Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Sotomayor

Thomas E. Sotomayor 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: 10928280
    Abstract: A sample encapsulation system includes a fixture, a base, a chamber having an inlet and a chamber housing. The housing has inner and outer housings. The chamber is mounted in the inner housing. The base, chamber and housing are affixed to one another and movable in the fixture. A cap has a first ram operably mounted thereto for engaging the chamber inlet. A second ram in the chamber opposite the inlet moves toward and away from the first ram. A heating assembly is positioned in the inner housing and a cooling assembly including a cooling jacket defined in part by the inner and outer housings includes a manifold. The chamber, housing and base are movable toward and away from the cap for engaging and disengaging the first ram with the chamber during and after the encapsulation cycle, respectively. The cooling system includes a vacuum breaker to self-drain following cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Sotomayor
  • Publication number: 20180372596
    Abstract: A sample encapsulation system (10) includes a fixture, a base (12), a chamber (14) having an inlet and a chamber housing (16). The housing (16) has inner (36) and outer (38) housings. The chamber (14) is fixedly mounted in the inner housing (36). The base, chamber (14) and housing (16) are affixed relative to one another and movable relative to the fixture. The system includes a cap (78) and a first ram (80) operably mounted to the cap (78) for engaging the chamber inlet. A second ram (24) is positioned in the chamber (14) opposite the inlet and moves toward and away from the first ram (80). The second ram (24) is driven by a cylinder. A heating assembly is positioned in the inner housing (36) and a cooling assembly which includes a cooling jacket (50) defined in part by the inner housing (36) and the outer housing (38) includes a manifold (60).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas E. Sotomayor
  • Patent number: 6892972
    Abstract: Size reduction machines including a screen holder that positions and secures a screen associated with the size reduction machine in place and also including an adjustable impeller for setting and changing a desired known gap between the size reduction machine impeller and frusto-conical screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: The Fitzpatrick Company
    Inventors: Albert Kircher, Thomas E. Sotomayor, Ronald D. Selner, Elbert D. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20020056774
    Abstract: Size reduction machines including a screen holder that positions and secures a screen associated with the size reduction machine in place and also including an adjustable impeller for setting and changing a desired known gap between the size reduction machine impeller and frusto-conical screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Applicant: The Fitzpatrick Company
    Inventors: Albert Kircher, Thomas E. Sotomayor, Ronald D. Selner, Elbert D. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6367723
    Abstract: Size reduction machines including a screen holder that positions and secures a screen associated with the size reduction machine in place and also including an adjustable impeller for setting and changing a desired known gap between the size reduction machine impeller and frusto-conical screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: The Fitzpatrick Company
    Inventors: Albert Kircher, Thomas E. Sotomayor, Ronald D. Selner, Elbert D. Wilson