Patents by Inventor Chris A. Pickett

Chris A. Pickett 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: 10147289
    Abstract: Sensing devices, systems and methods for securing articles against tampering using a unique magnetic field signature measured at two different times are provided. One or more sensing devices are secured to a ferrous surface portion of a target container. The sensing devices are secured using a plurality of magnets. The unique magnetic field signature sensed by a sensing device is produced by a combination of the plurality of magnets of the sensing device and the ferrous surface portion of the target container and earth's magnetic field. The two different times being one of a baseline measurement session and one of an observation measurement session. An observation measurement session may be triggered by a shock event or periodically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Charles L. Britton, Jr., Steven S. Frank, Michael J. Kuhn, Andrzej Nycz, Chris A. Pickett, Scott L. Stewart, Robert J. Warmack, Richard A. Willems, James R. Younkin
  • Patent number: 10147338
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a gas training system with a computing device or server coupled to a mapping component and a virtual leak detector. The virtual leak detector is configured to communicate at least one location or GPS position data. A trainee device or good is coupled with the virtual leak detector discoverable by the computing device or server. A coupled non-transitory computer readable medium can cause the computing device or server to retrieve a map and/or image from the mapping component representing an actual training area or location. Further, based at least in part on the location or GPS position data received from the virtual leak detector, the map or map image is displayed with a representation of the trainee device or good positioned based at least in part on the actual physical location of the at least one trainee device or good.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Trumbull, Linda Floyd, Chris Pickett
  • Publication number: 20180293860
    Abstract: Sensing devices, systems and methods for securing articles against tampering using a unique magnetic field signature measured at two different times are provided. One or more sensing devices are secured to a ferrous surface portion of a target container. The sensing devices are secured using a plurality of magnets. The unique magnetic field signature sensed by a sensing device is produced by a combination of the plurality of magnets of the sensing device and the ferrous surface portion of the target container and earth's magnetic field. The two different times being one of a baseline measurement session and one of an observation measurement session. An observation measurement session may be triggered by a shock event or periodically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Charles L. Britton, JR., Steven S. Frank, Michael J. Kuhn, Andrzej Nycz, Chris A. Pickett, Scott L. Stewart, Robert J. Warmack, Richard A. Willems, James R. Younkin
  • Publication number: 20160307468
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a gas training system with a computing device or server coupled to a mapping component and a virtual leak detector. The virtual leak detector is configured to communicate at least one location or GPS position data. A trainee device or good is coupled with the virtual leak detector discoverable by the computing device or server. A coupled non-transitory computer readable medium can cause the computing device or server to retrieve a map and/or image from the mapping component representing an actual training area or location. Further, based at least in part on the location or GPS position data received from the virtual leak detector, the map or map image is displayed with a representation of the trainee device or good positioned based at least in part on the actual physical location of the at least one trainee device or good.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Brian Trumbull, Linda Floyd, Chris Pickett
  • Patent number: 8804898
    Abstract: An apparatus for simulating special nuclear material is provided. The apparatus typically contains a small quantity of special nuclear material (SNM) in a configuration that simulates a much larger quantity of SNM. Generally the apparatus includes a spherical shell that is formed from an alloy containing a small quantity of highly enriched uranium. Also typically provided is a core of depleted uranium. A spacer, typically aluminum, may be used to separate the depleted uranium from the shell of uranium alloy. A cladding, typically made of titanium, is provided to seal the source. Methods are provided to simulate SNM for testing radiation monitoring portals. Typically the methods use at least one primary SNM spectral line and exclude at least one secondary SNM spectral line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLC
    Inventors: John H. Leckey, Amy DeMint, Jack Gooch, Todd Hawk, Chris A. Pickett, Chris Blessinger, Robbie L. York
  • Publication number: 20110015914
    Abstract: An apparatus for simulating special nuclear material is provided. The apparatus typically contains a small quantity of special nuclear material (SNM) in a configuration that simulates a much larger quantity of SNM. Generally the apparatus includes a spherical shell that is formed from an alloy containing a small quantity of highly enriched uranium. Also typically provided is a core of depleted uranium. A spacer, typically aluminum, may be used to separate the depleted uranium from the shell of uranium alloy. A cladding, typically made of titanium, is provided to seal the source. Methods are provided to simulate SNM for testing radiation monitoring portals. Typically the methods use at least one primary SNM spectral line and exclude at least one secondary SNM spectral line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: BABCOCK & WILCOX TECHNICAL SERVICES Y-12, LLC
    Inventors: John H. Leckey, Amy DeMint, Jack Gooch, Todd Hawk, Chris A. Pickett, Chris Blessinger, Robbie L. York
  • Patent number: 6002501
    Abstract: An optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) launches pulses of light into a link or a system of multiplexed links and records the waveform of pulses reflected by the seals in the link(s). If a seal is opened, the link of cables will become a discontinuous transmitter of the light pulses and the OTDR can immediately detect that a seal has been opened. By analyzing the waveform, the OTDR can also quickly determine which seal(s) were opened. In this way the invention functions as a system of active seals. The invention is intended for applications that require long-term surveillance of a large number of closures. It provides immediate tamper detection, allows for periodic access to secured closures, and can be configured for many different distributions of closures. It can monitor closures in indoor and outdoor locations and it can monitor containers or groups of containers located many kilometers apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp.
    Inventors: D. Barton Smith, Jeffrey D. Muhs, Chris A. Pickett, D. Duncan Earl