Patents by Inventor Gary J. Saulnier

Gary J. Saulnier 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: 11306583
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting power and information using acoustic energy produced by transducers are provided. The systems have particular application for powering and communication with electronics through drilling and pipe systems. Pairs of acoustic wedges holding transducers are provided for sending energy and information through a substrate which may be a steel pipe. Each wedge has an angled transducer which can be used to produce shear waves. The waves propagate through the substrate and are received by a second acoustic wedge. The shear waves, on reaching the second acoustic wedge, are converted back into electrical signals by a second transducer. Tangential shear waves, high, shallow wave transmission angles, and direct steel-steel bonding between wedges and substrates may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Henry A. Scarton, Gary J. Saulnier, Kyle R. Wilt, R. Benjamin Litman
  • Publication number: 20210095560
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting power and information using acoustic energy produced by transducers are provided. The systems have particular application for powering and communication with electronics through drilling and pipe systems. Pairs of acoustic wedges holding transducers are provided for sending energy and information through a substrate which may be a steel pipe. Each wedge has an angled transducer which can be used to produce shear waves. The waves propagate through the substrate and are received by a second acoustic wedge. The shear waves, on reaching the second acoustic wedge, are converted back into electrical signals by a second transducer. Tangential shear waves, high, shallow wave transmission angles, and direct steel-steel bonding between wedges and substrates may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Henry A. SCARTON, Gary J. SAULNIER, Kyle R. WILT, R. Benjamin LITMAN
  • Patent number: 10753200
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting power and information using acoustic energy produced by transducers are provided. The systems have particular application for powering and communication with electronics through drilling and pipe systems. Pairs of acoustic wedges holding transducers are provided for sending energy and information through a substrate which may be a steel pipe. Each wedge has an angled transducer which can be used to produce shear waves. The waves propagate through the substrate and are received by a second acoustic wedge. The shear waves, on reaching the second acoustic wedge, are converted back into electrical signals by a second transducer. Tangential shear waves, high, shallow wave transmission angles, and direct steel-steel bonding between wedges and substrates may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Henry A. Scarton, Gary J. Saulnier, Kyle R. Wilt, R. Benjamin Litman
  • Publication number: 20190277134
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting power and information using acoustic energy produced by transducers are provided. The systems have particular application for powering and communication with electronics through drilling and pipe systems. Pairs of acoustic wedges holding transducers are provided for sending energy and information through a substrate which may be a steel pipe. Each wedge has an angled transducer which can be used to produce shear waves. The waves propagate through the substrate and are received by a second acoustic wedge. The shear waves, on reaching the second acoustic wedge, are converted back into electrical signals by a second transducer. Tangential shear waves, high, shallow wave transmission angles, and direct steel-steel bonding between wedges and substrates may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Henry A. SCARTON, Gary J. SAULNIER, Kyle R. WILT, R. Benjamin LITMAN
  • Patent number: 10287876
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting power and information using acoustic energy produced by transducers are provided. The systems have particular application for powering and communication with electronics through drilling and pipe systems. Pairs of acoustic wedges holding transducers are provided for sending energy and information through a substrate which may be a steel pipe. Each wedge has an angled transducer which can be used to produce shear waves. The waves propagate through the substrate and are received by a second acoustic wedge. The shear waves, on reaching the second acoustic wedge, are converted back into electrical signals by a second transducer. Tangential shear waves, high, shallow wave transmission angles, and direct steel-steel bonding between wedges and substrates may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Henry A. Scarton, Gary J. Saulnier, Kyle R. Wilt, R. Benjamin Litman
  • Patent number: 9594164
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for rotational alignment and attachment of ultrasonic transducers to a barrier with one submerged surface uses a temporary transducer assembly to position mounting rings on opposite surfaces of the barrier. Plural permanent transducers are then mounted to each mounting ring and are aligned with each other across the barrier by virtue of the alignment of their mounting rings. The submerged mounting ring is used like a cylinder in combination with a mounting plate for the transducers on the submerged side of the barrier or each submerged side transducer has a suction cup fitting for use to exclude water from between each transducer and the submerged barrier surface to facilitate bonding of the submerged side transducers to the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kyle R. Wilt, Henry A. Scarton, Tristan J. Lawry, Gary J. Saulnier, Jonathan D. Ashdown
  • Patent number: 9556727
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting power and data along a metal pipe using wideband acoustic waves. Arrangements use shear-horizontal waves, transmitting narrowband signals for power applications and wideband signals for communications having a bandwidth greater than the coherence bandwidth of the acoustic-electric channel. Chirp wave signals, direct sequence spread signals, and on-off keying are used. Acoustic-electric channels include wedges fixed to a pipe or other substrate, transducers fixed to the wedges, and electronics linked to each transducer for sending and receiving power and signals. Matching networks, rectification circuits, and non-coherent signal reception methods may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Gary J. Saulnier, Kyle R. Wilt, R. Benjamin Litman, Henry A. Scarton, Soumya Chakraborty
  • Publication number: 20170009573
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting power and information using acoustic energy produced by transducers are provided. The systems have particular application for powering and communication with electronics through drilling and pipe systems. Pairs of acoustic wedges holding transducers are provided for sending energy and information through a substrate which may be a steel pipe. Each wedge has an angled transducer which can be used to produce shear waves. The waves propagate through the substrate and are received by a second acoustic wedge. The shear waves, on reaching the second acoustic wedge, are converted back into electrical signals by a second transducer. Tangential shear waves, high, shallow wave transmission angles, and direct steel-steel bonding between wedges and substrates may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Henry A. SCARTON, Gary J. SAULNIER, Kyle R. WILT, R. Benjamin LITMAN
  • Patent number: 9505031
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer with housing contains a transducer assembly, an outer housing surface being fixed against a barrier surface for transferring ultrasonic waves to and from a barrier. The housing has an inner surface with plateau. A cap closes the housing and the transducer assembly has a piezoelectric transducer with a pressure surface around its outer perimeter and an opposite vibration surface engaging the plateau. A ring engages the pressure surface for biasing the vibration surface against the plateau. A holder engages the cap, transducer and ring for positioning and a plurality of springs are spaced around the transducer perimeter and between the cap and ring for biasing the vibration surface toward or against the raised plateau. A viscous couplant is between the vibration surface and plateau for enhancing transmission of the ultrasonic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kyle R. Wilt, Henry A. Scarton, Tristan J. Lawry, Jonathan D. Ashdown, Gary J. Saulnier
  • Patent number: 9503201
    Abstract: A method for transmitting power, data, and instructions using acoustic-electric channels having one or more transducer arrays, and to compensate for imperfect alignment of transducer arrays. Transducer arrays each include multiple transducer elements coupled to a channel barrier. Each element can be independently controlled, and misaligned transducers are selectively deactivated to improve overall channel performance. Arrays are optimized by testing different combinations of elements, and the combinations which are the most effective or efficient are used for transmissions. The system and the optimization features can be used to communicate between surfaces which have relative movement, such as between water craft hulls. Optimization can be periodic or constant to compensate for movement within the channel. The arrays can be used with curved substrates. Methods of designing adaptable arrays are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Gary J. Saulnier, Kyle R. Wilt, Henry A. Scarton
  • Patent number: 9455791
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provide simultaneous bi-directional communications through a barrier using a pair of piezoelectric transducers. Outside-to-inside transmission of differentially encoded binary data is only sampled at the inside when a known repeated bit in a Barker sequence is transmitted in the other direction. Differentially encoded data is translated based on the absolute value of differences between each signal envelope sample and the previous signal envelope sample. Inside-to-outside data is transmitted by varying an electrical load on the inside transducer to vary the proportion of a continuous wave signal it reflects. The reflected portion of the continuous wave changes the electrical impedance of the outside transducer and this change is measured and interpreted as binary data. Two frequency selection algorithms select minimally sufficient and then optimal frequencies for power and data transmission by a frequency stepping process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Tristan J. Lawry, Gary J. Saulnier, Kyle R. Wilt, Jonathan D. Ashdown, Henry A. Scarton, Andrew Gavens
  • Publication number: 20160265349
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting power and data along a metal pipe using wideband acoustic waves. Arrangements use shear-horizontal waves, transmitting narrowband signals for power applications and wideband signals for communications having a bandwidth greater than the coherence bandwidth of the acoustic-electric channel. Chirp wave signals, direct sequence spread signals, and on-off keying are used. Acoustic-electric channels include wedges fixed to a pipe or other substrate, transducers fixed to the wedges, and electronics linked to each transducer for sending and receiving power and signals. Matching networks, rectification circuits, and non-coherent signal reception methods may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: GARY J. SAULNIER, Kyle R. Wilt, R. Benjamin Litman, Henry A. Scarton, Soumya Chakraborty
  • Patent number: 9331879
    Abstract: A system for communicating through a solid wall uses piezoelectric transducers in a multiple-input multiple-output configuration and applies crosstalk suppression. Methods of suppressing or avoiding crosstalk between parallel communication channels includes zero-forcing, eigenmode transmission, and least mean squared error processing. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing can be used to increase transmission rates using many subchannels. Bit-loading can be used to maximize system performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Gary J. Saulnier, Jonathan D. Ashdown, Tristan J. Lawry, Kyle R. Wilt, Henry A. Scarton
  • Publication number: 20150244473
    Abstract: A method for transmitting power, data, and instructions using acoustic-electric channels having one or more transducer arrays, and to compensate for imperfect alignment of transducer arrays. Transducer arrays each include multiple transducer elements coupled to a channel barrier. Each element can be independently controlled, and misaligned transducers are selectively deactivated to improve overall channel performance. Arrays are optimized by testing different combinations of elements, and the combinations which are the most effective or efficient are used for transmissions. The system and the optimization features can be used to communicate between surfaces which have relative movement, such as between water craft hulls. Optimization can be periodic or constant to compensate for movement within the channel. The arrays can be used with curved substrates. Methods of designing adaptable arrays are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Gary J. Saulnier, Kyle R. Wilt, Henry A. Scarton
  • Publication number: 20150176399
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting power and information using acoustic energy are provided. The systems have particular application for powering and communication with electronics through drilling and pipe systems. An acoustic fiber having a core region radially surrounded by a cladding region is used to transmit acoustic power and signals between paired transducers. Pairs of acoustic wedges are provided for sending energy and information through a substrate. Each wedge has an angled transducer which can be used to produce angled longitudinal waves which, upon reaching a substrate interface, produce shear waves in the substrate. The shear waves propagate down the substrate and are received by a second acoustic wedge. The shear waves in the substrate transition back to longitudinal waves on reaching the second acoustic wedge, and they are converted back into electrical signals by a second transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Henry A. Scarton, Gary J. Saulnier, Kyle R. Wilt
  • Patent number: 9054826
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting data and power through a metal barrier using ultrasonic waves, having ultrasonic transmission channels through the barrier formed by coupling ultrasonic transducers on opposite sides of the barrier. A power transmitter sends power over a channel and forward and reverse data transmitters send forward and reverse data signals by orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing OFDM over a separate channel. The data signals are made up of plural sub-carriers at plural different sub-carrier frequencies with none of the sub-carriers of the forward transmission signal being at a power harmonic frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Tristan J. Lawry, Gary J. Saulnier, Kyle R. Wilt, Jonathan D. Ashdown, Henry A. Scarton
  • Publication number: 20150085949
    Abstract: A system for communicating through a solid wall uses piezoelectric transducers in a multiple-input multiple-output configuration and applies crosstalk suppression. Methods of suppressing or avoiding crosstalk between parallel communication channels includes zero-forcing, eigenmode transmission, and least mean squared error processing. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing can be used to increase transmission rates using many subchannels. Bit-loading can be used to maximize system performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Gary J. Saulnier, Jonathan D. Ashdown, Tristan J. Lawry, Kyle R. Wilt, Henry A. Scarton
  • Publication number: 20150049587
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provide simultaneous bi-directional communications through a barrier using a pair of piezoelectric transducers. Outside-to-inside transmission of differentially encoded binary data is only sampled at the inside when a known repeated bit in a Barker sequence is transmitted in the other direction. Differentially encoded data is translated based on the absolute value of differences between each signal envelope sample and the previous signal envelope sample. Inside-to-outside data is transmitted by varying an electrical load on the inside transducer to vary the proportion of a continuous wave signal it reflects. The reflected portion of the continuous wave changes the electrical impedance of the outside transducer and this change is measured and interpreted as binary data. Two frequency selection algorithms select minimally sufficient and then optimal frequencies for power and data transmission by a frequency stepping process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Tristan J. Lawry, Gary J. Saulnier, Kyle R. Wilt, Jonathan D. Ashdown, Henry A. Scarton, Andrew Gavens
  • Publication number: 20140146641
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for rotational alignment and attachment of ultrasonic transducers to a barrier with one submerged surface uses a temporary transducer assembly to position mounting rings on opposite surfaces of the barrier. Plural permanent transducers are then mounted to each mounting ring and are aligned with each other across the barrier by virtue of the alignment of their mounting rings. The submerged mounting ring is used like a cylinder in combination with a mounting plate for the transducers on the submerged side of the barrier or each submerged side transducer has a suction cup fitting for use to exclude water from between each transducer and the submerged barrier surface to facilitate bonding of the submerged side transducers to the barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kyle R. Wilt, Henry A. Scarton, Tristan J. Lawry, Gary J. Saulnier, Jonathan D. Ashdown
  • Patent number: 8681587
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for rotational alignment and attachment of ultrasonic transducers to a barrier with one submerged surface uses a temporary transducer assembly to position mounting rings on opposite surfaces of the barrier. Plural permanent transducers are then mounted to each mounting ring and are aligned with each other across the barrier by virtue of the alignment of their mounting rings. The submerged mounting ring is used like a cylinder in combination with a mounting plate for the transducers on the submerged side of the barrier or each submerged side transducer has a suction cup fitting for use to exclude water from between each transducer and the submerged barrier surface to facilitate bonding of the submerged side transducers to the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Kyle R. Wilt, Henry A. Scarton, Tristan Lawry, Gary J. Saulnier, Jonathan D. Ashdown