Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Richards

Thomas C. Richards 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).

  • Publication number: 20240141428
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for detecting multiple different nucleotides in a sample. In particular, the disclosure provides for detection of multiple different nucleotides in a sample utilizing fewer detection moieties than the number of nucleotides being detected and/or fewer imaging events than the number of nucleotides being detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Robert C. Kain, Xiaohai Liu, Wenyi Feng, Bernard Hirschbein, Helmy A. Eltoukhy, Xiaolin Wu, Geoffrey Paul Smith, Jonathan Mark Boutell, Thomas Joseph, Randall Smith, Min-Jui Richard Shen, Carolyn Tregidgo, Kay Klausing
  • Patent number: 11901553
    Abstract: The invention is directed towards a battery. The battery includes a cathode, an anode, a separator between the cathode and the anode, and an electrolyte. The cathode includes a conductive additive and an electrochemically active cathode material. The electrochemically active cathode material includes a beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide. The beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide has a chemical formula. The chemical formula is LixAyNi1+a?zMzO2·nH2O where x is from about 0.02 to about 0.20; y is from about 0.03 to about 0.20; a is from about 0 to about 0.2; z is from about 0 to about 0.2; and n is from about 0 to about 1. Within the chemical formula, A is an alkali metal. The alkali metal includes potassium, rubidium, cesium, and any combination thereof. Within the chemical formula, M comprises an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, a non-transition metal, and any combination thereof. The anode includes an electrochemically active anode material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: DURACELL U.S. OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David Lloyd Anglin, Jennifer Anne Nelson, Paul Albert Christian, Thomas C. Richards
  • Patent number: 11799082
    Abstract: The invention is directed towards an electrochemically active cathode material. The electrochemically active cathode includes beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide and an electrochemically active cathode material selected from the group consisting of manganese oxide, manganese dioxide, electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD), chemical manganese dioxide (CMD), high power electrolytic manganese dioxide (HP EMD), lambda manganese dioxide, gamma manganese dioxide, beta manganese dioxide, and mixtures thereof. The beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide has an X-ray diffraction pattern. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide includes a first peak from about 14.9°2? to about 16.0°2?; a second peak from about 21.3°2? to about 22.7°2?; a third peak from about 37.1°2? to about 37.4°2?; a fourth peak from about 43.2°2? to about 44.0°2?; a fifth peak from about 59.6°2? to about 60.6°2?; and a sixth peak from about 65.4°2? to about 65.9°2?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: DURACELL U.S. OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jennifer A. Nelson, David Lloyd Anglin, Mariarosa Brundu, Paul Albert Christian, Thomas C. Richards
  • Publication number: 20220209233
    Abstract: The invention is directed towards a battery. The battery includes a cathode, an anode, a separator between the cathode and the anode, and an electrolyte. The cathode includes a conductive additive and an electrochemically active cathode material. The electrochemically active cathode material includes a beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide. The beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide has a chemical formula. The chemical formula is LixAyNi1+a?zMzO2.nH2O where x is from about 0.02 to about 0.20; y is from about 0.03 to about 0.20; a is from about 0 to about 0.2; z is from about 0 to about 0.2; and n is from about 0 to about 1. Within the chemical formula, A is an alkali metal. The alkali metal includes potassium, rubidium, cesium, and any combination thereof. Within the chemical formula, M comprises an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, a non-transition metal, and any combination thereof. The anode includes an electrochemically active anode material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: David Lloyd Anglin, Jennifer Anne Nelson, Paul Albert Christian, Thomas C. Richards
  • Patent number: 11316159
    Abstract: The invention is directed towards a battery. The battery includes a cathode, an anode, a separator between the cathode and the anode, and an electrolyte. The cathode includes a conductive additive and an electrochemically active cathode material. The electrochemically active cathode material includes a beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide. The beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide has a chemical formula. The chemical formula is LixAyNi1+a?zMzO2.nH2O where x is from about 0.02 to about 0.20; y is from about 0.03 to about 0.20; a is from about 0 to about 0.2; z is from about 0 to about 0.2; and n is from about 0 to about 1. Within the chemical formula, A is an alkali metal. The alkali metal includes potassium, rubidium, cesium, and any combination thereof. Within the chemical formula, M comprises an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, a non-transition metal, and any combination thereof. The anode includes an electrochemically active anode material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: DURACELL U.S. OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David Lloyd Anglin, Jennifer Anne Nelson, Paul Albert Christian, Thomas C. Richards
  • Publication number: 20210367237
    Abstract: The invention is directed towards an electrochemically active cathode material. The electrochemically active cathode includes beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide and an electrochemically active cathode material selected from the group consisting of manganese oxide, manganese dioxide, electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD), chemical manganese dioxide (CMD), high power electrolytic manganese dioxide (HP EMD), lambda manganese dioxide, gamma manganese dioxide, beta manganese dioxide, and mixtures thereof. The beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide has an X-ray diffraction pattern. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide includes a first peak from about 14.9°2? to about 16.0°2?; a second peak from about 21.3°2? to about 22.7°2?; a third peak from about 37.1°2? to about 37.4°2?; a fourth peak from about 43.2°2? to about 44.0°2?; a fifth peak from about 59.6°2? to about 60.6°2?; and a sixth peak from about 65.4°2? to about 65.9°2?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Jennifer A. Nelson, David Lloyd Anglin, Mariarosa Brundu, Paul Albert Christian, Thomas C. Richards
  • Patent number: 11081696
    Abstract: The invention is directed towards an electrochemically active cathode material. The electrochemically active cathode includes beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide and an electrochemically active cathode material selected from the group consisting of manganese oxide, manganese dioxide, electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD), chemical manganese dioxide (CMD), high power electrolytic manganese dioxide (HP EMD), lambda manganese dioxide, gamma manganese dioxide, beta manganese dioxide, and mixtures thereof. The beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide has an X-ray diffraction pattern. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide includes a first peak from about 14.9° 2? to about 16.0° 2?; a second peak from about 21.3° 2? to about 22.7° 2?; a third peak from about 37.1° 2? to about 37.4° 2?; a fourth peak from about 43.2° 2? to about 44.0° 2?; a fifth peak from about 59.6° 2? to about 60.6° 2?; and a sixth peak from about 65.4° 2? to about 65.9° 2?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: DURACELL U.S. OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jennifer A. Nelson, David Lloyd Anglin, Mariarosa Brundu, Paul Albert Christian, Thomas C. Richards
  • Patent number: 8703336
    Abstract: A primary alkaline battery includes a cathode having an alkali-deficient nickel (IV)-containing oxide including metals such as Ni, Co, Mg, Al, Ca, Y, Mn, and/or non-metals such as B, Si, Ge or a combination of metal and/or non-metal ions as stabilizing dopants; a combination of metal ions as dopants; an anode; a separator between the cathode and the anode; and an alkaline electrolyte. The battery can be pre-discharged within one hour after assembly to decrease the open circuit voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Richards, Paul Christian, Jennifer A. Nelson, Kirakodu S. Nanjundaswamy, Fan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130252108
    Abstract: A primary alkaline battery includes a cathode having an alkali-deficient nickel (IV)-containing oxide including metals such as Ni, Co, Mg, Al, Ca, Y, Mn, and/or non-metals such as B, Si, Ge or a combination of metal and/or non-metal ions as stabilizing dopants; a combination of metal ions as dopants; an anode; a separator between the cathode and the anode; and an alkaline electrolyte. The battery can be pre-discharged within one hour after assembly to decrease the open circuit voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas C. Richards, Paul Christian, Jennifer A. Nelson, Kirakodu S. Nanjundaswamy, Fan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8323835
    Abstract: A battery includes a housing, an anode and a cathode within the housing, the anode having a first portion and a second portion adjacent to each other, a current collector at least partially disposed in the anode, a separator between the anode and the cathode, and an anode portion separator at least partially disposed in the anode and between the first and second portions of the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Stuart M. Davis, Javit A. Drake, Richard E. Durkot, Gary A. Miller, Thomas C. Richards
  • Patent number: 7820329
    Abstract: A wafer alkaline cell of a laminar structure is disclosed. The cell has a pair of opposing sides comprising at least the majority of the boundary surface of said cell and defining a short cell dimension therebetween. The cell comprises an anode assembly and a cathode assembly bonded together to form a laminate structure. The cell comprises preferably two separate plastic frames housing the anode and cathode material. The anode current collector may be precoated with a sealing metal forming an alkaline resistant metal oxide film to improve bonding to the frame. The anode assembly has an anode material therein typically comprising zinc and the cathode assembly has a cathode material therein typically comprising manganese dioxide. The cell is durable and preferably rigid, has elongated leak block paths, and resists electrolyte leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Boulton, Stuart M. Davis, Charles E. O'Brien, Thomas C. Richards
  • Patent number: 7776468
    Abstract: A wafer alkaline cell of a laminar structure is disclosed. The cell comprises an anode assembly and a cathode assembly bonded together to form a laminate structure. There may be one and desirably two anode frames securing an anode current collector sheet sandwiched therebetween. There may be a cathode frame bonded to the anode frames. There is an anode current collector sheet within the anode assembly. There is a cathode current collector sheet, optionally with an attached metal mesh embedded within the cathode assembly to assure good electrical contact with the cathode. Alternatively, a cathode endplate with spring action is employed which can move in response to changes of volume or pressure within the cathode, thereby maintaining good contact. The anode current collector may be precoated with a sealing metal forming an alkaline resistant metal oxide film to improve bonding to the frame. The cell is durable and preferably rigid and resists electrolyte leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Richards, Stuart M. Davis, Jonathan M. Boulton, Charles E. O'Brien, Yali Tang
  • Publication number: 20100081046
    Abstract: A battery includes a housing, an anode and a cathode within the housing, the anode having a first portion and a second portion adjacent to each other, a current collector at least partially disposed in the anode, a separator between the anode and the cathode, and an anode portion separator at least partially disposed in the anode and between the first and second portions of the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Stuart M. Davis, Javit A. Drake, Richard E. Durkot, Gary A. Miller, Thomas C. Richards
  • Patent number: 7481851
    Abstract: A method of forming an anode comprising zinc for an alkaline cell. The method involves mixing zinc particles with binders including preferably polyvinylalcohol, surfactant and water to form a wet paste. The wet paste is molded into the near shape of the cell's anode cavity and then heated to evaporate water. A solid porous zinc mass is formed having microscopic void spaces between the zinc particles. The solid mass can be inserted into the cell's anode cavity and aqueous alkaline electrolyte, preferably comprising potassium hydroxide, then added. The solid mass absorbs the aqueous electrolyte and expands to fill the anode cavity to form the final fresh anode. Zinc fibers may be added to increase the structural integrity of the solid mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Richards, George Cintra, Andrew G. Gilicinski, Zhiping Jiang, C. Robert Parent
  • Patent number: 7394368
    Abstract: An electronic proximity switch employs two oscillators coupled through two electrical paths, one associated with an antenna serving as a proximity switch sensor. Absorption by an object near the antenna changes the coupling between the oscillators producing a dramatic phase shift that may be detected and used for switching purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Richards
  • Patent number: 6939528
    Abstract: Particulate MnO2, having simultaneously a micropore surface area greater than 8.0 m2/g, desirably between about 8.0 and 13 m2/g and BET surface area of between about 20 and 31 m2/g within the context of an MnO2 having a total intraparticle porosity of between about 0.035 cm3/g and 0.06 cm3/g produces enhanced performance when employed as cathode active material in an electrochemical cell, particularly an alkaline cell. The average pore radius of the meso and macro pores within the MnO2 (meso-macro pore radius) is desirably greater than 32 Angstrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Stuart M. Davis, William L. Bowden, Peter R. Moses, Thomas C. Richards
  • Patent number: 6863876
    Abstract: Particulate MnO2, having simultaneously a micropore surface area greater than 8.0 m2/g, desirably between about 8.0 and 13 m2/g and BET surface area of between about 20 and 31 m2/g within the context of an MnO2 having a total intraparticle porosity of between about 0.035 cm3/g and 0.06 cm3/g produces enhanced performance when employed as cathode active material in an electrochemical cell, particularly an alkaline cell. The average pore radius of the meso and macro pores within the MnO2 (meso-macro pore radius) is desirably greater than 32 Angstrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Stuart M. Davis, William L. Bowden, Peter R. Moses, Thomas C. Richards
  • Publication number: 20040109822
    Abstract: Particulate MnO2, having simultaneously a micropore surface area greater than 8.0 m2/g, desirably between about 8.0 and 13 m2/g and BET surface area of between about 20 and 31 m2/g within the context of an MnO2 having a total intraparticle porosity of between about 0.035 cm3/g and 0.06 cm3/g produces enhanced performance when employed as cathode active material in an electrochemical cell, particularly an alkaline cell. The average pore radius of the meso and macro pores within the MnO2 (meso-macro pore radius) is desirably greater than 32 Angstrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Stuart M. Davis, William L. Bowden, Peter R. Moses, Thomas C. Richards
  • Publication number: 20030170170
    Abstract: Particulate MnO2, having simultaneously a micropore surface area greater than 8.0 m2/g, desirably between about 8.0 and 13 m2/g and BET surface area of between about 20 and 31 m2/g within the context of an MnO2 having a total intraparticle porosity of between about 0.035 cm3/g and 0.06 cm3/g produces enhanced performance when employed as cathode active material in an electrochemical cell, particularly an alkaline cell. The average pore radius of the meso and macro pores within the MnO2 (meso-macro pore radius) is desirably greater than 32 Angstrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Stuart M. Davis, William L. Bowden, Peter R. Moses, Thomas C. Richards
  • Patent number: 6119668
    Abstract: An engine ignition coil and wiring arrangement uses a connection position assurance device to assist in the connection of ignition wires to an ignition coil and the maintenance of the connections in engine use. The ignition coil is provided with a pair of parallel terminal posts and a mounting surface adjacent a bolt opening. Each of a pair of ignition wires has a cable portion and a connector portion. The connection position assurance device is a T-shaped element having tower portion with a bolt opening extending lengthwise therethrough and pair of connector holding portions extending in opposite directions adjacent one end of the tower portion. Each of the connector holding portions defines a central cavity for the retention of a connector portion of one of the ignition wires. Specific insertion and access openings from the cavity are also provided for insertion and access of the ignition wire connector portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Richards, Harry J. Slaven, Harry J. Wilson