Serial Patents (Class 96/131)
  • Publication number: 20080115670
    Abstract: A filter comprising a hollow frame comprising a first face, a second face and an interior passageway extending therebetween; a first screen extending across the passageway at the first face; a first partial-depth, open-cell stabilizer extending across and into the passageway, wherein the stabilizer comprises a matrix formed by a plurality of walls defining a plurality of open cells therebetween, a second screen extending across the passageway at the second face; a second partial-depth, open-cell stabilizer extending across and into the passageway, wherein the stabilizer comprises a matrix formed by a plurality of walls defining a plurality of open cells therebetween; and granular filter materials tightly packed within the passageway, between the first screen and the second screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: Francois Hauville
  • Patent number: 7364603
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for abating at least one acid or hydride gas component or by-product thereof, from an effluent stream deriving from a semiconductor manufacturing process, comprising, a first sorbent bed material having a high capacity sorbent affinity for the acid or hydride gas component, a second and discreet sorbent bed material having a high capture rate sorbent affinity for the same gas component, and a flow path joining the process in gas flow communication with the sorbent bed materials such that effluent is flowed through the sorbent beds, to reduce the acid or hydride gas component. The first sorbent bed material preferably comprises basic copper carbonate and the second sorbent bed preferably comprises at least one of, CuO, AgO, CoO, CO3O4, ZnO, MnO2 and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph D. Sweeney, Paul J. Marganski, W. Karl Olander
  • Patent number: 7316736
    Abstract: A carbon filter panel for an air cleaner is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The carbon filter panel includes a frame including one or more side members and a frame interior space and a plurality of spaced-apart carbon elements extending across the frame interior space. Airflow can pass between the plurality of carbon elements and through the carbon filter panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Oreck Holdings LLC
    Inventor: John R. Bohlen
  • Patent number: 7294179
    Abstract: Two types of activated charcoals having different adsorption and desorption functions are appropriately disposed in a canister. Gas movement is evenly dispersed via an air space and diffuser equipped between the two activated charcoals. Thereby, leakage of fuel vapor from the canister to the atmosphere is minimized without implementing a supplementary component (e.g., a subsidiary canister), and reduction of the consumption amount of the activated charcoal by eliminating a dead volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation and Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Eui Sik Kim, Chun Kyu Park
  • Patent number: 7281525
    Abstract: A family of canisters that includes at least two canisters that are adapted to filter a flow of fluid from a fuel tank. Each canister includes a first portion that defines a first perimeter and a first area each common to all canisters of the family. A second portion defines a second perimeter and a second area each common to all canisters of the family. A cover portion defines a third perimeter and a third area each common to all canisters of the family. A body portion cooperates with the first portion, the second portion, and the cover portion to define an interior space having a volume, a characteristic dimension, and a characteristic length. The volume of each canister of the family is different and the ratio of the characteristic length to characteristic dimension of each of the canisters is between about 1.5 and 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Peter D. Shears, Wayne L. Dombeck
  • Patent number: 7264648
    Abstract: A plurality of different layers of filter media are used to remove siloxanes from a gas stream. Based on an analysis of the specific gas stream to be filtered, a filter media having an average pore size enabling the preferential removal of a specific class of contaminants is selected for each different class of contaminants. The layers are arranged in sequential order such that contaminants having a higher molecular weight are preferentially removed by the first layers. Collectively, the layers define a segmented activity gradient that enables each class of contaminants present in the gas stream to be preferentially removed in a different layer, preventing removal competition between different classes of contaminants. A polymorphous graphite is used as the filter media, because that material is available in a range of well-controlled pore sizes, as opposed to conventional activated carbon filter media, which generally exhibits poorly-controlled pore sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Filter Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey V. Wetzel, Paul M. Tower
  • Patent number: 7264651
    Abstract: For PSA or TSA prepurifiers, the temperature rise on adsorption is particularly troublesome when the temperature rise reaches the end of the bed at the end of the adsorption step. This results in an increase in the CO2 and N2O concentration at the end of the cycle. Addition of a regenerator in the middle of the adsorption layer will reduce the temperature rise at the end of the bed and thus enhance the performance of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory William Henzler, Jeffert John Nowobilski, Mark William Ackley, Michael George Noakes
  • Patent number: 7217313
    Abstract: A dehumidifying system supplies a gas free of organic substances. The dehumidifying system includes a holding case, and a rotor rotatably held in the holding case and bearing an adsorbent. The interior of the holding case is divided into an adsorbing zone and a regenerating zone by partition plates attached to the holding case. A process gas is supplied into the adsorbing zone. The process gas processed in the adsorbing zone is supplied into an objective space. A regenerating gas is supplied into the regenerating zone to eliminate moisture and organic substances adsorbed by the adsorbent in the adsorbing zone from the adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron Limited, Nichias Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Motono, Takashi Tanahashi, Masaji Kurosawa, Katsuhiro Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7214258
    Abstract: An evaporated fuel processing device (10), in particular for an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle, comprises a tank port (12) and an atmospheric port (22); a first adsorbent chamber (14) between the tank port (12) and the atmospheric port (22); and a second adsorbent chamber (18) between the first adsorbent chamber (14) and the atmospheric port (22), the first and second adsorbent chambers (14, 18) being filled with an adsorbent material (16). According to an important aspect of the invention, at least two elongate flow passages (26, 26?) are arranged in parallel between the first adsorbent chamber (14) and the second adsorbent chamber (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mostafa Abidi, Remi B Loevenbruck, Karine Pelletier, Thomas Leonard, Ennio De Biasio
  • Patent number: 7166149
    Abstract: Using a high pressure rotary adsorbent wheel, a high value compressed gas feed can be purified by concentrating the impurity such as water, condensing it out, before final purification. Instead of exhausting gas from the system, the effluent can be put back into the feed at a point prior to condensation of the high value gas feed, and therefore the entire feed is purified without any high value gas feed going into a waste stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stephen R. Dunne, Peter K. Coughlin, Rustam H. Sethna
  • Patent number: 7163573
    Abstract: A chemical filter medium for removing ozone and nitrogen oxide includes a first ozone absorption layer for mainly removing ozone having a filtering base material for removing ozone, a first nitrogen oxide absorption layer for mainly removing nitrogen oxide formed on the first ozone absorption layer that includes a filtering base material for removing nitrogen oxide, and a second ozone absorption layer formed on the first nitrogen oxide absorption layer that includes a filtering base material for removing ozone. The chemical filter medium can simultaneously remove ozone and nitrogen oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Seok Ham, Hoo-Kun Lee
  • Patent number: 7150778
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for improving the useful life of sorbent beds, such as activated carbon filter beds. It is known that breakthrough in carbon filter beds first occurs at the low gas velocity regions of the filter bed, i.e., at the filter's edges. A recirculation jacket filter system diverts already filtered air from the downstream side of the filter bed toward the peripheral region of the upstream side of the filter bed so that contaminants near the filter's edges are reduced and filter life is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Lyle D. Dauber, David R. Peterson, Carl A. Betten, Thomas S. Thoner, D. Michael Reid
  • Patent number: 7122073
    Abstract: A low void pressure swing adsorption system wherein flow movement and pressure pulse are influenced from the same source comprised of at least one hermetically sealed vessel containing an adsorbent bed with an inlet coupled to the adsorbent bed by way of an inlet header and an outlet coupled to the adsorbent bed by way of an outlet header. Void volume of the inlet and outlet headers can be limited to less than 20% of the adsorbent bed volume, preferably to less than 10%, and most preferably to less than 5%, by mounting high pressure source(s) and/or low pressure sink(s) proximate to, or nearly proximate to, the adsorbent bed/vessel. Low void volumes and reduced cycle times may be achieved in all bed configurations, including flat header beds, segmented beds, and vertical beds. Radial beds may be configured so that the void volume of the inlet and outlet headers is less than 50% of the volume of the radial adsorbent bed, preferably to less than 20%, and most preferably to less than 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Notaro, Alan Barnard Stewart, Jeffert John Nowobilski, Guoming Zhong, Arun Acharya
  • Patent number: 7115152
    Abstract: A regenerable filter system includes a flow path along which a stream of fluid flows between an inlet and an outlet. A first filtering unit is located in the flow path. The first filter unit includes first and second regenerable filter beds, wherein each bed has a first adsorbent for removing a first contaminant from the fluid stream. A first valve is located between the inlet and the first and second filter beds for selectively directing the fluid stream through one of the first and the second filter beds. The other of the first and second filter beds is removed from the flow path. A second filtering unit is located in the flow path between the first filtering unit and the outlet. The second filtering unit includes third and fourth regenerable filter beds for removing a second contaminant from the stream of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventors: David K. Friday, John L. Creed
  • Patent number: 7008470
    Abstract: A canister, for inhibiting a diffusion phenomenon in an adsorbent layer as much as possible and certainly adsorbing fed evaporated fuel to inhibit blow-by of the evaporated fuel into the atmosphere, is constituted by filling a first adsorbent layer of the canister with activated carbon A having a large evaporated fuel adsorption and a weak holding power, and filling a second and a third adsorbent layers with activated carbon B having an intermediate evaporated fuel adsorption and a weak holding power and therefore having characteristics that the residual amount of the low boiling point components in the evaporated fuel after purge is small, whereby after the high temperature standing of the canister, the discharge of the evaporated fuel into the atmosphere can be inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Makino, Ryuji Kosugi, Tomonari Toki
  • Patent number: 7008471
    Abstract: A canister is connected to a fuel tank to adsorb fuel vapor vaporized in the fuel tank and includes a canister housing and a canister main body, which is received in the canister housing and communicates with the fuel tank at one end. The canister housing includes an atmospheric port and a filter chamber, and the filter chamber receives a filter and communicates between the other end of the canister main body and the atmospheric port, which in turn communicates with the atmosphere. The filter includes an active carbon part, an atmosphere-side unwoven fabric and a tank-side unwoven fabric. The active carbon part includes active carbon granules, which adsorb fuel vapor vaporized in the fuel tank. The atmosphere-side unwoven fabric and the tank-side unwoven fabric sandwich the active carbon part therebetween in a flow direction of air, which passes through the active carbon part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Koyama, Hideaki Itakura
  • Publication number: 20040261777
    Abstract: First and second chambers are coaxially arranged and have substantially the same cross sectional area. First and second activated charcoal masses are respectively received in the first and second chambers. A labyrinth structure is arranged between respective first ends of the first and second chambers. An atmospheric air inlet port is provided by a second end of the second chamber. A third chamber is arranged beside the coaxially arranged first and second chambers. The third chamber has a first end positioned near a second end of the first chamber and a second end positioned near the second end of the second chamber. A third activated charcoal mass is received in the third chamber. A connector passage extends between the second end of the first chamber and the first end of the third chamber to provide a fluid connection between the first and third chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20040261773
    Abstract: An evaporated fuel processing device, in particular for an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle, comprises a tank port (14) and an atmospheric port (26); a first adsorbent chamber (16) between the tank port (14) and the atmospheric port (26), the first adsorbent chamber (16) being filled with an adsorbent material (18); and a volume compensator (24) for compacting the adsorbent material (18) in the first adsorbent chamber (16). The volume compensator (24) comprises a base (34); a compacting plate (30); and a spring (32) arranged between the base (34) and the compacting plate (30). The volume compensator (24) further comprises resilient connecting means (36) connecting the compacting plate (30) to the base (34), the resilient connecting means (36) being formed in one piece with the compacting plate (30) and the base (34) and being arranged such that the spring (32) can be inserted between the base (34) and the compacting plate (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Mostafa Abidi, Christian Gerard Hillard, Remi B. Loevenbruck
  • Publication number: 20040237789
    Abstract: A gas recovery system comprising a source of gas having a preselected concentration of a desired component (9), at least one application (1) that adds impurities to said gas, and at least one an adsorption system (6) that purifies said gas to produce a purified gas for re-use in application (1), wherein said at least one adsorption system includes at least one adsorbent bed (A) having at least three layers of adsorbents. A recovery process is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Mohamed Safdar Allie Baksh, Scot Eric Jaynes, Bernard Thomas Neu, James Smolarek, Mark Thomas Emley
  • Patent number: 6814786
    Abstract: A filter includes at least two monolithic sorbent segments and a mixing segment between the two monolithic sorbent segments. The monolithic sorbent segments comprise porous sorbent materials that are capable of selectively removing one or more selected gaseous constituents from a gas flow. The filter can be incorporated in a smoking article, such as a cigarette, to remove one or more selected constituents from mainstream smoke. Methods for making the filter and smoking articles including the filter, as well as methods for smoking a cigarette comprising the filter, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Shuzhong Zhuang, John B. Paine, III, Timothy S. Sherwood, Jay A Fournier, Kent B. Koller, Zhaohua Luan, Charles E. Thomas, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040182240
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions filter for an engine air induction system. The evaporative emissions filter includes a hydrocarbon vapor-adsorbent member disposed within the air induction system. A mechanism is provided for mounting the evaporative emissions filter within the air induction system. Hydrocarbon vapors present in the air induction system after engine shut-down are substantially retained in the adsorbent member until air flows through the air induction system after the engine starts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel E. Bause, Ronald P. Rohrbach, Richard J. Berkey, Bryon W. Stremler, Robert L. Smith, Peter D. Unger
  • Patent number: 6770120
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a vessel and a radial adsorption bed within the vessel and either an axial adsorption bed for a storage tank within the inner diameter of the radial adsorption bed. In one example, the radial adsorption bed surrounds an axial adsorption bed. A process that can be conducted in the vessel includes directing a gas mixture across the radial adsorption bed, thereby causing adsorption of at least a portion of a gas component present in the gas mixture and producing partially purified product. The partially purified gas is directed through the axial adsorption bed, thereby causing further purification of the partially purified gas and producing product gas. In another example, the radial adsorption bed surrounds a storage tank. The storage tank can be employed to store a gas generated or used in a separation process conducted in the radial adsorption bed. For instance, the storage tank can be employed to store product gas or void gas generated in a vacuum/pressure swing adsorption process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Thomas Neu, James Smolarek, Mark Thomas Emley
  • Publication number: 20040055468
    Abstract: A canister, for inhibiting a diffusion phenomenon in an adsorbent layer as much as possible and certainly adsorbing fed evaporated fuel to inhibit blow-by of the evaporated fuel into the atmosphere, is constituted by filling a first adsorbent layer of the canister with activated carbon A having a large evaporated fuel adsorption and a weak holding power, and filling a second and a third adsorbent layers with activated carbon B having an intermediate evaporated fuel adsorption and a weak holding power and therefore having characteristics that the residual amount of the low boiling point components in the evaporated fuel after purge is small, whereby after the high temperature standing of the canister, the discharge of the evaporated fuel into the atmosphere can be inhibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Makino, Ryuji Kosugi, Tomonari Toki
  • Patent number: 6706097
    Abstract: A molecular sieve apparatus and magnetic/adsorbent material composition facilitate molecular adsorption and separation using a magnetic field to hold, move, cool, and/or heat an adsorbent 1 that is bonded to magnetic materials 3 that are moveable by a magnetic field. An adsorbent 1 is bonded to a soft magnetic material 3 with a binder 2 into a powder composite material adsorbent attractable by a magnetic field (magnetoadsorbent 4). Magnetoadsorbent 4 functions to adsorb and desorb working substances, causing a molecular separation; thereby increasing the efficiency of the adsorption cycle by moving the adsorbent 1 to a location that optimally processes the adsorbent 1. Magnetic field manipulation of adsorbents 1 enables delivery of molecules to locations within systems. Magnetoadsorbents 4 of the present invention further increase the efficiency of the adsorption cycle by combining materials with functions including: catalyst, buoyancy, suspension, magnetic heating, and sinking in liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Hexablock, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Zornes
  • Patent number: 6652629
    Abstract: Described is a filter apparatus (10) having an activated carbon molded body (12) with a honeycomb structure. The filter apparatus (10) has connection elements (16, 18) at the feed flow end and the discharge flow end. The activated carbon molded body (12) is provided in a sealing element which is sealingly connected to the two connection elements (16, 18). The sealing element (20) is formed by a shrink tube (22) into which the activated carbon molded body (12) is shrunk and which is shrunk sealingly on to the connection elements (16, 18). The activated carbon molded body (12) can be in one piece or can comprise at least two mutually spaced activated carbon body portions (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Helsa-Werk Helmut Sandler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Wolff, Manfred Krull
  • Publication number: 20030205130
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a vessel and a radial adsorption bed within the vessel and either an axial adsorption bed for a storage tank within the inner diameter of the radial adsorption bed. In one example, the radial adsorption bed surrounds an axial adsorption bed. A process that can be conducted in the vessel includes directing a gas mixture across the radial adsorption bed, thereby causing adsorption of at least a portion of a gas component present in the gas mixture and producing partially purified product. The partially purified gas is directed through the axial adsorption bed, thereby causing further purification of the partially purified gas and producing product gas. In another example, the radial adsorption bed surrounds a storage tank. The storage tank can be employed to store a gas generated or used in a separation process conducted in the radial adsorption bed. For instance, the storage tank can be employed to store product gas or void gas generated in a vacuum/pressure swing adsorption process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Bernard Thomas Neu, James Smolarek, Mark Thomas Emley
  • Publication number: 20030145731
    Abstract: A storage apparatus has a container having an inlet, an outlet and a regeneration air opening. Active carbon is provided as the storage medium in the container. Furthermore, a monolith is disposed in the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Ennio De Biasio
  • Patent number: 6592652
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for treating an exhaust gas emanating from a vehicle engine or a plant's chimney. This device has a housing having a treatment chamber defined therein, an inlet port for receiving an exhaust gas to be treated, and an outlet port for releasing a treated gas. The gas is allowed to flow in the treatment chamber from the inlet port to the outlet port defining a flowing direction. The device further has treating elements in the treatment chamber which are layers of rocks of granite alternating with layers of rocks of charcoal. The layers extend substantially in perpendicular to the flowing direction of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Inventor: Rosaire Tremblay
  • Patent number: 6572687
    Abstract: A gas dryer particularly useful for natural gas transmission lines has a sump vessel including a splash plate for intercepting incoming gas, a lower region for collecting water removed from the gas, at least one tower or other vessel for holding desiccant tablets and permitting water to drain into the sump, and partition(s) in the vessel extending into the lower region to permit collected sump water to be in a single body of liquid while the partitions in the upper regions of the vessel direct the gas from one tower or drying vessel to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignees: Clearwater International LLC, Argo Sales Ltd.
    Inventor: Reg Slaymaker
  • Patent number: 6558457
    Abstract: A drying agent box 10 which serves to remove moisture from air, especially for a compressed-air brake apparatus, and which comprises a housing 11 with at least one inlet 14 and at least one outlet 15, the housing 11 being formed by a container 12 and a flange 13. A drying agent body 18, which has a stable shape, is contained in the housing 11. Channels 22 may optionally be provided in the drying agent body for guiding the flow of air through the body. Different ways of installing the drying agent body 18 in the housing 11 also are described. Due to the stable shape of the drying agent body 18, the structure of the drying agent box is simplified because there is no need for components to hold a granular drying agent in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Kolczyk
  • Patent number: 6551380
    Abstract: A gas separation apparatus and process has a first pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit (110) receiving feed gas (112), which comprises a first and a second component. First PSA unit (110) produces first product gas (114) pre-dominantly containing the first component, and first off gas (116) containing at least some of the first component and second component. Compressor (120) is coupled to first PSA unit (110) to compress first off gas (116) to form compressed off gas (126), which is passed downstream to absorber unit (130), which employs a solvent to remove at least part of the second component from compressed off gas (126), forming an enriched compressed off gas (136B). Second PSA unit (140) receives enriched compressed off gas (136B) and produces second product gas (142) which predominantly contains the first component and a second off gas that is sent to waste or reformer burner (150).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Fluor Corporation
    Inventors: Satish Reddy, Ravi Ravikumar
  • Patent number: 6524374
    Abstract: In order to aim at shortening the time of refueling by maintaining the function of prevention of discharge of vapor, similar to that of a conventional canister in the case of other than refueling during resting of an engine while the flow resistance in the canister becomes smaller during refueling, there is provided a canister in which a plate is vertically arranged in a chamber charged therein with absorbent in the canister, and filter support pins are projected from opposite surfaces of the plate while filters are arranged at the tip end faces of the filter support pins, and in which a plurality of constriction passages are formed being arranged in a horizontal direction only in the upper part of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatoshi Moriyama, Toshio Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20030029314
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for purifying the air used in cryogenic air separation are described, which are capable of effectively removing nitrogen oxides and/or hydrocarbons. The apparatus comprises an adsorber comprising an adsorption cylinder that has a first adsorbing layer and a second adsorbing layer therein. The first adsorbing layer is composed of a first adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing water in the air. The second adsorbing layer is composed of a second adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing nitrogen oxide and/or hydrocarbon in the air passing the first adsorbing layer, wherein the second adsorbent comprises an X zeolite containing magnesium ion as an ion-exchangeable cation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Morimitsu Nakamura, Kazuhiko Fujie, Yasuo Tatsumi, Masato Kawai
  • Patent number: 6517613
    Abstract: A tank for containing granular adsorbers for cleaning gases, wherein the tank has a gas inlet, a gas distributing chamber, at least one adsorption chamber defined by vertical, gas-permeable walls and containing a charge of adsorbers in bulk, an outflow chamber and a gas outlet. Each gas-permeable wall consists of horizontal rails of plastic arranged at a distance above one another, through which pass vertical centering rods of plastic. At least half of the rails have the cross-sectional profile of an inverted U. In the tank at least one vertical supporting wall is arranged, which divides the adsorption chamber. At least the surface of the supporting wall consists of plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Metallgesellschaft AG
    Inventors: Bruno Schumm, Bernd Reichert
  • Publication number: 20030019358
    Abstract: A gas dryer particularly useful for natural gas transmission lines has a sump vessel including a splash plate for intercepting incoming gas, a lower region for collecting water removed from the gas, at least one tower or other vessel for holding desiccant tablets and permitting water to drain into the sump, and partition(s) in the vessel extending into the lower region to permit collected sump water to be in a single body of liquid while the partitions in the upper regions of the vessel direct the gas from one tower or drying vessel to another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: Clearwater, Inc.
    Inventor: Reg Slaymaker
  • Patent number: 6488748
    Abstract: The present invention is accomplished by a canister structure for an internal combustion engine that includes a container having a gas passage therein through which gas containing evaporative fuel flows from a first end to a second end, a purge portion disposed on the container and connected to the first end through which vacuum pressure is applied into the gas passage, a charge portion disposed on the container and connected to the first end through which the gas is introduced into the gas passage, a drain portion disposed on the container and connected to the second end through which the gas passage is made open to the atmosphere, and an adsorbent material, disposed in the gas passage, to temporarily adsorb the evaporative fuel, whose specific heat on the side of the second end is made higher relative to that on the side of the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Yamafuji, Yuji Itakura
  • Publication number: 20020124732
    Abstract: An evaporated fuel treatment apparatus is provided for reducing a refilling time, ensuring satisfactory adsorption/desorption performance for an evaporated fuel, and reducing the manufacturing cost through a simplified structure. The evaporated fuel treatment apparatus comprises a casing having formed therein a first chamber in communication with the fuel tank, a second chamber in communication with the first chamber, and a third chamber in communication with the second chamber and the atmosphere. Active carbons are contained in the first chamber and second chamber for adsorbing fuel components in an evaporated fuel introduced from the fuel tank. An adsorbent is contained in the third sub-chamber for adsorbing fuel components in the evaporated fuel introduced from the second chamber. The adsorbent has an air-flow resistance which is set smaller than that of the active carbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Hara, Hiroaki Mihara
  • Publication number: 20020112609
    Abstract: Cartridges useful in regenerating or purifying dialysis solutions are described as well as methods to regenerate or purify spent dialysis solutions. Dialysis systems using the sorbent cartridges of the present invention are further described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: Raymond J. Wong
  • Patent number: 6395068
    Abstract: A bulk tank depressurization filter apparatus is disclosed which comprises a filter cartridge having an inlet and an outlet, a gas passageway therebetween, at least one gas-capturing filter through which gas in the gas passageway passes, and a Chicago coupling for attaching the inlet of the filter cartridge to a tank containing a pressurized gas. Also disclosed is a method of capturing the residual gas in a tank containing a gas under pressure using the bulk tank depressurization filter apparatus. The inlet is attached to the tank and the pressurized gas is permitted to flow from the tank into the filter cartridge where the gas is captured by the material in the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Dennis M. Rooney
  • Patent number: 6309450
    Abstract: An adsorbent unit assembly including a holder, an elongated member on the holder, an enlarged portion at the end of the elongated member, a cylindrical adsorbent unit having an opening therein for receiving the elongated member, and a grid mounted on the elongated member on the opposite side of the adsorbent unit from the enlarged portion. The foregoing adsorbent unit assembly is mounted within the housing of a receiver dryer by compressing one or more adsorbent units on the elongated member between the grid and the enlarged portion so as to cause the outer sides of the adsorbent units to bear against the inside surface of the housing while the grid also provides an interference fit with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Millen, Stephen F. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20010020418
    Abstract: The present invention is accomplished by a canister structure for an internal combustion engine that includes a container having a gas passage therein through which gas containing evaporative fuel flows from a first end to a second end, a purge portion disposed on the container and connected to the first end through which vacuum pressure is applied into the gas passage, a charge portion disposed on the container and connected to the first end through which the gas is introduced into the gas passage, a drain portion disposed on the container and connected to the second end through which the gas passage is made open to the atmosphere, and an adsorbent material, disposed in the gas passage, to temporarily adsorb the evaporative fuel, whose specific heat on the side of the second end is made higher relative to that on the side of the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Yamafuji, Yuji Itakura
  • Patent number: 6280508
    Abstract: A multi-bed PSA pressure vessel includes a hollow tubular body having one or more end plates releasably secured thereto. Secured to the end plate(s) are pipes which extend along the interior of the hollow tubular body. Each of the pipes terminates at a location along the length of the tubular body different from the remaining pipes. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of perforated spacing flanges are secured to the pipe and some adjacent flanges defining between them a space for receiving adsorbing sieve material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventors: Michael Ernest Garrett, John Robert Coates
  • Publication number: 20010015134
    Abstract: A fuel vapor treatment canister for controllably storing and releasing fuel vapor from a fuel tank and the like of an automotive vehicle. The fuel vapor treatment canister comprising a casing having first and second end walls between which an inside space is formed. The first end wall has a first opening in communication with a fuel tank, and a second opening in communication with an air intake passage of an engine. The second end wall has a third opening in communication with the atmosphere. The inside space includes first and second chambers. The first chamber is located closer to the first end wall than the second chamber. A partition wall is disposed to divide the inside space into the first and second chambers. The partition wall structure has an air permeability and a heat insulating ability higher than that of metal. A first fuel vapor adsorbing material is disposed in the first chamber. A second fuel vapor adsorbing material and a heat-accumulative material are disposed in the second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Masashi Uchino, Masaru Nakano
  • Patent number: 6276408
    Abstract: An installation for the treatment of fluid having a receptacle (1) defining a non-vertical portion of a path for fluid through at least two adjacent masses (A; B; C) of particulate materials, typically different from each other, each mass being in direct contact with its neighbor or neighbors, without the interposition of a separating grid. The installation is particularly useful for the separation or drying of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Jean-Yves Lehman
  • Patent number: 6273935
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for trapping a toxic gas contained in an exhaust gas from a process chamber are disclosed. In the apparatus, two toxic gas traps are provided which are connected in series with a toxic gas sensor provided thereinbetween and in fluid communication with the two traps. When toxic gas is detected by the toxic gas sensor, i.e., an indication that the first toxic gas trap is fully consumed, the second toxic gas trap is used to replace the first toxic gas trap, while a new toxic gas trap is installed as the second toxic gas trap. The present invention novel apparatus and method enables the full use or utilization of a toxic gas trap and results in significant cost savings. Furthermore, the present invention novel apparatus and method improves the yield of a fabrication process by reducing the machine down time since the service frequency for the chamber is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Chang Shih, Yung-Dar Chen, Fu-Shun Lo, Wen-Hsiung Wu
  • Publication number: 20010009125
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the purification of a gas stream containing one or more gaseous impurities from the group formed by carbon dioxide, water vapor, H2S, alcohols, S02 and C1-C8 saturated or unsaturated, linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbons. The gas stream is brought into contact with several different porous carbon adsorbents, that is to say active carbons having different properties and characteristics. The gas is air, nitrogen, hydrogen produced by the reforming or cracking of ammonia or the cracking of alcohols or hydrocarbons, natural gas, combustion gas or fermentation gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: L' Air Liquide, societe Anonyme,
    Inventors: Christian Monereau, Serge Moreau
  • Patent number: 6165252
    Abstract: The adsorption of at least one component of a gas mixture is improved by passing the gas through an adsorption zone wherein the adsorbent is distributed in rectilinear channels that stepwise both diminish in transverse size and hold a diminished weight of adsorbent. An adsorption zone with only two steps or stages of reduced channel size and reduced adsorbent weight in the flow direction of a gas passed therethrough permits much greater capture of the adsorbate component with an equivalent total weight of adsorbent when compared with the same adsorption zone with a single channel size and a uniform weight of adsorbent. Three or more stages of diminishing channel size and adsorbent weight in the flow direction of the gas passed therethrough may be chosen for separating some gas mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Alzeta Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Kendall
  • Patent number: 6146435
    Abstract: In a biofilter, in particular for installation in discharge systems, with a collecting funnel and with an adjoining filter housing (13), the collecting funnel is to have a mounting ring (1), into which the filter housing (13) is inserted removably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: Hans Stork
  • Patent number: 6086659
    Abstract: A radial flow adsorption vessel is disclosed together with a method for assembling such a vessel and a method for manufacturing containment screens having bidirectional flexibility for use in such a vessel. The radial flow adsorption vessel includes a substantially cylindrical shell having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of substantially cylindrical screens disposed concentrically inside the shell. Each screen has a different diameter and a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shell, and at least one of the screens is flexible in both the axial and radial directions. Preferably, the at least one screen flexible in both the axial and radial directions is an intermediate screen disposed between an outer screen and an inner screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Clyde Tentarelli
  • Patent number: 6059859
    Abstract: A process, composition and apparatus for the removal of water from moist non-corrosive gases (such as those containing oxygen or CO.sub.2) down to .ltoreq.10-20 ppb water concentration are described. The dehydrating agent is an oxide or salt of an electropositive metal and has a surface area of at least 140 m.sup.2 /g, preferably 140-500 m.sup.2 /g, is compatible with the gas, and preferably is capable of dehydrating such gases to .ltoreq.1 ppb, preferably to as low as 500 ppt. The electropositive metal will be a Group 3b, 4b or lanthanide metal or vanadium. The preferred agent is a high surface area titania, zirconia, yttria or vanadia, with titania most preferred. The dehydrating agent can be in the form of a pelleted or granular bulk material or a coating on or within the pores of a substrate. The agent is retained in a simple container which is easily installed in a gas supply line for the gas, such as to a gas- or vapor-deposition manufacturing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Aeronex, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Alvarez, Jr., Jeffrey J. Spiegelman