in its installation cost and troublesome in its cleaning, thereby making it possible to perfectly dissolve the starting materials into solvent, and to obtain homogeneous slurry as a whole, in a short period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Hiromiti Akimoto, Ryouji Sunama
  • Publication number: 20010055242
    Abstract: A micro-electromechanical system and method for continuous laminar fluid mixing. An embodiment of the invention described in the specification includes a mixing channel, a first delivery channel that is connected to the mixing channel, and a second delivery channel that is connected to the mixing channel. A first pump mechanism produces pulses in the first delivery channel. A second pump mechanism produces pulses in the second delivery channel. The first pulsed fluid stream and the second pulsed fluid stream merge in the mixing channel to form a mixed fluid. The pulses in the fluids operate to distort the interface between the fluids to facilitate diffusion between the fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventors: Ajay Deshmukh, Dorian Liepmann
  • Patent number: 6314996
    Abstract: A foam marking system is provided with separate tanks for water and foam concentrate. A water pump and a concentrate pump deliver water and concentrate from the respective tanks to a mixing chamber at a pre-selected ratio. The water pump is controlled by a master control, while the concentrate pump is controlled by a slave control depending from the master control. The master control generates and output signal which is sent to both the water pump and the slave control, such that the slave control and concentrate pump operate as a function of the master control and water pump, so that the selected mix ratio can be maintained, regardless of the output level of the foam from the system. A foam generation chamber connected to the mixing chamber and to an air source generates foam when the foam solution is mixed with air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Richway Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard P. Borglum, Anthony R. Borglum, Corey W. Cerwinske
  • Patent number: 6296696
    Abstract: A one-pass, non-tolerance dependent method for preparing paper size emulsions comprising an aqueous emulsion of a substituted cyclic dicarboxylic anhydride, a colloidal stabilizer, and a surfactant wherein the emulsion after one-pass through a dispersion system has an average particle size of less than 2 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: National Starch & Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Michel D. Létourneau, Walter Maliczyszyn
  • Patent number: 6254269
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dosing device, or mixing device for mixing, in a continuous process, a flowing primary liquid with one or more added secondary liquids of a smaller quantity for obtaining a flowing liquid mixture at a permanent uniform mixing ratio of the mixed liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Arom Pak Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Georg Ernstson, Johan Sjöholm, Lars Dahlberg
  • Patent number: 6170977
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus operable with a developing liquid consisting of a solvent and toner particles dispersed therein, a device for stirring the liquid includes a reservoir formed with an inlet and an outlet for causing the liquid to be circulated therethrough. A pump delivers the developing liquid from the reservoir to the developing unit. A conduit causes the developing liquid fed from the reservoir to return to the reservoir via the pump and developing unit. The conduit forms a circulation path for preventing the toner particles of the developing liquid from depositing in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Yakushiji
  • Patent number: 6168308
    Abstract: A mechanical proportioner is provided with two pump lowers which are connected together by a yolk underneath an air-operated reciprocating piston pump. The pumps are staggered axially so as to enable overlapping of certain portions thereof thereby enabling the center-to-center distance to be minimized. The mix manifold is constructed in a concentric fashion such that mixed material does not come into contact with the mix manifold until it enters the static mixer at the exit of the manifold which is an easily disposable and replaceable part. The purge solvent valves on the mix manifold are each provided with an extension of their respective handles. If either purge valve is in its open position, a separate interlock handle operating the A and B side valves at the manifold inlet is prevented from opening. Similarly, if the interlock handle operating the A and B side valves is open, the purge valves cannot be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Pittman, Kenneth E. Lehrke, John F. Isais, Vicky J. Peterson, Adam R. Friedrich