Patrick E Call

US Patent:

6488900, Dec 3, 2002

Filed:

Oct 19, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/422206

Inventors:

Charles J. Call - Pasco WA
Mike Powell - Kennewick WA
Seung-Ho Hong - Richland WA
Ezra Merrill - Albuquerque NM
Alireza Shekarriz - Columbia MD
Patrick Call - West Richland WA

Assignee:

MesoSystems Technology, Inc. - Kennewick WA

International Classification:

B01D 5334

US Classification:

422173, 422120, 422122, 422125, 422174, 422177, 422180

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for purifying air to deactivate toxic chemical and biological species such as Sarin, mustard gas, phosgene, cyanogen chloride, Anthrax spores, bacteria, Salmonella bacteria, Hepatitis virus, and Norwalk virus. The apparatus comprises a reaction chamber coupled to a counterflow heat exchanger. Incoming contaminated air is directed through a heating side of a counterflow heat exchanger to preheat it. The air is further heated to a temperature of at least 200Â C. , which is sufficient to deactivate common biological toxic species. Optionally, the reaction chamber may include a catalyst on a surface area over which the heated air is directed, which enables a thermocatalytic reaction that is particularly effective in deactivating biological and chemical warfare agents, such as anthrax and Sarin. Portable embodiments of the invention are useful in both military and civilian air purifying applications, while fixed installation of the apparatus are useful in deactivating toxic species from the air in areas where food is prepared or stored, or in purifying air in the environment of a living space.

US Patent:

6695146, Feb 24, 2004

Filed:

Sep 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/955481

Inventors:

Charles J. Call - Albuquerque NM
Patrick T. Call - West Richland WA
Vanessa M. Kenning - Kennewick WA
Andrew Kamholz - Seattle WA

Assignee:

MesoSystems Technology, Inc. - Kennewick WA

International Classification:

B07B 700

US Classification:

209143, 209 49, 209 58, 209 59, 7386322

Abstract:

The present invention employs a virtual impactor to separate a flow of fluid into a major flow and a minor flow, such that the minor flow contains a higher concentration of particulates of a desired size. The minor flow is directed toward an archival surface, causing the particulates to impact against and be deposited on the archival surface. Over time, the archival surface and the virtual impactor are moved relative to one another such that particulates collected at different times are deposited as spaced-apart spots on different portions of the archival surface. The particulates are stored on the archival surface until analysis of the particulates is required. The archival surface can be coated with a material that enhances the deposition and retention of the particulates and can further be coated with materials that sustain the life of biological organism particulates deposited on the archival surface.

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:

6729196, May 4, 2004

Filed:

Feb 1, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/775872

Inventors:

Christopher L. Moler - Richland WA
Trent Wetherbee - Kennewick WA
Patrick Call - West Richland WA
Charles J. Call - Albuquerque NM
Vanessa M. Kenning - Kennewick WA

Assignee:

MesoSystems Technology, Inc. - Kennewick WA

International Classification:

G01N 3120

US Classification:

7386322

Abstract:

A portable sampling unit capable of separating particulates, including biological organisms, from gaseous fluids such as air. A combined particle impact collector and fan is used to both move fluid through the sampling unit and to collect particulates. In one embodiment, the combined particle impact collector is a disposable unit that is removed and replaced with a fresh unit after each sampling period. The disposable unit is placed in a rinse station, where a liquid sample is extracted for later analysis. Alternatively, a disposable detection unit is incorporated in the sampling unit to provide real time detection of chemical toxins and/or biological pathogens. Preferably, the detector unit includes micro-fluidic channels so that a minimum amount of sample and test reagents are required. In another embodiment, the combined impact collector is integral to the sampling unit, rather than a separate disposable item.

US Patent:

6938777, Sep 6, 2005

Filed:

Feb 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/366595

Inventors:

Charles J. Call - Albuquerque NM, US
Patrick T. Call - West Richland WA, US
Vanessa M. Kenning - Kennewick WA, US
Eric Hanczyc - Renton WA, US
Andrew Kamholz - Albuquerque NM, US

Assignee:

MesoSystems Technology, Inc. - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

B07B007/00
B07B013/00

US Classification:

209143, 209 49, 209 58, 209 59, 7386322

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for removing concentrated spots of collected particulates from an impact collection surface, and transferring those particulates into a container suitable for preparing a liquid sample. A jet of fluid can be utilized to remove and transfer the particulates. If a liquid jet is employed, care is taken to minimize the quantity of liquid to avoid unnecessarily diluting the sample. A mechanical scraper can alternatively be employed to remove and transfer the particulates into the container. The scraper can be rinsed with liquid or vibrated to remove the particulates. Alternatively, the portion of the surface containing a specific spot of particulates can be removed and placed into a container.

US Patent:

6951147, Oct 4, 2005

Filed:

Jun 20, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/601315

Inventors:

Patrick T. Call - West Richland WA, US
Vanessa M. Kenning - Kennewick WA, US
Charles J. Call - Albuquerque NM, US

Assignee:

Mesosystems Technology, Inc. - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

G01N001/00

US Classification:

7386322

Abstract:

The present invention relates to optimizing the configuration of rotary impact collectors and devices in which such rotary impact collectors are employed. Rotary impact collectors are formed out of base plate upon which a plurality of vanes are mounted. One aspect of the present invention is a combined impact collector and fan in which the ratio of vane height to impeller diameter is in the range of about 0. 01 to about 0. 2. Preferably, the vanes are evenly spaced around the impeller so as to present a balanced load to the motor. Other performance enhancing elements include the use of truncated vanes, configurations optimized for injection molding fabrication, controlling the orientation of the vanes to reduce the formation of vortex forces, and enhancements configured to increase the ability to collected particles rinsed off such impellers.

US Patent:

6290065, Sep 18, 2001

Filed:

Jan 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/494962

Inventors:

Vanessa M. Kenning - Kennewick WA
Christopher L. Moler - Richland WA
Joseph G. Birmingham - Richland WA
Patrick T. Call - 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 "cut size," 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:

60623926, May 16, 2000

Filed:

Nov 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/191980

Inventors:

Joseph G. Birmingham - Richland WA
Patrick T. Call - Richland WA
Vanessa M. Kenning - Kennewick WA
Alireza Shekarriz - Kennewick WA
Charles J. Call - Pasco WA

Assignee:

MesoSystems Technology, Inc. - Richland WA

International Classification:

B07B 704
B01D 4508
B01D 5300

US Classification:

209143

Abstract:

A separation plate (10) includes a first surface and an opposing second surface. Plural pairs of a nozzle (14) and a virtual impactor (16) are provided on the first surface. Each nozzle tapers from an inlet end (14a) to an outlet end (14b). Each virtual impactor comprises a pair of generally fin-shaped projections (24). Each fin-shaped projection includes an inner wall (26) and a convex outer wall (28). The inner walls of the fin-shaped projections of a virtual impactor face each other to define a minor flow passage (30) therebetween. The convex outer walls of the fin-shaped projections of a virtual impactor cooperatively present a convex surface including a virtual impact void therethrough. The virtual impact void defines an inlet end of the minor flow passage. A virtual impactor body (33) is provided between adjacent virtual impactors (16).