Patents by Inventor Darren L. Williams

Darren L. Williams 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: 9958264
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system and/or method may include assessing surface cleanliness. In some embodiments, the system may include a dispensing device. The dispensing device may dispense, during use, a liquid on a surface forming a drop. In some embodiments, the system may include a stage. The stage may support, during use, a digital imaging device above the drop positioned on the surface. In some embodiments, the system may include a light emitter. The light emitter may emit, during use, a beam of light substantially parallel to the surface at the drop. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustable support coupled to the stage. The adjustable support may adjust, during use, an angle of the stage relative to the surface. In some embodiments, the system is configured to determine a contact angle of the drop relative to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Sam Houston State University
    Inventor: Darren L. Williams
  • Patent number: 9874528
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system and/or method may include assessing surface cleanliness. In some embodiments, the system may include a dispensing device. The dispensing device may dispense, during use, a measured amount of liquid on a surface forming a drop. In some embodiments, the system may include a stage. The stage may support, during use, a digital imaging device. In some embodiments, the system may include a calibration feature. The calibration feature may be of known dimension. The calibration feature may be coupled to the stage. The calibration feature may facilitate assessment, during use, of a dimension of the drop. The dimension may include a diameter of the drop. In some embodiments, the system is configured to assess a contact angle of the drop with the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Sam Houston State University
    Inventor: Darren L. Williams
  • Publication number: 20160258882
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system and/or method may include assessing surface cleanliness. In some embodiments, the system may include a dispensing device. The dispensing device may dispense, during use, a liquid on a surface forming a drop. In some embodiments, the system may include a stage. The stage may support, during use, a digital imaging device above the drop positioned on the surface. In some embodiments, the system may include a light emitter. The light emitter may emit, during use, a beam of light substantially parallel to the surface at the drop. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustable support coupled to the stage. The adjustable support may adjust, during use, an angle of the stage relative to the surface. In some embodiments, the system is configured to determine a contact angle of the drop relative to the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventor: Darren L. Williams
  • Publication number: 20160140735
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system and/or method may include assessing surface cleanliness. In some embodiments, the system may include a dispensing device. The dispensing device may dispense, during use, a measured amount of liquid on a surface forming a drop. In some embodiments, the system may include a stage. The stage may support, during use, a digital imaging device. In some embodiments, the system may include a calibration feature. The calibration feature may be of known dimension. The calibration feature may be coupled to the stage. The calibration feature may facilitate assessment, during use, of a dimension of the drop. The dimension may include a diameter of the drop. In some embodiments, the system is configured to assess a contact angle of the drop with the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventor: Darren L. Williams