Patents by Inventor John M. Auclair

John M. Auclair 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: 11774415
    Abstract: Described is a metering pump that may be used to meter volumes of sample in a chromatography system. The metering pump has a modular configuration that allows for separation of a head pod from a drive assembly for easy serviceability. The head pod includes a pump head, cartridge housing, seal wash housing and plunger. The drive assembly can be implemented in an inline drive configuration. Alternatively, the drive assembly can be implemented in an offset drive configuration in which a stepper motor is displaced laterally from other drive assembly components but is coupled through a belt and pulley system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua A. Burnett, Rose Solow, David A. Simpson, Peter Osswald, John M. Auclair, Michael LeBeau
  • Patent number: 11162923
    Abstract: A twist-lock compliant needle including a housing component surrounding a needle holder holding a rigidly mounted needle, the housing component including a biasing element disposed therein, wherein the biasing element compresses as a needle tip of the needle contacts a surface is provided. An associated method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Simpson, Joshua A. Burnett, John M. Auclair
  • Publication number: 20210302397
    Abstract: Described is a metering pump that may be used to meter volumes of sample in a chromatography system. The metering pump has a modular configuration that allows for separation of a head pod from a drive assembly for easy serviceability. The head pod includes a pump head, cartridge housing, seal wash housing and plunger. The drive assembly can be implemented in an inline drive configuration. Alternatively, the drive assembly can be implemented in an offset drive configuration in which a stepper motor is displaced laterally from other drive assembly components but is coupled through a belt and pulley system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua A. Burnett, Rose Solow, David A. Simpson, Peter Osswald, John M. Auclair, Michael LeBeau
  • Patent number: 10859541
    Abstract: A needle for aspirating a sample from a sample source and injecting the sample into a liquid chromatography system, the needle including a needle body having a rough textured surface finish for at least a portion of the needle body, wherein the rough textured surface finish reduces a coefficient of friction of the needle body, is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott Kelley, Peter Osswald, Rose Solow, John M. Auclair
  • Patent number: 10802001
    Abstract: An apparatus for diluting a sample in a liquid chromatography system includes a metering pump, a sample needle and a sample valve. One of the sample valve ports is in fluid communication with the first pump port, a second one of the sample valve ports is in fluid communication with the second pump port, and a third one of the sample valve ports is in fluid communication with the sample needle. The sample valve can be configured in a first to conduct a solvent to the first pump port and to fluidically terminate the second pump port, and in a second state in which the sample needle is in fluid communication with the second pump port. A merge valve configurable in different states is in fluid communication with the sample valve. The states of the sample valve and merge valve can be controlled to perform online dilution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua A. Burnett, John M. Auclair
  • Publication number: 20200025722
    Abstract: A twist-lock compliant needle including a housing component surrounding a needle holder holding a rigidly mounted needle, the housing component including a biasing element disposed therein, wherein the biasing element compresses as a needle tip of the needle contacts a surface is provided. An associated method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: David A. Simpson, Joshua A. Burnett, John M. Auclair
  • Publication number: 20190277812
    Abstract: A needle for aspirating a sample from a sample source and injecting the sample into a liquid chromatography system, the needle including a needle body having a rough textured surface finish for at least a portion of the needle body, wherein the rough textured surface finish reduces a coefficient of friction of the needle body, is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Scott Kelley, Peter Osswald, Rose Solow, John M. Auclair
  • Publication number: 20180364203
    Abstract: An apparatus for diluting a sample in a liquid chromatography system includes a metering pump, a sample needle and a sample valve. One of the sample valve ports is in fluid communication with the first pump port, a second one of the sample valve ports is in fluid communication with the second pump port, and a third one of the sample valve ports is in fluid communication with the sample needle. The sample valve can be configured in a first to conduct a solvent to the first pump port and to fluidically terminate the second pump port, and in a second state in which the sample needle is in fluid communication with the second pump port. A merge valve configurable in different states is in fluid communication with the sample valve. The states of the sample valve and merge valve can be controlled to perform online dilution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Joshua A. Burnett, John M. Auclair
  • Publication number: 20150027567
    Abstract: The invention generally provides a dynamic back pressure regulator. In exemplary embodiments, the back pressure regulator includes an inlet, an outlet, a seat disposed between the inlet and the outlet and defining at least part of a fluid pathway, and a needle displaceable relative to the seat to form a restriction region therebetween for restricting fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet. In some embodiments, the needle can be formed of a chemically resistant ceramic or have a metal plating to provide corrosion and/or erosion resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua A. Shreve, John M. Auclair, Paul Keenan, Edwin Denecke, Gerald Wisser, Edward Bates, Eugene Berthiaume, Michael Bower
  • Patent number: 6071477
    Abstract: A sample handling mechanism including a direct drive carrier for positioning multiple trays or carousels of sample vials and a direct drive carousel handling mechanism that eliminates pulleys and belts and the problems associated therewith. The carousels handled by the sample handling mechanism are individually identifiable, stackable and include a viewing area for identifying and viewing the individual sample vials grouped in a respective carousel. The sample handling mechanism consists of two logical drive modules. A single center line or axis of rotation is effected in each of the drive modules. The two logical drive modules include a carrier mechanism that transports a plurality of sample carousels to a sampling station, and a carousel drive mechanism which engages a single carousel and presents the appropriate vial to be sampled. The carrier mechanism includes a multi-position spoke-like carrier portion that is driven by a single drive shaft coupled to a gear reduction stepper motor by a coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Waters Investments Limited
    Inventors: John M. Auclair, Joseph D. Antocci
  • Patent number: 5682026
    Abstract: A sample handling mechanism including a direct drive carrier for positioning multiple trays or carousels of sample vials and a direct drive carousel handling mechanism that eliminates pulleys and belts and the problems associated therewith. The carousels handled by the sample handling mechanism are individually identifiable, stackable and include a viewing area for identifying and viewing the individual sample vials grouped in a respective carousel. The sample handling mechanism consists of two logical drive modules. A single center line or axis of rotation is effected in each of the drive modules. The two logical drive modules include a carrier mechanism that transports a plurality of sample carousels to a sampling station, and a carousel drive mechanism which engages a single carousel and presents the appropriate vial to be sampled. The carrier mechanism includes a multi-position spoke-like carrier portion that is driven by a single drive shaft coupled to a gear reduction stepper motor by a coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Waters Investments Limited
    Inventors: John M. Auclair, Joseph D. Antocci