Patents by Inventor Steve R. Best

Steve R. Best 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).

  • Publication number: 20230149946
    Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, an electromagnetic filter may include a transfer pipe and multiple electromagnetic filter elements positioned in an interior volume of the pipe. Each electromagnetic filter element includes a support comb, a solenoid coupled to the support comb, and multiple magnetic members arranged in a planar array positioned within an opening of the support comb. Each magnetic member may rotate about an end that is coupled to the support comb. The magnetic members may be magnetostrictive sensors and may include a biorecognition element to bind with a target microorganism. A method for fluid filtration includes coupling the electromagnetic filter between a fluid source and a fluid destination, energizing the solenoids of each electromagnetic filter elements, and flowing a fluid media through the transfer pipe of the electromagnetic filter. The fluid media may be liquid food such as fruit juice. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Bryan A. Chin, Shin Horikawa, Steve R. Best, I-Hsuan Chen, Zhongyang Cheng, Songtao Du
  • Patent number: 11541399
    Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, an electromagnetic filter may include a transfer pipe and multiple electromagnetic filter elements positioned in an interior volume of the pipe. Each electromagnetic filter element includes a support comb, a solenoid coupled to the support comb, and multiple magnetic members arranged in a planar array positioned within an opening of the support comb. Each magnetic member may rotate about an end that is coupled to the support comb. The magnetic members may be magnetostrictive sensors and may include a biorecognition element to bind with a target microorganism. A method for fluid filtration includes coupling the electromagnetic filter between a fluid source and a fluid destination, energizing the solenoids of each electromagnetic filter elements, and flowing a fluid media through the transfer pipe of the electromagnetic filter. The fluid media may be liquid food such as fruit juice. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: Bryan A. Chin, Shin Horikawa, Steve R. Best, I-Hsuan Chen, Zhongyang Cheng, Songtao Du
  • Publication number: 20210138483
    Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, an electromagnetic filter may include a transfer pipe and multiple electromagnetic filter elements positioned in an interior volume of the pipe. Each electromagnetic filter element includes a support comb, a solenoid coupled to the support comb, and multiple magnetic members arranged in a planar array positioned within an opening of the support comb. Each magnetic member may rotate about an end that is coupled to the support comb. The magnetic members may be magnetostrictive sensors and may include a biorecognition element to bind with a target microorganism. A method for fluid filtration includes coupling the electromagnetic filter between a fluid source and a fluid destination, energizing the solenoids of each electromagnetic filter elements, and flowing a fluid media through the transfer pipe of the electromagnetic filter. The fluid media may be liquid food such as fruit juice. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Bryan A. Chin, Shin Horikawa, Steve R. Best, I-Hsuan Chen, Zhongyang Cheng, Songtao Du
  • Patent number: 10940486
    Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, an electromagnetic filter may include a transfer pipe and multiple electromagnetic filter elements positioned in an interior volume of the pipe. Each electromagnetic filter element includes a support comb, a solenoid coupled to the support comb, and multiple magnetic members arranged in a planar array positioned within an opening of the support comb. Each magnetic member may rotate about an end that is coupled to the support comb. The magnetic members may be magnetostrictive sensors and may include a biorecognition element to bind with a target microorganism. A method for fluid filtration includes coupling the electromagnetic filter between a fluid source and a fluid destination, energizing the solenoids of each electromagnetic filter elements, and flowing a fluid media through the transfer pipe of the electromagnetic filter. The fluid media may be liquid food such as fruit juice. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: Bryan A. Chin, Shin Horikawa, Steve R. Best, I-Hsuan Chen, Zhongyang Cheng, Songtao Du
  • Publication number: 20190374957
    Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, an electromagnetic filter may include a transfer pipe and multiple electromagnetic filter elements positioned in an interior volume of the pipe. Each electromagnetic filter element includes a support comb, a solenoid coupled to the support comb, and multiple magnetic members arranged in a planar array positioned within an opening of the support comb. Each magnetic member may rotate about an end that is coupled to the support comb. The magnetic members may be magnetostrictive sensors and may include a biorecognition element to bind with a target microorganism. A method for fluid filtration includes coupling the electromagnetic filter between a fluid source and a fluid destination, energizing the solenoids of each electromagnetic filter elements, and flowing a fluid media through the transfer pipe of the electromagnetic filter. The fluid media may be liquid food such as fruit juice. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Bryan A. Chin, Shin Horikawa, Steve R. Best, I-Hsuan Chen, Zhongyang Cheng, Songtao Du
  • Patent number: 10406533
    Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, an electromagnetic filter may include a transfer pipe and multiple electromagnetic filter elements positioned in an interior volume of the pipe. Each electromagnetic filter element includes a support comb, a solenoid coupled to the support comb, and multiple magnetic members arranged in a planar array positioned within an opening of the support comb. Each magnetic member may rotate about an end that is coupled to the support comb. The magnetic members may be magnetostrictive sensors and may include a biorecognition element to bind with a target microorganism. A method for fluid filtration includes coupling the electromagnetic filter between a fluid source and a fluid destination, energizing the solenoids of each electromagnetic filter elements, and flowing a fluid media through the transfer pipe of the electromagnetic filter. The fluid media may be liquid food such as fruit juice. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: Bryan A. Chin, Shin Horikawa, Steve R. Best, I-Hsuan Chen, Zhongyang Cheng, Songtao Du
  • Publication number: 20170080436
    Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, an electromagnetic filter may include a transfer pipe and multiple electromagnetic filter elements positioned in an interior volume of the pipe. Each electromagnetic filter element includes a support comb, a solenoid coupled to the support comb, and multiple magnetic members arranged in a planar array positioned within an opening of the support comb. Each magnetic member may rotate about an end that is coupled to the support comb. The magnetic members may be magnetostrictive sensors and may include a biorecognition element to bind with a target microorganism. A method for fluid filtration includes coupling the electromagnetic filter between a fluid source and a fluid destination, energizing the solenoids of each electromagnetic filter elements, and flowing a fluid media through the transfer pipe of the electromagnetic filter. The fluid media may be liquid food such as fruit juice. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Bryan A. Chin, Shin Horikawa, Steve R. Best, I-Hsuan Chen, Zhongyang Cheng, Songtao Du
  • Patent number: 8628146
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for plasma blasting comprises a solid object having a borehole, a blast probe comprising a high voltage electrode and a ground electrode separated by a dielectric separator, wherein the high voltage electrode and the dielectric separator constitute an adjustable probe tip, and an adjustment unit coupled to the adjustable probe tip, wherein the adjustment unit is configured to selectively extend or retract the adjustable probe tip relative to the ground electrode and a blasting media, wherein at least a portion of the high voltage electrode and the ground electrode are submerged in the blast media. The blasting media comprises a thixotropic or electro-rheological fluid. The adjustable tip permits fine-tuning of the blast. The property of instantaneous high viscosity of thixotropic and electro-rheological fluids is advantageously used to seal the cavity containing the blasting probe thereby increasing the blasting pressure making the whole system more efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: Martin E. Baltazar-Lopez, Steve R. Best
  • Publication number: 20110227395
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for plasma blasting comprises a solid object having a borehole, a blast probe comprising a high voltage electrode and a ground electrode separated by a dielectric separator, wherein the high voltage electrode and the dielectric separator constitute an adjustable probe tip, and an adjustment unit coupled to the adjustable probe tip, wherein the adjustment unit is configured to selectively extend or retract the adjustable probe tip relative to the ground electrode and a blasting media, wherein at least a portion of the high voltage electrode and the ground electrode are submerged in the blast media. The blasting media comprises a thixotropic or electro-rheological fluid. The adjustable tip permits fine-tuning of the blast. The property of instantaneous high viscosity of thixotropic and electro-rheological fluids is advantageously used to seal the cavity containing the blasting probe thereby increasing the blasting pressure making the whole system more efficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: AUBURN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Martin E. Baltazar-Lopez, Steve R. Best