Patents by Inventor Brendon D. Tower

Brendon D. Tower 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).

  • Patent number: 9921107
    Abstract: A spectrometer system comprising a housing configured as a handheld device with a screen; a source of narrow band illumination; a sensor that detects Raman scattering signals; a source of wide band illumination; an optical element that detect Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) signals; a memory device comprising a library of information with Raman scattering reference information and FTIR reference information; and a processor configured to execute software instructions, wherein the software instructions are configured to: direct the narrow band illumination to the sample; detect the Raman scattering signals; direct the wide band illumination to the sample; detect the FTIR signals; determine a composition of the sample from a similarity between the Raman scattering spectral information and the Raman scattering reference information, and from a similarity between the FTIR spectral information and the FTIR reference information; and display the composition of the sample on the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Derek Hargreaves, Timothy M. Pastore, Gregory H. Vander Rhodes, Brendon D. Tower
  • Patent number: 9841371
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus, kits, methods, and systems that include a radiation source configured to direct radiation to a sample; a detector configured to measure radiation from the sample; an electronic processor configured to determine information about the sample based on the measured radiation; a housing enclosing the source, the detector, and the electronic processor, the housing having a hand-held form factor; an arm configured to maintain a separation between the sample and the housing, the arm including a first end configured to connect to the housing and a second end configured to contact the sample; and a layer positioned on the second end of the arm, the layer being configured to contact the sample and to transmit at least a portion of the radiation from the sample to the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Knopp, Robert L. Green, Brendon D. Tower, Christopher D. Brown, Gregory H. Vander Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20170314992
    Abstract: A spectrometer system comprising a housing configured as a handheld device with a screen; a source of narrow band illumination; a sensor that detects Raman scattering signals; a source of wide band illumination; an optical element that detect Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) signals; a memory device comprising a library of information with Raman scattering reference information and FTIR reference information; and a processor configured to execute software instructions, wherein the software instructions are configured to: direct the narrow band illumination to the sample; detect the Raman scattering signals; direct the wide band illumination to the sample; detect the FTIR signals; determine a composition of the sample from a similarity between the Raman scattering spectral information and the Raman scattering reference information, and from a similarity between the FTIR spectral information and the FTIR reference information; and display the composition of the sample on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Derek HARGREAVES, Timothy M. PASTORE, Gregory H. VANDER RHODES, Brendon D. TOWER
  • Patent number: 9599559
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention are directed to applying intimate contact pressures to samples while undergoing ATR infrared interrogation. As a general mode of operation, after a solid sample is placed on the ATR element, a force actuator moves an anvil arm to apply a contact force to the sample against the ATR. Thereafter, when the scan is over, the user can see the result of the one or more scans. The force actuator may be a motor or a solenoid or other type of force actuator. The applied contact force may be a fixed force or may be a user-selectable force or may be automatically controlled through feedback from the spectrometer based on the spectroscopic signature of the sample material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Pastore, Kenneth J. Vachon, Jr., Brendon D. Tower, Gregory H. Vander Rhodes, Aaron Sean Poynton
  • Patent number: 9513167
    Abstract: A spectrometer configurable for field analyses of chemical properties of a material is provided. The spectrometer includes: at least one sensor adapted for providing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) surveillance and at least another sensor for providing Raman spectroscopy surveillance. The spectrometer can be provided with a user accessible instruction set for modifying a sampling configuration of the spectrometer. A method of determining the most likely composition of a sample by at least two technologies using the spectrometer is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Derek Hargreaves, Timothy M. Pastore, Gregory H. Vander Rhodes, Brendon D. Tower
  • Publication number: 20160258863
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention are directed to applying intimate contact pressures to samples while undergoing ATR infrared interrogation. As a general mode of operation, after a solid sample is placed on the ATR element, a force actuator moves an anvil arm to apply a contact force to the sample against the ATR. Thereafter, when the scan is over, the user can see the result of the one or more scans. The force actuator may be a motor or a solenoid or other type of force actuator. The applied contact force may be a fixed force or may be a user-selectable force or may be automatically controlled through feedback from the spectrometer based on the spectroscopic signature of the sample material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy M. PASTORE, Kenneth J. VACHON, JR., Brendon D. TOWER, Gregory H. VANDER RHODES, Aaron Sean POYNTON
  • Patent number: 9366626
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention are directed to applying intimate contact pressures to samples while undergoing ATR infrared interrogation. As a general mode of operation, after a solid sample is placed on the ATR element, a force actuator moves an anvil arm to apply a contact force to the sample against the ATR. Thereafter, when the scan is over, the user can see the result of the one or more scans. The force actuator may be a motor or a solenoid or other type of force actuator. The applied contact force may be a fixed force or may be a user-selectable force or may be automatically controlled through feedback from the spectrometer based on the spectroscopic signature of the sample material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Thermo Scientific Portable Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Pastore, Kenneth J. Vachon, Jr., Brendon D. Tower, Gregory H. Vander Rhodes, Aaron Sean Poynton
  • Publication number: 20160025569
    Abstract: A spectrometer configurable for field analyses of chemical properties of a material is provided. The spectrometer includes: at least one sensor adapted for providing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) surveillance and at least another sensor for providing Raman spectroscopy surveillance. The spectrometer can be provided with a user accessible instruction set for modifying a sampling configuration of the spectrometer. A method of determining the most likely composition of a sample by at least two technologies using the spectrometer is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Derek HARGREAVES, Timothy M. PASTORE, Gregory H. VANDER RHODES, Brendon D. TOWER
  • Publication number: 20150036135
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus, kits, methods, and systems that include a radiation source configured to direct radiation to a sample; a detector configured to measure radiation from the sample; an electronic processor configured to determine information about the sample based on the measured radiation; a housing enclosing the source, the detector, and the electronic processor, the housing having a hand-held form factor; an arm configured to maintain a separation between the sample and the housing, the arm including a first end configured to connect to the housing and a second end configured to contact the sample; and a layer positioned on the second end of the arm, the layer being configured to contact the sample and to transmit at least a portion of the radiation from the sample to the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin J. KNOPP, Robert L. GREEN, Brendon D. TOWER, Christopher D. BROWN, Gregory H. VANDER RHODES
  • Publication number: 20140374601
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention are directed to applying intimate contact pressures to samples while undergoing ATR infrared interrogation. As a general mode of operation, after a solid sample is placed on the ATR element, a force actuator moves an anvil arm to apply a contact force to the sample against the ATR. Thereafter, when the scan is over, the user can see the result of the one or more scans. The force actuator may be a motor or a solenoid or other type of force actuator. The applied contact force may be a fixed force or may be a user-selectable force or may be automatically controlled through feedback from the spectrometer based on the spectroscopic signature of the sample material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy M. Pastore, Kenneth J. Vachon, JR., Brendon D. Tower, Gregory H. Vander Rhodes, Aaron Poynton
  • Patent number: 8891086
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus, kits, methods, and systems that include a radiation source configured to direct radiation to a sample; a detector configured to measure radiation from the sample; an electronic processor configured to determine information about the sample based on the measured radiation; a housing enclosing the source, the detector, and the electronic processor, the housing having a hand-held form factor; an arm configured to maintain a separation between the sample and the housing, the arm including a first end configured to connect to the housing and a second end configured to contact the sample; and a layer positioned on the second end of the arm, the layer being configured to contact the sample and to transmit at least a portion of the radiation from the sample to the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Knopp, Robert L. Green, Brendon D. Tower, Christopher D. Brown, Gregory H. Vander Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20100315629
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus, kits, methods, and systems that include a radiation source configured to direct radiation to a sample; a detector configured to measure radiation from the sample; an electronic processor configured to determine infotmation about the sample based on the measured radiation; a housing enclosing the source, the detector, and the electronic processor, the housing having a hand-held form factor; an arm configured to maintain a separation between the sample and the housing, the arm including a first end configured to connect to the housing and a second end configured to contact the sample; and a layer positioned on the second end of the arm, the layer being configured to contact the sample and to transmit at least a portion of the radiation from the sample to the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin J. Knopp, Robert L. Green, Brendon D. Tower, Christopher D. Brown, Gregory H. Vander Rhodes