Patents by Inventor Douglas W. Later

Douglas W. Later 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: 11796523
    Abstract: A detection system for an aircraft that includes at least one chemical sensor or an array of nanofiber chemical sensors for sensing an airborne material. The chemical sensor has an electrical characteristic that changes in the presence of the airborne material. The system further includes a processor coupled to the chemical sensor. The processor monitors electrical characteristic of the chemical sensor and generates a detection signal in response to a change in the electrical characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael F. Behm, Benjamin R. Bunes, Douglas W. Later
  • Patent number: 11458805
    Abstract: An air quality system for a vehicle includes a chemical detection apparatus including a plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors for sensing a plurality of airborne materials in a compartment of the vehicle. The plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors are configured to adjust a characteristic electrical signal in response to changes in the presence of the plurality of airborne materials. The chemical detection apparatus further includes a processor coupled to the nanofiber chemical sensor, wherein the processor is configured to monitor the characteristic electrical signals from the nanofiber chemical sensors and generate a detection signal in response to a change in the characteristic electrical signals. The processor is in communication with a controller configured to control at least one vehicle system in response to the detection of one or more of the airborne materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew W. Remijn, Darin D. Tuttle, Kurtis L. Geerlings, Douglas W. Later, Benjamin R. Bunes
  • Patent number: 11175233
    Abstract: A tactical chemical detector may include a light array comprising a plurality of light sources; a sensor optic comprising a plurality of optic elements, each optic element in optical communication with one of the plurality of light sources; a sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors arranged on a substrate, each sensor in optical communication with one of the plurality of light sources and wherein at least one vent opening extends through the substrate; a power source configured to selectively provide power the light array and the sensor array; and a housing having a first side and a second side and enclosing the light array, the sensor optic, the sensor array, and the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason D. Hallack, Bradley R. Hamlin, Jeffrey K. Okamitsu, Ross A. Riches, Douglas W. Later, Benjamin R. Bunes
  • Publication number: 20210116432
    Abstract: A detection system for an aircraft that includes at least one chemical sensor or an array of nanofiber chemical sensors for sensing an airborne material. The chemical sensor has an electrical characteristic that changes in the presence of the airborne material. The system further includes a processor coupled to the chemical sensor. The processor monitors electrical characteristic of the chemical sensor and generates a detection signal in response to a change in the electrical characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Michael F. Behm, Benjamin R. Bunes, Douglas W. Later
  • Publication number: 20200326286
    Abstract: A tactical chemical detector may include a light array comprising a plurality of light sources; a sensor optic comprising a plurality of optic elements, each optic element in optical communication with one of the plurality of light sources; a sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors arranged on a substrate, each sensor in optical communication with one of the plurality of light sources and wherein at least one vent opening extends through the substrate; a power source configured to selectively provide power the light array and the sensor array; and a housing having a first side and a second side and enclosing the light array, the sensor optic, the sensor array, and the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Applicants: GENTEX CORPORATION, VAPORSENS
    Inventors: Jason D. Hallack, Bradley R. Hamlin, Jeffrey K. Okamitsu, Ross A. Riches, Douglas W. Later, Benjamin R. Bunes
  • Patent number: 10718692
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a bi-directional, valve-less sampling port for use with gas sampling bags, wherein the valve-less sampling port has few parts and no moving parts, the sampling port is coupled to a gas sampling bag using a base component that has a portion inside and outside of the gas sampling bag, a cap that is disposed over the base to make an interference fit, an O-ring between the base and the cap that applies a sealing force to hold the gas sampling bag against the base, and a dome seal inside the base and held in place by the cap, wherein the dome seal functions as a one-way check valve to prevent flow out of the gas sampling bag until a sampling adapter is inserted through the cap and the dome seal to provide access to the gas sampling bag for extraction of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: AERIS SCIENTIFIC, LLC
    Inventors: Jakob B. Later, Joseph H. Sanderson, Stephen W. Vincent, Douglas W. Later
  • Publication number: 20180088009
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a bi-directional, valve-less sampling port for use with gas sampling bags, wherein the valve-less sampling port has few parts and no moving parts, the sampling port is coupled to a gas sampling bag using a base component that has a portion inside and outside of the gas sampling bag, a cap that is disposed over the base to make an interference fit, an O-ring between the base and the cap that applies a sealing force to hold the gas sampling bag against the base, and a dome seal inside the base and held in place by the cap, wherein the dome seal functions as a one-way check valve to prevent flow out of the gas sampling bag until a sampling adapter is inserted through the cap and the dome seal to provide access to the gas sampling bag for extraction of gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Jakob B. Later, Joseph H. Sanderson, Stephen W. Vincent, Douglas W. Later