Patents by Inventor Eldon E. Lightner

Eldon E. Lightner 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).

  • Vapor collection method and apparatus
    Patent number: 6553689
    Abstract: A vapor collection method and apparatus capable of capturing vapor compositions without substantial dilution. The method and apparatus utilize a material that has a surface with an adjacent gas phase. A chamber is positioned in close proximity to a surface of the material. The position of the chamber creates a relatively small gap between the surface of the material and the chamber. The adjacent gas phase between the chamber and the surface define a region possessing an amount of mass. At least a portion of the mass is drawn through the region by induced flow. The utilization of a small gap limits the flow of mass that is external to the chamber from being swept through the chamber by induced flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Nirmal K. Jain, Peter T. Benson, James L. Capps, William Blake Kolb, Eldon E. Lightner, Norman L. Rogers, Jr., Robert A. Yapel
  • Vapor collection method and apparatus
    Publication number: 20020095818
    Abstract: A vapor collection method and apparatus capable of capturing vapor compositions without substantial dilution. The method and apparatus utilize a material that has a surface with an adjacent gas phase. A chamber is positioned in close proximity to a surface of the material. The position of the chamber creates a relatively small gap between the surface of the material and the chamber. The adjacent gas phase between the chamber and the surface define a region possessing an amount of mass. At least a portion of the mass is drawn through the region by induced flow. The utilization of a small gap limits the flow of mass that is external to the chamber from being swept through the chamber by induced flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Nirmal K. Jain, Peter T. Benson, James L. Capps, William Blake Kolb, Eldon E. Lightner, Norman L. Rogers, Robert A. Yapel