Patents by Inventor John Ralph

John Ralph 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: 11326178
    Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids encoding a p-coumaroyl-CoA:monolignol transferase and to inhibitory nucleic acids adapted to inhibit the expression and/or translation of a p-coumaroyl-CoA:monolignol transferase RNA. Inhibition of p-coumaroyl-CoA:monolignol transferase in plants improves the incorporation of monolignol ferulates into the lignin of plants, giving rise to plant biomass that is more easily processed into useful products such as paper and biofuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignees: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, Board of Trustees of Michigan State University, The Board of Trustees of Illinois State University
    Inventors: Curtis Wilkerson, John Ralph, Saunia Withers, John Sedbrook
  • Patent number: 11318520
    Abstract: A method of forming sheet metal skins of the inner fixed structure of a blocker door thrust reverser assembly having convex and concave curvatures. The method includes plastically stretching a sheet of metal about a mandrel having a chordwise central first axis to form a substantially convex shape. The method further includes the addition of features after the substantially convex shape is formed to facilitate plastically stretching a portion or portions of the substantially convex shape into a substantially concave shape about an axis that is substantially parallel to the chordwise central first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventor: John Ralph Stewart, III
  • Publication number: 20220061321
    Abstract: Antimicrobial diferulates, compositions containing same, and uses of same for inhibiting growth of microorganisms. The antimicrobial diferulates can be used alone or in combination with other antimicrobial agents to inhibit growth of microorganisms such as fungi, oomycetes, and other microorganisms having a glucan-containing cell wall. The antimicrobial diferulates can be included in pharmaceutical compositions for treatment of animals or included in agricultural compositions for treatment of plants, crops, and soils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Jeff S. Piotrowski, Fachuang Lu, Mehdi Kabbage, John Ralph, Robert C. Landick
  • Publication number: 20220002744
    Abstract: The invention is directed to BAHD acyltransferase enzymes, nucleic acids encoding BAHD acyltransferase enzymes, and inhibitory nucleic acids adapted to inhibit the expression and/or translation of BAHD acyltransferase RNA; expression cassettes, plant cells, and plants that have or encode such nucleic acids and enzymes; and methods of making and using such nucleic acids, enzymes, expression cassettes, cells, and plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicants: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
    Inventors: Steven D. Karlen, Rebecca Anne Smith, John Ralph, Emily Beebe, Craig Bingman, Brian Fox, Shawn Mansfield, Heather Mackay, Hoon Kim, Yaseen Mottiar, Faride Unda
  • Publication number: 20210371028
    Abstract: A dropper seatpost assembly is disclosed. The dropper seatpost assembly includes a lower post and an upper post configured to telescopically move with respect to the lower post. The dropper seatpost assembly also includes a translating mechanism configured to maintain an orientation such as a lateral orientation, a rotational orientation, or both a lateral orientation and a rotational orientation of the upper post with respect to the lower post as the upper post telescopically moves with respect to the lower post, the translating mechanism comprising two or more vertically offset features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua COAPLEN, John Ralph KIFFMEYER
  • Patent number: 11186882
    Abstract: A method of liquefying biomass. The method includes the steps of contacting biomass with a solution comprising an acyl halide and an acid; and then contacting the biomass with a reductant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Steven D. Karlen, John Ralph
  • Patent number: 11129686
    Abstract: A robotic surgical instrument comprising a shaft, a first end effector element, an articulation connecting the first end effector element to a distal end of the shaft, the first end effector element being movable relative to the articulation, and a drive mechanism at a proximal end of the shaft. The drive mechanism comprises a first actuator connected to the first end effector element by a first pair of driving elements. The first pair of driving elements are configured such that a tension force applied by the first actuator to a first one of the first pair of driving elements causes the first end effector element to move relative to the articulation in a first motion direction, and the tension force applied to a second one of the first pair of driving elements causes the first end effector element to move relative to the articulation in a second motion direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: CMR SURGICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Ben Robert Chaplin, Ross Hamilton Henrywood, Archie John Ralph Lodge
  • Publication number: 20210207104
    Abstract: The invention relates to feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzymes and nucleic acids encoding the feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzymes. The enzymes and/or the nucleic acids enable incorporation of monolignol ferulates into the lignin of plants. The monolignol ferulates include, for example, p-coumaryl ferulate, coniferyl ferulate, and/or sinapyl ferulate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: John Ralph, Steven D. Karlen, Rebecca Anne Smith, Brian Fox, Emily Beebe, Craig Bingman
  • Publication number: 20210129492
    Abstract: In a packaging material that is, or includes, a laminate, the laminate includes first and second webs that are joined to one another. The first web includes a metallic layer on a second layer. The metallic layer is positioned between the second layer and the second web. Indicium is defined in at least the metallic layer. The packaging material is configured so that the indicium is visible from a first side of the packaging material, and the indicium is typically not visible from a second side of the packaging material. The indicium can be at least partially defined by holes in the metallic layer. The visibility of the indicium may be enhanced by the laminate including material that is a different color than the metallic layer, and the different color being at least partially visible through the indicium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Louis Douglas Smith, Jr., John Ralph Bumgardner, Jeffery Allen Boekeloo, Rajesh Suryanarayanan
  • Publication number: 20210095263
    Abstract: The invention is directed to p-coumaroyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzymes, nucleic acids encoding p-coumaroyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzymes, and inhibitory nucleic acids adapted to inhibit the expression and/or translation of p-coumaroyl-CoA:monolignol transferase RNA; expression cassettes, plant cells, and plants that have or encode such nucleic acids and enzymes; and methods of making and using such nucleic acids, enzymes, expression cassettes, cells, and plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: John Ralph, Steven D. Karlen, Rebecca Anne Smith, Brian Fox, Emily Beebe, Craig Bingman
  • Publication number: 20210095265
    Abstract: Enzymes for depolymerizing lignin. The enzymes include dehydrogenases, ?-etherases, and glutathione lyases. The dehydrogenases can comprise one or more or LigD, LigO, LigN, and LigL. The ?-etherases can comprise one or more of LigE, LigF, LigP, and BaeA. The glutathione lyases can comprise any one or more of LigG and a number of non-stereospecific, optionally recombinant glutathione lyases derived from Sphingobium sp. SYK-6, Novosphingobium aromaticivorans, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus sanguinis, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, and other microorganisms. The enzymes can be combined in compositions and/or used in methods of processing lignin or other aromatic compounds in vitro.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Timothy James Donohue, Daniel Leo Gall, Wayne S. Kontur, Hoon Kim, John Ralph, Daniel R. Noguera, Brian Fox, Craig Bingman
  • Patent number: 10883090
    Abstract: The invention is directed to p-coumaroyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzymes, nucleic acids encoding p-coumaroyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzymes, and inhibitory nucleic acids adapted to inhibit the expression and/or translation of p-coumaroyl-CoA:monolignol transferase RNA; expression cassettes, plant cells, and plants that have or encode such nucleic acids and enzymes; and methods of making and using such nucleic acids, enzymes, expression cassettes, cells, and plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: John Ralph, Steven D. Karlen, Rebecca Anne Smith, Brian Fox, Emily Beebe, Craig Bingman
  • Patent number: 10883089
    Abstract: The invention relates to feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzymes and nucleic acids encoding the feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzymes. The enzymes and/or the nucleic acids enable incorporation of monolignol ferulates into the lignin of plants. The monolignol ferulates include, for example, p-coumaryl ferulate, coniferyl ferulate, and/or sinapyl ferulate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: John Ralph, Steven D. Karlen, Rebecca Anne Smith, Brian Fox, Emily Beebe, Craig Bingman
  • Patent number: 10829745
    Abstract: Enzymes for depolymerizing lignin. The enzymes include dehydrogenases, ?-etherases, and glutathione lyases. The dehydrogenases can comprise one or more or LigD, LigO, LigN, and LigL. The ?-etherases can comprise one or more of LigE, LigF, LigP, and BaeA. The glutathione lyases can comprise any one or more of LigG and a number of non-stereospecific, optionally recombinant glutathione lyases derived from Sphingobium sp. SYK-6, Novosphingobium aromaticivorans, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus sanguinis, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, and other microorganisms. The enzymes can be combined in compositions and/or used in methods of processing lignin or other aromatic compounds in vitro.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Timothy James Donohue, Daniel Leo Gall, Wayne S. Kontur, Hoon Kim, John Ralph, Daniel R. Noguera, Brian Fox, Craig Bingman
  • Patent number: 10831964
    Abstract: In general, embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and computer readable media for generating a tiling for a physical placement of a plurality of circuits. The method includes generating a tiling including a plurality of tiles, where each tile identifies a tile geometric area, and a list of one or more of the circuits to be placed in the tile geometric area. The tiling is based on a description of one or more user constraints, where each user constraint identifies a constraint geometric area, and a characteristic of circuits to be placed in the constraint geometric area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: SYNOPSYS, INC.
    Inventors: John Ralph Chase, Mark William Bales
  • Publication number: 20200280609
    Abstract: An operations integration processor mapping information in a language-independent data format to a tag format for integration with a tag-based control and data acquisition system. The operations integration processor receives a response from a web service and parses the response to identify one or more attribute-value pairs contained in the response. The response contains information in a language-independent data format different than a tag format. The processor maps the parsed response to one or more tags, which have at least one of a name and a value based on the information provided in the response associated with them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Yuk Ming Fong, Alvaro Martinez, John Ralph Bartlett
  • Publication number: 20200257698
    Abstract: An operations integration processor generating tag names from an array of objects in a language-independent data format different than a tag format for integration with a tag-based control and data acquisition system. The operations integration processor receives a response from a web service and parses the response to identify one or more objects and corresponding values in the array contained in the response. The response includes an array of objects and is in a language-independent data format different than a tag format. The processor configures a selected object of the array to act as a unique index for the array of objects and generates one or more tag names from the parsed response. The tag names each represent a tag having at least one of an object and a value associated with it based on the information provided in the response. The generated tag names include the selected object in an array index part thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Alvaro Martinez, John Ralph Bartlett, Yuk Ming Fong
  • Patent number: 10730816
    Abstract: A method of selectively reacting lignin or a lignin-derived reactant to yield an aromatic product. The method includes the step of reacting lignin or a lignin-derived reactant with a molybdenum-containing catalyst, in a solvent, and optionally in the presence of an oxidant, for a time and a temperature wherein at least a portion of the lignin or lignin-derived reactant is selectively converted into an aromatic product, preferably coniferaldehyde and/or sinapaldehyde.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ruili Gao, John Ralph
  • Publication number: 20200206799
    Abstract: A method of forming sheet metal skins of the inner fixed structure of a blocker door thrust reverser assembly having convex and concave curvatures. The method includes plastically stretching a sheet of metal about a mandrel having a chordwise central first axis to form a substantially convex shape. The method further includes the addition of features after the substantially convex shape is formed to facilitate plastically stretching a portion or portions of the substantially convex shape into a substantially concave shape about an axis that is substantially parallel to the chordwise central first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventor: John Ralph Stewart, III
  • Patent number: 10639857
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reworking a structure. A compaction blanket comprising a number of magnets is placed on the structure. A heat source is applied on the compaction blanket, wherein the compaction blanket is between the heat source and a rework of the structure and heat is conducted from the heat source through the compaction blanket to heat the rework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joseph Lawrence Hafenrichter, John Ralph Hull