Patents Represented by Attorney James H. Chafin

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  • Water treatment method
    Patent number: 5011610
    Abstract: A method for reducing the concentration of any undesirable metals dissolved in contaminated water, such as waste water. The method involves uniformly reacting the contaminated water with an excess amount of solid particulate calcium sulfite to insolubilize the undesirable metal ions, followed by removal thereof and of the unreacted calcium sulfite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Frank S. Martin, Gary L. Silver
  • Method of bonding single crystal quartz by field-assisted bonding
    Patent number: 5009690
    Abstract: The method of producing a hermetic stable structural bond between quartz crystals includes providing first and second quartz crystals and depositing thin films of borosilicate glass and silicon on portions of the first and second crystals, respectively. The portions of the first and second crystals are then juxtaposed in a surface contact relationship and heated to a temperature for a period sufficient to cause the glass and silicon films to become electrically conductive. An electrical potential is then applied across the first and second crystals for creating an electrostatic field between the adjoining surfaces and causing the juxtaposed portions to be attracted into an intimate contact and form a bond for joining the adjoining surfaces of the crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Richard M. Curlee, Clinton D. Tuthill, Randall D. Watkins
  • Diffractometer data collecting method and apparatus
    Patent number: 5008909
    Abstract: Diffractometer data is collected without the use of a movable receiving s. A scanning device, positioned in the diffractometer between a sample and detector, varies the amount of the beam diffracted from the sample that is received by the detector in such a manner that the beam is detected in an integrated form. In one embodiment, a variable diameter beam stop is used which comprises a drop of mercury captured between a pair of spaced sheets and disposed in the path of the diffracted beam. By varying the spacing between the sheets, the diameter of the mercury drop is varied. In another embodiment, an adjustable iris diaphragm is positioned in the path of the diffracted beam and the iris opening is adjusted to control the amount of the beam reaching the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy
    Inventor: Peter A. Steinmeyer
  • Method for the preparation of thallium-containing superconducting materials by precipitation
    Patent number: 5001107
    Abstract: This invention provides improved methods for the preparation of precursor powders that are used in the preparation of superconducting ceramic materials that contain thallium. A first solution that contains the hydrogen peroxide and metal cations, other than thallium, that will be part of the ceramic is quickly mixed with a second solution that contains precipitating anions and thallium (I) to form a precipitate which is dried to yield precursor powders. The precursor powders are calcined an sintered to produce superconducting materials that contain thallium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: The United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Bruce C. Bunker, Diana L. Lamppa, James A. Voigt
  • Methods of and system for swing damping movement of suspended objects
    Patent number: 4997095
    Abstract: A payload suspended from a gantry is swing damped in accordance with a control algorithm based on the periodic motion of the suspended mass or by servoing on the forces induced by the suspended mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: James F. Jones, Ben J. Petterson, David R. Strip
  • Low profile thermite igniter
    Patent number: 4996922
    Abstract: A thermite igniter/heat source comprising a housing, high-density thermite, and low-density thermite. The housing has a relatively low profile and can focus energy by means of a torch-like ejection of hot reaction products and is externally ignitable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Danny L. Halcomb, Jonathan H. Mohler
  • Solid-state radioluminescent compositions
    Patent number: 4997597
    Abstract: A solid state radioluminescent composition for light source comprises an optically clear polymer organic matrix containing tritiated organic materials and dyes capable of "red" shifting primary scintillation emissions from the polymer matrix. The tritiated organic materials are made by reducing, with tritium, an unsaturated organic compound that prior to reduction contains olefinic or alkynylic bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Roger L. Clough, John T. Gill, Daniel B. Hawkins, Clifford L. Renschler, Timothy J. Shepodd, Henry M. Smith
  • Process for forming a metal compound coating on a substrate
    Patent number: 4995947
    Abstract: A method of coating a substrate with a thin layer of a metal compound by forming a dispersion of an electrophoretically active organic colloid and a precursor of the metal compound in an electrolytic cell in which the substrate is an electrode. Upon application of an electric potential, the electrode is coated with a mixture of the organic colloid and the precursor to the metal compound, and the coated substrate is then heated in the presence of an atmosphere or vacuum to decompose the organic colloid and form a coating of either a combination of metal compound and carbon, or optionally forming a porous metal compound coating by heating to a temperature high enough to chemically react the carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy
    Inventors: Donald J. Sharp, Milton E. Vernon, Steven A. Wright
  • Porous siliconformation and etching process for use in silicon micromachining
    Patent number: 4995954
    Abstract: A reproducible process for uniformly etching silicon from a series of micromechanical structures used in electrical devices and the like includes providing a micromechanical structure having a silicon layer with defined areas for removal thereon and an electrochemical cell containing an aqueous hydrofluoric acid electrolyte. The micromechanical structure is submerged in the electrochemical cell and the defined areas of the silicon layer thereon are anodically biased by passing a current through the electrochemical cell for a time period sufficient to cause the defined areas of the silicon layer to become porous. The formation of the depth of the porous silicon is regulated by controlling the amount of current passing through the electrochemical cell. The micromechanical structure is then removed from the electrochemical cell and submerged in a hydroxide solution to remove the porous silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy
    Inventors: Terry R. Guilinger, Michael J. Kelly, Samuel B. Martin, Jr., Joel O. Stevenson, Sylvia S. Tsao
  • Integrated injection-locked semiconductor diode laser
    Patent number: 4995047
    Abstract: A continuous wave integrated injection-locked high-power diode laser array is provided with an on-chip independently-controlled master laser. The integrated injection locked high-power diode laser array is capable of continuous wave lasing in a single near-diffraction limited output beam at single-facet power levels up to 125 mW (250 mW total). Electronic steering of the array emission over an angle of 0.5 degrees is obtained by varying current to the master laser. The master laser injects a laser beam into the slave array by reflection of a rear facet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: G. Ronald Hadley, John P. Hohimer, Adelbert Owyoung
  • System for exchanging tools and end effectors on a robot
    Patent number: 4993139
    Abstract: A system and method for exchanging tools and end effectors on a robot permits exchange during a programmed task. The exchange mechanism is located off the robot, thus reducing the mass of the robot arm and permitting smaller robots to perform designated tasks. A simple spring/collet mechanism mounted on the robot is used which permits the engagement and disengagement of the tool or end effector without the need for a rotational orientation of the tool to the end effector/collet interface. As the tool changing system is not located on the robot arm no umbilical cords are located on robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: David B. Burry, Paul M. Williams
  • Method and device for controlling plume during laser welding
    Patent number: 4992643
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the weldment of a laser welding system is provided. The laser weld plume control device includes a cylindrical body defining an upside-down cone cavity; the upper surface of the body circumscribes the base of the cone cavity, and the vertex of the cone cavity forms an orifice concentrically located with respect to the laser beam and the plume which forms as a result of the welding operation. According to the method of the invention, gas is directed radially inward through inlets in the upper surface of the body into and through channels in the wall of the body and finally through the orifice of the body, and downward onto the surface of the weldment. The gas flow is then converted by the orifice of the device from radial flow to an axisymmetric gas jet flowing away from the weldment surface in a direction perpendicular to the surface and opposite to that of the laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Phillip W. Fuerschbach, James L. Jellison, David M. Keicher, William L. Oberkampf
  • Ignitor with stable low-energy thermite igniting system
    Patent number: 4989515
    Abstract: A stable compact low-energy igniting system in an ignitor utilizes two components, an initiating charge and an output charge. The initiating charge is a thermite in ultra-fine powder form compacted to 50-70% of theoretical maximum density and disposed in a cavity of a header of the ignitor adjacent to an electrical ignition device, or bridgewire, mounted in the header cavity. The initiating charge is ignitable by operation of the ignition device in a hot-wire mode. The output charge is a thermite in high-density consoladated form compacted to 90-99% of theoretical maximum density and disposed adjacent to the initiating charge on an opposite end thereof from the electrical ignition device and ignitable by the initiating charge. A sleeve is provided for mounting the output charge to the ignitor header with the initiating charge confined therebetween in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Michael D. Kelly, Alan C. Munger
  • Wellbore inertial directional surveying system
    Patent number: 4987684
    Abstract: A wellbore inertial directional surveying system for providing a complete directional survey of an oil or gas well borehole to determine the displacement in all three directions of the borehole path relative to the well head at the surface. The information generated by the present invention is especially useful when numerous wells are drilled to different geographical targets from a single off-shore platform. Accurate knowledge of the path of the borehole allows proper well spacing and provides assurance that target formations are reached. The tool is lowered down into a borehole on the electrical cable. A computer positioned on the surface communicates with the tool via the cable. The tool contains a sensor block which is supported on a single gimbal, the rotation axis of which is aligned with the cylinder axis of the tool and, correspondingly, the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Ronald D. Andreas, G. Michael Heck, Stewart M. Kohler, Alfred C. Watts
  • Rotary pneumatic valve
    Patent number: 4986307
    Abstract: A rotary pneumatic valve which is thrust balanced and the pneumatic pressure developed produces only radial loads on the valve cylinder producing negligible resistance and thus minimal torque on the bearings of the valve. The valve is multiplexed such that at least two complete switching cycles occur for each revolution of the cylinder spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Harry C. Hardee
  • Fluid driven torsional dipole seismic source
    Patent number: 4982811
    Abstract: A compressible fluid powered oscillating downhole seismic source device capable of periodically generating uncontaminated horizontally-propagated, shear waves is provided. A compressible fluid generated oscillation is created within the device which imparts an oscillation to a housing when the device is installed in a housing such as the cylinder off an existing downhole tool, thereby a torsional seismic source is established. Horizontal waves are transferred to the surrounding bore hole medium through downhole clamping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Harry C. Hardee
  • Laser-triggered vacuum switch
    Patent number: 4978893
    Abstract: A laser-triggered vacuum switch has a material such as a alkali metal halide on the cathode electrode for thermally activated field emission of electrons and ions upon interaction with a laser beam, the material being in contact with the cathode with a surface facing the discharge gap. The material is preferably a mixture of KCl and Ti powders. The laser may either shine directly on the material, preferably through a hole in the anode, or be directed to the material over a fiber optic cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of American as epresented by the United States the Department of Energy
    Inventors: Paul J. Brannon, Donald F. Cowgill
  • Non-contact contour gage
    Patent number: 4977777
    Abstract: A fluid probe for measuring the surface contour of a machined part is provided whereby the machined part can remain on the machining apparatus during surface contour measurement. A measuring nozzle in a measuring probe directs a measuring fluid flow onto the surface. The measuring nozzle is on the probe situated midway between two guide nozzles that direct guide fluid flows onto the surface. When the guide fluid flows interact with the surface, they cause the measuring flow and measuring probe to be oriented perpendicular to the surface. The measuring probe includes a pressure chamber whose pressure is monitored. As the measuring fluid flow encounters changes in surface contour, pressure changes occur in the pressure chamber. The surface contour is represented as data corresponding to pressure changes in the pressure chamber as the surface is scanned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Lothar F. Bieg
  • Controlled ion implant damage profile for etching
    Patent number: 4978418
    Abstract: A process for etching a material such as LiNbO.sub.3 by implanting ions having a plurality of different kinetic energies in an area to be etched, and then contacting the ion implanted area with an etchant. The various energies of the ions are selected to produce implant damage substantially uniformly throughout the entire depth of the zone to be etched, thus tailoring the vertical profile of the damaged zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: George W. Arnold, Jr., Carol I. H. Ashby, Paul J. Brannon
  • Tungsten bridge for the low energy ignition of explosive and energetic materials
    Patent number: 4976200
    Abstract: A tungsten bridge device for the low energy ignition of explosive and energetic materials is disclosed. The device is fabricated on a silicon-on-sapphire substrate which has an insulating bridge element defined therein using standard integrated circuit fabrication techniques. Then, a thin layer of tungsten is selectively deposited on the silicon bridge layer using chemical vapor deposition techniques. Finally, conductive lands are deposited on each end of the tungsten bridge layer to form the device. It has been found that this device exhibits substantially shorter ignition times than standard metal bridges and foil igniting devices. In addition, substantially less energy is required to cause ignition of the tungsten bridge device of the present invention than is required for common metal bridges and foil devices used for the same purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: David A. Benson, Robert W. Bickes, Jr., Robert S. Blewer