With Signals, Indicators, Measuring, Or Testing Means Patents (Class 96/417)
  • Patent number: 7537646
    Abstract: A fuel system includes a fuel deoxygenator for removing oxygen from a liquid fuel. A vaporizer is in fluid communication with the fuel deoxygenator. The vaporizer vaporizes at least a portion of the liquid fuel to produce vaporized fuel. At least a portion of the vaporized fuel pre-mixes with oxidizer to reduce formation of undesirable emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander G Chen, Jeffrey M. Cohen
  • Patent number: 7537641
    Abstract: A process and equipment for treating natural gas produced by a well that has recently been stimulated, and that contains an undesirably high concentration of the fracturing gas used to stimulate the well. The process involves treating the gas by membrane separation, and provides for control of treatment parameters to compensate for the changing concentration of fracturing gas in the produced gas, as well as changes in gas flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala, Ankur Jariwala
  • Patent number: 7537649
    Abstract: An air treatment system includes features for maximizing efficiency and effectiveness. In one embodiment, a sensor air passage utilizes a low pressure region created by the blower to draw air through the passage. In another embodiment, a filter frame includes a plurality of connectors formed integrally with the filter frame. In another embodiment, a screen is positioned adjacent to the blower intake. The screen includes a plurality of angled strands oriented in a particular direction. In another embodiment, a remote control holder is formed integrally with the housing. In another embodiment, a gasket is positioned between the blower and the housing, forming seal between the blower and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: Bradley J. Pippel, Gregory K. Evans, James Dodds
  • Patent number: 7527680
    Abstract: Data of a barometric pressure that a barometric pressure sensor outputs, and data of an air volume that an air-volume sensor outputs are input into a system control circuit. The system control circuit is provided with a table storing portion. In the table storing portion, a control table is stored. The control table is formed of a plus supplied-voltage value to fan power set by a barometric pressure value and an air-volume value, and a warning instruction. In a case that the warning instruction is selected based on the barometric pressure value and the air-volume value, the system control circuit turns on a warning-use LED so as to inform a user that a filter is clogged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotake Horiguchi, Takeshi Higashino, Ryosuke Sato
  • Patent number: 7524362
    Abstract: An air treatment assembly for treating air passing through an air duct comprises a frame defining an interior space and having an inlet opening providing access to the interior space, an air treatment medium sized to be inserted into the interior space through the inlet opening, and a keyed connection between the frame and the air treatment medium to control the engagement of the air treatment medium with the frame. The air treatment assembly also comprises a frame defining an interior space, an air treatment medium sized to be received within the interior space, and an air quality module integrated with the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Guolian Wu, Andrew D. Litch, Alexander J. Karp
  • Publication number: 20090095152
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting the presence of a leak in a baghouse bag installed in a baghouse system having at least one compartment. The methods include using a system to acquire electrical signals corresponding to the opacity of gas flow through an outlet of a baghouse system during a start-up of one or more compartments of the baghouse system and comparing the electrical signals corresponding to the opacity of the gas flow with electrical signals characteristic of a leak in at least one of the baghouse bags of the baghouse system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steve LINDSEY, Matthew ASHBY
  • Patent number: 7503962
    Abstract: An End of Service Life (ESLI) and Residual Life Indicator (RLI), for gas masks and other filters, where the indicator includes a solid conduit with one end closed by a transparent material and the other by a porous material. In one implementation the conduit contains, a powder that can react chromogenically. In another implementation, the porous material includes a reagent that can react with the target gas and release a reactive gas. The transparent end of the conduit is coated internally with a chromogenic reagent that changes color when either the target gas or the gas produced in the reaction reaches it. The ESLI/RLI may be inserted into the filter from different directions to accommodate practical filter or mask designs. The ESLI/RLI may contain more than one chromophore to alert users of the penetration of different gases or classes of gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Inventor: Amir J. Attar
  • Patent number: 7494536
    Abstract: A bypass factor of an evaporator is used to indicate when an air filter of an HVAC is clogged. The bypass factor represents the amount of air that is bypassed without direct contact with the evaporator. As the air filter clogs, the bypass factor decreases. The bypass factor can also be used for early detection of clogging of the air filter. A first bypass factor is calculated by using the temperature measurements, and a second bypass factor is calculated by using the airflow rate of the air. The difference between the two bypass factors determines the error. An increase in the error indicates that the air filter is clogged. A coefficient of performance of the evaporator can also be calculated to detect if the air filter is clogged. A decrease in the coefficient of performance indicates that the air filter is clogged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Pengju Kang, Mohsen Farzad, Alan Finn, Payman Sadegh
  • Patent number: 7485169
    Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing process facility requiring use therein of air exhaust for its operation, such facility including clean room and gray room components, with the clean room having at least one semiconductor manufacturing tool therein, and wherein air exhaust is flowed through a region of the clean room. The facility includes an air exhaust treatment apparatus arranged to (i) receive air exhaust after flow thereof through said region of said clean room, (ii) produce a treated air exhaust, and (iii) recirculate the treated air exhaust to an ambient air environment in the facility, e.g., to the gray room of the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Karl Olander, Joseph D. Sweeney, Luping Wang
  • Patent number: 7462214
    Abstract: A vehicular air-conditioner with a pollen mode setting intake to an inside air mode, vents to a face mode, and a blower air flow to a limit maximum air flow M1 between a minimum air flow Lo and a maximum air flow Hi (Lo<M1<M2<Hi), with an air-conditioning unit provided with a filter for trapping pollen and blowing clean air from which pollen has been removed from the vents to the vehicle compartment, whereby by starting the pollen mode simultaneously with the start of the engine, clean air is immediately blown to the vicinity of the face of the driver from the face vents and thereby the pollen entering the vehicle or pollen carried into the vehicle in the vicinity of the face is blown away, the air flow at this time being a maximum air flow M1 able to be withstood in terms of temperature sensation, so a pollen free comfortable environment being created without causing discomfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukiya Sassa, Kenichi Kato, Yasushi Kato, Hironobu Takeda
  • Publication number: 20080295696
    Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine having a dehumidifying apparatus and a dehumidifying method thereof, the washing machine comprising: a casing forming an appearance, a door installed at one side of the casing so as to receive laundry therein, a top cover opened/closed by the door, an outer tub installed in the casing, an inner tub rotatably installed in the outer tub, and a dehumidifying apparatus for removing moisture generated from the laundry, accordingly it is capable of less generating a foreign substance or odor caused by moisture left in the washing machine after the washing completion and of increasing a dehumidifying efficiency by periodically or repeatedly dehumidifying the washing machine using the dehumidifying apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Young-Jong KIM
  • Publication number: 20080295685
    Abstract: An air filter cartridge is mounted in an air purification device of a commercial vehicle. The air filter cartridge includes an identification device, the information of which can be recorded by a recording device. The method detects the characteristics of an air filter cartridge for use with the air purification device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahreuge GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Uhland, Eduard Hilberer, Klaus Krockenberger
  • Patent number: 7455721
    Abstract: An apparatus for humidifying a gas stream includes a humidifier device having at least one membrane permeable to water vapor. The gas stream and a humid gas stream flow through a humidifier device, being separated from one another by the at least one membrane. The apparatus includes at least one bypass line configured to route at least part of one of the gas stream and the humid gas stream so that it does not come into contact with the membrane. In addition a method for humidifying a gas stream, includes flowing the gas stream through a humidifier having a membrane permeable to water vapor, flowing a humid gas stream through the humidifier separated by the membrane, and routing at least a portion of one of the gas stream and the humid gas stream using a bypass line so that it does not come into contact with the membrane, and varying a quantity of the portion so as to set a predetermined dew point in the gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Berger, Jens Intorp, Gerhard Konrad, Arnold Lamm, Sven Schnetzler
  • Patent number: 7445665
    Abstract: A method for detecting the cleanliness of a filter. The filter is disposed on an air inlet or an air outlet of a fan. The method includes the following steps. At first, outputting a rotation control voltage to the fan, and an airflow generated by the rotation of the fan flows through the filter. Then, detect an actual rotation rate of the fan, and calculate an actual dust value f1 according to the actual rotation rate and the rotation rate control voltage. Then, a dust upper limit value of the filter is defined. Finally, the cleanliness of the filter is determined according to the actual dust value and the dust upper limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Qisda Corporation
    Inventors: Chia-Chang Hsieh, Hung-Jen Wei
  • Patent number: 7442291
    Abstract: A system and method relating to in situ monitoring, analysis, and control of a lubricating material within a lubrication filter assembly is provided. A filter-sensor integration comprises a lubrication filter assembly and at least one lubrication sensing assembly, wherein the lubrication sensing assembly comprising at least one sensor array, and the sensor array comprises of at least one sensor. The lubrication filter assembly comprises a housing which defines a chamber, wherein lubricating material enters the chamber through a filter material. The lubrication sensing assembly is embedded into the chamber of the lubrication filter assembly, and the lubrication sensing device is positioned relative to the filter material so that the at least one sensor of the sensor array senses in situ different parameters of the lubricating fluid, analyzes measured parameters to determine health of the system, and generates a control signal to protect machinery and processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick M. Discenzo, Chung-Chiun Liu, Laurie A. Dudik
  • Patent number: 7442230
    Abstract: An inert gas generating system for generating inert gas on a vehicle having a fuel tank and a fuel tank vent. The system includes an inlet for receiving a flow of gas having a nitrogen component and an oxygen component from a gas source, a heat exchanger downstream from the inlet and in fluid communication with the inlet for cooling gas received from the inlet, and a gas separation module downstream from the heat exchanger and in fluid communication with the heat exchanger for separating gas received from the heat exchanger into a nitrogen-enriched gas flow and an oxygen-enriched gas flow. The gas separation module is adapted to deliver nitrogen-enriched gas from the nitrogen-enriched gas flow to the fuel tank without delivering the nitrogen-enriched gas through the fuel tank vent. The gas separation module is also adapted to deliver nitrogen-enriched gas from the nitrogen-enriched gas flow to the fuel tank vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Donald R. Snow, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080245235
    Abstract: An improved filter assembly (1) is disclosed, particularly for electric cabinets, comprising a filter cloth (5), a conveying sump (7) and a fan (9), equipped with at least one thermal-resistive sensor (11) placed next to at least one hole (13) obtained in the conveying sump (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Roberto Brioschi
  • Patent number: 7431753
    Abstract: An oxygen enrichment apparatus includes a main body including an oxygen enriching unit and a pump unit for supplying oxygen-enriched air obtained by the oxygen enriching unit to a predetermined place; a ventilating unit for suctioning exterior air into the main body and discharging the exterior air out of the main body after supplying the exterior air into the oxygen enriching unit; and a control unit for controlling the pump unit and the ventilating unit. The ventilating unit and the control unit are installed in the main body. The main body further includes therein a secondary battery serving as a power supply for supplying a power to the pump unit, the ventilating unit and the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Yoshida, Yasuo Oushima, Kazuhisa Morishita
  • Publication number: 20080241017
    Abstract: An electronic device including a control module and a filter. The electronic device generates a pernicious substance when the electronic device is operated. The control module controls the electronic device. The filter filters the pernicious substance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: BEYOND INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chiu-Yuan Lin, Hsiu-Fen Yeh
  • Publication number: 20080229931
    Abstract: There is provided a honeycomb structure capable of suitably be used for a filter for trapping particulate matter, such as a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and capable of detecting an accumulation amount of particulate matter easily with high accuracy when the honeycomb structure is used for a filter for trapping particulate matter. The honeycomb structure 1 has a plurality of cells functioning as gas passages and partitioned and formed by the porous partition walls and has two or more electrodes therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kyosuke KATSUYAMA, Takeya MIYASHITA, Kenshin KITOH, Yukio MIYAIRI
  • Patent number: 7419532
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of loading a filtering device includes measuring a metric indicative of an initial loading of the filtering device and desirably positioning a quantity of matter proximate the filtering device. The method also includes applying a negative pressure to the filtering device such that at least a portion of the quantity of matter is drawn into the filtering device. The method further includes measuring a metric indicative of a final loading of the filtering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl L. Sellers, Richard A. Crandell, Dong Fei, Jeremy Trethewey, Natalie N. Vanderspiegel
  • Patent number: 7419533
    Abstract: A separable air purifying apparatus is provided, in which a number of purifiers whose purifying capabilities for particular pollutants are reinforced by each purifier are disposed in a space meeting each purifying characteristic in order to enable an independent operation for a custom-made purification, and are integrally combined with each other to thereby make a combination of a driving ratio of each purifier according to a degree of pollution and perform a combination operation of purification. The separable air purifying apparatus inhales external air by ventilation modules incorporated in respective cases and purifies the external air by filter members, to then discharge out the purified air. That is, the separable air purifying apparatus includes controllers controlling the ventilation modules and a main purifier and an auxiliary purifier each which are independently operated by respective power supplies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Winia Mando, Inc.
    Inventors: Bu Yeon Son, Jung Il Choi
  • Patent number: 7416574
    Abstract: A filter apparatus for improving gas temperature stability while maintaining a high impurity removal capacity. The filter apparatus includes a filter for removing impurities from a gas and a temperature adjuster for adjusting the temperature of the gas to a predetermined temperature. The filter apparatus further includes a humidity detector, arranged at the upstream side of the filter, for adjusting the humidity of the gas before the gas passes through the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Udagawa, Yoshitomo Nagahashi
  • Patent number: 7412889
    Abstract: A monitoring assembly for a filter includes an acoustic apparatus. The acoustic apparatus includes a first receiver, a second receiver, a resonator, and a transmitter. The transmitter is configured to emit sound waves receivable by at least one of the first receiver, the second receiver, and the resonator. The monitoring assembly also includes an electronic control module configured to receive signals from at least one of the first and second receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Mohamed I. Daoud
  • Patent number: 7395710
    Abstract: A monitoring assembly for a filter may include a transmitter, arranged on a first side of the filter, configured to emit sound waves. The monitoring assembly may also include a first receiver, arranged on the first side of the filter, configured to receive the sound waves. The monitoring assembly may further include a second receiver, arranged on a second side of the filter, configured to receive the sound waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Mohamed I. Daoud
  • Patent number: 7396383
    Abstract: A device and method for preventing ingression of contaminants and moisture and for removing moisture from a fluid reservoir, the device comprising a fluid reservoir for supporting a fluid therein, a fluid reservoir opening for allowing an exchanging of air between an interior of the fluid reservoir and the ambient surrounding, and a membrane-based reservoir dryer located in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, the membrane-based reservoir dryer comprising a source of compressed gas and a membrane dryer for drying the compressed gas to increase the capacity of the compressed gas for absorbing moisture from the fluid in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventors: John H. Burban, Michael R. Spearman, David S. Kolstad, Craig J. Cuta
  • Patent number: 7396390
    Abstract: An oxygen enrichment apparatus includes an oxygen enriching unit for generating oxygen-enriched air and a discharge unit for discharging the oxygen-enriched air transferred from the suction unit. The oxygen-enriched air generated by the oxygen enriching unit has an oxygen concentration ranging from about 25% to 35%. The apparatus also includes a suction unit for suctioning the oxygen-enriched air from the oxygen enriching unit and a control unit for controlling the operation of the suction unit. The main body is provided with a display unit for indicating a state that the oxygen-enriched air is being discharged out by the discharge unit. The oxygen enriching unit has at least one oxygen enriching membrane for generating the oxygen-enriched air and a condensed water treating unit is installed at an air passage for guiding the oxygen-enriched air from the oxygen enriching unit to the discharge unit via the suction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Hayashi, Toshiyuki Yoshida, Yasuo Oshima, Yoshitaka Murata, Teruyuki Yasuda, Hiroyuki Senoo
  • Patent number: 7393380
    Abstract: A method for guaranteeing at least one characteristic of a fluid used for producing food products. This method utilizes a system for piping and delivering the fluid, combined with means for producing the products, in order to use the fluid for producing the products; the measuring a value of the characteristic; the comparing the measured value with a predetermined threshold value; the act of executing an action if the measured value departs from the threshold value; the combining the measured value with first information for identifying at least one product; and then the storing the associated value and the associated information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme A Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Jean-François Vie, Henry Ledon, Philippe Girardon, Christel Girault
  • Patent number: 7393390
    Abstract: Air is introduced from an intake chamber into a plurality of hollow fiber membranes in a casing. The casing is connected to a vacuum pump via a three-way valve and water vapor in air is evacuated through the membranes. Dehumidified or dried air is discharged from a discharge chamber at the ends of the membranes. The vacuum pump is connected to a detector/selector. If the vacuum pump is out of order, it is detected by the detector/selector and another dehumidifier including a depressurizing device is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Anest Iwata Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 7390339
    Abstract: A particle separation apparatus is disclosed. The particle separation apparatus may be for sample air stream preparation and delivery in particle detection systems. The particle separation apparatus may include a first vortex separator coupled to a second vortex separator for selecting particles in the air stream that are within a desirable size range for particle detection. The second vortex separator may further increase the concentration of particles within the desirable size range per unit volume. The particle separation apparatus may deliver the size-selected air stream to a detector, such as a laser-induced fluorescence detection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Hach Ultra Analytics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bret R. Warrick, Ivan K. Horban, Michael M. Carrabba
  • Publication number: 20080121107
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the passage of air (200), in particular filter fan or output filter, with a blast (20) or without a blast, for fitting in a mounting opening (50) in a wall (51), in particular of a casing for waste heat producing components, such as a switch cupboard, an electronic cupboard, a computer system or the like, whereby the device for the passage of air (200) comprises a basic casing (21) with or without a blast support (25), a covering device (100) configured as a design cover (80) with or without peripheral side walls (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d) moulded on the air outlet side and which can be inserted into the basic casing (21) and with a covering device (100) configured with a fan grid (10) which has lamellar elements (90, 90?) held on the opposed side walls (30b, 30d) of the design cover (80) and a filter mat (60) placed between the basic casing (21) and the fan grid (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Andreas Pfannenberg
  • Patent number: 7374600
    Abstract: A method and system for preventing or minimizing false back pressure faults caused by a new particulate filter in an engine exhaust system. When a new particulate filter is placed in an engine exhaust system, the normal back pressure threshold for the fault detection system is increased by a new filter offset amount. Back pressure faults at the normal level are not recorded for a limited period of engine operation and only records back pressure faults that exceed the normal back pressure threshold by the value of the new filter offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Richard M. Avery, Jr., Dennis M. Letang
  • Patent number: 7371266
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a filter cleaning device, in particular, diesel particulate filters. In one embodiment, the device includes a source of high pressure fluid and a mechanism transport the fluid to a nozzle or nozzles; an actuator for moving the nozzles; a controller with logic for instructing the actuator to automatically move the nozzle or nozzles across the surface of the filter; a collection device and suction device downstream of the filter; and ducting to transport the fluid between parts of the system. In one embodiment, a second collection device is used downstream of the suction device to provide additional particulate removal. There are three methods proposed for providing high pressure cleaning fluid to the filter face: 1) rotating the filter and rotating the jet about an axis outside of the filter; 2) moving a nozzle in two perpendicular directions (i.e., x-y); and 3) rotating a radial nozzle about the central axis of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Streichsbier, Richard G. Lemke, Dean Wehrley, Bradley L. Edgar, Marc D. Rumminger
  • Publication number: 20080092742
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air pollution sensor system (1) incorporated in an enclosure (E), said enclosure comprising an air handling system inside an air duct (2), said air duct enabling a communication between air inside said enclosure and air outside said enclosure. The air duct comprises an air inlet for receiving air and an air outlet for releasing handled air inside said enclosure. The air pollution sensor system comprises at least one soot particle sensor (21) capable of sensing soot particles with a diameter in a range of approximately 5-500 nm inside said enclosure and providing a pollution information signal (P) in response to the sensing of said soot particles. The invention further relates to various types of soot particle sensors and air handling systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventor: Johan Marra
  • Publication number: 20080087588
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for transmitting information between a device within a housing to a second device, preferably a test or monitoring unit, outside of the housing. There are numerous issues associated with transferring information from within a sealed housing to an external device. In some cases, the use of wires inside the housing may be impractical, due to internal conditions, such as fluid flow, pressure or temperature. In one embodiment, the antenna of the external RF reading device is electrically connected to the dome of the housing. In another embodiment, the device within the housing is electrically connected to a housing component. In another embodiment, the gasket is used to pass information from within the housing to an external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Micheal T. Grzonka, Michael Joens, Aaron Burke
  • Publication number: 20080087589
    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: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Michael T. Grzonka, Aaron Burke
  • Patent number: 7354473
    Abstract: A combined building air-conditioning unit and NBC protection system, containing an enclosed space housing a building air-conditioning unit and further including a plurality of chambers, a first chamber having an ambient air inlet port, one prefilter and a blower for sucking air through the prefilter, a second chamber having a valve including an open and closed state, receiving air from the blower and accommodating a C-detector and a valve actuator responsible, at least indirectly to, and operable by, the C-detector, and a third chamber housing at least one C-filter and a blower for sucking air from the second chamber via the C-filter into the building when the valve is in its closed state. A method for economically controlling air purity within a protected space is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Beth-El Zikhron-Ya'Aqov Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Karl-Hans Fuchs, Albrecht Fuchs, Samuel Koeger
  • Patent number: 7351273
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus (10) for separating dust constituents out of an explosive dust-air mixture which is passed through a filter housing (26) with filter elements having filter surfaces use a dust container (64), which can be connected in a gastight manner to the filter housing (26), contains inert additive particles (60), into which the process dust produced as a result of the filter surfaces being cleaned down drops and from which the additive particles (60) can be blown onto the filter surfaces by means of compressed air (138). There is a weighing device (122, 124) for the dust container (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Handte Umwelttechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Siegfried Handte
  • Publication number: 20080047425
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine inlet particle separator system selectively engages and disengages an inlet particle separator from the engine in response to signals sensed by a sensor system or manually by the pilot. The controller system identifies a FOD-related flight regime to engage/disengage the inlet particle separator from the engine to provide increased engine power and fuel efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: David C. Loda, James W. Norris
  • Patent number: 7334490
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally related to a method and apparatus foe scanning a v-bank filter. In one embodiment, an apparatus for scanning a v-bank filter includes a hollow body having first and second ends. An outlet, formed at the second end of the body, is adapted for coupling a testing device to an interior volume of the body. A plurality of holes are formed through the body and are fluidly coupled to the interior volume. In another embodiment, a method for scanning a v-bank filter includes inserting a probe having a plurality of sample ports into a filter adjacent a filter pack, and traversing the probe along the filter pack. In yet another embodiment, a method for scanning a v-bank filter includes scanning a slot of a v-bank filter with a probe, and collecting samples of gas passing through the filter and into the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Camfil Farr, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Morse, Mark Huza
  • Publication number: 20080034976
    Abstract: An air cleaner including touch points is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The air cleaner includes a chassis and one or more visually coded touch points on the chassis. The one or more visually coded touch points include indicia of user-contactable components of the air cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher M. Paterson, Dennis T. Lamb, Bruce Kiern, Owen T. Bourgeois, Paul Moshenrose, Shane Cohen
  • Publication number: 20080034962
    Abstract: An air cleaner is provided according to the invention. The air cleaner includes a main power source, a backup power source, a state detector configured to detect a state of an air cleaner component, and a state memory element coupled to the state detector. The state memory element is configured to transfer a current state in the state memory element to a control circuit: using main electrical power from a main power source, receive the state in the state memory element from the state detector when the state memory element is receiving backup electrical power from a backup power source, and store the state in the state memory element using the backup electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Bruce Kiern
  • Patent number: 7329292
    Abstract: A trap device including at least one substance delivery element for introducing a substance therein is disclosed. The delivered substance may influence the nature of deposits that have formed within the trap device, may influence the formation of deposits within the trap device, or may cause a precipitate to form. Deposit interaction elements may be employed to influence the distribution or redistribution of deposits within the trap device. Deposit interaction elements may effect thermal conditions, introduce substances, or physically interact with deposits within the trap device. Further, a storage region within the trap device may be used to accumulate deposits. In one embodiment, a substantially continuous path through the trap device may be maintained or preserved so that deposits form within the trap device except substantially along the path. The present invention also encompasses a method of operation of a trap device as well as a system incorporating same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen P. Mardian, Philip H. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20080028940
    Abstract: An air purifier and a control method thereof. The air purifier includes a main body having an air inlet and an air outlet, a fan mounted in the main body, rotational speed of which is changed according to a user-desired air flow rate, cyclones disposed in parallel with each other under the fan, at least one open/close unit to open and close at least one of the cyclones. The open/close unit may include a valve member to open and close an outflow pipe of the cyclone, and a stepping motor to rotate the valve member. An anemometer is mounted to at least one of the cyclones. Accordingly, since the air purifier can measure a speed of air flow in the cyclone and correspondingly change the operating number of the dust-collecting cyclones in an open state, the air purifier can achieve a predetermined dust-collecting performance even when the speed of the air flow in the cyclone is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Oh Han, Jai Kwon Lee
  • Patent number: 7323036
    Abstract: A controller directs the operation of an air pollution control (APC) system having one or more controllable operating parameters and a defined operating limit representing a regulatory limit on an allowed amount of pollutant to be emitted by the APC system. An interface receives data representing a value of a regulatory credit available for emitting less of the pollutant than the regulatory limit on the allowed amount of pollutant. A control processor (i) determines a target set point for each of at least one of the one or more controllable operating parameters, which will maximize the regulatory credits earned, based on the received data and (ii) to directs control of each of the at least one controllable operating parameter based on the determined target set point for that parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Scott A. Boyden, Stephen Piche
  • Publication number: 20080006158
    Abstract: An air cleaner is provided according to the invention. The air cleaner includes a printed circuit board (PCB) configured to operate the air cleaner and a diagnostics circuit. The diagnostics circuit is configured to receive a predetermined diagnostic initiation sequence in the air cleaner, initiate a diagnostics process for one or more operational features of the air cleaner in response to the predetermined diagnostic initiation sequence, and generate a diagnostics determination as a result of the diagnostics process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce Kiern, Christopher M. Paterson, John Relman Bohlen
  • Publication number: 20070298504
    Abstract: Diesel exhaust treatment articles, systems and methods are disclosed. According to one or more embodiments, an oxygen storage component is utilized and degradation of the oxygen storage component is correlated with degradation of the hydrocarbon conversion efficiency of a catalyst in a diesel engine system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Torsten Wolfgang Mueller, Tilman Wolfram Beutel, Joseph Charles Dettling, Markus Kinne
  • Patent number: 7303613
    Abstract: A pressure actuated electrical switch and indicator to indicate to a user that a filter vacuum cleaner requires cleaning or replacing. In a first embodiment, the pressure actuated electrical switch measures the pressure present between the filter media and the flow inducing device to determine whether a minimum absolute pressure threshold has been exceeded. The pressure actuated switch has a chamber with two electrical leads that are connected when the pressure in the vacuum cleaner raises above a predetermined level. A tube from the chamber to the vacuum cleaner housing draws a conductive part into contact with both leads. In additional embodiments, the pressure measure is the difference in air pressure above and below the filter media, or the difference in air pressure between the pressure in the air stream between the filter media and the flow inducing source, and the ambient air pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Operating, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Rosenzweig
  • Publication number: 20070272082
    Abstract: A system for periodically or continuously monitoring the condition of a filter includes a filter having a peripheral frame and a flexible interior filtering region, a fixed support structure for receiving the filter and maintaining the perimeter of the filter frame in a generally fixed position while allowing the interior filtering region to flex in response to flow through the filter, and a force measuring device mounted on the downstream side of the filter adjacent the interior filtering region in a fixed position relative to the supporting structure, whereby as the interior filtering region flexes in response to flow through the filter, the interior filtering region exerts a force on the force measuring device that increases with the degree of clogging of the filter. A method of monitoring the condition of a filter is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventor: Ronald C. Johansson
  • Publication number: 20070272081
    Abstract: An air filter monitoring system for indicating when to clean or replace a flexible air filter includes an air filter having a peripheral frame and an interior filtering region, a fixed support structure for receiving the air filter and maintaining the perimeter of the filter frame in a generally fixed position while allowing the interior filtering region to flex in response to air flow through the filter, and a filter change indicator having a predetermined bias force. The filter change indicator is arranged to contact the interior filtering region of the filter, wherein when the predetermined bias force is reached, the filter change indicator is activated to notify a user to clean or replace the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventor: Ronald C. Johansson