Patents by Inventor Nam Tran
Nam Tran 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).
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Publication number: 20240090089Abstract: A method of forming a heater assembly of an e-vaping device includes bending a wire to form a first lobe and bending the wire to form a second lobe. The first lobe and the second lobe form a generally sinuously-shaped heater having a first set of lobes and a second set of lobe. A first apex of the first lobe is generally opposite a second apex of the second lobe. The method may also include curling the first set of lobes towards the second set of lobes to form a heater having a substantially tubular form. The heater defines an opening there through.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Charles DENDY, Nam TRAN, David ALVAREZ, Patrick MCELHINNEY
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Patent number: 11929205Abstract: The invention offers an ultracapacitor-based power system solution with four main functional blocks which are power conditioning block, monitoring block, charge-discharge block and protection block. The proposed system has the advantage of working well in the environment of vibration, high temperature, has a large capacity to provide a large amount and radiates less heat compared to systems using traditional batteries. In addition, the system has functions to protect and stabilize the output voltage, and the operating parameters of the system is monitored continuously.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: VIETTEL GROUPInventors: Truong Giang Duong, Canh Duong Nguyen, Duc Anh Nguyen, Xuan Chien Vuong, Phuong Nam Tran
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Publication number: 20240030532Abstract: A power supply assembly for an e-vaping device may include a coupling interface configured to couple with a cartridge to configure the e-vaping device to generate a vapor, a light-emitting device, and a light tube structure extending from the light-emitting device and through the coupling interface. The light tube structure may channel light emitted by the light-emitting device to emit the light into a reservoir of the cartridge to cause at least one portion of the cartridge to emit at least a portion of the channeled light to an external environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Sean SUNDBERG, Ryan Alan BAILEY, Charles DENDY, Robert ARENTS, Christopher S. TUCKER, Nam TRAN
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Publication number: 20230405242Abstract: In the non-nicotine electronic vaping device, a saturation sensor measures at least one electrical characteristic of the wick between the heating element and the probe wire at a first time and a second time, wherein the at least one electrical characteristic includes a resistance, a capacitance, or both a resistance and a capacitance. Control circuitry is configured to cause the non-nicotine e-vaping device to: calculate a refill rate at which the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation flows onto the wick based on the at least one electrical characteristic at the first time and the at least one electrical characteristic at the second time; determine that the refill rate is less than a threshold refill rate; and output a low non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation alert in response to determining that the refill rate is less than the threshold refill rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Robert C. LACOVARA, Phillip DIANA, Nam TRAN
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Patent number: 11832357Abstract: A method of forming a heater assembly of an e-vaping device includes bending a wire to form a first lobe and bending the wire to form a second lobe. The first lobe and the second lobe form a generally sinuously-shaped heater having a first set of lobes and a second set of lobe. A first apex of the first lobe is generally opposite a second apex of the second lobe. The method may also include curling the first set of lobes towards the second set of lobes to form a heater having a substantially tubular form. The heater defines an opening there through.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Charles Dendy, Nam Tran, David Alvarez, Patrick McElhinney
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Publication number: 20230371130Abstract: A cartridge for an e-vaping device includes a housing extending along a longitudinal axis of the cartridge, and an outlet-end insert coupled to the outlet end of the housing. The housing at least partially encloses a pre-vapor formulation reservoir and a vapor generator of the cartridge and further channels light via internal reflection through an interior of the housing. The outlet-end insert includes an outlet in flow communication with the vapor generator, directs the vapor generated by the vapor generator out of the cartridge through the outlet, and further emits the light channeled through the interior of the housing. One or more properties of the light are controllable.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Phillip DIANA, Nam TRAN, Matthew CAPARRELLI
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Patent number: 11771849Abstract: In the non-nicotine electronic vaping device, a saturation sensor measures at least one electrical characteristic of the wick between the heating element and the probe wire at a first time and a second time, wherein the at least one electrical characteristic includes a resistance, a capacitance, or both a resistance and a capacitance. Control circuitry is configured to cause the non-nicotine e-vaping device to: calculate a refill rate at which the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation flows onto the wick based on the at least one electrical characteristic at the first time and the at least one electrical characteristic at the second time; determine that the refill rate is less than a threshold refill rate; and output a low non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation alert in response to determining that the refill rate is less than the threshold refill rate.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Robert C. Lacovara, Phillip Diana, Nam Tran
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Publication number: 20230257895Abstract: Described herein are methods of applying metals to substrates, where the methods include contacting the substrate with an aqueous metal plating composition comprising polyammonium bisulfate (“PABS”) and a dissolved metal or salt thereof. The methods allow application of metals to the substrate without need for electrical energy input or for an added chemical catalyst, chelating agent, complexing agent, reducing agent, stabilizer, or pH-modifying (or controlling) chemical compound.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2022Publication date: August 17, 2023Applicant: Earth Science Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Nam Tran, John A. Hatten, JR., Reid Henry Bowman, David Hammond, David Nicholas, Freddie L. Singleton
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Publication number: 20230232900Abstract: The method includes first defining a first reservoir and a second reservoir within a housing of a cartridge, the second reservoir being in fluid communication with the first reservoir, inserting at least one first layer of absorbent material within the first reservoir, and arranging a heater and a wick to be in communication with a central channel, the wick being in contact with the absorbent material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2023Publication date: July 27, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Edmond Cadieux, Barry S. Smith, William J. Crowe, Nam Tran
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Publication number: 20230157372Abstract: A saturation sensor measures at least one electrical characteristic of the wick between the heating element and the probe wire at a first time and a second time, wherein the at least one electrical characteristic includes a resistance, a capacitance, or both a resistance and a capacitance. Control circuitry is configured to cause the nicotine e-vaping device to: calculate a refill rate at which the nicotine pre-vapor formulation flows onto the wick based on the at least one electrical characteristic at the first time and the at least one electrical characteristic at the second time; determine that the refill rate is less than a threshold refill rate; and output a low nicotine pre-vapor formulation alert in response to determining that the refill rate is less than the threshold refill rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2023Publication date: May 25, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Robert C. LACOVARA, Phillip Diana, Nam Tran
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Patent number: 11627762Abstract: The method includes establishing a first fluid gradient through a central passage, the central passage traversing through a first channel, the first channel defining at least one first hole, a housing covering the first channel, a first reservoir being defined between the housing and the first channel, a second reservoir defined between the first channel and the central passage. The method further includes establishing a second fluid gradient through the at least one first hole, through at least a first portion of the second reservoir, and through at least a second portion of a wick, a heater being in communication with the wick and the central passage.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Edmond Cadieux, Barry S. Smith, William J. Crowe, Nam Tran
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Patent number: 11576438Abstract: A saturation sensor measures at least one electrical characteristic of the wick between the heating element and the probe wire at a first time and a second time, wherein the at least one electrical characteristic includes a resistance, a capacitance, or both a resistance and a capacitance. Control circuitry is configured to cause the nicotine e-vaping device to: calculate a refill rate at which the nicotine pre-vapor formulation flows onto the wick based on the at least one electrical characteristic at the first time and the at least one electrical characteristic at the second time; determine that the refill rate is less than a threshold refill rate; and output a low nicotine pre-vapor formulation alert in response to determining that the refill rate is less than the threshold refill rate.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Robert C. Lacovara, Phillip Diana, Nam Tran
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Publication number: 20220330386Abstract: A method of forming a heater assembly of an e-vaping device includes bending a wire to form a first lobe and bending the wire to form a second lobe. The first lobe and the second lobe form a generally sinuously-shaped heater having a first set of lobes and a second set of lobe. A first apex of the first lobe is generally opposite a second apex of the second lobe. The method may also include curling the first set of lobes towards the second set of lobes to form a heater having a substantially tubular form. The heater defines an opening there through.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2022Publication date: October 13, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Charles DENDY, Nam TRAN, David ALVAREZ, Patrick MCELHINNEY
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Patent number: 11388783Abstract: A method of forming a heater assembly of an e-vaping device includes bending a wire to form a first lobe and bending the wire to form a second lobe. The first lobe and the second lobe form a generally sinuously-shaped heater having a first set of lobes and a second set of lobe. A first apex of the first lobe is generally opposite a second apex of the second lobe. The method may also include curling the first set of lobes towards the second set of lobes to form a heater having a substantially tubular form. The heater defines an opening there through.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Charles Dendy, Nam Tran, David Alvarez, Patrick Mcelhinney
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Publication number: 20220015442Abstract: A saturation sensor measures at least one electrical characteristic of the wick between the heating element and the probe wire at a first time and a second time, wherein the at least one electrical characteristic includes a resistance, a capacitance, or both a resistance and a capacitance. Control circuitry is configured to cause the nicotine e-vaping device to: calculate a refill rate at which the nicotine pre-vapor formulation flows onto the wick based on the at least one electrical characteristic at the first time and the at least one electrical characteristic at the second time; determine that the refill rate is less than a threshold refill rate; and output a low nicotine pre-vapor formulation alert in response to determining that the refill rate is less than the threshold refill rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2020Publication date: January 20, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Robert C. LACOVARA, Phillip DIANA, Nam TRAN
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Publication number: 20220016361Abstract: In the non-nicotine electronic vaping device, a saturation sensor measures at least one electrical characteristic of the wick between the heating element and the probe wire at a first time and a second time, wherein the at least one electrical characteristic includes a resistance, a capacitance, or both a resistance and a capacitance. Control circuitry is configured to cause the non-nicotine e-vaping device to: calculate a refill rate at which the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation flows onto the wick based on the at least one electrical characteristic at the first time and the at least one electrical characteristic at the second time; determine that the refill rate is less than a threshold refill rate; and output a low non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation alert in response to determining that the refill rate is less than the threshold refill rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2020Publication date: January 20, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Robert C. Lacovara, Phillip Diana, Nam Tran
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Publication number: 20210366663Abstract: The invention offers an ultracapacitor-based power system solution with four main functional blocks which are power conditioning block, monitoring block, charge-discharge block and protection block. The proposed system has the advantage of working well in the environment of vibration, high temperature, has a large capacity to provide a large amount and radiates less heat compared to systems using traditional batteries. In addition, the system has functions to protect and stabilize the output voltage, and the operating parameters of the system is monitored continuously.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Applicant: VIETTEL GROUPInventors: TRUONG GIANG DUONG, CANH DUONG NGUYEN, DUC ANH NGUYEN, XUAN CHIEN VUONG, PHUONG NAM TRAN
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Publication number: 20210345669Abstract: The method includes establishing a first fluid gradient through a central passage, the central passage traversing through a first channel, the first channel defining at least one first hole, a housing covering the first channel, a first reservoir being defined between the housing and the first channel, a second reservoir defined between the first channel and the central passage. The method further includes establishing a second fluid gradient through the at least one first hole, through at least a first portion of the second reservoir, and through at least a second portion of a wick, a heater being in communication with the wick and the central passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2021Publication date: November 11, 2021Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Edmond CADIEUX, Barry S. SMITH, William J. CROWE, Nam TRAN
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Publication number: 20210330303Abstract: A medical device and method of using said medical device to remove a biopsy specimen from a patient. The device includes a series of retaining members, such as grooves or ridges protruding into the internal lumen of the medical device. The retaining members do not fully circumscribe the internal lumen. Upon rotation of the device, the retaining members engage the sample tissue received in the internal lumen, which improves the interference between the device and the tissue sample for extraction of the tissue sample from the patient. In some embodiments the grooves are angled to further improve interference between the device and the tissue sample. The medical may also include a biopsy sample ejector or ejector funnel and a cannula and/or a trocar with respective tips configured to optimize penetration of the device into the tissue with minimum patient trauma and enhanced reliability of obtaining a biopsy specimen.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventor: Nam Tran
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Patent number: 11071329Abstract: The method of making the e-vaping cartridge includes cutting at least one first hole through a first channel, sliding a housing over the first channel, the at least one first hole providing fluid communication between a first reservoir and a second reservoir, the first reservoir being defined between the housing and the first channel, where the second reservoir is defined between the first channel and a central passage traversing through the first channel. The method further includes inserting at least one first layer of absorbent material within the second reservoir, and positioning a heater and a wick in communication with the central passage. Distal ends of the wick contact the at least one first layer of absorbent material, where the heater is configured to vaporize a pre-vapor formulation that is communicated by the wick from the at least one first layer of absorbent material.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2019Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Edmond Cadieux, Barry S. Smith, William J. Crowe, Nam Tran