Patents by Inventor William J. Willems

William J. Willems 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: 12320723
    Abstract: A capillary pressure measurement device includes a centrifuge having a rotating apparatus adapted to hold porous media samples and to test the samples under centrifugal motion during rotation of the rotating apparatus. A fluid capture device disposed adjacent to each porous media sample receives fluid displaced from the sample due to centrifugal motion applied to the sample during rotation. A measurement system measures an amount of fluid displaced from the porous media samples by taking an image of a fluid meniscus in the fluid capture device. A position sensor determines a position of the fluid capture device and triggers a camera to take the image of the fluid meniscus when the fluid meniscus is in a field of view of the camera. The image of the fluid meniscus is processed to determine a fluid volume correlated to capillary pressure of the corresponding porous media sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: AMETEK, INC.
    Inventors: Phillip Naegele, William J. Willems, Tom Hicks
  • Publication number: 20240331143
    Abstract: A measurement device including a centrifuge for holding porous media samples configured to test samples under centrifugal motion during rotation. A fluid capture device adjacent each media sample receives fluid from the sample due to centrifugal motion. A measurement system measures an amount of fluid from the media samples by taking an image of a fluid meniscus in the fluid capture device. A position sensor determines a position of the fluid capture device and triggers a camera to take the image of the fluid meniscus when the fluid meniscus is in a field of view of the camera. To prevent a false image from appearing in the captured image, a shield blocks light from reaching the camera when the meniscus is not in the field of view. The image of the fluid meniscus is processed to determine a fluid volume correlated to capillary pressure of the media sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Phillip Naegele, William J. Willems, Tom Hicks
  • Publication number: 20240328880
    Abstract: A capillary pressure measurement device includes a centrifuge having a rotating apparatus adapted to hold porous media samples and to test the samples under centrifugal motion during rotation of the rotating apparatus. A fluid capture device disposed adjacent to each porous media sample receives fluid displaced from the sample due to centrifugal motion applied to the sample during rotation. A measurement system measures an amount of fluid displaced from the porous media samples by taking an image of a fluid meniscus in the fluid capture device. A position sensor determines a position of the fluid capture device and triggers a camera to take the image of the fluid meniscus when the fluid meniscus is in a field of view of the camera. The image of the fluid meniscus is processed to determine a fluid volume correlated to capillary pressure of the corresponding porous media sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicant: AMETEK, INC.
    Inventors: Phillip Naegele, William J. Willems, Tom Hicks