Neal A Nelson

US Patent:

6923213, Aug 2, 2005

Filed:

Sep 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/246511

Inventors:

Mark Serafin - Apple Valley MN, US
Neal K. Nelson - Stillwater MN, US
Stanley R. Ellis - Mahtomedi MN, US

Assignee:

Imation Corp. - Oakdale MN

International Classification:

F16K011/07

US Classification:

137896, 366119

Abstract:

The invention is directed to a high pressure fluid processing device for shearing particles in a fluid mixture. The fluid processing device makes use of annular flow paths. For example, a fluid mixture can be separated into two flow paths which are introduced to first and second annular flow paths on opposite sides of a flow path cylinder. The two annular flow paths flow toward one another through the cylinder, and meet one another within the cylinder. An outlet extends through the cylinder where the two annular flow paths collide allowing the fluid mixture flowing down the annular flow paths to be expelled through the gap.

US Patent:

20070140046, Jun 21, 2007

Filed:

Dec 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/314574

Inventors:

Mark Serafin - Apple Valley MN, US
Neal Nelson - Stillwater MN, US

International Classification:

B01F 5/02

US Classification:

366162400, 366176100

Abstract:

The disclosure is directed to a high pressure fluid processing device for mixing, reacting, or otherwise combining fluids. The fluid processing device includes opposing, annular flow channels. A first fluid enters the fluid processing device and flow through one annular flow channel while the second fluid enters the fluid processing device and flow through another annular flow channel. The opposing flows of fluids collide with one another within the flow channels, and exit through an outlet.

US Patent:

20080003378, Jan 3, 2008

Filed:

Jun 30, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/479786

Inventors:

Mark Serafin - Apple Valley MN, US
Stephen R. Ebner - Stillwater MN, US
David C. Lowery - Roberts WI, US
Neal K. Nelson - Stillwater MN, US
Michael Steiner - New Richmond WI, US

International Classification:

H01F 1/00

US Classification:

427599

Abstract:

Producing magnetic-recording media includes providing a substrate and forming a plurality of functional layers over the substrate to provide a coated substrate adapted for recording. At least one of the layers of the magnetic-recording media is fluid jet printed as a printed layer. In some embodiments, the printed layer provides at least one of load-bearing functionality, head-cleaning functionality, adhesion-promoting functionality, reaction-promoting functionality, lubricating functionality, surface-cleansing functionality, magnetic-recording functionality, and edge-finishing functionality.

US Patent:

20080076332, Mar 27, 2008

Filed:

Sep 21, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/525375

Inventors:

Mark Serafin - Apple Valley MN, US
Neal K. Nelson - Stillwater MN, US
Richard D. Olmsted - Vadnais Heights MN, US

International Classification:

B24B 7/00

US Classification:

451 64

Abstract:

The disclosure is directed to a system that processes chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) slurries to reduce or eliminate large particles in the slurries, which can scratch integrated circuit wafers without substantially altering a percentage of solids in the CMP slurry by weight. In particular, the system breaks up particles of a CMP slurry using an intensifier pump system and a fluid processing device. The techniques have proven much more effective than conventional filtering techniques in reducing or eliminating scratches to integrated circuit wafers when a processed CMP slurry is used in a CMP process.

US Patent:

20080105316, May 8, 2008

Filed:

Oct 18, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/583761

Inventors:

Mark Serafin - Apple Valley MN, US
Neal K. Nelson - Stillwater MN, US
Richard D. Olmsted - Vadnais Heights MN, US

International Classification:

B01F 5/04

US Classification:

137896

Abstract:

The disclosure is directed to techniques for processing multiple fluid product streams. The techniques employ multiple intensifier pump systems in combination with a fluid processing device to mix, react or otherwise combine multiple fluid product streams. The intensifier pump systems produce fluid product streams with substantially uniform pressure levels for introduction into the fluid processing device. The fluid processing device directs the multiple fluid product streams at one another via opposing flow paths, providing a dispersed phase. The intensifier pump systems include supply pumps that deliver separate fluid products at intermediate pressure levels. Charge intensifier pumps receive the separate fluid products and apply hydraulic intensification to expel the products at high pressure levels. Product intensifier pumps receive the intensified fluid products and expel them at high pressures. The supply, charge and product intensifier pumps operate in a coordinated manner to maintain a substantially uniform fluid pressures without significant pulsation.

US Patent:

20080185326, Aug 7, 2008

Filed:

Feb 7, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/703476

Inventors:

Mark Serafin - Apple Valley MN, US
Stanley R. Ellis - Mahtomedi MN, US
Neal K. Nelson - Stillwater MN, US
Richard D. Olmsted - Vadnais Heights MN, US

International Classification:

B01D 35/02
B01D 35/22

US Classification:

210186, 210304, 2105121, 210422, 210232, 2104161

Abstract:

The disclosure is directed to a fluid processing system utilizing an open-end filter assembly to produce a product fluid. The system includes a fluid pump to deliver the raw fluid to a fluid processor and a heat exchanger to control the temperature of the processed fluid. The processed fluid is sent to an open-end filter assembly that allows a first portion of the processed fluid to pass through a filter element. A second portion of the processed fluid does not pass through the filter element and is directed back to the high pressure pump for further processing. In one example, the open-end filter assembly includes an outer cylinder that surrounds a cylindrical filter element to create an outer flow channel and an inner flow channel. Fluid may be introduced to the outer flow channel in a tangential orientation to enhance circular flow around the filter element.

US Patent:

20080203199, Aug 28, 2008

Filed:

Feb 7, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/703489

Inventors:

Mark Serafin - Apple Valley MN, US
Stanley R. Ellis - Mahtomedi MN, US
Neal K. Nelson - Stillwater MN, US

International Classification:

B02C 19/06
B02C 23/00

US Classification:

241 5, 241 39

Abstract:

A method includes processing a guar dispersion including guar particles and a fluid via an intensifier pump system and a fluid processing device that breaks up at least some of the guar particles to reduce an average particle size of the guar particles. The method may further include combining an aqueous fluid with the guar dispersion to hydrate the guar, mixing a proppant with the hydrated guar to produce a fracture fluid, and hydraulic fracturing a well using the fracture fluid. The invention may allow for reduced hydration time of guar particles in the guar dispersion.