Patents by Inventor Karl R. Wolf, JR.

Karl R. Wolf, JR. 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: 20190036136
    Abstract: A new method of manufacturing a fuel cell, particularly for use in a breath alcohol detector, and the fuel cell created by the method. The fuel cell is constructed in two pieces, a mounting chip comprising a porous uncompressed substrate and an active element designed to fit within the mounting chip. Constructed in this way, electrolyte can flow from the mounting chip into the active element via near perfect capillary action to keep the electrode substrate full of electrolyte for long periods of time, increasing its useful life, especially under harsh conditions. Further, the capillary action need not work through a layer of electrode. Wire connections and arrangements are generally of no concern in this design as the reservoirs for electrolyte connect directly to the substrate and electrolyte does not need to pass through an electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Karl R. Wolf, JR., Joe Fodor
  • Patent number: 10090542
    Abstract: An electrode element and fuel cell and a new method of manufacturing a fuel cell, particularly for use in a breath alcohol detector. This new element includes a reservoir for extra electrolyte that can allow near perfect capillary action to keep the electrode substrate full of electrolyte for long periods of time, increasing its useful life, especially under harsh conditions. Further, the capillary action need not work through a layer of electrode and can be integrally formed with the electrode element to eliminate or reduce loss due to connective surfaces. Wire connections and arrangements are generally of no concern in this design as the reservoirs for electrolyte connect directly to the substrate and electrolyte does not need to pass through an electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Alcotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl R. Wolf, Jr., Joe Fodor
  • Patent number: 10054580
    Abstract: A wet standard calibration system which utilizes a heat conducting foam with the liquid therein to serve as a primary heating device to avoid the need to include mechanical agitation. The system is particularly useful for generating a vapor comprising water and ethanol which can be used for the calibration of breath alcohol testers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Alcotek, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl R. Wolf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9945805
    Abstract: An improved alcohol fuel cell sensor and alcohol breath tester assembly where wires for connection to the electrodes are bent to have a generally planar base portion which may be positioned toward the center of the electrodes and an upright that then extends to the outside of the case. The uprights are generally perpendicular to the base allowing the wires to exit the housing toward the center, as opposed to toward an edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Alcotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Fodor, Karl R. Wolf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9778247
    Abstract: A wet standard calibration system which utilizes a heat conducting foam with the liquid therein to serve as a primary heating device to avoid the need to include mechanical agitation. The system is particularly useful for generating a vapor comprising water and ethanol which can be used for the calibration of breath alcohol testers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Alcotek, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl R. Wolf, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160372769
    Abstract: An electrode element and fuel cell and a new method of manufacturing a fuel cell, particularly for use in a breath alcohol detector. This new element includes a reservoir for extra electrolyte that can allow near perfect capillary action to keep the electrode substrate full of electrolyte for long periods of time, increasing its useful life, especially under harsh conditions. Further, the capillary action need not work through a layer of electrode and can be integrally formed with the electrode element to eliminate or reduce loss due to connective surfaces. Wire connections and arrangements are generally of no concern in this design as the reservoirs for electrolyte connect directly to the substrate and electrolyte does not need to pass through an electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Karl R. Wolf, JR., Joe Fodor
  • Patent number: 9453834
    Abstract: An electrode element and fuel cell and a new method of manufacturing a fuel cell, particularly for use in a breath alcohol detector. This new element includes a reservoir for extra electrolyte that can allow near perfect capillary action to keep the electrode substrate full of electrolyte for long periods of time, increasing its useful life, especially under harsh conditions. Further, the capillary action need not work through a layer of electrode and can be integrally formed with the electrode element to eliminate or reduce loss due to connective surfaces. Wire connections and arrangements are generally of no concern in this design as the reservoirs for electrolyte connect directly to the substrate and electrolyte does not need to pass through an electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Alcotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl R. Wolf, Jr., Joe Fodor
  • Publication number: 20160123955
    Abstract: A wet standard calibration system which utilizes a heat conducting foam with the liquid therein to serve as a primary heating device to avoid the need to include mechanical agitation. The system is particularly useful for generating a vapor comprising water and ethanol which can be used for the calibration of breath alcohol testers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventor: Karl R. Wolf, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150241381
    Abstract: An improved alcohol fuel cell sensor and alcohol breath tester assembly where wires for connection to the electrodes are bent to have a generally planar base portion which may be positioned toward the center of the electrodes and an upright that then extends to the outside of the case. The uprights are generally perpendicular to the base allowing the wires to exit the housing toward the center, as opposed to toward an edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Joe Fodor, Karl R. Wolf, JR.
  • Patent number: 9057691
    Abstract: An alcohol fuel cell sensor and the resultant alcohol breath tester assembly. The disclosed housing creates an alcohol breath tester assembly that protects the electrode sensor from liquid ingress, maximizes the sample contact with the platinum electrode surface, and provides a smooth path facilitating laminar flow of the sample through the sensor. This, in turn, provides good flushing of the volume without creating eddies or other turbulence. Additionally, the housing can utilize a vapor barrier layer in the assembly and restricts the layer from touching the electrode surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Alcotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Fodor, Karl R. Wolf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9038436
    Abstract: An improved alcohol fuel cell sensor and alcohol breath tester assembly where wires for connection to the electrodes are bent to have a generally planar base portion which may be positioned toward the center of the electrodes and an upright that then extends to the outside of the case. The uprights are generally perpendicular to the base allowing the wires to exit the housing toward the center, as opposed to toward an edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Alcotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Fodor, Karl R. Wolf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9034171
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing an automated process which calculates the current specific gravity of a liquid by using the original gravity of a fermenting liquid and a measurement of the percent alcohol by volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Alcotek, Inc.
    Inventors: John Mitchell, Karl R. Wolf, Jr., Patrick Clifford
  • Publication number: 20150027884
    Abstract: An electrode element and fuel cell and a new method of manufacturing a fuel cell, particularly for use in a breath alcohol detector. This new element includes a reservoir for extra electrolyte that can allow near perfect capillary action to keep the electrode substrate full of electrolyte for long periods of time, increasing its useful life, especially under harsh conditions. Further, the capillary action need not work through a layer of electrode and can be integrally formed with the electrode element to eliminate or reduce loss due to connective surfaces. Wire connections and arrangements are generally of no concern in this design as the reservoirs for electrolyte connect directly to the substrate and electrolyte does not need to pass through an electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Karl R. Wolf, JR., Joe Fodor
  • Publication number: 20140311214
    Abstract: Devices and systems for methods for calibrating breath alcohol testing and measuring equipment, or checking the accuracy of such equipment without calibration, using a permeable membrane to separate liquid and gas reservoirs and maintain an equilibrium state as samples are drawn from the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Alcotek, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl R. Wolf, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140251835
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing an automated process which calculates the current specific gravity of a liquid by using the original gravity of a fermenting liquid and a measurement of the percent alcohol by volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Alcotek, Inc.
    Inventors: John Mitchell, Karl R. Wolf, JR., Patrick Clifford
  • Publication number: 20140034492
    Abstract: An alcohol fuel cell sensor and the resultant alcohol breath tester assembly. The disclosed housing creates an alcohol breath tester assembly that protects the electrode sensor from liquid ingress, maximizes the sample contact with the platinum electrode surface, and provides a smooth path facilitating laminar flow of the sample through the sensor. This, in turn, provides good flushing of the volume without creating eddies or other turbulence. Additionally, the housing can utilize a vapor barrier layer in the assembly and restricts the layer from touching the electrode surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: ALCOTEK, INC.
    Inventors: Joe Fodor, Karl R. Wolf, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140027281
    Abstract: An improved alcohol fuel cell sensor and alcohol breath tester assembly where wires for connection to the electrodes are bent to have a generally planar base portion which may be positioned toward the center of the electrodes and an upright that then extends to the outside of the case. The uprights are generally perpendicular to the base allowing the wires to exit the housing toward the center, as opposed to toward an edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: ALCOTEK, INC.
    Inventors: Joe Fodor, Karl R. Wolf, JR.