Patents by Inventor Richard Mastronardi

Richard Mastronardi 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: 20110164726
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting personnel or their effects. A first and second carriage each carries a source for producing a beam of penetrating radiation incident on a given subject. A positioner provides for relative motion of each beam vis-à-vis the subject in a motion, the vertical component of which is one-way. A detector receives radiation produced by at least one of the sources after the radiation interacts with the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: AMERICAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, Dean Fleury, Jeffrey R. Schubert, Joseph DiMare, Richard Schueller, Alexander Chalmers
  • Publication number: 20110026673
    Abstract: A system and method for inspecting a vehicle by means of one or more sources and detectors of penetrating radiation. The source(s) and detector(s) are carried on a mobile conveyance and deployed at a point of operation. One source swings away from the conveyance on a deployable member, such as a boom, such that the source can irradiate a vehicle from above or below. A detector deploys outwardly from the mobile conveyance, remaining mechanically coupled to the mobile conveyance in a position in a horizontal plane, such that the detector intercepts penetrating radiation from the source positioned above the inspected vehicle, which penetrating radiation has interacted with the inspected vehicle. A ramp may be provided to allow the inspected vehicle to be driven to a position between the vertically irradiating source and a transmission detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: AMERICAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, Peter J. Rothschild
  • Publication number: 20110017917
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting personnel or their effects. A first and second carriage each carries a source for producing a beam of penetrating radiation incident on a given subject. A positioner provides for relative motion of each beam vis-à-vis the subject in a motion, the vertical component of which is one-way. A detector receives radiation produced by at least one of the sources after the radiation interacts with the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: AMERICAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, Dean Fleury, Jeffrey R. Schubert, Joseph DiMare, Richard Schueller, Alexander Chalmers
  • Patent number: 7809109
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting personnel or their effects. A first and second carriage each carries a source for producing a beam of penetrating radiation incident on a subject. A positioner provides for synchronized relative motion of each carriage vis-à-vis the subject in a direction having a vertical component. A detector receives radiation produced by at least one of the sources after the radiation interacts with the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, Dean Fleury, Jeffrey R. Schubert, Joseph DiMare, Richard Schueller, Alexander Chalmers
  • Patent number: 7796734
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting personnel or their effects. A first and second carriage each carries a source for producing a beam of penetrating radiation incident on a subject. A positioner provides for synchronized relative motion of each carriage vis-á-vis the subject in a direction having a vertical component. A detector receives radiation produced by at least one of the sources after the radiation interacts with the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, Dean Fleury, Jeffrey R. Schubert, Joseph DiMare, Richard Schueller, Alexander Chalmers
  • Publication number: 20100104069
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting personnel or their effects. A first and second carriage each carries a source for producing a beam of penetrating radiation incident on a subject. A positioner provides for synchronized relative motion of each carriage vis-á-vis the subject in a direction having a vertical component. A detector receives radiation produced by at least one of the sources after the radiation interacts with the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: AMERICAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, Dean Fleury, Jeffrey R. Schubert, Joseph DiMare, Richard Schueller, Alexander Chalmers
  • Publication number: 20090116617
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting personnel or their effects. A first and second carriage each carries a source for producing a beam of penetrating radiation incident on a subject. A positioner provides for synchronized relative motion of each carriage vis-à-vis the subject in a direction having a vertical component. A detector receives radiation produced by at least one of the sources after the radiation interacts with the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: AMERICAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, Dean Fleury, Jeffrey R. Schubert, Joseph DiMare, Richard Schueller, Alexander Chalmers
  • Patent number: 7505562
    Abstract: A system and methods are provided for imaging an object, based on activating an array of discrete X-ray sources in a prescribed temporal pattern so as to illuminate the object with a beam varying in spatial orientation, and detecting X-rays of the beam after interaction with the object and generating a detector signal. An image of the object may then be constructed on the basis of the time variation of the detector signal. The discrete X-ray sources may be moved during the course of inspection, moreover, the prescribed temporal pattern may constitute a Hadamard code. The discrete sources may be carbon nanotube x-ray sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan-Cristian Dinca, Richard Mastronardi, Peter J. Rothschild
  • Publication number: 20070258562
    Abstract: A system and methods are provided for imaging an object, based on activating an array of discrete X-ray sources in a prescribed temporal pattern so as to illuminate the object with a beam varying in spatial orientation, and detecting X-rays of the beam after interaction with the object and generating a detector signal. An image of the object may then be constructed on the basis of the time variation of the detector signal. The discrete X-ray sources may be moved during the course of inspection, moreover, the prescribed temporal pattern may constitute a Hadamard code. The discrete sources may be carbon nanotube x-ray sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Inventors: Dan-Cristian Dinca, Richard Mastronardi, Peter Rothschild
  • Publication number: 20060245547
    Abstract: An inspection system based on penetrating radiation provides an option to significantly narrow the field of view of a scan. First and second primary limiting apertures are provided for interposition between a source of penetrating radiation and an inspected object. This allows for significantly increasing the flux of penetrating radiation on this narrowed region of interest, thereby advantageously improving detectability. Alternatively or in addition, an operator can use the higher flux to increase the distance from which an object can be imaged. Embodiments include both scatter and transmission systems that employ a pencil beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Joseph Callerame, Richard Mastronardi
  • Patent number: 5454408
    Abstract: A variable-volume compressed natural gas ("CNG") storage vessel connected to a line supplying pressurized natural gas is described. The vessel connects to a dispensing station having a connection head--a fitting that allows a vehicle tank quickly and easily to be interconnected with and disconnected from the dispensing station. When a vehicle tank is being filled, or alternatively when a storage vessel is being replenished from the gas supply line, a controller responds to the pressure within the storage vessel to vary the volume of that vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Thermo Power Corporation
    Inventors: Francis A. DiBella, Michael D. Koplow, Richard Mastronardi
  • Patent number: 5245977
    Abstract: A flow proportioning mixer is provided for mixing gaseous fuel and air, the mixer having therein a gas chamber adapted to discharge the gaseous fuel to a mixing channel, an air chamber adapted to direct the air into the mixing channel to mix with the fuel, a plunger reciprocally mounted in the mixing channel to define an annular passage in the channel, a pressure regulator for maintaining the pressure of the gas in the gas chamber and the air in the air chamber at a selected ratio, and a motor responsive to an engine exhaust content sensor to move the plunger in the mixing channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Tecogen, Inc.
    Inventors: Tze-Ning Chen, Richard Mastronardi
  • Patent number: 4825454
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising an X-ray source, a collimator, and an X-ray scatter detector. The X-rays are directed toward an object to be imaged where the collimator and detector are located between the source and object. The X-rays striking the object produce back scattered X-rays which are directed back through the collimator to the detector and an image is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Annis, Michael Johnson, Richard Mastronardi
  • Patent number: 4422177
    Abstract: A Computerized Tomography (CT) system for examining large objects, e.g., rocket motors, includes an improved support structure comprising a large bearing and an elongated cup-like support attached to the inner race of the bearing and extending away from the bearing in coaxial relation thereto for supporting the object to be examined and for rotating that object about the axis of the bearing. Spacers or an elevator are provided adjacent the bottom of the cup-like structure for selectively translating the object being examined along the axis of the support structure and bearing. An X-ray source is positioned to beam X-rays through the object being examined at a diametral plane in said object closely adjacent to one face of the bearing, and a detector is also provided which is responsive to X-rays passing through the object to determine the X-ray opacity of a slice of said object closely adjacent to the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, Alan DeCew, David McMahon