Patents Assigned to Valco Instruments Co., Inc.
  • Patent number: 7601543
    Abstract: This invention is a method and device for use with multi-dimensional chromatography that utilizes partial modulation. An analyte-bearing sample is subjected to a first dimension of chromatography. Thereafter the separated analyte-bearing sample is diluted with a modulated second carrier such at the analyte-bearing sample is not stopped or its temperature altered. The partially modulated analyte-bearing sample then feeds into a secondary column where the analyte-bearing sample is further separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Valco Instruments Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Huamin Cai, Stanley Stearns
  • Patent number: 7507586
    Abstract: This invention is a method and device for use with multi-dimensional chromatography that utilizes partial modulation with multiple secondary retention times. An analyte-bearing sample is subjected to a first dimension of chromatography. Thereafter the separated analyte-bearing sample is diluted with a modulated second carrier such at the analyte-bearing sample is not stopped or its temperature altered. The secondary retention time period at which the modulator cycles is variable among multiple secondary retention time periods to prevent loss of resolution with less complex and/or low boiling point compounds and to prevent loss of data with more complex and/or higher boiling point compounds. The partially modulated analyte-bearing sample then feeds into a secondary column where the analyte-bearing sample is further separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Valco Instruments Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Huamin Cai
  • Publication number: 20090045187
    Abstract: The adaptive temperature controller includes a device for measuring resistance, an electrically-conductive material, a power supply, and a device for controlling power. In operation, the controller determines the resistance of material at one or more temperatures and therefore determines the resistance of the material through a range of operating temperature. Based on such determination so long as voltage and power are known, the resistance of the material, and therefore its temperature, are known. As a result the voltage or power may be instantly varied to produce near infinite control over material temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: VALCO INSTRUMENTS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Stanley D. Stearns, Huamin Cai, Chris S. Cowles
  • Patent number: 7442902
    Abstract: The adaptive temperature controller includes an ambient temperature sensor, a device for measuring resistance, an electrically-conductive material, a power supply, and a device for controlling power. In operation, the controller determines the resistance of material at or near ambient temperature. Based on such determination so long as voltage and power are known, the resistance of the material, and therefore its instant temperature is known. Additionally, the adaptive temperature controller determines the responsiveness of the electrically-conductive material to determine the predicted increase in temperature and rate of increase in temperature relative to increases in voltage, current or power. As a result the voltage or power may be instantly varied to produce near infinite control over material temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Valco Instruments Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley D. Stearns, Huamin Cai, Chris S. Cowles
  • Patent number: 7316777
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a nut and ferrule assembly for use in joining tubing to a fitting. The ferrule has a male member which interlocks with a nut and freely rotates within the nut. The interlock reduces the number of parts necessary to be handled, eliminates the need for the nut to be of the same material as the ferrule, reduces the possibility of flow restriction or tubing deformation associated with rotation of the ferrule, and aids in the removal of the ferrule from the detail when removal is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Valco Instruments Co., Inc.
    Inventor: H. Max Loy, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20070210285
    Abstract: The adaptive temperature controller includes an ambient temperature sensor, a device for measuring resistance, an electrically-conductive material, a power supply, and a device for controlling power. In operation, the controller determines the resistance of material at or near ambient temperature. Based on such determination so long as voltage and power are known, the resistance of the material, and therefore its instant temperature is known. Additionally, the adaptive temperature controller determines the responsiveness of the electrically-conductive material to determine the predicted increase in temperature and rate of increase in temperature relative to increases in voltage, current or power. As a result the voltage or power may be instantly varied to produce near infinite control over material temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: VALCO INSTRUMENTS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Stanley D. Stearns, Huamin Cai, Chris S. Cowles
  • Patent number: 7091044
    Abstract: This invention is a method and device for use with multi-dimensional chromatography that utilizes partial modulation. An analyte-bearing sample is subjected to a first dimension of chromatography. Thereafter the separated analyte-bearing sample is diluted with a modulated second carrier such at the analyte-bearing sample is not stopped or its temperature altered. The partially modulated analyte-bearing sample then feeds into a secondary column where the analyte-bearing sample is further separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Valco Instruments Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Huamin Cai, Stanley Stearns
  • Patent number: 6133740
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are set forth which enables a gas chromatographic column output to be connected with a pulse discharge chamber in which chemically bound chlorine in volatile organic or inorganic samples is measured. A spark discharge is formed in the chamber to ionize and excite helium molecules to a metastable state. In turn, that transfers excitation to a trace of krypton gas in the chamber which is ionized, and the ionized krypton then preferentially binds with chemically bound chlorine. The latter binding occurs with the liberation of a photon centered at about 222 nanometers thereby defining a spectral region of interest which is measured by a photomultiplier tube to quantify chemically bound chlorine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Valco Instrument Co., Inc
    Inventors: Wayne E. Wentworth, Stanley D. Stearns
  • Patent number: 5594346
    Abstract: A pulsed discharge photoinoization detector is set forth which comprises a plurality of closed chambers for receiving different types of carrier gas flowing there through between inlets and outlets. The carrier gases are exposed to a pair of electrodes forming a spark across each chamber and through each carrier gas. At least one component of each type of carrier gas is excited within each chamber by the spark discharges, and the resonance energies of each type of carrier gas are different. The sample to be analyzed is split and a portion is injected into each of the closed chambers where it is exposed to the excited carrier gases. Carrier gases, upon decay, serve as sources of ionizing radiation of differing energy which react with compounds within the sample gas producing ionization currents which are a function of the types of sample gas compounds and the types of carrier gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Valco Instruments Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley D. Stearns, Wayne E. Wentworth
  • Patent number: 5394092
    Abstract: A spark detection apparatus is set forth and incorporates a closed chamber for receiving a carrier gas flowing therethrough between inlets and outlets, and the carrier gas is exposed to a pair of electrodes forming a spark across the chamber and through the carrier gas. One component of the carrier gas is argon. The sample to be analyzed is injected into the carrier gas. One reaction involves the formation of metastable argon which upon decay serves as a source of ionizing radiation which reacts with sample compounds producing detectable events. These events are used to identify and quantify unknown compounds contained in the sample. The methods and apparatus are especially useful in measuring pollutant compounds in atmospheric samples since the ionizing radiation emitted from the decay of metastable argon is below the ionization potential of the major constituents of air. This greatly enhances the signal-to-noise ratio for detecting impurity compounds when the detection system is used to monitor air quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Valco Instruments Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne E. Wentworth, Stanley D. Stearns