Patents by Inventor P. Michael Fletcher

P. Michael Fletcher 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: 8735850
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sterilization of webs and products made therefrom using electron beams (ebeams) is provided. A controller is configured to modulate an ebeam to ensure that a non-continuously moving web is sterilized within a desired range of exposure. During sterilization in place operations, manifolds are configured to operate to ensure that sterilants do not enter an irradiation zone to prevent damage to ebeam emitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: P. Michael Fletcher, Arthur Somerstein, James Hoffmaster, Michael Lawrence Bufano, Stephen Whittacker Into
  • Patent number: 8636949
    Abstract: Improved electron beam sterilization apparatus and shielding techniques for use in are provided. A controller modulates an electron beam when sterilizing an interior to an object to ensure that adequate dose is received. Sterilization carousels are configured with input/discharge feeds to reduce the possibility of humans being exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. The system reduces the amount of shielding required to thereby lower cost of installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Lawrence Bufano, Steven Raymond Walther, Peter F. Hays, William Frederick Thomson, Arthur Wayne Sommerstein, Gerald Martin Friedman, P. Michael Fletcher, Stephen Whittaker Into, Anne Testoni, Brian S. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20130015365
    Abstract: Improved electron beam sterilization apparatus and shielding techniques for use in are provided. A controller modulates an electron beam when sterilizing an interior to an object to ensure that adequate dose is received. Sterilization carousels are configured with input/discharge feeds to reduce the possibility of humans being exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. The system reduces the amount of shielding required to thereby lower cost of installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI ZOSEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Lawrence Bufano, Steven Raymond Walther, Peter F. Hays, William Frederick Thomson, Arthur Wayne Sommerstein, Gerald Martin Friedman, P. Michael Fletcher, Stephen Whittaker Into, Anne Testoni, Brian S. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8293173
    Abstract: Improved electron beam sterilization apparatus and shielding techniques for use in are provided. A controller modulates an electron beam when sterilizing an interior to an object to ensure that adequate dose is received. Sterilization carousels are configured with input/discharge feeds to reduce the possibility of humans being exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. The system reduces the amount of shielding required to thereby lower cost of installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Lawrence Bufano, Steven Raymond Walther, Peter F. Hays, William Frederick Thomson, Arthur Wayne Sommerstein, Gerald Martin Friedman, P. Michael Fletcher, Stephen Whittaker Into, Anne Testoni, Brian S. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20110012030
    Abstract: Improved electron beam sterilization apparatus and shielding techniques for use in are provided. A controller modulates an ebeam when sterilizing an interior to an object to ensure that adequate dose is received. Sterilization carousels are configured with input/discharge feeds to reduce the possibility of humans being exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. The system reduces the amount of shielding required to thereby lower cost of installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Lawrence Bufano, Steven Raymond Walther, Peter F. Hays, William Frederick Thomson, Arthur Wayne Sommerstein, Gerald Martin Friedman, P. Michael Fletcher, Stephen Whittacker Into, Anne Testoni, Brian S. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20110012032
    Abstract: Improved electron beam sterilization apparatus and shielding techniques for use in are provided. A controller modulates an electron beam when sterilizing an interior to an object to ensure that adequate dose is received. Sterilization carousels are configured with input/discharge feeds to reduce the possibility of humans being exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. The system reduces the amount of shielding required to thereby lower cost of installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Lawrence Bufano, Steven Raymond Walther, Peter F. Hays, William Frederick Thomson, Arthur Wayne Sommerstein, Gerald Martin Friedman, P. Michael Fletcher, Stephen Whittaker Into, Anne Testoni, Brian S. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20110006225
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sterilization of webs and products made therefrom using electron beams (ebeams) is provided. A controller is configured to modulate an ebeam to ensure that a non-continuously moving web is sterilized within a desired range of exposure. During sterilization in place operations, manifolds are configured to operate to ensure that sterilants do not enter an irradiation zone to prevent damage to ebeam emitters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: P. Michael Fletcher, Arthur Somerstein, James Hoffmaster, Michael Lawrence Bufano, Stephen Whittacker Into
  • Patent number: 4731537
    Abstract: An electron beam gun generates an electron beam directed at a target. The gun comprises electrodes for creating an electric field along the direction of beam travel and focusing coils for creating a magnetic field along the direction of beam travel. The electrodes include a plurality of members each having a beam-shaping aperture therein for passage of the beam substantially without interception of the electrons in the beam. The electrodes and focusing coils are disposed for accelerating electrons in the beam in non-parallel paths through the beam-shaping apertures and for converging the electrons in the beam in at least one cross-sectional dimension of the beam to minimize that dimension at the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Williams, P. Michael Fletcher