Patents by Inventor Lowell R. Smith

Lowell R. Smith 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: 20240122080
    Abstract: A superconductor device includes a high superconductivity transition temperature enhanced from the raw material transition temperature. The superconductor device includes a matrix material and a core material. The enhancing matrix material and the core material together create a system of strongly coupled carriers. A plurality of low-dimensional conductive features can be embedded in the matrix. The low-dimensional conductive features (e.g., nanowires or nanoparticles) can be conductors or superconductors. An interaction between electrons of the low-dimensional conductive features and the enhancing matrix material can promote excitations that increase a superconductivity transition temperature of the superconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Philipp Braeuninger-Weimer, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Conor L. Myhrvold, Cameron Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Roderick A. Hyde, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Victoria Y.H. Wood, David R. Smith, John Brian Pendry, Charles Whitmer, William Henry Mangione-Smith, Brian C. Holloway, Stuart A. Wolf, Vladimir Z. Kresin
  • Publication number: 20240094120
    Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (“glyphosate”) from N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (“PMIDA”), and more particularly to methods for control of the conversion of PMIDA, for the identification of reaction end points relating to PMIDA conversion and the preparation of glyphosate products having controlled PMIDA content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Leonard AYNARDI, David Z. BECHER, Robert E. BYRD, Eduardo Aurelio CASANOVA, James P. COLEMAN, David R. EATON, Walter K. GAVLICK, Eric A. HAUPFEAR, Oliver LERCH, Carl MUMFORD, Alfredo OBA, Stephen D. PROSCH, Peter E. ROGERS, Bart ROOSE, Mark D. SCAIA, Lowell R. SMITH, Donald D. SOLETA, John WAGENKNECHT
  • Publication number: 20240085623
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, an array of elements forms an artificially-structured material. The artificially-structured material can also include an array of tuning mechanisms included as part of the array of elements that are configured to change material properties of the artificially-structured material on a per-element basis. The tuning mechanisms can change the material properties of the artificially-structured material by changing operational properties of the elements in the array of elements on a per-element basis based on one or a combination of stimuli detected by sensors included in the array of tuning mechanisms, programmable circuit modules included as part of the array of tuning mechanisms, data stored at individual data stores included as part of the array of tuning mechanisms, and communications transmitted through interconnects included as part of the array of elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel Arnitz, Patrick Bowen, Seyedmohammadreza Faghih Imani, Joseph Hagerty, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K.Y. Jung, Guy S. Lipworth, Nathan P. Myhrvold, David R. Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20210381962
    Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (“glyphosate”) from N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (“PMIDA”), and more particularly to methods for control of the conversion of PMIDA, for the identification of reaction end points relating to PMIDA conversion and the preparation of glyphosate products having controlled PMIDA content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Donald D. Soleta, David R. Eaton, Peter E. Rogers, Eduardo A. Casanova, John Wagenknecht, Leonard Aynardi, David Z. Becher, Robert E. Byrd, James P. Coleman, Walter K. Gavlick, Eric A. Haupfear, Oliver Lerch, Carl Mumford, Alfredo Oba, Stephen D. Prosch, Bart Roose, Mark D. Scaia, Lowell R. Smith
  • Patent number: 10406405
    Abstract: Methods and systems for packaging a plurality of objects are disclosed. The system includes a base tray having a first end and a second end, an object reservoir positioned at the first end, a dispensing guide positioned at the second end, and a column guide disposed between the reservoir and the dispensing guide. The column guide is configured to convey objects from the reservoir to the dispensing guide using gravitational forces via a plurality of longitudinally extending guiding columns. A tilt tray having a front edge and a back edge is positioned above the column guide. The tilt tray has a front edge and a back edge, and is anchored to pivot between a forward-engaged position and a backward-engaged position. When the tilt tray is in the backward-engaged position, the back edge is positioned to prevent object movement along the column guide, while the front edge is positioned to allow object movement along the column guide and into the dispensing guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Inventor: Lowell R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20190038942
    Abstract: Methods and systems for packaging a plurality of objects are disclosed. The system includes a base tray having a first end and a second end, an object reservoir positioned at the first end, a dispensing guide positioned at the second end, and a column guide disposed between the reservoir and the dispensing guide. The column guide is configured to convey objects from the reservoir to the dispensing guide using gravitational forces via a plurality of longitudinally extending guiding columns. A tilt tray having a front edge and a back edge is positioned above the column guide. The tilt tray has a front edge and a back edge, and is anchored to pivot between a forward-engaged position and a backward-engaged position. When the tilt tray is in the backward-engaged position, the back edge is positioned to prevent object movement along the column guide, while the front edge is positioned to allow object movement along the column guide and into the dispensing guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventor: Lowell R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110097810
    Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (“glyphosate”) from N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (“PMIDA”), and more particularly to methods for control of the conversion of PMIDA, for the identification of reaction end points relating to PMIDA conversion and the preparation of glyphosate products having controlled PMIDA content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Donald D. Soleta, David R. Eaton, Peter E. Rogers, Eduardo A. Casanova, John Wagenknecht, Leonard Aynardi, David Z. Becher, Robert E. Byrd, James P. Coleman, Walter K. Gavlick, Eric A. Haupfear, Oliver Lerch, Carl Mumford, Alfredo Oba, Stephen D. Prosch, Bart Roose, Mark D. Scaia, Lowell R. Smith
  • Patent number: 7799571
    Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (“glyphosate”) from N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (“PMIDA”), and more particularly to methods for control of the conversion of PMIDA, for the identification of reaction end points relating to PMIDA conversion and the preparation of glyphosate products having controlled PMIDA content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Donald D. Soleta, David R. Eaton, Peter E. Rogers, Eduardo A. Casanova, John Wagenknecht, Leonard Aynardi, David Z. Becher, Robert E. Byrd, James P. Coleman, Walter K. Gavlick, Eric A. Haupfear, Oliver Lerch, Carl Mumford, Alfredo Oba, Stephen D. Prosch, Bart Roose, Mark D. Scaia, Lowell R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20090011515
    Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (“glyphosate”) from N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (“PMIDA”), and more particularly to methods for control of the conversion of PMIDA, for the identification of reaction end points relating to PMIDA conversion and the preparation of glyphosate products having controlled PMIDA content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Donald D. Soleta, David R. Eaton, Peter E. Rogers, Eduardo A. Casanova, John Wagenknecht, Leonard Aynardi, David Z. Becher, Robert E. Byrd, James P. Coleman, Walter K. Gavlick, Eric A. Haupfear, Oliver Lerch, Carl Mumford, Alfredo Oba, Stephen D. Prosch, Bart Roose, Mark D. Scaia, Lowell R. Smith
  • Patent number: 5874612
    Abstract: A process for preparing glyphosate and other secondary amines of related structure in which a precursor primary amine such as aminomethylphosphonic acid is condensed with glyoxylic acid, or a related aldehyde compound, and the condensation product reduced without isolation to produce the desired product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventors: Sherrol L. Baysdon, Raymond C. Grabiak, Thomas E. Rogers, Lowell R. Smith
  • Patent number: 5606107
    Abstract: A process is provided for destroying formic acid and/or formaldehyde in an aqueous, organic acid waste stream by contacting the stream with a supported precious metal catalyst and passing air or molecular oxygen gas through the solution to promote chemical oxidation. The invention is a safe, practical and cost-effective alternative to bio-system treatment of these compounds using microorganisms. The process of the invention may be practiced in either a batch or continuous mode and, in accordance with the invention, formic acid present in a stream at a level of 3800 ppm and formaldehyde present in an amount of 5800 ppm can be reduced respectively to levels of 200 ppm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventor: Lowell R. Smith
  • Patent number: 5578190
    Abstract: A process for preparing glyphosate and other secondary amines of related structure in which a precursor primary amine such as aminomethylphosphonic acid is condensed with glyoxylic acid, or a related aldehyde compound, and the condensation product reduced without isolation to produce the desired product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventors: Thomas E. Rogers, Lowell R. Smith
  • Patent number: 5087740
    Abstract: N-Phosphonomethylglycine can be purified and concentrated from aqueous solutions containing N-phosphonomethylglycine and impurities, such as N-formyl-N-phosphonomethylglycine, phosphorous acid, and the like, by passing the aqueous solution through an ion exchange column containing a weakly basic ion exchange resin to remove such impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventor: Lowell R. Smith
  • Patent number: 4962212
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a process for producing heterocyclic ethanolamines, especially 2-(2-furyl)ethanolamine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventor: Lowell R. Smith
  • Patent number: 4002672
    Abstract: N-phosphonomethyl glycine is produced by the strong acid catalyzed hydrolysis of N-(phosphonomethyl) imino-diacetic acid. N-phosphonomethyl glycine is useful as a post-emergent herbicide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1972
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1977
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventor: Lowell R. Smith