Patents by Inventor David J. Ray

David J. Ray 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: 20240114925
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments for the isolation of fiber and protein from brewers' spent grain. In some embodiments, the protein has a reduced fat content. In some embodiments, the protein has an improved Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: David J. Janow, Richard J. Ray
  • Publication number: 20090114850
    Abstract: A method and apparatus includes positioning a reactant on a surface in specific location and then directing an energy source from a device at the reactant such that it modifies the surface to either remove material or add material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: RAVE LLC
    Inventors: Barry F. HOPKINS, David J. Ray, Jeffrey E. LeClaire, Roy White
  • Patent number: 7495240
    Abstract: A method and apparatus includes positioning a reactant on a surface in specific location and then directing an energy source from a device at the reactant such that it modifies the surface to either remove material or add material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Rave LLC
    Inventors: Barry F. Hopkins, David J. Ray, Jeffrey E. LeClaire, Roy White
  • Patent number: 7323699
    Abstract: A method and apparatus includes positioning a reactant on a surface in specific location and then directing an energy source from a device at the reactant such that it modifies the surface to either remove material or add material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Rave, LLC
    Inventors: Barry F. Hopkins, David J. Ray, Jeffrey E. LeClaire, Roy White
  • Patent number: 6910368
    Abstract: A scanning force microscope system that employs a laser (76) and a probe assembly (24) mounted in a removable probe illuminator assembly (22), that is mounted to the moving portion of a scanning mechanism. The probe illuminator assembly may be removed from the microscope to permit alignment of said laser beam onto a cantilever (30) after removal. This prevents damage to, and shortens alignment time of, the microscope during replacement and alignment of the probe assembly. The scanning probe microscope assembly (240) supports a scanning probe microscope (244). Scanning probe microscope (244) holds a removable probe sensor assembly (242). Removable probe sensor assembly (242) may be transported and conveniently attached to the adjustment station (250) where the probe sensor assembly parameters may be observed and adjusted if necessary. The probe sensor assembly (242) may then be attached to the scanning probe microscope (244).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Raymax Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David J Ray
  • Publication number: 20040250608
    Abstract: A scanning force microscope system that employs a laser (76) and a probe assembly (24) mounted in a removable probe illuminator assembly (22), that is mounted to the moving portion of a scanning mechanism. The probe illuminator assembly may be removed from the microscope to permit alignment of said laser beam onto a cantilever (30) after removal. This prevents damage to, and shortens alignment time of, the microscope during replacement and alignment of the probe assembly. The scanning probe microscope assembly (240) supports a scanning probe microscope (244). Scanning probe microscope (244) holds a removable probe sensor assembly (242). Removable probe sensor assembly (242) may be transported and conveniently attached to the adjustment station (250) where the probe sensor assembly parameters may be observed and adjusted if necessary. The probe sensor assembly (242) may then be attached to the scanning probe microscope (244).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: David J. Ray
  • Patent number: 6415654
    Abstract: A scanning force microscope system that employs a laser (76) and a probe assembly (24) mounted in a removable probe illuminator assembly (22), that is mounted to the moving portion of a scanning mechanism. The probe illuminator assembly may be removed from the microscope to permit alignment of said laser beam onto a cantilever (30) after removal. This prevents damage to, and shortens alignment time of, the microscope during replacement and alignment of the probe assembly. The scanning probe microscope assembly (240) supports a scanning probe microscope (244). Scanning probe microscope (244) holds a removable probe sensor assembly (242). Removable probe sensor assembly (242) may be transported and conveniently attached to the adjustment station (250) where the probe sensor assembly parameters may be observed and adjusted if necessary. The probe sensor assembly (242) may then be attached to the scanning probe microscope (244).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventor: David J. Ray
  • Patent number: 6189373
    Abstract: A scanning force microscope (10) sometimes referred to as an atomic force microscope employs a laser (32) and a cantilever (28) which move proportionally to a moving reference frame (64). A fixed reference frame (11) contains optical components. A scanning mechanism creates relative movement between the fixed and moving reference frames. An optical assembly (114) is included which comprises at least one optical device in the fixed reference frame. The optical assembly permits initial alignment of the laser beam onto the cantilever and also permit the laser beam to follow the moving cantilever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Ray Max Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Ray
  • Patent number: 6138503
    Abstract: A scanning force microscope system that employs a laser (76) and a probe assembly (24) mounted in a removable probe illuminator assembly (22), that is mounted to the moving portion of a scanning mechanism. The probe illuminator assembly may be removed from the microscope to permit alignment of said laser beam onto a cantilever (30) after removal. This prevents damage to, and shortens alignment time of, the microscope during replacement and alignment of the probe assembly. The scanning probe microscope assembly (240) supports a scanning probe microscope (244). Scanning probe microscope (244) holds a removable probe sensor assembly (242). Removable probe sensor assembly (242) may be transported and conveniently attached to the adjustment station (250) where the probe sensor assembly parameters may be observed and adjusted if necessary. The probe sensor assembly (242) may then be attached to the scanning probe microscope (244).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: RayMax Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Ray
  • Patent number: 5874669
    Abstract: A scanning force microscope employs a laser (76) which creates a laser beam (26). The laser and a probe assembly (24) are mounted in a removable probe illuminator assembly (22). The removable probe illumination assembly is mounted to the moving portion of a scanning mechanism. The scanning mechanism creates relative movement between the probe illuminator assembly and a sample (28). The removal of the probe illuminator assembly permits alignment of said laser beam onto a cantilever (30) after removal of said illuminator assembly from the microscope. This prevents damage to, and shortens alignment time of, the microscope during replacement and alignment of the probe assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Raymax Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Ray
  • Patent number: 5861550
    Abstract: A scanning force microscope (10) sometimes referred to as an atomic force microscope employs a laser (32) and a cantilever (28) which move proportionally to a moving reference frame (64). A fixed reference frame (11) contains optical components. A scanning mechanism creates relative movement between the fixed and moving reference frames. An optical assembly (114) is included which comprises at least one optical device in the fixed reference frame. The optical assembly permits initial alignment of the laser beam onto the cantilever and also permit the laser beam to follow the moving cantilever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: RayMax Technology, Incorporated
    Inventor: David J. Ray
  • Patent number: 5831264
    Abstract: The electrostrictive actuator device of the present invention, which controls relative movement in a scanned-probe microscope between the tip of a probe and the surface of a sample, comprises two thin-walled cylindrical members formed of electrostrictive material. The first cylindrical member, which is connected to the microscope, has on each of its inner and outer surfaces a conductive layer that forms at least one electrode. Applying voltages to the electrodes on the inner and outer surfaces of the first cylindrical member controls the two-dimensional X-Y horizontal relative movement between the probe tip and the sample surface. The second cylindrical member of the actuator device is coaxially connected at one end with the first cylindrical member and at its opposite end with the sample or the probe. Both the inner and outer surfaces of the second member have conductive layers, each of which forms an electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Burleigh Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon M. Shedd, David J. Ray
  • Patent number: 5614712
    Abstract: A method for initially positioning the scanning probe of a scanning probe microscope includes the steps of initially using fine position control to reduce the distance between probe and sample and, if the sample surface is not encountered, reversing the direction of the fine position control to an intermediate position and then using a coarse control in predetermined increments to narrow the distance between the probe and the sample. The fine control is again used and if the sample surface is not encountered, the steps are repeated until the surface is encountered so that the scanning operation can commence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Quesant Instrument Corporation
    Inventor: David J. Ray
  • Patent number: 5524479
    Abstract: A scanning probe microscope is provided with a piezo-ceramic tube to carry the sensitive probe at its free end to translationally move the probe in the X and Y directions. Large stationary surfaces can then be scanned by probe tip motion. The tube is also capable of movement in the Z direction so that the tip can follow the contours of the surface. Optical detection means track the motion of the probe tip and generate signals corresponding to and representative of surface contours. In one mode of operation, the signals are used in a feed back loop to keep constant the spacing between the tip and the surface, in which case the error or control signals represent the contours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Ouesant Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Harp, David J. Ray
  • Patent number: 5466935
    Abstract: Scanned-probe microscope systems (20, 140) are disclosed with analog control loops (24, 144) that can be electronically programmed to select from a plurality of transfer functions. The amplitude of the control loop reference signal (64) can also be electronically programmed. A controller (26) enables an operator to quickly program these operational characteristics. The controller preferably includes a visual display (33) and a recording device (32) to facilitate the programming and to display and store the scanning data obtained with the selected characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Quesant Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Ray, Robert S. Harp
  • Patent number: 5388452
    Abstract: A scanning probe microscope is provided with a piezo-ceramic tube to carry the sensitive probe at its free end to translationally move the probe in the X and Y directions. Large stationary surfaces can then be scanned by probe tip motion. The tube is also capable of movement in the Z direction so that the tip can follow the contours of the surface. Optical detection means track the motion of the probe tip and generate signals corresponding to and representative of surface contours. In one mode of operation, the signals are used in a feed back loop to keep constant the spacing between the tip and the surface, in which case the error or control signals represent the contours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Quesant Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Harp, David J. Ray
  • Patent number: 5357105
    Abstract: A scanning force microscope is provided with apparatus to modify the light source with a modulation scheme. Information relative to scanning tip motion is included in a modulated light beam which is then demodulated and filtered to recover the information in the form of a signal which corresponds to and is representative of a chosen parameter of tip motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Quesant Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Harp, David J. Ray
  • Patent number: 4649267
    Abstract: A gain control circuit for a light source in an optical encoder derives a signal from the phototransducers that receive the light through the encoder disc. In one embodiment, a signal is taken between the transducer and potential source and in alternative embodiments the signal is taken from the phototransducer output. If a periodic index pulse is generated, a correcting circuit compensates for its effect. Where all of the transducers do not receive a substantially constant continuing illumination level, a filter-integrator circuit provides the d.c. component to the gain control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: ILC Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Ray
  • Patent number: 4506551
    Abstract: A transducer selecting system for use in a noisy environment can operate in a vibration monitoring system using a data processor. Narrow band signals representing transducer information at selected frequencies of interest are subtracted from broad band signals representing information and background noise. The magnitude of the background noise components of each transducer is used to select from among duplicative transducers or to signal potentially unreliable information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: David J. Ray
  • Patent number: RE37404
    Abstract: A scanning probe microscope is provided with a piezo-ceramic tube to carry the sensitive probe at its free end to translationally move the probe in the X and Y directions. Large stationary surfaces can then be scanned by probe tip motion. The tube is also capable of movement in the Z direction so that the tip can follow the contours of the surface. Optical detection means track the motion of the probe tip and generate signals corresponding to and representative of surface contours. In one mode of operation, the signals are used in a feed back loop to keep constant the spacing between the tip and the surface, in which case the error or control signals represent the contours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Quesant Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Harp, David J. Ray