Patents by Inventor William H. Hofmeister
William H. Hofmeister 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).
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Patent number: 11944926Abstract: Nanofiber filter media ribbons are flexible elongate strips of polymeric material having a surface on which is formed an array of nanofibers. Ribbons are formable into woven or non-woven mats. The array of nanofibers can be configured to filter a predetermined contaminant from a fluid stream passing through the mats. Filter ribbons are formable by applying a moldable polymer to a first angular location of a rotating cylindrical roll having an array of nanoholes formed in a circumferential surface thereof so that the polymer covers the surface of the roll and infiltrates the nanoholes; cooling the polymer while rotating the polymer-covered roll to a second angular position; and removing the cooled polymer from the roll as an elongate film having an array of nanofibers formed on a surface thereof by the polymer that infiltrated the nanoholes.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: ULTRA SMALL FIBERS, LLCInventors: William H. Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Collin Anderson
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Publication number: 20240042356Abstract: The present application is direction to a system and method for preparing filter media from macro and nanofibers by ventilating a nanofiber media, combining the nanofiber media with macro fibers to form a hybrid media, inserting the hybrid media between a stitching plate and a stripper plate and alternatively inserting and withdrawing needles to combine the macro fibers with the nanofiber media and create a fiber web along at least one surface of the nanofiber media.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: RESEARCH PRODUCTS CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas J. Anoszko, Gajanan Subray Bhat, Collin D. Anderson, William H. Hofmeister, Qin Sun, Jatin Champaklal Khanpara, Guolian Wu
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Publication number: 20230311036Abstract: A nanofiber filter wrap is a filter element comprising a polymer film including a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, an array of nanofibers extending from the first surface, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and opposing first and second edges extending from the first end to the second end. The polymer film is wound or folded to form a plurality of spaced adjacent layers defining interlayer gaps extending through the filter element from the first edge to the second edge substantially normal to a basal plane defined by the second edge of the polymer film. A fluid flowed can be flowed through the interlayer gaps to contact at least a portion of the array of nanofibers whereby a contaminant contained in the fluid is at least partially filtered from the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2022Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: William H. Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Collin D. Anderson
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Publication number: 20230226253Abstract: A biomimetic tissue scaffold for repairing an elongated tissue in need of repair can comprise a plurality of coiled flexible polymeric ribbons having a surface on which is formed an array of nanofibers, the ribbons forming a tubular body defining a first open end in which a first end of the elongated tissue is receivable, a second open end in which a second end of the elongated tissue is receivable, and a lumen extending between the first and second open ends.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2022Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventors: William H. Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Collin D. Anderson
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Patent number: 11666841Abstract: Nanofiber filter media ribbons are flexible elongate strips of polymeric material having a surface on which is formed an array of nanofibers. Ribbons are formable into woven or non-woven mats. The array of nanofibers can be configured to filter a predetermined contaminant from a fluid stream passing through the mats. Filter ribbons are formable by applying a moldable polymer to a first angular location of a rotating cylindrical roll having an array of nanoholes formed in a circumferential surface thereof so that the polymer covers the surface of the roll and infiltrates the nanoholes; cooling the polymer while rotating the polymer-covered roll to a second angular position; and removing the cooled polymer from the roll as an elongate film having an array of nanofibers formed on a surface thereof by the polymer that infiltrated the nanoholes.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: ULTRA SMALL FIBERS, LLCInventors: William H. Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Collin Anderson
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Publication number: 20230032052Abstract: A filter media construct includes a plurality of flexible laminas joined in a stack, each lamina including an array of nanofibers extending from a surface thereof. Each lamina is configured to be permeable to a fluid such that the fluid can flow through each lamina normal to the surface thereof and in any direction along at least a portion of said surface when the fluid is flowed through the construct. The laminas can include a plurality of perforations extending therethrough such that the fluid flows through at least some of the perforations of the laminas when the fluid is flowed through the construct. A contaminant contained in the fluid is at least partially filtered from the fluid by the nanofibers when the fluid is flowed along the surface of any lamina or into or through the perforations.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2021Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: William H. Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Collin D. Anderson
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Patent number: 11491258Abstract: A biomimetic tissue scaffold for repairing an elongated tissue in need of repair can comprise a plurality of coiled flexible polymeric ribbons having a surface on which is formed an array of nanofibers, the ribbons forming a tubular body defining a first open end in which a first end of the elongated tissue is receivable, a second open end in which a second end of the elongated tissue is receivable, and a lumen extending between the first and second open ends.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2021Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: ULTRA SMALL FIBERS, LLCInventors: William H. Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Collin D. Anderson
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Patent number: 11491259Abstract: A biomimetic tissue scaffold for repairing an elongated tissue in need of repair can comprise a plurality of coiled flexible polymeric ribbons having a surface on which is formed an array of nanofibers, the ribbons forming a tubular body defining a first open end in which a first end of the elongated tissue is receivable, a second open end in which a second end of the elongated tissue is receivable, and a lumen extending between the first and second open ends.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2021Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: ULTRA SMALL FIBERS, LLCInventors: William H. Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Collin D. Anderson
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Publication number: 20220347342Abstract: A biomimetic tissue scaffold for repairing an elongated tissue in need of repair can comprise a plurality of coiled flexible polymeric ribbons having a surface on which is formed an array of nanofibers, the ribbons forming a tubular body defining a first open end in which a first end of the elongated tissue is receivable, a second open end in which a second end of the elongated tissue is receivable, and a lumen extending between the first and second open ends.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2021Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: William H. Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Collin D. Anderson
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Publication number: 20220347343Abstract: A biomimetic tissue scaffold for repairing an elongated tissue in need of repair can comprise a plurality of coiled flexible polymeric ribbons having a surface on which is formed an array of nanofibers, the ribbons forming a tubular body defining a first open end in which a first end of the elongated tissue is receivable, a second open end in which a second end of the elongated tissue is receivable, and a lumen extending between the first and second open ends.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2021Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: William H. Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Collin D. Anderson
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Publication number: 20220258084Abstract: Nanofiber filter media ribbons are flexible elongate strips of polymeric material having a surface on which is formed an array of nanofibers. Ribbons are formable into woven or non-woven mats. The array of nanofibers can be configured to filter a predetermined contaminant from a fluid stream passing through the mats. Filter ribbons are formable by applying a moldable polymer to a first angular location of a rotating cylindrical roll having an array of nanoholes formed in a circumferential surface thereof so that the polymer covers the surface of the roll and infiltrates the nanoholes; cooling the polymer while rotating the polymer-covered roll to a second angular position; and removing the cooled polymer from the roll as an elongate film having an array of nanofibers formed on a surface thereof by the polymer that infiltrated the nanoholes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: William H. Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Collin Anderson
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Patent number: 11147900Abstract: A biomimetic tissue scaffold for repairing an elongated tissue in need of repair can comprise a plurality of coiled flexible polymeric ribbons having a surface on which is formed an array of nanofibers, the ribbons forming a tubular body defining a first open end in which a first end of the elongated tissue is receivable, a second open end in which a second end of the elongated tissue is receivable, and a lumen extending between the first and second open ends.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2021Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: ULTRA SMALL FIBERS, LLCInventors: William H. Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Collin D. Anderson
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Publication number: 20210252440Abstract: Nanofiber filter media ribbons are flexible elongate strips of polymeric material having a surface on which is formed an array of nanofibers. Ribbons are formable into woven or non-woven mats. The array of nanofibers can be configured to filter a predetermined contaminant from a fluid stream passing through the mats. Filter ribbons are formable by applying a moldable polymer to a first angular location of a rotating cylindrical roll having an array of nanoholes formed in a circumferential surface thereof so that the polymer covers the surface of the roll and infiltrates the nanoholes; cooling the polymer while rotating the polymer-covered roll to a second angular position; and removing the cooled polymer from the roll as an elongate film having an array of nanofibers formed on a surface thereof by the polymer that infiltrated the nanoholes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: William H. Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Collin Anderson
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Patent number: 11014029Abstract: Nanofiber filter media ribbons are flexible elongate strips of polymeric material having a surface on which is formed an array of nanofibers. Ribbons are formable into woven or non-woven mats. The array of nanofibers can be configured to filter a predetermined contaminant from a fluid stream passing through the mats. Filter ribbons are formable by applying a moldable polymer to a first angular location of a rotating cylindrical roll having an array of nanoholes formed in a circumferential surface thereof so that the polymer covers the surface of the roll and infiltrates the nanoholes; cooling the polymer while rotating the polymer-covered roll to a second angular position; and removing the cooled polymer from the roll as an elongate film having an array of nanofibers formed on a surface thereof by the polymer that infiltrated the nanoholes.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2020Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: ULTRA SMALL FIBERS, LLCInventors: William H. Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Collin Anderson
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Publication number: 20200368655Abstract: Nanofiber filter media ribbons are flexible elongate strips of polymeric material having a surface on which is formed an array of nanofibers. Ribbons are formable into woven or non-woven mats. The array of nanofibers can be configured to filter a predetermined contaminant from a fluid stream passing through the mats. Filter ribbons are formable by applying a moldable polymer to a first angular location of a rotating cylindrical roll having an array of nanoholes formed in a circumferential surface thereof so that the polymer covers the surface of the roll and infiltrates the nanoholes; cooling the polymer while rotating the polymer-covered roll to a second angular position; and removing the cooled polymer from the roll as an elongate film having an array of nanofibers formed on a surface thereof by the polymer that infiltrated the nanoholes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: William H. Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Collin Anderson
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Publication number: 20200368656Abstract: Nanofiber filter media ribbons are flexible elongate strips of polymeric material having a surface on which is formed an array of nanofibers. Ribbons are formable into woven or non-woven mats. The array of nanofibers can be configured to filter a predetermined contaminant from a fluid stream passing through the mats. Filter ribbons are formable by applying a moldable polymer to a first angular location of a rotating cylindrical roll having an array of nanoholes formed in a circumferential surface thereof so that the polymer covers the surface of the roll and infiltrates the nanoholes; cooling the polymer while rotating the polymer-covered roll to a second angular position; and removing the cooled polymer from the roll as an elongate film having an array of nanofibers formed on a surface thereof by the polymer that infiltrated the nanoholes.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: William H. Hofmeister, Robert A. Van Wyk, Collin Anderson
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Patent number: 8452073Abstract: A closed-loop control method for an electron beam freeform fabrication (EBF3) process includes detecting a feature of interest during the process using a sensor(s), continuously evaluating the feature of interest to determine, in real time, a change occurring therein, and automatically modifying control parameters to control the EBF3 process. An apparatus provides closed-loop control method of the process, and includes an electron gun for generating an electron beam, a wire feeder for feeding a wire toward a substrate, wherein the wire is melted and progressively deposited in layers onto the substrate, a sensor(s), and a host machine. The sensor(s) measure the feature of interest during the process, and the host machine continuously evaluates the feature of interest to determine, in real time, a change occurring therein. The host machine automatically modifies control parameters to the EBF3 apparatus to control the EBF3 process in a closed-loop manner.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Karen M. Taminger, Robert A. Hafley, Richard E. Martin, William H. Hofmeister
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Patent number: 8344281Abstract: A method for controlling an electron beam process wherein a wire is melted and deposited on a substrate as a molten pool comprises generating the electron beam with a complex raster pattern, and directing the beam onto an outer surface of the wire to thereby control a location of the wire with respect to the molten pool. Directing the beam selectively heats the outer surface of the wire and maintains the position of the wire with respect to the molten pool. An apparatus for controlling an electron beam process includes a beam gun adapted for generating the electron beam, and a controller adapted for providing the electron beam with a complex raster pattern and for directing the electron beam onto an outer surface of the wire to control a location of the wire with respect to the molten pool.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Karen M. Taminger, William H. Hofmeister, Robert A. Hafley
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Publication number: 20120003729Abstract: A bioreactor for cultivating living cells in a liquid medium. In one embodiment of the present invention, the bioreactor includes a first substrate having a first surface, an opposite second surface and edges. The bioreactor further includes a second substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a cavity with a bottom surface, where the bottom surface is located therebetween the first surface and the second surface. The first surface of the first substrate is received by the second surface of the second substrate to cover the cavity so as to form a channel for receiving cells and a liquid medium. In forming the bioreactor, the channel is sized to allow the growth of a layer of cells on a biocompatible coating layer and a flow of liquid in the channel. The flow of liquid is controlled so as to provide a known shear force to the layer of cells. The flow of liquid can be further controlled so as to provide an environment that simulates a vascular space in the channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2011Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITYInventors: John P. Wikswo, Franz J. Baudenbacher, Ales Prokop, Eugene J. Leboeuf, Chang Y. Chung, David Cliffel, Frederick R. Haselton, William H. Hofmeister, Charles P. Lin, Lisa J. McCawley, Randall S. Reiserer, Mark A. Stremler
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Patent number: 8003378Abstract: A bioreactor for cultivating living cells in a liquid medium. In one embodiment of the present invention, the bioreactor includes a first substrate having a first surface, an opposite second surface and edges. The bioreactor further includes a second substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a cavity with a bottom surface, where the bottom surface is located therebetween the first surface and the second surface. The first surface of the first substrate is received by the second surface of the second substrate to cover the cavity so as to form a channel for receiving cells and a liquid medium. In forming the bioreactor, the channel is sized to allow the growth of a layer of cells on a biocompatible coating layer and a flow of liquid in the channel. The flow of liquid is controlled so as to provide a known shear force to the layer of cells. The flow of liquid can be further controlled so as to provide an environment that simulates a vascular space in the channel.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Vanderbilt UniversityInventors: John P. Wikswo, Franz J. Baudenbacher, Ales Prokop, Eugene LeBoeuf, Chang Y. Chung, David E. Cliffel, Frederick R. Haselton, William H. Hofmeister, Charles P. Lin, Lisa J. McCawley, Randall S. Reiserer, Mark A. Stremler