Patents by Inventor Richard E. Thorne

Richard E. Thorne 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: 11925931
    Abstract: Humidified sample preparation station for serial crystallography according to one embodiment is a humidified enclosure that delivers relative humidities above 95% and preferably above 97% in standard operation, and that can allow microscope observation of samples within. Humidified sample preparation station for serial crystallography can be used for preparation of protein crystal samples for examination using X-rays and for protein structure determination by X-ray crystallography, involving addition of liquid to the sample and removal of liquid from the sample using vacuum or suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: MiTeGen, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Jayne, David Closs, Benjamin A. Apker, Robert E. Thorne
  • Patent number: 6777908
    Abstract: A battery cell balancing method and apparatus. A simple and inexpensive method and apparatus to balance the cells within a battery configuration where at least some of the cells are arranged in series or a combination of series and parallel. One embodiment balances the cells proportionally to the level of imbalance between the cells. This embodiment is adaptable to more than two cells in series. Another embodiment balances the cells with a constant current. This embodiment will more quickly balance the cells because of the constant current. Components are selected in specific positions to reduce the current draw of the circuit and the effect on the system. The invention injects current into or withdraws current from a position between series cells to be balanced based on whether the voltage is higher or lower than the fractional voltage needed for the cells to be in balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard E. Thorne, William Von Novak
  • Publication number: 20030210016
    Abstract: A battery cell balancing method and apparatus. A simple and inexpensive method and apparatus to balance the cells within a battery configuration where at least some of the cells are arranged in series or a combination of series and parallel. One embodiment balances the cells proportionally to the level of imbalance between the cells. This embodiment is adaptable to more than two cells in series. Another embodiment balances the cells with a constant current. This embodiment will more quickly balance the cells because of the constant current. Components are selected in specific positions to reduce the current draw of the circuit and the effect on the system. The invention injects current into or withdraws current from a position between series cells to be balanced based on whether the voltage is higher or lower than the fractional voltage needed for the cells to be in balance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Richard E. Thorne, William Von Novak