Mineral slurry drying method and system
Patent No. 9,759,486
The present invention provides methods and systems for reducing moisture in mineral slurries, particularly mineral slurries containing minerals of small particle diameter, using a granular drying material. The invention also relates to novel mineral products and intermediates useful in connection with the process. The method and system reduced moisture by contacting the mineral slurry with the granular drying material. The granular drying material is selected to be readily separated from the dried minerals using a size separation technique such as a sieve screen. The granular drying material is the regenerated, preferably using a process involving heat exchange and cross-flow air. The granular drying material is preferably capable of regeneration and recycling in a continuous process with minimal attrition.
Inventors: Richard W. Bland (Beckley, W.Va.), C. Bruce McDaniel (Midlothian, Va.), Austin McDaniel (Richmond)
Assignee: Vitrinite Services (Midlothian, Va.)
Sept. 12, 2017
Process for making polyether alcohols having oxyethylene units by polymerization of ethylene carbonate in the presence of double metal cyanide catalysts
Patent No. 9,758,619
Ethylene carbonate is polymerized by itself or together with another cyclic monomer such as 1,2-propylene oxide in the presence of a double metal cyanide catalyst. Most of the ethylene carbonate adds to the chain to form a terminal carbonate group, which decarboxylates to produce a hydroxyethyl group at the end of the polymer chain. The polymerization of more ethylene carbonate onto the chain end results in the formation of poly(ethyleneoxy) units. Therefore, the process provides a method for making poly(ethyleneoxy) polymers without the need to polymerize ethylene oxide. The process is useful for making polyethers that are useful as water-absorbable polymers, surfactants and as raw materials for polyurethanes. The process is also useful for increasing the primary hydroxyl content of a polyether.
Inventors: Esther E. Quintanilla (Antwerpen, Belgium), Hanno R. Van Der Wal (Hoek, Netherlands), Daniel C. Floyd (Richmond), Myriam Linke (Terneuzen, Netherlands), Francois M. Casati (Pfaffikon, Switzerland), Carlos M. Villa (Lake Jackson, Texas), Jean-Paul Masy (Destelbergen, Belgium), Ricco B.Borella; (Shindellegi, Switzerland), Paul Cookson (Samstagern, Switzerland)
Assignee: Dow Global Technologies (Midland, Mich.)
Sept. 12, 2017
Mechanically competent scaffold for rotator cuff and tendon augmentation
Patent No. 9,757,132
A device has been developed to augment the rotator cuff tendon tissue as it proceeds in healing. The device has two purposes: to provide initial stability to the rotator cuff repair site to allow early mobilization of the upper extremity of the patient, and to allow for reinforcement of rotator cuff tendon repairs to increase the likelihood of successful rotator cuff tendon repairs. The device consists of an inter-connected, open pore structure that enables even and random distribution and in-growth of tendon cells. The braided structure allows for distribution of mechanical forces over a larger area of tissue at the fixation point(s).
Inventors: Cato T. Laurencin (Avon, Conn.), Mark T. Aronson (Midlothian, Va.), Lakshmi Sreedharan Nair (Avon, Conn.), Joseph W. Reilly (Chatham, N.J.)
Assignee: Biorez Inc. (New Haven, Conn.)
Sept. 12, 2017
PDU with front side access to transformer compartment
Patent No. 9,768,591
A PDU enclosure defines a transformer compartment for receiving a transformer. The PDU enclosure includes a first side bulkhead and a second side bulkhead positioned adjacent to each other as viewed on a plane. The first side bulkhead and the second side bulkhead limit access to the transformer compartment from the front. The first side bulkhead defines an opening to the transformer compartment and is spaced from the second side bulkhead by a gap. The PDU enclosure further includes a removable access panel. The removable access panel includes a first portion removably coupled to the first side bulkhead and that covers the opening in the first side bulkhead, and a second portion extending at an angle relative to the first portion and removably coupled to the second side bulkhead. The second portion also covers the gap between the first side bulkhead and the second side bulkhead.
Inventors: Long Justin Nguyen (Mechanicsville, Va.), Isaac Folk (Glen Allen, Va.), Christopher Morgan Davis (Richmond), Mingbo Zhao (Doylestown, Penn.)
Assignee: Power Distribution Inc. (Richmond)
Sept. 19, 2017
Shotgun stick with remote controller
Patent No. 9,768,576
An apparatus and method is provided for a shotgun stick for manipulating, removing and installing clamps and other devices to electrical connectors on electric power distribution systems. The shotgun stick includes an elongated, electrical insulating, support rod having a working end and a holding end. An electrical insulating head mounted on the working end of the support rod. A clamping mechanism is mounted within the head for extension from the head and retraction into the head. An actuating mechanism is mounted within the head for extending and retracting the clamping mechanism. A control module is mounted within the head for controlling the actuating mechanism to extend and retract the clamping mechanism. The control module including a receiver for receiving a control signal. A remote controller is operable by the operator holding the holding end to generate the control signal.
Inventors: Timothy R. Sook (Portsmouth, Va.), Stephen Callendar (Richmond), Eleanor Holliday (Richmond), Tucker Matthews (Richmond), Trey Newell (Richmond), Victoria Spott (Richmond), Kyle Vernon (Richmond)
Assignee: Dominion Energy Inc. (Richmond)
Sept. 19, 2017
Allosteric hemoglobin modifiers with nitric oxide releasing moiety
Patent No. 9,765,017
Allosteric hemoglobin (Hb) modifiers of hemoglobin which contain nitric oxide (NO) moieties allowing for the release of NO in vivo. The compounds retain the oxygen delivery capability of the allosteric hemoglobin modifier to bind Hb and enhance Hb’s ability to deliver oxygen to cells and tissues, and also release NO from the NO moiety. Methods of delivering oxygen and/or NO to cells and tissues are also provided.
Inventors: Martin K. Safo (Richmond), Richmond Danso-Danquah (Richmond), Mohini Ghatge (Richmond), Jurgen Venitz (Richmond), Martin Mangino (Richmond), Kevin R. Ward (Richmond)
Assignee: Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA)
Production of graphene and nanoparticle catalysts supported on graphene using laser radiation
Patent No. 9,768,355
Methods and apparatuses to produce graphene and nanoparticle catalysts supported on graphene without the use of reducing agents, and with the concomitant production of heat, are provided. The methods and apparatuses employ radiant energy to reduce (deoxygenate) graphite oxide (GO) to graphene, or to reduce a mixture of GO plus one or more metals to produce nanoparticle catalysts supported on graphene. Methods and systems to generate and utilize heat that is produced by irradiating GO, graphene and their metal and semiconductor nanocomposites with visible, infrared and/or ultraviolet radiation, e.g. using sunlight, lasers, etc. are also provided.
Inventors: M. Samy El-Shall (Richmond), Victor Abdelsayed (Morgantown, W.Va.), Saud I. Al-Resayes (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), Zeid Abdullah M. Alothman; (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia )
Assignee: Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond)
Inflammation therapy
Patent No. 9,763,894
A method is provided for treating a patient in need of therapy for central nervous system inflammation comprising administering to that patient a therapeutically effective amount of a cannabinoid agonist having efficacy at the CB.sub.2 receptor but having substantially no efficacy at the CB.sub.1 receptor at that amount.
Inventors: Billy R. Martin (Richmond), Mohamad Imad Damaj (Richmond), Martin W. Adler (Philadelphia, Penn.), Ronald F. Tuma (Philadelphia, Penn.), Ming Zhang (Philadelphia, Penn.), Anu Mahadevan (Woburn, Mass.), Raj K. Razdan (Woburn, Mass.)
Assignee: Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond) & Organix Inc. (Woburn, Mass.) & Temple University (Philadelphia, Penn.)
Sept. 19, 2017
Fiber-wrapped smokeless tobacco product
Patent No. 9,763,473
A fiber-wrapped smokeless tobacco product includes smokeless tobacco and a plurality of polymeric fibers surrounding the smokeless tobacco. The polymeric fibers can have a basis weight of 5 gsm or less and a diameter of less than 100 microns. In some cases, the polymeric fibers are melt-blown polymeric fibers. In some cases, the polymeric fibers are centrifugal force spun polymeric fibers. A method of preparing a fiber-wrapped smokeless tobacco product includes melt-blowing or centrifugal force spinning a plurality of polymeric fibers to create an polymer deposition zone and passing a body comprising smokeless tobacco through the polymer deposition zone. In some cases, an electrostatic charge can be applied to the plurality of polymeric fibers, the body, or a combination thereof. In some cases, a spin is applied to the body when passing through the polymer deposition zone.
Inventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll (Chester, Va.), Shannon Maxwell Black (Richmond), Yan Helen Sun (Midlothian, Va.), William J. Burke (Nashville, Tenn.)
Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC (Richmond)
Sept. 19, 2017
Process of making high tenacity, high modulus UHMWPE fiber
Patent No. 9,765,447
Processes for preparing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (“UHMW PE”) filaments and multi-filament yarns, and the yarns and articles produced therefrom. Each process produces UHMW PE yarns having tenacities of 45 g/denier to 60 g/denier or more at commercially viable throughput rates.
Inventors: Thomas Tam (Chesterfield, Va.), John Armstrong Young (Midlothian, Va.), Ralf Klein (Midlothian, Va.), Mark Tallent (Midlothian, Va.), Henry Gerard Ardiff (Chesterfield, Va.)
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc. (Morris Plains, N.J.)
Sept. 19, 2017
Mineral slurry drying method and system
Patent No. 9,759,486
The present invention provides methods and systems for reducing moisture in mineral slurries, particularly mineral slurries containing minerals of small particle diameter, using a granular drying material. The invention also relates to novel mineral products and intermediates useful in connection with the process. The method and system reduced moisture by contacting the mineral slurry with the granular drying material. The granular drying material is selected to be readily separated from the dried minerals using a size separation technique such as a sieve screen. The granular drying material is the regenerated, preferably using a process involving heat exchange and cross-flow air. The granular drying material is preferably capable of regeneration and recycling in a continuous process with minimal attrition.
Inventors: Richard W. Bland (Beckley, W.Va.), C. Bruce McDaniel (Midlothian, Va.), Austin McDaniel (Richmond)
Assignee: Vitrinite Services (Midlothian, Va.)
Sept. 12, 2017
Process for making polyether alcohols having oxyethylene units by polymerization of ethylene carbonate in the presence of double metal cyanide catalysts
Patent No. 9,758,619
Ethylene carbonate is polymerized by itself or together with another cyclic monomer such as 1,2-propylene oxide in the presence of a double metal cyanide catalyst. Most of the ethylene carbonate adds to the chain to form a terminal carbonate group, which decarboxylates to produce a hydroxyethyl group at the end of the polymer chain. The polymerization of more ethylene carbonate onto the chain end results in the formation of poly(ethyleneoxy) units. Therefore, the process provides a method for making poly(ethyleneoxy) polymers without the need to polymerize ethylene oxide. The process is useful for making polyethers that are useful as water-absorbable polymers, surfactants and as raw materials for polyurethanes. The process is also useful for increasing the primary hydroxyl content of a polyether.
Inventors: Esther E. Quintanilla (Antwerpen, Belgium), Hanno R. Van Der Wal (Hoek, Netherlands), Daniel C. Floyd (Richmond), Myriam Linke (Terneuzen, Netherlands), Francois M. Casati (Pfaffikon, Switzerland), Carlos M. Villa (Lake Jackson, Texas), Jean-Paul Masy (Destelbergen, Belgium), Ricco B.Borella; (Shindellegi, Switzerland), Paul Cookson (Samstagern, Switzerland)
Assignee: Dow Global Technologies (Midland, Mich.)
Sept. 12, 2017
Mechanically competent scaffold for rotator cuff and tendon augmentation
Patent No. 9,757,132
A device has been developed to augment the rotator cuff tendon tissue as it proceeds in healing. The device has two purposes: to provide initial stability to the rotator cuff repair site to allow early mobilization of the upper extremity of the patient, and to allow for reinforcement of rotator cuff tendon repairs to increase the likelihood of successful rotator cuff tendon repairs. The device consists of an inter-connected, open pore structure that enables even and random distribution and in-growth of tendon cells. The braided structure allows for distribution of mechanical forces over a larger area of tissue at the fixation point(s).
Inventors: Cato T. Laurencin (Avon, Conn.), Mark T. Aronson (Midlothian, Va.), Lakshmi Sreedharan Nair (Avon, Conn.), Joseph W. Reilly (Chatham, N.J.)
Assignee: Biorez Inc. (New Haven, Conn.)
Sept. 12, 2017
PDU with front side access to transformer compartment
Patent No. 9,768,591
A PDU enclosure defines a transformer compartment for receiving a transformer. The PDU enclosure includes a first side bulkhead and a second side bulkhead positioned adjacent to each other as viewed on a plane. The first side bulkhead and the second side bulkhead limit access to the transformer compartment from the front. The first side bulkhead defines an opening to the transformer compartment and is spaced from the second side bulkhead by a gap. The PDU enclosure further includes a removable access panel. The removable access panel includes a first portion removably coupled to the first side bulkhead and that covers the opening in the first side bulkhead, and a second portion extending at an angle relative to the first portion and removably coupled to the second side bulkhead. The second portion also covers the gap between the first side bulkhead and the second side bulkhead.
Inventors: Long Justin Nguyen (Mechanicsville, Va.), Isaac Folk (Glen Allen, Va.), Christopher Morgan Davis (Richmond), Mingbo Zhao (Doylestown, Penn.)
Assignee: Power Distribution Inc. (Richmond)
Sept. 19, 2017
Shotgun stick with remote controller
Patent No. 9,768,576
An apparatus and method is provided for a shotgun stick for manipulating, removing and installing clamps and other devices to electrical connectors on electric power distribution systems. The shotgun stick includes an elongated, electrical insulating, support rod having a working end and a holding end. An electrical insulating head mounted on the working end of the support rod. A clamping mechanism is mounted within the head for extension from the head and retraction into the head. An actuating mechanism is mounted within the head for extending and retracting the clamping mechanism. A control module is mounted within the head for controlling the actuating mechanism to extend and retract the clamping mechanism. The control module including a receiver for receiving a control signal. A remote controller is operable by the operator holding the holding end to generate the control signal.
Inventors: Timothy R. Sook (Portsmouth, Va.), Stephen Callendar (Richmond), Eleanor Holliday (Richmond), Tucker Matthews (Richmond), Trey Newell (Richmond), Victoria Spott (Richmond), Kyle Vernon (Richmond)
Assignee: Dominion Energy Inc. (Richmond)
Sept. 19, 2017
Allosteric hemoglobin modifiers with nitric oxide releasing moiety
Patent No. 9,765,017
Allosteric hemoglobin (Hb) modifiers of hemoglobin which contain nitric oxide (NO) moieties allowing for the release of NO in vivo. The compounds retain the oxygen delivery capability of the allosteric hemoglobin modifier to bind Hb and enhance Hb’s ability to deliver oxygen to cells and tissues, and also release NO from the NO moiety. Methods of delivering oxygen and/or NO to cells and tissues are also provided.
Inventors: Martin K. Safo (Richmond), Richmond Danso-Danquah (Richmond), Mohini Ghatge (Richmond), Jurgen Venitz (Richmond), Martin Mangino (Richmond), Kevin R. Ward (Richmond)
Assignee: Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA)
Production of graphene and nanoparticle catalysts supported on graphene using laser radiation
Patent No. 9,768,355
Methods and apparatuses to produce graphene and nanoparticle catalysts supported on graphene without the use of reducing agents, and with the concomitant production of heat, are provided. The methods and apparatuses employ radiant energy to reduce (deoxygenate) graphite oxide (GO) to graphene, or to reduce a mixture of GO plus one or more metals to produce nanoparticle catalysts supported on graphene. Methods and systems to generate and utilize heat that is produced by irradiating GO, graphene and their metal and semiconductor nanocomposites with visible, infrared and/or ultraviolet radiation, e.g. using sunlight, lasers, etc. are also provided.
Inventors: M. Samy El-Shall (Richmond), Victor Abdelsayed (Morgantown, W.Va.), Saud I. Al-Resayes (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), Zeid Abdullah M. Alothman; (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia )
Assignee: Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond)
Inflammation therapy
Patent No. 9,763,894
A method is provided for treating a patient in need of therapy for central nervous system inflammation comprising administering to that patient a therapeutically effective amount of a cannabinoid agonist having efficacy at the CB.sub.2 receptor but having substantially no efficacy at the CB.sub.1 receptor at that amount.
Inventors: Billy R. Martin (Richmond), Mohamad Imad Damaj (Richmond), Martin W. Adler (Philadelphia, Penn.), Ronald F. Tuma (Philadelphia, Penn.), Ming Zhang (Philadelphia, Penn.), Anu Mahadevan (Woburn, Mass.), Raj K. Razdan (Woburn, Mass.)
Assignee: Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond) & Organix Inc. (Woburn, Mass.) & Temple University (Philadelphia, Penn.)
Sept. 19, 2017
Fiber-wrapped smokeless tobacco product
Patent No. 9,763,473
A fiber-wrapped smokeless tobacco product includes smokeless tobacco and a plurality of polymeric fibers surrounding the smokeless tobacco. The polymeric fibers can have a basis weight of 5 gsm or less and a diameter of less than 100 microns. In some cases, the polymeric fibers are melt-blown polymeric fibers. In some cases, the polymeric fibers are centrifugal force spun polymeric fibers. A method of preparing a fiber-wrapped smokeless tobacco product includes melt-blowing or centrifugal force spinning a plurality of polymeric fibers to create an polymer deposition zone and passing a body comprising smokeless tobacco through the polymer deposition zone. In some cases, an electrostatic charge can be applied to the plurality of polymeric fibers, the body, or a combination thereof. In some cases, a spin is applied to the body when passing through the polymer deposition zone.
Inventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll (Chester, Va.), Shannon Maxwell Black (Richmond), Yan Helen Sun (Midlothian, Va.), William J. Burke (Nashville, Tenn.)
Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC (Richmond)
Sept. 19, 2017
Process of making high tenacity, high modulus UHMWPE fiber
Patent No. 9,765,447
Processes for preparing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (“UHMW PE”) filaments and multi-filament yarns, and the yarns and articles produced therefrom. Each process produces UHMW PE yarns having tenacities of 45 g/denier to 60 g/denier or more at commercially viable throughput rates.
Inventors: Thomas Tam (Chesterfield, Va.), John Armstrong Young (Midlothian, Va.), Ralf Klein (Midlothian, Va.), Mark Tallent (Midlothian, Va.), Henry Gerard Ardiff (Chesterfield, Va.)
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc. (Morris Plains, N.J.)
Sept. 19, 2017