Patents by Inventor Robert Howland

Robert Howland 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: 12117388
    Abstract: A system and method adapted to have high sensitivity to the formation of biofilm by mixed community bacteria in fluids. The system enhances corrosion imbalance by differentiating conditions between metal sensor elements immersed in the liquid being monitored. The liquid may be diverted to and flowed through a sample chamber where adjacent sensor elements may reside in different flow velocity or temperature regions. The differentiated conditions allow for different film formation on one of the sensor elements relative to the other, and also more quickly than in the main system from which the sampled liquid has been diverted. The differentiated formation allows the use of measurement of polarization current between the metal sensors to produce data with superior resolution relative to prior methods. The speed of film formation promoted by the differentiated conditions allows for determination of risk of film formation in the main system prior to that film's formation in the main system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Inventor: David Robert Howland
  • Publication number: 20220248654
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method of use is described for attracting and trapping mosquitos and other biting insects using a vapor cloud of atomized carbon dioxide (CO2) gas as an insect attractant. The apparatus also employs other insect attractants as adjunct attractants to the vapor cloud of atomized carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. In an embodiment, atomized water vapor is generated to be combined with 2 chemical ingredients to create the atomized vapor cloud of carbon dioxide (CO2) which is dispersed into the interior of the device to maintain a level above 2000 parts per million (ppm).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Howland, Qian Hai, Jian Ming Li
  • Patent number: 11054362
    Abstract: A system and method adapted to have high sensitivity to the formation of biofilm by mixed community bacteria in fluids. The system enhances corrosion imbalance by differentiating conditions between metal sensor elements immersed in the liquid being monitored. The liquid may be diverted to and flowed through a sample chamber where adjacent sensor elements may reside in different flow velocity or temperature regions. The differentiated conditions allow for different film formation on one of the sensor elements relative to the other, and also more quickly than in the main system from which the sampled liquid has been diverted. The differentiated formation allows the use of measurement of polarization current between the metal sensors to produce data with superior resolution relative to prior methods. The speed of film formation promoted by the differentiated conditions allows for determination of risk of film formation in the main system prior to that film's formation in the main system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventor: David Robert Howland
  • Publication number: 20210003497
    Abstract: A system and method adapted to have high sensitivity to the formation of biofilm by mixed community bacteria in fluids. The system enhances corrosion imbalance by differentiating conditions between metal sensor elements immersed in the liquid being monitored. The liquid may be diverted to and flowed through a sample chamber where adjacent sensor elements may reside in different flow velocity or temperature regions. The differentiated conditions allow for different film formation on one of the sensor elements relative to the other, and also more quickly than in the main system from which the sampled liquid has been diverted. The differentiated formation allows the use of measurement of polarization current between the metal sensors to produce data with superior resolution relative to prior methods. The speed of film formation promoted by the differentiated conditions allows for determination of risk of film formation in the main system prior to that film's formation in the main system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventor: David Robert Howland
  • Publication number: 20180292306
    Abstract: A system and method adapted to have high sensitivity to the formation of biofilm by mixed community bacteria in fluids. The system enhances corrosion imbalance by differentiating conditions between metal sensor elements immersed in the liquid being monitored. The liquid may be diverted to and flowed through a sample chamber where adjacent sensor elements may reside in different flow velocity or temperature regions. The differentiated conditions allow for different film formation on one of the sensor elements relative to the other, and also more quickly than in the main system from which the sampled liquid has been diverted. The differentiated formation allows the use of measurement of polarization current between the metal sensors to produce data with superior resolution relative to prior methods. The speed of film formation promoted by the differentiated conditions allows for determination of risk of film formation in the main system prior to that film's formation in the main system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: David Robert Howland
  • Publication number: 20080265510
    Abstract: A floating game table for playing a predetermined game thereon while relaxing in a receptacle containing a predetermined fluid therein. The floating game table includes a main body member manufactured from a predetermined material capable of floating on such predetermined fluid. The main body member has each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined size. Such main body member also has each of an upper surface for playing the predetermined game thereon and a bottom surface for contacting such predetermined fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Howland
  • Publication number: 20060064092
    Abstract: A spinal fixation system includes a plurality of anchor screw assemblies, e.g. including anchor screws and clamp assemblies defining rod passages therethrough. A rod is receivable in the rod passages between the anchor screw assemblies, and a spacer is securable on the rod. The rod is preferably serrated over less than about 25% of the peripheral surface thereof, and the clamp assemblies preferably include engagement surfaces that include similarly spaced and oriented serrations. During use, a first anchor screw is screwed into a first vertebra, and a second anchor screw is screwed into a second vertebra adjacent the first vertebra, and clamp assemblies are mounted to each anchor screw. A rod is secured between the anchor screw assemblies, thereby fixing a relative spacing of the first and second vertebrae.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Howland
  • Publication number: 20050216005
    Abstract: An anchor screw assembly includes a screw having a threaded portion and a head portion to which a swing bolt is pivotally coupled. A clamp assembly includes lower and upper clamp portions assembled into connecting beams that are securable on the swing bolt by a fastener. The clamp portions include first passages for receiving an intermediate region of the swing bolt therethrough to receivably retain the clamp assembly on the connecting beam and on the swing bolt. The head portion of the screw includes a shoulder, and the lower clamp portion has a seat that frictionally engages the shoulder when the clamp assembly is fully secured on the connecting beam and swing bolt, thereby securing the swing bolt relative to the screw. Multiple screw assemblies are screwed into adjacent vertebrae, and a connecting member is secured by the clamp assemblies between the anchor screw assemblies to stabilize the vertebrae. An optional cross-brace member interconnects two or more connecting members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Howland
  • Patent number: 6819977
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing and a method of dispensing an ingredient for a machine. An ingredient feed mechanism dispenses the ingredient to the machine. A controller is capable of controlling an amount of the ingredient delivered to the machine by varying an amount of time the ingredient feed mechanism is active. The controller has a demand mode which varies the amount of time the ingredient feed mechanism is active as a function of a parameter obtained from the machine. The controller compares the amount of time the ingredient feed mechanism is active with a reference value and switches to a timed mode if the amount of time deviates from the reference value. The controller may have an initial training mode which measures the amount of time the ingredient feed mechanism is active establishes the reference value based upon the amount of time the ingredient feed mechanism is active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Bruce Howes, Jr., Robert Eugene May, David Robert Howland
  • Publication number: 20040122555
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing and a method of dispensing an ingredient for a machine. An ingredient feed mechanism dispenses the ingredient to the machine. A controller is capable of controlling an amount of the ingredient delivered to the machine by varying an amount of time the ingredient feed mechanism is active. The controller has a demand mode which varies the amount of time the ingredient feed mechanism is active as a function of a parameter obtained from the machine. The controller compares the amount of time the ingredient feed mechanism is active with a reference value and switches to a timed mode if the amount of time deviates from the reference value. The controller may have an initial training mode which measures the amount of time the ingredient feed mechanism is active establishes the reference value based upon the amount of time the ingredient feed mechanism is active.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Ronald Bruce Howes, Robert Eugene May, David Robert Howland