Patents by Inventor Susanne Vera Hering
Susanne Vera Hering 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).
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Patent number: 11789166Abstract: An approach for counting particles suspended in a flow of gas or liquid in instruments that direct the flow through an illuminated region. Pulses are detected when the signal is below a threshold amplitude and moves above the threshold amplitude. This movement above the threshold creates a dead time during which only one pulse is detected until the signal amplitude moves sufficiently below the threshold such that a subsequent particle creates a distinct pulse. After counting the number of pulses, and determining the measured live time that the signal is below the threshold value, an initial particle concentration is calculated, and the calculation corrected for coincidence by calculating an actual live time as a measured live time minus a constant multiplied by the number of distinctly counted pulses, where the constant has the units of time. From this, particle concentrations in a volume can be determined.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Aerosol Dynamics Inc.Inventors: Susanne Vera Hering, Gregory Stephen Lewis, Steven Russel Spielman, Mark R. Stolzenberg
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Publication number: 20230280254Abstract: A system and method to measure a size distribution of particles based on their electrical mobility. The method includes: introducing, via a sheath flow inlet, a particle free sheath flow into a chamber formed by two parallel walls which are separated by a gap, the chamber having a width and a length, the sheath flow having a direction along the length of the chamber and flowing a laminar manner; introducing an aerosol sample flow into the chamber downstream of the sheath inlet such that the aerosol sample flow joins the particle free sheath flow in a laminar manner; applying an electric field between the two parallel walls of the chamber, the field having a strength which varies across the width of the chamber; extracting an output aerosol flow through a first outlet downstream of the sample inlet; and outputting an excess flow equal to a sum of the sheath flow and aerosol sample flow minus the output aerosol flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicants: Aerosol Dynamics Inc., Washington UniversityInventors: Jian Wang, Steven Russel Spielman, Jiaoshi Zhang, Susanne Vera Hering, Jing Li
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Publication number: 20220128445Abstract: A method and apparatus to create water vapor supersaturation and particulate counts from an air sample. The method and apparatus include introducing an air sample into a chamber connected to an optical detector and an outlet by pumping at the outlet. The method further includes passing air through the chamber and optical detector in a steady flow, and subsequently closing the inlet while continuing the pumping to expand the air sample and exhaust a portion of the air sample through the optical detector. The walls of the particle chamber are wetted with a fluid such as water, and one portion of the wall is warmer than the other portions such that there is some condensational growth prior to the expansion, and yet more condensational growth during the expansion. The cycles are repeated by continuously repeating the introducing, passing and closing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2022Publication date: April 28, 2022Applicant: Aerosol Dynamics Inc.Inventors: Susanne Vera Hering, Gregory Stephen Lewis, Steven Russel Spielman
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Patent number: 11305138Abstract: A system includes a first and second condensation particle counter, each counter having an inlet port, a growth column, and an optical element for counting particles detected at the respective inlet ports. The counters are configured to include a wick in which the wick is wetted by water. A differential pressure sensor is coupled to the first inlet port and coupled to the second inlet port. The sensor is configured to provide a pressure signal. A processor is coupled to memory and configured to receive the first signal, the second signal, and the pressure signal and generate an output corresponding to a ratio of the first signal and the second signal and correlate the ratio with the pressure signal. A housing is configured to receive the first counter, the second counter, the differential pressure sensor, the processor, and the memory.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignees: TSI Incorporated, Aerosol Dynamics Inc.Inventors: Daniel C. Bjorkquist, Arantzazu Eiguren Fernandez, Kenneth Farmer, Melissa Grose, Susanne Vera Hering, Gregory Stephen Lewis, Steven Russel Spielman, David Workman
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Patent number: 11237091Abstract: A particle growth apparatus includes a temperature-controlled humidifier coupled to a water-based condensation growth system. The humidifier may include a tube of sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based fluoropolymer-copolymer and surrounded by a region containing water or water vapor. The apparatus includes a wetted wick and wick sensor in the condensation growth system, configured such that the gas sample flows through the sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based fluoropolymer-copolymer tube into the condensation growth system.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2019Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Aerosol Dynamics Inc.Inventors: Susanne Vera Hering, Arantzazu Eiguren Fernandez, Gregory Stephen Lewis, Steven Russel Spielman, Philip Bourgeois
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Publication number: 20220026333Abstract: A method and apparatus to create water vapor supersaturation and particulate counts from an air sample. The method and apparatus include introducing an air sample into a chamber by passing a flow into the chamber through the inlet by pumping at the outlet. The method further includes closing the inlet while continuing the pumping to exhaust the air sample from the chamber through the outlet. The pumping is performed at a rate operable to reduce pressure inside the chamber such that the air sample in the central portion of the chamber cools, and water vapor from walls of the chamber has time to diffuse into the air sample in the chamber from the walls. The cycles are repeated by continuously repeating the introducing and closing. The walls of the chamber may be wet or dry.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Applicant: Aerosol Dynamics Inc.Inventors: Susanne Vera Hering, Gregory Stephen Lewis, Steven Russel Spielman
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Publication number: 20220026332Abstract: A method and apparatus to create water vapor supersaturation and particulate counts from an air sample. The method and apparatus include introducing an air sample into a chamber by passing a flow into the chamber through the inlet by pumping at the outlet. The method further includes closing the inlet while continuing the pumping to exhaust the air sample from the chamber through the outlet. The pumping is performed at a rate operable to reduce pressure inside the chamber such that the air sample in the central portion of the chamber cools, and water vapor from walls of the chamber has time to diffuse into the air sample in the chamber from the walls. The cycles are repeated by continuously repeating the introducing and closing. The walls of the chamber may be wet or dry.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Applicant: Aerosol Dynamics Inc.Inventors: Susanne Vera Hering, Gregory Stephen Lewis, Steven Russel Spielman
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Publication number: 20210316175Abstract: A system includes a first and second condensation particle counter, each counter having an inlet port, a growth column, and an optical element for counting particles detected at the respective inlet ports. The counters are configured to include a wick in which the wick is wetted by water. A differential pressure sensor is coupled to the first inlet port and coupled to the second inlet port. The sensor is configured to provide a pressure signal. A processor is coupled to memory and configured to receive the first signal, the second signal, and the pressure signal and generate an output corresponding to a ratio of the first signal and the second signal and correlate the ratio with the pressure signal. A housing is configured to receive the first counter, the second counter, the differential pressure sensor, the processor, and the memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2019Publication date: October 14, 2021Inventors: Daniel C. Bjorkquist, Arantzazu Eiguren Fernandez, Kenneth Farmer, Melissa Grose, Susanne Vera Hering, Gregory Stephen Lewis, Steven Russel Spielman, David Workman
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Patent number: 11029240Abstract: A wick liquid sensor suitable for use in a particle condensation device is provided. The sensor includes a light source configured to illuminate a surface of the wick. A detector is configured to detect wick reflected light from the light source and determine the intensity of reflected light. The wick is formed from a porous media that is wettable by the liquid, and becomes translucent when filled with the liquid. The amount of reflectivity decreases as the saturation content of the liquid in the wick increases.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Aerosol Dynamics Inc.Inventors: Susanne Vera Hering, Steven Russel Spielman, Gregory Stephen Lewis
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Patent number: 10883910Abstract: An apparatus and method for condensationally enlarging particles in a flow of air or other gas. The apparatus includes a coiled tube having a tube diameter and a coil diameter, the tube having an input receiving the flow and an output, the tube having a length between the input and the output. The walls of the tube are wetted with a condensing fluid. The walls of the first portion of the coiled tube are held a temperature that is lower than the highest temperature in the second portion of the tube. The tube may have a third vapor recovery portion with wall temperature lower than the highest temperature in the second portion, and which optionally may not be coiled. While heating and cooling, the method includes introducing a flow into an interior of the tube at an input, the flow moving the output.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2019Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Aerosol Dynamics Inc.Inventors: Susanne Vera Hering, Steven Russel Spielman, Gregory Stephen Lewis
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Patent number: 10882018Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating enlarged particles in a flow. The apparatus includes a coiled tube having a tube diameter and a coil diameter, the tube having an input receiving the flow and an output, the tube having a length between the input and the output. A heater heats a first portion of the tube along a first, longitudinal portion of the tube, and a cooler cools a second, longitudinal portion of the tube along at least a second portion of the tube. The method includes heating a first portion of the tube along a first longitudinal portion of the tube, and simultaneously cooling a second portion of the tube along at least a second longitudinal portion of the tube. While heating and cooling, the method includes introducing a flow into an interior of the tube at an input, the flow moving the output.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2019Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Aerosol Dynamics Inc.Inventors: Susanne Vera Hering, Steven Russel Spielman, Gregory Stephen Lewis
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Publication number: 20200408931Abstract: An approach for counting particles suspended in a flow of gas or liquid in instruments that direct the flow through an illuminated region. Pulses are detected when the signal is below a threshold amplitude and moves above the threshold amplitude. This movement above the threshold creates a dead time during which only one pulse is detected until the signal amplitude moves sufficiently below the threshold such that a subsequent particle creates a distinct pulse. After counting the number of pulses, and determining the measured live time that the signal is below the threshold value, an initial particle concentration is calculated, and the calculation corrected for coincidence by calculating an actual live time as a measured live time minus a constant multiplied by the number of distinctly counted pulses, where the constant has the units of time. From this, particle concentrations in a volume can be determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Applicant: Aerosol Dynamics Inc.Inventors: Susanne Vera Hering, Gregory Stephen Lewis, Steven Russel Spielman
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Patent number: 10876145Abstract: An aerosol collection system and method. The system includes a bio-aerosol delivery device configured to supply bioparticles in a gas stream, a moisture exchange device including a partition member coupled to the gas stream and configured to humidify or dehumidify the bioparticles in the gas stream, and an aerosol collection medium downstream from the moisture exchange device and configured to collect the bioparticles. The method includes delivering bioparticles in a gas stream, humidifying or dehumidifying the bioparticles in the gas stream by transport of water across a partition member and into a vapor phase of the gas stream, and collecting the bioparticles by a collection medium.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2020Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Inventors: David S. Ensor, Howard Jerome Walls, Karin K. Foarde, Susanne Vera Hering, Steven Russel Spielman
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Publication number: 20200347434Abstract: An aerosol collection system and method. The system includes a bio-aerosol delivery device configured to supply bioparticles in a gas stream, a moisture exchange device including a partition member coupled to the gas stream and configured to humidify or dehumidify the bioparticles in the gas stream, and an aerosol collection medium downstream from the moisture exchange device and configured to collect the bioparticles. The method includes delivering bioparticles in a gas stream, humidifying or dehumidifying the bioparticles in the gas stream by transport of water across a partition member and into a vapor phase of the gas stream, and collecting the bioparticles by a collection medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2020Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: David S. Ensor, Howard Jerome Walls, Karin K. Foarde, Susanne Vera Hering, Steven Russel Spielman
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Patent number: 10767210Abstract: An aerosol collection system and method. The system includes a bio-aerosol delivery device configured to supply bioparticles in a gas stream, a moisture exchange device including a partition member coupled to the gas stream and configured to humidify or dehumidify the bioparticles in the gas stream, and an aerosol collection medium downstream from the moisture exchange device and configured to collect the bioparticles. The method includes delivering bioparticles in a gas stream, humidifying or dehumidifying the bioparticles in the gas stream by transport of water across a partition member and into a vapor phase of the gas stream, and collecting the bioparticles by a collection medium.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2019Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Research Triangle, Inc.Inventors: David S. Ensor, Howard Jerome Walls, Karin K. Foarde, Susanne Vera Hering, Steven Russel Spielman
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Publication number: 20200141853Abstract: A particle growth apparatus includes a temperature-controlled humidifier coupled to a water-based condensation growth system. The humidifier may include a tube of sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based fluoropolymer-copolymer and surrounded by a region containing water or water vapor. The apparatus includes a wetted wick and wick sensor in the condensation growth system, configured such that the gas sample flows through the sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based fluoropolymer-copolymer tube into the condensation growth system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: Aerosol Dynamics Inc.Inventors: Susanne Vera Hering, Arantzazu Eiguren Fernandez, Gregory Stephen Lewis, Steven Russel Spielman, Philip Bougouis
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Publication number: 20200116619Abstract: A wick liquid sensor suitable for use in a particle condensation device is provided. The sensor includes a light source configured to illuminate a surface of the wick. A detector is configured to detect wick reflected light from the light source and determine the intensity of reflected light. The wick is formed from a porous media that is wettable by the liquid, and becomes translucent when filled with the liquid. The amount of reflectivity decreases as the saturation content of the liquid in the wick increases.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2018Publication date: April 16, 2020Applicant: Aerosol Dynamics Inc.Inventors: Susanne Vera Hering, Steven Russel Spielman, Gregory Stephen Lewis
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Publication number: 20190330675Abstract: An aerosol collection system and method. The system includes a bio-aerosol delivery device configured to supply bioparticles in a gas stream, a moisture exchange device including a partition member coupled to the gas stream and configured to humidify or dehumidify the bioparticles in the gas stream, and an aerosol collection medium downstream from the moisture exchange device and configured to collect the bioparticles. The method includes delivering bioparticles in a gas stream, humidifying or dehumidifying the bioparticles in the gas stream by transport of water across a partition member and into a vapor phase of the gas stream, and collecting the bioparticles by a collection medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: David S. Ensor, Howard Jerome Walls, Karin K. Foarde, Susanne Vera Hering, Steven Russel Spielman
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Patent number: 10378042Abstract: An aerosol collection system and method. The system includes a bio-aerosol delivery device configured to supply bioparticles in a gas stream, a moisture exchange device including a partition member coupled to the gas stream and configured to humidify or dehumidify the bioparticles in the gas stream, and an aerosol collection medium downstream from the moisture exchange device and configured to collect the bioparticles. The method includes delivering bioparticles in a gas stream, humidifying or dehumidifying the bioparticles in the gas stream by transport of water across a partition member and into a vapor phase of the gas stream, and collecting the bioparticles by a collection medium.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2013Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Research Triangle Institute, Inc.Inventors: David S. Ensor, Howard Jerome Walls, Karin K. Foarde, Susanne Vera Hering, Steven Russel Spielman
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Publication number: 20190224637Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating enlarged particles in a flow. The apparatus includes a coiled tube having a tube diameter and a coil diameter, the tube having an input receiving the flow and an output, the tube having a length between the input and the output. A heater heats a first portion of the tube along a first, longitudinal portion of the tube, and a cooler cools a second, longitudinal portion of the tube along at least a second portion of the tube. The method includes heating a first portion of the tube along a first longitudinal portion of the tube, and simultaneously cooling a second portion of the tube along at least a second longitudinal portion of the tube. While heating and cooling, the method includes introducing a flow into an interior of the tube at an input, the flow moving the output.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2019Publication date: July 25, 2019Applicant: AEROSOL DYNAMICS INC.Inventors: Susanne Vera Hering, Steven Russel Spielman, Gregory Stephen Lewis