Magnetic Patents (Class 422/186.01)
  • Patent number: 7504031
    Abstract: A device for separating ions from a fluid stream is disclosed. The device includes a conduit eccentric and parallel to an axis of rotation. An inductor coil surrounds the conduit and forms a magnetic field parallel to the axis. The conduit has an inlet and three outlets. The outlets are arranged at different radial distances from the axis. The coil and the conduit are rotatable relative to one another about the axis. Fluid flows through the conduit to the outlets and the ions therein experience a force as they move perpendicular to the magnetic field. Ions of one polarity move toward the axis and exit the conduit from the innermost outlet. Ions of an opposite polarity move away from the axis and exit the conduit from the outermost outlet. Fluid substantially devoid of ions exits from the middle outlet. A method of generating gas from ion streams is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Inventor: Henry R. Dunlap
  • Publication number: 20090041640
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a chamber for containing a substrate to be processed, a gas supply unit for supplying a processing gas into the chamber, and a microwave introducing unit for introducing plasma generating microwaves into the chamber. The microwave introducing unit includes a microwave oscillator for outputting a plurality of microwaves having specified outputs, and an antenna section having a plurality of antennas to which the microwaves outputted from the microwave oscillator are respectively transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Shigeru KASAI, Yuki OSADA, Takashi OGINO
  • Publication number: 20090032741
    Abstract: A system is provided that can be utilized to generate nanotubes with substantially similar chirality. The system provides a resonant frequency, keyed to a desired radial breathing mode linked to the desired chirality, that causes a template of catalysts particles or nanotubes to oscillate at the provided resonant frequency, so as to stimulate growing nanotubes to oscillate at a corresponding resonant frequency. This resonant frequency can be a result of a high frequency field or the natural heat radiation generated by the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: David S. Lashmore, Craig Lombard
  • Patent number: 7485258
    Abstract: A method and device for sterilizing containers in which a plasma treatment is executed through excitation of an electromagnetic oscillation so that the plasma is excited in a vacuum in the vicinity of the container regions to be sterilized. Between arrival and discharge, the container regions to be sterilized are moved closer to the oscillation-generating device in the chamber, with continuous movement of the container and/or of the oscillation-generating device for one or more predetermined time intervals in such a way that a plasma is excited in these regions inside and/or outside the container. The chamber is provided with a transport apparatus inside it, which produces an essentially rotating motion of the container during the transport from the arrival to the discharge in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Burger, Guenter Schneider, Thomas Beck, Wolfgang Szczerba, Bernd Wilke, Johannes Rauschnabel, Sascha Henke, Bernd Goetzelmann, Heinrich Van De Loecht, Wolfgang Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7481924
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cooling medium flow path for improving cooling efficiency of a cooling medium used for liquid-cooling systems for motors, radiators and the like. The cooling medium flow path according to the present invention is capable of increasing cooling efficiency of a cooling medium by providing magnetic members for generating a magnetic force in a direction substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the cooling medium so that clusters of a liquid, such as cooling water, antifreeze liquid or the like flowing through the flow path may be finely divided or activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Kankyokiki Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumi Takahashi, Masaaki Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20090010837
    Abstract: Object: To provide a hydrogen generation apparatus, a laser reduction apparatus, an energy conversion apparatus, a hydrogen generation method and an electric power generation system. Means for Solving the Problems: A hydrogen generation apparatus 10 according to the present invention includes: a reaction vessel 12 for retaining a metal element; a water reservoir 16 for supplying water into the reaction vessel 12; and a hydrogen recovery tube for recovering hydrogen gas and reaction energy generated by reaction of the metal element with the water. The present invention may further include a hydrogen storage device 26 for storing recovered hydrogen gas. Further, in the present invention, an oxide or a hydroxide of the metal element generated by reducing the hydrogen gas may be subjected to laser reduction to regenerate the metal element. A solar light pumped laser may be used for laser reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Takashi Yabe, Kazunari Ikuta
  • Publication number: 20090004466
    Abstract: A polymer composition with a polymer matrix material and magnetic particles. The composition is selectively electro-magnetically heatable by an electrical induction energy frequency that is pulse width modulated through variable time cycles to provide controlled heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Drew P. LaMarca, Bryan Agosto
  • Publication number: 20080286168
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for surface sterilizing objects and for the elimination of bacterial film thereon using an electric and/or magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: MONT. EL S.R.L.
    Inventor: Veschi RAFFAELE
  • Publication number: 20080234530
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the conversion of a gas or gas mixture and, in particular, a fluorinated gaseous effluent. According to the invention, at least one bond between two atoms of at least one molecule of the gas or gas mixture is broken under the influence of an electric and/or magnetic field to which the gas or gas mixture is subjected. The gas or gas mixture stream is injected through the electric and/or magnetic field in a non-rectilinear manner in order to increase the distance travelled by the gas molecules through the field and, in this way, increase the effectiveness of the conversion of the gas or gas mixture molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Yassine Kabouzi, Michel Moisan, Jean-Christophe Rostaing, Daniel Guerin, Herve Dulphy, Pascal Moine, Valere Laurent, Bruno Depert
  • Publication number: 20080226528
    Abstract: The product of a molten alkali metal metalate phase separation can be processed into a purified metal from a metal source. Metal sources include native ores, recycled metal, metal alloys, impure metal stock, recycle materials, etc. The method uses a molten alkali metal metalate as a process medium or solvent in purifying or extracting high value metal or metal oxides from metal sources. Vitrification methods using the silicate glass separation phase can be prepared as is or can be prepared with a particulate phase distributed throughout the silica glass phase and encapsulated and fixed within the continuous glass phase. Tungsten metal can be obtained from an alkali metal tungstate. A typically finely divided tungsten metal powder can be obtained from a variety of tungsten sources including recycled tungsten scrap, tungsten carbide scrap, low grade tungsten ore typically comprising tungsten oxide or other form of tungsten in a variety of oxidation states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: RODNEY KIETH WILLIAMS
  • Patent number: 7371327
    Abstract: What is presented is an innovative design of a chemical reactor for catalytic breakdown of halogenated hydrocarbons, the body of which acts as a specialized electromagnet capable of immobilizing and retaining very large quantities of non-magnetized ferro- dia- or para-magnetic material-containing nano, micro-, or milli-particles within it's reactor volume despite high-velocity flow of any liquid through said reactor. This is accomplished without any pre-treatment to the nanoparticles, without the use of adhesive of any sort, electroplating, electrolytic action, nano-structured nanocages, membrane or other impregnation, or any other mechanical or chemical means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth Cross
  • Patent number: 7351337
    Abstract: A fuel conditioning apparatus includes a housing having an interior chamber that extends between an inlet and an outlet. The chamber is surrounded by a threaded channel that is formed in an interior wall of the housing. A plurality of permanent magnets are carried within the chamber of the housing interiorly of the threaded channel. Like poles of adjacent magnets face one another such that each pair of adjacent magnets repel one another and define a mixing pocket that is in communication with the channel. Fuel is transmitted through the channel and the mixing pockets. Magnetic flux generated by the magnets induces energy within the fuel to resist repolymerization and the formation of particulates in the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventors: Chester Milo, Donald Schramm
  • Publication number: 20080050471
    Abstract: A method which comprises using a treatment apparatus comprising (1) a treatment tank, (2) a vibrating stirrer disposed inside the treatment tank, (3) a photocatalyst layer or a layer comprising a photocatalyst and a bactericidal metal, disposed on any surface inside the treatment tank, and (4) a light irradiator; placing water or a water-containing fluid to be treated in the treatment tank; carrying out the steps of (i) transmitting vibration between 10 and 200 Hz to a vibration vane by a vibration generator to causing the vibration vane to vibrate at an amplitude of 0.01 to 15 mm, and (ii) irradiating the photocatalyst or the layer comprising a photocatalyst and a bactericidal metal with light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventor: Ryushin Omasa
  • Publication number: 20080031787
    Abstract: A magnetic bead-based sample separating device is provided. The device includes a first reactor, a second reactor, a third reactor, a first micro-channel and a second micro-channel. The first reactor receives a mixing solution including several magnetic beads and a sample extraction. The sample extraction is bound with the magnetic beads. The second reactor receives a washing buffer for washing the magnetic beads with sample extraction. The third reactor receives an elution buffer for separating the washing buffer from the magnetic beads. The first micro-channel is for connecting the first reactor and the second reactor and moving the magnetic beads to the second reactor from the first reactor. The second micro-channel is for connecting the second reactor and the third reactor and moving the magnetic beads to the third reactor from the second reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Tung-Ming Yu
  • Patent number: 7267778
    Abstract: A device for treating liquid medium has an ultrasound emitter located relative to a compartment of a container holding a liquid medium and a microbubble emitter located relative to the compartment. The ultrasound emitter emits high-frequency ultrasound between about 200 KHz and 10 MHz. The microbubble emitter emits bubbles with an average diameter of less than 1 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Ashland Licensing and Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Eric Cordemans de Meulenaer, Baudouin Hannecart, Yves Canivet
  • Patent number: 7258799
    Abstract: A magnetic circuit is shaped to generate an essentially uniform magnetic field parallel across the length of a container, and an essentially uniform magnetic field gradient along the length of the container as well. The dot product of the magnetic field and magnetic field gradient, known as the relative force density, is substantially uniform over the entire container, thereby causing particles to uniformly separate throughout the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Dexter Magnetic Techologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Ras, Gareth P. Hatch
  • Patent number: 7223335
    Abstract: A device for separating ions from a fluid stream is disclosed. The device includes multiple chambers in fluid communication with one another. A first chamber has an inlet, and a last chamber has an outlet. The inlets and outlets of intermediate chambers are connected to one another so that fluid flows in a circular pattern through each chamber. A magnetic field extends through the chambers perpendicular to the flow. The magnetic field induces a force on the ions, moving ions of one polarity to ward the center of the chambers and ions of the opposite polarity toward the periphery of the chambers. Each chamber has an outlet for drawing fluid from the chamber center. The circulation direction reverses in each chamber allowing both positive and negative ions to exit via the outlets. Fluid of reduced ion concentration exits the outlet channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Henry R. Dunlap
  • Patent number: 7182861
    Abstract: A method for use in two-components electrostatic image developers is disclosed, in which secure separation of a carrier coating resinous materials from a core magnetic material is achieved without affecting the properties of the core materials through process steps benign to the environment in super- or sub-critical water compositions under the conditions of a temperature of 300° C. or more and a pressure of 20 MPa. The core magnetic material is subsequently recycled for forming carrier. This method may also be useful for processing waste including magnetic materials with silicone resin coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunitoshi Sugiyama, Yoshihiko Itoh, Hideyuki Santoh, Kunio Arai, Tadafumi Ajiri
  • Patent number: 7160426
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a water treatment apparatus for treating a water flowing in a water pipe, the apparatus comprises an inductive coil, which is sleeved onto said water pipe, and a voltage signal unit, which is electrically connected to the inductive coil for forming a voltage signal of a predetermined frequency to the inductive coil so as to generate an electromagnetic field to treat the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Wang Baosheng
  • Patent number: 7150780
    Abstract: An electrostatic air cleaning device includes an array of electrodes. The electrodes include corona electrodes connected to a suitable source of high voltage so as to generate a corona discharge. Laterally displaced collecting electrodes include one or more bulges that have aerodynamic frontal “upwind” surfaces and airflow disrupting tailing edges downwind that create quite zones for the collection of particulates removed from the air. The bulges may be formed as rounded leading edges on the collecting electrodes and/or as ramped surfaces located, for example, along a midsection of the electrodes. Repelling electrodes positioned between pairs of the collecting electrodes may include similar bulges such as cylindrical or semi-cylindrical leading and/or trailing edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Kronos Advanced Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Igor A. Krichtafovitch, Vladimir L. Gorobets
  • Patent number: 7097676
    Abstract: A process and a device are provided for producing hydrogen gas from water and carbon. The process includes introducing steam and powdered carbon in stoichiometric ratio of carbon to water into a preheated oxidization chamber in such a way that a gas plasma is produced in which the steam is decomposed into its hydrogen and oxygen gas components and oxygen is combined with carbon to form carbon dioxide gas in an exothermic reaction at temperatures above 2000° C., and separating the carbon dioxide gas from the hydrogen gas. The device for conducting this process has an oxidization chamber defined in a hollow body and being provided with a preheater and having at least one inlet port for introducing steam into the oxidization chamber, at least one inlet port for introducing powdered carbon into the oxidization chamber, and at least one exit port for carrying off generated hydrogen gas and/or generated carbon dioxide gas from the oxidization chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventors: Norman Wootan, Kenneth Hawkins
  • Patent number: 7094381
    Abstract: A device for destroying microbes in a fluid medium utilizing a housing. The housing possesses an exterior and a fluid passageway formed by an inner wall portion. The housing also includes a plurality of chambers positioned radially outwardly from the fluid passageway. The chambers and enclose magnets which surround the passageway. First and second electrodes extend along the fluid passageway and lie flush with the inner wall portion. The electrodes include terminals that are available on the exterior of the housing to receive power from a source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Inventors: James Michael Overton, Robert Smythe
  • Patent number: 7070743
    Abstract: Elevated temperature, gas-phase, catalyzed processes for preparing HCN in which induction heating is used as a source of energy, and novel apparatus for carrying out said processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Invista North America S.A R.L.
    Inventors: Benny E. Blackwell, Cynthia K. Fallon, Gregory S. Kirby, Mehrdad Mehdizadeh, Theodore Augur Koch, Carmo Joseph Pereira, Sourav Kumar Sengupta
  • Patent number: 7048862
    Abstract: A free radical solution producing apparatus, which comprises: a feed port (6) in which water is drawn, a dechlorination processing section (1) which produces first water by decomposing chlorine compounds in said water, a magnetic processing section (2) which produces second water by carrying out a process that applies a magnetic field to said first water, a radiation processing section (3) which produces third water by carrying out a process that irradiates a radiation to said second water, an ion exchange section (4) which produces fourth water by carrying out a process that performs an ion exchange for said third water, an electric field applying section (5) which produces fifth water by carrying out a process that applies a strong electric field to said fourth water, and a fifth water intake (7-5) from which said fifth water is obtained, produces water which has the effects of sterilizing and disinfection, and strong cleansing power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Waterware Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Fukui, Hiroaki Kamiya
  • Patent number: 7033478
    Abstract: This invention is applied to any ionized solution of dissolved solids and electrolytes, such as sea water, which is forced through a conduit equipped with a magnetic wall of rectangular cross-section, which induces a magnetic field, where ions separate when passing through according to magneto-hydrodynamic physics. The conduit is made up of one continuous magnetic wall, a spiral or similar, with opposite magnetic poles on each side, where these both sides co-operate to extend magnetic fields with parallell wall in the same direction through the whole conduit. The ionized solution is pumped into the center of the spiral and further out through the spiral or similar. The charged ions in the flow stream are deflected laterally towards the open ends and as separated positive or negative ions into chambers outside the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Nils Yngve Harde
  • Patent number: 6939469
    Abstract: A band gap mass filter for separating particles of mass (M1) from particles of mass (M2) in a multi-species plasma includes a chamber defining an axis. Coils around the chamber generate an axially aligned magnetic field defined (B=B0+B1 sin ?t), with an antenna generating the sinusoidal component (B1 sin ?t) to induce an azimuthal electric field (E?) in the chamber. The resultant crossed electric and magnetic fields place particles M2 on unconfined orbits for collection inside the chamber, and pass the particles M1 through said chamber for separation from the particles M2. Unconfined orbits for particles M2 are determined according to an ?-? plot ( ? = ? 0 2 + ? 1 2 / 2 4 ? ? 2 , and ? ? ? ? = ? 0 ? ? 1 8 ? ? 2 ) , where ?0 is the cyclotron frequency for particles with mass/charge ratio M, and wherein ?0=B0/M and ?1=B1/M.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Archimedes Operating, LLC
    Inventors: Tihiro Ohkawa, Robert L. Miller
  • Patent number: 6875360
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for water softening utilising magnetic pulses is provided. The magnetic pulses are presented to a volume of water within a water conduit 6 or water container over a predetermined time period with a relaxation time period between successive predetermined time periods of action upon the volume of water. The magnetic pulses are in the range 1.6 to 6.8 KHz and generally presented in a manner whereby the frequency is ramped in discrete frequency shifts over fixed time periods through the predetermined time period in order to facilitate greater water softening action. Normally, each frequency harmonic is initiated by an initiation spike of enhanced magnetic strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventors: Anthony Edward Allen, Russell Newman
  • Publication number: 20040245085
    Abstract: A novel process of molecular engineering of materials for synthesis using electron excitations and a synthesizer capable of carrying out the process of electron excitations effectively is given in the specification. The synthesizer changes the properties of the material and also act as an electronic catalytic convertor or a fluid or fuel reformulator or as a heat pump for altering the kinetics of chemical reactions performance of internal combustion engines, heat engine cycles and finds wide use in multivarious applications including emission control, clean energy production, synthesize of new products, generation of LASER beam using carbondioxide in the automobile exhaust water treatment plants, refrigeration machines. Communications, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Gopalakrishnan Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 6814931
    Abstract: A treatment system for treating objects (e.g., medical instruments) with ozone gas. The ozone treatment system includes a treatment tank wherein the objects are exposed to ozone. In a preferred embodiment, the ozone is generated within the treatment tank by exposing an oxygen-containing gas to ultraviolet radiation produced by a laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Steris Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert J. Kaiser
  • Patent number: 6805840
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for an integrated process of magnetic particles and a method of controlling the same, for executing a process for magnetic particles incorporated in a fluid in an integrated state. The present invention aims to provide an apparatus for an integrated process of magnetic particles and a method of controlling the same, that can promptly and efficiently process all together in high precision, with the process of magnetic particles integrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Precision Systems Science Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideji Tajima
  • Patent number: 6797970
    Abstract: A device for sterilizing water flowing through a sanitary appliance has a housing, which comprises an inlet and an outlet for the water; a UV lamp, which is disposed inside the housing and the radiation of which is directed towards the water flowing through; and a throughflow chamber for the water, which is disposed in the housing and surrounds the UV lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Hansa Metallwerke AG
    Inventors: Raimond Gatter, Erwin Reich, Horst Kunkel
  • Publication number: 20040175304
    Abstract: A photocatalytic air purifier is disclosed. The photocatalytic purifier includes filter structures coated with a catalytic material such as titanium dioxide. One or more UV lamps are interposed between the filter structures. The catalytic layer reacts with airborne VOCs and bioaerosols when activated by the UV lamps to thereby oxidize the VOCs and destroy the bioaerosols. The photocatalytic air purifier does not need to be replaced or regenerated after a period of continuous usage. The photocatalytic purifier of the present invention substantially eliminates odors, VOCs, and bioaerosols from air directed through the fan coil. The photocatalytic air purifier includes a control system that optimizes operating costs. Because of these features, service, maintenance, and filter replacement are reduced to a minimum. At the same time, the well being of persons living in the space conditioned by the photocatalytic air purifier is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley Reisfeld, Robert H. L. Chiang, Olivier Josserand, Kevin B. Dunshee, Thierry Jomard, Thomas E. Drago, Stephen O. Hay, Timothy N. Obee, Joseph J. Sangiovanni, Robert J. Hall, Allen Murray
  • Patent number: 6772584
    Abstract: A plasma system is provided for removing soot and nitrogen oxide (NOx) in the exhaust gas of diesel engines. The system is comprised of a diesel particulate filter for adopting a honeycomb type porous element and at least one pair of electrodes; a plasma reactor for generating a predetermined amount of plasma, mounted downward or upward the diesel particulate filter; a catalytic reactor filled with a catalyst selected from 1B metal group, mounted downward the plasma reactor or the diesel particulate filter; and a means for supplying hydrocarbon to the exhaust gas, connected to a proper position upward the plasma reactor. Therefore, the soot and NOx in the exhaust gas, which are not only harmful to humans, but also which pollute the environment could be effectively removed under a normal pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventors: Kwang Min Chun, Bae Hyeock Chun, Woong Sup Yoon, Kwan Young Lee, Jung Ho Hwang, Kyo Seung Lee, Dong Hoon Jeong, Hyeong Sang Lee, Dae Won Lee, Jae Hong Ryu
  • Patent number: 6764657
    Abstract: A source of radiation (10,12), particularly a pulsed accelerated electron beam, directs a beam of radiation through an irradiation chamber (14, 50). The irradiation chamber is depleted of oxygen and oxygen containing gases, such as being drawn to a vacuum of 10−1 or greater Torr by a vacuum pump (20, 52). Particulate fluoropolymer material is entrained (36) in substantially oxygen free gas and conveyed through the irradiation chamber. The accelerated electrons break chemical bonds in the fluoropolymer particles and electrostatically charge the particles. Magnetic fields (42, 60) of different polarity rotate the charged particles such that they are irradiated from different sides. The irradiated fluoropolymer particles are cooled (24) and separated (26) from the entraining gas. The entraining gas is recirculated through pneumatic line (34) for a continuous cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Steris Inc.
    Inventors: Sergey Alexandrovich Korenev, John Masefield, Jerry Kriebel
  • Patent number: 6736979
    Abstract: A device for treating liquid medium has an ultrasound emitter located relative to a compartment of a container holding a liquid medium and a microbubble emitter located relative to the compartment. The ultrasound emitter emits high-frequency ultrasound between about 200 KHz and 10 MHz. The microbubble emitter emits bubbles with an average diameter of less than 1 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Ashland, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Cordemans de Meulenaer, Baudouin Hannecart, Yves Canivet
  • Patent number: 6730231
    Abstract: A device for separating the constituents of a multi-constituent material includes a substantially cylindrical plasma chamber and two, axially opposed plasma injectors. The injectors convert the multi-constituent material into a multi-species plasma and inject the multi-species plasma into a core portion of the plasma chamber. Ions in the plasma diffuse from the core portion to an annular volume within the chamber where the ions are separated according to their respective mass to charge ratios. To effect separation, electrodes and coils are provided to establish crossed electric and magnetic fields in the annular volume. With the crossed electric and magnetic fields, low-mass ions in the annular volume are placed on small orbit trajectories and drift axially for capture at the ends of the plasma chamber. High-mass ions in the annular volume are placed on large orbit trajectories for capture at the cylindrical wall of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Archimedes Technology Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Sergei Putvinski
  • Patent number: 6719909
    Abstract: A device and method for selectively establishing predetermined orbits, relative to an axis, for ions of a first mass/charge ratio (m1), requires crossing an electric field with a substantially uniform magnetic field (E×B). The magnetic field is oriented along the axis and the electric field has both a d.c. voltage component (∇&PHgr;0) and an a.c. voltage component (∇&PHgr;1). In operation, voltage &PHgr;0 is fixed to place the ions m1 on confined orbits around the axis when &PHgr;1 is zero. On the other hand, when &PHgr;1 is tuned to a predetermined value, the ions m1 are ejected away from the axis. With E×B established in a chamber, the ions m1 will pass through the chamber when on confined orbits (&PHgr;1=0), and they will be ejected into the wall of the chamber when on unconfined orbits (&PHgr;1=predetermined value).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Archimedes Technology Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Tihiro Ohkawa
  • Patent number: 6716642
    Abstract: The present invention provides electromagnetic chips and electromagnetic biochips having arrays of individually addressable micro-electromagnetic units, as well as methods of utilizing these chips for directed manipulation of micro-particles and micro-structures such as biomolecules and chemical reagents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Aviva Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Lei Wu, Xiaobo Wang, Jing Cheng, Weiping Yang, YuXiang Zhou, LiTian Liu, Junquan Xu
  • Patent number: 6689615
    Abstract: Approaches are described for separating plasma from whole blood samples and include the use of magnetically attractable particles associated with an agglutinating agent. The magnetically attractable particles bind the cellular components in a whole blood sample. Application of a magnetic field gradient to a container with the blood sample and the magnetically attractable particles draws the particles to the surface of the container near the source of the magnetic field gradient. The plasma can be removed and stored or used for monitoring or detecting analytes in the plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventors: James Murto, Michael Salvati
  • Patent number: 6632332
    Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing the catalytic reaction, by disposing a semiconductor catalyst in a fluid which includes charged particles and generating a magnetic field in the space where the semiconductor catalyst is disposed so as to impart electromagnetic induction energy to the charged particles. This method is capable of carrying out the reduction of nitrogen oxides, dechlorination of organic chlorine compounds and other reactions efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Yugen Kaisha Kankyogijyutsu Kenkyusho
    Inventor: Atsushi Takaki
  • Publication number: 20030129104
    Abstract: An arrangement and method orients the magnetization direction of magnetic layers on a plate shaped substrate on a mounting. The mounting defines a positioning plane for the substrate and a magnet arrangement is on one side of the positioning plane. The magnet arrangement has at least three electromagnets whose dipole axes are at least approximately parallel to the positioning plane and, viewed perpendicularly to the positioning plane, define a closed surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Wolfram Maass
  • Publication number: 20030127317
    Abstract: A miniature actuator, e.g., for use in a Micro Air Vehicle, comprises at least one nested array of magnets, with an outer annular magnet with a magnetization pointing in an axial direction, a middle annular magnet with a radial magnetization, and an inner cylindrical magnet with a magnetization directed anti-parallel to the magnetization of the outer annular magnet. In one embodiment, a permanent magnet actuator comprises such an array, and a conductive coil having a current distributed over the volume of the conductive coil, wherein the magnetic field of the array is perpendicular to the current located in the coil. The coil may be located above or below the first magnetic array. In another embodiment, a conductive coil is disposed between two magnetic arrays. The coil may have a winding that is pancake-shaped, solenoidal, or toroidal and may comprise more than one winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: ENGINEERING MATTERS, INC.
    Inventors: David B. Cope, Andrew M. Wright
  • Publication number: 20030129103
    Abstract: A method for use in two-components electrostatic image developers is disclosed, in which secure separation of a carrier coating resinous materials from a core magnetic material is achieved without affecting the properties of the core materials through process steps benign to the environment in super- or sub-critical water compositions under the conditions of a temperature of 300° C. or more and a pressure of 20 MPa. The core magnetic material is subsequently recycled for forming carrier. This method may also be useful for processing waste including magnetic materials with silicone resin coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Kunitoshi Sugiyama, Yoshihiko Itoh, Hideyuki Santoh, Kunio Arai, Tadafumi Ajiri
  • Patent number: 6585891
    Abstract: A device for separating high-mass ions (having cyclotron frequency &OHgr;h) from low-mass ions (having cyclotron frequency &OHgr;l) in a plasma includes a chamber. Coils are provided to generate a substantially uniform magnetic field in the chamber. An antenna is provided to launch a left-hand elliptically polarized electromagnetic wave into the chamber along the stationary magnetic field that is evanescent in the multi-species plasma. Importantly, the E vector of the elliptically polarized electromagnetic wave rotates at a frequency, &ohgr;, where &OHgr;h<&ohgr;<&OHgr;l. Ponderomotive forces are generated by the electromagnetic wave that cause the low-mass ions to move toward the antenna while causing the high-mass ions to move away from the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Archimedes Technology Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Tihiro Ohkawa
  • Patent number: 6576126
    Abstract: An apparatus for magnetically modifying fluid, capable of uniformly forming high magnetic field over the interior of a pipe through which the fluid passes, to activate the fluid with a high efficiency. A ring-like magnetic block (13) includes a ring-like core (15) of magnetic material and a pair of ring-like magnets (14, 14) disposed on opposite sides of the core, and fitted over a pipe (11) extending through a casing (19), fluid flowing through said pipe, each of said magnets having on its one side the north pole and on its other side the south pole, the south poles of the magnets in pair being oriented opposite to each other, and a P-type semiconductor on the inner peripheral surface of said ring-like core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Rei Hart
    Inventor: Teruo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6576127
    Abstract: A plasma mass filter having features to prevent plasma loss through one end of the filter and thereby increase energy efficiency includes a cylindrical wave guide to surround a plasma. Coil(s) and electrode(s) are provided to establish crossed electric and magnetic fields within the wave guide to separate plasma ions according to their mass. A circularly polarized electromagnetic wave having specific characteristics is launched through a first end of the wave guide and into the plasma to generate ponderomotive forces on the plasma particles via photon reflection. These forces cause the plasma particles to move towards the second end of the wave guide and thus prevent plasma loss through the first end of the wave guide. This structure allows feed plasma to be continuously introduced into the first end of the wave guide for separation therein. A resonance cavity is provided to redirect the reflected photons back into the plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Archimedes Technology Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Tihiro Ohkawa
  • Publication number: 20030086839
    Abstract: It is suggested to subject the catalyst-supporting structure with attached to it catalyst to electromagnetic field generated inside the catalytic reactor by an induction coil or by microwave -generator, with the support structure being made from materials exhibiting a significantly lesser absorption of the electromagnetic energy than the catalyst material (or the catalyst carrier material) so that absorption by the catalyst or by catalyst carrier material of energy from the electromagnetic field results in fast heating of the catalyst to its working temperature without a significant heating of the catalyst support structure, thus with a small overall consumption of energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Eugeny I. Rivin
  • Publication number: 20030072696
    Abstract: Contained within an enclosure formed by an outer cylinder 2 and couplings 5, 5 equipped with connection ports 7, 7 connected to a liquid fuel system there are ceramic bodies 11, 11, which are formed by baking or firing of a substance wherein an effective microorganism colony, or a material obtained by fermentation thereof, or both, has or have been kneaded, and which are respectively arranged between the north poles N, N, . . . and the south poles S, S, . . . of permanent magnets 10, 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: EM RESEARCH ORGANIZATION, INC.
    Inventors: Teruo Higa, Takafuku Kato
  • Patent number: 6548311
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting analytes and to a device for carrying out the method, for use for analysis or diagnosis in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular genetics, food chemistry, biotechnology, the environment and medicine. Marker particles (5) with different electrical properties or a different relative permeability to those of the measuring solution (3) surrounding them are used to detect the analytes (8). The marker particles (5) either bond specifically to the analytes (8) or to a base (2) in competition with the analyte. The analytes (8) are detected by the changes in an electrical field or an electrical current generated by electrodes (2) or in an electrical voltage applied to an electrode or in a magnetic field, said changes being caused by marker particles which have bonded with the analytes or by marker particles which have instead bonded to the base in an electrical field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Meinhard Knoll
  • Patent number: 6540922
    Abstract: A device for treating liquid medium has an ultrasound emitter located relative to a compartment of a container holding a liquid medium and a microbubble emitter located relative to the compartment. The ultrasound emitter emits high-frequency ultrasound between about 200 KHz and 10 MHz. The microbubble emitter emits bubbles with an average diameter of less than 1 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Ashland, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric De Meulenaer Cordemans, Baudouin Hannecart, Marie-Françoise Lepeltier, Yves Canivet