Water Patents (Class 406/48)
  • Patent number: 12163225
    Abstract: A temperature control system for a chemical delivery system (e.g., comprised in a reactor system) may comprise a temperature control shell coupled to and/or enclosing at least a portion of at least one component of the chemical delivery system. A chemical delivery system may comprise a filter, an accumulator, and/or a chemical application line fluidly coupled to one another in any suitable arrangement and/or configuration. A temperature control system for such a chemical delivery system may comprise a filter temperature control shell coupled to and/or enclosing at least a portion of the filter, an accumulator temperature control shell coupled to and/or enclosing at least a portion of the accumulator, and/or an application line temperature control shell coupled to and/or enclosing at least a portion of the chemical application line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Carl Louis White, Kyle Fondurulia, Timothy James Sullivan
  • Patent number: 11939760
    Abstract: A vacuum sewage system includes a collection station, a variable speed vacuum pump, a variable speed drive, a control system, a sewage pump, a collection tank, a valve pit, a first conduit extending from the collection station to the valve pit, a second conduit extending from the valve pit and terminating in a closed end, a sensor located adjacent the closed end of the second conduit, and a valve located in the valve pit for selectively permitting sewage and waste water to flow from the valve pit toward the collection station upon activation of the valve. The control system, variable speed drive and sensor may be utilized to adjust the vacuum level and vacuum level range at the collection station so as to reduce the speed and operation time of the variable speed vacuum pump while maintaining the desired vacuum level in the vacuum sewage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventors: Clint Hawn, Jon R Hartsock
  • Patent number: 11919283
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of providing thermal and/or acoustic insulation to a structure, comprising the steps of: providing a substrate which comprises fibres; applying the substrate to the structure; blending the substrate with a binder composition before, during or after application of the substrate to the structure; allowing curing of the binder composition after the substrate and the binder composition have been applied to the structure; wherein the binder composition comprises at least one hydrocolloid. The present invention also relates to an insulated structure obtainable by said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: ROCKWOOL A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Hjelmgaard, Lars Hald, Thomas Tielemann
  • Patent number: 11745215
    Abstract: A system and method for applying a construction material is provided. The method may include mixing blast furnace slag material, geopolymer material, alkali-based powder, and sand at a mixing device to generate a non-Portland cement-based material. The method may also include transporting the non-Portland cement-based material from the mixing device, through a conduit to a nozzle and combining the transported non-Portland cement-based material with water at the nozzle to generate a partially liquefied non-Portland cement-based material. The method may further include pneumatically applying the partially liquefied non-Portland cement-based material to a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: EN-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eugene James Camali, Andreas Schrell, Robert George Benz
  • Patent number: 11472965
    Abstract: A system for forming a coating on a substrate is provided. The system includes a first mix having a cement, a filler, a defoamer, a cement retarder, a dispersing agent, or any combination thereof. The system additionally includes a second mix having a fatty acid derivative, a synthetic resin, one or more organosilicon compounds, a pigment, a thickener, or any combination thereof. A coating composition is formed by mixing the first and second mix together. Lastly, the system includes a spraying apparatus that applies a wet film to the substrate wherein the cured coating does not yield to wet-rubs and does not stain (effloresce) with cold distilled water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: FLYING PIG COATINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Cyrus Foster-Bey, Jr., Joel T. Pyper
  • Patent number: 11407599
    Abstract: An apparatus for filling a container with bulk material, in particular sand, comprises a storage container for the bulk material with a closable lid and an outlet, a metering device arranged beneath the storage container and a pneumatic feeding device arranged under the metering device for feeding the bulk material into the container to be filled with the aid of compressed air via a feed hose. The feeding device has an injector with a plurality of, preferably at least five, holes for the compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: NOWE GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Reich, Ralf Weiss, Werner Bartling
  • Patent number: 11254520
    Abstract: A conveying system for pneumatically conveying plastic granulate comprises a feed location, at which the plastic granulate is fed into a conveying line by pressurized conveying gas, a target location, in conveying connection with the feed location, for moisture contained in the conveying gas, and a condensation tempering unit, which is arranged along a section or sections of the conveying line, for making the conveying line such temperature to at least partial condensation of moisture contained in the conveying gas to form a sliding film on an internal wall of the conveying line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Coperion GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Stark, Michael Dürr, Thomas Vögele
  • Patent number: 9266681
    Abstract: Systems, feeder devices and methods for moving particulate hot melt adhesive from an adhesive supply to an adhesive melter. A feeder device includes a body having an inlet and an outlet, and an interior communicating with the inlet and the outlet. The inlet is configured to receive particulate hot melt adhesive from an outlet of the adhesive supply, and the outlet is configured to provide particulate hot melt adhesive to an inlet of the adhesive melter. The feeder device further includes a mechanical agitator positioned in the interior for urging the particulate hot melt adhesive in a flow direction toward the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: NORDSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sing Yi Chau, Justin A. Clark, William M. Ridge, Leslie J. Varga
  • Patent number: 8656950
    Abstract: A method of producing treated liquid hydrocarbons. The method begins by pressurizing a latex in a pressure vessel. This is followed by flowing the latex from the pressure vessel into a pipeline containing liquid hydrocarbons to produce treated liquid hydrocarbons. In this embodiment the latex comprises a drag reducing polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventor: Timothy L. Burden
  • Patent number: 8616236
    Abstract: A method begins by obtaining a slipstream of a liquid. The slipstream of liquid is then mixed upstream of an injection pump with a latex comprising a drag reducing polymer to produce a drag reducing mixture. The drag reducing mixture is then injected into a liquid hydrocarbon to produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventor: Timothy L. Burden
  • Patent number: 8450251
    Abstract: A system for reducing pressure drop associated with the turbulent flow of asphaltenic crude oil through a conduit. The crude oil has a high asphaltene content and/or a low API gravity. Such reduction in pressure drop is achieved by treating the asphaltenic crude oil with a high molecular weight drag reducing polymer that can have a solubility parameter within about 20 percent of the solubility parameter of the heavy crude oil. The drag reducing polymer can also comprise the residues of monomers having at least one heteroatom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Stuart N. Milligan, Ray L. Johnston, Timothy L. Burden, Wayne R. Dreher, Kenneth W. Smith, William F. Harris
  • Patent number: 8450250
    Abstract: A method of preparing a drag reducing polymer wherein the drag reducing polymer is able to be injected into a pipeline, such that the friction loss associated with the turbulent flow through the pipeline is reduced by suppressing the growth of turbulent eddies. The drag reducing polymer is injected into a pipeline of liquid hydrocarbon hydrocarbon having an asphaltene content of at least 3 weight percent and an API gravity of less than about 26° to thereby produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon wherein the viscosity of the treated liquid hydrocarbon is not less than the viscosity of the liquid hydrocarbon prior to treatment with the drag reducing polymer. The drag reducing polymer has a solubility parameter within 4 MPa1/2 of the solubility parameter of the liquid hydrocarbon. The drag reducing polymer is also added to the liquid hydrocarbon in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 ppmw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Stuart N. Milligan, Ray L. Johnston, Timothy L. Burden, Wayne R. Dreher, Kenneth W. Smith, William F. Harris
  • Patent number: 8450249
    Abstract: A method of introducing a drag reducing polymer into a pipeline such that the friction loss associated with the turbulent flow though the pipeline is reduced by suppressing the growth of turbulent eddies. The drag reducing polymer is introduced into a liquid hydrocarbon having an asphaltene content of at least 3 weight percent and an API gravity of less than about 26° to thereby produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon. The treated liquid hydrocarbon does not have a viscosity less than the viscosity of the liquid hydrocarbon prior to treatment with the drag reducing polymer. Additionally, the drag reducing polymer is added to the liquid hydrocarbon in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 ppmw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Stuart N. Milligan, Ray L. Johnston, Timothy L. Burden, Wayne R. Dreher, Kenneth W. Smith, William F. Harris
  • Patent number: 8426498
    Abstract: A method of introducing a drag reducing polymer into a pipeline such that the friction loss associated with the turbulent flow though the pipeline is reduced by suppressing the growth of turbulent eddies. The drag reducing polymer is introduced into a liquid hydrocarbon having an asphaltene content of at least 3 weight percent and/or an API gravity of less than about 26° to thereby produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon. The treated liquid hydrocarbon does not have a viscosity less than the viscosity of the liquid hydrocarbon prior to treatment with the drag reducing polymer. Additionally, the drag reducing polymer is added to the liquid hydrocarbon in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 ppmw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Stuart N. Milligan, Ray L. Johnston, Timothy L. Burden, Wayne R. Dreher, Kenneth W. Smith, William F. Harris
  • Patent number: 8022118
    Abstract: A system for reducing pressure drop associated with the turbulent flow of asphaltenic crude oil through a conduit. The crude oil has a high asphaltene content and/or a low API gravity. Such reduction in pressure drop is achieved by treating the asphaltenic crude oil with a high molecular weight drag reducing polymer that can have a solubility parameter within about 20 percent of the solubility parameter of the heavy crude oil. The drag reducing polymer can also comprise the residues of monomers having at least one heteroatom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Stuart N. Milligan, Ray L. Johnston, Timothy L. Burden, Wayne R. Dreher, Jr., Kenneth W. Smith, William F. Harris
  • Patent number: 7896584
    Abstract: A method for conveying material by applying a pressure difference in a conveying conduit (4), in which method the material is fed into the conveying conduit (4) and in the conveying conduit further into a separating device (5), where the material being conveyed is separated from conveying air, in which method a negative pressure is created in the conveying conduit (4) by means of an ejector apparatus (6), whose suction side is connected to the separating device (5), said ejector apparatus being operated using an operating medium consisting of a liquid mist, especially an aqueous liquid mist, said medium being sprayed through at least one spraying nozzle (122) into an ejector tube (128) directed into a separating element (38). In the method, the generation of the negative pressure to be produced is intensified according to need by limiting the flow of gases, such as air, into the ejector tube (128) from the direction opposite to the spraying direction of its operating medium, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Maricap Oy
    Inventor: Goran Sundholm
  • Publication number: 20100296880
    Abstract: A pneumatic material conveying system, particularly a waste conveying system, which conveying system comprises at least one feed point (61, 66) of material, particularly of waste material, a material conveying pipe (100, 101, 102) which is connectable to the feed point (61, 66), a separator device (20) in which the material being conveyed is separated from conveying air, and means (3, 4) for providing a pressure difference in the conveying pipe (100, 101, 102) at least during the conveyance of the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: Göran Sundholm
  • Patent number: 7785044
    Abstract: A method for conveying material by applying a pressure difference in a conveying conduit (4), in which method the material is fed into the conveying conduit (4) and in the conveying conduit further into a separating device (5), where the material being conveyed is separated from conveying air, in which method a negative pressure is created in the conveying conduit (4) by means of an ejector apparatus (6), whose suction side is connected to the separating device (5), said ejector apparatus being operated using an operating medium consisting of a liquid mist, especially an aqueous liquid mist, said medium being sprayed through at least one spraying nozzle (122) into an ejector tube (128) directed into a separating element (38). In the method, the generation of the negative pressure to be produced is intensified according to need by limiting the flow of gases, such as air, into the ejector tube (128) from the direction opposite to the spraying direction of its operating medium, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Maricap Oy
    Inventor: Goran Sundholm
  • Publication number: 20100015311
    Abstract: A transfer mechanism for transferring food product from a compartment of a food processing system includes a conduit having a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge. The pressurized fluid source is operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Glenn W. Stousland, David R. Zittel, Daniel D. Maupin, Steve J. Schultz, Scott K. Weisman
  • Patent number: 7300521
    Abstract: An insulation system comprising: a supply of material having discrete elements; an applicator assembly for installation of the material having discrete elements to a surface; and a scrubber for finishing the face of the material, the scrubber including: (a) a vacuum conduit; (b) a blade assembly attached to the vacuum conduit; (c) a drive for the blade assembly; and (d) a vacuum substantially adjacent the face of the material during finishing. In the one embodiment, the system comprises a transporter system downstream of the supply of material having discrete elements for delivery of the material to the applicator assembly. Also, in one embodiment, the blade assembly comprises an axis of rotation perpendicular to the face of the material during finishing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: U.S. Greenfiber, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Bowman, Patrick A. Dwyer, Benjamin D. Underwood, David S. Wilburn, Christi L. Kingsley
  • Patent number: 7186390
    Abstract: An improved brine maker includes a hopper having open upper and lower ends, a solids screen, and a receiving tank having an open upper end and closed lower end. The solids screen and receiving tank are pivotally secured to the hopper adjacent its lower end. The receiving tank and solids screen pivot freely and independently of the hopper to provide quick and easy access for cleaning and maintenance. Rotatable spray bars are positioned within the hopper to direct the dissolving fluid at the soluble material within the hopper. Spray holes having varying diameters and spaced relation to one another customize the fluid spray pattern for greater efficiency. A hydraulic assembly assists the operator throughout the cleaning and maintenance operations of the brine maker to reduce the time and manpower required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Duolift Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Hellbusch, Dale L. Plugge
  • Publication number: 20030235473
    Abstract: Bulk material discharge assemblies comprise a bulk material hopper, a conduit for delivering an air stream to entrain with bulk material from the bulk material hopper, and a feeding apparatus for introducing additive to the conduit. The feeding apparatus comprises an additive hopper and an airlock positioned adjacent the conduit. In addition, metering apparatus are provided that comprise an axle and first and second metering wheels. A noncircular perimeter of the axle and the shape of each hub opening of each of the metering wheels cooperate to nonrotatably mount each metering wheel to the axle. The first and second metering wheel are adapted to be selectively mounted in at least one of a first relative position and a second relative position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Douglas E. Wysong, Michael P. Essen
  • Patent number: 6582161
    Abstract: A chargeable resin powder is transported by means of an airstream which is a mixture of air and steam. This enables pneumatic transport of chargeable resin powder without building up electrostatic charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Genji Noguki
  • Patent number: 6491479
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing and distributing loose particulate material includes a system for applying an agent to the loose particulate material. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a container for holding and transporting the loose particulate material to the site of application. A feeder regulates the flow of loose particulate material out of the container. Loose particulate material exiting the feeder is blown out of the apparatus through a hose by an air stream produced by a blower. An agent is introduced via a carrier fluid to the air stream carrying the loose particulate material, whereby the resulting mixture of the agent with the carrier fluid is then mixed with the loose particulate material carried by the air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Express Blower, Inc.
    Inventor: Arlen L. Rexius
  • Patent number: 6443613
    Abstract: The invention includes a method of minimizing the delivery cost of a slurry. According to the invention, a mobile tank is incompletely loaded with an at least partially dehydrated component of the slurry. Sufficient room is left in the tank for a diluent to be later added and the slurry constituted in the mobile tank. The incompletely loaded mobile tank is transported to a destination, thereby obviating expense associated with transporting a diluent portion of the slurry. At the destination, diluent is added to the tank and the slurry is constituted by activating a mechanical agitator within the tank. Slurry is then off-loaded from the mobile tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: The Maitland Company
    Inventor: Robert Rumph
  • Patent number: 6357971
    Abstract: A truck is equipped with a bin from which bin contents are fed into a blower pressurized conduit by a feed screw conveyor immediately prior to entry into a flexible discharge conduit. Control means permit feed screw conveyor speed to be varied to control the rate of seed discharge into the pressurized conduit. Provision is made for a tank and nozzle for injecting water and/or fertilizer into the pressurized conduit. The truck includes a moving floor conveyor for transferring organic material toward vertical augers which break up the material and feed the material to a powered mixer prior to entry into a rotary feeder and the pressurized air flow. The mixing of seed with the organic material and/or water or fertilizer immediately prior to the composite flow of material entering a flexible discharge conduit mitigates damage to the seed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Rexius Forest By-Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Arlen L. Rexius
  • Patent number: 6079911
    Abstract: A device for the contamination-free conveying of powders which has a movable cone arranged within a discharge hopper, which, when in an open position, forms an annular gap between itself and the wall of the hopper. The amount of powder which is discharged through the annular gap is controlled by the amount of time the cone remains in the open position. The powder which is discharged from the hopper is supplied to a liquid jet pump, and is conveyed by the liquid jet formed by the liquid jet pump to a dispersing or dissolving tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Wangermann, Alan Viets, Bernd Klinksiek
  • Patent number: 6045298
    Abstract: A system and corresponding method are disclosed for blowing or spraying loose-fill insulation (e.g. fiberglass) into wall cavities and the like the system including a fiber recovery or recycling subsystem that vacuums up overspray or waste fibers and forwards them back toward the hopper. A fiber collector device having a fiber inlet and outlet is mounted above the hopper, and receives the recovered waste fibers and redistributes them back into the hopper so that they mix with virgin fibers therein. The mix of recovered and virgin fibers is then blown through the blow hose toward a wall cavity or the like to be insulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Guardian Fiberglass, Inc.
    Inventor: C. E. Butch Lytle
  • Patent number: 6036406
    Abstract: A truck is equipped with a grass seed hopper from which seed is fed into a blower pressurized conduit air flow by an air lock feeder at a first station. A motor with speed control drives the feeder and determines the rate of seed discharge. A tank on the truck permits the pumped flow of tank contents, water and/or fertilizer, into the conduit carried pressurized air flow. Organic material carried by the truck is conveyed forward by a moving floor toward augers which feed the organic material to a powered mixer for breaking up of the material to ensure passage of loose material into a rotary feeder at a second station. The feeder discharges into a mixing chamber whereat grass seed, discharged from the pressurized conduit, mixes with the organic material for subsequent discharge onto a ground surface via a flexible hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Rexius Forest By-Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Arlen L. Rexius
  • Patent number: 5984590
    Abstract: A system for recovering waste fiber and reusing it with a loose-fill blown-in-place insulation system includes a fiber collector device mounted above the feed hopper, which collector receives the waste (i.e. recovered) insulation for recycling into the blowing operation. The collector includes a unique set of angled baffles which serve to thoroughly redistribute the recovered waste fibers back into the feed hopper for more even and uniform mixing with the new, virgin fibers being added. To accomplish this distribution the baffles are located so as to increase in surface area as a function of increased distance from the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Guardian Fiberglass, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas Church, II, C. E. Butch Lytle
  • Patent number: 5955037
    Abstract: An effluent gas stream treatment system for treatment of gaseous effluents such as waste gases from semiconductor manufacturing operations. The effluent gas stream treatment system comprises a pre-oxidation treatment unit, which may for example comprise a scrubber, an oxidation unit such an electrothermal oxidizer, and a post-oxidation treatment unit, such as a wet or dry scrubber. The effluent gas stream treatment system of the invention may utilize an integrated oxidizer, quench and wet scrubber assembly, for abatement of hazardous or otherwise undesired components from the effluent gas stream. Gas or liquid shrouding of gas streams in the treatment system may be provided by high efficiency inlet structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: ATMI Ecosys Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Holst, Kent Carpenter, Scott Lane, Prakash V. Arya
  • Patent number: 5947646
    Abstract: A system and corresponding method blow or spray loose-fill insulation (e.g., fiberglass) into wall cavities and the like. The system includes a fiber recovery or recycling subsystem that vacuums up overspray or waste fibers and forwards them back toward the hopper. A fiber collector device having a fiber inlet and outlet is mounted above the hopper, and receives the recovered waste fibers and redistributes them back into the hopper so that they mix with virgin fibers therein. The mix of recovered and virgin fibers is then blown through the blow hose toward a wall cavity or the like to be insulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Guardian Fiberglass, Inc.
    Inventor: C. E. Butch Lytle
  • Patent number: 5947645
    Abstract: A fiber dispensing system for storing and delivering fibrous material includes a housing for receiving and storing the fibrous material. The housing has an activatable dispensing mechanism for selectively dispensing the fibrous material from the housing. A control mechanism is electrically connected to the dispensing mechanism for receiving an activation signal to activate the dispensing mechanism. A load mechanism associated with the housing and electrically connected to the control mechanism measures the weight amount of any fibrous material within the housing and transmits a weight amount data signal to the control mechanism. The control mechanism further activates a solenoid valve which in turn activates a water nozzle spray assembly for wetting of fibrous material prior to discharge into a receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: ARR-MAZ Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Maurice Roger Rixom, Dale A. Ives
  • Patent number: 5935283
    Abstract: A clog-resistant inlet structure for introducing a particulate solids-containing and/or solids-Forming gas stream to a gas processing system. The structure is composed of a gas-permeable wall enclosing a gas flow path, and an outer annular jacket circumscribing the gas-permeable wall to define an annular gas reservoir therebetween. The clog-resistant inlet structure is constructed, arranged, and operated so as to introduce a gas into the annular gas reservoir during the flow of the particulate solids-containing and/or solids-forming gas stream to a gas processing system through such inlet structure at a pressure sufficient to combat the deposition or formation of solids on the interior surface of the gas-permeable wall. The inlet structure may further optionally include a downstream annular section in which the wall surface bounding the gas stream is blanketed with a falling liquid film, to combat solids deposition or formation on the blanketed wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: ATMI Ecosys Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D. Sweeney, Prakash V. Arya, Mark Holst, Scott Lane
  • Patent number: 5862821
    Abstract: An improved and simplified apparatus and method for washing leafy plant products is provided. The invented apparatus utilizes hydro-energy for sufficiently cleaning plant products being processed thereby, while effectively using water recirculating therethrough. The apparatus comprises a plant product loading assembly coupled to a cleansing flume. The loading assembly comprises a conical receiving section having a plurality of spray nozzles located about the periphery thereof to form a turbulent water flow through the loading assembly that completely submerges plant product disposed in the receiving section. This ensures that a maximum amount of plant product mixes with the water to form a slurry that optimizes water usage and quickly cleans the product. The flow rate of the water flowing through the spray nozzles does not damage the plant product. The configuration of the loading assembly inhibits collection of debris for maintaining sanitation of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 5846275
    Abstract: A clog-resistant inlet structure for introducing a particulate solids-containing and/or solids-forming gas stream to a gas processing system, including: a gas-permeable wall enclosing a gas flow path, and an outer annular jacket circumscribing the gas-permeable wall to define an annular gas reservoir therebetween; and a flow passage for introducing a gas into the annular gas reservoir during the flow of the particulate solids-containing and/or solids-forming gas stream to a gas processing system through such inlet structure at a pressure sufficient to cause the gas to permeate through the gas-permeable wall to combat the deposition or formation of solids on the interior surface of the gas-permeable wall. The inlet structure may further optionally include a downstream annular section in which the wall surface bounding the gas stream is blanketed with a falling liquid film, to combat solids deposition or formation on the blanketed wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: ATMI EcoSys Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Lane, Mark Holst
  • Patent number: 5795108
    Abstract: A method of placing granular materials, such as sand, on a golf course or the like includes loading granular materials into a hopper for feeding a sand gun, directing the granular materials from the hopper into the sand gun, and directing compressed air into the sand gun and into an elongated flexible hose to thereby direct the granular materials into the sand gun through the flexible hose. The sand gun also includes the step of spinning the granular materials therein. The granular materials passing through the flexible hose are directed through an exit nozzle and water may be injected from a water source through the exit nozzle and into the granular materials whereby granular materials and water from remote locations are distributed through a flexible hose onto a predetermined site by aiming the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: Roger G. Lightle
  • Patent number: 5765728
    Abstract: An improved system (10) conveys comminuted material from a source (12) to a vessel (14), especially for continuously conveying chopped poly(ethyleneterephthalate), or PET, into a methanolysis recovery reactor without entrainment of air into the reactor and without frequent jamming of the apparatus. A single rotary vane valve (36) is provided in the conveyance path at an inlet (38) to the vessel. The valve has clearances between the vanes (44) and the housing (48) larger than the smallest dimension of the comminuted material to prevent jamming of the rotor by PET flakes. The internal spaces (52, 47) in the valve are continuously purged with nitrogen at sufficient volume and pressure such that gases and fumes in the vessel are substantially prevented from passing upward through the valve. Nitrogen also flows from the valve countercurrently through the supply ducts (26, 30) to strip entrained air from the incoming material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Brian Leigh Simpson, Gerald Douglas Knight, Richard Arthur Tietz, Mark Louis Quadrini
  • Patent number: 5556237
    Abstract: A truck including a container used to transport and dispense loose particulate materials. A moving floor is located on the floor of the container to move loose particulate materials within the container into a feeder and dispensing system. The container includes two opposing augers mounted on the inner surface of a rear door of the container. The augers feed loose particulate material within the container to a mixer. The mixer helps to break up the loose particulate material to keep it from bridging as it drops into a feeder. The feeder regulates the flow of loose particulate material into a mixing chamber. A high volume air blower is connected to the mixing chamber. The blower forces a high volume of air through the mixing chamber and out of the mixing chamber into an attached hose. As loose particulate material drops into the mixing chamber, it mixes with the air flow and is blown out of the attached hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Rexius Forest By-Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Arlen L. Rexius
  • Patent number: 5549422
    Abstract: An improved hydration method heat avoids clogging for the transfer, solvation, and storage of dry particulate matter for a sealed solvation hopper chamber in combination with a liquid driven eductor and equipped to be connected to a storage container. Specifically, the improvement resides in the steps of reducing the flow of the dry particular matter and flushing the solvating hopper with water automatically at predetermined periodic intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: General Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Shepard
  • Patent number: 5447394
    Abstract: An improved hydrator apparatus for the transfer and slurry storage of dry particulate matter comprises a sealed solvation hopper chamber in combination with a liquid driven eductor and equipped to be connected to a storage container as provided. The improvement resides in the provision of a flushing device that functions periodically and automatically in timed intervals, and without the need to shut down the operating hydrator, to remove solids accumulation in the hopper chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: General Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Shepard
  • Patent number: 5258137
    Abstract: A foam-fluid composition for use in foam fracture applications and foam slurry transport comprises a thickening amount of a viscoelastic surfactant composition, a functionally effective amount of a surfactant composition capable of forming a foam, and an aqueous liquid. Foam-fluid formulations are easily prepared, reusable, shear stable, easily pumped and form stable foams over a wide temperature range and exhibit high viscosities even at relatively high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Bonekamp, Gene D. Rose, Donald L. Schmidt, Arthur S. Teot, Edward K. Watkins
  • Patent number: 5193942
    Abstract: An improved method and device to prevent erosion of slurry transport devices is disclosed which uses liquid injection to prevent contact by the slurry composition with the inner surface of the walls of the transport system. A non-abrasive liquid is injected into the slurry transport system and maintains intimate contact with the entire inner surface of the transport system, thereby creating a fluid barrier between the non-abrasive liquid and the inner surface of the transport system which thereby prevents erosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Gregory F. Berry, Robert W. Lyczkowski, Chi-Sheng Wang
  • Patent number: 5156498
    Abstract: A method for controlling a moisture content of a silica powder, which comprises contacting a fluid-flowing silica powder with a steam in a vessel, for example, a pipeline for transportation by air that connects a hopper for storing of a silica powder and a solid-gas separator, held at a temperature lower than a condensation temperature of the steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Tokuyama Soda Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nomura, Kohichi Yoshihara, Yoshio Mitani
  • Patent number: 5118224
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mortar transport apparatus, consisting essentially of a rotor comprising cylindrical mortar transport chambers, the rotor being arranged between stationary sealing plates and being adapted to be driven by a motor, a feed hopper arranged above the rotor, the feed hopper being adapted to fill the mortar transport chambers via a filling hole provided in the sealing plate situated above the rotor, a blow-off chamber arranged under the lower sealing plate and adapted to have a transport hose connected to it, the blow-off chamber being adapted to be filled via a mortar discharge opening in the lower sealing plate, a duct for supplying air under pressure terminating in a slit-shaped opening in the upper sealing plate above the mortar transport chamber which communicates with the blow-off chamber for driving out the mortar present in the transport chamber, air being supplied to the blow-off chamber at the location opposite the transport hose connection, for pneumatic transport of the mortar
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Bredel Exploitatie B.V.
    Inventor: Jan W. Gerritsen
  • Patent number: 5110366
    Abstract: A sparger system for removing sodium chlorite crystal and other crystalline particulate material in slurry form from a tank car comprises a plurality of spray nozzles from which water is expelled as a flat spray initially to dissolve sodium chlorite so as to cavitate the mass of sodium chlorite crystals, which break off in lumps into the cavity and then to impact the walls and roof of the tank car to flush off residual sodium chlorite crystal. The slurry is collected in a sump and is discharged therefrom, with additional sprays agitating the sump to break up clumps of sodium chlorite and to maintain the particulates in suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Tenneco Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Colin R. McGregor
  • Patent number: 5064314
    Abstract: An improved vacuum sewerage system for transmitting sewage through an intermittently opened sewage control valve of a transport conduit by means of differential pressure. The vacuum conduit is laid out in a saw-toothed fashion, having a riser, a low point, and a downslope. When no sewage is being transported through the conduit, any residual sewage in the conduit collects in the low point, with minimal intermittent closure of the conduit over time to permit minimal drop in vacuum or subatmospheric pressure throughout the conduit such that there is more than adequate vacuum or subatmospheric pressure available to operate the control valve. When the control valve is opened, the sewage transported through the vacuum conduit forms a generally hollow cylindrical mass, which is propelled toward a vacuum collection tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Burton Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Grooms, Mark A. Jones
  • Patent number: 5044836
    Abstract: An electric air admission controller ("EAAC") for automatically opening and closing an air control valve connected to a vacuum sewage transport conduit with a sewage control valve, independently of the level of accumulated sewage upstream of the sewage control valve, in order to inject additional air at atmospheric pressure into the vacuum transport lines to apply additional fluid pressure to a mass of sewage therein, and to avoid a waterlogged condition by supplementary transport. In its simplest form, the EAAC system consists of a timer unit which, when activated, causes a solenoid valve to deliver vacuum/subatmospheric pressure or atmospheric pressure to the air control valve to open or close it, respectively, by application of differential pressure. Rather than rely upon the timer unit to determine a valve cycling frequency which will, on average, prevent waterlogging, however, a timer-delay module and pressure switch may be added to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Burton Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Grooms
  • Patent number: 5002615
    Abstract: A sparger system for removing sodium chlorate crystal and other particulate material in slurry or solution form from a tank car comprises a plurality of spray nozzles from which water is expelled as a flat spray initially to dissolve sodium chlorate so as to cavitate the mass of sodium chlorate chlorate crystals, which break off in lumps into the cavity and then to impact the walls and roof of the tank car to flush off residual sodium chlorate crystal. The slurry is collected in a sump and is discharged therefrom, with additional sprays agitating the sump to break up clumps of sodium chlorate and to maintain the particulates in suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Tenneco Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Colin R. McGregor
  • Patent number: 5000624
    Abstract: Fluidized powder in a powder preparation container is treated to impart to it a desired moisture content through the feeding into the fluidized powder of a stream of compressed air whose moisture content and temperature have been carefully regulated. Powder in the preparation container which has attained the desired moisture content is then transferred to a powder holding container and from there to a spraying device by which spraying device the powder is electrostatically charged and sprayed on articles. Further, the powder preparation container is heated along several distinct heating zones which are arranged one above the other along the axis, i.e. height, of the container. The powder in the powder preparation container is stratified with the powder at the bottom of the container being affected only negligibly by the continuous introduction of fresh powder through the top of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Ransburg-Gema AG
    Inventor: Peter Steiger