Patents by Inventor Allan H. Clauer

Allan H. Clauer 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: 5131957
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving properties of a solid material in a target (11) by providing shock waves therein. There are directed to the surface of the material (11) pulses of coherent radiation (12) having average energy fluence of at least about 10 Joules per square centimeter and rise time of not longer than about 5 nanoseconds within a fluorescence envelope lasting about 0.5 to 5 milliseconds, at a rate of about 1 radiation pulse per 100 to 200 microseconds.The leading edge of each pulse (12) is sharpened by providing in its path an aluminum film (18) about 150 to 5000 angstroms thick that is vaporized by the pulse and then is moved across the path so that a later pulse (12) strikes an area of the film (18) not already vaporized by an earlier pulse (12).The radiation (12) is amplified by an amplifier (23) comprising a rod of phosphate laser glass that was strengthened by an ion exchange process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Harold M. Epstein, Allan H. Clauer, Boyd A. Mueller, Jeffrey L. Dulaney, Bernerd E. Campbell, Craig T. Walters
  • Patent number: 4401477
    Abstract: An improved method and an apparatus for altering properties in a solid target by using the radiation emitted by a high power pulsed laser to generate a short duration, high amplitude pressure pulse is directed at the front side of solid target to alter material properties. The front side of the solid target is covered with an overlay material that is transparent to laser light, and the back side is placed in direct contact with a trapping material having substantially the same acoustical impedance as the metal substrate. When the solid target is processed by the pulsed laser, the microstructure and the stress state of the target are altered in a predictable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Battelle Development Corporation
    Inventors: Allan H. Clauer, Barry P. Fairand, Stephen C. Ford, Craig T. Walters