Patents by Inventor Armin R. Volkel

Armin R. Volkel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20140367349
    Abstract: A Hydrodynamic separation device using curved channels is provided. High aspect ratio channels improve the focusing dynamics of the hydrodynamic separator and leads to improved channel design choices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Armin R. Volkel, John S. Paschkewitz, Huangpin B. Hsieh, Kai Melde
  • Publication number: 20140367348
    Abstract: Hydrodynamic separation of suspended particles using curved channels offers advantages in many applications, since it is a fast continuous flow technology that can handle neutrally and near neutrally buoyant particles without the need of a physical barrier or the addition of chemical aids. Designs are provided for a flow splitter at the end of the separation channel, to maintain smooth, counter-vortex-free laminar flow and improve particle separation efficiency while reducing clogging and fouling propensities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Armin R. Volkel, Kai Melde, Ashutosh Kole, Huangpin B. Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8852446
    Abstract: Systems and methods are used to concentrate and extract platelets from blood, where an aggregation arrangement is configured to aggregate red blood cells in the blood. The aggregated red blood cells are provided to a separation arrangement which is configured to separate the aggregated red blood cells from platelets in the blood plasma. Finally a concentration arrangement is configured to concentrate the platelets for extraction and further use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Meng H. Lean, Armin R. Volkel, Huangpin B. Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8839512
    Abstract: Various structures, such as microstructures and wall-like structures, can include parts or surfaces that are oblique. In some implementations, a cantilevered element includes a spring-like portion with a uniformly oblique surface or with another artifact of an oblique radiation technique. In some implementations, when a deflecting force is applied, a spring-like portion can provide deflection and spring force within required ranges. Various oblique radiation techniques can be used, such as radiation of a layer through a prism, and structures having spring-like portions with oblique radiation artifacts can be used in various applications, such as with downward or upward deflecting forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Jurgen Daniel, David K. Fork, Armin R. Volkel
  • Publication number: 20140197113
    Abstract: A mobile HEB and TEP mitigation device includes a mobile body capable of movement within or upon a body of water. Located within the mobile body is a hydrodynamic separation system which includes a water inlet, a hydrodynamic separation unit and a collection tank. The hydrodynamic separation unit includes two outputs, one for a clean stream output line containing clean water and arranged to re-circulate the clean water, and another for a concentrate stream output line, the concentrate stream output line configured to place concentrated water containing potentially harmful bio-organic materials into the collection tank. Also included on the mobile body is a power source and an engine/steering unit, wherein the steering portion of the engine/steering unit provides a capacity to move the mobile body in an intended direction. The mitigation device may also be used as an embedded part of an on-shore arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Armin R. Volkel, Meng H. Lean, Norine E. Chang, Huangpin B. Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20140106512
    Abstract: A method of forming a charge pattern on a microchip includes depositing a material on the surface of the microchip, and using an external device to develop charge in the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Eugene M. Chow, JengPing Lu, Armin R. Volkel, Bing R. Hsieh, Gregory L. Whiting
  • Publication number: 20140106541
    Abstract: A method of forming a charge pattern on a microchip includes depositing a material on the surface of the microchip, and immersing the microchip in a fluid to develop charge in or on the material through interaction with the surrounding fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Eugene M. Chow, JengPing Lu, Armin R. Volkel, Bing R. Hsieh, Gregory L. Whiting
  • Patent number: 8685769
    Abstract: A method of forming a charge pattern on a microchip includes depositing a material on the surface of the microchip, and using an external device to develop charge in the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Eugene M. Chow, JengPing Lu, Armin R. Volkel, Bing R. Hsieh, Gregory L. Whiting
  • Patent number: 8672460
    Abstract: Various particle transport systems and components for use in such systems are described. The systems utilize one or more traveling wave grids to selectively transport, distribute, separate, or mix different populations of particles. Numerous systems configured for use in two dimensional and three dimensional particle transport are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Armin R. Volkel, David Biegelsen, Philip D. Floyd, Greg Anderson, Fred Endicott, Eric Peeters, Jaan Noolandi, Karen A. Moffat, Peter M. Kazmaier, Maria McDougall, Daniel G. Bobrow
  • Patent number: 8652314
    Abstract: An embodiment is a method and apparatus to provide de-ionization. A plurality of cylindrical-shaped conductive membranes are placed in a feed channel having a feed flow with a first flow direction. Each of the conductive membranes encloses a concentration channel having a second flow direction and an electrode positioned inside the conductive membrane. A voltage distribution network coupled to the conductive membranes provides independent voltages across the channels to cause movement of ions in the feed and concentration flows toward the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Armin R. Volkel, Meng H. Lean
  • Patent number: 8647479
    Abstract: Provided is a standalone integrated water treatment system for a distributed water supply. A filter input receives water to be treated. A coagulation system is in operative connection with the filter input, wherein the water which has been filtered is subjected to a coagulation process performed by the coagulation system to create pin floc from suspensions in the water. A maturation buffer tank is in operative connection with the coagulation system, wherein floc is aggregated in size within the water. A spiral separator is in operative connection with the maturation buffer tank, and the water is separated into two water streams, a first stream of water having most of the floc removed, and a second stream of water which includes a concentrated amount of the floc. An optional filtration system is in operative connection with the spiral separator and is configured to receive the first stream of water and to perform a filtration operation on the first stream of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Meng H. Lean, Armin R. Volkel, Scott A. Elrod, Nitin S. Parekh
  • Publication number: 20140015876
    Abstract: A method of leveling ink that is printed on a substrate includes establishing a thermal gradient across a thickness of the substrate, the thermal gradient characterized in that it is less than a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink across most of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ashish V. Pattekar, Lars Erik Swartz, David K. Blegelsen, Armin R. Volkel, Gregory J. Kovacs
  • Patent number: 8550604
    Abstract: Various particle transport systems and components for use in such systems are described. The systems utilize one or more traveling wave grids to selectively transport, distribute, separate, or mix different populations of particles. Numerous systems configured for use in two dimensional and three dimensional particle transport are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Armin R. Volkel, David Biegelsen, Philip D. Floyd, Greg Anderson, Fred Endicott, Eric Peeters, Jaan Noolandi, Karen A. Moffat, Peter M. Kazmaier, Maria McDougall, Daniel G. Bobrow
  • Patent number: 8550603
    Abstract: Various particle transport systems and components for use in such systems are described. The systems utilize one or more traveling wave grids to selectively transport, distribute, separate, or mix different populations of particles. Numerous systems configured for use in two dimensional and three dimensional particle transport are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Armin R. Volkel, David Biegelsen, Philip D. Floyd, Greg Anderson, Fred Endicott, Eric Peeters, Jaan Noolandi, Karen A. Moffat, Peter M. Kazmaier, Maria McDougall, Daniel G. Bobrow
  • Patent number: 8545004
    Abstract: A method of leveling ink that is printed on a substrate includes establishing a thermal gradient across a thickness of the substrate, the thermal gradient characterized in that it is less than a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink across most of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Ashish V. Pattekar, Lars Erik Swartz, David K. Biegelsen, Armin R. Volkel, Gregory J. Kovacs
  • Patent number: 8545005
    Abstract: A method of leveling ink that is printed on a substrate includes establishing a thermal gradient across a thickness of the substrate, the thermal gradient characterized in that it is less than a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink across most of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Ashish V. Pattekar, Lars Erik Swartz, David K. Biegelsen, Armin R. Volkel, Gregory J. Kovacs
  • Patent number: 8518235
    Abstract: A coagulation generating system that combines the advantages of conventional and electrocoagulation. In the coagulation generating system electro-coagulation is performed on an input (e.g., salt/brine) solution to generate a concentrated coagulant solution, which is then added to the source water in the same way as a standard stored chemical coagulant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Armin R. Volkel, Meng H. Lean, Kai Melde, Norine E. Chang
  • Publication number: 20130082012
    Abstract: Systems and methods are used to concentrate and extract platelets from blood, where an aggregation arrangement is configured to aggregate red blood cells in the blood. The aggregated red blood cells are provided to a separation arrangement which is configured to separate the aggregated red blood cells from platelets in the blood plasma. Finally a concentration arrangement is configured to concentrate the platelets for extraction and further use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Meng H. Lean, Armin R. Volkel, Huangpin B. Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8404093
    Abstract: An embodiment is a method and apparatus to provide de-ionization. First and second conductive porous membranes are placed between a feed channel having a feed flow and first and second concentration channels having first and second concentration flows to separate the feed channel from the concentration channels. Cathode and anode electrodes are placed on external sides of the concentration channels. A voltage supply distribution network provides independent voltages across the channels to cause movement of ions in the feed and concentration flows toward the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Armin R. Volkel, Meng H. Lean
  • Patent number: 8378263
    Abstract: A fusing system and a method of operating the fusing system, including a first heating zone to heat marking material and a substrate using a non-condensing heat source to less than a target temperature; and a second heating zone to heat the marking material and the substrate to about the target temperature to fuse the marking material to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: David K. Biegelsen, Lars Erik Swartz, Armin R. Volkel, Ashish V. Pattekar