Patents by Inventor John M. Lull

John M. Lull 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: 9562796
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a combination absolute pressure and differential pressure transducer that includes at least a first cavity and a second cavity, at least a first pressure port and a second pressure port, a first isolation membrane exposing the first cavity to a first fluid pressure applied to the first pressure port, a second isolation membrane exposing the second cavity to a second fluid pressure applied to the second pressure port, at least one absolute pressure sense element exposed to absolute pressure in one of the first cavity and the second cavity, and at least one differential pressure sense element exposed to differential pressure between two of the first cavity and the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Lull
  • Publication number: 20160195415
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a combination absolute pressure and differential pressure transducer that includes at least a first cavity and a second cavity, at least a first pressure port and a second pressure port, a first isolation membrane exposing the first cavity to a first fluid pressure applied to the first pressure port, a second isolation membrane exposing the second cavity to a second fluid pressure applied to the second pressure port, at least one absolute pressure sense element exposed to absolute pressure in one of the first cavity and the second cavity, and at least one differential pressure sense element exposed to differential pressure between two of the first cavity and the second cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventor: John M. LULL
  • Publication number: 20150212524
    Abstract: A mass flow controller includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a conduit defining a flow path along which the fluid flows through the mass flow controller. The mass flow controller includes an inlet block having an inlet aperture, an inlet channel fluidly coupled to the conduit, and one or more restrictors positioned along the flow path between the inlet aperture and inlet channel to minimize flow perturbations when a rate of decay measurement is taken or when flow the amount of pressure supplied to the valve inlet is otherwise interrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Anthony B. Kehoe, John M. Lull, William S. Valentine, Christophe Ellec, Berwin Banares
  • Patent number: 8068999
    Abstract: A system and method of characterizing or controlling a flow of a fluid is provided that involves a sensor conduit and a bypass. A plurality of fluids may be utilized in the flow control device based on characteristic information of the device generated during calibration thereof. The characteristic information, in turn is based on a dimensionless parameters, such as adjusted dynamic pressure and adjusted Reynolds number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Brooks Instrument, LLC
    Inventors: Chiun Wang, John M. Lull, William S. Valentine
  • Patent number: 8010303
    Abstract: A system and method of characterizing or controlling a flow of a fluid is provided that involves a sensor conduit and a bypass. A plurality of fluids may be utilized in the flow control device based on characteristic information of the device generated during calibration thereof. The characteristic information, in turn is based on a dimensionless parameters, such as adjusted dynamic pressure and adjusted Reynolds number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Brooks Intrument, LLC
    Inventors: Chiun Wang, John M. Lull, William S. Valentine
  • Patent number: 7720617
    Abstract: A method of obtaining at least one representation of a characteristic function of a sensor from a test fluid during calibration of the sensor according to a sensor model having a transfer function operating on flow rate, at least one sensor property and at least one fluid property and employing the at least one representation of the characteristic function to determine flow rates through the sensor during operation with an arbitrary fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Brooks Instrument, LLC
    Inventors: Chiun Wang, William S. Valentine, John M. Lull
  • Publication number: 20100070206
    Abstract: A system and method of characterizing or controlling a flow of a fluid is provided that involves a sensor conduit and a bypass. A plurality of fluids may be utilized in the flow control device based on characteristic information of the device generated during calibration thereof. The characteristic information, in turn is based on a dimensionless parameters, such as adjusted dynamic pressure and adjusted Reynolds number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Chiun Wang, John M. Lull, William S. Valentine
  • Publication number: 20100030388
    Abstract: A system and method of characterizing or controlling a flow of a fluid is provided that involves a sensor conduit and a bypass. A plurality of fluids may be utilized in the flow control device based on characteristic information of the device generated during calibration thereof. The characteristic information, in turn is based on a dimensionless parameters, such as adjusted dynamic pressure and adjusted Reynolds number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Chiun Wang, John M. Lull, William S. Valentine
  • Patent number: 7636640
    Abstract: A system and method of characterizing or controlling a flow of a fluid is provided that involves a sensor conduit and a bypass. A plurality of fluids may be utilized in the flow control device based on characteristic information of the device generated during calibration thereof. The characteristic information, in turn is based on a dimensionless parameters, such as adjusted dynamic pressure and adjusted Reynolds number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Brooks Instrument, LLC
    Inventors: Chiun Wang, John M. Lull, William S. Valentine
  • Patent number: 7424894
    Abstract: A fluid flow control system that includes a fluid inlet to receive a flow of process fluid and a plurality of fluid outlets. The plurality of fluid outlets include a first fluid outlet and at least one second fluid outlet. The first fluid outlet provides a first predetermined portion of the flow of process fluid, and the at least one second fluid outlet provides the remaining portion of the flow of process fluid. In one embodiment, the control system includes a pressure transducer, first and second multipliers, and first and second flow controllers. The first multiplier multiplies a pressure signal received from the pressure transducer by a first setpoint to control a first flow controller that provides the first predetermined portion of the flow of process fluid. The second multiplier multiplies the pressure signal by a second setpoint to control a second flow controller that provides the remaining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Celerity, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Lull, William S. Valentine
  • Patent number: 7380564
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a mass flow controller to have a constant control loop gain under a variety of different types of fluids and operating conditions, and for configuring the mass flow controller for operation with a fluid and/or operating conditions different from that used during a production of the mass flow controller. Further, the system and method includes providing control by reducing the effects of hysteresis in solenoid actuated devices by providing a non-operational signal to the solenoid actuated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Celerity, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Lull, Chiun Wang, William S. Valentine, Joseph A. Saggio, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7360551
    Abstract: A fluid flow control system that includes a fluid inlet to receive a flow of process fluid and a plurality of fluid outlets. The plurality of fluid outlets include a first fluid outlet and at least one second fluid outlet. The first fluid outlet provides a first predetermined portion of the flow of process fluid, and the at least one second fluid outlet provides the remaining portion of the flow of process fluid. In one embodiment, the control system includes a pressure transducer, first and second multipliers, and first and second flow controllers. The first multiplier multiplies a pressure signal received from the pressure transducer by a first setpoint to control a first flow controller that provides the first predetermined portion of the flow of process fluid. The second multiplier multiplies the pressure signal by a second setpoint to control a second flow controller that provides the remaining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Celerity, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Lull, William S. Valentine
  • Patent number: 7272512
    Abstract: A method of obtaining at least one representation of a characteristic function of a sensor from a test fluid during calibration of the sensor according to a sensor model having a transfer function operating on flow rate, at least one sensor property and at least one fluid property and employing the at least one representation of the characteristic function to determine flow rates through the sensor during operation with an arbitrary fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Celerity, Inc.
    Inventors: Chiun Wang, William S. Valentine, John M. Lull
  • Patent number: 7231931
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a mass flow controller to have a constant control loop gain under a variety of different types of fluids and operating conditions, and for configuring the mass flow controller for operation with a fluid and/or operating conditions different from that used during a production of the mass flow controller. Further, the system and method includes providing control by reducing the effects of hysteresis in solenoid actuated devices by providing a non-operational signal to the solenoid actuated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Celerity, Inc.
    Inventors: John M Lull, Chiun Wang, William S Valentine, Joseph A Saggio, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7143774
    Abstract: A fluid flow control system that includes a fluid inlet to receive a flow of process fluid and a plurality of fluid outlets. The plurality of fluid outlets include a first fluid outlet and at least one second fluid outlet. The first fluid outlet provides a first predetermined portion of the flow of process fluid, and the at least one second fluid outlet provides the remaining portion of the flow of process fluid. In one embodiment, the control system includes a pressure transducer, first and second multipliers, and first and second flow controllers. The first multiplier multiplies a pressure signal received from the pressure transducer by a first setpoint to control a first flow controller that provides the first predetermined portion of the flow of process fluid. The second multiplier multiplies the pressure signal by a second setpoint to control a second flow controller that provides the remaining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Celerity, Inc.
    Inventors: John M Lull, William S Valentine
  • Patent number: 7114511
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a mass flow controller to have a constant control loop gain under a variety of different types of fluids and operating conditions, and for configuring the mass flow controller for operation with a fluid and/or operating conditions different from that used during a production of the mass flow controller. Further, the system and method includes providing control by reducing the effects of hysteresis in solenoid actuated devices by providing a non-operational signal to the solenoid actuated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Celerity Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John M Lull, Chiun Wang, William S Valentine, Joseph A Saggio, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7043374
    Abstract: A method of obtaining at least one representation of a characteristic function of a sensor from a test fluid during calibration of the sensor according to a sensor model having a transfer function operating on flow rate, at least one sensor property and at least one fluid property and employing the at least one representation of the characteristic function to determine flow rates through the sensor during operation with an arbitrary fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Celerity, Inc.
    Inventors: Chiun Wang, William S. Valentine, John M. Lull
  • Patent number: 6962164
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a mass flow controller to have a constant control loop gain under a variety of different types of fluids and operating conditions, and for configuring the mass flow controller for operation with a fluid and/or operating conditions different from that used during a production of the mass flow controller. Further, the system and method includes providing control by reducing the effects of hysteresis in solenoid actuated devices by providing a non-operational signal to the solenoid actuated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Celerity Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Lull, Chiun Wang, William S. Valentine, Joseph A. Saggio, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6941965
    Abstract: A fluid flow control system that includes a fluid inlet to receive a flow of process fluid and a plurality of fluid outlets. The plurality of fluid outlets include a first fluid outlet and at least one second fluid outlet. The first fluid outlet provides a first predetermined portion of the flow of process fluid, and the at least one second fluid outlet provides the remaining portion of the flow of process fluid. In one embodiment, the control system includes a pressure transducer, first and second multipliers, and first and second flow controllers. The first multiplier multiplies a pressure signal received from the pressure transducer by a first setpoint to control a first flow controller that provides the first predetermined portion of the flow of process fluid. The second multiplier multiplies the pressure signal by a second setpoint to control a second flow controller that provides the remaining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Celerity, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Lull, William S. Valentine
  • Publication number: 20040200529
    Abstract: A fluid flow control system that includes a fluid inlet to receive a flow of process fluid and a plurality of fluid outlets. The plurality of fluid outlets include a first fluid outlet and at least one second fluid outlet. The first fluid outlet provides a first predetermined portion of the flow of process fluid, and the at least one second fluid outlet provides the remaining portion of the flow of process fluid. In one embodiment, the control system includes a pressure transducer, first and second multipliers, and first and second flow controllers. The first multiplier multiplies a pressure signal received from the pressure transducer by a first setpoint to control a first flow controller that provides the first predetermined portion of the flow of process fluid. The second multiplier multiplies the pressure signal by a second setpoint to control a second flow controller that provides the remaining portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: Celerity Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Lull, William S. Valentine