Patents by Inventor Stephen R. Schmidt

Stephen R. Schmidt 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: 11957893
    Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad C. Tischendorf, John E. Kast, Thomas P. Miltich, Gordon O. Munns, Randy S. Roles, Craig L. Schmidt, Joseph J. Viavattine, Christian S. Nielsen, Prabhakar A. Tamirisa, Anthony M. Chasensky, Markus W. Reiterer, Chris J. Paidosh, Reginald D. Robinson, Bernard Q. Li, Erik R. Scott, Phillip C. Falkner, Xuan K. Wei, Eric H. Bonde, David A. Dinsmoor, Duane L. Bourget, Forrest C M Pape, Gabriela C. Molnar, Joel A. Anderson, Michael J. Ebert, Richard T. Stone, Shawn C. Kelley, Stephen J. Roddy, Timothy J. Denison, Todd V. Smith
  • Patent number: 11957894
    Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Chasensky, Bernard Q. Li, Brad C. Tischendorf, Chris J. Paidosh, Christian S. Nielsen, Craig L. Schmidt, David A. Dinsmoor, Duane L. Bourget, Eric H. Bonde, Erik R. Scott, Forrest C M Pape, Gabriela C. Molnar, Gordon O. Munns, Joel A. Anderson, John E. Kast, Joseph J. Viavattine, Markus W. Reiterer, Michael J. Ebert, Phillip C. Falkner, Prabhakar A. Tamirisa, Randy S. Roles, Reginald D. Robinson, Richard T. Stone, Shawn C. Kelley, Stephen J. Roddy, Thomas P. Miltich, Timothy J. Denison, Todd V. Smith, Xuan K. Wei
  • Patent number: 11691124
    Abstract: A process for preparing a catalyst comprises coating substantial internal surfaces of porous inorganic powders with titanium oxide to form titanium oxide-coated inorganic powders. After the coating, an extrudate comprising the titanium oxide-coated inorganic powders is formed and calcined to form a catalyst support. Then, the catalyst support is impregnated with a solution containing one or more salts of metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, cobalt, and nickel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: W.R. GRACE & CO.-CONN
    Inventors: Stephen R Schmidt, Cristian Libanati
  • Patent number: 11498891
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making 1,4-butanediol. The process may include reacting a solution comprising 1,4-butynediol with hydrogen in a presence of a catalyst. The catalyst may include cerium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn
    Inventor: Stephen R. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20220339607
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an inventive method for manufacturing a catalyst using alloy granules having a high-Ni content. The inventive method may include providing alloy granules comprising aluminum and nickel, and treating the alloy granules with an alkaline solution to form the catalyst. A content of the nickel in the alloy granules may be within a range of about 43 wt % to about 60 wt %. The alloy granules may have effective diameters within a range of about 1 mm to about 10 mm. The catalyst may have an attrition value of less than about 7.0%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Stephen R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11439988
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an inventive method for manufacturing a catalyst using alloy granules having a high-Ni content. The inventive method may include providing alloy granules comprising aluminum and nickel, and treating the alloy granules with an alkaline solution to form the catalyst. A content of the nickel in the alloy granules may be within a range of about 43 wt % to about 60 wt %. The alloy granules may have effective diameters within a range of about 1 mm to about 10 mm. The catalyst may have an attrition value of less than about 7.0%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: W. R. GRACE & CO.-CONN.
    Inventor: Stephen R. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20210322955
    Abstract: A process for preparing a catalyst comprises coating substantial internal surfaces of porous inorganic powders with titanium oxide to form titanium oxide-coated inorganic powders. After the coating, an extrudate comprising the titanium oxide-coated inorganic powders is formed and calcined to form a catalyst support. Then, the catalyst support is impregnated with a solution containing one or more salts of metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, cobalt, and nickel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: W.R. GRACE & CO.- CONN
    Inventors: Stephen R. Schmidt, Cristian Libanati
  • Publication number: 20210284591
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making 1,4-butanediol. The process may include reacting a solution comprising 1,4-butynediol with hydrogen in a presence of a catalyst. The catalyst may include cerium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventor: Stephen R. SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 11084021
    Abstract: A process for preparing a catalyst comprises coating substantial internal surfaces of porous inorganic powders with titanium oxide to form titanium oxide-coated inorganic powders. After the coating, an extrudate comprising the titanium oxide-coated inorganic powders is formed and calcined to form a catalyst support. Then, the catalyst support is impregnated with a solution containing one or more salts of metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, cobalt, and nickel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: W.R. GRACE & CO.—CONN
    Inventors: Stephen R Schmidt, Cristian Libanati
  • Publication number: 20190366307
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an inventive method for manufacturing a catalyst using alloy granules having a high-Ni content. The inventive method may include providing alloy granules comprising aluminum and nickel, and treating the alloy granules with an alkaline solution to form the catalyst. A content of the nickel in the alloy granules may be within a range of about 43 wt % to about 60 wt %. The alloy granules may have effective diameters within a range of about 1 mm to about 10 mm. The catalyst may have an attrition value of less than about 7.0%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: W. R. GRACE & CO.-CONN.
    Inventor: Stephen R. SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 9586879
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the selective hydrogenation of glycerol in the liquid phase to produce 1- and 2-propanols in high yields as the major organic products. The process comprises subjecting a glycerol stream having at least 30% by weight water to a combination of low pressure and high temperature hydrogenation conditions in the presence of a promoted or un-promoted skeletal copper catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: W. R. GRACE & CO-CONN.
    Inventor: Stephen R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9528059
    Abstract: The process of this invention removes impurities from transesterification products comprising primarily fatty acid alkyl esters (FAAE) that are being processed for final fuel products, such as biodiesel. The inventive process is catalytic, and the resulting ester is suitable for use as biodiesel. Metal oxide and mixed metal oxide catalysts are particularly suitable. The invention is particularly suitable for treating fatty acid alkyl ester compositions comprising impurities such as glycerin, sterol glycosides, and/or triglyceride, diglyceride and/or monoglyceride. The invention is particularly useful in treating FAAE transesterification products made using homogeneous alkali catalysts. The treated ester exhibits improved performance under cold weather conditions, which can be measured by methods such as ASTM 7501 Cold Soak Filtration Test (CSFT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Schmidt, Meenakshi S. Krishnamoorthy, Manoj M. Koranne, Heiko Morell, Jochen G. Metzger
  • Patent number: 9365664
    Abstract: The invention concerns catalysts comprising (i) a clad catalyst support comprising (a) a core which comprises alumina particles and (b) about 1 to about 40 weight percent silica cladding, based on the weight of the clad catalyst support, on the surface of the core; the catalyst support having a BET surface area of greater than 20 m2/g and a porosity of at least about 0.2 cc/g; and (ii) 0.1 to 10 weight percent, based on the weight of the catalyst, of catalytically active transition metal on the surface of the clad catalyst support; wherein the catalyst support has a normalized sulfur uptake (NSU) of up to 25 ?g/m2. The invention also concerns the production and use of such catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: W. R. GRACE & CO. -CONN.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Schmidt, David M. Chapman, Manoj M. Koranne, Michael D. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20160031777
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the selective hydrogenation of glycerol in the liquid phase to produce 1- and 2-propanols in high yields as the major organic products. The process comprises subjecting a glycerol stream having at least 30% by weight water to a combination of low pressure and high temperature hydrogenation conditions in the presence of a promoted or un-promoted skeletal copper catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: W. R. GRACE & CO.-CONN.
    Inventor: Stephen R. SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20150210784
    Abstract: The invention concerns catalysts comprising (i) a clad catalyst support comprising (a) a core which comprises alumina particles and (b) about 1 to about 40 weight percent silica cladding, based on the weight of the clad catalyst support, on the surface of the core; the catalyst support having a BET surface area of greater than 20 m2/g and a porosity of at least about 0.2 cc/g; and (ii) 0.1 to 10 weight percent, based on the weight of the catalyst, of catalytically active transition metal on the surface of the clad catalyst support; wherein the catalyst support has a normalized sulfur uptake (NSU) of up to 25 ?g/m2. The invention also concerns the production and use of such catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: W. R Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Schmidt, David M. Chapman, Manoj M. Koranne, Michael D. Jensen
  • Patent number: 9045569
    Abstract: Olefin polymerization catalysts or catalyst systems comprising a mixture, contact product, reaction product or complex comprising as elements or components: (A) at least one metallocene pre-catalyst compound or polymerization active metallocene compound; (B) at least one titanium containing metallocene compound; and when (A) is a metallocene pre-catalyst compound, (C) at least one activator; provided however: (I) the titanium-containing metallocene compound is inactive or substantially inactive for the polymerization of olefins prior to or concurrently with the use of the catalyst system for olefin polymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Michael D. Jensen, Michael J. Elder, Andrew G. Singleton, Stephen R. Schmidt, Patrick J. Kerwin, John H. Hain, Jr., Fengjun Hua
  • Publication number: 20140109466
    Abstract: The process of this invention removes impurities from transesterification products comprising primarily fatty acid alkyl esters (FAAE) that are being processed for final fuel products, such as biodiesel. The inventive process is catalytic, and the resulting ester is suitable for use as biodiesel. Metal oxide and mixed metal oxide catalysts are particularly suitable. The invention is particularly suitable for treating fatty acid alkyl ester compositions comprising impurities such as glycerin, sterol glycosides, and/or triglyceride, diglyceride and/or monoglyceride. The invention is particularly useful in treating FAAE transesterification products made using homogeneous alkali catalysts. The treated ester exhibits improved performance under cold weather conditions, which can be measured by methods such as ASTM 7501 Cold Soak Filtration Test (CSFT).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: W.R. GRACE & CO. Drive
    Inventors: Stephen R. Schmidt, Meenakshi S. Krishnamoorthy, Manoj M. Koranne, Heiko Morell, Jochen G. Metzger
  • Patent number: 8673806
    Abstract: The invention concerns catalysts comprising (i) a cladded catalyst support comprising (a) a core which comprises alumina particles and (b) about 1 to about 40 weight percent silica cladding, based on the weight of the cladded catalyst support, on the surface of the core; the catalyst support having a BET surface area of greater than 20 m2/g and a porosity of at least about 0.2 cc/g; and (ii) 0.1 to 10 weight percent, based on the weight of the catalyst, of catalytically active transition metal on the surface of the cladded catalyst support; wherein the catalyst support has a normalized sulfur uptake (NSU) of up to 25 ?g/m2. The invention also concerns the production and use of such catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Schmidt, David M. Chapman, Manoj M. Koranne, Michael D. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20130289227
    Abstract: Olefin polymerization catalysts or catalyst systems comprising a mixture, contact product, reaction product or complex comprising as elements or components: (A) at least one metallocene pre-catalyst compound or polymerization active metallocene compound; (B) at least one titanium containing metallocene compound; and when (A) is a metallocene pre-catalyst compound, (C) at least one activator; provided however: (I) the titanium-containing metallocene compound is inactive or substantially inactive for the polymerization of olefins prior to or concurrently with the use of the catalyst system for olefin polymerization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: W.R. GRACE & CO.-CONN
    Inventors: Michael D. Jensen, Michael J. Elder, Andrew G. Singleton, Stephen R. Schmidt, Patrick J. Kerwin, John H. Hain, JR., Fengjun Hua
  • Publication number: 20120071614
    Abstract: The invention concerns catalysts comprising (i) a cladded catalyst support comprising (a) a core which comprises alumina particles and (b) about 1 to about 40 weight percent silica cladding, based on the weight of the cladded catalyst support, on the surface of the core; the catalyst support having a BET surface area of greater than 20 m2/g and a porosity of at least about 0.2 cc/g; and (ii) 0.1 to 10 weight percent, based on the weight of the catalyst, of catalytically active transition metal on the surface of the cladded catalyst support; wherein the catalyst support has a normalized sulfur uptake (NSU) of up to 25 ?g/m2. The invention also concerns the production and use of such catalysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen R. Schmidt, David M. Chapman, Manoj M. Koranne, Michael D. Jensen