Patents by Inventor Donald Francis

Donald Francis 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: 8904961
    Abstract: An overhead hanging bird waterer can deliver water to birds in a sanitary manner. The overhead hanging bird waterer comprises a main unit covered by an upper cap. The upper cap allows for the water to flow into the main unit and also covers the main unit to prevent debris from entering the main unit. The main unit is mechanically coupled to a support hanger. The support hanger is hung from hanger support. The main unit is further mechanically coupled to a nipple pipe arm and is mechanically coupled to nipples which comprise a nipple stem. The water flows from the main unit through a drain pipe through the nipple pipe arm into the nipples. This enables the birds to obtain the water from the nipples by pushing the nipple stem up or 360 degrees sideways in any direction with minimum water spilling creating enhanced sanitation and better quality produce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Donald Francis Alves
  • Publication number: 20140339445
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved optical systems for particle processing (e.g., cytometry including microfluidic based sorters, drop sorters, and/or cell purification) systems and methods. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous micro-lens array optical detection assemblies for particle (e.g., cells, microscopic particles, etc.) processing systems and methods (e.g., for analyzing, sorting, processing, purifying, measuring, isolating, detecting, monitoring and/or enriching particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: CYTONOME/ST, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Donald Francis Perrault, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140309782
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved particle processing (e.g., cytometry and/or cell purification) systems and methods that can operate in an autonomous fashion. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for assemblies, systems and methods for analyzing, sorting, and/or processing (e.g., purifying, measuring, isolating, detecting and/or enriching) particles (e.g., cells, microscopic particles, etc.) where human intervention is not required and/or is minimized. The systems, assemblies and methods of the present disclosure advantageously improve run performance of particle processing systems (e.g., cell purification systems, cytometers) by significantly reducing and/or substantially eliminating the burden of operation for human intervention by automating numerous functions, features and/or steps of the disclosed systems and methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: CYTONOME/ST, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Nemanya Sedoglavich, Vladimir Shapiro, Stuart R. Ehrlich, Donald Francis Perrault, JR., Blair D. Morad
  • Patent number: 8851903
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a housing having a body and a head extending outward from the body. The housing is coupled to an LED circuit board with the head mounted to a front side of the LED circuit board and with the body extending through an opening of the LED circuit board to a rear side of the LED circuit board. The housing has driver card slot in the body configured to receive a driver card from the rear side of the LED circuit board. The housing has a contact channel open to the driver card slot with a contact therein. The contact has a mating interface configured to engage and be electrically connected to the driver card. The contact has a mounting leg extending from the head that is configured to be mounted to the front side of the LED circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Francis Decker, George Irwin Peters, Jr., Matthew Edward Mostoller, Charles Raymond Gingrich, III
  • Publication number: 20140273192
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system for sorting sperm cells in a microfluidic chip. In particular, various features are incorporated into the system for aligning and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as, for determining sperm orientation and measuring relative DNA content for analysis and/or sorting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: INGURAN, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Nemanya Sedoglavich, Kris Buchanan, Blair Morad, Donald Francis Perrault, JR., Erin Koksal
  • Publication number: 20140278709
    Abstract: Co-generating energy sources are controlled using a control system that monitors local and remote data. The local and remote data allow for energy management both in the short and long term by comparing the cost of using the co-generating energy source with other available energy sources. Individual co-generating energy sources can have their data aggregated and combined with remote data to allow for predictions of gross demand for energy. The gross demand can be used by an energy utility to plan for future energy needs and to negotiate with energy providers based upon those needs. The energy utility may control the individual co-generating energy sources so as to most cost-effectively meet the needs of the user of the individual co-generating energy source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Combined Energies LLC
    Inventors: Donald Francis Rohr, John Anthony Vogel, Eoin Connolly
  • Publication number: 20140277368
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a prosthesis and method for treating, repairing, and/or replacing an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The prosthesis includes a coiled stent comprised of shape memory material having first and second anchoring zones and an intermediate zone. The prosthesis also includes graft material engaging at least a portion of the stent. During delivery of the prosthesis, the stent is in a substantially straight longitudinal configuration, and after delivery of the prosthesis the stent is returned to a coiled configuration. The diameter of the prosthesis may be adjusted by controlling the degree to which the stent is coiled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CORDIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alfredo CASTANEDA, Donald Francis DePalma, Clifford J. Dwyer, Kirk L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140273059
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods for sorting sperm cells in a microfluidic chip. In particular, various steps are incorporated to align and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as, to determining sperm orientation and measure relative DNA content for analysis and/or sorting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: INGURAN, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Nemanya Sedoglavich, Blair Morad, Donald Francis Perrault, JR.
  • Patent number: 8764459
    Abstract: A connector system includes a substrate having a front side and a rear side with an opening therethrough, and a connector assembly coupled to the substrate. The connector assembly includes a housing having a body at a bottom and a head at a top that extends along the front side with the body extending through the opening to the rear side. The housing has a contact channel extending therethrough. A poke-in contact is received in the contact channel through the top of the housing. The poke-in contact has a wire trap configured to receive a wire therein in a wire loading direction through the bottom of the housing. The poke-in contact has a mounting leg extending from the head and mounted to the front side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Francis Decker, George Irwin Peters, Jr., Matthew Edward Mostoller
  • Publication number: 20140176704
    Abstract: A fluid stream imaging apparatus having either optics for manipulating the aspect ratio or sensing elements configured for manipulating the aspect ratio of an image of the fluid stream. This application may also relate to a system for acquiring images of a portion of a fluid stream at high speeds for image processing to measure and predict droplet delays for individual forming particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: CYTONOME/ST, LLC
    Inventor: Donald Francis Perrault, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140092378
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for exciting particles, and more specifically relates to analyzers or sorters for exciting fluorescently labeled particles with a multimode diode laser and the optics for making high resolution determinations from the multimode diode laser beam excitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: XY, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Donald Francis Perrault
  • Publication number: 20140085898
    Abstract: Focal plane shift elements and optical systems with focal plane shifting features for illuminating flow-paths in a fluidic processing system are disclosed. An optical system may include a light source providing an incident first light beam. The optical system may include at least one optical element configured to collect and focus the incident first light beam to produce a second light beam having different portions simultaneously focused at two or more different locations along an optical path, with each location corresponding to a different flow-path of the fluidic processing system. The focal plane shift elements and optical systems with focal plane shifting features may be particularly useful in a microfluidic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: CYTONOME/ST, LLC
    Inventor: Donald Francis Perrault, JR.
  • Patent number: 8681335
    Abstract: A fluid stream imaging apparatus having either optics for manipulating the aspect ratio or sensing elements configured for manipulating the aspect ratio of an image of the fluid stream. This application may also relate to a system for acquiring images of a portion of a fluid stream at high speeds for image processing to measure and predict droplet delays for individual forming particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cytonome/ST, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Donald Francis Perrault, Jr., Nemanya Sedoglavich
  • Publication number: 20140054334
    Abstract: A receptacle for attachment to a rim is disclosed, being primarily used to store wheel lug nuts into said receptacle for storage and transportation of lug nuts with their associated wheels. The receptacle comprises a lid, a container and a securing pin. The container secures the wheel lug nuts, while the lid fastens onto the container to secure its contents, and meanwhile the securing pin secures the lid onto the container and ultimately onto the rim of the wheel, such that the wheel lug nuts are easily stored with the rim. This procedure is primarily performed before the winter or summer seasons, or when the wheels are changed for wheel leasing purposes or the transportation of wheels with their associated lug nuts, to ensure that the wheel lug nuts are never misplaced or lost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Francis, Donald Francis
  • Publication number: 20140024269
    Abstract: A connector system includes a substrate having a front side and a rear side with an opening therethrough, and a connector assembly coupled to the substrate. The connector assembly includes a housing having a body at a bottom and a head at a top that extends along the front side with the body extending through the opening to the rear side. The housing has a contact channel extending therethrough. A poke-in contact is received in the contact channel through the top of the housing. The poke-in contact has a wire trap configured to receive a wire therein in a wire loading direction through the bottom of the housing. The poke-in contact has a mounting leg extending from the head and mounted to the front side of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Francis Decker, George Irwin Peters, JR., Matthew Edward Mostoller
  • Publication number: 20140024230
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a housing having a body and a head extending outward from the body. The housing is coupled to an LED circuit board with the head mounted to a front side of the LED circuit board and with the body extending through an opening of the LED circuit board to a rear side of the LED circuit board. The housing has driver card slot in the body configured to receive a driver card from the rear side of the LED circuit board. The housing has a contact channel open to the driver card slot with a contact therein. The contact has a mating interface configured to engage and be electrically connected to the driver card. The contact has a mounting leg extending from the head that is configured to be mounted to the front side of the LED circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Francis Decker, George Irwin Peters, JR., Matthew Edward Mostoller, Charles Raymond Gingrich, III
  • Publication number: 20130334407
    Abstract: Large area, low f-number optical systems, and microfluidic systems incorporating such optical systems, are disclosed. Large area, low f-number optical systems may be used to collect light from plurality of micro channels associated with a plurality of flow cytometers. The optical systems may be configured to collect light from a source area having an object lateral length or width within a range of 25 mm and 75 mm, configured to have an f-number within a range of 0.9 to 1.2, and configured to have a working distance within a range of 10 mm to 30 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Cytonome/ST, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Francis Perrault, JR., Johnathan Charles Sharpe
  • Patent number: 8577957
    Abstract: Various aspects and embodiments are directed to a graphical user interface that organizes interface elements into views of computer content for presentation to a user. Different views of are used to provide an interface that is responsive to configurations of the device and responsive to activity being performed by the user. Aspects include permitting the user to transition the device from one configuration to another during its use, for example from easel to laptop modes. Further the elements that comprise the graphical user interface are configured to present a summarized view of available actions and content, in order to simplify user interaction. The different views present different organizations of the interface elements and in some example display only certain ones of the modes of content in order to reduce the number of options a user must navigate to accomplish an objective. According to another aspect, methods and systems for streamlining user interaction with computer content are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: LITL LLC
    Inventors: Yves Behar, Joshua Morenstein, Christopher Hibmacronan, Naoya Edahiro, Matthew David Day, Robert Sanford Havoc Pennington, Noah Bruce Guyot, Daniel Kuo, Jenea Boshart Hayes, Aaron Tang, Donald Francis Fischer, David Livingstone Fore, John Chuang, Chris Bambacus
  • Patent number: 8551153
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a prosthesis and method for treating, repairing, and/or replacing an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The prosthesis includes a coiled stent comprised of shape memory material having first and second anchoring zones and an intermediate zone. The prosthesis also includes graft material engaging at least a portion of the stent. During delivery of the prosthesis, the stent is in a substantially straight longitudinal configuration, and after delivery of the prosthesis the stent is returned to a coiled configuration. The diameter of the prosthesis may be adjusted by controlling the degree to which the stent is coiled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventors: Alfredo Castaneda, Donald Francis DePalma, Clifford J. Dwyer, Kirk L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8502976
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for exciting particles, and more specifically relates to analyzers or sorters for exciting fluorescently labeled particles with a multimode diode laser and the optics for making high resolution determinations from the multimode diode laser beam excitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Inguran, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Donald Francis Perrault