Patents Assigned to Oregon State University
  • Patent number: 5813235
    Abstract: A resonantly coupled .alpha.-Stirling cooler has hot and cold variable-volume chambers, a regenerator, and a driver for maintaining reciprocating gas displacement between the chambers. Only the hot side of the cooler is driven; the cold side responds passively by resonant coupling. The phase difference between volume oscillations in the hot and cold variable-volume chambers are altered by adjusting the driving frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: The State of Oregon Acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on Behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventor: Richard B. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5798631
    Abstract: A variable speed, constant frequency (VSCF) system utilizes a doubly-fed machine (DFM) to maximize the output power of the system. The system includes a power converter that provides a frequency signal and a current signal to the DFM. The power converter is controlled by an adaptive controller. The controller signals the converter to vary its frequency signal and thereby the rotor speed of the DFM until a maximum power output is sensed. The controller also signals the converter to vary its current signal and thereby the portions of power carried by the respective windings until a maximum power output is sensed. The control can be augmented to not only maximize power and efficiency, but also provide for harmonic and reactive power compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: The State of Oregon Acting by and Through the State Board of Higher Education on Behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventors: Rene Spee, Shibashis Bhowmik, Johan H. R. Enslin
  • Patent number: 5766623
    Abstract: Active agents comprising coated pellets which self seal if they are damaged are described. More specifically, an active agent, or bead coated with an active agent, is coated with a rate-release controlling polymer and a hydrophilic gel-forming material which forms a gel upon hydration. If the bead is compressed into a solid compact which damages the polymer coating, the hydrophilic substance gels upon exposure to an aqueous environment. The gel provides sufficient sealing of the damaged area in the polymer so that a useful control of drug release is retained in spite of the damage to the polymer. The pellets of the invention exhibit improved flow and compactability. The compacts can be formulated to disintegrate in the gastrointestinal tract, and also may result in either controlled release or immediate release of the active agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: State of Oregon Acting By and Through the Oregon State Board of Higher Education on Behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventors: James W. Ayres, Syed A. Altaf, Stephen W. Hoag
  • Patent number: 5759843
    Abstract: A novel strain, Lactobacillus sp. AS-1A (ATCC No. 69890) is described for use in inhibiting bacteria in foods, particularly at refrigeration temperatures. Lactobacillus sp. AS-1A (ATCC No. 69890) is particularly effective in inhibiting bacteria present in raw milk and pasteurized milk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: State of Oregon, by and through the Oregon State Board of Higher Education on behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventors: William E. Sandine, Nageb S. Al-Zoreky
  • Patent number: 5711946
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for biological control of fungal diseases of agricultural commodities such as pome fruits, particularly saprophytic yeasts. Against a number of fungal pathogens, microbial biological control agents, such as the yeast strains of the present invention, show surprisingly effectiveness when used in combination with low levels of chemical fungicides. The present invention also provides methods for isolating microbes useful in controlling fungal diseases of agricultural commodities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: The State of Oregon Acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventors: Tara Chand-Goyal, Robert A. Spotts
  • Patent number: 5710002
    Abstract: The present invention provides genomic DNA sequences unique to Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus (Cms) that are useful as probes and primers for the detection of the presence of Cms nucleic acids in a biological sample, e.g., by means of the polymerase chain reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Oregon State University
    Inventor: Dallice I. Mills
  • Patent number: 5689201
    Abstract: A track-and-hold circuit that utilizes the negative of the input signal to improve tracking of the input signal during the track mode. By applying the negative of the input signal to an amplifier node to which the output signal is coupled, the output signal is forced to track the input signal in magnitude and polarity. Single-ended and fully differential embodiments of the circuit are disclosed, as well as embodiments using an operational amplifier and a cascode inverter amplifier. An improved switching scheme reduces delay in the transition from the hold mode to the track mode. A sample-and-hold circuit may be constructed from a pair of the track-and-hold circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Oregon State University
    Inventors: Gabor Charles Temes, Yunteng Huang, Paul Francis Ferguson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5684813
    Abstract: Nonlinear optical materials are described which satisfy Formula 1M.sub.Xl M'.sub.Y (B.sub.3 O.sub.5).sub.Z Formula 1wherein M and M' are mono- or divalent metal ions, X varies from about 0.1 to about 1.9, Y varies from about 1.9 to about 0.1, and Z is 2 or 3. Currently, the best nonlinear optical materials also satisfy Formula 2M.sub.X M'.sub.Y (B.sub.3 O.sub.5)X+Y Formula 2wherein M and M' are monovalent metal ions independently selected from the group consisting of Group IA metals, X varies from 0.1 to about 1.9, and wherein Y varies from about 1.9 to about 0.1. The best results are achieved when compounds satisfying Formula 2 have X=Y=1, and the metal ions are independently selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium and francium. One example, without limitation, of a compound that satisfies Formulas 1 and 2 is CsLiB.sub.6 O.sub.10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: The State of Oregon Acting By and Through the Oregon State Board of Higher Education on Behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventor: Douglas A. Keszler
  • Patent number: 5672214
    Abstract: An inexpensive, robust concrete solar cell (10) comprises a photovoltaic material embedded in and extending beyond front and rear major surfaces (18 and 16) of a matrix layer (14). The matrix layer typically comprises a high-strength, cementitious material, such as a macrodefect-free cement, reinforced with electrically nonconductive fibers (54) distributed throughout the matrix layer. The photovoltaic material comprises particles (12) of high-resistivity single crystal silicon, typically ball milled from ingot sections unsuitable for slicing into silicon wafers. An aluminum sheet (28) attached to the rear major surface provides electrical contact to one of two electrical region (22 and 24) of the semiconductor particle, and a translucent conductive layer (30) on the front major surface provides electrical contacts to the second electrical region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: State of Oregon, acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventors: John R. Arthur, Robert K. Graupner, Tyrus K. Monson, James A. Van Vechten, Ernest G. Wolff
  • Patent number: 5654020
    Abstract: A novel strain, Lactobacillus sp. AS-1 (ATCC No. 55326) for use in inhibiting bacteria in foods, particularly at refrigeration temperatures. Lactobacillus sp. AS-1 (ATCC No. 55326) is particularly effective in inhibiting bacteria present in raw milk and pasteurized milk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Oregon State University
    Inventors: William E. Sandine, Nageb Al-Zoreky
  • Patent number: 5652020
    Abstract: A hydrogen-selective membrane comprises a tubular porous ceramic support having a palladium metal layer deposited on an inside surface of the ceramic support. The thickness of the palladium layer is greater than about 10 .mu.m but typically less than about 20 .mu.m. The hydrogen permeation rate of the membrane is greater than about 1.0 moles/m.sup.2. s at a temperature of greater than about 500.degree. C. and a transmembrane pressure difference of about 1,500 kPa. Moreover, the hydrogen-to-nitrogen selectivity is greater than about 600 at a temperature of greater than about 500.degree. C. and a transmembrane pressure of about 700 kPa. Hydrogen can be separated from a mixture of gases using the membrane. The method may include the step of heating the mixture of gases to a temperature of greater than about 400.degree. C. and less than about 1000.degree. C. before the step of flowing the mixture of gases past the membrane. The mixture of gases may include ammonia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: The State of Oregon Acting By and Through the State Board of Higher Education on Behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventors: John P. Collins, J. Douglas Way
  • Patent number: 5635484
    Abstract: A peptide, produced by propionibacteria, has a molecular weight of between 300 and 1200 daltons and is inhibitory to gram-negative bacteria. The peptide can be produced by purification of a propionibacteria metabolite mixture, by chemical synthesis, or by a host transformed with a recombinant vector, and is useful in preventing and treating bacterial infections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: The State of Oregon Acting by and through the Oregon State Board of Higher Education on Behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventors: James W. Ayres, William E. Sandine, George H. Weber
  • Patent number: 5621172
    Abstract: An apparatus and a non-destructive method for evaluating material strengths is described. One embodiment of the apparatus comprises a waveform generator that generates either (1) a sinusoidal waveform having a frequency that sweeps from a low frequency to a high frequency, or a high frequency to a low frequency, wherein the low frequency is from about 10 Hz to about 150 Hz, and the high frequency is from about 6,000 Hz to about 24,000 Hz, or (2) a pseudo random within the frequency range of from about 150 Hz to about 6,000 Hz. An electromechanical driver is electronically linked to the waveform generator and mechanically coupled to a test material, particularly in-service utility poles, at a drive position. Force and acceleration sensors are coupled to the test material at various positions. A microprocessor is used to collect digitized data from the force sensor and the accelerometers, perform a transfer function and determine the strength remaining in the test material using a neural network model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: State of Oregon Acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on Behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventors: James B. Wilson, Milo L. Clauson
  • Patent number: 5583021
    Abstract: A method of suppressing virus gene expression in plants using untranslatable plus sense RNA is disclosed. The method is useful for the production of plants that are resistant to virus infection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: The State of Oregon Acting by and Through the State Board of Higher Education on Behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventors: William G. Dougherty, John A. Lindbo
  • Patent number: 5532142
    Abstract: Methods for isolation and purification of recombinant proteins are described. Fusion proteins incorporating a cleavage site sensitive to proteolysis by a plant virus proteinase may be cleaved from carrier proteins to provide high yields of protein product. Methods employing a plant virus proteinase to cleave expressed fusion proteins are particularly suitable for obtaining proteolytically sensitive polypeptides in the presence of added cell protease inhibitors. Also disclosed are recombinant vectors useful for overproducing plant virus proteinases in a suitable host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignees: Board of Regents, the University of Texas System, State of Oregon, The, Acting By and Through the Oregon State System of Higher Education, on Behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventors: Stephen A. Johnston, William G. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 5514360
    Abstract: A method for making tungstate compounds according to the formula XW.sub.2 O.sub.8, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of zirconium, hafnium, and combinations thereof, is described. Also described are compositions that include the tungstate compounds, and a method for reducing the positive thermal expansion of a material using such tungstate compounds. Substantially single phase compounds can be made by practicing the method, which method also reduces the synthesis time relative to known methods, and expands the reactants that can be used for the synthesis over the methods reported previously. The tungstate compounds generally can be made by forming a solution, particularly an aqueous solution, comprising a W.sup.6+ compound and a second metal compound wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of Zr.sup.4+, Hf.sup.4+ and combinations thereof. The solvent is removed from the solution by any known method to leave the solutes as a solid product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: The State of Oregon, acting by and through the Oregon State Board of Higher Education, acting for and on behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventors: Arthur W. Sleight, Mary A. Thundathil, John S. O. Evans
  • Patent number: 5493115
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for ascertaining whether molecules of a particular analyte are present in a sample. Molecules from the sample are passed into an electron monochromator in which the molecules are contacted by monochromatic electrons having a kinetic energy level within a range of greater than zero eV to less than about 6 eV. These energy levels are sufficient to form ions from at least a subpopulation of the molecules by electron capture by molecules of the subpopulation. The ions formed in the electron monochromator are then passed through a mass analyzer to obtain an ion spectrum which allows a determination to be made as to whether or not the ions profiled in the spectrum include ions produced from the analyte. Thus, the disclosed methods allow greatly enhanced detection of particular analytes of interest, such as explosives, drugs, pesticides, and other compounds of environmental, security, forensic, or other concern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: The State of Oregon acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventors: Max L. Deinzer, James A. Laramee
  • Patent number: 5470724
    Abstract: Methods for amplifying DNA sequences of interest are disclosed. The methods can be performed using only one primer and are also useful in cloning protocols and for sequencing large DNAs. The methods comprise cleaving a sample DNA using an agent, such as a restriction endonuclease, that produces discrete DNA fragments; ligating the fragments to "adapter" polynucleotides having a ligatable end and first and second self-complementary sequences separated by a spacer sequence, thereby forming ligated duplexes; denaturing the ligated duplexes to form templates; annealing molecules of an oligonucleotide primer to the templates, the primers being homologous to a primer target site associated with the sequence of interest; extending the primers using a DNA polymerizing agent to form duplex products; and denaturing the duplex products. Subsequent multiple cycles of annealing primers, extending the primers, and denaturing duplex products are usually performed so as to achieve the desired degree of amplification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: State of Oregon Acting by and through the Oregon State Board of Higher Education on behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventor: Kevin G. Ahern
  • Patent number: 5451369
    Abstract: Articles and surfaces are disclosed having antimicrobial activity. Also disclosed are methods for treating surfaces and articles to confer antimicrobial activity. Such articles and surfaces are particularly adapted for food contact use, such as food preparation or packaging. Antimicrobial activity is conferred by applying molecules of a polypeptide bacteriocin, e.g., nisin, such as by contacting the surface or article with a liquid solution of a bacteriocin or bacteriocin mixture. The bacteriocin molecules are attached to the surface or article via any means enabling the molecules to subsequently detach and lethally interact with susceptible bacteria deposited on the treated surface or article. Such detached bacteriocin molecules can also kill susceptible bacteria present on foods or other substances that contact the surface or article. Attached bacteriocins are stable to drying, water rinsing, and freezing, even for long periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: The State of Oregon Acting By and Through The State Board of Higher Education on Behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventors: Mark A. Daeschel, Joseph McGuire
  • Patent number: 5433778
    Abstract: Compounds that satisfy the general formula A.sub.1-Y.sup.4+ A.sub.Y.sup.1+ A.sub.Y.sup.3+ V.sub.2-X E.sub.X O.sub.7 exhibit isotropic NTE behavior above a temperature of about 100.degree. C. Y is from about 0.0 to about 0.4, and more preferably is about 0.2. X is from about 0.6 to about 1.4, and is more preferably about 1. Particularly suitable NTE compounds have X about 1 and Y about 0. A.sup.4+ is selected from the group consisting of Hf, Zr, Zr.sub.a M.sub.b, Hf.sub.a M.sub.b and mixtures thereof wherein a plus b equals one and M is selected from the group consisting of Ti, Ce, Th, U, Mo, W, Pb, Sn, Ge and Si. More preferably, A.sup.4+ is selected from the group consisting of Hf and Zr. A.sup.1+ is selected from the group consisting of the alkali earth metals, A.sup.3+ is selected from the group consisting of the rare earth metals, and E is selected from the group consisting of P and As. The NTE materials may be incorporated into compositions such as epoxy and ceramic compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: The State of Oregon Acting By and Through the State Board of Higher Education on Behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventor: Arthur W. Sleight