Patents Represented by Attorney James S. Tak
  • Patent number: 8322328
    Abstract: An improved railgun, railgun barrel, railgun projectile, and railgun system for accelerating a solid-to-hybrid transitioning armature projectile using a barrel having a bore that does not conform to a cross-sectional profile of the projectile, to contact and guide the projectile only by the rails in a low pressure bore volume so as to minimize damage, failure, and/or underperformance caused by plasma armatures, insulator ablation, and/or restrikes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Jerome Michael Solberg
  • Patent number: 8306942
    Abstract: A hybrid machine learning methodology and system for classification that combines classical random forest (RF) methodology with discriminant analysis (DA) techniques to provide enhanced classification capability. A DA technique which uses feature measurements of an object to predict its class membership, such as linear discriminant analysis (LDA) or Andersen-Bahadur linear discriminant technique (AB), is used to split the data at each node in each of its classification trees to train and grow the trees and the forest. When training is finished, a set of n DA-based decision trees of a discriminant forest is produced for use in predicting the classification of new samples of unknown class.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Barry Y. Chen, William G. Hanley, Tracy D. Lemmond, Lawrence J. Hiller, David A. Knapp, Marshall J. Mugge
  • Patent number: 8258632
    Abstract: An improved photoconductive switch having a SiC or other wide band gap substrate material with opposing contoured profile cavities which have a contoured profile selected from one of Rogowski, Bruce, Chang, Harrison, and Ernst profiles, and two electrodes with matching contoured-profile convex interface surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: James S. Sullivan, Steven A. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 8217352
    Abstract: A ponderomotive phase plate system and method for controllably producing highly tunable phase contrast transfer functions in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) for high resolution and biological phase contrast imaging. The system and method includes a laser source and a beam transport system to produce a focused laser crossover as a phase plate, so that a ponderomotive potential of the focused laser crossover produces a scattering-angle-dependent phase shift in the electrons of the post-sample electron beam corresponding to a desired phase contrast transfer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Bryan W. Reed
  • Patent number: 8216965
    Abstract: A copolymer and water/ethanol solvent solution capable of binding with airborne contaminants or potential airborne contaminants, such as biological weapon agents or toxic particulates, coagulating as the solvent evaporates, and adhering the contaminants to a surface so as to inhibit the re-suspension of such contaminants. The solution uses a water or ethanol/water mixture for the solvent, and a copolymer having one of several functional group sets so as to have physical and chemical characteristics of high adhesion, low viscosity, low surface tension, negative electrostatic charge, substantially neutral pH, and a low pKa. Use of the copolymer solution prevents re-aerosolization and transport of unwanted, reactive species thus increasing health and safety for personnel charged with decontamination of contaminated buildings and areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Paula Krauter, David Zalk, D. Mark Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8187398
    Abstract: An energetic composition and system using amassed energetic multilayer pieces which are formed from the division, such as for example by cutting, scoring, breaking, crushing, shearing, etc., of a mechanically activatable monolithic energetic multilayer(s) (e.g. macro-scale sheets of multilayer films), for enhancing the sensitivity of the energetic composite and system to mechanical initiation of self-sustained reaction. In particular, mechanical initiation of the energetic composition may be achieved with significantly lower mechanical energy inputs than that typically required for initiating the monolithic energetic multilayers from which it is derived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander E. Gash, Troy W. Barbee, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8183111
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a thin film device having conductive front and backside electrodes or contacts. Top-side cavities are first formed on a first dielectric layer, followed by the deposition of a metal layer on the first dielectric layer to fill the cavities. Defined metal structures are etched from the metal layer to include the cavity-filled metal, followed by depositing a second dielectric layer over the metal structures. Additional levels of defined metal structures may be formed in a similar manner with vias connecting metal structures between levels. After a final dielectric layer is deposited, a top surface of a metal structure of an uppermost metal layer is exposed through the final dielectric layer to form a front-side electrode, and a bottom surface of a cavity-filled portion of a metal structure of a lowermost metal layer is also exposed through the first dielectric layer to form a back-side electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Phillipe J. Tabada, Melody Tabada, legal representative, Satinderpall S. Pannu
  • Patent number: 8180579
    Abstract: A real time gamma-ray signature/source identification method and system using principal components analysis (PCA) for transforming and substantially reducing one or more comprehensive spectral libraries of nuclear materials types and configurations into a corresponding concise representation/signature(s) representing and indexing each individual predetermined spectrum in principal component (PC) space, wherein an unknown gamma-ray signature may be compared against the representative signature to find a match or at least characterize the unknown signature from among all the entries in the library with a single regression or simple projection into the PC space, so as to substantially reduce processing time and computing resources and enable real-time characterization and/or identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Rowland, Tom B. Gosnell, Cheryl Ham, Dwight Perkins, James Wong
  • Patent number: 8125089
    Abstract: An improved photoconductive switch having a SIC or other wide band gap substrate material, such as GaAs and field-grading liners composed of preferably SiN formed on the substrate adjacent the electrode perimeters or adjacent the substrate perimeters for grading the electric fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: George J. Caporaso, Stephen E. Sampayan, James S. Sullivan, David M. Sanders
  • Patent number: 8081798
    Abstract: A stochastic method and system for detecting polygon structures in images, by detecting a set of best matching corners of predetermined acuteness ? of a polygon model from a set of similarity scores based on GDM features of corners, and tracking polygon boundaries as particle tracks using a sequential Monte Carlo approach. The tracking involves initializing polygon boundary tracking by selecting pairs of corners from the set of best matching corners to define a first side of a corresponding polygon boundary; tracking all intermediate sides of the polygon boundaries using a particle filter, and terminating polygon boundary tracking by determining the last side of the tracked polygon boundaries to close the polygon boundaries. The particle tracks are then blended to determine polygon matches, which may be made available, such as to a user, for ranking and inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Paglieroni, Siddharth Manay
  • Patent number: 8065119
    Abstract: A computerized method and system for designing an aerodynamic focusing lens stack, using input from a designer related to, for example, particle size range to be considered, characteristics of the gas to be flowed through the system, the upstream temperature and pressure at the top of a first focusing lens, the flow rate through the aerodynamic focusing lens stack equivalent at atmosphere pressure; and a Stokes number range. Based on the design parameters, the method and system determines the total number of focusing lenses and their respective orifice diameters required to focus the particle size range to be considered, by first calculating for the orifice diameter of the first focusing lens in the Stokes formula, and then using that value to determine, in iterative fashion, intermediate flow values which are themselves used to determine the orifice diameters of each succeeding focusing lens in the stack design, with the results being output to a designer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Gard, Vincent Riot, Keith Coffee, Bruce Woods, Herbert Tobias, Jim Birch, Todd Weisgraber
  • Patent number: 7972827
    Abstract: Described herein is a method for the attachment of proteins to any solid support with control over the orientation of the attachment. The method is extremely efficient, not requiring the previous purification of the protein to be attached, and can be activated by UV-light. Spatially addressable arrays of multiple protein components can be generated by using standard photolithographic techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Julio A. Camarero, James J. DeYoreo, Youngeun Kwon
  • Patent number: 7965868
    Abstract: A system and method of processing infrared imagery to determine projectile trajectories and the locations of shooters with a high degree of accuracy. The method includes image processing infrared image data to reduce noise and identify streak-shaped image features, using a Kalman filter to estimate optimal projectile trajectories, updating the Kalman filter with new image data, determining projectile source locations by solving a combinatorial least-squares solution for all optimal projectile trajectories, and displaying all of the projectile source locations. Such a shooter-localization system is of great interest for military and law enforcement applications to determine sniper locations, especially in urban combat scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Randy S. Roberts, Eric F. Breitfeller
  • Patent number: 7960700
    Abstract: A network of radiation detection instruments, each having a small solid state radiation sensor module integrated into a cellular phone for providing radiation detection data and analysis directly to a user. The sensor module includes a solid-state crystal bonded to an ASIC readout providing a low cost, low power, light weight compact instrument to detect and measure radiation energies in the local ambient radiation field. In particular, the photon energy, time of event, and location of the detection instrument at the time of detection is recorded for real time transmission to a central data collection/analysis system. The collected data from the entire network of radiation detection instruments are combined by intelligent correlation/analysis algorithms which map the background radiation and detect, identify and track radiation anomalies in the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: William W. Craig, Simon E. Labov
  • Patent number: 7949126
    Abstract: A bipolar pulse forming transmission line module and system for linear induction accelerators having first, second, third, and fourth planar conductors which form a sequentially arranged interleaved stack having opposing first and second ends, with dielectric layers between the conductors. The first and second planar conductors are connected to each other at the first end, and the first and fourth planar conductors are connected to each other at the second end via a shorting plate. The third planar conductor is electrically connectable to a high voltage source, and an internal switch functions to short at the first end a high voltage from the third planar conductor to the fourth planar conductor to produce a bipolar pulse at the acceleration axis with a zero net time integral. Improved access to the switch is enabled by an aperture through the shorting plate and the proximity of the aperture to the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Mark A. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 7924121
    Abstract: A dispersion-free radial transmission line (“DFRTL”) preferably for linear accelerators, having two plane conductors each with a central hole, and an electromagnetically permeable material (“EPM”) between the two conductors and surrounding a channel connecting the two holes. At least one of the material parameters of relative magnetic permeability, relative dielectric permittivity, and axial width of the EPM is varied as a function of radius, so that the characteristic impedance of the DFRTL is held substantially constant, and pulse transmission therethrough is substantially dispersion-free. Preferably, the EPM is divided into concentric radial sections, with the varied material parameters held constant in each respective section but stepwise varied between sections as a step function of the radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: George J. Caporaso, Scott D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7922644
    Abstract: A copolymer and water/ethanol solvent solution capable of binding with airborne contaminants or potential airborne contaminants, such as biological weapon agents or toxic particulates, coagulating as the solvent evaporates, and adhering the contaminants to a surface so as to inhibit the re-suspension of such contaminants. The solution uses a water or ethanol/water mixture for the solvent, and a copolymer having one of several functional group sets so as to have physical and chemical characteristics of high adhesion, low viscosity, low surface tension, negative electrostatic charge, substantially neutral pH, and a low pKa. Use of the copolymer solution prevents re-aerosolization and transport of unwanted, reactive species thus increasing health and safety for personnel charged with decontamination of contaminated buildings and areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Paula Krauter, David Zalk, D. Mark Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7905168
    Abstract: A rapidly deployable portable convertible blast effects shield/ballistic shield includes a set two or more frusto-conically-tapered telescoping rings operably connected to each other to convert between a telescopically-collapsed configuration for storage and transport, and a telescopically-extended upright configuration forming an expanded inner volume. In a first embodiment, the upright configuration provides blast effects shielding, such as against blast pressures, shrapnel, and/or fire balls. And in a second embodiment, the upright configuration provides ballistic shielding, such as against incoming weapons fire, shrapnel, etc. Each ring has a high-strength material construction, such as a composite fiber and matrix material, capable of substantially inhibiting blast effects and impinging projectiles from passing through the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Pastrnak, Rocky Hollaway, Carl D. Henning, Steve Deteresa, Walter Grundler, Lisle B. Hagler, Edwin Kokko, Vernon A. Switzer
  • Patent number: 7893541
    Abstract: An improved photoconductive switch having a SiC or other wide band gap substrate material, such as GaAs and field-grading liners composed of preferably SiN formed on the substrate adjacent the electrode perimeters or adjacent the substrate perimeters for grading the electric fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: George J. Caporaso, Stephen E. Sampayan, James S. Sullivan, David M. Sanders
  • Patent number: 7838134
    Abstract: A durable highly reflective silver mirror characterized by high reflectance in a broad spectral range of about 300 nm in the UV to the far infrared (˜10000 nm), as well as exceptional environmental durability. A high absorptivity metal underlayer is used which prevents the formation of a galvanic cell with a silver layer while increasing the reflectance of the silver layer. Environmentally durable overcoat layers are provided to enhance mechanical and chemical durability and protect the silver layer from corrosion and tarnishing, for use in a wide variety of surroundings or climates, including harsh or extreme environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Jesse D. Wolfe