Patents by Inventor William R. Downing

William R. Downing 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: 6234771
    Abstract: A precision pumping device for aspirating and dispensing different volumes of fluid is presented. The precision pumping device comprises a housing with integral anti-rotation guides, a stepper motor which drives a fine pitch lead screw, a coupling for linking the piston to the leadscrew, an anti-backlash leadscrew follower, a split hub clamp nut, and a nut for securing the chamber to the housing. A seal is provided which seals around the piston and against the chamber, as is an o-ring that is set into a groove in the chamber and seals against a flange of the seal. The precision pumping device further includes a piston and a chamber for receiving at least a portion of the piston therein. The piston and chamber are of different sizes for aspirating and dispensing different volumes of fluid. The chamber can include a single port or multiple ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Glen A. Carey, William R. Downing, David J. Lapeus, Randi L. Richey, Mary Beth Whitesel
  • Patent number: 6158269
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for aspirating and dispensing a sample fluid. The apparatus includes a dilutor having a port coupled to a first port of a flow through pressure transducer and to a bleed valve. A second port of the flow through pressure transducer is coupled to a first port of a sample probe. The flow through pressure transducer provides transducer signals to a detector circuit. In response to the transducer signals provided thereto, the detector detects the occurrence or non-occurrence of a plurality of different events. The dilutor is operational to aspirate and dispense fluids such as air or liquid samples in order to provide accurate aspiration and dispensation of a sample fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Dorenkott, William R. Downing