Constantine Kay W Sandu

US Patent:

6675877, Jan 13, 2004

Filed:

Aug 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/231588

Inventors:

Constantine Sandu - Tustin CA
Liviu V. Popa - Garden Grove CA
John J. Mercurio - Rossford OH

Assignee:

Conagra Grocery Products Company - Irvine CA

International Classification:

F28F 500

US Classification:

165 91, 165 94, 366273

Abstract:

A seal-less magnetically driven scraped-surface heat exchanger is provided that is particularly useful for aseptic processing. The heat exchanger comprises an elongated generally cylindrical heat transfer tube having an inlet, an outlet, and a sidewall defining a chamber between the inlet and the outlet. An elongated media tube is provided in surrounding relation to the heat transfer tube. A rotary shaft is mounted axially within the heat transfer tube. The rotary shaft has an outer surface and one or more scraper blades extending from the outer surface of the rotary shaft. A drive end containment shroud is mounted at an axial end of the heat transfer tube. The drive end containment shroud has a closed end, an open end, and a sidewall defining a drive chamber in open communication with the interior chamber of the heat transfer tube through the open end of the containment shroud. An inner rotatable magnet assembly is mounted within the drive chamber of the drive end containment shroud and connected to the rotary drive shaft. An outer rotatable magnet assembly is mounted outside the drive end containment shroud and magnetically coupled to the inner rotatable magnet assembly.

US Patent:

6789938, Sep 14, 2004

Filed:

Aug 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/231609

Inventors:

Constantine Sandu - Tustin CA
Liviu V. Popa - Garden Grove CA
John J. Mercurio - Rossford OH

Assignee:

ConAgra Grocery Products Company - Irvine CA

International Classification:

B08B 904

US Classification:

374141, 374148, 374208, 1510405

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a device and method for removing build-up on such measurement gauges. The inventive device and method involve a movable scraper that fits around a cylindrical shield of a measurement gauge and continuously removes the build-up on the shield. Movement of the scraper is accomplished by a magnetic coupling between a magnetic core attached to the scraper, which is inside a pipe or other piece of equipment, and solenoids that are installed on the outside of the pipe. The device and method of the invention ensure instantaneously correct readings from the measurement gauge and improve control and operation strategies of heat exchanges, with significant economic advantages.

US Patent:

6960018, Nov 1, 2005

Filed:

Jan 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/759407

Inventors:

Constantine Sandu - Tustin CA, US
Liviu V. Popa - Garden Grove CA, US
John J. Mercurio - Rossford OH, US

Assignee:

ConAgra Grocery Products Company - Irvine CA

International Classification:

B08B009/04
B08B009/023
B08B009/027
G01K001/00
G01K013/00

US Classification:

374141, 374148, 374208, 1510405

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a device and method for removing build-up on such measurement gauges. The inventive device and method involve a movable scraper that fits around a cylindrical shield of a measurement gauge and continuously removes the build-up on the shield. Movement of the scraper is accomplished by a magnetic coupling between a magnetic core attached to the scraper, which is inside a pipe or other piece of equipment, and solenoids that are installed on the outside of the pipe. The device and method of the invention ensure instantaneously correct readings from the measurement gauge and improve control and operation strategies of heat exchanges, with significant economic advantages.

US Patent:

7569241, Aug 4, 2009

Filed:

Nov 19, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/717115

Inventors:

Constantine Sandu - Tustin CA, US

Assignee:

ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc. - Omaha NE

International Classification:

G01M 1/18

US Classification:

426231, 426519, 99337, 99342, 73462, 73468

Abstract:

A magnetically aligned scraped-surface heat exchanger and method are provided. A stator includes electromagnetic elements, such as solenoids. A rotor, attached to a shaft of the heat exchanger, rotates within the stator. Sensors detect the position of the rotor, such as a radial or an axial position. The position data is provided to the control circuit. When the position of the rotor is to be re-aligned or adjusted, the control circuit activates or de-activates one or more of the solenoids of the stator to alter or complete a magnetic field through the rotor to re-align the rotor and the shaft attached thereto.

US Patent:

8124155, Feb 28, 2012

Filed:

Apr 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/756503

Inventors:

Constantine Sandu - Tustin CA, US

International Classification:

A23L 1/212

US Classification:

426478, 426481, 426489, 426495, 426518, 426615

Abstract:

A method for producing fruit or vegetable paste, fruit or vegetable juice concentrate, and similar food products by using Complete Fractionation with Reverse Osmosis.

US Patent:

20050260312, Nov 24, 2005

Filed:

Sep 27, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/951026

Inventors:

Constantine Sandu - Tustin CA, US
Theodore Tishinski - Irvine CA, US
Luis Meza - Mission Viejo CA, US
Jorge Succar - Yorba Linda CA, US

International Classification:

A23P001/00

US Classification:

426481000

Abstract:

System for producing tomato paste and powder using both reverse osmosis and evaporation. A tomato juice is separated into a juice and a pulp component. The juice is clarified with a centrifuge and/or micro-filter and processed with reverse osmosis to produce a pre-concentrated juice by removing a first portion of water. A second pulp component (and possibly a third pulp component) are produced during clarification. The pre-concentrated juice is provided to a multi-effect evaporator, which removes a second portion of water to form a concentrate. Thermal vapor recompression can be used to recycle steam that is used during evaporation. The concentrate is mixed with the pulp components to produce an intermediate paste, which is processed to produce a tomato paste. Tomato powder can also be produced.

US Patent:

20050260313, Nov 24, 2005

Filed:

Sep 27, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/951337

Inventors:

Constantine Sandu - Tustin CA, US
Theodore Tishinski - Irvine CA, US
Luis Meza - Mission Viejo CA, US
Jorge Succar - Yorba Linda CA, US

International Classification:

A23P001/00

US Classification:

426481000

Abstract:

Method for producing tomato paste and powder using both reverse osmosis and evaporation. A tomato juice is separated into a juice and a first pulp. The juice is clarified with a centrifuge and/or filter to produce a clarified juice and a second pulp component. The clarified juice is processed with reverse osmosis to produce a pre-concentrated juice by removing a first portion of water. The pre-concentrated juice is provided to a multi-effect evaporator, which removes a second portion of water to form a concentrate. Thermal vapor recompression can be used to recycle steam that is used during evaporation. The concentrate is mixed with the first pulp component or a pulp mixture to produce an intermediate paste, which is processed to produce a tomato paste by combining juice and pulp components. Tomato powder can also be produced.

US Patent:

20070248729, Oct 25, 2007

Filed:

Dec 15, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/611396

Inventors:

Constantine Sandu - Tustin CA, US

International Classification:

C12G 3/08

US Classification:

426490

Abstract:

A method for producing fruit or vegetable paste, fruit or vegetable juice concentrate, and similar food products by using Complete Fractionation with Reverse Osmosis.