Robert K Downs

US Patent:

6453864, Sep 24, 2002

Filed:

Jan 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/760503

Inventors:

Robert Charles Downs - La Jolla CA
Goro Tamai - Warren MI
Tony T. Hoang - Warren MI
Dennis T. Richey - Sterling Heights MI

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F02N 1708

US Classification:

1231793, 12317928, 123196 S, 180 652, 180 653, 180 654

Abstract:

A method of controlling engine crankshaft motion in a hybrid electric drive system having an internal combustion engine and a motor-generator operatively connected to a crankshaft of the engine is disclosed. The steps include monitoring the crankshaft position, forecasting a crankshaft stall position; comparing the forecast stall position with a target range; and if the forecast crankshaft stall position is outside the target range, operating the motor-generator to modify the forecast stall position to be within the target range. These steps properly position the crankshaft for re-initiating engine start-up. The method further includes the steps of calculating an effective lube interval time once the crankshaft speed is zero; comparing the effective lube interval time to a critical time; and if the effective lube interval time is greater than the critical time, pulsing the motor-generator to rock the crankshaft for a pulse time to redistribute a lubricant film.

US Patent:

6488610, Dec 3, 2002

Filed:

Dec 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/735665

Inventors:

Robert Charles Downs - La Jolla CA
James Kevin Mainquist - Troy MI
David Allen Blenc - Shelby Township, Macomb County MI

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16H 6126

US Classification:

477131, 475127

Abstract:

An electro-hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission comprises a manual selector valve for operator direction of line pressure fluid to a drive passage when drive is selected or to a reverse passage when reverse is selected. A drive/reverse passage connects the drive passage and the reverse passage. A first check ball is disposed between the drive passage and the drive/reverse passage and a second check ball is disposed between the reverse passage and the drive/reverse passage wherein the check balls operate to pressurize the drive/reverse passage when either drive or reverse is selected. The system further includes six fluid operated selectively engageable friction devices, three friction device actuators each associated with one of the six friction devices, in parallel relation and electronically actuated to direct fluid from the drive passage to the respective friction device, and a two-friction device actuator operative to direct fluid from the drive/reverse passage to one of two friction devices. Three pressure-operated feed protection valves are disposed intermediate of two of the actuators and their two friction devices, which operate to prevent flow to the two downstream friction devices.

US Patent:

6534014, Mar 18, 2003

Filed:

May 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/569325

Inventors:

James Kevin Mainquist - San Diego CA
Robert Charles Downs - La Jolla CA
Mark Richard Weselak - San Diego CA
Andrew J. Meyer - San Diego CA
Kristina Marie Burow - San Diego CA
Daniel G. Sipes - Bethel Island CA
Jeremy Caldwell - Del Mar CA

Assignee:

IRM LLC - Hamilton

International Classification:

C12M 122

US Classification:

422 99, 422102, 4352884, 4353053

Abstract:

The specimen plate lid is generally a block, with a cover portion and a side portion. An alignment protrusion extends from the side portion and cooperates with an alignment member of the specimen plate to assist in manually or roboticly guiding the lid onto the specimen plate. An underside surface of the cover has a sealing perimeter for receiving a seal constructed from a compliant material, and shaped to cooperate with a complimentary sealing surface on the specimen plate. The lid is weighted so that when the lid is aligned and positioned on the specimen plate, the weight of the lid provides a gravitational force to sufficiently compress the seal against the sealing surface on the specimen plate. Accordingly, the lid is sufficiently sealed to the specimen plate to avoid contamination and impermissible drying.

US Patent:

6592324, Jul 15, 2003

Filed:

Feb 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/793254

Inventors:

Robert Charles Downs - La Jolla CA
Mark Richard Weselak - San Diego CA

Assignee:

IRM, LLC - Hamilton

International Classification:

B25J 1500

US Classification:

414741, 414730, 414936, 414941, 294104, 2941191, 294902, 901 31, 901 35, 901 39

Abstract:

A gripper apparatus for grasping an object such as a specimen holder. The gripper apparatus comprises two arms. In one embodiment the arms are pivotable, and in a second embodiment, each arm includes a pivotable member. The arms are moveably coupled to each other and are structured to grasp the object therebetween.

US Patent:

6635441, Oct 21, 2003

Filed:

Feb 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/780591

Inventors:

Robert Charles Downs - La Jolla CA
Scott Allan Lesley - San Diego CA
James Kevin Mainquist - San Diego CA
Daniel T. McMullan - San Diego CA
Andrew J. Meyer - San Diego CA
Marc Nasoff - San Diego CA

Assignee:

IRM, LLC - Hamilton

International Classification:

C12N 300

US Classification:

435 41, 435 27, 435 29, 4352831, 4352871, 4352882, 4352891, 435294, 4352991, 4352992, 4353001, 4353041, 4353051, 4353053, 435325, 435808, 435802, 435813

Abstract:

A fermentation apparatus is constructed to produce a known and repeatable amount of unpoisoned fermentation product using multiple fermentation vessels. To facilitate further processing compatible with other product processing steps, the fermentation apparatus has an array of sample vessels arranged in a container frame. The container frame is configured to hold the sample vessels during fermentation and to transport the vessel array to or from another processing station. Corresponding to the number of sample vessels in the sample vessel array, a cannula array is configured such that each cannula may be placed inside a sample vessel. The cannula array is attached to a gas distributor that delivers oxygen and/or one or more other gases from a gas source through the cannula into the sample vessel. Because the fermentation volume for each individual sample vessel is smaller than a bulk fermentation apparatus, the fermentation product yields are more predictable and cell growth rates may be more effectively optimized.

US Patent:

6659142, Dec 9, 2003

Filed:

Mar 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/818748

Inventors:

Robert Charles Downs - La Jolla CA
Mark Richard Weselak - San Diego CA

Assignee:

IRM, LLC - Hamilton

International Classification:

B65B 304

US Classification:

141 9, 141 2, 141101, 141181, 141237, 141270, 141284, 7386417, 422100

Abstract:

A system and method for preparing and dispensing fluid mixtures is provided. Fluid wells are positioned below a plurality of fluid dispensing devices, such as syringes configured to dispense fluid into the individual fluid wells. The fluid dispensing devices are configured to be positionable relative the fluid wells to enable different fluid dispensers to be sequentially positionable over a particular fluid well. A controller controls the relative movement between fluid wells and the fluid dispensing devices. In a preferred embodiment, the controller selectively moves multi-well vessels in one direction and moves the fluid dispensing devices in a second direction so that when directed by the controller, a selected fluid dispensing device is enabled to deposit a determined quantity of a fluid into a selected individual well of the multi-well vessels.

US Patent:

6709872, Mar 23, 2004

Filed:

May 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/562652

Inventors:

Robert C. Downs - La Jolla CA
Mark R. Weselak - San Diego CA

Assignee:

IRM LLC - Hamilton

International Classification:

G01N 110

US Classification:

436180, 422100, 7386332, 73864, 7386411, 7386416, 7386413

Abstract:

There is provided a method and apparatus for aspirating a volume of liquid into a syringe from a sample of the liquid. A substantial portion of the liquid in the syringe is subsequently dispensed from the syringe and returned to the sample. Accordingly, a small portion of the aspirated liquid is retained in the syringe. One or more nanoliter volumes of the liquid retained in the syringe are then dispensed from the syringe to a container for further use or analysis. It will be understood, therefore, that the volume of the originally aspirated liquid is substantially larger than the volume of liquid dispensed for further use or analysis. The invention also includes a method and apparatus for aspirating and dispensing a plurality of liquids by using a plurality of syringes, and also can be used to dispense liquids onto microplates.

US Patent:

6723555, Apr 20, 2004

Filed:

Feb 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/071842

Inventors:

Robert Charles Downs - La Jolla CA
Scott Allan Lesley - San Diego CA
James Kevin Mainquist - San Diego CA
Daniel Terence McMullan - San Diego CA
Andrew J. Meyer - San Diego CA
Marc Nasoff - San Diego CA

Assignee:

IRM, LLC - Hamilton

International Classification:

C12M 100

US Classification:

4352891, 4352961, 435813, 435818, 99276, 993231

Abstract:

A fermentation apparatus is constructed to produce a known and repeatable amount of untainted fermentation product using multiple fermentation vessels. To facilitate further processing compatible with other product processing steps, the fermentation apparatus has an array of sample vessels arranged in a container frame. The container frame is configured to hold the sample vessels during fermentation and to transport the vessel array to or from another processing station. Corresponding to the number of sample vessels in the sample vessel array, a cannula array is configured such that each cannula may be placed inside a sample vessel. The cannula array is attached to a gas distributor that delivers oxygen and/or one or more other gases from a gas source through the cannula into the sample vessel. Because the fermentation volume for each individual sample vessel is smaller than a bulk fermentation apparatus, the fermentation product yields are predictable and cell growth rates can be effectively optimized.