Patents by Inventor Joseph A. Christman

Joseph A. Christman 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: 10408730
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and devices to measure particle suspension concentrations in the presence of potential interferents. Particle back-scatter readings are taken at light wavelengths that are absorbed by the medium before interacting with surrounding objects. Source-detector spacings are minimized compared to the mean absorbance path length of light, thereby maximizing the range of sensitivity to particle concentration. Discrimination against potentially interfering particles, such as bubbles, is provided by mapping the signal distribution against the central signal value and/or by the use of statistical measures with reduced dependence on outliers. The methods and devices allow accurate particle concentration readings over a wide range of concentration in environments crowded with potentially interfering objects and in the presence of variable concentrations and sizes of potentially interfering particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Inventors: Martin P. Debreczeny, Joseph A. Christman, Gerald P. Coleman
  • Publication number: 20190017914
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and devices to measure particle suspension concentrations in the presence of potential interferents. Particle back-scatter readings are taken at light wavelengths that are absorbed by the medium before interacting with surrounding objects. Source-detector spacings are minimized compared to the mean absorbance path length of light, thereby maximizing the range of sensitivity to particle concentration. Discrimination against potentially interfering particles, such as bubbles, is provided by mapping the signal distribution against the central signal value and/or by the use of statistical measures with reduced dependence on outliers. The methods and devices allow accurate particle concentration readings over a wide range of concentration in environments crowded with potentially interfering objects and in the presence of variable concentrations and sizes of potentially interfering particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Martin P. Debreczeny, Joseph A. Christman, Gerald P. Coleman
  • Patent number: 10054532
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and devices to measure particle suspension concentrations in the presence of potential interferents. Particle back-scatter readings are taken at light wavelengths that are absorbed by the medium before interacting with surrounding objects. Source-detector spacings are minimized compared to the mean absorbance path length of light, thereby maximizing the range of sensitivity to particle concentration. Discrimination against potentially interfering particles, such as bubbles, is provided by mapping the signal distribution against the central signal value and/or by the use of statistical measures with reduced dependence on outliers. The methods and devices allow accurate particle concentration readings over a wide range of concentration in environments crowded with potentially interfering objects and in the presence of variable concentrations and sizes of potentially interfering particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventors: Martin P. Debreczeny, Joseph A. Christman, Gerald P. Coleman
  • Publication number: 20180045635
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and devices to measure particle suspension concentrations in the presence of potential interferents. Particle back-scatter readings are taken at light wavelengths that are absorbed by the medium before interacting with surrounding objects. Source-detector spacings are minimized compared to the mean absorbance path length of light, thereby maximizing the range of sensitivity to particle concentration. Discrimination against potentially interfering particles, such as bubbles, is provided by mapping the signal distribution against the central signal value and/or by the use of statistical measures with reduced dependence on outliers. The methods and devices allow accurate particle concentration readings over a wide range of concentration in environments crowded with potentially interfering objects and in the presence of variable concentrations and sizes of potentially interfering particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Martin P. Debreczeny, Joseph A. Christman, Gerald P. Coleman
  • Patent number: 9752974
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and devices to measure particle suspension concentrations in the presence of potential interferents. Particle back-scatter readings are taken at light wavelengths that are absorbed by the medium before interacting with surrounding objects. Source-detector spacings are minimized compared to the mean absorbance path length of light, thereby maximizing the range of sensitivity to particle concentration. Discrimination against potentially interfering particles, such as bubbles, is provided by mapping the signal distribution against the central signal value and/or by the use of statistical measures with reduced dependence on outliers. The methods and devices allow accurate particle concentration readings over a wide range of concentration in environments crowded with potentially interfering objects and in the presence of variable concentrations and sizes of potentially interfering particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: BugLab LLC
    Inventors: Martin P. Debreczeny, Joseph A. Christman, Gerald P. Coleman
  • Publication number: 20150300938
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and devices to measure particle suspension concentrations in the presence of potential interferents. Particle back-scatter readings are taken at light wavelengths that are absorbed by the medium before interacting with surrounding objects. Source-detector spacings are minimized compared to the mean absorbance path length of light, thereby maximizing the range of sensitivity to particle concentration. Discrimination against potentially interfering particles, such as bubbles, is provided by mapping the signal distribution against the central signal value and/or by the use of statistical measures with reduced dependence on outliers. The methods and devices allow accurate particle concentration readings over a wide range of concentration in environments crowded with potentially interfering objects and in the presence of variable concentrations and sizes of potentially interfering particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Martin P. Debreczeny, Joseph A. Christman, Gerald P. Coleman
  • Publication number: 20090267278
    Abstract: A fork assembly (18) for mounting a pedestal riser (16) to an apparatus frame (12) of a precision apparatus (10) includes a fork bracket (20), a bracket retainer (228), a fork engager (22), and an engager attacher (230). The bracket retainer (228) fixedly secures the fork bracket (20) to the apparatus frame (12). The fork engager (22) engages the pedestal riser (16). The engager attacher (230) attaches the fork engager (22) to the fork bracket (20) while allowing for movement between the fork engager (22) and the fork bracket (20). With this, design, the fork bracket (20) can be fixedly secured to the apparatus frame (12) at a given location, while the fork engager (22) can be selectively moved to selectively attach and detach the pedestal riser (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph Christman, Ovidio Horacio Anton
  • Patent number: 7520063
    Abstract: A device assembly (216) for positioning a device (222) in a precision apparatus (10) includes a first housing (224), a second housing (226), a movement ball joint (229), and a locking ball joint (249). The first housing (224) retains the device (222). The second housing (226) is coupled to an apparatus frame (12). The movement ball joint (229) facilitates movement of the first housing (224) relative to the second housing (226). The locking ball joint (249) facilitates locking of the first housing (224) to the second housing (226). The movement ball joint (229) can guide movement of the first housing (224) relative to the second housing (226). For example, the first housing (224) can include a first guide surface (230) and the second housing (226) can include a second guide surface (232). In this embodiment, the guide surfaces (230) (232) cooperate to form the movement ball joint (229). Additionally, each of the guide surfaces (230) (232) can form a portion of a sphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Bookham Technology plc
    Inventors: Bing Zheng, Joseph Christman
  • Publication number: 20070216984
    Abstract: A device assembly (216) for positioning a device (222) in a precision apparatus (10) includes a first housing (224), a second housing (226), a movement ball joint (229), and a locking ball joint (249). The first housing (224) retains the device (222). The second housing (226) is coupled to an apparatus frame (12). The movement ball joint (229) facilitates movement of the first housing (224) relative to the second housing (226). The locking ball joint (249) facilitates locking of the first housing (224) to the second housing (226). The movement ball joint (229) can guide movement of the first housing (224) relative to the second housing (226). For example, the first housing (224) can include a first guide surface (230) and the second housing (226) can include a second guide surface (232). In this embodiment, the guide surfaces (230) (232) cooperate to form the movement ball joint (229). Additionally, each of the guide surfaces (230) (232) can form a portion of a sphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Bing Zheng, Joseph Christman