Patents by Inventor Keith Fadgen

Keith Fadgen 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: 6962077
    Abstract: A method and system for measuring the flow rate of a liquid or gas within a flow channel utilizing a centrally located excitation source and a plurality of sensor means. Said excitation means is comprised of a heating element coupled with an alternating current generator. Of the plurality of sensor means, at least one of said sensors is located in a position upstream of the excitation source location, and additionally a second of said plurality of sensors is located in a position downstream of the excitation source. Instantaneous fluid flow rate is calculated utilizing a high gain differential amplifier electrically coupled to said sensors, wherein the convectively induced inductive gradient of the flowing fluid is compared to the symmetrical zero flow induction gradient. Following such a comparison, a voltage signal proportional to the flow of fluid within the channel is derived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Waters Investments Limited
    Inventors: Geoff C. Gerhardt, Keith Fadgen
  • Publication number: 20050160833
    Abstract: A method and system for measuring the flow rate of a liquid or gas within a flow channel utilizing a centrally located excitation source and a plurality of sensor means. Said excitation means is comprised of a heating element coupled with an alternating current generator. Of the plurality of sensor means, at least one of said sensors is located in a position upstream of the excitation source location, and additionally a second of said plurality of sensors is located in a position downstream of the excitation source. Instantaneous fluid flow rate is calculated utilizing a high gain differential amplifier electrically coupled to said sensors, wherein the convectively induced inductive gradient of the flowing fluid is compared to the symmetrical zero flow induction gradient. Following such a comparison, a voltage signal proportional to the flow of fluid within the channel is derived.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Applicant: Waters Investments Limited
    Inventors: Geoff Gerhardt, Keith Fadgen
  • Publication number: 20050109699
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling the nano-scale flow rate of fluid in the operating flow path of a HPLC system without relying on a nano-scale sensor in the operating flow path. A main flow sensor is disposed in the main flow path between the pump and a flow-divider. A waste flow sensor is disposed in the waste flow path downstream of the splitter. The output signal of the waste flow sensor is subtracted from the output signal of the main flow sensor in a difference circuit. The difference signal is divided by the output signal from the main flow sensor in a divider circuit. The output of the divider circuit represents an empirical split ratio of the flow-divider and is independent of media composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Geoff Gerhardt, Keith Fadgen
  • Publication number: 20040118201
    Abstract: A method and system for measuring the flow rate of a liquid or gas within a flow channel utilizing a centrally located excitation source and a plurality of sensor means. Said excitation means is comprised of a heating element coupled with an alternating current generator. Of the plurality of sensor means, at least one of said sensors is located in a position upstream of the excitation source location, and additionally a second of said plurality of sensors is located in a position downstream of the excitation source. Instantaneous fluid flow rate is calculated utilizing a high gain differential amplifier electrically coupled to said sensors, wherein the convectively induced inductive gradient of the flowing fluid is compared to the symmetrical zero flow induction gradient. Following such a comparison, a voltage signal proportional to the flow of fluid within the channel is derived.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Waters Investments Limited
    Inventors: Geoff C. Gerhardt, Keith Fadgen