Patents by Inventor Mark Firmer Merrick

Mark Firmer Merrick 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: 20240053308
    Abstract: A method includes receiving respective first and second sets of detection data generated by first and second detectors of a gas chromatograph (GC) during a session and representative of chromatographic properties of first and second portions of an effluent delivered to the first and second detectors from first and second transfer lines of the GC. The method also includes receiving a temperature profile that identifies first and second temperature zones of the first and second portions of the effluent during the session. The second set of detection data is misaligned relative to the first set along a time axis. The method also includes applying an alignment profile to the second set to align the first and second sets along the time axis. The alignment profile is based on the temperature profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: LECO Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Firmer Merrick
  • Patent number: 11846614
    Abstract: A method for modulating analytes in a gaseous stream passing through a capillary, wherein the analytes are retained in a trapping zone of the capillary, or allowed to pass therethrough, based on certain conditions. The method includes, during a first time period, heating the trapping zone of the capillary to a first temperature to desorb analytes therewithin and allow the analytes to pass therethrough, and during a second time period, cooling the capillary to a second temperature that is sufficient to trap and focus the analytes within the trapping zone. During the first time period, the method also includes retaining heat at the capillary during to minimize the load on a cooling device thermally connected thereto, and during the second time period, selectively allowing thermal transfer toward the cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: LECO Corporation
    Inventors: Gaetano Stallone, Mark Firmer Merrick
  • Patent number: 11609212
    Abstract: A method for applying a heating sequence for a modulator includes, during a first period of time, heating a first heating zone disposed along a length of the modulator without heating a second heating zone to cause a sample trapped from a first transfer line at an entrance of the modulator to move from the first heating zone to the second heating zone. The method also includes, during a second time period, withdrawing the heating of the first heating zone to prevent the sample from entering the modulator from the first transfer line. During a third time period, the method includes heating the second heating zone without heating the first heating zone to reinject the sample into a second transfer line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: LECO Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Firmer Merrick
  • Publication number: 20220326196
    Abstract: A chromatography system includes a modulator, a chromatograph, a cooler, and a detector. The chromatograph is connected to the modulator by a first heated transfer line. The detector is connected to the modulator by a second heated transfer line. The cooler is connected to the modulator. The modulator is arranged outside of the chromatograph.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: LECO Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Firmer Merrick
  • Patent number: 11391706
    Abstract: A chromatography system includes a modulator, a chromatograph, a cooler, and a detector. The chromatograph is connected to the modulator by a first heated transfer line. The detector is connected to the modulator by a second heated transfer line. The cooler is connected to the modulator. The modulator is arranged outside of the chromatograph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: LECO Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Firmer Merrick
  • Publication number: 20220082535
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional gas chromatograph for analyzing compounds in a sample during a single run is disclosed. The multi-dimensional gas chromatograph includes a first column, a second column, and a modulator disposed between the first column and the second column. The modulator modulates at (i) a first modulation period over a first time period during the run and (ii) a second modulation period over a second time period during the run later than the first time, the second modulation period being different than the first modulation period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: David Jesse Borton, Jonelle Ley Shiel, Mark Firmer Merrick
  • Publication number: 20210356441
    Abstract: A method for modulating analytes in a gaseous stream passing through a capillary, wherein the analytes are retained in a trapping zone of the capillary, or allowed to pass therethrough, based on certain conditions. The method includes, during a first time period, heating the trapping zone of the capillary to a first temperature to desorb analytes therewithin and allow the analytes to pass therethrough, and during a second time period, cooling the capillary to a second temperature that is sufficient to trap and focus the analytes within the trapping zone. During the first time period, the method also includes retaining heat at the capillary during to minimize the load on a cooling device thermally connected thereto, and during the second time period, selectively allowing thermal transfer toward the cooling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: LECO Corporation
    Inventors: Gaetano Stallone, Mark Firmer Merrick
  • Publication number: 20200041466
    Abstract: A chromatography system includes a modulator, a chromatograph, a cooler, and a detector. The chromatograph is connected to the modulator by a first heated transfer line. The detector is connected to the modulator by a second heated transfer line. The cooler is connected to the modulator. The modulator is arranged outside of the chromatograph.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventor: Mark Firmer Merrick