Patents by Inventor Eric Clough

Eric Clough 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: 12533749
    Abstract: Some variations provide a method of tailoring the surface of a soft magnet, comprising: depositing an austenite-phase-stabilizing donor material on one or more first surface regions of a ferromagnetic receiver material; not depositing the austenite-phase-stabilizing donor material on one or more second surface regions of the ferromagnetic receiver material; laser melting the austenite-phase-stabilizing donor material into the first surface regions; and solidifying the molten austenite-phase-stabilizing donor material within the first surface regions, thereby selectively alloying the ferromagnetic receiver material in the first surface regions. Laser ablation may be utilized instead of laser melting. The first surface regions have a significantly higher magnetic permeability, following the selective alloying of the donor material, compared to the second surface regions. Soft magnets with surface-tailored magnetic permeability are provided by this technology, which is demonstrated using several examples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2026
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Amber Sucich, Eric Clough, Brennan Yahata, Darby Laplant
  • Publication number: 20250341822
    Abstract: In situ defect detection of additively-manufactured articles using graph neural networks are provided. One aspect includes a computing device comprising processing circuitry and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, causes the processing circuitry to store a graph comprising a plurality of light intensity values measured in situ during an additive manufacturing process and to generate an output describing a predicted defect in the graph using a graph neural network, wherein the graph neural network has been trained using labeled training data generated by a process comprising storing a training graph comprising a plurality of training light intensity values measured in situ during a training additive manufacturing process of the training article, determining one or more defect locations of the training article, determining a plurality of training sub-graphs from the training graph, and pairing a training sub-graph with defect information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Publication date: November 6, 2025
    Inventors: Robert Grube, Eric Clough, Anup Singh, Sushant Kumar Seet, Rajkumar Srinivasan, Brittan Farmer, Jazib Hassan, Taisia Lou, Dana Henshaw, Eric Chapman, Qin Jiang
  • Publication number: 20240394538
    Abstract: Examples for detection of defects in an additively manufactured object are provided. In one aspect, a method is provided. The method comprises receiving in-situ spectral data measured from the additively manufactured object during an additive manufacturing process, constructing a graph data structure using the in-situ spectral data, and outputting a predicted defect region using the graph data structure and a trained graph-learning neural network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Qin Jiang, Eric Clough, Navid Naderializadeh, Heiko Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20240308002
    Abstract: Some variations provide a method of tailoring the surface of a soft magnet, comprising: depositing an austenite-phase-stabilizing donor material on one or more first surface regions of a ferromagnetic receiver material; not depositing the austenite-phase-stabilizing donor material on one or more second surface regions of the ferromagnetic receiver material; laser melting the austenite-phase-stabilizing donor material into the first surface regions; and solidifying the molten austenite-phase-stabilizing donor material within the first surface regions, thereby selectively alloying the ferromagnetic receiver material in the first surface regions. Laser ablation may be utilized instead of laser melting. The first surface regions have a significantly higher magnetic permeability, following the selective alloying of the donor material, compared to the second surface regions. Soft magnets with surface-tailored magnetic permeability are provided by this technology, which is demonstrated using several examples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Amber SUCICH, Eric CLOUGH, Brennan YAHATA, Darby LAPLANT
  • Patent number: 12023759
    Abstract: Some variations provide a method of tailoring the surface of a soft magnet, comprising: depositing an austenite-phase-stabilizing donor material on one or more first surface regions of a ferromagnetic receiver material; not depositing the austenite-phase-stabilizing donor material on one or more second surface regions of the ferromagnetic receiver material; laser melting the austenite-phase-stabilizing donor material into the first surface regions; and solidifying the molten austenite-phase-stabilizing donor material within the first surface regions, thereby selectively alloying the ferromagnetic receiver material in the first surface regions. Laser ablation may be utilized instead of laser melting. The first surface regions have a significantly higher magnetic permeability, following the selective alloying of the donor material, compared to the second surface regions. Soft magnets with surface-tailored magnetic permeability are provided by this technology, which is demonstrated using several examples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Amber Sucich, Eric Clough, Brennan Yahata, Darby Laplant
  • Patent number: 12027293
    Abstract: This invention provides methods for fabricating a hard or soft magnet with tailorable magnetic and crystallographic orientations. Methods are disclosed to individually tailor three-dimensional voxels for selected crystallographic orientations and, independently, selected magnetic orientations with location specificity throughout a magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Brennan Yahata, Eric Clough, Christopher Henry, Amber Sucich, Darby Laplant, Tobias Schaedler
  • Publication number: 20240087780
    Abstract: Some variations provide a permanent-magnet structure comprising: a region having a plurality of magnetic domains and a region-average magnetic axis, wherein each of the magnetic domains has a domain magnetic axis that is substantially aligned with the region-average magnetic axis, and wherein the plurality of magnetic domains is characterized by an average magnetic domain size. Within the region, there is a plurality of metal-containing grains characterized by an average grain size, and each of the magnetic domains has a domain easy axis that is dictated by a crystallographic texture of the metal-containing grains. The region has a region-average easy axis based on the average value of the domain easy axis within that region. The region-average magnetic axis and the region-average easy axis form a region-average alignment angle that has a standard deviation less than 30° within the plurality of magnetic domains. Many permanent-magnet structures are disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Brennan YAHATA, Eric CLOUGH, Christopher HENRY, Amber SUCICH, Darby LAPLANT, Tobias SCHAEDLER
  • Patent number: 11862369
    Abstract: Some variations provide a permanent-magnet structure comprising: a region having a plurality of magnetic domains and a region-average magnetic axis, wherein each of the magnetic domains has a domain magnetic axis that is substantially aligned with the region-average magnetic axis, and wherein the plurality of magnetic domains is characterized by an average magnetic domain size. Within the region, there is a plurality of metal-containing grains characterized by an average grain size, and each of the magnetic domains has a domain easy axis that is dictated by a crystallographic texture of the metal-containing grains. The region has a region-average easy axis based on the average value of the domain easy axis within that region. The region-average magnetic axis and the region-average easy axis form a region-average alignment angle that has a standard deviation less than 30° within the plurality of magnetic domains. Many permanent-magnet structures are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Brennan Yahata, Eric Clough, Christopher Henry, Amber Sucich, Darby Laplant, Tobias Schaedler
  • Patent number: 11862653
    Abstract: An imaging sensor package includes: an imaging sensor; and an architected substrate coupled to a bottom surface of the imaging sensor. The architected substrate has local stiffness variations along an in-plane direction of the architected substrate, and the imaging sensor and the architected substrate are curved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: HRL LABORATORIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark O'Masta, Jacob Hundley, Eric Clough, Christopher Roper, Geoffrey McKnight
  • Publication number: 20230321757
    Abstract: Some variations provide a method of tailoring the surface of a soft magnet, comprising: depositing an austenite-phase-stabilizing donor material on one or more first surface regions of a ferromagnetic receiver material; not depositing the austenite-phase-stabilizing donor material on one or more second surface regions of the ferromagnetic receiver material; laser melting the austenite-phase-stabilizing donor material into the first surface regions; and solidifying the molten austenite-phase-stabilizing donor material within the first surface regions, thereby selectively alloying the ferromagnetic receiver material in the first surface regions. Laser ablation may be utilized instead of laser melting. The first surface regions have a significantly higher magnetic permeability, following the selective alloying of the donor material, compared to the second surface regions. Soft magnets with surface-tailored magnetic permeability are provided by this technology, which is demonstrated using several examples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Amber SUCICH, Eric CLOUGH, Brennan YAHATA, Darby LAPLANT
  • Publication number: 20230326637
    Abstract: This invention provides methods for fabricating a hard or soft magnet with tailorable magnetic and crystallographic orientations. Methods are disclosed to individually tailor three-dimensional voxels for selected crystallographic orientations and, independently, selected magnetic orientations with location specificity throughout a magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Brennan YAHATA, Eric CLOUGH, Christopher HENRY, Amber SUCICH, Darby LAPLANT, Tobias SCHAEDLER
  • Patent number: 11721458
    Abstract: This invention provides methods for fabricating a hard or soft magnet with tailorable magnetic and crystallographic orientations. Methods are disclosed to individually tailor three-dimensional voxels for selected crystallographic orientations and, independently, selected magnetic orientations with location specificity throughout a magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Brennan Yahata, Eric Clough, Christopher Henry, Amber Sucich, Darby Laplant, Tobias Schaedler
  • Publication number: 20220044870
    Abstract: This invention provides methods for fabricating a hard or soft magnet with tailorable magnetic and crystallographic orientations. Methods are disclosed to individually tailor three-dimensional voxels for selected crystallographic orientations and, independently, selected magnetic orientations with location specificity throughout a magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Brennan YAHATA, Eric CLOUGH, Christopher HENRY, Amber SUCICH, Darby LAPLANT, Tobias SCHAEDLER
  • Publication number: 20220044851
    Abstract: Some variations provide a permanent-magnet structure comprising: a region having a plurality of magnetic domains and a region-average magnetic axis, wherein each of the magnetic domains has a domain magnetic axis that is substantially aligned with the region-average magnetic axis, and wherein the plurality of magnetic domains is characterized by an average magnetic domain size. Within the region, there is a plurality of metal-containing grains characterized by an average grain size, and each of the magnetic domains has a domain easy axis that is dictated by a crystallographic texture of the metal-containing grains. The region has a region-average easy axis based on the average value of the domain easy axis within that region. The region-average magnetic axis and the region-average easy axis form a region-average alignment angle that has a standard deviation less than 30° within the plurality of magnetic domains. Many permanent-magnet structures are disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Brennan YAHATA, Eric CLOUGH, Christopher HENRY, Amber SUCICH, Darby LAPLANT, Tobias SCHAEDLER
  • Publication number: 20210313374
    Abstract: An imaging sensor package includes: an imaging sensor; and an architected substrate coupled to a bottom surface of the imaging sensor. The architected substrate has local stiffness variations along an in-plane direction of the architected substrate, and the imaging sensor and the architected substrate are curved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Mark O'Masta, Jacob Hundley, Eric Clough, Christopher Roper, Geoffrey McKnight
  • Patent number: 10857735
    Abstract: A method of additive manufacturing a part on a build plate includes additive manufacturing at least a first layer of the part on the build plate, supplying a series of frequencies to the build plate from a resonate probe connected to the build plate, processing a received response from an ultrasonic detector connected to the build plate, determining a series of resonant frequencies of the build plate and a corresponding series of peak intensities from the received response, comparing the resonant frequencies and the corresponding peak intensities to a set of reference resonant frequencies and a corresponding set of reference peak intensities, respectively, calculating an intensity difference between a peak intensity and a reference peak intensity or a frequency difference between a resonant frequency and a reference resonant frequency, and additive manufacturing a subsequent layer of the part if the intensity difference and the frequency difference are below a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: John H. Martin, Brennan D. Yahata, Eric Clough
  • Patent number: 10179428
    Abstract: A formation assembly for use in manufacturing a reinforced insulation panel including a foam material and a reinforcing structure includes a back plate including a first surface configured to receive the foam material, and a first support sheet spaced from the first surface to form a gap therebetween, wherein the first support sheet supports the reinforcing structure. The formation assembly also includes a second support sheet spaced from the first support sheet, wherein the second support sheet defines an upper boundary of the reinforced insulation panel. A rigid structure is coupled to the second support sheet, wherein the rigid structure restricts movement of the reinforced insulation panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher S. Roper, David Page, Randall Schubert, Keith Y. Chong, Eric Clough, Angela M. Iler, Faizal K. Barnes
  • Publication number: 20180133936
    Abstract: A formation assembly for use in manufacturing a reinforced insulation panel including a foam material and a reinforcing structure includes a back plate including a first surface configured to receive the foam material, and a first support sheet spaced from the first surface to form a gap therebetween, wherein the first support sheet supports the reinforcing structure. The formation assembly also includes a second support sheet spaced from the first support sheet, wherein the second support sheet defines an upper boundary of the reinforced insulation panel. A rigid structure is coupled to the second support sheet, wherein the rigid structure restricts movement of the reinforced insulation panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher S. Roper, David Page, Randall Schubert, Keith Y. Chong, Eric Clough, Angela M. Iler, Faizal K. Barnes
  • Patent number: 8906541
    Abstract: A controller identifies a condition of a hazardous internal short by comparing patterns of series element voltages to the last known balance condition of the series elements. If the loaded or resting voltage of one or more contiguous series elements uniformly drop from the previously known condition by an amount consistent with an over-current condition, an over-current internal short circuit fault is registered. The desired response is to prevent the affected series elements from heating to a hazardous temperature by summoning the maximum heat rejection capability of the system until the short ceases and the affected elements cool, the cooling function is no longer able to operate due to low voltage, or the affected series string has drained all of its energy through the short. Also includes are responses that allow the battery pack to continue to power the cooling system even though it may enter an over-discharged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Faass, Eric Clough
  • Publication number: 20130196184
    Abstract: A controller identifies a condition of a hazardous internal short by comparing patterns of series element voltages to the last known balance condition of the series elements. If the loaded or resting voltage of one or more contiguous series elements uniformly drop from the previously known condition by an amount consistent with an over-current condition, an over-current internal short circuit fault is registered. The desired response is to prevent the affected series elements from heating to a hazardous temperature by summoning the maximum heat rejection capability of the system until the short ceases and the affected elements cool, the cooling function is no longer able to operate due to low voltage, or the affected series string has drained all of its energy through the short. Also includes are responses that allow the battery pack to continue to power the cooling system even though it may enter an over-discharged state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Faass, Eric Clough