Automatic Analytical Monitor And Control Of Industrial Process Patents (Class 422/62)
  • Patent number: 11633510
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for irradiating a fluid containing a material to be irradiated, comprising at least one irradiation chamber having at least one inlet port and outlet port, at least one fluid cooling chamber having at least one inlet port and outlet port, one or more UV radiation sources coupled to the irradiation chamber(s); and at least one heat exchange mechanism thermally coupled to the radiation source(s) and the cooling chamber(s). At least a portion of the interior surface of the cooling chamber(s) may comprise at least a portion of the exterior surface of the irradiation chamber(s) so the cooling chamber(s) is in fluid communication with the irradiation chamber(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: AQUISENSE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer Godwin Pagan, Steven Franklin Pugh, John Krause, Oliver Lawal, Richard Mark Simons
  • Patent number: 11618000
    Abstract: The present invention relate to a reactor comprising: (i) a first reagent release mechanism, (ii) a second reagent release mechanism, and (iii) a reaction area fluid pathway, wherein the reaction area fluid pathway comprises a pathway extension valve, wherein adjusting the pathway extension valve varies the length of the reaction area fluid pathway, and wherein the pathway extension valve comprises a single valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED PHOTOPHYSICS LIMITED
    Inventor: Lindsay John Cole
  • Patent number: 11614389
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating gas from a sample (battery) by pyrolysis of the sample in order to collect or analyze gas generated inside the sample due to the thermal behaviors of the sample. More specifically, provided is an apparatus wherein not only gas generated due to the thermal behaviors of a sample (battery) can be generated by heating the sample (battery itself), but also a series of processes provided to collect or analyze the generated gas can be automatically controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventors: Sungwon Hong, Kyungmee Lee, Jeong Ae Ahn, Nak Hee Choi
  • Patent number: 11607656
    Abstract: A fixed-bed multi-tubular reactor for producing an alkenyl acetate by a gas phase catalytic oxidation reaction of a lower olefin, acetic acid and oxygen including a plurality of reaction tubes, a thermometer protection tube inserted into at least one of the plurality of reaction tubes, a thermometer inserted into the thermometer protection tube, and a shield disposed above the reaction tube into which the thermometer protection tube is inserted and attached to the thermometer protection tube, wherein an effective projection region of the shield entirely covers the inlet opening of the reaction tube into which the thermometer protection tube is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Iwama, Maiko Ikushima, Kazuki Umehara, Mitsuru Tanaka, Toshiyuki Maki
  • Patent number: 11565230
    Abstract: Systems and methods for synthesizing chemical products, including active pharmaceutical ingredients, are provided. Certain of the systems and methods described herein are capable of manufacturing multiple chemical products without the need to fluidically connect or disconnect unit operations when switching from one making chemical product to making another chemical product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Klavs F. Jensen, Timothy F. Jamison, Allan S. Myerson, Jean-Christophe M. Monbaliu, Mohsen Behnam, Shin Yee Wong, Nopphon Weeranoppanant, Eve Marie Revalor, Torsten Stelzer, Jie Chen, Andrea Adamo, David R. Snead, Ping Zhang
  • Patent number: 11543354
    Abstract: A method for quantitatively and indirectly measuring non-fluorine anti-soil chemistry in carpet applications, is based on a known amount of FI trace to be added along with anti-soil chemistry in formulation prior to application to a carpet surface. The anti-soil chemistry with the trace amount of FI is then applied to the carpet through a topical foam or spray applicator during a precoating process. After completion of the precoat process, a carpet sample is collected, carpet face fiber is shaved, and FI is extracted using water. The extracted water solution is used to measure the fluorescence intensity (in counts per second or “CPS”) using a Fluorimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TARKETT USA INC.
    Inventors: Maqbool Hussain, David Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 11517190
    Abstract: An endoscope connecting tube includes a liquid feeding index including: an exterior; an exposure hole provided on the exterior; and a flow path; and a movable member that is brought into a convex warp state toward a surface direction of the exterior when an inner pressure of a flow path reaches a predetermined value or higher, and remains in the convex warp state even when the inner pressure of the flow path reaches less than the predetermined value; and a marker that projects from the exposure hole by the movable member being brought into the convex warp state; a releasing portion that releases the convex warp state of the movable member by causing the marker to slide and push the movable member; and an insertion path into which the releasing portion is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eiri Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11511007
    Abstract: Systems are disclosed which include processor-executable program instructions for receiving data regarding characteristics of an area or a room and determining, based on the received data, operating parameter/s for one or more disinfection sources to disinfect the area/room. The data may include data regarding non-physical characteristics and/or physical characteristics of the area/room. In some embodiments, data regarding a quantity and/or type of at least a subset of the plurality of disinfection sources for disinfecting the room may also be considered for determining the operating parameter/s. In addition or alternatively, the data may be in relation to multiple disinfection sources in the area/room. In any case, a system is also disclosed which facilities power redirection among multiple disinfection sources upon detecting a given area has received a predetermined dose of ultraviolet light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Xenex Disinfection Services Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Stibich
  • Patent number: 11480556
    Abstract: Disclosed is a real-time method for detecting copper and silver in water in parts per billion. Total silver is detected by adding a 2% nitric acid solution to the sample; after ten minutes, adding a buffer solution comprising water, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate and EDTA to the sample; adding an indicator comprising Cadion 2B, EtOH, and Triton X-100 to the sample; after one minute, reading the absorbance of the sample using a spectrophotometer with a target peak of 515 nm; and determining the silver concentration by comparing the absorbance of the sample to the absorbances of known silver standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: HF Scientific, LLC
    Inventors: Dorian Cauceglia, Nicholas J. Pusateri
  • Patent number: 11470863
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing high humidity ozone gas. Systems and methods for applying high humidity ozone gas to foodstuffs and/or other products as an antimicrobial treatment. Compressed air and dry ozone gas are combined, thereby providing a dry mix. A portion of the dry mix can be humidified in a humidifying chamber, thereby providing a wet mix. The wet mix can be combined with a portion of the dry mix, thereby providing humid ozonated air. The humid ozonated air can be applied to foodstuffs such as produce, as an antimicrobial treatment, as the foodstuffs are conveyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventor: Lee C. Ditzler
  • Patent number: 11422143
    Abstract: The sample measuring apparatus includes a suction unit that includes a nozzle and a drive unit that raises and lowers the nozzle, and suctions a first liquid and a second liquid that is different from the first liquid; a liquid surface detecting unit that detects liquid surfaces of the first liquid and the second liquid; a control unit that controls the suction unit, and a measuring unit that measures a measurement sample prepared from the suctioned first liquid; wherein the control unit controls the suction unit to suction the first liquid and the second liquid based on the respective liquid surface detection result of the first liquid and the second liquid detected while lowering the nozzle, and a second speed at which the nozzle descends when detecting the liquid surface of the second liquid is faster than a first speed at which the nozzle descends when detecting the liquid surface of the first liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Yamato, Jun Inagaki, Shunsuke Saito, Yoshinori Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11402302
    Abstract: An exhaust gas sampling system includes a main conveying line, a main throughput pump which conveys a sample gas in the main conveying line, a first Venturi nozzle, a second Venturi nozzle, a first control valve, and a second control valve. The first Venturi nozzle and the second Venturi nozzle are connected in parallel and are arranged in the main conveying line upstream of the main throughput pump. The first Venturi nozzle is assigned the first control valve. The second Venturi nozzle is assigned the second control valve. Each of the first control valve and the second control valve are provided as a pinch valve. Each pinch valve has a flexible, hose-like control element and a pressure chamber which is filled with a fluid and which is arranged to surround the flexible, hose-like control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: AVL EMISSION TEST SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Sascha Willich, Marcus Wolff
  • Patent number: 11289316
    Abstract: A data processing device configured to create, based on a plurality of spectra each obtained from each of a plurality of specimens containing a predetermined component at known concentrations different from one another, a calibration curve showing a relationship between a concentration of the component in the specimen and an area of a peak corresponding to the component of a spectrum of the specimen, where each of the plurality of spectra has a peak top at a position depending on a component contained in a specimen. The device includes a display unit and a peak range setting unit configured to allow an operator to set both end positions of a peak or a position of a baseline corresponding to the component included in the displayed spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuka Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11243519
    Abstract: A method for computer-aided processing of state messages in an automation installation, wherein state messages are generated by components and detected with their generation points in time, where causative states present at the generation point of the state message or beforehand in other components are determined for a multiplicity of state messages of a respective component and the current state in the generated state message, where the propagation time between occurrence of the respective causative state and the generation point of the state message is calculated for each causative state, where groups are formed from the causative states, where in a respective group all causative states have at least the common feature that they were determined for the same current state in the respective component, and where at least one statistical parameter is determined from the propagation times which belong to the causative states of the same group and stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralf Gross, Hans-Henning Klos, Benjamin Kohler, Wolfgang Riedl, Jens Schnittger
  • Patent number: 11193863
    Abstract: A control cabinet arrangement for an exhaust gas measurement device. The control cabinet arrangement includes a first control cabinet which delimits a first interior space and a second control cabinet which delimits a second interior space. A first heat-generating component of the exhaust emission measurement device is arranged in the first interior space. A second component of the exhaust emission measurement device is arranged in the second interior space. At least one fluidic connection connects the first interior space and the second interior space. The second component is heatable by an air flow flowing between the first interior space and the second interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: AVL EMISSION TEST SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Sascha Willich, Achim Dickow, Sonja Opitz, Murat Oeztuerk
  • Patent number: 11111446
    Abstract: A temperature-controlling measure for a hydrogenation slurry bed reactor has three control points that are set from low to high: cold hydrogen is injected automatically when the system reaches control point 1; cold oil in injected automatically when the system reaches control point 2; each pressure relief is opened automatically when the system reaches control point 3. The pressure relief point is set before and/or after the circulation pump of the reactor if internal circulation is set in the reactor; the pressure relief point is set at the reactor bottom if the internal circulation is not set; at least one pressure relief valve is set at each pressure relief point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: CATECH TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Suan Li, Qingyu Deng, Kunpeng Wang
  • Patent number: 11061004
    Abstract: A system and method in which, upon receipt of an analysis initiation instruction and regardless of the necessity of any changes in operation at the time of the analysis initiation, an integrated controller of a system control unit notifies other units of analysis initiation and changes the luminescent color of a state indication LED to blue, which is common to each unit. In a liquid supply unit that receives a notification of the analysis initiation, a local controller changes the device status to “RUN” and changes the luminescent color of a state indication LED to blue. This is also applies to other units. Upon completion of the analysis, the integrated controller notifies each unit of the analysis completion and changes the display color of the state indication LED to green. Each unit also changes the display color of the state indication LED to green.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Yusuke Yokoi
  • Patent number: 10994036
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for irradiating a fluid containing a material to be irradiated, comprising at least one irradiation chamber having at least one inlet port and outlet port, at least one fluid cooling chamber having at least one inlet port and outlet port, one or more UV radiation sources coupled to the irradiation chamber(s); and at least one heat exchange mechanism thermally coupled to the radiation source(s) and the cooling chamber(s). At least a portion of the interior surface of the cooling chamber(s) may comprise at least a portion of the exterior surface of the irradiation chamber(s) so the cooling chamber(s) is in fluid communication with the irradiation chamber(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: AQUISENSE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer Godwin Pagan, Steven Franklin Pugh, John Krause, Oliver Lawal, Richard Mark Simons
  • Patent number: 10976471
    Abstract: Post-processing corrections can be applied to operational numerical model forecasts of weather variables to reduce forecast model errors. The post-processing technique is based on an analog post-processing correction scheme. In the analog scheme, the system searches for previous model forecasts that are similar to the current forecast, and modifies the current forecast based on errors in such previous predictions. An “abnormal (or abnormal) index” can be generated for each analog as a function of several meteorology variables (i.e., humidity, pressure and temperature) and two experience coefficients. The abnormal index can be used to exclude some errors. Furthermore, dynamic weights based on the “abnormal index” can be applied to the errors. Using the “abnormal index” weights in a post-processing technique may generate a more accurate air quality forecast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hui Du, Yu Du, Si Huang, Yu Jia Tang, Bao Guo Xie, Meng Zhang, Xin Zhang, Shuai Zhu
  • Patent number: 10969797
    Abstract: A valve control system that includes a gain controller for controlling the linear response of a valve. The system includes a linearization control system coupled to the gain controller to determine a gain value to control the linear response time of the valve and a set point filter coupled to the linearization control system to filter a set point value. The linearization control system determines the gain value from the filtered set point value, at least one real-time fluid parameter value, valve model data, an actuator gain, and a valve model gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, INC.
    Inventors: John Lull, Berwin Banares, Jeffrey Whiteley
  • Patent number: 10894103
    Abstract: A solution for cleaning and/or sterilizing one or more surfaces in a bathroom is provided. The sterilization can be performed using ultraviolet sources, which can emit ultraviolet radiation directed onto the surface(s). The cleaning can be performed using a fluid, such as water, that is flowed over the surface(s). The surface(s) can include at least a seat of a toilet and/or other surfaces associated with the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Dobrinsky, Michael Shur, Remigijus Gaska
  • Patent number: 10871097
    Abstract: System and methods for detecting NH3 slip using cross-sensitivity of an NOx sensor may include accessing a temperature value for a catalyst and determining the temperature value for the catalyst exceeds a predetermined value. If the temperature exceeds the predetermined value, a system-out NOx measurement signal from the system-out NOx sensor and an estimated system-out NOx value are used to calculate a delta value. A flag is set indicative of NH3 slip for an exhaust system responsive to an average of delta values for a predetermined period of time exceeding a predetermined value. If the temperature does not exceed the predetermined value, then an average of a plurality of system-out NOx measurement signals can be calculated and a flag is set indicative of NH3 slip responsive to the calculated average for a predetermined period of time exceeding a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Jinqian Gong, Varun R. Rajagopal
  • Patent number: 10854433
    Abstract: Methods for in-situ and real-time chamber condition monitoring is provided. For example, in one embodiment, for each wafer in a chamber, a frequency and wavelength of the free radicals in the chamber is monitored in-situ. The frequency and wavelength of the free radicals are associated with at least one selected chemical. The associated free radicals are compared to an index. The index includes a target range for each chemical in the at least one selected chemical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tzu-Yen Hsieh, Sidda Reddy Kurakula
  • Patent number: 10823649
    Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a sample inlet for a fluid sample, a degassing chamber having a gas-permeable membrane and defining first and second portions separated by the gas permeable membrane, and a detection chamber. The sample inlet and the detection chamber are fluidly coupled to the first and second portions, respectively of the degassing chamber. The detection chamber is operably coupled to a light source and a detector. Assessing a concentration of chlorine gas in an aqueous sample includes providing an aqueous sample to a microfluidic device, separating gas from the aqueous sample in the microfluidic device, providing the gas to a detector, assessing the absorbance of the gas sample at a known absorption wavelength of chlorine, and based on the assessed absorbance of the gas sample at the known absorption wavelength of chlorine, assessing a concentration of chlorine gas in the aqueous sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Paul K. Westerhoff, Shahnawaz Sinha, Treavor Boyer
  • Patent number: 10713877
    Abstract: A device to produce personalized mixtures of substances is configured to be controlled by computer program code running on a user terminal. The computer program code enables a user of the user terminal to create and personalize the formulas for optimizing the beverage according to the specific needs of the user and order the beverages from a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: ILLYCAFFE' S.P.A. CON UNICO SOCIO
    Inventors: Andrea Illy, Riccardo Piras, Luca Troisi, Guido Guaschino, Roberto Maggio, Furio Suggi Liverani
  • Patent number: 10705063
    Abstract: An apparatus for sampling landfill gas from a landfill flowing through a pipe. The apparatus may comprise: an enclosure configured to receive a section of the pipe; a gas sampling port in the section of the pipe; at least one sensor device disposed in a region of the enclosure, the at least one sensor being coupled to the section of the pipe through the gas sampling port; and thermal insulation positioned to retain heat from the section of the pipe in the region of the enclosure. A method of operating a landfill gas recovery system. The method may comprise: flowing gas from a well riser pipe through a sampling subsystem to a collection system; and heating a portion of the sampling subsystem with the gas flowing from the well riser pipe to the collection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Nathan Pallo, Peter Quigley
  • Patent number: 10697990
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for automating laboratory protocols utilizing cooperative efforts between differing components including fluidics, agitation and thermal control for processing a wide variety of disparate laboratory protocols are provided. In one aspect, a sample processing module is provided, including a housing configured to accommodate a pre-identified sample process, a temperature input capable of interfacing with a temperature controller, a fluid input capable of interfacing with an input fluid controller, a fluid output capable of interfacing with an output fluid controller, and a standardized agitation connector capable of interfacing with an agitator. A control system interfaces with the temperature input, fluid input, fluid output, and agitation connector to enable the system to perform laboratory protocols that require complex, sequential fluidic steps in association with the temperature and agitation control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS RICHMOND, INC.
    Inventors: Nils B. Adey, Rob Perry
  • Patent number: 10589212
    Abstract: Ammonia-adding apparatus and methods for ammonia-based desulfurization use multi-stage control, calculate a theoretical amount of ammonia based on gas amounts provided by an inlet continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) and an outlet CEMS of the ammonia-based desulfurization device or associated gas amounts, a SO2 concentration provided by the inlet CEMS, and a predetermined SO2 concentration of the outlet CEMS. The apparatus and methods calculate a corrected theoretical amount of ammonia using half of the ratio of the actual amount of added ammonia to the actual amount of removed sulfur dioxide as a correction coefficient for the theoretical amount of ammonia; add an ammonia absorbent equivalent to the corrected theoretical amount of ammonia to the ammonia-based desulfurization device through an ammonia metering means and an ammonia control valve, and automatically control the actual ammonia flow rate based on the actual SO2 concentration and a change trend provided by the outlet CEMS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Jiangnan Environmental Protection Group Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Luo, Jinyong Wang, Jun Zhang
  • Patent number: 10576518
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a controllable contaminant-extraction system configured to, at least in part, extract an extractable contaminant from a contaminant plume positioned in the soil via an extraction conduit extending in the contaminant plume. A control assembly is configured to control operation of the controllable contaminant-extraction system in such a way that the controllable contaminant-extraction system extracts the extractable contaminant via the extraction conduit by randomly changing, at least in part, a flow rate of the extractable contaminant that is extracted from the contaminant plume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Inventor: Bogdan Roman Pawlak
  • Patent number: 10537845
    Abstract: Ammonia-adding apparatus and methods for ammonia-based desulfurization use multi-stage control, calculate a theoretical amount of ammonia based on gas amounts provided by an inlet continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) and an outlet CEMS of the ammonia-based desulfurization device or associated gas amounts, a SO2 concentration provided by the inlet CEMS, and a predetermined SO2 concentration of the outlet CEMS. The apparatus and methods calculate a corrected theoretical amount of ammonia using half of the ratio of the actual amount of added ammonia to the actual amount of removed sulfur dioxide as a correction coefficient for the theoretical amount of ammonia; add an ammonia absorbent equivalent to the corrected theoretical amount of ammonia to the ammonia-based desulfurization device through an ammonia metering means and an ammonia control valve, and automatically control the actual ammonia flow rate based on the actual SO2 concentration and a change trend provided by the outlet CEMS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Jiangnan Environmental Protection Group Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Luo, Jinyong Wang, Jun Zhang
  • Patent number: 10507427
    Abstract: A flue ozone distributor applied in a low-temperature oxidation denitrification technology and an arrangement manner thereof is disclosed. The flue ozone distributor comprises a distribution main pipe, multiple distribution branch pipes, Venturi distributors and delta wings. The distribution branch pipes are led out from the distribution main pipe as parallel branches. The Venturi distributors are arranged with an equal space on the distribution branch pipes. The delta wings are arranged on one diffusion segment side of the Venturi distributors. The flue ozone distributor is arranged in the flue. The technology is used in the field of denitrification for flue gas of an industrial boiler/kiln by a low-temperature ozone oxidation method. The ozone-injecting direction is consistent with a flow direction of the flue gas. A soot deposit congestion problem does not exist. A turbulent flow behavior of the flue gas and ozone is strengthened. The oxidation efficiency is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignees: INSTITUTE OF PROCESS ENGINEERING, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, BEIJING ZSTC ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tingyu Zhu, Wenqing Xu, Ruizhuang Zhao, Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 10443471
    Abstract: Technical solutions are described for an emissions control system for a motor vehicle including an internal combustion engine. The emissions control system includes a reductant injector device, a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device, and a controller. The controller determines a reductant energizing time for the reductant injector device based on one or more operating conditions of the SCR device. The controller further computes a diagnostic adaptation factor for the reductant energizing time based on an on-board diagnostic signal. The controller further inputs an amount of reductant into the SCR device by adjusting a reductant energizing time of the reductant injector device according to the diagnostic adaptation factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Sarah Funk, Eric M. Sisco, Jose Deleon
  • Patent number: 10401335
    Abstract: Valves, pumps, detectors, sample loops, fraction collectors and the like are individually incorporated into modules that are mountable at individual mounting sites on a base unit which also supports one or more chromatography columns. Each module includes fluid connections to other modules and a microcontroller joining the module to a computed and monitor through an electronic connector at each mounting site. The fluid connections between the modules and the column(s) are removed from the electronic connections and accessible to the user. A software platform may recognize the modules and their locations, coordinate fluid connections between the modules, and provide a variety of control, monitoring, data generating and data processing functions to generate chromatographic data. The software platform may also provide graphical tools for designing chromatographic methods from a library of phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Iovanni, Alec Gordon, Bob Avarbock, Wayne Bland, Glenn Price, Ken Baker, Farah Mavandadi, Christof Schultz
  • Patent number: 10369541
    Abstract: A method operates a production plant, the method having process modules, wherein, for each process module, the amount of material that is respectively present in this process module and is to be processed by this process module is continuously or discretely detected and compared with a prescribed limit value for the amount, wherein a mass inflow into the respective process module is increased or decreased if the amount of material that is respectively present in this process module and is to be processed by this process module is less than or greater than the limit value for the amount, or a mass outflow from the respective process module is increased or decreased if the amount of material that is respectively present in this process module and is to be processed by this process module is greater than or less than the limit value for the amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: BAYER AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Achim Küpper, Stefan Ochs
  • Patent number: 10357745
    Abstract: Provided is a membrane distillation system capable of real-time monitoring of membrane wetting, which includes: a raw water storage tank configured to store fluid; a membrane distillation water treatment unit configured to receive raw water stored in the raw water storage tank to generate pure water, the membrane distillation water treatment unit having an inlet water chamber into which an inlet water flows from the raw water storage tank, a membrane for separating the inlet water in the inlet water chamber into a steam and a concentrated water, and a treated water chamber for receiving the steam separated by the membrane and concentrating the steam; and a membrane wetting detection unit to detect a membrane wetting phenomenon and a membrane wetting location of the membrane by measuring a light passing through the membrane in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Seong Pil Jeong, hye-won Kim, Seockheon Lee
  • Patent number: 10338044
    Abstract: A gas transport system includes at least one chemical reactor having at least one inlet and at least one gas outlet and at least one sample introduction unit for delivering the sample into the chemical reactor. The gas transport system at least one carrier gas line fluidly coupled to the chemical reactor inlet for introducing into the chemical reactor carrier gas from a carrier gas source, at least one gas outlet line from the chemical reactor gas outlet, and at least one gas recycling line connected to the gas outlet and/or the gas outlet line by a first gas line junction that is arranged between the chemical reactor and a downstream detection unit on the gas outlet line. The gas transport system is adapted to allow recycling of at least a portion of gas emerging from the chemical reactor outlet back to the chemical reactor via the gas recycling line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Schwieters, Michael Krummen, Hans-Juergen Schlueter, Oliver Kracht
  • Patent number: 10314957
    Abstract: A blood purification apparatus is provided that can easily and accurately determine before treatment whether or not blocking of liquid by a check valve is appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Nikkiso Company Limited
    Inventors: Fumihiko Ishizaki, Satoshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 10270254
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling an interconnection device may be provided. Sockets of the interconnection device may be configured to electrically couple to respective energy-generation modules. In some examples, the interconnection device may include a connector, memory, and a processor configured to execute instructions for managing the electrical configuration of the sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: Sandeep Narla, Alex Mayer, Brett Alten
  • Patent number: 10197500
    Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling the properties of chemical species during time-dependent processes. A device includes a reactor for containing one or more chemical species of a time-dependent process, an extraction pump for automatically and continuously extracting an amount of the one or more chemical species from the reactor, one or more detectors for measuring property changes of the one or more extracted chemical species and generating a continuous stream of data related to the one or more property changes to the one or more chemical species during a time interval, and a process controller configured to fit the continuous stream of data to a mathematical function to predict one or more properties of the one or more chemical species at a future time point and make one or more process decisions based on the prediction of one or more properties at the future time point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignees: ADVANCED POLYMER MONITORING TECHNOLOGIES, INC., THE ADMINISTRATORS OF THE TULANE EDUCATIONAL FUND
    Inventors: Wayne Frederick Reed, Michael Felix Drenski
  • Patent number: 10156503
    Abstract: A system is capable of detecting substrates and can differentiate between zero, one, or multiple transparent or semi-transparent substrates in a stack. The system can include an optical sensor, an optically anti-reflective element, and a detector. The optical sensor outputs light towards the optically anti-reflective element. The light detector is positioned to detect light from the light source that is reflected by substrates, if any, positioned within a detection zone between the optically anti-reflective element and the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Thompson, Charles Nathan Hassen
  • Patent number: 10145768
    Abstract: The time period necessary for a staining process is shortened, and the apparatus is downsized. This smear preparation apparatus includes: a staining vessel for storing a staining liquid therein so as to allow a plurality of glass slides each having a sample smeared thereon to be immersed therein; and a transfer unit for holding and transferring each glass slide. The staining vessel includes a plurality of first holders configured to hold the glass slides. The staining vessel is configured such that a plurality of glass slides held by a plurality of the first holders are immersed in the stored staining liquid, and the transfer unit is configured to put in/take out the glass slides one by one with respect to a plurality of the first holders of the staining vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuichiro Ohmae, Seiya Shinabe, Kosuke Sekizuka
  • Patent number: 9910021
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for detecting and measuring the concentration of non-reactive gases in a given environment, without having to increase the reactivity of the non-reactive gases through thermal heating. For example, a gas sensor device includes a sensing chamber, a chemical getter element disposed in the sensing chamber, and a pressure sensor device. The sensing chamber is configured to capture a gas sample. The chemical getter element is configured to remove reactive gas species of the gas sample through chemical reaction of the reactive gas species with the chemical getter element at room temperature. The pressure sensor device is configured to measure a pressure of non-reactive gas species of the gas sample, which remains in the sensing chamber after removal of the reactive gas species from the sensing chamber. The pressure measurement is used to determine an amount of the non-reactive gas species present in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Josephine B. Chang, Jiaxing Liu, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Patent number: 9746450
    Abstract: An online gas chromatograph is provided. The online gas chromatograph includes a sample inlet and at least one chromatographic column operably coupled to the sample inlet. At least one valve is interposed between the sample inlet and the at least one chromatographic column. A detector is fluidically coupled to the at least one chromatographic column. A controller is coupled to the detector and to the at least one valve, the controller is configured to control flow from the sample inlet through the chromatograph using the at least one valve. The controller is configured to generate a plurality of sequential calibration cycles, where each calibration cycle has a calibration gas purge operation. The first calibration gas purge operation lasts longer than the second calibration gas purge operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Rosemount Analytical Inc.
    Inventors: Shane R. Hale, John R. Beavers
  • Patent number: 9718024
    Abstract: To provide a method for predicting a deactivation phenomenon in a flue-gas desulfurization unit to prevent the occurrence of the deactivation phenomenon before it happens. There is provided a method for preventing the occurrence of a deactivation phenomenon in a flue-gas desulfurization unit that treats flue gas of a coal-fired boiler, the method includes calculating a deactivation potential as an index of the deactivation phenomenon based on alkaline components such as Na, Ca, Mg, and K contained in ash in the flue gas, and performing an operation management, such as adjustment of set value of a pH control system, on the flue-gas desulfurization unit depending on change of the deactivation potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Chiyoda Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Takei, Chisa Nishizaki
  • Patent number: 9670146
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first controller configured to control at least the flow rate of a polymerization inhibitor or acrylonitrile product to a first location where the two are mixed. The apparatus comprises a first on-line analyzer configured to measure polymerization inhibitor concentration in the acrylonitrile product at a second location, the second location downstream of the first location. The first on-line analyzer is configured to provide information relating to the measured inhibitor concentration at the second location to the first controller, the first controller configured to process the information from the first on-line analyzer and to adjust at least a first operating parameter of a first addition device if the measured inhibitor concentration at the second location is outside a first predetermined condition. A second controller and a second on-line analyzer are provided to provide similar control of water addition to acrylonitrile product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Ineos Europe AG
    Inventors: Timothy Robert McDonel, Jay Robert Couch, David Rudolph Wagner, Paul Trigg Wachtendorf
  • Patent number: 9465017
    Abstract: A method and a device for preparing a qualitative and quantitative analysis of samples are presented. The device affords the possibility of delimiting and isolating a specific region of a solid or liquid sample. A liquid, e.g. a solvent or extracting agent, is added in the delimited and isolated region. Thereafter the created mixture of substance and liquid is, in a plug-shaped fashion, pressed out of the closed region by means of a neutral liquid or the same liquid, and supplied to the measuring instrument in the form of a highly concentrated solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: CAMAG
    Inventors: Matthias Loppacher, Eike Reich
  • Patent number: 9420943
    Abstract: An endoscope reprocessing apparatus has a calculation section and a control section. The calculation section determines whether a flow rate or pressure information is in a region in which the circulation conduit is determined to be clogged, of a region exceeding a predetermined threshold value and a region below the predetermined threshold value, and determines whether newest flow rate or pressure information has a correlation with a change-over-time prediction axis when the flow rate or pressure information is in the region in which the circulation conduit is determined to be clogged. The control section performs a first measure relating to removal of scale when it is determined that the flow rate or pressure information has a correlation with the change-over-time prediction axis, and performs a second measure different from removal of scale when it is determined that the flow rate or pressure information does not have the correlation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahiko Kawase
  • Patent number: 9340312
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatically handling a sample container (100), wherein at least one sample container (100) is taken up in a container carrier (30) in a handling device (95) and a lid (101) is gripped by a gripper head (50) with a predetermined gripping force and the lid (101) is removed by a combined movement out of a translational and rotational movement from the sample container (100). Using an optical capturing device, the lid (101) as well as the sample container (100) are analyzed and are assigned to a lid and sample container type, and that, furthermore, a required torque is assigned to each lid and/or sample container type as required for removing the lid (101), and that, starting from the required torque, the gripping force of the gripper head (50) is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ANDREAS HETTICH GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Gavin Clarke, Klaus-Guenter Eberle
  • Patent number: 9229504
    Abstract: A system includes a rack with shelves and one or more groups of shelf-mountable electrical systems. Each of at least two of the shelf-mountable electrical systems includes one or more chassis, shelf computing devices, a shelf power supply mechanism, and one or more power-pooling bus elements. For at least one of the groups, a power-pooling bus element of at least one shelf-mountable electrical systems is electrically coupled to a power pooling bus element of at least one other of the shelf-mountable electrical systems in the group such that the power-pooling bus elements form an inter-shelf power-pooling bus for one or more of the computing devices in the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael David Marr, Peter George Ross, David Edward Bryan
  • Patent number: 9109277
    Abstract: Described herein is a method that can be used for heat treating a metal in at least one of the following processes: carburizing, carbonitriding, nitrocarburizing, and neutral carbon potential annealing operations that are used in a 1 atmosphere pressure furnace and in an atmosphere that is oxygen free and comprises nitrogen and at least one hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Zbigniew Zurecki, Xiaolan Wang, Guido Plicht, John Lewis Green, Anna K. Wehr-Aukland