Patents by Inventor Steven J. Ray

Steven J. Ray 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: 12126014
    Abstract: Alkaline electrochemical cells are provided, wherein dissolved zinc oxide or zinc hydroxide is included at least in the free electrolyte solution, and/or solid zinc oxide or zinc hydroxide is included in the anode, so as to slow formation of a zinc oxide passivation layer on a zinc electrode. Methods for preparing such cells are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Energizer Brands, LLC
    Inventors: Robert P. Johnson, Robert E. Ray, Jr., Weiwei Huang, Zhufang Liu, Steven J. Limmer
  • Patent number: 11567084
    Abstract: A microwave microstrip resonator apparatus including a housing; a resonator within the housing; an output conductor within the housing and spaced apart from the resonator so as to define a capacitive gap therebetween; a reaction vessel configured to reside with the capacitive gap; and a power supply coupled to the resonator whereby contents within the reaction vessel are heated when energy is supplied to the resonator by the power supply. A mass spectrometer may also be coupled to an outlet end of the reaction vessel such that the contents within the reaction vessel are, simultaneously, delivered to the mass spectrometer for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: The Research Foundation for the State University of New York
    Inventors: Steven J. Ray, Maria Elisa Rivera-Albarran
  • Publication number: 20200378985
    Abstract: A microwave microstrip resonator apparatus including a housing; a resonator within the housing; an output conductor within the housing and spaced apart from the resonator so as to define a capacitive gap therebetween; a reaction vessel configured to reside with the capacitive gap; and a power supply coupled to the resonator whereby contents within the reaction vessel are heated when energy is supplied to the resonator by the power supply. A mass spectrometer may also be coupled to an outlet end of the reaction vessel such that the contents within the reaction vessel are, simultaneously, delivered to the mass spectrometer for analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Steven J. Ray, Maria Elisa Rivera-Albarran
  • Patent number: 9607306
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identification of a counterfeit electronic component, subjecting a suspected counterfeit electronic to an analytical method of ambient surface analysis to desorb and ionize compounds directly from a suspected counterfeit electronic surface with no pretreatment, detecting the resultant ions, comparing the identified ions to known standards, and returning a confidence that the suspected counterfeit electronic being analyzed is counterfeit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gary M. Hieftje, Steven J. Ray, Kevin P. Pfeuffer, Jacob T. Shelley, Norris J. Caldwell
  • Publication number: 20150269592
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identification of a counterfeit electronic component, subjecting a suspected counterfeit electronic to an analytical method of ambient surface analysis to desorb and ionize compounds directly from a suspected counterfeit electronic surface with no pretreatment, detecting the resultant ions, comparing the identified ions to known standards, and returning a confidence that the suspected counterfeit electronic being analyzed is counterfeit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Gary M. HIEFTJE, Steven J. RAY, Kevin P. PFEUFFER, Jacob T. SHELLEY, Norris J. CALDWELL
  • Publication number: 20140138538
    Abstract: A distance-of-flight mass spectrometer (DOFMS) includes an ion source, a field-free region, an extraction region in which ions are accelerated, and a spatially-selective detector for spatially selectively detecting ions extracted by the extraction region. A method for operating a distance-of-flight mass spectrometer DOFMS comprises controlling a detection time in such a way as to permit ions with progressively greater mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios to enter the extraction region of the DOFMS at positions which will permit the ions with progressively greater m/z ratios to enter the detector of the DOFMS, generating a component mass spectrum at each selected value of detection time, and then assembling a composite mass spectrum by shifting the distance-of-flight axis of each component mass spectrum by a distance corresponding to the change in detection time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicants: INDIANA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary M. Hieftje, Christie George Enke, Alexander W. Graham, Steven J. Ray, Elise Dennis, Charles J. Barinaga, David W. Koppenaal
  • Patent number: 8648295
    Abstract: A combined distance-of-flight mass spectrometry (DOFMS) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) instrument includes an ion source configured to produce ions having varying mass-to-charge ratios, a first detector configured to determine when each of the ions travels a predetermined distance, a second detector configured to determine how far each of the ions travels in a predetermined time, and a detector extraction region operable to direct portions of the ions either to the first detector or to the second detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventors: Christie G. Enke, Steven J. Ray, Alexander W. Graham, Gary M. Hieftje, Charles J. Barinaga, David W. Koppenaal
  • Patent number: 8604423
    Abstract: Novel methods and instrumentation for mass spectrometry are described. Zoom-time of flight mass spectrometry (Zoom-TOF) allows increased mass resolution over a pre-determined specific range of masses. Methods for retrofitting traditional time-of-flight (TOF) and distance of flight (DOF) mass spectrometers are described, as well as novel instruments capable of performing Zoom-TOF analyses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignees: Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation, Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Christie G. Enke, Steven J. Ray, Alexander W. Graham, Gary M. Hieftje, Elise Dennis, Charles J. Barinaga, David W. Koppenaal
  • Publication number: 20130092832
    Abstract: A combined distance-of-flight mass spectrometry (DOFMS) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) instrument includes an ion source configured to produce ions having varying mass-to-charge ratios, a first detector configured to determine when each of the ions travels a predetermined distance, a second detector configured to determine how far each of the ions travels in a predetermined time, and a detector extraction region operable to direct portions of the ions either to the first detector or to the second detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicants: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE, INDIANA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christie G. Enke, Steven J. Ray, Alexander W. Graham, Gary M. Hieftje, Charles J. Barinaga, David W. Koppenaal
  • Publication number: 20130020482
    Abstract: Novel methods and instrumentation for mass spectrometry are described. Zoom-time of flight mass spectrometry (Zoom-TOF) allows increased mass resolution over a pre-determined specific range of masses. Methods for retrofitting traditional time-of-flight (TOF) and distance of flight (DOF) mass spectrometers are described, as well as novel instruments capable of performing Zoom-TOF analyses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Christie G. Enke, Steven J. Ray, Alexander W. Graham, Gary M. Hieftje, Elise Dennis, Charles J. Barinaga, David W. Koppenaal
  • Patent number: 8207494
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for performing mass spectrometry and a method of analyzing a sample through mass spectrometry. In particular, the disclosure relates to an apparatus capable of ambient mass spectrometry and mass spectral imaging and a method for the same. The apparatus couples laser ablation, flowing atmospheric-pressure afterglow ionization, and a mass spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gary M. Hieftje, Francisco J. Andrade, Steven J. Ray, Jacob T. Shelley
  • Patent number: 7893408
    Abstract: A method for ionizing and desorbing a sample for analysis includes energizing a first and second electrode to produce a glow discharge at atmospheric pressure. The method further includes supplying a carrier gas to at least a portion of the glow discharge to create effluents thereof. The method further includes conducting the effluents of the glow discharge to the sample to ionize and desorb the sample for analysis. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gary M. Hieftje, Steven J. Ray, Francisco J. Andrade, William C. Wetzel, Michael R. Webb, Gerardo Gamez, Jacob T. Shelley
  • Publication number: 20090272893
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for performing mass spectrometry and a method of analyzing a sample through mass spectrometry. In particular, the disclosure relates to an apparatus capable of ambient mass spectrometry and mass spectral imaging and a method for the same. The apparatus couples laser ablation, flowing atmospheric-pressure afterglow ionization, and a mass spectrometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Gary M. Hieftje, Francisco J. Andrade, Steven J. Ray, Jacob T. Shelley
  • Publication number: 20080202915
    Abstract: A method for ionizing and desorbing a sample for analysis includes energizing a first and second electrode to produce a glow discharge at atmospheric pressure. The method further includes supplying a carrier gas to at least a portion of the glow discharge to create effluents thereof. The method further includes conducting the effluents of the glow discharge to the sample to ionize and desorb the sample for analysis. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Gary M. Hieftje, Steven J. Ray, Francisco J. Andrade, William C. Wetzel, Michael R. Webb, Gerardo Gamez
  • Patent number: 7294830
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a mass spectrometer include providing at least two different ion sources, and coupling ion streams simultaneously from the at least two different ion sources to the spectrometer. Another method of operating a spectrometer includes a first coupling an ion stream from a first one of the ion sources into the spectrometer, next coupling an ion stream from a second one of the ion sources into the spectrometer, next coupling an ion stream from the second one of the ion sources into the spectrometer, and next coupling an ion stream from the first one of the ion sources into the spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gary M. Hieftje, Steven J. Ray