Patents by Inventor Eric K. Pritchard

Eric K. Pritchard 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: 20220228969
    Abstract: An optical device includes a low-noise illumination source, a support device, an ultra low-noise detector, an analog-to-digital converter, and a controller. The low-noise illumination source is configured to generate a single beam of radiation. The support device is configured to support an object and to pass the single beam of radiation through the object. The object directly blocks, absorbs, or deflects portions of the single beam of radiation, thereby directly modulating the single beam of radiation. The low-noise detector is configured to detect the modulated single beam of radiation and to output an analog signal representative of vibrational spectra of the object. The modulated single beam of radiation is non-interferometric. The analog-to-digital converter is configured to convert the detected analog signal into a digital signal. The controller is configured to analyze and generate vibrational spectra of the object from the digital signal represented as a range of events over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: Digital Harmonic LLC
    Inventors: Paul Reed SMITH, William G. NELSON, Shane G.W. MORRIS, Sandor SZALAY, Jonathan B. COULTER, Frederick M. SLAY, Eric K. PRITCHARD
  • Patent number: 11293853
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for measuring vibrational spectra of a living cells and tissue that includes a low noise consistent optical source creating a photon beam, a support device, a photon-to-electron converter/detector outputting a streamed analog electrical signal, an analog-to-digital converter, and a digital signal processor with specialized software for measuring and characterizing the signal contained in the photon beam and its subsequent detector's streamed analog converted to digital signal. Motion of the living sample causes modulation to the photon beam as it passes through the living samples by how much of the photon beam is blocked, absorbed or deflected. In addition, specific sub-cellular vibrational features can be segregated utilizing fluorescent markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Digital Harmonic LLC
    Inventors: Paul Reed Smith, William G. Nelson, Shane G. W. Morris, Sandor Szalay, Jonathan B. Coulter, Frederick M. Slay, Eric K. Pritchard
  • Publication number: 20200064252
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for measuring vibrational spectra of a living cells and tissue that includes a low noise consistent optical source creating a photon beam, a support device, a photon-to-electron converter/detector outputting a streamed analog electrical signal, an analog-to-digital converter, and a digital signal processor with specialized software for measuring and characterizing the signal contained in the photon beam and its subsequent detector's streamed analog converted to digital signal. Motion of the living sample causes modulation to the photon beam as it passes through the living samples by how much of the photon beam is blocked, absorbed or deflected. In addition, specific sub-cellular vibrational features can be segregated utilizing fluorescent markers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: Digital Harmonic LLC
    Inventors: Paul Reed SMITH, William G. NELSON, Shane G.W. MORRIS, Sandor SZALAY, Jonathan B. COULTER, Frederick M. SLAY, Eric K. PRITCHARD
  • Patent number: 6846221
    Abstract: A system is provided for delivering onto a workpiece a high-energy abrasive cutting stream. The system generally comprises a head assembly for providing a pressurized fluidic stream; a nozzling unit coupled to the head assembly for nozzling the pressurized fluidic stream; and, an adaptive orientation assembly coupled to the nozzling unit. The nozzling unit is operable to expel a high-energy abrasive cutting stream for cutting about or along a predefined pattern on the workpiece, and includes a nozzle member having a laminar inner wall surface defining a longitudinally extending passage. This passage terminates at an outlet portion which describes in sectional contour a predetermined shape such that, during operation, it serves to generate upon the workpiece an instantaneous kerf of cut having a corresponding sectional contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Lai East Laser Applications, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ulrich, Eric K. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 6752685
    Abstract: A system is provided for delivering onto a workpiece a high-energy abrasive cutting stream. The system generally comprises a head assembly for providing a pressurized fluidic stream; a nozzling unit coupled to the head assembly for nozzling the pressurized fluidic stream; and, an adaptive orientation assembly coupled to the nozzling unit. The nozzling unit is operable to expel a high-energy abrasive cutting stream for cutting about or along a predefined pattern on the workpiece, and includes a nozzle member having a laminar inner wall surface defining a longitudinally extending passage. This passage terminates at an outlet portion which describes in sectional contour a predetermined shape such that, during operation, it serves to generate upon the workpiece an instantaneous kerf of cut having a corresponding sectional contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Lai East Laser Applications, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ulrich, Eric K. Pritchard
  • Publication number: 20030194950
    Abstract: A system is provided for delivering onto a workpiece a high-energy abrasive cutting stream. The system generally comprises a head assembly for providing a pressurized fluidic stream; a nozzling unit coupled to the head assembly for nozzling the pressurized fluidic stream; and, an adaptive orientation assembly coupled to the nozzling unit. The nozzling unit is operable to expel a high-energy abrasive cutting stream for cutting about or along a predefined pattern on the workpiece, and includes a nozzle member having a laminar inner wall surface defining a longitudinally extending passage. This passage terminates at an outlet portion which describes in sectional contour a predetermined shape such that, during operation, it serves to generate upon the workpiece an instantaneous kerf of cut having a corresponding sectional contour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: LAI East Laser Applications, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ulrich, Eric K. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 6631195
    Abstract: Speaker attenuation for practicing a musical instrument is a filter means connected between an amplifier and a speaker for providing greater treble attenuation than bass attenuation to compensate for bass hearing loss at attenuated sound levels. The reduction of load created by the attenuator is compensated by a load means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Inventor: Eric K. Pritchard
  • Publication number: 20020151250
    Abstract: A system is provided for delivering onto a workpiece a high-energy abrasive cutting stream. The system generally comprises a head assembly for providing a pressurized fluidic stream; a nozzling unit coupled to the head assembly for nozzling the pressurized fluidic stream; and, an adaptive orientation assembly coupled to the nozzling unit. The nozzling unit is operable to expel a high-energy abrasive cutting stream for cutting about or along a predefined pattern on the workpiece, and includes a nozzle member having a laminar inner wall surface defining a longitudinally extending passage. This passage terminates at an outlet portion which describes in sectional contour a predetermined shape such that, during operation, it serves to generate upon the workpiece an instantaneous kerf of cut having a corresponding sectional contour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Robert Ulrich, Eric K. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 6411720
    Abstract: Speaker systems with lower frequency of resonance have a short air passage in a cabient from the speakers or drivers to an air passage exit. Teh resulting column of air lowers the resonant frequency or the drivers from within a frequency range of interest to below the frequency range. With the resonance out of the way, the resulting system is smaller and smoother.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Eric K. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 6057737
    Abstract: Non-linear asymmetric amplifiers incorporate different non-linear characteristics in single ended or differential configurations to avoid cancellation of non-linear characteristics and to produce the harmonic structures of vacuum tubes. The operating currents of the asymmetrical devices are different to create a bias shift in the coupling capacitance between the asymmetrical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventor: Eric K. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 5848165
    Abstract: Intermodulation means for the emulation and exaggeration of an aspect of vacuum tube amplifiers by solid state, digital, speaker or other means. The intermodulation means produces intermodulation products of the input and an audio signal source which may be a spectrum-limited, filtered version of the input or the output or a spectrum-limited repetitive or random noise generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Eric K. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 5805713
    Abstract: A solid state emulation of vacuum tube amplifiers and more particularly to the emulation of push-pull output stages. This application focuses on the emulation of grid conduction by the output tubes and their non-linear transconductance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Eric K. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 5802182
    Abstract: The audio process is a signal path having a plurality of filters connected or including distortion means. The prime example of this phenomenon surrounds inductances such as found in magnetic tape recorders, spring reverberators, and transformers. The inductors require a pre-emphasis filter to produce a constant current. Secondarily there are the complementary filters associated with the average spectrum of audio which are used to maximize the signal to noise ratio. Ideally the net response of the filters is flat, however, roll-offs at the audio extremes are quite common.The audio process distortion emulates the distortion of the active devices between the filters such as vacuum tube and magnet non-linearities. Since the distortion devices follow filters, the spectra of distortion is different than the frequency response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Eric K. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 5761317
    Abstract: This disclosure shows the solid state emulation of elements of a thermionic emission device amplifier which distinguish it from solid state amplifiers: the output impedance of transformer impedance with plate resistance, the transfer function coupling from the driver tube to the output tubes, the non-linearity of the output tubes, the compression created by the power supply droop, the inclusion of "fat" from the power supply, bias shifting of the input, and driving the input from a non-linear network. This disclosure also depicts advantageous features not found in tube amplifiers: a means for turning it down and maintaining the tone by maintaining the interrelationships within the amplifier and fat creation from the amplifier output and from external sources. This disclosure is based upon the novel use of controlled gain and controlled impedance means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Inventor: Eric K. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 5761316
    Abstract: This disclosure shows the solid state emulation of elements of a thermionic emission device amplifier which distinguish it from solid state amplifiers: the output impedance of transformer impedance with plate resistance, the transfer function coupling from the driver tube to the output tubes, the non-linearity of the output tubes, the compression created by the power supply droop, the inclusion of "fat" from the power supply, bias shifting of the input, and driving the input from a non-linear network. This disclosure also depicts advantageous features not found in tube amplifiers: a means for turning it down and maintaining the tone by maintaining the interrelationships within the amplifier and fat creation from the amplifier output and from external sources. This disclosure is based upon the novel use of controlled gain and controlled impedance means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Inventor: Eric K. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 5734725
    Abstract: This invention is an emulation of vacuum tube guitar amplifier with devices that emulate vacuum tube plate voltage and current characteristics. This amplifier system has a switching system for selecting preamplifiers and which alters the behavior of the output stage by changing features such as feedback and compression character. The preamplifier and output stages use non-linear means for the emulation of triode amplifiers, cathode followers, phase splitters, and pentode amplifiers. The features emulated are the grid conduction with scaling and offsetting, current gain, plate voltage and current characteristics, and compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: Eric K. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 5636284
    Abstract: Solid state emulations of vacuum tube power amplifier are shown for both high-power and low-power applications. The emulations include the screen grid and power supply effect of compression, the variable output impedance for reacting with a speaker load, power tube distortions, the limiting and bias shifting created by the power tube grids, and the bias shifting of the phase splitter. The high-power disclosure includes a current amplifier which may be linear or switching. The low-power disclosure simulates a vacuum tube amplifier with a speaker load in order to drive a master volume without diminishing the classic distorted tone. It has means to simulate the speaker impedance. The solid state emulation includes a gain control means which produce an unclipped region which may be divided into more or less distortion than one percent and two clipped regions having different output impedances or different frequency characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventor: Eric K. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 5434536
    Abstract: A semiconductor emulation of a vacuum tube with one or more of the following characteristics: non-linear output, non-linear transfer, non-linear input, reverse transfer, and second harmonic generation. Also an emulator with a second output to emulate a phase splitter, a semiconductor emulator of a cathode follower, and a compressor emulating the effects of a power supply droop and screen grid behavior are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: Eric K. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 5361667
    Abstract: A termination having a body with a passage therein which defines a bend having an edge such that deformation of at least a first portion of the passage upstream of the edge secures the string to the body. The passage includes an entry portion which is symmetrical to the body so that string forces do not create unbending rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Inventor: Eric K. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 5325193
    Abstract: A single camera autostereoscopic recording system includes a single image recorder having a single optical path moved along a scanning path defined by a pair of rails and an arm movable on the rails substantially continuously for a plurality of scanning cycles. Alternatively a lens maintains the point of convergence. A path defining structure includes the ability to adjust the convergent point as well as the extent of travel along the scanning path or disparity of the images. The convergent point of the scanning path can be manually or automatically adjusted using a range finder. A unique driver structure including a reciprocating armature and stator provides scanning motion with reduced reactional forces. The degree of motion of the recorded images is used to adjust the amount of travel along the scanning path. Synchronization between the driver and the recorder is bi-directional for double exposures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Vision III Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric K. Pritchard, Christopher A. Mayhew