Patents by Inventor Michael Mc Clanahan

Michael Mc Clanahan 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).

  • Gas sensor based on dynamic thermal conductivity and molecular velocity
    Patent number: 7398681
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for gas detection. The apparatus comprises a) a sample chamber for holding a gas sample, b) a sealable vacuum port in fluid communication with the sample chamber, for evacuating the sample chamber, c) a sealable inlet port in fluid communication with the sample chamber, for introducing the gas sample into the evacuated sample chamber, and d) a thermal conductivity sensing element at least partly disposed within the sample chamber, for measuring the thermal conductivity of the gas sample. A gas sample released into the evacuated sample chamber requires a time interval to contact the thermal conductivity sensing element. The time interval is a measure of gas speed. Thermal conductivity and temperature of the gas sample are measured following determination of gas speed. By determining three parameters in a single sample of gas, different gas mixtures having similar thermal conductivities can be distinguished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Joseph N. Norbeck, Chan Seung Park, Michael Mc Clanahan, Nora Hackett, legal representative, Colin E. Hackett
  • Gas sensor based on dynamic thermal conductivity and molecular velocity
    Publication number: 20070169541
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for gas detection. The apparatus comprises a) a sample chamber for holding a gas sample, b) a sealable vacuum port in fluid communication with the sample chamber, for evacuating the sample chamber, c) a sealable inlet port in fluid communication with the sample chamber, for introducing the gas sample into the evacuated sample chamber, and d) a thermal conductivity sensing element at least partly disposed within the sample chamber, for measuring the thermal conductivity of the gas sample. A gas sample released into the evacuated sample chamber requires a time interval to contact the thermal conductivity sensing element. The time interval is a measure of gas speed. Thermal conductivity and temperature of the gas sample are measured following determination of gas speed. By determining three parameters in a single sample of gas, different gas mixtures having similar thermal conductivities can be distinguished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Joseph Norbeck, Chan Park, Michael Mc Clanahan, Colin Hackett, Nora Hackett