Patents by Inventor Eric T. Heggs

Eric T. Heggs 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: 8128874
    Abstract: A method to measure the concentration of a constituent element in a gas sample contained in an analyzer. A sample cell of a detector has an inlet and an outlet. The outlet of the sample cell is sealed. A predetermined mass of a gas sample is received through the inlet into the sample cell over a predetermined pressurization period until substantially the entire mass of the gas sample contained in the analyzer is contained within the sample cell. The gas sample is pressurized to a predetermined pressure over the pressurization period. A concentration of a constituent element in the pressurized gas sample is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Teledyne Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric T. Heggs, Edward K. Price, Stephen R. Proffitt
  • Publication number: 20100175457
    Abstract: An analysis system and method including a combined purge and trap (P&T) concentrator and P&T autosampler (generally, together, “the P&T system”) in conjunction with a gas chromatograph may be under control of a microprocessor that may control the various valve operations, syringe operations, cleaning operations, sample acquisition, and the like. The system includes automatic controls to clean the various components of the system such as valves and pathways, etc., using methanol, perhaps combined other cleaning techniques, between samples so that any residual contaminates remaining in a part of the system from one sample are minimized from affecting the results of an analysis of a subsequent sample. The automated methanol rinse greatly improves accuracy of sample analysis from one sample to the next.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Edward K. PRICE, Eric T. Heggs
  • Publication number: 20100116027
    Abstract: A method to measure the concentration of a constituent element in a gas sample contained in an analyzer. A sample cell of a detector has an inlet and an outlet. The outlet of the sample cell is sealed. A predetermined mass of a gas sample is received through the inlet into the sample cell over a predetermined pressurization period until substantially the entire mass of the gas sample contained in the analyzer is contained within the sample cell. The gas sample is pressurized to a predetermined pressure over the pressurization period. A concentration of a constituent element in the pressurized gas sample is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: TELEDYNE TEKMAR COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric T. Heggs, Edward K. Price, Stephen R. Proffitt
  • Patent number: 7651866
    Abstract: A purge and trap concentrator has a sample processing system that includes a network of fluid passageways and fluid control devices. A flow controller couples to a purge gas inlet provides an electrically adjustable purge gas flow rate as a function of an electrical input. A digital controller provides the system cycle and provides the electrical input. The electrical input varies as a function of the system cycle to increase the rate of flow of purge gas during a bake step relative to the rate of flow of purge gas during a purge step in the system cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Teledyne Tekmar Company
    Inventor: Eric T. Heggs
  • Publication number: 20080198381
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method to measure the concentration of a constituent element in a gas sample contained in an analyzer. A sample cell has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is to receive a predetermined mass of a gas sample and the outlet is to couple to a valve. The sample cell is to receive the predetermined mass of the gas sample over a predetermined pressurization period until substantially the entire mass of the gas sample contained in the analyzer is contained within the sample cell. The gas sample is pressurized to a predetermined pressure over the pressurization period. A detector cell is located adjacent to the sample cell. The detector cell is to determine a concentration of a constituent of the pressurized gas sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Eric T. Heggs, Edward K. Price, Stephen R. Proffitt
  • Publication number: 20040191126
    Abstract: A purge and trap concentrator has a sample processing system that includes a network of fluid passageways and fluid control devices. A flow controller couples to a purge gas inlet provides an electrically adjustable purge gas flow rate as a function of an electrical input. A digital controller provides the system cycle and provides the electrical input. The electrical input varies as a function of the system cycle to increase the rate of flow of purge gas during a bake step relative to the rate of flow of purge gas during a purge step in the system cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Eric T. Heggs
  • Publication number: 20030170902
    Abstract: A system for analyzing samples using purge and trap concentration is provided. The system includes a plurality of purge and trap concentration units, each adapted to receive a sample and provide a focused analytic sample slug to an analyzer. An analyzer is coupled to each of the plurality of concentrators and receives the focused analytic slugs therefrom. The concentrators are operated in phases from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Eric T. Heggs, Martin B. Motz, David M. Neal