Patents Assigned to Sandia
  • Patent number: 9146312
    Abstract: Pre-processing is applied to a raw VideoSAR (or similar near-video rate) product to transform the image frame sequence into a product that resembles more closely the type of product for which conventional video codecs are designed, while sufficiently maintaining utility and visual quality of the product delivered by the codec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Bobby G. Rush, Robert Riley
  • Patent number: 9147931
    Abstract: A magnetic conductor substrate produced for mounting to an antenna includes a sheet of dielectric lattice material having a length, a width and a thickness that is less than the length and less than the width. Within the sheet of dielectric lattice material is disposed an array of dielectric elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Travis Wayne Eubanks, Hung Loui, Jacob Jeremiah McDonald
  • Patent number: 9148481
    Abstract: The various technologies presented herein relate to generating copies of an incoming signal, wherein each copy of the signal can undergo different processing to facilitate control of bandwidth demands during communication of one or more signals relating to the incoming signal. A signal sharing component can be utilized to share copies of the incoming signal between a plurality of circuits/components which can include a first A/D converter, a second A/D converter, and a comparator component. The first A/D converter can operate at a low sampling rate and accordingly generates, and continuously transmits, a signal having a low bandwidth requirement. The second A/D converter can operate at a high sampling rate and hence generates a signal having a high bandwidth requirement. Transmission of a signal from the second A/D converter can be controlled by a signaling event (e.g., a signal pulse) being determined to have occurred by the comparator component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald M. Boyd, Jeffrey Farrow
  • Patent number: 9141413
    Abstract: Technologies pertaining to designing microsystems-enabled photovoltaic (MEPV) cells are described herein. A first restriction for a first parameter of an MEPV cell is received. Subsequently, a selection of a second parameter of the MEPV cell is received. Values for a plurality of parameters of the MEPV cell are computed such that the MEPV cell is optimized with respect to the second parameter, wherein the values for the plurality of parameters are computed based at least in part upon the restriction for the first parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Gregory N. Nielson, Ralph W. Young, Paul J. Resnick, Murat Okandan, Vipin P. Gupta
  • Patent number: 9142465
    Abstract: Precise annealing of identified defective regions of a Focal Plane Array (“FPA”) (e.g., exclusive of non-defective regions of the FPA) facilitates removal of defects from an FPA that has been hybridized and/or packaged with readout electronics. Radiation is optionally applied under operating conditions, such as under cryogenic temperatures, such that performance of an FPA can be evaluated before, during, and after annealing without requiring thermal cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel A. Bender
  • Patent number: 9140231
    Abstract: A wave energy converter (WEC) is described, the WEC including a power take off (PTO) that converts relative motion of bodies of the WEC into electrical energy. A controller controls operation of the PTO, causing the PTO to act as a motor to widen a wave frequency spectrum that is usable to generate electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Wilson, Diana L. Bull, Rush D. Robinett, III
  • Patent number: 9140145
    Abstract: A system including a vessel including a heat source and a flue; a turbine; a condenser; a fluid conduit circuit disposed between the vessel, the turbine and the condenser; and a diverter coupled to the flue to direct a portion of an exhaust from the flue to contact with a cooling medium for the condenser water. A method including diverting a portion of exhaust from a flue of a vessel; modifying the pH of a cooling medium for a condenser with the portion of exhaust; and condensing heated fluid from the vessel with the pH modified cooling medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick V. Brady, James L. Krumhansl
  • Patent number: 9138897
    Abstract: Technologies pertaining to a robotic hand are described herein. A protection apparatus is positioned in a joint of the robotic hand, where movement of a link about the joint is driven by a motor. The protection apparatus absorbs torque about the joint caused by an external force. At least a portion of the robotic hand can be covered by an anthropomorphic skin. An apparatus suitable for controlling operation of the robotic hand is also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Curt Michael Salisbury, Kevin J. Dullea
  • Patent number: 9143053
    Abstract: Microinverters useable in association with photovoltaic modules are described. A three phase-microinverter receives direct current output generated by a microsystems-enabled photovoltaic cell and converts such direct current output into three-phase alternating current out. The three-phase microinverter is interleaved with other three-phase-microinverters, wherein such microinverters are integrated in a photovoltaic module with the microsystems-enabled photovoltaic cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignees: Sandia Corporation, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Anthony L. Lentine, Gregory N. Nielson, Murat Okandan, Brian Benjamin Johnson, Philip T. Krein
  • Patent number: 9139364
    Abstract: A method for geo-sequestration of a carbon dioxide includes selection of a target water-laden geological formation with low-permeability interbeds, providing an injection well into the formation and injecting supercritical carbon dioxide (SC—CO2) into the injection well under conditions of temperature, pressure and density selected to cause the fluid to enter the formation and splinter and/or form immobilized ganglia within the formation. This process allows for the immobilization of the injected SC—CO2 for very long times. The dispersal of scCO2 into small ganglia is accomplished by alternating injection of SC—CO2 and water. The injection rate is required to be high enough to ensure the SC—CO2 at the advancing front to be broken into pieces and small enough for immobilization through viscous instability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Yifeng Wang, Charles R. Bryan, Thomas Dewers, Jason E. Heath
  • Publication number: 20150255823
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to synthesizing metal ionic liquids with transition metal coordination cations, where such metal ionic liquids can be used in a flow battery. A cation of a metal ionic liquid includes a transition metal and a ligand coordinated to the transition metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Travis Mark Anderson, David Ingersoll, Chad Staiger, Harry Pratt
  • Patent number: 9126392
    Abstract: A process including forming a photovoltaic solar cell on a substrate, the photovoltaic solar cell comprising an anchor positioned between the photovoltaic solar cell and the substrate to suspend the photovoltaic solar cell from the substrate. A surface of the photovoltaic solar cell opposite the substrate is attached to a receiving substrate. The receiving substrate may be bonded to the photovoltaic solar cell using an adhesive force or a metal connecting member. The photovoltaic solar cell is then detached from the substrate by lifting the receiving substrate having the photovoltaic solar cell attached thereto and severing the anchor connecting the photovoltaic solar cell to the substrate. Depending upon the type of receiving substrate used, the photovoltaic solar cell may be removed from the receiving substrate or remain on the receiving substrate for use in the final product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory N. Nielson, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Murat Okandan, Paul J. Resnick, Carlos Anthony Sanchez, Peggy J. Clews, Vipin P. Gupta
  • Patent number: 9130092
    Abstract: A photovoltaic solar concentrator is disclosed with one or more transverse-junction solar cells (also termed point contact solar cells) and a lens located above each solar cell to concentrate sunlight onto the solar cell to generate electricity. Piezoelectric actuators tilt or translate each lens to track the sun using a feedback-control circuit which senses the electricity generated by one or more of the solar cells. The piezoelectric actuators can be coupled through a displacement-multiplier linkage to provide an increased range of movement of each lens. Each lens in the solar concentrator can be supported on a frame (also termed a tilt plate) having three legs, with the movement of the legs being controlled by the piezoelectric actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory N. Nielson, Vipin P. Gupta, Murat Okandan, Michael R. Watts
  • Patent number: 9127983
    Abstract: The resonant frequency of an optical micro-resonator may be controlled by “locking” an operating frequency/wavelength of the resonator using CMOS compatible electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Albert Cox, Anthony L. Lentine
  • Patent number: 9128308
    Abstract: Photonic modulators and methods of modulating an input optical signal are provided. A photonic modulator includes at least one modulator section and differential drive circuitry. The at least one modulator section includes a P-type layer and an N-type layer forming a PN junction in the modulator section. The differential drive circuitry is electrically coupled to the P-type layer and the N-type layer of the at least one modulator section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Zortman, Anthony L. Lentine, Alexander H. Hsia, Michael R. Watts
  • Patent number: 9121817
    Abstract: An ultrasonic testing device having a variable fluid column height is disclosed. An operator is able to adjust the fluid column height in real time during an inspection to to produce optimum ultrasonic focus and separate extraneous, unwanted UT signals from those stemming from the area of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. Roach, Stephen O. Neidigk, Kirk A. Rackow, Randy L. Duvall
  • Patent number: 9123943
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to synthesizing metal ionic liquids with transition metal coordination cations, where such metal ionic liquids can be used in a flow battery. A cation of a metal ionic liquid includes a transition metal and a ligand coordinated to the transition metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Travis Mark Anderson, David Ingersoll, Chad Staiger, Harry Pratt
  • Patent number: 9116249
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting radiation is provided. In embodiments, at least one sensor medium is provided, of a kind that interacts with radiation to generate photons and/or charge carriers. The apparatus also includes at least one electrode arrangement configured to collect radiation-generated charge from a sensor medium that has been provided. The apparatus also includes at least one photodetector configured to produce an electrical output in response to photons generated by radiation in such a sensor medium, and an electronic circuit configured to produce an output that is jointly responsive to the collected charge and to the photodetector output. At least one such electrode arrangement, at least one such photodetector, and at least one such sensor medium are combined to form an integral unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Liam D. Claus, Mark S. Derzon, Randolph R. Kay, Todd Bauer, Douglas Chandler Trotter, Michael David Henry
  • Patent number: 9117560
    Abstract: Materials and methods of making densified waste forms for temperature sensitive waste material, such as nuclear waste, formed with low temperature processing using metallic powder that forms the matrix that encapsulates the temperature sensitive waste material. The densified waste form includes a temperature sensitive waste material in a physically densified matrix, the matrix is a compacted metallic powder. The method for forming the densified waste form includes mixing a metallic powder and a temperature sensitive waste material to form a waste form precursor. The waste form precursor is compacted with sufficient pressure to densify the waste precursor and encapsulate the temperature sensitive waste material in a physically densified matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Terry J. Garino, Tina M. Nenoff, Dorina Florentina Sava Gallis
  • Patent number: 9112490
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe a Boolean circuit having a voter circuit and a plurality of approximate circuits each based, at least in part, on a reference circuit. The approximate circuits are each to generate one or more output signals based on values of received input signals. The voter circuit is to receive the one or more output signals generated by each of the approximate circuits, and is to output one or more signals corresponding to a majority value of the received signals. At least some of the approximate circuits are to generate an output value different than the reference circuit for one or more input signal values; however, for each possible input signal value, the majority values of the one or more output signals generated by the approximate circuits and received by the voter circuit correspond to output signal result values of the reference circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Jason R. Hamlet, Jackson R. Mayo