Patents by Inventor Brian K. Clay

Brian K. Clay 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: 10018493
    Abstract: A flow sensor circuit for a fluid flowpath having a self-heated thermistor situated in a fluid flowpath. The flow sensor circuit is configured to energize the thermistor sufficiently to heat the thermistor, calculate the slope of the leading edge of the rise in temperature of the thermistor when the thermistor is energized, and equate the slope to the state of the fluid flowing through the fluid flowpath. In another embodiment, the flow sensor circuit is configured to energize the thermistor, measure and calculate the average and standard deviation of the thermistor temperature, and determine the state of the flowpath using the thermistor temperature average and standard deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian K. Clay, Helen Prieto Martinez
  • Patent number: 9314754
    Abstract: The stirring apparatus is an electronic design that generates rotating magnetic fields to drive magnetic stir bars within vials placed above the cover of the stirring apparatus. Below the cover is a magnetics board containing multiple vial groups of four air core coils arranged in rectangular patterns. Each vial group has with two pairs of diagonal coils. The coils in each pair are wired in series and have opposite winding directions. Each pair is driven by a different phase of a stepper motor driver. The vial groups are spaced appropriately for placing one vial above each group. The adjacent coils of adjacent vial groups are driven by the same phase and have the same magnetic direction. The cover contains an array of pole standoffs that matches the coil pattern. The hollow center of each air core coil contains at least a portion of one pole standoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: F. Allen Dettling, Brian K. Clay, Gordon K. Francis, Matthew K. Stonesmith, Thomas D. Szakas
  • Patent number: 8398297
    Abstract: The stirring apparatus is an electronic design that generates rotating magnetic fields to drive magnetic stir bars within vials placed above the cover of the stirring apparatus. Below the cover is a magnetics board containing multiple vial groups of four air core coils arranged in rectangular patterns. Each vial group has with two pairs of diagonal coils. The coils in each pair are wired in series and have opposite winding directions. Each pair is driven by a different phase of a stepper motor driver. The vial groups are spaced appropriately for placing one vial above each group. The adjacent coils of adjacent vial groups are driven by the same phase and have the same magnetic direction. The cover contains an array of pole standoffs that matches the coil pattern. The hollow center of each air core coil contains at least a portion of one pole standoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: F. Allen Dettling, Brian K. Clay, Gordon K. Francis, Matthew K. Stonesmith, Thomas D. Szakas
  • Patent number: 8003048
    Abstract: An automated standards sampling apparatus (50) and method for using such, apparatus are described. The apparatus can be integrated with a liquid analyzer to form a compact, integrated liquid analysis unit. When used in combination with a specially adapted vial se of standard liquids, the apparatus provides a system for automated, substantially error-free periodic calibration and accuracy verification for an online TOC analyzer (52). The automated standards sampling apparatus of this invention facilitates the easy introduction of known concentrations of standard solutions and “grab” samples into online TOC analyzers to satisfy regulatory compliance, calibration, and validation requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: GE Analytical Instruments
    Inventors: Brian K. Clay, Martin B. Tobias, Larry Macklin, Richard D. Godec, Steve Poirier
  • Publication number: 20110038224
    Abstract: The stirring apparatus is an electronic design that generates rotating magnetic fields to drive magnetic stir bars within vials placed above the cover of the stirring apparatus. Below the cover is a magnetics board containing multiple vial groups of four air core coils arranged in rectangular patterns. Each vial group has with two pairs of diagonal coils. The coils in each pair are wired in series and have opposite winding directions. Each pair is driven by a different phase of a stepper motor driver. The vial groups are spaced appropriately for placing one vial above each group. The adjacent coils of adjacent vial groups are driven by the same phase and have the same magnetic direction. The cover contains an array of pole standoffs that matches the coil pattern. The hollow center of each air core coil contains at least a portion of one pole standoff.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: F. Allen Dettling, Brian K. Clay, Gordon K. Francis, Matthew K. Stonesmith, Thomas D. Szakas
  • Publication number: 20100279417
    Abstract: An automated standards sampling apparatus (50) and method for using such, apparatus are described. The apparatus can be integrated with a liquid analyzer to form a compact, integrated liquid analysis unit. When used in combination with a specially adapted vial se of standard liquids, the apparatus provides a system for automated, substantially error-free periodic calibration and accuracy verification for an online TOC analyzer (52). The automated standards sampling apparatus of this invention facilitates the easy introduction of known concentrations of standard solutions and “grab” samples into online TOC analyzers to satisfy regulatory compliance, calibration, and validation requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2006
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Brian K. Clay, Martin B. Tobias, Larry MacKlin, Richard D. Godec, Steve Poirier