Covered Workbench Chamber (e.g., Fume Hood, Etc.) Patents (Class 454/56)
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Patent number: 6814658Abstract: A counterweight apparatus is provided for automatically self-returning an enclosure sash or other closure member to at least one preselected intermediate position when released after being opened beyond that intermediate position and for selectively maintaining the closure member in at-rest positions, when released, between that intermediate position and a fully closed position.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2003Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Kewaunee Scientific CorporationInventors: Kurt P. Rindoks, Rudolph Poblete
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Publication number: 20040209564Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a fume hood. A containment condition, i.e., a condition that may affect containment of potentially harmful substances in the hood, may be detected, and information regarding the detected condition sent by wireless signal. A fume hood controller may control at least airflow in the hood based on the information contained in the wireless signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2004Publication date: October 21, 2004Applicant: Phoenix Controls CorporationInventor: Mehul Desai
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Patent number: 6802767Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide exhaust air discharging and ventilating technologies capable of completing local ventilation without affecting the habitability and workability. The invention is a method for locally discharging the air around and near cooking equipment (1) in a kitchen in which cooking equipment (1) that causes air contamination is installed, wherein upward suction draft (16) going out of the room is produced from above the cooking equipment (1), while upward blowout draft (21) is produced from near the side of the cooking equipment (1), and due to the inductive action of the blowout draft (21), the contaminated air (30) around and near the cooking equipment (1) is forcibly caught and carried into the blowout draft (21).Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2002Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Inventor: Yoshiaki Kanaya
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Patent number: 6797029Abstract: In a process facility for producing semiconductor wafers, a third physical unit is configured between two physical units that produce mini environments. The third physical unit has a laminar flow at right angles to the laminar flows of the two physical units and is operated with a slightly higher flow velocity. According to the Bernoulli equation, the static pressure in the third physical unit is therefore lower than in the surrounding two physical units. Advantageously, therefore, no contamination from the more highly loaded one of the two physical units passes over into the lesser loaded one of the two physical units.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Kay Lederer, Steffen Hornig
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Patent number: 6752711Abstract: A range hood with a motor housing having upper and lower sections joined together along their respective side edges. Cooperating projections with a gap therebetween extend from the side edge of one section of the motor housing. The side edge of the other section of the motor housing is adapted to be Inserted in the gap to be frictionally retained therein. Protrusions ensure proper joining of the upper and lower sections. Additional restraint in the form of a reinforcing assembly comprising a reinforcing strap plus fasteners ensures the upper and lower sections stay properly joined. The motor housing may be made of metal or plastic.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2003Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Inventor: Peter Yeung
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Patent number: 6739967Abstract: A fume hood management system includes a collection section and a server apparatus. The collection section collects data representing an operation state from a plurality of fume hoods. The server apparatus includes an arithmetic section. The arithmetic section calculates a simultaneous utilization ratio on the basis of the number of simultaneously used hoods and the total number of fume hoods. The number of simultaneously used hoods is obtained from the data collected by the collection section and represents the number of fume hoods that are being used.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2003Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Yamatake CorporationInventors: Hideya Saito, Yoshihiro Aiiso, Akio Matsumura, Shota Yamada, Nobuhide Honda, Ken Amari
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Publication number: 20040082292Abstract: The present invention relates to controlled airflow and air distribution within a laboratory safety enclosure and in particular, to turbulence-free airflow within a laboratory fume hood. The fume hood of the present invention has a work chamber and an access opening having an upper edge. A horizontal air deflector structure is positioned adjacent to the upper edge of the access opening to divert a portion of air entering the access opening upwardly within the chamber, whereby the diverted air eliminates an airflow eddy current.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2003Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventors: Raymond F. Ryan, Alexy Y. Kolesnikov
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Patent number: 6692346Abstract: A fume hood includes a top, bottom sidewalls, front panel and a back panel that define an enclosed workspace. The fume hood also includes a movable sash for opening and closing an access opening. The fume hood may also include an air chamber having an inlet in the front panel. The air chamber includes a baffle system that evenly distributes the inlet air as the air travels through the air chamber. An unimpeded flow of air is discharged downward and away from the breathing zone of the technician and proximate to the sash to reduce the forward momentum of air trying to escape the fume hood. In an alternate embodiment, the fume hood also includes an alarm system to provide a visual and/or audible indication to the user of a working condition of the fume hood. The characteristics of the visual indication and the audible indication may vary depending on the position of the movable sash and the measured airflow from the discharge of the air chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Fisher Hamilton L.L.C.Inventors: John M. Bastian, Anthony Castelli
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Patent number: 6659857Abstract: The present invention relates to controlled airflow and air distribution within a laboratory safety enclosure and in particular, to turbulence-free airflow within a laboratory fume hood. The fume hood of the present invention has a work chamber and an access opening having an upper edge. A horizontal air deflector structure is positioned adjacent to the upper edge of the access opening to divert a portion of air entering the access opening upwardly within the chamber, whereby the diverted air eliminates an airflow eddy current.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Flow Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Raymond F. Ryan, Alexy Y. Kolesnikov
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Publication number: 20030199241Abstract: Low-cost, potentially disposable, hazardous material handling and anti-contamination hoods are described, that provide a very high level of protection of either personnel, in the case of a hazardous material handling hood, or the process contained in the hood in the case of an anti-contamination hood. Once contaminated these hoods can be hermetically sealed to contain the contamination so that the hood can be moved or shipped for disposal or analysis of the contaminants prior to disposal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2003Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventors: Edward Alan Chilcoat, Robert Talmadge Chilcoat
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Patent number: 6632260Abstract: Enclosures having adjustable clean gas flow environments and methods of enclosed pressure differential distribution technology. Specifically, clean gas flow enclosures, which provide for the isolation of materials from airborne micro-particulate contamination. An embodiment of the invention utilizes a small footprint, modular, selectable, clean-gas flow environment for handling and isolating materials. The environment can be a clean room class environment by providing filtered gas from a gas flow generator (12) through a gas filter (13) to a filtered gas flow space (20). An embodiment of the invention provides a first plenum (23) and a second plenum (26) so that both a horizontal filtered gas flow and vertical filtered gas flow may be used separately or in combination within the same filtered gas flow space (20).Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Stratotech CorporationInventors: Warren G. Siemers, Gary D. Hamor
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Patent number: 6626971Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for separating at least two physical areas (1, 2) and for reducing the transmission of air-borne particles between said physical areas so as to protect persons and/or products (26) from said air-borne particles. The persons is located at least partly in the first physical area (1) and the products (26) in the second physical area (2) and at least one flat jet (13) of purified air is used to separate the two areas. The invention is characterized in that at least one low-turbulence displacement air stream (14) of purified air is generated at least in the second physical area (2) near the at least one air jet (13) and said at least one displacement air stream is directed primarily in the same direction as the at least one air jet (13).Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2001Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Siemens Axiva GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Rainald Forbert, Lothar Gail, Ekkehard Eigenherr
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Patent number: 6595247Abstract: A kit which can be ready to position in a containment fashion over a suspicious object or target. A chamber is formed having a surrounding wall with a mating top. At the lower portion of the wall a substrate engaging means is provided with lateral edges which are stabilized for securement to the surface on which the target lies while the chamber is brought into its full configuration by wall support means. At the upper portion of the top provision is made for handling sleeves and ports. Examination, sampling and decontamination can be carried out without disturbing the target while protecting the environment, evidence and people. The target can be encapsulated in the chamber by means of tightening a drawstring. This progressively brings the lower portion in the flange into and under the bottom of the contained item to thereby fully envelop the target. An explosive shield can be simultaneously employed.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2002Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Inventors: Jerome J. Landy, Keith E. Landy
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Patent number: 6582292Abstract: A fume hood includes a top, bottom sidewalls, front panel and a back panel that define an enclosed workspace. The fume hood also includes a movable sash for opening and closing an access opening and an airfoil disposed proximate an edge portion of the opening to direct airflow through the opening and into the workspace. The airfoil is automatically raised from a down position to an up position when the sash is raised to a predetermined height. In addition, the airfoil may be automatically raised when the velocity of the airflow into the access opening decreases below a predetermined value. Once raised, the airfoil may be automatically or manually lowered to the down position. In one embodiment, the airfoil includes one or more fins having an angled portion that extends downwardly below the work surface of the fume hood when the airfoil is in the down position, thereby reducing the possibility of a potential spill when the technician removes an item from the workspace.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Fisher Hamilton, Inc.Inventor: John M. Bastian
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Publication number: 20030109211Abstract: A fume hood includes a top, bottom sidewalls, front panel and a back panel that define an enclosed workspace. The fume hood also includes a movable sash for opening and closing an access opening and an airfoil disposed proximate an edge portion of the opening to direct airflow through the opening and into the workspace. The airfoil is automatically raised from a down position to an up position when the sash is raised to a predetermined height. In addition, the airfoil may be automatically raised when the velocity of the airflow into the access opening decreases below a predetermined value. Once raised, the airfoil may be automatically or manually lowered to the down position. In one embodiment, the airfoil includes one or more fins having an angled portion that extends downwardly below the work surface of the fume hood when the airfoil is in the down position, thereby reducing the possibility of a potential spill when the technician removes an item from the workspace.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2001Publication date: June 12, 2003Inventor: John M. Bastian
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Publication number: 20030109212Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle exhibits a room air conditioner unit for air conditioning a passenger compartment, a seat air conditioner unit for adjusting a temperature of a seat, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature at a front location of a passenger seated on the seat and the temperature of the seat, and a control unit for controlling operation of the room air conditioner unit and the seat air conditioner unit so that a difference between the temperature at the front of the passenger and the temperature of the seat falls within a certain value range. As a result, a difference in heat sensation between the front and the back of the passenger is reduced, and hence the comfortableness of the passenger compartment can be improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2002Publication date: June 12, 2003Inventors: Kosuke Hayashi, Takeshi Yoshinori, Shigeki Harada, Akira Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 6569007Abstract: A fume hood includes a top, bottom sidewalls, front panel and a back panel that define an enclosed workspace. The fume hood also includes a movable sash for opening and closing an access opening. The fume hood also includes an air chamber having an inlet in the front panel. The air chamber includes a baffle system that evenly distributes the inlet air as the air travels through the air chamber. An unimpeded flow of air is discharged downward and away from the breathing zone of the technician and proximate to the sash to reduce the forward momentum of air trying to escape the fume hood. In an alternate embodiment, the fume hood also includes a pressure pipe for drawing a small quantity of air from the air chamber and directing a flow of air between the movable sash and the header panel. This flow of air from the pressure pipe increases the relative pressure difference between the movable sash and the header panel of the fume hood.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: Fisher Hamilton, Inc.Inventors: John M. Bastian, Thomas A. Grall, Anthony Castelli, Tony Kopidlansky
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Patent number: 6561892Abstract: A sash position sensing system for a fume hood (10) and the like having a plurality of movable sashes (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) in a frame includes an indicator element (24) affixed to each sash and an array (20) of sensor elements (22) extending along the frame. The sensor elements interact with the indicator elements when generally aligned therewith. The status of the sensor elements is captured in parallel without the need for multiplexing the sensor array, and a processor (52) reads the captured state information and calculates the open area of the frame. In further aspects, a method for determining the position of one or movable sashes in a frame and a fume hood employing the sash position sensing system of the present invention are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Tek-Air Systems, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth W. Kolkebeck
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Publication number: 20030064675Abstract: A work station suitable for use as a mixing station for paints includes a table with a hood mounted over the back edge of the table. Back and side walls of the table lead up to the hood. A downwardly sloping transparent panel extends over the front portion of the table so that materials being handled can be viewed from above while gaseous contaminants emitted by those materials are captured by the transparent cover and a vacuum applied to the hood.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2001Publication date: April 3, 2003Inventor: Martin McCormick
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Patent number: 6540603Abstract: A method and a system for the regulation of ventilation in a welding workshop, in which method the volume of supply air and/or extract air in the ventilation of the welding workshop is regulated. The basis of regulation of the volume is the load imposed on the electric power network by the welding equipment, e.g. the electric power consumed. The system comprises a set of measuring equipment for generating a measurement signal corresponding to the load imposed by the welding equipment on the electric power network. A set of control equipment has been arranged to regulate the volume of supply air brought into the welding workshop via a supply air duct and/or the volume of extract air removed from the welding workshop via an exhaust duct so as to achieve a level of ventilation proportional to the impurity load.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Inventor: Juha Koskinen
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Patent number: 6517429Abstract: An arrangement for treating a work object including a unique, unified method and apparatus for contaminant removal from the work object, wherein a laminar flow, ambient air stream passes through connected zones at lower pressure than ambient with particulate matter being filtered from the air stream.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: AAF McQuay, Inc.Inventors: Keiron O'Connell, James C. Wolfe, Daniel X. Josephs
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Patent number: 6517428Abstract: A work station having an environmental controller for maintaining air flow in and through the work station at a user-selected level. The work station includes a pressure cabinet and a perforated work surface forming the top of the pressure cabinet. A pressure inducing assembly is located within the cabinet below the work surface to draw air into the cabinet and create a negative pressure in a work space defined above the work surface. A support coupled to two sides of the pressure cabinet provides a channel for air flow from the pressure cabinet to an air chamber located above the work surface. Air is drawn from the air chamber generally downward toward the work surface by the negative pressure created in the work space to provide an air curtain substantially surrounding the work surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2000Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Lab Products, Inc.Inventors: Dale Murray, Thomas Darby, Eric Dietrich, Adam Cohen, Josh Tang
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Publication number: 20030027515Abstract: The present invention relates to controlled airflow and air distribution within a laboratory safety enclosure and in particular, to turbulence-free airflow within a laboratory fume hood. The fume hood of the present invention has a work chamber and an access opening having an upper edge. A horizontal air deflector structure is positioned adjacent to the upper edge of the access opening to divert a portion of air entering the access opening upwardly within the chamber, whereby the diverted air eliminates an airflow eddy current.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2002Publication date: February 6, 2003Inventors: Raymond F. Ryan, Alexy Y. Kolesnikov
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Publication number: 20030027513Abstract: A fume hood includes a top, bottom sidewalls, front panel and a back panel that define an enclosed workspace. The fume hood also includes a movable sash for opening and closing an access opening. The fume hood also includes an air chamber having an inlet in the front panel. The air chamber includes a baffle system that evenly distributes the inlet air as the air travels through the air chamber. An unimpeded flow of air is discharged downward and away from the breathing zone of the technician and proximate to the sash to reduce the forward momentum of air trying to escape the fume hood. In an alternate embodiment, the fume hood also includes a pressure pipe for drawing a small quantity of air from the air chamber and directing a flow of air between the movable sash and the header panel. This flow of air from the pressure pipe increases the relative pressure difference between the movable sash and the header panel of the fame hood.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2001Publication date: February 6, 2003Inventors: John M. Bastian, Thomas A. Grall, Anthony Castelli, Tony Kopidlansky
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Publication number: 20030027514Abstract: A fume hood includes a top, bottom sidewalls, front panel and a back panel that define an enclosed workspace. The fume hood also includes a movable sash for opening and closing an access opening. The fume hood may also include an air chamber having an inlet in the front panel. The air chamber includes a baffle system that evenly distributes the inlet air as the air travels through the air chamber. An unimpeded flow of air is discharged downward and away from the breathing zone of the technician and proximate to the sash to reduce the forward momentum of air trying to escape the fume hood. In an alternate embodiment, the fume hood also includes an alarm system to provide a visual and/or audible indication to the user of a working condition of the fume hood. The characteristics of the visual indication and the audible indication may vary depending on the position of the movable sash and the measured airflow from the discharge of the air chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2002Publication date: February 6, 2003Inventors: John M. Bastian, Anthony Castelli
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Publication number: 20030027512Abstract: A fume hood includes a top, bottom sidewalls, front panel and a back panel that define an enclosed workspace. The fume hood also includes a movable sash for opening and closing an access opening. The fume hood also includes an air chamber having an inlet in the front panel. The air chamber includes a baffle system that evenly distributes the inlet air as the air travels through the air chamber. An unimpeded flow of air is discharged downward and away from the breathing zone of the technician and proximate to the sash to reduce the forward momentum of air trying to escape the fume hood. The fume hood provides a safe environment for the technician to work by enabling the fumes to stay contained in the fume hood under all working conditions. The air passes through the air chamber when the movable sash is positioned at a minimum height above the bottom of the fume hood.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2001Publication date: February 6, 2003Inventors: John M. Bastian, Jon Zboralski, Thomas A. Grall
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Patent number: 6506109Abstract: A fume hood includes a top, bottom sidewalls, front panel and a back panel that define an enclosed workspace. The fume hood also includes a movable sash for opening and closing an access opening. The fume hood also includes an air chamber having an inlet in the front panel. The air chamber includes a baffle system that evenly distributes the inlet air as the air travels through the air chamber. An unimpeded flow of air is discharged downward and away from the breathing zone of the technician and proximate to the sash to reduce the forward momentum of air trying to escape the fume hood. The fume hood provides a safe environment for the technician to work by enabling the fumes to stay contained in the fume hood under all working conditions. The air passes through the air chamber when the movable sash is positioned at a minimum height above the bottom of the fume hood.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2001Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Fisher Hamilton, Inc.Inventors: John M. Bastian, Jon Zboralski, Thomas A. Grall
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Patent number: 6471579Abstract: An apparatus and process includes a workstation where a technician during normal operation generates organic and inorganic contaminants. The workstation includes a work surface with an hood portion covering the work surface and defining a controlled air volume there above the work surface. At least one defined hand and arm entry port permits access into the controlled air volume. A transparent portion is defined through the hood portion to permit a person using the arm entry to observe working of inserted hands within the controlled air volume. At least one air vent is communicated to the controlled air volume for withdrawing air from the controlled volume. This withdrawal occurs to an air processing section for withdrawing air from the controlled air volume whereby air enters at least through the arm entry.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2000Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Inventor: Mary Jane Blackshear
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Patent number: 6461233Abstract: A low air volume exhaust hood is based on the concept of zone laminar flow through the hood as the hood sash is raised to different levels. Laminar flow is achieved through a plurality of plenum zones constructed at the rear of the cabinet. Preferably the zones are created by utilizing different sized openings in a rear baffle of the cabinet which presents the plenum chamber. Alternatively, distinct independent plenums may be formed and coupled with a common exhaust structure. By utilizing laminar flow which is directed through different zones corresponding to different open positions of the sash, a lower volume of air can be moved through the hood while achieving desired levels of evacuation. Performance of the hood is further enhanced by a novel air foil design at the floor of the hood which promotes a sweeping flow of air across the floor.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2001Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: Labconco CorporationInventors: Kevin C. Gilkison, Larry G. Hambleton, Gary P. Roepke, Yu Rich Ma, Kermit W. Dyer
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Patent number: 6450875Abstract: A housing of a fume hood includes walls defining a chamber for containment of air therein. One of the walls defines an air passageway opening into the chamber, and a sensor is located outside of the chamber and measures airflow velocity through the air passageway into the fume hood. An elongate, perforated tubular member supported within the chamber includes a first end mounted to the wall of the chamber defining the air passageway in surrounding relation thereto, and a second, distal end substantially closed off from the contaminated air within the chamber whereby airflow through the air passageway into the fume hood generally must pass through a perforation in the tubular member to gain access into the air chamber. The tubular member extends across the width of the chamber and airflow velocity through the air passage is representative of overall air entry velocity into the air chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2000Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Kewaunee Scientific CorporationInventor: Robert Haugen
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Publication number: 20020123304Abstract: A melting tank with a batch loading channel, with a channel covering having an exhaust gas flue and a loading opening that can be closed by a loading door or flap during operation of the melting tank and the loading opening can be opened for loading the batch. Emissions and service life improvements can be achieved because during operation of the melting tank, a constant air stream is introduced into the loading channel by nozzles in the closed loading door or flap. While loading the batch, the loading door or flap is moved sufficiently far so that the nozzles are moved out of the region of the loading channel, and the loading door or flap covers the region underneath the channel covering with a suction device. A region of the loading opening underneath the channel covering is opened for a loading device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2001Publication date: September 5, 2002Inventors: Benno Riffel, Ursula Riffel, Johann Faderl, Klaus Meggas, Ralf Reiter
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Patent number: 6444002Abstract: The invention provides a system for the purification of air in a nail salon by removing particles and fumes close to the point at which such pollutants are generated. In a first aspect of the invention, a nozzle connected to a vacuum source by a hose is supported on an articulated arm so as to be positionable immediately above a workbench surface and the hand of the customer. With the vacuum source activated, the nozzle collects small dust particles and fumes. The articulated arm is fitted with a moveable weight to stabilize the arm in a selected position. A further vacuum inlet is provided at the workbench surface to receive heavier particulate matter, such as nail and cuticle clippings. In a second embodiment of the invention, a hood with hand holes is mounted on the workbench surface for collecting dust and particles from clipping and grinding of nails. The hood has an upper vacuum inlet for collecting dust particles as well as fumes.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1999Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Inventor: Billy Mai
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Patent number: 6431975Abstract: A fume hood is described for use in removing material from, or inserting material into, the opening of a container. The fume hood enclosure has a floor with an opening for insertion of the upper end of the container into the enclosure, with a flexible member around the periphery of the opening to form a seal between the container and the enclosure when the upper end of the container is inserted into the enclosure. A base is provided supporting the hood at a level permitting insertion of the containers beneath the opening in the floor. A vertically adjustable carrier is provided to raise the container to insert the upper end of the container into the enclosure through the opening.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2001Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Flow Sciences, Inc.Inventor: Raymond F. Ryan
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Patent number: 6432173Abstract: Methods and systems for recovering paint include utilizing a plurality of centrifugal separator modules downstream of a paint booth. Each of the centrifugal separator modules includes a plurality of centrifugal separators. Each of the centrifugal separators separates at least a portion of the paint particles from an air stream.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2000Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.Inventors: James Edward Johnson, James Michael Browning, Timothy Camiel Buyck, Michael Joseph Thies
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Patent number: 6428408Abstract: A fume hood is provided having an adequate level of safety while reducing the amount of air exhausted from the hood. A displacement flow fume hood works on the principal of a displacement flow which displaces the volume currently present in the hood using a push-pull system. The displacement flow includes a plurality of air supplies which provide fresh air, preferably having laminar flow, to the fume hood. The displacement flow fume hood also includes an air exhaust which pulls air from the work chamber in a minimally turbulent manner. As the displacement flow produces a substantially consistent and minimally turbulent flow in the hood, inconsistent flow patterns associated with contaminant escape from the hood are minimized. The displacement flow fume hood largely reduces the need to exhaust large amounts of air from the hood. It has been shown that exhaust air flow reductions of up to 70% are possible without a decrease in the hood's containment performance.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2000Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Geoffrey C. Bell, Helmut E. Feustel, Darryl J. Dickerhoff
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Publication number: 20020028648Abstract: An energy-efficient fume hood is provided having: (i) a housing with an access aperture to permit access to the interior of the fume hood; and (ii) a vertically movable frame attached to the housing about the access aperture. The vertical frame has two or more horizontally movable panels mounted therein. The horizontally movable panels may be used to close off substantially all or a portion of the access aperture, thereby reducing the volume of air required to be drawn through the access aperture in order to maintain desired face velocity, while permitting access to the interior of the fume hood. An exhaust system is used to draw fumes away from the interior of the fume hood. An air bypass is provided to permit airflow into the fume hood when the access aperture is closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 1999Publication date: March 7, 2002Inventor: BRUCE R. BIRCH
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Patent number: 6350194Abstract: A laboratory fume hood apparatus and method for containing contaminated air within the confines of the fume hood which includes a generally rectangular housing having a vertically movable door for providing an opening to the interior of the fume hood. A contoured air foil on the bottom of the door, an adjacent sill, openings in the door, a bypass slot formed in the housing and an air directing wall portion within the housing combine to provide a flow of outside air downwardly along the interior surface of the door and then directly toward an exhaust plenum located at the rear wall of the interior cabinet.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2000Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Kewaunee Scientific CorporationInventors: Robert Haugen, Michael Sirkus
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Patent number: 6338675Abstract: An environmental enclosure for nail technicians. The environmental enclosure includes a sec-through box constructed of acrylic plastic or other suitable optical quality material. An interior fan sweeps air into the enclosure and ejects contaminated air, including vapors and dusts, from the enclosure, to a suitable discharge point, via gas tight ductwork. A see-through sloping top is oriented downward toward the nail technician to eliminate glare and to assure that good optics are attained when viewing nails though the top of the enclosure. A preferably solid insert panel which includes hand passageways is detachably affixable to the front, for further restricting air-flow during desired operations. A plastic see-through air curtain is also detachably affixible to the front, for further restricting the flow of noxious gases and dusts. Additionally, a similar plastic see-through air curtain may be provided on the rear of the enclosure, to prevent noxious gases and dusts from escaping toward the client.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1999Date of Patent: January 15, 2002Inventor: Rebecca Winkelman
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Patent number: 6334812Abstract: An air curtain (14) is used to dynamically separate a zone (10) to be protected and a contaminating zone (12) communicating with each other through at least one separation zone (11), the air curtain being formed by simultaneously injecting at least two adjacent clean air jets into the same direction in the separation zone (11). More precisely, the air curtain (14) comprises a slow jet, in which the tongue (16) covers the entire separation zone (11) and a fast jet inserted between the slow jet and the zone (10) to be protected and for which the injection flow is such that it induces an air flow equal to approximately half the injection flow of the slow jet, on its surface in contact with the slow jet. Preferably, clean ventilation air is also injected into the zone (10) to be protected at a flow equal to at least the air flow induced by the surface of the air curtain in contact with the ventilation air, and in any case at a speed not less than 0.1 m/s.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1999Date of Patent: January 1, 2002Assignees: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, UNIR Ultra propre Nutrition Industrie RechercheInventors: Jean-Claude Laborde, Victor Manuel Mocho
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Patent number: 6322754Abstract: The invention relates to a medical-technical or dental-technical work table (1) which in its forward region of its table surface (2a) has a protection arrangement (11) having a protection plate (11c) in upwardly extending arrangement, which protection plate is held on the work table by means of a holder (12), whereby there is provided a rearward rear-wall-like protection arrangement part (11b) having a rear wall (11d; 52) behind the protection plate (11c) which part is positionable in a disposition on the work table (1) and/or on a carrier arm (14) in which the rearward protection arrangement part (11b) forms with the protection plate (11c) a hood-shaped protection arrangement (11).Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1999Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: Kaltenbach & Voigt GmbH & Co.Inventors: Siegfried Buchmann, Günther Weiss
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Patent number: 6309294Abstract: A generally closed lab hood having an opening closable by a movable door and connected to a variable-throughput suction source has a vent-control system having a sensor for detecting a velocity of flow of air into the hood and for generating an output corresponding to the detected velocity. A controller connected to the sensor and to the variable-throughput suction source receives the output and operates the suction source to set throughput of the source at a level corresponding to the output so that as the detected velocity increases the throughput of the suction source is increased and vice versa. The controller includes a sensor tube having an inner end opening into the hood and an outer end opening outside the hood and a sensor in the tube for detecting the velocity of air-flow therethrough. This tube is offset from the opening. The controller operates proportionally to set the throughput of the suction source relative to the air-flow velocity.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2000Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: Gebruder Trox, Gesellschaft mit beschrankter HaftungInventors: Gregor Baumeister, Manfred Sadkowski, Thomas Sefker, Sven Wedler
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Patent number: 6302779Abstract: A regulator is provided for maintaining a preset air velocity through the work chamber of a fume hood. The regulator compares a measured air velocity at the inlet into the chamber with a preset air velocity and adjusts air velocity in response to differences in measured and preset values. Air velocity is measured with a high sensitivity pitot with an exterior end to be positioned outside the fume hood, and an interior end to be positioned inside the fume hood. The pitot includes spaced parallel plates with front and rear ends, an exterior air pressure sensor positioned at the front end of the plates, and an interior air pressure sensor positioned at the rear end of the plates. The interior air pressure sensor includes openings substantially equidistant between the plates that are toward the rear of the pitot when the pitot is mounted on a fume hood. The exterior end of the pitot preferably curves below horizontal to minimize the effect of transient air currents.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2000Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Flow Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Raymond F. Ryan, Robert J. Oppel
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Patent number: 6302786Abstract: A vented laboratory cabinet from which vapors and fumes may be effectively exhausted from all parts of the cabinet includes an interior storage space defined by a plurality of panels that are accessible through a closeable door, at least one shelf carried within the cabinet interior, and a vent pipe extending downwardly from an exhaust opening toward a lower part of the cabinet. Improved venting is achieved with a vent pipe having at least two vertically spaced apart vent openings for passage of gases from the cabinet into the vent pipe, wherein at least one of the vent openings is located above the shelf and at least one other vent opening is located below the shelf. The improved vented laboratory cabinet provides effective evacuation of fumes from both sides of the shelf, whereby accumulation of chemical vapors is reduced or eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2000Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Case Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Bauer, Michael R. Lee
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Publication number: 20010023172Abstract: An environmental enclosure for nail technicians. The environmental enclosure includes a see-through box constructed of acrylic plastic or other suitable optical quality material. An interior fan sweeps air into the enclosure and ejects contaminated air, including vapors and dusts, from the enclosure, to a suitable discharge point, via gas tight ductwork. A see-through sloping top is oriented downward toward the nail technician to eliminate glare and to assure that good optics are attained when viewing nails through the top of the enclosure. A preferably solid insert panel which includes hand passageways is detachably affixable to the front, for further restricting airflow during desired operations. A plastic see-through air curtain is also detachably affixible to the front, for further restricting the flow of noxious gases and dusts. Additionally, a similar plastic see-through air curtain may be provided on the rear of the enclosure, to prevent noxious gases and dusts from escaping toward the client.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 1999Publication date: September 20, 2001Inventor: REBECCA WINKELMAN
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Patent number: 6261171Abstract: A movable multi-function maintenance apparatus. A first airtight chamber is formed on the second airtight chamber. An exhaust apparatus is placed in a base under the first airtight chamber in order to exhaust first and the second airtight chambers. Thus, the environment is not polluted. A toxic-gas detector is mounted on the first airtight chamber in order to warn workers. A rolling structure is mounted under the base to move the movable multi-function maintenance apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1999Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Wen-Hong Lee
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Patent number: 6241597Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining semiconductor is disclosed. The cleaning apparatus includes two parts of a maintaining apparatus and gas-absorbing apparatus The maintaining apparatus mainly comprises a container using for isolating poison gas outside and a inner vessel, both being shaped as a cylinder, having an absorption exit with hose extending. There are an entrance and an exit end for absorption exit of container as well. This absorption exit is formed as for receiving and passing toxic gas. The vessel is as like cylinder shape and which has a hole on the top, also a plurality of holes embodied on the vessel for gas exiting. A disk is provided for covering the vessel container, and also for isolating toxic gas and the natural atmosphere. A plurality of rollers is for providing both functions of loading and rotation of vessel. The gas-absorbing apparatus can provide a source for absorbing gas quickly as well.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1999Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Mosel Vitelic Inc.Inventors: Wen-Peng Chiang, Wen-Pin Hsieh
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Patent number: 6162118Abstract: An isolation device has a movable frame and a barrier mounted on the frame. The barrier partially encloses a space to be occupied by a patient. The device also includes an air conducting unit having a primary duct attached to the barrier such that air can be conducted between the partially enclosed space and an outside location through the primary duct. Attached to the primary duct is a means for moving air between the partially enclosed space and the outside location.The present invention also includes a method of isolating a patient that begins by providing an isolating device according to the present invention. Air is conducted between the partially enclosed space and the outside location through the primary duct using the means for moving air, and a patient is positioned in the partially enclosed space.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1999Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Theodore A. M. ArtsInventors: Theodore A. M. Arts, James M. Thomsen
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Patent number: 6129020Abstract: The invention relates to an air exhaust device for printing machines, tin-plate printing machines, varnishing units or the like, in particular for the removal of ink mist, having at least one exhaust element arranged above the rolls of the printing machine, which exhaust element has at least one air exhaust opening. The exhaust element (16) is arranged laterally of the rolls (4) and the air exhaust opening (14) draws the air in in approximately horizontal direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1997Date of Patent: October 10, 2000Assignee: LTG Luftechnische Gesellschaft mit beschrankter HaftungInventor: Ulrich Speck
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Patent number: 6109116Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in installing a through-the-wall sensing device in a laboratory fume hood. The apparatus includes a sample tube with an outlet and a plurality of apertures and the tube is interconnected to an anemometer. The method includes placing the outlet in a number of positions inside of a fume hood to simulate a sidewall adapter for a through-the-wall sensing device in order to locate an optimum position for a through-the-wall sensing device. The method also includes fixing the sample tube in a number of positions within the fume hood while variably covering some of the apertures to simulate numerous locations and configurations for an averaging tube used with a through-the-wall sensing device. Therefore, an optimum location and configuration for an averaging tube can be readily determined.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1997Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Paul E. Pelczynski
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Patent number: 6089969Abstract: A transparent powder-proof housing covers the heater block of a PECVD reactor chamber tightly, thereby to prevent from powder pollution while cleaning the interior of the reactor chamber. The transparent powder-proof housing has two outlets, one for connecting to a vacuum cleaner and the other for human operation inside the reactor chamber. The vacuum cleaner vacuums the powder dust out of the transparent powder-proof housing, thereby to largely reduce the powder pollution in a clean room and the chances to jeopardize human health.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1998Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: Vanguard International Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Min-Yuan Chung, Bih-Tiao Lin, Wen-Chang Tseng