With Control Responsive To Sensed Condition Patents (Class 95/1)
  • Patent number: 8409323
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the electrical power applied to an electrically driven oxygen separation device having one or more composite membrane elements to separate oxygen from an oxygen containing feed. The composite membrane elements have a resistance increasing during the operation thereof that would act to reduce oxygen output if applied voltage were held constant. In order to increase the time interval for renewing the composite membrane elements, the electrical potential difference is controlled such that the electric current drawn by the elements remains at a substantially constant level by increasing the electrical potential difference as the resistance increases until a predetermined voltage level is reached. Once this level is obtained, the electrical potential difference is maintained at a constant level and the electric current being drawn and the oxygen output is allowed to decay to a predetermined low level after which the element or elements are replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Collins, David F. Suggs, Sadashiv M. Swami, Richard M. Kelly
  • Patent number: 8404030
    Abstract: A method for renewing a sheet-type filtering material to a flowing gas stream inside a conduit by converting some of the energy of a flowing gas stream traversing the filter assembly to rotate a propeller and the propeller shaft. The rotational energy from the propeller shaft is operably coupled to a gear that causes a supply of unused sheet-type filter material on a first side of the filter assembly top move across the filter assembly to a second side of the filter assembly, so that the portion of the sheet-type filtering material in a position to filter a flowing gas stream changes over time as the flowing gas stream rotates the propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: MLS Innovations LLC
    Inventor: Jerry H Schumacher
  • Publication number: 20130061747
    Abstract: A Pressure Swing Adsorption filtration that separates a first set of particles and a second set of particles to produce a purified gas output can be monitored in real-time. A sentinel component can provide real-time in situ tracking of a parameter associated with the PSA filtration and dynamically adjusts the PSA filtration based upon the real-time tracked parameter. The real-time monitoring of the parameter further enables maintenance of equipment utilized with the PSA filtration as well as equipment down-the-line that utilize the purified gas output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: TOROSOLEIL, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Wellesley Heston Turnbull, Sunit Srivastava
  • Publication number: 20130032760
    Abstract: A process for regulating the rate of permeation of oxygen through a nonporous ceramic membrane which conducts oxygen anions and contains alkaline earth metal ions. On at least one side of the nonporous ceramic membrane which conducts oxygen anions, carbon dioxide and/or a gaseous carbon dioxide precursor is added for a predetermined time, which enables an alteration of the oxygen permeability of the membrane material. This brings about reversible chemical formation of alkaline earth metal carbonates in the membrane and, as a result, alters the properties thereof for oxygen permeation. A membrane reactor equipped with a feed line for a moderator gas can be regulated in a simple manner. The membrane reactor can preferably be used for oxidation reactions and/or for removal of oxygen from gas mixtures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventor: Steffen Werth
  • Patent number: 8366802
    Abstract: The cyclone is for separating gas from a gas laden liquid stream by pressure reduction of the liquid stream. The cyclone has a cylindrical casing, having a tangentially directed inlet arrangement for the gas laden liquid stream, a lower outlet line for liquid and an upper outlet line for vapor and gas. The inlet arrangement is connected to a common supply source (BLPR), and has at least two insertion pipes. The flow in at least one of these insertion pipes is controlled by at least one valve that depends upon an order of flow from the common supply source to maintain a flow velocity above a critical value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Metso Paper Sweden AB
    Inventor: Krister Olsson
  • Publication number: 20120318134
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for removing matter from a filtering device of a work machine includes a gas pressurization assembly. An element of the gas pressurization assembly is removably attachable to a first orifice of the filtering device without removing the filtering device from a work machine to which the filtering device is connected. The system also includes a heat source fluidly connected to the gas pressurization assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Cheryl Lynn Sellers, David Thaler, Mark T. Grimm, Jeremy Trethewey, Natalie Noel Vanderspiegel, Richard A. Crandell, Dong Fei, Roger A. Hudson, Mark Alan Gasper, Herbert DaCosta, Eric Charles Fluga, Hemant Prasad Mallampalli, Bruce Frazier, Matthew Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20120318135
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring the condition of a new air filter installed in an HVAC system are disclosed. In one example, an input that indicates a new air filter has been installed may be accepted, and in response, the HVAC system may be automatically operated in an air filter verifying mode, in which the fan of the HVAC system is activated to drive air through the new air filter. While in the air filter verifying mode, a measure related to an amount of flow restriction presented by the new air filter may be received. A status of the new air filter may be determined based, at least in part, on the received measure related to the amount of flow restriction presented by the air filter of the HVAC system. Once the status of the new air filter is determined, an indication may be displayed on a display, which may communicate the determined status of the new air filter to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Steven Hoglund, Reed Bisson, Amy Ragland, Barbara Dean-Hendricks
  • Publication number: 20120312754
    Abstract: System and method for control of a subsea located cyclone for separating oil from water. The cyclone is arranged to receive water with oil contents through an inlet line, the oil is separated from the water and delivered through an oil outlet to an oil outlet line, and the water is delivered through a water outlet to a water outlet line. The system is comprising a control valve in the oil outlet or oil outlet line from the cyclone, a first differential pressure transducer arranged between the inlet line and the oil outlet from the cyclone, and a second differential pressure transducer arranged between the inlet line and the water outlet from the cyclone. The system is distinguished in that a sensor for measuring oil contents is arranged in the water outlet or water outlet line, and via a control means said sensor is operatively connected to the control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Aker Subsea AS
    Inventors: Klas Goran Eriksson, Geir Inge Olsen, Steinar Oyulvstad
  • Patent number: 8328901
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a containment system having integrated bubble tight-dampers. In another embodiment, the containment system includes an integral auto-scan mechanism disposed in the housing of the containment system so that a filter element, disposed in the housing, may be leak tested without accessing the interior of the housing. In yet another embodiment, a method for testing a filter disposed in a containment system includes challenging an upstream side of a filter element disposed in a housing of the containment system with a test aerosol, and automatically moving a probe disposed within the housing to obtain samples for leak testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Camfil Farr, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Morse, Mark Huza
  • Publication number: 20120297974
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting contaminated air, including: an air pollution detecting unit for monitoring pollution status of air existing in the pertinent area; an air collecting unit for collecting and storing part of the air; and a control unit for comparing data about the pollution status monitored by the detecting unit with preset critical values and commanding the collecting unit to collect a part of the air when data about the pollution status is equal to or greater than the critical values. Since contaminated air is collected by monitoring the pollution status of contaminated air existing in the atmosphere of a pertinent area or the gaseous contaminant-containing air discharged from sources in real time, it is possible to collect air pollution evidence. The collecting unit provided at the outlet of a source, allows air pollution data to be stored after analyzing collected air, making it possible to lawfully sanction air polluter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: MAXFOR TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Sung-il Hwang
  • Publication number: 20120297975
    Abstract: Disclosed is an air purifier able to maintain the normal state of drive of a disk-shaped humidification filter by controlling the state of rotation of the humidification filter. The air purifier can maintain the normal state of drive of the humidification filter by using a stepping motor and the control unit in order to vary the state of rotation of the humidification filter and thereby remove extraneous material when the humidification filter is rotating abnormally due to extraneous material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Jin-Kyu Joung
  • Patent number: 8308845
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing high purity materials are disclosed. A unit operation processes a material stream, an operational parameter of the unit operation is monitored, and a standby unit is charged with pressurized gas to achieve system pressure. The material stream is diverted to the standby unit in response to the operational parameter of the unit operation registering a threshold value. Flow exiting the standby unit is first vented via an outlet, and then directed toward a point of use after the pressurized gas has been purged. The unit operation may then be serviced and subsequently brought back online. A second unit operation may process a second material stream simultaneously, and the second material stream may be periodically diverted to the standby unit in like manner, thus reducing line pressure variation. The disclosed method may be performed manually or implemented automatically through use of a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Mega Fluid Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Kandiyeli, Todd Graves, Rhey Yang
  • Patent number: 8303682
    Abstract: The support structure is used in a filter bag for filtering gas and has a plurality of tubular pipe elements extending in the longitudinal direction of the filter bag. The tubular pipe elements are connected to annular elements located at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction. The annular elements include elements formed by a number of parts, each part having two ends and extending between adjacent longitudinally extending tubular pipe elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventors: Martin Nowak, Ole Højgaard
  • Patent number: 8292987
    Abstract: A system includes a particulate matter (PM) filter with an upstream end for receiving exhaust gas, a downstream end and zones. The system also includes a heating element. A control module selectively activates the heating element to inductively heat one of the zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Kevin W. Kirby, Amanda Phelps, Daniel J. Gregoire
  • Patent number: 8287624
    Abstract: An air elutriation device for an air conveying household appliance includes a housing with an air elutriation zone delimited by a filter element, a detection element in a storage space for the filter element, and a cover sheet on the filter element. The detection element can be actuated via the filter element by the cover sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Ingo Meisel
  • Patent number: 8282790
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In an embodiment of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product, and an electric motor with motor rotor and magnets hermetically sealed within the fluid pressure boundary of the distillation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Jason A. Demers, Scott A. Leonard, Kingston Owens
  • Publication number: 20120247324
    Abstract: A fluid degasification system for a hydraulic circuit includes a gas/fluid separation tank, a fluid entry passage directing fluid into a small foam generating cup containing foam and a small amount of additional fluid, thereby stimulating foam formation. A separation screen is positioned below the foam generating cup to receive bubbles formed in the cup and to allow liquid to pass through the screen to a degasified-fluid collecting chamber below the screen as the bubbles resting on the separation screen decompose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Dustin Kramer, David Williams, Sterling Imfeld
  • Publication number: 20120247104
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for providing steam to a gas recovery unit 130 based on changes to steam flow to and/or power generated by a power generation unit 119. The gas recovery unit 130 may part of a thermal power generation unit 100 and may be an amine based CO2 recovery unit including two or more regenerator columns 153.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicants: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC., ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Nareshkumar B. HANDAGAMA, Rasesh R. KOTDAWALA, Staffan Jönsson, Allen M. PFEFFER, Olivier DRENIK, Jacques MARCHAND, Craig Norman SCHUBERT
  • Publication number: 20120227581
    Abstract: A sampling system includes a collection module including a gas handler, and a flow controller in communication with the gas handler of the collection module. The flow controller controls the gas handler to move a selected volume of gas through the collection module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: HEALTH DIAGNOSTICS TOOLS, LLC
    Inventors: Russell D. Mileham, George W. Schossow
  • Publication number: 20120222548
    Abstract: A humidifier includes a base having a sound machine module and a humidifier module, a water reservoir in fluid communication with the humidifier module, a user interface supported by the base, and a controller in communication with the user interface, the humidifier module, and the sound machine module. The controller is configured to operate the humidifier module to provide humidified air using water contained in the water reservoir in response to a humidifier input to the user interface. The controller is also configured to operate the sound machine module to provide sound in response to a sound input to the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: FKA DISTRIBUTING CO. D/B/A HOMEDICS, INC.
    Inventors: Mordechai Lev, Sharon DuPuy
  • Patent number: 8241394
    Abstract: A system and method for supercritical fluid enrichment of radioactive isotope/s are disclosed. The method involves pressurizing an outer chamber and an inner centrifugal chamber of a stage to supercritical pressure; supplying material including target isotope/s at supercritical pressure to the inner chamber; spinning the inner chamber to centrifuge the material including target isotope/s; providing a differential pressure between the inner chamber and the outer chamber; wherein windows in the inner chamber enable passage of the target isotope from the inner chamber to the outer chamber in response to the differential pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: SWCE Inc.
    Inventor: Terrene K. Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20120180655
    Abstract: An air treatment apparatus and method are disclosed in the present invention, wherein, at least one air treatment unit is included. The unit comprises air inlet, air outlet, air treatment devices and connecting components. The air treatment device is located between the air inlet and the air outlet. The air treatment device comprises at least one of the following components: component for air purification and filtering, blow-through fan, draw-through fan, pump, component for heating, component for dehumifying, component for humidifying, component for air-cooling. The air treatment unit can be used alone for improving the air quality of the environment. When more than one unit are connected together with the connecting components, the units are teamed up and work together, and an air treatment system is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Sui Chun Law, Yiu Wai Chan
  • 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: 8216330
    Abstract: A powered air cleaning system has a flow path extending through the system from an inlet to an outlet. A motor-driven fan is located along the flow path to draw particulate debris laden air into the inlet and rotate it about an axis to form a rotating flow that stratifies the debris laden air with the heaviest particles in the outermost orbits of the rotating flow. An ejector port ejects particulate debris laden air from the stratified rotating flow in the system. At least one de-swirl component located within the rotating flow aerodynamically redirects clean air from the innermost orbits of the stratified rotating flow toward the outlet to provide a positive airflow pressure out of the outlet. The system has a variable speed fan motor and an integrated controller for adjusting the speed of the motor and thereby the flow rate of clean air through the outlet of the system. The controller receives a signal that is a function of airflow requirements of a device supplied with clean air by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: The Sy-Klone Company
    Inventors: James G. Moredock, Eric L. Ehrenberg
  • Publication number: 20120160094
    Abstract: A filter system for an explosion-proof enclosure is described herein. The filter system can include a pre-filter assembly located outside the explosion-proof enclosure. The pre-filter assembly can include a pre-filter material configured to control air passing therethrough. The filter system can also include a filter assembly coupled to the pre-filter assembly. The filter assembly can further control the air received from the pre-filter assembly and passing therethrough into the explosion-proof enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Manahan, Craig E. Decarr
  • 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: 20120122075
    Abstract: A multi-tier approach for use in a detecting harmful agents conveyed by the air. In a first tier procedure, the air (in a structure or a predefined area) is continuously automatically screened at a plurality of different predefined locations by air sensors distributed in the area to be monitored. Each air sensor is configured to detect a potentially harmful substance that is carried by the air proximate the predefined location, to determine if a potentially harmful substance might be present, but need not identify a specific harmful substance. When a potentially harmful agent is identified by an air sensor in the first tier screening, a sample of the potential threat is collected, and a second tier procedure is initiated. The second tier procedure uses a manual test, such as a nucleic acid amplification and detection assay to detect any of a plurality of different specific threats in the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: MesoSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Call, Ezra Merrill
  • Patent number: 8142545
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a dust extraction system including an array of two or more centrifugal dust removal devices, e.g., axial cyclones. The array of axial cyclones is configured to operate in parallel. The array of axial cyclones includes one or more sensor and a controller in communication with the sensor and adapted to receive air flow information from the one or more sensor. Inflow valves are operatively connected to the controller such that air flow through the array of axial cyclones is monitored and maintained at an optimum operating condition for each of the individual cyclones in the array. This is done, in general, by opening inflow valves as the air flow increases above a predetermined air flow value and shutting inflow valves as air flow decreases below the predetermined air flow value threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Federal Signal Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel P. Strauser
  • Patent number: 8137434
    Abstract: A first intake air control mode of setting an intake throttle valve to (or close to) a fully-opened state and setting an EGR valve to (or close to) a fully-closed state is performed when DPF temperature and a particulate matter deposition quantity are greater than corresponding predetermined values respectively, a no-injection operation state exists, and engine rotation speed is higher than a corresponding predetermined value. A second intake air control mode of setting the intake throttle valve to (or close to) a fully-closed state and setting the EGR valve to (or close to) a fully-opened state is performed when the DPF temperature and the particulate matter deposition quantity are greater than the corresponding predetermined values respectively, the no-injection operation state exists, and the engine rotation speed is lower than the corresponding predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeto Yahata, Tsutomu Soga, Tsukasa Kuboshima
  • Publication number: 20120055330
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for removing dissolved gas from makeup water in a water-cooled nuclear reactor. The present invention includes a storage tank for containing the makeup water that includes the dissolved gas, a membrane system positioned downstream of the storage tank to at least partially remove the dissolved gas front the makeup water; and a transport mechanism to transfer the makeup water from an outlet of the membrane system for use in the water-cooled nuclear reactor. The dissolved gas can include at least one of dissolved oxygen, dissolved nitrogen, dissolved argon and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventor: George G. Konopka
  • Patent number: 8114190
    Abstract: Method and system for a cement burning facility. When exhaust gas in a part of a preheater or a kiln inlet of a cement kiln is extracted, a cement material is dispersed. The dispersed amount of the cement material is adjusted to maintain the temperature of the extracted gas between 950° C. and 1,150° C. The extracted gas is cooled to at most the melting point of a chlorine compound. A solid-gas separation device adjusts classification particle size to between 15 ?m and 30 ?m. A dust trap removes fine powder dust with a particle size equal to or smaller than the classification particle size. The amount of fine powder dust collected by the dust trap is maintained between 50 g/m3N and 150 g/m3N, with the concentration of chlorine in the collected fine powder dust set to between 5% and 20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Komatsu, Michio Ishizaki, Hirokazu Shima, Hiroyuki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8097066
    Abstract: A control system includes a heater control module, a measured duration module, and a regeneration volume module. The heater control module selectively initiates a regeneration in a zone of a particulate filter in an exhaust system. The measured duration module measures a duration of the regeneration. The regeneration volume module determines an available volume within the particulate filter to regenerate particulate based on the measured duration of the regeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8097067
    Abstract: Herein are disclosed devices and methods that can be used to provide an indication of the need to change a filter in a small forced air handling unit, based on the actual operating time (runtime) of the unit. The methods rely on the use of at least one vibration sensor that is placed in contact with a surface of an exterior component of the air handling unit and that can determine whether the unit is operating by sensing vibrations of the surface caused by operation of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Dennis M. Glass
  • Patent number: 8092575
    Abstract: A control system and associated methods for an air treatment system. In one aspect, the present invention provides a control system and method for controlling blower speed as a function of separately determined smoke and dust concentrations. In one embodiment, the control system and method provides a variable delayed between changes in motor speed to address undesirable rapid changes between speeds. In another aspect, the present invention provides a system and method for calibrating a sensor to provide more uniform operation over time. In yet another aspect, the present invention provide a system and method for calibrating motor speed to provide more consistent and uniform motor speed over time. The present invention also provides a system and method for tracking filter life by as a function of time, motor speed and/or a sensed variable, such as particulate concentration in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Niezgoda, Thomas J. Leppien, Gregory K. Evans
  • Publication number: 20110303086
    Abstract: The present technology provides an air pre-treatment and monitoring device that includes an inlet port configured to receive an air flow and an outlet port configured to expel the air flow. The illustrative air pre-treatment device further includes a multiple-stage filter arranged between the inlet and outlet ports and that is configured to filter particles from the air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Fujii, Masahiro Ueda
  • Patent number: 8066798
    Abstract: A method for selecting a filtering structure for a gas laden with particulates, said structure comprising a filtering part formed from a porous ceramic material and comprising at least one, and preferably a plurality, of porous walls, said method being characterized in that, starting from a first image of the surface of the wall, a processing operation is carried out on said first image comprising a morphological erosion by a structuring element in such a manner as to obtain a second characteristic image of the regularity and of the uniformity of the microstructure of said wall. Silicon carbide filtering structure obtained by application of said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Centre de Recherches et d'Etudes European
    Inventors: Celine Wiss, Patrick Jacques Dominique Girot
  • Publication number: 20110279788
    Abstract: An image projection device includes a replaceable air filter placed near an opening of a housing, a switcher for switching step by step a working area of the air filter, an air-speed meter for detecting a pollution level of the air filter, and a controller for controlling the switcher. When the air-speed meter detects that the pollution level of the air filter reaches a given threshold, the controller prompts the switcher to switch the working area of the air filter, and then detects a pollution level of the air filter after the switchover for determining whether or not the working area before the switchover needs to be switched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Nakajima, Mamoru Nomoto, Masaya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8052767
    Abstract: A modern jet engine inlet protection system that protects against large birds and operates autonomously, that is dormant in routine aircraft operations, that automatically actuates its protective device(s) only at the immediate point of need, then returning it (them) to a non-interfering position, including a RADAR system and a LIDAR system which detect birds entering the intended flight path of the aircraft, and fast computer-implemented computational algorithms that track and identify those from the detected set that are (1) projected to enter a zone which would lead to ingestion by the engine, and (2) of a size large enough that they would seriously damage the engine if ingested; that includes defensive mechanisms housed in the engine nacelle cowling or center hub, or in the fuselage structure that are instantaneously actuated shortly before arriving at the point of impact to shield, deflect, reduce the size of the approaching bird to an acceptable mass, or destroy it, and, that after the ingestion threat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Vintage Capital Group, LLC
    Inventors: Fred Charles Sands, Milton D. Jantzen
  • Patent number: 8048199
    Abstract: A method of preparing a gas separation membrane system and the gas separation membrane system itself, wherein the method includes applying a layer of a gas-selective material to a porous substrate followed by heat-treating thereof in an inert gaseous atmosphere and then polishing and repeating these steps to thereby provide the gas separation membrane system or a structure that may suitably be used in a gas separation membrane system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: John Charles Saukaitis
  • Patent number: 8038768
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment method and system of a cement burning facility, wherein a chlorine concentration of the collected fine powder dust is set in a range of 5 to 20% in such a manner that when a part of exhaust gas is extracted as extracted gas from a lowermost part of a preheater, or a kiln inlet part of a cement kiln, a cement raw material is dispersed and the temperature of the extracted gas is held in a range of 950° to 1150° C. By adjusting the dispersion amount of the cement raw material, the extracted gas is cooled to a melting point or less of a chlorine compound, and a classification particle size in a solid-gas separator is then adjusted in a range of 12 ?m to 30 ?m, to separate for removal and collection fine powder dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Komatsu, Michio Ishizaki, Haruki Miura
  • Patent number: 8034170
    Abstract: A real-time monitoring system that monitors various aspects of the operation of a refrigerant-cycle system is described. In one embodiment, the system includes a processor that measures power provided to the refrigerant-cycle system and that gathers data from one or more sensors and uses the sensor data to calculate a figure of merit related to the efficiency of the system. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of the following sensors: a suction line temperature sensor, a suction line pressure sensor, a suction line flow sensor, a hot gas line temperature sensor, a hot gas line pressure sensor, a hot gas line flow sensor, a liquid line temperature sensor, a liquid line pressure sensor, a liquid line flow sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of an evaporator air temperature input sensor, an evaporator air temperature output sensor, an evaporator air flow sensor, an evaporator air humidity sensor, and a differential pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Lawrence Kates
  • Patent number: 8029679
    Abstract: The present invention describes a system and method for supplying electrical power to a device, such as a filter element, located within a housing. In one embodiment, a conductive coil is embedded into the housing base, and a second coil is embedded into the filter element. Current is then passed through the coil in the housing base. Through induction, a current is created in the second coil in the filter element, in much the same way as a transformer functions. This inductive field may interfere with the operation of the various electronic functions, such as communications, sensing or other activities. To overcome this issue, an energy storage component, such as a capacitor, is included in the filter electronics. In this way, the power generated by the inductive field can be stored, and used when the inductive field is no longer present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Michael T. Grzonka, Aaron Burke
  • Patent number: 8007565
    Abstract: A powered air cleaning system has a flow path extending through the system from an inlet to an outlet. A motor-driven fan is located along the flow path to draw particulate debris laden air into the inlet and rotate it about an axis to form a rotating flow that stratifies the debris laden air with the heaviest particles in the outermost orbits of the rotating flow. An ejector port ejects particulate debris laden air from the stratified rotating flow in the system. At least one de-swirl component located within the rotating flow aerodynamically redirects clean air from the innermost orbits of the stratified rotating flow toward the outlet to provide a positive airflow pressure out of the outlet. The system has a variable speed fan motor and an integrated controller for adjusting the speed of the motor and thereby the flow rate of clean air through the outlet of the system. The controller receives a signal that is a function of airflow requirements of a device supplied with clean air by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: The Sy-Klone Company
    Inventor: James G. Moredock
  • Publication number: 20110185894
    Abstract: The cyclone is for separating gas from a gas laden liquid stream by pressure reduction of the liquid stream. The cyclone has a cylindrical casing, having a tangentially directed inlet arrangement for the gas laden liquid stream, a lower outlet line for liquid and an upper outlet line for vapor and gas. The inlet arrangement is connected to a common supply source (BLPR), and has at least two insertion pipes. The flow in at least one of these insertion pipes is controlled by at least one valve that depends upon an order of flow from the common supply source to maintain a flow velocity above a critical value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventor: Krister Olsson
  • Patent number: 7985284
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention measures a sample of the airstream, in real time, for a corrosive, before the airstream enters the compressor. An embodiment of the present invention may then initiate an on-line water wash system to reduce the level of the at least one corrosive on the compressor. An embodiment of the present invention also provides an on-line water wash system that may mix a cleaning fluid with at least one chemical agent to form a cleaning solution. The cleaning solution reduces the level of corrosives on components of a turbomachine compressor. The cleaning solution may be an acidic solution to reduce corrosion of a caustic nature. Alternatively, the cleaning solution may be a basic solution to reduce corrosion of an acidic nature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dale J. Davis, Rahul J. Chillar, Eric Gebhardt
  • Patent number: 7981193
    Abstract: A method of controlling an apparatus for separating product gas and non product gas from an air supply, the concentration of the product gas produced by the apparatus being variable depending on a control signal from a controller and the efficiency of the apparatus in producing product gas depending upon an environmental parameter, the method including sensing the oxygen concentration in the product gas produced by the apparatus, determining an instantaneous demand for oxygen concentration in the product gas, providing to the controller a process variable signal indicative of the sensed concentration of the oxygen in the product gas, and providing to the controller a demand input signal indicative of the demand, sensing the environmental parameter and providing an environmental parameter input signal to the controller, comparing the process variable signal and the demand signal to generate an error signal indicative of a change in oxygen concentration in the product gas required to match the instantaneous dem
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell Normalair-Garrett (Holdings) Limited
    Inventor: Peter Hedges
  • Publication number: 20110154985
    Abstract: A plant air purifier and associated method for purifying air, comprising: at least one grow container; a filter bed comprising a surface which is horizontal within 20 degrees of a horizontal plane; at least one plant which grows within the filter bed; a reservoir for containing water for watering the at least one plant; a mechanical watering device which waters the filter bed from the top down; a pump for pumping water from the reservoir to and through the mechanical watering device; and an air propulsion mechanism for propelling air through the filter bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventor: Martin Mittelmark
  • Patent number: 7967893
    Abstract: A system and method for supercritical fluid enrichment of radioactive isotope/s are disclosed. The method involves pressurizing an outer chamber and an inner centrifugal chamber of a stage to supercritical pressure; supplying material including target isotope/s at supercritical pressure to the inner chamber; spinning the inner chamber to centrifuge the material including target isotope/s; providing a differential pressure between the inner chamber and the outer chamber; wherein windows in the inner chamber enable passage of the target isotope or an undesired isotope from the inner chamber to the outer chamber in response to the differential pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: SWCE
    Inventor: Terrence K. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 7955415
    Abstract: There is described a storage system and associated methods having increased storage capacity for natural gas or methane. The systems and methods store a larger quantity of natural gas at similar pressures and volumes to conventional storage systems. The systems utilize readily available carbons treated to increase the amount of natural gas adsorbed to the carbon to store a high level of natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Vista Texas Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: William A Farone
  • Patent number: 7947112
    Abstract: A method for degassing a fluid includes providing a degassing system having a degassing module and a fluid pump apparatus having a fluid reservoir, wherein the fluid pump apparatus is operated in a discontinuous mode involving one or more discrete pumping cycles having a first cycle time. The fluid pump apparatus is calibrated to deliver a predetermined volume of the fluid from the fluid reservoir during each of the pumping cycles, and the degassing module is adapted to operably move gas from the fluid to an extent sufficient to render the fluid volume to a desired degassed condition within a period of time that is not greater than the first cycle time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Rheodyne, LLC
    Inventors: Yuri Gerner, Carl W. Sims, Jonathan Thompson