Patents by Inventor David B. Spencer

David B. Spencer 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: 7099433
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer
  • Patent number: 6888917
    Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Robert H. Parrish, David B. Spencer, Charles E. Roos
  • Publication number: 20030147494
    Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Robert H. Parrish, David B. Spencer, Charles E. Roos
  • Patent number: 6519315
    Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Robert H. Parrish, David B. Spencer, Charles E. Roos
  • Publication number: 20010022830
    Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Robert H. Parrish, David B. Spencer, Charles E. Roos
  • Patent number: 6266390
    Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Robert H. Parrish, David B. Spencer, Charles E. Roos
  • Patent number: 3954455
    Abstract: A metal composition characterized by degenerate dendritic or nodular primary discrete solid particles suspended in a secondary phase having a lower melting point than the primary particles and which secondary phase can be solid or liquid. The method involves raising the temperature of a metal alloy to a value at which the alloy is largely or completely in the molten state. The melt then is subjected to vigorous agitation and the temperature is reduced to increase the portion of the mixture in solid degenerate dendrite or nodular form up to about sixty-five percent, but usually up to about fifty percent, while continuing the agitation. At this juncture the temperature of the liquid-solid composition can be reduced to cause solidification thereof or it can be cast. The solidified composition can be stored and later it can be brought again to the liquid-solid mixture state and then recast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1976
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Merton C. Flemings, Robert Mehrabian, David B. Spencer
  • Patent number: 3948650
    Abstract: A metal composition characterized by degenerate dendritic or nodular primary discrete solid particles suspended in a secondary phase having a lower melting point than the primary particles and which secondary phase can be solid or liquid. The method involves raising the temperature of a metal alloy to a value at which the alloy is largely or completely in the molten state. The melt then is subjected to vigorous agitation and the temperature is reduced to increase the portion of the mixture in solid degenerate dendrite or nodular form up to about sixty-five percent, but usually up to about fifty percent, while continuing the agitation. At this juncture the temperature of the liquid-solid composition can be reduced to cause solidification thereof or it can be cast. The solidified composition can be stored and later it can be brought again to the liquid-solid mixture state and then recast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1973
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1976
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Merton C. Flemings, Robert Mehrabian, David B. Spencer