Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Owen

Christopher J. Owen 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).

  • Publication number: 20210012640
    Abstract: A system and associated processes monitor hand hygiene compliance. The system includes hand hygiene product dispensers positioned within areas of concern (AOC) in a facility in which hand hygiene events are to be monitored. The dispensers detect dispense events initiated at the dispenser and transmit a dispense event signal indicative that a dispense event occurred along with dispenser identification information. The system also includes a plurality of compliance badges, each worn by a different person in the facility. The dispense event information may then be transferred to a local or remote computer for analysis and reporting on hand hygiene events taking place within the facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Paul S. Schilling, Anatoly Skirda, Viktor Slobodyan, Joseph P. Erickson, Cheryl A. Littau, Christopher A. Buck
  • Patent number: 9857305
    Abstract: An optical sensor may have multiple detection channels to detect different characteristics of a fluid. For example, an optical sensor used in industrial cleaning and sanitizing applications may have multiple detection channels to detect when a system is both clean and properly sanitized. In one example, an optical sensor includes an optical emitter that directs light into a fluid, a first optical detector that detects light transmitted through the fluid, a second optical detector that detects light scattered by the fluid, and a third optical detector that detects fluorescent emissions emitted by the fluid. The optical emitter and optical detectors can be positioned around an optical analysis area. The optical sensor may include filters that control the characteristics of light detected by each of the optical detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Anatoly Skirda, Viktor Slobodyan, Paul Simon Schilling, William M. Christensen
  • Patent number: 9835482
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to a flow meter and/or flow meter operation can include one or more sensors and be capable of detecting parameters of the fluid flowing the flowmeter. One or more sensors can include capacitive sensors having a plurality of electrodes and configured to detect capacitive properties of a fluid flowing through the flow meter. Detected changes in detected properties of the fluid can be evidence of important changes in the fluid, such as an out of product event or a contamination of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Anatoly Skirda, Paul Simon Schilling, Viktor Slobodyan
  • Patent number: 9696261
    Abstract: A multi-channel device includes up to three channels for optical testing of liquid samples. The liquid sample(s) may include surface water, drinking water, processed water or the like. The multi-channel device may include a turbidity channel and a color channel that measure turbidity and color, respectively, of a liquid sample using spectrographic analysis. The multi-channel device may also include a colorimetric channel that measures the concentration of various analytes in a liquid sample, such as free chlorine, total chlorine, copper and phosphate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Viktor Slobodyan, William M. Christensen, Paul Schilling, Joseph Phillip Erickson
  • Patent number: 9464982
    Abstract: An optical sensor may include a sensor head that has an optical window for directing light into a flow of fluid and/or receiving optical energy from the fluid. The optical sensor may also include a flow chamber that includes a housing defining a cavity into which the sensor head can be inserted. In some examples, the flow chamber includes an inlet port defining a flow nozzle that is configured to direct fluid entering the flow chamber against the optical window of the sensor head. In operation, the force of the incoming fluid impacting the optical window may prevent fouling materials from accumulating on the optical window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Anatoly Skirda, William M. Christensen
  • Publication number: 20160258790
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward methods and systems including a flow meter. The flow meter can include one or more sensors and be capable of detecting parameters of the fluid flowing therethrough. One or more sensors can include capacitive sensors having a plurality of electrodes and configured to detect capacitive properties of a fluid flowing through the flow meter. Detected changes in detected properties of the fluid can be evidence of important changes in the fluid, such as an out of product event or a contamination of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Anatoly Skirda, Paul Simon Schilling, Viktor Slobodyan
  • Patent number: 9383235
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a flow rate or volume of fluid. The system includes a positive displacement meter including a plurality of non-contact sensors and gears configured to rotate in response to fluid flow through the meter. The gears may include detectable areas that may be sensed by the plurality of non-contact sensors to determine a rotational direction of the gears. The plurality of non-contact sensors may also be configured to generate respective detection signals indicative of a rotation state of the gears. The controller may be configured to receive the detection signals, determine a current rotation state, and increment a rotational count based on the changes in the current rotation state. The controller may use the rotational count to determine a flow rate or volume of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Anatoly Skirda, Christopher J. Owen, William M. Christensen, Paul S. Schilling
  • Publication number: 20160033407
    Abstract: An optical sensor may have multiple detection channels to detect different characteristics of a fluid. For example, an optical sensor used in industrial cleaning and sanitizing applications may have multiple detection channels to detect when a system is both clean and properly sanitized. In one example, an optical sensor includes an optical emitter that directs light into a fluid, a first optical detector that detects light transmitted through the fluid, a second optical detector that detects light scattered by the fluid, and a third optical detector that detects fluorescent emissions emitted by the fluid. The optical emitter and optical detectors can be positioned around an optical analysis area. The optical sensor may include filters that control the characteristics of light detected by each of the optical detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Anatoly Skirda, Viktor Slobodyan, Paul Simon Schilling, William M. Christensen
  • Patent number: 9140648
    Abstract: An optical sensor may have multiple detection channels to detect different characteristics of a fluid. For example, an optical sensor used in industrial cleaning and sanitizing applications may have multiple detection channels to detect when a system is both clean and properly sanitized. In one example, an optical sensor includes an optical emitter that directs light into a fluid, a first optical detector that detects light transmitted through the fluid, a second optical detector that detects light scattered by the fluid, and a third optical detector that detects fluorescent emissions emitted by the fluid. The optical emitter and optical detectors can be positioned around an optical analysis area. Depending on the application, the optical emitter may be positioned to direct light adjacent a wall of the optical analysis area rather than at a center of the optical analysis area, which may increase the strength of signal on the detection channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Anatoly Skirda, Viktor Slobodyan, Paul Simon Schilling, William M. Christensen
  • Publication number: 20150177124
    Abstract: An optical sensor may include a sensor head that has an optical window for directing light into a flow of fluid and/or receiving optical energy from the fluid. The optical sensor may also include a flow chamber that includes a housing defining a cavity into which the sensor head can be inserted. In some examples, the flow chamber includes an inlet port defining a flow nozzle that is configured to direct fluid entering the flow chamber against the optical window of the sensor head. In operation, the force of the incoming fluid impacting the optical window may prevent fouling materials from accumulating on the optical window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Eugene TOKHTUEV, Christopher J. OWEN, Anatoly SKIRDA, William M. CHRISTENSEN
  • Publication number: 20150168186
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a flow rate or volume of fluid. The system includes a positive displacement meter including a plurality of non-contact sensors and gears configured to rotate in response to fluid flow through the meter. The gears may include detectable areas that may be sensed by the plurality of non-contact sensors to determine a rotational direction of the gears. The plurality of non-contact sensors may also be configured to generate respective detection signals indicative of a rotation state of the gears. The controller may be configured to receive the detection signals, determine a current rotation state, and increment a rotational count based on the changes in the current rotation state. The controller may use the rotational count to determine a flow rate or volume of fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Anatoly Skirda, Christopher J. Owen, William M. Christensen, Paul S. Schilling
  • Patent number: 9001319
    Abstract: An optical sensor may include a sensor head that has an optical window for directing light into a flow of fluid and/or receiving optical energy from the fluid. The optical sensor may also include a flow chamber that includes a housing defining a cavity into which the sensor head can be inserted. In some examples, the flow chamber includes an inlet port defining a flow nozzle that is configured to direct fluid entering the flow chamber against the optical window of the sensor head. In operation, the force of the incoming fluid impacting the optical window may prevent fouling materials from accumulating on the optical window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Anatoly Skirda, William M. Christensen
  • Patent number: 8943901
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a flow rate or volume of fluid. The system includes a positive displacement meter including a plurality of non-contact sensors and gears configured to rotate in response to fluid flow through the meter. The gears may include detectable areas that may be sensed by the plurality of non-contact sensors to determine a rotational direction of the gears. The plurality of non-contact sensors may also be configured to generate respective detection signals indicative of a rotation state of the gears. The controller may be configured to receive the detection signals, determine a current rotation state, and increment a rotational count based on the changes in the current rotation state. The controller may use the rotational count to determine a flow rate or volume of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Anatoly Skirda, Christopher J. Owen, William M. Christensen, Paul S. Schilling
  • Patent number: 8912009
    Abstract: A microflow analytical system includes a laminate pump assembly connectable with one or more sources of fluid, one or more pneumatic control pumps, a mixer, and a sensor. The laminate pump assembly is adapted to deliver predetermined volumes of the fluid(s) through a plurality of flow paths which are formed within layers of the assembly. Each flow path can include an inlet valve, a pump valve, and an outlet valve each of which are controllable by the pneumatic control pumps. A series of manifolds can be formed within the layers of the pump assembly to provide for simultaneous activation of selected flow paths. Delivered fluid volumes can be mixed in the mixer which, in some embodiments, may be integral with the laminate pump assembly. The sensor can measure one or more characteristics of the mixed fluids to determine one or more properties of the fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Anna Pilipchenko
  • Publication number: 20140260672
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a flow rate or volume of fluid. The system includes a positive displacement meter including a plurality of non-contact sensors and gears configured to rotate in response to fluid flow through the meter. The gears may include detectable areas that may be sensed by the plurality of non-contact sensors to determine a rotational direction of the gears. The plurality of non-contact sensors may also be configured to generate respective detection signals indicative of a rotation state of the gears. The controller may be configured to receive the detection signals, determine a current rotation state, and increment a rotational count based on the changes in the current rotation state. The controller may use the rotational count to determine a flow rate or volume of fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Anatoly Skirda, Christopher J. Owen, William M. Christensen, Paul S. Schilling
  • Publication number: 20140264077
    Abstract: An optical sensor may have multiple detection channels to detect different characteristics of a fluid. For example, an optical sensor used in industrial cleaning and sanitizing applications may have multiple detection channels to detect when a system is both clean and properly sanitized. In one example, an optical sensor includes an optical emitter that directs light into a fluid, a first optical detector that detects light transmitted through the fluid, a second optical detector that detects light scattered by the fluid, and a third optical detector that detects fluorescent emissions emitted by the fluid. The optical emitter and optical detectors can be positioned around an optical analysis area. Depending on the application, the optical emitter may be positioned to direct light adjacent a wall of the optical analysis area rather than at a center of the optical analysis area, which may increase the strength of signal on the detection channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Eugene TOKHTUEV, Christopher J. OWEN, Anatoly SKIRDA, Viktor SLOBODYAN, Paul Simon SCHILLING, William M. CHRISTENSEN
  • Publication number: 20130293881
    Abstract: An optical sensor may include a sensor head that has an optical window for directing light into a flow of fluid and/or receiving optical energy from the fluid. The optical sensor may also include a flow chamber that includes a housing defining a cavity into which the sensor head can be inserted. In some examples, the flow chamber includes an inlet port defining a flow nozzle that is configured to direct fluid entering the flow chamber against the optical window of the sensor head. In operation, the force of the incoming fluid impacting the optical window may prevent fouling materials from accumulating on the optical window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Eugene TOKHTUEV, Christopher J. OWEN, Anatoly SKIRDA, William M. CHRISTENSEN
  • Publication number: 20130247691
    Abstract: A microflow analytical system includes a laminate pump assembly connectable with one or more sources of fluid, one or more pneumatic control pumps, a mixer, and a sensor. The laminate pump assembly is adapted to deliver predetermined volumes of the fluid(s) through a plurality of flow paths which are formed within layers of the assembly. Each flow path can include an inlet valve, a pump valve, and an outlet valve each of which are controllable by the pneumatic control pumps. A series of manifolds can be formed within the layers of the pump assembly to provide for simultaneous activation of selected flow paths. Delivered fluid volumes can be mixed in the mixer which, in some embodiments, may be integral with the laminate pump assembly. The sensor can measure one or more characteristics of the mixed fluids to determine one or more properties of the fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Eugene TOKHTUEV, Christopher J. OWEN, Anna PILIPCHENKO
  • Patent number: 8502680
    Abstract: A system and associated processes monitor hand hygiene compliance. The system includes hand hygiene product dispensers positioned within areas of concern (AOC) in a facility in which hand hygiene events are to be monitored. The dispensers detect dispense events initiated at the dispenser and transmit a dispense event signal indicative that a dispense event occurred along with dispenser identification information. The system also includes a plurality of compliance badges, each worn by a different person in the facility. Each compliance badge receives dispense event signals corresponding dispenser identification information associated with dispense events initiated by the wearer of the compliance badge. The badges store dispense event records associated with each dispense event initiated by the wearer and thus keep track of all dispense events initiated by the wearer of the compliance badge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Paul S. Schilling, Anatoly Skirda, Viktor Slobodyan, Joseph P. Erickson, Cheryl A. Littau, Christopher A. Buck
  • Patent number: RE48951
    Abstract: A system and associated processes monitor hand hygiene compliance. The system includes hand hygiene product dispensers positioned within areas of concern (AOC) in a facility in which hand hygiene events are to be monitored. The dispensers detect dispense events initiated at the dispenser and transmit a dispense event signal indicative that a dispense event occurred along with dispenser identification information. The system also includes a plurality of compliance badges, each worn by a different person in the facility. Each compliance badge receives dispense event signals corresponding dispenser identification information associated with dispense events initiated by the wearer of the compliance badge. The badges store dispense event records associated with each dispense event initiated by the wearer and thus keep track of all dispense events initiated by the wearer of the compliance badge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Paul S. Schilling, Anatoly Skirda, Viktor Slobodyan, Joseph P. Erickson, Cheryl A. Littau, Christopher A. Buck