Patents by Inventor Nathan G. KOCHER

Nathan G. KOCHER 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: 20250116578
    Abstract: An air sampling device and method of sampling air. The device has a housing body and a retaining assembly for a sampling device. A plenum has a top end coupled to the housing body about an opening such that the plenum is in flow communication with the opening and receives air flow generally from the top end to the bottom end generally along the longitudinal length thereof. A flow connection is coupled to the bottom end of the plenum. A mass flow meter has an input coupled to the flow connection and is in flow communication with the plenum via the flow connection. A blower is configured to draw air past the sampling device, through the opening, and through the plenum, such that a measuring portion of the air flows through the flow connection and through the mass flow meter, which measured the flow rate of the measuring portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventors: Nathan G. KOCHER, Arthur L. VELLUTATO, Jr., Jeffrey CHURCHVARA, Mark A. PHILLIPS
  • Patent number: 12209937
    Abstract: An air sampling device and method of sampling air. The device has a housing body and a retaining assembly for a sampling device. A plenum has a top end coupled to the housing body about an opening such that the plenum is in flow communication with the opening and receives air flow generally from the top end to the bottom end generally along the longitudinal length thereof. A flow connection is coupled to the bottom end of the plenum. A mass flow meter has an input coupled to the flow connection and is in flow communication with the plenum via the flow connection. A blower is configured to draw air past the sampling device, through the opening, and through the plenum, such that a measuring portion of the air flows through the flow connection and through the mass flow meter, which measured the flow rate of the measuring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Veltek Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan G. Kocher, Arthur L. Vellutato, Jr., Jeffrey Churchvara, Mark A. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20240272131
    Abstract: A system and method for sampling air at multiple locations in a controlled environment. The system and method includes automatic adjustment of mass flow rates and duration of vacuum connections (either via time elapsed or indirectly by volume) based on rates set by an operator. Additionally, the system and method enables users to monitor and control aspects of the system via network-connected devices. Additionally, the system enable a vacuum pump to be disconnected from power in response to a physical emergency button, a software-based emergency stop button available on network connected devices, and an automatic power disconnection in response to an abnormal mass flow reading that could potentially impact the vacuum pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventor: Nathan G. Kocher
  • Patent number: 11971396
    Abstract: A system and method for sampling air at multiple locations in a controlled environment. The system and method includes automatic adjustment of mass flow rates and duration of vacuum connections (either via time elapsed or indirectly by volume) based on rates set by an operator. Additionally, the system and method enables users to monitor and control aspects of the system via network-connected devices. Additionally, the system enable a vacuum pump to be disconnected from power in response to a physical emergency button, a software-based emergency stop button available on network connected devices, and an automatic power disconnection in response to an abnormal mass flow reading that could potentially impact the vacuum pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Veltek Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan G. Kocher
  • Publication number: 20230258541
    Abstract: An air sampling device and method of sampling air. The device has a housing body and a retaining assembly for a sampling device. A plenum has a top end coupled to the housing body about an opening such that the plenum is in flow communication with the opening and receives air flow generally from the top end to the bottom end generally along the longitudinal length thereof. A flow connection is coupled to the bottom end of the plenum. A mass flow meter has an input coupled to the flow connection and is in flow communication with the plenum via the flow connection. A blower is configured to draw air past the sampling device, through the opening, and through the plenum, such that a measuring portion of the air flows through the flow connection and through the mass flow meter, which measured the flow rate of the measuring portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Nathan G. KOCHER, Arthur L. VELLUTATO, JR., Jeffrey CHURCHVARA, Mark A. PHILLIPS
  • Patent number: 11662279
    Abstract: An air sampling device and method of sampling air. The device has a housing body and a retaining assembly for a sampling device. A plenum has a top end coupled to the housing body about an opening such that the plenum is in flow communication with the opening and receives air flow generally from the top end to the bottom end generally along the longitudinal length thereof. A flow connection is coupled to the bottom end of the plenum. A mass flow meter has an input coupled to the flow connection and is in flow communication with the plenum via the flow connection. A blower is configured to draw air past the sampling device, through the opening, and through the plenum, such that a measuring portion of the air flows through the flow connection and through the mass flow meter, which measured the flow rate of the measuring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Veltek Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan G. Kocher, Arthur L. Vellutato, Jr., Jeffrey Churchvara, Mark A. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20210041407
    Abstract: A system and method for sampling air at multiple locations in a controlled environment. The system and method includes automatic adjustment of mass flow rates and duration of vacuum connections (either via time elapsed or indirectly by volume) based on rates set by an operator. Additionally, the system and method enables users to monitor and control aspects of the system via network-connected devices. Additionally, the system enable a vacuum pump to be disconnected from power in response to a physical emergency button, a software-based emergency stop button available on network connected devices, and an automatic power disconnection in response to an abnormal mass flow reading that could potentially impact the vacuum pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventor: Nathan G. Kocher
  • Patent number: 10732081
    Abstract: An air sampling device samples air in a controlled environment. The device includes a housing body having a top and a side. An opening is located at the top of the housing body. A retaining assembly retains a sampling device and atrium. The retaining assembly is located at the top of the housing body about the opening. A plenum has a top end and a bottom end, with the top end coupled to the top of the housing body about the opening so that the plenum is in flow communication with the opening. A mass flow meter has an input and an output, with the input coupled to the bottom end of the plenum and in flow communication with the bottom end of the plenum. A blower is located inside the plenum and is configured to draw air past the sampling device, through the opening, through the plenum, and through the mass flow meter. The mass flow meter detects a flow rate of air through the mass flow meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Veltek Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan G. Kocher, Arthur L. Vellutato, Jr., Jeffrey Churchvara, Mark A. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20180224413
    Abstract: A system and method for sampling air at multiple locations in a controlled environment. The system and method includes automatic adjustment of mass flow rates and duration of vacuum connections (either via time elapsed or indirectly by volume) based on rates set by an operator. Additionally, the system and method enables users to monitor and control aspects of the system via network-connected devices. Additionally, the system enable a vacuum pump to be disconnected from power in response to a physical emergency button, a software-based emergency stop button available on network connected devices, and an automatic power disconnection in response to an abnormal mass flow reading that could potentially impact the vacuum pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventor: Nathan G. KOCHER
  • Publication number: 20180172561
    Abstract: An air sampling device and method of sampling air. The device has a housing body and a retaining assembly for a sampling device. A plenum has a top end coupled to the housing body about an opening such that the plenum is in flow communication with the opening and receives air flow generally from the top end to the bottom end generally along the longitudinal length thereof. A flow connection is coupled to the bottom end of the plenum. A mass flow meter has an input coupled to the flow connection and is in flow communication with the plenum via the flow connection. A blower is configured to draw air past the sampling device, through the opening, and through the plenum, such that a measuring portion of the air flows through the flow connection and through the mass flow meter, which measured the flow rate of the measuring portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Nathan G. Kocher, Arthur L. Vellutato, JR., Jeffrey Churchvara, Mark A. Phillips
  • Patent number: 9939416
    Abstract: A system and method for sampling air at multiple locations in a controlled environment. The system and method includes automatic adjustment of mass flow rates and duration of vacuum connections (either via time elapsed or indirectly by volume) based on rates set by an operator. Additionally, the system and method enables users to monitor and control aspects of the system via network-connected devices. Additionally, the system enable a vacuum pump to be disconnected from power in response to a physical emergency button, a software-based emergency stop button available on network connected devices, and an automatic power disconnection in response to an abnormal mass flow reading that could potentially impact the vacuum pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Veltek Assoicates, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan G. Kocher
  • Publication number: 20180045619
    Abstract: An air sampling device samples air in a controlled environment. The device includes a housing body having a top and a side. An opening is located at the top of the housing body. A retaining assembly retains a sampling device and atrium. The retaining assembly is located at the top of the housing body about the opening. A plenum has a top end and a bottom end, with the top end coupled to the top of the housing body about the opening so that the plenum is in flow communication with the opening. A mass flow meter has an input and an output, with the input coupled to the bottom end of the plenum and in flow communication with the bottom end of the plenum. A blower is located inside the plenum and is configured to draw air past the sampling device, through the opening, through the plenum, and through the mass flow meter. The mass flow meter detects a flow rate of air through the mass flow meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Nathan G. KOCHER, Arthur L. Vellutato, JR., Jeffrey Churchvara, Mark A. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20160061797
    Abstract: A system and method for sampling air at multiple locations in a controlled environment. The system and method includes automatic adjustment of mass flow rates and duration of vacuum connections (either via time elapsed or indirectly by volume) based on rates set by an operator. Additionally, the system and method enables users to monitor and control aspects of the system via network-connected devices. Additionally, the system enable a vacuum pump to be disconnected from power in response to a physical emergency button, a software-based emergency stop button available on network connected devices, and an automatic power disconnection in response to an abnormal mass flow reading that could potentially impact the vacuum pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventor: Nathan G. KOCHER
  • Patent number: D877924
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Veltek Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan G. Kocher, Arthur L. Vellutato, Jr., Jeffrey Churchvara, Mark A. Phillips