Patents by Inventor Bruce J. Kaiser
Bruce J. Kaiser 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: 7443951Abstract: An x-ray fluorescence (XRF) device and a method for using the same to analyze a sample are described. The EMRXG source of the XRF device has a configuration that allows a greater amount of EMRXG to impinge on the sample being analyzed. The x-ray detector of the XRF device has a configuration that allows a greater amount of x-rays emitted by the sample to impinge on the detector. With such a configuration, the size and cost of the x-ray fluorescence device decreases. As well, fewer EMRXG are needed from the EMRXG source because of the greater efficiency and an exempt EMRXG source that is exempt from radioactivity licensing requirements can be used.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2005Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: KeyMasters Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Donald K. Kenning, L. Stephen Price, Bruce J. Kaiser
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Publication number: 20030058990Abstract: An apparatus and method in which one or more taggants that are intrinsically located—or extrinsically placed—in an article or product, such as carpet. The taggants are detected by x-ray fluorescence analysis to identify or verify the article or its point of manufacture. The taggants are manufactured as part of the article or the taggant is placed into a coating, label, or otherwise embedded within the article for the purpose of later verifying the presence or absence of these elements by x-ray fluorescence, thus determining the unique elemental composition of the taggant within the article.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Inventors: Bruce J. Kaiser, Lloyd Starks, David J. Watson, Don Kenning, Dan Schoepflin, Robert D. Kuhlman
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Patent number: 6501825Abstract: Secure documents and methods and apparatus for making the same. The documents are made secure using apparatus and methods in which one or more taggants are placed in the paper or ink of the document. The present or absence of the taggant within the document is detected by x-ray fluorescence analysis, thereby identifying or verifying the document.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: KeyMaster Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bruce J. Kaiser, Gerhard A. Meyer
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Patent number: 6477227Abstract: An apparatus and method in which one or more taggants that are intrinsically located—or extrinsically placed—in an article or product, such as carpet. The taggants are detected by x-ray fluorescence analysis to identify or verify the article or its point of manufacture. The taggants are manufactured as part of the article or the taggant is placed into a coating, label, or otherwise embedded within the article for the purpose of later verifying the presence or absence of these elements by x-ray fluorescence, thus determining the unique elemental composition of the taggant within the article.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2000Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: KeyMaster Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bruce J. Kaiser, Lloyd Starks, David J. Watson, Don Kenning, Dan Schoepflin, Robert D. Kuhlman
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Publication number: 20020097832Abstract: Secure documents and methods and apparatus for making the same. The documents are made secure using apparatus and methods in which one or more taggants are placed in the paper or ink of the document. The present or absence of the taggant within the document is detected by x-ray fluorescence analysis, thereby identifying or verifying the document.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2001Publication date: July 25, 2002Inventors: Bruce J. Kaiser, Gerhard A. Meyer
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Publication number: 20020094058Abstract: An apparatus and method in which one or more taggants that are intrinsically located—or extrinsically placed—in an article or product, such as plastic. The taggants are detected by x-ray fluorescence analysis to identify or verify the article or its point of manufacture. The taggants are manufactured as part of the article or the taggant is placed into a coating, label, or otherwise embedded within the article for the purpose of later verifying the presence or absence of these elements by x-ray fluorescence, thus determining the unique elemental composition of the taggant within the article.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2001Publication date: July 18, 2002Inventors: Bruce J. Kaiser, L. Stephen Price, David J. Watson, Don Kenning, Dan Schoepflin, Robert D. Kuhlman
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Patent number: 5108692Abstract: Both gadolinia nuclear fuel rods and urania fuel rods are non-destructively tested to determine the enrichment concentration of the fuel pellets therein by serially conveying the gadolinia rods and the urania rod along separate test channels through an active scanner where they are irradiated from a common neutron souce, and the neutron-induced gamma ray emissions are counted as a measure of the enrichment concentrations at a multiplicity of points distributed along the rod length. The enrichment counts are corrected for background radiation, variations in fuel density, and, in the case of gadolinia rods, for gadolinia content by passing these rods through a magnetometer.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1989Date of Patent: April 28, 1992Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Fred C. Schoenig, Bruce J. Kaiser, Carl P. Ruiz, Frank S. Moore, Jr.
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Patent number: 4902467Abstract: Both gadolinia nuclear fuel rods and urania fuel rods are non-destructively tested to determine the enrichment concentration of the fuel pellets therein by serially conveying the gadolinia rods and the urania rod along separate test channels through an active scanner where they are irradiated from a common neutron source, and the neutron-induced gamma ray emissions are counted as a measure of the enrichment concentrations at a multiplicity of points distributed along the rod length. The enrichment counts are corrected for background radiation, variations in fuel density, and, in the case of gadolinia rods, for gadolinia content by passing these rods through a magnetometer.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1988Date of Patent: February 20, 1990Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Fred C. Schoenig, Bruce J. Kaiser, Carl P. Ruiz, Frank S. Moore, Jr.
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Patent number: 4748647Abstract: An apparatus using X-ray fluorescence for gauging the thickness of a zirconium barrier layer on the interior surface of a zirconium alloy nuclear fuel tube is disclosed. A gamma radiation source coaxially positioned in the tube emits gamma rays which excite K-alpha and K-beta Sn X-ray in the zirconium alloy substrate. Fluorescent X-rays passing back through the barrier layer are detected by an X-ray detector coaxially positioned in the tube. Attenuation of the exciting gamma rays and the fluorescent X-rays by the barrier layer is used to determine barrier layer thickness.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1985Date of Patent: May 31, 1988Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bruce J. Kaiser, Fred C. Schoenig, Jr., Alfred J. Zeits
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Patent number: 4701621Abstract: A monitor for detecting airborne radioactive particulates is disclosed. An elongate strip of filter paper is fed across first and second air inlet ports of a collection chamber. Ambient air is selectively drawn into the chamber through a selected one of the inlet ports and out an through outlet port. Particulates trapped on an area of the filter paper in alignment with the open inlet port are detected after advancing the strip area into alignment with the closed inlet port. A radiation detector mounted on a movable arm is selectively positioned over the closed inlet port to detect the trapped radioactive particulates, while a new sample is collected at the open inlet port. Exposure of the detector surface to corrosive materials is avoided and the detector can be positioned close to the filter strip to maximize counting efficiency and energy resolution. A microprocessor controls the functions of the monitor and allows continuous unattended operation.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1986Date of Patent: October 20, 1987Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bruce J. Kaiser, Edward S. Walker, George W. Tunnell, William Masaitis
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Patent number: 4626401Abstract: Disclosed is an alpha monitor usable in an automated nuclear fuel pin loading and processing unit. Fuel pins or other elongated pins are fed laterally into the alpha monitor in a singular fashion and are translated by a first roller assembly into a weld flare machining and decontamination substation not forming a part of the invention. Pins return and are lifted upwardly and transferred across to a combined pin lifting and electrode operating means which lifts the pins upwardly into a clamshell electrode assembly which is spread open by a combined pin lifting and electrode operating means. Once inserted the clamshell type electrode arrangement closes around the fuel pins so that inspection can occur. Fuel pins are inspected by charging electrodes to a negative potential and measuring the change in charge occurring when positively charged alpha particles strike the negatively charged electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1984Date of Patent: December 2, 1986Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: David J. Oakley, Oliver J. Groves, Bruce J. Kaiser
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Patent number: 4580056Abstract: An electronic circuit provides various accurate counts of detected neutrons to enable the assaying of fissile material in a neutron emitting radioactive source. The circuit develops a time correlated window associated with each detected neutron, and delays these windows to develop uncorrelated windows. These windows are used to develop separate detected neutron counts which distinguish between time correlated fission neutron detections and time uncorrelated singular neutron detections. The circuit also develops a count of all detected neutrons.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 1984Date of Patent: April 1, 1986Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bruce J. Kaiser, William Masaitis