Patents by Inventor Robert H. Austin

Robert H. Austin 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: 10422562
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first compressor, a first load, a second compressor, a second load, and a heat exchanger. The first compressor compresses a first refrigerant. The first load uses the first refrigerant to remove heat from a space proximate the first load. The first load sends the first refrigerant to the first compressor. The second compressor compresses a second refrigerant. The second load uses the second refrigerant to remove heat from a space proximate the second load. The second load sends the second refrigerant to the second compressor. The heat exchanger receives the first refrigerant from the first compressor and receives the second refrigerant from the second compressor. The heat exchanger transfers heat from the first refrigerant to the second refrigerant. The heat exchanger discharges the first refrigerant to the first load and discharges the second refrigerant to the second compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC
    Inventors: Augusto J. Pereira Zimmermann, Robert H. Austin, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190285582
    Abstract: Nanochannel arrays that enable high-throughput macromolecular analysis are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of preparing nanochannel arrays and nanofluidic chips. Methods of analyzing macromolecules, such as entire strands of genomic DNA, are also disclosed, as well as systems for carrying out these methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Robert H. Austin, Zhaoning Yu, Jonas O. Tegenfeldt, Stephen Y. Chou, Han Cao
  • Patent number: 10408513
    Abstract: The present application provides a refrigeration system. The refrigeration system may include a suction header, a compressor, a suction header oil return line in communication with the suction header and the compressor, and an oil line control system. The oil line control system may include a sensor and a valve to open and shut the suction header oil return line in response to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Austin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10352605
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first compressor, a first load, a second compressor, a second load, a first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger. The first compressor compresses a first refrigerant. The first load uses the first refrigerant to remove heat from a space proximate the first load. The first load sends the first refrigerant to the first compressor. The second compressor compresses a second refrigerant. The second load uses the second refrigerant to remove heat from a space proximate the second load. The second load sends the second refrigerant to the second compressor. The first heat exchanger receives the first refrigerant from the first compressor. The first heat exchanger transfers heat from the first refrigerant to a fluid. The second heat exchanger receives the second refrigerant from the second compressor. The second heat exchanger transfers heat from the fluid to the second refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigerator Products, LLC
    Inventors: Augusto J. Pereira Zimmermann, Robert H. Austin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10324011
    Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for high throughput purification of particles. In some cases, methods and devices described herein can be used to remove erythrocytes and purify leukocytes and raise the quality of umbilical cord blood and other transplant grafts, thereby significantly improving patient outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignees: The Trustees of Princeton University, University of Maryland, Baltimore
    Inventors: Joseph D'Silva, Robert H. Austin, James C. Sturm, Curt I. Civin
  • Patent number: 10295238
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a compressor, a load, a heat exchanger, and a heater. The compressor compresses a refrigerant. The load uses the refrigerant to remove heat from a space proximate the load. The load sends the refrigerant to the compressor. The heat exchanger receives the refrigerant from the compressor. The heat exchanger transfers heat from a fluid to the refrigerant. The heat exchanger discharges the refrigerant to the compressor. The heater adds heat to the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC
    Inventors: Augusto J. Pereira Zimmermann, Robert H. Austin, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190137369
    Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for high throughput purification of particles. In some cases, methods and devices described herein can be used to remove erythrocytes and purify leukocytes and raise the quality of umbilical cord blood and other transplant grafts, thereby significantly improving patient outcomes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE, THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Joseph D'SILVA, Robert H. AUSTIN, Yu CHEN, Curt CIVIN, James C. STURM
  • Patent number: 10274461
    Abstract: Nanochannel arrays that enable high-throughput macromolecular analysis are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of preparing nanochannel arrays and nanofluidic chips. Methods of analyzing macromolecules, such as entire strands of genomic DNA, are also disclosed, as well as systems for carrying out these methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Robert H. Austin, Zhaoning Yu, Jonas O. Tagenfeldt, Stephen Y. Chou, Han Cao
  • Patent number: 10161001
    Abstract: Nanochannel arrays that enable high-throughput macromolecular analysis are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of preparing nanochannel arrays and nanofluidic chips. Methods of analyzing macromolecules, such as entire strands of genomic DNA, are also disclosed, as well as systems for carrying out these methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Robert H. Austin, Zhaoning Yu, Jonas O. Tegenfeldt, Stephen Y. Chou, Han Cao
  • Publication number: 20180231288
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a compressor, a load, a heat exchanger, and a heater. The compressor compresses a refrigerant. The load uses the refrigerant to remove heat from a space proximate the load. The load sends the refrigerant to the compressor. The heat exchanger receives the refrigerant from the compressor. The heat exchanger transfers heat from a fluid to the refrigerant. The heat exchanger discharges the refrigerant to the compressor. The heater adds heat to the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Augusto J. Pereira Zimmermann, Robert H. Austin, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180231289
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first compressor, a first load, a second compressor, a second load, and a heat exchanger. The first compressor compresses a first refrigerant. The first load uses the first refrigerant to remove heat from a space proximate the first load. The first load sends the first refrigerant to the first compressor. The second compressor compresses a second refrigerant. The second load uses the second refrigerant to remove heat from a space proximate the second load. The second load sends the second refrigerant to the second compressor. The heat exchanger receives the first refrigerant from the first compressor and receives the second refrigerant from the second compressor. The heat exchanger transfers heat from the first refrigerant to the second refrigerant. The heat exchanger discharges the first refrigerant to the first load and discharges the second refrigerant to the second compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Augusto J. Pereira Zimmermann, Robert H. Austin, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180231290
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first compressor, a first load, a second compressor, a second load, a first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger. The first compressor compresses a first refrigerant. The first load uses the first refrigerant to remove heat from a space proximate the first load. The first load sends the first refrigerant to the first compressor. The second compressor compresses a second refrigerant. The second load uses the second refrigerant to remove heat from a space proximate the second load. The second load sends the second refrigerant to the second compressor. The first heat exchanger receives the first refrigerant from the first compressor. The first heat exchanger transfers heat from the first refrigerant to a fluid. The second heat exchanger receives the second refrigerant from the second compressor. The second heat exchanger transfers heat from the fluid to the second refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Augusto J. Pereira Zimmermann, Robert H. Austin, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170343509
    Abstract: Nanochannel arrays that enable high-throughput macromolecular analysis are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of preparing nanochannel arrays and nanofluidic chips. Methods of analyzing macromolecules, such as entire strands of genomic DNA, are also disclosed, as well as systems for carrying out these methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Robert H. Austin, Zhaoning Yu, Jonas O. Tagenfeldt, Stephen Y. Chou, Han Cao
  • Publication number: 20170333900
    Abstract: Described herein are microfluidic devices and methods that can greatly improve cell quality, streamline workflows, and lower costs. Applications include research and clinical diagnostics in cancer, infectious disease, and inflammatory disease, among other disease areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Grisham, Curt I. Civin, James C. Sturm, Robert H. Austin
  • Publication number: 20170328835
    Abstract: A fluidic chip includes at least one nanochannel array, the nanochannel array including a surface having a nanofluidic area formed in the material of the surface; a microfluidic area on said surface; a gradient interface area having a gradual elevation of height linking the microfluidic area and the nanofluidic area; and a sample reservoir capable of receiving a fluid in fluid communication with the microfluidic area. In another embodiment, a fluidic chip includes at least one nanochannel array, the nanochannel array includes a surface having a nanofluidic area formed in the material of the surface; a microfluidic area on said surface; and a gradient interface area linking the microfluidic area and the nanofluidic area, where the gradient interface area comprises a plurality of gradient structures, and the lateral spacing distance between said gradient structures decreases towards said nanofluidic area; and a sample reservoir capable of receiving a fluid in fluid communication with the microfluidic area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Han Cao, Jonas O. Tegenfeldt, Stephen Chou, Robert H. Austin
  • Publication number: 20170248508
    Abstract: Described herein are microfluidic devices and methods that can separate and concentrate particles in a sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Anthony WARD, Khushroo GANDHI, Alison SKELLEY, Curt CIVIN, James C. STURM, Lee AURICH, Michael GRISHAM, Joseph D'SILVA, Roberto CAMPOS-GONZALEZ, Robert H. Austin
  • Patent number: 9733185
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for interfacing nanofluidic and microfluidic components suitable for use in performing high throughput macromolecular analysis. Diffraction gradient lithography (DGL) is used to form a gradient interface between a microfluidic area and a nanofluidic area. The gradient interface area reduces the local entropic barrier to nanochannels formed in the nanofluidic area. In one embodiment, the gradient interface area is formed of lateral spatial gradient structures for narrowing the cross section of a value from the micron to the nanometer length scale. In another embodiment, the gradient interface area is formed of a vertical sloped gradient structure. Additionally, the gradient structure can provide both a lateral and vertical gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Princeton University
    Inventors: Han Cao, Jonas O. Tegenfeldt, Stephen Chou, Robert H. Austin
  • Publication number: 20170209864
    Abstract: Described herein are improved microfluidic devices and methods for processing cells that can improve cell quality, streamline workflows, and lower costs. Applications include research and clinical diagnostics in cancer, infectious disease, and inflammatory disease, among other disease areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Michael GRISHAM, Curt I. CIVIN, James C. STURM, Robert H. AUSTIN, Joseph D'SILVA, Yu CHEN
  • Patent number: 9678038
    Abstract: Nanochannel arrays that enable high-throughput macromolecular analysis are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of preparing nanochannel arrays and nanofluidic chips. Methods of analyzing macromolecules, such as entire strands of genomic DNA, are also disclosed, as well as systems for carrying out these methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Robert H. Austin, Zhaoning Yu, Jonas O. Tegenfeldt, Stephen Y. Chou, Han Cao
  • Publication number: 20170067102
    Abstract: Nanochannel arrays that enable high-throughput macromolecular analysis are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of preparing nanochannel arrays and nanofluidic chips. Methods of analyzing macromolecules, such as entire strands of genomic DNA, are also disclosed, as well as systems for carrying out these methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Robert H. Austin, Zhaoning Yu, Jonas O. Tegenfeldt, Stephen Y. Chou, Han Cao