Patents by Inventor Neil Andrew Webster

Neil Andrew Webster 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).

  • Beta radiation monitor and method
    Patent number: 8680476
    Abstract: A beta radiation monitor (70,90), comprising a gas flow proportional detector (60) for detecting beta radiation emitted by a beta emitter external to the detector; a fill gas supply (51) configured to supply a fill gas to the detector, wherein the fill gas comprises nitrogen; a temperature sensor (72) for measuring temperature; and a controller (64) in communication with the temperature sensor for adjusting an operational parameter of the monitor in accordance with the measured temperature. The operational parameter may comprise a voltage applied across the fill gas, which may be thermistor controlled, or a beta radiation detection threshold of the detector. The fill gas is supplied by a nitrogen generator. The gas flow proportional detector may be a large-area detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Thermo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Neil Andrew Webster, John Stanley Usher, Christopher Edward Hill, Michael Hodgson
  • BETA RADIATION MONITOR AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20110315889
    Abstract: A beta radiation monitor (70,90), comprising a gas flow proportional detector (60) for detecting beta radiation emitted by a beta emitter external to the detector; a fill gas supply (51) configured to supply a fill gas to the detector, wherein the fill gas comprises nitrogen; a temperature sensor (72) for measuring temperature; and a controller (64) in communication with the temperature sensor for adjusting an operational parameter of the monitor in accordance with the measured temperature. The operational parameter may comprise a voltage applied across the fill gas, which may be thermistor controlled, or a beta radiation detection threshold of the detector. The fill gas is supplied by a nitrogen generator. The gas flow proportional detector may be a large-area detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Neil Andrew Webster, John Stanley Usher, Christopher Edward Hill, Michael Hodgson
  • Nitrilase from Rhodoccus rhodochrous for converting acrylonitrile directly to acrylic acid
    Patent number: 5998180
    Abstract: Nitrilase enzymes are provided which have Km at pH 7.0 for acrylonitrile of 500 .mu.M or below. The enzymes also have Ki at pH 7.0 for ammonium acrylate of at least 100 mM. In particular, the nitrilases have a value of the ratio of the said Ki to the said Km of at least 200. Particularly preferred nitrilases are obtainable from the microorganisms Rhodococcus rhodochrous NCIMB 40757 or NCIMB 40833. These nitrilases can be used in processes of converting acrylonitrile to ammonium acrylate in aqueous or vapor form and for detecting low levels of nitrile in aqueous or vapor form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Water Treatments Limited
    Inventors: Yvonne Christine Armitage, Jonathan Hughes, Neil Andrew Webster