Patents by Inventor Barbara F. Howell

Barbara F. Howell 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).

  • Patent number: 5800720
    Abstract: Oil spill polluted water is conducted under pressure in sequence through arator devices to collect and burn a polluted water mixture having its oil concentration increased by extraction of water therefrom during axial flow through the separator devices. Such water extraction is effected by sequential radial outflow through oil flow blocking filter walls of the separator devices in response to rotation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: John Wehrle, Eugene C. Fischer, William P. Kenney, Joseph F. Korczynski, Thomas D. Gracik, Barbara F. Howell, William Klemens
  • Patent number: 5792351
    Abstract: Oil spill polluted water is conducted under pressure in sequence through arator devices to collect and burn a polluted water mixture having its oil concentration increased by extraction of water therefrom during axial flow through the separator devices. Such water extraction is effected by sequential radial outflow through oil flow blocking filter walls of the separator devices in response to rotation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: John Wehrle, Eugene C. Fischer, William P. Kenney, Joseph F. Korczynski, Thomas D. Gracik, Barbara F. Howell, William Klemens
  • Patent number: 5747115
    Abstract: A method is described for forming a pigmented coating on a poorly prepared, old metal surface that cures in less than one minute by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from a xenon lamp and emits extremely low levels of volatile organic compounds so that application can be done safely in a confined space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Barbara F. Howell, Karen M. Poole
  • Patent number: 5472519
    Abstract: A thermoelectric material is provided whose temperature decreases upon passing an electric current therethrough. The material is a mixture of poly-3-octylthiophene and ferric chloride in a respective molar ratio of approximately 2:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Barbara F. Howell, Thomas D. Gracik, Charles M. Hogg
  • Patent number: 5356936
    Abstract: Hydrophilicity of hydrophilic polymers, in the form of heat-crosslinked cings on porous membranes, is increased by exposure to an oxygen plasma, preferably for about 60 seconds. The plasma is generated at an oxygen gas pressure of about 1.5 Torrs in a chamber subjected to radio frequency electromagnetic radiation with a power of 25-100 watts. Such highly hydrophilic membranes have increased efficiency and durability when used as ultrafiltration membranes for separating hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials, such as smoke-air and oil-water mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Barbara F. Howell, Ravanasamudram S. Venkatachalam, John P. Wehrle
  • Patent number: 5321165
    Abstract: A method of producing an ethynyl aromatic aldehyde comprises reacting a protected copper(I) acetylide salt with a halogen substituted aromatic compound to produce a protected ethynyl aromatic aldehyde.The protected ethynyl aromatic aldehyde may be deprotected to yield an acetylene terminated aromatic aldehyde which is useful for making acetylenic Schiff's base monomers and conductive polymers thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Thomas DiBerardino, Patricia M. Lutz, Barbara F. Howell
  • Patent number: 5308800
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for fabricating textured pseudo-single crystal bulk superconducting materials, featuring introduction of a pressure gradient and/or of a magnetic field for enhancement of known melt-texturing directional solidification techniques using a steep temperature gradient furnace for increasing temperatures at which superconductive properties can be maintained in superconducting materials. The strengths of the temperature gradient, pressure gradient and/or magnetic field can be optimally varied, resulting in formation of superconducting material exhibiting superconductive properties at higher temperatures than previously achievable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: John P. Wehrle, Barbara F. Howell, James G. Morris, III