Patents by Inventor Alan W. Hunt

Alan W. Hunt 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).

  • Publication number: 20140205062
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a defect imaging device that has an energy beam that is directed at a device under test. The energy beam creates positrons deep within the material of the device under test. When the positrons combine with electrons in the material they produce a pair of annihilation photons. The annihilation photons are detected. The Doppler broadening of the annihilation photons is used to determine if a defect is present in the material. Three dimensional images of the device under test are created by directing the energy beam at different portions of the device under test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Alan W. Hunt, J. Frank Hermon, Douglas P. Wells
  • Patent number: 8625744
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to apparatus, devices, systems, and/or methods for real-time detection of a concealed or camouflaged explosive device (e.g., EFPs and IEDs) from a safe stand-off distance. Apparatus, system and/or methods of the disclosure may also be operable to identify and/or spatially locate and/or detect an explosive device. An apparatus or system may comprise an x-ray generator that generates high-energy x-rays and/or electrons operable to contact and activate a metal comprised in an explosive device from a stand-off distance; and a detector operable to detect activation of the metal. Identifying an explosive device may comprise detecting characteristic radiation signatures emitted by metals specific to an EFP, an IED or a landmine. Apparatus and systems of the disclosure may be mounted on vehicles and methods of the disclosure may be performed while moving in the vehicle and from a safe stand-off distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignees: U.S. Department of Energy, Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Brandon W. Blackburn, Alan W. Hunt, David L. Chichester
  • Patent number: 7970103
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for interrogating hidden contents of a container comprises a controller, a detector system, and a data system. The controller receives a selection of a source mode of source radiation to generate to interrogate contents of a container. The source mode selection comprises a neutron mode, a gamma ray mode, or a combined neutron-gamma ray mode. The controller instructs a cyclotron to generate the source radiation according to the source mode selection. The detector system detects radiation emitted from the contents in response to the source radiation. The data system analyzes the emitted radiation and describes the contents according to the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Michael V. Hynes, Bernard Harris, Brandon Blackburn, John E. McElroy, Richard C. Lanza, Timothy A. Antaya, Richard Sheffield, John T. Mihalczo, Paul A. Hausladen, Alan W. Hunt, Hugh R. Andrews, James Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110121979
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to apparatus, devices, systems, and/or methods for real-time detection of a concealed or camouflaged explosive device (e.g., EFPs and IEDs) from a safe stand-off distance. Apparatus, system and/or methods of the disclosure may also be operable to identify and/or spatially locate and/or detect an explosive device. An apparatus or system may comprise an x-ray generator that generates high-energy x-rays and/or electrons operable to contact and activate a metal comprised in an explosive device from a stand-off distance; and a detector operable to detect activation of the metal. Identifying an explosive device may comprise detecting characteristic radiation signatures emitted by metals specific to an EFP, an IED or a landmine. Apparatus and systems of the disclosure may be mounted on vehicles and methods of the disclosure may be performed while moving in the vehicle and from a safe stand-off distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Brandon W. Blackburn, Alan W. Hunt, David L. Chichester
  • Patent number: 7718962
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a defect imaging device that has an energy beam that is directed at a device under test. The energy beam creates positrons deep within the material of the device under test. When the positrons combine with electrons in the material they produce a pair of annihilation photons. The annihilation photons are detected. The Doppler broadening of the annihilation photons is used to determine if a defect is present in the material. Three dimensional images of the device under test are created by directing the energy beam at different portions of the device under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Idaho State University and the Board of Educa
    Inventors: Alan W. Hunt, J. Frank Harmon, Douglas P. Wells
  • Patent number: 7508909
    Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a sealed container is disclosed and which includes a pulsed electron accelerator which is positioned in spaced relation relative to a first side of the sealed container, and which produces a pulsed beam of photons which passes through the sealed container and any contents enclosed within the sealed container; a detector positioned in spaced relation relative to a second, opposite side of the sealed container, and which receives the pulsed beam of photons which passes through the contents of the sealed container, and which produces an output signal; and a computer for developing a visible image from the output signal of the detector which depicts the contents of the sealed container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: J. Frank Harmon, James L. Jones, Alan W. Hunt, Randy J. Spaulding, Michael Smith
  • Publication number: 20080067372
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a defect imaging device that has an energy beam that is directed at a device under test. The energy beam creates positrons deep within the material of the device under test. When the positrons combine with electrons in the material they produce a pair of annihilation photons. The annihilation photons are detected. The Doppler broadening of the annihilation photons is used to determine if a defect is present in the material. Three dimensional images of the device under test are created by directing the energy beam at different portions of the device under test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Alan W. Hunt, J. Frank Harmon, Douglas P. Wells
  • Patent number: 4953678
    Abstract: A clutch actuating system which is particularly suitable for connecting drive to the front wheels of a four-wheel-drive tractor. The system includes an actuating member movable between a first position in which the clutch is disengaged and a second position in which the clutch is engaged. A pair of adjacent reaction members (27,29) encircle the actuating member and have mutually inclined wedging surfaces (30,31) on confronting faces. One (27) of the reaction members is connected with the clutch (25,26) which is of the toothed-dog type. A number of elongated toggle members (33) are connected at one end with the actuating member (32) and extend between the wedging surfaces of the reaction members at their other ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Massey-Ferguson Services N.V.
    Inventors: Ronald C. Page, Alan W. Hunt