Patents by Inventor Brian E. Dickerson
Brian E. Dickerson 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).
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Patent number: 7913497Abstract: The present invention provides a removably attachable compact desiccant cartridge that is useful in lowering the dew point of a medically useful gas, which is liquefied by a cryogenic device. The desiccant cartridge of the present invention comprises a gas feedstream inlet, a dehumidifying zone which comprises a desiccant material, and a dehumidified gas feedstream outlet. The present invention also provides a method for using the same.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2004Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Respironics, Inc.Inventor: Brian E. Dickerson
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Patent number: 7555916Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improving the safety and efficiency and decreasing the cost of producing liquid gas, such as liquid oxygen, with a small-scale use liquefaction device, according to various embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, liquid oxygen barrier may be added to interface between a cryocooler and a dewar to control rate of liquid oxygen escape upon a tipping of the dewar. A boiloff vessel in fluid communication with the dewar allows expanding gas from a tipped dewar to escape while allowing the liquid to safely settle in the boiloff vessel. A temperature sensing circuit, in proximity with a heat dissipator or cold finger of the cryocooler, is operable to break an electrical power circuit of the cryocooler or cooling fan when a sensed temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. Oxygen purity of a feed stream of gas may be sensed and/or displayed.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2007Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Respironics In-X, Inc.Inventors: Brian E. Dickerson, Steve W. Delve
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Publication number: 20080120982Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improving the safety and efficiency and decreasing the cost of producing liquid gas, such as liquid oxygen, with a small-scale use liquefaction device, according to various embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, liquid oxygen barrier may be added to interface between a cryocooler and a dewar to control rate of liquid oxygen escape upon a tipping of the dewar. A boiloff vessel in fluid communication with the dewar allows expanding gas from a tipped dewar to escape while allowing the liquid to safely settle in the boiloff vessel. A temperature sensing circuit, in proximity with a heat dissipator or cold finger of the cryocooler, is operable to break an electrical power circuit of the cryocooler or cooling fan when a sensed temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. Oxygen purity of a feed stream of gas may be sensed and/or displayed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2007Publication date: May 29, 2008Applicant: RESPIRONICS IN-X, INC.Inventors: Brian E. Dickerson, Steve W. Delve
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Patent number: 7318327Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improving the safety and efficiency and decreasing the cost of producing liquid oxygen with a small-scale use liquefaction device, according to various embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, a switch is electrically coupled to a storage dewar pressurizing means, the switch positioned to be activated by a portable dewar upon engagement of portable dewar with storage dewar. Cryocooler and/or cooling fan enter low power mode when dewar liquid level reaches a predetermined level, and to return to a fall power mode when dewar liquid level drops to another predetermined level. A cold finger of the cryocooler extends within the dewar and may prevent overfilling of the dewar. The cold finger has a temperature gradient. As the gas liquefies and fills the dewar, the liquid level rises only to a level on the cold finger at which the temperature exceeds the boiling point of oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2005Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Respironics In-X, Inc.Inventors: Brian E. Dickerson, Steve W. Delve, Douglas R. Powell
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Patent number: 7213400Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improving the safety and efficiency and decreasing the cost of producing liquid gas, such as liquid oxygen, with a small-scale use liquefaction device, according to various embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, liquid oxygen barrier may be added to interface between a cryocooler and a dewar to control rate of liquid oxygen escape upon a tipping of the dewar. A boiloff vessel in fluid communication with the dewar allows expanding gas from a tipped dewar to escape while allowing the liquid to safely settle in the boiloff vessel. A temperature sensing circuit, in proximity with a heat dissipator or cold finger of the cryocooler, is operable to break an electrical power circuit of the cryocooler or cooling fan when a sensed temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. Oxygen purity of a feed stream of gas may be sensed and/or displayed.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2005Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Respironics In-X, Inc.Inventors: Brian E. Dickerson, Steve W. Delve
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Patent number: 6202642Abstract: A system for dispensing medication includes: a medicine canister that contains medicine to be dispensed, an actuator that houses the medicine canister and an adapter assembly that allows for obtaining information. The adapter assembly includes a connector assembly and an electronics module. The connector assembly connects to the medicine canister. The electronics module obtains information related to patient usage of medicine from the medicine canister. In another embodiment, a method for using the same electronics module with first and second medicine dispensing apparatuses, including a first medicine canister and a second medicine canister, is provided. The first medicine canister contains first medicine and the second medicine canister contains second medicine. First information, related to dispensing the first medicine, is stored with the electronics module joined to the first medicine dispensing apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1999Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: Medtrac Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. McKinnon, Brian E. Dickerson, Thomas L. Taccini
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Patent number: 4812823Abstract: A sealed, locked housing for an electronic transmitter tag includes a transmitter assembly (20), a battery pack (24), a strap (22), and means for lockably securing the strap and battery pack to the transmitter assembly. The transmitter tag, in a preferred embodiment, is intended for use with a house arrest monitoring system. The transmitter assembly (20) includes a first sealed compartment (54) wherein electronic circuitry (56) is housed. This circuitry transmits signals that uniquely identify the tag and that signal the occurrence of a sensed tamper event. The transmitter assembly also includes a second compartment (25), open to a top side of the assembly, into which the battery pack may be sealably inserted. The means for lockably securing the strap to the transmitter assembly include rails (30, 32) selectively attached to the strap at a desired length. These rails are slidably inserted into open ends of respective keyed channels (31, 33) along each side of the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1987Date of Patent: March 14, 1989Assignee: BI IncorporatedInventor: Brian E. Dickerson