Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Richards

Thomas J. 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: 20010022472
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing uninterrupted power during transitions between a primary power source and a standby power generator. The method and apparatus includes determining one of a power failure condition and a power return condition of the primary power source, transitioning between the primary power source and the standby power generator, and providing power to a load during the transition, the power being supplied by an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) having a capacitor supplied voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: GEORGE CODINA, THOMAS J. RICHARDS
  • Patent number: 6163088
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing standby power from a generator. The method and apparatus includes determining a power failure condition of a primary power source, disconnecting the primary power source from a load, connecting the generator to the load, connecting a first capacitor supplied voltage to a starter system, activating the starter system to start the generator, and providing a second capacitor supplied voltage to a capacitor monitor/diagnostics controller during a transition period between the primary power source and the generator standby power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: George Codina, Thomas J. Richards
  • Patent number: 5785950
    Abstract: This invention relates to compositions comprising highly fluorinated, chloro-substituted, non-cyclic organic compounds having 7 to 9 carbon atoms and to processes of making and using them. More particularly, this invention relates to emulsions comprising those highly fluorinated, chloro-substituted organic compounds. This invention also related to emulsion comprising noncyclic perfluorochlorethers having 7 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 7 to 9 carbon atoms. These novel emulsions have various medical and oxygen transport applications. They are especially useful medically as contrast media, for various biological imaging modalities such as nuclear magnetic resonance, ultrasound, x-ray, computed tomography, .sup.19 F-magnetic resonance imaging, and position emission tomography, as oxygen transport agents or "artificial bloods," in the treatment of heart attack, stroke, and other vascular obstructions, as adjuvants to coronary angioplasty and in cancer radiation treatment and chemotherapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignees: HemaGen/PFC, Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Robert J. Kaufman, Thomas J. Richard, George G. I. Moore, Richard M. Flynn
  • Patent number: 5770585
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a homogenous water-in-perfluorochemical stable liquid dispersion for acceptable therapeutic administration of a drug to the lung of an animal. The dispersion includes a perfluorochemical liquid, water, surfactant and drug, wherein the water is homogeneously dispersed in the perfluorochemical to form a stable water-in-perfluorochemical liquid dispersion. The perfluorochemical constitutes greater than 50% by volume of the dispersion, and the drug is contained in the dispersion in an effective therapeutic amount.The invention further includes a method of delivering a drug to the lung of an animal. This aspect of the invention includes administering a stable homogenous water-in-perfluorochemical liquid dispersion to the animal lung or a section thereof. If desired, the method may further include delivering a breathable gas to the lung with a mechanical ventilator during the administration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Inventors: Robert J. Kaufman, Thomas J. Richard, Richard A. Stephens, Thomas H. Goodin, John S. Allen, Tony E. Layton
  • Patent number: 5616330
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a composition of a taxine in a stable oil-in-water emulsion for intravenous administration. The invention also relates to a method for incorporating a taxine into an oil and making a stable oil-in-water emulsion.The composition includes a taxine, an oil, water and a surfactant. In a preferred embodiment, the taxine is taxol, the oil is safflower oil and the surfactant is lecithin, The taxine is incorporated into the oil by dissolving the taxine in a solution of an oil and a taxine co-solvent, such as isopropanol, for example. The co-solvent then is removed to form a solution of the taxine in oil. This solution may be dispersed in water with a surfactant to form a stable oil-in-water emulsion for intravenous administration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: HemaGen/PFC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kaufman, Thomas J. Richard, Ralph W. Fuhrhop
  • Patent number: 5614170
    Abstract: Emulsions of paramagnetic contrast agents, and processes of making and using them are disclosed. The emulsions contain water, a dispersed oil phase and a complex of a paramagnetic metal ion and an organic acid chelator, for example DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid), having a C.sub.10 -C.sub.30 saturated aliphatic group and an hydroxyl group bonded to the nitrogen atom. The emulsions are very stable and therapeutically acceptable for intravenous administration to enhance MRI imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: HemaGen/PFC
    Inventors: William P. Cacheris, Thomas J. Richard, Raymond C. Grabiak, Albert C. Lee
  • Patent number: 5571498
    Abstract: Emulsions of paramagnetic contrast agents, and processes of making and using them are disclosed. The emulsions contain water, a dispersed oil phase and a complex of a paramagnetic metal ion and an organic chelator having a C.sub.10 -C.sub.30 unsaturated aliphatic group. The emulsions are very stable and therapeutically acceptable for intravenous administration to enhance MRI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: HemaGen/PFC
    Inventors: William P. Cacheris, Robert J. Kaufman, Thomas J. Richard, Raymond C. Grabiak
  • Patent number: 5439944
    Abstract: Oil and water emulsions containing alkylphosphoryl choline or alkylglycerophosphoryl choline surfactants are disclosed. The surfactants have the following general structures: ##STR1## In the above general structures, R.sub.1, R.sub.2 or R.sub.3 is alkyl, alkenyl, fluoroalkyl and alkenyl; and PC is the phosphoryl choline. The emulsions are useful as oxygen transport agents, artificial bloods or red blood cell substitutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: HemaGen/PFC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kaufman, Thomas J. Richard
  • Patent number: 5439669
    Abstract: Oil and water emulsions containing alkylphosphoryl choline or alkylglycerophosphoryl choline surfactants are disclosed. The surfactants have the following general structures: ##STR1## In the above general structures, R.sub.1, R.sub.2 or R.sub.3 is alkyl, alkenyl, fluoroalkyl and alkenyl; and PC is the phosphoryl choline. The emulsions are useful as oxygen transport agents, artificial bloods or red blood cell substitutes.The emulsions are also useful as contrast agents for biological imaging by the modalities of nuclear magnetic resonance, x-ray and ultra sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: HemaGen/PFC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kaufman, Thomas J. Richard
  • Patent number: 5420359
    Abstract: Normally liquid chlorofluoroether compositions consisting or consisting essentially of one or a selected mixture of perhalogenated chlorofluoroether compounds are provided by direct fluorination of the corresponding chloroether or chlorofluoroether precursors. The compositions are useful, for example, as heat transfer agents, blood substitutes, and solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignees: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, HemaGen/PFC
    Inventors: George G. I. Moore, Richard M. Flynn, Robert J. Kaufman, Thomas J. Richard
  • Patent number: 5407962
    Abstract: Improved emulsions of highly fluorinated organic compounds. The emulsions comprise a highly fluorinated organic compound, an oil, that is not substantially surface active and not significantly water soluble, and a surfactant. They are characterized by a well-defined relationship in the relative amounts of the three components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: HemaGen/PFC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kaufman, Thomas J. Richard
  • Patent number: 5403575
    Abstract: This invention relates to compositions comprising highly fluorinated, chloro-substituted, non-cyclic organic compounds having 7 to 9 carbon atoms and to processes of making and using them. More particularly, this invention relates to emulsions comprising those highly fluorinated, chloro-substituted organic compounds. These novel emulsions have various medical and oxygen transport applications. They are especially useful medically as contrast media, for various biological imaging modalities such as nuclear magnetic resonance, ultrasound, x-ray, computed tomography, .sup.19 F-magnetic resonance imaging, and position emission tomography, as oxygen transport agents or "artificial bloods," in the treatment of heart attack, stroke, and other vascular obstructions, as adjuvants to coronary angioplasty and in cancer radiation treatment and chemotherapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: HemaGen/PFC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kaufman, Thomas J. Richard
  • Patent number: 5386877
    Abstract: An apparatus (102) assists an earthmoving vehicle (104) in the fracture of material (106). The apparatus (102) includes a ripping structure (108) having at least one ripper (112) and one electrode (130). The apparatus (102) generates electrical energy and discharges the electrical energy into the material through the ripping structure (108).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: George G. Codina, Robert J. Price, Liliana Grajales, Thomas J. Richards
  • Patent number: 5382835
    Abstract: An integrated Marx generator circuit is constructed in one assembly from a housing with two oil-filled cavities. First and second capacitors each include two sets of spaced apart capacitor plates. The first and second capacitors are formed in the separate cavities. The space between the capacitor plates are filled with oil and insulating material. A set of four spark gap switches control the charging and discharging of the generator circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Everett G. Brandt, George Codina, Thomas J. Richards
  • Patent number: 5350571
    Abstract: Improved emulsions of highly fluorinated organic compounds. The emulsions comprise a highly fluorinated organic compound, an oil, that is not substantially surface active and not significantly water soluble, and a surfactant. They are characterized by a well-defined relationship in the relative amounts of the three components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: HemaGen/PFC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kaufman, Thomas J. Richard
  • Patent number: 5304325
    Abstract: Oil and water emulsions containing alkylphosphoryl choline or alkylglycerophosphoryl choline surfactants are disclosed. The surfactants have the following general structures: ##STR1## In the above general structures, R.sub.1, R.sub.2 or R.sub.3 is alkyl, alkenyl, fluoroalkyl and alkenyl; and PC is the phosphoryl choline. The emulsions are useful as oxygen transport agents, artificial bloods or red blood cell substitutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: HemaGen/PFC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kaufman, Thomas J. Richard
  • Patent number: 5295953
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for practical extracorporeal separation of fluorochemicals from clinically fluorochemical-containing whole blood of a patient. The methods incorporate centrifugal apheresis devices, preferably with low extracorporeal volumes, that provide a means for continuously removing separated fluorochemical-enriched fractions from the centrifuge during processing and return of whole blood-enriched fractions to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignees: HemaGen/PFC, Baxter Health Care Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Richard, Donald W. Schoendorfer, Robert J. Kaufman, Thomas H. Goodin
  • Patent number: 5225743
    Abstract: A switch includes a housing forming a cavity, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first electrode has an inner surface having a generally circular cross-section perpendicular to an axis and extending along the cavity in a first direction along the axis, forming a hollow tube. The second electrode has a generally circular cross-section perpendicular to the axis and extending into the cavity in a second direction along the axis. The second electrode extends at least partially into the hollow tube formed by the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: George G. Codina, Thomas J. Richards, Everett G. Brandt
  • Patent number: 5171755
    Abstract: Improved emulsions of highly fluorinated organic compounds. The emulsions comprise a highly fluorinated organic compound, an oil, that is not substantially surface active and not significantly water soluble, and a surfactant. They are characterized by a well-defined relationship in the relative amounts of the three components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: HemaGen/PFC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kaufman, Thomas J. Richard
  • Patent number: 4810426
    Abstract: Hydrolysis of N-phosphonomethyl-2-oxazolidone and separation of the carbon dioxide co-product prior to oxidation of the hydrolyzate to glyphosate results in a process of significantly increased efficiency over the previously described processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventors: Donald L. Fields, Jr., Len F. Lee, Thomas J. Richard