Control Element Responds Proportionally To A Variable Signal From A Sensor Patents (Class 422/108)
  • Patent number: 7771675
    Abstract: A reforming catalyst (6) induces an isomerization reforming reaction and a decomposition reforming reaction of a gasoline fuel. Injectors (27, 33, 35, 36) supply an isomerized fuel generated by the isomerization reforming reaction and a decomposed fuel generated by the decomposition reforming reaction respectively to the internal combustion engine (1). The ratio of the isomerization reforming reaction and the decomposition reforming reaction depends on a catalyst temperature, and can be altered arbitrarily by controlling an air supply amount to the catalyst (6) via an air amount regulating valve (14) and a fuel supply amount to the catalyst (6) via a fuel injector (8) and thereby controlling the catalyst temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isamu Hotta, Masaaki Kubo, Eiji Takahashi, Koichi Ashida, Yasushi Sekine
  • Publication number: 20100192973
    Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet light source apparatus that can eliminate debris adhering to a component such as optical elements provided within a chamber. The extreme ultraviolet light source apparatus includes: a chamber in which extreme ultraviolet light is generated; a target material supply unit for supplying a target material into the chamber; a driver laser unit for irradiating the target material with a driver pulse laser beam to generate plasma; a cleaning laser unit for emitting a cleaning pulse laser beam; and a control unit for controlling an irradiation position of the cleaning pulse laser beam emitted from the cleaning laser unit so as to irradiate a component provided within the chamber with the cleaning pulse laser beam to remove debris adhering to a surface of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Ueno, Osamu Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 7763087
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for use in controlling the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a purified hydrogen generator; at least one of a compression unit, a storage unit, and a dispensing unit; and a system controller. The system controller is capable of monitoring the operation of the hydrogen generator and the compression unit, storage unit, or dispensing unit at a system level and shutting down at least one of hydrogen generator and the compression unit, storage unit, or dispensing unit upon the detection of a dangerous condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Masoud Hajiaghajani, Vesna R. Mirkovic, Hongqiao Sun, W. Spencer Wheat, Gregory W. Laframboise, Tonya A. Betts
  • Patent number: 7758827
    Abstract: Sorbent components containing calcium, alumina, silica, and halogen are used in combination during coal combustion to produce environmental benefits. Sorbents are added to the coal ahead of combustion and/or are added into the flame or downstream of the flame, preferably at minimum temperatures to assure complete formation of the refractory structures that result in various advantages of the methods. When used together, the components ? reduce emissions of mercury and sulfur; ? reduce emissions of elemental and oxidized mercury; ? increase the efficiency of the coal burning process through de-slagging of boiler tubes; ? increase the level of Hg, As, Pb, and/or Cl in the coal ash; ? decrease the levels of leachable heavy metals (such as Hg) in the ash, preferably to levels below the detectable limits; and ? make a highly cementitious ash product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: NOx II, Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas C. Comrie
  • Patent number: 7758833
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided with a NOx removing device and a particulate filter in an exhaust system. A temperature of the exhaust system is detected. A switching control is performed for alternately performing a process for removing sulfur oxide accumulated in said NOx removing device and a regeneration process for burning particulates trapped in said particulate filter, when it is determined to be necessary to perform at least one of the removal of the sulfur oxide in said NOx removing device and the regeneration of the particulate filter. The switching control is performed according to the detected exhaust system temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Odajima, Isao Kaneko, Shingo Tsuruta, Yoshihiko Watanabe, Hidetaka Maki
  • Publication number: 20100172804
    Abstract: A dispenser (10) uses first and second flow controls (70, 73). The flow controls maintain first and second flow ranges independent of diluent pressure within a pressure range, wherein the use solution's concentration is maintained over the pressure range. A third flow control (75) may also be utilized in a third diluent passageway for maintaining a third flow range independent of the diluent pressure within the pressure range. A bypass valve assembly (41) is operatively connected to the third incoming diluent passageway. The bypass valve has a temperature control valve. The temperature control valve having a bypass passageway, wherein additional diluent is added to the use solution, thereby controlling the use solution's concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: John E. Thomas, Robert J. Plantikow, Thomas P. Berg, Thomas Batcher, Daniel F. Brady, Scott T. Russell, Terrence P. Everson
  • Publication number: 20100168412
    Abstract: An improved process of production of a chlorinated sugar is described comprising chlorination of a partially protected sugar, wherein quenching as well as neutralization of chlorinated reaction mass is carried out concurrently and continuously in a reactor which is a continuous mixer as well as quencher providing continuous mixing of chlorination reaction mixture and pH adjusting solution and also provides for continuous quenching and continuous removal of quenched chlorinated reaction mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: V.B. MEDICARE PVT. LTD
    Inventors: Rakesh Ratnam, Sundeep Aurora, Sanjiv Shankar Anand, Subramaniyam
  • Patent number: 7741123
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for analysis of a sample. The microfluidic device includes a substrate portion that at least partially defines a chamber for receiving the sample. The substrate portion includes a substrate having a surface. The substrate portion also includes a plurality of thin-film layers formed on the substrate adjacent the surface. The thin-film layers form a plurality of electronic devices. Each of at least two of the electronic devices is formed by a different set of the thin-film layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Grant Pease, Adam L Ghozeil, John Stephen Dunfield, Winthrop D. Childers, David Tyvoll, Douglas A. Sexton, Paul Crivelli
  • Patent number: 7736595
    Abstract: A dosing control system comprises a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) analysis module and a dosing management module. The SCR analysis module estimates ammonia (NH3) stored by an SCR catalyst, maximum NH3 storage capacity of the SCR catalyst, NH3 slip downstream of the SCR catalyst, NH3 oxidation, and NH3 conversion through reaction with nitrogen oxides (NOx). The NH3 stored is estimated based an amount of dosing agent injected, the NH3 slip, the NH3 oxidation, and the NH3 conversion. The dosing management module controls dosing agent injection into an exhaust system upstream of the SCR catalyst based on the NH3 stored by the SCR catalyst and the maximum NH3 storage capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Andrew Gady, Anupam Gangopadhyay
  • Patent number: 7731925
    Abstract: Methods of reducing agent control in an exhaust gas aftertreatment system of a combustion engine with an exhaust gas pipe in which in the direction of flow of the exhaust gas there is an SCR catalyzer. A reducing agent generating system has an NOx and CO/H2 generating unit, an oxidation catalyzer, and a combined NOx storage/ammonia generating unit in the standard gas path of the reducing agent generating system. Ammonia is introduced as a reducing agent for the reduction of nitric oxides before the SCR catalyzer of the reducing agent generating system. Precursor materials for generation of ammonia are directed at least temporarily to the NOx and CO/H2 generating unit through a fuel feed and an air feed. A CO/H2 reducing agent stream is temporally modulated during a rich phase. A CO/H2 concentration is primarily held constant at a high level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Gloeckle
  • Patent number: 7713471
    Abstract: An electrical device for performing a particular function includes a system circuit for performing the function, and a dedicated power supply for providing power to the circuit. Both the system circuit and the power supply are hermetically sealed within a housing. The device within the housing is intended to be sterilized using high temperature, reaching a sterilization temperature. According to the invention, the device includes a thermal switch which is electrically connected between the system circuit and the power supply. The thermal switch is switchable between an open position wherein the system circuit is electrically isolated from the power supply and receives no power therefrom and a closed position wherein the system circuit is electrically connected to the power supply and receives power therefrom. The thermal switch switches from its closed position to its open position in response to the temperature within the housing rising to a predetermined switch-open temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Codman Neuro Sciences Sarl
    Inventors: Benito Valencia Avila, Alec Ginggen
  • Publication number: 20100104471
    Abstract: Ultraviolet light is an effective sterilization agent. Convenient mobile sterilization devices are described herein that, in certain embodiments, provide indications to a user of how much sterilizing light is required for a given sterilization goal and how much light has been applied to a surface towards that goal. Users can move the devices across a target surface as needed to sterilize or disinfect the surface, with the device tracking the dosage applied to the surface. One embodiment of a mobile device that comprises an ultraviolet C (UVC) light source, a distance detector, an indicator, and a microprocessor that receives data from the distance detector for calculating an intensity of the light from the source on a target surface and for calculating a dosage of the light on the surface to provide a signal to the indicator when a predetermined dosage is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Nicholas Harmon, Ryan Douglas
  • Patent number: 7704463
    Abstract: This UV light system for use in a central air handling unit of a heating or air conditioning system includes a UV light source and is adapted for operation on, and receives power from, an approximately 24VAC low voltage power supply for a thermostat of the heating or air conditioning system. In its preferred embodiments it is provided with a mounting system including a bendable “Z” shaped mounting bracket, which bracket can be bent to multiple angles allowing the UV light source to be positioned in numerous ways within the central air handling unit. It is preferably packaged in a cylindrical packing case where the elongate cylindrical emitter portion of the UV light source is aligned with the axis of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher A. Willette
  • Patent number: 7704472
    Abstract: An air pollutant control system comprises: a denitration apparatus that reduces nitrogen oxide in flue gas discharged from a coal combustion boiler, and that sprays hydrogen chloride into the gas to oxidize mercury, an air heater that recovers heat in gas, a dust collector that reduces dust in gas, a desulfurization apparatus that reduces sulfur oxide in gas from which the dust has been reduced, a hydrogen chloride vaporizer that evaporates concentrated hydrochloric acid to obtain the hydrogen chloride, and a hydrochloric acid neutralization tank where dilute hydrochloric acid discharged from the hydrogen chloride vaporizer or the concentrated hydrochloric acid is neutralized with an alkali agent. Neutralized chloride is supplied to a fuel feeder, mixed with a fuel, and then burned as a fuel in a boiler to produce hydrogen chloride in flue gas. Together with sprayed hydrogen chloride derived from the hydrogen chloride vaporizer, the mercury is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Moritoshi Murakami, Nobuyuki Ukai, Tatsuto Nagayasu
  • Patent number: 7700056
    Abstract: A decontamination system having modular components to efficiently decontaminate enclosures of various dimensions. The decontamination system includes a main unit comprising a controller, a supply of liquid decontaminant, a vaporizer for vaporizing the liquid decontaminant to generate a vaporized decontaminant, and a destroyer for breaking down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. An embodiment of the present invention includes a detachable dryer and a detachable external blower that are in fluid communication with the main unit. An optional external destroyer and an optional external dryer may be controlled by the controller of the main unit to respectively increase the destroying and drying capacity of the decontamination system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Aaron L. Hill, Leslie M. Logue, Ryan A. Bruskevith
  • Publication number: 20100081023
    Abstract: Liquid leak detection systems, and fuel cell systems and hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems containing the same. The liquid leak detection systems are adapted to detect liquid leaks from the fuel cell and/or fuel processing systems and to respond thereto, such as by interrupting the delivery of liquid reactants, by generating an alert, by transitioning the fuel processing system to a different operating state, and/or by shutting down the fuel processing and/or fuel cell system. The liquid leak detection systems may include a controller and at least one liquid detector, and in some embodiments may include a cover. In some embodiments, the liquid detector includes a signal emitter and a signal detector. In some embodiments, the liquid detector includes at least a pair of spaced-apart conductive members that nominally define an open circuit. In some embodiments, the cover is adapted to repel water and/or includes conductive particulate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: IDATECH, LLC
    Inventors: Clint A. Beliveau, Scott C. Elliot, Vernon Wade Popham
  • Publication number: 20100074804
    Abstract: Hydrogen peroxide is vaporized (20) and mixed (30) with ammonia gas in a ratio between 1:1 and 1:0.0001. The peroxide and ammonia vapor mixture are conveyed to a treatment area (10) to neutralize V-type, H-type, or G-type chemical agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, prions, and the lip-,c. The ammonia provides the primary deactivating agent for G-type agents with the peroxide acting as an accelerator. The peroxide acts as the primary agent for deactivating V-type and H-type agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, and prions. The ammonia acts as an accelerator in at least some of these peroxide deactivation reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Iain F. McVey, Lewls I. Schwartz, Michael A. Centanni, George W. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20100074798
    Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for processing solid waste products. The apparatus comprises a rotatably mounted cylindrical vessel having a first end, a second end and an interior surface, at least one end terminating in a hatch that may be opened to allow access to the interior of the vessel and sealably closed to allow pressurization of the vessel; a steam inlet for injecting stem disposed at one or both ends; a plurality of substantially straight blades protruding from the interior surface of the vessel, and each the blade extending substantially the entire length of the vessel, so as to be capable of transporting waste material from the bottom of the vessel toward the top of the vessel, and releasing the waste material to fall to the bottom of the vessel. The apparatus also includes one or more actuators for moving the vessel between a position wherein the first end is higher than the second end and a position wherein the second end is higher than the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Jan K. Michalek, Ufuk Bozkaya
  • Patent number: 7682574
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal reactor apparatus used to treat industrial effluent fluids, for example waste effluent produced in semiconductor and liquid crystal display manufacturing processes. Specifically, the present invention relates to improved monitoring and control features for the thermal reactor apparatus, including a flame sensing device, an intrinsically safe flammable gas sensing device, and a sequential mode of operation having built-in safety redundancy. The improved monitoring and control features ensure the safe and efficient abatement of waste effluent within the thermal reactor apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ho-Man Rodney Chiu, Daniel O. Clark, Shaun W. Crawford, Jay J. Jung, Youssef A. Loldj, Robbert Vermeulen
  • Patent number: 7674442
    Abstract: Processes and compositions are provided for decreasing emissions of mercury upon combustion of fuels such as coal. Various sorbent compositions are provided that contain components that reduce the level of mercury and/or sulfur emitted into the atmosphere upon burning of coal. In various embodiments, the sorbent compositions are added directly to the fuel before combustion; are added partially to the fuel before combustion and partially into the flue gas post combustion zone; or are added completely into the flue gas post combustion zone. In preferred embodiments, the sorbent compositions comprise a source of halogen and preferably a source of calcium. Among the halogens, iodine and bromine are preferred. In various embodiments, inorganic bromides make up a part of the sorbent compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Douglas C. Comrie
  • Publication number: 20100055001
    Abstract: The present invention is capable of determining that a reaction region is in an abnormal reaction state precisely with high reproducibility, executing proper analysis processing in accordance with the determined state of the reaction region, and efficiently analyzing a characteristic of the reaction region. The present invention obtains intensity values of first and second wavelength components by measurement of light emitted from the reaction region with a spectrometer. A relative intensity calculator calculates relative intensity of the first wavelength component relative to the second wavelength component from the intensity values of the first and second wavelength components. The apparatus determines whether or not the calculated relative intensity is a value within a predetermined range. An output portion provides notification that the state of the reaction region is a predetermined state when it is determined that the relative intensity is within the predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: IMAGINEERING INC.
    Inventors: Yuji Ikeda, Atsushi Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 7670557
    Abstract: A planar-sensor arrangement is disclosed, which is used to detect particles possibly contained in an analyte. The sensor element includes a substrate, a first planar-sensor electrode and a second planar-sensor electrode which are formed on and/or in the substrate and whereon catcher molecules can be immobilized. The first sensor-electrode and the second sensor-electrode are divided, respectively, into a plurality of planar sensor-electrode partial areas. The sensor electrode partial areas of the first sensor electrode and the sensor electrode partial areas of the second sensor electrode are arranged in an alternating manner in two dimensions on the surface plane of the substrate. The sensor element also includes a wiring structure by which at least one part of the sensor electrode partial areas of the first sensor electrode are electrically coupled together, and by which at least one part of the sensor-electrode partial areas of the second sensor electrode are electrically coupled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alexander Frey, Christian Paulus, Meinrad Schienle, Roland Thewes
  • Publication number: 20100044208
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for processing an exhaust gas, which enable to suppress decrease of pH and increase of ORP of a mixture of an aqueous solution of a reducing agent and an aqueous alkali solution circulated within a wet reactor comprising a reduction reaction region and an oxidation reaction region. The method and apparatus enable to prevent deterioration of the mixed aqueous solution, and can be continuously operated for a long time. Specifically, the ORP and pH of the mixed aqueous solution of the aqueous solution of a reducing agent and the aqueous alkali solution to be circulated within the wet reactor are measured, and a fresh aqueous solution of a reducing agent and a fresh aqueous alkali solution are supplied, if necessary, into a reservoir unit arranged in the lower part of the wet reactor so that the ORP and pH of the mixed aqueous solution are kept within predetermined ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kuroki, Masaaki Okubo, Toshiaki Yamamoto, Hidekatsu Fujishima, Keiichi Otsuka
  • Publication number: 20100038230
    Abstract: In a method of operating a microwave plasma abatement apparatus comprising a microwave generator, and a gas chamber for receiving microwave energy from the microwave generator and within which a plasma is generated using the microwave energy, the amount of microwave energy that is not absorbed within the gas chamber is monitored, and the power of the microwave energy generated by the microwave generator is adjusted in dependence on the monitored microwave energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Marilena Radoiu, James Robert Smith, Andrew James Seeley
  • Patent number: 7662352
    Abstract: A biomass feeding unit feeds biomass to a boiler. A hydrogen-chlorine monitoring unit measures hydrogen-chloride content in flue gas fed to a desulfurization equipment. A mercury monitoring unit measures mercury content in treated flue gas emitted from the desulfurization equipment. A feed-amount instruction unit instructs proper feed amount of the biomass to the biomass feeding unit based on measurement values obtained by the hydrogen-chlorine monitoring unit and the mercury monitoring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Takeuchi, Yoshio Nakayama, Satoru Sugita, Susumu Okino, Shintaro Honjo
  • Publication number: 20100028230
    Abstract: A dosing control system comprises a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) analysis module and a dosing management module. The SCR analysis module estimates ammonia (NH3) stored by an SCR catalyst, maximum NH3 storage capacity of the SCR catalyst, NH3 slip downstream of the SCR catalyst, NH3 oxidation, and NH3 conversion through reaction with nitrogen oxides (NOx). The NH3 stored is estimated based an amount of dosing agent injected, the NH3 slip, the NH3 oxidation, and the NH3 conversion. The dosing management module controls dosing agent injection into an exhaust system upstream of the SCR catalyst based on the NH3 stored by the SCR catalyst and the maximum NH3 storage capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Andrew Gady, Anupam Gangopadhyay
  • Patent number: 7645307
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in controlling the reaction temperature of a fuel processor are disclosed. The apparatus includes a fuel processor reactor, the reactor including a water gas shift reaction section; a temperature sensor disposed within the reaction section; a coolant flow line through the reaction section; and an automated control system. The automated control system controls the reaction temperature by determining a first component for a setting adjustment for the actuator from the measured temperature and a setpoint for the measured temperature; determining a second component for the setting adjustment from a hydrogen production rate for the fuel processor; and determining the setting adjustment from the first and second components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Hongqiao Sun, Daniel G. Casey, Vesna R. Mirkovic, Bhaskar Balasubramanian, W. Spencer Wheat
  • Patent number: 7641877
    Abstract: A method for enlarging the particle diameters of sulfuric acid mists in waste gas and collecting the sulfuric acid mists in high efficiency is provided. A process for disposing waste gas containing sulfur oxides that introduces the waste gas in dry type electrostatic precipitator to remove dusts and then introduces the waste gas in a wet desulfurization apparatus to carry out desulfurization, wherein the waste gas temperature of a smoke channel at a more upstream side than the wet desulfurization apparatus is measured, the flow channel length is variable based on the measurement value of the waste gas temperature, the waste gas is flown to a flow channel means that is adjusted at a channel length capable of cooling the waste gas to the dew point of acid by heat release and then, the waste gas is introduced into the wet desulfurization apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, LTD.
    Inventors: Sachio Maekawa, Shinichi Kawabata, Keigo Orita
  • Patent number: 7638101
    Abstract: This invention relates to regeneration of coked catalyst by combustion so that the catalyst can be reused in a hydrocarbon conversion reaction. The completion of coke burn is generally measured with a combination of temperature or change in oxygen concentration. Dropping outlet temperatures require time to wait for increases in inlet temperature to correspondingly move down the regenerator. Faster response times might be expected from increasing oxygen concentration, but a small increase in concentration can lead to a significant increase in peak burn temperature which negatively impacts catalyst life. Controlled peak burning is difficult over the entire bed by merely controlling inlet and outlet oxygen concentrations. The invention accordingly combines a measured lag time for temperature travel with an inlet temperature ramping step to ensure complete coke combustion with high oxygen efficiency, thus providing a rapid regeneration that permits more time for operation at desired reaction conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Leon Yuan, James L. Bixby, Kyle P. Austin, Brian D. Nabozny
  • Patent number: 7633038
    Abstract: Provided are a heated exhaust pipeline, a related plurality of heating elements attached to an exhaust pipeline, and a method of controlling the plurality of heating elements. Individual heating elements are characterized by a temperature indicator and/or an alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun-Su Seol
  • Publication number: 20090297404
    Abstract: A plasma reactor, having source and bias RF power generators of different frequencies, is provided with a controller responsive to fluctuations in plasma load impedance measured at one of the generators to modulate the output of the other generator to compensate for the fluctuations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: STEVEN C. SHANNON, Kartik Ramaswamy, Daniel J. Hoffman, Matthew L. Miller, Kenneth S. Collins
  • Patent number: 7622092
    Abstract: A mercury removing device includes a gasification unit that converts a non-gaseous-mercury-chlorinating agent, which is non-gaseous at room temperature and normal pressure, into gaseous-mercury-chlorinating agent by heating the non-gaseous-mercury-chlorinating agent with heat of hot air generated by using the exhaust gas or hot air generated by using an air heater installed in a flue that conveys the exhaust gas. The gaseous-mercury-chlorinating agent produced in this manner is supplied to the exhaust gas in the flue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shintaro Honjo, Susumu Okino, Yasuhiro Takeuchi, Seiji Kagawa, Yoshio Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7618605
    Abstract: An exhaust emission control device for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of supplying a just enough amount of reducing agent to a NOx catalyst, thereby reducing exhaust emission and improving fuel economy. The device includes a three-way catalyst, a NOx catalyst provided downstream of the three-way catalyst, and an ECU. The ECU carries out rich spike control such that exhaust gases flowing into the NOx catalyst form a reducing atmosphere. During the control, the ECU calculates a reducing agent consumption amount of reducing agent in the exhaust gases consumed by the three-way catalyst, calculates a cumulative reducing agent amount as a total amount of reducing agent supplied to the NOx catalyst, depending on the reducing agent consumption amount, and terminates the control when the cumulative reducing agent amount becomes larger than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoko Morita, Norio Suzuki, Hiroshi Ohno
  • Patent number: 7620479
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the compounding of pharmaceutical parenteral admixtures is disclosed. The apparatus preferably comprises a computer that contains a memory for storing instructions for operating the apparatus and for controlling compounders that prepare a prescription admixture, with the memory including data relating to a plurality of the pharmaceutical components that may be transferred to prepare the prescription admixture, and data concerning the operating characteristics of the compounders that the apparatus is adapted to control. The apparatus determines the order of admixing by general rules of admixing and by categorized compatibility groups of components, so that the number of rinses that must be done are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Kircher, Ronald W. Czarny, Robert E. Lewis, Diane M. Nitzki-George, Joe A. Miller
  • Publication number: 20090280035
    Abstract: Ultraviolet radiation is shone within an area and detected. The detected ultraviolet radiation is monitored over a period of time to determine a set of biological activity dynamics for the area. Ultraviolet radiation detected during a calibration period can be used to provide a baseline with which analysis of subsequently detected ultraviolet radiation is compared and analyzed. When the presence of biological activity is determined within the area, ultraviolet radiation and/or one or more other approaches can be utilized to suppress the biological activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Alexei Koudymov, Michael Shur, Remigijus Gaska
  • Patent number: 7611684
    Abstract: An effluent gas scrubber and a method of scrubbing effluent gases are provided. An inlet port receives an effluent gas. The gas passes through successive chambers in which it is sprayed with a scrubbing fluid. An oxidizer within the scrubbing fluid is effective to oxidize non-water soluble gases within the effluent gas. An oxidation-reduction potential probe measures the oxidation-reduction potential of the scrubbing fluid and adds the oxidizer to the scrubbing fluid as needed. A pH probe measures the pH of the scrubbing fluid and adds a base to the scrubbing fluid as needed to maintain the pH at or above a threshold such as pH 7, or pH 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Airgard, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Johnsgard, Kris Johnsgard
  • Patent number: 7601317
    Abstract: A method for enlarging the particle diameters of sulfuric acid mists in waste gas and collecting the sulfuric acid mists in high efficiency is provided. A process for disposing waste gas containing sulfur oxides that introduces the waste gas in dry type electrostatic precipitator to remove dusts and then introduces the waste gas in a wet desulfurization apparatus to carry out desulfurization, wherein outside air with a flow rate at which the waste gas introduced in the wet desulfurization apparatus is the dew point of acid is taken in from an introducing tube to mix the outside air in the waste gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keigo Orita, Sachio Maekawa, Shinichi Kawabata
  • Patent number: 7595033
    Abstract: A process and device for purifying flue gases in refuse incineration plants during regeneration of a catalyst which serves for reducing nitrogen oxides, by, in a first step, removing acidic pollutant gases from the flue gas in a wet or dry manner, in a second step adding ammonia for reducing nitrogen oxides to the flue gas purified in the first step, in a third step feeding the flue gas admixed with the ammonia to a catalyst, where the catalyst is heated at a controlled heat-up rate for regeneration, which leads to liberation of ammonia, where the amount of ammonia added in the second step and the heat-up rate in the third step are controlled by the amount of a pollutant gas selected from the group of ammonia, and which the purified flue gas contains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Von Roll Umwelttechnik AG
    Inventors: Ruedi Frey, Sandrine Person
  • Patent number: 7591983
    Abstract: The invention is intended to produce high-pressure light fuel gas with good combustibility by contacting and reacting high-temperature, high-pressure water and heavy oil with each other in a contact-reaction unit to extract light oil components from the heavy oil and to remove metals. The high-temperature, high-pressure water and the heavy oil are introduced to the contact-reaction unit for contact and reaction with each other therein. Heavy oil components not dissolved in the high-temperature, high-pressure water are separated by precipitation from hydrocarbon gases and light oil components which are dissolved in the high-temperature, high-pressure water. The separated heavy oil components are burnt or incinerated without any further modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Petroleum Energy Center
    Inventors: Hirokazu Takahashi, Shinichi Inage, Nobuyuki Hokari, Masahiko Yamagishi, Akinori Hayashi, Osami Yokota, Youji Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 7591986
    Abstract: An exhaust emission control device which is capable of supplying a just enough amount of reducing agent to a NOx catalyst while causing the amount of reducing agent consumed in an upstream catalyst to be reflected thereon. A NOx catalyst for trapping NOx and reducing NOx to change the same into harmless ingredients in a reducing atmosphere is disposed downstream of a catalyst. Reducing agent is supplied upstream of the catalyst to cause the NOx catalyst to perform a NOx-reducing action. The amount of oxygen occluded in the catalyst is calculated. During reduction control, according to the oxygen occlusion amount, the amount of reducing agent oxidized and consumed in the catalyst is calculated. According to the reducing agent consumption amount, the amount of reducing agent supplied to the NOx catalyst is calculated. The reduction control is terminated based on the reducing agent supply amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoko Morita, Norio Suzuki, Hiroshi Ohno
  • Patent number: 7588750
    Abstract: Devices for generating and storing ozone. The device includes a tank for containing gas therein; an ozone generator for generating ozone and communicating the ozone with the tank; and at least one valve for admitting gas into the device, holding gas in the device, and discharging gas from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Amarante Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Ifland
  • Patent number: 7582271
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus utilizing hydrogen peroxide are useful to reduce SOx and mercury (or other heavy metal) emissions from combustion flue gas streams. The methods and apparatus may further be modified to reduce NOx emissions. Continuous concentration of hydrogen peroxide to levels approaching or exceeding propellant-grade hydrogen peroxide facilitates increased system efficiency. In this manner, combustion flue gas streams can be treated for the removal of SOx and heavy metals, while isolating useful by-products streams of sulfuric acid as well as solids for the recovery of the heavy metals. Where removal of NOx emissions is included, nitric acid may also be isolated for use in fertilizer or other industrial applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Clyde F. Parrish, J. Landy Chung
  • Patent number: 7575732
    Abstract: Processes for selectively removing sulfur-containing compounds from a gas are described herein. The processes generally include contacting a first gas including carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide with a scrub solution including ammonium bisulfite and ammonium sulfite in a first contact zone to produce a first contact zone effluent liquid including ammonium thiosulfate and a first contact zone overhead gas in which the concentration of hydrogen sulfide is substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Thiosolv, LLC.
    Inventors: Mark C. Anderson, Michael F. Ray, Ronald Shafer
  • Publication number: 20090185952
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes at least one reservoir with a delivery mechanism in communication therewith. The delivery mechanism draws an air treatment material from the reservoir and provides the air treatment material in response to a decreased level of active air treatment material or the detection of a malodor. Additionally, the delivery mechanism includes a control system and a detection system. The control system activates the detection system at a timed interval or in response to a change in one or more ambient conditions (e.g., motion, temperature, light, humidity, etc.). Once activated, the detection system samples the environment for either the level of active air treatment material or the quality of the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bankers, Sanam Nassirpour, Kevin Hafer
  • Patent number: 7562555
    Abstract: A water-repellent filter member formed from a resin sheet of a porous, fibrous structure having air permeability and water repellency; a waterproof instrument and gas sensor having air permeability; and a method of manufacturing the same. A water-repellent filter member (19) is formed from a resin sheet (54) of a porous, fibrous structure having air permeability and water repellency by subjecting the resin sheet to forming work, and includes an axially extending tubular side wall portion (19s) and a bottom wall portion closing one end of the tubular side wall portion. At least a portion of the bottom wall portion (19t) retains the porous, fibrous structure of the resin sheet and thereby has air permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisaharu Nishio, Yuichi Yamada, Masahiro Asai, Makoto Hishiki
  • Patent number: 7560078
    Abstract: An addition apparatus, a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) system having an addition apparatus, and a method for adding material to an FCC unit are provided. In one embodiment, an addition system for an FCC unit includes a container, a first eductor and a sensor. The eductor is coupled to an outlet of the container. The sensor is configured to detect a metric of material dispensed from the container through the eductor. A valve is provided for controlling the flow through the eductor. A controller provides a control signal for regulating an operational state of the valve. In another embodiment, an FCC system having an addition system is provided. In yet another embodiment, a method for adding material to an FCC unit is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Intercat Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Elliott, Martin Evans
  • Patent number: 7544338
    Abstract: Provided is a system for removing mercury from a mercury-containing exhaust gas, which contains a mercury chlorinating agent feed unit for feeding a mercury chlorinating agent to an flue exhaust gas containing nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide and mercury, a reductive denitration unit for reducing the nitrogen oxide, and a desulfurization unit for removing the sulfur oxide, characterized in that the mercury chlorinating agent feed unit further comprises a heating unit for heating a non-gaseous agent for mercury chlorination which is in the non-gaseous form under normal temperature and normal pressure or a gasifying unit for obtaining a gaseous agent for mercury chlorination from the non-gaseous agent for mercury chlorination. The present invention makes it possible to provide a mercury removal process and system which have high reliability and can be operated at a low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shintaro Honjo, Kenichi Okada, Susumu Okino, Yasuhiro Takeuchi, Satoru Sugita, Yoshio Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7537735
    Abstract: Aspirator systems include an aspirator body member having a fluid passageway extending therein and a first and second optical conductor configured to receive and/or transmit light therethrough. A drive mechanism may be coupled to the aspirator body member and configured to move the aspirator body member between an advanced position and a retracted position. An aspirator tip is coupled to the aspirator body member at an end of the fluid passageway and having a fluid passageway therein extending from the end of the fluid passageway of the aspirator body member when coupled to the aspirator body member, the aspirator tip being coupled to the first and second optical conductors and comprising an optically transmissive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Biomerieux, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Hiemer, Paul Ratke
  • Publication number: 20090129974
    Abstract: A ceiling paddle fan fixture for improving the quality of the air in the room and various methods of enhancing room air quality, with particular application in public spaces such as hospitals, health care institutions, dormitories, schools and offices. A UV-C source and an air mover are combined in a single fixture which uses a low intensity UV-C source and a paddle ceiling fan to significantly increase the mixing of the treated with the untreated room air. Sterilization of room air is achieved by the passage of a high volume of air at a relatively slow speed through a relatively low intensity UV-C field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: John J. McEllen
  • Publication number: 20090126382
    Abstract: An air conditioning system to improve indoor air quality (“IAQ”) comprises an air conditioner to receive indoor air from an indoor space and to heat or cool the air, the air conditioner to then return conditioned air to the indoor space. An IAQ option board (“IOB”), electrically coupled to the air conditioner control board, is configured to accept electrical inputs from at least one IAQ sensor. A fresh air damper is electrically connected to the IOB, the IOB controlling the position of the fresh air damper valve. An air purifier is situated such that air from the indoor space passes through the purifier. The operation of state of operation of the purifier is based at least in part on the input from at least one IAQ sensor to improve the IAQ of the indoor space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ruello Rubino, Andrea Spinaci, Olivier Josserand, Eric Royet, Mark Carnes