Patents by Inventor Robert G. Cooks

Robert G. Cooks 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: 10040709
    Abstract: A method for removing sulfate from a wastewater stream includes mixing gibbsite and a calcium source to precipitate Ettringite from the wastewater stream and produce an effluent with a reduced sulfate concentration. The gibbsite in the precipitated Ettringite is regenerated by mixing an acid with the Ettringite and precipitating gibbsite particles, after which the gibbsite particles are subjected to a crystallization process to increase the size of the gibbsite particles which are recycled back to the main stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Kashi Banerjee, Charles D. Blumenschein, John Charles Schrader, Robert G. Cook
  • Publication number: 20160167987
    Abstract: A method for removing sulfate from a wastewater stream includes mixing gibbsite and a calcium source to precipitate Ettringite from the wastewater stream and produce an effluent with a reduced sulfate concentration. The gibbsite in the precipitated Ettringite is regenerated by mixing an acid with the Ettringite and precipitating gibbsite particles, after which the gibbsite particles are subjected to a crystallization process to increase the size of the gibbsite particles which are recycled back to the main stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Kashi Banerjee, Charles D. Blumenschein, John Charles Schrader, Robert G. Cook
  • Patent number: 9278875
    Abstract: A method for removing sulfate from a wastewater stream includes mixing gibbsite and a calcium source to precipitate Ettringite from the wastewater stream and produce an effluent with a reduced sulfate concentration. The gibbsite in the precipitated Ettringite is regenerated by mixing an acid with the Ettringite and precipitating gibbsite particles, after which the gibbsite particles are subjected to a crystallization process to increase the size of the gibbsite particles which are recycled back to the main stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Kashi Banerjee, Charles D. Blumenschein, John Charles Schrader, Robert G. Cook
  • Patent number: 9085477
    Abstract: A method of reducing a sulfate concentration in wastewater comprises directing the wastewater stream to a precipitation reactor and mixing the wastewater stream with a calcium source and a calcium salt seed material to precipitate calcium sulfate. The precipitated calcium sulfate is then separated from a treated effluent and directed to a settling tank where the precipitated calcium sulfate is separated into heavier calcium sulfate precipitants and lighter calcium sulfate precipitants. The heavier calcium sulfate precipitants and the lighter calcium sulfate precipitants are separately recirculated to the precipitation reactor. A predetermined mass ratio of solids is maintained in the precipitation reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Kashi Banerjee, Charles D. Blumenschein, Robert G. Cook, John C. Schrader
  • Patent number: 8859986
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for mass spectrometry analysis of microorganisms in samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert G. Cooks, Ahmed M. Hamid, Alan K. Jarmusch, Zheng Ouyang
  • Publication number: 20140183351
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to ion generation using modified wetted porous materials. In certain aspects, the invention generally relates to systems and methods for ion generation using a wetted porous substrate that substantially prevents diffusion of sample into the substrate. In other aspects, the invention generally relate to ion generation using a wetted porous material and a drying agent. In other aspects, the invention generally relates to ion generation using a modified wetted porous substrate in which at least a portion of the porous substrate includes a material that modifies an interaction between a sample and the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Robert G. Cooks, Zheng Ouyang, Ryan Espy
  • Publication number: 20140144843
    Abstract: A method for removing sulfate from a wastewater stream includes mixing gibbsite and a calcium source to precipitate Ettringite from the wastewater stream and produce an effluent with a reduced sulfate concentration. The gibbsite in the precipitated Ettringite is regenerated by mixing an acid with the Ettringite and precipitating gibbsite particles, after which the gibbsite particles are subjected to a crystallization process to increase the size of the gibbsite particles which are recycled back to the main stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Kashi Banerjee, Charles D. Blumenschein, John Charles Schrader, Robert G. Cook
  • Publication number: 20120160770
    Abstract: A method of reducing a sulfate concentration in wastewater comprises directing the wastewater stream to a precipitation reactor and mixing the wastewater stream with a calcium source and a calcium salt seed material to precipitate calcium sulfate. The precipitated calcium sulfate is then separated from a treated effluent and directed to a settling tank where the precipitated calcium sulfate is separated into heavier calcium sulfate precipitants and lighter calcium sulfate precipitants. The heavier calcium sulfate precipitants and the lighter calcium sulfate precipitants are separately recirculated to the precipitation reactor. A predetermined mass ratio of solids is maintained in the precipitation reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: VEOLIA WATER SOLUTIONS & TECHNOLOGIES SUPPORT
    Inventors: Kashi Banerjee, Charles D. Blumenschein, Robert G. Cook, John C. Schrader
  • Patent number: 8082872
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method provides blind and vision impaired (B/VI) persons with improved Detectible Guidance Markers (DGMs) for navigation in a wide variety of environments, providing information regarding the presence, type, direction, and proximity of various navigational obstacles. A representative but non-exclusive example of an invented unitary DGM includes a plurality of tactually-detectable informational members, including a base member and one or more integral directional members configured to be disposed at a surface of a navigational substrate. A discrete number of directional members conveys an obstacle identity, while different lengths of directional members, and characteristics of other informational members, convey a direction and/or a proximity to an obstacle. Additionally, numerous structural alterations to a surrounding substrate surface cooperatively supplement the detectability and information-conveying benefits of a DGM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Navi-Tech, LLC
    Inventors: Robert G. Cook, Patrick D. Boyd
  • Patent number: 8076639
    Abstract: A desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (DAPCI) system delivers a primary ion beam composed of an inert, high velocity gas and solvent ions to a surface to effect desorption and ionization of both volatile and non-volatile species present on surfaces. A electrode having a tapered tip is connected to a high voltage power supply. The tapered tip projects outward from a capillary carrying a high-speed flow of gas. A vapor of a solvent is mixed into the annular gas flow surrounding the needle. The gaseous solvent vapor is ionized in close proximity to the tapered tip by virtue of the high voltage applied to the electrode. The high-speed flow of gas and solvent vapor ions extending outward from the capillary is directed toward a substrate on which an analyte of interest may have been deposited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert G. Cooks, Bogdan Gologan, Zoltan Takáts, Justin M. Wiseman, Ismael Cotte-Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 7910377
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatuses that utilize mass spectrometry for preparation of a surface to have catalytic activity through molecular soft-landing of mass selected ions. Mass spectrometry is used to generate combinations of atoms in a particular geometrical arrangement, and ion soft-landing selects this molecular entity or combination of entities and gently deposits the entity or combination intact onto a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert G. Cooks, Wen-Ping Peng, Zheng Ouyang, Michael P. Goodwin
  • Publication number: 20090309020
    Abstract: A desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (DAPCI) system delivers a primary ion beam composed of an inert, high velocity gas and solvent ions to a surface to effect desorption and ionization of both volatile and non-volatile species present on surfaces. A electrode having a tapered tip is connected to a high voltage power supply. The tapered tip projects outward from a capillary carrying a high-speed flow of gas. A vapor of a solvent is mixed into the annular gas flow surrounding the needle. The gaseous solvent vapor is ionized in close proximity to the tapered tip by virtue of the high voltage applied to the electrode. The high-speed flow of gas and solvent vapor ions extending outward from the capillary is directed toward a substrate on which an analyte of interest may have been deposited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Robert G. Cooks, Bogdan Gologan, Zoltan Takats, Justin M. Wiseman, Ismael Cotte-Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20090283026
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method provides blind and vision impaired (B/VI) persons with improved Detectible Guidance Markers (DGMs) for navigation in a wide variety of environments, providing information regarding the presence, type, direction, and proximity of various navigational obstacles. A representative but non-exclusive example of an invented unitary DGM includes a plurality of tactually-detectable informational members, including a base member and one or more integral directional members configured to be disposed at a surface of a navigational substrate. A discrete number of directional members conveys an obstacle identity, while different lengths of directional members, and characteristics of other informational members, convey a direction and/or a proximity to an obstacle. Additionally, numerous structural alterations to a surrounding substrate surface cooperatively supplement the detectability and information-conveying benefits of a DGM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Robert G. Cook, Patrick D. Boyd
  • Patent number: 7544933
    Abstract: A desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (DAPCI) system delivers a primary ion beam composed of an inert, high velocity gas and solvent ions to a surface to effect desorption and ionization of both volatile and non-volatile species present on surfaces. A electrode having a tapered tip is connected to a high voltage power supply. The tapered tip projects outward from a capillary carrying a high-speed flow of gas. A vapor of a solvent is mixed into the annular gas flow surrounding the needle. The gaseous solvent vapor is ionized in close proximity to the tapered tip by virtue of the high voltage applied to the electrode. The high-speed flow of gas and solvent vapor ions extending outward from the capillary is directed toward a substrate on which an analyte of interest may have been deposited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert G. Cooks, Bogdan Gologan, Zoltán Takáts, Justin M. Wiseman, Ismael Cotte-Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20090011953
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatuses that utilize mass spectrometry for preparation of a surface to have catalytic activity through molecular soft-landing of mass selected ions. Mass spectrometry is used to generate combinations of atoms in a particular geometrical arrangement, and ion soft-landing selects this molecular entity or combination of entities and gently deposits the entity or combination intact onto a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Robert G. Cooks, Wen-Ping Peng, Zheng Ouyang, Michael P. Goodwin
  • Patent number: 7381373
    Abstract: A preparative mass spectrometer system includes an ionizer which converts the mixture into gas phase ions of the molecules in the mixture, and a separator which separates the ions according to their mass to charge ratio or mobility. The separator is a linear ion trap mass analyzer that accumulates the ions based on their mass to charge ratio. A surface is in cooperative relationship with the separator so that the separated molecules are soft landed onto the surface at different locations such that the collected molecules can be stored or further processed/analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Thomas Blake, Zheng Ouyang, Robert G. Cooks
  • Patent number: 7361311
    Abstract: A method of separating species in a mixture of molecules, particles or atoms and collecting the separated species is described. The method comprises the steps of converting by ionization the species in the mixture to gas phase ions, separating the gas phase ions according to their mass charge ratio and/or mobility and collecting the separated ions. The system includes ionizing means such as electrospray to form the gas phase ions. The gas phase ions are separated by filtering, or in time or in space and soft-landed for collection such as on a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert G. Cooks, Zheng Ouyang
  • Patent number: 7157699
    Abstract: A multiplexed mass spectrometer system includes an array of mass analyzers and a data acquisition system. Each mass analyzer is associated with one or more data channels, and the data acquisition system selectively reduces the number of data channels through combinations of particular channels to define data acquisition modes for the molecular characterization of the samples. The selective reduction in channels can be achieved, for example by software manipulation of the acquired data or by combining the detected signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Zheng Ouyang, Robert G. Cooks
  • Patent number: 7015466
    Abstract: There is described a device and method for generating gaseous ions of a sample material such as molecules in solution at atmospheric pressure. The device includes a conduit for receiving a solution containing the material to be ionized and form a stream. A jet of gas at supersonic velocity is directed at the stream and interacts therewith. Droplets are formed and by the adiabatic expansion of the gas and vigorous evaporation of the solution gaseous ions are generated. In the method a stream of the sample solution is delivered from a conduit with an electric potential. A gas jet at supersonic velocity interacts with the delivered solution and through the action of adiabatic expansion of the gas and evaporation of the solution gaseous ions are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Zoltán Takáts, Robert G. Cooks
  • Patent number: 6838666
    Abstract: A new geometry ion trap and its use as a mass spectrometer is described. The ion traps can be combined linearly and in parallel to form systems for mass storage, analysis, fragmentation, separation, etc. of ions. The ion trap has a simple rectilinear geometry with a high trapping capacity. It can be operated to provide mass analysis in the mass-selective instability mode as well as the mass-selective stability mode. Arrays of multiple ion traps allow combinations of multiple gas-phase processes to be applied to the trapped ions to achieve high sensitivity, high selectivity and/or higher throughput in the analysis of ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Zheng Ouyang, Robert G. Cooks