Patents by Inventor Kenneth R. Plant
Kenneth R. Plant 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).
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Patent number: 10591095Abstract: A fluidic coupling includes a compression screw having an axial bore, a threaded portion configured to engage a threaded bore of a coupling body, and a drive surface, a tube extending through the axial bore of the compression screw, the tube including a body and a fluidic channel extending through the body to a sealing end, the body including a pocket formed at the sealing end having a depth, a collet secured to an outer surface of the tube and having a first end configured to receive the drive surface of the compression screw, and a polymer seal having a channel to pass a fluid, the polymer seal including a flange portion and an insertion portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2019Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Waters Technologies CorporationInventors: Robert A. Jencks, Mark W. Moeller, Kenneth R. Plant
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Publication number: 20190178426Abstract: A fluidic coupling includes a compression screw having an axial bore, a threaded portion configured to engage a threaded bore of a coupling body, and a drive surface, a tube extending through the axial bore of the compression screw, the tube including a body and a fluidic channel extending through the body to a sealing end, the body including a pocket formed at the sealing end having a depth, a collet secured to an outer surface of the tube and having a first end configured to receive the drive surface of the compression screw, and a polymer seal having a channel to pass a fluid, the polymer seal including a flange portion and an insertion portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2019Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Robert A. Jencks, Mark W. Moeller, Kenneth R. Plant
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Patent number: 10260662Abstract: Described is a fitting for coupling fluidic paths which facilitates secure and low leak rate fluid flow through a fluidic path junction such as a junction in a liquid chromatography system or other chemical analysis instrument. Fluid containing various mixtures of chemical samples can pass through the junction at high pressure with little or no trapped residue remaining in a volume at the connection. According to various embodiments, a face seal is achieved between two separate fluidic path features. In some embodiments, the sealing of the fluidic paths is aided by the use of a compliant polymer seal. The seal facilitates intimate contact between adjacent surfaces and significantly limits or prevents the entry of fluid under high pressure into an unswept volume. Thus the risk of carryover and its adverse effect on measurements is reduced or eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2016Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Robert A. Jencks, Mark W. Moeller, Kenneth R. Plant
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Patent number: 9441996Abstract: The present disclosure relates to phase detection in multi-phase fluids where two fluid phases can be present in the fluid. Phase detection apparatus and methods are disclosed for determining the phase(s) (e.g., supercritical, liquid, and/or gas) of a fluid in a multi-phase fluid system, such as carbon dioxide based separation and chromatography system.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Ryan Hill, Joshua A. Shreve, Robert Dumas, Sylvain Cormier, Edwin Denecke, Kenneth R. Plant, Kurt D. Joudrey
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Publication number: 20160223108Abstract: Described is a fitting for coupling fluidic paths which facilitates secure and low leak rate fluid flow through a fluidic path junction such as a junction in a liquid chromatography system or other chemical analysis instrument. Fluid containing various mixtures of chemical samples can pass through the junction at high pressure with little or no trapped residue remaining in a volume at the connection. According to various embodiments, a face seal is achieved between two separate fluidic path features. In some embodiments, the sealing of the fluidic paths is aided by the use of a compliant polymer seal. The seal facilitates intimate contact between adjacent surfaces and significantly limits or prevents the entry of fluid under high pressure into an unswept volume. Thus the risk of carryover and its adverse effect on measurements is reduced or eliminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2016Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Robert A. Jencks, Mark W. Moeller, Kenneth R. Plant
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Patent number: 9334989Abstract: Described is a fitting for coupling fluidic paths which facilitates secure and low leak rate fluid flow through a fluidic path junction such as a junction in a liquid chromatography system or other chemical analysis instrument. Fluid containing various mixtures of chemical samples can pass through the junction at high pressure with little or no trapped residue remaining in a volume at the connection. According to various embodiments, a face seal is achieved between two separate fluidic path features. In some embodiments, the sealing of the fluidic paths is aided by the use of a compliant polymer seal. The seal facilitates intimate contact between adjacent surfaces and significantly limits or prevents the entry of fluid under high pressure into an unswept volume. Thus the risk of carryover and its adverse effect on measurements is reduced or eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2012Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Robert A. Jencks, Mark Moeller, Kenneth R. Plant
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Patent number: 9213021Abstract: A connector is used to connect a conduit to a threaded orifice of a fluidic component, such as a component of an apparatus for chromatography. The connector includes a flexible fitting, a deformable fitting, and a compression fitting. The flexible fitting fixes the position of the conduit with respect to the threaded orifice. The deformable fitting provides a fluid-tight seal between the fluidic conduit and the threaded orifice. The compression fitting includes an external-thread portion for attachment to the orifice, to urge the flexible fitting toward an outer surface of the fluidic conduit, and to urge the deformable fitting toward both the outer surface and the orifice, a cam portion in mechanical communication with the flexible fitting via a through-hole in the external thread portion, and a graspable portion in rotatable communication with the cam portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2010Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Waters Technologies CorporationInventors: Kenneth R. Plant, John C. Conidi
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Patent number: 9028780Abstract: Described is a compound sample needle for a liquid chromatography system. In one embodiment, the compound sample needle includes a rigid needle having a coupling end with a face and a counterbore. The compound sample needle also includes a flexible tubing having an outer surface and a coupling end disposed in the counterbore of the rigid needle. The coupling end of the flexible tubing has a face adjacent to a base of the counterbore. The coupling ends of the rigid needle and flexible tubing are secured to each other by a weld formed along a circumference of the outer surface and the face of the rigid needle. A rigid sleeve protects the welded joint. The compound sample needle is suitable for injection into the high pressure mobile phase of ultra performance liquid chromatography systems.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2011Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Waters Technologies CorporationInventors: John Auclair, James E. Usowicz, Tony A. Lin, Marc Lemelin, Robert A. Jencks, Kenneth R. Plant
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Publication number: 20150101419Abstract: The present disclosure relates to phase detection in multi-phase fluids where two fluid phases can be present in the fluid. Phase detection apparatus and methods are disclosed for determining the phase(s) (e.g., supercritical, liquid, and/or gas) of a fluid in a multi-phase fluid system, such as carbon dioxide based separation and chromatography system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Waters Technologies CorporationInventors: Ryan Hill, Joshua A. Shreve, Robert Dumas, Sylvain Cormier, Edwin Denecke, Kenneth R. Plant, Kurt D. Joudrey
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Publication number: 20140110933Abstract: Described is a fitting for coupling fluidic paths which facilitates secure and low leak rate fluid flow through a fluidic path junction such as a junction in a liquid chromatography system or other chemical analysis instrument. Fluid containing various mixtures of chemical samples can pass through the junction at high pressure with little or no trapped residue remaining in a volume at the connection. According to various embodiments, a face seal is achieved between two separate fluidic path features. In some embodiments, the sealing of the fluidic paths is aided by the use of a compliant polymer seal. The seal facilitates intimate contact between adjacent surfaces and significantly limits or prevents the entry of fluid under high pressure into an unswept volume. Thus the risk of carryover and its adverse effect on measurements is reduced or eliminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: Waters Technologies CorporationInventors: Robert A. Jencks, Mark Moeller, Kenneth R. Plant
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Publication number: 20140000722Abstract: An apparatus for conveying fluid comprising a first tube and a second tube. The first tube has a first end and a second end, an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall defines a passage for fluid and an outer wall has at least one first receiving section for receiving an inner wall from the second tube. The second tube has a first end and a second end, an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall defines a chamber for receiving the first tube and has at least one second receiving section for receiving the outer wall of the first tube wherein at least one of the first tube and the second tube are drawn down such that the first receiving section and the second receiving section of the first tube and the second tube are in close proximity to each other and sealed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: Water Technologies CorporationInventor: Kenneth R. Plant
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Patent number: 8616244Abstract: An apparatus for conveying fluid comprising a first tube and a second tube. The first tube has a first end and a second end, an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall defines a passage for fluid and an outer wall has at least one first receiving section for receiving an inner wail from the second tube. The second tube has a first end and a second end, an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall defines a chamber for receiving the first tube and has at least one second receiving section for receiving the outer wall of the first tube wherein at least one of the first tube and the second tube are drawn down such that the first receiving section and the second receiving section of the first tube and the second tube are in close proximity to each other and sealed.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2007Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Waters Technologies CorporationInventor: Kenneth R. Plant
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Publication number: 20120328486Abstract: Described is a compound sample needle for a liquid chromatography system. In one embodiment, the compound sample needle includes a rigid needle having a coupling end with a face and a counterbore. The compound sample needle also includes a flexible tubing having an outer surface and a coupling end disposed in the counterbore of the rigid needle. The coupling end of the flexible tubing has a face adjacent to a base of the counterbore. The coupling ends of the rigid needle and flexible tubing are secured to each other by a weld formed along a circumference of the outer surface and the face of the rigid needle. A rigid sleeve protects the welded joint. The compound sample needle is suitable for injection into the high pressure mobile phase of ultra performance liquid chromatography systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: John Auclair, James E. Usowicz, Tony A. Lin, Marc Lemelin, Robert A. Jencks, Kenneth R. Plant
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Publication number: 20120205304Abstract: A connector is used to connect a conduit to a threaded orifice of a fluidic component, such as a component of an apparatus for chromatography. The connector includes a flexible fitting, a deformable fitting, and a compression fitting. The flexible fitting fixes the position of the conduit with respect to the threaded orifice. The deformable fitting provides a fluid-tight seal between the fluidic conduit and the threaded orifice. The compression fitting includes an external-thread portion for attachment to the orifice, to urge the flexible fitting toward an outer surface of the fluidic conduit, and to urge the deformable fitting toward both the outer surface and the orifice, a cam portion in mechanical communication with the flexible fitting via a through-hole in the external thread portion, and a graspable portion in rotatable communication with the cam portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2010Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Kenneth R. Plant, John C. Conidi
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Patent number: 7909367Abstract: The present invention is a capillary interconnection fitting and method of clamping a capillary in the fitting that separates a forward ferrule that holds the capillary from a secondary clamping device. The fitting comprises a sealing ferrule, a compression screw and a clamping device. The ferrule is fitted in a compression screw that mates to a fluidic component. The clamping device is decoupled from the ferrule and coupled to the compression screw.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2005Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Waters Technologies CorporationInventors: Kenneth R. Plant, Sylvain Cormier, Geoff C. Gerhardt
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Publication number: 20100065141Abstract: An apparatus for conveying fluid comprising a first tube and a second tube. The first tube has a first end and a second end, an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall defines a passage for fluid and an outer wall has at least one first receiving section for receiving an inner wail from the second tube. The second tube has a first end and a second end, an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall defines a chamber for receiving the first tube and has at least one second receiving section for receiving the outer wall of the first tube wherein at least one of the first tube and the second tube are drawn down such that the first receiving section and the second receiving section of the first tube and the second tube are in close proximity to each other and sealed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2007Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventor: Kenneth R. Plant
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Patent number: 6484569Abstract: A thermal exchanger for a liquid chromatography system is provided. The tube-in-tube thermal exchanger comprises a first and a second sections of tubing, a first connector and a second connector. The first section of tubing carries sample solution from the packed chromatography column. The second tubing carries the sample solution from the detector out of the system, i.e., in an opposite direction to the direction of the first section of tubing. Both the first section of tubing and the second section of tubing connect to the first connector, which combines the two sections of tubing into a thermal exchange tubing. The thermal exchange tubing comprises the first section of tubing placed inside the second section of tubing such that waste fluid from the second tubing can optimally exchange thermal energy with fluid from the chromatography column. The thermal exchange tubing is configured into a plurality of coils.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2000Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: Waters Investments LimitedInventors: Kenneth R. Plant, Robert J. Dumas