Patents by Inventor John Michael Bernard

John Michael Bernard 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).

  • Publication number: 20230321616
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatuses and methods related to a high pressure processing device that is configured to simplify batch processing. In an embodiment, a high pressure processing device includes a processing module configured to reduce a particle size of a material or achieve a desired liquid processing result for the material, a pump configured to pump the material to an inlet of the processing module, a recirculation pathway configured to recirculate the material from an outlet of the processing module back to the pump, an input device configured to receive at least one user input variable, and a controller configured to (i) determine a number of pump strokes for the pump based on the user input variable, and (ii) control the pump according to the determined number of pump strokes so that the material makes a plurality of passes through the processing module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: MICROFLUIDICS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael P. Ratigan, David G. Harney, John Michael Bernard
  • Patent number: 11679363
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatuses and methods related to a high pressure processing device that is configured to simplify batch processing. In an embodiment, a high pressure processing device includes a processing module configured to reduce a particle size of a material or achieve a desired liquid processing result for the material, a pump configured to pump the material to an inlet of the processing module, a recirculation pathway configured to recirculate the material from an outlet of the processing module back to the pump, an input device configured to receive at least one user input variable, and a controller configured to (i) determine a number of pump strokes for the pump based on the user input variable, and (ii) control the pump according to the determined number of pump strokes so that the material makes a plurality of passes through the processing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: MICROFLUIDICS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael P. Ratigan, David G. Harney, John Michael Bernard
  • Publication number: 20230109444
    Abstract: A new and innovative high-pressure priming valve is provided for use in high-pressure fluid systems that require a high level of fluid purity. The priming valve includes at least three ports, some of which are angled. The priming valve also includes a needle that variably blocks and unblocks a pathway to one of the ports between normal operation and a priming operation, respectively. The priming valve includes a sealing insert positioned below a stack of washers that maintain the needle's alignment in response to high fluid pressures exerted on the needle. The sealing insert helps prevent fluid from contacting the stack of washers, which helps prevent biological growth within the valve. The angled ports help facilitate priming valve drainage to further help prevent biological growth. By helping prevent biological growth, the sealing insert helps prevent fluid contamination and enables the priming valve to be utilized for high-purity fluid applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: MICROFLUIDICS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rachel OTTE, Ahmad SHEHATA, Jocemar RAMINA, Marco CATALANI, David HARNEY, John Michael BERNARD, Michael RATIGAN, Harshit Kumar PATEL
  • Patent number: 11519512
    Abstract: A new and innovative high-pressure priming valve is provided for use in high-pressure fluid systems that require a high level of fluid purity. The priming valve includes at least three ports, some of which are angled. The priming valve also includes a needle that variably blocks and unblocks a pathway to one of the ports between normal operation and a priming operation, respectively. The priming valve includes a sealing insert positioned below a stack of washers that maintain the needle's alignment in response to high fluid pressures exerted on the needle. The sealing insert helps prevent fluid from contacting the stack of washers, which helps prevent biological growth within the valve. The angled ports help facilitate priming valve drainage to further help prevent biological growth. By helping prevent biological growth, the sealing insert helps prevent fluid contamination and enables the priming valve to be utilized for high-purity fluid applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: MICROFLUIDICS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rachel Otte, Ahmad Shehata, Jocemar Ramina, Marco Catalani, David Harney, John Michael Bernard, Michael Ratigan, Harshit Kumar Patel
  • Publication number: 20210364096
    Abstract: A new and innovative high-pressure priming valve is provided for use in high-pressure fluid systems that require a high level of fluid purity. The priming valve includes at least three ports, some of which are angled. The priming valve also includes a needle that variably blocks and unblocks a pathway to one of the ports between normal operation and a priming operation, respectively. The priming valve includes a sealing insert positioned below a stack of washers that maintain the needle's alignment in response to high fluid pressures exerted on the needle. The sealing insert helps prevent fluid from contacting the stack of washers, which helps prevent biological growth within the valve. The angled ports help facilitate priming valve drainage to further help prevent biological growth. By helping prevent biological growth, the sealing insert helps prevent fluid contamination and enables the priming valve to be utilized for high-purity fluid applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: MICROFLUIDICS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rachel OTTE, Ahmad SHEHATA, Jocemar RAMINA, Marco CATALANI, David HARNEY, John Michael BERNARD, Michael RATIGAN, Harshit Kumar PATEL
  • Publication number: 20210190052
    Abstract: The present application provides new and innovative high-pressure fluid systems for preventing seal burning due to gas auto-ignition. The provided systems include an o-ring disposed within a seal cavity of a cup seal to decrease the dead volume in the seal cavity. By reducing the dead volume, the o-ring decreases the volume of gas that is able to accumulate and thus helps prevent the gas from auto-igniting as the gas is compressed. By preventing the gas from auto-igniting, the provided system helps prevent seal burning, which helps prevent premature cup seal failure and prevent fluid contamination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: MICROFLUIDICS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yang SU, John Michael Bernard, Marco Catalani, David Harney, Jocemar Ramina, Michael Ratigan
  • Publication number: 20210178346
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatuses and methods related to a high pressure processing device that is configured to simplify batch processing. In an embodiment, a high pressure processing device includes a processing module configured to reduce a particle size of a material or achieve a desired liquid processing result for the material, a pump configured to pump the material to an inlet of the processing module, a recirculation pathway configured to recirculate the material from an outlet of the processing module back to the pump, an input device configured to receive at least one user input variable, and a controller configured to (i) determine a number of pump strokes for the pump based on the user input variable, and (ii) control the pump according to the determined number of pump strokes so that the material makes a plurality of passes through the processing module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: MICROFLUIDICS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael P. Ratigan, David G. Harney, John Michael Bernard
  • Patent number: 10933428
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatuses and methods related to a high pressure processing device that is configured to simplify batch processing. In an embodiment, a high pressure processing device includes a processing module configured to reduce a particle size of a material or achieve a desired liquid processing result for the material, a pump configured to pump the material to an inlet of the processing module, a recirculation pathway configured to recirculate the material from an outlet of the processing module back to the pump, an input device configured to receive at least one user input variable, and a controller configured to (i) determine a number of pump strokes for the pump based on the user input variable, and (ii) control the pump according to the determined number of pump strokes so that the material makes a plurality of passes through the processing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: MICROFLUIDICS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael P. Ratigan, David G. Harney, John Michael Bernard
  • Patent number: 10898869
    Abstract: A compact interaction chamber is used to cause high shear, impact forces, and cavitation to reduce particle size and mix fluids while reducing waste and holdup volume. A first housing made of stainless steel holds an inlet mixing chamber element and an outlet mixing chamber element in a female bore using thermal expansion. The inlet and outlet mixing chamber elements are manufactured so that the diameter of the cooled female bore is slightly smaller than the diameter of the mixing chamber elements. The first housing is heated, expanding the diameter of the female bore enough to allow the inlet and outlet mixing chamber elements to be inserted. After the mixing chamber elements are inserted and aligned within the female bore, the first housing is allowed to cool. Once cooled, the female bore contracts and applies sufficient hoop stress to securely hold the mixing chamber elements during high shear force mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: MICROFLUIDICS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Renqiang Xiong, John Michael Bernard
  • Publication number: 20190299171
    Abstract: A compact interaction chamber is used to cause high shear, impact forces, and cavitation to reduce particle size and mix fluids while reducing waste and holdup volume. A first housing made of stainless steel holds an inlet mixing chamber element and an outlet mixing chamber element in a female bore using thermal expansion. The inlet and outlet mixing chamber elements are manufactured so that the diameter of the cooled female bore is slightly smaller than the diameter of the mixing chamber elements. The first housing is heated, expanding the diameter of the female bore enough to allow the inlet and outlet mixing chamber elements to be inserted. After the mixing chamber elements are inserted and aligned within the female bore, the first housing is allowed to cool. Once cooled, the female bore contracts and applies sufficient hoop stress to securely hold the mixing chamber elements during high shear force mixing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: MICROFLUIDICS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Renqiang Xiong, John Michael Bernard
  • Patent number: 10350556
    Abstract: A compact interaction chamber is used to cause high shear, impact forces, and cavitation to reduce particle size and mix fluids while reducing waste and holdup volume. A first housing made of stainless steel holds an inlet mixing chamber element and an outlet mixing chamber element in a female bore using thermal expansion. The inlet and outlet mixing chamber elements are manufactured so that the diameter of the cooled female bore is slightly smaller than the diameter of the mixing chamber elements. The first housing is heated, expanding the diameter of the female bore enough to allow the inlet and outlet mixing chamber elements to be inserted. After the mixing chamber elements are inserted and aligned within the female bore, the first housing is allowed to cool. Once cooled, the female bore contracts and applies sufficient hoop stress to securely hold the mixing chamber elements during high shear force mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: MICROFLUIDICS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Renqiang Xiong, John Michael Bernard
  • Patent number: 9931600
    Abstract: A mixing assembly includes an inlet, an outlet and a mixing chamber, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet through a plurality of micro fluid flow paths in a direction perpendicular from the inlet. The micro fluid flow paths fluidly connect to the perpendicular inlet via a transition portion. The micro fluid flow paths are constructed radially inwardly to a concentration area in the mixing chamber. By directing multiple fluid flows to a concentrated area within the mixing chamber at high speeds, the energy dissipated at the point of collision is maximized, which helps to increase consistency and quality of mixing, and to reduce particle size of the fluid in the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: MICROFLUIDICS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Renqiang Xiong, John Michael Bernard
  • Patent number: 9895669
    Abstract: A mixing assembly includes an inlet, an outlet and a mixing chamber, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet through a plurality of micro fluid flow paths in a direction perpendicular from the inlet. The micro fluid flow paths fluidly connect to the perpendicular inlet via a curved transition portion. The curved transition portion provides a more efficient flow path for the fluid to travel from the inlet to the micro fluid flow paths to the mixing chamber. By transitioning the direction change, flow resistance is decreased, and the fluid flow rate and shear rate is increased. Increased fluid flow rate and shear rate helps to increase consistency and quality of mixing, and to reduce particle size of the fluid in the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: MICROFLUIDICS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Renqiang Xiong, John Michael Bernard
  • Publication number: 20170259225
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatuses and methods related to a high pressure processing device that is configured to simplify batch processing. In an embodiment, a high pressure processing device includes a processing module configured to reduce a particle size of a material or achieve a desired liquid processing result for the material, a pump configured to pump the material to an inlet of the processing module, a recirculation pathway configured to recirculate the material from an outlet of the processing module back to the pump, an input device configured to receive at least one user input variable, and a controller configured to (i) determine a number of pump strokes for the pump based on the user input variable, and (ii) control the pump according to the determined number of pump strokes so that the material makes a plurality of passes through the processing module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Michael P. Ratigan, David G. Harney, John Michael Bernard
  • Patent number: 9199209
    Abstract: A mixing assembly includes an inlet, an outlet and a mixing chamber, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet through a plurality of micro fluid flow paths in a direction perpendicular from the inlet. The micro fluid flow paths fluidly connect to the perpendicular inlet via a curved transition portion. The curved transition portion provides a more efficient flow path for the fluid to travel from the inlet to the micro fluid flow paths to the mixing chamber. By transitioning the direction change, flow resistance is decreased, and the fluid flow rate and shear rate is increased. Increased fluid flow rate and shear rate helps to increase consistency and quality of mixing, and to reduce particle size of the fluid in the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: MICROFLUIDICS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Renqiang Xiong, John Michael Bernard
  • Publication number: 20150336060
    Abstract: A mixing assembly includes an inlet, an outlet and a mixing chamber, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet through a plurality of micro fluid flow paths in a direction perpendicular from the inlet. The micro fluid flow paths fluidly connect to the perpendicular inlet via a transition portion. The micro fluid flow paths are constructed radially inwardly to a concentration area in the mixing chamber. By directing multiple fluid flows to a concentrated area within the mixing chamber at high speeds, the energy dissipated at the point of collision is maximized, which helps to increase consistency and quality of mixing, and to reduce particle size of the fluid in the mixing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Renqiang Xiong, John Michael Bernard
  • Publication number: 20150336061
    Abstract: A mixing assembly includes an inlet, an outlet and a mixing chamber, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet through a plurality of micro fluid flow paths in a direction perpendicular from the inlet. The micro fluid flow paths fluidly connect to the perpendicular inlet via a curved transition portion. The curved transition portion provides a more efficient flow path for the fluid to travel from the inlet to the micro fluid flow paths to the mixing chamber. By transitioning the direction change, flow resistance is decreased, and the fluid flow rate and shear rate is increased. Increased fluid flow rate and shear rate helps to increase consistency and quality of mixing, and to reduce particle size of the fluid in the mixing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Renqiang Xiong, John Michael Bernard
  • Patent number: 9079140
    Abstract: A mixing assembly includes an inlet, an outlet and a mixing chamber, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet through a plurality of micro fluid flow paths in a direction perpendicular from the inlet. The micro fluid flow paths fluidly connect to the perpendicular inlet via a transition portion. The micro fluid flow paths are constructed radially inwardly to a concentration area in the mixing chamber. By directing multiple fluid flows to a concentrated area within the mixing chamber at high speeds, the energy dissipated at the point of collision is maximized, which helps to increase consistency and quality of mixing, and to reduce particle size of the fluid in the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: MICROFLUIDICS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Renqiang Xiong, John Michael Bernard
  • Publication number: 20120263013
    Abstract: A mixing assembly includes an inlet, an outlet and a mixing chamber, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet through a plurality of micro fluid flow paths in a direction perpendicular from the inlet. The micro fluid flow paths fluidly connect to the perpendicular inlet via a curved transition portion. The curved transition portion provides a more efficient flow path for the fluid to travel from the inlet to the micro fluid flow paths to the mixing chamber. By transitioning the direction change, flow resistance is decreased, and the fluid flow rate and shear rate is increased. Increased fluid flow rate and shear rate helps to increase consistency and quality of mixing, and to reduce particle size of the fluid in the mixing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Microfluidics International Corporation
    Inventors: RENQIANG XIONG, John Michael Bernard
  • Publication number: 20120263012
    Abstract: A mixing assembly includes an inlet, an outlet and a mixing chamber, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet through a plurality of micro fluid flow paths in a direction perpendicular from the inlet. The micro fluid flow paths fluidly connect to the perpendicular inlet via a transition portion. The micro fluid flow paths are constructed radially inwardly to a concentration area in the mixing chamber. By directing multiple fluid flows to a concentrated area within the mixing chamber at high speeds, the energy dissipated at the point of collision is maximized, which helps to increase consistency and quality of mixing, and to reduce particle size of the fluid in the mixing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Microfluidics International Corporation
    Inventors: RENQIANG XIONG, John Michael Bernard