Patents by Inventor Richard C. Gallant

Richard C. Gallant 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).

  • Small particle characteristic determination
    Patent number: 5920388
    Abstract: Small particle identification is disclosed. A high intensity light source provides light at a sensing region for contact with small particles at the sensing region to cause resulting light that includes scattered light and emitted light due to heating of optically absorbing particles to incandescence with the resulting light terminating if vaporization of the optically absorbing particles occurs. A laser, having a laser cavity with the sensing region within the laser cavity, preferably provides high intensity laser light in the laser cavity for contact with the small particles at the sensing region. Utilizing optical detection, predetermined particle characteristic determination is enabled, including particle size and composition of optically absorbing particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Research Electro-Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon C. Sandberg, Nelson C. Turner, Richard C. Gallant