Patents by Inventor Tom Autrey

Tom Autrey 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).

  • Photoacoustic sample vessel and method of elevated pressure operation
    Patent number: 6729185
    Abstract: An improved photoacoustic vessel and method of photoacoustic analysis. The photoacoustic sample vessel comprises an acoustic detector, an acoustic couplant, and an acoustic coupler having a chamber for holding the acoustic couplant and a sample. The acoustic couplant is selected from the group consisting of liquid, solid, and combinations thereof. Passing electromagnetic energy through the sample generates an acoustic signal within the sample, whereby the acoustic signal propagates through the sample to and through the acoustic couplant to the acoustic detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Tom Autrey, Clement R. Yonker
  • Photoacoustic sample vessel and method of elevated pressure operation
    Publication number: 20020026833
    Abstract: An improved photoacoustic vessel and method of photoacoustic analysis. The photoacoustic sample vessel comprises an acoustic detector, an acoustic couplant, and an acoustic coupler having a chamber for holding the acoustic couplant and a sample. The acoustic couplant is selected from the group consisting of liquid, solid, and combinations thereof. Passing electromagnetic energy through the sample generates an acoustic signal within the sample, whereby the acoustic signal propagates through the sample to and through the acoustic couplant to the acoustic detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Tom Autrey, Clement R. Yonker
  • Photoacoustic spectroscopy apparatus and method
    Patent number: 6348968
    Abstract: The invention encompasses photoacoustic apparatuses and photoacoustic spectrometry methods. The invention also encompasses sample cells for photoacoustic spectrometry, and sample cell/transducer constructions. In one aspect, the invention encompasses a photoacoustic spectroscopy apparatus, comprising: a) a sample reservoir and an acoustically-stimulable transducer acoustically coupled with the sample reservoir, the transducer comprising a detector surface having a substantially planar portion; and b) a beam of light configured to be directed through the sample at an angle oblique relative to the substantially planar portion of the detector surface to generate sound waves in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Tom Autrey, John L. Daschbach, James E. Amonette, Nancy S. Foster-Mills
  • Photoacoustic spectroscopy apparatus and method
    Publication number: 20010022657
    Abstract: The invention encompasses photoacoustic apparatuses and photoacoustic spectrometry methods. The invention also encompasses sample cells for photoacoustic spectrometry, and sample cell/transducer constructions. In one aspect, the invention encompasses a photoacoustic spectroscopy apparatus, comprising: a) a sample reservoir and an acoustically-stimulable transducer acoustically coupled with the sample reservoir, the transducer comprising a detector surface having a substantially planar portion; and b) a beam of light configured to be directed through the sample at an angle oblique relative to the substantially planar portion of the detector surface to generate sound waves in the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: Tom Autrey, John L. Daschbach, James E. Amonette, Nancy S. Foster-Mills
  • Photoacoustic spectroscopy sample cells and methods of photoacoustic spectroscopy
    Patent number: 6236455
    Abstract: The invention encompasses photoacoustic apparatuses and photoacoustic spectrometry methods. The invention also encompasses sample cells for photoacoustic spectrometry, and sample cell/transducer constructions. In one aspect, the invention encompasses a photoacoustic spectroscopy apparatus, comprising: a) a sample reservoir and an acoustically-stimulable transducer acoustically coupled with the sample reservoir, the transducer comprising a detector surface having a substantially planar portion; and b) a beam of light configured to be directed through the sample at an angle oblique relative to the substantially planar portion of the detector surface to generate sound waves in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: S. Tom Autrey, John L. Daschbach, James E. Amonette, Nancy S. Foster-Mills