Patents by Inventor Christine M. D'Ambrosia

Christine M. D'Ambrosia 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).

  • Catalyst for oxidation of volatile organic compounds
    Patent number: 6132694
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for oxidizing volatile organic compounds to carbon dioxide and water with the minimal addition of energy. A mixture of the volatile organic compound and an oxidizing agent (e.g. ambient air containing the volatile organic compound) is exposed to a catalyst which includes a noble metal dispersed on a metal oxide which possesses more than one oxidation state. Especially good results are obtained when the noble metal is platinum, and the metal oxide which possesses more than one oxidation state is tin oxide. A promoter (i.e., a small amount of an oxide of a transition series metal) may be used in association with the tin oxide to provide very beneficial results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: George M. Wood, Billy T. Upchurch, David R. Schryer, Patricia P. Davis, Erik J. Kielin, Kenneth G. Brown, Jacqueline L. Schyryer, Christine M. D'Ambrosia
  • Solid state carbon monoxide sensor
    Patent number: 5948965
    Abstract: A means for detecting carbon monoxide which utilizes an un-heated catalytic material to oxidize carbon monoxide at ambient temperatures. Because this reaction is exothermic, a thermistor in contact with the catalytic material is used as a sensing element to detect the heat evolved as carbon monoxide is oxidized to carbon dioxide at the catalyst surface, without any heaters or external heating elements for the ambient air or catalytic element material. Upon comparison to a reference thermistor, relative increases in the temperature of the sensing thermistor correspond positively with an increased concentration of carbon monoxide in the ambient medium and are thus used as an indicator of the presence of carbon monoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Billy T. Upchurch, George M. Wood, David R. Schryer, Bradley D. Leighty, Donald M. Oglesby, Erik J. Kielin, Kenneth G. Brown, Christine M. D'Ambrosia
  • Catalytic process for formaldehyde oxidation
    Patent number: 5585083
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for oxidizing formaldehyde to carbon dioxide and water without the addition of energy. A mixture of formaldehyde and an oxidizing agent (e.g., ambient air containing formaldehyde) is exposed to a catalyst which includes a noble metal dispersed on a metal oxide which possesses more than one oxidation state. Especially good results are obtained when the noble metal is platinum, and the metal oxide which possesses more than one oxidation state is tin oxide. A promoter (i.e., a small amount of an oxide of a transition series metal) may be used in association with the tin oxide to provide very beneficial results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignees: The United States as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Rochester Gas & Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Erik J. Kielin, Kenneth G. Brown, Christine M. D'Ambrosia