Gordon L Richard

US Patent:

6783687, Aug 31, 2004

Filed:

Oct 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/269298

Inventors:

Gordon L. Richard - Oklahoma City OK 73112

International Classification:

C02F 148

US Classification:

210695, 210748, 210223, 210243, 2104161, 204554, 204557, 204660, 204664, 204672

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for separating ions from a stream of fluid containing ions. A magnetic field and an electrostatic field are established across a processing zone through which the fluid stream flows so that the flow vector of the fluid stream, the flux lines of the magnetic field, and the vector of the electrostatic field are mutually orthogonal. The resulting high and low ion effluents may be further processed. No thermal input is required. No vacuum, reverse osmosis or reduced pressure distillation is involved. Large volumes of fluid may be processed at relatively low cost. The disclosed method and apparatus is suitable for desalinating seawater, or for removing arsenic or other contaminants from ground water, to produce potable water. Additionally, the invention permits the recovery of valuable constituents from ground or sea water; precious metals may be recovered from sea water and gypsum may be collected from ground water.

US Patent:

20090253951, Oct 8, 2009

Filed:

Jun 18, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/487321

Inventors:

Geoffrey R. Ball - Innsbruck, AT
Kenneth J. Dormer - Edmond OK, US
Jack Van Doren Hough - Yukon OK, US
Gordon L. Richard - Oklahoma City OK, US
Christopher A. Julian - Los Gatos CA, US

Assignee:

VIBRANT MED-EL HEARING TECHNOLOGY GMBH - Innsbruck

International Classification:

H04R 25/00

US Classification:

600 25

Abstract:

A floating mass transducer for assisting hearing in a person is provided. Inertial vibration in the floating mass transducer () produces vibrations in the inner ear. In an exemplary embodiment, the floating mass transducer comprises a magnet assembly () and a coil () secured inside a housing () which is attached to bone within the middle ear. The coil is more rigidly secured to the housing than the magnet. The magnet assembly and coil are configured such that conducting alternating electrical current through the coil results in vibration of the magnet assembly and coil relative to one another. The vibration is caused by the interaction of the magnetic fields of the magnet assembly and coil. Because the coil is more rigidly secured to the housing than the magnet assembly, the vibrations of the coil cause the housing to vibrate. The floating mass transducer may generate vibrations in the inner ear by being attached to the skull or through a mouthpiece.

US Patent:

44993390, Feb 12, 1985

Filed:

Nov 24, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/444460

Inventors:

Gordon L. Richard - Minco OK

Assignee:

Baptist Medical Center of Oklahoma, Inc. - Oklahoma City OK

International Classification:

H04R 2500

US Classification:

179107FD

Abstract:

An apparatus and a method modulate a carrier signal so that the resultant modulated signal varies between a value substantially equal to the quiescent level of the carrier signal and peak values up to several hundred percent of the quiescent level of the carrier signal. The apparatus includes an electrical circuit for adjusting the modulating signal so that it is clamped at a reference value to prevent overmodulation. The clamped signal controls a variable resistance mechanism which forms a part of the gain determining portion of a modulator circuit including an amplifier. The amplifier modulates the carrier signal in accordance with the gain determined by the variable resistance. The variable resistance is controlled by the clamped signal so that it causes the gain of the amplifier circuit to vary between approximately one and a value greater than one. So that the apparatus can be used by a person having a hearing impediment wherein the dynamic range detectable by the user is less than the dynamic range detectable by a normal ear, the apparatus also includes a circuit which compresses a detected acoustical signal which is within a first dynamic range into an electrical modulating signal within a dynamic range which is smaller than the first dynamic range and which is within the dynamic range perceivable by the user of the apparatus.

US Patent:

46175369, Oct 14, 1986

Filed:

Jun 15, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/621181

Inventors:

Gordon L. Richard - Minco OK

Assignee:

Baptist Medical Center of Oklahoma, Inc. - Oklahoma City OK

International Classification:

H03C 108
H04R 2500

US Classification:

332 37D

Abstract:

An apparatus and a method modulate a carrier signal so that the resultant modulated signal varies between a value substantially equal to the quiescent level of the carrier signal and peak values up to several hundred percent of the quiescent level of the carrier signal. The apparatus includes an electrical circuit for adjusting the modulating signal so that it is clamped at a reference value to prevent overmodulation. The clamped signal controls a variable resistance mechanism which forms a part of the gain determining portion of a modulator circuit including an amplifier. The amplifier modulates the carrier signal in accordance with the gain determined by the variable resistance. The variable resistance is controlled by the clamped signal so that it causes the gain of the amplifier circuit to vary between approximately one and a value greater than one. So that the apparatus can be used by a person having a hearing impediment wherein the dynamic range detectable by the user is less than the dynamic range detectable by a normal ear, the apparatus also includes a circuit which compresses a detected acoustical signal which is within a first dynamic range into an electrical modulating signal within a dynamic range which is smaller than the first dynamic range and which is within the dynamic range perceivable by the user of the apparatus.

US Patent:

43529607, Oct 5, 1982

Filed:

Sep 30, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/192480

Inventors:

Kenneth J. Dormer - Edmond OK
Gordon L. Richard - Minco OK

Assignee:

Baptist Medical Center of Oklahoma, Inc. - Oklahoma City OK

International Classification:

A61F 100
A61F 1100

US Classification:

179107BC

Abstract:

Disclosed is a transcutaneous coupling apparatus comprising a first member subcutaneously positioned in a user of the invention and also comprising a second member positioned supercutaneously, or outside the skin of the user. Rare-earth magnets are associated with the first and second members to magnetically secure the second member with the first member without significantly adversely affecting the user's skin intervening between the first and second members.

US Patent:

RE329479, Jun 13, 1989

Filed:

Jan 14, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/144011

Inventors:

Kenneth J. Dormer - Edmond OK
Gordon L. Richard - Minco OK

Assignee:

Baptist Medical Center of Oklahoma, Inc. - Oklahoma City OK

International Classification:

A61F 1100

US Classification:

1284206

Abstract:

Disclosed is a transcutaneous coupling apparatus comprising a first member subcutaneously positioned in a user of the invention and also comprising a second member positioned supercutaneously, or outside the skin of the user. Rare-earth magnets are associated with the first and second members to magnetically secure the second member with the first member without significantly adversely affecting the user's skin intervening between the first and second members.

US Patent:

59138157, Jun 22, 1999

Filed:

Dec 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/568006

Inventors:

Geoffrey R. Ball - Sunnyvale CA
Kenneth J. Dormer - Edmond OK
Jack Van Doren Hough - Yukon OK
Gordon L. Richard - Oklahoma City OK
Christopher A. Julian - Los Gatos CA

Assignee:

Symphonix Devices, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

H04R 2500

US Classification:

600 25

Abstract:

A floating mass transducer for assisting hearing in a person is provided. Inertial vibration in the floating mass transducer (100) produces vibrations in the inner ear. In an exemplary embodiment, the floating mass transducer comprises a magnet assembly (12) and a coil (14) secured inside a housing (10) which is attached to bone within the middle ear. The coil is more rigidly secured to the housing than the magnet. The magnet assembly and coil are configured such that conducting alternating electrical current through the coil results in vibration of the magnet assembly and coil relative to one another. The vibration is caused by the interaction of the magnetic fields of the magnet assembly and coil. Because the coil is more rigidly secured to the housing than the magnet assembly, the vibrations of the coil cause the housing to vibrate. The floating mass transducer may generate vibrations in the inner ear by being attached to the skull or through a mouthpiece.

US Patent:

46129154, Sep 23, 1986

Filed:

May 23, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/737188

Inventors:

Jack V. D. Hough - Yukon OK
Gordon L. Richard - Minco OK
Kenneth E. Barton - Jacksonville FL
Paul DiCarlo - Jacksonville FL
Robert Y. Chow - Jacksonville FL

Assignee:

Xomed, Inc. - Jacksonville FL

International Classification:

H04R 900
H04R 2500

US Classification:

128 1R

Abstract:

A direct bone conduction hearing aid device is disclosed and includes a sound processor for receiving sound and generating an amplified electromagnetic signal in response thereto. This signal is transmitted to a subcutaneously implanted vibration generating means which is secured to a skull bone of the user and which includes magnetic means. An analog signal causes the magnet to vibrate and these vibrations are transmitted to the skull bone and thence to the cochlea to create the perception of sound.