ng MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL APPARATUS HAVING CENTRAL ANCHOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A micro-electromechanical (MEMS) apparatus includes a substrate, two first anchors, a frame, and two elastic members. The substrate is provided with a reference point thereon. The frame surrounds the two first anchors, and each of the elastic members connects the corresponding first anchor and the frame. Each of the first anchors is disposed near the center of the MEMS apparatus to decrease an effect caused by warpage of the substrate. The MEMS apparatus can be applied to an MEMS sensor having a rotatable mass, such as a three-axis accelerometer or a magnetometer, to improve process yield, reliability, and measurement accuracy. Full Article
ng SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THERMALLY REGULATING SENSOR OPERATION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods are provided for calibrating and regulating the temperature of a sensor. One or more temperature adjusting devices can be provided to regulate the temperature of the sensor. One or more of the temperature adjusting devices can be provided to perform a calibration to determine a relationship between sensor bias and sensor temperature. The one or more temperature adjusting devices can be built into the sensor. Full Article
ng VIBRATION ANALYZING SYSTEM, VIBRATION ANALYZING APPARATUS, AND VIBRATION ANALYZING METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A vibration analyzing apparatus includes a vibration detecting unit set in a building where a person can reside and configured to detect vibration and output a detection signal based on the detected vibration, a mode determining unit configured to determine presence or absence of vibration of the building caused by an earthquake, and a control unit including a vibration analyzing unit configured to analyze the vibration on the basis of the detection signal, the control unit setting an analysis mode of the vibration analyzing unit. The control unit sets one of a normal time analysis mode for causing the vibration analyzing unit to analyze a vibration waveform indicated by the detection signal on the basis of a first condition and obtaining information concerning residence of the person and an earthquake analysis mode for obtaining information concerning deformation of the building. Full Article
ng AMPLIFYING ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT WITH REDUCED START-UP TIME FOR A SIGNAL INCLUDING QUADRATURE COMPONENTS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An electronic circuit for amplifying signals with two components in phase quadrature, which includes: a feedback amplifier with a feedback capacitor; a switch that drives charging and discharging of the feedback capacitor; an additional capacitor; and a coupling circuit, which alternatively connects the additional capacitor in parallel to the feedback capacitor or else decouples the additional capacitor from the feedback capacitor. The switch opens at a first instant, where a first one of the two components assumes a first zero value; the coupling circuit decouples the additional capacitor from the feedback capacitor in a way synchronous with a second instant, where the first component assumes a second zero value. Full Article
ng PROCESSES FOR FABRICATING ORGANIC PHOTODETECTORS AND RELATED PHOTODETECTORS AND SYSTEMS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A process for fabricating an organic photodetector is presented. The process includes providing an array of thin film transistor assemblies, each thin film transistor assembly including a first electrode disposed on a thin film transistor; disposing an organic semiconductor layer on the array; disposing a second electrode layer including a first inorganic material on the organic semiconductor layer through a shadow mask to form a first etch stop layer; and removing portions of the organic semiconductor layer unprotected by the first etch stop layer using a dry etching process to form a multilayered structure. An organic photodetector, for example an organic x-ray detector fabricated by the process is further presented. An x-ray system including the organic x-ray detector is also presented. Full Article
ng POWER SYSTEM FOR SUPPLYING HIGH VOLTAGE TO AN ELECTRON BEAM EMITTER By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Power system for supplying high voltage to an electron beam emitter, which is adapted to sterilize a packaging container or a packaging material by electron beam irradiation, the power system comprising a voltage multiplier for generating a high voltage, a first voltage measurement device for measuring an output voltage level of the voltage multiplier and providing a first measured voltage value, and an actuator for modifying the output voltage level of the voltage multiplier based on the first measured voltage value provided by the first voltage measurement device, characterized in that the power system further comprises a second voltage measurement device adapted to independently measure the output voltage level of the voltage multiplier and provide a second measured voltage value. Full Article
ng EUV LPP SOURCE WITH IMPROVED DOSE CONTROL BY TRACKING DOSE OVER SPECIFIED WINDOW By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus for controlling a dose of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation generated by a laser produced plasma (LPP) EUV light source. In one embodiment, a running total of the EUV energy generated over a predetermined number of laser pulses is measured; once that number of pulses is exceeded, the energy from the pulse immediately preceding the most recent predetermined number of pulses is dropped from the running total, so that the running total is from the most recent predetermined number of pulses. If the running total of the EUV energy exceeds a target dose, the next pulse is caused to not hit a droplet. This avoids the unwanted side effects of various prior art solutions, such as needing to miss many droplets in a row, or requiring the laser pulses to be shortened or reduced in power as in other prior art solutions. Full Article
ng LASER APPARATUS AND EXTREME ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT GENERATING APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A laser beam having desired properties is output at desired timings. A laser apparatus is a laser apparatus for use with an extreme ultraviolet light generating apparatus that generates extreme ultraviolet light at a repetition frequency which is set in advance, and may be equipped with: a semiconductor laser that outputs a laser beam when a trigger signal is input thereto; an optical switch that switches between a state in which the laser beam passes therethrough and a state in which the laser beam does not pass therethrough, provided along the optical path of the laser beam; and a control unit configured to output the trigger signal to the semiconductor laser at a frequency which is an integer multiple of the repetition frequency, and to control the optical switch such that the laser beam passes therethrough at the repetition frequency. Full Article
ng PROCESS FOR CONTROLLING, UNDER VOID, A JET OF PARTICLES WITH AN AERODYNAMIC LENS AND ASSOCIATED AERODYNAMIC LENS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a method for controlling the divergence of a jet of particles in vacuo with an aerodynamic lens, the aerodynamic lens including at least one chamber; a diaphragm, a so-called inlet diaphragm, intended to form an inlet of the aerodynamic lens for a jet of particles, the inlet diaphragm having a given diameter (d1); and another diaphragm, a so-called outlet diaphragm, intended to form an outlet of the aerodynamic lens for this jet of particles; the method including: a step for generating the jet of particles from the inlet to the outlet, in vacuo, of the aerodynamic lens; and a step for adjusting the diameter (ds) of the outlet diaphragm for controlling the divergence of the jet of particles. Full Article
ng USE OF FLUORESCENT POLYMERS IN MARKING COMPOSITIONS FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC DETERMINATION OF CLEANING PERFORMANCE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention generally relates to fluorescent marking compositions and their use to determine whether a surface has been cleaned. More particularly, the marking compositions comprise fluorescent polymers. Full Article
ng ELECTRON BEAM GENERATOR AND ELECTRON BEAM STERILIZING DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Electron beam generator comprising an electron emitting device adapted to emit an electron beam when heated to an elevated temperature, wherein the electron emitting device comprises a filament having a spiral portion. Full Article
ng ENCODER, HOLDING MEMBER, METHOD OF MOUNTING AN ENCODER, DRIVE APPARATUS, AND ROBOT APPARATUS, AND STAGE APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An encoder, including: a scale that has a pattern and is mountable to a rotary member of an object to be measured; a main body including a detector that detects the pattern, the main body being mountable to a non-rotating portion of the object to be measured; and a holding member including: an abutment portion that is removably provided to the main body from outside the main body and passes through the main body to abut the scale; and a pushing portion that is capable of pushing the abutment portion toward the scale. Full Article
ng PROXIMITY SENSING DEVICE AND LIGHT GUIDING METHOD THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A proximity sensing device includes: a light source, a sensing unit, a light guide unit, and a window. The light source emits light, which is guided by the light guide unit to the window. The emitted light reflected by an object is received by the same window. The light guide unit includes a partial-transmissive-partial-reflective (PTPR) optical element, whereby the light emitted from the light source is reflected by the PTPR optical element, while the light reflected by the object passes through the PTPR optical element. There is only one window required. Full Article
ng OPTICAL DETECTION SYSTEM WITH LIGHT SAMPLING By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT System, including methods and apparatus, for optical detection. The system may comprise a light source to generate a beam of light, an optical element, and a detector. The optical element may include a light guide having a shaft and a tip, with the tip forming a beveled end of the light guide. The optical element may extend into the beam, such that the tip and at least a portion of the shaft are located inside the beam, and a window of the optical element is located outside the beam. Light of the beam incident on the tip may be transmitted longitudinally through the light guide and out the window, while light of the beam incident on the shaft may be transmitted transversely through the shaft and remains in the beam downstream. The detector may be configured to detect light received from the window. Full Article
ng IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An imaging device and method are provided. Light from an object is provided as a plurality of sets of light beams to a phase difference array having a plurality of elements. The phase difference array is configured to provide different optical paths for light included within at least some of a plurality of sets of light beams. The light from the phase difference array is received at an imaging element array. The imaging element array includes a plurality of imaging elements. Information obtained from hyperspectral imaging data based on output signals of the imaging element array can be displayed. Full Article
ng VEHICLE TRACTION SYSTEM AND RADIATION IMAGING CHECK SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure relates to vehicle traction apparatus and radiation imaging check systems. One illustrative implementation may comprise two parallel tracks, two sets of traction mechanisms and a driving unit, wherein the tracks are disposed on a ground. The two sets of traction mechanisms may be respectively disposed on the two tracks. Further, the driving unit may be adapted for driving the two sets of traction mechanisms to synchronously move along the two tracks. In some embodiments, each of the two sets of traction mechanisms includes a body, a cantilever, a lifting driving mechanism and a wheel supporting assembly, and may include features such as the body being mounted on the track, the cantilever being disposed parallel to a direction of the tracks, and/or both ends of the cantilever being respectively connected with the lifting driving mechanism and the wheel supporting assembly. Full Article
ng RAY CALIBRATION DEVICE AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF, AND RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure provides a ray calibration device and a working method thereof, and a radiation imaging system and a working method thereof, and belongs to the field of radiation imaging technology. The present disclosure can solve the problems that the existing calibration devices have low calibration efficiency and require relatively large spaces. The ray calibration device of the present disclosure includes a driving part, a cam part and a calibration part, wherein the calibration part is located below the cam part; the driving part is adapted to drive the cam part to rotate; and the cam part is adapted to exert a force on the calibration part to enable the calibration part to move into a ray area downwards. Full Article
ng METHODS FOR INCREASING SENSITIVITY OF DETECTION AND/OR QUANTIFICATION OF NEGATIVELY CHARGED ANALYTES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present technology provides methods for increasing sensitivity of detection and/or quantification of a negatively charged analyte, e.g., an oligonucleotide, using an analytical system that comprises liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The methods comprise passing an acidic solution through the analytical system, i.e., through a fluidic path from the mobile phase reservoir to the detector to remove or displace, at least in part, metal ions adsorbed to charged sites in the fluidic path. Full Article
ng HUMAN BODY RADIATION EXAMINING METHOD AND SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A human body radiation examining method and system are disclosed. In one aspect, the human body radiation examining method comprises: identifying a person to be examined. The method further comprises retrieving an accumulative radiation dose of the person according to identification result. The method further comprises obtaining a predicted single radiation scanning dose of a human body radiation examining device intended to perform a current radiation examination. The method further comprises calculating a sum value of the accumulative radiation dose of the person and the predicted single radiation scanning dose of the human body radiation examining device. The method further comprises determining whether to perform the current radiation examination on the person according to whether the sum value exceeds a dose limit. In some embodiments, the human body radiation examining system and method can improve the security of the human body radiation examination. Full Article
ng SCINTILLATOR CONFIGURATIONS AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A scintillator block is presented. The scintillator block includes at least one scintillator having an isotropic volume. Furthermore, the scintillator block includes a laser-generated three-dimensional pattern positioned within the isotropic volume of the at least one scintillator, where the laser-generated three-dimensional pattern is configured to modify one or more optical properties within the isotropic volume of the at least one scintillator, and where the three-dimensional pattern varies along one or more of a depth, a width, and an angular orientation of the at least one scintillator. Full Article
ng LINEAR-RESPONSE NANOCRYSTAL SCINTILLATORS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Systems and devices incorporating radiation detection, and techniques and materials for improved radiation detection are provided that involve a nano-scintillator exhibiting a linear luminescent emission response to stimulating electromagnetic radiation. The nano-scintillator can include at least one nanocrystal comprising a rare earth element, a lanthanide dopant, and a spectator dopant, wherein the nanocrystal exhibits a linear luminescent emission response to stimulating electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths less than 100 nm. As one example, the nanocrystal is [Y2-xO3; Eux, Liy], where x is 0.05 to 0.1 and y is 0.1 to 0.16, and has an average nanoparticle size of 40 to 70 nm. These nanocrystals can be fabricated through a glycine combustion method. Full Article
ng Detectors, System and Method for Detecting Ionizing Radiation Using High Energy Current By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Detectors, a system and a method for detecting ionizing radiation are provided. In some aspects, a detector includes a first layer comprising a first conducting material, and a second layer comprising a second conducting material, wherein at least one of the first layer and second layer is configured to produce secondary particles upon irradiation by an ionizing radiation. The detector also includes a separating layer positioned between the first and second layer configured to transport therebetween at least one of charges associated with the secondary particles and charges produced by the secondary particles, wherein an electric current generated by the charges, and collected between the first and second layer, is indicative of properties the ionizing radiation. Full Article
ng NEUTRON DETECTOR AND METHOD FOR DETECTING NEUTRONS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus comprises a neutron detector. The neutron detector comprises a conversion layer comprising a mixture of a neutron absorbing material and a scintillation material; and a photodetector optically coupled to the conversion layer and arranged to detect photons generated as a result of neutron absorption events in the conversion layer; wherein the apparatus is adapted to be carried by a user and the conversion layer is positioned within the neutron detector such that when the apparatus is being carried by a user in normal use neutrons are absorbed in the conversion layer after passing through the user such that the user's body provides a neutron moderating effect. In some cases the apparatus may be carried in association with a backpack or clothing worn by a user, for example, the neutron detector may be sized to fit in a pocket. In other cases the apparatus may be a hand-held device with the conversion layer arranged within a handle of the device to be gripped by a user when being carried. Full Article
ng Electronic Devices Having Infrared-Transparent Window Coatings By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An electronic device may have a display with a cover layer. A light-based component such as an infrared-light proximity sensor or other infrared-light-based component may be aligned with a window in the display cover layer. The window may block visible light and transmit infrared light. A coating in the window may include a thin-film filter formed from a stack of inorganic dielectric layers. The thin-film filter may block visible light and transmit infrared light. The coating may also include at least one layer of material such as a semiconductor material that absorbs visible light and that passes infrared light. This material may be interposed between the thin-film filter and the display cover layer. Antireflection properties and color adjustment properties may be provided using thin-film layers between the thin-film filter and the display cover layer. Full Article
ng Protective Device and Laser Raman Safety Inspection Apparatus Comprising the Same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the present invention provide a protective device including a sliding door and a housing, together forming a closed space, wherein, a guide rail is provided on the housing, and the sliding door is slidable along the guide rail to open or close the closed space. In addition, embodiments of the present invention also provide a laser Raman safety inspection apparatus including the abovementioned protective device. Full Article
ng METHOD OF FABRICATING AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH A PATTERN DENSITY-OUTLIER-TREATMENT FOR OPTIMIZED PATTERN DENSITY UNIFORMITY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure provides one embodiment of an IC method. First pattern densities (PDs) of a plurality of templates of an IC design layout are received. Then a high PD outlier template and a low PD outlier template from the plurality of templates are identified. The high PD outlier template is split into multiple subsets of template and each subset of template carries a portion of PD of the high PD outlier template. A PD uniformity (PDU) optimization is performed to the low PD outlier template and multiple individual exposure processes are applied by using respective subset of templates. Full Article
ng Monitoring Liquid Chromatography Elution to Determine When to Perform a Lockmass Calibration By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed that comprises acquiring mass spectral data during a single experimental run or acquisition of a mass spectrometer and determining a first time T during the single experimental run or acquisition for calibrating the mass spectrometer. The step of determining the first time T further comprises determining a time when the mass spectral data being acquired during the single experimental run or acquisition is equal to or below a threshold. The mass spectrometer is then calibrated by introducing calibrant or lockmass ions at the first time T. Full Article
ng SUPERCONDUCTING NANOWIRE AVALANCHE PHOTODETECTORS WITH REDUCED CURRENT CROWDING By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Superconducting nanowire avalanche photodetectors (SNAPs) have using meandering nanowires to detect incident photons. When a superconducting nanowire absorbs a photon, it switches from a superconducting state to a resistive state, producing a change in voltage that can be measured across the nanowire. A SNAP may include multiple nanowires in order to increase the fill factor of the SNAP's active area and the SNAP's detection efficiency. But using multiple meandering nanowires to achieve high fill-factor in SNAPs can lead to current crowding at bends in the nanowires. This current crowding degrades SNAP performance by decreasing the switching current, which the current at which the nanowire transitions from a superconducting state to a resistive state. Fortunately, staggering the bends in the nanowires reduces current crowding, increasing the nanowire switching current, which in turn increases the SNAP dynamic range. Full Article
ng SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A solid-state imaging device includes a detector, a count value storage, and a reader. The detector includes an avalanche amplification type light receiving element that detects a photon, and a resetter that resets an output potential of the light receiving element, and outputs a digital signal that indicates the presence or absence of incidence of a photon on the light receiving element. The count value storage performs counting by converting the digital signal output from the detector to an analog voltage, and stores the result of counting as a count value. The reader outputs an analog signal indicating the count value. Full Article
ng Method for controlling and optimizing the manufacture of gasoline blendstocks for blending with an alcohol as an oxygenate By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for manufacturing an oxygenated gasoline-blend by blending a hydrocarbon Basestock for Oxygenate Blending (BOB) with an alcohol such as ethanol to a required octane specification first blends the BOB to an octane number, (RON+MON)/2 based on the octane sensitivity (RON−MON) of the BOB and the proportion of alcohol to be added to the BOB, such that when the BOB is blended with the specification proportion of alcohol to form the oxygenated gasoline blend, this blend will have the required octane specification. The blending of the BOB with the alcohol will typically be done at a location remote from that where the BOB is blended, e.g. at the product distribution terminal after being transported from the refinery by pipeline or tank car. Full Article
ng Alkoxylated quaternary ammonium salts and fuels containing them By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fuel additive and its preparation for a engine, a fuel containing the additive, a fuel additive concentrate, a method for improving performance of fuel injectors and a method for cleaning fuel injectors for an engine. The fuel additive includes a quaternary ammonium salt derived from a reaction of a hydrocarbyl substituted anhydride, a tertiary amine and a hydroxyl-containing epoxide, wherein the tertiary amine is devoid of primary and secondary amino groups. Full Article
ng Pre-burning, dry process methodology and systems for enhancing mettallurgical solid fuel properties By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Measurements are taken of moisture, BTU/lb (British Thermal Units per pound), ash, forms of sulfur, volatile material, grindability, and absorption properties of any of a wide variety of mine-run solid fuels. Using that information, a dry electromagnetic process technology has been developed that can be controlled and monitored to selectively alter and enhance metallurgical solid fuel properties. Specific changes include altering the mechanical structure and chemical composition of solid fuels such as coal, coal coke or petroleum coke, increasing the BTU/lb to optimum levels, decreasing all forms of sulfur, and decreasing ash, while maintaining the BTU/lb of the fuels. A new family of solid fuel designer coals not found in nature can be produced via these methods and apparatus. Full Article
ng Process for drying material and dryer for use in the process By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process of drying moisture containing material having a tendency to create dust when dried, said process including the steps of providing said material in a heated chamber having a steam containing atmosphere at a temperature above the dewpoint of the steam, recirculating a hot gas including a portion of the steam through said chamber in order to evaporate moisture from the material to a predetermined level of dryness. Full Article
ng Fuel compositions and methods for making same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT This invention relates to low sulfur marine/bunker fuel compositions and methods of making same. Contrary to conventional marine/bunker fuel compositions/methods, the inventive lower sulfur compositions/methods focus on use of mostly uncracked components, such as (cat feed) hydrotreated gasoils, and/or can also have reduced contents of residual components. Full Article
ng Method for contemporaneously dimerizing and hydrating a feed having butene By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods for producing alcohols and oligomers contemporaneously from a hydrocarbon feed containing mixed butenes using an acid based catalyst are provided. Additionally, methods for producing fuel compositions having alcohols and oligomers prepared from mixed olefins are also provided as embodiments of the present invention. In certain embodiments, the catalyst can include a dual phase catalyst system that includes a water soluble acid catalyst and a solid acid catalyst. Full Article
ng Systems and methods for producing engineered fuel feedstocks with reduced chlorine content By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for producing engineered fuels from municipal solid waste material are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes combining a first waste stream that includes at least one of hard plastic, soft plastic and mixed plastic with a sorbent and increasing the temperature of the combined first waste stream and sorbent to a temperature of at least about 200° C. The method further includes combining the thermally treated first waste stream and sorbent with a second waste stream that includes fiber, and compressing the combined first waste stream, sorbent, and second waste stream to form a densified engineered fuel feedstock. Full Article
ng Apparatus for upgrading coal and method of using same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for upgrading coal comprising a baffle tower, inlet and exhaust plenums, and one or more cooling augers. The baffle tower comprises a plurality of alternating rows of inverted v-shaped inlet and outlet baffles. The inlet and outlet plenums are affixed to side walls of the baffle tower. Process gas enters the baffle tower from the inlet plenum via baffle holes in the side wall and dries the coal in the baffle tower. Process exhaust gas exits the baffle tower into the exhaust plenum via baffle holes in a different side wall of the baffle tower. Coal that enters the baffle tower descends by gravity downward through the baffle tower and enters a cooling auger, where the dried coal from the baffle tower is mixed with non-dried coal. A method of using the apparatus described above to upgrade coal. Full Article
ng Methods of producing coal and fertilizers from fermentation residues By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention concerns a process for producing synthetic coal and aqueous liquid plant fertilizing solution products from a fermentation residue such as is left over from the corn based process of producing ethanol. The synthetic coal has a high heat value commensurate with naturally occurring coals and is lower in ash and sulfur content and thus has value as a clean burning energy source. The aqueous fertilizer includes commercially useful amounts of phosphorous, potassium and nitrogen in solution. The process of the invention is also energy efficient in that the products produced thereby involve the use of substantially less energy as compared to the traditional methods of processing fermentation residues in the corn based ethanol production industry. Full Article
ng Device for preparing bio-oil, system for preparing bio-oil and method for preparing bio-oil using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device for preparing bio-oil, a system for preparing bio-oil and a method for preparing bio-oil using the same are provided. Biomass is supplied to an inclined portion of a reactor, and high-temperature hot sand is supplied to an upper side of the biomass supplied to the inclined portion. Then, a heater heats the inclined portion. Thus, the fast pyrolysis performance of the biomass can be enhanced, thereby increasing the yield of bio-oil. Also, combustion gas produced from the heater is supplied to the interior of the reactor, so that the interior of the reactor can be simply formed under a nonoxidizing atmosphere. Accordingly, the device for preparing bio-oil can be manufactured into a very simple structure. Full Article
ng Use of 1,1-diethoxyethane for increasing knocking resistance of automotive gasoline By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to the use of 1,1-diethoxyethane for increasing the knocking resistance of low-boiling gasoline with an initial boiling point (IBP) of 80° C. to 120° C. by at least 40 units (Research Octane Number). Full Article
ng Method for producing solid fuel and solid fuel produced by the method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Modified solid fuel manufacturing method and modified solid fuels manufactured using the manufacturing method. When solid fuels are manufactured by crushing low grade coal, mixing the crushed low grade coal with solvent oil to prepare a slurry, heating the slurry to at least the boiling point of water to evaporate moisture included in the slurry, separating the solvent oil from the slurry to produce charcoal dust and compression compacting said charcoal dust, by heating the slurry to at least the boiling point of water, the non-volatile components included in the low grade coal are extracted with the solvent oil, the outer surface of the low grade coal and the internal surfaces of the pores are coated with the extracted non-volatile components, and the content of heavy oil added from the outside will be less than 0.5 mass % relative to the solid fuel after drying. Full Article
ng Process for upgrading low rank carbonaceous material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process for upgrading brown coal having a first water content including subjecting the brown coal to a conditioning step which includes heating the brown coal to a first temperature to produce a conditioned brown coal having a second water content which is lower than the first water content; attritioning the conditioned brown coal to enable water to be released from the microstructure of the brown coal and thereby producing an admixture of the brown coal and released water; forming aggregates of the admixture; drying the aggregates to produce upgraded brown coal having a third water content which is lower than the second water content. Full Article
ng Device and method for controlling the conversion of biomass to biofuel By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments presented herein describe an apparatus and method to control the conversion of carbonaceous materials, particularly biomass and those biomass resources, into a high performance solid fuel. This method, and the apparatus described as the means to accomplish this method, provides a process having a control system that enables the system to produce a fuel of uniform quality, even with a change in biomass supply. Full Article
ng Methods for converting motor oil into fuel By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods for converting petroleum based oil into fuel generally include forming a conversion mixture of an alcohol and a base, and adding the conversion mixture to petroleum based oil, such as used motor oil, to form a reaction mixture. The methods can also include adding a high nitrate compound and an amino acid to the reaction mixture and ozonizing the reaction mixture. The result of the methods can include a three phase system in which the bottom phase is asphalt oil, the middle phase is diesel fuel or jet fuel, and the top phase is sulfuric acid. The three phases can be separated to obtain the final diesel fuel or jet fuel product. Full Article
ng Fuel composition containing a hydrocarbyl-substituted succinimide By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure is directed to a middle distillate fuel composition comprising a friction modifying effective amount of a hydrocarbyl-substituted succinimide derived from maleic anhydride, polyisobutylene and ammonia; and a middle distillate fuel. A method for modifying friction in a compression engine comprising providing to the engine the disclosed fuel composition is also disclosed. Moreover, there is disclosed a method for improving fuel mileage. Full Article
ng System for drying a gasification feed By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Present embodiments include systems for reducing moisture in a solid feed provided to a gasifier. For example, in an embodiment, a feedstock preparation system includes an aspirator having a first inlet for receiving a flow of steam, a second inlet for receiving a flow of a moist gaseous phase from a grinding mechanism configured to grind a solid fuel in the presence of a conveyance gas. The moist gaseous phase includes the conveyance gas and moisture removed from the ground solid fuel. The aspirator also includes an outlet configured to output a reduced pressure flow having the steam and the moist gaseous phase. The aspirator is configured to enhance moisture removal from the ground solid fuel to produce a dry feed of the ground solid fuel. The aspirator discharge is recycled within the process to heat the incoming dry conveyance gas and improve system efficiency. Full Article
ng Gasoline fuel composition for improved performance in fuel injected engines By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for improving performance of fuel injectors, and a method for cleaning fuel injectors for an internal combustion engine. The methods include operating the engine on a fuel composition comprising a major amount of fuel and from about 1 to about 200 ppm by weight based on a total weight of the fuel of a reaction product of (i) a hydrocarbyl substituted compound containing at least one tertiary amino group and (ii) a halogen substituted C2-C8 carboxylic acid, ester, amide, or salt thereof, wherein the reaction product as made is substantially devoid of free anion species. Full Article
ng Process for demineralising coal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process for demineralizing coal includes the steps of forming a slurry of coal particles in an alkali solution, the slurry containing 10-30% by weight coal, maintaining the slurry at a temperature of 150-250° C. under a pressure sufficient to prevent boiling, separating the slurry into an alkalized coal and a spent alkali leachant, forming an acidified slurry of the alkalized coal, the acidified slurry having a pH of 0.5-1.5, separating the acidified slurry into a coal- containing fraction and a substantially liquid fraction, subjecting the coal-containing fraction to a washing step, particularly a hydrothermal washing step, in which the coal-containing fraction is mixed with water and a polar organic solvent or water and an organic acid to form a mixture and separating the coal from the mixture. The demineralized coal has an ash content of from 0.01-0.2% by weight and can be used a feed to a gas turbine. Full Article
ng Conversion of triacylglycerides-containing oils By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process for converting triacylglycerides-containing oils into crude oil precursors and/or distillate hydrocarbon fuels is disclosed. The process may include reacting a triacylglycerides-containing oil-carbon dioxide mixture at a temperature in the range from about 250° C. to about 525° C. and a pressure greater than about 75 bar to convert at least a portion of the triacylglycerides to a hydrocarbon or mixture of hydrocarbons comprising one or more of isoolefins, isoparaffins, cycloolefins, cycloparaffins, and aromatics. Full Article
ng Method and apparatus for producing synthetic fuels By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT For producing synthetic fuels, an educt mixture containing steam and oxygenates, such as methanol and/or dimethyl ether, is converted to olefins on a catalyst in a first process stage, and this olefin mixture then is divided in a separating means into a stream rich in C1-C4 hydrocarbons and a stream rich in C5+ hydrocarbons. The stream rich in C5+ hydrocarbons is divided into a stream rich in C5 and C6 hydrocarbons and a stream rich in C7+ hydrocarbons, wherein the stream rich in C5 and C6 hydrocarbons is at least partly subjected to an etherification with methanol. The ethers thus obtained are admixed to the gasoline product stream. Full Article