Patents Assigned to Spatial Dynamics, Ltd.
  • Patent number: 6987491
    Abstract: Integrated microwave transceiver tile structure including (a) a first, generally planar, circuit-board layer structure possessing an array of plural, integrally formed microwave transceivers arranged in a defined row-and-column pattern, with each transceiver having an associated transceiver axis extending generally normal to the plane of said the first layer structure, and (b) a second, generally planar, circuit-board layer structure including transceiver-function operational circuitry operatively connected to the transceivers, and functional to promote operation of the transceivers simultaneously in transmission and reception modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Spatial Dynamics. Ltd.
    Inventor: Tex Yukl
  • Patent number: 6927691
    Abstract: A system and method for the dielectric scanning of a human subject to detect anomalies relative to expected normal physiology as an indication, among other things, of the possible presence of a weapon, contraband, or of a confirmed difference in personal identity. Persons expeditiously can enter a double-open-sided, ninety-degree counter-rotative scanning zone in the system, alternating from two orthogonally positional entry lines. Scanning occurs in two orthogonal phases of non-relative-motion interrogative microwave illumination to detect sequential, opposite-side-quadrant, dielectric physiologic anatomical signatures which are assessed by computer comparing them to pre-established physiologic-signature tables. Persons entering the scanning zone, leave along a quadrature-related exit path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Spatial Dynamics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tex Yukl
  • Patent number: 6784854
    Abstract: Apparatus and methodology utilizing nearfield microwave technology to detect contraband/forbidden substances concealed within metallic containers. Apparatus and methodologic microwave operating frequency determines the metallic thickness through which detection is possible, and also the expectable “depths” for detection within a metallic container. Special and important attention is paid to the appropriate positional and distance locating of the invention apparatus relative to a suspected “substance-containing” metallic container for detection to be most effective. Preferably, this distance is substantially equal to the closest distance from the central radiating plane of a lens/antenna (which is employed, according to a preferred practice of the invention) at which a conductive, metallic surface will regeneratively parasitize the lens/antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Spatial Dynamics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tex Yukl
  • Publication number: 20030178034
    Abstract: A system and method for the dielectric scanning of a human subject to detect anomalies relative to expected normal physiology as an indication, among other things, of the possible presence of a weapon, contraband, or of a confirmed difference in personal identity. Persons expeditiously can enter a double-open-sided, ninety-degree counter-rotative scanning zone in the system, alternating from two orthogonally positional entry lines. Scanning occurs in two orthogonal phases of non-relative-motion interrogative microwave illumination to detect sequential, opposite-side-quadrant, dielectric physiologic anatomical signatures which are assessed by computer comparing them to pre-established physiologic-signature tables. Persons entering the scanning zone, leave along a quadrature-related exit path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: Spatial Dynamics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tex Yuki
  • Patent number: 6057761
    Abstract: A microwave/dielectric-response-based security system, and a related methodology, for detecting contraband. The system (which implements the associated method) includes an interrogation region through which a target that is to be screened passes, an appropriate transmitter/receiver array that operates adjacent this region for illuminating, and monitoring a dielectric response received from, a target in the region, and electronics which effectively produce output data that is interpretable to identify the presence or absence of contraband associated with the illuminated target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Spatial Dynamics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tex Yukl
  • Patent number: 5083089
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring the volumetric ratio of two constituents of a fluid mixture, e.g. crude oil and water, flowing through a conduit are described. A non-contacting, bidirectional, microwave transmitting/receiving antenna, coupled with a cavity having a conduit through which the fluid mixture passes, generates a signal indicative of the changing dielectric constant of the fluid mixture. By locating the conduit proximate the aperture of the antenna, and by dimensioning the conduit's depth approximately one-fourth the shorter of the two predetermined wavelengths of microwave energy in the two fluid constituents, a substantially linear response of the fluid mixture to the microwave energy incident thereon is produced. The linear response is indicative of the percentage of oil in the fluid mixture flowing through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Spatial Dynamics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tex Yukl
  • Patent number: 4975968
    Abstract: Dielectrometry monitoring method and apparatus for three-dimensional profiling and colorable imaging of the material contents of articles carried on a conveyor through an interrogation region are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a plural, stationary, collimated, microwave transmitter/receiver antennae array and associated electronics for measuring the dielectric constant of the materials to produce data for interpretation in real time as to the article's dielectric material configuration and contents. High-speed, GaAs gates and switching devices, as well as microstrip delay lines, are used to perform the precisely timed, depth-wise sampling of data reflective of dielectric-constant material characteristics, with sampling periods in the sub-nanosecond range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Spatial Dynamics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tex Yukl
  • Patent number: 4947848
    Abstract: A method for monitoring, over time, changes that occur in the apparent dielectric constant of a selected volumertic space. The selected space may be formed by a substantially homogenous material, in which case, dielectric-constant changes are interpretable, according to the invention, to indicate pressure and/or temperature changes in the space. In another situation, the selected space may be nonhomogenous, in which case dielectric-constant changes are interpretable, also according to the invention, to indicate relative volumetric changes between different media within the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Spatial Dynamics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tex Yukl
  • Patent number: 4949094
    Abstract: A parasitic array for use on a transmission/reception antenna which comprises a cylindrical dielectric support having plural conductive, ring-like parasitic elements spaced along the support. The support is an elongate, hollow structure with closed ends and the parasitic elements are formed of a conductive film applied to the outer surface of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Spatial Dynamics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tex Yukl
  • Patent number: 4912982
    Abstract: A non-perturbing cavity method and apparatus for measuring parameters, such as dielectric constant and flow rate, of fluid within a conduit. A bidirectionally radiating lens directs energy toward a defined length of such a conduit, and toward a receiver at a receiving site on the opposite side of the lens. The receiver produces a signal whose voltage amplitude conditions are directly interpretable to indicate such parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Spatial Dynamics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tex Yukl
  • Patent number: 4327322
    Abstract: A bidirectional current supply circuit for nerve stimulation including current-level adjusters and a mode switch having two operating conditions. One condition provides for operation solely with one adjuster in series circuit for common control of the level of current flowing in opposite directions through a load connected to the circuit. The other condition provides for operation with a pair of adjusters substantially in parallel circuit with each other for independent level-control of current flowing in reverse directions through a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1982
    Assignee: Spatial Dynamics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tex N. Yukl