With Liquid Trap Seal Or Valve Patents (Class 55/355)
  • Patent number: 11627872
    Abstract: Presented is a method and apparatus for aiding medical procedures. An apparatus includes a housing defining a first opening, a second opening, and a interior, and a first cleaning element maintained within the interior relative to the first opening, the first cleaning element comprising at least one cleaning agent operable to remove extraneous debris from an object. The apparatus further includes a second cleaning element maintained with the interior relative to the second opening, the second cleaning element comprising at least one cleaning material and at least one white reference material, the at least one cleaning material operable to remove debris from an object. The apparatus also includes a conduit defining a passage from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Buffalo Filter LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Miller, William Kellner, Kyrylo Shvetsov, Greg Pepe, Samantha Bonano
  • Patent number: 11525185
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided wherein rotational gas-flow is generated by vortex generators to decontaminate dirty gas (e.g., gas contaminated by solid particles) in pumping lines of vacuum systems suitable for use at a semiconductor integrated circuit fabrication facility. The vacuum systems use filterless particle decontamination units wherein rotational gas-flow is applied to separate and trap solid particles from gas prior to the gas-flow entering a vacuum pump. Methods are also described whereby solid deposits along portions of pumping lines may be dislodged and removed and portions of pumping lines may be self-cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Fa Wu, Wen-Lung Ho, Huai-Tei Yang
  • Patent number: 10828967
    Abstract: An air conditioning device for a vehicle (1) includes: a housing (2) having an opening (2M); a blower (4) having a fan (9) accommodated within the housing and rotating about a rotation axis parallel to a first axis; a filter section (5) which is disposed between a gas inlet (7) and the opening and through which gas taken in from the gas inlet and flowing into the opening passes; and a support member (6) disposed between the blower and the filter section so as to be located at least partially at the opening, and supporting the filter section. The support member has a rib portion (61) extending in a longitudinal direction in a predetermined plane orthogonal to the first axis, and a sticking-out portion (62) sticking out from the rib portion in a transverse direction in the predetermined plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES THERMAL SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Nakado, Atsushi Suzuki, Yasuhiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10823019
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a ducted plenum of a positive crankcase ventilation system for an engine. In one example, the ducted plenum may include a plurality of ducts coupled to a central chamber and an oil separator and valve arranged downstream of the central chamber. The ducted plenum may vent gases from an engine crankcase and deliver the vented gases to the engine intake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Dunn, Paul Shoemaker, Darren Sipila
  • Patent number: 10808950
    Abstract: A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit includes a filter track assembly that includes a bulkhead frame, a first rail configured to support a first air filter, and a second rail configured to support a second air filter. The first rail and the second rail are coupled to the bulkhead frame, and the first rail and the second rail are disposed on opposing sides of the bulkhead frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Vinay Nanjappa, Nitin C. Dabade, Vishal S. Jagtap, Prashanti S. Dhawan, Marcel P. Ferrere, Rajiv K. Karkhanis, Curtis W. Caskey
  • Patent number: 10717026
    Abstract: A well production separation system comprising a cyclonic separator coupled to a spherical separator and configured to separate particulate matter from well production, and to recycle liquids and gases separated in the spherical separator to the overflow region of the cyclonic separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Covenant Testing Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Anderson, Michael W. Joacim
  • Patent number: 10682588
    Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure includes a multi-stage compressor having a low pressure compressor stage and a high pressure compressor stage operable for compressing a working fluid. An integrated device including a heat exchanger directly connected to a combination unit is operable for reducing pressure pulsations, cooling and separating moisture in a first compressed flow stream and a second compressed flow stream discharged from the low pressure stage and the high pressure stage respectively. A first pressure pulsation dampener, a first moisture separator, a second pressure pulsation dampener and a second moisture separator are integrally formed within the combination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Industrial U.S., Inc.
    Inventors: Hardik Vinodbhai Gohel, P. Prabhu, Mahesh Kumar.K.R, Vishal Umashanker Gupta, Shambhu M Vaghani
  • Patent number: 10661210
    Abstract: An oil separator including a housing that is separated by a partition assembly. The partition assembly includes a plurality of channels that each extend between a first opening and a second opening for passing oil-laden gases therethrough. A plurality of spiral members are each disposed in one of the channels, each define a helical flow path for guiding the oil-laden gases in the helical flow path about the spiral member to separate the oil from the oil-laden gases. One or more valves may be connected to at least one of the openings of the channels. The valves may be moveable in response to a predetermined pressure being applied against the valve. A fine mist separator assembly may include includes a fibrous pad disposed adjacent to and in alignment with the second openings for absorbing oil after the oil-laden gases have passed through the frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: MINIATURE PRECISION COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Brandon Meister-Place
  • Patent number: 10493403
    Abstract: A device for treating at least one gaseous stream (14) includes a single reactor (10) that is frusto-conical or cylindro-conical in shape and allows the recovery, by gravity, of the liquid products (26) obtained by treating the at least one gas stream (14) with electron beams (18), and at least: —inlet element (12) for the at least one gas stream (14), disposed at the top of the single reactor (10), —elements (16) for emitting an electron beam (18), the beam being oriented substantially in the direction of flow of the gas stream, —outlet element (20) from the single reactor (10) for the gas products (22) that have undergone the treatment, from the at least one gaseous effluent (14), disposed at the bottom of the reactor, and —elements (24) for recovering liquid sub-products (26). The corresponding treatment method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: VIVIRAD
    Inventor: Eric Letournel
  • Patent number: 10286347
    Abstract: An oil separator for separating oil from oil-laden gases includes a housing having a plurality of cavities with an auger disposed in each cavity. Each auger has a helical flight extending about a longitudinal central axis between inlet and outlet ends. At least one of the augers has an annular wall extending from the inlet end with an end cap, including an inlet, extending thereover to delimit an inlet chamber. A valve head is disposed in the inlet chamber, wherein a spring member biases the valve head to perfect a seal over the inlet to inhibit the flow of oil-laden gases therethrough. The valve head is moveable against the bias of the spring member to an open position in response to pressure applied against the valve head sufficient to overcome the spring member bias to promote the flow of oil-laden gases through the inlet chamber and about the auger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: MINIATURE PRECISION COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon Meister, Christopher Jared Moncur, Ryan Tanner, Brad Hakes, Oscar Davidson, Jon Bunne
  • Patent number: 8580022
    Abstract: The portable air purification device provides extreme portability such that the device can be placed virtually anywhere desired. Should an area need the device, one person can easily transport as needed. Also important is the separability of the vacuum canister and filtration canister. Often it may be advantageous to place the vacuum canister strategically, and the filtration canister supplying purified air in another location. The device provides for such via the separate canisters and the transfer hose, which can be almost any length needed. The device uses liquid filtration media, solid filtration media, and a HEPA filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Jose F. Gallardo
  • Publication number: 20130174525
    Abstract: A medical fluid filter system is provided having a housing having: a liquid trap chamber having a volume; a filter media chamber; a filter media arranged within the filter media chamber; the liquid trap chamber having a liquid trap outlet port in fluid communication with the filter media chamber; the liquid trap outlet port configured and arranged within the liquid trap chamber to inhibit flow of liquid from the liquid trap chamber to the filter media chamber and configured and arranged to allow gas to flow from the liquid trap chamber to the filter media chamber; a filter system inlet passing through the housing for intake of fluid originating from a surgical site; and a filter system outlet passing through the housing for fluid exhaust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: MEDTEK DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER A. PALMERTON, SAMANTHA BONANO, ANTHONY L. LIZAUCKAS, III, KYRYLO SHVETSOV, DANIEL R. PALMERTON, GREGORY J. PEPE
  • Patent number: 8465573
    Abstract: A system for conditioning air flow to a gas turbine includes a filter housing and a conditioning media inside the filter housing to adjust the temperature of the air flowing through the filter housing. At least one of a depth or a density of the conditioning media varies across the filter housing. A method for conditioning air flow to a gas turbine includes flowing air through a filter housing connected to the gas turbine and flowing the air across a conditioning media in the filter housing. The method further includes conditioning the air flow to reduce the temperature difference of the air exiting the filter housing across a dimension of the filter housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Adelbert Sullivan, Huong Van Vu, Bhalchandra Arun Desai, Eric M. Lafontaine, Mark Andrew Cournoyer
  • Patent number: 8206491
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for implementing water separation in the vacuum system of a paper machine. The apparatus includes a guiding baffle structure connected to an inlet pipe and a water trap vessel, and a droplet separation cell mounted at the mouth of an outlet pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Runtech Systems Oy
    Inventor: Juha Karvinen
  • Publication number: 20110247497
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for implementing water separation in the vacuum system of a paper machine. The apparatus is characterized by comprising a guiding baffle structure (1) connect to an inlet pipe (8) and a water trap vessel (2) as well as a droplet separation cell (4) mounted at the mouth of an outlet pipe (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: RUNTECH SYSTEMS OY
    Inventor: Juha KARVINEN
  • Publication number: 20100269460
    Abstract: A liquid trap device for a gas is provided which includes a trap housing (3) that is formed from a ceiling wall (5), a bottom wall (6) and a peripheral wall (7), the ceiling wall (5) having provided therein a gas inlet port (20) and a gas outlet port (21), and a filter element (4) that is retained between the ceiling wall (5) and the bottom wall (6), the interior of the filter element (4) communicating with the gas inlet port (20) and the outer peripheral face of the filter element (4) communicating with the gas outlet port (21) via an internal space (8) of the trap housing (3), wherein the trap housing (3) is formed as a shape that in plan view is long along one laterally central line (X), and the filter element (4) and an outlet port upstream portion (21a), opening within the trap housing (3), of the gas outlet port (21) are disposed in proximity to first and second side wall portions (7a, 7b) respectively of the peripheral wall (7) facing each other on the laterally central line (X).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: KEIHIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi SAITO, Jun ONO, Takashi YOSHIDA, Yoji NAKAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20100050873
    Abstract: A system for use with an inlet of a gas turbine through which airflow toward the gas turbine proceeds is provided and includes a first stage to remove primary aerosol droplets from the airflow by coalescing the primary aerosol droplets into secondary aerosol droplets, which are larger than the primary aerosol droplets, and to remove solid particulates from the airflow, a second water tight stage, disposed downstream from the first stage, to prevent the secondary aerosol droplets and aqueous solutions of deliquesced particulates, which are not removed by the first stage and which are re-released into the airflow from the first stage, from proceeding along the airflow and to remove solid particulates not removed by the first stage from the airflow, and a third water removal stage, disposed downstream from the second stage, to remove from the airflow the remaining secondary aerosol droplets leaking from the first and second stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen David Hiner, Rahul Jaikaran Chillar, Bradly Aaron Kippel, Lisa Kamdar Ammann, Jack Thomas Clements, Marcus Carr Walters, Sebastien Cloarec, Marc Malivernay, Liberto Gandia
  • Publication number: 20100037570
    Abstract: Air cleaner assemblies and serviceable filter cartridges therefor are described. Example filter cartridges described which include a first end cap with a air flow aperture therethrough, having an outer axial surface and axial seal ring thereon. Example arrangements are provided with air flow inlet tube section defining the aperture through the first end cap. Also, water seal arrangements, typically positioned radially inwardly from the air seal arrangement, are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Richard Osendorf, Dolan Bartels, Andrew Albitz, Bradley Keumpel
  • Patent number: 7650953
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the vehicle field, more particularly, to a hydrogen hybrid power electric vehicle which combusts hydrogen instead of gasoline or diesel, characterized in that an alcohol cracking hydrogen generator is in serial connection in the line of an exhaust pipe of the hydrogen engine of the vehicle which can produce hydrogen on board by cracking alcohol using the afterheat of the exhaust gases so as to drive the vehicle to run and the electric motor to generate power. When a vehicle is driven by a hydrogen engine according to the present invention combined with an electric motor, ultra-low emission or zero-emission can be reached. Plenty of raw materials can be used to produce hydrogen such as sugarcane, maize, sweet broomcorn and cassava etc. all of which are inexhaustible regenerative resources. The alcoholic materials used to produce hydrogen can be 50°-65° hydrous methanol or ethanol, which involve easy processing technology and low costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Inventor: Yintan Dong
  • Publication number: 20080148695
    Abstract: A uniform sealing force in an air filter assembly apparatus includes a housing having a channel with a plurality of incline portions and a plurality of land portions. The apparatus also includes an opening configured to receive a filter element assembly having a gasket flange, and a lid configured to cover the opening. The lid is coupled with at least one bayonet extending outward from the lid. The bayonet includes a plurality of incline portions and a plurality of land portions, the incline and land portions of the bayonet are configured to interface with the incline and land portions of the channel and provide a uniform axial sealing force on the gasket flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Terres, Scott Schwartz
  • Patent number: 7338545
    Abstract: A liquid separator includes a housing, a separation chamber disposed within the housing, a drain, an inlet channel, a swirler disposed within the inlet channel, and an outlet channel. The drain has a drain passageway for draining liquid from the separation chamber. The inlet channel is configured to communicate the fluid stream from a first inlet end to a second inlet end disposed within the housing and proximate the separation chamber. The outlet channel is configured to communicate the fluid stream from a first outlet end positioned proximate the second inlet end, to a second outlet end remote from the separation chamber. The drain passageway has an inner diameter sized such that the interaction between the surface tension of the liquid and the inner passageway causes some liquid to be retained in the drain passageway, to form a low pressure gas seal of the drain passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Hydrogenics Corporation
    Inventors: Ricardo Bazzarella, Todd A. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7186282
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle air cleaner provided with a check valve mechanism on the lower cap of the air cleaner for drainage and ventilation, and a protection disposed on the outer edge; the check valve being closed as the engine runs to prevent from taking in water vapor and dust; and check valve being opened to dismiss water logging and excessively dense air and fuel admixture; the protection is related to a protection cap to prevent the check valve mechanism from direct contact with the ambient air for keeping off water and dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung-Yu Su
  • Patent number: 7128771
    Abstract: A filter retaining system formed from multiple filter retaining frames is disclosed. Each of the frames is formed from either a female type extrusion or a combination of male and female type extrusions. Specifically, each frame has either a tongue or a groove which is engageable into a corresponding groove or tongue of an adjacent frame. The tongue and groove engagement provides added rigidity to the retaining system, as well as preventing air from bypassing the filters retained within each frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Total Filtration Manufacturing
    Inventor: Charles Michael Harden
  • Patent number: 6972092
    Abstract: A one-piece, molded plastic end cap (1) is designed for installation in a diesel engine fuel filter. The end cap (1) comprises a disk-shaped filter support component (2), with a top portion adhesively connected to the fuel filter center tube (8) and filter media (9), and a bottom portion which includes a downward-facing, slotted, cylindrical nipple (3). The distal end of the nipple (3) protrudes slightly from the bottom of the fuel filter housing (7), and is threaded to accept a drain plug/self-venting valve (10). The self-venting valve (10) is designed such that, the internal fuel filter vacuum is broken through a capillary-type action, and air subsequently enters the filter, and contaminants (primarily water) are able to drain freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Wix Filtration Corp.
    Inventor: Mark A. Roll
  • Patent number: 6881268
    Abstract: The present apparatus includes a casing (1) having a gas introduction opening (3) for introducing a gas into the casing and a gas discharge opening (5) for discharging the gas from the casing, a gas circulating tube passage (8) communicating with the casing for effecting circulation of the gas, a circulating fan (11) for effecting circulation of the gas in the casing through the gas circulating tube passage, and a valve (6, 7) switchable between a position for conducting the introducing and discharging of the gas into and from the casing through the gas introduction opening and the gas discharge opening and a position for effecting circulation of the gas in the casing through the gas circulating tube passage. The apparatus further includes a trap (10), a filter (4) and a heat exchanger (9) for conducting a desired treatment with respect to the circulated gas, such as removal of particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Setsuji Shinoda, Toshiharu Nakazawa, Nobuharu Noji, Shunichi Aiyoshizawa
  • Patent number: 6799573
    Abstract: An air filtration system includes a light weight container which stores a quantity of water for filtering contaminants from inhaled air. A coupling assembly is used to connect the container to a flexible hose for delivery of the filtered air to the dust mask worn by the user. The coupling assembly allows a user to interchange one light weight container with another in a quick and convenient manner if one container becomes saturated with contaminants. A user simply pulls downward on the slidable jacket to release the industrial plug and allowing the attachment of another container to the hose via the coupling assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Inventor: James D. Bonner
  • Patent number: 6797028
    Abstract: There is provided in a standard ceiling system, having suspension rails or elements a movable air delivery diffuser resting on the suspension elements and a filter panel inserted into and retained between the suspension elements and the air delivery diffuser. The filter panel has a filter frame and an attached filter designed to be inserted into and retained on the suspension elements of the suspension ceiling. The filter frame has an inner face and an outer face with a filter media retained in the filter frame. The outer edges of the filter media are located and retained adjacent the filter frame inner face. The filter frame outer face has a flexible perimeter flange projecting outwardly from an uppermost portion of the filter frame outer face. This flexible perimeter flange can bend inwardly so as to be substantially flush with said frame outer face and can then flex back outward to engage the suspension elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Dean R. Duffy
  • Patent number: 6776812
    Abstract: A gas liquid centrifugal separator includes a cylindrical vessel having an axis extending in a vertical direction, an exhaust port in a top wall of the vessel which discharges gas separated from a liquid-gas mixture, a drainage port provided in a bottom wall of the vessel which discharges liquid separated from the liquid-gas mixture, and an introducing port in a peripheral wall of the vessel which introduces the mixture into the vessel. Gas-liquid separation is conducted by an inverted conical liquid surface formed in an upper separating chamber of the vessel as a result of the mixture traveling circumferentially along an inner peripheral surface of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norio Komura, Yutaka Hiki, Satoshi Taguchi, Kiyoshi Handa, Kazuya Miwa
  • Patent number: 6676720
    Abstract: A filter unit (1) for filtering gas has a plurality of bag filters (10) hanging down from a suspension plate (7) dividing a housing into a lower gas inlet side (9) and an upper outlet side (8) for filtered gas. The individual bag filter (10) has an open end (11) at the suspension plate, a tubular wall (20) of a flexible filter material, and a lower end closure (23) of an impermeable material and provided with a drain (25). The end closures of the bag filters are interconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Niro A/S
    Inventor: Per Simonsen
  • Patent number: 6520034
    Abstract: A high air volume to low liquid volume aerosol collector. A high volume flow of aerosol particles is drawn into an annular, centripetal slot in a collector which directs the aerosol flow into a small volume of liquid pool contained is a lower center section of the collector. The annular jet of air impinges into the liquid, imbedding initially airborne particles in the liquid. The liquid in the pool continuously circulates in the lower section of the collector by moving to the center line, then upwardly, and through assistance by a rotating deflector plate passes back into the liquid at the outer area adjacent the impinging air jet which passes upwardly through the liquid pool and through a hollow center of the collector, and is discharged via a side outlet opening. Any liquid droplets escaping with the effluent air are captured by a rotating mist eliminator and moved back toward the liquid pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Donald A. Masquelier, Fred P. Milanovich, Klaus Willeke
  • Patent number: 6351920
    Abstract: A ceiling module perimeter seal establishes an air-tight seal between modules forming a ceiling structure. The seal includes a groove about the perimeter of modules and aligned relative to a corresponding groove of an adjoining module. Aligned grooves in adjacent ceiling modules establish an enclosure between modules and apertures fluidly couple the enclosure with gel sealant troughs of the ceiling structure. Gel sealant flowing in the troughs enters the enclosure and thereby establishes an air tight seal between adjoining ceiling modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Clean Pak International, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Hopkins, Craig S. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 6273926
    Abstract: A filter unit for airtight attachment to a framework of a cleanroom ceiling includes a filter, a circumferential wall surrounding the filter, and a downwardly projecting sealing knife to be received in a sealant containing groove formed in said framework. The sealing knife includes vertical weldable wall elements interconnected by welding and mounted on the circumferential wall by airtight mounting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Flakt AB
    Inventor: Bertil Larsson
  • Publication number: 20010004879
    Abstract: A temperature-controlled exhaust assembly with cold trap capability. One embodiment of the exhaust assembly comprises a multi-heater design which allows for independent multi-zone closed-loop temperature control. Another embodiment comprises a compact multi-valve uni-body design incorporating a single heater for simplified closed-loop temperature control. The cold trap incorporates a heater for temperature control at the inlet of the trap to minimize undesirable deposits. One embodiment also comprises a multi-stage cold trap and a particle trap. As a removable unit, this cold trap provides additional safety in the handling and disposal of the adsorbed condensables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Publication date: June 28, 2001
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Salvador P. Umotoy, Lawrence Chung-Lai Lei, Russell C. Ellwanger, Ronald L. Rose, Joel Huston, James Jin-Long Chen
  • Patent number: 6206971
    Abstract: A temperature-controlled exhaust assembly with cold trap capability. One embodiment of the exhaust assembly comprises a multi-heater design which allows for independent multi-zone closed-loop temperature control. Another embodiment comprises a compact multi-valve uni-body design incorporating a single heater for simplified closed-loop temperature control. The cold trap incorporates a heater for temperature control at the inlet of the trap to minimize undesirable deposits. One embodiment also comprises a multi-stage cold trap and a particle trap. As a removable unit, this cold trap provides additional safety in the handling and disposal of the adsorbed condensables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Salvador P. Umotoy, Lawrence Chung-Lai Lei, Russell C. Ellwanger, Ronald L. Rose, Joel Huston, James Jin-Long Chen
  • Patent number: 6117202
    Abstract: A filter and frame arrangement, e.g., a HEPA type filter/blower unit, has an arrangement for sealing the filter in place to prevent contaminants from leaking around the filter. A secondary seal, e.g., in the form of a gasket, both holds the filter in place in the unit and also seals the space between the primary seal (e.g., gel seal) and the clean space. An extruded gasket seats into a peripheral recess in the frame. This can be removed when the filter needs to be changed out so the filter can be taken out from below and replaced. Then a replacement seal is installed after the new HEPA filter is in position. The gasket seal is as close as possible to the bottom of the frame, i.e., as close to the clean space, so that possible contaminants are prevented from falling into the space below. Instead of an elastomeric gasket, a spring metal gasket can be used, with caulking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Floratech Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Wetzel
  • Patent number: 6066209
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and process for filtering deposition gases in a substrate processing system. Particularly contemplated is an apparatus and process for the filtering deposition gases of a metal-oxide film deposited on a silicon wafer to make integrated circuits. In one embodiment, the invention provides an apparatus for filtering a fluid in a semiconductor processing system, comprising a housing and a filtering member disposable in the housing, the filtering member comprising a base portion and a filtering portion having an inlet and an outlet and a plurality of temperature controlled fluid passages formed between the inlet and the outlet, the passages having a length longer than a width across the passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Talex Sajoto, Jun Zhao, Vincent Ku, Charles Dornfest
  • Patent number: 5993311
    Abstract: A clean room ceiling structure includes a support structure and filter units with a filter frame and a filter secured in the filter frame. The filter frames are connected to the support structure. The filter units have sealing fluid grooves for sealing the filter units relative to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Meissner & Wurst GmbH Co.
    Inventors: Eugen Feller, Manfred Renz
  • Patent number: 5961701
    Abstract: Two versions of centrifugal type separators capable of removing moisture from digester gases, landfill gases and raw natural gases, each separator including an upright housing having a cylindrical upper region (of a circular cross-section) and a conical lower region which tapers downwardly. A tangential inlet is located in an upper region of the housing. A gas outlet is located centrally in a top end of the housing. An outlet to remove separated liquid is provided at the bottom of the housing. There is a trap system that preferably includes a liquid holding tank for providing a positive water seal in order to prevent explosive gases from escaping through the liquid outlet. One version of separator is suitable for a high pressure gas stream, i.e., 3.0 psig or higher, while the second version is suitable for lower pressure gas streams, i.e., from 6 inches to 30 inches of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Vision Almet Limited
    Inventor: Julian S. Hlynsky
  • Patent number: 5961702
    Abstract: An air replenishment unit more particularly for suspension under ceilings of clean rooms, including a housing whose wall is provided with a fan on the intake side, an outlet opening of the housing being functionally connected with an air filter arrangement. The strip-like housing having the fan is bent on the intake side at two opposite sides in an arcuate manner toward the output side, the two longitudinal edges of such wall being joined to two side walls, which are essentially parallel to each other, by folded sheet joints. The free edges, not having any folded joints, of the strip-like wall and the side walls essentially define an outlet opening. Such a housing together with a fan may be produced simply, economically and with a light weight using only three pre-stamped parts using folded or crimped seams and then constitutes a single-piece downwardly open hood-like housing with high class flow properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Gebhardt Ventilatoren GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Wolfgang Doneit
  • Patent number: 5922094
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically removing water from a digester system includes a sediment trap attached to a drain system wherein gas, water and sediment enter the sediment trap by way of gas lines, water and sediment are separated from the gas and settle within the sediment trap while the gas is expelled from the sediment trap, and wherein the gas pressure and weight of the water column within the sediment trap are balanced against a water column within a water outlet line to form a water seal to prevent gas from escaping into the atmosphere while simultaneously expelling excess water accumulating in the sediment trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Darrell Richards
  • Patent number: 5904742
    Abstract: A gas filtering device for a light gas tank includes a tank, a control valve, a filter, a position block and a position bolt. The control valve is combined with a center hole of the tank body and has a passageway communicating with a hollow interior of the tank, with the filter positioned under the lower end of the passageway. Thus fuel gas is filtered become pure with water and miscellaneous matters removed by the filter when it flows out, so fuel gas may burn completely, with heat energy elevated in burning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Cheng-Hua Lin
    Inventor: Jaw-Shiunn Teay
  • Patent number: 5885332
    Abstract: A vacuum degassing and solvent delivery apparatus for those solvents being utilized in high pressure liquid chromatographic operations and/or applications. The degassing and delivery apparatus of the present invention is designed for attachment directly to a solvent reservoir, such as a double-ended bottle having a threaded portion along the bottom end thereof. The arrangement facilitates ease of installation and removal of the vacuum degassing, recycling and delivery apparatus so as to accommodate a variety of installation applications and requirements. The solvent degassing system of the present invention further includes the utilization of an atmospheric impermeable composite tubing structure which is effective for isolating fluids from atmospheric contamination during transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventors: Yuri Gerner, Carl W. Sims
  • Patent number: 5769911
    Abstract: A device for the removal of liquids and/or impurities from a gas includes a primary receiver which at an upper area thereof communicates with a space or conduit in which liquid or impurities containing gas is contained and in this primary receiver a secondary receiver that is cut off from the gas is provided, and in the space between both receivers a generally vertically extending connecting conduit is provided which at its bottom communicates with a lower area of the space between both receivers and at its upper end empties through a passage into the secondary receiver. A float controlled valve is provided in the secondary receiver which keeps an outlet normally closed, but which is openable by rising of the float under the influence of liquid in the secondary receiver to drain liquid from the secondary receiver. Impurities remain in the primary receiver from which they can be periodically removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Airpower, n.v.
    Inventor: Luc Van De Vijvere
  • Patent number: 5656047
    Abstract: An improved wet scrubber for removing airborne particulates and absorbing water-soluble gases from an airstream includes an outer shell and a continuous spiral flight within the outer shell. A first bank of scrubber nozzles spray water and/or chemical through the airstream as it enters the scrubber through an air intake. The airstream increases in velocity as it moves through the tapered helix formed by the continuous spiral flight. A second bank of scrubber nozzles mounted on a sidewall of the outer shell sprays water and/or chemical through the airstream as it moves up the spiral flight. An inner shell provides a downward path for the airstream after it has ascended the spiral flight and traversed an abrupt direction change in which water/chemical precipitates from the airstream. The inner shell extends downward into a reservoir, forming a seal with precipitated water that has collected there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Product Engineered Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Horace L. Odom, Kenneth A. Odom
  • Patent number: 5620369
    Abstract: A ceiling structure within a cleanroom, including an array of cleanroom filters supported in openings of a grid support structure, wherein the ceiling structure includes a gel track coupled either at the top of the grid support channel. The cleanroom filters including a peripheral flange are suspended in the ceiling structure by having a ceiling edge of the peripheral flange either immersed in the gel track at the top of the grid support structure or using a cleanroom filter having gel or the lower knife edge seal thereof engaging a portion of the top of the grid support channel. Filtered air passes through the channel structure into the vortex region to reduce the vortex region or dead air space below the channel as well as prevent the accumulation of particulate material in the interior of the channel. A damper may be provided with the grid support structure to control the flow of filtered air into the interior of the grid support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Daw Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Spransy, Ronald W. Daw, David L. Brewer
  • Patent number: 5540028
    Abstract: A clean room ceiling having an air impervious filter support and air flow path-defining filters supported by the support, and a permanently fluid, nonevaporative non-air-flow-displaceable gel blocking air flow past the support except along the filter defined air path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventors: Robert D. Scott, Tom Gill
  • Patent number: 5417610
    Abstract: A ceiling structure within a cleanroom, including an array of conventional HEPA filters supported in openings of a grid support structure, wherein the ceiling structure includes a gel track coupled near a lowest interior perimeter of each of the openings of the grid support structure. HEPA filters including a peripheral flange are suspended in the ceiling structure by having a ceiling edge of the peripheral flange immersed in the gel track in near proximity with the ceiling level. An inclined channel is formed along an inclined wall of the gel track such that a downward extension of the inclined wall projects into the vortex region under the grid support structure. Filtered air passing from the HEPA filter is then directed into this flow channel at a sufficient rate of speed to flush the particulate contaminate from the vortex region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Daw Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Spransy
  • Patent number: 5279632
    Abstract: A plenum-type ceiling for a clean room is formed of modules having lateral side portions which are adapted to be attached together into a grid-like network. Bottom portions of the lateral sides of each module are inwardly stepped to provide downwardly facing recessed channels for the installation of lighting, fire extinguishing equipment and other facilities so that the ceiling is substantially planar and without facilities or lighting protruding therefrom. Inwardly and outwardly facing channels are also provided at the lower edge of the inwardly stepped portions of the sides in order to form an annular trough as a seal structure for mounting of air filters and air flow control devices. A bracket is also provided for suspension of objects such as partitions from outwardly facing channels in a manner which substantially eliminates entrainment of air near the ceiling and the avoidance of interference with the facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Donald W. Decker, Edward L. Pepe
  • Patent number: 5279090
    Abstract: In a method of constructing a ceiling frame to support a filter at the ceiling of a clean room, the method is characterized in that a number of divisional frame units are formed, each in a rectangular frame, to frame a filter unit to be installed, that those divisional frame units are positioned one after another at the ceiling of the clean room, that the ceiling frame is formed by connecting, to unify, abutting frame members of the divisional frame units, and that the divisional frame units are hanged at the ceiling with hangers applied at the abutting portions of the divisional frame units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignees: Asahi Kogyosha Co., Ltd., Nippon Donaldson Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigehisa Yamaguchi, Yoshiaki Kashiwase, Kazutomo Isono, Hiroshi Kagoyama
  • Patent number: 5217622
    Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of liquids, gases and vapors originating from water impervious interment units comprises a plurality of vertical passages in the vertical walls between units. The upper ends of the vertical passages are connected to an exhaust system and the lower ends of the vertical passages are connected to a drain passage for liquids. Gases drawn through the exhaust system are subjected to sterilization processes including burning and filtering such that any gases discharged into the atmosphere are free of pathogens and odors. A process is also disclosed for the treatment of gases and vapors from the units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Inventor: Jose E. Flores