Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Bruce R. Mansfield
  • Patent number: 6248224
    Abstract: An electrochemical sensor is described for the analysis of ammonia in air functioning in an amperometric measuring operation. The cell consists of either an immobilized organic electrolyte or a water based electrolyte having in both cases a dissolved Mn2+ salt, which is immediately oxidized by an electrochemical process at a measuring electrode of the cell to Mn4+ ion, if a pH-shift of the electrolyte in the presence of ammonia takes place. The sensor consists of three electrodes comprising a catalytic active carbon measuring electrode, a second carbon auxiliary electrode (counter electrode) in contact with the electrolyte and a third electrode in contact with the electrolyte, which acts as reference electrode. The sensor can be used for ammonia over a wide range and can be adapted for other uses, such as volatile amines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: MST Analytics Inc.
    Inventor: Dieter Kitzelmann
  • Patent number: 4661304
    Abstract: Disclosed is a resonant coil cavity wave launcher for energizing a plasma immersed in a magnetic field. Energization includes launching fast Alfven waves to excite ion cyclotron frequency resonances in the plasma. The cavity includes inductive and capacitive reactive members spaced no further than one-quarter wavelength from a first wall confinement chamber of the plasma. The cavity wave launcher is energized by connection to a waveguide or transmission line carrying forward power from a remote radio frequency energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Francis W. Perkins, Jr., Shiu-Chu Chiu, Paul Parks, John M. Rawls
  • Patent number: 4650632
    Abstract: In a magnetic plasma confinment device having an inner toroidal limiter mounted on an inner wall of a plasma containment vessel, an arrangement is provided for monitoring vertical temperature profiles of the limiter. The temperature profiles are taken at brief time intervals, in a time scan fashion. The time scans of the vertical temperature profile are continuously monitored to detect the presence of a peaked temperature excursion, which, according to the present invention, is a precursor of a subsequent major plasma disruption. A fast scan of the temperature profile is made so as to provide a time interval in real time prior to the major plasma disruption, such that corrective action can be taken to reduce the harmful effects of the plasma disruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Henry W. Kugel, Michael Ulrickson
  • Patent number: 4649279
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a negative ion source accelerates electrons away from a hot filament electron emitter into a region of crossed electric and magnetic fields arranged in a magnetron configuration. During a portion of the resulting cycloidal path, the electron velocity is reduced below its initial value. The electron accelerates as it leaves the surface at a rate of only slightly less than if there were no magnetic field, thereby preventing a charge buildup at the surface of the emitter. As the electron traverses the cycloid, it is decelerated during the second, third, and fourth quadrants, then reeccelerated as it approaches the end of the fourth quadrant to regain its original velocity. The minimum velocity occurs during the fourth quadrant, and corresponds to an electron temperature of 200.degree. to 500.degree. for the electric and magnetic fields commonly encountered in the ion sources of magnetic sector mass spectrometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: James E. Delmore
  • Patent number: 4626400
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided for controlling neutron albedo in toroidal fusion devices having inboard and outboard vacuum vessel walls for containment of the neutrons of a fusion plasma. Neutron albedo material is disposed immediately adjacent the inboard wall, and is movable, preferably in vertical directions, so as to be brought into and out of neutron modifying communication with the fusion neutrons. Neutron albedo material preferably comprises a liquid form, but may also take pebble, stringer and curtain-like forms. A neutron flux valve, rotatable about a vertical axis is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Daniel L. Jassby, Bradley J. Micklich
  • Patent number: 4615861
    Abstract: Apparatus and method of the invention maintain a plasma current with an oscillatory nonohmic current drive. Each cycle of operation has a generation period in which current driving energy is applied to the plasma, and a relaxation period in which current driving energy is removed. Plasma parameters, such as plasma temperature or plasma average ionic charge state, are modified during the generation period so as to oscillate plasma resistivity in synchronism with the application of current driving energy. The invention improves overall current drive efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Nathaniel J. Fisch
  • Patent number: 4591225
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plug and receptacle connector arrangement for interconnecting a printed circuit board with a multi-conductor flat cable. The receptacle assembly includes terminals of the tuning fork type, and a housing which is mounted to an edge of a printed circuit board. The plug assembly includes a plurality of U-shaped channels having two parallel spaced-apart cable engaging walls joined by a common bight portion. One end of the bight portion comprises a plug terminal contact surface which is received by the tuning fork receptacle terminals. At the opposing end of the terminal, each wall cable engaging includes an insulation displacement termination portion for interconnection to the flat cable. Right angle and straight (in-line) embodiment of the invention are disclosed. The connector arrangement is particularly advantageous when used in a vibrating environment of an automobile or other moving vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Andrew Squitieri
  • Patent number: 4590423
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for testing one or more contact material samples in a vacuum environment. The samples are positioned as an inner conductive cylinder assembly which is mounted for reciprocal vertical motion as well as deflection from a vertical axis. An outer conductive cylinder is coaxially positioned around the inner cylinder and test specimen to provide a vacuum enclosure therefor. A power source needed to drive test currents through the test specimens is connected to the bottom of each conductive cylinder, through two specially formed conductive plates. The plates are similar in form, having a plurality of equal resistance current paths connecting the power source to a central connecting ring. The connecting rings are secured to the bottom of the inner conductive assembly and the outer cylinder, respectively. A hydraulic actuator is also connected to the bottom of the inner conductor assembly to adjust the pressure applied to the test specimens during testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Walter F. Praeg
  • Patent number: 4583640
    Abstract: A packaging arrangement for a plurality of electrical connector assemblies includes a carrier strip having a row of connector housings formed integrally therewith along like edges of the housings. Extending from one side of the carrier are protrusion means for spacing multiple carriers laterally apart in parallel adjacent relationship. Integrally formed latching means extend outwardly of the protrusion means and are receivable by an aperture or slot of the adjacent carrier for securing rows of connectors together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Paul T. Gillam
  • Patent number: 4584161
    Abstract: Neutron activation due to high levels of neutron production in a first heated deuterium-tritium plasma is substantially reduced by using Ion Cyclotron Resonance Frequency (ICRF) heating of energetic .sup.3 He.sup.++ ions in a second deuterium-.sup.3 He.sup.++ plasma which exhibit an energy distribution and density similar to that of alpha particles in fusion reactor experiments to simulate fusion alpha particle heating in the first plasma. The majority of the fast .sup.3 He.sup.++ ions and their slowing down spectrum can be studied using either a modulated hydrogen beam source for producing excited states of He.sup.+ in combination with spectrometers or double charge exchange with a high energy neutral lithium beam and charged particle detectors at the plasma edge. The maintenance problems thus associated with neutron activation are substantially reduced permitting energetic alpha particle behavior to be studied in near term large fusion experiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Douglass E. Post, Jr., David Q. Hwang, Jane Hovey
  • Patent number: 4583069
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved fuse link assembly wherein a tensioned fusible element is secured at each end to a circuit conductor for connection to an external electrical circuit. The improvement includes an integral stamped crimp terminal which secures each end of the fusible element to a circuit conductor. The crimp member includes a serial succession of three discrete crimp portions, a first portion for receiving the fusible element, a second portion for receiving the circuit conductor, and a third portion for receiving a wire-like strain relief element disposed in parallel, cross the fusible element. The first crimp terminal (which receives the fusible element) is located between the second and third crimp portions. Each crimp portion has an internal diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the conductor received therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard L. Pierce
  • Patent number: 4580867
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for automatically terminating the end of a flat flexible cable in a reciprocably actuable low insertion force connector having a dielectric housing with a cable receiving cavity and a terminal member disposed in the cavity. The connector also includes a reciprocating cover having a cable receiving aperture and mounting for reciprocable movement between an open position for receiving the cable, and a closed position for terminating the cable within the connector. The apparatus includes an insertion head and an arrangement for automatically positioning the insertion head with respect to the cable receiving aperture of the connector cover. The insertion head further includes a reciprocable cable feeder which inserts the cable end through the cover aperture, and a reciprocable actuator which moves the cover upon insertion of the cable and the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Steve Wright, Michael J. Gardner
  • Patent number: 4577922
    Abstract: Disclosed is a laminated multiconductor connector having a plurality of free standing metal terminals with oppositely facing nested surfaces and circuit board tails for electrically engaging the printed circuit board. Dielectric material is disposed between adjacent nesting surfaces of the terminal body in such a manner so as to insulate the nesting surfaces of adjacent terminals and to form a continuous mutually supported stacked array of terminals when mounted to the printed circuit board.Also disclosed is an intermediate subassembly and a related method of production the multiconductor connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: John M. Stipanuk, Alan S. Walse, Kent E. Regnier
  • Patent number: 4577404
    Abstract: A method of polarizing a female pin conductor receiving connector and an apparatus for performing said method. The female connector has a plurality of pin receiving openings formed in the housing thereof so that a pin conductor may be received therethrough for mating with a terminal mounted inside the housing. The polarizing method comprises deforming a portion of the housing adjacent the pin receiving opening to define a deformed section whereby the opening is substantially closed by the deformed section to prevent a pin conductor from being received therethrough. The apparatus includes means for holding the connector in a given disposition and punch means having an end engageable with the housing for deforming and moving a portion thereof in order to close the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas P. Pellegrino
  • Patent number: 4564808
    Abstract: Photovoltaic quantum efficiency of semiconductor samples is determined directly, without requiring that a built-in photovoltage be generated by the sample. Electrodes are attached to the sample so as to form at least one Schottky barrier therewith. When illuminated, the generated photocurrent carriers are collected by an external bias voltage impressed across the electrodes. The generated photocurrent is measured, and photovoltaic quantum efficiency is calculated therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Brian W. Faughnan, Joseph J. Hanak
  • Patent number: 4559578
    Abstract: An improved dual aperture dipole electromagnet includes a second-harmonic frequency magnetic guide field winding which surrounds first harmonic frequency magnetic guide field windings associated with each aperture. The second harmonic winding and the first harmonic windings cooperate to produce resultant magnetic waveforms in the apertures which have extended acceleration and shortened reset portions of electromagnet operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy
    Inventor: Walter F. Praeg
  • Patent number: 4554399
    Abstract: A particle trap is provided for gas insulated transmission lines having a central high voltage conductor supported within an outer coaxial conductive sheath by a dielectric support member. A cavity between the inner conductor and outer sheath is filled with a dielectric insulating gas. A cone-like particle deflector, mounted to the inner conductor, deflects moving particles away from the support member, to radially outer portions of the cavity. A conductive shield is disposed adjacent the outer sheath to form a field-free region in radially outer portions of the cavity, between the shield and the sheath. Particles traveling along the cavity are deflected by the cone-like deflector into the field-free region where they are held immobile. In a vertical embodiment, particles enter the field-free region through an upper end of a gap formed between shield and sheath members. In a horizontal embodiment, the deflector cone has a base which is terminated radially internally of the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Alan H. Cookson
  • Patent number: 4538878
    Abstract: A solderless, generally elongated, circuit board conductor adapted to be received and held in a plated-through hole formed in the circuit board in order to provide an electrical connection between a conductive plating deposited on the interior surface of the hole of another circuit element. The conductor includes a compliant section which is adapted to be received in the hole in contact with the plating and allowing selective insertion and removal of the conductor into and out of the hole. The compliant section generally comprises a plate section with a resilient finger struck out therefrom. The finger has an apex portion to contact the plating of the hole.Also disclosed is a connector assembly which is selectively mountable on a circuit board and which includes an insulative base portion with a plurality of solderless elongated electrical terminals mounted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip J. Dambach, B. Alan Berg
  • Patent number: 4527852
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a housing fitted with one or more contact members which have the capability of terminating an insulated multi-stranded conductor by displacement of the conductor insulation. The contact member comprises a stamped and formed metallic plate member having an insulation displacement slot which defines, at an end of the plate, a pair of limbs and a relatively wide conductor receiving mouth. The slot tapers from the mouth to a pair of opposed teeth positioned one on each limb in juxtaposed relationship. The teeth are configured to point in the general direction of the mouth and they serve to initiate severing of the conductor coating. The plate may further comprise a pair of coined protrusions adjacent a further narrowed portion of the slot for separating the conductor coating and providing an improved electrical interface between the conductor strands and contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Helen Dechelette
  • Patent number: 4527853
    Abstract: A unitary electrical contact member for terminating an insulated conductor includes a body member supporting a pair of plate portions in parallel spaced apart relation with respect to one another. Each plate portion has an insulation displacement slot which establishes contact with the conductor such that the longitudinal axis of the conductor is oriented normally of the plate portions. A first contact finger depending from the body member cooperates with a second contact finger depending from one of the plate portions thereby providing a receptacle for establishing a biased connection with a pin terminal. The configuration of the contact fingers is such that the pin terminal has its longitudinal axis oriented parallel to the conductor resulting in a highly compact arrangement suitable for miniature electrical connector applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Helen Dechelette