Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm David M. Schneck
  • Patent number: 6820439
    Abstract: A system for cooling a structure exposed to solar radiation. The system includes a polymeric sheet covering one or more exterior surfaces of the structure. A water dispensing means associated with the sheet provides a flow of water across the sheet to wet the sheet, allowing evaporative cooling to take place. The color and construction of the sheet also provide for insulation against ambient heat and reflection of some solar energy. A sensor detecting an environmental condition, such as roof temperature or sheet wetting, may activate water flow by actuating a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Raymond G. Marek
  • Patent number: 6795980
    Abstract: A toilet ventilation system including a fan housed within an interior space in a toilet seat lid, an intake passage created when the seat is down and the lid is raised, a stationary outflow duct through which evacuated air is driven, and a switch for activation of the fan. The system removes air from the toilet bowl, and vents it to a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Edward F. Ries
  • Patent number: 6787111
    Abstract: An apparatus for filling and cleaning channels and inlet ports of a microchip substrate is disclosed. A device of the apparatus comprising an array of tubes is inserted into each of the inlet ports of the microchip. The array of tubes of the device comprises a plurality of pressure tubes, surrounded by a plurality of vacuum tubes. In conjunction with this, pressurized solutions such as matrix or wash are introduced into common openings on the microchip that provide a passage to microchannels of the microchip with the use of pressure tip injectors of the apparatus. As matrix or wash solutions are pumped through the common openings and microchannels of the microchip substrate, wash solutions are pumped through the plurality of pressure tubes and everything is vacuumed through the plurality of vacuum tubes surrounding the plurality of pressure tubes. Various reservoirs of solutions are selected and allowed to flow by proper valve actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences (SV) Corp.
    Inventors: David J. Roach, Robert T. Loder, Jr., Thomas M. Armstrong, Dennis W. Harris, Stevan B. Jovanovich, Richard F. Johnston
  • Patent number: 6779713
    Abstract: A method for joining metal parts in which an aluminum rich surface is produced on a first metal part by selective removal of the beryllium component of a beryllium-aluminum alloy, as by said etching. The aluminum rich surface may then be joined to another aluminum rich surface by a brazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: The Peregrine Falcon Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Emmons, Robert E. Hardesty
  • Patent number: 6766794
    Abstract: A device to aid in firing a projectile firing device is disclosed. The device includes a hands-free switch which signals a firing mechanism to fire the projectile firing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Inventor: Samuel Bayne Bently
  • Patent number: 6765444
    Abstract: A method and a lock detector circuit for phase-locked loop for detecting lock between reference signal and a feedback signal in two phases: lock detection phase and lock assertion phase. The detector circuit comprises delay circuits coupled to a first, a second D flip flops, an OR logic gate, and an AND gate. In the lock detection, the lock detector circuit compares the phases of the reference input clock with the feedback clock. If the phases of these clocks are different or not within a window of tolerance, the sample clock outputs of the first and second D flip flops are different. This condition causes the logic gate to issue a reset signal to the divide-by-64 counters. As such, the lock detection signal is low, indicating the PLL is not in lock condition. In the lock assertion phase, if the two phases are the same or within the window of tolerance, the sample clock outputs of the first and second D flip flops are the same or both low at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Neoaxiom Corporation
    Inventors: David Y. Wang, Jyn-Bang Shyu
  • Patent number: 6764648
    Abstract: A substrate with a plurality of microchannels is movably deployed with other movable objects that will load sample into the microchannels, stimulate molecular migration, read the results of the migration, remove and replace the substrate, and prepare for a new run. The other objects include a gripper for engaging and moving the substrate, an electrode array of fine wires suitable for fitting into the microchannels for electromigration, and a scanning detector for reading migration results. A sequence of automatic operations is established so that one substrate after another may be moved into position, loaded with sample, stimulated for molecular migration, read with a beam, and then removed and replaced with a fresh substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences (SV) Corp.
    Inventors: David J. Roach, Robert T. Loder, Jr., Thomas M. Armstrong, Dennis W. Harris, Stevan B. Jovanovich, Richard F. Johnston
  • Patent number: 6750457
    Abstract: An apparatus and method in which illumination light and collected emitted light share a pathway and subsequently are physically separated. The optical configuration is designed such that at the point of separation, the illumination light is at has a smaller cross sectional area than the collected light. Collected light is directed away from the pathway of the illumination light and to detection optics. This configuration is adaptable to illumination and light collection across a broad wavelength spectrum. This configuration is adaptable to scanning in a limited depth of field to allow high throughput optical analysis of samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: David M. Heffelfinger, Aram P. Schiffman, Bala S. Manian
  • Patent number: 6676475
    Abstract: A toy for use by an infant in which the infant may set a top, suspended in pendulum fashion to a base, into motion. The top and base are joined by pendulum arms that cause a reciprocating gliding mechanism that is generally in the horizontal plane. The infant is positioned such that the infant may kick a pad joined to the fixed location base, initiating a force which propels the top to move back and forth providing entertainment and motor skills development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventors: Scott Henderson, Laurel Henderson
  • Patent number: 6651271
    Abstract: A handle for controlling water temperature and/or water flow is mounted on the side of a bathtub and shaped such that the handle may be controlled by a bather's foot. The vanes of the handle are shaped to accommodate the shape of the foot and are spaced apart from each other to allow easy operation of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Samuel Bayne Bentley
  • Patent number: 6647568
    Abstract: A handle for controlling water temperature and/or water flow is mounted on the side of a bathtub and shaped such that the handle may be controlled by a bather's foot. The vanes of the handle are shaped to accommodate the shape of the foot and are spaced apart from each other to allow easy operation of the handle. An invertible port plate in the valve is provided for mounting the handle in both right sidewall and left sidewall versions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Samuel Bayne Bentley
  • Patent number: 6551839
    Abstract: A capillary valve, connector and router where one or more cylindrical fibers, which may be capillaries, plugged capillaries, optical fibers, or the like, including at least one capillary tube are contained in a first bundle of fibers that terminates at a first face. A second cylindrical bundle of fibers also containing one or more fibers including at least one capillary tube terminates in a second face abutting the first face. A fastener or adapter holds the members together with faces in mutually biased alignment. Connection of a plurality of macroscale pumps enables push-pull fluid motion, with routing, in a capillary system formed by a plurality of fibers coupled by switches, connectors and routers. Chemical reactions, separations and analysis may be carried out with microliter volumes or smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences Corp.
    Inventors: Stevan B. Jovanovich, Gregory J. Ronan, David J. Roach, Richard F. Johnston
  • Patent number: 6543678
    Abstract: A method for brazing beryllium-aluminum alloy members to form a beryllium-aluminum alloy assembly and coating the beryllium-aluminum alloy assembly in which an aluminum-silicon based braze alloy is placed between the beryllium-aluminum members at the locations for forming braze joints. The aluminum-silicon based braze alloy is surrounded by a brazing flux comprising aluminum fluoride. The beryllium-aluminum alloy members and the aluminum-silicon based braze alloy are heated to form the beryllium-aluminum alloy assembly. Oxidized surfaces appearing on the beryllium-aluminum alloy members are removed. Thereupon, the beryllium-aluminum alloy assembly is coated by plasma deposition of alumina-titania powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: The Peregrine Falcon Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Emmons, Robert Hardesty
  • Patent number: 6533912
    Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention disclose a system in which multiple injections may be made into a capillary array. The injections are spaced in time with each injection followed by an interval of electrophoresis. Once all samples are loaded into the capillaries, continuous electrophoresis and detection is used to separate and detect target compounds within the sample. The interval between injections is matched to the target compound migration rate to be sufficient to allow the target compounds to be detectably separated when the compounds reach the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Molecular Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Elaine S. Mansfield, Christine Peponnet, John S. Bashkin, Curtis R. Kautzer
  • Patent number: 6510007
    Abstract: A flow cytometry lens system features a low (<1.55) refractive index, near hemispheric plano-convex lens nearest a cytometry flow cell with the planar surface on the object side of the system and a convex surface with a radius of curvature in a range from 3.5 to 5.5 mm, followed by a pair of positive meniscus lenses having the concave sides facing the object side, with the surfaces of the second meniscus lens less sharply curved than the corresponding surfaces of the first meniscus lens, which in turn is followed by a positive doublet lens. The lens elements are optimized for providing a working distance of at least 1.75 mm, a field of view of at least 400 &mgr;m, a numerical aperture of at least 1.19 and a lens magnification in excess of 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Barry J. Blasenheim
  • Patent number: 6495333
    Abstract: The invention provides a flow cytometric method for measuring dendritic cell function in whole blood, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a whole blood sample with a dendritic cell activator; (b) adding to the sample a plurality of dendritic cell-distinguishing antibodies and at least one cytokine-specific antibody; and then (c) flow cytometrically assaying the sample for the binding of the cytokine-specific antibody by at least one distinguishable DC subset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Kerstin Willmann, John F. Dunne
  • Patent number: 6441894
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for autofocus on a target layer contained within a microplate well is provided. The instrument is capable of optically sensing a reference point on the underside of a microplate. This reference point is then used to focus light onto a target layer within the microplate well, the target layer having a location that is in defined relation to the reference point. The reference point is either a surface of the bottom of the microplate well or is an optically detectable mark on the underside of the microplate. In an alternate embodiment, a light position sensitive detector is used to enable deterministic autofocus for a plurality of wells on a microplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Biometric Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Bala S. Manian, David M. Heffelfinger, Edward M. Goldberg
  • Patent number: 6423505
    Abstract: Improved methods, reagents, and kits for quantitation of HLA-DR and/or CD11b expression on peripheral blood cells are presented. Inclusion of a lysosomotropic amine, such as chloroquine, during staining stabilizes HLA-DR and CD11b expression. Use of a novel anti-CD14 conjugate, anti-CD14-PerCP/CY5.5, permits the ready discrimination of monocytes. The improved methods, reagents, and kits may be used to assess immune competence, and to direct and monitor immunostimulatory therapies in septic patients exhibiting monocyte deactivation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Davis
  • Patent number: 6423536
    Abstract: A method and device for preparing nanoscale reactions. An automated system utilizes an array of reaction chambers. The ends of the chambers are temporarily sealed with deformable membranes and reactions effected by incubation or temperature cycling. Reaction mixtures may be assembled by using the reaction containers to meter reaction components. After the reaction is finished, the reaction containers may be dispensed onto a substrate and the reaction products analyzed. An automated transfer device may be used for automated transport of the reaction container array or other transportable elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Molecular Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stevan B. Jovanovich, David J. Roach, Andrew G. Hadd, Bo E. R. Hellman
  • Patent number: 6410668
    Abstract: The instant invention describes uncharged water-soluble polymers to suppress electroosmotic flow in capillary electrophoresis. The polymers in the instant invention are copolymers of various derivatives of acrylamide and methacrylamide monomers with various glycidyl group containing monomers e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Marcella Chiari