Patents by Inventor Mark Nickerson

Mark Nickerson 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: 20230294850
    Abstract: A hybrid drive having a load shaft; a motor/generator coupled to the load shaft; an internal combustion engine; an electromagnetic clutch, configured to disengageably couple the internal combustion engine to the load shaft, and located between the motor/generator and the internal combustion engine; and a power supply, coupled to the motor/generator and to the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Robert O’Brien, Rodrigo Eguiluz Carretero, Alexander Kopache, Mark Nickerson, Adam Spitulnik, Christopher Deely, Alexander Shkolnik, Nikolay Shkolnik, Jason Michael Deguzis
  • Patent number: 11149547
    Abstract: Various embodiments describe modifications to X-engines, which would utilize a dedicated chamber to implement bottoming Rankine cycle as well as additional improvements in sealing and combustion efficiency—all contributing to high efficiency. Improvements in sealing include a face seal having multiple surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: LiquidPiston, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Shkolnik, Nikolay Shkolnik, Mark Nickerson, Daniele Littera, Alexander Kopache, Kyle Becker
  • Publication number: 20180023392
    Abstract: Various embodiments describe modifications to X-engines, which would utilize a dedicated chamber to implement bottoming Rankine cycle as well as additional improvements in sealing, combustion efficiency—all contributing to high efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Alexander Shkolnik, Nikolay Shkolnik, Mark Nickerson, Daniele Littera, Alexander Kopache, Kyle Becker
  • Patent number: 7048517
    Abstract: The invention is a device and method in a high-pressure chromatography system, such as a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) system, that uses a pump as a pressure source for precision pumping of a compressible fluid. The preferred exemplary embodiment comprises a pressure regulation assembly installed downstream from a compressible fluid pump but prior to combining the compressible flow with a relatively incompressible modifier flow stream. The present invention allows the replacement of an high-grade SFC pump in the compressible fluid flow stream with an inexpensive and imprecise pump. The imprecise pump becomes capable of moving the compressible fluid flow stream in a precise flow rate and pattern. The assembly dampens the damaging effects of an imprecise pump, such as large pressure oscillations caused by flow ripples and noisy pressure signals that do not meet precise SFC pumping requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AutoChem, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry A. Berger, Kimber D. Fogelman, Kenneth Klein, L. Thompson Staats, III, Mark Nickerson, Paul F. Bente, III
  • Patent number: 6685828
    Abstract: A system for collection of liquid phase sample fractions from a supercritical fluid chromatography system is disclosed. The system has different ways of gathering the liquid phase into a collection chamber and provides for automated removal of liquid phase from a collection chamber into separate collection container. A separate pressure scheme is invoked upon the collection chambers to move liquid phase out of a chamber and into the separate collection container. In addition, the invention provides a renewal system for the collection chambers where each chamber returns to an uncontaminated stated by washing with a cleaning solution after removal of collected liquid phase. Spent cleaner from a chamber is purged using the pressure system into a waste stream for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Berger Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry A. Berger, Kimber D. Fogelman, Kenneth Klein, L. Thompson Staats, III, Mark Nickerson, Paul F. Bente, III
  • Publication number: 20040018099
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a pump for use in a flow stream containing a mixture of highly compressed gas, compressible liquid or supercritical fluid wherein the pump delivers a compressible fluid against a back-pressure regulator which in turn delivers a controllable flow rate downstream of the regulator without performing variable compressibility compensation adjustments on the pump. By using a pressurized source of compressible fluid combined with isocratic conditions, the delivery pressure from the pump is controlled at a rate higher than the downstream gradient with the back-pressure regulator, and an inexpensive pump may be used in place of specialized, expensive pumps and compressibility compensation systems for use in stems operating at or near supercritical fluid levels of compressible fluids. Significant capital and operating laboratory costs are saved through a simpler and cheaper system for accurately delivering compressible fluids into mobile phase flow streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Terry A. Berger, Kimber D. Fogelman, L. Thompson Staats, Mark Nickerson, Paul F. Bente, Kenneth J. Klein
  • Patent number: 6656354
    Abstract: A fractionated sample collection process and device having at least one pressurized chamber used to gather and store liquid samples generated from a flow stream containing a mixture of highly compressed gas, compressible liquid, or supercritical fluid and a relatively incompressible liquid. A bank of multiple collection chambers is secured together in a frame to form a cassette unit. Each collection chamber may house a replaceable liner such as a test tube vial, to hold a fractionated liquid phase sample. After filling with sample, a collection chamber is returned to a clean state and ready for refilling with a new sample by manually or automatically replacing the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Berger Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry A. Berger, Kimber D. Fogelman, L. Thompson Staats, III, Mark Nickerson, Paul F. Bente, III, Kenneth J. Klein
  • Publication number: 20030219343
    Abstract: The invention is a device and method in a high-pressure chromatography system, such as a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) system, that uses a pump as a pressure source for precision pumping of a compressible fluid. The preferred exemplary embodiment comprises a pressure regulation assembly installed downstream from a compressible fluid pump but prior to combining the compressible flow with a relatively incompressible modifier flow stream. The present invention allows the replacement of an high-grade SFC pump in the compressible fluid flow stream with an inexpensive and imprecise pump. The imprecise pump becomes capable of moving the compressible fluid flow stream in a precise flow rate and pattern. The assembly dampens the damaging effects of an imprecise pump, such as large pressure oscillations caused by flow ripples and noisy pressure signals that do not meet precise SFC pumping requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Terry A. Berger, Kimber D. Fogelman, Kenneth Klein, L. Thompson Staats, Mark Nickerson, Paul F. Bente
  • Patent number: 6652753
    Abstract: A fractionated sample collection process and device having at least one pressurized chamber used to gather and store liquid samples generated from a flow stream containing a mixture of highly compressed gas, compressible liquid, or supercritical fluid and a relatively incompressible liquid. A bank of multiple collection chambers is secured together in a frame to form a cassette unit. Each collection chamber may house a replaceable liner such as a test tube vial, to hold a fractionated liquid phase sample. After filling with sample, a collection chamber is returned to a clean state and ready for refilling with a new sample by manually or automatically replacing the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Berger Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry A. Berger, Kimber D. Fogelman, L. Thompson Staats, Mark Nickerson, Paul Bente, Kenneth J. Klein
  • Patent number: 6648609
    Abstract: The invention is a device and method in a high-pressure chromatography system, such as a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) system, that uses a pump as a pressure source for precision pumping of a compressible fluid. The preferred exemplary embodiment comprises a pressure regulation assembly installed downstream from a compressible fluid pump but prior to combining the compressible flow with a relatively incompressible modifier flow stream. The present invention allows the replacement of an high-grade SFC pump in the compressible fluid flow stream with an inexpensive and imprecise pump. The imprecise pump becomes capable of moving the compressible fluid flow stream in a precise flow rate and pattern. The assembly dampens the damaging effects of an imprecise pump, such as large pressure oscillations caused by flow ripples and noisy pressure signals that do not meet precise SFC pumping requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Berger Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry A. Berger, Kimber D. Fogelman, Kenneth Klein, L. Thompson Staats, III, Mark Nickerson, Paul F. Bente, III
  • Patent number: 6632353
    Abstract: A process and device for chromatography, such as preparative and analytical supercritical fluid chromatography, or supercritical fluid extraction for a liquid phase SFC collection system that separates and retains eluted components from sample injections. The process efficiently separates liquid and gas phases in the flow stream upstream of a collection vessel and without additional pressure schemes or solvent extractions imposed on the flowstream. Sample fractions are collected from sample component concentration peaks based upon the chromatographic elution of the sample components. Samples are repeatedly the injected into the mobile phase flow stream and collected into large volume collection containers, thereby allowing longer unattended run times and cost-efficient sample purification and recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Berger Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry A. Berger, Kimber D. Fogelman, L. Thompson Staats, III, Mark Nickerson, Paul F. Bente, III, Kenneth Klein
  • Publication number: 20030190237
    Abstract: The invention is a device and method in a high-pressure chromatography system, such as a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) system, that uses a pump as a pressure source for precision pumping of a compressible fluid. The preferred exemplary embodiment comprises a pressure regulation assembly installed downstream from a compressible fluid pump but prior to combining the compressible flow with a relatively incompressible modifier flow stream. The present invention allows the replacement of an high-grade SFC pump in the compressible fluid flow stream with an inexpensive and imprecise pump. The imprecise pump becomes capable of moving the compressible fluid flow stream in a precise flow rate and pattern. The assembly dampens the damaging effects of an imprecise pump, such as large pressure oscillations caused by flow ripples and noisy pressure signals that do not meet precise SFC pumping requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Terry A. Berger, Kimber D. Fogelman, Kenneth Klein, L. Thompson Staats, Mark Nickerson, Paul F. Bente
  • Patent number: 6561767
    Abstract: A method for converting a pump for use in a flow stream containing a mixture of highly compressed gas, compressible liquid or supercritical fluid wherein the pump delivers a compressible fluid against a back-pressure regulator which in turn delivers a controllable flow rate downstream of the regulator without performing variable compressibility compensation adjustments on the pump. By using a pressurized source of compressible fluid combined with isocratic conditions, the delivery pressure from the pump is controlled at a rate higher than the downstream gradient with the back-pressure regulator, and an inexpensive pump may be used in place of specialized, expensive pumps and compressibility compensation systems for use in stems operating at or near supercritical fluid levels of compressible fluids. Significant capital and operating laboratory costs are saved through a simpler and cheaper system for accurately delivering compressible fluids into mobile phase flow streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Berger Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry A. Berger, Kimber D. Fogelman, L. Thompson Staats, III, Mark Nickerson, Paul F. Bente, III
  • Patent number: 6558540
    Abstract: An efficient and safe method and apparatus for collecting exhaust gasses in an open-air sample collection container in a supercritical fluid chromatography system is claimed. The invention uses a vacuum force to evacuate the gaseous phase and vapors separated from liquid mobile phase in a sample collection device. The invention is portable to use on a series of collection containers, such as test tubes or wells in a titration place. Embodiments are claimed for capture of gasses and vapors either internally or externally to a collection container. The invention removes the gasses from the collection container that are then safely vented to a waste collector, thereby creating a safer environment for the laboratory and properly removing and disposing potentially hazardous chemicals instead of venting these chemicals into the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Berger Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry A. Berger, Kimber D. Fogelman, L. Thompson Staats, III, Mark Nickerson, Paul F. Bente, III
  • Publication number: 20030026704
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a pump for use in a flow stream containing a mixture of highly compressed gas, compressible liquid or supercritical fluid wherein the pump delivers a compressible fluid against a back-pressure regulator which in turn delivers a controllable flow rate downstream of the regulator without performing variable compressibility compensation adjustments on the pump. By using a pressurized source of compressible fluid combined with isocratic conditions, the delivery pressure from the pump is controlled at a rate higher than the downstream gradient with the back-pressure regulator, and an inexpensive pump may be used in place of specialized, expensive pumps and compressibility compensation systems for use in stems operating at or near supercritical fluid levels of compressible fluids. Significant capital and operating laboratory costs are saved through a simpler and cheaper system for accurately delivering compressible fluids into mobile phase flow streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Terry A. Berger, Kimber D. Fogelman, L. Thompson Staats III, Mark Nickerson, Paul F. Bente III
  • Publication number: 20030019812
    Abstract: An efficient and safe method and apparatus for collecting exhaust gasses in an open-air sample collection container in a supercritical fluid chromatography system is claimed. The invention uses a vacuum force to evacuate the gaseous phase and vapors separated from liquid mobile phase in a sample collection device. The invention is portable to use on a series of collection containers, such as test tubes or wells in a titration place. Embodiments are claimed for capture of gasses and vapors either internally or externally to a collection container. The invention removes the gasses from the collection container that are then safely vented to a waste collector, thereby creating a safer environment for the laboratory and properly removing and disposing potentially hazardous chemicals instead of venting these chemicals into the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Terry A. Berger, Kimber D. Fogelman, L. Thompson Staats III, Mark Nickerson, Paul F. Bente III
  • Publication number: 20020144949
    Abstract: A system for collection of liquid phase sample fractions from a supercritical fluid chromatography system is disclosed. The system has different ways of gathering the liquid phase into a collection chamber and provides for automated removal of liquid phase from a collection chamber into separate collection container. A separate pressure scheme is invoked upon the collection chambers to move liquid phase out of a chamber and into the separate collection container. In addition, the invention provides a renewal system for the collection chambers where each chamber returns to an uncontaminated stated by washing with a cleaning solution after removal of collected liquid phase. Spent cleaner from a chamber is purged using the pressure system into a waste stream for disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Terry A. Berger, Kimber D. Fogelman, Kenneth Klein, L. Thompson Staats, Mark Nickerson, Paul F. Bente
  • Publication number: 20020139752
    Abstract: A process and device for chromatography, such as preparative and analytical supercritical fluid chromatography, or supercritical fluid extraction for a liquid phase SFC collection system that separates and retains eluted components from sample injections. The process efficiently separates liquid and gas phases in the flow stream upstream of a collection vessel and without additional pressure schemes or solvent extractions imposed on the flowstream. Sample fractions are collected from sample component concentration peaks based upon the chromatographic elution of the sample components. Samples are repeatedly the injected into the mobile phase flow stream and collected into large volume collection containers, thereby allowing longer unattended run times and cost-efficient sample purification and recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Terry A. Berger, Kimber D. Fogelman, L. Thompson Staats, Mark Nickerson, Paul F. Bente, Kenneth Klein
  • Patent number: 6413428
    Abstract: A fractionated sample collection process and device having at least one pressurized chamber used to gather and store liquid samples generated from a flow stream containing a mixture of highly compressed gas, compressible liquid, or supercritical fluid and a relatively incompressible liquid. A bank of multiple collection chambers is secured together in a frame to form a cassette unit. Each collection chamber may house a replaceable liner such as a test tube vial, to hold a fractionated liquid phase sample. After filling with sample, a collection chamber is returned to a clean state and ready for refilling with a new sample by manually or automatically replacing the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Berger Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry A. Berger, Kimber D. Fogelman, L. Thompson Staats, Mark Nickerson, Paul Bente
  • Publication number: 20020070169
    Abstract: A fractionated sample collection process and device having at least one pressurized chamber used to gather and store liquid samples generated from a flow stream containing a mixture of highly compressed gas, compressible liquid, or supercritical fluid and a relatively incompressible liquid. A bank of multiple collection chambers is secured together in a frame to form a cassette unit. Each collection chamber may house a replaceable liner such as a test tube vial, to hold a fractionated liquid phase sample. After filling with sample, a collection chamber is returned to a clean state and ready for refilling with a new sample by manually or automatically replacing the liner. The separation and collection process partitions the liquid phase, containing modifier and dissolved sample components from the gaseous phase components upstream of the collection chamber so that liquid phase has controlled discharge into the collection chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Terry A. Berger, Kimber D. Fogelman, L. Thompson Staats, Mark Nickerson, Paul Bente