Patents by Inventor Michael Herron
Michael Herron 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: 12287145Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus can be configured so that there is at least one “U” or “C” shape configured manifold in combination with at least one “Z” or “S” shape configured manifold for the heat exchanger apparatus for the input and output of fluid into and out of the heat exchangers of the heat exchanger apparatus. In some embodiments, downstream and/or upstream lines can be connected to the manifolds at a center or off-center point for conveying inlet fluid and outlet fluid. A method of retrofitting a pre-existing plant, building a new plant, or designing a new plant that utilizes an embodiment of the heat exchanger apparatus can help provide an improved heat exchanger arrangement without significantly increasing the footprint needed for the arrangement so that a plant can be improved with an embodiment of the apparatus without requiring an enlarged footprint for the plant.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2020Date of Patent: April 29, 2025Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Fang Xu, Xukun Luo, Douglas Paul Dee, Donn Michael Herron, William T. Kleinberg
-
Publication number: 20250120576Abstract: A method is provided for adjusting a viewing direction for an articulatable medical device. The method comprises: receiving a command indicating adjusting a viewing direction of the articulatable medical device; determining a sensing region from an imaging sensor based at least in part on the viewing direction, the imaging sensor is located at a distal end of the articulatable medical device; generating an image based on signals from the sensing region; and processing the image to correct at least one of a projection distortion, contrast and color of the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2024Publication date: April 17, 2025Inventors: Michael Herron, Akihiro Takagi, John Shen
-
Publication number: 20250110522Abstract: A fail-safe release mechanism for use with patient positioning support apparati having a base structure and a patient support structure, to prevent collapse of the patient support structure during disconnection of the patient support structure from the base structure at outboard ends thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2024Publication date: April 3, 2025Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC.Inventors: Roger P. Jackson, Lawrence Guerra, Michael Herron
-
Patent number: 12179143Abstract: A process for separating carbon dioxide from a feed gas comprising carbon dioxide may comprise compressing the feed gas in a feed gas compressor to produce a compressed feed gas. The process may also comprise separating the compressed feed gas by an adsorption process comprising: using a plurality of adsorbent beds to produce a carbon dioxide-enriched product stream and a carbon dioxide-depleted stream, and a blowdown step. A blowdown gas may be removed from the adsorbent bed. The process may also comprise compressing the blowdown gas in the feed gas compressor and combining the blowdown gas with the compressed feed gas.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2022Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Mozhgan Alimohammadi Zanjani, David Ross Graham, Donald E. Henry, Donn Michael Herron, Roger Anthony Dewing
-
Publication number: 20240369293Abstract: An apparatus and process for liquid oxygen production can be configured to avoid use of a feed compressor and a recycle compressor. Embodiments can be configured for open loop operation so that a relatively low yield liquid oxygen recovery can be obtained from a feed output from an electrolyzer that is comprised mostly of oxygen (e.g. at least 80 volume percent oxygen, between 80 vol % and 100 vol % oxygen, etc.). The relatively low yield liquid oxygen recovery can be surprisingly provided to permit an advantageous recovery of oxygen to limit waste oxygen that may ultimately be vented while also minimizing equipment and power requirements for the liquid oxygen recovery.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2023Publication date: November 7, 2024Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: ALAN D. BERGER, QIAO JOSH ZHAO, DONN MICHAEL HERRON
-
Publication number: 20240125550Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering at least argon from a feed gas that can provide an improved recovery of argon as well as an improvement in operational efficiency. Some embodiments can be adapted so that the improved argon recovery can also be obtained with improved condenser operation for an argon column without requiring an increase in power for the recovery of the argon. Some embodiments can utilize a reboiler positioned near or at the bottom of argon recovery column to increase boil-up therein and/or provide added heat duty to drive a condenser of the argon recovery column to provide improved argon recovery.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2022Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Jay A. Thakkar, Donn Michael Herron, Qiao Zhao
-
Publication number: 20240035743Abstract: A process for recovering at least one fluid (e.g. argon gas and/or nitrogen gas, etc.) from a feed gas (e.g. air) can provide an improved recovery of argon and/or nitrogen as well as an improvement in operational efficiency. Some embodiments can be adapted so that at least a portion of a mixed nitrogen-oxygen fluid is at least partially vaporized and fed to a low pressure column.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2022Publication date: February 1, 2024Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: DONN MICHAEL HERRON, QIAO ZHAO
-
Publication number: 20230233986Abstract: A process for separating carbon dioxide from a feed gas comprising carbon dioxide may comprise compressing the feed gas in a feed gas compressor to produce a compressed feed gas. The process may also comprise separating the compressed feed gas by an adsorption process comprising: using a plurality of adsorbent beds to produce a carbon dioxide-enriched product stream and a carbon dioxide-depleted stream, and a blowdown step. A blowdown gas may be removed from the adsorbent bed. The process may also comprise compressing the blowdown gas in the feed gas compressor and combining the blowdown gas with the compressed feed gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2022Publication date: July 27, 2023Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Mozhgan Alimohammadi Zanjani, David Ross Graham, Donald E. Henry, Donn Michael Herron, Roger Anthony Dewing
-
Patent number: 11681730Abstract: The invention provides a comprehensive system, method and computer program product for data structure clustering based on variation in data attribute performance. In general, the invention is configured to link a sub-set of data structures out of a global set of data structures based on identifying stimulus type attributes that are structured to produce a functional performance parameter of the associated data structure, particularly in the field of hospital data analysis. Typically, the invention is configured to receive a request for construction of a peer data cluster for a first functional performance parameter of the first entity data structure. The invention may then determine at least one second entity data structure of a plurality of entity data structures that is a peer entity data structure, and linking the first entity data structure and the second entity data structure to form the peer data cluster.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Premier Healthcare Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Michael Herron, Michael Long
-
Patent number: 11512897Abstract: A process for recovering at least one fluid (e.g. argon gas and/or nitrogen gas, etc.) from a feed gas (e.g. air) can include utilization of a compression system, primary heat exchanger unit, plant processing units to separate and recover at least one desired fluid (e.g. nitrogen gas, argon gas, etc.). In some embodiments, the process can be configured so that fluid flows output from a low pressure column and/or high pressure column of the plant can provide a condensation duty or refrigeration duty that is utilized to process certain fluid flows for recovery of argon and/or nitrogen gases. Some embodiments can be configured to provide an improved recovery of argon and/or nitrogen as well as an improvement in operational efficiency by reducing an amount of power (e.g. electrical power) needed to recover the nitrogen and/or argon.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2021Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: D. Michael Herron, Alan D. Berger
-
Patent number: 11460246Abstract: Xenon and/or krypton is separated from a liquid oxygen stream comprising oxygen and xenon and/or krypton in a process comprising providing at least a portion of the liquid oxygen stream as a reflux liquid to the top of a rare gas recovery column operated at a pressure of between 5 to 25 bara, vaporizing a reboiler liquid in the reboiling zone in the bottom of the rare gas recovery column to produce a mixture of a rising vapor and a xenon and/or krypton-enriched liquid stream; and contacting the rising vapor with the reflux liquid in at least one distillation zone of the column to effect stripping xenon and/or krypton from the rising vapor to the reflux liquid. The process provides a recovery of xenon of greater than 90% and a krypton recovery of 15% to 90%.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Xukun Luo, Alan D. Berger, Donn Michael Herron
-
Patent number: 11435776Abstract: A surgery table includes a patient support structure coupled to a connection assembly and a base structure coupled to the connection assembly. The connection assembly includes an arm and a locking member that engages the arm. The arm includes spaced apart first and second apertures. The locking member includes spaced apart first and second bores. A first key member and a second key member are included.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Roger P. Jackson, Lawrence Guerra, Michael Herron
-
Publication number: 20220221221Abstract: A process for recovering at least one fluid (e.g. argon gas and/or nitrogen gas, etc.) from a feed gas (e.g. air) can include utilization of a compression system, primary heat exchanger unit, plant processing units to separate and recover at least one desired fluid (e.g. nitrogen gas, argon gas, etc.). In some embodiments, the process can be configured so that fluid flows output from a low pressure column and/or high pressure column of the plant can provide a condensation duty or refrigeration duty that is utilized to process certain fluid flows for recovery of argon and/or nitrogen gases. Some embodiments can be configured to provide an improved recovery of argon and/or nitrogen as well as an improvement in operational efficiency by reducing an amount of power (e.g. electrical power) needed to recover the nitrogen and/or argon.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2021Publication date: July 14, 2022Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: D. MICHAEL HERRON, ALAN D. BERGER
-
Patent number: 11279008Abstract: An implant magazine for use with a driver includes a plurality of implants, an implant carrier defining a plurality of apertures, each implant of the plurality of implants being disposed within an aperture of the plurality of apertures, wherein an implant is disengaged from the implant carrier upon application of a predetermined force applied to the implant, and a base defining a cavity in which the implant carrier and the plurality of implants are disposed. A cartridge for use with a driver includes the implant magazine, a housing in which the implant magazine is disposed, and a blade having a longitudinal axis and being at least partially and rotatably disposed within the housing. A kit includes a driver, a motor, and the cartridge configured for cooperation with the driver to be operated by the motor. A method of using the driver includes inserting an implant into a medium.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings, LLCInventors: Nicolas F. Bethoux, Rebekah Brougher, Michael Herron, Kristen Yardley
-
Publication number: 20220012269Abstract: The invention provides a comprehensive system, method and computer program product for data structure clustering based on variation in data attribute performance. In general, the invention is configured to link a sub-set of data structures out of a global set of data structures based on identifying stimulus type attributes that are structured to produce a functional performance parameter of the associated data structure, particularly in the field of hospital data analysis. Typically, the invention is configured to receive a request for construction of a peer data cluster for a first functional performance parameter of the first entity data structure. The invention may then determine at least one second entity data structure of a plurality of entity data structures that is a peer entity data structure, and linking the first entity data structure and the second entity data structure to form the peer data cluster.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2021Publication date: January 13, 2022Applicant: Premier Healthcare Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Michael Herron, Michael Long
-
Patent number: 11163807Abstract: The invention provides a comprehensive system, method and computer program product for data structure clustering based on variation in data attribute performance. In general, the invention is configured to link a sub-set of data structures out of a global set of data structures based on identifying stimulus type attributes that are structured to produce a functional performance parameter of the associated data structure, particularly in the field of hospital data analysis. Typically, the invention is configured to receive a request for construction of a peer data cluster for a first functional performance parameter of the first entity data structure. The invention may then determine at least one second entity data structure of a plurality of entity data structures that is a peer entity data structure, and linking the first entity data structure and the second entity data structure to form the peer data cluster.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2019Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Premier Healthcare Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Michael Herron, Michael Long
-
Publication number: 20210285719Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus can be configured so that there is at least one “U” or “C” shape configured manifold in combination with at least one “Z” or “S” shape configured manifold for the heat exchanger apparatus for the input and output of fluid into and out of the heat exchangers of the heat exchanger apparatus. In some embodiments, downstream and/or upstream lines can be connected to the manifolds at a center or off-center point for conveying inlet fluid and outlet fluid. A method of retrofitting a pre-existing plant, building a new plant, or designing a new plant that utilizes an embodiment of the heat exchanger apparatus can help provide an improved heat exchanger arrangement without significantly increasing the footprint needed for the arrangement so that a plant can be improved with an embodiment of the apparatus without requiring an enlarged footprint for the plant.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2020Publication date: September 16, 2021Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Fang Xu, Xukun Luo, Douglas Paul Dee, Donn Michael Herron, William T. Kleinberg
-
Patent number: 11119525Abstract: A fail-safe release mechanism for use with patient positioning support apparati having a base structure and a patient support structure, to prevent collapse of the patient support during disconnection of the patient support structure from the base structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2018Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Roger P. Jackson, Lawrence Guerra, Michael Herron
-
Patent number: 11054182Abstract: Process and apparatus for the separation of a compressed feed air stream to produce an oxygen product using a distillation column having a lower-pressure column and a higher-pressure column, a higher-pressure heat exchanger and a lower-pressure heat exchanger where the gaseous nitrogen expander receives a nitrogen-enriched fraction from a position intermediate the warmer end and the colder end of the higher-pressure heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Qiao Zhao, Donn Michael Herron
-
Publication number: 20210190422Abstract: Xenon and/or krypton is separated from a liquid oxygen stream comprising oxygen and xenon and/or krypton in a process comprising providing at least a portion of the liquid oxygen stream as a reflux liquid to the top of a rare gas recovery column operated at a pressure of between 5 to 25 bara, vaporizing a reboiler liquid in the reboiling zone in the bottom of the rare gas recovery column to produce a mixture of a rising vapor and a xenon and/or krypton-enriched liquid stream; and contacting the rising vapor with the reflux liquid in at least one distillation zone of the column to effect stripping xenon and/or krypton from the rising vapor to the reflux liquid. The process provides a recovery of xenon of greater than 90% and a krypton recovery of 15% to 90%.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2019Publication date: June 24, 2021Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Xukun Luo, Alan D. Berger, Donn Michael Herron