Gaseous Mixture (e.g., Solid-gas, Liquid-gas, Gas-gas) Patents (Class 702/24)
  • Patent number: 7269527
    Abstract: A sensor interface system and a sensor integration module support individual sensors and sensor arrays, with network connectivity and critical functions required for analog and digital sensors when deployed in field applications used for chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE) material identification. The sensor integration module enables efficient integration of a single sensor or for multiple sensors into an array using a modular sensor interface unit and provides individual TCP/IP addresses for each detector element, signal processing for the sensor data and communications capabilities establishing each detector and the sensor array as network elements on a distributed network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Innovative American Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Frank
  • Patent number: 7267796
    Abstract: The preparative liquid chromatograph uses a plurality of detectors including a mass spectrometer, and a chromatogram generator is provided for generating a plurality of chromatograms each corresponding to each of the plurality of detectors. The plurality of chromatograms are converted into a respective binary signal by comparing the chromatogram with a predetermined threshold, and a logical operator performs a binary operation on the plurality of respective binary signals, whereby a resultant binary signal is generated. A separation controller controls the fraction collector of the preparative liquid chromatograph based on the resultant binary signal to separate components from a sample. When “AND” is used as the binary operation, the resultant binary signal is “1” only when all the respective binary signals are “1”. This assures a high precision, high purity separation where an impurity mingling is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Waki
  • Patent number: 7266460
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining the NOx content in a combustion flue gas. Several parameters of the combustion process are measured in the combustion furnace. These parameters are then input to a neural network, which then, based upon the input data, generates output data representative of the concentration of NOx in the flue gas. This result is determined without the use of physical NOx sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Fouad Ammouri, Thierry Barbe
  • Patent number: 7266459
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a gas detecting device capable of relieving the influence of an environment such as a temperature, a humidity or a wind velocity to detect a change in a concentration of a specific gas and an autoventilation system for a vehicle using the gas detecting device. More specifically, a gas detecting device (10) using a gas sensor element (11) changing a sensor resistance Rs depending on a concentration of a gas such as NOx and an autoventilation system (100) for a vehicle according to the invention A/D convert the output of a sensor resistance value converting circuit (14) to acquire a sensor output value S(n), calculates a base value B(n) based on B(n)=B(n?1)+k1{S(n)?B(n?1)}, and furthermore, calculates a difference value of D(n)=S(n)?B(n).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Kimoto, Toshiya Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 7260483
    Abstract: An improved method and system of identifying individual aerosol particles in real time. Sample aerosol particles are collimated, tracked, and screened to determine which ones qualify for mass spectrometric analysis based on predetermined qualification or selection criteria. Screening techniques include one or more of determining particle size, shape, symmetry, and fluorescence. Only qualifying particles passing all screening criteria are subject to desorption/ionization and single particle mass spectrometry to produce corresponding test spectra, which is used to determine the identities of each of the qualifying aerosol particles by comparing the test spectra against predetermined spectra for known particle types. In this manner, activation cycling of a particle ablation laser of a single particle mass spectrometer is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Eric E. Gard, Keith R. Coffee, Matthias Frank, Herbert J. Tobias, David P. Fergenson, Norm Madden, Vincent J. Riot, Paul T. Steele, Bruce W. Woods
  • Patent number: 7260484
    Abstract: A method for carrying out analyses of a gas comprising one or more species Si, Sj, . . . , Sn by using of ion mobility spectrometry includes in carrying out two subsequent analyses in different conditions and comparing the results of these two analyses. The different conditions in the two analyses are such as to modify either the residence time of the ions corresponding to the species in the reaction zone or in the drift zone of the ion mobility spectrometer, or, selectively, the concentration of at least one of these ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Saes Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luca Pusterla, Antonio Bonucci, Roberto Giannantonio, Marco Succi
  • Patent number: 7248993
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring the available remaining hydrogen capacity of a non-replaced hydrogen storage canister. After the original hydrogen capacity of the hydrogen storage canister is read, the used hydrogen capacity of the hydrogen storage canister is read and remaining hydrogen capacity formula is employed to determine the available remaining hydrogen capacity of the hydrogen storage canister. For a fully charged or newly-installed hydrogen storage canister, the process includes reading the number of cycles of operation of the hydrogen storage canister, reading the original hydrogen capacity of the hydrogen storage canister, reading the used hydrogen capacity of the hydrogen storage canister, and then employing the remaining hydrogen capacity formula to determine the available remaining hydrogen capacity of the hydrogen storage canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Asia Pacific Fuel Cell Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yaw-Chung Cheng, Yao-Sheng Hsu
  • Patent number: 7216040
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing hydrogen deployment within a heterogeneous hydrogen supply environment is provided. An electronic controller monitors hydrogen supply modules, evaluates conditions relating to the hydrogen supply modules, and affects hydrogen deployment. The electronic controller may also monitor hydrogen utilizers within the heterogeneous hydrogen supply environment. Various means for adjusting hydrogen deployment are discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Tama Maya Copeman, Christy John Sutton
  • Patent number: 7206701
    Abstract: A variety of methods and systems related to automated quantitative analyses via digital spectroscopy techniques can be used to determine the quantity of one or more analytes in a sample. A parameter file can be used to control automated analysis. Suspect conditions related to parameters can be identified and-appropriate advisories provided. Suspect conditions related to analysis can be identified and appropriate warnings provided. Various algorithmic techniques are supported and can be selected by a user by modifying parameters via a parameter-editing user interface presented by software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    Inventors: Donald P. Tuchman, Donald H. Lemmon, Brian C. Smith
  • Patent number: 7197403
    Abstract: Methods for inferentially determining various properties of a gas mixture, when the speed of sound in the gas is known at an arbitrary temperature and pressure. The method can be applied to natural gas mixtures, where the known parameters are the sound speed, temperature, pressure, and concentrations of any dilute components of the gas. The method uses a set of reference gases and their calculated density and speed of sound values to estimate the density of the subject gas. Additional calculations can be made to estimate the molecular weight of the subject gas, which can then be used as the basis for heating value calculations. The method may also be applied to inferentially determine density and molecular weight for gas mixtures other than natural gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignees: Southwest Research Institute, Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Thomas B. Morrow, Kendricks A. Behring, II
  • Patent number: 7184896
    Abstract: A system for real-time tracking and display of movement of an airborne hazardous agent includes one or more mobile units each having a wind parameter measuring apparatus that provides real-time wind direction and speed, a navigation system that provides a mobile unit heading and real-time position of the mobile unit, and a radio transmitter; a computer system having an input for receiving the wind parameters and the mobile unit heading and the mobile unit position, a processor and a memory and that is configured with control logic to enable the computer system to obtain the wind parameters, mobile unit heading, mobile unit position, determine a wind heading and generate an image having a geographic point corresponding to position where the hazardous agent was released, a graphical indication of possible movement over time, and a graphical indication of predicted movement over time based upon the wind parameters; and a display for displaying the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Baron Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony Lockhart Benson
  • Patent number: 7184895
    Abstract: A method and system of non-intrusively monitoring the proportion of a component in a gaseous mixture having at least two components and contained in an electrical switchgear enclosure includes measuring the pressure, the temperature, and the density of the gas mixture by using sensors mounted on said enclosure, and in determining said proportion by processing the measured values in a data-processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventors: Olfa Chetay, Jean-Pierre Dupraz, Lionel Lucot, Didier Taponat
  • Patent number: 7183115
    Abstract: A gas analyzer system for analyzing samples of compressed or ambient gas such as breathing air within a scuba tank, SCBA or ambient air within an industrial plant and informing the user as to the results of the sample's gas purity without the gas sample having to be physically transported to an accredited laboratory. The system comprises a gas analyzer situated at a user facility for receiving the contents of a gas sample and detecting gas purity characteristics, and a server situated at a remote certified testing site and electrically coupled to the gas analysis module via data transmission, such as a wireless or a computer network connection, wherein the server, maintained by a qualified third party receives and stores the gas purity characteristics in the form of computer-readable data signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Lawrence Factor, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Lauglin
  • Patent number: 7179355
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrochemical sensor for measuring carbon monoxide in a gas sample, the sensor comprising a working electrode including a working electrode catalyst, and a diffusion restriction means for restricting the diffusion of the gas sample to the working electrode; wherein the working electrode catalyst comprises oxidised platinum having a hydrogen cross-sensitivity of less than 10% and being present in an amount such that the activity capacity is at least 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Alphasense Limited
    Inventor: John Christopher Harper
  • Patent number: 7167815
    Abstract: The intensity of an odour can be quantified by determining what is the response of an odour sensing device to that odour, then transforming the response data to an odour intensity value based on transformation data relating to a set of selected reference odours. The transformation data includes organoleptic data indicating how odour intensity values assigned to the set of reference odours by a sensory panel depend upon the concentration of the reference compounds and includes data indicating how the response data of the odour sensing device when exposed to the set of reference odours depends upon the concentration of the reference compounds. The reference odours may be basic odours defining the dimensions of a multi-dimensional space in which odours can be defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Alpha M.O.S.
    Inventors: Saïd Labreche, Eric Chanie, Jean-Christophe Mifsud
  • Patent number: 7145467
    Abstract: A medical gas alarm system for use in a healthcare facility having a medical gas system and having a network of computer devices is provided. The alarm system includes at least one area alarm controller adapted to receive a first signal indicative of a condition of a first portion of the medical gas system. The area alarm controller is adapted to communicate with the network. The alarm system also includes at least one master alarm controller adapted to receive a second signal indicative of a condition of a second portion of the medical gas system. The master alarm controller is adapted to communicate with the network. The area alarm controller is adapted to communicate with the master alarm controller through the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Beacon Medical Products LLC
    Inventors: Joseph H. Abel, William C. Bohlinger, Stanton H. Breitlow, Edward W. Catton, Thomas J. Dubisar, James P. Hentges, Richard E. Hoffman, William J. Kaht, Nick D. LaBare, Robert O. Moran, Thomas R. Pfingsten, Phillip B. Plyler, John M. Sharer, John B. Wilker, Sr., Dale T. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 7134318
    Abstract: A system for the retrieval and initial conditioning of sample gas for “on line” analyzers or filling of gas sample cylinders. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates a system configured to obtain a representative gas phase sample from a process gas containing entrained liquid, or a process gas which generally is highly susceptible to partial condensation of some gas phase components. The preferred embodiment of the present invention teaches an assembly including a phase separation membrane and housing configured to facilitate the removal of entrained liquid from a sample gas stream. Accuracy of the sample is enhanced, and compositional changes are avoided by first extracting a sample from the process gas followed by removal of entrained liquid it may contain, with the entrained liquid removal being conducted at the prevailing process gas pressure and temperature. Thereafter the liquid free sample may be desaturated by lowering its pressure to reduce its susceptibility to condensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: A+ Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Donald P. Mayeaux
  • Patent number: 7129095
    Abstract: The present invention is related to the sensing of analytes and in particular, to methods of determining, resolving, identifying, or quantitating such analytes once detected. This invention provides systems and methods for identifying analytes, comprising using an importance index to give greater weight to the responses from sensors that measure characteristics most useful for identification of analytes. In other aspects, the systems and methods are useful for increasing the stability of electronic nose systems by prolonging the predictive capability of the training set of known analytes. In still other aspects, the systems and methods are useful for detecting and responding to events correlated with the presence of an analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Smiths Detection Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Boehr, Shou-Hua Zhang, Chang-Meng Hsiung
  • Patent number: 7127356
    Abstract: A single-particle optical sensor, which has high sensitivity and responds to relatively concentrated suspensions, uses a relatively narrow light beam to illuminate an optical sensing zone nonuniformly. The zone is smaller than the flow channel so that the sensor responds to only a fraction of the total number of particles flowing through the channel, detecting a statistically significant number of particles of any relevant diameter. Because different particle trajectories flow through different parts of the zone illuminated at different intensities, it is necessary to deconvolute the result. Two methods of deconvolution are used: modified matrix inversion or successive subtraction. Both methods use a few basis vectors measured empirically or computed from a theoretical model, and the remaining basis vectors are derived from these few. The sensor is compensated for turbidity. Several embodiments are disclosed employing light-extinction or light-scattering detection, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Particle Sizing Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Nicoli, Paul Toumbas
  • Patent number: 7117099
    Abstract: In a method and a control device for operating a broadband lambda sensor, the oxygen concentration of an exhaust gas is determined based on a comparison of a Nernst voltage with a reference voltage having a nominal value; a pump current is injected into a cavity of a pump cell if a deviation is present, an electric voltage present at the pump cell being regulated in such a manner that lambda=1 prevails in the cavity, the pump current being a measure for the value of lambda in the exhaust gas; and, in order to avoid control interference in the start phase of the engine or in the cold phase of the sensor, the Nernst voltage is maintained close to the reference voltage, using a pilot control, until the Nernst voltage is an actual measure for the oxygen concentration in the cavity of the pump cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Strassner, Lothar Diehl, Andreas Andorfer
  • Patent number: 7096125
    Abstract: A sensor network provides the ability to detect, classify and identify a diverse range of agents over a large area, such as a geographical region or building. The network possesses speed of detection, sensitivity, and specificity for the diverse range of agents. Different functional level types of sensors are employed in the network to perform early warning, broadband detection and highly specific and sensitive detection. A high probability of detection with low probability of false alarm is provided by the processing of information provided from multiple sensors. A Bayesian net is utilized to combine probabilities from the multiple sensors in the network to reach a decision regarding the presence or absence of a threat. The network is field portable and capable of autonomous operation. It also is capable of providing automated output decisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Aravind Padmanabhan, Subash Krishnankutty, Wing Au, Mike Bazakos, Brian Krafthefer
  • Patent number: 7076371
    Abstract: A set of volatile markers are determined which are characteristic of a particular condition or disease, and which will be found in the exhaled breath of a person or odor from other parts of a body or from an entity. These markers are detected in the breath odor or gaseous emanations from the body or entity noninvasively using a volatile substance detector of sufficient sensitivity, such as an artificial olfactory system. The detected marker data is processed in an artificial neural network/fuzzy filter system with an algorithm that intelligently adapts to the individual body or entity and also optionally (if necessary) with a correction algorithm to eliminate environmental and other erroneous contributions to the markers. Any number of markers may be used, depending on how well they correlate with the condition and how accurate a result is desired, i.e. general screening or accurate diagnosis and monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventor: Chi Yung Fu
  • Patent number: 7072770
    Abstract: The present invention is directed generally toward the field of spectral analysis and, more particularly, toward an improved method of identifying unknown components of a mixture from a set of spectra collected from the mixture using a spectral library including potential candidates. For example, the present method is directed to identifying components of a mixture by the steps which comprise obtaining a set of spectral data for the mixture that defines a mixture data space; ranking a plurality of library spectra of known elements according to their angle of projection into the mixture data space; calculating a corrected correlation coefficient for each combination of the top y ranked library spectra; and selecting the combination having the highest corrected correlation coefficient, wherein the known elements of the selected combination are identified as the components of the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: ChemImage Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Schweitzer, Willem Windig, Patrick J. Treado
  • Patent number: 7067800
    Abstract: A method for the quantitative analysis of the impurities content in nitrogen, hydrogen or oxygen by means of ion mobility spectrometry is described. The method involves using pure argon or a mixture, having no impurities, containing argon and the gas to be analyzed, as a counterflow gas in the separation zone of the ion mobility spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Saes Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luca Pusterla, Marco Succi, Antonio Bonucci, Robert Stimac
  • Patent number: 7058518
    Abstract: The gas sensor passes at least three levels of current through the heater element, stepwise and continuously for a predetermined time. The calculator loads voltages across the heater element for respective current values after a predetermined elapsed time, to obtain temperature from a voltage across the heater element, for the minimum amount of current. Further, from the temperature, zero-point correcting formulas, and sensitivity correcting formulas, the calculator corrects the voltages across the heater element to obtain respective normalized outputs. From the difference between these normalized outputs, the calculator obtains humidity to correct at least one of the normalized outputs with the humidity and the humidity correcting formula. In such a way, the calculator obtains the concentration of the gas to be sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Rihito Shoji
  • Patent number: 7016789
    Abstract: A remote emissions sensing system and method for sensing exhaust emissions from motor vehicles is provided where the system determines the opacity of an exhaust plume. The system comprises a radiation source that emits radiation which is passed through the exhaust plume of a motor vehicle to one or more detectors arranged to receive the radiation. Multiple wavelength opacity measuring embodiments and monochromatic wavelength opacity measuring embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Environmental Systems Products Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Donald H. Stedman, Gary A. Bishop, Gary Full
  • Patent number: 7010433
    Abstract: A method of indirectly measuring the diluent (nitrogen and carbon dioxide) concentrations in a natural gas mixture. The molecular weight of the gas is modeled as a function of the speed of sound in the gas, the diluent concentrations in the gas, and constant values, resulting in a model equation. A set of reference gas mixtures with known molecular weights and diluent concentrations is used to calculate the constant values. For the gas in question, if the speed of sound in the gas is measured at three states, the three resulting expressions of molecular weight can be solved for the nitrogen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the gas mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Thomas B. Morrow, Thomas E. Owen
  • Patent number: 7006926
    Abstract: A carbon oxide sensor having high sensitivity capable of reduction of influence of humidity is provided. A detection electrode and a counter electrode are provided on one side of an electrolyte, respectively. The detection electrode contains a metal oxide and a metal carbonate including plural components. The metal carbonate preferably contains a first component of alkali metal carbonate and a second component of at least one element selected from the group consisting of alkali earth metal carbonate, transition metal carbonate, zinc carbonate, cadmium carbonate, indium carbonate, lead carbonate and bismuth carbonate. Specifically, it is preferable to contain the first component including Li2CO3 and the second component including at least one element selected from the group consisting of BaCO3, CaCO3 and SrCO3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Shizuko Ono, Akira Shibue, Noboru Yamazoe, Kengo Shimanoe, Kenji Obata, Norio Miura
  • Patent number: 7003405
    Abstract: An inverse analysis method for characterizing diffusion of vapor from an underground source of volatile contaminant using data taken by an in-situ sensor. The method uses one-dimensional solutions to the diffusion equation in Cartesian, cylindrical, or spherical coordinates for isotropic and homogenous media. If the effective vapor diffusion coefficient is known, then the distance from the source to the in-situ sensor can be estimated by comparing the shape of the predicted time-dependent vapor concentration response curve to the measured response curve. Alternatively, if the source distance is known, then the effective vapor diffusion coefficient can be estimated using the same inverse analysis method. A triangulation technique can be used with multiple sensors to locate the source in two or three dimensions. The in-situ sensor can contain one or more chemiresistor elements housed in a waterproof enclosure with a gas permeable membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: Clifford K. Ho
  • Patent number: 6996478
    Abstract: The present invention provides a distributed sensing system in a networked environment for identifying an analyte, including a first sensor array connected to the network comprising sensors capable of producing a first response in the presence of a chemical stimulus; a second sensor array connected to the network comprising sensors capable of producing a second response in the presence of a physical stimulus; and a computer comprising a resident algorithm. The algorithm indicates or selects the most relevant sensor in the network to identify the analyte. The sensors can be separated over large spatial areas, wherein the sensor arrays are networked. Suitable networks include a computer local area network, an intranet or the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Smiths Detection Inc.
    Inventors: Steven A. Sunshine, M. Gregory Steinthal, Ajoy Roy
  • Patent number: 6987448
    Abstract: A medical gas alarm system for use in a healthcare facility having a medical gas system and having a network of computer devices is provided. The alarm system includes at least one area alarm controller adapted to receive a first signal indicative of a condition of a first portion of the medical gas system. The area alarm controller is adapted to communicate with the network. The alarm system also includes at least one master alarm controller adapted to receive a second signal indicative of a condition of a second portion of the medical gas system. The master alarm controller is adapted to communicate with the network. The area alarm controller is adapted to communicate with the master alarm controller through the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward W. Catton, John M. Sharer, John B. Wilker, Sr., Phillip B. Plyler, Joseph H. Abel, William J. Kaht, James P. Hentges, Thomas R. Pfingsten, Stanton H. Breitlow, William C. Bohlinger, Thomas J. Dubisar, Robert O. Moran, Dale T. Wolfe, Nick D. LaBare, Richard E. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6978212
    Abstract: A system for capturing and transmitting analyte data pertaining to an unknown analyte. The system includes a device manager (102) and a processor manager (202). The device manager (102) is coupled to a number of module including a data capture module (104), a data formatting module (106) and a first input/output (I/O) module (108). The data capture module (104) is coupled to the device manager (102) for capturing the data for the unknown analyte at a first geographic location. The first data formatting module (106) is coupled to the device manager (102) for formatting or encoding the captured analyte data into a transmissible format before the captured analyte data are transmitted. The first I/O module (106) is coupled to the device manager for transmitting the captured analyte data via a computer network to a processor at a second geographic location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Smiths Detection Inc.
    Inventor: Steven A. Sunshine
  • Patent number: 6975944
    Abstract: A method and apparatus suitable for monitoring the quality and/or performance of a processing aid or a component during manufacture, storage, or use of electronics or electronic assemblies is provided. The apparatus incorporates a sampling device, a multivariate sensing system (e.g., a multi-sensor array or at least one sensor capable of measuring multiple variables) capable to process an analysis of low vapor pressure or vaporizable constituents in electronics by detecting some changes in the physico-chemical properties of the sensor and/or electronics and applying multivariate analysis. In one embodiment, the sensing system comprises an array of metal oxide sensors and a multivariate analysis algorithm for data processing. This method and apparatus can be employed for various quality control purposes such as contamination analysis or failure analysis of integrated circuits components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Alpha MOS
    Inventor: Frederic Zenhausern
  • Patent number: 6959248
    Abstract: A method and system of identifying individual aerosol particles in real time. Sample aerosol particles are compared against and identified with substantially matching known particle types by producing positive and negative test spectra of an individual aerosol particle using a bipolar single particle mass spectrometer. Each test spectrum is compared to spectra of the same respective polarity in a database of predetermined positive and negative spectra for known particle types and a set of substantially matching spectra is obtained. Finally the identity of the individual aerosol particle is determined from the set of substantially matching spectra by determining a best matching one of the known particle types having both a substantially matching positive spectrum and a substantially matching negative spectrum associated with the best matching known particle type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Eric Evan Gard, David Philip Fergenson
  • Patent number: 6954143
    Abstract: A mobile system travels with a work crew to various remote well sites and monitors the presence of H2S (hydrogen sulfide gas) at those sites. If the concentration of H2S reaches a toxic level, the system notifies a distant host computer of not only the problem but also where the problem exists. Help can then be dispatched to the known area. In some embodiments, the system notifies the work crew when help is on the way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Inventor: Gary W. Crook
  • Patent number: 6941230
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining mainly the compressibility number K, the standard volumetric gross calorific value Hv,n and the standard density ?n of test gases using values determined from a spectrum of the test gases. The invention describes various approaches of translating the values for determining the desired values using the data of the spectrum in the operational condition to the standard reference condition using two-step iteration processes without having to subject the test gases to time-consuming treatments. The invention further relates to devices for determining the values required for the methods and which further develop devices for carrying out the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Flowcomp Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Stirnberg, Joachim Kastner
  • Patent number: 6922639
    Abstract: A gas concentration detecting apparatus comprises a gas concentration sensor and a gas concentration calculator. The sensor has first to third cells. A gas to be detected is introduced in a chamber and the first cell is responsible for discharging and changing oxygen from and into the chamber. The second cell detects a concentration of a specific gas component of the gas that has passed along the first cell. The third cell detects a concentration of residual oxygen in the gas that remains after discharge of the oxygen through the first cell. The calculator takes in a current acquired from the second cell measured with a voltage applied thereto and calculates the specific gas component concentration based on the current. The calculator includes plural concentration calculating means whose concentration detecting ranges are mutually different in a scale. The specific gas component concentration is calculated every concentration calculating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoo Kawase, Eiichi Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 6917885
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for formulating and controlling concentrations of deactivating chemicals in a gas mixture inside a chamber. The gas mixture may include chemical components that are deactivating chemicals, as well as chemical components that are base chemicals, acting as a dilutant for the deactivating chemical, or as a vehicle or carrier for the deactivating chemical. A capacitor is exposed to the gas mixture, wherein the gas mixture comprises a dielectric material between the plates of the capacitor. Permittivity of the dielectric is affected by the relative concentrations of the chemical components, and thus a measurement of the capacitance is used to determine the concentration levels of multiple chemical components in the gas mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Steris Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Centanni
  • Patent number: 6915213
    Abstract: The air-fuel ratio computing apparatus includes a linear air-fuel ratio sensor for measuring an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas and an electronic control unit for repeatedly performing filter processing on the air-fuel ratio, using a formula Vf(n)=(1?G)×Vf(n?1)+G×V(n). In a case where a temperature of the sensor is low, the unit cuts off a pump current to the sensor, performs the filter processing with the filter gain G set to a large value, and transforms a computed value from the filter processing into a theoretical air-fuel ratio voltage and in a case where the temperature of the sensor rises to or above a predetermined temperature, the unit performs the filter processing with a filter gain G set to a small value, and computes an air-fuel ratio from the difference between a computed value from the filter processing and the theoretical air-fuel ratio voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junichi Inoue
  • Patent number: 6907354
    Abstract: A synthetic gas generator and gas reactor test system. The system is configurable to provide a number of alternative flow paths, each with different furnace and reactor configurations. Various types of reactors, and combinations of two or three reactors, may be installed and tested. Injected agents, such as reducing agents, are injected in a manner that prevents unwanted reactions with the test gas. The system is especially useful for testing vehicle emissions aftertreatment devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Rijing Zhan, Thomas R. Gabehart
  • Patent number: 6904370
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for the collecting and storing of environmental data, and generating a user report of the environmental data, the user report providing document compliance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements. The collected and stored environmental data includes a wide variety of manufacturing facility parameter data, including but is not limited to, the presence of viable microbiological organisms, the presence of particulates and other environmental conditions within the facility, such as humidity, pressure, temperature, water quality (e.g., pH, conductivity, total organic content (TOC), endotoxin, coliform, and metals), and the respective amounts of different materials involved in the manufacture of the end product(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Compliance Software Solutions Corp.
    Inventors: George M. Levinson, Timothy P. Joyce, Victoria Galliani
  • Patent number: 6895339
    Abstract: A method is provided for measuring by ionization mobility spectrometry (IMS) relatively high concentrations of water in argon, hydrogen, nitrogen and/or helium, including the following steps: (a) introducing the gas to be analyzed into an IMS instrument with a counter-flow of pure gas; (b) obtaining a signal variable over time and proportional to the number of ions detected by an ion detector of the IMS instrument; (c) determining two time intervals (A, B) corresponding to the drift times in the IMS instrument of the H3O+ and (H2O)2+ ions; (d) obtaining the peaks of the signal in the two determined time intervals (A, B); and (e) calculating the water concentration in the gas to be analyzed according to the ratio between the intensity of the two peaks obtained in the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Saes Getters S.p.A
    Inventors: Luca Pusterla, Antonio Bonucci, Marco Succi, Robert Stimac
  • Patent number: 6889144
    Abstract: The invention is a method and a device for measuring the filtering or purifying capacity of a purifier. The invention allows the use of a single analyzer for sampling the inlet and outlet streams. This is accomplished by sampling the inlet stream only at some times when the change in the inlet stream is expected to occur. At other times the outlet stream is sampled to monitor its composition. A computer system on the basis of the accumulated data decides when it is time to replace or to regenerate the purifier or the filter bed. The computer system also determines the strategy of when to sample the inlet stream. Various system sensors may be used to make this determination, such as pressure sensors and level sensors. The data from other sensors, such as flow sensors, may be used in the calculations performed by the computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Donald Borkman, Mark L. Malczewski
  • Patent number: 6865493
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for detecting an impurity in a sample where an index can be calculated to assess purity in the presence of n major components with signal averaging or noise-filtering automatically built-in. The method and apparatus can be applied to liquid chromatography impurity detection using UV-VIS spectrophotometry based on robust matrix algebra representing the entire spectral space generated by the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: PerkinElmer Instruments LLC
    Inventor: Yongdong Wang
  • Patent number: 6862535
    Abstract: An FT-IR toxic gas monitoring system and method for detection of one or more toxic gas species in a fluid environment containing or susceptible to presence of toxic gases. Such gas monitoring system includes: (1) a spectroscopic monitoring assembly for transmitting modulated infrared radiation through a spectroscopic cell that contains a gas sample from such fluid environment and generating a corresponding digitized spectrum characteristics of such gas sample for analysis; (2) a gas sampling and delivery subsystem for sampling the fluid environment and delivering the gas sample to the spectroscopic cell; and (3) a computational assembly (i) including a stored signal-to-noise ratio reference, and a stored background spectrum for the fluid environment when the toxic gas species is not present, and (ii) arranged to analyze the digitized spectrum and responsively produce an output indicative of quantitative presence of the toxic gas species in the fluid environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Robin L. Binder
  • Patent number: 6859737
    Abstract: A gas detection apparatus incorporating a gas sensor element and a vehicle automatic ventilation system including the apparatus in which a sensor output value S(n) is obtained, and a base value B(n) is calculated by use of Expression (1): B(n)=B(n?1)+k1[S(n)?B(n?1)]?k2[S(n)?S(n?5)] in the case where S(n)?B(n?1), or by use of Expression (3): B(n)=S(n) in the case where S(n)<B(n?1), followed by calculation of a difference value D(n); i.e., S(n)?B(n). When the difference value exceeds a predetermined high connection threshold, a high-concentration signal is generated to close a flap. After that, the base value B(n) is calculated by use of Expression (4): B(n)=B(n?1)+k3[S(n)?B(n?1)]?k4[S(n)?S(n?5)]. When the difference value becomes smaller than a predetermined low-concentration threshold, a low-concentration signal is generated to open the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Kimoto, Toshiya Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 6850847
    Abstract: A computer product for determining thermodynamic properties of a natural gas hydrocarbon, when the speed of sound in the gas is known at an arbitrary temperature and pressure. Thus, the known parameters are the sound speed, temperature, pressure, and concentrations of any dilute components of the gas. The method uses a set of reference gases and their calculated density and speed of sound values to estimate the density of the subject gas. Additional calculations can be made to estimate the molecular weight of the subject gas, which can then be used as the basis for mass flow calculations, to determine the speed of sound at standard pressure and temperature, and to determine various thermophysical characteristics of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Thomas B. Morrow, Kendricks A. Behring, II
  • Patent number: 6848294
    Abstract: The present invention continuously monitors the amount of oxygen dissolved in a beverage in a beverage storage tank in a beverage filler. Gas is continuously sampled via the vent holes 28 and the vent pipe 29 from the space part inside the beverage storage tank 1 of the beverage filler and is supplied to the oxygen measuring apparatus 40. The oxygen measuring apparatus 40 includes the oxygen measuring device 45 and measures the concentration of oxygen gas of the delivered gas. Based on the concentration of oxygen gas, it is monitored whether or not the amount of oxygen dissolved in the beer inside the storage tank is at or below a predetermined level. Further, the beverage is sampled from a supply channel supplying the beverage to the beverage storage tank so that the concentration of oxygen in the beverage is measured and monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Sapporo Breweries Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisaku Kurokawa, Satoshi Sekibata, Mitsushiro Saito, Rikiya Goto
  • Patent number: 6847903
    Abstract: Ice accretion on a probe is detected by determining the change of frequency of a vibrating type ice detector or sensor as ice starts to build up. The rate of change of frequency is determined and is combined with parameters including air velocity and air temperature for providing a signal that indicates liquid water content in the airflow as well as ice accretion on the ice detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Severson, Kenneth J. Schram
  • Patent number: 6847898
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining entrained and/or dissolved gas content of gas-liquid mixtures. Data generated is used to control the True (air-free) or Apparent (air-containing) Density or Entrained Air content of liquids within optimum ranges, e.g. in paper coating processes and in the manufacture of food products, personal care products, pharmaceutical products, paints, petroleum blends, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Appleton Papers Inc.
    Inventors: Qingyuan Chen, Robert Josef Franda