Patents by Inventor Jean-François Gravel
Jean-François Gravel 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).
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Publication number: 20220018771Abstract: There is described a method for detecting a given gas species present in a gaseous sample. The method generally has splitting a primary optical pulse into first and second optical pulses, the primary optical pulse having a duration and carrying optical power within an excitation spectrum encompassing at least one absorption spectral band of the given gas species, the first optical pulse being propagated across an optical gas filter unit containing an amount of the given gas species and attenuating the first optical pulse at the at least one absorption band, one of i) the primary optical pulse and ii) the first and second optical pulses being propagated across the gaseous sample, and temporally delaying the first and second optical pulses from one another; measuring signal values of the delayed optical pulses; and detecting the presence of the given gas species in the gaseous sample based on the signal values.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2020Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventors: François BABIN, Jean-François GRAVEL, Pascal DUFOUR
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Publication number: 20190302084Abstract: A method and an apparatus are presented for monitoring a concentration of a specific halogen in a body of water such as a spa or bathing unit for example. The apparatus comprises a housing in which is positioned an optical absorption analyzer for making first and second measurement of transmission of ultraviolet light from a light source emitting light at a specific wavelength. The second and first measurements are taken respectively before and after the ultraviolet light has travelled through a sample of water and are used to derive a concentration of the specific halogen. The derived concentration may then be communicated to a user using a display device and/or may be used to control operational components of a bathing unit for adjusting the concentration of halogen in the water.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Benoit LAFLAMME, André VILLEMAIRE, Jean-François GRAVEL, Serge CARON
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Patent number: 10371685Abstract: A method and an apparatus are presented for monitoring a concentration of a specific halogen in a body of water such as a spa or bathing unit for example. The apparatus comprises a housing in which is positioned an optical absorption analyzer for making first and second measurement of transmission of ultraviolet light from a light source emitting light at a specific wavelength. The second and first measurements are taken respectively before and after the ultraviolet light has travelled through a sample of water and are used to derive a concentration of the specific halogen. The derived concentration may then be communicated to a user using a display device and/or may be used to control operational components of a bathing unit for adjusting the concentration of halogen in the water.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2019Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: GECKO ALLIANCE GROUP INC.Inventors: Benoit Laflamme, André Villemaire, Jean-François Gravel, Serge Caron
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Publication number: 20190154649Abstract: A method and an apparatus are presented for monitoring a concentration of a specific halogen in a body of water such as a spa or bathing unit for example. The apparatus comprises a housing in which is positioned an optical absorption analyzer for making first and second measurement of transmission of ultraviolet light from a light source emitting light at a specific wavelength. The second and first measurements are taken respectively before and after the ultraviolet light has travelled through a sample of water and are used to derive a concentration of the specific halogen. The derived concentration may then be communicated to a user using a display device and/or may be used to control operational components of a bathing unit for adjusting the concentration of halogen in the water.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Benoit LAFLAMME, André VILLEMAIRE, Jean-François GRAVEL, Serge CARON
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Patent number: 10228359Abstract: A method and an apparatus are presented for monitoring a concentration of a specific halogen in a body of water such as a spa or bathing unit for example. The apparatus comprises a housing in which is positioned an optical absorption analyzer for making first and second measurement of transmission of ultraviolet light from a light source emitting light at a specific wavelength. The second and first measurements are taken respectively before and after the ultraviolet light has travelled through a sample of water and are used to derive a concentration of the specific halogen. The derived concentration may then be communicated to a user using a display device and/or may be used to control operational components of a bathing unit for adjusting the concentration of halogen in the water.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2017Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: GECKO ALLIANCE GROUP INC.Inventors: Benoit Laflamme, André Villemaire, Jean-François Gravel, Serge Caron
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Patent number: 10113953Abstract: The method of determining the presence of a spill of a petroleum product by the detection of a petroleum-derived volatile organic compound (VOC) generally has a step of providing an ultraviolet (UV) radiation generator and a receiver assembly aimed at a scene; a step of illuminating a distant target in the scene with a UV radiation beam, the UV radiation beam having an excitation wavelength being tuned to a resonance Raman excitation wavelength of the petroleum derived VOC; a step of receiving a return signal from the distant target; and a step of determining the presence of the petroleum-derived VOC upon detecting Raman scattering in the received return signal, the Raman scattering being indicative of a resonance Raman interaction between the UV radiation beam and molecules of the petroleum-derived VOC.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2017Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Inventors: François Babin, Jean-François Gravel, Pascal Dufour
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Patent number: 10101274Abstract: An interrogation device for detecting luminescent light produced by analytes in a sample excited by multiple excitation light beams each having individual spectral contents, comprising a plurality of light sources each generating an excitation light beam; at least one detector for detecting the luminescent light produced by the sample; and an optical assembly defining distinct and fixed excitation light paths for each of the excitation light beams from the light sources to a common excitation site on the sample and defining a shared luminescence light path for the luminescent light from the excitation site on sample to the at least one detector, the excitation light paths and the luminescence light path being on a same side of the sample, the optical assembly including sample-side optics projecting the excitation light towards the sample and collecting luminescent light from the sample.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2013Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignees: GenePOC INC., Universite LavalInventors: Hugo Lemieux, Sébastien Chapdelaine, David Béliveau-Viel, Jean-François Gravel
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Patent number: 10094782Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus and method for use with Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) systems that can be applied to the real time analysis of various materials. The invention, in one aspect, provides a layer-by-layer method to remove the undesired coating layer of a material in which a pulsed laser is coupled with high speed scanning optics. To prepare the surface for LIBS, (i) a pulsed laser beam is scanned over an area of the surface to ablate the surface coating layer; (ii) the laser parameters are changed (i.e. pulse duration is made smaller) and the area scanned again to polish the surface; and (iii) the laser parameters are changed again (i.e. pulse duration is made smaller yet again) and the area scanned again with spectrometric analysis of the plasma plume created by the laser (i.e. LIBS is performed).Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2014Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: National Research Council of CanadaInventors: Francois Doucet, Mohamad Sabsabi, Lutfu-Celebi Ozcan, Jean-Francois Gravel, Francis Boismenu
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Publication number: 20180267007Abstract: A method and an apparatus are presented for monitoring a concentration of a specific halogen in a body of water such as a spa or bathing unit for example. The apparatus comprises a housing in which is positioned an optical absorption analyzer for making first and second measurement of transmission of ultraviolet light from a light source emitting light at a specific wavelength. The second and first measurements are taken respectively before and after the ultraviolet light has travelled through a sample of water and are used to derive a concentration of the specific halogen. The derived concentration may then be communicated to a user using a display device and/or may be used to control operational components of a bathing unit for adjusting the concentration of halogen in the water.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2017Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: Benoit LAFLAMME, André Villemaire, Jean-François Gravel, Serge CARON
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Publication number: 20180052100Abstract: The method of determining the presence of a spill of a petroleum product by the detection of a petroleum-derived volatile organic compound (VOC) generally has a step of providing an ultraviolet (UV) radiation generator and a receiver assembly aimed at a scene; a step of illuminating a distant target in the scene with a UV radiation beam, the UV radiation beam having an excitation wavelength being tuned to a resonance Raman excitation wavelength of the petroleum derived VOC; a step of receiving a return signal from the distant target; and a step of determining the presence of the petroleum-derived VOC upon detecting Raman scattering in the received return signal, the Raman scattering being indicative of a resonance Raman interaction between the UV radiation beam and molecules of the petroleum-derived VOC.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2017Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventors: François BABIN, Jean-François GRAVEL, Pascal DUFOUR
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Patent number: 9880037Abstract: There is described a method for remotely monitoring an exhaust plume emitted by an exhaust stack, the method comprising: determining a velocity of a flow of the exhaust plume at an output of the exhaust stack, the exhaust plume comprising one molecule; propagating a first light within the exhaust plume, the first light being propagated in close proximity to the output of the exhaust stack; detecting a second light emitted by the exhaust plume and measuring an energy of the second light, the second light resulting from an interaction of the first light with the exhaust plume; and determining a mass emission rate of the at least one molecule using the measured energy of the detected second light, the velocity, and a surface area of the exhaust plume at the output of the exhaust stack, the surface area being orthogonal to a direction of the flow of the exhaust plume.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: INSTITUT NATIONAL D'OPTIQUEInventors: François Babin, Jean-François Gravel
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Patent number: 9808143Abstract: An optogenetic probe, an optogenetic system, and a method for fabricating an optogenetic probe are provided. The optogenetic probe has a proximal and a distal end, and includes an elongated body made of a body glass material and extending longitudinally between the proximal and distal ends. The optogenetic probe also includes at least one optical channel, each including an optical channel glass material having a refractive index larger than a refractive index of the body glass material, so as to guide light therealong. The optogenetic probes also includes at least one electrical channel, each including an electrical channel structure having an electrical conductivity larger than the electrical conductivity of the body glass material, so as to conduct electricity therealong. The optogenetic probe further includes at least one fluidic channel, each adapted for transporting fluid therealong. Each optical, electrical and fluidic channel extends longitudinally within the elongated body.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2013Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: UNIVERSITE LAVALInventors: Jean-François Viens, Jean-François Gravel, Younès Messaddeq, Yannick Ledemi, Maxime Rioux
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Publication number: 20170167982Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus and method for use with Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) systems that can be applied to the real time analysis of various materials. The invention, in one aspect, provides a layer-by-layer method to remove the undesired coating layer of a material in which a pulsed laser is coupled with high speed scanning optics. To prepare the surface for LIBS, (i) a pulsed laser beam is scanned over an area of the surface to ablate the surface coating layer; (ii) the laser parameters are changed (i.e. pulse duration is made smaller) and the area scanned again to polish the surface; and (iii) the laser parameters are changed again (i.e. pulse duration is made smaller yet again) and the area scanned again with spectrometric analysis of the plasma plume created by the laser (i.e. LIBS is performed).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2014Publication date: June 15, 2017Applicant: NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF CANADAInventors: Francois DOUCET, Mohamad SABSABI, Lutfu-Celebi OZCAN, Jean-Francois GRAVEL, Francis BOISMENU
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Publication number: 20160131514Abstract: There is described a method for remotely monitoring an exhaust plume emitted by an exhaust stack, the method comprising: determining a velocity of a flow of the exhaust plume at an output of the exhaust stack, the exhaust plume comprising one molecule; propagating a first light within the exhaust plume, the first light being propagated in close proximity to the output of the exhaust stack; detecting a second light emitted by the exhaust plume and measuring an energy of the second light, the second light resulting from an interaction of the first light with the exhaust plume; and determining a mass emission rate of the at least one molecule using the measured energy of the detected second light, the velocity, and a surface area of the exhaust plume at the output of the exhaust stack, the surface area being orthogonal to a direction of the flow of the exhaust plume.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2015Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventors: François BABIN, Jean-François GRAVEL
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Publication number: 20150308958Abstract: An interrogation device for detecting luminescent light produced by analytes in a sample excited by multiple excitation light beams each having individual spectral contents, comprising a plurality of light sources each generating an excitation light beam; at least one detector for detecting the luminescent light produced by the sample; and an optical assembly defining distinct and fixed excitation light paths for each of the excitation light beams from the light sources to a common excitation site on the sample and defining a shared luminescence light path for the luminescent light from the excitation site on sample to the at least one detector, the excitation light paths and the luminescence light path being on a same side of the sample, the optical assembly including sample-side optics projecting the excitation light towards the sample and collecting luminescent light from the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2013Publication date: October 29, 2015Inventors: Hugo LEMIEUX, Sébastien CHAPDELAINE, David BÉLIVEAU-VIEL, Jean-François GRAVEL
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Publication number: 20150141844Abstract: An optogenetic probe, an optogenetic system, and a method for fabricating an optogenetic probe are provided. The optogenetic probe has a proximal and a distal end, and includes an elongated body made of a body glass material and extending longitudinally between the proximal and distal ends. The optogenetic probe also includes at least one optical channel, each including an optical channel glass material having a refractive index larger than a refractive index of the body glass material, so as to guide light therealong. The optogenetic probes also includes at least one electrical channel, each including an electrical channel structure having an electrical conductivity larger than the electrical conductivity of the body glass material, so as to conduct electricity therealong. The optogenetic probe further includes at least one fluidic channel, each adapted for transporting fluid therealong. Each optical, electrical and fluidic channel extends longitudinally within the elongated body.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Jean-François Viens, Jean-François Gravel, Younès Messaddeq, Yannick Ledemi, Maxime Rioux
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Publication number: 20110226962Abstract: A method of detecting a fluorescence signal emitted by fluorophores bound to particles confined in a particle trap, includes an objective lens having a focal plane, which is normally the focal plane for incident collimated light. The particle trap is typically located in the focal plane, and a beam of excitation light is directed via the objective lens onto the confined particles in the trap. The excitation light is in the form of a divergent beam coming to focus at a plane displaced from the focal plane. The divergent beam has a spot diameter at the focal plane determined by the divergence of the beam. The fluorescent light emitted by the fluorophores is detected with a confocal detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2008Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF CANADAInventors: Denis Boudreau, Jean-Francois Gravel, Benoit Voisin, Boris Le Drogoff, Teodor Veres