Patents by Inventor DANIEL A. WATTS

DANIEL A. WATTS 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: 20170291224
    Abstract: The invention provides a green chemistry, aqueous method to synthesize gold nanoparticles directly from bulk gold sources. The method involves the ultrasonication of bulk gold in water in the presence of an alkythiol species and a quaternary ammonium surfactant. An organic bilayer forms on the surface of the gold which renders it susceptible to material ejection from the violent collapse of cavitation bubbles. This ejected material is stabilized in solution by the formation of an organic bilayer and can be easily separated. It can then be subjected to an aqueous digestive ripening step to give a gold nanoparticle ensemble with a well-defined plasmon resonance. This method is applicable to a number of different sources of bulk gold. The method can be applied to an environmentally important problem; the recovery of gold from electronic waste streams. For example, gold nanoparticles can be extracted directly from the surface of SIM cards, with no prior manipulation of the cards necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Dale L. Huber, John Daniel Watt, Jonathan Chavez, Lauren Marie Ammerman
  • Publication number: 20170276809
    Abstract: A positron emission tomography (PET) data processing method comprises obtaining PET data from a PET detector, wherein the PET detector comprises an array of detector elements, and wherein the PET data is representative of a PET measurement of at least part of a subject. The method comprises identifying in the PET data a plurality of paired events, wherein each paired event comprises a first photon event in a first region of the PET detector and a second photon event in a second region of the PET detector. The first photon event comprises an energy deposition in a first detector element of the array or in a first detection region of the first detector element due to a scattering of a first photon at a first azimuthal scattering angle and an associated energy deposition by the scattered first photon in a second detector element of the array or in a second detection region of the first detector element or of the second detector element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Gary Douglas Smith, Daniel Watts
  • Publication number: 20170014832
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a lifter bar may be provided that is formed at least partially from an elastomeric material and includes at least one attachment formation embedded at least partially in the elastomeric material. In other aspects, the attachment formation may include a longitudinal spine that may include apertures, may be substantially planar, and may include a track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: WEIR MINERALS AUSTRALIA LTD
    Inventors: Daniel Watt, Evert Lessing
  • Publication number: 20170012303
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for conditioning fluids stored in an underwater cryogenic storage vessel designed for use in a fuel system of an underwater vehicle. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a fuel system includes a fuel cell and a storage vessel, which stores a first fluid that is supplied to the fuel cell and a second fluid that is produced by the fuel cell. The fuel system also includes a thermal conditioning module that receives the first fluid from the storage vessel and receives the second fluid from the fuel cell. The first fluid stored in the storage vessel is conditioned by absorbing heat from the second fluid, such that the fuel cell receives the conditioned first fluid. The second fluid received from the fuel cell is in gaseous state and is converted to a liquid. The liquid second fluid is stored in the storage vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Edwin C. Cady, Daniel A. Watts, Gary D. Grayson
  • Patent number: 9533309
    Abstract: A lifter bar includes at least one attachment formation for use in lifting the lifter bar; wherein the at least one attachment formation is embedded in the lifter bar. A method of producing the lifter bar and tools for use in handling the lifter bar are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Weir Minerals Australia Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel Watt, Evert Lessing
  • Publication number: 20160297649
    Abstract: A lifting device for use, in one embodiment, to hoist a lifter bar is described. A method of affixing a lifting device to a lifter bar is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: WEIR MINERALS AUSTRALIA LTD
    Inventors: Daniel Watt, Evert Lessing
  • Patent number: 9383065
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for storing fluid in an underwater cryogenic storage vessel designed for use in a fuel system of an underwater vehicle. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a storage vessel includes at least two concentrically arranged storage tanks, which includes a first storage tank and a second storage tank. The first storage tank surrounds the second storage tank, such that the first storage tank is configured to protect the second storage tank from external environmental conditions. The storage vessel also includes a storage compartment positioned adjacent to the two storage tanks. In one embodiment, the storage vessel may be an underwater cryogenic storage vessel that stores liquid oxygen used as a reactant in a fuel cell and liquid carbon dioxide, which is an effluent of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Edwin C. Cady, Daniel A. Watts, Gary D. Grayson
  • Patent number: 9266111
    Abstract: A lifter bar assembly for a crushing mill is disclosed including: a plurality of lifter bar segments; the segments being arranged to be installed adjacent to one another to form a lifter bar; wherein each of the segments are of a weight which can be safely handled by a team of two people.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Weir Minerals Australia Ltd.
    Inventors: Terry Cox, Daniel Watt, Graeme Hazell
  • Publication number: 20150121905
    Abstract: A thermodynamic pump for provides gaseous hydrogen employing a plurality of liquid hydrogen (LH2) tanks sequentially pressurized with gaseous hydrogen (GH2) from an accumulator. A heat exchanger receiving LH2 from each of the plurality of tanks as sequentially pressurized returns pressurized GH2 to the accumulator for supply to an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Daniel A. Watts
  • Patent number: 8991197
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided for fueling a device using a cryogenic fluid. The apparatus may comprise: a cryogenic fluid supply container; a vessel connected to the supply container with an entrance valve to regulate flow of cryogenic fluid from the supply container; a heat transfer system capable of transferring heat from a device to the vessel to heat gas in the vessel; and an accumulator connected to the vessel with an exit valve to regulate flow of gas from the vessel to the accumulator. The accumulator may be capable of being connected to a device. In other embodiments, methods are provided of controllably mixing at least one fluid within a fluid mixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Watts, Jason A. Grow
  • Patent number: 8950195
    Abstract: A thermodynamic pump for provides gaseous hydrogen employing a plurality of liquid hydrogen (LH2) tanks sequentially pressurized with gaseous hydrogen (GH2) from an accumulator. A heat exchanger receiving LH2 from each of the plurality of tanks as sequentially pressurized returns pressurized GH2 to the accumulator for supply to an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Daniel A. Watts
  • Publication number: 20140331466
    Abstract: A lifter bar assembly for a crushing mill is disclosed including: a plurality of lifter bar segments; the segments being arranged to be installed adjacent to one another to form a lifter bar; wherein each of the segments are of a weight which can be safely handled by a team of two people.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Weir Minerals Australia Ltd.
    Inventors: Terry Cox, Daniel Watt, Graeme Hazell
  • Patent number: 8859153
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for conditioning fluids stored in an underwater cryogenic storage vessel designed for use in a fuel system of an underwater vehicle. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a fuel system includes a fuel cell and a storage vessel, which stores a first fluid that is supplied to the fuel cell and a second fluid that is produced by the fuel cell. The fuel system also includes a thermal conditioning module that receives the first fluid from the storage vessel and receives the second fluid from the fuel cell. The first fluid stored in the storage vessel is conditioned by absorbing heat from the second fluid, such that the fuel cell receives the conditioned first fluid. The second fluid received from the fuel cell is in gaseous state and is converted to a liquid. The liquid second fluid is stored in the storage vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Edwin C. Cady, Daniel A. Watts, Gary D. Grayson
  • Patent number: 8789379
    Abstract: A hydrogen pump comprises a pump housing and a heating mechanism. The pump housing receives liquid hydrogen through a housing inlet. The heating mechanism vaporizes the liquid hydrogen into gaseous hydrogen. The pump housing releases the gaseous hydrogen through a housing outlet at a predetermined pressure level of the gaseous hydrogen. The pump housing closes the housing outlet such as when the liquid hydrogen in the pump housing falls below a depletion level. The pump housing opens and additional liquid hydrogen enters the pump housing through the housing inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Daniel A. Watts
  • Patent number: 8746601
    Abstract: A lifter bar assembly for a crushing mill is disclosed including: a plurality of lifter bar segments; the segments being arranged to be installed adjacent to one another to form a lifter bar; wherein each of the segments are of a weight which can be safely handled by a team of two people.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Weir Minerals Australia, Ltd.
    Inventors: Terry Cox, Daniel Watt, Graeme Hazell
  • Patent number: 8726676
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided for fueling a device using a cryogenic fluid. The apparatus may comprise: a cryogenic fluid supply container; a vessel connected to the supply container with an entrance valve to regulate flow of cryogenic fluid from the supply container; a heat transfer system capable of transferring heat from a device to the vessel to heat gas in the vessel; and an accumulator connected to the vessel with an exit valve to regulate flow of gas from the vessel to the accumulator. The accumulator may be capable of being connected to a device. In other embodiments, methods are provided of controllably mixing at least one fluid within a fluid mixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Watts, Jason A. Grow
  • Publication number: 20140076290
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided for fueling a device using a cryogenic fluid. The apparatus may comprise: a cryogenic fluid supply container; a vessel connected to the supply container with an entrance valve to regulate flow of cryogenic fluid from the supply container; a heat transfer system capable of transferring heat from a device to the vessel to heat gas in the vessel; and an accumulator connected to the vessel with an exit valve to regulate flow of gas from the vessel to the accumulator. The accumulator may be capable of being connected to a device. In other embodiments, methods are provided of controllably mixing at least one fluid within a fluid mixing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Watts, Jason A. Grow
  • Patent number: 8651313
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for storing fluid in an underwater cryogenic storage vessel designed for use in a fuel system of an underwater vehicle. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a storage vessel includes at least two concentrically arranged storage tanks, which includes a first storage tank and a second storage tank. The first storage tank surrounds the second storage tank, such that the first storage tank is configured to protect the second storage tank from external environmental conditions. The storage vessel also includes a storage compartment positioned adjacent to the two storage tanks. In one embodiment, the storage vessel may be an underwater cryogenic storage vessel that stores liquid oxygen used as a reactant in a fuel cell and liquid carbon dioxide, which is an effluent of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Edwin C. Cady, Daniel A. Watts, Gary D. Grayson
  • Publication number: 20130299617
    Abstract: A lifter bar is includes at least one attachment formation for use in lifting the lifter bar; wherein the at least one attachment formation is embedded in the lifter bar. A method of producing the lifter bar and tools for use in handling the lifter bar are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel Watt, Evert Lessing
  • Publication number: 20120156059
    Abstract: A thermodynamic pump for provides gaseous hydrogen employing a plurality of liquid hydrogen (LH2) tanks sequentially pressurized with gaseous hydrogen (GH2) from an accumulator. A heat exchanger receiving LH2 from each of the plurality of tanks as sequentially pressurized returns pressurized GH2 to the accumulator for supply to an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Daniel A. Watts