Patents by Inventor Robert L. Witt

Robert L. Witt 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: 9642941
    Abstract: Implantable modular hydrogels to aid in salivary gland restoration and associated methods are provided. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides for a hydrogel network comprising: a hyaluronic acid macromer crosslinked with a multiblock copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Robert L. Witt, Xinqiao Jia, Swati Pradham Bhatt, Mary C. Farach-Carson, Daniel A. Harrington
  • Publication number: 20140294960
    Abstract: Implantable modular hydrogels to aid in salivary gland restoration and associated methods are provided. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides for a hydrogel network comprising: a hyaluronic acid macromer crosslinked with a multiblock copolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Robert L. Witt, Xinqiao Jia, Swati Pradham Bhatt, Mary C. Farach-Carson, Daniel A. Harrington
  • Patent number: 6007048
    Abstract: A plug or gate valve including two seats shaped as cylindrical segments and having a first continuous seal surrounding the flow passage and at least one satellite seal outside the first seal to reduce the area upon which pressure acts to force the segment toward the plug or gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Tep Ungchusri, Roy C. Bates, Robert L. Witt
  • Patent number: 4867483
    Abstract: A pipe connector device for interconnecting first and second pipe elements using a retention member removably secured to the first pipe element by load elements. The retention member is secured to the second pipe element by pipe threads or a second retention member can be secured to the second pipe element by load elements and the first and second retention members threaded together. A seal is extended along a portion of the length of the first and second pipe elements adjacent to an end portion of each of the pipe elements to prevent leakage. This provides a fluid-tight seal which is relatively independent of any pressure exerted between the first and second pipe elements by the retention member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Witt, Stephen P. Barrett, Tep Ungchusri, Roy C. Bates
  • Patent number: 4569370
    Abstract: A high pressure fluid control valve comprises a body having an inlet, an outlet and a cavity disposed about a vertical axis. An outer cage having a plurality of radially disposed openings is sealably mounted in the cavity and has a vertical axis substantially aligned with the vertical axis of the cavity. An inner cage having a smaller diameter than the outer cage is sealably mounted in the cavity. The inner cage has radially disposed openings at its upper end, said upper end extending inside the outer cage thereby defining an annulus between the two cages. The inner cage has openings which are in fluid communication with the openings on the outer cage as well as the valve outlet. A plug operates partly within the annulus in a direction parallel to the vertical axis of the cavity and simultaneously restrict the radially disposed openings of the inner cage and the outer cage thereby regulating pressure drop or flow from the inlet to the outlet of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Assignee: Best Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Witt
  • Patent number: 4489953
    Abstract: A fire-safe seal for use in a swivel joint in a pressurized fluid system subject to fire risk, the seal having both a metal anti-extrusion ring and an annular resilient non-metallic seal member to provide essentially zero fluid linkage at normal operating temperatures, and the anti-extrusion ring to provide an extremely low rate of leakage in the event high temperature should destroy the resilient seal member. A curved spring or other metal anti-cocking device biases the anti-extrusion ring tightly against the junction of a male and a female joint to ensure that the ring remains in position after the resilient seal member is destroyed to prevent leakage through the junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Witt
  • Patent number: 4431217
    Abstract: A fire-safe seal for use in a swivel joint in a pressurized fluid system subject to fire risk, the seal having both a metal anti-extrusion ring and an annular resilient non-metallic seal member to provide essentially zero fluid linkage at normal operating temperatures, and the anti-extrusion ring to provide an extremely low rate of leakage in the event high temperature should destroy the resilient seal member. A curved spring or other metal anti-cocking device biases the anti-extrusion ring tightly against the junction of a male and a female joint to ensure that the ring remains in position after the resilient seal member is destroyed to prevent leakage through the junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Witt