Patents by Inventor Ben C. Perrenoud

Ben C. Perrenoud 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).

  • Patent number: 7311013
    Abstract: A complex pendulum system biomass sensor having a plurality of pendulums. The plurality of pendulums allow the system to detect a biomass height and density. Each pendulum has an angular deflection sensor and a deflector at a unique height. The pendulums are passed through the biomass and readings from the angular deflection sensors are fed into a control system. The control system determines whether adjustment of machine settings is appropriate and either displays an output to the operator, or adjusts automatically adjusts the machine settings, such as the speed, at which the pendulums are passed through the biomass. In an alternate embodiment, an entanglement sensor is also passed through the biomass to determine the amount of biomass entanglement. This measure of entanglement is also fed into the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Reed L. Hoskinson, Kevin L. Kenney, Ben C. Perrenoud
  • Patent number: 6365873
    Abstract: An apparatus for the concurrent inspection of partially completed welds is described in which is utilized in combination with a moveable welder for forming a partially completed weld, and an ultrasonic generator mounted on a moveable welder in which is reciprocally moveable along a path of travel which is laterally disposed relative to the partially completed weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC
    Inventors: Herschel B. Smartt, John A. Johnson, Eric D. Larsen, Rodney J. Bitsoi, Ben C. Perrenoud, Karen S. Miller, David P. Pace