Patents by Inventor Robert Peter Kraus, Jr.

Robert Peter Kraus, 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: 6502471
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating the end cap round transducer horn assemblies used in debubbling operations wherein the ECR THA can be evaluated off-line at both high and low power and on-line by making electrical measurements on the ECR THA. The electrical measurements are used to characterize the physical condition of the piezoelectric ceramics of the THA. A test box is employed to practice the method. The test box is connected between the THA and a signal analyzer. Power is supplied to the THA and the electrical signals across the THA are sampled. The sampled electrical signals are transmitted to the signal analyzer while maintaining the amplitude and phase relationship thereof. The sampled electrical signals are used to generate an impedance trace for the particular THA. That impedance trace is compared to a model impedance trace. In such manner, it can be determined whether the ECR THA is operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert Peter Kraus, Jr., Fugui He, Roland J. Koestner, Steven D. Possanza, Paul P. Zontek
  • Patent number: 6189366
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating the end cap round transducer horn assemblies used in debubbling operations wherein the ECR THA can be evaluated off-line at both high and low power and on-line by making electrical measurements on the ECR THA. The electrical measurements are used to characterize the physical condition of the piezoelectric ceramics of the THA. A test box is employed to practice the method. The test box is connected between the THA and a signal analyzer. Power is supplied to the THA and the electrical signals across the THA are sampled. The sampled electrical signals are transmitted to the signal analyzer while maintaining the amplitude and phase relationship thereof. The sampled electrical signals are used to generate an impedance trace for the particular THA. That impedance trace is compared to a model impedance trace. In such manner, it can be determined whether the ECR THA is operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert Peter Kraus, Jr., Fugui He, Roland J. Koestner, Steven D. Possanza, Paul P. Zontek
  • Patent number: 6161418
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating the end cap round transducer horn assemblies used in debubbling operations wherein the ECR THA can be evaluated off-line at both high and low power and on-line by making electrical measurements on the ECR THA. The electrical measurements are used to characterize the physical condition of the piezoelectric ceramics of the THA. A test box is employed to practice the method. The test box is connected between the THA and a signal analyzer. Power is supplied to the THA and the electrical signals across the THA are sampled. The sampled electrical signals are transmitted to the signal analyzer while maintaining the amplitude and phase relationship thereof. The sampled electrical signals are used to generate an impedance trace for the particular THA. That impedance trace is compared to a model impedance trace. In such manner, it can be determined whether the ECR THA is operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert Peter Kraus, Jr., Fugui He, Roland J. Koestner, Steven D. Possanza, Paul P. Zontek
  • Patent number: 6112572
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating the end cap round transducer horn assemblies used in debubbling operations wherein the ECR THA can be evaluated off-line at both high and low power and on-line by making electrical measurements on the ECR THA. The electrical measurements are used to characterize the physical condition of the piezoelectric ceramics of the THA. A test box is employed to practice the method. The test box is connected between the THA and a signal analyzer. Power is supplied to the THA and the electrical signals across the THA are sampled. The sampled electrical signals are transmitted to the signal analyzer while maintaining the amplitude and phase relationship thereof. The sampled electrical signals are used to generate an impedance trace for the particular THA. That impedance trace is compared to a model impedance trace. In such manner, it can be determined whether the ECR THA is operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert Peter Kraus, Jr., Fugui He, Roland J. Koestner, Steven D. Possanza, Paul P. Zontek
  • Patent number: 6109092
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating the end cap round transducer horn assemblies used in debubbling operations wherein the ECR THA can be evaluated off-line at both high and low power and on-line by making electrical measurements on the ECR THA. The electrical measurements are used to characterize the physical condition of the piezoelectric ceramics of the THA. A test box is employed to practice the method. The test box is connected between the THA and a signal analyzer. Power is supplied to the THA and the electrical signals across the THA are sampled. The sampled electrical signals are transmitted to the signal analyzer while maintaining the amplitude and phase relationship thereof. The sampled electrical signals are used to generate an impedance trace for the particular THA. That impedance trace is compared to a model impedance trace. In such manner, it can be determined whether the ECR THA is operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert Peter Kraus, Jr., Fugui He, Roland J. Koestner, Steven D. Possanza, Paul P. Zontek
  • Patent number: 6053028
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating the end cap round transducer horn assemblies used in debubbling operations wherein the ECR THA can be evaluated off-line at both high and low power and on-line by making electrical measurements on the ECR THA. The electrical measurements are used to characterize the physical condition of the piezoelectric ceramics of the THA. A test box is employed to practice the method. The test box is connected between the THA and a signal analyzer. Power is supplied to the THA and the electrical signals across the THA are sampled. The sampled electrical signals are transmitted to the signal analyzer while maintaining the amplitude and phase relationship thereof. The sampled electrical signals are used to generate an impedance trace for the particular THA. That impedance trace is compared to a model impedance trace. In such manner, it can be determined whether the ECR THA is operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert Peter Kraus, Jr., Fugui He, Roland J. Koestner, Steven D. Possanza, Paul P. Zontek
  • Patent number: 5834625
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing bubbles from a discrete sample of a temperature-sensitive liquid, particularly a photographic emulsion. A container having a bottom and side walls defines a sample area containing the liquid to be sampled and is made of a substantially acoustically transparent material. The container is removably mounted to a receptacle such that the bottom and at least a portion of the side walls are immersed in a fluid bath. The fluid bath is heated to maintain the liquid at a predetermined temperature greater than ambient temperature. An ultrasonic device spaced from the container directs ultrasonic waves through the fluid toward the bottom of the container to degas the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert Peter Kraus, Jr., Stephen Karl Clyde