Patents by Inventor William A. Curnan

William A. Curnan 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: 6091504
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the concentration of an analyte such as oxygen in an unknown gas sample. A Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) is used as a variable wavelength light source which is "swept" through a wavelength range by varying the drive signal applied thereto. Quantitative spectroscopic analysis of the unknown gas sample is performed without the requirement of feedback circuitry for tuning the light source to the characteristic frequency of an analyte. Instead, the VCSEL is repeatedly "swept" through a range of frequencies determined by the drive signal, and the absorption is measured by the detector. The absorption lines do not always occur at the same place but instead move along around during the sweep based on the temperature and baseline current. The absorption at a particular wavelength may be determined by overlaying the drive signal and its timing information over the detected absorption signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Square One Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Walker, Robert A. Nichols, William A. Curnan, Sophat Svai, James R. Braig, Daniel S. Goldberger
  • Patent number: 4027144
    Abstract: An improved magnetic return mechanism, especially useful in timing devices of the type including a motor means for driving a member at a given rotational velocity about a given axis and from a selected angular position, means for indicating when the member has been driven a given angular amount corresponding to a cycle time, means for releasing the member for free rotation about the given axis back to the selected angular position, and return means for rotating the member from a position angularly spaced from the selected position to the selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Assignee: Gulf & Western Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. DeLille, William A. Curnan, Gentiel M. DeGryse
  • Patent number: 4005819
    Abstract: An improved magnetic return mechanism, especially useful in timing devices of the type including a motor means for driving a member at a given rotational velocity about a given axis and from a selected angular position, means for indicating when the member has been driven a given angular amount corresponding to a cycle time, means for releasing the member for free rotation about the given axis back to the selected angular position, and return means for rotating the member from a position angularly spaced from the selected position to the selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1977
    Assignee: Gulf & Western Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. DeLille, William A. Curnan, Gentiel M. DeGryse