Patents by Inventor James M. Rutherford

James M. Rutherford 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: 7075653
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for remote laser-based detection of gas at levels exceeding natural background levels preferably utilizing wavelength modulated tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy. In a preferred embodiment, background gas and noise are estimated using statistical moving average and variance calculations. Gas concentration length measurements resulting from the spectroscopy are preferably compared in real-time or near-real-time to the sum of the background and noise estimates and an alarm limit to detect gas presence of concern. Gas levels exceeding this detection threshold are preferably indicated by a prolonged output tone with a pitch indicative of the magnitude of the gas measurement, and gas levels below the detection threshold are preferably indicated by silence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Heath Consultants Incorporated
    Inventor: James M. Rutherford
  • Patent number: 6741955
    Abstract: A system for determining a leak rate of a device during an adiabatic cooling phase is provided. The system includes a leak rate training system receiving leak rate calibration data, such as pressure data or mass flow data for a device having a known leakage rate. The leak rate training system generates an adiabatic cooling model from the leak rate calibration data, such as by solving a finite difference equation for one or more unknown process variables that are dependent on the adiabatic cooling parameters of the device. The system further includes a leak rate detection system receiving the adiabatic cooling model and leak rate data and determining a leak rate component of the leak rate data using the adiabatic cooling model, such as by using the variable values determined through solving the finite difference model to interpolate between the leak rate calibration data that was gathered using known leakage rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Uson, L.P.
    Inventors: James M. Rutherford, Mark K. Ekblad
  • Publication number: 20030171903
    Abstract: A system for determining a leak rate of a device during an adiabatic cooling phase is provided. The system includes a leak rate training system receiving leak rate calibration data, such as pressure data or mass flow data for a device having a known leakage rate. The leak rate training system generates an adiabatic cooling model from the leak rate calibration data, such as by solving a finite difference equation for one or more unknown process variables that are dependent on the adiabatic cooling parameters of the device. The system further includes a leak rate detection system receiving the adiabatic cooling model and leak rate data and determining a leak rate component of the leak rate data using the adiabatic cooling model, such as by using the variable values determined through solving the finite difference model to interpolate between the leak rate calibration data that was gathered using known leakage rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: James M. Rutherford, Mark K. Ekblad
  • Patent number: 6434328
    Abstract: Heating elements, electrical devices and processes for manufacturing these components are provided. The heating elements and electrical components employ a fibrous support layer, such as a non-woven glass mat, which provides structural support to the relatively thin cross-section of the electrical device or resistance wire when a polymeric layer is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Watlow Polymer Technology
    Inventor: James M. Rutherford
  • Publication number: 20010014212
    Abstract: Heating elements, electrical devices and processes for manufacturing these components are provided. The heating elements and electrical components employ a fibrous support layer, such as a non-woven glass mat, which provides structural support to the relatively thin cross-section of the electrical device or resistance wire when a polymeric layer is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Applicant: Watlow Polymer Technologies
    Inventor: James M. Rutherford
  • Patent number: 6263158
    Abstract: Heating elements, electrical devices and processes for manufacturing these components are provided. The heating elements and electrical components employ a fibrous support layer, such as a non-woven glass mat, which provides structural support to the relatively thin cross-section of the electrical device or resistance wire when a polymeric layer is applied, such as by molding under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Watlow Polymer Technologies
    Inventor: James M. Rutherford
  • Patent number: 6233398
    Abstract: Heating elements suitable for heating a printing media of a ink-jet printer are provided. The heating element includes an electrical resistance heating member for generating resistance heating and a polymeric supporting layer for substantially encapsulating the electrical resistance heating member. The heating elements of this invention can include a fibrous support layer disposed over the electrical resistance heating member for assisting in the application of the polymeric layer. Additionally, the provided heating elements can be formed into a portion of a media pathway for an ink-jet printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignees: Watlow Polymer Technologies, Rheem Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: James M. Rutherford, Charles J. Eckman, Theodore Von Arx