Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Meyer

Thomas J. Meyer 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: 6190531
    Abstract: Concentration of tritium and/or deuterium that is a contaminant in H2O, followed by separation of the concentrate from the H2O. Employed are certain metal oxo complexes, preferably with a metal from Group VIII. For instance, [RuIV(2,2′,6′,2″-terpyridine)(2,2′-bipyridine)(O)](ClO4)2 is very suitable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: University of North Carolina
    Inventors: Thomas J. Meyer, Poonam M. Narula
  • Patent number: 5652521
    Abstract: A non-ferrous current sensor is used to continuously measure the charging current magnitude in step-graded foil and paper insulation systems and capacitive insulation systems used on high voltage measurement and control apparatus such as instrument transformers and on the condenser bushings of power transformers and circuit breakers. The low voltage measured signal is conditioned by an electronic circuit that modulates a DC signal in a system current control loop to provide continuous remote monitoring and alarm functions. Remote power is supplied to the sensor and conversion circuits through the current loop. The sensor detects changes in the charging current through the insulation ground conductor, indicating the degradation of the dielectric properties between the foil layers. The sensor and associated electronic circuitry are enclosed in a housing adaptable to be used with a capacitance tap common to high voltage measurement and control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Meyer
  • Patent number: 5640154
    Abstract: A non-ferrous current sensor is used to continuously measure the charging current magnitude in step-graded foil and paper insulation systems and capacitive insulation systems used on high voltage measurement and control apparatus such as instrument transformers and on the condenser bushings of power transformers and circuit breakers. The low voltage measured signal is conditioned by an electronic circuit such that it modulates a DC signal in a system current control loop to provide continuous remote monitoring and alarm functions. Remote power is supplied to the sensor and conversion circuits through the current loop. The sensor detects changes in the charging current through the insulation ground conductor, indicating the degradation of the dielectric properties between the foil layers. The sensor and associated electronic circuitry are enclosed in a housing adaptable to be used with a capacitance tap common to high voltage measurement and control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Meyer, Nicholas S. Powers
  • Patent number: 5603820
    Abstract: An electrode sensor which may be used to specifically and quantitatively measure nitric oxide is provided, as well as a method of preparing and using such an electrode sensor to measure nitric oxide concentration in solution. A nitric oxide (NO) microsensor based on catalytic oxidation of NO comprises a thermally-sharpened carbon fiber with a tip diameter of about 0.5-0.7 .mu.m coated with several layers of p-type semiconducting polymeric porphyrin and cationic exchanger deposited thereon. The microsensor, which can be operated in either the amperometric, voltammetric or coulometric mode utilizing a two or three electrode system, is characterized by a linear response up to about 300 .mu.M, a response time better than 10 msec and a detection limit of about 10 nM. The sensor of the present invention also discriminates against nitrite, the most problematic interferant in NO measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: Tadeusz Malinski, David A. Wink, Janet Younathan, Royce W. Murray, Melani Sullivan, Thomas J. Meyer, Danae D. Christodoulou
  • Patent number: 5574378
    Abstract: A non-ferrous current sensor is used to continuously measure the charging current magnitude in step-graded foil and paper insulation systems and capacitive insulation systems used on high voltage measurement and control apparatus such as instrument transformers and on the condenser bushings of power transformers and circuit breakers. The low voltage measured signal is conditioned by an electronic circuit such that it modulates a DC signal in a system current control loop to provide continuous remote monitoring and alarm functions. Remote power is supplied to the sensor and conversion circuits through the current loop. The sensor detects changes in the charging current through the insulation ground conductor, indicating the degradation of the dielectric properties between the foil layers. The sensor and associated electronic circuitry are enclosed in a housing adaptable to be used with a capacitance tap common to high voltage measurement and control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Meyer, Nicholas S. Powers
  • Patent number: 5471144
    Abstract: A non-ferrous current sensor is used to continuously measure the charging current magnitude in step-graded foil and paper insulation systems used on high voltage measurement and control apparatus such as instrument transformers and on the condenser bushings of power transformers and circuit breakers. The low voltage measured signal is conditioned by an electronic circuit such that it modulates a DC signal in a system current control loop to provide continuous remote monitoring and alarm functions. Remote power is supplied to the sensor and conversion circuits through the current loop. Alarm level thresholds and alarm time delay are embodied in a control device which may be located in a remote location, away from the high voltage equipment. Step-graded insulation systems form a capacitively divided circuit between the high potential and ground. As the dielectric between the foil layers breaks down, the total capacitance of the insulation system increases, producing an increase in the charging current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Meyer
  • Patent number: 5124634
    Abstract: An optical current transducer for measuring current in a high voltage transmission line includes a temperature compensated light source of nominal predetermined intensity and wavelength, a Faraday rotation device where Faraday rotation impressed on the light exiting the light source is proportional to the intensity of the electrical current to be measured. A hermetic tank encloses the Faraday rotation device to provide protection from the environment. An electronic circuit converts the optical output of the Faraday rotation device to an electrical signal in direct proportion to and in phase with the current to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Edward A. Ulmer, Jr., Thomas J. Meyer
  • Patent number: 4766298
    Abstract: A portable, stand-alone desk-top, optical scanning apparatus includes a first housing member positioned on the top surface of a checkout counter in which is mounted on the floor portion of the housing member, a light emitting element for projecting scanning light beams within the housing member, and a floor-mounted multifaceted rotating mirror for directing the light beams at a plurality of floor-mounted twisted mirror members which reflect the light beams through an aperture in the cover portion of the housing member, said light beams forming a pattern for scanning a bar code label on a merchandise item positioned on top of the housing adjacent the aperture. Light reflected from the label is directed back through the housing member towards a photodetector which generates electrical signals for processing by an electrical circuit located within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Meyers
  • Patent number: 4756807
    Abstract: An electrode that has a film adsorbed to its surface by reductive electropolymerization of (vbpy)Re(CO).sub.3 Cl (4-vinyl-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine tricarbonylchlororhenium(I)) or its acetonitrile analogue, [(vbpy)Re(CO).sub.3 (MeCN)].sup.+ (4-vinyl-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine tricarbonylacetonitrile rhenium (I)). The poly(vbpy)Re(CO).sub.3 Cl or poly[(vbpy)Re(CO).sub.3 (MeCN)].sup.+ adsorbed onto the electrode, acts as a catalyst for CO.sub.2 reduction to CO. Stability and the reactivity of the polymer film may be increased by co-reductive electropolymerization of either of the aforesaid Re complexes with [(bpy).sub.2 Ru(vpy).sub.2.sup.2+ (bis(4-vinyl-pyridine)bis(2,2'-bipyridine) ruthenium (II)) (vpy is 4-vinylpyridine). A bilayer film assembly consisting of poly-[(bpy).sub.2 Ru(vpy).sub.2 ].sup.2+ as an inner film and the aforementioned copolymer of Ru/Re yields even greater reactivity to CO.sub.2.A method of forming a polymeric film on an electrode.A method of reducing CO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Thomas J. Meyer, Terrence R. O'Toole, Lawrence D. Margerum, T. David Westmoreland, William J. Vining, Royce W. Murray, B. Patrick Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4752874
    Abstract: A method for encoding cash tills for the purpose of automating cash till reconciliation and operator sign-in. Encoding is done by use of a series of notches or apertures on the back of each till and reading the notches or apertures (go - no go) with switch-type sensors to identify the till and/or the operator. The applications include (1) more than one cash till per operator or (2) more than one operator per cash till, (3) identification of the cash till when placed in operation, or (4) identification of the cash till with each operation thereof. Reconciliation may occur at any desired interval of time such as daily, weekly or monthly--dependent upon the capacity of the cash till or the amount of activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Meyers
  • Patent number: 4711708
    Abstract: An electrode that has a film adsorbed to its surface by reductive electropolymerization of (vbpy)Re(CO).sub.3 Cl (4-vinyl-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine tricarbonylchlororhenium(I)) or its acetonitrile analogue, [(vbpy)Re(CO).sub.3 (MeCN)].sup.+ (4-vinyl-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine tricarbonylacetonitrile rhenium (I)). The poly (vbpy)Re(CO).sub.3 Cl or poly-[(vbpy)Re(CO).sub.3 (MeCN)].sup.+ adsorbed onto the electrode, acts as a catalyst for CO.sub.2 reduction to CO. Stability and the reactivity of the polymer film may be increased by co-reductive electropolymeriaztion of either of the aforesaid Re complexes with [(bpy).sub.2 Ru(vpy).sub.2.sup.2+ ](bis(4-vinyl-pyridine)bis(2,2'-bipyridine) ruthenium (II)) (vpy is 4-vinylpyridine). A bilayer film assembly consisting of poly-[(bpy).sub.2 Ru(vpy).sub.2 ].sup.2+ as an inner film and the aforementioned copolymer of Ru/Re yields even greater reactivity to CO.sub.2.A method of forming a polymeric film on an electrode.A method of reducing CO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1987
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Thomas J. Meyer, Terrence R. O'Toole, Lawrence D. Margerum, T. David Westmoreland, William J. Vining, Royce W. Murray, B. Patrick Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4710615
    Abstract: A system for scanning a bar code label includes a light source for projecting light beams at the label, a rotating disc member located in a path of the reflected light beams, an array of charge-coupled devices mounted on the disc member for storing electrical signals upon sensing the reflected light beams, circuit means mounted on the disc member for reading and processing the electrical signals, a plurality of light-emitting diodes mounted on the rotating disc member for outputting binary signals representing the electrical signals stored by the array, and a photodiode mounted adjacent the rotating disc member for reading the output of the light-emitting diodes for transferring the data to a central processor for processing the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Meyers
  • Patent number: 4169517
    Abstract: A device for shielding the sound energy radiated from the jet engines of an aircraft formed from two panels being in horizontal and vertical longitudinal view arranged concavely in a clamshell type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1979
    Inventor: Thomas J. Meyer-Bretschneider