Patents by Inventor Alan V. Bray
Alan V. Bray has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9429422Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for non-destructive measurements of coating thicknesses on a curved surface by measuring components of the microwave energy reflected from the surface. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a portable microwave thickness detector with a rounded rocker-type base allowing the microwave beam to be moved through a range of angles with respect to the target surface. An optical alignment system determines when the microwave angle of incidence is at a desired angle when the components of the reflected microwave energy are measured. Preferred embodiments of the present invention also provide a portable microwave thickness detector which maintains a constant standoff distance between the between the microwave detector and the sample to be measured.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Systems & Materials Research CorporationInventors: Alan V. Bray, Matthew Lindsey
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Publication number: 20160061244Abstract: An apparatus for making and using a fastener suitable for use in airplane manufacture or repair that is coated with a pre-mixed moisture cure sealant. The sealant layer is coated with a frangible moisture barrier that will break apart when the fastener is installed, thus exposing the sealant to a moisture source. Once exposed to moisture, the sealant will begin to cure. Preferred embodiments also provide a premature cure indicator that provides a visual indication that the outer moisture resistant layer has been damaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Alan V. BRAY, Denise DEPPE, Gary SCHMIDT, David J. IRVIN
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Patent number: 9068583Abstract: An apparatus for making and using a fastener suitable for use in airplane manufacture or repair that is coated with a pre-mixed moisture cure sealant. The sealant layer is coated with a frangible moisture barrier that will break apart when the fastener is installed, thus exposing the sealant to a moisture source. Once exposed to moisture, the sealant will begin to cure. Preferred embodiments also provide a premature cure indicator that provides a visual indication that the outer moisture resistant layer has been damaged.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2011Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Systems & Materials Research CorporationInventors: Alan V. Bray, Denise Deppe, David J. Irvin, Leslie Schmidt
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Patent number: 8869579Abstract: A fastener suitable for use in airplane manufacture or repair that is coated with a pre-mixed moisture cure sealant. The sealant layer is coated with a frangible moisture barrier that will break apart when the fastener is installed, thus exposing the sealant to atmospheric moisture. Once exposed to moisture, the sealant will begin to cure. Preferred embodiments also provide a moisture indicator that provides a visual indication that the outer moisture resistant layer has been damaged.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2011Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Systems & Materials Research CorporationInventors: Alan V. Bray, Denise Dama Deppe, Gary Schmidt, John Lee Massingill, Pulinkumar Navinbhai Patel, Clois E. Powell, Vijaykumar Madhawrao Mannari
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Publication number: 20140152487Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for non-destructive measurements of coating thicknesses on a curved surface by measuring components of the microwave energy reflected from the surface. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a portable microwave thickness detector with a rounded rocker-type base allowing the microwave beam to be moved through a range of angles with respect to the target surface. An optical alignment system determines when the microwave angle of incidence is at a desired angle when the components of the reflected microwave energy are measured. Preferred embodiments of the present invention also provide a portable microwave thickness detector which maintains a constant standoff distance between the between the microwave detector and the sample to be measured.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: Systems and Materials Research CorporationInventors: Alan V. BRAY, Matthew LINDSEY
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Patent number: 8581602Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for non-destructive measurements of coating thicknesses on a curved surface by measuring components of the microwave energy reflected from the surface. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a portable microwave thickness detector with a rounded rocker-type base allowing the microwave beam to be moved through a range of angles with respect to the target surface. An optical alignment system determines when the microwave angle of incidence is at a desired angle when the components of the reflected microwave energy are measured. Preferred embodiments of the present invention also provide a portable microwave thickness detector which maintains a constant standoff distance between the between the microwave detector and the sample to be measured.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2010Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Systems and Materials Research CorporationInventors: Alan V. Bray, Matthew Lindsey
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Publication number: 20120168055Abstract: An apparatus for making and using a fastener suitable for use in airplane manufacture or repair that is coated with a pre-mixed moisture cure sealant. The sealant layer is coated with a frangible moisture barrier that will break apart when the fastener is installed, thus exposing the sealant to a moisture source. Once exposed to moisture, the sealant will begin to cure. Preferred embodiments also provide a premature cure indicator that provides a visual indication that the outer moisture resistant layer has been damaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2011Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: SYSTEMS AND MATERIALS RESEARCH CORPORATIONInventors: ALAN V. BRAY, DENISE DEPPE, LESLIE SCHMIDT, DAVID J. IRVIN
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Publication number: 20120121359Abstract: A fastener suitable for use in airplane manufacture or repair that is coated with a pre-mixed moisture cure sealant. The sealant layer is coated with a frangible moisture barrier that will break apart when the fastener is installed, thus exposing the sealant to atmospheric moisture. Once exposed to moisture, the sealant will begin to cure. Preferred embodiments also provide a moisture indicator that provides a visual indication that the outer moisture resistant layer has been damaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2011Publication date: May 17, 2012Inventors: Alan V. Bray, Denise Dama Deppe, Gary Schmidt, John Lee Massingill, Clois E. Powell, Pulinkumar Navinbhai Patel, Vijaykumar Madhawrao Mannari
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Patent number: 8149160Abstract: A non-contact, distance traveled measurement system (DTMS) to calculate speed and distance traveled by a vehicle over rails—more specifically, by trains traveling on standard railroad tracks. Preferably, a pair of short range (near field) microwave-based transmitters/sensors (transceivers) are mounted on the underside of the train and used to key on rail-bed features such as cross ties or tie plates. Preferred embodiments also include infrared sensors as a redundant channel that is less sensitive to moisture in the track bed. Data from the sensors is correlated to determine the time delay between the first and second sensors' passage over objects on the rail bed such as cross-ties or tie-plates. From this time delay, nearly instantaneous velocity can be computed at each given target such as a tie plate (metal target) or a tie (dielectric contrast target). Velocity versus time curves can be integrated over time to derive distance traveled.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2010Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Systems and Materials Research CorporationInventors: Alan V. Bray, Sean McNeal, Jesse McDaniel
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Patent number: 8092128Abstract: A fastener suitable for use in airplane manufacture or repair that is coated with a pre-mixed moisture cure sealant. The sealant layer is coated with a frangible moisture barrier that will break apart when the fastener is installed, thus exposing the sealant to atmospheric moisture. Once exposed to moisture, the sealant will begin to cure. Preferred embodiments also provide a moisture indicator that provides a visual indication that the outer moisture resistant layer has been damaged.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2008Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Inventors: Alan V. Bray, Denise Dama Deppe, Gary Schmidt, John Lee Massingill, Clois E. Powell, Pulinkumar Navinbhai Patel, Vijaykumar Madhawrao Mannari
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Publication number: 20110115668Abstract: A non-contact, distance traveled measurement system (DTMS) to calculate speed and distance traveled by a vehicle over rails—more specifically, by trains traveling on standard railroad tracks. Preferably, a pair of short range (near field) microwave-based transmitters/sensors (transceivers) are mounted on the underside of the train and used to key on rail-bed features such as cross ties or tie plates. Preferred embodiments also include infrared sensors as a redundant channel that is less sensitive to moisture in the track bed. Data from the sensors is correlated to determine the time delay between the first and second sensors' passage over objects on the rail bed such as cross-ties or tie-plates. From this time delay, nearly instantaneous velocity can be computed at each given target such as a tie plate (metal target) or a tie (dielectric contrast target). Velocity versus time curves can be integrated over time to derive distance traveled.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2010Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: SYSTEMS AND MATERIALS RESEARCH CORPORATIONInventors: ALAN V. BRAY, Sean McNeal, Jesse McDaniel
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Publication number: 20110050248Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for non-destructive measurements of coating thicknesses on a curved surface by measuring components of the microwave energy reflected from the surface. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a portable microwave thickness detector with a rounded rocker-type base allowing the microwave beam to be moved through a range of angles with respect to the target surface. An optical alignment system determines when the microwave angle of incidence is at a desired angle when the components of the reflected microwave energy are measured. Preferred embodiments of the present invention also provide a portable microwave thickness detector which maintains a constant standoff distance between the between the microwave detector and the sample to be measured.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: SYSTEMS AND MATERIALS RESEARCH CORPORATIONInventors: Alan V. Bray, Matthew Lindsey
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Patent number: 7705610Abstract: Wet and dry film thickness can be measured non-invasively on structures, such as surfaces associated with vessels, aircraft and buildings, using calibrated microwave sensors. The film is measured by directing microwave energy toward the film. The microwave energy passes through the film and is reflected by a reflective or semi-reflective substrate surface below the film. Properties of the reflected wave are compared with properties of reflected waves that were passed through calibration samples of known thicknesses to determine the unknown thickness of the film. In some embodiments, one or more sensors are maintained at a fixed altitude above the conductive/semi-conductive substrate for measurement, and in other embodiments, one or more sensors are maintained at a fixed altitude above the film.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2008Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: System & Material Research CorporationInventors: Alan V. Bray, Claude H. Garrett, Christian J. Corley
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Publication number: 20090066344Abstract: Wet and dry film thickness can be measured non-invasively on structures, such as surfaces associated with vessels, aircraft and buildings, using calibrated microwave sensors. The film is measured by directing microwave energy toward the film. The microwave energy passes through the film and is reflected by a reflective or semi-reflective substrate surface below the film. Properties of the reflected wave are compared with properties of reflected waves that were passed through calibration samples of known thicknesses to determine the unknown thickness of the film. In some embodiments, one or more sensors are maintained at a fixed altitude above the conductive/semi-conductive substrate for measurement, and in other embodiments, one or more sensors are maintained at a fixed altitude above the film.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: SYSTEMS AND MATERIALS RESEARCH CORPORATIONInventors: Alan V. Bray, Claude H. Garrett, Christian J. Corley
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Patent number: 7339382Abstract: Wet and dry film thickness can be measured non-invasively on structures, such as surfaces associated with vessels, aircraft and buildings, using calibrated microwave sensors. The film is measured by directing microwave energy toward the film. The microwave energy passes through the film and is reflected by a reflective or semi-reflective substrate surface below the film. Properties of the reflected wave are compared with properties of reflected waves that were passed through calibration samples of known thicknesses to determine the unknown thickness of the film. In some embodiments, one or more sensors are maintained at a fixed altitude above the conductive/semi-conductive substrate for measurement, and in other embodiments, one or more sensors are maintained at a fixed altitude above the film.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2005Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Systems & Materials Research CorporationInventors: Alan V. Bray, Claude H. Garrett, Christian J. Corley
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Patent number: 6674292Abstract: Corrosion, mold and moisture can be detected under outer layer of structures, such as surfaces associated with vessels and/or buildings, using nondestructive evaluation (NDE). Characterizing the dielectric properties of materials associated with a target can be executed by directing primary microwave energy from a source towards a target, receiving secondary microwave energy signals returned from the target, analyzing the secondary microwave energy signals, and characterizing dielectric properties of materials associated with the target based on analysis of the secondary signals.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2002Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Inventors: Alan V. Bray, Gary R. Schmidt, Alfonso Cuevas, Victor Dube
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Publication number: 20030132760Abstract: Corrosion, mold and/or moisture can be detected under outer layers of structures, such as surfaces associated with vessels and/or buildings using the present Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) systems and methods. Nondestructively characterizing the dielectric properties of materials associated with a target can be carried out by directing primary microwave energy from a microwave source towards a target, receiving secondary microwave energy signals returned from said target, analyzing the secondary microwave energy signals, and characterizing dielectric properties of materials associated with said target based on said analyzing of said secondary microwave signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2002Publication date: July 17, 2003Inventors: Alan V. Bray, Gary R. Schmidt, Alfonso Cuevas, Victor Dube
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Patent number: 6517774Abstract: The present invention is related to a family of materials that may act as a replacement for lead in applications where the high density of lead is important, but where the toxicity of lead is undesirable. The present invention more particularly provides a high density material comprising tungsten, fiber and binder. Methods and compositions of such materials and applications thereof are disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1999Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Ideas to Market, L.P.Inventors: Alan V. Bray, Brian A. Muskopf, Michael L. Dingus
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Publication number: 20030016916Abstract: Underwater fiber optic connectors and methods of such connection are described wherein a first optical fiber and a first o-ring are positioned in a first connector portion. The first o-ring acts as a fulcrum between the first fiber and the first connector portion such that the first fiber is free to become nonparallel with a longitudinal axis of the first connector portion. The connectors and methods of connection can further comprise a second optical fiber and a second o-ring positioned within a second connector portion. Again, the second o-ring acts as a fulcrum between the second fiber and the second connector portion such that the second fiber is free to become nonparallel with a longitudinal axis of the second connector portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2002Publication date: January 23, 2003Inventors: Mark D. Allen, Elly N. Chung, Denton S. Seilhan, Alan V. Bray
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Patent number: 6158381Abstract: A time-temperature indicator indicates the useful shelf life of an associated product which may be affected by the passage of time and an applied temperature. A creeping material has a first end connected to a first fixed location and a second end connected to a load applying device such as a spring. In response to application of the load applying device, the passage of time, and the application of various temperatures, the creeping material will increase in length in a known manner. An indicator associated with the creeping material indicates whether the passage of time and application of various temperatures have caused the associated product to exceed its useful shelf life.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1999Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Assignee: Ideas to Market, L.P.Inventor: Alan V. Bray