Patents by Inventor Ralph G. Whitten

Ralph G. Whitten 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).

  • Publication number: 20230304950
    Abstract: A system for determining one or more properties of one or more gases. The system comprises sensors configured to measure thermal conductivity and exothermic responses of a sample at multiple temperatures. Sensor responses to exposure to a gas sample at two or more temperatures are compensated and analyzed by a subsystem. The subsystem is configured to determine a thermal conductivity of the gas sample at each of the two or more temperatures and determine at least one component of the gas sample based at least in part on the thermal conductivity value of the sample at each of the two or more temperatures. Related systems and methods of determining one or more properties of a sample are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Rogers, Christopher J. Dudley, Jesse D. Adams, Ralph G. Whitten, Alexander C. Woods, Vaughn N. Hartung
  • Patent number: 11709142
    Abstract: A system for determining one or more properties of one or more gases. The system comprises sensors configured to measure thermal conductivity and exothermic responses of a sample at multiple temperatures. Sensor responses to exposure to a gas sample at two or more temperatures are compensated and analyzed by a subsystem. The subsystem is configured to determine a thermal conductivity of the gas sample at each of the two or more temperatures and determine at least one component of the gas sample based at least in part on the thermal conductivity value of the sample at each of the two or more temperatures. Related systems and methods of determining one or more properties of a sample are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Nevada Nanotech Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Rogers, Christopher J. Dudley, Jesse D. Adams, Ralph G. Whitten, Alexander C. Woods, Vaughn N. Hartung
  • Publication number: 20220381731
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a gas sensor comprises determining a sensitivity of a gas sensor to one or more conditions proximate the gas sensor, determining one or more initial calibration factors comprising a sensitivity of the gas sensor to one or more analytes of interest, determining a current sensitivity of the gas sensor to the one or more conditions proximate the gas sensor by measuring a response of the gas sensor while the one or more conditions proximate the gas sensor varies during operation of the gas sensor, and adjusting the one or more initial calibration factors of the gas sensor based, at least in part on the current sensitivity of the gas sensor to the one or more conditions proximate the gas sensor, and a relationship between the sensitivity of the gas sensor to the one or more analytes of interest to the sensitivity of the gas sensor to the one or more conditions proximate the gas sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Rogers, Ralph G. Whitten, Vaughn N. Hartung, Onnik Yaglioglu, Jesse D. Adams
  • Patent number: 11262321
    Abstract: A system for determining one or more properties of one or more gases. The system comprises sensors configured to measure thermal conductivity and exothermic responses of a sample at multiple temperatures. Sensor responses to exposure to a gas sample at two or more temperatures are compensated and analyzed by a subsystem. The subsystem is configured to determine a thermal conductivity of the gas sample at each of the two or more temperatures and determine at least one component of the gas sample based at least in part on the thermal conductivity value of the sample at each of the two or more temperatures. Related systems and methods of determining one or more properties of a sample are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Nevada Nanotech Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Rogers, Christopher J. Dudley, Jesse D. Adams, Ralph G. Whitten, Alexander C. Woods, Vaughn N. Hartung
  • Patent number: 11226299
    Abstract: A system for determining one or more properties of one or more gases. The system comprises sensors configured to measure thermal conductivity and exothermic responses of a sample at multiple temperatures. Sensor responses to exposure to a gas sample at two or more temperatures are compensated and analyzed by a subsystem. The subsystem is configured to determine a thermal conductivity of the gas sample at each of the two or more temperatures and determine at least one component of the gas sample based at least in part on the thermal conductivity value of the sample at each of the two or more temperatures. Related systems and methods of determining one or more properties of a sample are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Nevada Nanotech Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Rogers, Christopher J. Dudley, Jesse D. Adams, Ralph G. Whitten, Alexander C. Woods, Vaughn N. Hartung
  • Publication number: 20200363358
    Abstract: A system for determining one or more properties of one or more gases. The system comprises sensors configured to measure thermal conductivity and exothermic responses of a sample at multiple temperatures. Sensor responses to exposure to a gas sample at two or more temperatures are compensated and analyzed by a subsystem. The subsystem is configured to determine a thermal conductivity of the gas sample at each of the two or more temperatures and determine at least one component of the gas sample based at least in part on the thermal conductivity value of the sample at each of the two or more temperatures. Related systems and methods of determining one or more properties of a sample are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Rogers, Christopher J. Dudley, Jesse D. Adams, Ralph G. Whitten, Alexander C. Woods, Vaughn N. Hartung
  • Publication number: 20200355636
    Abstract: A system for determining one or more properties of one or more gases. The system comprises sensors configured to measure thermal conductivity and exothermic responses of a sample at multiple temperatures. Sensor responses to exposure to a gas sample at two or more temperatures are compensated and analyzed by a subsystem. The subsystem is configured to determine a thermal conductivity of the gas sample at each of the two or more temperatures and determine at least one component of the gas sample based at least in part on the thermal conductivity value of the sample at each of the two or more temperatures. Related systems and methods of determining one or more properties of a sample are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Rogers, Christopher J. Dudley, Jesse D. Adams, Ralph G. Whitten, Alexander C. Woods, Vaughn N. Hartung
  • Patent number: 10724976
    Abstract: A system for determining one or more properties of one or more gases. The system comprises sensors configured to measure thermal conductivity and exothermic responses of a sample at multiple temperatures. Sensor responses to exposure to a gas sample at two or more temperatures are compensated and analyzed by a subsystem. The subsystem is configured to determine a thermal conductivity of the gas sample at each of the two or more temperatures and determine at least one component of the gas sample based at least in part on the thermal conductivity value of the sample at each of the two or more temperatures. Related systems and methods of determining one or more properties of a sample are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Nevada Nanotech Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Rogers, Christopher J. Dudley, Jesse D. Adams, Ralph G. Whitten, Alexander C. Woods, Vaughn N. Hartung
  • Patent number: 10453321
    Abstract: A pre-smoke detector and system for use in early detection of developing fires whereby vapors of marker chemicals generated during the melting and/or smoldering of common household materials are detected before detection by conventional smoke detectors. Vapors resulting from heating and resultant vaporization of substances are detected as well as vapors resulting from their breakdown, decomposition, or pyrolysis during the pre-combustion stage. Conventional smoke detectors focus on particle detection and are most effective after a developing fire has produced smoke. To minimize false alarms caused by common household odors, the pre-smoke detectors focus on detecting medium temperature pyrolysis products using sensor coatings that can be consistent with a 10-year operational lifetime and multiple orthogonal detection processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Nevada Nanotech Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse D. Adams, Ralph G. Whitten
  • Publication number: 20180174418
    Abstract: A pre-smoke detector and system for use in early detection of developing fires whereby vapors of marker chemicals generated during the melting and/or smoldering of common household materials are detected before detection by conventional smoke detectors. Vapors resulting from heating and resultant vaporization of substances are detected as well as vapors resulting from their breakdown, decomposition, or pyrolysis during the pre-combustion stage. Conventional smoke detectors focus on particle detection and are most effective after a developing fire has produced smoke. To minimize false alarms caused by common household odors, the pre-smoke detectors focus on detecting medium temperature pyrolysis products using sensor coatings that can be consistent with a 10-year operational lifetime and multiple orthogonal detection processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Jesse D. Adams, Ralph G. Whitten
  • Patent number: 9922517
    Abstract: A pre-smoke detector and system for use in early detection of developing fires whereby vapors of marker chemicals generated during the melting and/or smoldering of common household materials are detected before detection by conventional smoke detectors. Vapors resulting from heating and resultant vaporization of substances are detected as well as vapors resulting from their breakdown, decomposition, or pyrolysis during the pre-combustion stage. Conventional smoke detectors focus on particle detection and are most effective after a developing fire has produced smoke. To minimize false alarms caused by common household odors, the pre-smoke detectors focus on detecting medium temperature pyrolysis products using sensor coatings that can be consistent with a 10-year operational lifetime and multiple orthogonal detection processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Nevada Nanotech Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse D. Adams, Ralph G. Whitten
  • Publication number: 20180052124
    Abstract: A system for determining one or more properties of one or more gases. The system comprises sensors configured to measure thermal conductivity and exothermic responses of a sample at multiple temperatures. Sensor responses to exposure to a gas sample at two or more temperatures are compensated and analyzed by a subsystem. The subsystem is configured to determine a thermal conductivity of the gas sample at each of the two or more temperatures and determine at least one component of the gas sample based at least in part on the thermal conductivity value of the sample at each of the two or more temperatures. Related systems and methods of determining one or more properties of a sample are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Rogers, Christopher J. Dudley, Jesse D. Adams, Ralph G. Whitten, Alexander C. Woods, Vaughn N. Hartung
  • Publication number: 20170153193
    Abstract: Analysis instruments and sensors, particularly micro-electro mechanical sensor (MEMS) devices, for molecular analysis of chemicals and other materials, including, for example, polymers, drugs, nanomaterials, biological samples including proteins, and environmental samples including water suspected of contamination, and the like in vapor, liquid, and/or solid form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Ralph G. Whitten, Jesse D. Adams, David R. Halbert, Joseph P. Barrus, Benjamin S. Rogers
  • Patent number: 9625401
    Abstract: Analysis instruments and sensors, particularly micro-electro mechanical sensor (MEMS) devices, for molecular analysis of chemicals and other materials, including, for example, polymers, drugs, nanomaterials, biological samples including proteins, and environmental samples including water suspected of contamination, and the like in vapor, liquid, and/or solid form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Nevada Nanotech Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph G. Whitten, Jesse D. Adams, David R. Halbert, Joseph P. Barrus, Benjamin S. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20170069187
    Abstract: A pre-smoke detector and system for use in early detection of developing fires whereby vapors of marker chemicals generated during the melting and/or smoldering of common household materials are detected before detection by conventional smoke detectors. Vapors resulting from heating and resultant vaporization of substances are detected as well as vapors resulting from their breakdown, decomposition, or pyrolysis during the pre-combustion stage. Conventional smoke detectors focus on particle detection and are most effective after a developing fire has produced smoke. To minimize false alarms caused by common household odors, the pre-smoke detectors focus on detecting medium temperature pyrolysis products using sensor coatings that can be consistent with a 10 year operational lifetime and multiple orthogonal detection processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Jesse D. Adams, Ralph G. Whitten
  • Patent number: 9547968
    Abstract: A pre-smoke detector and system for use in early detection of developing fires whereby vapors of marker chemicals generated during the melting and/or smoldering of common household materials are detected before detection by conventional smoke detectors. Vapors resulting from heating and resultant vaporization of substances are detected as well as vapors resulting from their breakdown, decomposition, or pyrolysis during the pre-combustion stage. Conventional smoke detectors focus on particle detection and are most effective after a developing fire has produced smoke. To minimize false alarms caused by common household odors, the pre-smoke detectors focus on detecting medium temperature pyrolysis products using sensor coatings that can be consistent with a 10 year operational lifetime and multiple orthogonal detection processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Nevada Nanotech Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse D. Adams, Ralph G. Whitten
  • Publication number: 20150253265
    Abstract: Analysis instruments and sensors, particularly micro-electro mechanical sensor (MEMS) devices, for molecular analysis of chemicals and other materials, including, for example, polymers, drugs, nanomaterials, biological samples including proteins, and environmental samples including water suspected of contamination, and the like in vapor, liquid, and/or solid form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: Nevada Nanotech Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph G. Whitten, Jesse D. Adams, David R. Halbert, Joseph P. Barrus, Benjamin S. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20120092175
    Abstract: A pre-smoke detector and system for use in the early detection of developing fires whereby vapors of marker chemicals generated during the melting and/or smoldering of common household materials are detected before detection by conventional smoke detectors. Vapors resulting from the heating and resultant vaporization of substances are detected as well as vapors resulting from their breakdown, decomposition, or pyrolysis during the pre-combustion stage. Conventional smoke detectors focus on particle detection and are most effective after a developing fire has produced smoke. To minimize false alarms caused by common household odors, the pre-smoke detectors focus on detecting medium temperature pyrolysis products using sensor coatings that can be consistent with a 10 year operational lifetime and multiple orthogonal detection processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Jesse D. Adams, Ralph G. Whitten
  • Patent number: 7557596
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention concerns a test assembly for testing product circuitry of a product die. In one embodiment, the test assembly includes at test die and an interconnection substrate for electrically coupling the test die to a host controller that communicates with the test die. The test die may be designed according to a design methodology that includes the step of concurrently designing test circuitry and a product circuitry in a unified design. The test circuitry can be designed to provide a high degree of fault coverage for the corresponding product circuitry generally without regard to the amount of silicon area that will be required by the test circuitry. The design methodology then partitions the unified design into the test die and the product die. The test die includes the test circuitry and the product die includes the product circuitry. The product and test die may then be fabricated on separate semiconductor wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin N. Eldridge, Igor Y. Khandros, David V. Pedersen, Ralph G. Whitten
  • Patent number: 7053637
    Abstract: Signal paths within an interconnect structure linking input/output (I/O) ports of an integrated circuit (IC) tester and test points of an IC die on a wafer are tested for continuity, shorts and resistance by using the interconnect structure to access a similar arrangement of test points on a reference wafer. Conductors in the reference wafer interconnect groups of test points. The tester may then test the continuity of signal paths through the interconnect structure by sending test signals between pairs of its ports through those signal paths and the interconnecting conductors within the reference wafer. A parametric test unit within the tester can also determine impedances of the signal paths through the interconnect structure by comparing magnitudes of voltage drops across pairs of its I/O ports to magnitudes of currents it transmits between the I/O port pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph G. Whitten, Benjamin N. Eldridge