Patents by Inventor Ronald J. Heaps
Ronald J. Heaps 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: 11156447Abstract: A gap measurement device. The device has a circuit having a variable inductor and a capacitor. The variable inductor has an indicator. The device has a gap that includes a gap measurement and a gap length. The gap measurement is related to the inductance. The gap is configured to receive at least a portion of the variable inductor while the variable inductor moves along the gap length. The movement of the variable inductor along the gap length causes the inductance to change in response to the gap measurement.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2018Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: U.S. Department of EnergyInventors: Joel A. Johnson, Ronald J. Heaps
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Publication number: 20200025549Abstract: A gap measurement device. The device has a circuit having a variable inductor and a capacitor. The variable inductor has an indicator. The device has a gap that includes a gap measurement and a gap length. The gap measurement is related to the inductance. The gap is configured to receive at least a portion of the variable inductor while the variable inductor moves along the gap length. The movement of the variable inductor along the gap length causes the inductance to change in response to the gap measurement.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Joel A. Johnson, Ronald J. Heaps
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Patent number: 10017429Abstract: An energetic material comprising an elemental fuel, an oxidizer or other element, and a carbon nanofiller or carbon fiber rods, where the carbon nanofiller or carbon fiber rods are substantially homogeneously dispersed in the energetic material. Methods of tailoring the electrostatic discharge sensitivity of an energetic material are also disclosed. Energetic materials including the elemental fuel, the oxidizer or other element, and an additive are also disclosed, as are methods of reducing ignition sensitivity of the energetic material including the additive. The additive is combined with the elemental fuel and a metal oxide to form the energetic material. The energetic material is heated at a slow rate to render inert the energetic material to ignition while the energetic material remains ignitable when heated at a fast rate.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2015Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignees: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, Texas Tech University SystemInventors: Michael A Daniels, Ronald J Heaps, Michelle Pantoya
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Patent number: 9908823Abstract: Energetic compositions and methods of forming components from the compositions are provided. In one embodiment, a composition includes aluminum, molybdenum trioxide, potassium perchlorate, and a binder. In one embodiment, the binder may include a silicone material. The materials may be mixed with a solvent, such as xylene, de-aired, shaped and cured to provide a self-supporting structure. In one embodiment, one or more reinforcement members may be added to provide additional strength to the structure. For example, a weave or mat of carbon fiber material may be added to the mixture prior to curing. In one embodiment, blade casting techniques may be used to form a structure. In another embodiment, a structure may be formed using 3-dimensional printing techniques.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLCInventor: Ronald J Heaps
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Publication number: 20170245368Abstract: A self-protecting electronic circuit may include an energetic substrate comprising an energetic material, a plurality of traces disposed onto the energetic substrate, and at least one surface component couple to the plurality of trace. The self-protecting electronic circuit may optionally include a non-platable insulator disposed on portion of the energetic substrate not having the plurality of traced disposed thereon. The at least one surface component may include an activation mechanism for initiating the energetic substrate. Methods for making a self-protecting electronic circuit include forming an energetic substrate, coating the energetic substrate with an insulator, removing at least a portion of the insulator from the energetic substrate, and disposing at least one trace onto the energetic substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2016Publication date: August 24, 2017Inventors: MICHAEL A. DANIELS, RESTON A. CONDIT, JOEL A. JOHNSON, RONALD J. HEAPS, RONALD S. WALLACE
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Publication number: 20170137337Abstract: Energetic compositions and methods of forming components from the compositions are provided. In one embodiment, a composition includes aluminum, molybdenum trioxide, potassium perchlorate, and a binder. In one embodiment, the binder may include a silicone material. The materials may be mixed with a solvent, such as xylene, de-aired, shaped and cured to provide a self-supporting structure. In one embodiment, one or more reinforcement members may be added to provide additional strength to the structure. For example, a weave or mat of carbon fiber material may be added to the mixture prior to curing. In one embodiment, blade casting techniques may be used to form a structure. In another embodiment, a structure may be formed using 3-dimensional printing techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2015Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventor: RONALD J. HEAPS
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Patent number: 9481614Abstract: An energetic material comprising an elemental fuel, an oxidizer or other element, and a carbon nanofiller or carbon fiber rods, where the carbon nanofiller or carbon fiber rods are substantially homogeneously dispersed in the energetic material. Methods of tailoring the electrostatic discharge sensitivity of an energetic material are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2013Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignees: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, Texas Tech University SystemInventors: Michael A. Daniels, Ronald J. Heaps, Ronald S. Wallace, Michelle L. Pantoya, Eric S. Collins
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Publication number: 20160031769Abstract: An energetic material comprising an elemental fuel, an oxidizer or other element, and a carbon nanofiller or carbon fiber rods, where the carbon nanofiller or carbon fiber rods are substantially homogeneously dispersed in the energetic material. Methods of tailoring the electrostatic discharge sensitivity of an energetic material are also disclosed. Energetic materials including the elemental fuel, the oxidizer or other element, and an additive are also disclosed, as are methods of reducing ignition sensitivity of the energetic material including the additive. The additive is combined with the elemental fuel and a metal oxide to form the energetic material. The energetic material is heated at a slow rate to render inert the energetic material to ignition while the energetic material remains ignitable when heated at a fast rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: MICHAEL A. DANIELS, RONALD J. HEAPS, MICHELLE PANTOYA
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Publication number: 20150101719Abstract: An energetic material comprising an elemental fuel, an oxidizer or other element, and a carbon nanofiller or carbon fiber rods, where the carbon nanofiller or carbon fiber rods are substantially homogeneously dispersed in the energetic material. Methods of tailoring the electrostatic discharge sensitivity of an energetic material are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventors: Michael A. Daniels, Ronald J. Heaps, Ronald S. Wallace, Michelle L. Pantoya, Eric S. Collins
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Patent number: 8409377Abstract: Combustible structural composites and methods of forming same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a combustible structural composite includes combustible material comprising a fuel metal and a metal oxide. The fuel metal is present in the combustible material at a weight ratio from 1:9 to 1:1 of the fuel metal to the metal oxide. The fuel metal and the metal oxide are capable of exothermically reacting upon application of energy at or above a threshold value to support self-sustaining combustion of the combustible material within the combustible structural composite. Structural-reinforcing fibers are present in the composite at a weight ratio from 1:20 to 10:1 of the structural-reinforcing fibers to the combustible material. Other embodiments and aspects are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventors: Michael A. Daniels, Ronald J. Heaps, Eric D. Steffler, W. David Swank
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Publication number: 20110281101Abstract: Combustible structural composites and methods of forming same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a combustible structural composite includes combustible material comprising a fuel metal and a metal oxide. The fuel metal is present in the combustible material at a weight ratio from 1:9 to 1:1 of the fuel metal to the metal oxide. The fuel metal and the metal oxide are capable of exothermically reacting upon application of energy at or above a threshold value to support self-sustaining combustion of the combustible material within the combustible structural composite. Structural-reinforcing fibers are present in the composite at a weight ratio from 1:20 to 10:1 of the structural-reinforcing fibers to the combustible material. Other embodiments and aspects are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLCInventors: Michael A. DANIELS, Ronald J. HEAPS, Eric D. STEFFLER, W. David SWANK
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Patent number: 8007607Abstract: Combustible structural composites and methods of forming same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a combustible structural composite includes combustible material comprising a fuel metal and a metal oxide. The fuel metal is present in the combustible material at a weight ratio from 1:9 to 1:1 of the fuel metal to the metal oxide. The fuel metal and the metal oxide are capable of exothermically reacting upon application of energy at or above a threshold value to support self-sustaining combustion of the combustible material within the combustible structural composite. Structural-reinforcing fibers are present in the composite at a weight ratio from 1:20 to 10:1 of the structural-reinforcing fibers to the combustible material. Other embodiments and aspects are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventors: Michael A. Daniels, Ronald J. Heaps, Eric D Steffler, William D. Swank
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Publication number: 20100071813Abstract: Combustible structural composites and methods of forming same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a combustible structural composite includes combustible material comprising a fuel metal and a metal oxide. The fuel metal is present in the combustible material at a weight ratio from 1:9 to 1:1 of the fuel metal to the metal oxide. The fuel metal and the metal oxide are capable of exothermically reacting upon application of energy at or above a threshold value to support self-sustaining combustion of the combustible material within the composite. Structural-reinforcing fibers are present in the composite at a weight ratio from 1:20 to 10:1 of the structural-reinforcing fibers to the combustible material. Other embodiments and aspects are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2008Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLCInventors: MICHAEL A. DANIELS, RONALD J. HEAPS, ERIC D. STEFFLER, W. DAVID SWANK