Patents by Inventor John Francis Egan
John Francis Egan 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: 20180188111Abstract: A handheld LIBS analysis method features a moveable laser focusing lens, and a laser beam directed to a sample via the laser focusing lens. A first mirror includes an aperture for the laser beam. This mirror is oriented to re-direct plasma radiation for delivery to a detection fiber.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2018Publication date: July 5, 2018Inventors: David R. Day, Konstantin Derman, John Francis Egan, Paul Edward Soucy
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Patent number: 9952100Abstract: A handheld LIBS spectrometer system features an optics stage moveable with respect to a housing and including a laser focusing lens. A laser source is mounted in the housing for directing a laser beam to a sample via the laser focusing lens. A detection fiber is mounted in the housing and is fixed relative thereto. A first mirror is fixed relative to the housing and includes an aperture for the laser beam. This mirror is oriented to re-direct plasma radiation for delivery to the detection fiber. A controller subsystem is responsive to the output of a spectrometer subsystem and is configured to control the laser source and the optics stage.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: SciAps, Inc.Inventors: David R. Day, Konstantin Derman, John Francis Egan, Paul Edward Soucy
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Patent number: 9719853Abstract: A handheld LIBS spectrometer includes an optics stage movably mounted to a housing and including a laser focusing lens and a detection lens. One or more motors advance and retract the optics stage, move the optics stage left and right, and/or move the optics stage up and down. A laser source in the housing is oriented to direct a laser beam to the laser focusing lens. A spectrometer subsystem in the housing is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from the detection lens and to provide an output. A controller subsystem is responsive to the output of the spectrometer subsystem and is configured to control the laser source and motors. In this way, auto-calibration, auto-clean, and auto-focus, and/or moving spot functionality is possible.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2016Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: SciAps, Inc.Inventors: David R. Day, Konstantin Derman, John Francis Egan, Paul Edward Soucy
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Patent number: 9714864Abstract: A handheld LIBS spectrometer includes an optics stage movably mounted to a housing and including a laser focusing lens and a detection lens. One or more motors advance and retract the optics stage, move the optics stage left and right, and/or move the optics stage up and down. A laser source in the housing is oriented to direct a laser beam to the laser focusing lens. A spectrometer subsystem in the housing is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from the detection lens and to provide an output. A controller subsystem is responsive to the output of the spectrometer subsystem and is configured to control the laser source and motors. In this way, auto-calibration, auto-clean, and auto-focus, and/or moving spot functionality is possible.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2016Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: SciAps, Inc.Inventors: David R. Day, Konstantin Derman, John Francis Egan, Paul Edward Soucy
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Publication number: 20170122805Abstract: A LIBS analysis method and apparatus wherein multiple laser firings in a burst mode are produced to clean a location on the sample. Subsequently. for data collection, pumping the laser produces one or more analysis laser firings and when such a laser firing is detected, the laser pumping stops and the method includes initiating a delay period of time after which the spectrometer is triggered to begin analysis of the resulting plasma produced on the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: David R. Day, John Francis Egan
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Publication number: 20160238535Abstract: A handheld LIBS spectrometer includes an optics stage movably mounted to a housing and including a laser focusing lens and a detection lens. One or more motors advance and retract the optics stage, move the optics stage left and right, and/or move the optics stage up and down. A laser source in the housing is oriented to direct a laser beam to the laser focusing lens. A spectrometer subsystem in the housing is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from the detection lens and to provide an output. A controller subsystem is responsive to the output of the spectrometer subsystem and is configured to control the laser source and motors. In this way, auto-calibration, auto-clean, and auto-focus, and/or moving spot functionality is possible.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: David R. Day, Konstantin Derman, John Francis Egan, Paul Edward Soucy
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Publication number: 20160238448Abstract: A handheld LIBS spectrometer includes an optics stage movably mounted to a housing and including a laser focusing lens and a detection lens. One or more motors advance and retract the optics stage, move the optics stage left and right, and/or move the optics stage up and down. A laser source in the housing is oriented to direct a laser beam to the laser focusing lens. A spectrometer subsystem in the housing is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from the detection lens and to provide an output. A controller subsystem is responsive to the output of the spectrometer subsystem and is configured to control the laser source and motors. In this way, auto-calibration, auto-clean, and auto-focus, and/or moving spot functionality is possible.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: David R. Day, Konstantin Derman, John Francis Egan, Paul Edward Soucy
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Patent number: 9395243Abstract: A handheld LIBS analyzer includes a laser source for generating a laser beam and a spectrometer subsystem for analyzing a plasma generated when the laser beam strikes a sample. A nose section includes an end plate with an aperture for the laser beam, a purge cavity behind the aperture fluidly connected to a source of purge gas, and a shield covering the purge cavity. A vent removes purge gas from the purge cavity when the end plate is placed on the sample.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2015Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: SciAps, Inc.Inventors: David R. Day, Konstantin Derman, John Francis Egan, Paul Edward Soucy
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Patent number: 9360367Abstract: A handheld LIBS spectrometer includes an optics stage movably mounted to a housing and including a laser focusing lens and a detection lens. One or more motors advance and retract the optics stage, move the optics stage left and right, and/or move the optics stage up and down. A laser source in the housing is oriented to direct a laser beam to the laser focusing lens. A spectrometer subsystem in the housing is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from the detection lens and to provide an output. A controller subsystem is responsive to the output of the spectrometer subsystem and is configured to control the laser source and motors. In this way, auto-calibration, auto-clean, and auto-focus, and/or moving spot functionality is possible.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: SciAps, Inc.Inventors: David R. Day, Konstantin Derman, John Francis Egan, Paul Edward Soucy
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Publication number: 20160084709Abstract: A handheld LIBS spectrometer system features an optics stage moveable with respect to a housing and including a laser focusing lens. A laser source is mounted in the housing for directing a laser beam to a sample via the laser focusing lens. A detection fiber is mounted in the housing and is fixed relative thereto. A first mirror is fixed relative to the housing and includes an aperture for the laser beam. This mirror is oriented to re-direct plasma radiation for delivery to the detection fiber. A controller subsystem is responsive to the output of a spectrometer subsystem and is configured to control the laser source and the optics stage.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventors: David R. Day, Konstantin Derman, John Francis Egan, Paul Edward Soucy
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Publication number: 20150138545Abstract: A handheld LIBS analyzer includes a laser source for generating a laser beam and a spectrometer subsystem for analyzing a plasma generated when the laser beam strikes a sample. A nose section includes an end plate with an aperture for the laser beam, a purge cavity behind the aperture fluidly connected to a source of purge gas, and a shield covering the purge cavity. A vent removes purge gas from the purge cavity when the end plate is placed on the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2015Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: David R. Day, Konstantin Derman, John Francis Egan, Paul Edward Soucy
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Publication number: 20140204377Abstract: A handheld LIBS spectrometer includes an optics stage movably mounted to a housing and including a laser focusing lens and a detection lens. One or more motors advance and retract the optics stage, move the optics stage left and right, and/or move the optics stage up and down. A laser source in the housing is oriented to direct a laser beam to the laser focusing lens. A spectrometer subsystem in the housing is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from the detection lens and to provide an output. A controller subsystem is responsive to the output of the spectrometer subsystem and is configured to control the laser source and motors. In this way, auto-calibration, auto-clean, and auto-focus, and/or moving spot functionality is possible.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: SciAps, Inc.Inventors: David R. Day, Konstantin Derman, John Francis Egan, Paul Edward Soucy
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Publication number: 20100017020Abstract: A sorting system and method with a conveyance for transporting items to be sorted at a predetermined speed. An XRF spectrometer subsystem includes at least one x-ray source directing x-ray energy at an item carried by the conveyance and a detector responsive to x-rays emitted by the item and producing a spectral signal characterizing a leading edge of the item and a trailing edge of the item. A diverter subsystem downstream of the XRF subsystem is for diverting sorted items. An electronic processing subsystem is responsive to the detector signal and is configured to determine if the item is to be diverted based on the elemental makeup of the item from its x-ray spectrum. The same processing subsystem is also configured to calculate the position of the item on the conveyance based on the detector signal and together with the predetermined speed of the conveyance controlling the diverter subsystem to divert selected items.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2008Publication date: January 21, 2010Inventors: Bradley Hubbard-Nelson, Don Sackett, John Francis Egan