Patents by Inventor Eric Kaltenbacher

Eric Kaltenbacher 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: 8077311
    Abstract: Provided is a flow-through CO2 system for simultaneously measuring surface seawater pH, carbon dioxide fugacity (fCO2), and total dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). All measurements are based on spectrophotometric determinations of solution pH at multiple wavelengths using sulfonephthalein indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Robert H. Byrne, Eric Kaltenbacher, Xuewu Liu
  • Patent number: 7727770
    Abstract: A system and method for spectrophotometrically measuring the total alkalinity of a liquid sample. In a particular aspect, the method involves equilibration of a CO2 gas with a sample solution across the permeable walls of a Teflon AF 2400 liquid core waveguide. The waveguide acts as both an equilibration membrane and an optical cell in which spectrophotometric pH measurements are obtained via measurements of absorbance ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Robert H. Byrne, Eric Kaltenbacher, Xuewu Liu
  • Patent number: 7538877
    Abstract: The present invention relates to instruments used to analyze materials with light-absorbing properties and their methods of use. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of adjustable optical filters whereby light-absorption can be measured in more detail and with greater variables than what is currently known in the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Eric Kaltenbacher, Robert H. Byrne, David P. Fries
  • Patent number: 7417666
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a remote 3-D imaging system which uses a novel illumination source to establish the relationship of the image features to the system, which is displayed by virtue of calculations. In addition to static surfaces, moving surfaces may be studied and corrections due to turbidity and platform position are also easily compensated for. The instant system may also contain a plurality of sensing systems based on light, including traditional reflective or elastic scattering and novel fluorescent or non-elastic scattering still and video imaging systems, including time-gated systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Eric A. Kaltenbacher, James T. Patten, Kendall L. Carder, David K. Costello, John R. Kloske
  • Publication number: 20070052962
    Abstract: The present invention relates to instruments used to analyze materials with light-absorbing properties and their methods of use. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of adjustable optical filters whereby light-absorption can be measured in more detail and with greater variables than what is currently known in the art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
    Inventors: Eric Kaltenbacher, Robert Byrne, David Fries
  • Publication number: 20060234388
    Abstract: Automated in-situ instrumentation has been developed for sensitive, precise and accurate measurements of a variety of analytes in natural waters. In this work we describe the use of ‘SEAS’ (Spectrophotometric Elemental Analysis System) instrumentation for measurements of solution pH. SEAS-pH incorporates a CCD-based spectrophotometer, an incandescent light source, and dual pumps for mixing natural water samples with a sulfonephthalein indicator. The SEAS-pH optical cell consists of either a liquid core waveguide (LCW, Teflon AF 2400) or custom-made PEEK tubing. Long optical pathlengths allow use of indicators at low concentrations, thereby precluding indicator-induced pH perturbations. Laboratory experiments show that pH measurements obtained using LCW and PEEK optical cells are indistinguishable from measurements obtained using conventional spectrophotometric cells and high-performance spectrophotometers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Applicant: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Robert Bryne, Eric Kaltenbacher, Xuewu Liu
  • Publication number: 20060234389
    Abstract: A system and method for spectrophotometrically measuring the total alkalinity of a liquid sample. In a particular aspect, the method involves equilibration of a CO2 gas with a sample solution across the permeable walls of a Teflon AF 2400 liquid core waveguide. The waveguide acts as both an equilibration membrane and an optical cell in which spectrophotometric pH measurements are obtained via measurements of absorbance ratios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Applicant: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Robert Byrne, Eric Kaltenbacher, Xuewu Liu
  • Publication number: 20050275844
    Abstract: The present invention relates. to instruments used to analyze materials with light-absorbing properties. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of adjustable optical filters whereby light-absorption can be measured in more detail and with greater variables than what is currently known.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
    Inventors: Eric Kaltenbacher, Robert Byrne, David Fries
  • Publication number: 20050007448
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a remote 3-D imaging system which uses a novel illumination source to establish the relationship of the image features to the system, which is displayed by virtue of calculations. In addition to static surfaces, moving surfaces may be studied and corrections due to turbidity and platform position are also easily compensated for. The instant system may also contain a plurality of sensing systems based on light, including traditional reflective or elastic scattering and novel fluorescent or non-elastic scattering still and video imaging systems, including time-gated systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Inventors: Eric Kaltenbacher, James Patten, Kendall Carder, David Costello, John Kloske
  • Patent number: 6813427
    Abstract: A liquid core waveguide for fluorescence spectroscopy is provided. According to one version of the present invention, a substantially cylindrical support tube is provided, having a substantially constant outer diameter, and a flexible tube is wrapped in contiguous windings about the outer surface of the support tube to form a tight coil about the support tube which is configured of material that is transmissive of light in the relatively short wavelength range which is used to excite the molecular material in the flexible tube. This feature enables the flexible tube to be wound tightly about the support tube without crimping (thereby to form the liquid core waveguide into a compact package), and enables light in the relatively short excitation range to be effectively transmitted through the support tube and into the flexible tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Eric Kaltenbacher, Lawrence C. Langebrake, Bob Byrne, Robert Waterbury