Electrostatic Field Or Electrical Discharge Patents (Class 422/186.04)
  • Patent number: 8926914
    Abstract: A liquid medium plasma discharge generating apparatus includes a main body; a power electrode, provided at one side within the main body, for receiving electric power; a diaphragm member provided within the main body, and consisting of a dielectric defining one or more holes or slits; and a liquid medium charged inside the main body, wherein a ground electrode may be further provided in the main body, opposite the power electrode with the diaphragm member therebetween, whereupon the diaphragm member is arranged contacting the ground electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Korea Basic Science Institute
    Inventors: Dong Chan Seok, Tai Hyeop Loh, Seung Ryul Yoo, Yong Cheol Hong, Bong Ju Lee
  • Patent number: 8920739
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system or method of increased efficiency in carbon nanomaterial synthesis. In one embodiment, a system or method of automated collection of deposited carbon nanomaterial is disclosed. According to one or more embodiments, a method of automated collection of deposited nanomaterial may comprise using cleaner blades to clean the wall of a deposition chamber and the surface of a central body where carbon nanomaterial has been deposited. The method of automated carbon nanomaterial collection may be used in connection with a method of carbon nanomaterial synthesis, to create a more efficient synthesis process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: King Abddulaziz City for Science and Technology
    Inventors: Turki Saud Mohammed Al-Saud, Mohammed A. Bin Hussain, Siarhei Alexandrovich Zhdanok, Andrei Vladimirovich Krauklis, Petr Petrovich Samtsou, Anatolij Ivanovich Loznikov
  • Patent number: 8920740
    Abstract: An atmospheric pressure plasma jet device for converting carbon dioxide into organic products by using an atmospheric pressure plasma technique, comprising: an inner electrode made of a conductive metal, and having an insulating layer covering a portion of the inner electrode; a first conductive metal wall surrounding the inner electrode with a predetermined distance apart, such that a cavity is formed between the inner electrode and the first conductive metal wall, and a through hole is formed on a side of the first conductive metal wall, such that a reactant can flow into the cavity; and a diffusing unit including an insulating component and a conductive metal component. Wherein the insulating component is disposed on a side of the insulating layer, and covers another portion of the inner electrode. The conductive metal component further covers the insulating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Arnold Chang-Mou Yang, Chun-Chih Chang, Chung-Sung Tan
  • Publication number: 20140377167
    Abstract: A method is provided for running up/starting up an electrolysis device (10), which device includes a reactor container (3) which is arranged downstream of an electrolyzer (1) and in which oxygen reacts with hydrogen into water, in order to reduce an oxygen share in a hydrogen gas flow coming from the electrolyzer (1). The electrolysis device (10) is operated with a predefined operating pressure. Upon running up/starting up the electrolyzer (1), the hydrogen gas flow coming from the electrolyzer (1) is led past the reactor container (3) via a bypass conduit (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: H-TEC SYSTEMS GmbH
    Inventors: Nils Mantai, Claus Würfel, Dennis Wilken, Uwe Küter, Stefan Höller
  • Publication number: 20140377808
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus of treating water to obtain small water cluster, which comprises one or more illumination devices and one or more holders holding metal particles. The invention also provides a method of preparing the small water cluster and the small water cluster prepared from the apparatus or the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: YU-CHUAN LIU
  • Patent number: 8911596
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process and an apparatus for generating hydrogen and synthetic carbon-free gas by plasma reforming-decomposing of Methane and other hydrocarbons for producing hydrogen and synthetic carbon-free gas through plasma discharge in hydrogen medium. The process involves applying an electrical potential between the electrodes while immersed in hydrogen medium. The plasma ionizes the medium, thereby generating hydrogen and synthetic gas by decomposing of hydrogen medium. The process further involves controlling the process by relocating the generated plasma between two or more further electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hope Cell Technologies Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Robert Vancina
  • Patent number: 8911699
    Abstract: A selective catalytic reduction system (SCR) or selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) system include a reagent charging apparatus configured to apply one or more electrical charges to a NOx reducing reagent. The electrical charges enhance mixing of the reagent with fluids carrying NOx and/or enhance reactivity of the reagent with NOx.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: ClearSign Combustion Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Colannino, David B. Goodson, Igor A. Krichtafovitch, Roberto Ruiz, Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Publication number: 20140360862
    Abstract: Gas treatment systems and methods are provided. A system includes at least one device defining a space and having a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The device also includes an electrode assembly, where the electrode assembly includes a dielectric plate, at least one first electrode, at least one second electrode, and a conductive layer. The electrodes are elongate electrodes disposed on a first major surface of the dielectric plate and arranged substantially in parallel. Further, the conductive layer extends over a second major surface of the dielectric plate, is electrically coupled to the one of the electrodes, and is electrically isolated from the other electrode. The system includes a circuit configured for generating a pulsed electric field between the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Muhammad Arif Malik, Karl H. Schoenbach
  • Patent number: 8906315
    Abstract: A device for treating exhaust gas containing soot particles includes at least one ionization element for ionizing soot particles, at least one filter element having at least one section to which an electrical potential can be applied, and at least one flow-directing device. The flow-directing device can influence a flow of the exhaust gases in such a way that the soot particles can be prevented from being deposited on at least one electric insulation of the ionization element or of the filter element or can be removed therefrom. Soot particles are therefore effectively prevented from being deposited on electric insulation of exhaust gas cleaning components, thereby preventing short-circuits from being produced and permitting exhaust gas systems to be safely operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: EMITEC Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbH
    Inventors: Rolf Brueck, Jan Hodgson, Christian Vorsmann
  • Patent number: 8906316
    Abstract: A method of and system for recirculating a fluid in a particle production system. A reactor produces a reactive particle-gas mixture. A quench chamber mixes a conditioning fluid with the reactive particle-gas mixture, producing a cooled particle-gas mixture that comprises a plurality of precursor material particles and an output fluid. A filter element filters the output fluid, producing a filtered output. A temperature control module controls the temperature of the filtered output, producing a temperature-controlled, filtered output. A content ratio control module modulates the content of the temperature-controlled, filtered output, thereby producing a content-controlled, temperature-controlled, filtered output. A channeling element supplies the content-controlled, temperature-controlled, filtered output to the quench chamber, wherein the content-controlled, filtered output is provided to the quench chamber as the conditioning fluid to be used in cooling the reactive particle-gas mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: SDCmaterials, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick P. Layman
  • Patent number: 8893645
    Abstract: An apparatus for synthesizing highly oriented, aligned carbon nanotubes from an alcohol includes a liquid tank for retaining an alcohol; a water cooling device for cooling the liquid tank from its outside; a condensing device for cooling and condensing vapor from the alcohol; a substrate holding device having an electrode for passing an electric current through the substrate in the alcohol; an inert gas inlet for removing air; a tank sealing device to prevent the alcohol becoming gaseous in phase; and a temperature measuring device, wherein the Si substrate with a buildup thereon of the thin film or insular particles is heated by electric current to a temperature, thereby providing a temperature gradient from the Si substrate surface toward the alcohol, wherein said thin film or insular particles is a catalyst for synthesizing carbon nanotubes, and the carbon nanotubes are synthesized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignees: Japan Science and Technology Agency, National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Toshihiro Ando, Mika Gamo, Yafei Zhang
  • Patent number: 8894833
    Abstract: A beverage sterilisation device comprises a housing defining an inner space, and having a first and a second end. An electrically insulated fluid path-defining conduit extends through the inner space from the first end to the second end. A first electrode has a first part positioned adjacent to the fluid path and a second part extending perpendicular to the first part. A first counter electrode defines together with the first electrode a first capacitor, and a second electrode having a third part and a fourth part. The third part is positioned adjacent to the fluid path, and the fourth part extends substantially perpendicular to the third part. A second counter electrode defines together with the second electrode a second capacitor. The first counter electrode and the second counter electrode are short-circuited by an electrical connection, and a conductive device is electrically connected between the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Carlsberg Breweries A/S
    Inventors: Jan Norager Rasmussen, Steen Vesborg
  • Publication number: 20140339072
    Abstract: A system employing sunlight energy for reducing CO2 into methane and water is disclosed. The system may include the use of a photoactive material including plasmonic nanoparticles and photocatalytic capped colloidal nanocrystals (PCCN). A method for producing the PCCN may include a semiconductor nanocrystal synthesis and an exchange of organic capping agents with inorganic capping agents. Additionally, the PCCN may be deposited between the plasmonic nanoparticles, and may act as photocatalysts for redox reactions. The CO2 reduction system may use inorganic capping agents that cap the surface of semiconductor nanocrystals to form PCCN, which may be deposited on a substrate and treated to form a photoactive material. The photoactive material may be employed in the system to harvest sunlight and produce energy necessary for carbon dioxide reduction. The system may also include elements necessary to collect and transfer methane, for subsequent transformation into electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Sunpower Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Travis Jennings, Daniel Landry
  • Patent number: 8883083
    Abstract: The present invention is an air cleaner that uses molecular sieves, such as zeolite or other microporous/nanoporous crystalline materials with pore sizes ranging from 4 ? to 20 ?, as a filter to remove contaminant gas. The contaminants are adsorbed into the porous material along with ions clusters, or any other oxidant generated by a generating device within the system. The contaminant gas is then catalytically decomposed in the confined space of the pore. In one embodiment, transition metal is incorporated into the porous material, and a heater is installed to substitute or accompany the oxidant-generating device. When the heater is turned on, the contaminant is decomposed within the pores of the materials with the transition metals acting as catalysts. Ultimately, the non-harmful byproducts are the small sized water molecutes and carbon dioxide molecules. Growth of bacteria is also suppressed under a clean and dry condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: RHT Limited
    Inventors: Kwok Yung Anthony Law, Yu Hang Christopher Chao, Sui Chun Law, Wan Chung Lam
  • Publication number: 20140328727
    Abstract: An ambient-heat engine has a substantially thermally-conductive housing whose interior is divided into a high-pressure chamber and a low-pressure chamber by a substantially gas-impermeable barrier. An ionically-conductive, electrical-energy-generating mechanism forms at least a portion of the barrier. First hydrogen-storage medium is disposed within the high-pressure chamber and second hydrogen-storage medium is disposed within the low-pressure chamber. An electrical-energy storage device connected to the ionically-conductive, electrical-energy-generating mechanism is operable between a charge condition and a discharge condition. In a charge condition, hydrogen atoms within the high-pressure chamber are converted to hydrogen ions and conducted through the electrical-energy-generating mechanism to the low-pressure chamber causing electrical-energy to be generated to the electrical-energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: Lonnie G. JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20140318980
    Abstract: The present invention discloses the use of a metal nanoparticle which comprises at least one semiconductor attached to it, wherein the at least one semiconductor is an atomic quantum cluster (AQC) consisting of between 2 and 55 zero-valent transition metal atoms, as photocatalysts in photocatalytic processes and applications thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Manuel Arturo Lopez Quintela, Jose Rivas Rey
  • Publication number: 20140318946
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing viscosity of a hydrocarbon liquid containing paraffin molecules or asphaltene molecules in suspension. The apparatus includes a conduit having an inner cavity dimensioned to accommodate a flow of the hydrocarbon liquid along a flow direction, and a series of electrically charged plates housed within the inner cavity with a longitudinal axis of each plate extending along the flow direction. A method of reducing viscosity of a hydrocarbon liquid containing paraffin molecules or asphaltene molecules in suspension, the method including flowing the hydrocarbon liquid through the inner cavity of a conduit and applying an electric field to the hydrocarbon liquid flowing through the inner cavity such that a plurality of paraffin molecules or a plurality of asphaltene molecules undergo a conformational change in microstructure to form a cluster of paraffin molecules or a cluster of asphaltene molecules, thereby reducing the viscosity of the hydrocarbon liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Save The World Air, Inc.
    Inventors: Bjorn D. H. Simundson, Carl D. Meinhart
  • Patent number: 8864964
    Abstract: A system employs a closed electrolyzer vessel into which water is circulated, and an electrode plate assembly is immersed to dissociate water into hydrogen and oxygen gases. Only water is used as the electrolyte fluid. An air injector in the water return line injects air bubbling for enhanced dissociation of water. The electrode plate assembly is formed by one or more unit stacks of 7-plates each, including two outer cathode plates, a middle anode plate, and spaced inner plates. The generated gases are maintained in a stable condition by an electromagnetic coil assembly that separates the hydrogen gas from oxygen gas. The system can obtain 180% reduction in fuel usage in a vehicle engine, and 20 times reduction in carbon exhaust. It can obtain a 500% increase in fuel efficiency in an electrical power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Tasos Inc.
    Inventor: Tasos Aggelopoulos
  • Patent number: 8865085
    Abstract: A system for maintaining the freshness of an object of preservation comprising an electrode made of a flexible conducting polymer. The system includes: an electrode module comprising a first electrode and a second electrode which face each other; and an electric field supply module generating an electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode by supplying a voltage to the electrode module, and where the first electrode is comprised of a flexible conducting polymer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun Woo Nam, Soo Bong Heo, Jae Chan Park
  • Patent number: 8858785
    Abstract: A device for processing a hydrocarbon resource may include a hydrocarbon processing container configured to receive the hydrocarbon resource therein and having a pair of opposing ends with an enlarged width medial portion therebetween. The device may also include a radio frequency (RF) source, and a spirally wound electrical conductor surrounding the hydrocarbon processing container and coupled to the RF source. The spirally wound electrical conductor may be configured to generate magnetic fields within the hydrocarbon processing container that are parallel with an axis thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: Francis Eugene Parsche
  • Patent number: 8840780
    Abstract: A device for processing a hydrocarbon resource may include a hydrocarbon processing container configured to receive the hydrocarbon resource therein and having a pair of opposing ends with an enlarged width medial portion therebetween. The device may also include a radio frequency (RF) source, and a first spirally wound electrical conductor surrounding the hydrocarbon processing container and coupled to the RF source. The device may further include a second spirally wound electrical conductor carried within the hydrocarbon processing container. The first spirally wound electrical conductor may be configured to generate magnetic fields with the hydrocarbon processing container that are parallel with an axis thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: Francis Eugene Parsche
  • Publication number: 20140262936
    Abstract: A system has a heater that heats a contaminated input hydrocarbon to a process temperature. An ionizer applies an electron inducing voltage to the heated hydrocarbon and a flocculent supply provides a charged flocculent into the ionized hydrocarbon. A separator removes the flocculent and contaminants from the hydrocarbon to produce solid waste and oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SUNDANCE SERVICES INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: MOHAMED HANIF MUSSANI, RUSSELL SCOTT JONES
  • Publication number: 20140272623
    Abstract: A system for energy production may include a photoactive material with photocatalytic capped colloidal nanocrystals (PCCN) and plasmonic nanoparticles over a high surface area gridded substrate for increasing light harvesting efficiency. The formation of PCCN may include a semiconductor nanocrystal synthesis and an exchange of organic capping agents with inorganic capping agents. Additionally, the PCCN may be deposited between the plasmonic nanoparticles, and may act as photocatalysts for redox reactions. The photoactive material may be used in a plurality of photocatalytic energy conversion applications such as water splitting or CO2 reduction. Higher light harvesting and energy conversion efficiency may be achieved by combining the plasmonic nanoparticles and PCCN over the high surface area gridded substrate. The system may also include elements necessary to collect, transfer and store hydrogen and oxygen, for subsequent transformation into electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Sunpower Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Sunpower Technologies LLC
  • Publication number: 20140275629
    Abstract: A reaction chamber includes: a catalyst that, in use, is wired to a power source in electrical short circuit configuration with a current limiting circuit in the power supply; and a reaction volume in which the catalyst is disposed and wherein reactants are introduced while a current is introduced across the short circuited catalyst. The reaction chamber may also be a part of system that includes the reactant feedstocks and a power supply. In operation, a plurality of reactant feedstocks are provided to a reaction volume within the reactor. The catalyst electrically activated through the short circuit to reacting the reactant feedstocks in the presence of the electrically activated catalyst. The yield product of the reactions is then collected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Ed Ite Chen, Tara Cronin
  • Publication number: 20140262744
    Abstract: The activation of the C—H bond using low temperature plasma with an inlet liquid stream such that value added products are formed effectively. An organic liquid (e.g., hexane which is immiscible with liquid water) is injected into a flowing gas (argon) stream followed by mixing with a liquid water stream. Thereafter, the mixture contacts a plasma region formed by a pulsed electric discharge. The plasma formed with the flowing liquid and gas between the two electrodes causes chemical reactions that generate various compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Bruce R. LOCKE, Igor ALABUGIN, Robert WANDELL, Kevin HSIEH, Stefan BRESCH
  • Patent number: 8834803
    Abstract: A display assembly for containing and displaying perishable products includes a case having at least one wall and defining an internal volume, a quantity of gas contained in the case, the gas including ethylene emitted from the perishable products, and an electro hydrodynamic thrust device positioned in the case. The electro hydrodynamic thrust device ionizes a portion of the quantity of gas. The ionized gas includes at least one reactive oxygen species, and the at least one reactive oxygen species reacts with the ethylene to break down the ethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventor: Ted W. Sunderland
  • Publication number: 20140251787
    Abstract: A nitric oxide generator generates nitric oxide from a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen such as air treated by a pulsating electrical discharge. The desired concentration of nitric oxide is obtained by controlling at least one of a frequency of the pulsating electrical discharge and duration of each electrical discharge pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Frederick John Montgomery, Cory Casper, Duncan P.L. Bathe, Tye Gribb
  • Patent number: 8828316
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of a split and single electrical cells in industrial applications, and particularly in aseptic packaging applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon L. Herdt, Junzhong Li
  • Patent number: 8828326
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device 10 for generating a non-thermal gaseous plasma which may be a flow of gas plasma in the form of a gas plasma plume emitted from the device. The device comprises a gas capsule, or pressure vessel, 12 for holding a gas or gases 14 under pressure and forming a flow of gas through a plasma generator 16 to an applicator 18 when released from the capsule. Gas released from the gas capsule is energised in the reaction generator to form a gas plasma. The device has a housing 28 for the plasma generator 16, a battery 116 and a signal generator 58 for energising the plasma generator. The gas capsule 12 docks with the housing 28. The device is adapted to be hand-held, typically by the gas capsule 12, and operated to allow it to be used for instance for cleaning and whitening teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Bickford Holbeche
  • Publication number: 20140248191
    Abstract: A reactor assembly (1) for improving reaction between two immiscible phases for metal reduction of hydrocarbons is disclosed, which is a modification of a CSTR type reactor assembly. A third gaseous phase is also present in the reactor. Metal plates (5) are provided, mounted on supporting rods (6) which are electrically insulated from the rest of the reactor. The metal plates are made of the same metal to avoid detachment of metal atoms from metal plates. The metal plates serve as the means of transferring only the electrons from the metal plates to the liquids in which they are fully immersed, so that the reaction is made more efficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Madhusudan Sau, Ganesh V. Butley, Yamini Gupta, Karumanchi Ramesh, Mainak Sarkar, Arangarasu Arun, Brijesh Kumar, Ravinder Kumar Malhotra
  • Publication number: 20140231348
    Abstract: Aspects of embodiments relate to a method for treating water received at a treatment system. The method may include reducing the hardness of the water by subjecting the water to electrolysis by an electrolytic hardness reducer; and substantially removing disinfectant from the water by irradiating the water with ultraviolet light by a UV disinfectant reducer. The method may further include sanitizing the electrolytic hardness reducer and/or sanitizing the UV disinfectant reducing apparatus by running hot water through either one or both of them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: BIOPHARMAX GROUP LTD.
    Inventor: Shlomo Sackstein
  • Publication number: 20140227176
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing magnetic and/or radioactive metal nanoparticles, the process comprising: preparing an electrolyte solution including metal ions and a stabilizer; generating a plasma at an interface of the electrolyte solution at atmospheric pressure; and recovering magnetic and/or radioactive metal nanoparticles. The magnetic metal nanoparticles can comprise magnetoradioactive nanoparticles. The magnetic metal nanoparticles can be used as MRI contrast agents and the magnetoradioactive nanoparticles can also be used as contrast agents and for dual PET/MRI applications. It also relates to a multi-plasma apparatus for synthesizing nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Fortin Marc-Andre, Christian Sarra-Bournet, Mathieu Letourneau, Gaetan Laroche
  • Publication number: 20140219901
    Abstract: Methods for releasing associated guest materials from a metal organic framework are provided. Methods for associating guest materials with a metal organic framework are also provided. Methods are provided for selectively associating or dissociating guest materials with a metal organic framework. Systems for associating or dissociating guest materials within a series of metal organic frameworks are provided. Thermal energy transfer assemblies are provided. Methods for transferring thermal energy are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: B. Peter McGrail, Daryl R. Brown, Praveen K. Thallapally
  • Patent number: 8793896
    Abstract: A device for controlling the dehydration operation during a freeze-drying treatment comprises a freeze-drying chamber (1) connected to a vacuum line, and a gas analyzer, for analyzing the gases contained in the chamber. The gas analyzer comprises a gas ionization system (8) comprising a plasma source (13) in contact with the gases, which plasma source is combined with a generator (15) capable of generating a plasma from said gases, and a system for analyzing the ionized gases, comprising a radiation sensor (17) located close to the plasma generation zone and connected to an apparatus (18) for analyzing the change in the radiative spectrum emitted by the plasma. According to the invention, the device includes a means (16) for repeatedly turning the plasma source (13) on and off. The device may further include an optical port (25) placed between the gas ionization system (8) and the freeze-drying chamber (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Adixen Vacuum Products
    Inventors: Ketan Patel, Didier Pierrejean, Cyrille Nomine, Aurélie Chapron
  • Patent number: 8795590
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for reducing the growth of microbial contamination, such as bacteria, virus, mold and biofilms, in an air-handling unit. The apparatus includes a mounting member configured to couple with a housing of an air-handling unit and a turbine coupled with the mounting member and configured to produce energy when positioned in an air flow path through the air-handling unit. The apparatus also includes an electrode assembly including an anode configured to be placed in a condensate pan and receive energy from the turbine. The anode produces agents that reduce the growth of microbial contamination when energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: RGF Environmental Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter B. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20140209451
    Abstract: A system comprising: a plasma production chamber configured to produce a plasma; a reaction chamber vaporize a precursor material with the plasma to form a reactive mixture; a quench chamber having a frusto-conical surface and a quench region formed within the quench chamber between an ejection port of the reaction chamber and a cooled mixture outlet, wherein the quench region configured to receive the reactive mixture from the ejection port, to cool the reactive mixture to form a cooled mixture, and to supply the cooled mixture to the cooled mixture outlet; and a conditioning fluid injection ring disposed at the ejection port and configured to flow a conditioning fluid directly into the reactive mixture as the reactive mixture flows through the ejection port, thereby disturbing the flow of the reactive mixture, creating turbulence within the quench region and cooling the reactive mixture to form a cooled mixture comprising condensed nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Maximilian A. BIBERGER, Frederick P. LAYMAN
  • Patent number: 8790584
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for refining UMG Si including a vacuum chamber, a cold crucible disposed within the vacuum chamber, a device disposed within the vacuum chamber to supply Si to the cold crucible, a steam plasma torch disposed above the cold crucible to apply steam plasma formed by introducing a reactive gas into plasma flame by an inert gas to the Si supplied to the cold crucible, and an impurity collector disposed above the cold crucible within the vacuum chamber to collect impurity gas generated in the cold crucible and discharge the collected impurity gas to the outside of the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Industrial Technology
    Inventors: Byung Moon Moon, Je Sik Shin, Tae U Yu, Hyun Jin Koo, Dong Ho Park, Ho Moon Lee
  • Publication number: 20140205501
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for reducing the growth of microbial contamination, such as bacteria, virus, mold and biofilms, in an air-handling unit. The apparatus includes a mounting member configured to couple with a housing of an air-handling unit and a turbine coupled with the mounting member and configured to produce energy when positioned in an air flow path through the air-handling unit. The apparatus also includes an electrode assembly including an anode configured to be placed in a condensate pan and receive energy from the turbine. The anode produces agents that reduce the growth of microbial contamination when energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: RGF Enviromental Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter B. ELLIS
  • Patent number: 8784617
    Abstract: A non-thermal, repetitively-pulsed gliding discharge reactor includes a high-voltage power source configured to provide a pulsed high-voltage potential; a gas inlet; a liquid sorbent inlet; a product outlet; a plurality of first electrodes connected to the high-voltage power source; a plurality of second electrodes that are grounded; and a trough; the plurality of first electrodes being separated from the plurality of second electrodes by a discharge region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: EVOEnergy, LLC
    Inventors: Yury N. Novoselov, Alexey I. Suslov, Oleg P. Kutenkov
  • Patent number: 8784657
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel method for cleaning a filter surface using a plasma discharge self-cleaning filtration system. The method involves utilizing plasma discharges to induce short electric pulses of nanoseconds duration at high voltages. These electrical pulses generate strong Shockwaves that disintegrate and dislodge particulate matter located on the surface of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Young I. Cho, Alexander Fridman, Alexander F. Gutsol, Yong Yang
  • Patent number: 8778272
    Abstract: An air purification system including a Particle Phase Pollutant (PPP) treatment section (9) having an air inlet (14) and an air outlet (15), a particle removal filter, (11) and a blower (12) to draw air from the air inlet (14) of the PPP treatment section (9) to pass through the particle removal filter (11) and exit through the air outlet (15) of the PPP treatment section (9). The system also includes a Gas Phase Pollutant (GPP) treatment section (10) installed at a downstream position of the particle removal filter (11) of the PPP treatment section (9), the GPP treatment section (10) having an air inlet (19) and an air outlet (20), a gas removal filter (16) with high filter air flow resistance, and a blower (17) located at a downstream position of the gas removal filter (16) to draw air from the air inlet (19) of the GPP treatment section (10) to pass through the gas removal filter (16) and exit through the air outlet (20) of the GPP treatment section (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Akos Advanced Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Yiu Wai Chan, Sui Chun Law
  • Patent number: 8778273
    Abstract: Device for emitting a plasma jet at ambient pressure and temperature, includes an electric-field generator for generating discharges between an anode assembly and a cathode assembly. The cathode assembly defines an inter-cathode dielectric space that extends inside the cathode assembly and is opposite at least one cathode surface of the cathode assembly, and has at least one cathode opening extending outside the inter-cathode space, the cathode opening being defined by at least one active edge of the cathode surface, the active edge(s) extending in a cathode opening plane. The anode assembly includes at least one pointed portion that is oriented toward the outside of the inter-cathode space and is laterally and deeply placed relative to the cathode opening. The pointed portion extends up to the cathode opening plane, for causing a plasma jet emission that is spontaneously sprayed in a predetermined direction toward the outside of the inter-cathode space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Universite Paul Sabatier Toulouse III, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Nofel Merbahi, Mohammed Yousfi, Olivier Eichwald
  • Publication number: 20140194539
    Abstract: A process for converting carbon dioxide to hydrocarbon fuels using solar energy harnessed with a solar thermal power system to create thermal energy and electricity, using the thermal energy to heat a fuel feed stream, the heated fuel feed stream comprising carbon dioxide and water, the carbon dioxide captured from a flue gas stream, converting the carbon dioxide and water in a syngas production cell, the syngas production cell comprising a solid oxide electrolyte, to create carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and converting the carbon monoxide and hydrogen to hydrocarbon fuels in a catalytic reactor. In at least one embodiment, the syngas production cell is a solid oxide fuel cell. In at least one embodiment, the syngas production cell is a solid oxide electrolyzer cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ahmad D. Hammad, Zaki Yusuf, Stamatios Souentie, Nayif A. Al-Rasheedi, Bandar A. Fadhel, Atef Saeed Al-Zahrani
  • Patent number: 8771480
    Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Xyleco, Inc.
    Inventor: Marshall Medoff
  • Patent number: 8773838
    Abstract: An ion generating device generates O2?(H2O)n (where n is a natural number) as negative ions and H+(H2O)m (where m is a natural number) as positive ions, and discharges those ions into the air so that airborne germs are killed through an oxidation reaction by hydrogen peroxide H2O2 or radical hydroxyl OH generated through as an active species a chemical reaction between the negative and positive ions. Satisfactory sterilization is achieved when the negative and positive ions are generated in such a way that the concentrations of the negative and positive ions are both 10,000 ion/cc at a distance of 10 cm from the point at which they are generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasukata Takeda, Yoshinori Sekoguchi, Takeshi Furukawa, Mamoru Morikawa, Toshiaki Takano, Katsutoshi Noguchi, Hideo Nojima, Kazuo Nishikawa, Akio Miyata
  • Patent number: 8758681
    Abstract: A free radical sterilization system having a chamber defining a region, and a generator for generating free radical reach effluent from a free radical electric generator and/or a vaporizer. A closed loop circulating system without a free-radical destroyer is provided for supplying the mixture of free radicals from the electric generator mixed with the hydrogen peroxide solution in the form of the effluent to the chamber. The free-radical sterilization system is used in sterilizing items in the chamber and, with an open-bottomed wound chamber, in treating wounds on a body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Czeslaw Golkowski
  • Publication number: 20140170057
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for manufacturing graphene sheets. The apparatus includes a gas tube, and a hydrocarbon gas source connected to a front part of the gas tube for providing a hydrocarbon gas through the gas tube. The apparatus also includes a microwave generator to generate a microwave passing a middle part of the gas tube through a waveguide tube to form a microwave plasma torch from the hydrocarbon gas, wherein the hydrocarbon gas is cracked by the microwave plasma torch to form graphene sheets. The apparatus includes a tube collector connected to a back part of the gas tube for collecting the graphene sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Kun-Ping Huang, Chih-Chen Chang, Chwung-Shan Kou, Yu-Tse Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8753505
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating a liquid includes a first flow generator having an outlet for generating a first flow stream and a reaction chamber positioned in proximity to the outlet of the first flow generator and having a cavity adapted to receive the first flow stream from the first flow generator and reverse its direction within the confined space of the cavity. The flow generator may be a cavitation generator for producing multiple cavitation bubbles in the first slow stream, or a nozzle for generating a flow stream devoid of cavitation bubbles. A method for treating a liquid includes directing the liquid into a first flow generator configured to generate a first flow stream of the liquid, and directing the first flow stream from the first flow generator into a cavity of a reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Fluid-Quip, Inc.
    Inventor: Allison Sprague
  • Publication number: 20140161708
    Abstract: Apparatus for the production of carbon dioxide from limestone includes a nuclear energy source (32) arranged to generate electricity and a rotary kiln (10). The rotary kiln (10) has an inlet (15) for the introduction of limestone and an outlet (19) for the release of carbon dioxide. An electrical resistance heating element (21) disposed within the kiln (10) is arranged to be supplied with electricity derived from the nuclear energy source (32) to raise the temperature of the element (21) for transfer of heat to the interior of the rotary kiln (10). Limestone in the rotary kiln (10) is thereby heated to a temperature sufficient for the release of carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Rockfuel Innovations Limited
    Inventor: Clive Roger Stamp
  • Patent number: 8747762
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating an exhaust gas in a foreline of a substrate processing system are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for treating an exhaust gas in a foreline of a substrate processing system includes a plasma source coupled to a foreline of a process chamber, a reagent source coupled to the foreline upstream of the plasma source, and a foreline gas injection kit coupled to the foreline to controllably deliver a gas to the foreline, wherein the foreline injection kit includes a pressure regulator to set a foreline gas delivery pressure setpoint, and a first pressure gauge coupled to monitor a delivery pressure of the gas upstream of the foreline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin John Dickinson, Mehran Moalem, Daniel O. Clark