Control Element Is Fluid Pressure Sensitive Patents (Class 422/112)
  • Patent number: 7849680
    Abstract: A system for reducing the emissions produced by an engine affixed to a body during operation and reducing noise and vibration. The present invention is particularly related to a small form factor active/passive Diesel Particulate Filter system having an exhaust backpressure sensor, a heating element, a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst, a power relay switch, a filter and an electronic control unit for controlling the heating element based on backpressure detected by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Go Green APU LLC
    Inventors: Richard Shaff, Raymond English, Edward Patrick Picton
  • Publication number: 20100310428
    Abstract: An automatic synthesis device for fluorine-18-ACETATE ([18F]fluoroacetate) consists of a machinery housing that has multiple reactors and multiple raw material containers, and uses multiple control valves between each reactor and container, and operates the control valves through a control system to charge the raw material from each container to each reactor in an automatic and sequential fashion to execute the six procedures: fluorination, azeotropic dewatering, synthesis (reaction with precursors), purification and separation, hydrolysis and neutralization, purification and collection. The operation simply requires adding raw materials to the containers in advance, turning on power, charging reactive gases. In 50 minutes, the process to produce the product will be completed. The operation is really simple and can effectively improve production efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: MING-HSIN LI, HSIN-EII WANG, CHUN-YI WU, WUU-JYH LIN
  • Patent number: 7837956
    Abstract: In order to provide a gas generation apparatus such as a hydrogen gas generation apparatus for a fuel cell or an oxygen gas generation apparatus used in medical sites and at the time of disasters in which a solid gas generating agent such as metal is brought into contact with a reaction liquid to generate hydrogen gas or oxygen gas, a gas generation apparatus A having a solid gas generating agent and a reaction liquid in which the solid gas generating agent and the reaction liquid are stored respectively in separate storing vessels 21, 31 and in which the reaction liquid is supplied into the gas generating agent-storing vessel to generate gas by capillary-active connection of the respective storing vessels assumes a constitution in which capillary-active connection is shut off when a pressure of the gas is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Company, Limited
    Inventor: Toshimi Kamitani
  • Patent number: 7837949
    Abstract: A laboratory scale continuous flow hydrogenation apparatus (100) includes a reservoir (104), a feed pump (102), a mixing element (108) with two inlets and an outlet, a hydrogenation reactor (110) and a pressure-adjusting unit (112), all connected into a flow path. A hydrogen source (126) and a one-way valve (120) are arranged between the hydrogen source (126) and the second inlet of the mixing element (108). The feed pump (102) can provide a constant volume rate. The reservoir (104) contains at least a solvent base solution of the sample to be hydrogenated. The hydrogenation reactor (110) connects into the flow path by detachable connections and is formed as a replaceable cartridge containing a packing which increases the flow resistance and facilitates mixing. The pressure-adjusting unit (112) connects into the flow path after the hydrogenation reactor (110) and is provided with a regulation controlled electrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: ThalesNano Zrt.
    Inventors: Ferenc Darvas, Lajos Gödörházy, Tamás Karancsi, Dániel Szalay, Ferenc Boncz, László Ürge
  • 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: 7815867
    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 having the capability of interfacing with a material container is provided that allows the addition system to obtain information relating material held in the container. In one embodiment, at least some of the information is contained on a tag affixed to the container. Other information may be retrieved and/or sent to the addition system controller from a remote data source, such as a catalyst supplier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Intercat Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Elliott, Martin Evans
  • Publication number: 20100254860
    Abstract: A discharge gas containing carbon nanotubes and discharged from a reactor (12) is led to a filter (26) through a discharge pipe (24). A blower (28) is disposed downstream from the filter (26). The blower (28) is used to suck the discharge gas in the discharge pipe (24). Thus, even when the filter has begun to clog, the pressure inside the discharge pipe on the side upstream from the filter is inhibited from increasing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Shuichi Shiraki, Takeji Murai, Yuzou Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 7807109
    Abstract: Described is a parallel batch reactor for effecting chemical reactions. The parallel batch reactor includes a plurality of reactor vessels for receiving components of a reaction, an inlet port for receiving pressurized fluid, and a plurality of valves configured to transfer fluid from the inlet port to the reactor vessels and fluidically isolate one or more of the reactor vessels from at least one of the other reactor vessels. The reactor further includes a pressure monitoring system comprising an array of pressure sensors configured to sense pressure in the reactor vessels. Each of the pressure sensors is aligned with one of the plurality of reactor vessels and located external to the reactor vessels and fluid passageways in fluid communication with the reactor vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: FreeSlate, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary M. Diamond, Keith A. Hall, Thomas Harding McWaid, Vince Murphy, Michael Myslovaty, James A. W. Shoemaker, Robbie Singh Sidhu, Howard Turner, Eric Dias, Mikhail Spitkovsky
  • Publication number: 20100247388
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sterilizer having a housing defining a sterilization chamber. An opening in the housing communicates with the chamber. A surface surrounds the opening, and a door is movable between one of an open position allowing access to the chamber through the opening and a closed position covering the opening. A seal element is associated with the surface for forming a fluid-tight seal between the door and the surface when the door is in the closed position. An operating system is provided for applying pressure to one side of the seal from a first source external to the operating system to force the seal into engagement with the door. Sensing means are provided for monitoring the pressure applied to the seal from the first pressure source. A second source of pressure is provided in the operating system and is connectable to the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Peter J. Buczynski, James M. Huber, David A. Karle, Teppo Nurminen, David F. McCall
  • Patent number: 7785542
    Abstract: A hydrogen iodide manufacturing method which includes a step of producing aqueous solution of hydrogen iodide and sulfuric acid by causing iodine-containing aqueous solution and sulfur dioxide to react with each other in a pressurized condition. The pressurized condition may be of not lower than 0.1 MPa in gauge pressure. The method may further include: a separation step of adding iodine to the aqueous solution of hydrogen iodide and separating an upper phase containing sulfuric acid relatively to a large extent and a lower phase containing hydrogen iodide relatively to a large extent; and a step of producing hydrogen iodide by adding sulfur dioxide to the upper phase in a pressurized condition and extracting the produced hydrogen iodide to the lower phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ryouta Takahashi, Hideki Nakamura, Kazuo Murakami, Haruhiko Takase, Noboru Jimbo, Kazuya Yamada
  • Publication number: 20100206834
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a reaction bottle comprising a container with a container opening and a container interior, a septum associated with the container and configured to releasably seal the container opening, a needle holder associated with the container, the needle holder defining a holder cavity, a needle associated with the needle holder, the needle disposed at least partially within the holder cavity, wherein the septum is deformable between a sealing rest state and a punctured state, and the septum is deformable into puncturable impingement with an end of the needle when the septum is in the punctured state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Q LABTECH LLC
    Inventor: Weimin Qian
  • Publication number: 20100202930
    Abstract: A particle manufacturing device for manufacturing a particle by mixing a plural number of fluids, thereby manufacturing a particle, being uniform in the size or particle diameter thereof, with stability comprises a mixing channel portion, which is configured to mix the plural number of fluids therein, a residence channel portion, which is connected with the mixing channel portion in series, and in which the particles manufactured in the mixing channel portion reside, a sensor mechanism, which is configured to sense at least a condition of the residence channel portion, and an agitation giving mechanism, which is configured to give an agitation to the residence channel portion, upon basis of the condition, which is detected by the sensor mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Erika KATAYAMA, Shigenori Togashi, Yukako Asano, Tetsuro Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20100189606
    Abstract: The purpose of this system is to separate components of a molecule from the larger molecule or separate a molecule into smaller pieces. This system uses the shearing and/or breaking of molecular bonds using pressure waves, sudden pressure differentials, rotary movements, high velocity collisions to separate the molecule, or any combination of these methods. The system uses high voltage through no voltage to facilitate the separated or broken particles to remain in a separated state. For simplification purposes in the patent the drawings will show the separation of hydrogen from water molecules rather than to refer to all combinations; however, this patent refers in general to the separation of molecules/atoms of any size, shape, or configuration into a baser unit, separation of molecular components, or for distillation purposes. The process combinations described below can be used in any industry and for any reason without limitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Ryan Thomas Burleson
  • Patent number: 7763085
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a hydrogen-enriched reformate. The apparatus includes a fuel processor for converting a fuel to a reformate having fluctuations in pressure and or flow rate, means for reducing the fluctuations, a compression unit for compressing the reformate and one or more of a purification unit and a storage unit downstream of a compression unit. Means for reducing the fluctuations in the reformate can include one or more of a buffer and a conduit for providing a controlled flow of a supplemental fluid to an inlet of the compression unit. The supplemental fluid can include the compressed reformate, a hydrogen-enriched reformate, and mixtures thereof. The apparatus can include means for regulating power to the compression unit that can incrementally increase power to the compression unit particularly during start up. The purification unit can include one or more of a hydrogen selective membrane and a pressure swing adsorption unit. Methods for producing hydrogen are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Alan Kenefake, William Spencer Wheat, Hongqiao Bruce Sun, Bhaskar Balasubramanian, Vesna Radovan Mirkovic, Daniel Glenn Casey
  • Publication number: 20100172805
    Abstract: In order to provide a gas generation apparatus such as a hydrogen gas generation apparatus for a fuel cell or an oxygen gas generation apparatus used in medical sites and at the time of disasters in which a solid gas generating agent such as metal is brought into contact with a reaction liquid to generate hydrogen gas or oxygen gas, a gas generation apparatus A having a solid gas generating agent and a reaction liquid in which the solid gas generating agent and the reaction liquid are stored respectively in separate storing vessels 21, 31 and in which the reaction liquid is supplied into the gas generating agent-storing vessel to generate gas by capillary-active connection of the respective storing vessels assumes a constitution in which capillary-active connection is shut off when a pressure of the gas is raised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Pencil Company, Limited
    Inventor: Toshimi Kamitani
  • Patent number: 7744765
    Abstract: A system, a device and a method for maintaining water quality in a pool or similar water container for use by people which is characterized in that a pressure sensor is arranged to sense the pressure variations inside a main water container 1 and to provide a pressure variation signal to a control and processing unit 3. The control and processing unit is connected with a dispensing module and is adapted to generate and transfer control signals to said dispensing modules. The control signal depends on the detected pressure variation signal. The system for water treatment comprises also a water treatment circulation loop 3A-D at least one controllable chemical dispensing module 8A-D, 9A-D. The circulation loop is adapted to pump water from the main water container 1, around the circulation loop 3A-D, and back into the main water container 1 via the dispensing module for dispensing a chemical treatment agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Firstwater Controls DA
    Inventors: Jørn-Rudi Bjerkan, Morten Fredriksen
  • Patent number: 7736596
    Abstract: Feedstock delivery systems and hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and fuel cell systems containing the same. The feedstock delivery systems include a liquid pump that draws at least one liquid feedstock from a supply and delivers at least one feed stream containing the feedstock(s) to a fuel processor, such as to the hydrogen-producing region thereof. The feedstock delivery system further includes a recycle conduit that establishes a fluid flow path for the liquid feedstock(s) from a location downstream of the pump back to a location upstream of the pump. In some embodiments, the feedstock delivery system further includes a flow restrictor associated with the recycle conduit and a pressure-actuated valve that selectively permits the recycled feedstock to bypass the flow restrictor. In some embodiments, the pump is configured to draw a greater flow rate of the feed stream from the supply than is delivered to the fuel processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: IdaTech, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, R. Todd Studebaker
  • Patent number: 7722823
    Abstract: Systems and methods using the properties of supercritical water to allow raw air including a contaminant to be combined with water and to be purified in a supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) process. A supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) air purifier will generally take in a mixture of water and raw air which includes oxygen via a pumping and mixing apparatus, put the mixture into a supercritical water reactor (SCWR), and run the resultant effluent stream through a system for separating the water from the resultant clean air and the other relatively harmless outputs of the supercritical water reactor (SCWO).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Asdrubal Garcia-Ortiz, Sunggyu Lee, John Wootton
  • Publication number: 20100111790
    Abstract: A particulate converter for the collection and the incineration of particulate matters from diesel engine exhaust includes an exhaust path extending from the diesel engine through the particulate converter. The particulate converter further includes a housing and at least one candle located in the housing. An electrical incineration system may be electrically connected to a pulsed power supply for incinerating soot collected within the candle. A diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) may be disposed in the exhaust path to generate sufficient amount of NO2 to assist in incineration. At least one exhaust cooling device may be provided for the control of exhaust temperature. A feedback control system may control exhaust gas temperatures based on pressure drop across the DPC, temperature ahead of the DPC and engine RPM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Refaat Kammel
  • Publication number: 20100104481
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are multiple embodiments of a hydrogen generator (10) that measures, transports or stores a single dose of a viscous fuel component from first fuel chamber (12) in storage area (38) when the internal hydrogen pressure (44, 44?) of the hydrogen generator is high, and transports this single dose to a metal hydride fuel component in second fuel chamber (14) when the internal pressure is low, so that the viscous liquid and metal hydride fuel components react together to generate more hydrogen and to restart the cycle. The viscous fuel component can be water or alcohol, such as methanol, in liquid or gel form, and the metal hydride fuel component can be sodium borohydride or other metal hydride that chemically reacts with the viscous fuel to produce hydrogen. The metal hydride fuel component can be in solid or viscous form, e.g., aqueous form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Curello, Constance R. Stepan, Anthony Sgroi, Paul Spahr, Michael Curello, Alain Rosenzweig, Kurt Rath
  • Patent number: 7700047
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating hazardous materials are disclosed. One exemplary implementation provides a system for rendering chemical weapons materiel less hazardous. This system includes a detonation chamber, an expansion chamber, and an emission treater adapted to treat gas from detonation of the chemical weapons materiel. The emission treater yields a substantially dry residual waste stream and a treated gas suitable for venting to atmosphere. The emission treater may treat the gas with an alkaline powder that interacts with the gas, producing the residual waste stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: CH2M Hill Constructors, Inc., CH2M Demilitarization, Inc., CH2M Hill Engineers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay M. Quimby, Richard A. Johnson, Alan T. Edwards, John L. Donovan, McRea B. Willmert
  • Publication number: 20100080735
    Abstract: Portable hydrogen generators are disclosed. In the various embodiments, the generator may include a chamber configured to endothermically decompose a material positioned within the chamber to generate hydrogen gas. A heater may be in thermal communication with the material to stimulate a release of the hydrogen gas. An electrical power source may be controllably coupled to the heater, so that electrical power delivered to the heater may be controlled in response to at least one detected property of the hydrogen gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Angstrom Power Incorporated
    Inventor: Joerg Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20100062294
    Abstract: A hydrogen generator (1) includes: a reformer which generates a hydrogen-containing gas from a raw material and steam; a combustor (4) which heats the reformer; an evaporator (2) which generates the steam by utilizing heat of a combustion gas after the reformer is heated by the combustion gas; and a control unit (20), the hydrogen generator (1) is controlled such that ON and OFF of a combustion operation of the combustor (4) are repeated in a start-up operation of the hydrogen generator (1) and a temperature of the reformer is kept to a predetermined temperature or lower, and the control unit (20) controls the combustion operation such that a heat amount per unit time by the combustor (4) in a first combustion operation is larger than the heat amount per unit time in k-th (k>1) and following combustion operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Yoshio TAMURA
  • Patent number: 7670413
    Abstract: An antimicrobial purification device for ventilation, heating and/or air conditioning systems diffuses a volatile purification agent. The antimicrobial purification device includes an air filter (1) having a frame (2) holding a filtering agent (3). The filter (1) comprises at least one means for integrating substrate (5) holding the purification agent, consisting of a housing (4) holding the substrate (5) positioned in the frame (2) of the filter (1) or in a container mounted on this frame (2). A cap (6) sealing the housing (4) is fitted with a pin (18) to pierce a protective cover (19) in order to diffuse the purification agent as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques, S.A.S.
    Inventors: Laurence Cornu, Gilles Elliot, Frederic Ladrech
  • Publication number: 20100047136
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-pressure fluidized bed reactor for preparing granular polycrystalline silicon, comprising (a) a reactor tube, (b) a reactor shell encompassing the reactor tube, (c) an inner zone formed within the reactor tube, where a silicon particle bed is formed and silicon deposition occurs, and an outer zone formed in between the reactor shell and the reactor tube, which is maintained under the inert gas atmosphere, and (d) a controlling means to keep the difference between pressures in the inner zone and the outer zone being maintained within the range of 0 to 1 bar, thereby enabling to maintain physical stability of the reactor tube and efficiently prepare granular polycrystalline silicon even at relatively high reaction pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Hee Young Kim, Kyung Koo Yoon, Yong Ki Park, Won Choon Choi
  • Publication number: 20100047135
    Abstract: A pressure vessel arrangement comprises an external pressure vessel and at least one insert basket in the pressure vessel for receiving a substance to be treated which is exposable to a pressure fluid which is feedable to the pressure vessel and the insert basket. There is provided a control device for the internal pressure prevailing in the insert basket, in particular in the form of a switchable pressure compensation line connecting the interior of the insert basket directly to the surroundings, i.e. not via the pressure vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: NATECO2 GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Josef Schulmeyr, Stefan Geyer, Manfred Gehrig
  • Publication number: 20100047636
    Abstract: A hydrogen generating apparatus of the present invention includes a controller (20) configured to, during a stop period, control a material gas feeding device (10) to feed a material gas to a gas passage which is located between the material gas feeding device (10) and a valve (16) to perform a maintaining process for maintaining a pressure in an interior of the gas passage at value which is not smaller than a first threshold which is an atmospheric pressure or larger. When the controller (20) detects there is an abnormality in the maintaining process, the controller (20) controls the material gas feeding device (10) and an ignition device (5A) to feed the material gas with an amount which is larger than an amount in a case where the controller detects there is no abnormality in the maintaining process, during a period which lapses from when the controller detects the abnormality until the ignition device starts an ignition operation in a start-up process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshio Tamura, Akinari Nakamura, Hideo Ohara, Masataka Ozeki
  • Patent number: 7655191
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a parallel batch reactor generally includes a plurality of reactor vessels and a plurality of valves configured to allow flow into the reactor vessels when a gas is supplied to the reactor at a pressure higher than a pressure within the reactor vessels and restrict flow from the reactor vessels. A method includes inserting chemical components into the reactor vessels, supplying a first gas to the reactor vessels to pressurize the reactor vessels, stopping supply of the first gas, and supplying a second gas to the reactor at a lower pressure than a pressure within the reactor vessels. The second gas passes through the valves and into the reactor vessels when the pressure within the reactor vessels drops below the pressure of the second gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Symyx Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary M. Diamond, Keith A. Hall, Thomas Harding McWaid, Vince Murphy, Michael Myslovaty, James A. W. Shoemaker, Robbie Singh Sidhu, Howard Turner, Eric Dias, Mikhail Spitkovsky
  • Publication number: 20100018850
    Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a system for removing particulate matter from an exhaust stream. The system may include an ionization device configured to ionize particles of an exhaust stream. The system may further include an electromagnetic field generating device configured to deflect the ionized particles onto an inner-surface of an exhaust passageway, the inner-surface of the exhaust passageway being coated with a substance for lowering activation energy for a reaction of the ionized particles. The system may further include a regeneration means configured to remove particles from the exhaust passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Atanu Adhvaryu, Herbert Florey Martins DaCosta
  • Publication number: 20100021353
    Abstract: Feedstock delivery systems and hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and fuel cell systems containing the same. The feedstock delivery systems include a liquid pump that draws at least one liquid feedstock from a supply and delivers at least one feed stream containing the feedstock(s) to a fuel processor, such as to the hydrogen-producing region thereof. The feedstock delivery system further includes a recycle conduit that establishes a fluid flow path for the liquid feedstock(s) from a location downstream of the pump back to a location upstream of the pump. In some embodiments, the feedstock delivery system further includes a flow restrictor associated with the recycle conduit and a pressure-actuated valve that selectively permits the recycled feedstock to bypass the flow restrictor. In some embodiments, the pump is configured to draw a greater flow rate of the feed stream from the supply than is delivered to the fuel processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: IdaTech, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, R. Todd Studebaker
  • Patent number: 7651671
    Abstract: The present invention is for dissolving a metal complex and a low-pressure additive gas in a supercritical fluid and supplying the same continuously to a reaction vessel, aiming to provide a method and an apparatus for adding a low-pressure gas to a high-pressure supercritical fluid continuously, so that a gas which should be handled with care, such as a combustible gas, can be added to a supercritical fluid without compression. The method for continuously adding a low-pressure gas to a supercritical fluid comprises supplying a reactant gas to a supercritical fluid or a subcritical fluid by repeating, in an alternate manner, a step of storing a reactant gas midway through a piping in a low-pressure state and a step of carrying the reactant gas toward a reaction vessel with the supercritical fluid or the subcritical fluid, so that the reactant gas is continuously charged in the reaction vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: National University Corporation University of Yamanashi
    Inventor: Eiichi Kondoh
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090314623
    Abstract: A method comprises sensing a differential pressure signal, filtering the differential pressure signal, generating a flooding indicator as a function of the filtered differential pressure signal, and indicating the onset of flooding. The differential pressure signal is sensed along a distillation flow path. The filtered differential pressure signal is responsive to a phase inversion along the flow path, and the flooding indicator is responsive to an onset of a flooding condition, based on the phase inversion. The onset of the flooding condition is indicated based on a change in the flooding indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: ROSEMOUNT INC.
    Inventors: Roger Kenneth Pihlaja, John Philip Miller
  • Publication number: 20090313973
    Abstract: A method of operating a reagent metering device, which contains a metering valve that is controlled by a metering signal, at which the reagent pressure actual value is detected in the reagent path between the metering valve and the injection valve, and at which a metering rate nominal value is specified, and a device for implementing the method. The method includes influencing of the metering signal (s_DV) with the aid of a measure for the detected reagent pressure actual value and with the aid of a stored relation between the measure for the reagent pressure actual value and a metering rate actual value. The method enables an operating of the reagent metering device with only one pressure sensor in the reagent path between the injection valve and the metering valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Damian Dyrbusch, Angelo Mazzon, Markus Boerner
  • Publication number: 20090304556
    Abstract: A portable, lightweight, easy-to-carry, reusable, durable, and environmentally-friendly assembly for sterilizing contaminated equipment using conditions of a chemical sterilant, heat, and humidity generated in situ without requiring external electricity, fuels, or other exogenous energy sources for operation. The carry assembly includes a plastic carry-case or insulated aluminum pressure vessel having an inner chamber for accepting microbiologically contaminated objects, a vessel disposed in the chamber for serving as a reaction chamber and/or boiler, a chemical combination which upon mixing generates at least minimally sufficient conditions of the sterilant, heat, and humidity to effect sterilization of the objects, and outlet valves mounted on the carry-case for controllably venting pressures above ambient air pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: USA as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Christopher Doona, Maria Curtin, Florence Feeherry, Satish Kanlikar, David Baer, Kenneth Kustin, Irwin A. Taub, Albert T. McManus
  • Publication number: 20090304555
    Abstract: A portable, lightweight, easy-to-carry, reusable, durable, and environmentally-friendly assembly for sterilizing contaminated equipment using conditions of a chemical sterilant, heat, and humidity generated in situ without requiring external electricity, fuels, or other exogenous energy sources for operation. The carry assembly includes a plastic carry-case or insulated aluminum pressure vessel having an inner chamber for accepting microbiologically contaminated objects, a vessel disposed in the chamber for serving as a reaction chamber and/or boiler, a chemical combination which upon mixing generates at least minimally sufficient conditions of the sterilant, heat, and humidity to effect sterilization of the objects, and outlet valves mounted on the carry-case for controllably venting pressures above ambient air pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: USA as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Christopher Doona, Maria Curtin, Florence Feeherry, Satish Kandlikar, David Baer, Kenneth Kustin, Irwin A. Taub, Barbara Taub, Albert T. McManus
  • Publication number: 20090297405
    Abstract: A portable, lightweight, easy-to-carry, reusable, durable, and environmentally-friendly assembly for sterilizing contaminated equipment using conditions of a chemical sterilant, heat, and humidity generated in situ without requiring external electricity, fuels, or other exogenous energy sources for operation. The carry assembly includes a plastic carry-case or insulated aluminum pressure vessel having an inner chamber for accepting microbiologically contaminated objects, a vessel disposed in the chamber for serving as a reaction chamber and/or boiler, a chemical combination which upon mixing generates at least minimally sufficient conditions of the sterilant, heat, and humidity to effect sterilization of the objects, and outlet valves mounted on the carry-case for controllably venting pressures above ambient air pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: USA as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Christopher Doona, Maria Curtin, Florence Feeherry, Satish Kandlikar, David Baer, Kenneth Kustin, Irwin Taub, Barbara Taub, Albert T. McManus
  • Patent number: 7601302
    Abstract: Feedstock delivery systems and hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and fuel cell systems containing the same. The feedstock delivery systems include a liquid pump that draws at least one liquid feedstock from a supply and delivers at least one feed stream containing the feedstock(s) to a fuel processor, such as to the hydrogen-producing region thereof. The feedstock delivery system further includes a recycle conduit that establishes a fluid flow path for the liquid feedstock(s) from a location downstream of the pump back to a location upstream of the pump. In some embodiments, the feedstock delivery system further includes a flow restrictor associated with the recycle conduit and a pressure-actuated valve that selectively permits the recycled feedstock to bypass the flow restrictor. In some embodiments, the pump is configured to draw a greater flow rate of the feed stream from the supply than is delivered to the fuel processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Idatech, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, R. Todd Studebaker
  • Publication number: 20090246088
    Abstract: A dehydrogenation fuel theft prevention system for preventing the theft of dehydrogenation organic fuel containing hydrogen is provided. The dehydrogenation fuel theft prevention system is for systems including a reformer for dehydrogenating organic fuel containing at least hydrogen and a dehydrogenation fuel recovery tank for storing dehydrogenation fuel produced when organic fuel is dehydrogenated in the reformer. The theft prevention system is provided with a means for mixing an odorant as a component with a pungent odor other than the fuel components or a agent for coagulating the fuel components. The odorant or the coagulating agent is mixed when fuel is manufactured, distributed, utilized, recovered, or stored or fuel is about to be stolen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Masafumi Nojima, Akiyoshi Komura, Takao Ishikawa, Kenichi Souma, Masatoshi Sugimasa, Naoki Yoshimoto
  • Publication number: 20090211948
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and also a device for switching over a cracking furnace between production mode and decoking mode, wherein a first shut-off member (TLV), which is arranged in the transfer line and equipped with a first actuating drive, and a second shut-off member (EGV), which is arranged in the decoking line and equipped with a second actuating drive, are actuated simultaneously and wherein the differential pressure DP across the shut-off member TLV is continuously measured and monitored. The actuation of the shut-off members TLV and EGV is carried out in an automated manner, wherein TLV is moved monotonously between its end positions, while the second actuating drive is triggered by the actuating signal of a control means and EGV is as a result actuated in such a way that DP is at all times approximated to a predefined target value (DP target).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Herbert MEIER
  • Patent number: 7566422
    Abstract: A processing apparatus includes a sealed vacuum chamber which contains a processing portion; a pressure controlling system which keeps the internal pressure of the sealed vacuum chamber constant at a predetermined level by exhausting the ambient gas in the sealed vacuum chamber; and an ambient gas recirculating system which recirculates the ambient gas exhausted from the sealed vacuum chamber back into the sealed vacuum chamber; wherein the ambient as recirculated by the ambient gas recirculating system is blown into the sealed vacuum chamber so that a gas flow is generated in a predetermined direction along the processing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Hara, Yutaka Tanaka, Shigeru Terashima, Takayuki Hasegawa, Shin Matsui
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090162250
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system including a remotely controlled reaction device and associated controller are described. Methods of use and control of the device are also disclosed. According to various embodiments, a reaction device is placed in an environment in order to perform a chemical reaction in an environment. Exemplary environments include a body of an organism, a body of water, or an enclosed volume of a fluid. In selected embodiments, an acoustic control signal may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Searete LLC
    Inventors: Leroy E. Hood, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Robert Langer, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20090151560
    Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies and hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and/or fuel cell systems including the same. The PSA assemblies include, or are utilized with, combustion fuel stream supply systems that are adapted to regulate the flow of a byproduct stream from the PSA assembly for delivery to a heating assembly for use as a combustible fuel stream, such as to maintain at least a hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing system at a hydrogen-producing temperature or range of temperatures. In some embodiments, the combustion fuel stream supply system is configured to ensure that the supply of combustible fuel from the PSA assembly to the heating assembly contains at least a sufficient fuel value, such as to maintain at least the hydrogen-producing region at or within a predetermined hydrogen-producing temperature or range of temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: IDATECH, LLC
    Inventors: Patton M. Adams, Travis A. Bizjak, James A. Givens
  • Patent number: 7544431
    Abstract: A production system includes a reaction chamber having an inlet and outlet, a gas collection chamber coupled with the reaction chamber and a regulator coupled to the gas collection chamber. The regulator controls the flow of reactant to the reaction chamber in response to the pressure in the gas collection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: John A deVos, Louis Barinaga, Suraj L Hindagolla
  • Patent number: 7540892
    Abstract: A system for generating hydrogen gas utilizes a volume exchange housing for the storage of a fuel material that reacts to generate hydrogen gas and a hydrogen separation chamber. The system includes a gas permeable membrane or membranes that allow hydrogen gas to pass through the membrane while preventing aqueous solutions from passing therethrough. The system is orientation independent. A throttle valve is also used to self regulate the reaction generating the hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Millennium Cell Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Strizki, Richard M. Mohring
  • Publication number: 20090136387
    Abstract: A system for reducing the emissions produced by an engine affixed to a body during operation and reducing noise and vibration. The present invention is particularly related to a small form factor active/passive Diesel Particulate Filter system having an exhaust backpressure sensor, a heating element, a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst, a power relay switch, a filter and an electronic control unit for controlling the heating element based on backpressure detected by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Edward Patrick Picton, Raymond English, Richard Shaff
  • Publication number: 20090129992
    Abstract: A reactor is provided to produce compounds comprising at least one neutral, positive, or negative increased binding energy hydrogen species having a binding energy greater than the binding energy of the corresponding ordinary hydrogen species, or greater than the binding energy of any hydrogen species for which the corresponding ordinary hydrogen species is unstable or is not observed; and at least one other element. The reactor comprises a vessel containing an electron source and a source of increased binding energy hydrogen atoms having a binding energy of about 13.6 ? ? eV ( 1 p ) 2 where p is an integer greater than 1. Electrons from said electron source react with increased binding energy hydrogen atoms from said source in said vessel thereby producing said compounds. The source of increased binding energy hydrogen atoms may be a hydrogen catalysis cell selected from a group consisting of an electrolytic cell, a gas cell, a gas discharge cell, and a plasma torch cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Randell L. Mills
  • Publication number: 20090123342
    Abstract: The present invention increases the amount of hydrogen produced or released from reactions between a metal hydride fuel and liquid reactant. The present invention also decreases the volume of a hydrogen generating cartridge by reducing the pH of the liquid reactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Anthony Sgroi, Jr., Constance R. Stepan, Andrew J. Curello, Michael Curello
  • Patent number: 7531138
    Abstract: A cell lysis device for lysing cells or viruses, comprising a cell lysis tube having a sample inlet; a pump connected to the cell lysis tube for transferring a sample into the tube; a sealing unit for reversibly sealing a specific region of the tube; and a laser source for generating a laser is provided. Further, a method of lysing cells or viruses using the cell lysis device is provided. The method comprises introducing a sample containing cells or viruses and optionally magnetic beads to the cell lysis tube through the sample inlet; transferring the sample to a specific region in the cell lysis tube by means of the pump; temporarily sealing the region of the cell lysis tube where the sample is placed with the sealing unit; irradiating the sample with the laser; removing the sealing unit from the cell lysis tube; and discharging the sample from the cell lysis tube by means of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Su-hyeon Kim, Jeong-gun Lee