Patents by Inventor William Carter RALPH

William Carter RALPH 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).

  • Imaging apparatus and methods
    Patent number: 10379333
    Abstract: An apparatus for imaging a feature within a specimen is provided. According to one implementation the apparatus includes a substrate that is configured to support a specimen on an upper surface of the substrate so that the specimen resides over a hole that extends through the substrate. A heater is located vertically above the upper surface of the substrate. The heater is configured to heat the specimen when the specimen is supported on the substrate. An imaging device is located vertically below the lower surface of the substrate. The imaging device has an unobstructed line of sight to and through the hole in the substrate. The lower surface of the substrate is supported on a heat insulating platform in a manner that permits air to flow between the heat insulating platform and the lower surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Southern Research Institute
    Inventors: William Carter Ralph, Kevin Connolly
  • Imaging Apparatus and Methods
    Publication number: 20180011304
    Abstract: An apparatus for imaging a feature within a specimen is provided. According to one implementation the apparatus includes a substrate that is configured to support a specimen on an upper surface of the substrate so that the specimen resides over a hole that extends through the substrate. A heater is located vertically above the upper surface of the substrate. The heater is configured to heat the specimen when the specimen is supported on the substrate. An imaging device is located vertically below the lower surface of the substrate. The imaging device has an unobstructed line of sight to and through the hole in the substrate. The lower surface of the substrate is supported on a heat insulating platform in a manner that permits air to flow between the heat insulating platform and the lower surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: William Carter RALPH, Kevin CONNOLLY