Patents Assigned to Loughborough University
  • Patent number: 12146821
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a first particle sensor, a second particle sensor and a device for characterisation of one or more particles in a fluid sample comprising a first particle sensor and/or at least one second particle sensor. A method for characterising one or more particles in a fluid sample is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Loughborough University
    Inventors: Mark Platt, Marcus Andrew Pollard, Eugenie Lee Hunsicker, Rhushabh Maugi, Steven Douglas Rae Christie
  • Patent number: 11718022
    Abstract: A method of selectively combining particulate material, comprising: (i) providing a layer of particulate material to a part bed; (ii) providing radiation to sinter a portion of the material of the layer; (iii) providing a further layer of particulate material overlying the prior layer of particulate material including the previously sintered portion of material; (iv) providing radiation to sinter a further portion of the material within the overlying further layer and to sinter said further portion with the previously sintered portion of material in the prior layer; (v) successively repeating blocks (iii) and (iv) to form a three-dimensional object; and wherein at least some of the layers of particulate material are pre-heated with a heater prior to sintering a portion of the material of the respective layer, the heater being configured to move relative to, and proximate, the particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Loughborough University
    Inventors: Neil Hopkinson, Helen Rhiannon Thomas
  • Publication number: 20220296751
    Abstract: A plasma treatment apparatus, comprising a housing defining a void (13); a source of ionised gas plasma (14) in communication with the void; and agitation apparatus (12) arranged to agitate contents of the void. The plasma can typically be generated at ambient pressure from the ambient air in the void. The apparatus can be used, in particular, for the treatment of materials comprising many small components, such as seeds, granular material, plastic beads and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2020
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: Loughborough University
    Inventors: Felipe Iza, Alexander R P Wright, Alexander H. Shaw, Gilbert Shama
  • Patent number: 10933581
    Abstract: A method of selectively combining particulate material, comprising: (i) providing a layer of particulate material to a part bed; (ii) providing radiation to sinter a portion of the material of the layer; (iii) providing a further layer of particulate material overlying the prior layer of particulate material including the previously sintered portion of material; (iv) providing radiation to sinter a further portion of the material within the overlying further layer and to sinter said further portion with the previously sintered portion of material in the prior layer; (v) successively repeating blocks (iii) and (iv) to form a three-dimensional object; and wherein at least some of the layers of particulate material are pre-heated with a heater prior to sintering a portion of the material of the respective layer, the heater being configured to move relative to, and proximate, the particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Loughborough University
    Inventors: Neil Hopkinson, Helen Rhiannon Thomas
  • Patent number: 10327652
    Abstract: A method of assembling an opto-physiological (OP) sensor comprises: (i) modelling the opto-physiological properties of at least one body tissue type to be monitored; (ii) determining, through application of the model, an optimal optical design for an opto-physiological (OP) sensor operable to monitor the opto-physiological properties of the at least one body tissue type; and (iii) making the OP sensor to the determined optical design. The optimal optical design for the OP sensor comprises: (i) determining the optimum separation of each of a plurality of light sources from a photodetector, based on modelled optical path lengths for light travelling from each light source, through the body tissue type to be monitored, to the photodetector; and (ii) locating light sources of different wavelengths at different distances from the photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Loughborough University
    Inventors: Sijung Hu, Vicente Azorin-Peris
  • Patent number: 10260202
    Abstract: A railway points arrangement 10 for a railway track junction comprises at least first and second pairs of longitudinally-extending, parallel-spaced static stock rails 12, 14, defining respectively a first route and a second route, and a pair of longitudinally-extending, parallel-spaced switch rails 16 which are movable between a first position in alignment with the first pair of stock rails 12 to select the first route and a second position in alignment with the second pair of stock rails 14 to select the second route. At least one of the movable switch rails 16a cooperates with at least one stock rail 12, 14 of each of the first and second pairs of stock rails 12, 14 when the movable switch rails 16 are in the first and second positions, and the at least one switch rail 16 and the at least one stock rail 12, 14 are shaped to define a mating profile 50 which aligns the switch rail 16 and stock rail 12, 14 and prevents transverse movement of the switch rail 16 relative to the stock rail 12, 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Loughborough University
    Inventors: Samuel David Bemment, Roger Dixon, Roger Morgan Goodall
  • Publication number: 20180021773
    Abstract: The present invention provides assay devices having a unitary body with an exterior surface, the unitary body being substantially transparent to visible light and formed from a material having a refractive index in the range 1.26 to 1.40, the refractive index being measured at 20° C. with light of wavelength 589 nm, and wherein the unitary body is formed from a hydrophobic material, and at least two capillary bores extending internally along the unitary body, wherein at least a portion of the surface of each capillary bore includes a hydrophilic layer for retaining an assay reagent, and wherein the hydrophilic layer is also substantially transparent to visible light to allow optical interrogation of the capillary bores through the capillary wall. The present invention also provides assay systems including such assay devices, methods of performing an assay using such assay devices and method of method for manufacturing such assay devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: Loughborough University
    Inventors: Alexander Daniel Edwards, Nuno Miguel Fernandes Reis
  • Patent number: 8908186
    Abstract: An apparatus for the absolute measurement of a two dimensional optical path distribution comprising: a light source (4) for illuminating an object (26) with light having a plurality of wavelengths: an interferometer (12) for forming an image of at least part of the object, which image comprises a broad band interferogram; a hyperspectral imager (30) in optical communication with the interferometer for spectrally separating the broad band interferogram into a plurality of narrow band two dimensional interferograms (72, 74, 76); a register (38) for spatially registering the narrow band interferograms; an extractor for extracting one dimensional intensity signals from corresponding pixels in each narrow band interferogram; and a calculator (100) for calculating the frequency for each point on the object from a one dimensional intensity signal associated with that point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Loughborough University
    Inventors: Jonathan Mark Huntley, Pablo Daniel Ruiz, Taufiq Widjanarko
  • Publication number: 20140314613
    Abstract: A method of selectively combining particulate material, comprising: (i) providing a layer of particulate material to a part bed; (ii) providing radiation to sinter a portion of the material of the layer; (iii) providing a further layer of particulate material overlying the prior layer of particulate material including the previously sintered portion of material; (iv) providing radiation to sinter a further portion of the material within the overlying further layer and to sinter said further portion with the previously sintered portion of material in the prior layer; (v) successively repeating blocks (iii) and (iv) to form a three-dimensional object; and wherein at least some of the layers of particulate material are pre-heated with a heater prior to sintering a portion of the material of the respective layer, the heater being configured to move relative to, and proximate, the particulate material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Loughborough University
    Inventors: Neil Hopkinson, Helen Rhiannon Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140202353
    Abstract: A suspension system for a train vehicle includes at least one inerter to minimize track wear. Track wear may be measured by direct measures such as wear work, or indirect measures such as yaw stiffness. “Minimizing” track wear means that such measures are reduced below values which are achievable with conventional technology while maintaining acceptable values of other performance metrics, such as ride comfort or least damping ratio. The suspension system may comprise at least one damper connected in series with the at least one inerter. The suspension system may be the primary or the secondary suspension system of a train vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicants: Loughborough University, Cambridge Enterprise Limited
    Inventors: Malcolm C. Smith, Zheng Jiang, Roger Morgan Goodall
  • Publication number: 20140166391
    Abstract: An arrangement comprising a plurality of attenuators for attenuating acoustic waves, each attenuator of the plurality of attenuators comprising: a first body defining a cavity therein and at least one open aperture extending across a portion of the first body, the first body being configured to attenuate acoustic waves over a resonant frequency band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Loughborough University
    Inventors: Gerard Michael Swallowe, Daniel Peter Elford, Feodor Kusmartsev, Luke Chalmers
  • Patent number: 8560574
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assisting in the optimization of a complex, hierarchical data structure, such as a process flow model, comprising a plurality of elements such as tasks to be carried out, each element having data dependency upon other elements within the hierarchy. The apparatus includes a database for maintaining a data set incorporating a plurality of dependency structure matrices, each dependency structure matrix corresponding to one hierarchical level in the data set; display means for displaying, to the user, a representation of said dependency structure matrices; user input means for effecting the change of a data dependency of a selected element at a selected level in said hierarchy; and data manipulation means for effecting consequential changes in the data set representing said changes in dependency of elements throughout the hierarchical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Loughborough University Innovations, Ltd.
    Inventors: Simon Anthony Austin, Paul Richard Waskett, Andrew Noel Baldwin, John Leslie Steele
  • Patent number: 8539770
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine including an exhaust arrangement comprises a first exhaust duct and a second exhaust duct. A valve arrangement preferably comprising separate first and second exhaust valves associated with each cylinder, to selectively direct exhaust from engine to the first exhaust duct during a first exhaust period, and to the second exhaust duct during a subsequent second exhaust period. A turbine having an inlet is connected to the first exhaust duct; and a compressor drivingly connected to and driven by the turbine, has an inlet connected to second duct. The compressor, driven by the turbine extracting energy from the exhaust, reduces the back pressure in the exhaust system reducing pumping losses, with the second duct bypassing the turbine in the second exhaust period such that the turbine also does not increase the exhaust back pressure at least during the main second exhaust phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Loughborough University
    Inventor: Andrew Morgan Williams
  • Patent number: 8535036
    Abstract: A method of selectively combining particulate material, for example plastics material by sintering, comprises providing a layer of particulate material, providing radiation, for example using a radiation source over the layer, and varying the absorption of the provided radiation across a selected surface portion of the layer to combine a portion of the material of the layer. The method may comprise varying radiation absorption by varying the intensity of the radiation incident on the surface portion of the layer, or alternatively may comprise varying the radiation absorptive properties of the particulate material over the selected surface portion of the layer, for example by printing a radiation absorbent material onto the surface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Loughborough University Enterprises Limited
    Inventors: Neil Hopkinson, Poonjolai Erasenthiran
  • Patent number: 8425809
    Abstract: A method of forming granules, the method including forming a suspension of a nanopowder such as a nano zirconia powder containing yttria. The powder is formed from a suspension, and freon is added directly to the suspension as an additive. The suspension is then granulated by spray freeze drying, and the freon subsequently removed by heat treatment. The voids left by the vacated freon provide meso, micro and macro flaws or structural defects in the granules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Loughborough University
    Inventors: Annapoorani Ketharam, Balasubramaniam Vaidhyanathan, Bala Praveen Chakkravarthy Raghupathy, Jonathan Graham Peel Binner
  • Patent number: 8347940
    Abstract: A method for forming an object, including providing at least a first material having a melting point at a first temperature and a second material having a melting point at a second temperature; heating at least a portion of the first and second materials above the first and second temperatures to form a substantially molten alloy, the molten alloy having a solidifying point at a third temperature, the third temperature being less than the first temperature and the second temperature; and providing substantially solid further material to at least a portion of the molten alloy, the further material having a melting point at a temperature greater than the third temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Loughborough University
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Furlong, Neil Hopkinson, Kamran Aamir Mumtaz
  • Patent number: 8186414
    Abstract: A method for forming an object, including providing at least a first material having a melting point at a first temperature and a second material having a melting point at a second temperature; heating at least a portion of the first and second materials above the first and second temperatures to form a substantially molten alloy, the molten alloy having a solidifying point at a third temperature, the third temperature being less than the first temperature and the second temperature; and providing substantially solid further material to at least a portion of the molten alloy, the further material having a melting point at a temperature greater than the third temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Loughborough University
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Furlong, Neil Hopkinson, Kamran Aamir Mumtaz
  • Patent number: 7879282
    Abstract: A method of selectively combining particulate material, for example plastics material by sintering, comprises providing a layer of particulate material, providing radiation, for example using a radiation source over the layer, and varying the absorption of the provided radiation across a selected surface portion of the layer to combine a portion of the material of the layer. The method may comprise varying radiation absorption by varying the intensity of the radiation incident on the surface portion of the layer, or alternatively may comprise varying the radiation absorptive properties of the particulate material over the selected surface portion of the layer, for example by printing a radiation absorbent material onto the surface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Loughborough University Enterprises Limited
    Inventors: Neil Hopkinson, Poonjolai Erasenthiran
  • Patent number: 7594961
    Abstract: An inorganic pigment, the pigment comprising a compound which is an oxysulphide or oxyselenide of tin and a metal chosen from niobium or tantalum. The pigments are brightly colored in the color range from yellow, through orange to red, and are especially suitable for the coloration of glass and plastic substrates. Methods for the production of the pigments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Loughborough University Enterprises Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Charles Shepley Booth, Sandra Elizabeth Dann, Duncan Lee John O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20080244541
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of automatically translating modeling language code to hardware language code and a code translator. The modeling language code is parsed to extract values associated with predetermined ones of a plurality of constructs to generate parsed modeling language code; and a transformation block is applied to the parsed modeling language code. The transformation block is adapted to convert the parsed modeling language code into hardware language code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Loughborough University Enterprises Limited
    Inventors: Robert John Thomson, Vassilios Chouliaras, David Mulvaney, Ashwin Kumar Kumaraswamy, Ramalingam Kannan