Patents by Inventor John A. Rolls

John A. Rolls 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: 7003337
    Abstract: An improved method for non-invasively measuring a concentration of a target analyte dissolved in a fluid flowing through a sample is presented. It includes directing a probe beam of electromagnetic radiation, consisting of time multiplexed components of different wavelengths, through the sample and measuring the difference of the absorption of the radiation at at least one wavelength pair at different sample states. During sample state changes, the amount of fluid containing the target analyte within the sample is changing, which varies the total amount of target analyte in the sample, as well as the absorption properties of the sample. The sample states are produced, for instance, by compressing and uncompressing the tissue sample. The accuracy of the presented method is enhanced by including continuous estimation of the amount of the fluid containing the target analyte within the sample, and measurement of the variations of the absorption at a wavelength at which the target analyte absorbs significantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: VivaScan Corporation
    Inventors: Hannu Harjunmaa, Stevan Kun, Robert A. Peura, John A. Rolls
  • Publication number: 20030204133
    Abstract: An improved method for non-invasively measuring a concentration of a target analyte dissolved in a fluid flowing through a sample is presented. It includes directing a probe beam of electromagnetic radiation, consisting of time multiplexed components of different wavelengths, through the sample and measuring the difference of the absorption of the radiation at at least one wavelength pair at different sample states. During sample state changes, the amount of fluid containing the target analyte within the sample is changing, which varies the total amount of target analyte in the sample, as well as the absorption properties of the sample. The sample states are produced, for instance, by compressing and uncompressing the tissue sample. The accuracy of the presented method is enhanced by including continuous estimation of the amount of the fluid containing the target analyte within the sample, and measurement of the variations of the absorption at a wavelength at which the target analyte absorbs significantly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Hannu Harjunmaa, Stevan Kun, Robert A. Peura, John A. Rolls
  • Publication number: 20030199947
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laminated fabric heater element, heater and a process for manufacturing the heater element and heater. The heater comprises an electrically conductive fabric layer attached to bus bars, is sandwiched between two thermoplastic films forming a heater assembly. In the process making the heater element or heater, the layers of the heater assembly by consolidating the layers of films and fabric into a single sheet heater without the use of adhesive resins. The heater can be made of variable geometry, electrical supply voltage and power, and can withstand more mechanical, chemical, ultraviolet radiation and other environmental stresses than prior art heaters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Alan D. Gardner, Andrew J. Miller, John A. Rolls, Jeff R. Parkin
  • Patent number: 6483087
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laminated fabric heater element, heater and a process for manufacturing the heater element and heater. The heater comprises an electrically conductive fabric layer attached to bus bars, is sandwiched between two thermoplastic films forming a heater assembly. In the process making the heater element or heater, the layers of the heater assembly by consolidating the layers of films and fabric into a single sheet heater without the use of adhesive resins. The heater can be made of variable geometry, electrical supply voltage and power, and can withstand more mechanical, chemical, ultraviolet radiation and other environmental stresses than prior art heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Thermion Systems International
    Inventors: Alan D. Gardner, Andrew J. Miller, John A. Rolls, Jeff R. Parkin
  • Publication number: 20020153368
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laminated fabric heater element, heater and a process for manufacturing the heater element and heater. The heater comprises an electrically conductive fabric layer attached to bus bars, is sandwiched between two thermoplastic films forming a heater assembly. In the process making the heater element or heater, the layers of the heater assembly by consolidating the layers of films and fabric into a single sheet heater without the use of adhesive resins. The heater can be made of variable geometry, electrical supply voltage and power, and can withstand more mechanical, chemical, ultraviolet radiation and other environmental stresses than prior art heaters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Alan D. Gardner, Andrew J. Miller, John A. Rolls, Jeff R. Parkin
  • Patent number: 6145787
    Abstract: The invention relates to heatable wind energy turbine blades and to a method of heating and deicing the turbine blades using conductive fabrics to displace and/or cease the buildup of ice on the turbine blades by electrothermal fabric heater disposed or integrated on the turbines for effectively deicing the blades. Multiple turbine blade design methods are explored as well as heater materials and the application of such materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Thermion Systems International
    Inventor: John A. Rolls
  • Patent number: 6124571
    Abstract: A method is provided for heating the surface of a material such as a floor, wall, roof, or countertop. The method comprises providing a laminated heater element, disposing the heater element at a predetermined depth in the material and energizing the element at prescribed intervals and temperatures which are effective to heat the surface of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventors: Charles G. Miller, John A. Rolls, Otis H. Hastings
  • Patent number: 6087630
    Abstract: A method is provided for heating the surface of a material such as a floor, wall, roof, or countertop. The method comprises providing a laminated heater element, disposing the heater element at a predetermined depth in the material and energizing the element at prescribed intervals and temperatures which are effective to heat the surface of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Thermion Systems International
    Inventors: Charles G. Miller, John A. Rolls, Otis H. Hastings
  • Patent number: 6018141
    Abstract: A method is provided for heating the surface of a tooling die. In the method, a heater element consisting of a fabric layer composed of conductive fibers is incorporated into the surface of a tooling die or mold. The heater element is attached to a power source, which energizes the element at prescribed intervals and temperatures to heat the surface of the tooling die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Thermion Systems International
    Inventors: Charles G. Miller, John A. Rolls, Otis H. Hastings
  • Patent number: 6015965
    Abstract: A method is provided for heating the surface of a material such as a floor, wall, roof, or countertop. The method comprises providing a laminated heater element, disposing the heater element at a predetermined depth in the material and energizing the element at prescribed intervals and temperatures which are effective to heat the surface of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Thermion Systems International
    Inventors: Charles G. Miller, John A. Rolls, Otis H. Hastings
  • Patent number: 5981911
    Abstract: A method is provided for heating the surface of a food receptacle to heat the food contained therein. The method comprises, providing a laminated composite heater element, impermeable to water. The heater element is disposed on the surface of the food receptacle and is heated at prescribed intervals and temperatures effective to heat the receptacle surface and thereby heating the food contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Thermicon Systems International
    Inventors: Charles G. Miller, John A. Rolls
  • Patent number: 5966501
    Abstract: A method is provided for heating the interior surface of a defined volume, such as the interior of a pipe or tank, to control the viscosity of a liquid contained within that volume. In the method, a laminated composite heater element, impermeable to water, is disposed on the surface of the receptacle, and is energized at prescribed intervals and temperatures effective to heat the interior surface of the volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Themion Systems International
    Inventors: Charles G. Miller, John A. Rolls, Otis H. Hastings
  • Patent number: 5954977
    Abstract: A method is provided for preventing biofouling on the surface of structures, such as docks, ships, oil drilling platforms, which come into contact with aquatic environments. In the method, a pre-formed panel heater element is provided to the surfaces of the structure which are for submerging into water. The heater element is disposed at a predetermined depth from the surface of the structure, and energized at prescribed intervals and temperature which are effective to kill and prevent settlement of larvae on the surface of the structure. The pre-formed panel heater element consists of an inner layer composed of a fabric of electrically conductive fibers encapsulated in fiberglass/resin; two outer fiberglass/resin layers disposed on opposing surfaces of and encapsulating said inner layer; and electrical leads connected to said conductive fibers and adapted to receive power from a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Thermion Systems International
    Inventors: Charles G. Miller, John A. Rolls, Otis H. Hastings
  • Patent number: 5942140
    Abstract: A method is provided for heating the surface of an antenna dish. In the method, a heater element consisting of a fabric layer composed of conductive fibers is incorporated into a composite that forms the surface of the antenna dish or the entire antenna dish. The heater element is attached to a power source, which energizes the element to heat the surface of the dish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Thermion Systems International
    Inventors: Charles G. Miller, John A. Rolls
  • Patent number: 5932124
    Abstract: A method is provided for heating the surface of a material such as a floor, wall, roof, or countertop. The method comprises providing a laminated heater element, disposing the heater element at a predetermined depth in the material and energizing the element at prescribed intervals and temperatures which are effective to heat the surface of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Thermion Systems International
    Inventors: Charles G. Miller, John A. Rolls, Otis H. Hastings