Patents by Inventor Tom Michalak

Tom Michalak 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: 20210333254
    Abstract: A remote test apparatus is configured to simulate an environment of at least one remotely located room and configured to receive at least one air sample from the at least one remotely located room. The apparatus includes a sealed enclosure forming an interior cavity and including an inlet in connection with the at least one remotely located room and an outlet in connection with a sample collection unit. The sample collection unit is configured to communicate the at least one air sample from the remotely located room at a first flow rate. The apparatus further includes at least one sensor disposed in the interior cavity and at least one air transfer unit configured to transfer test air from the interior cavity of the sealed enclosure to the at least one sensor at a second flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: Grand Valley State University
    Inventors: Sean M. McManus, Leo M. McCormick, Tom Michalak
  • Patent number: 10871303
    Abstract: An air sampling system is configured to detect an air quality metric for a plurality of regions. The sampling system comprises an air sample unit and an air sensor in fluid communication with a sensor supply line and configured to measure the air quality metric. A controller is configured to control the air sample unit to selectively direct a selected sample of a plurality of air samples to the sensor supply line. The controller is further configured to control the air sample unit to direct the remaining air samples to a sample purge line bypassing the sensor supply line. The controller is further configured to change the selected sample over time among the plurality of air samples such that the air quality metric is identified for the plurality of regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Grand Valley State University
    Inventors: Leo M. McCormick, Sean M. McManus, Tom Michalak
  • Publication number: 20200124314
    Abstract: An air sampling system is configured to detect an air quality metric for a plurality of regions. The sampling system comprises an air sample unit and an air sensor in fluid communication with a sensor supply line and configured to measure the air quality metric. A controller is configured to control the air sample unit to selectively direct a selected sample of a plurality of air samples to the sensor supply line. The controller is further configured to control the air sample unit to direct the remaining air samples to a sample purge line bypassing the sensor supply line. The controller is further configured to change the selected sample over time among the plurality of air samples such that the air quality metric is identified for the plurality of regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: Grand Valley State University
    Inventors: Leo M. McCormick, Sean M. McManus, Tom Michalak
  • Patent number: 10563886
    Abstract: An air sampling system configured to detect an air quality metric for a plurality of volumetric regions is disclosed. The system comprises an air sample return unit, an air flow controller, and at least one sensor. The air sample return unit is configured to independently transfer air from the plurality of regions as a plurality of air samples. The air flow controller is configured to receive each of the plurality of air samples and selectively direct a selected sample to a sensor supply line and the remainder of the samples to a sample purge line. The at least one sensor is configured to measure an air quality metric of the selected sample and communicate the air quality metric to a controller. The remainder of the air samples are directed to the air sample return unit throughout operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Grand Valley State University
    Inventors: Leo M. McCormick, Sean M. McManus, Tom Michalak
  • Publication number: 20180363939
    Abstract: An air sampling system configured to detect an air quality metric for a plurality of volumetric regions is disclosed. The system comprises an air sample return unit, an air flow controller, and at least one sensor. The air sample return unit is configured to independently transfer air from the plurality of regions as a plurality of air samples. The air flow controller is configured to receive each of the plurality of air samples and selectively direct a selected sample to a sensor supply line and the remainder of the samples to a sample purge line. The at least one sensor is configured to measure an air quality metric of the selected sample and communicate the air quality metric to a controller. The remainder of the air samples are directed to the air sample return unit throughout operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Leo M. McCormick, Sean M. McManus, Tom Michalak