Patents by Inventor Norman C. Ford, Jr.

Norman C. Ford, Jr. 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: 5701176
    Abstract: A high temperature light scattering measurement device for characterizing certain physical properties of molecules is described. In one embodiment the device includes a sample scattering chamber having at least one detector positioned about the chamber so as to collect light scattered by the molecules to be characterized located within the sample chamber. The sample scattering chamber, detectors and associated optics are located within an oven to maintain the scattering chamber at an elevated temperature. Light to be scattered by molecules in the sample scattering chamber is provided by a laser located outside the oven. Light from the laser is directed along an optical path through the oven wall where it is then focussed by optical elements on the sample chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Precision Detectors, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Dion, Norman C. Ford, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5305073
    Abstract: A molecular characterization detector includes a scattering cell containing a sample for molecular characterization, a light source for directing a light beam through the cell so that the light beam is scattered by the sample, optical elements for selecting from the scattered light a measurement beam comprising light that is scattered by the sample from a predetermined portion of the cell in a predetermined range of angles relative to the optical axis, and a detector for detecting the measurement beam and providing an output electrical signal representative of the measurement beam. The detector typically selects light scattered from a central portion of the scattering cell at angles in the range of 14.degree. to 16.degree.. A single spherical lens is preferably utilized. As a result, interference from stray scattered light is minimized. A beam dump attenuates the light beam after it passes through the scattering cell. Additional detectors detect light scattered at 90.degree. to the light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Precision Detectors, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman C. Ford, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4648715
    Abstract: Multichannel electrophoresis apparatus employing electrophoretic light scattering as a means for characterizing the particles under study. The apparatus is characterized by the ability to measure light scattered simultaneously using a plurality of local oscillators incident at different angles from the same population of particles being subjected to electrophoresis. The apparatus is used with data processing means to analyze the large amount of scattering data which provide information on electrophoretic mobility, particle size, particle charge, electrophoretic mobility, zeta potential. An important aspect of the new apparatus is a markedly improved capability to segregate data related to diffusion effects from data relating to heterogeneous effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Langley-Ford Instruments a division of Coulter Electronics of N.E.
    Inventors: Norman C. Ford, Jr., Bennie R. Ware
  • Patent number: 4571081
    Abstract: A light scattering interfacial tension spectrometer has a laser source of light directed, as an incident beam I.sub.i, through a focusing lens and a diffraction grating. The grating divides the incident beam I.sub.i into a main beam I.sub.m, undiffracted light, and a higher order, diffracted light, reference beam I.sub.r. The beam I.sub.r is passed through an attenuator and a diffraction focusing lens to a region under test, such as a liquid surface. The main beam I.sub.m, from the grating is transmitted through the common diffraction focusing lens to the test region where it is reflected. The reference beam I.sub.r is reflected from the test surface together with scattered light I.sub.s, and directed through an aperture to a photomultipler tube. The output of the photomultiplier is coupled to a pulse amplifier-discriminator and a photon correlator. For a liquid surface under test the output of the spectrometer provides a measure of the surface tension and the viscosity of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Coulter Electronics of New England, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman C. Ford, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4350163
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring contaminants in aqueous humor without rupturing an examined eye. The apparatus includes a laser which projects a light beam through a gonioscopic lens into the aqueous humor of the examined eye. The light is scattered in the humor with a portion of the scattered light being reflected by the gonioscopic lens to an analyzing system. The system measures the diffusion constant of any contaminant in the aqueous humor and, by comparing the diffusion constant to a set of known diffusion constants, determines the composition of the macromolecules or the cells of the contaminant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Inventors: Norman C. Ford, Jr., David K. Dueker