James R Dolan

US Patent:

6433694, Aug 13, 2002

Filed:

Mar 22, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/273953

Inventors:

James P. Dolan - Seattle WA
Patrick M. Dolan - Seattle WA

Assignee:

Adsistor Technology Inc. - Seattle WA

International Classification:

G08B 2100

US Classification:

340603, 340632, 73 3102, 73 3105, 73 405 B, 73 46, 204400, 324691

Abstract:

A sensor and method for rapidly determining the absence of a vapor in a gas or fluid is described as well as a method for constructing the sensor. The sensor comprises a resistive element having first and second leads; an elastomeric material in thermal contact with and surrounding a portion of the resistive element; and a stratum of electrically conductive particles surrounding a portion of the elastomeric material and electrically coupled to the first lead and a third lead. The method for determining the absence of a vapor comprises linking the sensor to a control means for preventing excessive adsorption; exposing the sensor to an environment; and monitoring the sensor. The method for constructing the sensor comprises applying an elastomeric material to the resistive element; applying a stratum of electrically conductive particles to the elastomeric material; electrically coupling one portion of the stratum to a first lead of the resistive element; and electrically coupling another portion of the stratum to a third lead. By adsorbing some of the vapors molecules when the stratum of electrically conductive particles is exposed to a gas or fluid containing certain vapors, the stratums electrical resistance changes. These changes are monitored by a control circuit that runs current through the resistive element when a threshold of adsorption has occurred.

US Patent:

42245958, Sep 23, 1980

Filed:

Nov 2, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/957174

Inventors:

James P. Dolan - Seattle WA

Assignee:

ADS Systems, Inc. - Seattle WA

International Classification:

H01L 700

US Classification:

338 34

Abstract:

An adsorbing type sensor of the type having electrically conductive adsorbent particles resiliently embedded in a surface and forming an electrical conductive path through the sensor, the resistance of which or in one embodiment current through which varies in response to the presence of an adsorbate medium exposed to the particles and in which the adsorbent particles are of varying sizes interspersed among one another and a method of increasing the sensitivity and range of an adsorbing type sensor by interspersing various sized abutting adsorbent particles.

US Patent:

47527617, Jun 21, 1988

Filed:

Jul 31, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/891153

Inventors:

James P. Dolan - Seattle WA
Patrick M. Dolan - Seattle WA

International Classification:

H01L 700

US Classification:

338 34

Abstract:

A thermo-electrically regulated adsorptive sensing device comprising a gas adsorptive sensing element having a stratum of adsorbently sensitive particles, a thermistor for sensing the temperature of the sensing element, a thermo-electric module for controlled cooling and heating of the sensing element, a heat sink, and a controller unit for applying variable amounts of electrical current through the thermo-electric module to appropriately heat or cool the sensing element in a rapid, controlled and accurate fashion. The thermo-electric module may be operated either to maintain the stratum of particles of the sensing element within about 1. degree. (0. 6. degree. C. ) of the optimal sensing temperature or operated to heat the particles in a controlled fashion to a relatively high purging temperature at which the gas is relatively rapidly desorbed, and then cool the particles in a controlled fashion to a relatively lower sensing temperature at which the gas is relatively rapidly adsorbed by the particles.

US Patent:

48272469, May 2, 1989

Filed:

May 24, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/197985

Inventors:

James P. Dolan - Seattle WA
Patrick M. Dolan - Seattle WA

International Classification:

G08B 1900
G01F 2300

US Classification:

340521

Abstract:

Combination hydrocarbon and water level sensor systems for use in connection with underground storage sites, such as gasoline storage tanks, industrial waste sites, and the like, with a solar cell power source and an LCD display located above ground and providing directly viewable indication of the presence or absence in the underground environment of "HYDROCARBON" and/or "WATER", with the absence of such being indicated by "OK". In the preferred form, a pod containing an adsorptive type hydrocarbon gas sensor and a galvanic cell type liquid water sensor is suspended by electrical cable means from a well cap in which the solar cell and LCD display are installed.

US Patent:

42377218, Dec 9, 1980

Filed:

Dec 11, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/968026

Inventors:

James P. Dolan - Seattle WA

Assignee:

ADS Systems, Inc. - Seattle WA

International Classification:

G01N 2704

US Classification:

73 23

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for sensing liquids, vapors and gases, which includes a conventional detection device operated in its non-linear region so that it is sensitive not only to substances having a Van der Waals' constant of greater than 9, but it is also sensitive to substances having a Van der Waals' constant of 9 or less. The device is driven by a constant current source, and a change in the level of the voltage across the detection device occurs upon exposure of the device to the substance being sensed. This voltage change is then detected to indicate the presence of the sensed substance. The relatively small voltage change associated with the detection device may be easily sensed by placing the detection device in a balanced bridge circuit. Further, the bridge circuit enables easy, accurate normalization of the apparatus in a reference environment. The non-linear characteristics of the detector allow it to be employed as a regulator for supplying a constant current to a power consuming device.

US Patent:

41290305, Dec 12, 1978

Filed:

Oct 13, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/841802

Inventors:

James P. Dolan - Seattle WA

Assignee:

ADS Systems, Inc. - Seattle WA

International Classification:

G01N 2704

US Classification:

73 23

Abstract:

A sensing apparatus and method, for sensing liquids, vapors and gases, which includes a detection device constructed in accordance with the disclosures contained in U. S. Pat. No. 3,045,198, issued July 17, 1962, to Dolan et al. When the detection device is operated in a current saturated condition it becomes sensitive even to substances having a Van der Waals' "a" constant of nine or less. A change in the level of the current through the detection device occurs upon exposure of the device to the substance being sensed. This current level change is then detected to indicate the presence of the sensed substance. The relatively small current level change through the detection device may be easily discerned despite the fact that the base current is on the order of milliamperes by placing the detection device in a balanced bridge circuit. Further, the bridge circuit enables easy, accurate normalization of the apparatus in a reference environment.

US Patent:

55941621, Jan 14, 1997

Filed:

Jun 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/465819

Inventors:

James P. Dolan - Seattle WA
Patrick M. Dolan - Seattle WA
James T. Dolan - Seattle WA
Margaret R. Dolan - Seattle WA

International Classification:

F16L 55168
G01W 111
F16K 4104

US Classification:

73 46

Abstract:

A valve stem gas leak sensor or detector configured to surround a possibly leaking petrochemical or like flow line valve stem and provide for external monitoring equipment an electrical resistance related to the amount of hydrocarbon gas leakage occurring around the valve stem. Such a gas leak detector, termable a ring sensor, is configured as a stem surrounding enclosure, with interconnecting segments for ease of installation around and removability from a valve stem, with one or both of each such segments having an interiorly arranged layer of gas sensor particulate material characterized by change in electrical resistance in the presence of a changing concentration of hydrocarbon gas leakage around a valve stem, and with interengaging connector/conductor pins holding the segments together around the valve stem and across which the electrical resistance of one or both gas sensor material layers can be measured with the ring sensor in place on the valve stem.

US Patent:

20180328067, Nov 15, 2018

Filed:

Nov 1, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/801237

Inventors:

Hans-Erik Blomgren - Vashon WA, US
James Daniel Dolan - Pullman WA, US

International Classification:

E04H 9/02
E04H 9/14
E04C 3/18
E04C 5/02
E04C 5/06

Abstract:

An apparatus to connect two mass timber (CLT, LVL, or other configurations) shear wall panels, comprising a high load deformation capacity steel connector, wherein the connector comprises a high stiffness that shifts to a low stiffness during a high intensity earthquake or significant wind loading event.