Patents by Inventor Kurt D. Retherford

Kurt D. Retherford 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: 11971347
    Abstract: A seamless fumed silica monolithic integrating cavity device tailored to analyzing a flowed sample. The device is configured to facilitate optical measurements taken from a sample flowed through a cavity of the device. The cavity is defined by a fumed silica monolith with the added feature of a fused quartz lining on the surface of the monolith. This provides an intermediate surface that allows for cleaning and reuse of the highly effective diffuse light scattering fumed silica monolith. The lining may be placed under pressure or vacuum to structurally enhance mechanical integrity of the underlying monolith. Thus, continued or reliably repeated use of the device may be appreciated as well as use in more industrial environments that are prone to vibration. Additionally, while well suited for flow-based sample analysis, a valve of the cavity may be utilized for holding a sample in a temporarily static state for measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Thomas Moore, Kurt D. Retherford, Charity Phillips-Lander
  • Patent number: 11761883
    Abstract: A fumed silica monolithic integrating cavity device. The device is configured to facilitate optical measurements taken from a sample positioned within a cavity of the device. The cavity is defined by a fumed silica monolith with the added feature of a fused quartz lining on the surface of the monolith. This provides an intermediate surface that allows for cleaning and reuse of the highly effective diffuse light scattering fumed silica monolith. Furthermore, the lining may be placed under pressure or vacuum to structurally enhance mechanical integrity of the underlying monolith. Thus, continued or reliably repeated use of the device may be appreciated as well as use in more industrial environments that are prone to vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Thomas Moore, Kurt D. Retherford, Charity Phillips-Lander
  • Publication number: 20230236114
    Abstract: A seamless fumed silica monolithic integrating cavity device tailored to analyzing a flowed sample. The device is configured to facilitate optical measurements taken from a sample flowed through a cavity of the device. The cavity is defined by a fumed silica monolith with the added feature of a fused quartz lining on the surface of the monolith. This provides an intermediate surface that allows for cleaning and reuse of the highly effective diffuse light scattering fumed silica monolith. The lining may be placed under pressure or vacuum to structurally enhance mechanical integrity of the underlying monolith. Thus, continued or reliably repeated use of the device may be appreciated as well as use in more industrial environments that are prone to vibration. Additionally, while well suited for flow-based sample analysis, a valve of the cavity may be utilized for holding a sample in a temporarily static state for measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Thomas Moore, Kurt D. Retherford, Charity Phillips-Lander
  • Publication number: 20220349812
    Abstract: A fumed silica monolithic integrating cavity device. The device is configured to facilitate optical measurements taken from a sample positioned within a cavity of the device. The cavity is defined by a fumed silica monolith with the added feature of a fused quartz lining on the surface of the monolith. This provides an intermediate surface that allows for cleaning and reuse of the highly effective diffuse light scattering fumed silica monolith. Furthermore, the lining may be placed under pressure or vacuum to structurally enhance mechanical integrity of the underlying monolith. Thus, continued or reliably repeated use of the device may be appreciated as well as use in more industrial environments that are prone to vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Thomas Moore, Kurt D. Retherford, Charity Phillips-Lander
  • Patent number: 11346771
    Abstract: A seamless fumed silica monolithic integrating cavity device tailored to analyzing a flowed sample. The device is configured to facilitate optical measurements taken from a sample flowed through a cavity of the device. The cavity is defined by a fumed silica monolith with the added feature of a fused quartz lining on the surface of the monolith. This provides an intermediate surface that allows for cleaning and reuse of the highly effective diffuse light scattering fumed silica monolith. The lining may be placed under pressure or vacuum to structurally enhance mechanical integrity of the underlying monolith. Thus, continued or reliably repeated use of the device may be appreciated as well as use in more industrial environments that are prone to vibration. Additionally, while well suited for flow-based sample analysis, a valve of the cavity may be utilized for holding a sample in a temporarily static state for measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Moore, Kurt D. Retherford, Charity Phillips-Lander