Responsive To Liquid Level Patents (Class 422/106)
  • Patent number: 8475552
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a system includes a posimetric pump configured to increase pressure of a feedstock to provide a pressurized feedstock. The system also includes a fixed bed gasifier configured to gasify the pressurized feedstock, wherein the fixed bed gasifier comprises an enclosure, a feedstock inlet configured to receive the pressurized feedstock, at least one agent inlet configured to receive at least one gasification agent, a syngas outlet configured to output a syngas, an ash outlet configured to output ash, and a fixed bed configured to support the pressurized feedstock while allowing flow of the at least one gasification agent through the pressurized feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Anthony DePuy, Derek Leslie Aldred
  • Publication number: 20130142723
    Abstract: Biomass gasification systems including a reactor adapted to gasify a biomass feedstock to thermally convert the biomass feedstock into producer gas are provided. The reactor includes an enclosure disposed about a biomass gasification chamber. The enclosure includes an inlet, an outlet, and side walls disposed between the inlet and the outlet. The reactor also includes a plurality of fluid injectors disposed along a length of the side walls and adapted to inject fluid into the gasification chamber. The biomass gasification system also includes a control system communicatively coupled to the plurality of fluid injectors and adapted to independently control each fluid injector of the plurality of fluid injectors to independently control a flow of fluid through each fluid injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Satya Dileep Dara
  • Patent number: 8449840
    Abstract: Provided is a dispensing device capable of removing bubbles reliably. In this dispensing device, deaerated water is fed by a water feed pump to the inside of a pipeline up to the vicinity of the leading end of a dispensing nozzle. A water feed valve disposed near a dispensing pump is closed to establish a deaerated water space opened on the leading end side of the dispensing nozzle. The dispensing pump is activated on the space, thereby causing the dispensing nozzle to perform suction and exhaust actions. The dispensing device comprises a vacuum means connected to the space through the water feed valve thereby maintaining a vacuum state. In case the deaerated water space is cleared of the bubbles, the cleared water space is brought, by opening a change-over valve, into communication with a pipeline having a vacuum means connected thereto, thereby bringing the space into the vacuum state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventor: Isao Saegusa
  • Publication number: 20130101487
    Abstract: A gas analysis device according to the present invention includes a flue-gas extraction pipe for extracting flue gas from a flue gas duct to which flue gas including both of NH4Cl and SO3 is fed, a collector that is provided in the flue-gas extraction pipe, for removing soot dust contained in the extracted flue gas, a roll filter that is provided in the flue-gas extraction pipe, for depositing both of NH4Cl and SO3 contained in the flue gas, and a measurement device for measuring both of NH4Cl and SO3 contained in the flue gas by irradiating a sample including both of NH4Cl and SO3 deposited by the roll filter with X-rays and detecting fluorescent X-rays generated from the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Kagawa, Masaru Chiyomaru, Nobuyuki Ukai, Takuya Okamoto, Moritoshi Murakami
  • Publication number: 20130084215
    Abstract: A hydrogen-peroxide-gas generator includes: an atomizing unit to atomize hydrogen-peroxide solution stored in a storage portion by applying ultrasonic vibration; a heater provided above the atomizing unit, the heater configured to heat and gasify the hydrogen-peroxide solution atomized in the atomizing unit; an internal cylindrical portion, made of metal, whose internal space has the heater arranged therein, the internal cylindrical portion configured to guide upward the hydrogen-peroxide solution atomized in the atomizing unit flowing together with a carrier gas; and an external cylindrical portion, double-pipe constructed, whose internal space has the internal cylindrical portion arranged therein, having a gas-flow path for the carrier gas flowing downward toward the storage portion formed between the external cylindrical portion and the internal cylindrical portion, the carrier gas flowing through the gas-flow path caused to contact the internal cylindrical portion heated by the heater, the heated carrier
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: PANASONIC HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130064716
    Abstract: A selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system that can detect whether or not a float is stuck even where a water level sensor that detects a liquid level in a stepwise manner is used, including: an urea injection quantity integrating unit that integrates an injected quantity of urea to calculate an urea injection quantity integrated value; an integrated value resetting unit that, if a detected value from detection means changes, resets the urea injection quantity integrated value; and an abnormality determination unit that, if the urea injection quantity integrated value exceeds a predetermined threshold value for determination, determines a level sensor as having an abnormality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Takeshi Fukuoka, Hirotaka Takahashi, Tomoo Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20130039813
    Abstract: Substrate processing systems and methods are described for site-isolated processing of substrates. The processing systems include numerous site-isolated reactors (SIRs). The processing systems include a reactor block having a cell array that includes numerous SIRs. A sleeve is coupled to an interior of each of the SIRs. The sleeve includes a compliance device configured to dynamically control a vertical position of the sleeve in the SIR. A sealing system is configured to provide a seal between a region of a substrate and the interior of each of the SIRs. The processing system can include numerous modules that comprise one or more site-isolated reactors (SIRs) configured for one or more of molecular self-assembly and combinatorial processing of substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: INTERMOLECULAR, INC.
    Inventor: Intermolecular, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130039812
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and remediation compositions for the microwave remediation of medical wastes are provided. The remediation compositions include a microwave active fluid including a microwave active liquid, a microwave enhancer, and a viscosity modifying agent. Methods include immersing medical waste in the remediation composition and then irradiating the medical waste and the remediation composition to remediate the medical waste. The devices include a container for the medical waste and the remediation composition, a microwave radiation source and a temperature monitoring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: ASHWIN-USHAS CORPORATION
    Inventor: ASHWIN-USHAS CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20120294768
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to corrosion management systems designed to deliver corrosion protection and/or the management of corrosion to a top portion of an enclosure (e.g., storage tanks, cisterns, containers, etc.). In one embodiment, the present invention relates to corrosion management systems designed to deliver corrosion protection and/or the management of corrosion to a top portion, or roof portion, of an enclosure where such a system includes one or more dispensers designed to deliver at least one corrosion inhibitor to a system designed to protect a top portion of an enclosure (e.g., storage tanks, cisterns, containers, etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: EFIM YA LYUBLINSKI, YEFIM VAKS
  • Patent number: 8313702
    Abstract: A gel manufacturing apparatus adapted to generate gel by making a first solution and a second solution react with each other includes: a flow mechanism adapted to make the second solution flow; an ejection mechanism having a nozzle plate provided with a nozzle adapted to eject the first solution to the second solution made to flow using a droplet ejection method; and a gap plate provided with a through hole communicated with the nozzle, wherein the gap plate is disposed between the flow mechanism and the ejection mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuya Ide, Kei Hiruma
  • Patent number: 8309021
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to corrosion management systems designed to deliver corrosion protection and/or the management of corrosion to a top portion of an enclosure (e.g., storage tanks, cisterns, containers, etc.). In one embodiment, the present invention relates to corrosion management systems designed to deliver corrosion protection and/or the management of corrosion to a top portion, or roof portion, of an enclosure where such a system includes one or more dispensers designed to deliver at least one corrosion inhibitor to a system designed to protect a top portion of an enclosure (e.g., storage tanks, cisterns, containers, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Northern Technologies International Corporation
    Inventors: Efim Ya Lyublinski, Yefim Vaks
  • Publication number: 20120282143
    Abstract: Methods and systems for pharmaceutical compounding are described. In one embodiment a system comprises a solution of a pharmaceutical in an injection vehicle, the solution being contained in a vessel. The system also includes one or more tubes, a filter, and one or more valves. The system presents a sterile environment for compounding the solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: EXPRESS SCRIPTS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Marquis, Douglas Lang
  • Patent number: 8306665
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control system for the conversion of carbonaceous feedstock into a gas. In particular, the control system is designed to be configurable for use in controlling one or more processes implemented in, and/or by, a gasification system for the conversion of such feedstock into a gas, which may be used for one or more downstream applications. Gasification processes controllable by different embodiments of the disclosed control system may include in various combinations, a converter, a residue conditioner, a recuperator and/or heat exchanger system, one or more gas conditioners, a gas homogenization system and one or more downstream applications. The control system operatively controls various local, regional and/or global processes related to the overall gasification process, and thereby adjusts various control parameters thereof adapted to affect these processes for a selected result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Plasco Energy Group Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Tsangaris, Kenneth Craig Campbell, Douglas Michael Feasby, Alisdair Alan McLean
  • Patent number: 8292977
    Abstract: The invention has its object to arbitrarily adjust an amount of particles to be circulated without changing a flow rate of a gasification agent to thereby enhance gasification efficiency in a fluidized bed gasification furnace. The fluidized bed gasification furnace 107 comprises first and second chambers 113 and 114 in communication with each other in a fluidized bed 105. The hot particles 102 separated in the separator 104 and raw material M are introduced into the first chamber 113. The particles 102 introduced from the first chamber 113 through interior in the fluidized bed 105 to the second chamber 114 are supplied in an overflow manner to the fluidized bed combustion furnace 100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Suda, Yoshiaki Matsuzawa, Toshiro Fujimori
  • Publication number: 20120210632
    Abstract: The present invention features the use of salt-water mixtures to form brine reaction phases at supercritical temperatures, i.e., greater than 374° C., and at pressures of less than 500 bar. The conditions utilized allow high reaction rates to be attained in a dense medium at moderate pressures and temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Glenn T. Hong, Michael H. Spritzer
  • Publication number: 20120213665
    Abstract: Under electronic monitoring and control, fluids flow into a fluid diffusion device 9 to form a fluid combination. The fluid combination has corrosive properties as it flows into an anti-microbial canister 8 housing a roll 4 of anti-microbial metallic coated substrate 1, support frame 2, and porous body 3. The fluid combination corrodes the anti-microbial metallic coated substrate 1 located inside the anti-microbial canister 8. Upon exiting the anti-microbial canister 8, the fluid combination contains dissolved metal and is a liquid anti-microbial agent. Monitors throughout the system ensure the anti-microbial agent is being produced at the desired level and rate as it exits into its application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: APPLIED SILVER LLC
    Inventors: Russell J. Bik, Sean Morham
  • Patent number: 8241568
    Abstract: A reaction tank for causing a reaction for analyzing a specimen in a humidity-applied atmosphere in a storage vessel, includes a humidifying unit that includes a water reservoir reserving water and a humidifier releasing moisture of the water reservoir to an inside of the storage vessel, the humidifying unit humidifying the inside of the storage vessel, and a humidity detector that detects humidity inside the storage vessel. An operation of the humidifier of the humidifying unit is turned ON when the humidity inside the storage vessel becomes lower than a predetermined suitable humidity whereas the operation of the humidifier of the humidifying unit is turned OFF when the humidity inside the storage vessel exceeds the predetermined suitable humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventor: Tomohiko Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20120175305
    Abstract: Gas-filled microbubbles can be synthesized using a continuous flow chamber and a sonicator. The resulting microbubble solution can be size-sorted for a particular application, such as injection into a patient for gas delivery thereto. The microbubble solution may be concentrated to have greater than 50% volume gas while maintaining microbubble sizes below 10 ?m. Control of the microbubble generation process can yield highly stable microbubbles. The microbubbles may retain over half of their original gas payload for over three weeks while exhibiting minimal change in microbubble size. The systems, methods, and devices described herein thus allow for continuous or batch-wise continuous production of gas-filled microbubbles that readily release their gas payload when introduced into an under-saturated or de-saturated solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Mark A. Borden, Edward J. Swanson
  • Patent number: 8146625
    Abstract: A method for preventing either the introduction of air into a liquid aspirated from a container through an aspiration line passing through a container cap, or the over-filling or non-filling of a container by a liquid dispensed through a dispensing line passing through a container cap. Such method comprises the steps of simultaneously detecting that (a) the container cap is properly positioned on and secured to a liquid container from which liquid is to be aspirated, or into which a liquid is to be dispensed, and (b) detecting that the level of liquid in the container is either above or below a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventors: Rongchang Xin, Eric M. Grace, William W. Li, Santos Vargas
  • Patent number: 8142725
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising: a) an alkylation reactor holding an ionic liquid catalyst and a reactant mixture, b) a means for measuring levels of a halide in an effluent from the alkylation reactor, and c) a control system that receives a signal in response to the measuring and communicates changes in an operating condition that influences the yield of products from the reactant mixture. The control system is responsive to deviations outside a predetermined range of halide level that has been selected to obtain a ratio of a yield of an alkylate gasoline and a yield of a middle distillate from 0.31 to 4.0 in the product from the alkylation reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Sven Ivar Hommeltoft, Howard S. Lacheen
  • Publication number: 20120063957
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a system includes a posimetric pump configured to increase pressure of a feedstock to provide a pressurized feedstock. The system also includes a fixed bed gasifier configured to gasify the pressurized feedstock, wherein the fixed bed gasifier comprises an enclosure, a feedstock inlet configured to receive the pressurized feedstock, at least one agent inlet configured to receive at least one gasification agent, a syngas outlet configured to output a syngas, an ash outlet configured to output ash, and a fixed bed configured to support the pressurized feedstock while allowing flow of the at least one gasification agent through the pressurized feedstock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Anthony DePuy, Derek Leslie Aldred
  • Patent number: 8133451
    Abstract: A capture and purification apparatus is configured as a stand-alone apparatus or as part of a larger system. The capture and purification apparatus can be configured as a microfluidic cartridge that includes microfluidic circuitry and individually controlled valves. The microfluidic cartridge can be configured to function independently, or can be configured to be coupled to a separate instrument that provides the actuation to perform the capture and purification process. The capture and purification apparatus is configured as a volume-driven system that applies single-direction valves, a single fluid driving device, and fluid lines to control and discretely direct fluid flow within a full-loaded fluidic system. Such control enables various fluid sample processing techniques to be performed including, but not limited to, lysis, thermal cycling, and/or target analyte capture and purification, for example using a combination of ion-exchange chromatography and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: MicroFluidic Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bob Yuan
  • Publication number: 20110301307
    Abstract: Process for the preparation of ethylene homopolymers or copolymers in a high pressure reactor with at least two spatially separated initiator injection points by polymerizing ethylene and optionally further monomers in the presence of at least two different mixtures of free-radical polymerization initiators at from 100° C. to 350° C. and pressures in the range of from 160 MPa to 350 MPa, wherein the process comprises the following steps: a) providing at least two different initiators as solution in a suitable solvent or in liquid state, b) mixing the initiators and optionally additional solvent in at least two static mixers and c) feeding each of the mixtures to a different initiator injection point of the high pressure reactor, and apparatus for feeding initiator mixtures to a high pressure reactor with at least two spatially separated initiator injection points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: BASELL POLYOLEFINE GMBH
    Inventors: Dieter Littmann, Andre-Armand Finette, Jürgen Peter Mohrbutter, Sven George Wolfram
  • Publication number: 20110293481
    Abstract: A system for dissolving solid chemicals in an aqueous liquid, the system including a hopper that holds a plurality of stacked solid blocks containing water treatment chemicals for use in industrial and process applications, a liquid flow control system that delivers a selectively controlled flow of pressurized aqueous liquid to sprayer outlets that cause the pressurized liquid to impinge sequentially against the bottom surface of the bottom block in the stack, thereby successively dissolving each block, and a reservoir disposed beneath the stack that collects and holds the aqueous fluid containing the solubilized chemical from the blocks until it is discharged for subsequent use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Chris B. Eanes, Pat D. Guccione, Danielle C. Guccione
  • Publication number: 20110280767
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for decontamination of a room by misting a liquid treatment product (3) into the volume thereof, of the type comprising a receiving tank (2) for said product (3), means (4) suited for generating fine droplets of the product (3) in a zone of the surface of the room, means (6) suited for forming an air flow capable of entraining the fine droplets by mixing therewith, means (10, 12) suited for injecting the mist thus formed into the room. This device is characterized in that the air flow traverses a convergent tube (18) whose axis (xx?) is coincident with that of the air flow, where this tube opens out near the surface of the liquid product (3) and is inclined at an angle (?) relative thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Frederic Goessens
  • Publication number: 20110278173
    Abstract: A reactor for production of a fluid reaction product includes a reaction chamber, a plurality of fluid connections to supply fluid reactants to the reaction chamber, a reception chamber located directly below the reaction chamber, a transfer device providing a fluid connection between the reaction chamber and the reception chamber so that the reception chamber receives a fluid reaction product produced in the reaction chamber, a control unit and a first device, arranged in the reaction chamber to be in direct contact with the supplied fluids to determine a filling level. The first device includes at least one switching point which is operatively coupled with the control unit such that the supply of the fluid reactants into the reaction chamber is controlled and carried out sequentially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Grundfos Alldos Dosing & Disinfection Alldos Eichler GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Gunzinam, Roland Strauch, Wolfgang Ress, Ulrich Stemick
  • Publication number: 20110271585
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for obtaining an alkyl ester fuel, i.e., a biodiesel, and alcohol from a feedstock mixture of free fatty acids and/or glycerides mixed with a simple alcohol, such as methanol. The method uses an electrostatic probe to provide an electrical field within the reactor. This causes the glycerin molecules to precipitate out of the feedstock mixture. A drain is provided in the reactor, to drain the glycerin from the reactor. When the precipitated glycerin reaches a level to make contact with the electrostatic probe, an electrical circuit is closed, which causes the drain to open. When the level drops, the drain closes. Glycerin absorbs water and draining glycerin from the reactor naturally dehydrates the fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: David Miller
  • Patent number: 8038748
    Abstract: Combustion-based heating assemblies and hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies that include at least a reforming region adapted to be heated by the heating assemblies. The heating assembly may include at least one fuel chamber and at least one heating and ignition source. The at least one fuel chamber may be adapted to receive at least one fuel stream at a first temperature. The fuel stream may include a liquid, combustible, carbon-containing fuel having an ignition temperature greater than the first temperature at which the fuel stream is delivered to the fuel chamber. The at least one heating and ignition source may be adapted to heat at least a portion of the fuel chamber to raise the temperature of at least a portion of the carbon-containing fuel to a second temperature at least as great as the ignition temperature and to ignite the carbon-containing fuel. Methods of use are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Idatech, LLC
    Inventor: David J. Edlund
  • Publication number: 20110171744
    Abstract: Provided is a dispensing device capable of removing bubbles reliably. In this dispensing device, deaerated water is fed by a water feed pump to the inside of a pipeline up to the vicinity of the leading end of a dispensing nozzle. A water feed valve disposed near a dispensing pump is closed to establish a deaerated water space opened on the leading end side of the dispensing nozzle. The dispensing pump is activated on the space, thereby causing the dispensing nozzle to perform suction and exhaust actions. The dispensing device comprises a vacuum means connected to the space through the water feed valve thereby maintaining a vacuum state. In case the deaerated water space is cleared of the bubbles, the cleared water space is brought, by opening a change-over valve, into communication with a pipeline having a vacuum means connected thereto, thereby bringing the space into the vacuum state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Beckman Coulter Inc.
    Inventor: Isao Saegusa
  • Publication number: 20110142747
    Abstract: A liquid separator system having a gas phase zone, an aqueous phase zone and a denser liquid zone is used to separate mixtures of fluids. The separator can be used for separating molten sulfur from liquid redox solution or reslurry water. The system includes a vessel with a top part and a bottom part. The vessel has a larger diameter at the top part than at the bottom part. The system also includes an inlet for introducing a redox solution or reslurry water and molten sulfur, which is denser than redox solution or reslurry water, into the vessel. An outlet near the bottom part of the vessel allows a flow of the molten sulfur from the vessel. An interface control structure senses an interface level between the redox solution or reslurry water and the molten sulfur, and the interface control structure controls the flow of molten sulfur from the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: MERICHEM COMPANY
    Inventors: Gary J. Nagl, Anthony A. Barnette, Myron Reicher
  • Patent number: 7955557
    Abstract: Multiple piezoelectric elements 35 are arranged in a row along the top of liquid level in the reaction vessel 11. An ultrasonic reflecting material 38 is installed on the bottom of the portion of the heat insulating bath 12 where heat insulating medium 13 is stored. A lateral ultrasonic wave 9b is generated on the lower side is generated by actuation of the piezoelectric element 35. Wave 9b is reflected by the ultrasonic reflecting material 38. As a lower ultrasonic wave 8 advances along the wall surface of the reaction vessel, it collides with the specimen liquid level, thereby causing a portion of the liquid level closer to the piezoelectric element 35 to be raised. When the lateral ultrasonic wave 9a is applied to this portion, it reaches the inclined portion of the raised liquid level of the specimen. Swirling flow by agitation 36 is produced by the acoustic radiation pressure of the ultrasonic wave. The specimen and reagent are mixed and agitated by this swirling flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigenori Watari, Hajime Katou, Katsuhiro Kambara, Hiroyasu Uchida, Takeshi Shibuya
  • Publication number: 20110123402
    Abstract: A carbonate spring producing system includes a gas-liquid separator (6) which is connected on the downstream side of a carbonic acid gas dissolver (4). A carbonic acid gas supply means (10) and hot water supply means are connected to the carbonic acid gas dissolver (4). A liquid lead-out pipe (5) is connected to the gas-liquid separator. Preferably an un-dissolved carbonic acid gas lead-out pipe (23) is connected on the upstream sides of the gas-liquid separator (6) and the carbonic acid gas dissolver (4). The un-dissolved carbonic acid gas lead-out pipe (23) includes a control valve (25), a compressor (27), and a liquid level detection means (22). The control valve (25) controls a flow rate of un-dissolved carbonic acid gas from the gas-liquid separator. The liquid level detection means (22) measures a liquid level of the gas-liquid separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI RAYON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi SUZUKI, Ken Ooyachi, Hiroki Sakakibara, Masaaki Satou, Masanori Itakura, Hiroshi Tasaka
  • Patent number: 7943101
    Abstract: A canopy is removably secured to the container body, is respectively fitted with: a base of a water level indicator for detecting a remaining amount of liquid reducing agent; a base of a densitometer for detecting a concentration of a liquid reducing agent; and a heat exchanger which surrounds detection portions respectively suspended from the bases of the water level indicator and the densitometer, and through which is circulated engine coolant, to perform heat exchange with the liquid reducing agent, and a supply port and a return port for the liquid reducing agent are respectively formed in the canopy. The water level indicator, the densitometer, the heat exchanger, and the supply port and the return port for the liquid reducing agent are formed integrally with the canopy, so that the water level indicator and the densitometer can be dismounted together with the canopy at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Osaku, Toshio Kondou, Kiyoshi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7931872
    Abstract: A polymerization processor synthesizes a high quality polymer from a raw material in a molten state. Lactide sent from an apparatus for supplying lactide 1 is heated and molten in an apparatus for melting lactide 2, and a catalyst is added to the lactide in an apparatus for supplying a catalyst 3. The molten lactide is supplied through an apparatus for supplying lactide 4 to a horizontal reaction tank 5, and flows by a head difference with a polymerization reaction proceeding. A discharged reaction solution is supplied to the upper part of a vertical reaction tank 6, and flows through the vertical reaction tank 6 by gravity with the polymerization reaction proceeding. Thereafter, the reaction solution is transported to an apparatus for removing remaining lactide 7, where unreacted lactide is removed, and then the reaction solution is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Matsuo, Takayuki Matsumoto, Naruyasu Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7917252
    Abstract: A post-control electric power amount curve generating portion generates plural pieces of running control information indicating a changeable running method for each device and plural post-control electric power amount curves indicating an amount of main electric power. A post-control hot water storage amount curve generating portion generates post-control hot water storage amount curves each indicating an accumulated amount of hot water generated in a case where the fuel cell generates electric power based on the plural post-control electric power amount curves. A hot water storage completion determining portion determines whether the accumulated amounts exceed a specific heat capacity. A reduction amount calculating portion calculates plural energy cost reduction amounts produced before and after the change using the post-control hot water storage amount curves determined as not exceeding the specific heat capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuneko Imagawa, Shigeaki Matsubayashi
  • Patent number: 7902307
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerization process for producing olefin polymers in a loop reactor comprising the steps of: introducing into the loop reactor one or more olefin reactants, polymerization catalysts and diluents, and while circulating said reactants, catalysts and diluents, polymerizing said one or more olefin reactants to produce a polymer slurry comprising essentially liquid diluent and solid olefin polymer particles, said process further comprising one or more cycles of: (a) allowing said polymer slurry to settle in one or more setting legs connected to said reactor, and (b) discharging from a setting leg a predetermined volume of polymer slurry substantially equal to the volume of polymer slurry settled in said settling leg since its previous discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Total Petrochemicals Research Feluy
    Inventor: Andre Lewalle
  • Patent number: 7897113
    Abstract: A fluidic device for performing assays can include control components such as vacuum pumps, gas pumps, “broken open valves,” and “self-close valves” for controlling the flow of fluids in the fluidic device. The vacuum pump can be used to pull a fluid in a specific direction in a channel, and the gas pump can be used to push a fluid in a specific direction in a channel. The broken open valve can be used to connect two separate regions at the control of a user, and the self-close valve can be used to automatically seal off a channel after passage of a fluid. The vacuum pumps, gas pumps, broken open valves, and self close valves can be made small in volume so that the fluidic device can be made as a small and portable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Kuo-Yao Weng, Nien-Jen Chou, Chung-Hsien Tsai
  • Patent number: 7897124
    Abstract: Biogases such as natural gas and other gases capable of being biologically derived by digestion of organic matter are converted to a clean-burning hydrocarbon liquid fuel in a continuous process wherein a biogas is fed to a reaction vessel where the biogas contacts a liquid petroleum fraction and a transition metal catalyst immersed in the liquid, vaporized product gas is drawn from a vapor space above the liquid level, condensed, and fed to a product vessel where condensate is separated from uncondensed gas and drawn off as the liquid product fuel as uncondensed gas is recycled to the reaction vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventors: Rudolf W. Gunnerman, Peter W. Gunnerman
  • Publication number: 20110028574
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous separation and discharge apparatus and method of solid catalysts and liquid products for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactions, and more particularly, to a continuous separation and discharge apparatus and method of solid catalysts and products for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactions involving the conversion of synthetic gas into synthetic oil, by which products of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis including wax, as a long-chain hydrocarbon, can be stably obtained by continuously separating the products from a slurry comprising solid catalyst particles and the products using periodic pulses of a feeding gas and discharging the products through a lower portion of a reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology
    Inventors: Kwang Jae Woo, Ki-won Jun, Suk-Hwan Kang, Seung-Moon Kim, Jong-Wook Bae
  • Publication number: 20110014089
    Abstract: A gel manufacturing apparatus adapted to generate gel by making a first solution and a second solution react with each other includes: a flow mechanism adapted to make the second solution flow; an ejection mechanism having a nozzle plate provided with a nozzle adapted to eject the first solution to the second solution made to flow using a droplet ejection method; and a gap plate provided with a through hole communicated with the nozzle, wherein the gap plate is disposed between the flow mechanism and the ejection mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuya IDE, Kei HIRUMA
  • Patent number: 7824614
    Abstract: In a cartridge for chemical reaction, there are provided an inner part in which a chemical reaction is caused by feeding a liquid in accordance with a deformation when an external force is applied, and a plurality of passages that are connected with each other, and the passages can be switched between an opened state and a closed state by the external force. Since the plurality of passages are connected together in the cartridge, the cartridge can be applied to various uses. The plurality of passages may be connected together in the form of a network. Wells may be provided at the junctions of the passages. When the external force is applied on the well, the liquid may be pushed out of the well through the passages connected to the well. A passage may be provided for introducing a sample into the cartridge from an external part of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takeo Tanaami
  • Patent number: 7818094
    Abstract: A control system monitors salt level in a brine tank having a water inlet. The control system comprises a memory device storing an amount representing actual salt level in the brine tank. A sensor determines water level in the brine tank. A control valve is operatively connected between a water supply and the water inlet for controllably supplying water to the brine tank. A logic circuit is operatively connected to the memory device, the sensor and the control valve for determining salt level in the brine tank. The logic circuit periodically operates the control valve responsive to sensed water levels to fill the brine tank with water, updates the stored actual salt level in the memory device responsive to water supplied to the brine tank, and provides an indication when actual salt level in the brine tank falls below a select salt level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Bio-Microbics, Inc.
    Inventors: James Rambicourt, Stephen Carpenter
  • Patent number: 7799574
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus performs dispensing by filling a duct to which a dispensing nozzle is connected with a liquid, making the liquid move in the duct to absorb a liquid sample including a specimen or a reagent through the dispensing nozzle, and discharging the absorbed liquid sample; and an in-duct bubble presence determining method in the dispensing apparatus. The presence determining method includes discharging the liquid in the duct from the dispensing nozzle and detecting a transition of a pressure in the duct; calculating the number of mountain pulses in a pressure transition waveform based on the detected pressure transition; and determining a presence of a bubble in the duct based on the calculated number of mountain pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventor: Isao Saegusa
  • Publication number: 20100186302
    Abstract: There are provided a method and a system for regenerating a waste slurry which is disused after a slurry has been used to raise the cutting efficiency in a process of fabricating various wafers, such as semiconductor wafers, solar wafers and others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Seoung Young Lim, Sung Shin Kim
  • Patent number: 7758826
    Abstract: Mounted on an upper surface of a container main body are a base of a water level indicator detecting a remaining amount of liquid reducing agent, a base of a densitometer detecting concentration of liquid reducing agent, a heat exchanger surrounding detectors of the water level indicator and the densitometer, and circulating engine coolant for heat exchange between liquid reducing agent and engine coolant, and a suction tube for sucking liquid reducing agent from a position adjacent to the bottom of container main body and between water level indicator and densitometer. A box-shaped protector surrounds the water level indicator, densitometer and suction tube which are located in a region adjacent to a lower portion of the heat exchanger. Heat from the heat exchanger is trapped in the protector to generate convection in that region, thereby unfreezing frozen liquid reducing agent around the water level indicator, densitometer and suction tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Satou, Hiroyuki Kurita, Hideki Matsunaga, Yasushi Osaku, Toshio Kondou, Kiyoshi Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20100178211
    Abstract: A communication terminal device in which a diffusion control of aroma suitable for the situation can be performed. In the communication terminal device (100), according to the diffusion parameter used for diffusing the aroma (or smoke) and predetermined by the user, the state of a mobile terminal body (100B) recognized by a control unit (130) by using the detected information from the sensors of a sensing unit (150), and environment information on the environment around the mobile terminal body (100B), diffusion control of an aroma material (121) from a diffusion apparatus body (100A) is performed by an aroma diffusion section (141) of an indicating unit (140), smoke generation control of a smoke generation material (122) is performed by a smoke generation section (142), and suppression control of the aroma diffusion and the smoke generation is performed by a diffusion suppression unit (110).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuya Ushijima
  • Patent number: 7736604
    Abstract: Multi-port flow control valves are provided wherein the outlet ports may be opened in cascade fashion to allow fluid to flow through the outlet ports into at least two conduits in which the opening of the outlet ports is controlled by a signal indicating the need for fluid in the conduits. The valves are particularly useful for controller the supply of heating/cooling fluid to multiple heating/cooling coils employed to control reactions. In a preferred embodiment the opening of the ports is controlled according to the heat measured in the reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Ashe Morris Ltd
    Inventors: Robert Ashe, David Morris
  • Publication number: 20100113288
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for automating laboratory protocols utilizing modular processing components to allow systems to be reconfigured for processing a wide variety of disparate laboratory protocols are provided. In one aspect, a sample processing module is provided, including a housing configured to accommodate a pre-identified sample process, a standardized temperature input capable of interfacing with a temperature controller, a standardized fluid input capable of interfacing with an input fluid controller, and a standardized agitation connector capable of interfacing with an agitator. These standardized components provide interchangeability of the module with a module having a housing configured to accommodate a different pre-identified sample process in a sample processing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Nils Adey, Rob Parry
  • Patent number: 7708946
    Abstract: A device for automation of biological and medical tests wherein test subjects or specimens that are placed in test vessels are subsequently treated by different liquid reagents, including: at least two test vessels of dimensions providing accommodation of specimens, a hydraulic gravity feeding system to deliver the liquid reagents into the two test vessels, a hydraulic gravity discharging system to remove waste liquid or spent reagents from the test vessels and directing them into an apparatus for accommodation of the such waste liquid or spent reagents, and a control system operating the device. A mechanical system is provided for agitating the test vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Sherman, Yury Sherman, Abram Botvinnik
  • Publication number: 20100086446
    Abstract: In an exhaust emission purifying apparatus for reductively purifying NOx in the exhaust emission by using a liquid reducing agent or its precursor, to be referred to as “liquid reducing agent” herein, a dosing flow rate of the liquid reducing agent according to engine operating conditions is computed, and the dosing of the liquid reducing agent is controlled based on the computed dosing flow rate, and also, it is judged whether or not a supply system of the liquid reducing agent is failed, based on a ratio between an integrated amount obtained by sequentially integrating the dosing flow rate and a consumed amount of the liquid reducing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicants: Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd., NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Matsunaga, Toshikazu Katou, Hiroyuki Kurita, Shinji Kumazawa, Masayuki Motomura, Katsunori Yazawa