The main cause of air pollution is mobile sources that emit noxious gases from internal combustion engines. The most significant pollutants are nitrogen oxides (NOX) and hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). A catalytic converter functions to decrease the levels of CO and NOX, and other contaminants that are present in exhaust gases from engines. Catalytic converters render harmful CO and NOX, HC into harmless compounds such as CO.sub.2, N.sub.2 and water.Catalytic converters can be used to control emissions and minimize the toxic emissions from internal combustion engines, like in cars, trucks, diesel-electric “genset” locomotives as well as agricultural and construction equipment and marine vessels. Non-linear (non-straight) geometric channels differ from traditional linear (straight) channels because liquids or exhaust gases travel differently on the surfaces of a solid catalyst applied to the channel walls. Non-linear geometric catalytic converters may have more than just automotive uses. They are able to be utilized in various other fields of science and industry, such as refineries for chemical and petrochemicals pharmaceuticals, pharmaceuticals and fine food and beverage flavors as well as aroma fragrances and scents and production of dietary supplements and many more.
The majority of catalytic converters come with honeycomb cores. The core is coated with catalyst-based formulation. Sometimes, it may also include the metal oxide washing coat. Linearchannels have square cross-sections in the majority of ceramic substrate cores. E.g. Check U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,790,654 and 5,866,079 Metallic honeycomb cores for honeycomb substrates could be different in cross sectional shapes because of the malleability of metal. The metal substrate cores are able to be constructed in U-shaped parallel channels, with the catalyst embedded within the washcoat. The substrate core is wrapped in a mat that retains it and is protected by an outer metal shell. E.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,071,505 issued toEbener et al. The invention is a metal catalytic converter support body which has a longitudinal axis and contains a honeycomb body as well as a housing. The honeycomb body is comprised of at least three metal layers that are arranged one over one another, and wound around their edges in each case beginning at a common central point and then dividing into layers that lie one above each other in a spiral form in a housing sleeve. The corrugated sheath forms straight and parallel channels through which exhaust flows.
The conventional structure of a catalytic converter relies on a substrate base which is comprised of thousands or hundreds of small, narrow long, identical-sized channels that resemble ducts or cells within a honeycomb-like structure. The flow channels are typically many inches long with channel openings that measure roughly 1/20.sup.th inch (about one millimeter). The length of the channel as well as its opening can vary depending on the catalytic sub-substance used for the application. When exhaust flows, harmful substances like CO, NOX, and HC diffuse across the channel and interact with the catalyst coated on the walls of the channel and are eliminated into CO.sub.2,N.sub.2 and H.sub.2O. For conventional catalytic honeycomb substrates, diffusion is the predominant mode of transport of species across flow streamlines. Thus, catalytic reactions are rate-limited by overall diffusioncoefficients. The gradient of concentration of reactants in the exhaust flow is usually higher near the centerline of the channel as opposed to near the walls of the channel. It’s also lower near the channel walls (i.e. near the catalytic coating), which limits catalytic efficiency within linear channels.
Catalytic efficiency can be increased inter alia by offsetting diffusion’s rate-limiting element by increasing the length of the honeycomb channels, or by increasing the amount of flow channels in a honeycomb or by increasing the amount of catalytic substrate material that is embedded within the washcoat. These methods have the disadvantage of increasing the honeycomb’s weight and packaging size and increasing the cost of production. This disclosure offers an alternative cost-saving approach to increasing catalytic efficiency. The present disclosure is designed to boost the catalytic efficiency of converters through the use of non-linear substrate core channels that create flow vortical forces that increase the amount of convection and infusion across the flow channels. Non-linear channel geometries are included in the present disclosure to increase catalytic efficiency over traditional linear substrate channels.
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Patents are granted by the government to protect an invention. It gives the inventor the exclusive right to create, use and sell the invention. Society benefits when new technology is introduced for sale. Benefits can be realized in direct terms, as it may allow people to do previously impossible things, or indirectly by the economic benefits (business growth and employment) which the invention provides.
Many pharmaceutical companies and university researchers seek protection from patents in their work and discoveries. Patents can be granted to a product, process, or method of creating new materials. To be granted patent protection an invention has to be useful, new, and not obvious to other people in the same area.
Patents give inventors a chance to be recognized for commercially viable inventions. They act as a motivator for inventors to come up with new ideas. Patents permit entrepreneurs and inventors to be assured that there’s an excellent chance that they will be paid back for their time, effort and investment in technology development. It means that they can earn a living from their work.
Patents play essential roles in businesses with the ability to:
Create and protect new products and services that are innovative;
Enhance the value, visibility, and attractiveness of your products market;
Make your brand stand out from others.
Get technical and business information.
Avoid the risk of accidentally using third-party proprietary content, or losing important data, original outputs, or other creative output.
Patents convert knowledge of the inventor into a valuable asset that opens new avenues to create jobs through joint ventures and licensing.
Investors in the development and commercialization of technology may find small businesses with patent protection more appealing.
Patenting can lead to innovative ideas and inventions. This information could encourage creativity and could be eligible for protection under patents.
Patents can serve as an effective deterrent for untrustworthy third parties profiting from an invention’s successes.
Commercially successful patent-protected technology revenues can be used to fund technological research and development (R&D) that will increase the chance of better technology in the future.
Intellectual property ownership is a way to convince lenders and investors that there are genuine opportunities to market your product. Sometimes, a powerful patent could open the door to multiple financing opportunities. Patents and other IP assets can be used as collateral or security for financing debt. Investors are also able to view your patent assets in order to boost their valuation of your company. Forbes and others have stated that each patent can increase company valuation by anywhere between $500,000 and $1 Million.
A properly-designed business plan is vital for new businesses. It should be built on IP and show what your service or product is distinctive. Investors will also be impressed if your IP rights are secured or are in the process of becoming secure and if they are supportive of your business plan.
It is vital to protect the secret nature of an invention prior to filing a patent application. Public disclosure of an invention prior to filing can frequently degrade its originality and render it unpatentable. Therefore, pre-filing disclosures (e.g., for test-marketing investors, test-marketing, or for other business partners) must only be done after signing a confidentiality agreement.
There are many types of patents. Understanding the different types of patents is vital to safeguard your invention. Patents on utility cover the development of new methods and machines. Design patents cover ornamental designs. Utility patents are the best because they shield the owner from copycats and other competition. They are typically issued to improve or alter existing inventions. Utility patents also cover enhancements and modifications to existing inventions. For instance, a process patent will be able to cover actions or methods of performing an action, while a chemical composition will include the combination of ingredients.
What is the length of time a patent will last? Although utility patents last for 20 years from the date of their initial filing, they may be extended by delays at the Patent Office.
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When you are writing a patent application, you should do an internet search for patents, since the search can provide some insights into other people’s thoughts. It will help you reduce the scope of your invention. You can also discover the current latest developments in the field you’re inventing. This will assist you in understand the scope of your invention as well as prepare you for the filing of the patent application.
How to Search for Patents
A patent search is the very first step towards obtaining your patent. You can do a google patent search or do a USPTO search. Patent-pending is the term for the product covered by the patent application. You can use for the public pair to locate the patent application. Once the patent office approves the patent application, you will be able to perform a patent search to locate the issued patent which means that your product will now be patented. It is also possible to use the USPTO search engine. Read on for more details. You can get help from an attorney for patents. In the US patents are granted by the US trademark and patent office or by the United States patent and trademark office, which is also responsible for examining trademark applications.
Are you looking for similar patents? These are the steps:
1. Think of terms that describe your invention in relation to its intended and composition or use.
Write down a concise, but precise explanation of your invention. Do not use generic terms such as “device”, “process,” or “system”. Instead, consider synonyms to the terms you selected initially. Next, take note of significant technical terms, as well as key words.
Utilize the following questions to help you identify key words or concepts.
- What is the objective of the invention? Is it a utilitarian device or an ornamental design?
- Does the invention consist of a method of creating something or performing a function? Is it an object?
- What is the structure of the invention? What is the invention’s physical structure?
- What is the purpose of this invention?
- What are technical terms and phrases that define the nature of an invention? To assist you in finding the right terms, refer to the technical dictionary.
2. These terms will allow you to look up pertinent Cooperative Patent Classifications using the Classification Search Tool. To determine the most suitable classification for your invention, go through the resulting classification’s class Schemes (class schedules). You may want to consider substituting the terms that you’re using for describing your invention, if you do not receive any results from the Classification Text Search with synonyms like the ones you used in the first step.
3. Review 3. Review the CPC Classification Definition to determine the validity of the CPC classification that you have found. If the classification you have selected is a blue box that has the letter “D” at its left, the link will direct you to the CPC classification description. CPC classification definitions can assist you in determining the classification’s scope so that you can select the one that is most appropriate. These definitions may also include search tips or other suggestions that can be useful for further investigation.
4. The Patents Full-Text Database and the Image Database allow you to find patent documents that are accompanied by the CPC classification. You can look through and find the relevant patent documents by first focusing on abstract and drawings representative of.
5. Utilize this selection of most relevant patent publications to study each one in depth for any similarities to your own invention. Pay close attention to the specification and claims. You may find additional patents by referring to the patent examiner and applicant.
6. It is possible to find published patent applications that match the CPC classification you chose in Step 3. You can use the same method of search as in Step 4. You can narrow your search results to the most pertinent patent application by looking at the abstract and drawings on each page. Next, carefully examine the patent applications that have been published and pay particular attention to the claims and additional drawings.
7. You can look up additional US patent publications using keyword search in AppFT or PatFT databases, and also search for patents classified as that are not issued by the United States according to below. Additionally, you can use web search engines to search non-patent patent disclosures in literature about inventions. Here are some examples:
- Add keywords to your search. Keyword searches may turn up documents that are not well-categorized or have missed classifications during Step 2. For example, US patent examiners often supplement their classification searches with keyword searches. Think about the use of technical engineering terminology rather than everyday words.
- Search for foreign patents using the CPC classification. Then, re-run the search using international patent office search engines such as Espacenet, the European Patent Office’s worldwide patent publication database of over 130 million patent publications. Other national databases include:
- European Patent Office (EPO) provides esp@cenet to access a network of Europe’s patent databases with access to machine translation of European patents.
- Japan Patent Office (JPO) – with access to machine translations of Japanese patents.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) offers PATENTSCOPE with a full-text search of published international patent applications and machine translations for some documents, as well as a list of international patent databases.
- Korean Intellectual Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS)
- State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) with machine translation of Chinese patents.
- Other International Intellectual Property Offices with online patent databases include Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and Taiwan.
- Search non-patent literature. Inventions can be made public in many non-patent publications. It is recommended that you search journals, books, websites, technical catalogs, conference proceedings, and other print and electronic publications.
To review your search, you can hire a registered patent attorney to assist. A preliminary search will help one better prepare to talk about their invention and other related inventions with a professional patent attorney. In addition, the attorney will not spend too much time or money on patenting basics.