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).

  • Patent number: 11156447
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Joel A. Johnson, Ronald J. Heaps
  • Publication number: 20200025549
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Joel A. Johnson, Ronald J. Heaps
  • Patent number: 10017429
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignees: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, Texas Tech University System
    Inventors: Michael A Daniels, Ronald J Heaps, Michelle Pantoya
  • Patent number: 9908823
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald J Heaps
  • Publication number: 20170245368
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: MICHAEL A. DANIELS, RESTON A. CONDIT, JOEL A. JOHNSON, RONALD J. HEAPS, RONALD S. WALLACE
  • Publication number: 20170137337
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: RONALD J. HEAPS
  • Patent number: 9481614
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignees: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, Texas Tech University System
    Inventors: Michael A. Daniels, Ronald J. Heaps, Ronald S. Wallace, Michelle L. Pantoya, Eric S. Collins
  • Publication number: 20160031769
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: MICHAEL A. DANIELS, RONALD J. HEAPS, MICHELLE PANTOYA
  • Publication number: 20150101719
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Daniels, Ronald J. Heaps, Ronald S. Wallace, Michelle L. Pantoya, Eric S. Collins
  • Patent number: 8409377
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Daniels, Ronald J. Heaps, Eric D. Steffler, W. David Swank
  • Publication number: 20110281101
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. DANIELS, Ronald J. HEAPS, Eric D. STEFFLER, W. David SWANK
  • Patent number: 8007607
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Daniels, Ronald J. Heaps, Eric D Steffler, William D. Swank
  • Publication number: 20100071813
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLC
    Inventors: MICHAEL A. DANIELS, RONALD J. HEAPS, ERIC D. STEFFLER, W. DAVID SWANK