Patents by Inventor W. Bruce Feller
W. Bruce Feller 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: 11733409Abstract: A neutron imaging system includes a neutron generator, a flight tube, a stage, a neutron imaging module, and a neutron shield. The flight tube enables neutrons from the neutron generator to enter the flight tube through an input opening and exit through an output opening. The stage supports a sample object to receive neutrons that pass through the entire length of the flight tube and the output opening. The neutron imaging module has a neutron-sensitive component that receives neutrons that pass through the sample object and generates neutron detection signals. The neutron shield surrounds at least a portion of the flight tube and the neutron imaging module to block at least a portion of stray neutrons that travel toward the neutron-sensitive component of the neutron imaging module, in which the stray neutrons do not enter the flight tube through the input opening of the flight tube.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2022Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Photonis Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Brian White, W. Bruce Feller, R. Gregory Downing
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Publication number: 20220342097Abstract: A neutron imaging system includes a neutron generator, a flight tube, a stage, a neutron imaging module, and a neutron shield. The neutron generator is configured to provide neutrons. The flight tube has an input opening, an output opening, and a flight tube wall extending from the input opening to the output opening. The flight tube is positioned relative to the neutron generator to enable neutrons from the neutron generator to enter the flight tube through the input opening and exit the flight tube through the output opening. The stage is configured to support a sample object at a position to receive neutrons that pass through the entire length of the flight tube and then pass through the output opening of the flight tube. The neutron imaging module has a neutron-sensitive component that is sensitive to neutrons and configured to receive neutrons that pass through the sample object and generate neutron detection signals that can be used to generate an image or video of the sample object.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2022Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: Brian White, W. Bruce Feller, R. Gregory Downing
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Patent number: 11327185Abstract: A neutron imaging system includes a neutron generator, a flight tube, a stage, a neutron imaging module, and a neutron shield. The flight tube enables neutrons from the neutron generator to enter the flight tube through an input opening and exit through an output opening. The stage supports a sample object to receive neutrons that pass through the entire length of the flight tube and the output opening. The neutron imaging module has a neutron-sensitive component that receives neutrons that pass through the sample object and generates neutron detection signals. The neutron shield surrounds at least a portion of the flight tube and the neutron imaging module to block at least a portion of stray neutrons that travel toward the neutron-sensitive component of the neutron imaging module, in which the stray neutrons do not enter the flight tube through the input opening of the flight tube.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2020Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: Photonis Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Brian White, W. Bruce Feller, R. Gregory Downing
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Publication number: 20200309973Abstract: A neutron imaging system includes a neutron generator, a flight tube, a stage, a neutron imaging module, and a neutron shield. The neutron generator is configured to provide neutrons. The flight tube has an input opening, an output opening, and a flight tube wall extending from the input opening to the output opening. The flight tube is positioned relative to the neutron generator to enable neutrons from the neutron generator to enter the flight tube through the input opening and exit the flight tube through the output opening. The stage is configured to support a sample object at a position to receive neutrons that pass through the entire length of the flight tube and then pass through the output opening of the flight tube. The neutron imaging module has a neutron-sensitive component that is sensitive to neutrons and configured to receive neutrons that pass through the sample object and generate neutron detection signals that can be used to generate an image or video of the sample object.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: Brian White, W. Bruce Feller, R. Gregory Downing
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Patent number: 9941438Abstract: A neutron detector includes a microchannel plate having a structure that defines a plurality of microchannels, and layers of materials disposed on walls of the microchannels. The layers include a layer of neutron sensitive material, a layer of semiconducting material, and a layer of electron emissive material. For example, the layer of neutron sensitive material can include at least one of hafnium (Hf), samarium (Sm), erbium (Er), neodymium (Nd), tantalum (Ta), lutetium (Lu), europium (Eu), dysposium (Dy), or thulium (Tm).Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2014Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
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Patent number: 9651688Abstract: A method for detecting a neutron includes providing a first voltage to an input electrode of a microchannel plate, providing a second voltage to an output electrode of the microchannel plate, the second voltage being more positive than the first voltage, measuring a signal on the output electrode, and detecting a neutron based on a comparison of the signal at the output electrode with a baseline value.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2016Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Jon H. Chappell, W. Bruce Feller
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Publication number: 20160320499Abstract: A method for detecting a neutron includes providing a first voltage to an input electrode of a microchannel plate, providing a second voltage to an output electrode of the microchannel plate, the second voltage being more positive than the first voltage, measuring a signal on the output electrode, and detecting a neutron based on a comparison of the signal at the output electrode with a baseline value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2016Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventors: Jon H. Chappell, W. Bruce Feller
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Patent number: 9297914Abstract: A method for detecting a neutron includes providing a first voltage to an input electrode of a microchannel plate, providing a second voltage to an output electrode of the microchannel plate, the second voltage being more positive than the first voltage, measuring a signal on the output electrode, and detecting a neutron based on a comparison of the signal at the output electrode with a baseline value.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Jon. H. Chappell, W. Bruce Feller
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Patent number: 9082907Abstract: A device includes a neutron-sensitive composition. The composition includes, in weight percent, a non-zero amount of aluminum oxide (e.g., approximately 1% to approximately 3.5% aluminum oxide), greater than 12% (e.g., approximately 12% to approximately 17%) boron oxide, greater than approximately 60% silicon oxide (e.g., approximately 62% to approximately 68% silicon oxide), and a non-zero amount of sodium oxide (e.g., approximately 10% to approximately 14% sodium oxide). The device is capable of interacting with neutrons to form an electron cascade.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2013Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White, William J. S. Zhong
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Publication number: 20150115164Abstract: A neutron detector includes a microchannel plate having a structure that defines a plurality of microchannels, and layers of materials disposed on walls of the microchannels. The layers include a layer of neutron sensitive material, a layer of semiconducting material, and a layer of electron emissive material. For example, the layer of neutron sensitive material can include at least one of hafnium (Hf), samarium (Sm), erbium (Er), neodymium (Nd), tantalum (Ta), lutetium (Lu), europium (Eu), dysposium (Dy), or thulium (Tm).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
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Patent number: 9006672Abstract: A neutron detector includes a microchannel plate having a structure that defines a plurality of microchannels, and layers of materials disposed on walls of the microchannels. The layers include a layer of neutron sensitive material, a layer of semiconducting material, and a layer of electron emissive material. For example, the layer of neutron sensitive material can include boron-10, lithium-6, or gadolinium.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
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Publication number: 20140339433Abstract: A neutron detector includes a microchannel plate having a structure that defines a plurality of microchannels, and layers of materials disposed on walls of the microchannels. The layers include a layer of neutron sensitive material, a layer of semiconducting material, and a layer of electron emissive material. For example, the layer of neutron sensitive material can include boron-10, lithium-6, or gadolinium.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
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Publication number: 20140299780Abstract: A device includes a neutron-sensitive composition. The composition includes, in weight percent, a non-zero amount of aluminum oxide (e.g., approximately 1% to approximately 3.5% aluminum oxide), greater than 12% (e.g., approximately 12% to approximately 17%) boron oxide, greater than approximately 60% silicon oxide (e.g., approximately 62% to approximately 68% silicon oxide), and a non-zero amount of sodium oxide (e.g., approximately 10% to approximately 14% sodium oxide). The device is capable of interacting with neutrons to form an electron cascade.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2013Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White, William J.S. Zhong
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Patent number: 8835864Abstract: A neutron detector includes a microchannel plate having a structure that defines a plurality of microchannels, and layers of materials disposed on walls of the microchannels. The layers include a layer of neutron sensitive material, a layer of semiconducting material, and a layer of electron emissive material. For example, the layer of neutron sensitive material can include boron-10, lithium-6, or gadolinium.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
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Patent number: 8766206Abstract: A neutron detector includes a coincidence detector to detect coincidence events in which each coincidence event indicates proximity in time of a first signal and a second signal. The first signal indicates detection of at least one of a neutron or a gamma ray, and the second signal indicates detection of a gamma ray by a gamma ray detector. A data processor identifies detection of neutron radiation based on characteristics of an energy spectrum of the gamma rays associated with the second signals that correspond to the coincidence signals.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2010Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
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Publication number: 20140077087Abstract: A method for detecting a neutron includes providing a first voltage to an input electrode of a microchannel plate, providing a second voltage to an output electrode of the microchannel plate, the second voltage being more positive than the first voltage, measuring a signal on the output electrode, and detecting a neutron based on a comparison of the signal at the output electrode with a baseline value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Inventors: Jon. H. Chappell, W. Bruce Feller
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Publication number: 20140077088Abstract: A neutron detector includes a microchannel plate having a structure that defines a plurality of microchannels, and layers of materials disposed on walls of the microchannels. The layers include a layer of neutron sensitive material, a layer of semiconducting material, and a layer of electron emissive material. For example, the layer of neutron sensitive material can include boron-10, lithium-6, or gadolinium.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
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Patent number: 8507872Abstract: A neutron detector includes a microchannel plate having a structure that defines a plurality of microchannels, and layers of materials disposed on walls of the microchannels. The layers include a layer of neutron sensitive material, a layer of semiconducting material, and a layer of electron emissive material. For example, the layer of neutron sensitive material can include boron-10, lithium-6, or gadolinium.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
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Patent number: 8445861Abstract: Neutrons can be detected using first information derived from a first charge induced on an input electrode of a microchannel plate and second information derived from a second charge induced on an output electrode of the microchannel plate. For example, a ratio between the first charge and the second charge is calculated, a sum of the first and second charges is calculated, and whether a neutron has been detected can be determined based on the ratio and the sum.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
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Patent number: 8445858Abstract: A device includes a neutron-sensitive composition. The composition includes, in weight percent, a non-zero amount of aluminum oxide (e.g., approximately 1% to approximately 3.5% aluminum oxide), greater than 12% (e.g., approximately 12% to approximately 17%) boron oxide, greater than approximately 60% silicon oxide (e.g., approximately 62% to approximately 68% silicon oxide), and a non-zero amount of sodium oxide (e.g., approximately 10% to approximately 14% sodium oxide). The device is capable of interacting with neutrons to form an electron cascade.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2008Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White, William J. S. Zhong