Humidity Sensed Patents (Class 95/10)
  • Patent number: 8328904
    Abstract: An active wheel desiccant dehumidifier is controlled for improved energy savings by modulating operation characteristics including process air flow, reactivation air flow, temperatures, and wheel rotation in response to changing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignees: Bry-Air, Inc., Bry-Air (Asia) Pvt. Ltd.
    Inventors: William C. Griffiths, Deepak Pahwa, Rajan Sachdev
  • Patent number: 8313555
    Abstract: A method and system for automated control of the operating temperature setpoint of a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) scrubber within a pre-determined range of approach temperatures to the adiabatic saturation temperature of the CFB scrubber exhaust stream to maintain an optimal operating temperature, thereby reducing low temperature sulfuric acid corrosion and deposition of wet materials, and high temperature excess reagent use. A Dewcon® Moisture Analyzer (or equivalent) is connected in the exhaust stream of the CFB scrubber. The Dewcon® Moisture Analyzer transmits adiabatic saturation temperature data of the exhaust stream to the CFB scrubber system controller. Based on pre-programmed parameters, the system controller adjusts the CFB scrubber temperature setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Allied Environmental Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul E. Petty
  • Patent number: 8221523
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for filtering a volume of gas. In one embodiment, the invention is a filtering apparatus having a hollow vessel with inlets and outlets, channels in communication with the inlets and outlets, a form of filter media, and an uninterruptible flow controlling device for regulating the circulation of gas within the apparatus. In another embodiment, the invention is a method incorporating an uninterruptible filtering apparatus to remove evaporated liquid from a volume of gas by passing the gas over a filter media contained within a hollow vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Orava Applied Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Orava
  • Patent number: 8211209
    Abstract: Apparatuses for controlling a humidity level within an enclosed volume storage device and methods for using same. The apparatus, in one embodiment, comprises a container having outer walls defining an inner volume, at least one of the outer walls, preferably an lid wall, having perforations therein. The apparatus further comprises a composition capable of adsorbing and desorbing water and contained in the inner volume of the container. The composition is hydrated to a hydration level less than about 0.13 mL water per gram of the composition. The methods include a step of hydrating the composition in an apparatus of the invention to a hydration level less than about 0.13 mL water per gram of composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventor: Mark David Neff
  • Publication number: 20120141352
    Abstract: High molecular weight (HMW) gases are separated from an exhaust gas of a combustion source using a blower and an interior vent within the exhaust stack. The interior vent includes a vent wall having a top portion attached to the interior surface of the exhaust stack along the entire inner perimeter of the exhaust stack and a lower portion that extends downward into the exhaust stack to form an annular space or gap between the vent wall and the interior surface of the exhaust stack, and at least one opening in the interior surface of the exhaust stack between the top and bottom portions of the vent wall. The blower creates a tangential flow of the exhaust gas with sufficient centrifugal force to concentrate substantially all of the HMW gases along the inner surface of the exhaust stack. A transfer pipe removes the HMW gases from the interior vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Jerry Lang, David Scott
  • Publication number: 20120132070
    Abstract: A dew point temperature sensor detects and sends the dew point temperature of the supply air to a dry area, as a supply air dew point temperature, to a controller. The controller has a speed of rotation of the regenerating side fan (the regenerating air flow rate) to control, and determines a control value (the regenerating air flow rate) that causes the supply air dew point temperature to go to a target dew point temperature, and determines a supply air processing pre-cooling coil exit temperature setting value in accordance with this control value (where if the control value is in the direction of reducing the regenerating air flow rate, the supply air processing pre-cooling coil exit temperature setting value is increased). Note that what is controlled is the speed of rotation of the desiccant rotors, or the exit temperatures of the air heated by the hot water coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: YAMATAKE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadahiko Matsuba, Naofumi Ushioda, Yoshitaka Takakura
  • Publication number: 20120118143
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for dehumidifying a desired area using a desiccant dehumidifier. The desiccant dehumidifier of the present invention provides substantial advantages over known desiccant dehumidifiers in terms of simplified manufacture and improved efficiency. The dehumidifier of the present invention includes a single chamber with an intake and an exhaust end, a desiccant, a fan and a heater located in the chamber, and one or more regulators for directing intake and/or output of air in relation to the chamber. This configuration does not require a rotor motor or cycling multichamber apparatus in order to change operation of the apparatus from drying air to reactivating the desiccant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Ronald E. Foreman
  • Publication number: 20120111190
    Abstract: A closed loop air handling system for monitoring and cleaning air from corrosive contaminants. Commonly occurring corrosive elements found in air can react in combination together and with other environmental conditions to increase the propensity for corrosion to occur. The higher corrosive level of air can react with metals causing degradation, wear and often lead to premature failure. This is especially prevalent in environments using forced air convection for cooling, such as data centers. The electronic circuitry is especially vulnerable to such corrosion and requires an environmentally controlled atmosphere with mild corrosiveness for long term reliability. The invention involves circulating the air in a closed loop and monitors and adjusts parameters of active filtration and purification to minimize corrosive agents. The system maintains a milder corrosive environment and better accommodates the use of “free cooling” from outside air for improved energy efficiency and lower carbon emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Nader Dariavach, Francis W. French, Jin Liang, Joseph A. Ziehler
  • Patent number: 8128728
    Abstract: A system and process for gas homogenization is disclosed. This has application in the areas of generation of gas and its conversion to electricity in downstream applications. The homogenization system minimizes variance in the gas characteristics (composition, flow, pressure, temperature), thereby rendering a steady stream of gas of consistent quality to the downstream machinery. This homogenization system can be adjusted to optimize the output gas stream for specific end-applications, or to optimize the output gas stream for different input feedstocks. This ensures that overall conversion efficiencies are maximized while keeping the process cost-effective. Such a uniform, steady output gas stream has a wide range of applications in the broad areas of generation of electricity (e.g. using internal combustion engines and combustion turbine engines), chemical synthesis (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Plasco Energy Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Tsangaris, Margaret Swain
  • Patent number: 8128729
    Abstract: A method of providing error correction to flow velocity readings of a fluid flowing through a filter arrangement for monitoring the service life of the filter, wherein a filter arrangement, comprising a filter and a sensor device is arranged downstream of the filter, the sensor device including at least one measuring sensor for detecting the flow velocity of the fluid which flows through the filter, and a further measuring sensor for measuring the air humidity of the fluid which flows through the filter. A reading of said second sensor element provides an error correction to the first sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Juergen Guenther, Thomas Stoesser, Heinz Reinhardt, Christopher Klatt
  • Publication number: 20120011999
    Abstract: A method and systems for collecting particulates suspended in a fluid flowing through a duct are provided. The system includes a duct including an inlet opening configured to admit a flow of gas into the duct, during operation the gas including particulate contaminants and moisture and a source of hydrophobizing agent coupled in flow communication with the duct. The system also includes a nozzle configured to channel a flow of the hydrophobizing agent into the flow of gas such that during operation a flow of gas including hydrophobized particulate contaminants and moisture is formed and a filter medium for separating the hydrophobized particles from the flow of gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventor: Simon Charles Larcombe
  • Publication number: 20110277628
    Abstract: A method of using a modular International Organization for Standardization (ISO) filter house for filtering process fluids is provided. The filter house includes a self-contained rectangular cuboid enclosure having the outside dimension of a standard, transportable ISO shipping container. The filter house has apertures for fluid flow inlet and fluid flow outlet, and a filter element for removing impurities from the fluid flow. The method includes creating one standard filter house design to be used in any multiple to meet various flow requirements. The method further includes creating a common fluid connection between the filter houses and process equipment so that the filter houses operate in parallel. A kit of modular components for filtration of a fluid is also provided. The kit includes an external structure of an ISO shipping container, vanes to direct fluid flow, and a filter element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anthony Richard Pike, Alun Gareth Williams
  • Publication number: 20110259189
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device (3) for a compressed air preparation device (1) of a vehicle (2), wherein the control device (3) outputs output signals for adjusting feed phases and regeneration phases of the compressed air preparation device (1), wherein a compressor (4) feeds compressed air via an air dryer having a desiccant (6a) into a compressed air reservoir (8) in a feed phase, and compressed air is fed out of the compressed air reservoir (8) through the air dryer (6) for drying the desicant (6a) in a regeneration phase. According to the invention, the control device (3) adjusts the regeneration phases depending on a current or future engine load and/or a current or future consumption of compressed air by the vehicle (2). Particularly in coasting phases, excessive drying of the desiccant to a low moisture can occur, in order to save fuel in later travel segments. Route-optimized regeneration of the desiccant as a function of engine load and/or utilization phases is also possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Heinrich Diekmeyer, Kevin Pendzich, Joachim Reinhardt, Wolfgang Strache
  • Publication number: 20110232481
    Abstract: An air purifier has a housing with an inlet for receiving air and an outlet for exhausting air. The housing provides an air flow path for the flow of air in a downstream direction, from the inlet towards the outlet. Particulate pre-filtration is located within the housing downstream from the air inlet. VOC pre-filtration is located within the housing downstream from the particulate pre-filtration. UV filtration is located within the housing downstream from the VOC pre-filtration. VOC post-filtration is located within the housing downstream from the UV filtration. Final particulate filtration is located within the housing downstream from the VOC post-filtration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Kathryn C. Worrilow
  • Patent number: 7992322
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dryer having a heater-integrated intake duct capable of reducing thermal loss and preventing overheating of the dryer. The dryer includes a support panel having a through-hole, an intake duct communicating with the through-hole, a drum into which air flows via the through-hole, a heater disposed inside the intake duct to heat the air flowing into the drum, and a heat exchanging part transferring heat of the heated air into the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Chang Hoo Kim
  • Patent number: 7964017
    Abstract: A gas flow system and method are provided for controlling the moisture in a gas flow. The system may include a gas source from which gas flows, a processing chamber to which the gas flows, and a gas flow line through which the gas flows from the gas source to the processing chamber. The gas flow line may include a moisture control line section. The moisture control line section includes a pass-through line through which the gas may pass, so as to be exposed to a dryer. The exposure to a dryer may be controlled by a suitable valve. A scrubber is disposed in the gas flow line, the scrubber removing contaminates from the gas in the gas flow. The system may include a moisture sensor disposed in the gas flow, the moisture sensor sensing at least one parameter of the gas and outputting a signal representing the at least parameter to a moisture sensor controller, such that the moisture sensor controller determines the moisture in the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John Petinarides
  • Publication number: 20110126704
    Abstract: Apparatuses for controlling a humidity level within an enclosed volume storage device and methods for using same. The apparatus, in one embodiment, comprises a container having outer walls defining an inner volume, at least one of the outer walls, preferably an lid wall, having perforations therein. The apparatus further comprises a composition capable of adsorbing and desorbing water and contained in the inner volume of the container. The composition is hydrated to a hydration level less than about 0.13 mL water per gram of the composition. The methods include a step of hydrating the composition in an apparatus of the invention to a hydration level less than about 0.13 mL water per gram of composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: Mark David Neff
  • Patent number: 7931733
    Abstract: A method and a system for providing a hypoxic environment inside an enclosed compartment with simultaneous removal of carbon dioxide and moisture produced by occupants; said method and system designed for fire prevention and for simulated altitude training, wellness and hypoxic therapy, including equine and other animal applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventor: Igor K. Kotliar
  • Patent number: 7892327
    Abstract: Apparatuses for controlling a humidity level within an enclosed volume storage device and methods for using same. The apparatus, in one embodiment, comprises a container having outer walls defining an inner volume, at least one of the outer walls, preferably an lid wall, having perforations therein. The apparatus further comprises a composition capable of adsorbing and desorbing water and contained in the inner volume of the container. The composition is hydrated to a hydration level less than about 0.13 mL water per gram of the composition. The methods include a step of hydrating the composition in an apparatus of the invention to a hydration level less than about 0.13 mL water per gram of composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Mark David Neff
  • Publication number: 20100300284
    Abstract: A system for controlling moisture content in ambient airflow in a substantially enclosed structure having components. The system includes at least one humidity control apparatus and a plurality of sensors for detecting moisture content in airflow in a plurality of locations of the substantially enclosed structure. The plurality of sensors are located remotely from the at least one humidity control apparatus and are situated in relatively close proximity to the components that the at least one humidity control apparatus is configured to affect. The system also includes a controller configured to receive moisture content levels detected by one or more of the plurality of sensors and to control the at least one humidity control apparatus based upon the detected moisture content levels to vary the moisture content in the ambient airflow around the plurality of locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Cullen E Bash, Amip J. Shah, Ratnesh Kumar Sharma
  • Patent number: 7842115
    Abstract: An oil separator arrangement for an internal combustion engine incorporates a vortex chamber oil separator with a vortex chamber extending in a longitudinal direction, where the vortex chamber includes a wall extending in a longitudinal direction, a gas inlet, and a gas outlet opening. The gas inlet is disposed tangential to the wall for tangentially blowing-in of blow-by-gas into the vortex chamber, so that at least one gas vortex flow rotating helically along the wall in the longitudinal direction is generated, where at least one further oil separator is connected in parallel to the vortex chamber oil separator. The further oil separator incorporates a separation chamber with an inlet-side spring tongue automatically controlled by the applied blow-by-gas, and a baffle wall disposed downstream the spring tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Dichtungstechnik G. Bruss GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Manfred Brand, Artur Knaus, Mathias Reibe
  • Patent number: 7833312
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a heatable dehumidifier. The heating of the dehumidifier is to be actuated only when several congruent time windows within which a temperature gradient is greater than or equal to 0 could be determined during a certain period of time, i.e. the heating is to be actuated only when no air flows into the interior of the expansion vessel of the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Karsten Viereck, Reiner Brill, Kai Haemel, Alexander Lodig
  • Patent number: 7806951
    Abstract: The present invention is a mobile air contaminant control system that includes a filter assembly enclosed by a mobile outer chamber. The filter assembly is tapered to create a large volume air way downstream from the filter assembly that enables more even air flow and filter loading. One or more exhaust fans pull the air through the filter assembly and exhaust it to the exterior of the chamber. The system is functionally attached to an exterior structure having at least one air intake and housing a work piece. As airborne contaminants are generated from the work piece(s), the control system exhausts them from the exterior structure through the filter assembly and into the external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: NIF Solutions Corp.
    Inventor: Timothy P. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 7789937
    Abstract: Ice-clad machinery and equipment in very cold environments are made more easily recoverable by enclosing the machinery and equipment in an environmentally contained area and introducing desiccant dehumidified air into the contained area to lower the vapor pressure in fostering a “sublimation” process conversion from the solid state of the ice to a gaseous state which can be exhausted without first going through any intermediate liquid state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: Spencer W. Hess
  • Patent number: 7771508
    Abstract: A method and system for the treatment of air, in particular for pneumatic brake systems of utility vehicles, is described. The method includes feeding compressed air to a compressed air storage tank through an air dryer, initiating a regeneration of the air dryer using regeneration air from the compressed air storage tank through the air dryer and discharged via a discharge valve, and calculating a theoretically required regeneration air quantity QReg,th. If a presence of condensate is not detected in a region downstream of the air dryer, a regeneration using the theoretically required regeneration air quantity QReg,th, is carried out. If the presence of condensate is detected, a regeneration is carried out using a corrected required regeneration air quantity QReg,corr, the corrected required regeneration air quantity QReg,corr being greater than the theoretically required regeneration air quantity QReg,th.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Eduard Hilberer
  • Publication number: 20090049983
    Abstract: An energy management system for a membrane separation device, including: a membrane having permeate and non-permeate portions; a membrane housing which encases said membrane; a feed fluid inlet conduit; a purge inlet conduit; a non-permeate product fluid outlet conduit; and, a purge outlet conduit, configured to carry purge fluid out of the membrane dryer; at least one purge inlet flow control valve connected to said purge inlet conduit, a sensor configured to measure the contaminant level of fluids exiting the purge outlet conduit; and, a controller receiving an output signal from the sensor and transmitting a valve control signal to the at least one purge inlet flow control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: John E. Thelen
  • Publication number: 20090000472
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a heatable dehumidifier. The heating of the dehumidifier is to be actuated only when several congruent time windows within which a temperature gradient is greater than or equal to 0 could be determined during a certain period of time, i.e. the heating is to be actuated only when no air flows into the interior of the expansion vessel of the transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Karsten Viereck, Reiner Brill, Kai Haemel, Alexander Lodig
  • Patent number: 7468091
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for dehumidifying air and to an air dehumidifier. To this end, a filter element is provided that is filled with granular material that can be regenerated by baking out. For effecting this baking out, a heating device is provided that is only actuated when both a humidity sensor indicates that a humidity limit value has been exceeded as well as a relative pressure sensor or a comparable technical means indicates that, at the moment, no flow toward the oil expansion tank is recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Maschinefabrik Reinhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Karsten Viereck, Dieter Dohnal, Ansgar Hinz, Reiner Brill
  • Patent number: 7455721
    Abstract: An apparatus for humidifying a gas stream includes a humidifier device having at least one membrane permeable to water vapor. The gas stream and a humid gas stream flow through a humidifier device, being separated from one another by the at least one membrane. The apparatus includes at least one bypass line configured to route at least part of one of the gas stream and the humid gas stream so that it does not come into contact with the membrane. In addition a method for humidifying a gas stream, includes flowing the gas stream through a humidifier having a membrane permeable to water vapor, flowing a humid gas stream through the humidifier separated by the membrane, and routing at least a portion of one of the gas stream and the humid gas stream using a bypass line so that it does not come into contact with the membrane, and varying a quantity of the portion so as to set a predetermined dew point in the gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Berger, Jens Intorp, Gerhard Konrad, Arnold Lamm, Sven Schnetzler
  • Publication number: 20080173173
    Abstract: A method and system for the treatment of air, in particular for pneumatic brake systems of utility vehicles, is described. The method includes feeding compressed air to a compressed air storage tank through an air dryer, initiating a regeneration of the air dryer using regeneration air from the compressed air storage tank through the air dryer and discharged via a discharge valve, and calculating a theoretically required regeneration air quantity QReg,th. If a presence of condensate is not detected in a region downstream of the air dryer, a regeneration using the theoretically required regeneration air quantity QReg,th, is carried out. If the presence of condensate is detected, a regeneration is carried out using a corrected required regeneration air quantity QReg,corr, the corrected required regeneration air quantity QReg,corr being greater than the theoretically required regeneration air quantity QReg,th.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Knorr-Bremse Systeme Fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Eduard Hilberer
  • Patent number: 7396383
    Abstract: A device and method for preventing ingression of contaminants and moisture and for removing moisture from a fluid reservoir, the device comprising a fluid reservoir for supporting a fluid therein, a fluid reservoir opening for allowing an exchanging of air between an interior of the fluid reservoir and the ambient surrounding, and a membrane-based reservoir dryer located in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, the membrane-based reservoir dryer comprising a source of compressed gas and a membrane dryer for drying the compressed gas to increase the capacity of the compressed gas for absorbing moisture from the fluid in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventors: John H. Burban, Michael R. Spearman, David S. Kolstad, Craig J. Cuta
  • Publication number: 20080145737
    Abstract: A device or system for operating one or more electrochemical cells, such as a rechargeable fuel cell, is provided. A plurality of subsystems include a humidity level control subsystem, a reagent gas delivery subsystem, and a gas scrubbing subsystem. A method for operating the device or system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jun Cai, Chang Wei, Qunjian Huang, Jinghua Liu, Hai Yang, Shengxian Wang, Rihua Xiong, Andrew Philip Shapiro, Richard Louis Hart
  • Patent number: 7374604
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for flue gas treatment, wherein the provided system comprises a quench module, a first control module, a filter collecting module, a wet scribing module and a regeneration module. In this system, parts of the particles contained in flue gas are removed in the quench module and the wet scribing module by a first scrubbing solution, and then in wet scribing module a second scrubbing liquid containing particles is formed. Next, the second scrubbing solution is treated in the regeneration module to form a third scrubbing solution, wherein the third scrubbing solution is then fed back to the quench module and/or the wet scrubbing module to substitute the first scrubbing solution for repeating what originally performed via the first scrubbing solution. Furthermore, this invention discloses a method for flue gas treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Chung Yuan Christian University
    Inventor: Chien-Song Chyang
  • Publication number: 20080110337
    Abstract: A saturation level of moisture and/or other contaminants is determined in a desiccant material by determining an electrical parameter across the desiccant material. An air dryer includes a housing, a desiccant in the housing, and an electrical contact in the desiccant. A level of at least one of moisture and other contaminants is determined as a function of an electrical parameter between two electrical contacts of dissimilar materials that electrically contact the desiccant. Alternatively, the level of at least one of moisture and other contaminants is determined as a function of an amount of the reflected light received by the optical sensor from the desiccant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Fred W. Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W. Nichols, David J. Taneyhill, Justin R. Miller
  • Patent number: 7357831
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing a relative humidity of air inside an enclosed space includes a portable outside air heat exchanger unit having a fan operative to create an air stream by drawing outside air from an intake and discharging the air stream through an outlet inside the enclosed space, and a temperature adjusting element located in the air stream. A heating source supplies heat energy to the temperature adjusting element in response to directions from a heat controller. A humidity sensor is operative to sense the relative humidity of the air in a sensing location and to send a humidity signal to the heat controller to change the amount of heat energy supplied to the temperature adjusting element in response to the humidity signal. HEPA filters and ultra-violet lights can shine on the air stream to kill mold spores and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Dryair Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Dancey, Claude Bourgault
  • Patent number: 7332015
    Abstract: A dehydrator breather is provided that includes automatic purging of accumulated moisture by detecting absorbed moisture in the breather, and closing an intake air channel, while opening an exit moisture channel. Adjustment of a default time-based purging cycle is adjusted to account for fluctuations in the detected moisture. An external communication capability is provided to enable off-site monitoring of the breather or the tank the breather is attached to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Waukesha Electric Systems, Inc
    Inventors: Thomas M. Golner, Shirish P. Mehta
  • Patent number: 7309376
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing respirable air comprising the following stages: treatment of compressed air comprising an air-drying operation; and rehumidification of the treated dry air. According to the invention, the rehumidification stage of the treated dry air comprises an operation of controlled distribution of the treated dry air on the one hand in a rehumidification line (24), and on the other hand in a dry line (22). The invention also relates to an installation (1) for utilising such a process. Application to the area of nuclear installation dismantling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Matieres Nucleaires, Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Didier Barre, Roland Baudet
  • Patent number: 7264649
    Abstract: The invention provides a humidity control system (HCS) to control indoor humidity within a specified range so as to reduce indoor house-dust mite allergen levels. The invention also provides a hydrogel absorber/desorber for reversibly absorbing water vapor from air releasing water vapor to air. The invention employs a reversible hydrogel desiccant as the active element for absorption and desorption of water, thus rendering the HCS more effective and energy-efficient than traditional humidification/dehumidification systems. The HCS of the invention treats indoor air by drawing fresh air in from outside and adjusting the humidity of the air-stream. In certain embodiments, fresh air is drawn in from the outside and mixed with recirculated air. The HCS uses a controller to introduce fresh air into the interior space and to control air circulation within it. Relative humidity is monitored remotely throughout the interior space using wired or wireless sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Design Consulting USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Arthur Johnson, Joseph Duane Kulesza
  • Patent number: 7153341
    Abstract: A process for controlling the volume of dry air, dried to a predetermined degree of dryness, from a sweep manifold of an air dryer system, flowing over a plurality of gas/liquid fluid separating membranes, comprising: diverting a predetermined volume of dried air to the manifold; sensing one of the flow volume and humidity values of the remainder of the dried air or the pressure differential within the system; and utilizing one of the differential pressure to control the predetermined volume of dried air and utilizing a controller for achieving the predetermined degree of dryness by controlling at least one solenoid valve which, in turn, controls the flow volume of the predetermined volume of dried air diverted to the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Dean Hoyt, Douglas Moore
  • Patent number: 7097689
    Abstract: A process and system for purifying an impure gas to produce a purified gas in a gas purification system and protecting the system from damage by a) passing a portion of a first gas stream into a reactor vessel, which exits as a second purified gas stream; b) combining a portion of the second purified gas stream with another portion of the first gas stream to form a combined gas stream; and c) passing the combined gas stream into a sensing device to regulate the flow of the first and second gas streams into the reactor vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Fredric Billingham, Jerry Michael Mahl
  • Patent number: 6964808
    Abstract: A wall is formed by adding a predetermined amount of binding agent and water to volcanic ash sediment, which is comprised of mineral silicate including at least silicic acid and aluminum oxide, kneading them, and applying to an arbitrary plane. Through a natural reaction of positive ions included within mineral silicate and moisture included within the atmospheric air, thereby exchanging ions, minus ions are generated on an application plane. The amount of minus ions generated is, in a unit volume, between three and six times as many as that of the minus ions generally included in the atmospheric air. The combination of this application plane and humidity control apparatus is used as a minus ion generation system through adjustment of amount of moisture included within the atmospheric air so as to control the ion exchanging rate. In the case where said volcanic ash sediment includes titanium oxide, it reacts with hydrogen or oxygen generating active oxygen species or oxygen free radical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Takachiho Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Shintome
  • Patent number: 6932856
    Abstract: An air or oil dryer module is provided to remove or reduce moisture from a lubricant using a pressurized air supply to inject dry air into a lubricant sump. As the “dry air” or air with a minimized moisture content, gathers moisture from the lubricant a relative humidity sensor detects an increase in air moisture. At a pre-determined relative humidity level, a fresh supply of air is added into the lubricant sump, purging the higher relative humidity level air from the sump. A method of reducing moisture content of a lubricant contained in an enclosed space is also disclosed and is performed by agitating the lubricant, providing a humidity sensor in fluid communication with the enclosed space, measuring the humidity of the enclosed space and comparing the humidity measurement with a pre-selected humidity level, introducing dry air into the enclosed space if the humidity level equals or exceeds the pre-selected humidity level, until the saturated humidity level is less than the pre-selected humidity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Trico Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: Brad Rake
  • Patent number: 6863711
    Abstract: A system for recovering water from the atmosphere includes water sorbent assembly composed of a water adsorbent material and a heat exchanger. The water adsorbent material traps water present within the air drawn through the sorbent assembly. Once the sorbent assembly is fully saturated, exhaust gases generated from a power plant are routed through a heat exchanger in thermal contact with the water adsorbent material to remove water within the sorbent assembly into a condenser, and from the condenser to a water storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand
    Inventors: Stephen Tongue, Douglas Snowdon
  • Patent number: 6767390
    Abstract: A method to control the performance of desiccant dryers is disclosed that senses multiple variables and optimizes the regeneration cycle to deliver the gas at the desired dew point. The length of the stripping step is reduced or eliminated depending on the desired set point and the operating conditions of the compression system. The control system has the capability to switch to high efficiency mode of operation should the dew point set point be changed. The savings come from not purging as much or any gas during stripping should the system requirements be only to meet the ISA standards for instrument air, despite the system capability of delivering far dryer air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Cooper Turbocompressor, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Battershell, Charles Impastato, Alfredo R. Longo
  • Patent number: 6723151
    Abstract: A gas removal filter has an ion exchanger for adsorbing a gas and at least a pair of electric resistance measuring electrodes disposed on the ion exchanger. By measuring a change in the electric resistance between at least the pair of electric resistance measuring electrodes disposed on the ion exchanger, it is possible to estimate an ion exchange group consumption ratio of the ion exchanger. The ion exchange group consumption ratio of the ion exchanger can be detected in a short period of time, and a remaining adsorption capability of the ion exchanger can be known with ease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Tanaka, Yoko Suzuki, Takashi Kishi
  • Patent number: 6712877
    Abstract: An oxygen concentrator system includes at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system and a plenum subsystem. The at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system produces oxygen-enriched air which is outputted to both the oxygen concentrator system output and to a plenum chamber within the plenum subsystem. The plenum chamber is trickle charged with the oxygen-enriched air when the at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system produces an excess amount of oxygen-enriched air. Should the demand for oxygen-enriched air exceed the capability of the at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system, additional oxygen-enriched air is provided by the plenum chamber until such time that the capability of the at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system exceeds the demand of oxygen-enriched air. At that time, oxygen-enriched air is no longer provided by the plenum chamber but rather the plenum chamber is again trickle charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tuan Q. Cao, Gary Byrd, Lyle Berkenbosch, Craig Schledewitz
  • Patent number: 6712876
    Abstract: An oxygen concentrator system with altitude compensation includes at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system and a plenum subsystem. The at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system produces oxygen enriched product which is outputted to both the oxygen concentrator system output and to a plenum chamber within the plenum subsystem. The plenum chamber is trickle charged with the oxygen enriched product when the at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system produces an excess amount of oxygen enriched product. Should the demand for oxygen enriched product exceed the capability of the at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system, additional oxygen enriched product is provided by the plenum chamber until such time that the capability of the at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system exceeds the demand for oxygen enriched product. At that time, oxygen enriched product is no longer provided by the plenum chamber but rather the plenum chamber is again trickle charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tuan Q. Cao, Gary Byrd
  • Publication number: 20030205129
    Abstract: A system and a method for controlling or reducing moisture levels in building cavities. Desiccant is used in combination with various containers for placing the desiccant into building cavities to control levels of moisture and mold in the cavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Shane A. Kretsinger, Jack Lee Meyer
  • Patent number: 6599347
    Abstract: A method of operating a thermal swing adsorption process by determining a parameter relating to the water content of a feed gas, selecting process conditions for regeneration of the adsorbent in the thermal swing adsorption process based on the parameter and modifying the regeneration process conditions to accord with the selected process conditions for regeneration is disclosed. Apparatus for effecting this adsorption method and apparatus in which regeneration conditions are modified based on the actual ambient water content of the feed gas are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad Ali Kalbassi, Nasim Hassan Malik
  • Patent number: RE42058
    Abstract: A dehydrator breather is provided that includes automatic purging of accumulated moisture by detecting absorbed moisture in the breather, and closing an intake air channel, while opening an exit moisture channel. Adjustment of a default time-based purging cycle is adjusted to account for fluctuations in the detected moisture. An external communication capability is provided to enable off-site monitoring of the breather or the tank the breather is attached to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Waukesha Electric Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Golner, Shirish P. Mehta