Patents by Inventor Pierre-Emmanuel LeMay
Pierre-Emmanuel LeMay 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).
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Patent number: 11524302Abstract: A system includes a platform having an upper surface and defining a recess having a floor, the recess configured to seat a dish, and a movable securing frame that is movably connected with the platform, the frame including a lift support having an upper surface that is movable along a path from a first location that is beneath the floor of the recess, through the recess, to a second location that is coplanar with the upper surface of the platform. A motor configured to cause oscillation of the platform and the movable securing frame can be used. A method of using the system can include placing a dish above a recess defined by an upper surface of a platform, and lowering the frame with respect to the platform, thereby seating the dish within the recess.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: SPEX SAMPLEPREP, LLCInventors: Marc Boivin, Pierre-Emmanuel LeMay, Antoine Fiala, Marco Bernier
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Patent number: 11513042Abstract: A power-compensated fusion furnace includes a power control system having one switching device per heating element, power measurement circuitry, a master temperature sensor, and a controller. Each switching device is electrically connected to a respective heating element. The controller, in conjunction with the switching devices, is able to individually control the electrical energy flowing to each heating element, thereby controlling the duty cycle of each heating element. The duty cycles are corrected for one or more of: variations in the electrical resistance of each heating element and position-dependent variations in furnace cavity temperature.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: SPEX SamplePrep, LLCInventors: Pierre-Emmanuel LeMay, Marc Boivin
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Patent number: 11255607Abstract: A method for operating a power-compensated fusion furnace that includes a power control system having one switching device per heating element, power measurement circuitry, a master temperature sensor, and a controller. Each switching device is electrically connected to a respective heating element. The controller, in conjunction with the switching devices, is able to individually control the electrical energy flowing to each heating element, thereby controlling the duty cycle of each heating element. The duty cycles are corrected for one or more of variations in the electrical resistance of each heating element and position-dependent variations in furnace cavity temperature.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2019Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: SPEX SAMPLE PREP LLCInventors: Pierre-Emmanuel LeMay, Marc Boivin
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Publication number: 20200122153Abstract: A system includes a platform having an upper surface and defining a recess having a floor, the recess configured to seat a dish, and a movable securing frame that is movably connected with the platform, the frame including a lift support having an upper surface that is movable along a path from a first location that is beneath the floor of the recess, through the recess, to a second location that is coplanar with the upper surface of the platform. A motor configured to cause oscillation of the platform and the movable securing frame can be used. A method of using the system can include placing a dish above a recess defined by an upper surface of a platform, and lowering the frame with respect to the platform, thereby seating the dish within the recess.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Applicant: SPEX SamplePrep, LLCInventors: Marc Boivin, Pierre-Emmanuel LeMay, Antoine Fiala, Marco Bernier
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Patent number: 10518269Abstract: A grinding mill for pulverizing material includes a platform having an upper surface and defining a recess having a floor, the recess configured to seat a dish in which the material is disposed, and a movable securing frame that is movably connected with the platform, the frame including a lift support having an upper surface that is movable along a path from a first location that is beneath the floor of the recess, through the recess, to a second location that is coplanar with the upper surface of the platform. A motor configured to cause oscillation of the platform and the movable securing frame can be used. A method of using the grinding mill can include placing a dish above a recess defined by an upper surface of a platform, and lowering the frame with respect to the platform, thereby seating the dish within the recess.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: SPEX SamplePrep, LLCInventors: Marc Boivin, Pierre-Emmanuel LeMay, Antoine Fiala, Marco Bernier
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Publication number: 20190178579Abstract: A method for operating a power-compensated fusion furnace that includes a power control system having one switching device per heating element, power measurement circuitry, a master temperature sensor, and a controller. Each switching device is electrically connected to a respective heating element. The controller, in conjunction with the switching devices, is able to individually control the electrical energy flowing to each heating element, thereby controlling the duty cycle of each heating element. The duty cycles are corrected for one or more of variations in the electrical resistance of each heating element and position-dependent variations in furnace cavity temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2019Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Pierre-Emmanuel LeMay, Marc Boivin
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Publication number: 20190111438Abstract: A grinding mill for pulverizing material includes a platform having an upper surface and defining a recess having a floor, the recess configured to seat a dish in which the material is disposed, and a movable securing frame that is movably connected with the platform, the frame including a lift support having an upper surface that is movable along a path from a first location that is beneath the floor of the recess, through the recess, to a second location that is coplanar with the upper surface of the platform. A motor configured to cause oscillation of the platform and the movable securing frame can be used. A method of using the grinding mill can include placing a dish above a recess defined by an upper surface of a platform, and lowering the frame with respect to the platform, thereby seating the dish within the recess.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2017Publication date: April 18, 2019Applicant: SPEX SamplePrep, LLCInventors: Marc Boivin, Pierre-Emmanuel LeMay, Antoine Fiala, Marco Bernier
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Patent number: 10240870Abstract: A method for operating a power-compensated fusion furnace that includes a power control system having one switching device per heating element, power measurement circuitry, a master temperature sensor, and a controller. Each switching device is electrically connected to a respective heating element. The controller, in conjunction with the switching devices, is able to individually control the electrical energy flowing to each heating element, thereby controlling the duty cycle of each heating element. The duty cycles are corrected for one or more of variations in the electrical resistance of each heating element and position-dependent variations in furnace cavity temperature.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2015Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: SPEX Sample Prep, LLCInventors: Pierre-Emmanuel LeMay, Marc Boivin
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Patent number: 9781774Abstract: A heating element includes a filament that conducts electricity. In some embodiments, the filament is encapsulated in a silicon nitride cover. The heating element provides a heating zone located relatively closer to the tip of the heating element and relatively further from a connection where electrical leads connect to the filament.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: SPEX Sample Prep, LLCInventors: Marc Boivin, Pierre-Emmanuel LeMay, Alain Chantal, Antoine Fiala, Marco Bernier
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Patent number: 9709472Abstract: A fluxer includes a single, wide furnace enclosure that is sufficiently large and prewired to accommodate multiple fusion positions. The furnace includes at least one movable insulated partition that defines the actual insulated volume of the furnace.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2016Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: SPEX SAMPLE PREP, LLCInventors: Marc Boivin, Pierre-Emmanuel LeMay, Antoine Fiala, Marco Bernier
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Publication number: 20160305858Abstract: A fluxer includes a single, wide furnace enclosure that is sufficiently large and prewired to accommodate multiple fusion positions. The furnace includes at least one movable insulated partition that defines the actual insulated volume of the furnace.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: Marc Boivin, Pierre-Emmanuel LeMay, Antoine Fiala, Marco Bernier
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Publication number: 20160216034Abstract: A method for operating a power-compensated fusion furnace that includes a power control system having one switching device per heating element, power measurement circuitry, a master temperature sensor, and a controller. Each switching device is electrically connected to a respective heating element. The controller, in conjunction with the switching devices, is able to individually control the electrical energy flowing to each heating element, thereby controlling the duty cycle of each heating element. The duty cycles are corrected for one or more of variations in the electrical resistance of each heating element and position-dependent variations in furnace cavity temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2015Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Pierre-Emmanuel LeMay, Marc Boivin
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Publication number: 20160216180Abstract: A power-compensated fusion furnace includes a power control system having one switching device per heating element, power measurement circuitry, a master temperature sensor, and a controller. Each switching device is electrically connected to a respective heating element. The controller, in conjunction with the switching devices, is able to individually control the electrical energy flowing to each heating element, thereby controlling the duty cycle of each heating element. The duty cycles are corrected for one or more of: variations in the electrical resistance of each heating element and position-dependent variations in furnace cavity temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2015Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Pierre-Emmanuel LeMay, Marc Boivin
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Publication number: 20160003720Abstract: A platinumware holder includes a crucible holder in which the crucibles are laterally staggered and a mold rack in which the molds are vertically staggered. In some embodiments, the crucibles have a non-circular cross section.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2014Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventors: Neil Stein, Ralph Obenauf, Marc Boivin, Pierre-Emmanuel LeMay
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Patent number: 8403025Abstract: In a process for the preparation of inorganic sample disks for analysis, the sample, in powdered form, is mixed with a powdered reagent flux which has been pre-melted. In an inert gas atmosphere, the mixture is placed in a graphite crucible and heated to a temperature slightly above 1000° C. After the flux dissolves the sample, a homogenous mix is produced. This mix is then poured into a graphite mold, the bottom of which contains a molten pool of an inert metal, such as gold, which acts as a smooth receiving surface. Upon cooling, the material in the mold solidifies, resulting in a glassy disk that can be analyzed. Cooling can be accelerated by making use of a cooling fluid that has a substantially higher thermal capacity than air.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2011Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: SPEX Sample Prep LLCInventors: Marc Boivin, Alain Chantal, Pierre-Emmanuel LeMay, Luc Saint-Pierre
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Publication number: 20130049247Abstract: In a process for the preparation of inorganic sample disks for analysis, the sample, in powdered form, is mixed with a powdered reagent flux which has been pre-melted. In an inert gas atmosphere, the mixture is placed in a graphite crucible and heated to a temperature slightly above 1000° C. After the flux dissolves the sample, a homogenous mix is produced. This mix is then poured into a graphite mold, the bottom of which contains a molten pool of an inert metal, such as gold, which acts as a smooth receiving surface. Upon cooling, the material in the mold solidifies, resulting in a glassy disk that can be analyzed. Cooling can be accelerated by making use of a cooling fluid that has a substantially higher thermal capacity than air.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Inventors: Marc Boivin, Alain Chantal, Pierre-Emmanuel LeMay, Luc Saint-Pierre
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Publication number: 20120051387Abstract: A heating apparatus is disclosed, that may include a ceramic rod having at least one circumferential groove extending substantially circumferentially about a perimeter of the rod; and a coil located about the perimeter of the rod and having turns of the coil embedded with the grooves of the rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2010Publication date: March 1, 2012Inventors: Marc Boivin, Alain Chantal, Pierre-Emmanuel LeMay