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`
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`FILING DATE
`[CLASS SUBCLASS GAY
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`ozieo03 |26+ | oS=b
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`Senkiw James;
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`"*CONTINUING DATA VERIFIED:
`This 2ppin claims benefit of 60/368,534 02/22/2002
`
`** FOREIGN APPLICATIONS VERIFIED:
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`Foreign priority claimed.- é O yes fan
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`35 USC 149 conditions met
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`Vatified and Acknowledged Examiners's intials GFR
`ITLE : Microbubbles of oxygen
`
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`CLAIMS ALLOWED
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`NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED
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`WARNING:The information disclosed herein may be restricted.
`DISCLAMER
`Unauthorized disclosure may be prohibited by the United States Code Ti
`:
`‘ _|Sections 122, 181 and 368, Possessionoutside the U.S. Patent & Trademark
`Office is restricted to authorized employees and contractors only.
`FILED WITH:
`(LJpisk (cRF).
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`Page 1
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`EXHIBIT
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`BP-061121
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`522
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`"_ISSUESLIP STAPLE AREA (for additional cross-references
`ISSUING CLASSIFICATION
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`SUBCLASS (ONE SUBCLASS PER BLOCK
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`8
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`INDEX OF CLAIMS
`. Canceled
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`issSub[Dat|em |
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`SEARCH NOTES
`| SEARCH
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`inside.
`[Glass[Sub:|Date[Exar||
`
`
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`Page 4
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`

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`IN ‘THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`a —
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`a
`IS=a .
`James Andrew Senkiw
`In re Patent Application of:
`
`
`Title: .|MICROBUBBLES OF OXYGEN o-* =
`Attomey Docket No; AQIO01.US1
`,
`me
`
`PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
`
`BOX PATENT APPLICATION
`Commissioner for Patents
`Washington, D.C. 20231
`
`We are transmitting herewith the following attached items and information(as indicated with an "X"):
`
`Return postcard.
`Utility Patent Application under 37 CFR § 1.53(b} comprising:
`X=Specification (12 pgs, including claims numbered _1_ through 14 and a_1_ page Abstract).
`X=Informal Drawing(s) (_5_ sheets).
`X Unsigned Combined Declaration and Power of Attorney (3_ pgs).
`Applicant claims small entity status under 37 C.F.R 1.27.
`
`[eebe
`
`hex
`
`(NOT ENCLOSED)will be calculated as follows:
`Thefiling fee
`
`
`
`
`a
`
`
`fomvaamsOPwe|||
`
`
`Ee
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`
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`
`THE FILING FEE WILL BE PAID UPON RECEIPT OF THE NOTICE TO FILE MISSING PARTS.
`
`
`
`tty: Kathleen R. Terry
`Reg. No. 31,884 -
`
`Customer Number 21186
`“Express Mail" mailinglabel number: & u S40 9A g tt US
`.
`Date of Deposit: February 21, 2003
`This paperorfee is being deposited onthe date indicated above with the United States Postal Service pursuant to 37 CFR 1.10, and is addressed to
`The Commissioner for Patents, Box Patent Application, Washington, D.C. 20231.
`
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`
`UNITED STATES PATENT APPLICATION
`
`MICROBUBBLES OF OXYGEN
`
`Applicant
`James A. Senkiw
`4750 Aldrich Avenue North
`Minneapolis, MN 55430-3529
`
`United States Citizen
`
`Attorney Docket Number AQIOO].US1
`
`Kathleen R. Terry, to whom correspondence should be sent
`Registration Number 31884
`:
`2417 Como Avenue
`Saint Paul, MN 55108-1459
`
`Phone: 651 659 9819
`FAX:
`651 603 1809
`Email: krterry@visi.com
`
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`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An oxygen émitter which is an electrolytic cell is disclosed. When the anode and cathode
`are separated by a critical distance, very small microbubbles and nanobubbles of oxygen
`ate generated, The hydrogen formsbubblesat the cathode, which bubblesrise to the
`
`surface. The very small oxygen bubbles remain in suspension, forming a solution
`supersaturated in oxygen. The electrodes maybe a metalor oxide ofat leastone metal
`sclected from the group consisting of ruthenium,iridium, nickel, iron, rhodium, rhenium,
`cobalt, tungsten, manganese, tantalum, molybdenum,lead,titanium, platinum, palladiuin
`and osmium or oxides thereof. The electrodes may be formed into open grids ar may be
`closed surfaces. The most preferted cathodeis a stainless steel mesh. The most preferred ”
`
`mesh is a 1/16 inch grid. The most preferred anode is platinum andiridium oxide on a
`support. A preferred support is titanium. Models suitable for different uses are
`disclosed.
`
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`MICROBUBBLESOF OXYGEN
`
`oO
`
`.
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`fi points is
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`.
`This invention relates to the electrolytic generation of microbubbles of oxygen for increasing the
`oxygen content of aqueous media.
`
`5
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Many benefits may be obtained throughraising the oxygen content of aqueous media. Efforts
`have been madetoachieve higher saturated or supersaturated oxygen levels for applications such
`as the improvement ofwater quality in ponds, lakes, marshes and reservoirs, the detoxification of
`contaminated water, cultureoffish, shrimp and other aquatic animals, biological culture and
`
`hydroponic culture. For example,fish held in a limited environment such as‘an aquarium,a bait
`bucketor a live hold tank may quickly use up the dissolved oxygen in the course of normal
`respiration and are then subject to hypoxic stress, which can lead to death. A similar effect is
`seen In cell cultures, where the respiring cells would benefit from higher oxygen contentof the
`medium. Organic pollutants from agricultural, municipal and industrialfacilities spread through
`the ground and surface water and adversely affect life forms. Many pollutants are toxic,
`‘carcinogenic or mutagenic. Decomposition ofthese pollutants is facilitated by oxygen, both by
`direct chemical detoxifying reactions or by stimulating the growth of detoxifying microflora.
`Contaminated water is described as having an increased biological oxygen demand (BOD) and
`watertreatmentis aimed at decreasing the BOD so as to make more oxygen available forfish
`and other life forms.
`
`The most common method of increasing the oxygen content of a medium is by sparging with air
`_ or oxygen. While this is a simple method, the resulting large bubbles produced simply break the
`surface andare discharged into the atmosphere. Attempts have been made to reduce the size of
`the bubblesin orderto facilitate oxygen transfer by increasing the total surface area of the
`oxygen bubbles. United States Patent Number 5,534,143 discloses a microbubble generatorthat
`1
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`~ achieves a bubble size ofabout 0.10 millimeters to about 3 millimeters in diameter. United
`States PatentNumber 6,394,429 discloses a device for producing microbubbles, ranging in size
`from 0.1 to 100 microns in diameter, by forcing air into the fluid at high pressure through a small
`orifice.
`
`10
`
`When the object of generating bubblesis to oxygenate the water, either air, with an oxygen
`content of about 21%, or pure oxygen may be used. The production of oxygen and hydrogen by
`the electrolysis of water is well known. A current is applied across an anode and a cathode
`.
`which are immersed in an aqueous medium. The current may be a direct currentfrom a battery
`or an AC/DCconverter from a line. Hydrogen gas is producedat the cathode andoxygen gasis
`produced at the anode. The reactions are:
`AT THE CATHODE:
`—
`4H,0 +4~ 40H+ 2H,
`AT THE ANODE:
`HO - 02+ 4H" + 4e
`NET REACTION:
`.6H,0 = 40H’ + 4H" + 2H+ 0,
`
`286 kilojoules of energy is required to generate one mole of oxygeti.
`
`The gasses form bubbles whichrise to the surface ofthe fluid and maybe collected. Either the .
`oxygen or the hydrogen may becollected for various uses. The “electrolytic water” surrounding
`the anode becomesacidic while the electrolytic water surrounding the cathode becomesbasic.
`20
`Therefore, the electrodes tend to foulor pit and havealimitedlife in these corresive
`environments.
`
`Manycathodes and anodes are commercially available. United States Patent Number 5,982,609
`discloses cathodes comprising a metal or metallic oxide ofat least one metal sclected from the
`group consisting of ruthenium,iridium, nickel, iron, rhodium, rhenium, cobalt, tungsten,
`manganese, tantalum, molybdenum, lead, titanium, platinum, palladium and osmium, Anodes ,
`are formed from the same metallic oxidesor metals as cathodes. Electrodes may also be formed
`from alloys ofthe above metals or metals and oxides co-deposited on a substrate. The cathode
`andanodes may be formed on any convenient support in anydesired shape orsize. It is possible
`to use the same materials or different materials for both electrodes. The choice is determined
`
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`according to the uses. Platinum andironalloys (‘‘staimless steel”) are often preferred materials
`due to their inherentresistance to the corrosive electrolytic water, An especially preferred anode
`disclosed in U. S. Patent Number 4,252,856 comprises vacuurn deposited iridium oxide,
`
`uw
`
`Holding vessels for live animals generally have a high population of animals which use up the
`available oxygen rapidly. Pumps to supply oxygen havehigh power requirements and the noise
`and bubbling mayfurther stress the animals. The available electrolytic generators likewise have
`high power requirements and additionally run at high voltages and produce acidic and basic
`water which are detrimentalto live animals. Manyofthe uses of oxygenators, such as keeping
`bait or caughtfish alive, would benefit from portable devices that did not require a source ofhigh
`power. The need remains for quiet, portable, low voltage means to oxygenate water.
`—
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS .
`
`This application claimspriority of United States Provisional Patent Application Number
`
`Lome filed February22, 2002.
`
`_
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`20
`
`This invention provides an oxygen emitter which is an electrolytic cell which generates very
`smal! microbubbles and nanobubbles of oxygen’in an aqueous medium, which bubblesare too
`
`small to break the surface tension of the medium, resulting in a medium supersaturated with
`oxygen.
`
`25
`
`Theelectrodes may be a metal or oxide ofat least one metal selected from the group consisting
`
`of ruthenium, iridium, nickel, iron, rhodium, rhenium, cobalt, tungsten, manganese, tantalum,
`molybdenum, lead, titanium, platinum, palladium and osmium or oxides thereof, Theelectrodes
`maybe formed into open grids or may be closed surfaces, The most preferred cathode is a
`stainless steel mesh. The most preferred mesh is a 1/16 inch grid. The mostpreferred anode is
`
`30.
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`platinum and iridium oxide on a support. A preferred support is titanium.
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`In order to form microbubbles and nancbubbles, the anode and cathode are separated byacritical
`distance, Thecritical distance ranges from 0.005 inches to 0.140 inches. The preferred critical
`distanceis from 0.04510 0.060 inches.
`,
`
`a
` BOA? ee
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`
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`Models ofdifferent size are provided to be applicable to various volumes ofaqueous medium to
`
`be oxygenated. The public is directed to choose the applicable model based on volume and
`powerrequirements ofprojected use. Those models with low voltage requirements are
`especially suited te oxygenating water in which animals aretobe held.
`
`Controls are provided to regulate the current and timing ofelectrolysis.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Figure 1 is the QO, emitter of the invention.
`
`Figure 2 is an assembled device.
`
`Figure 3 is a diagram of the electronic controls of the O) emitter.
`4‘
`Figure 4 shows a funnel or pyramid variation of the O2 emitter.
`
`Figure 5 shows a multilayer sandwich Q2 emitter.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
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`Definitions:
`
`For the purpose ofdescribing the present invention, the following terms have these meanings:
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`30
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`“Critical distance” means the distance separating the anode and cathode at which evolved
`oxygen forms microbubbles and nanobubbles.
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`GQ? .Se S2oe
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`. “Oyemitter” meansa-cell comprised ofat least one anode andat least one cathadeseparated by
`the critical distance.
`
`“Metal” means a metalor an alloy of one or more metals.
`
`“Microbubble” means a bubble with a diameterless than 50 microns.
`
`“Nanobubble” means a bubble with a diameter less than that necessary to break the surface
`
`tension of water. Nanobubbles remain suspendedin the water, giving the water an opalescent or
`
`milky appearance.
`
`“Supersaturated” means oxygen at a higher concentration than normalcalculated oxygen
`solubility at a particular temperature andpressure.
`
`“Water” means any aqucous medium with resistance less than one ohm per square centimeter;
`that is, amedium that can support the electrolysis of water. In general, the lowerlimit of
`
`resistance for a medium that can support clectrolysis is water containing more than 2000 ppm
`total dissolved solids.
`
`The present invention produces microbubbles and nanobubbles of oxygen via the electrolysis of
`water. As molecular oxygen radical (atomic weight8) is produced,it reacts to form molecular
`oxygen, 02. In the special dimensionsof the invention, as explained in more detail in the
`following examples, Oz forms bubbles which are too small to break the surface tension of the
`fluid. These bubbles remain suspended indefinitely in the fluid and, when allowed to build up,
`
`makethe fluid opalescent or milky. Only after several hours do the bubbles begin to coalesce on
`the sides ofthe container and the water clears. During that time, the water is supersaturated with
`oxygen. In contrast, the H, formed readily coalesces into larger bubbles which are discharged
`into the atmosphere, ascan be seen by bubble formation at the cathode.
`
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`Thefirst objective of this invention was to make an oxygen emitter with low power demands,
`
`low voltage and Jow current for use with live animals. For that reason, a small bution emitter
`
`was devised. The anode and cathode were set at varying distances. It was foundthatelectrolysis
`took place at very short distances before arcing ofthe current occurred. Surprisingly, at slightly
`larger distances, the water became milky and no bubbles formed at the anode, while hydrogen
`continued to be bubbled off the cathode. At distance of 0.140 inches between the anodeand
`
`cathode, it was observed that the oxygen formed bubbles at {he anode. Therefore, the critical
`distance for microbubble and nanobubbie formation was determined to be between 0.005 inches
`and 0.140 inches.
`.
`|
`
`/
`Example 1. Oxygen emitter:
`As shownin Figure 1, the oxygen evolving anode1 selected asthe mostefficientis an iridium
`oxide coated single sided sheet of platinum on a support oftitanium (Eltech, Fairport Harbor,
`OH). The cathode 2 is a 1/16 inch mesh marinestainless steel screen. The anode and cathode
`are separated by a non-conducting spacer 3 containing a gap 4 for the passage of gas and mixing
`of anodic and cathodic water and connected to a power source through a connection point5.
`
`Figure 2 shows a plan view of the assembled device. The Q, emitter 6 with the anode
`connecting wire 7 and the cathode connecting wire 8 is contained in an enclosure 9, connected to
`the battery compartment 10. The spacer thickness is criticalas it sets the critical distance. It
`mustbe ofsufficient thickness to prevent arcing of the current, but thin enough to separate the
`electrodes by no more than 0.140 inches. Abovethat thickness, the power needs are higher and
`the oxygen bubbles formedat higher voltage will coalesce and escape the fluid. Preferably, the .
`spaceris from 0.005 to 0.075 inchesthick, At the lower limits, the emitter tends to foul more
`quickly. Most preferably, the spacer is about 0.050 inches thick. The spacer may be any-.
`nonconductive material such as nylon,fiberglass, Teflon® polymer or otherplastic. Because of
`
`It was
`the criticality of the space distance,it is preferable to have a non-compressible spacer,
`found that Buna, with a durometer measure of 60 was not acceptable due to decomposition.
`Viton, a common fluoroelastomer, has a durometer measure of 90 and was found to hold its’
`shape well,
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`ad EaYor
`
`In operation, a small device withan Oemitter 1.485 inches in diameterwas driven by 4AA.
`batteries. The critical distance was held at 0.050 inches with a Viton spacer. Five gallons of
`water became saturated in seven minutes. This size is suitable for raising oxygen levels in an
`aquarium or bait bucket.
`.
`
`It is convenientto attach a control circuit which comprisesa timerthat is thermostatically
`controlled by a temperature sensor which detérmines the off time for the cathodé. When the
`
`temperature of the solution changes, the resistance of the thermistor changes, which causes an off
`time ofa certain duration. In coo! water, the duration is longer so in a given volume,the emitter
`generates less oxygen. When the water is warmer and therefore hold less oxygen, the duration
`ofoff time is shorter. Thus the deviceis self-controlled to use power most economically.
`Figure 3 showsa block diagram ofa timer control with anode 1, cathode 2, thermistor
`temperature sensor 3, timer control circuit 4 and wire from a direct current power source 5.
`
`Example 2. Measurement of O2 bubbles.
`Attempts were made to measure the diameter of the 02 bubbles emittedby the device of
`Example 1. In the case ofparticles other than gasses, measurements can easily be made by
`scanning electron microscopy, but gasses do not surviveelectron microscopy. Large bubble may
`- be measured by pore exclusion, for example, whichis also not feasible when measuringa gas
`bubble. A black and white digital, high contrast, backlit photograph oftreated water with a
`millimeter‘scale reference was shot ofwater produced by the emitter-ofExample 1. About 125
`bubbles were seen in the area selected for measurement. Seven bubbles ranging from the.
`smallest clearly seen to the largest were measured. The area was enlarged, giving a scale
`multiplier of 0.029412.
`,
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`Recorded bubble diameters at scale were 0.16, 0.22, 0.35, 0.51, 0.76, 0.88 and 1.09 millimeters.
`Thelast three were consideredoutliers by reverse analysis of variance and were assumed to be
`hydrogen bubbles. - When multiplied by the scale multiplier, the assumed O7 bubbles were found
`to range from 4.7 to 15 microns in diameter. This test was limited by the resolution ofthe
`camera and smaller bubbles in the nanometer range could not be resolved. It is known that white -
`
`.
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`light cannot resolve features in the nanometer size range, so monochromatic laser light may give
`resolution sensitive énough to measure smallér bubbles. Efforts continue to increase the
`
`sensitivity ofmeasurement so that sub-microndiameter bubbles can be measured.
`
`‘Example 3. Other models of oxygen emitter
`Depending on the volumeoffluid to be oxygenated, the oxygen emitter of this invention maybe
`shapedas a circle, rectangle, cone or other model. One or more may beset in asubstrate that
`may be metal, glass, plastic or other material. The substrate is not critical as long as the current
`is isolated to the electrodes by the nonconductor spacer material ofa thickness from 0.005 to
`0.075 inches, preferably 0.050 inches. It has been noticed that the flowofwater seemsto be at
`the periphery-of the emitter, while the evolved visible bubbles (H;) arise at the center of the
`emitter. Therefore, a funnel or pyramidal shaped emitter was constructed to treat larger volumes
`
`.
`
`offluid. Figure 4 is a cross sectional diagram of such an emitter. The anode 1 is'formed as an
`open grid separated from a marinegrade stainless steel screen cathode 2 by the critical distance
`by spacer 3 aroundthe periphery ofthe emitter and at the apex. This flow-through embodiment
`is suitable for treating large volumes of water rapidly.
`
`The size may be varied as required. A round emitter for oxygenating a bait bucket may be about
`2 inches in diameter, while a 3-inch diameter emitter is adequate for oxygenating a 10 to 40
`gallon tank. The live well ofa fishing boat will generally hold 40 to 80 gallons of water and
`require a 4-inch diatheter emitter. It is within the scope ofthis invention to construct larger
`‘emitters or to use several in a series to oxygenate larger volumes.
`It is also within the scope of
`
`this invention to vary the model to provide for low valtage and amperage in cases where (he need
`for oxygen is moderate and long lasting or conversely, to supersaturate water very quickly at
`higher voltage and amperage.
`In the special dimensionsofthe present invention,it has been
`found that a 6 voli battery supplying a current as low as 40 milliamperesis sufficient to generate
`oxygen. Such a model is especially useful with live plants or animals, while it is more
`convenient for industrial use to use a higher voltageand current. Table I shows a numberof
`models suitable to various uses.
`
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`TABLET
`
`
`Amps Max.
`Ave
`
`
`
`
`12.
`32
`
`
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`
`6
`
`Gallons
`
`Volts
`
`
`
`
`Emitter Model
`
`.
`
`Livewell
`
`Double cycle
`
`OEM3 inch
`
`5
`
`OEM 4 inch
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Example 4, Multilayer sandwich O; emitter
`
`5
`
`An Q, emitter was made in a multilayer sandwich embodiment. (Figure 5) An iridium oxide
`coated platinum anode 1 was formed into a gridto allow good water flow and sandwiched
`between two stainless steel screen cathodes 2. Spacing was held at the critical distance by nylon
`spacers 3. The embodimentillustrated is held in a cassette 4 which is secured by nylon bolt 5
`
`with a nylon washer 6. The dimensions selected were:
`10
`oe cathode screen
`0.045 inchesthick
`
`.
`.
`*
`.
`
`“nylon spacer
`anode grid
`nylon spacer
`cathode screen
`
`15
`
`0.053 inches thick
`0.035 inches thick
`0.053 inches thick
`0.045 inches thick,
`
`for an overall emitter thickness of 0.231 inches.
`
`If a more powerful emitter is desired, it is within the scopeof this invention to repeat the sequence
`9°
`
`Page 16
`
`OWT0000348
`
`OWTEx. 2180
`Tennant Company v. OWT
`IPR2021-00625
`
`

`

`je
`
`eytat idl
`
`
` Tsay Mand
`syeB
`
`
`ofstacking. For example, an embodimentinayeasily be constructed with this sequence: cathode,
`spacer, anode, spacer, cathode, spacer, anode, spacer, cathode, spacer, anode, spacer, cathode.
`
`The numberof layers in the sandwichis limited only by the power requirements acceptable for an
`
`application.
`
`Those skilled in the ari will readily comprehend thatvariations, modifications and additions may
`
`in the embodiments described herein may be made. Therefore, such variations, modifications and
`
`additions are within the scope of the appended claims.
`
`Page 17
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`OWT0000349
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`OWTEx. 2180
`Tennant Company v. OWT
`IPR2021-00625
`
`

`

`
`
`Ieclaim:
`
`.
`
`Claim 1.—_An emitter for electrolytic generation of microbubbles of oxygen comprising
`an anode separated ata critical distance from a cathode and.a power sourceall in electrical
`communication with each other.
`
`Claim 2.—The emitter of claim 1 wherein the anodeis a metal or a metallic oxide or a
`combination of a metal-and a metallic oxide.
`
`Claim 3.
`support.
`°
`
`The emitter of claim 1 wherein the anodeis platinum andiridium oxide on a
`,
`,
`
`The emitter of claim 1 wherein the cathodeis a metal or metallic oxide or a
`Claim 4.
`combination of a metal and a metallic oxide.
`,
`
`Claims.
`
`The critical distance of claim 1 which is 0.005 to 0.140 inches.
`
`Claim 6.
`
`Thecritical distance of claim 1 which is 0.045 to 0.060 inches.
`
`An emitter for electrolytic generation ofmicrobubbles ofoxygen
`Claim?
`comprising a plurality of anodes separated at a critical distance from a plurality of cathodes and a
`‘power sourceall in electrical communication with each other.
`Claim ¥
`A method for keeping aquatic animals emitter alive comprising inserting
`the emitter of clarm 1 or claiminto the aquatic medium of the aquatic animals.
`})
`The method of claim 8 wherein the aquatic animalis a fish.
`Claim 9%
`;
`v
`The method ofclaim 8 wherein the aquatic animal is a shrimp.
`Claim 1s
`4
`A methodfor lowering the biologic oxygen demandof polluted water
`ClaimMM.
`comprising passingthe polluted water through a vessel containing the emitter of claim 1.
`
`Claim The productof claim | wherein the water is supersaturated with oxygen
`and of an approximately neutral pH.
`
`Claim 13. | Anemitterfor electrolytic generation of microbubbles of oxygen
`comprising a platinum-iridium oxide anode onatitanium support separated ata critical distance
`of from 0.045 inches to 0.060 inches fromastainless steel screen 1/16 inch thick cathodeall in
`electrical communication with a battery.
`.
`qT
`,
`Claim 14,—-The emitter of claims 1, 7 or 13 further comprising a timer control.
`
`
`
`1]
`
`OWTO000350
`
`OWTEx. 2180
`Tennant Company v. OWT
`IPR2021-00625
`
`

`

`
`
`Attomey Docket No.AQIQQLUSt
`
`United States Patent Application
`
`COMBINED DECLARATION AND POWER OF ATTORNEY
`
`As a below named inventor I hereby declare that: my residence, post office address and citizenship are as
`stated below next to my name; that
`I verily believe I am the original, first andjoint inventor of the subject matter whichis claimed and for which
`a patent is sought on the invention entitled: MICROBUBBLES OF OXYGEN
`
`The specification of which is attached hereto.
`
`I hereby state that I have reviewed and understandthe contents of the above-identified specification, including
`the claims, as amended by any amendmentreferred to above.
`
`Tacknowledgethe duty to disclose information which is material to the patentability of this application in
`accordance with 37 C.F.R. § 1.56 (attached hereto), I also acknowledge my duty to disclose all information known to
`be material to patentability which becameavailable between a filing date of a prior application and the national or
`PCT international filing date in the eventthis is a Continuation-Tn-Part application in accordance with 37 C.F.R.
`§1.63(e).
`
`I hereby claina foreign priority benefits under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)-(d) or 365(b) of any foreign application(s) for
`patentor inventor's certificate, or 365(a) of any PCT international application which designated at least one country
`other than the United States of America,listed below and havealso identified below any foreign application for
`patent or inventor's certificate having a filing date before that ofthe application on the basis of which priority is
`claimed:
`
`No such claim for priority is being made at this time.
`
`T hereby claim the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of any United States provisional application(s) listed
`
`below:
`
`Application Number
`60/358,534
`
`Filing Date
`22 February 2002
`
`I hereby claim the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 or 365(c) of any United States and PCT international
`application(s) listed belew and, insofar as the subject matter of each ofthe claims ofthis application is not disclosed
`in theprior United States or PCT international application in the manner provided by the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C.
`§ 112, Tacknowledgethe duty to disclose material information as defined in 37 C.F.R. § 1.56(a) which became
`available between the filing date ofthe prior application and the national or PCT internationalfiling date ofthis
`application:
`
`Nosuch claim for pricvity is being madeatthis time.
`
`Page 19
`
`OWTO000351
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`Tennant Company v. OWT
`IPR2021-00625
`
`

`

`
`
`Attorney Docket No. :AQIOGL.US1
`Serial No. not assigned
`Filing Date:not assigned
`
`Page 3 of 4
`:
`,
`.
`
`i hereby appoint rhe following attorney(s) and/or patent agent(s) to prosecute this application andto transact
`all business in the Patent and Trademark Office connected herewith:
`
`Terry, Kathleen R.
`
`Reg. No. 3] 884
`
`Thereby authorize them te act and rely on instructions from and communicate directly with the person/assignee/attorney!
`firm/organization/who/which first sends/sent this case to them and by whom/which I hereby declare that I have consented after full disclosure
`to be represented unless/until [ instruct Kathleen R. Terry to the contrary.
`Please direct all correspondencein this case to Kathleen R. Terry atthe address indicated below:
`2417 Como Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108-1459
`Telephone No. (651) 659-9819
`
`Citizenship: ' -United States of America Residence: Minneapolis, MEN
`
`Thereby declare thatail statements made herein of my own knowledge are true andthat all statements made on information and
`belief are believed to be true; and furtherthat these statements were made withthe knowledge that willful false statements and the like so
`made are punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both, under Section 1001 ofTitle 18 ofthe United States Code and-that such willfel.false
`Statements may jeopardize the validity of the application or any patent issued thereon.
`Full Nameofjoint inventor number 1:
`James Andrew Senkiw
`
`
`Post Office Address:
`4750 Aldrich Avenue North
`Minneapolis, MN 55430-3529
`
`.
`-
`Date:
`James Andrew Senkiw
`
`
`Signature:
`
`Full Name ofjoint inventor number 2:
`Citizenship:
`Post Office Address:
`
`.
`
`Residence:.
`
`Signature:
`
`:
`
`.
`
`Date:
`
`Page 20
`
`OWT0000352
`
`OWTEx. 2180
`Tennant Company v. OWT
`IPR2021-00625
`
`

`

`
`
`Page 3 of 4
`.
`:
`Attomey Docket No: AQIOGL.USt
`.
`Scnal No, not assigued
`Filing Date: not assigned
`
`§ 1.56 Duty to disclose information material to patentability.
`
`A patent by its very nature is affected with a public interest. The public interest is best served, and the most effective patent
`(a)
`examination occurs when,at she time an application is being examined, the Office is aware of and evaluates the teachings ofall information
`material to patentability. Eachindividual associated with the filing and prosecution ofa patent application has a duty of candor and good
`faith in dealing with the Office, which includes a duty to disclose to the Officeall information knownto that individual to be material to
`patentability as defined in this section. The duty to disclose information exists with respect to each pending claim until the claim is canceled
`or withdrawn from consideration, or the application becomes abandoned. Information material to the patentability of a claim thatis canceled
`or withdrawn from consideration need not be submitted if the information is not material to the patentability of any claim remaining under
`consideration in the application,. There is no duty to submit information whichis not material to the patentability of any existing claim. The
`duty to disclose all information known to be material to patentability is deemed to be satisfied if all information known to be material to
`patentability of any claim issued in a patent was cited by the Office cr submitted to the Office in the manner prescribed by 8§ 1.97(b)-{d) and
`1.98. However, no patent will be granted on an application in connection with which fraud on the Office was practiced or attempted or the
`duty of disclosure was violated through bad faith or intentional misconduct. The Office encourages applicants to carefully examine:
`
`(1)
`
`(2)
`
`prior art cited in search reports of a foreign patent office in a counterpart application, and —
`
`the closest information over which individuals associated withthe filing or prosecution of a patent application believe any
`pending claim patentably defines, to make sure that any material information contained therein is disclosed to the Office.
`
`Underthis section, information is material to patentability when il is not cumulative to information already of record or heing
`(b)
`made ofrecord in the applicasion, and