Patents by Inventor Erik E. Magnuson

Erik E. Magnuson 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: 10034361
    Abstract: A line-frequency rotary transformer is provided, including a primary core and a secondary core. The primary core is magnetically couplable to the secondary core. The primary core includes a first plurality of E-core steel laminates arranged in a first ring couplable to a stator. The primary core includes a primary winding disposed within the first ring and configured to transmit line-frequency AC power. The secondary core includes a second plurality of E-core steel laminates arranged in a second ring couplable to a gantry. The gantry is rotatably couplable to the stator. The secondary core includes a secondary winding disposed within the second ring and is configured to receive a line-frequency AC power induced in the secondary winding through the primary core and the secondary core by the primary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SMITHS DETECTION, LLC
    Inventors: Erik E. Magnuson, Pedro Andres Garzon, Samit Kumar Basu
  • Publication number: 20170238405
    Abstract: A line-frequency rotary transformer is provided, including a primary core and a secondary core. The primary core is magnetically couplable to the secondary core. The primary core includes a first plurality of E-core steel laminates arranged in a first ring couplable to a stator. The primary core includes a primary winding disposed within the first ring and configured to transmit line-frequency AC power. The secondary core includes a second plurality of E-core steel laminates arranged in a second ring couplable to a gantry. The gantry is rotatably couplable to the stator. The secondary core includes a secondary winding disposed within the second ring and is configured to receive a line-frequency AC power induced in the secondary winding through the primary core and the secondary core by the primary winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Erik E. Magnuson, Pedro Andres Garzon, Samit Kumar Basu
  • Publication number: 20120086450
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting objects foreign to a human body. The system including a thermal detector configured to obtain thermal imaging data, a quadrapole resonance (QR) device configured to transmit an excitation signal and receive a resulting signal emanating from a material excited by the excitation signal, and a controller configured to determine if a foreign object is present based on the thermal imaging data and the excitation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher W. Crowley, Erik E. Magnuson
  • Publication number: 20110187535
    Abstract: A passenger screening device includes a transmission coil that is configured to apply radio frequency (RF) energy into a region of interest of a passenger at a frequency that is associated with a normal human body temperature, and a reception coil that is configured to detect an energy perturbation in response to the RF energy representative of a medical device on or within the passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher W. Crowley, Erik E. Magnuson, Alejandro Bussandri
  • Patent number: 6291994
    Abstract: A Q-damping subsystem for either an NQR or NMR contraband detection receiver for effectively reducing the dead time and increasing sensitivity of the contraband detection system. The invention acts as an addition to the standard transmit circuits of NQR and NMR based scanners and spectrometers. The active Q-damping devices require additional circuitry for an NQR/NMR detection receiver and a programming for the control thereof. Typically, the detection receiver generates a high-voltage RF pulse on the order of 200-1000 V with normal operation of 100-300 microseconds in length to provide sufficient magnetic field characteristics to perturb the precessing nuclei. The NQR or NMR detection receiver electronics are very sensitive and have to detect a very weak nuclear induction pulse signal that is in the nano/micro-volt range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Quantum Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong-Wah Kim, Erik E. Magnuson, David C. Skvoretz
  • Patent number: 6194898
    Abstract: A system for detecting a target substance within a class of explosives and narcotics containing quadrupolar nuclei through the use of nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR). The system applies an RF signal to a coil (34) to excite the substance under test. If the target material is present, an NQR signal will be picked up by the same coil, That signal is compared with known NQR signals in frequency and amplitude. A signal is displayed in an appropriate way if a threshold value of the NQR signal is equalled or exceeded. The empty coil is statically tuned by means of adjusting the location or capacitance values, or both, of static tuning capacitors (102) in the coil. The coil is tuned after the specimen is inserted into the coil by means of an auto-tune feature (36). Effective RFI shielding (37) is provided to prevent external contaminating signals from being detected by the coil and to prevent RF signals from escaping from the scanner. The invention also includes the method for performing tests with the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Quantum Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik E. Magnuson, Charles R. Moeller, Julian D. Shaw, Alan G. Sheldon
  • Patent number: 5986455
    Abstract: Apparatus for tuning a system for detecting a target substance through the use of nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The apparatus tunes an RF coil (34) which is employed to excite the substance under test. The tuning apparatus (36) includes a series of fixed value capacitors (93) switched in the tuning circuit by controllable switches (94). A programmable controller (21) is employed to control the switching and thereby the tuning of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Quantum Magnetics Inc.
    Inventor: Erik E. Magnuson
  • Patent number: 5818228
    Abstract: The resin content of an organic resin-matrix composite material is measured nondestructively by nuclear magnetic resonance. A specimen of the composite material is placed into a constant magnetic field and subjected to a radio-frequency magnetic field pulse. The response of the material is indicative of the amount of organic resin that is present. The response may be used as a feedback signal to control the operation of a manufacturing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: XXSYS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh M. Menon, Geoffrey A. Barrall, Erik E. Magnuson
  • Patent number: 5594338
    Abstract: Apparatus for tuning a system for detecting a target substance through the use of nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The apparatus tunes an RF coil which is employed to excite the substance under test. The tuning apparatus includes a series of fixed value capacitors switched in the tuning circuit by controllable switches. A programmable controller is employed to control the switching and thereby the tuning of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Quantum Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik E. Magnuson
  • Patent number: 5592083
    Abstract: A system for detecting a target substance within a class of explosives and narcotics containing quadrupolar nuclei through the use of nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR). The system applies an RF signal to a coil to excite the substance under test. If the target material is present, an NQR signal will be picked up by the same coil. That signal is compared with known NQR signals in frequency and amplitude. A signal is displayed in an appropriate way if a threshold value of the NQR signal is equalled or exceeded. The coil is tuned by means of an auto-tune feature. Effective RFI shielding is provided to prevent external contaminating signals from being detected by the coil and to prevent RF signals from escaping from the scanner. The invention also includes the method for performing tests with the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Quantum Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik E. Magnuson, Charles R. Moeller, Julian D. Shaw, Alan G. Sheldon