Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080197052 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR SELECTIVE REMOVAL OF CONTAMINANTS FROM A COMPOSITION - The present invention relates to devices and methods for selectively removing contaminants from a crude product mixture. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for removing free organic acids from a crude product mixture including contacting the crude product mixture with a metal oxide substrate, the metal oxide substrate having properties sufficient to bond with free organic acids in the crude product mixture, thereby removing free organic acids and forming a refined product mixture, and separating the refined product mixture from the metal oxide substrate. In an embodiment, the invention includes a device for removal of free organic acids from a crude product mixture including a first housing defining an interior volume, an input port, and an output port, and metal oxide media disposed within the first housing, the metal oxide media comprising a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, hafnia, and titania. Other embodiments are also described herein. | 08-21-2008 |
20080319236 | CATALYSTS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ETHER SYNTHESIS - The present invention relates to methods and catalysts for synthesizing ethers. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for synthesizing ethers from an alcohol feedstock including heating the alcohol feedstock to a temperature greater than about 100 degrees Celsius; and contacting the alcohol feedstock with a catalyst comprising a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of titania and alumina. Other embodiments are also described herein. | 12-25-2008 |
20100147771 | SYSTEMS FOR SELECTIVE REMOVAL OF CONTAMINANTS FROM A COMPOSITION AND METHODS OF REGENERATING THE SAME - The present invention relates to devices and methods for selectively removing contaminants from a crude product mixture. In an embodiment the invention includes a method for removing organic acids from a crude product mixture including contacting the crude product mixture with a metal oxide substrate, wherein free organic acids in the crude product mixture bind to the metal oxide substrate, thereby removing free organic acids and forming a refined product mixture; separating the refined product mixture from the metal oxide substrate; and removing the organic acids bound to the metal oxide substrate by contacting the metal oxide substrate with an alkyl ester composition at a temperature of greater than about 100 degrees Celsius. Other embodiments are also described herein. | 06-17-2010 |
20100170147 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING FUELS FROM BIOMASS - The present invention relates to systems and methods for producing fuels. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of producing a diesel-equivalent fuel, including pyrolyzing biomass to form a pyrolysis oil and contacting the pyrolysis oil and an alcohol with a metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than about 60 degrees Celsius. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of refining pyrolysis oil including contacting pyrolysis oil and an alcohol with a metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than about 60 degrees Celsius. In an embodiment, the invention includes a system for processing biomass into fuel including a pyrolysis chamber defining an interior volume; a first heating element configured to heat the pyrolysis chamber; a refining chamber in selective fluid communication with the pyrolysis chamber, the refining chamber defining an interior volume, a metal oxide catalyst disposed within the interior volume; and a second heating element configured to heat the refining chamber. Other embodiments are also described herein. | 07-08-2010 |
20110060153 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REFINING ALKYL ESTER COMPOSITIONS - The present invention relates to systems and methods for producing and/or refining alkyl ester compositions. In an embodiment the invention includes a method of producing a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. The method can include contacting a fatty acid feedstock and an alcohol with a first metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius and a pressure of greater than 500 psi to form an unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. The method can further include combining the unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition with dimethyl carbonate to form a refining mixture. The method can also include contacting the refining mixture with a second metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 100 degrees Celsius to form a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. Other embodiments are also described herein. | 03-10-2011 |
20110172450 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ALKYL ESTERS FROM LIPID FEED STOCKS AND SYSTEMS INCLUDING SAME - The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for producing alkyl esters from lipid feed stocks, such as plant oils and/or animal fats, and systems including the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for producing alkyl esters including mixing a lipid feed stock with an alcohol to form a reaction mixture; and contacting the reaction mixture with a catalyst under supercritical conditions for the alcohol, the catalyst comprising an unmodified metal oxide selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, and hafnia, and removing residual free fatty acids from the reaction mixture. Other embodiments are included herein. | 07-14-2011 |
20120190891 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING LIPID FEEDSTOCKS - Embodiments of the invention include processing lipid feedstocks into various products. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of processing a lipid feedstock including combining the lipid feedstock with water to form a reaction mixture; and contacting the reaction mixture with a catalyst, the catalyst including a metal oxide. Methods can be used to form polyols, diols, and carboxylic acids, amongst others. Other embodiments are also included herein. | 07-26-2012 |
20120264955 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING SURFACTANTS AND SURFACTANT INTERMEDIATES - Embodiments of the invention include processing lipid feedstocks into various products. Embodiments of the invention include processing lipid feedstocks into various products. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of processing a lipid feedstock comprising combining triglycerides from the lipid feedstock with water to form a first reaction mixture, contacting the first reaction mixture with a first metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius to form a first product mixture including free fatty acids and glycerin, combining the free fatty acids with a diol to form a second reaction mixture, and contacting the second reaction mixture with a second metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius to form a second product mixture. Other embodiments are also included herein. | 10-18-2012 |
20140046104 | HYDROCARBON SYNTHESIS METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS - Embodiments of the invention include apparatus and systems for hydrocarbon synthesis and methods regarding the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for creating a hydrocarbon product stream comprising reacting a reaction mixture in the presence of a catalyst inside of a reaction vessel to form a product mixture, the reaction mixture comprising a carbon source and water. The temperature inside the reaction vessel can be between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius and the pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. In an embodiment, the invention includes an extrusion reactor system for creating a hydrocarbon product stream. The temperature inside the extrusion reactor housing between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius. Pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. Other embodiments are also included herein. | 02-13-2014 |
20140115955 | HYDROCARBON SYNTHESIS METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS - Embodiments of the invention include apparatus and systems for hydrocarbon synthesis and methods regarding the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for creating a hydrocarbon product stream comprising reacting a reaction mixture in the presence of a catalyst inside of a reaction vessel to form a product mixture, the reaction mixture comprising a carbon source and water. The temperature inside the reaction vessel can be between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius and the pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. In an embodiment, the invention includes an extrusion reactor system for creating a hydrocarbon product stream. The temperature inside the extrusion reactor housing between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius. Pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. Other embodiments are also included herein. | 05-01-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100034008 | MAGNETIC FIELD ASSISTED STRAM CELLS - Memory units that have a magnetic tunnel junction cell that utilizes spin torque and a current induced magnetic field to assist in the switching of the magnetization orientation of the free layer of the magnetic tunnel junction cell. The memory unit includes a spin torque current source for passing a current through the magnetic tunnel junction cell, the spin torque current source having a direction perpendicular to the magnetization orientations, and also includes a magnetic ampere field current source is oriented in a direction orthogonal or at some angles to the magnetization orientations. | 02-11-2010 |
20100110758 | STRUCTURES FOR RESISTIVE RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY CELLS - A resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell that includes a first electrode having a lower portion, a continuous side portion and an upper portion, the lower portion and the continuous side portion having an outer surface and an inner surface; a resistive layer having a lower portion, a continuous side portion and an upper portion, the lower portion and the continuous side portion having an outer surface and an inner surface; and a second electrode having a lower portion, an upper portion and an outer surface; wherein the outer surface of the resistive layer directly contacts the inner surface of the first electrode. | 05-06-2010 |
20100135061 | Non-Volatile Memory Cell with Ferroelectric Layer Configurations - In some embodiments of the invention a non-volatile memory cell is provided with a first electrode, a second electrode, and one or more side layers of a ferroelectric metal oxide and a ferroelectric material layer between the first and second electrodes. The ferroelectric material layer may be provided between, e.g., adjacent, two side layers of a ferroelectric metal oxide or between a single layer of a ferroelectric metal oxide and an electrode. The ferroelectric metal oxide may in some cases include a uniform layered structure such as a bismuth layer-structured ferroelectric material like Bi | 06-03-2010 |
20100277969 | STRUCTURES FOR RESISTIVE RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY CELLS - A resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell that includes a first electrode having a lower portion, a continuous side portion and an upper portion, the lower portion and the continuous side portion having an outer surface and an inner surface; a resistive layer having a lower portion, a continuous side portion and an upper portion, the lower portion and the continuous side portion having an outer surface and an inner surface; and a second electrode having a lower portion, an upper portion and an outer surface; wherein the outer surface of the resistive layer directly contacts the inner surface of the first electrode. | 11-04-2010 |
20120250405 | MAGNETIC FIELD ASSISTED STRAM CELLS - Memory units that have a magnetic tunnel junction cell that utilizes spin torque and a current induced magnetic field to assist in the switching of the magnetization orientation of the free layer of the magnetic tunnel junction cell. The memory unit includes a spin torque current source for passing a current through the magnetic tunnel junction cell, the spin torque current source having a direction perpendicular to the magnetization orientations, and also includes a magnetic ampere field current source is oriented in a direction orthogonal or at some angles to the magnetization orientations. | 10-04-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090068556 | BATTERY-OPERATED WIRELESS-COMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND METHOD - A combined battery and wireless-communications apparatus and method. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a support, a first conductive layer deposited on a first surface area of the support, a thin-film battery including a cathode layer, a solid-state electrolyte layer, and an anode layer deposited such that either the anode layer or the cathode layer is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer, an antenna mounted to the support structure, and an electronic communications circuit mounted to the support and electrically coupled to the battery and the antenna to transceive radio communications. Other embodiments include an energy-receiving device mounted to the support structure, and an electronic communications circuit mounted to the support structure and including a recharging circuit, the recharging circuit electrically coupled to the battery and the energy-receiving device to recharge the battery using energy received by the energy-receiving device. | 03-12-2009 |
20110300413 | BATTERY-OPERATED WIRELESS-COMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND METHOD - A combined battery and wireless-communications apparatus and method. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a support, a first conductive layer deposited on a first surface area of the support, a thin-film battery including a cathode layer, a solid-state electrolyte layer, and an anode layer deposited such that either the anode layer or the cathode layer is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer, an antenna mounted to the support structure, and an electronic communications circuit mounted to the support and electrically coupled to the battery and the antenna to transceive radio communications. Other embodiments include an energy-receiving device mounted to the support structure, and an electronic communications circuit mounted to the support structure and including a recharging circuit, the recharging circuit electrically coupled to the battery and the energy-receiving device to recharge the battery using energy received by the energy-receiving device. | 12-08-2011 |
20120274273 | INTEGRATED-CIRCUIT BATTERY DEVICES - A combined battery and wireless-communications apparatus and method. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a support, a first conductive layer deposited on a first surface area of the support, a thin-film battery including a cathode layer, a solid-state electrolyte layer, and an anode layer deposited such that either the anode layer or the cathode layer is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer, an antenna mounted to the support structure, and an electronic communications circuit mounted to the support and electrically coupled to the battery and the antenna to transceive radio communications. Other embodiments include an energy-receiving device mounted to the support structure, and an electronic communications circuit mounted to the support structure and including a recharging circuit, the recharging circuit electrically coupled to the battery and the energy-receiving device to recharge the battery using energy received by the energy-receiving device. | 11-01-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100027400 | MOTION LIMITING COVER FOR DATA STORAGE DEVICE - Disclosed herein are embodiments of motion limiting cover features that improve coil/VCM coupled resonance. The features are flexible in that their position and configuration can be customized to specifically target a certain type of undesirable motion, such as undesirable twisting (i.e., torsion) and/or bending. | 02-04-2010 |
20100195243 | Variable Spindle Speed Control for Data Storage Devices - In a particular embodiment, a system is disclosed that includes a solid-state data storage medium, a disc data storage medium, and a controller adapted to selectively adjust a spindle speed associated with the disc data storage medium and a buffer size associated with the solid-state data storage medium responsive to a trigger. | 08-05-2010 |
20110216437 | REAL-TIME GAIN IDENTIFICATION - A real-time gain identification system for a mechatronic system, such as a servo system, including at least two actuators is provided. In an example implementation, a servo system comprises a primary actuator and a piezoelectric secondary actuator. A controller generates a disturbance for one of the actuators that is compensated for (e.g., canceled) using another actuator. In one implementation, a gain of the actuator at an arbitrary time is calculated based upon a comparison of a signal used to compensate for the disturbance (e.g., cancel the disturbance) at that arbitrary time to a signal known to compensate for a disturbance (e.g., cancel the disturbance) under known conditions. For example, a gain may be determined based on a ratio of a signal used to cancel a disturbance at an arbitrary point to a signal known to cancel the disturbance under known conditions. Similar methodologies can be applied in other mechatronic systems with multiple actuators. | 09-08-2011 |
20130003219 | COMPENSATION FOR VIBRATION IN A DATA STORAGE SYSTEM - A plurality of sensors are used to sense disturbances in a data storage system. An adaptive gain component is associated with each of the sensors and provides a gain for each of the sensor signals. The gain of each sensor signal is adapted, individually, based on a correlation of each given sensor signal to the position error signal. This adaptation produces a position correction signal. The position correction signal is applied to a position signal that is used to position the reading and writing components and the storage medium relative to one another. This compensates for both rotary and linear vibration disturbances at the same time. | 01-03-2013 |
20150068243 | MULTIPLE-AXIS MAGNETIC BEARING AND CONTROL OF THE MAGNETIC BEARING WITH ACTIVE SWITCH TOPOLOGIES - A magnetic bearing system ( | 03-12-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100085797 | DUAL STAGE SENSING FOR NON-VOLATILE MEMORY - A method and apparatus for accessing a non-volatile memory cell. In some embodiments, a memory block provides a plurality of memory cells arranged into rows and columns. A read circuit is configured to read a selected row of the memory block by concurrently applying a control voltage to each memory cell along the selected row and, for each column, using a respective local sense amplifier and a column sense amplifier to successively differentiate a voltage across the associated memory cell in said column to output a programmed content of the row. | 04-08-2010 |
20100091550 | Voltage Reference Generation with Selectable Dummy Regions - Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an apparatus and associated method for generating a reference voltage with dummy resistive sense element regions. A first resistance distribution is obtained for a first dummy region of resistance sense elements and a second resistance distribution is obtained for a second dummy region of resistive sense elements. A user resistive sense element from a user region is assigned to a selected resistive sense element of one of the first or second dummy regions in relation to the first and second resistance distributions. | 04-15-2010 |
20100095052 | DATA UPDATING IN NON-VOLATILE MEMORY - Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an apparatus and associated method for updating data in a non-volatile memory array. In accordance with some embodiments, a memory block is formed with a plurality of types of memory cell sectors arranged in data pages of a first type and log pages of a second type that can be updated in-place. A first updated sector is written to a first log page while maintaining an outdated sector in an original data page, and overwritten with a second updated sector. | 04-15-2010 |
20100128519 | NON VOLATILE MEMORY HAVING INCREASED SENSING MARGIN - A non volatile memory assembly that includes a reference element having: a reference component; and a reference transistor, wherein the reference component is electrically connected to the reference transistor, and the reference transistor controls the passage of current across the reference component; and at least one non volatile memory element having: a non volatile memory cell, having at least a low and a high resistance state; and an output that electrically connects the reference element with the at least one non volatile memory element, wherein the reference transistor and the memory transistor are activated by a reference gate voltage and a memory gate voltage respectively, and the reference gate voltage and the memory gate voltage are not the same. | 05-27-2010 |
20120014168 | Dual Stage Sensing for Non-Volatile Memory - A method and apparatus for accessing a non-volatile memory cell. In some embodiments, a memory block provides a plurality of memory cells arranged into rows and columns. A read circuit is configured to read a selected row of the memory block by concurrently applying a control voltage to each memory cell along the selected row and, for each column, using a respective local sense amplifier and a column sense amplifier to successively differentiate a voltage across the associated memory cell in said column to output a programmed content of the row. | 01-19-2012 |