Patents by Inventor Stephen B. Hunt

Stephen B. Hunt 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: 11937647
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery device is provided that includes a reservoir configured to retain aerosol precursor composition, a valve configured to control a flow of aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir to a heating element controllable to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition, a sensor configured to measure reflectance or temperature at the heating element and generate a signal corresponding to the reflectance or temperature so measured, and a control component. The control component controls operation of the valve including receiving the signal and based thereon determining a volume of aerosol precursor composition at the heating element, and causing the valve to decrease or increase a rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition in response to the volume being respectively above or below a predetermined threshold volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh Sur, Stephen B. Sears, Eric T. Hunt
  • Patent number: 11937344
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aerosol delivery device and a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device. In various implementations, the cartridge may comprise a housing defining a liquid reservoir, an atomizer configured to produce an aerosol, the atomizer comprising a first liquid transport element, a second liquid transport element, and a microvalve located between the liquid reservoir and the second liquid transport element. The microvalve may comprise a base member including at least one channel, and an actuating member at least a portion of which comprises a shape-memory material, and which is configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the actuating member substantially blocks fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel, and in the second position, the actuating member allows fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel and to the second liquid transport element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Vahid Hejazi, Stephen B. Sears, Eric T. Hunt, Karen V. Taluskie
  • Patent number: 6453725
    Abstract: A multiport, diaphragm sealed valve suitable for use as both a sampling and column switching valve. The valve is constructed to internally block fluid communication between one or more pairs of ports in a valve operating mode. Such blocking may be used to conserve carrier gas when the valve is in the ON position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation
    Inventors: Robert W. Dahlgren, Robert K. Bade, Stephen B. Hunt