Patents by Inventor Lawrence J. Fryda

Lawrence J. Fryda 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).

  • Groundwater azimuth detection
    Patent number: 4963019
    Abstract: An apparatus detects the azimuth of the migration of groundwater containing suspended microscopic particles. The apparatus comprises a probe consisting of a light source which emits light in a vertical orientation and a photodigitizer which faces the light source and is separated from the light source to permit the flow of groundwater between the light source and the photodigitizer. When the probe is submerged in migrating groundwater, the eclipses of light created by the suspended microscopic particles as the groundwater passes between the light source and the photodigitizer are detected by the photodigitizer. Information from the photodigitizer is processed and then visually displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Illinois State University
    Inventors: John W. Foster, Lawrence J. Fryda
  • Groundwater pressure measurement
    Patent number: 4807201
    Abstract: An apparatus measures changes in groundwater pressure in a borehole. The apparatus comprises: a probe consisting of a hollow tube having a smooth interior surface, an ultrasonic transmitter which emits ultrasonic waves down the interior of the tube, and an ultrasonic receiver which receives and registers the reflected ultrasonic waves; a means to raise and lower the probe so the tube is partially submerged in the groundwater; a means to control the emission of ultrasonic waves; a means to convert the time interval into a distance or pressure measurement; and a means to store or transmit the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Illinois State University
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Fryda, John W. Foster
  • Groundwater azimuth detection
    Patent number: RE34265
    Abstract: An apparatus detects the azimuth of the migration of groundwater containing suspended microscopic particles. The apparatus comprises a probe consisting of a light source which emits light in a vertical orientation and a photodigitizer which faces the light source and is separated from the light source to permit the flow of groundwater between the light source and the photodigitizer. When the probe is submerged in migrating groundwater, the eclipses of light created by the suspended microscopic particles as the groundwater passes between the light source and the photodigitizer are detected by the photodigitizer. Information from the photodigitizer is processed and then visually displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Illinois State University
    Inventors: John W. Foster, Lawrence J. Fryda