Patents by Inventor James S. Leonard

James S. Leonard 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: 5943908
    Abstract: An apparatus (50, 100, 150) for sensing a surface level (20) of fluid (12) includes a generally cylindrical central conductor (16, 102, 152) for connection to a pulse signal source (26) with a reduced diameter end (28, 104, 154) and an opposite end (24, 124, 168); a generally tubular outer conductor (14) concentric with the central conductor for connection to the pulse signal source and having one open end (32) adjacent the central conductor reduced diameter end and an opposite open end (18) adjacent the central conductor opposite end, the central conductor and the outer conductor forming a transmission line for pulse signals generated by the pulse signal source and a cavity (C) between an interior wall surface of the outer conductor and an exterior surface of the central conductor; a non-metallic seal (54) mounted at the outer conductor open end for sealing the cavity, the central conductor reduced diameter end extending through a central aperture (52) formed in the seal; a circuit board (58) for mounting th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Teleflex Incorporated
    Inventors: Sean C. Innes, James S. Leonard, Albert A. Reinhart, James R. Champion
  • Patent number: 5656774
    Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for sensing a surface level (24) of fluid (12) in a tank (14) having an electrically conducting pickup tube (20) extending through a wall (16) of the tank (14) and into the fluid (12) includes a time domain reflectometry circuit (40) connected to the tube (20) for generating an incident pulse (68) that travels down the tube (20) and a portion of which is reflected at the surface (24) as a reflected pulse (70, 72) which travels back along the tube (20) and is sensed by the circuit (40). The circuit (40) utilizes the elapsed time between the generation of the incident pulse (68) and the receipt of the reflected pulse to determine the position of the surface (24) relative to a reference point. The robe (20) forms a transmission line with one of a plate (48), an outer tube (110) and a return tube (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Teleflex Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven D. Nelson, James R. Champion, James S. Leonard
  • Patent number: 4571282
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for reclaiming heat from batch digesting operations including two fluid-to-fluid exchangers fluidically interconnected to allow the passage of an inert fluid between the heat exchangers. The inert fluid passes through the inaccessible regions of the heat exchangers promoting the exchange of heat between spent digester cooking fluid and fresh digester cooling fluid without scaling, clogging or blocking the inaccessible regions of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Baker International Corporation
    Inventors: Charles B. Almond, James S. Leonard