Patents by Inventor David L. Decker

David L. Decker 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: 11040921
    Abstract: A method for biopassivating an ordnance magazine containing explosive ordnance includes introducing microorganisms into the ordnance magazine and controlling the environmental conditions in the ordnance magazine to facilitate growth of the microorganisms. In this way, the ordnance magazine can be operated as a bioreactor to passivate the explosive ordnance inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Regents of The Nevada System Of Higher Education On Behalf Of The Desert Research Institute
    Inventors: David L. Decker, Joseph J. Grzymski
  • Patent number: 10760886
    Abstract: A number of devices and methods for biopassivating explosive ordnance are disclosed. In some embodiments, a biopassivation reactor device is used to render energetic material in an explosive ordnance less explosive and/or non-explosive. This can be done by coupling the biopassivation reactor device to the fuse opening of the explosive ordnance. This can also be done by incorporating the biopassivation reactor device into the explosive ordnance at the time of manufacture. The biopassivation reactor device can include a housing enclosing microorganisms, water, additives, and/or the like. In some embodiments, an entire ordnance magazine can be operated as a bioreactor to passivate the explosive ordnance inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education on Behalf of the Desert Research Institute
    Inventors: David L. Decker, Joseph J. Grzymski
  • Patent number: 10351485
    Abstract: A number of devices and methods for biopassivating explosive ordnance are disclosed. In some embodiments, a biopassivation reactor device is used to render energetic material in an explosive ordnance less explosive and/or non-explosive. This can be done by coupling the biopassivation reactor device to the fuse opening of the explosive ordnance. This can also be done by incorporating the biopassivation reactor device into the explosive ordnance at the time of manufacture. The biopassivation reactor device can include a housing enclosing microorganisms, water, additives, and/or the like. In some embodiments, an entire ordnance magazine can be operated as a bioreactor to passivate the explosive ordnance inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Nevada System of Higher Education on Behalf of the Desert Research Institute
    Inventors: David L. Decker, Joseph J. Grzymski
  • Patent number: 9587448
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for supporting a tubing bundle during installation or removal. The apparatus includes a clamp for securing the tubing bundle to an external wireline. In various examples, the clamp is external to the tubing bundle or integral with the tubing bundle. According to one method, a tubing bundle and wireline are deployed together and the tubing bundle periodically secured to the wireline using a clamp. In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for coupling conduit segments together. A first pump obtains a sample and transmits it through a first conduit to a reservoir accessible by a second pump. The second pump further conducts the sample from the reservoir through a second conduit. In a specific example, one or more clamps are used to connect the first and/or second conduits to an external wireline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the Desert Research Institute
    Inventors: David L. Decker, Brad F. Lyles, Richard G. Purcell, Ronald Lee Hershey
  • Publication number: 20140209763
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for supporting a tubing bundle during installation or removal. The apparatus includes a clamp for securing the tubing bundle to an external wireline. In various examples, the clamp is external to the tubing bundle or integral with the tubing bundle. According to one method, a tubing bundle and wireline are deployed together and the tubing bundle periodically secured to the wireline using a clamp. In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for coupling conduit segments together. A first pump obtains a sample and transmits it through a first conduit to a reservoir accessible by a second pump. The second pump further conducts the sample from the reservoir through a second conduit. In a specific example, one or more clamps are used to connect the first and/or second conduits to an external wireline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the Desert Research Instit
    Inventors: David L. Decker, Brad F. Lyles, Richard G. Purcell, Ronald Lee Hershey
  • Patent number: 8727024
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting a tubing bundle during installation or removal. The apparatus includes a clamp for securing the tubing bundle to an external wireline. The method includes deploying the tubing bundle and wireline together, The tubing bundle is periodically secured to the wireline using a clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the Desert Research Institute
    Inventors: David L. Decker, Brad F. Lyles, Richard G. Purcell, Ronald Lee Hershey
  • Patent number: 8418760
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for coupling conduit segments together. A first pump obtains a sample and transmits it through a first conduit to a reservoir accessible by a second pump. The second pump further conducts the sample from the reservoir through a second conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the Desert Research Institute
    Inventors: David L. Decker, Brad F. Lyles, Richard G. Purcell, Ronald Lee Hershey
  • Publication number: 20100206586
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for supporting a tubing bundle during installation or removal. The apparatus includes a clamp for securing the tubing bundle to an external wireline. In various examples, the clamp is external to the tubing bundle or integral with the tubing bundle. According to one method, a tubing bundle and wireline are deployed together and the tubing bundle periodically secured to the wireline using a clamp. In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for coupling conduit segments together. A first pump obtains a sample and transmits it through a first conduit to a reservoir accessible by a second pump. The second pump further conducts the sample from the reservoir through a second conduit. In a specific example, one or more clamps are used to connect the first and/or second conduits to an external wireline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: David L. Decker, Brad F. Lyles, Richard G. Purcell, Ronald Lee Hershey
  • Publication number: 20100206564
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for supporting a tubing bundle during installation or removal. The apparatus includes a clamp for securing the tubing bundle to an external wireline. In various examples, the clamp is external to the tubing bundle or integral with the tubing bundle. According to one method, a tubing bundle and wireline are deployed together and the tubing bundle periodically secured to the wireline using a clamp. In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for coupling conduit segments together. A first pump obtains a sample and transmits it through a first conduit to a reservoir accessible by a second pump. The second pump further conducts the sample from the reservoir through a second conduit. In a specific example, one or more clamps are used to connect the first and/or second conduits to an external wireline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: David L. Decker, Brad F. Lyles, Richard G. Purcell, Ronald Lee Hershey
  • Publication number: 20090114828
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a monitoring device that is capable of autonomously measuring in situ radiation activity in the subsurface, such as tritium activity. In particular embodiments, the device includes a water decomposition reactor which decomposes an aqueous sample, such as a reactor which includes a reactive metal alloy, such as NaK. In further embodiments, the device includes a detector and a hydrogen getter. The hydrogen getter removes hydrogen and tritium gas from the detector, allowing multiple measurements to be made without removal or servicing of the device. The present disclosure also provides instruments having detector and reactor portions separated by an isolation valve. Particular embodiments of the device include a high pressure valve, such as a rotary valve, for selectively placing the device in communication with a sample source, such as liquid in a well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: David L. Decker, Thomas G. Carnahan, James E. Murphy, Brad F. Lyles
  • Patent number: 5964596
    Abstract: A removable body for an electrical connector assembly. An electrical connector assembly includes a removable body and a plurality of substantially uniformly spaced pins or leads engaged thereto. The removable body includes a pair of oppositely opposed lever arms, biased in a first position, each lever arm including at least one abutment member and a gripping element. The removable body may also include a plurality of struts disposed between the lever arms and rotatably engaged at each end to a respective one of the lever arms. The removable body also includes a tee section diposed between the lever arms. The tee section includes a flange portion supported by the abutment members, and a web portion disposed between the abutment members. The flanges define a plurality of substantially uniformly spaced holes for receiving the pins. The pins are frictionally engaged to the web portion by the abutment members when the lever arms are in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Samtec, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. Vicich, John K. Hynes, David L. Decker