Patents Assigned to Spectramet, LLC
  • Patent number: 8861675
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley
  • Patent number: 8855809
    Abstract: Systems for sorting materials, such as those made of metal, are described. The systems may operate by irradiating the materials with x-rays and then detecting fluoresced x-rays, transmitted x-rays, or both. Detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be performed using an x-ray fluorescence detector array. The systems may be configured to provide high throughput sorting of small pieces of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: David B. Spencer, Jeffrey J. Webster, Aldo M. Reti, Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Richard E. Hill, R. Lynn Conley
  • Patent number: 8476545
    Abstract: A piece of material that includes low-Z elements is classified based on photonic emissions detected from the piece of material. Both XRF spectroscopy and OES techniques, for example, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and spark discharge spectroscopy, may be used to classify the piece of material. A stream of pieces of material are moved along a conveying system into a stimulation and detection area. Each piece of material, in turn, is stimulated with a first and second stimulus, of a same or different type, causing the piece of material to emit emissions, for example, photons, which may include at least one of x-ray photons (i.e., x-rays) and optical emissions. These emissions then are detected by one or to more detectors of a same or different type. The piece of materials is then classified, for example, using a combination of hardware, software and/or firmware, based on the detected emissions, and then sorted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley, Richard E. Hill, Robert H. Parrish, Charles E. Roos
  • Publication number: 20130079918
    Abstract: Systems for sorting materials, such as those made of metal, are described. The systems may operate by irradiating the materials with x-rays and then detecting fluoresced x-rays, transmitted x-rays, or both. Detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be performed using an x-ray fluorescence detector array. The systems may be configured to provide high throughput sorting of small pieces of materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: David B. Spencer, Jeffrey J. Webster, Aldo M. Reti, Edward J. Sommer, JR., Richard E. Hill, R. Lynn Conley
  • Publication number: 20120148018
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: SPECTRAMET, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley
  • Patent number: 8144831
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley
  • Patent number: 7978814
    Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Robert H. Parrish, David B. Spencer, Charles E. Roos
  • Publication number: 20110116596
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: SPECTRAMET, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, JR., Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley
  • Patent number: 7848484
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley
  • Publication number: 20100264070
    Abstract: A piece of material that includes low-Z elements is classified based on photonic emissions detected from the piece of material. Both XRF spectroscopy and OES techniques, for example, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and spark discharge spectroscopy, may be used to classify the piece of material. A stream of pieces of material are moved along a conveying system into a stimulation and detection area. Each piece of material, in turn, is stimulated with a first and second stimulus, of a same or different type, causing the piece of material to emit emissions, for example, photons, which may include at least one of x-ray photons (i.e., x-rays) and optical emissions. These emissions then are detected by one or to more detectors of a same or different type. The piece of materials is then classified, for example, using a combination of hardware, software and/or firmware, based on the detected emissions, and then sorted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: SPECTRAMET, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, JR., David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley, Richard E. Hill, Robert H. Parrish, Charles E. Roos
  • Patent number: 7763820
    Abstract: A piece of material that includes low-Z elements is classified based on photonic emissions detected from the piece of material. Both XRF spectroscopy and OES techniques, for example, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and spark discharge spectroscopy, may be used to classify the piece of material. A stream of pieces of material are moved along a conveying system into a stimulation and detection area. Each piece of material, in turn, is stimulated with a first and second stimulus, of a same or different type, causing the piece of material to emit emissions, for example, photons, which may include at least one of x-ray photons (i.e., x-rays) and optical emissions. These emissions then are detected by one or more detectors of a same or different type. The piece of materials is then classified, for example, using a combination of hardware, software and/or firmware, based on the detected emissions, and then sorted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley, Richard E. Hill, Robert H. Parrish, Charles E. Roos
  • Publication number: 20100111252
    Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, JR., Robert H. Parrish, David B. Spencer, Charles E. Roos
  • Patent number: 7616733
    Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Robert H. Parrish, David B. Spencer, Charles E. Roos
  • Publication number: 20090261024
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: SPECTRAMET, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, JR., Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley
  • Patent number: 7564943
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley
  • Publication number: 20080279329
    Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, JR., Robert H. Parrish, David B. Spencer, Charles E. Roos
  • Publication number: 20060239401
    Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Applicant: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Sommer, Robert Parrish, David Spencer, Charles Roos
  • Patent number: 7099433
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer
  • Patent number: 6888917
    Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Robert H. Parrish, David B. Spencer, Charles E. Roos
  • Patent number: 6519315
    Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Robert H. Parrish, David B. Spencer, Charles E. Roos