Patents by Inventor Nicholas Anderson Hobbs

Nicholas Anderson Hobbs 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).

  • Transducer systems
    Patent number: 9711709
    Abstract: Transducer systems with reduced acoustic noise coupling are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a transducer system includes pressure balancing features to prevent a floating portion of the transducer system from contacting a fixed portion of the transducer system, or to reduce the degree to which the floating portion is urged into contact with the fixed portion by process pressure or atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, a transducer system includes one or more acoustic dampening elements, interruption grooves, annular projections, or dampening washers to reduce acoustic noise coupling between various components of the transducer system or between the transducer system and a flowcell in which the transducer system is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Toan H. Nguyen, Lei Sui, Nicholas Anderson Hobbs, Liguo Su
  • Apparatus and method for determining temperature
    Patent number: 9151651
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining temperature is disclosed. An ultrasonic signal is generated that propagates through a buffer and a portion of the signal is reflected at an interface. A time of flight is measured between generating the ultrasonic signal and detecting the reflected portion. The temperature is determined based on the time of flight of the reflected signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lei Sui, Benjamin Edward McDonald, Nicholas Anderson Hobbs
  • TRANSDUCER SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20150042206
    Abstract: Transducer systems with reduced acoustic noise coupling are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a transducer system includes pressure balancing features to prevent a floating portion of the transducer system from contacting a fixed portion of the transducer system, or to reduce the degree to which the floating portion is urged into contact with the fixed portion by process pressure or atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, a transducer system includes one or more acoustic dampening elements, interruption grooves, annular projections, or dampening washers to reduce acoustic noise coupling between various components of the transducer system or between the transducer system and a flowcell in which the transducer system is mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Toan H. Nguyen, Lei Sui, Nicholas Anderson Hobbs, Liguo Su
  • Sensor port insert apparatus
    Patent number: 8844347
    Abstract: An insert apparatus for installing a transducer assembly in a sensor port of a flow cell is disclosed. The transducer assembly is installed in the cavity of the insert body without the use of glues or adhesives to bond the transducer assembly to the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lei Sui, Nicholas Joseph Mollo, Benjamin Edward McDonald, Toan Huu Nguyen, Solomon Feldman, Nicholas Anderson Hobbs, Ganesh Devkar, John Austin True, Mykhaylo Barsukov
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING TEMPERATURE
    Publication number: 20140198822
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining temperature is disclosed. An ultrasonic signal is generated that propagates through a buffer and a portion of the signal is reflected at an interface. A time of flight is measured between generating the ultrasonic signal and detecting the reflected portion. The temperature is determined based on the time of flight of the reflected signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Lei Sui, Benjamin Edward McDonald, Nicholas Anderson Hobbs
  • SENSOR PORT INSERT APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20130219707
    Abstract: An insert apparatus for installing a transducer assembly in a sensor port of a flow cell is disclosed. The transducer assembly is installed in the cavity of the insert body without the use of glues or adhesives to bond the transducer assembly to the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lei Sui, Nicholas Joseph Mollo, Benjamin Edward McDonald, Toan Huu Nguyen, Solomon Feldman, Nicholas Anderson Hobbs, Ganesh Devkar, John Austin True, Mykhaylo Barsukov