Patents by Inventor Peter A. Withers

Peter A. Withers 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: 7897032
    Abstract: A sampling system for measuring the presence and concentration of inorganic ion species, including, metals, metalloids and non-metals, in a liquid solution including a first sampling unit. The first sampling unit includes a potentiometric subsystem configured to gather environmental metrics of the liquid sample, a preparation subsystem, coupled to the potentiometric module, the preparation subsystem being configured to prepare and isolate contaminants of concern in a flow of a liquid sample into metal, metalloid, or non-metal ionic forms; and a voltammetric subsystem selectively coupled to the preparation subsystem, potentiometric subsystem and a sample source, the voltammetric subsystem being configured to identify and determine a concentration of metal, metalloid, or non-metal ionic species through stripping voltammetry. The system is configured to compare a value of a stripping signal of the sample with a predetermined value to determine if dilution of the sample is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventors: Elena Viltchinskaia, Peter A. Withers
  • Patent number: 6173962
    Abstract: A brush seal includes a mounting ring that carries radially inwardly directed bristles. A backing member attached to the mounting ring is positioned alongside the bristles. A chamber defined by the bristles and the backing member is pressurized with fluid to counteract the lateral forces imposed upon the bristles by a region of high fluid pressure that they are operationally adjacent. As a result of this balancing of forces, the bristles are free to move radially inward and outward so that their free ends remain in sealing engagement with an adjacent surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Rolls Royce PLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Morrison, Peter A. Withers, Terence V. Jones, Peter E. Wood
  • Patent number: 5799952
    Abstract: A brush seal element (14) comprises a mounting ring (20) that carries radially inwardly directed bristles (21). A backing ring (23) attached to the mounting ring (20) is positioned alongside the bristles (21). A chamber (25) defined by the bristles (21) and the backing ring (23) is pressurised with fluid to counteract the lateral forces imposed upon the bristles (21) by a region of high fluid pressure that they are operationally adjacent. As a result of this balancing of forces the bristles (21) are free to move radially inward and outward so that their free ends (22) remain in sealing engagement with an adjacent surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Morrison, Peter A. Withers, Terence V. Jones, Peter E. Wood