With Means For Driving Gas Flow Patents (Class 96/142)
  • Patent number: 6251172
    Abstract: A water dispenser has an apparatus for removing water from the air and an apparatus for treating the water to provide a consumer with potable water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Fantom Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 6231647
    Abstract: An improved vacuum cleaner having a removable dirt collector inside a substantially enclosed suction compartment is provided with a conditioning pack for deodorizing and/or disinfecting the stored waste matter even when the vacuum cleaner is not in operation. The conditioning pack is mounted on a fixture inside the suction compartment but outside the waste holder of the dirt collector. This arrangement facilitates more effective deodorization and/or disinfecting and, at the same time, easy emptying of waste matter from the dirt collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Han-Shim Cheng
  • Patent number: 6190437
    Abstract: An air filter for effectively filtering bacteria, fungi and viruses from the air. The air filter comprising of a carrier substrate impregnated with iodine resins effectively immobilizes and attenuates bacteria, fungi and viruses contained in passing air. The air filter may be employed in combination with a multi-layered air filter to provide a filter which effectively purifies passing air of a variety of contaminants. The air filter provides a safe and effective method for the removal of bacteria, fungi and viruses from the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Aria Pureair Ltd.
    Inventor: Gary Durham Forsyth
  • Patent number: 6152996
    Abstract: A gaseous cleaner element comprising a housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet with a gas stream formed therebetween. An immobilized mass of sorption material formed in a desired shape is mounted in the housing, the gas stream passing therethrough. A particulate filter layer is mounted in the housing adjacent to the mass, the gas stream passing therethrough. The particulate filter layer is mounted upstream of the sorption material mass. The air cleaner element can be used as a replacement to existing filter elements to provide sorption and particulate filtering to air circulation systems such as cabin air filter systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Air-Maze Corporation
    Inventors: Staffan B. Linnersten, Patrick J. Fleming
  • Patent number: 6071326
    Abstract: The production of naphtha gas from landfill gas is preferably accomplished through a gas purification step, a catalytic conversion of methane gas to hydrogen gas, and a blending step in which various process streams are blended to produce the naphtha gas stream. The landfill gas stream is first treated through a gas purification/separation procedure to produce a substantially pure methane stream. The purified methane stream is then split into at least two portions. The first portion is fed into a hydrogen reformer and a shift reactor, where the methane gas is converted into a hydrogen-bearing stream which includes hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The second portion of the stream is preferably fed into a mixer. In the mixer, the pure methane stream, the hydrogen-bearing stream and a portion of the purified landfill gas stream are preferably blended together to form a naphtha gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Ecogas Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Lee Hall
  • Patent number: 6033301
    Abstract: A fan filter unit is provided for use in filtering air circulating in a clean room. The fan filter unit includes a unit casing; a ventilation fan housed in the unit casing; a dust removal filter in the bottom of the unit casing; and one or more gas absorption filters for removing gases from the circulating air. The one or more gas absorption filters are located in the unit casing such that the ventilation fan can be inspected without removing the one or more gas absorption filters and an inspector can walk on an upper face of the unit casing. In one preferred embodiment, the one or more gas absorption filters are located above the dust removal filter and below the ventilation fan. In a second preferred embodiment, a fan filter unit is provided that includes a plurality of fan filter subunits, each fan filter subunit comprising a unit casing, a ventilation fan housed in the unit casing, and a dust removal filter in the bottom of the unit casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Suwa
  • Patent number: 5906429
    Abstract: An optical illumination device reflects and condenses light from a mercury-arc lamp by a light reflecting and condensing member and then reflects and deflects the light, thereafter the reflected and deflected light is transferred to a relay-lens system through a collimator lens or input lens, band-pass filter and fly-eye lens. Gas from which impurities are removed by a filter is flown around optical elements to separate the optical elements from air containing material causing clouding of the optical elements to thereby restrain clouding of the optical elements. On the other hand, or in addition, the reflectance of the light reflecting and condensing member and/or miller for the light of the absorption band of sulfur dioxide is made small to prevent the optical elements from clouding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Mori, Jin Yamada, Jun Nagatsuka, Shinichi Hasegawa, Shigeru Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 5685895
    Abstract: A chemical filter for removing a chemical impurity is arranged at an air inlet, and a gas sensor for adsorbing the chemical impurity is arranged upstream of the chemical filter. The service life of the chemical filter is determined on the basis of the resonance frequency of the gas sensor. Alternatively, the chemical filter has a specific portion whose removal capacity for the chemical impurity is lower than that of the rest, and a sensor for sensing the chemical impurity is arranged downstream of the specific portion. The service life of the chemical filter is predicted on the basis of an output from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Hagiwara, Noriaki Tokuda
  • Patent number: 5641343
    Abstract: A portable air cleaner designed to remove fine particles and unwanted gases from a room to provide for a healthier and cleaner environment. The portable air cleaner includes a high air volume circulating design and operates quietly and efficiently. The portable air cleaner is designed to minimize the unsettling of particles which have settled out on the floor about the base of the air cleaner so as not to aggravate the particle concentration within the room environment. The portable air cleaner includes a particle filter designed to have ultra high efficiencies with respect to particle removal. Disposed coterminous to the particle filter to remove unwanted gases from the filter air to provide for improved cleaner and healthier environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: HMI Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Frey
  • Patent number: 5632802
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removing moisture from compressed air through a pre-compression adsorptive desiccant bed, heat reactivated and regenerative air drying and filtration system. This system consists of an air filter affixed to a blower and in communication with a heater connected and communicating with a conduit communicating with a first valve and a second valve. The first and second valve are each connected to another conduit which is connected to a desiccant bed adsorption unit and another valve and conduit which is in communication with an air compression machine. Each desiccant bed is preferably of tubular configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Inventors: George R. Grgich, Michael S. Cranford, John C. Patton
  • Patent number: 5597404
    Abstract: Apparatus for conducting an improved method of processing a catalytic reformate with an improved production of hydrogen. The apparatus comprises units for conducting a separation stage, absorption at 20.degree. to 60.degree. C. and at a pressure of at least 10 bars, purification of hydrogen over adsorbent beds and recycling of the residual gas obtained at purification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Institut Francais Du Petrole
    Inventors: Bruno Domergue, Beatrtice Fischer, Larry Mank
  • Patent number: 5591244
    Abstract: A system which reduces the transmission of noxious fumes into the surrounding air during the application of a heated liquid roofing product on a roof. A mobile tanker or kettle contains a supply of the heated liquid. The air space within the tanker or vessel above the liquid product communicates with a mobile filtration unit by a first duct. A rooftop carrier for the liquid product has a fume collection hood which communicates with the filtration unit by a second duct. A blower in the filtration unit creates negative pressure which draws the noxious fumes from the tanker or vessel and carrier through the ducts and into and through the filtration unit. The filtration unit has a series of airtight chambers mounted on a mobile truck bed, each containing a different type of filtering medium to remove various components of the noxious fumes as the fumes move through the filtration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignees: Simon Roofing and Sheet Metal Corp., Aercology Incorporated
    Inventors: Anthony R. Vross, George V. Fagan
  • Patent number: 5514196
    Abstract: An air cleaning apparatus includes an air passage chamber having a suction port, from which air is sucked, and a discharge port from which the air sucked from the suction port is discharged, an air blower, provided in the air passage chamber, for sucking the air from the suction port into the air passage chamber and discharging the sucked air from the discharge port, and a particle removing mechanism for removing particles contained in the air sucked from the suction port, the entire body of the particle removing mechanism being formed of a material which generates little impurity gas detrimental to processing in a processing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron Limited, Tokyo Electron Tohoku Limited
    Inventors: Takashi Tanahashi, Syuji Moriya, Tsuyoshi Wakabayashi, Takenobu Matsuo
  • Patent number: 5503659
    Abstract: This invention is a system which purifies or removes air pollutants from the vent gas stream of a fixed roof liquid storage tank. It incorporates a novel method for insuring that tank venting will not be restricted or prevented by the air pollution control or purification devices, and thereby eliminates a potential cause of deformation or collapse of a fixed roof liquid storage tank upon which it may be installed. It is constructed of essentially two parts as follows:1. a purification unit, which may contain filtration and/or sorptive media, connected by a pipe or chamber to the vent connection of a fixed roof liquid storage tank2. a forced draft fan, selected according to specific design criteria, which forces air into the pipe or chamber which connects the purification unit and the fixed roof liquid storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Inventor: Jay C. Crosman
  • Patent number: 5478379
    Abstract: A method of converting a dehumidifier (10) having a base portion (16), a center portion (18), an upper portion (20), a desiccant container (62), and receptacle container (36), to an air purifier (12). The method includes removal of the desiccant container (62) and replacing it with an air filter cartridge (94). The invention is also directed to the air purifier (12) and air filter cartridge (94) for converting from a dehumidifier (10) via the air filter cartridge (94).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventor: Rick C. Bevins
  • Patent number: 5459943
    Abstract: An air cleaning apparatus according to the present invention includes an apparatus body having a suction port through which air in a processing space is sucked and a discharge port through which the air sucked through the suction port is discharged into the processing space. A blower is provided in the apparatus body for sucking the air from the processing space into the apparatus body through the suction port and discharging the sucked air into the processing space through the discharge port. In addition an impurity gas removing device in the apparatus body is provided for removing impurity gases contained in the air sucked through the suction port and harmful to processing in the processing space, and a particle removing device is provided on the exhaust side of the impurity gas removing device for removing particles in the sucked air cleared of the impurity gases by impurity gas removing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron Limited, Tokyo Electron Tohoku Limited
    Inventor: Takashi Tanahashi
  • Patent number: 5427609
    Abstract: A device (10) for removing contaminants from truck air systems or the like includes an assembly including a desiccant canister (100), a carrier (46), and a bottom closure (28) vertically removable in a passage (14) of a collar (12) mounted to the truck. The carrier (46) includes a horizontal plate (48) which divides the passage (14) into a coalescing chamber having a horizontally orientated, tubular coalescing filter (98) extending vertically above and diametrically over the sump including an electrically actuated purge valve (42) of the bottom closure (28). Air is directed vertically downward from the filter (98) by vertical legs (62) extending down from the horizontal plate (48) and on opposite sides of the filter (98). A follower plate (118) is biased in the canister (100) against the desiccant beads (116) by a wave spring (140) sandwiched thereagainst by a slideable retainer (142) fixed in the side wall (104) of the canister (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Horton Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Norbert P. Zoglman, Daniel J. Fitzsimmons, Brian J. Larson
  • Patent number: 5427610
    Abstract: A solvent fume exhaust scrubber (100) for recovering organic vapor from exhaust air which is produced during the manufacture of semiconductors includes a throttling chamber (180) containing a plurality of planar baffles (112, 114, 116, 118 and 120), a planar condenser (130) and a cooling coil (138) which engages and substantially traverses the planar surface of the condenser. The throttling chamber intersects an exhaust duct (152) so that an exhaust stream (182) flows in a flow direction (184) through the chamber. Each baffle and condenser has a planar surface which is disposed at right angles to the flow direction. The surface extends partially across the exhaust stream. The baffles are arranged sequentially along the flow direction and have offsetting planar surfaces across the exhaust stream so that the baffles in combination extend across the exhaust stream. A baffle includes a baffle frame (302) for holding a plurality of carbon beads (306).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: NEC Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael G. Croker
  • Patent number: 5411581
    Abstract: A gas separation apparatus employing a membrane gas separation unit and containing a regenerative desiccant for preventing any free water contacting the membranes within the membrane separation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventor: Graham B. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5407470
    Abstract: A biological air filter for cleaning, humidifying, and detoxifying air containing harmful substances, having a generally cylindrical filter housing with a sealing cover and a removable filter element. The filter element contains a substrate and plants. Air is circulated through the moist substrate and released into the room. Dust and harmful substances are trapped in the substrate and are at least partially consumed by the plants. The biological air filter can also be connected to an existing ventilating system. It is decorative and suitable for use in offices, apartments, laboratories, doctor offices, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Interhydro AG
    Inventor: Eduard Jutzi
  • Patent number: 5397382
    Abstract: A bio regeneration air filter having a pot for holding a filtering media and plant. The filtering media traps contaminates from air circulated therethrough and microorganisms associated with the root system break down the contaminates to convert them to plant food whereby the filtering media regenerates and need not be replaced. Air intake tubes draw air to or force air through the filtering media and communicate with a motor driven fan located in a base assembly which is removable from the pot. The fan can push air upwardly through air intake tubes, or reversely, draw air downwardly through the air intake tubes, whereby in either direction to bring ambient indoor air through the filtering media for bio regeneration filtering to occur. The pot may have an integrally formed air chamber for the air intake tubes or the system may include a separate air pan assembly forming a chamber below the pot and between the pot and the fan in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Alliance Research and Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5350443
    Abstract: Disclosed is a filter sheet material for passenger cabins in motor vehicles, especially for the removal of unpleasant exhaust fumes, whereby on one and the same air permeable support material, a particle-filtering layer as well as an adsorption filter layer is provided. The adsorptive material in the adsorption filter layer is selected from active carbon particles, activated carbonized carbon particles, molecular sieves, porous polymer adsorbers and carbonized ion-exchangers. The particle filtering layer comprises a micro-fibre agglomeration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Inventors: Hasso von Blucher, Ernest de Ruiter
  • Patent number: 5298054
    Abstract: A pressure swing and temperature swing adsorption system is disclosed which continuously purges contaminants such as nuclear, biological and chemical warfare agents from intake air and provides cool clean air to the crew compartment of a vehicle by progressively directing contaminated air through a first adsorption bed to clean the air, while simultaneously directing hot exhaust gases at about 600.degree. F. through a second adsorption bed for purging contaminants therefrom, while simultaneously cooling a third adsorption bed for enhancing adsorption of contaminants in the purging bed upon repeating the cycles of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Ram L. Malik
  • Patent number: 5248323
    Abstract: In a vacuum cleaner comprising a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary means driven by the motor for creating a vacuum in the chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from the chamber, which air flows in a selected path from the air inlet, through the chamber and out the air exhaust outlet and a disposable porous sheet filter layer in the chamber for removing solids particles from the air there is provided an improvement comprising a gas removing filter between the filter layer and the motor where the gas removing filter comprises an activated charcoal filter layer in the chamber, intersecting the air path and generally coterminous with the disposable filter layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Health-Mor, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip H. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 5236595
    Abstract: An improved filtration system involving the use of ultraviolet irradiation, ozonation, chlorination, reactive filtration media, chemical treatment, compressed air aeration, air emission control, and central flow control is described. The process system and apparatus of the present invention mainly include a liquid pump, an ultraviolet pretreatment means, a central flow control, an air emission control means, a reactive pressure filter, a process tank, at least one chemical feeder means, an ultraviolet post-treatment means, and an aeration means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: International Environmental Systems, Inc., USA
    Inventors: Lawrence K. Wang, Lubomyr Kurylko, Mu H. S. Wang
  • Patent number: 4040825
    Abstract: The present invention relates to light-sensitive photographic material with a light-sensitive heavy metal compound, e.g. a silver halide, and a spectral sensitizer. The spectral sensitizer is a compound in which the radicals of a sensitizing dyestuff are covalently bonded to amino, imino, hydroxyl, mercapto, carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid amide groups of a natural hydrophilic colloid, preferably gelatin.The invention also relates to new sensitizing dyes which are dinuclear cyanine dyes or merocyanine dyes which have attached either to a heterocyclic nucleus of the dye or to its methine chain a group which is reactive with a hydrophilic colloid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1977
    Assignee: Ciba-Geigy AG
    Inventors: Rolf Steiger, Jean-Francois Reber, Aaron David Ezekiel, Geoffrey Ernest Ficken