Patents by Inventor John Magie Coffin
John Magie Coffin 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: 20230168204Abstract: A web gauging system and methods of using the web gauging system are described. The web gauging system includes a supercontinuum Laser providing a light beam. A beam expander is configured to expand the light beam and provide an expanded beam to a sample illumination area. A detector unit configured to detect a sample light from the illumination area. A moving web can be placed in the illumination area, where the web gauging system measures parameters of the web.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2022Publication date: June 1, 2023Inventors: Damian ASHMEAD, John Magie COFFIN, Francis DECK
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Patent number: 11027284Abstract: A mixing apparatus includes a well plate assembly including a fixed support, and a well movable with respect to the fixed support. A fixed sensor mount has a first portion disposed above the well and a second portion disposed within the well. A plurality of electromagnets are operable to move the well plate assembly vertically with respect to the fixed sensor mount and the fixed support.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLCInventors: Nathaniel S. Safron, Matthew Wayne Meyer, John Magie Coffin
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Patent number: 10983334Abstract: A mirror assembly has one or more axes of motion and includes a mirror that is movable and forms an acute angle with a plane orthogonal to its axis of motion. The mirror assembly may include a first reflective mirror surface in the incoming optical path that is movable and forms an acute angle with a plane orthogonal to its axis of motion, and a second reflective mirror surface in the outgoing optical path that is movable and forms an acute angle with a plane orthogonal to its axis of motion and is moveable in a linear translation to scan the mirror in the interferometer in a way to generate a normal interferogram.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2018Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLCInventor: John Magie Coffin
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Patent number: 10921554Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a mirror bearing for an interferometer. An example mirror bearing includes a stationary mounting member and a mobile mirror assembly configured for slidable movement relative to the mounting member along its longitudinal axis. The mounting member is configured for rigid attachment to an interferometer body. A bore extends through the mounting member along its longitudinal axis. A drive coil receiving area of the mounting member is configured to hold a drive coil coupled thereto. The mobile mirror assembly includes a tube configured to receive, at one end of the tube, an end of the mounting member. The mobile mirror assembly also includes a mirror coupled to the opposite end of the tube. A drive magnet is disposed within the tube and is configured to be received within the bore of the mounting member when the mirror bearing is in an assembled configuration.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLCInventor: John Magie Coffin
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Patent number: 10823614Abstract: An apparatus for providing a variable sized aperture for an imaging device includes a first plate having a first plurality of plate apertures extending therethrough and a second plate having a second plurality of plate apertures extending therethrough. A first motor is operably connected to the first plate and a second motor is operably connected to the second plate. The first and second motors are configured to move the first plate and the second plate with respect to one another so as to align any of the first plurality of plate apertures with any of the second plurality of plate apertures to define a plurality of light beam apertures.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLCInventor: John Magie Coffin
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Patent number: 10670462Abstract: An embodiment of a ruggedized interferometer is described that comprises a light source that generates a beam of light; a fixed mirror; a moving mirror that travels along a linear path; a beam splitter that directs a first portion of the beam of light to the fixed mirror and a second portion of the beam of light to the moving mirror, wherein the beam splitter recombines the first portion reflected from the fixed mirror and the second portion reflected from the moving mirror; and a servo control that applies a substantial degree of force to the moving mirror at initiation of a turnaround period, wherein the substantial degree of force is sufficient to redirect the moving mirror traveling at a high velocity to an opposite direction of travel on the linear path.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2018Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: THERMO ELECTRON SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS LLCInventors: John Magie Coffin, Michael S. Georgiadis, Jei Y. Chou
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Patent number: 10481084Abstract: A spectroscopy system and method in which the optical path following the interferometer includes a Jacquinot stop having an aperture disposed substantially at its focal point. The Jacquinot stop includes a reflective surface substantially non-orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the path and facing the source of the IR signal containing an interferogram. The aperture passes an inner portion of the incident IR signal, while the reflective surface reflects an outer portion. The reflected outer portion of the incident IR signal, which contains erroneous spectral information due to inherent flaws in the interferometer optics, is thereby effectively removed from the original incident IR signal ultimately used to irradiate the sample, and yet still be made available for use in monitoring background spectra of the sampling optics.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLCInventor: John Magie Coffin
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Publication number: 20190201907Abstract: A mixing apparatus includes a well plate assembly including a fixed support, and a well movable with respect to the fixed support. A fixed sensor mount has a first portion disposed above the well and a second portion disposed within the well. A plurality of electromagnets are operable to move the well plate assembly vertically with respect to the fixed sensor mount and the fixed support.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Nathaniel S. Safron, Matthew Wayne Meyer, John Magie Coffin
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Publication number: 20190204585Abstract: A mirror assembly has one or more axes of motion and includes a mirror that is movable and forms an acute angle with a plane orthogonal to its axis of motion. The mirror assembly may include a first reflective mirror surface in the incoming optical path that is movable and forms an acute angle with a plane orthogonal to its axis of motion, and a second reflective mirror surface in the outgoing optical path that is movable and forms an acute angle with a plane orthogonal to its axis of motion and is moveable in a linear translation to scan the mirror in the interferometer in a way to generate a normal interferogram.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventor: John Magie Coffin
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Publication number: 20190018219Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a mirror bearing for an interferometer. An example mirror bearing includes a stationary mounting member and a mobile mirror assembly configured for slidable movement relative to the mounting member along its longitudinal axis. The mounting member is configured for rigid attachment to an interferometer body. A bore extends through the mounting member along its longitudinal axis. A drive coil receiving area of the mounting member is configured to hold a drive coil coupled thereto. The mobile mirror assembly includes a tube configured to receive, at one end of the tube, an end of the mounting member. The mobile mirror assembly also includes a mirror coupled to the opposite end of the tube. A drive magnet is disposed within the tube and is configured to be received within the bore of the mounting member when the mirror bearing is in an assembled configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2018Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventor: John Magie COFFIN
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Publication number: 20190017930Abstract: A spectroscopy system and method in which the optical path following the interferometer includes a Jacquinot stop having an aperture disposed substantially at its focal point. The Jacquinot stop includes a reflective surface substantially non-orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the path and facing the source of the IR signal containing an interferogram. The aperture passes an inner portion of the incident IR signal, while the reflective surface reflects an outer portion. The reflected outer portion of the incident IR signal, which contains erroneous spectral information due to inherent flaws in the interferometer optics, is thereby effectively removed from the original incident IR signal ultimately used to irradiate the sample, and yet still be made available for use in monitoring background spectra of the sampling optics.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2018Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventor: John Magie Coffin
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Publication number: 20190017870Abstract: An apparatus for providing a variable sized aperture for an imaging device includes a first plate having a first plurality of plate apertures extending therethrough and a second plate having a second plurality of plate apertures extending therethrough. A first motor is operably connected to the first plate and a second motor is operably connected to the second plate. The first and second motors are configured to move the first plate and the second plate with respect to one another so as to align any of the first plurality of plate apertures with any of the second plurality of plate apertures to define a plurality of light beam apertures.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2018Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventor: John Magie COFFIN
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Publication number: 20180266882Abstract: An embodiment of a ruggedized interferometer is described that comprises a light source that generates a beam of light; a fixed mirror; a moving mirror that travels along a linear path; a beam splitter that directs a first portion of the beam of light to the fixed mirror and a second portion of the beam of light to the moving mirror, wherein the beam splitter recombines the first portion reflected from the fixed mirror and the second portion reflected from the moving mirror; and a servo control that applies a substantial degree of force to the moving mirror at initiation of a turnaround period, wherein the substantial degree of force is sufficient to redirect the moving mirror traveling at a high velocity to an opposite direction of travel on the linear path.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: John Magie COFFIN, Michael S. GEORGIADIS, Jei Y. CHOU
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Patent number: 9952138Abstract: The present invention is thus directed to an automated system and method of varying the optical path length in a sample that a light from a spectrophotometer must travel through. Such arrangements allow a user to easily vary the optical path length while also providing the user with an easy way to clean and prepare a transmission cell for optical interrogation. Such path length control can be automatically controlled by a programmable control system to quickly collect and stores data from different path lengths as needed for different spectrographic analysis. Such a methodology and system, as presented herein, is able to return best-match spectra with far fewer computational steps and greater speed than if all possible combinations of reference spectra are considered.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLCInventors: John Magie Coffin, Damian W. Ashmead, Todd C. Strother
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Patent number: 9383309Abstract: The present invention is thus directed to an automated system of varying the optical path length in a sample that a light from a spectrophotometer must travel through. Such arrangements allow a user to easily vary the optical path length while also providing the user with an easy way to clean and prepare a transmission cell for optical interrogation. Such path length control can be automatically controlled by a programmable control system to quickly collect and stores data from different path lengths as needed for different spectrographic analysis. Moreover, the system utilizes configured wedge shaped windows to best minimize the reflections of light which cause periodic variation in transmission at different wave lengths (commonly described as “channel spectra”). Such a system, as presented herein, is able to return best-match spectra with far fewer computational steps and greater speed than if all possible combinations of reference spectra are considered.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2015Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLCInventor: John Magie Coffin
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Publication number: 20160033390Abstract: The present invention is thus directed to an automated system and method of varying the optical path length in a sample that a light from a spectrophotometer must travel through. Such arrangements allow a user to easily vary the optical path length while also providing the user with an easy way to clean and prepare a transmission cell for optical interrogation. Such path length control can be automatically controlled by a programmable control system to quickly collect and stores data from different path lengths as needed for different spectrographic analysis. Such a methodology and system, as presented herein, is able to return best-match spectra with far fewer computational steps and greater speed than if all possible combinations of reference spectra are considered.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: John Magie COFFIN, Damian W. ASHMEAD, Todd C. STROTHER
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Publication number: 20150377773Abstract: The present invention is thus directed to an automated system of varying the optical path length in a sample that a light from a spectrophotometer must travel through. Such arrangements allow a user to easily vary the optical path length while also providing the user with an easy way to clean and prepare a transmission cell for optical interrogation. Such path length control can be automatically controlled by a programmable control system to quickly collect and stores data from different path lengths as needed for different spectrographic analysis. Moreover, the system utilizes configured wedge shaped windows to best minimize the reflections of light which cause periodic variation in transmission at different wave lengths (commonly described as “channel spectra”). Such a system, as presented herein, is able to return best-match spectra with far fewer computational steps and greater speed than if all possible combinations of reference spectra are considered.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventor: John Magie COFFIN
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Patent number: 9170191Abstract: The present invention is thus directed to an automated system and method of varying the optical path length in a sample that a light from a spectrophotometer must travel through. Such arrangements allow a user to easily vary the optical path length while also providing the user with an easy way to clean and prepare a transmission cell for optical interrogation. Such path length control can be automatically controlled by a programmable control system to quickly collect and stores data from different path lengths as needed for different spectrographic analysis. Such a methodology and system, as presented herein, is able to return best-match spectra with far fewer computational steps and greater speed than if all possible combinations of reference spectra are considered.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLCInventors: John Magie Coffin, Damian W. Ashmead, Todd C. Strother
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Patent number: 9151671Abstract: The present invention is thus directed to an automated system of varying the optical path length in a sample that a light from a spectrophotometer must travel through. Such arrangements allow a user to easily vary the optical path length while also providing the user with an easy way to clean and prepare a transmission cell for optical interrogation. Such path length control can be automatically controlled by a programmable control system to quickly collect and stores data from different path lengths as needed for different spectrographic analysis. Moreover, the system utilizes configured wedge shaped windows to best minimize the reflections of light which cause periodic variation in transmission at different wave lengths (commonly described as “channel spectra”). Such a system, as presented herein, is able to return best-match spectra with far fewer computational steps and greater speed than if all possible combinations of reference spectra are considered.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2013Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: THERMO ELECTRON SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS LLCInventor: John Magie Coffin
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Patent number: 9001334Abstract: A novel means of provided velocity control of an interferometer wherein one of the moving components includes the beamsplitter element is introduced herein. Using a moving beamsplitter and coupled flexure mounting allows improved velocity control because the low mass of the beamsplitter enables the systems disclosed herein to respond faster than conventional mirror velocity controlled interferometer instruments with a resultant lower velocity error so as to provide a more stable and lower noise spectra from the analytical instrument. The control of the velocity of the beamsplitter and if desired, one or both of the configured mirrors, reduces the time wasted changing velocity at the ends of each scan. The result is an increase in data collection available in any given experiment time frame. Such desirable arrangements of the present invention thus allow scans to be collected at higher rates, which beneficially increase the ability to monitor rapidly changing systems.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2010Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLCInventor: John Magie Coffin