Patents by Inventor Laurence J. Reynolds

Laurence J. Reynolds 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: 6275050
    Abstract: Apparatus and method to detect corrosion in metal junctions. Corroded metal junctions are usually discovered by visual inspection. The present invention detects corrosion in metal junctions when it is not visually apparent. A corroded metal junction acts as a nonlinear device. It generates harmonics and other nonlinear products (such as intermodulation) of any signals applied to the junction. The presence of relatively high level harmonics and/or intermodulation products indicates directly that corrosion has occurred. To detect corrosion in a metal junction, one couples a fundamental frequency signal (f0) into the junction and tests for harmonics of that frequency, especially the third harmonic. Harmonic frequency signals that are relatively large (i.e., above the harmonics generated by the testing system) indicate the presence of corrosion. Measurements to determine if a metal junction is corroded are performed without disturbing the junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Frank H. Born, John E. Dodge, William G. Duff, Laurence J. Reynolds, Arlie G. Turner, Jr.