Abstract: A feedback control system for performing and controlling the laser alloying of a workpiece. The apparatus includes a laser beam delivery system, a movement system capable of causing relative movement between a laser beam and a workpiece being irradiated by the laser beam, a precursor application system capable of applying a precursor at a desired rate to the surface of a moving workpiece, and a control system capable of receiving input signals indicative of one or more measured process parameters, processing those signals, and transmitting a control signal capable of controlling the laser beam delivery system, movement system, and/or precursor application system. Other embodiments of the invention utilize a variety of process parameter measuring devices in conjunction with the control system. These devices include, but are not limited to, temperature transducers, infrared detectors, and emission spectra measuring devices.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 17, 1997
Date of Patent:
October 5, 1999
Assignee:
The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
Inventors:
Thurman Dwayne McCay, Mary Helen McCay, Narendra B. Dahotre
Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and pharmaceutical formulations for the treatment of systemic sclerosis in mammals, by oral administration of collagen, including type I collagen, or biologically active peptide fragments thereof.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 16, 1996
Date of Patent:
October 5, 1999
Assignee:
The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
Inventors:
Laura Carbone, Andrew H. Kang, Kevin McKown, Arnold E. Postlethwaite, Jerome M. Seyer
Abstract: A web or film is electrostatically charged by sequentially subjecting the web or film to a series of electric fields such that adjacent electric fields have substantially opposite polarities. Both a method and apparatus are disclosed for charging the web or film.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 21, 1995
Date of Patent:
September 21, 1999
Assignee:
The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
Inventors:
Larry C. Wadsworth, Oldrich Jirsak, Peter Ping-Yi Tsai
Abstract: The surface of a workpiece is cleaned by generating a steady-state one atmosphere glow discharge plasma above the surface of the workpiece. The use of one atmosphere, uniform glow discharge plasmas generated by a low frequency RF ion trapping mechanisms is preferred. The plasma used to effect surface cleaning may be formed in atmospheric air or other gases at about one atmosphere of pressure, or at pressures below or above one atmosphere.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 2, 1995
Date of Patent:
August 17, 1999
Assignee:
The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
Abstract: A sensor for non-intrusively measuring the volumetric flow rate of materials, such as cotton, in a confined air stream is disclosed. The sensor is mounted on a conduit through which an air entrained material such as cotton flows. The sensor has an emitter unit having a number of light sources such as an LED which emit light beams normal to the longitudinal axis of the conduit. The sensor also has a detector unit which detects the light beams from the light sources. The light beams are detected by light-to-frequency circuits which generate a signal indicative of the sensed light. The light beams are attenuated depending on the amount of material passing through the conduit. The generated signal is sent to a counter circuit. The counter outputs are coupled to a processor circuit which calculates the quantity of material flowing through the light beam as a function of the frequency signal and a baseline frequency signal indicative of the level of light detected when no material is flowing through the light beam.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 11, 1996
Date of Patent:
July 6, 1999
Assignee:
The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
Inventors:
John B. Wilkerson, Fred Henry Moody, III, Joseph Shellie Kirby
Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for variable flow control for precision applications, such as agrochemical applications. The invention is directed towards a flow control device comprising a metering rod moveably mounted within a housing. The position of the metering rod is controllable so as to control the flow rate, flow angle and/or droplet size of fluid passing through the flow control device of the present invention.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 18, 1997
Date of Patent:
June 1, 1999
Assignee:
The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
Abstract: Two methods and corresponding electrode designs are provided for the generation of a plasma at or about one atmosphere. Using these methods, various webs, films and three-dimensional objects are beneficially treated in a reduced amount of time. A first method utilizes a repetitive, asymmetric voltage pulse to generate a plasma discharge between two electrodes. An asymmetric voltage pulse is used to generate a discharge in which a substrate can be exposed predominately to either positive or negative plasma species depending on the voltage polarity used. A second method uses the gap capacitance of an electrode pair and an external inductor in shunt to form a resonant LC circuit. The circuit is driven by a high power radio frequency source operating at 1 to 30 MHz to generate a uniform discharge between the electrode pair. Both methods have temperature controlled discharge surfaces with supply gas temperature, humidity and flow rate control.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 25, 1996
Date of Patent:
April 20, 1999
Assignee:
The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for direct injection of chemicals or other additives in a liquid solution into a spray nozzle. The injection system of the present invention may be mounted adjacent, or in close proximity, to the spray nozzles of a sprayer. The present invention comprises a variable speed/stroke diaphragm pump capable of providing a double pumping action such that a liquid solution may be continuously pumped at a controllable rate to one or more spray nozzles of a sprayer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 28, 1997
Date of Patent:
March 16, 1999
Assignee:
The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
Abstract: The invention relates to pyran-chromenone compounds, their synthesis and anti-HIV activity. Methods of synthesis are disclosed; the compounds have activity against reverse transcriptase. Biological compositions containing the compounds and method of treating patients are also disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 23, 1996
Date of Patent:
December 1, 1998
Assignee:
The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
Abstract: A screening method to determine whether a chemical inhibits the function of a class of bacterial periplasmic oxidoreductase enzymes, exemplified by TcpG of Vibrio cholerae, DsbA E. coli, and Por of Haemophilus influenzae, id disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 17, 1995
Date of Patent:
July 28, 1998
Assignee:
University of Tennessee Research Corporation
Abstract: Compostable and biodegradable compositions of a blend of natural cellulosic and thermoplastic biodegradable fibers are disclosed. Typically the compositions include cotton and cellulose acetate. A process for the manufacture of a nonwoven composition which comprises a compostable blend of natural cellulosic fibers such as cotton and thermoplastic biodegradable fibers such as cellulose acetate; the blend is then carded to obtain the nonwoven composition.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 4, 1996
Date of Patent:
July 21, 1998
Assignee:
The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
Inventors:
Kermit E. Duckett, Gajanan S. Bhat, Hageun Suh
Abstract: The surface of a web or film is modified to impart the material with improved properties including wettability, printability, adhesion and static reduction. Such surface modification is achieved with an electrode structure which causes a filamentary discharge to pass generally horizontally across a surface of the electrode structure. A substrate to be treated is then positioned adjacent to the surface of the electrode structure so that the filamentary discharge is caused to flow horizontally across the surface of the substrate, in turn modifying the surface of the substrate and achieving the desired improvement in properties.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 26, 1996
Date of Patent:
June 16, 1998
Assignee:
The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
Abstract: Dimensionally stable (shrink-resistant) polyester fibers, webs and fabrics, comprising a nucleating agent incorporated into the fibers are disclosed. Methods of incorporating the nucleating agent within the polyester are disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 7, 1996
Date of Patent:
May 19, 1998
Assignee:
The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
Inventors:
Gajanan S. Bhat, Vasanthakumar Narayanan, Larry C. Wadsworth
Abstract: A method for increasing the T4/T8 ratio in a human with a depressed T4/T8 ratio comprising administering insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) is disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 24, 1995
Date of Patent:
April 28, 1998
Assignee:
University of Tennessee Research Corporation
Abstract: A method for post-treating a precursor nonwoven web including consolidating the web laterally, thereby reducing the maximum pore size measure of the web and improving the filtration efficiency of the web, and subjecting the consolidated web to an electrostatic field to further enhance filtration efficiency.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 23, 1996
Date of Patent:
March 24, 1998
Assignee:
The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
Inventors:
Charles B. Hassenboehler, Jr., Larry B. Wadsworth
Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of augmenting soft tissue in a mammal which includes injecting keratin into the soft tissue. The method of the present invention may be used to treat incontinence and vesicoureteral reflux.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 8, 1996
Date of Patent:
January 27, 1998
Assignee:
The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
Abstract: A plant peptide transport gene and its nucleotide sequence are disclosed. The gene may be used to confer herbicide resistance to plants, and to render plants resistant to insect pests. The invention also relates to plants that possess non-naturally occurring alleles of peptide transport gene.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 16, 1994
Date of Patent:
November 18, 1997
Assignee:
The University of Tennessee Research Corporation