Patents by Inventor Paul O'Connor

Paul O'Connor 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).

  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTING AND PROVIDING ZONE-SPECIFIC MEDIA
    Publication number: 20160352844
    Abstract: A system and method for providing zone-specific media to a user. As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide a system and method that flexibly selects and provides media content (e.g., audio content), where such content is selected based, at least in part, on a user location (e.g., location within a premises).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Bradley M. Starobin, Matthew Lyons, Stuart W. Lumsden, Michael DiTullo, Paul O'Connor
  • Electrical connector with low-stress, reduced-electrical-length contacts
    Patent number: 9478888
    Abstract: An electrical connector adapted to receive a mating plug utilizes low-profile jack terminal contacts that can flex in their PCB-anchored base portions, which are substantially parallel to the PCB. Any bend in the distal connecting portion or in the intermediate transition portion of each terminal contact is gradual and forms an obtuse angle, thus minimizing stress concentrations. The contacts preferably are arranged in two oppositely facing and interdigitating rows of four contacts each. In one embodiment, the terminal contacts are anchored to the PCB by a contact cradle that constrains the base portion of each terminal contact at two spaced anchoring locations, allowing the base portion to flex therebetween. In another embodiment, the base portions of the terminal contacts are embedded in at least one elastomeric member, which is fitted to the PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Shadi Alex AbuGhazaleh, Joseph Edgar Dupuis, Christopher Wayne Gribble, Naved Shah Khan, Douglas Paul O'Connor
  • MOISTURE SWING CARBON DIOXIDE ENRICHMENT PROCESS
    Publication number: 20160303513
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for reversibly absorbing carbon dioxide to an alkali metal or earth alkaline absorbent. For absorption the absorbent is contacted with a first gas composition. For desorption the absorbent is contacted with a second gas composition. The moisture contents of the first and second gas compositions are controlled so that during the absorption step the absorbent is converted to a bicarbonate, and during the desorption step the absorbent is converted to a carbonate hydrate. Compared to prior art processes the process of the invention requires less energy input. The process of the invention is particularly suitable for producing a carbon dioxide enriched gas for accelerating plant growth in a greenhouse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: ANTONIE BIJL, TIMO ROESTENBERG, RAFAEL RODRIQUEZ MOSQUEDA, GERRIT BREM, PAUL O'CONNOR
  • ENERGY INTEGRATED CARBON DIOXIDE CONVERSION PROCESS
    Publication number: 20160289149
    Abstract: An energy integrated process is disclosed for the conversion of carbon dioxide to a liquid product. The conversion reaction is exothermic. The heat of reaction and the heat of condensation of the reaction product or products are used as energy input in a carbon dioxide enrichment step. The enrichment step produces a feed gas for the conversion reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: PAUL O'CONNOR, TIMO ROESTENBERG, SASA MARINIC
  • IMPROVED PROCESS FOR REDUCING THE ALCOHOL AND/OR SUGAR CONTENT OF A BEVERAGE
    Publication number: 20160213049
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for reducing the alcohol content and/or the sugar content of a beverage. The process comprises wetting a predetermined amount of a particulate solid material with a predetermined amount of water, and contacting the beverage with the pre-wetted solid adsorbent material. The material selectively adsorbs alcohol, sugar, or alcohol and sugar from the beverage. The process can be carried out at a small scale and does not require any sophisticated equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: D'ALCANTE B.V.
    Inventors: Paul O'CONNOR, Sjoerd DAAMEN
  • FCC catalyst, its preparation and use
    Patent number: 9381502
    Abstract: Process for the preparation of a catalyst comprising the steps of (a) preparing a slurry comprising clay, zeolite, a sodium-free silica source, quasi-crystalline boehmite, and micro-crystalline boehmite, provided that the slurry does not comprise peptized quasi-crystalline boehmite, (b) adding a monovalent acid to the slurry, (c) adjusting the pH of the slurry to a value above 3, and (d) shaping the slurry to form particles. This process results in attrition resistant catalysts with a good accessibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Albemarle Netherlands, B.V.
    Inventors: Dennis Stamires, Paul O'Connor, Erik Jeroen LaHeij, Charles Vadovic
  • METHOD FOR ACCELERATING GROWTH OF PLANTS IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT
    Publication number: 20160157438
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for accelerating growth of plants in a controlled environment, such as a greenhouse or an algae pond. The method comprises reversibly adsorbing carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide containing gas, such as ambient air or a flue gas; desorbing the adsorbed carbon dioxide; and releasing the desorbed carbon dioxide into the controlled environment. In a preferred embodiment water vapor is also adsorbed from the carbon dioxide containing gas and recovered as liquid water. The liquid water can be used in the plant growing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Gerrit BREM, Sasa MARINIC, Paul O'CONNOR, Gerrit VAN PUTTEN, Timo ROESTENBERG
  • Microfracture pick
    Patent number: 9259230
    Abstract: A microfracture pick having features configured to aid a user in advancing the microfracture pick through bone. The microfracture pick has an elongated member with a proximal end, a distal end, a sharp, optionally angled tip disposed adjacent the distal end of the elongated member, and at least one engaging feature disposed at one or more locations on the elongated member for engaging a complementary feature of a strike instrument. By striking an impact surface of the strike instrument, the user can produce a force that is translated via the elongated member of the microfracture pick through the tip, thereby making penetration of the tip through the bone more effective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon-Paul Rogers, Timothy P. Callahan, Paul O'Connor
  • FCC CATALYST, ITS PREPARATION AND USE
    Publication number: 20150375216
    Abstract: Process for the preparation of a catalyst comprising the steps of (a) preparing a slurry comprising clay, zeolite, a sodium-free silica source, quasi-crystalline boehmite, and micro-crystalline boehmite, provided that the slurry does not comprise peptised quasi-crystalline boehmite, (b) adding a monovalent acid to the slurry, (c) adjusting the pH of the slurry to a value above 3, and (d) shaping the slurry to form particles. This process results in attrition resistant catalysts with a good accessibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Dennis Stamires, Paul O'Connor, Erik Jeroen LaHeij, Charles Vadovic
  • Catalyst/biomass mixing in transport reactor
    Patent number: 9120980
    Abstract: A reactor and/or process is disclosed for fluidized cracking of solid particulate biomass material, including a first mixing zone where a particulate stream comprising solid particulate biomass is mixed with a lift gas and becomes fluidized, and including a second mixing zone where a heat carrier material is mixed with the fluidized solid particulate biomass material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Bartek, Ronald Cordle, Steve Yanik, Paul O'Connor
  • Electrical Connector with Low-Stress, Reduced-Electrical-Length Contacts
    Publication number: 20150126074
    Abstract: An electrical connector adapted to receive a mating plug utilizes low-profile jack terminal contacts that can flex in their PCB-anchored base portions, which are substantially parallel to the PCB. Any bend in the distal connecting portion or in the intermediate transition portion of each terminal contact is gradual and forms an obtuse angle, thus minimizing stress concentrations. The contacts preferably are arranged in two oppositely facing and interdigitating rows of four contacts each. In one embodiment, the terminal contacts are anchored to the PCB by a contact cradle that constrains the base portion of each terminal contact at two spaced anchoring locations, allowing the base portion to flex therebetween. In another embodiment, the base portions of the terminal contacts are embedded in at least one elastomeric member, which is fitted to the PCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Shadi Alex AbuGhazaleh, Joseph Edgar Dupuis, Christopher Wayne Gribble, Naved Shah Khan, Douglas Paul O'Connor
  • Process for the conversion of biomass to liquid fuels and specialty chemicals
    Patent number: 9000245
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting biomass to fuels and/or valuable chemicals. The process comprises the steps of a) activating biomass to make it more susceptible to conversion; c) partially converting the biomass to a solubilized material; and d) subjecting the unconverted biomass to a second conversion step. The process optionally comprises a step b) of adding a solvent to the activated biomass. In a preferred embodiment the solubilized biomass obtained in step c) is removed before the unconverted biomass is subjected to step d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul O'Connor, Dennis Stamires, Sjoerd Daamen
  • PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION OF CELLULOSE IN HYDRATED MOLTEN SALTS
    Publication number: 20140360493
    Abstract: A process for converting cellulose to glucose, said process comprising the steps of: providing a hydrated molten salt; contacting the hydrated molten salt with a cellulose-containing material to form dissolved glucose; removing the dissolved glucose from the hydrated molten salt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Paul O'CONNOR, Jacob Adriaan MOULIJN, Michiel MAKKEE, Sjoerd DAAMEN, Rafael MENEGASSI DE ALMEIDA
  • MICROFRACTURE PICK
    Publication number: 20140336656
    Abstract: A microfracture pick having features configured to aid a user in advancing the microfracture pick through bone. The microfracture pick has an elongated member with a proximal end, a distal end, a sharp, optionally angled tip disposed adjacent the distal end of the elongated member, and at least one engaging feature disposed at one or more locations on the elongated member for engaging a complementary feature of a strike instrument. By striking an impact surface of the strike instrument, the user can produce a force that is translated via the elongated member of the microfracture pick through the tip, thereby making penetration of the tip through the bone more effective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Jon-Paul Rogers, Timothy P. Callahan, Paul O'Connor
  • Pretreatment of solid biomass material comprising cellulose with ionic liquid medium
    Patent number: 8882924
    Abstract: A process for pretreating a solid, cellulose-containing biomass material which pretreatment comprises contacting the solid biomass material with an Ionic Liquid medium under sub-solvating conditions. The pretreatment results in an opening up of the texture of the solid biomass material, while no or a limited amount of biomass material is dissolved. The Ionic Liquid medium preferably is an inorganic molten salt hydrate. The pretreated biomass material can be as a feedstock in any process that benefits from the change in texture resulting from the pretreatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul O'Connor
  • Bio-oil having reduced mineral content, and process for making
    Patent number: 8876925
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting a biomass material to a stabilized bio-oil. The process comprises converting the biomass to a pyrolytic oil having suspended therein particles of metal compounds, and removing at least part of the suspended metal compounds to obtain a stabilized bio-oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Brady, Dennis Stamires, Paul O'Connor
  • OPTIMIZED CATALYST FOR BIOMASS PYROLYSIS
    Publication number: 20140309467
    Abstract: An optimized catalyst system is disclosed for the pyrolysis of solid biomass material. The catalyst system is also suitable in upgrading reactions for biocrude. The system includes a carbonate species on a substantially inert support. The carbonate species can be an inorganic carbonate and/or an inorganic hydrogencarbonate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Paul O'CONNOR
  • PROCESS FOR PRODUCING LIQUID FUEL FROM GAS STREAM COMPRISING CARBON DIOXIDE
    Publication number: 20140308199
    Abstract: A process for producing liquid fuel and liquid water from a gas stream comprising carbon dioxide and water vapor. The gas stream can be ambient air. In the process, carbon dioxide and water vapor are adsorbed onto an adsorbent. The gases are desorbed from the adsorbent to create a reaction mixture for forming the liquid fuel, such as methanol. Excess water vapor is condensed to form liquid water, which can be used in a variety of ways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Paul O'CONNOR, Jacobus Cornelis RASSER
  • Process for the conversion of cellulose in hydrated molten salts
    Patent number: 8846902
    Abstract: A process for converting cellulose to glucose, said process comprising the steps of: providing a hydrated molten salt; contacting the hydrated molten salt with a cellulose-containing material to form dissolved glucose; removing the dissolved glucose from the hydrated molten salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: BIOeCON International Holding N.V., Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.—PETROBRAS
    Inventors: Paul O'Connor, Jacob Adriaan Moulijn, Michiel Makkee, Sjoerd Daamen, Rafael Menegassi de Almeida
  • Stable suspensions of biomass comprising inorganic particulates
    Patent number: 8808408
    Abstract: Liquid suspensions are disclosed comprising a suspending medium, small particles of biomass, and small particles of an inorganic material. The inorganic material stabilizes the suspension, so that it may be transported by pipeline or tank car without developing a sediment. The suspension may be used in manufacturing a bio-fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul O'Connor, Sjoerd Daamen