Patents by Inventor Alvin Brown

Alvin Brown has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20180080894
    Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor includes a sensor housing having a plurality of inlet passages, wherein each of the plurality of inlet passages has a cross-sectional area of no greater than 11,309 ?m2. The electrochemical gas sensor further includes a working electrode within the housing which is responsive to an analyte gas and an electrolyte within the sensor housing in ionic contact with the working electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Keith Davis, Michael Alvin Brown, Mark Flori Zanella, SR.
  • Publication number: 20180017589
    Abstract: A method of operating a sensor system including at least one sensor for detecting an analyte gas and a control system includes electronically interrogating the sensor to determine the operational status thereof and upon determining that the operational status is non-conforming based upon one or more predetermined thresholds, the control system initiating an automated calibration of the sensor with the analyte gas or a simulant gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Towner Bennett Scheffler, Michael Alvin Brown, Andrew E. Nalepa, Brian Keith Davis
  • Publication number: 20170219515
    Abstract: A method of operating a sensor to detect an analyte in an environment, wherein the sensor includes a working electrode and circuitry in operative connection with the working electrode, includes performing a sensor interrogation cycle including applying electrical energy to the working electrode to generate a non-faradaic current, measuring a response to the generation of the non-faradaic current to determine a state of the sensor, and actively controlling the circuitry to dissipate the non-faradaic current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: BRIAN KEITH DAVIS, MICHAEL ALVIN BROWN, JERIN MILLER, RYAN ALAN SHERRY
  • Publication number: 20170102352
    Abstract: A system for detecting an analyte gas including a system housing having an inlet system, an electrochemical gas sensor within the housing and in fluid connection with the inlet system, the electrochemical sensor including a working electrode responsive to the analyte gas, and a control system in electrical connection with the working electrode. The control system is operative to bias the working electrode at a first potential at which the electrochemical gas sensor is responsive to the analyte gas and operative to bias the working electrode at a second potential, different from the first potential, at which the electrochemical gas sensor is sensitive to a driving force created in the vicinity of the inlet system to test at least one transport path of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Towner Bennett Scheffler, Michael Alvin Brown
  • Publication number: 20160313299
    Abstract: A method of testing a system, which has at least one electrochemical sensor for detecting an analyte gas within a housing of the system, and the housing has an inlet, includes exhaling in the vicinity of the inlet of the housing of the system and measuring a response to exhaled breath to test one or more transport paths of the system. Measuring the response to exhaled breath may, for example, include measuring the response of a sensor within the housing of the system that is responsive to the presence of exhaled breath. The sensor responsive to the presence of exhaled breath may, for example, include an electrochemically active electrode responsive to a gas within exhaled breath. The electrochemically active electrode may, for example, be responsive to carbon dioxide or to oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: TOWNER BENNETT SCHEFFLER, GREGORY L. MARTIN, MICHAEL ALVIN BROWN
  • Patent number: 9410940
    Abstract: A method of testing a system, which has at least one electrochemical sensor for detecting an analyte gas within a housing of the system, and the housing has an inlet, includes exhaling in the vicinity of the inlet of the housing of the system and measuring a response to exhaled breath to test one or more transport paths of the system. Measuring the response to exhaled breath may, for example, include measuring the response of a sensor within the housing of the system that is responsive to the presence of exhaled breath. The sensor responsive to the presence of exhaled breath may, for example, include an electrochemically active electrode responsive to a gas within exhaled breath. The electrochemically active electrode may, for example, be responsive to carbon dioxide or to oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: MSA TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Towner Bennett Scheffler, Gregory L. Martin, Michael Alvin Brown
  • Patent number: 9400257
    Abstract: A system includes a polymeric housing and a first connector in electrically conductive connection with a first component within the housing. The first connector includes a first extending member formed from a conductive loaded polymeric material. The first extending member is formed such that an interior thereof includes conductive elements within a matrix of the polymeric material so that the interior is electrically conductive and an exterior surface thereof comprises the polymeric material and is less conductive than the conductive interior. The conductive interior of the first extending member is in electrically conductive connection with the first component. The first connector further includes a first extending conductive element in electrical connection with the conductive interior of the first extending member. The first extending conductive element extends from the first extending member to pass through the polymeric housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: MSA TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Alvin Brown, Brian Keith Davis, Towner Bennet Scheffler
  • Patent number: 8790501
    Abstract: A sensor includes a housing, at least two electrodes within the housing, an electrolyte providing ionic conductivity between the electrodes and a vent member including a first section including a portion extending through a passage in the housing. The vent member also includes at least one extending member connected to the first section that extends through at least a portion of an interior of the housing. The first section of the vent member is porous so that gas can diffuse from the interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing via the vent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: MSA Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Alvin Brown, Towner Bennett Scheffler
  • Patent number: 8702935
    Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor includes a housing, a first working electrode within the housing and having a first section of gas transfer medium and a first layer of catalyst on the first section of gas transfer medium, and at least a second working electrode within the housing and having a second section of gas transfer medium and a second layer of catalyst on the second section of gas transfer medium. At least one of the first section of gas transfer medium and the second section of gas transfer medium includes at least one area in which the structure thereof has been irreversibly altered to limit diffusion of gas through the at least one of the first section of gas transfer medium or the second section of gas transfer medium toward the other of the at least one of the first section of gas transfer medium and the second section of gas transfer medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Brian Keith Davis, Towner Bennett Scheffler, Michael Alvin Brown
  • Publication number: 20140102898
    Abstract: A system includes a polymeric housing and a first connector in electrically conductive connection with a first component within the housing. The first connector includes a first extending member formed from a conductive loaded polymeric material. The first extending member is formed such that an interior thereof includes conductive elements within a matrix of the polymeric material so that the interior is electrically conductive and an exterior surface thereof comprises the polymeric material and is less conductive than the conductive interior. The conductive interior of the first extending member is in electrically conductive connection with the first component. The first connector further includes a first extending conductive element in electrical connection with the conductive interior of the first extending member. The first extending conductive element extends from the first extending member to pass through the polymeric housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY
    Inventors: MICHAEL ALVIN BROWN, BRIAN KEITH DAVIS, TOWNER BENNET SCHEFFLER
  • Patent number: 8617364
    Abstract: An electrochemical sensor includes a polymeric housing and at least a first electrode within the housing. The first electrode includes an electrochemically active surface. The electrochemical sensor further includes a first connector in electrically conductive connection with the first electrode. The first connector includes a first extending member formed from a conductive loaded polymeric material. The first extending member is formed such that an interior thereof comprises conductive elements within a matrix of the polymeric material so that the interior is electrically conductive and an exterior surface thereof comprises the polymeric material and is less conductive than the conductive interior. The conductive interior of the first extending member is in electrically conductive connection with the first electrode. The first connector further includes a first extending conductive element in electrical connection with the conductive interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Michael Alvin Brown, Brian Keith Davis, Towner Bennet Scheffler
  • Publication number: 20130091924
    Abstract: A method of testing a system, which has at least one electrochemical sensor for detecting an analyte gas within a housing of the system, and the housing has an inlet, includes exhaling in the vicinity of the inlet of the housing of the system and measuring a response to exhaled breath to test one or more transport paths of the system. Measuring the response to exhaled breath may, for example, include measuring the response of a sensor within the housing of the system that is responsive to the presence of exhaled breath. The sensor responsive to the presence of exhaled breath may, for example, include an electrochemically active electrode responsive to a gas within exhaled breath. The electrochemically active electrode may, for example, be responsive to carbon dioxide or to oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: TOWNER BENNETT SCHEFFLER, GREGORY L. MARTIN, MICHAEL ALVIN BROWN
  • Publication number: 20130048496
    Abstract: An electrochemical sensor includes a polymeric housing and at least a first electrode within the housing. The first electrode includes an electrochemically active surface. The electrochemical sensor further includes a first connector in electrically conductive connection with the first electrode. The first connector includes a first extending member formed from a conductive loaded polymeric material. The first extending member is formed such that an interior thereof comprises conductive elements within a matrix of the polymeric material so that the interior is electrically conductive and an exterior surface thereof comprises the polymeric material and is less conductive than the conductive interior. The conductive interior of the first extending member is in electrically conductive connection with the first electrode. The first connector further includes a first extending conductive element in electrical connection with the conductive interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: MICHAEL ALVIN BROWN, BRIAN KEITH DAVIS, TOWNER BENNET SCHEFFLER
  • Publication number: 20110100813
    Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor includes a housing, a first working electrode within the housing and having a first section of gas transfer medium and a first layer of catalyst on the first section of gas transfer medium, and at least a second working electrode within the housing and having a second section of gas transfer medium and a second layer of catalyst on the second section of gas transfer medium. At least one of the first section of gas transfer medium and the second section of gas transfer medium includes at least one area in which the structure thereof has been irreversibly altered to limit diffusion of gas through the at least one of the first section of gas transfer medium or the second section of gas transfer medium toward the other of the at least one of the first section of gas transfer medium and the second section of gas transfer medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: BRIAN KEITH DAVIS, TOWNER BENNETT SCHEFFLER, MICHAEL ALVIN BROWN
  • Publication number: 20110100814
    Abstract: A sensor includes a housing, at least two electrodes within the housing, an electrolyte providing ionic conductivity between the electrodes and a vent member including a first section including a portion extending through a passage in the housing. The vent member also includes at least one extending member connected to the first section that extends through at least a portion of an interior of the housing. The first section of the vent member is porous so that gas can diffuse from the interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing via the vent member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: MICHAEL ALVIN BROWN, TOWNER BENNETT SCHEFFLER
  • Patent number: 4198472
    Abstract: An exposed aggregate surface is applied to a reinforced concrete swimming pool or similar structure by pumping through a discharge nozzle a mix which is deposited as a relatively thin layer which is then worked by trowelling to compact the aggregate and draw portland cement in the mix to the surface of the coating and a fine water spray is used to wash away the excess cement. The mix comprises fine aggregate substantially smaller in size than aggregate which will pass through a 1/2 inch mesh, a rich cement to aggregate ratio for example 1:1 by volume, the aggregate being substantially free of fines and a quantity of water such that a small slump is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1980
    Assignee: Kinbrace Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Alvin Brown