Patents by Inventor Donald A. Douglas

Donald A. Douglas 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: 20070272853
    Abstract: A mass spectrometer and a method of operating and building same is provided in which a hexapole component is deliberately added to a substantially quadrupole field. This can result in unwanted octopole and dipole fields also being added to the substantially quadrupole field. Modifications to the mass spectrometer as well as ways of operating the mass spectrometer are provided for dealing with the unwanted octopole and dipole fields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Nikolai Konenkov, Frank Londry, Chuanfan Ding, Donald Douglas
  • Publication number: 20070064991
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting cheque fraud includes a cheque scanning module and a detection module. The cheque scanning module scans cheques and matches the encoded Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) data (i.e. serial number, Customer Account Number and amount) from the scanned digital electronic images with items in an issuance database which contains client provided cheque particulars. The detection module passes the cheque images through an optical character recognition (OCR) process to read what is written on the cheque and to match results against the issuance database. If the written information on the face of a cheque is unreadable or there is no match with the information in the issuance database, the detection module passes the cheque through a series of slower more precise OCR processes. Any cheques that are not successfully read and matched are highlighted as an “exception” and immediately forwarded to the client for further action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Applicant: Electronic Imaging Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Douglas, Marcel Levesque
  • Publication number: 20060118716
    Abstract: A two-dimensional substantially quadrupole field is established and maintained to trap a selected group of ions. The field has a quadrupole harmonic with amplitude A2, and a higher order harmonic with an amplitude AN, AN being greater than 0.1%. The selected group of ions are trapped in the field. An oscillation frequency at a selected amplitude of excitation for the selected group of ions is determined. An excitation field at the selected amplitude of excitation is added to the two-dimensional substantially quadrupole field to deplete ions within a depletion peak having a low frequency side slightly above the oscillation frequency at the selected amplitude of excitation for the selected group of ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Anthony Michaud, Aaron Frank, Donald Douglas, Xianzhen Zhao
  • Patent number: 6097984
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for directly stimulating the LES of a patient in order to normally maintain it in a closed state, thereby preventing reflux and treating the symptoms of GERD. The stimulation is inhibited in response to patient swallowing, by monitoring esophageal motility and timing out an inhibition period following detection of motility representative of swallowing. The system utilizes an implanted stimulator which is programmed to deliver a train of stimulus pulses to one or more electrodes fixed around the gastro-esophageal junction and connected to the stimulator by one or more leads. The motility sensing is done by a sensor for sensing mechancial wave movement or electrical signals representative of high motility following swallowing. The motility sensor and stimulating electrodes are attached laproscopically, and are preferably carried by a common stent carrier which is sutured around the lower esophagus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Douglas
  • Patent number: 5847134
    Abstract: Products prepared by reacting polyisocyanates with alkenyl or alkynyl compounds; then with perfluoroalkyl iodides & dehydroiodinating the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Donald Douglas May
  • Patent number: 5827919
    Abstract: Fluorourethane additives for water-dispersed coating compositions comprising the product of the reaction of 1) at least one diisocyanate, or polyisocyanate or a mixture of polyisocyanates containing at least three isocyanate groups per molecule, (2) at least one fluorochemical compound containing at least one Zerewitinoff hydrogen in an amount sufficient to react with 5% to 80% of the isocyanate groups in the diisocyanate or polyisocyanate, (3) at least one compound of the formula R.sub.10 --(R.sub.2).sub.k --YH in an amount sufficient to react with 5% to 80% of the isocyanate groups in the diisocyanate or polyisocyanate and wherein R.sub.10 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 omega-alkenyl radical, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 omega-alkenoyl; R.sub.2 is --C.sub.n H.sub.2 n-- optionally end-capped with --?OCH.sub.2 C(R.sub.4)H!.sub.p --, --?OCH.sub.2 C(CH.sub.2 Cl)H!p--, or --C(R.sub.5) (R.sub.6) (OCH.sub.2 C?CH.sub.2 Cl!H).sub.p --, wherein R.sub.4, R.sub.5, and R.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Donald Douglas May
  • Patent number: 5738479
    Abstract: A system of modular attachments for a railcar or truck trailer to convert the trailer to various uses is disclosed. A system of compressed air driven locking pins allows the various modules to be readily secured to or removed from the trailer chassis. Air suspension shock absorbers permit the load to be weighed on the car or trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventors: Donald Douglas Gordon Glen, Bradley Donald David Glen
  • Patent number: 5707949
    Abstract: Adding to a laundry detergent a resole condensation polymer prepared by reacting bis(hydroxyphenyl)sulfone with formaldehyde in the presence of a base thereby preventing or suppressing dye-transfer and dye-bleeding during laundering of nylon, rayon, cotton, acetate, or wool fabrics is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Donald Douglas May, Robert Craig Buck
  • Patent number: 5681902
    Abstract: Free radical reaction of unsaturated material, dissolved in a polar, water immiscible organic solvent, & perfluoroalkyl iodide in the presence of buffer or means for adjusting pH of aqueous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Donald Douglas May
  • Patent number: 5248875
    Abstract: A method is provided of increasing the resolution in a tandem mass spectrometer having a first quadrupole Q1 to select a parent ion, a second quadrupole Q2 which contains a target gas and forms a collision cell, and a third or analyzing quadrupole Q3 which generates a mass spectrum from daughter ions from Q2. In the method, the target thickness of the target gas in Q2 is held at least at 1.32.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-2, preferably at least 3.30.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-2, and the DC offset voltage between Q2 and Q3 is kept low or zero. This greatly improves the resolution available in Q3. Q3 is therefore operated with at least unit resolution, and in some cases with resolution of 1/2 or 1/3 amu, making it possible to resolve isotopes of singly, doubly or triply charged daughter ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: MDS Health Group Limited
    Inventors: Donald Douglas, Bruce Thomson, Jay Corr, James Hager
  • Patent number: 4320094
    Abstract: Alloy scrap containing refractory metals such as chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, niobium and tantalum and base metals such as nickel, cobalt, copper and iron are treated to partition the refractory metal values from the base metal values without an energy intensive remelting step. The scrap in finely divided form is calcined in the presence of an oxygen containing gas and a member of a certain group of alkali metal salts at a temperature in the range of 800.degree. C. to 1150.degree. C. for 1/4 hour to four hours. This treatment converts the refractory metals to alkali metal molybdates, tungstates, chromates, vanadates, niobates and tantalates and the base metals to oxides. The calcined product may then be water leached to produce a substantially base metal-free liquor rich in refractory metal values. Both the refractory and the base metal values may be subsequently recovered by conventional hydrometallurgical techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Assignee: Cabot Corporation
    Inventors: Jameel Menashi, Alkis S. Rappas, Donald A. Douglas
  • Patent number: 4305754
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovering chromium, vanadium, molybdenum, and tungsten from secondary resources such as alloy scrap comprising a refractory metal and base metals such as cobalt nickel, iron, and copper. The scrap is calcined with sodium carbonate in air to convert the refractory metal values to MoO.sub.4.sup..dbd., VO.sub.4.sup..tbd., WO.sub.4.sup..dbd., CrO.sub.4.sup..dbd., and the base metals to water insoluble oxides. A leach of the calcined materials produces a pregnant liquor rich in refractory metals which, after separation of the vanadium, molybdenum and tungsten values, is treated with CO, CHOO.sup.-, CH.sub.3 OH, or HCHO to reduce Cr.sup.+6 to Cr.sup.+3. The carbonate and bicarbonate salts produced as a byproduct of the reduction are recycled to the calcination stage.As a result of the V, W, and Mo partition, a mixed solid comprising CaO.multidot.nV.sub.2 O.sub.5, CaMoO.sub.4, and CaWO.sub.4 is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1981
    Assignee: Cabot Corporation
    Inventors: Alkis S. Rappas, Jameel Menashi, Donald A. Douglas
  • Patent number: 4298582
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovering chromium, vanadium, molybdenum, and tungsten from secondary resources such as alloy scrap comprising a refractory metal and base metals such as cobalt, nickel, iron, and copper. The scrap is calcined with sodium carbonate in air to convert the refractory metal values to MoO.sub.4.sup.=, VO.sub.4.sup..ident., WO.sub.4.sup.=, and CrO.sub.4.sup.= and the base metals to water insoluble oxides. A leach of the calcined materials produces a pregnant liquor rich in refractory metals which, after separation of the vanadium, molybdenum and tungsten values, is treated with CO, CHOO.sup.-, CH.sub.3 OH, or HCHO to reduce Cr.sup.+6 to Cr.sup.+3. The carbonate and bicarbonate salts produced as a byproduct of the reduction are recycled to the calcination stage.As a result of the V, W, and Mo partition, a mixed solid comprising CaO.nV.sub.2 O.sub.5, CaMoO.sub.4, and CaWO.sub.4 is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Assignee: Cabot Corporation
    Inventors: Jameel Menashi, Alkis S. Rappas, Donald A. Douglas
  • Patent number: 4298581
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovering chromium, vanadium, molybdenum, and tungsten from secondary resources such as alloy scrap comprising a refractory metal and base metals such as cobalt, nickel, iron, and copper. The scrap is calcined with sodium carbonate in air to convert the refractory metal values to MoO.sub.4.sup.=, VO.sub.4.sup..ident., WO.sub.4.sup.=, and CrO.sub.4.sup.= and the base metals to water insoluble oxides. A leach of the calcined materials produces a pregnant liquor rich in refractory metals which, after separation of the vanadium, molybdenum and tungsten values, is treated with CO, CHOO.sup.- CH.sub.3 OH, or HCHO to reduce Cr.sup.+6 to CR.sup.+3. The carbonate and bicarbonate salts produced as a byproduct of the reduction are recycled to the calcination stage.As a result of the V, W, and Mo partition, a mixed solid comprising CaO.nV.sub.2 O.sub.5, CaMoO.sub.4, and CaWO.sub.4 is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Assignee: Cabot Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Douglas, Jameel Menashi, Alkis S. Rappas
  • Patent number: 4278644
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovering chromium, vanadium, molybdenum, and tungsten from secondary resources such as alloy scrap comprising a refractory metal and base metals such as cobalt, nickel, iron, and copper. The scrap is calcined with sodium carbonate in air to convert the refractory metal values to MoO.sub.4.sup..dbd., VO.sub.4.sup..tbd., WO.sub.4.sup..dbd., and CrO.sub.4.sup..dbd. and the base metals to water insoluble oxides. A leach of the calcined materials produces a pregnant liquor rich in refractory metals which, after separation of the vanadium, molybdenum and tungsten values, is treated with CO, CHOO.sup.-, CH.sub.3 OH, or HCHO to reduce Cr.sup.+6 to Cr.sup.+3. The carbonate and bicarbonate salts produced as a byproduct of the reduction are recycled to the calcination stage.As a result of the V, W, and Mo partition, a mixed solid comprising CaO.nV.sub.2 O.sub.5, CaMoO.sub.4, and CaWO.sub.4 is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1981
    Assignee: Cabot Corporation
    Inventors: Alkis S. Rappas, Jameel Menashi, Donald A. Douglas
  • Patent number: 4033859
    Abstract: Used oil, such as automotive crankcase oil drainings from internal combustion engines, are pretreated by heating to above about 400.degree.-800.degree. F, and preferably between 600.degree.-750.degree. F, while an essentially liquid phase system is maintained at a pressure of between 500-3500 p.s.i.g., preferably between 2000-3500 p.s.i.g., for between 15-60 minutes, the contact time being even shorter at higher temperatures. A sludge which contains contaminants, such as insoluble degradation products, metallic compounds, and water, is separated preferably by centrifugation, leaving a substantially ashless oil ready for additional refinement to a high quality lubricating oil, or it may be used, per se, as a fuel oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1977
    Assignee: Witco Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Douglas Davidson, Bjorn I. Engesvik