Joseph G Birmingham

US Patent:

6455014, Sep 24, 2002

Filed:

May 14, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/311944

Inventors:

Donald J. Hammerstrom - West Richland WA
Joseph G. Birmingham - Richland WA
James S. Millar - West Richland WA

Assignee:

MesoSystems Technology, Inc. - Kennewick WA

International Classification:

B01J 1908

US Classification:

42218604, 42218605

Abstract:

Apparatus for using a non-thermal plasma or corona discharge generated at multiple points and distributed to decontaminate surfaces and objects contaminated with chemical or biological agents. The corona discharge can be generated using very short high voltage pulses (pulsed discharge) produced by a Tesla coil. The pulsed corona discharge can be directed at a contaminated surface through the unbraided strands at an end of a dielectric covered conductor. Another pulsed discharge embodiment incorporates a primary coil surrounding a chamber having a void filled with a plurality of secondary coils. A silent corona discharge can be generated using a variety of different configurations of a dielectric coated electrode and a bare electrode. The silent discharge is produced at all intersections between the dielectric covered electrode and the bare electrode. The bare electrode can be woven with the dielectric covered electrode or can be coiled helically around, or plated onto, the dielectric covered electrode.

US Patent:

6698592, Mar 2, 2004

Filed:

Jul 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/202210

Inventors:

Vanessa M. Kenning - Kennewick WA
Christopher L. Moler - Richland WA
Joseph G. Birmingham - Vancouver WA
Patrick T. Call - West Richland WA

Assignee:

MesoSystems Technology, Inc. - Kennewick WA

International Classification:

B07B 704

US Classification:

209143

Abstract:

A separation plate separates a major flow of fluid from a minor flow of fluid. The major flow includes a minor portion of particles greater than a âcut size,â while the minor flow includes a major portion of particles greater than the cut size. Plates define a laterally extending passage between a front of the separation plate and its rear. The passage telescopes or converges from an initial height at its inlet, to a substantially smaller height at its outlet. A slot extends transversely into the plates from within a minor flow portion of the passage and connect into major flow outlet ports. The flow of fluid into the outlet is thus divided into the major flow, which flows from the major flow outlet ports and the minor flow that exits the outlet of the passage. To accommodate a desired flow of fluid, the width of the passage can be changed, or an array of stacked separation plates can be employed.

US Patent:

6802456, Oct 12, 2004

Filed:

Oct 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/271013

Inventors:

Alireza Shekarriz - Lake Oswego WA
Joseph G. Birmingham - Vancouver WA

Assignee:

MicroEnergy Technologies, Inc - Vancouver WA

International Classification:

A01G 1500

US Classification:

239 3, 239690, 239695

Abstract:

Fluids are atomized using a miniaturized electrostatic microinjector. The microinjectors are capable of producing uniform droplets in several spray modes, and metering and dispersing very small volume fluids. The atomizer is useful in carburetion systems for internal combustion engines, to prepare samples for analytical methods such as MALDI, for fluid filtration and separation, and in other applications.

US Patent:

7037468, May 2, 2006

Filed:

Jul 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/193089

Inventors:

Donald J. Hammerstrom - West Richland WA, US
Joseph G. Birmingham - Richland WA, US
James S. Millar - West Richland WA, US

Assignee:

MesoSystems Technology, Inc. - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

B01J 19/08

US Classification:

422 22, 204164, 588227

Abstract:

Apparatus and method for using a non-thermal plasma or corona discharge generated at multiple points and distributed to decontaminate surfaces and objects contaminated with chemical or biological agents. The corona discharge can be generated using very short high voltage pulses. The pulsed corona discharge can be directed at a contaminated surface through the unbraided strands at an end of a dielectric covered conductor. Another pulsed discharge embodiment incorporates a primary coil surrounding a chamber having a void filled with a plurality of secondary coils. A silent corona discharge can be generated using a variety of different configurations of a dielectric coated electrode and a bare electrode. The silent discharge is produced at all intersections between the dielectric covered electrode and the bare electrode. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a blanket-like structure that is useful for decontaminating surfaces or decontaminating a fluid passing between spaced-apart bare electrodes.

US Patent:

7178380, Feb 20, 2007

Filed:

Jan 24, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/041823

Inventors:

Alireza Shekarriz - Lake Oswego OR, US
Robert Reed Moore - Ridgefield WA, US
Joseph G. Birmingham - Vancouver WA, US

International Classification:

G01N 1/00

US Classification:

73 2804

Abstract:

A virtual impactor device having reduced fouling includes injection ports within the separation zone to redirect particles that otherwise tend to impact the walls of the separation zone and produce fouling. The virtual impactor device preferably also includes an acceleration zone having concave and convex sections, which reduces fouling in that area. The virtual impactor device can be combined with various downstream components such as collectors, atomizers and various analytical devices.

US Patent:

7258716, Aug 21, 2007

Filed:

Mar 22, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/805791

Inventors:

Alireza Shekarriz - Lake Oswego OR, US
Danielle Lynn Taylor - Portland OR, US
Joseph Gerard Birmingham - Lake Oswego OR, US

International Classification:

B01D 45/08

US Classification:

55442, 55443, 55444, 55524, 55315, 55463, 55DIG 25, 55DIG 39

Abstract:

A microimpactor device for separating particles from a fluid stream includes a plurality of microimpactor in a two-dimensional array. Individual microimpactors are separated by a distance of about 3 to 20 times the microimpactor width. This spacing provides a device that operates well at low pressure drops across the device. Particles borne in a fluid stream tend to accumulate on both the front and rear sides of the microimpactors, thereby increasing the efficiency of the device.

US Patent:

7337984, Mar 4, 2008

Filed:

Aug 13, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/917824

Inventors:

Alireza Shekarriz - Lake Oswego WA, US
Joseph G. Birmingham - Vancouver WA, US

International Classification:

A01G 23/10
B05B 5/025
B05B 5/00
F23D 11/32

US Classification:

239 3, 239690, 239695

Abstract:

Fluids are atomized using a miniaturized electrostatic microinjector. The microinjectors are capable of producing uniform droplets in several spray modes, and metering and dispersing very small volume fluids. The atomizer is useful in carburetion systems for internal combustion engines, to prepare samples for analytical methods such as MALDI, for fluid filtration and separation, and in other applications.

US Patent:

7701576, Apr 20, 2010

Filed:

Jun 15, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/764164

Inventors:

Robert R. Moore - Vancouver WA, US
Mary V. Moore - Vancouver WA, US
Joseph G. Birmingham - Vancouver WA, US

Assignee:

MicroStructure Technologies Inc. - Vancouver WA

International Classification:

G01N 21/00

US Classification:

356338

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for sorting and performing redundant analysis of particles in an aerosol is disclosed. Redundant analysis reduces the possibility of false positive analyses, which is advantageous in the art. The apparatus may comprise an aerosol concentrator, an optical particle analyzer, an electrosprayer and a charged particle analyzer. A method according to the invention may comprise delivering a concentrated aerosol stream to an optical particle analyzer; analyzing each particle of interest and selectively triggering an electrosprayer to electrospray each particle of interest; adding a charge to the particle, which is then moved by electrostatic forces to a charged particle analyzer; and performing a second, redundant analysis of each charged particle collected on the charged particle analyzer to confirm the identity of the particle of interest. The apparatus and method may also be adapted to perform redundant analysis of disguised particles that are coated to disguise their payload.