Patents by Inventor Chris D'Aoust

Chris D'Aoust 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).

  • Hot Air Balloon Steering System
    Publication number: 20180201355
    Abstract: A hot air balloon steering system for steering a hot air balloon includes a hot air balloon that includes a basket. A stand unit is movably coupled to the basket. The stand unit abuts a support surface thereby facilitating the basket to be spaced from the support surface when the hot air balloon is not in flight. A sail unit is movably coupled to the basket. The sail unit captures air when the hot air balloon is in flight. Moreover, the sail unit steers the hot air balloon when the hot air balloon is in flight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventor: Chris D. Palmby
  • TREATING C8 - C10 AROMATIC FEED STREAMS TO PREPARE AND RECOVER TRIMETHYLATED BENZENES
    Publication number: 20180201848
    Abstract: Methods and alternatives for the efficient and cost-effective production of high-octane fuel blends from C9 aromatic feeds including methyl benzenes and C2 and/or higher alkyl benzenes, The fuel blend can serve as a high-octane unleaded fuel or fuel blending component for a wide range of applications, particularly aviation gasoline and other high-performance transportation fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Chris D'Acosta, Jeffrey Miller, Robert Hoch
  • Metal-enhanced bioluminescence: an approach for monitoring biological bioluminescent processes
    Patent number: 10024850
    Abstract: The present invention relates to surface plasmon-coupled bioluminescence, wherein bioluminescent emission from a bioluminescent chemical reaction couples to surface plasmons in metallized particles thereby enhancing the signal. Importantly, these plasmonic emissions emitted from metallic particles generated without an external excitation source but instead from induced electronically excited states caused by the bioluminescent chemical reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE COUNTY
    Inventor: Chris D. Geddes
  • Directional surface plasmon coupled fluorescence and chemiluminescence from thin films of nickel, iron or palladium and uses thereof
    Patent number: 10024794
    Abstract: Nickel, iron and palladium thin films thermally evaporated onto glass supports are used to demonstrate surface plasmon coupled fluorescence (SPCF) and surface plasmon couple chemiluminescence (SPCC) over a broad wavelength range (400-800 nm) for potential assays or other detection systems. Nickel, iron and palladium thin films used in SPCF and SPCC convert otherwise isotropic emission into highly directional and polarized emission, an attractive concept for surface assays. The emission angles of detected emissions occur over a 10 degree range for tested emitted wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE COUNTY
    Inventor: Chris D. Geddes
  • Product and Package with a Photosensitive Use-Evident Feature
    Publication number: 20180186526
    Abstract: A product includes a container, a photosensitive material carried by the container and responsive to ultraviolet light, and a UV protector carried by the container to protect the photosensitive material from exposure to UV light. A method of producing a food or beverage container includes applying a photochromic material to a food or beverage container that is responsive to ultraviolet (UV) light so as to darken upon exposure thereto, and protecting at least a portion of the photochromic material from exposure to UV light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Roger P. Smith, Jessica R. Bryant, Chris D. Anderson, Scott Cooper, Terence J. Clark, Oleg Feygenson, Anatoly Solunin
  • TREATING C8-C10 AROMATIC FEED STREAMS TO PREPARE AND RECOVER TRANSMETHYLATED BENZENES
    Publication number: 20180155257
    Abstract: Methods are provided for the treatment of a feed stream containing C9 aromatic components to produce mesitylene-containing products. The methods include hydrodealkylating the feed stream to remove C2 and higher alkyl groups from the aromatic components and transalkylating the feed stream to rearrange the distribution of methyl groups among the aromatic components. Disclosed methods also include the treatment of a hydrocarbon feedstock by hydrodealkylation and/or transalkylation in order to produce a hydrocarbon product having an increased mass percentage of mesitylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: Swift Fuels, LLC
    Inventors: Chris D'Acosta, Jeffery Miller, Robert Hoch
  • Unleaded gasoline formulations including mesitylene and pseudocumene
    Patent number: 9969948
    Abstract: The present invention provides an unleaded, piston engine fuel formulation comprising a blend of mesitylene, pseudocumene and isopentane having a MON of at least 94 and an RVP of 38 to 49 kPa at 37.8° C. In certain aspects, the formulation comprises specific weight percentages of each of the mesitylene, pseudocumene and isopentane components, and varying MON ratings. In additional aspects, the formulations comprise a combination of mesitylene, isopentane, and one or more additional components selected from the group consisting of pseudocumene, toluene and xylenes. In certain embodiments, the formulations also include alkylates and or alkanes. The formulations have unusually high MON ratings, and desirable RVP and distillation curve characteristics for formulations not including additional components, particularly octane boosters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Swift Fuels, LLC
    Inventor: Chris D'Acosta
  • COTTON GIN WITH ONE-PIECE GINNING PLATE
    Publication number: 20180105954
    Abstract: A ginning plate for a crop analytics research cotton gin, wherein the ginning plate comprises a body fabricated. The body includes a front face, a back face, a top end, a bottom end, and opposing sides. The ginning plate additionally comprises a plurality of blade slots extending through the body. Each blade slot comprises an elongated midsection, a mouth disposed at a top of the midsection, and a tail disposed at a bottom of the midsection. The midsection has a first width throughout its length, the mouth has a second width that is greater than the first width, and the tail has a third width that is less than the first width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Chris D. Ferguson, Matthew J. Link
  • Product and package with a photosensitive use-evident feature
    Patent number: 9938058
    Abstract: A product includes a container, a photosensitive material carried by the container and responsive to ultraviolet light, and a UV protector carried by the container to protect the photosensitive material from exposure to UV light. A method of producing a food or beverage container includes applying a photochromic material to a food or beverage container that is responsive to ultraviolet (UV) light so as to darken upon exposure thereto, and protecting at least a portion of the photochromic material from exposure to UV light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Roger P. Smith, Jessica R. Bryant, Chris D. Anderson, Scott Cooper, Terence J. Clark, Oleg Feygenson, Anatoly Solunin
  • ULTRA-FAST PATHOGEN TOXIN DETECTION ASSAY BASED ON MICROWAVE-ACCELERATED METAL-ENHANCED FLUORESCENCE
    Publication number: 20180088114
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a system and method to detect low levels of the anthrax protective antigen (PA) exotoxin in biological fluids, wherein the system uses a metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF)-PA assay in combination with microwave-accelerated PA protein surface absorption. Microwave irradiation rapidly accelerates PA deposition onto the surface adjacent to deposited metallic particles and significantly speeding up the MEF-PA assay and resulting in a total assay run time of less than 40 min with an analytical sensitivity of less than 1 pg/ml PA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventor: Chris D. GEDDES
  • METAL-ENHANCED PHOTOLUMINESCENCE FROM CARBON NANODOTS
    Publication number: 20180088050
    Abstract: The present invention relates to enhancement of detectable emissions from carbon nanodots or variants thereof by using the techniques of MEF to further enhance carbon nanodot brightness, photostability, and thus, potentially detectability in biological imaging applications by using plasmon supporting materials, such as silver island films and positioning of the carbon nanodots an optimal distance from the plasmon supporting materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventor: Chris D. GEDDES
  • UNLEADED GASOLINE FORMULATIONS FOR PISTON ENGINES
    Publication number: 20180051221
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are fuel formulations comprising C4-C12 aliphatic hydrocarbons and cumidine. In embodiments, the formulations further include a limited amount of aromatic hydrocarbons. In other embodiments, the aliphatic hydrocarbons are alkylates, and in still other embodiment the alkylates are alkanes. These fuel formulations provide unique and advantageous physical properties suitable for piston engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: Swift Fuels, LLC
    Inventors: Chris D'Acosta, Tomas Albuzat
  • SMALL INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE FUELS
    Publication number: 20180051220
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are motor fuels providing enhanced properties for use with 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines. The fuels comprise isooctane, alkylate, mesitylene, isopentane and butane, and optionally a special lube oil premixed in solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: Swift Fuels, LLC
    Inventors: Chris D'Acosta, Thomas Albuzat
  • AVIATION FUEL WITH A RENEWABLE OXYGENATE
    Publication number: 20180051222
    Abstract: Described are preferred compositions for a motor fuel. Such motor fuels may be particularly well suited for use in the motor of an aircraft. In particular, compositions of the present disclosure may comprise 50-75 wt % isooctane/alkylates, 20-40 wt % ETBE, 0-3 wt % isobutane, and 0-5 wt % aromatics. The present disclosure describes a full spectrum of unleaded fuels with various motor octane (MON) values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: Swift Fuels LLC
    Inventors: Chris D'Acosta, Thomas Albuzat
  • Treating C8-C10 aromatic feed streams to prepare and recover trimethylated benzenes
    Patent number: 9890095
    Abstract: Methods are provided for the treatment of a feed stream containing C9 aromatic components to produce mesitylene-containing products. The methods include hydrodealkylating the feed stream to remove C2 and higher alkyl groups from the aromatic components and transalkylating the feed stream to rearrange the distribution of methyl groups among the aromatic components. Disclosed methods also include the treatment of a hydrocarbon feedstock by hydrodealkylation and/or transalkylation in order to produce a hydrocarbon product having an increased mass percentage of mesitylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Swift Fuels, LLC
    Inventors: Chris D'Acosta, Jeffery Miller, Robert Hoch
  • FUEL PROCUREMENT TOOL AND METHOD(S) OF USE
    Publication number: 20180037518
    Abstract: A handheld tool configured to procure fuel is described. Embodiments of the fuel procurement tool include a handhold having a cutting mechanism located proximate one end of the handhold. Typically, the cutting mechanism can include at least one cutter link having a depth gauge, a top plate, and a gullet formed between the depth gauge and the top plate. The fuel procurement tool can be implemented to procure kindling from a piece of wood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventor: Chris D. Willis
  • HIGH-OCTANE UNLEADED AVIATION GASOLINE
    Publication number: 20180016509
    Abstract: Various compositions of matter, methods of making compositions of matter, and methods of using compositions of matter are disclosed. In some embodiments, compositions useful as aviation gasoline, sometimes called “avgas”, are disclosed. In some embodiments, mesitylene is used in compositions of matter. Additives may be employed in the disclosed compositions of matter. In some embodiments, the composition of matter has a motor octane number of about 99 or higher. In some embodiments, the compositions of matter have reduced or no heteroatom constituents, and/or may have reduced or no metal constituents. In some embodiments, compositions of matter disclosed herein may have certain performance characteristics equal to better than currently available 100LL compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: Swift Fuels, LLC
    Inventors: Chris D'Acosta, Thomas Albuzat
  • Rotatable assembly including a coupling interface
    Patent number: 9845861
    Abstract: A rotatable assembly, such as a crankshaft or camshaft assembly, includes a first rotatable component and a second rotatable component coupled to the first rotatable component. The first rotatable component includes a first body and defines a plurality of recesses extending into the first body. The second rotatable component includes a second body and defines a plurality of protrusions extending from the second body. The protrusions are disposed inside the respective recesses to allow the second rotatable component to rotate in unison with the first rotatable component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott A. Hucker, Chris D. Hosler, Ronald B. Beals
  • ROTATABLE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A COUPLING INTERFACE
    Publication number: 20170343096
    Abstract: A rotatable assembly, such as a crankshaft or camshaft assembly, includes a first rotatable component and a second rotatable component coupled to the first rotatable component. The first rotatable component includes a first body and defines a plurality of recesses extending into the first body. The second rotatable component includes a second body and defines a plurality of protrusions extending from the second body. The protrusions are disposed inside the respective recesses to allow the second rotatable component to rotate in unison with the first rotatable component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott A. Hucker, Chris D. Hosler, Ronald B. Beals
  • Toothpick
    Patent number: D812305
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventors: Chris D. Palmby, Michael Schutee