Patents

Aerosol Mass Spectrometry Systems and Methods
David P. Fergenson, Eric E. Gard
U.S. Patent 8,513,598 B2
August 20, 2013
In this system, a particle accelerator directs a succession of polydisperse aerosol particles along a predetermined particle path. Multiple tracking lasers generate beams of light across the particle path, and an optical detector adjacent to that path detects the light beams impinging on individual particles. A desorption laser generates a beam of desorbing light across the particle path about coaxial with the light beam produced by one of the tracking lasers. The desorption laser is manipulated by a controller that is responsive to detection of a signal produced by the optical detector. Additional systems and methods are also disclosed.

Compositions of Corrosion-Resistant Fe-Based Amorphous Metals Suitable for Producing Thermal Spray Coatings
Joseph C. Farmer, Frank M. G. Wong, Jeffery J. Haslam, Xiaoyan (Jane) Ji, Sumner D. Day, Craig A. Blue, John D. K. Rivard, Louis F. Aprigliano, Leslie K. Kohler, Robert Bayles, Edward J. Lemieux, Nancy Yang, John H. Perepezko, Larry Kaufman, Arthur Heuer, Enrique J. Lavernia
U.S. Patent 8,524,053 B2
September 3, 2013
This method can be used to spray an amorphous metal coating on a surface. The amorphous metal is composed of 1 to 3 atomic percent manganese, 0.1 to 10 atomic percent yttrium, and 0.3 to 3.1 atomic percent silicon. It also contains the following elements in the composition range specified in parentheses: chromium (15–20 atomic percent), molybdenum (2–15 atomic percent), tungsten (1–3 atomic percent), boron (5–16 atomic percent), carbon (3–16 atomic percent), and the balance iron.

Three Dimensional Microelectrode System for Dielectrophoresis
Dietrich A. Dehlinger, Klint A. Rose, Maxim Shusteff, Christopher G. Bailey, Raymond P. Mariella, Jr.
U.S. Patent 8,524,064 B2
September 3, 2013
This apparatus is designed to separate particles from a sample. The device includes a dielectrophoresis channel in an apparatus body, and the channel has a central axis, a bottom and top, and two sides. A first mesa projects into the dielectrophoresis channel from the bottom and extends from the first side across the dielectrophoresis channel to the second side. The first mesa extends at an angle to the central axis of the channel, and a first electrode extends along the first mesa. A second mesa projects into the dielectrophoresis channel from the bottom and extends from the first side across the channel to the second side. The second mesa also extends at an angle to the central axis of the dielectrophoresis channel. A space is placed between at least one of the first or second electrodes and the second side, and the two electrodes have a gap between them.

Method for Fabricating Apatite Crystals and Ceramics
Thomas F. Soules, Kathleen I. Schaffers, John B. Tassano, Jr., Joel P. Hollingsworth
U.S. Patent 8,529,859 B2
September 10, 2013
This method of crystallizing ytterbium-doped fluorapatite [Yb3+:Ca5(PO4)3F, or Yb:C-FAP] dissolves Yb:C-FAP in an acidic solution and then neutralizes the solution. The method also forms crystalline Yb:C-FAP by dissolving the component ingredients in an acidic solution, followed by forming a supersaturated solution.

Cermets from Molten Metal Infiltration Processing
Richard L. Landingham
U.S. Patent 8,530,363 B2
September 10, 2013
New cermets with lower density and/or higher hardness than boron carbide (B4C) cermet are made by incorporating new ceramics into B4C powders or as a substitute for B4C. The ceramic powders have a much finer particle size than those previously used, which significantly reduces the grain size of the cermet microstructure and improves the cermet properties.

UWB Delay and Multiply Receiver
Gregory E. Dallum, Garth C. Pratt, Peter C. Haugen, Carlos E. Romero
U.S. Patent 8,532,235 B2
September 10, 2013
An ultrawideband (UWB) delay-and-multiply receiver has a receive antenna with a variable gain attenuator, a signal splitter, and a multiplier with one input connected to an undelayed signal from the signal splitter and another input connected to a delayed signal from the splitter. The delay between the splitter signals is equal to the spacing between the transmitter pulses received by the antenna. A peak detection circuit controls the variable gain attenuator to maintain a constant amplitude output from the multiplier, which has a digital output circuit connected to it.

Speech Masking and Cancelling and Voice Obscuration
John F. Holzrichter
U.S. Patent 8,532,987 B2
September 10, 2013
This nonacoustic sensor measures a user’s speech and then broadcasts an obscuring acoustic signal to diminish the user’s vocal acoustic output intensity or to distort the voice sounds, thus making the sounds unintelligible to persons nearby. The sensor is positioned proximate to or contacting the skin tissue on a user’s neck or head so that it can sense the speech production information.

Selective High-Affinity Polydentate Ligands and Methods of Making Such
Sally DeNardo, Gerald DeNardo, Rodney Balhorn
U.S. Patent 8,536,133 B2
September 17, 2013
This invention provides polydentate selective high-affinity ligands (SHALs) that can be used in a manner analogous to antibodies for various applications. SHALs typically comprise a multiplicity of ligands, each of which binds different regions on the target molecule. The ligands are joined directly or through a linker, thereby forming a polydentate moiety that typically binds the target molecule with high selectivity and avidity.

Radio-Nuclide Mixture Identification Using Medium Energy Resolution Detectors
Karl Einar Nelson
U.S. Patent 8,538,728 B2
September 17, 2013
According to one embodiment, this method for identifying radionuclides includes receiving spectral data and extracting a feature set from the data comparable to a plurality of templates in a library. A branch-and-bound method is then used to determine a probable template match based on the feature set and templates in the library. In another embodiment, a device for identifying unknown radionuclides includes a processor, a multichannel analyzer, and a memory coupled to the processor. Computer-readable code stored on the memory is configured so that, when executed by the processor, it receives spectral data and extracts a feature set that is comparable to a plurality of templates in a library. The code then uses a branch-and-bound method to determine a probable template match based on the feature set and the templates.

Printed Circuit Board Impedance Matching Step for Microwave (Millimeter Wave) Devices
Hsueh-Yuan Pao, Jerardo Aguirre, Paul Sargis
U.S. Patent 8,547,187 B2
October 1, 2013
An impedance-matching ground-plane step, in conjunction with a quarter-wave transformer section, in a printed circuit board provides a broadband microwave-matching transition from board connectors or other elements that require thin- to thick-substrate (greater than quarter wavelength) broadband microwave (millimeter-wave) devices. A method is provided for constructing microwave and other high-frequency electric circuits on a substrate of uniform thickness. The circuit is formed of multiple interconnected elements with different impedances. Individually, these elements require substrates of different thicknesses. A substrate of uniform thickness is achieved with the composite or multilayered elements. A pattern of intermediate ground planes or impedance-matching steps is formed by vias placed under various parts of the circuit where components of different impedances are located so that each part has the optimum ground-plane substrate thickness while the entire circuit is formed on a substrate with uniform thickness.

Method and System for Homogenizing Diode Laser Pump Arrays
Andy J. Bayramian
U.S. Patent 8,547,632 B2
October 1, 2013
An optical amplifier system includes a diode-pump array with multiple semiconductor diode laser bars placed in an array configuration with a periodic distance between adjacent bars. This distance is measured in a first direction perpendicular to each of the semiconductor diode laser bars. The diode-pump array provides a pump output propagating along an optical path and characterized by a first intensity profile measured as a function of the first direction and having a variation greater than 10 percent. A diffractive optic along the optical path has a photothermorefractive glass member. An amplifier slab with an input face is also positioned along the optical path and separated from the diffractive optic by a predetermined distance. A second intensity profile measured at the input face of the amplifier slab as a function of the first direction has a variation less than 10 percent.

Engineered Setpoints for Autonomous Distributed Sensors
and Actuators Thomas A. Edmunds
U.S. Patent 8,548,636 B2
October 1, 2013
Loads on an electric power system are configured with underfrequency relays in which the frequency set points and delay times for reclosure are uniformly distributed. If demand exceeds supply in the system, frequency will decrease. The decrease in frequency will actuate relays and reduce load so that demand will meet the available supply. After an engineered delay time, each relay will attempt to close contact and reestablish the load.

Methods and Devices for In Situ Determination of a Vitamin-D Synthesizing Amount of Natural and Artificial UV Irradiation
Iryna P. Terenetska, Tetiana M. Orlova, Eugene K. Kirilenko, Grygory A Galich, Anna M. Eremneko
U.S. Patent 8,552,391 B2
October 8, 2013
A matrix with a biologically active substance is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The biologically active substance is selected to initiate photoconversions that originate vitamin D synthesis. A dosimeter measures the change that occurs to an optical parameter of the substance when it is under UV irradiation, thus measuring the amount of radiation that caused vitamin D synthesis through photoconversion.