Patents by Inventor Michael R. Hoffman

Michael R. Hoffman 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: 11938326
    Abstract: Implantable medical systems enter an exposure mode of operation, either manually via a down linked programming instruction or by automatic detection by the implantable system of exposure to a magnetic disturbance. A controller then determines the appropriate exposure mode by considering various pieces of information including the device type including whether the device has defibrillation capability, pre-exposure mode of therapy including which chambers have been paced, and pre-exposure cardiac activity that is either intrinsic or paced rates. Additional considerations may include determining whether a sensed rate during the exposure mode is physiologic or artificially produced by the magnetic disturbance. When the sensed rate is physiologic, then the controller uses the sensed rate to trigger pacing and otherwise uses asynchronous pacing at a fixed rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun J. Yoon, Wade M. Demmer, Matthew J. Hoffman, Robert A. Betzold, Jonathan D. Edmonson, Michael L. Ellingson, Mark K. Erickson, Ben W. Herberg, Juliana E. Pronovici, James D. Reinke, Todd J. Sheldon, Paul R. Solheim
  • Patent number: 10981811
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system and method for remediating wastewater and human waste that is self-contained and that has no connection to a municipal wastewater system and no connection to an electrical grid. The domestic toilet and wastewater treatment system can be powered by a photovoltaic panel as a source of electricity. The system includes an electrochemical cell that allows a waste stream to be disinfected in a few hours to a condition where no viable bacterial colonies can be cultured. The system produces a liquid stream that is suitable for system flushing or for uses in which non-potable water is acceptable. The system can generate hydrogen as a product that can be used to generate power. The system can generate nitrate, urea, ammonia and phosphate for use as fertilizer. The disinfected residual organic solids are also completely disinfected for potential use as an organic soil amendment for agriculture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Michael R. Hoffman, Asghar Aryanfar, Kangwoo Cho, Clement A. Cid, Daejung Kwon, Yan Qu
  • Patent number: 6051194
    Abstract: A photochemical reactor system employing an optical fibers in the form of a cable to transmit light to solid-supported TiO.sub.2 -containing photocatalyst is disclosed. Light energy is transmitted to TiO.sub.2 -containing particles, chemically anchored onto one or more quartz fiber cores, via radial refraction of light out of each fiber. TiO.sub.2 -containing coating layer minimizes the interfacial surface area of the quartz core and TiO.sub.2 -containing particles and operation with incident irradiation angles near 90.degree. enhance light propagation along the fibers. A maximum quantum efficiency of .phi.=1.1% for the oxidation of 4-chlorophenol was achieved. Fiber efficiency permits the light source to be separated from the photocatalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nicola J. Peill, Michael R. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5875384
    Abstract: A photochemical reactor system employing an optical fibers in the form of a cable to transmit light to solid-supported TiO.sub.2 -containing photocatalyst is disclosed. Light energy is transmitted to TiO.sub.2 -containing particles, chemically anchored onto one or more quartz fiber cores, via radial refraction of light out of each fiber. TiO.sub.2 -containing coating layer minimizes the interfacial surface area of the quartz core and TiO.sub.2 -containing particles and operation with incident irradiation angles near 90.degree. enhance light propagation along the fibers. A maximum quantum efficiency of .phi.=1.1% for the oxidation of 4-chlorophenol was achieved. Fiber efficiency permits the light source to be separated from the photocatalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nicola J. Peill, Michael R. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5439577
    Abstract: This invention provides an electrochemical water treatment device for producing hydroxyl free radicals and decomposing by oxidation chemical substances dissolved in water. It utilizes a novel electrode which is capable of operation at sufficiently positive anodic potential to produce hydroxyl radicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Inventors: Oleh Weres, Michael R. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4974682
    Abstract: A hammer driven soil coring device for use on golf course greens having a cylindrical cutting tube that has a lower cutting edge and longitudinally extending guide slots which serve as a guide for an ejector plate. Affixed to the cylindrical cutting tube is a cutter cap to which is affixed a support tube. The support tube has one vertically oriented slot. The slot serves as a guide for a stop which serves as a device to control the depth that a tamping plate achieves when the cylindrical cutting tube is driven into the surface of the green. A hand knob extends through the slot into a cylindrical rod for extending the tamping plate beyond the cylindrical cutting tube and to lock the tamping plate into a fixed position. A bubble level is located within the support tube. An impact head is located at the end of the tube with an aperture that allows the operator to view a bubble level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Inventor: Michael R. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4884638
    Abstract: A soil coring device with a core ejector mechanism that has a cylindrical cutting tube with two (2) 180 degree opposed tee slots that serve as a guide for an ejection plate, affixed to a cylindrical cutting tube is a tube with a vertically oriented slot attached perpendicularly thereto is a handle to which is affixed a bubble level. Located on the tube is a threaded locking knob that extends through the slot and communicates with a short presetting locking cylinder. Also located on the tube is a threaded locking hand knob that extends through the slot and communicates with a cylindrical rod to which a tamping plate is permenently attached. In operation, the soil coring device handle is rotated causing the cylindrical cutting tube to enter the soil to the predetermined depth, that has been preset by tightening the threaded locking knob into the short presetting locking cylinder, until ejection plate makes contact with the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Inventor: Michael R. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4305989
    Abstract: A fiberboard is manufactured having relatively high density skins on a relatively low density core by including a skin forming chemical in at least the surface fibers of a consolidated mat, having a density of less than 35 pounds per cubic foot, and then hot-pressing the consolidated mat at a temperature of at least 525.degree. F. to form a board having high density surface skins. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a skin forming chemical is used to form a skin on higher density mats having a density of 35 pounds/ft..sup.3 or greater. The skin formed on the higher density mats has strength and density properties which are not as significantly different from the core material as is the skin formed over the low density core material of the first embodiment, but the skin on the higher density mats also improves the board strength, stiffness paint holdout and design fidelity properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1981
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Allan J. Luck, John T. Clarke, Michael R. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4283450
    Abstract: A fiberboard is manufactured having relatively high density skins on a relatively low density core by including urea in at least the surface fibers of a consolidated mat, having a density of less than 35 pounds per cubic foot, and then hot-pressing the consolidated mat at a temperature of at least 525.degree. F. to form a board having high density surface skins. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, urea is used to form a skin on higher density mats having a density of 35 pounds/ft..sup.3 or greater. The skin formed on the higher density mats has strength and density properties which are not as significantly different from the core material as is the skin formed over the low density core material of the first embodiment, but the skin on the higher density mats also improves the board strength, stiffness, paint holdout and design fidelity properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Allan J. Luck, John T. Clarke, Michael R. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4275027
    Abstract: A cellulosic fiber containing board is molded at a temperature of at least 525.degree. F. to provide a relatively high density skin on at least one surface. A fibrous composition, including cellulosic fibers, is consolidated to form a consolidated blank. The consolidated blank is then cut to a shape larger in at least two of its three dimensions than corresponding dimensions of a mold cavity when said mold is in a closed position. Urea is then included in at least a surface layer of fibers of the blank in an amount of at least 5% based on the dry weight of the fibers contacted with urea, and thereafter the cut blank is molded to form a contoured product having a skin on at least one surface thereof. The skin is formed by hot-pressing a consolidated cellulosic fiber-containing board including urea in at least its surface fibers, at a temperature of at least 525.degree. F. The composition of the skin has not been determined but is different than the composition of cellulosic material thereunder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1981
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Allan J. Luck, John T. Clarke, Michael R. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4268565
    Abstract: A cellulosic fiber containing board is molded at a temperature of at least 525.degree. F. to provide a relatively high density skin on at least one surface.A fibrous composition, including cellulosic fibers, is consolidated to form a blank having a density of less than 35 pounds/cubic foot. The blank is then cut to a shape larger in at least two of its three dimensions than corresponding dimensions of a mold cavity when said mold is in a closed position.Urea is then included in at least a surface layer of fibers of the blank in an amount of at least 5% based on the dry weight of the fibers contacted with urea, and thereafter the cut blank is molded to form a contoured product having a skin on at least one surface thereof, the skin defined by a thickness of material on said surface of said product having a density greater than the material on which the skin is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Allan J. Luck, John T. Clarke, Michael R. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4175150
    Abstract: A fiberboard is manufactured having relatively high density skins on a relatively low density core by including urea in at least the surface fibers of a consolidated mat, having a density of less than 35 pounds per cubic foot, and then hot-pressing the consolidated mat at a temperature of at least 525.degree. F. to form a board having high density surface skins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1979
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Allan J. Luck, John T. Clarke, Michael R. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4175149
    Abstract: A mineral wool board is manufactured having relatively high density skins by including urea in at least the surface fibers of a consolidated mineral wool fiberboard containing cellulosic fibers and/or starch and then hot-pressing the consolidated board at a temperature of at least 525.degree. F. to form a board having high density surface skins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1979
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Allan J. Luck, John T. Clarke, Michael R. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4175148
    Abstract: A fiberboard is manufactured having relatively high density skins on a relatively low density core by including a skin forming chemical in at least the surface fibers of a consolidated mat, having a density of less than 35 pounds per cubic foot, and then hot-pressing the consolidated mat at a temperature of at least 525.degree. F. to form a board having high density surface skins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1979
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Allan J. Luck, John T. Clarke, Michael R. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4175105
    Abstract: A method of molding a cellulosic fiber containing board at a temperature of at least 525.degree. F. to provide a relatively high density skin on at least one surface. A fibrous composition, including cellulosic fibers, is consolidated to form a blank having a density of less than 35 pounds/cubic foot. The blank is then cut to a shape larger in at least two of its three dimensions than corresponding dimensions of a mold cavity when said mold is in a closed position. Urea is then included in at least a surface layer of fibers of the blank in an amount of at least 5% based on the dry weight of the fibers contacted with urea, and thereafter the cut blank is molded to form a contoured product having a skin on at least one surface thereof, the skin defined by a thickness of material on said surface of said product having a density greater than the material on which the skin is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1979
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Allan J. Luck, John T. Clarke, Michael R. Hoffman