Professional Experience

Patent Agent, Faegre & Benson, LLP

Practice areas: Software (computer, method, process); Medical Devices; Mechanical and Electro-Mechanical (control hardware and software, sensors, thermal comfort, heating ventilation and air-conditioning systems, processes and controls, indoor air quality, fireplace, office furniture)

Prosecuted US and PCT patent applications, including 371 applications, at the US-PTO. Directly interacted with corporate counsel and innovators in obtaining, clarifying, and evaluating invention disclosures and drafting applications. Conducted state-of-the-art searches (patents and scientific and product literature). Conducted freedom-to-operate, patentability, clearance, and infringement analyses. Assisted with patent appeals, interferences, and opposition proceedings. Directed foreign associates prosecute patent applications in foreign jurisdictions.

Administrative accomplishments: Actively participated in US-PTO Pilot Programs for EFS-Web and e-Office Action leading to successful integration into the practice group’s procedures.

 

Science Advisor/Technical Specialist, Crompton, Seager, and Tufte, LLC

Practice areas: Software (computer, method, process); Medical and Intravascular Devices (stents, filters, aspirators, balloons, guide wires, catheters, p-H sensors, cryogenics, atrial fibrillators); Mechanical and Electro-Mechanical (control hardware and software, displays, avionics, wireless systems, sensors, thermal comfort, heating ventilation and air-conditioning systems, processes and controls, indoor air quality)

Prosecuted US and PCT patent applications, including 371 applications, at the US-PTO. Directly interacted with corporate counsel and innovators in obtaining, clarifying, and evaluating invention disclosures and drafting applications. Conducted state-of-the-art searches (patents and scientific and product literature). Directed foreign associates prosecute patent applications in foreign jurisdictions.

 

Senior Principal Research Engineer, Honeywell Technology Center

Program manager, principal investigator, and technical lead on a multitude of projects comprising operation and performance analysis of HVAC systems and components, processes and controls in buildings. Strong record of sustained technical accomplishments, innovations and demonstrated expertise in solving critical systems and controls issues for worldwide products conceptualization, development, analysis and enhancement. Accomplishments include:

Ø      Honeywell Star Inventor

Ø      As a patentee, provided substantial prosecution assistance to US attorneys and foreign associates

Ø      Developed and validated robust thermal comfort control algorithms for regulating temperature and moisture in a conditioned space

Ø      Created a portfolio of patents for robust thermal comfort control (integrated, auctioneering, enthalpy, apparent temperature, heat stress index)

Ø      Analyzed the impact of ventilator sensible and latent efficiencies, air flow rates, and control strategies on energy consumption/cost, indoor air quality and thermal comfort

Ø      Developed and validated control algorithms for forced air and hydronic multi-zone systems

Ø      Developed and validated control algorithms for variable capacity heat pumps and air conditioners

Ø      Analyzed and enhanced the operation and performance of several line volt thermostat products

Ø      Analyzed and modified a gas valve design to eliminate oscillations in exit gas pressures and enhance operational performance

Ø      Developed system and component specifications for “ultimate” hot surface ignition systems after several unsuccessful prior attempts

Ø      Analyzed operation and performance of systems with outdoor temperature compensated boiler controllers and thermostats

Ø      Designed and developed control algorithms for thermal buses on the International Space Station

Ø      Developed emulation test beds for validating proto-type controllers interacting in real time with simulated buildings, HVAC components, systems and processes

Ø      Developed an analysis tool for trailer truck refrigeration

Ø      Spearheaded several product development and analysis projects with European business units

Ø      Actively participated in the establishment of a Cooling and Refrigeration Center of Excellence

Ø      Initiated establishment of the Singapore Technology Center

Ø      Actively participated in evaluating the formation of an European Technology Center

 

Additional Applied Research and Development Experience:

Ø      Developed, enhanced and utilized several modeling and simulation software for HVAC systems, controls, processes and components for energy analysis of buildings (DOE, BLAST, TRACE, ESP)

Ø      Multitude of projects encompassing experimentations and energy and economic analyses for energy conservation and alternate energy sources, including active and passive solar, sensible and phase change storage, wind, geothermal, power plant condensate, greenhouses, intermittent energy consuming devices, etc.

Ø      Computational analysis of thermal energy storage systems including trombe walls and phase change material

Ø      Installation, instrumentation and monitoring of solar heating and cooling system on a 95% below grade commercial building

Ø      Developed specifications and standards for the Solar Office of the Minnesota State Energy Office for the design, installation, instrumentation, data acquisition, and analysis of residential solar domestic hot water systems

Ø      Analysis of airborne thermographs of residential and commercial buildings for energy conservation

Ø      Remote monitoring, operation and diagnosis of HVAC systems for a University medical campus

Ø      Experimental determination of the coupled heat and moisture diffusion coefficients in moist soils

Ø      Experimental investigation of enhanced film-cooling techniques and impingement jet cooling for applications in high performance gas turbines

Ø      Developed interactive software for students attending senior and graduate level courses and senior mechanical engineering laboratories