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).
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Publication number: 20140205062Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Inventors: Alan W. Hunt, J. Frank Hermon, Douglas P. Wells
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Patent number: 8625744Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 20, 2009Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignees: U.S. Department of Energy, Raytheon CompanyInventors: Brandon W. Blackburn, Alan W. Hunt, David L. Chichester
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Patent number: 7970103Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 5, 2009Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20110121979Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2009Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Brandon W. Blackburn, Alan W. Hunt, David L. Chichester
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Patent number: 7718962Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 29, 2007Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Idaho State University and the Board of EducaInventors: Alan W. Hunt, J. Frank Harmon, Douglas P. Wells
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Patent number: 7508909Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 24, 2006Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventors: J. Frank Harmon, James L. Jones, Alan W. Hunt, Randy J. Spaulding, Michael Smith
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Publication number: 20080067372Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2007Publication date: March 20, 2008Inventors: Alan W. Hunt, J. Frank Harmon, Douglas P. Wells
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Patent number: 4953678Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 9, 1989Date of Patent: September 4, 1990Assignee: Massey-Ferguson Services N.V.Inventors: Ronald C. Page, Alan W. Hunt