Patents by Inventor Gerald L. Stolarczyk
Gerald L. Stolarczyk 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).
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Patent number: 9541641Abstract: A non-invasive method of buried-utility-mapping includes using a long wavelength gradiometric ground penetrating radar to “see” patches of conductive material below ground and buried pipes and electrical conductors that are all constantly radio-illuminated by local AM radio broadcasts. The underground infrastructure of entire cities can be surveyed this way, point-by-point over time. A short wavelength part of the gradiometric ground penetrating radar operates shoulder-to-shoulder with the magnetic part and is able to improve shallow object resolution, map moisture build-ups under roads, and spot contaminated soils. Two gradiometric ground penetrating radar technologies, cameras, and navigation receivers can be mounted on city vehicles and a daily collection of their data batch transformed by digital processing algorithms into detailed and automatically updating false-color maps of the underground utilities of the whole city and other buried infrastructures.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Stolar, Inc.Inventors: Gerald L. Stolarczyk, Larry G. Stolarczyk, Igor Bausov
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Publication number: 20160097879Abstract: A non-invasive method of buried-utility-mapping includes using a long wavelength gradiometric ground penetrating radar to “see” patches of conductive material below ground and buried pipes and electrical conductors that are all constantly radio-illuminated by local AM radio broadcasts. The underground infrastructure of entire cities can be surveyed this way, point-by-point over time. A short wavelength part of the gradiometric ground penetrating radar operates shoulder-to-shoulder with the magnetic part and is able to improve shallow object resolution, map moisture build-ups under roads, and spot contaminated soils. Two gradiometric ground penetrating radar technologies, cameras, and navigation receivers can be mounted on city vehicles and a daily collection of their data batch transformed by digital processing algorithms into detailed and automatically updating false-color maps of the underground utilities of the whole city and other buried infrastructures.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2015Publication date: April 7, 2016Inventors: Gerald L. Stolarczyk, Larry G. Stolarczyk, Igor Bausov
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Patent number: 9207307Abstract: A municipal infrastructure maintenance system uses a ground vehicle to move an antenna array in back-and-forth sweeps over large areas or distances. The antenna array comprises dozens of compartmentalized radio dipole antennas arranged laterally, shoulder-to-shoulder across the width of each sweep. An antenna switch matrix is connected between the antenna array and a ground-penetrating-radar (GPR) set and provides electronic aperture switching and selection, and the ability to laterally register one sweep to the next. The antenna array is extended out in front of the ground vehicle on a pivotable boom, and the cantilevered weight is a primary concern. The antenna array is constructed with aluminum-on-aluminum honeycomb panels slotted and folded around dozens of resistive-card compartment separators. Printed circuit boards with matching baluns are also slotted to receive tabs on the resistive cards, and their dipole elements are resistive loaded to quench crosstalk and near field effects.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2014Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Stolar, Inc.Inventors: Gerald L. Stolarczyk, Chance Dain Valentine, Jeffrey D. Hutchins, Matthew L. Briggs, Richard Brewster Main, Brecken H. Uhl
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Publication number: 20140139224Abstract: A stray-wire sensor includes a vertical magnetic gradiometer (VMG) carried over the surface by ground vehicles or by low-flying aircraft. The VMG has a spot of sensitivity on the ground which stays nadir to the VMG itself. A Faraday shield surrounding the VMG screens out the near field electric dipole signals, and a ferrite rod core and winding inside act as an antenna sensitive to the near-field magnetic dipole signals which radiate from horizontal lying stray wires on the ground surface in the dirt of hidden by ground cover. The VMG depends on it being moved around over the ground so that magnetic signal gradients and reversals can be measured point-by-point. The nadir points which fall over a point along a long horizontal wire will express characteristic signatures in the signal gradients and phase reversals measureable in the antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2014Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: Stolar Research CorporationInventors: Gerald L. Stolarczyk, Tito L. Sanchez, Chance Dain Valentine, John A. Myers, Beaux L. Beard, Ernest M. Salazar, Richard Brewster Main
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Publication number: 20140125508Abstract: A municipal infrastructure maintenance system uses a ground vehicle to move an antenna array in back-and-forth sweeps over large areas or distances. The antenna array comprises dozens of compartmentalized radio dipole antennas arranged laterally, shoulder-to-shoulder across the width of each sweep. An antenna switch matrix is connected between the antenna array and a ground-penetrating-radar (GPR) set and provides electronic aperture switching and selection, and the ability to laterally register one sweep to the next. The antenna array is extended out in front of the ground vehicle on a pivotable boom, and the cantilevered weight is a primary concern. The antenna array is constructed with aluminum-on-aluminum honeycomb panels slotted and folded around dozens of resistive-card compartment separators. Printed circuit boards with matching baluns are also slotted to receive tabs on the resistive cards, and their dipole elements are resistive loaded to quench crosstalk and near field effects.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2014Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: STOLAR RESEARCH CORPORATIONInventors: Gerald L. Stolarczyk, Chance Dain Valentine, Jeffrey D. Hutchins, Matthew L. Briggs, Richard Brewster Main, Brecken H. Uhl
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Publication number: 20140104979Abstract: A ground-penetrating tunnel-detecting active sonar launches two different monotonic acoustic beams down into the ground from the surface. If the two separate monotonic acoustic waves arrive at a stress field, they will mix and produce a frequency difference heterodyne due to the inherent pressure nonlinearities in the solid medias. Any sonar returns are bandpass filtered so only an acoustic frequency difference heterodyne can pass through. The existence of a tunnel is revealed by the return of acoustic frequency difference heterodynes all coming from a more-or-less horizontal line of phase-delayed sources and directions. These phase differences can be derived from the vector values provided by the acoustic vector sensor. Three or more acoustic vector sensors on the surface can be used effectively to provide triangulations down to the tunnel to better estimate the tunnel track.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: STOLAR RESEARCH CORPORATIONInventors: Gerald L. Stolarczyk, Larry G. Stolarczyk, Richard B. Main
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Patent number: 8115622Abstract: An underground radio communications and personnel tracking system uses a portable communications device worn by a miner when underground in a mine. A cap-lamp transceiver provides voice and text communication on ultra-low frequency (ULF) to ultra-high frequency (UHF) carrier frequencies and modulation adapted by programming of a software defined radio to making selective and agile radio contacts via through-the-earth, conductor/lifeline, coal seam, tunnel, and ionosphere/earth-surface waveguides for transmission of electromagnetic waves. These waveguides comprise layered earth coal and mineral deposits, and manmade mining complex infrastructures which serendipitously form efficient waveguides. Ultra-Low Frequency F1/F1 repeaters are placed underground in the mine, and providing for extended range of communication of the cap-lamp transceiver with radios and tracking devices above ground of the mine.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Stolar, Inc.Inventors: Larry G. Stolarczyk, Gerald L. Stolarczyk, Igor Bausov
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Patent number: 7659847Abstract: A coal-mining machine uses a ground-penetrating radar based on a software-definable transmitter for launching pairs of widely separated and coherent continuous waves. Each pair is separated by a constant or variable different amount double-sideband suppressed carrier modulation such as 10 MHz, 20 MHz, and 30 MHz. Processing suppresses the larger first interface reflection and emphasizes the smaller second, third, etc. reflections. Processing determines the electrical parameter of the natural medium adjacent to the antenna. Deep reflections at 90-degrees and 270-degrees create maximum reflection and will be illuminated with modulation signal peaks. Quadrature detection, mixing, and down-conversion result in 0-degree and 180-degree reflections effectively dropping out in demodulation.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2008Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Stolar, Inc.Inventors: Igor Y. Bausov, Gerald L. Stolarczyk, Larry G. Stolarczyk, Richard B. Main
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Publication number: 20090140852Abstract: An underground radio communications and personnel tracking system uses a portable communications device worn by a miner when underground in a mine. A cap-lamp transceiver provides voice and text communication on ultra-low frequency (ULF) to ultra-high frequency (UHF) carrier frequencies and modulation adapted by programming of a software defined radio to making selective and agile radio contacts via through-the-earth, conductor/lifeline, coal seam, tunnel, and ionosphere/earth-surface waveguides for transmission of electromagnetic waves. These waveguides comprise layered earth coal and mineral deposits, and manmade mining complex infrastructures which serendipitously form efficient waveguides. Ultra-Low Frequency F1/F1 repeaters are placed underground in the mine, and providing for extended range of communication of the cap-lamp transceiver with radios and tracking devices above ground of the mine.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2008Publication date: June 4, 2009Inventors: Larry G. Stolarczyk, Gerald L. Stolarczyk, Igor Bausov
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Publication number: 20080185903Abstract: A coal-mining machine uses a ground-penetrating radar based on a software-definable transmitter for launching pairs of widely separated and coherent continuous waves. Each pair is separated by a constant or variable different amount double-sideband suppressed carrier modulation such as 10 MHz, 20 MHz, and 30 MHz. Processing suppresses the larger first interface reflection and emphasizes the smaller second, third, etc. reflections. Processing determines the electrical parameter of the natural medium adjacent to the antenna. Deep reflections at 90-degrees and 270-degrees create maximum reflection and will be illuminated with modulation signal peaks. Quadrature detection, mixing, and down-conversion result in 0-degree and 180-degree reflections effectively dropping out in demodulation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2008Publication date: August 7, 2008Inventors: Igor Bausov, Gerald L. Stolarczyk, Larry G. Stolarczyk, Richard B. Main
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Patent number: 7336079Abstract: An aerial electronic system for detection of surface and underground threats comprises an electromagnetic (EM) gradiometer flown aloft over the possible ground and underground threats to a convoy. The EM gradiometer is disposed in a Styrofoam torpedo shaped pod that is towed in flight behind an airplane. An illumination transmitter and loop antenna mounted to the airplane radiate a primary EM wave that travels down to the ground surface and penetrates beneath. Frequencies of 80 KHz to 1 MHz are selected according to whether the targets are laying on the surface or deeply buried. Detonation wire pairs, buried cables and pipes, and other conductors will re-radiate a secondary wave that can be sensed by the EM gradiometer. A reference sample of the transmitter signal is carried down a fiberoptic from the airplane to the towed pod. This signal is used in the synchronous detection to measure the secondary EM wave phase.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2006Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Inventors: Larry G. Stolarczyk, Tito Sanchez, John Myers, Chance Valentine, Gerald L. Stolarczyk, Robert Troublefield, Igor Bausov, Laxmi Narayana Botla, Beaux Beard, Richard B. Main
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Patent number: 7224289Abstract: A slickline data transmission system for a high pressure oil-field well comprises inductive couplers at opposite ends of a slickline in order to establish real-time radio communication between down-the-hole logging toolstrings and supervisory control and data acquisition equipment on the surface. A frequency shift keyed (FSK) carrier centered around radio is used to send data up to the surface and commands back down to the toolstring. The toolstring itself can be a conventional one with a TDMA interface originally intended to be memory-dumped when the toolstring is returned to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2005Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Inventors: Igor Bausov, Larry G. Stolarczyk, Gerald L. Stolarczyk, Eduardo Bonnin, Dennis Gibson, John G. Howard, Tito Leroy Sanchez
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Patent number: 6778127Abstract: A drillstring radar comprises a measurements-while-drilling instrument for mounting just behind the drill bit and downhole motor of a drill rod. The instrument includes a radar system connected to upward-looking and downward-looking horn antennas. These are used to electronically probe the interface of a coal seam with its upper and lower boundary layers. A dielectric constant sensor is included to provide corrective data for the up and down distance measurements. Such measurements and data are radio communicated to the surface for tomographic processing and user display. The instrument also includes a navigation processor and drill bit steering controls. The radio communication uses the drillstring as a transmission line and F1/F2 repeaters can be placed along very long runs to maintain good instrument-to-surface communication.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Inventors: Larry G. Stolarczyk, Gerald L. Stolarczyk
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Patent number: 6633252Abstract: A radar-plow drillstring steering system comprises a steering plow and a measurements-while-drilling instrument for mounting just behind the drill bit and downhole motor of a drill rod. The instrument includes a radar system connected to upward-looking and downward-looking horn antennas and a dielectric-constant sensor. The steering plow includes four pressure pads radially distributed around the outside surface and their associated servo motors. A coordinated control of the pressure pads allows the steering plow to push the drillstring and drill bit up-down-left-right. The antennas and sensor are embedded in respective ones of the pressure pads and are used to electronically and non-invasively probe a coal seam to locate its upper and lower boundary layers. The dielectric-constant sensor provides corrective data for the up and down distance measurements. Such measurements and data are radio communicated to the surface for tomographic processing and user display.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2002Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Inventors: Larry G. Stolarczyk, Gerald L. Stolarczyk
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Publication number: 20030107511Abstract: A radar-plow drillstring steering system comprises a steering plow and a measurements-while-drilling instrument for mounting just behind the drill bit and downhole motor of a drill rod. The instrument includes a radar system connected to upward-looking and downward-looking horn antennas and a dielectric-constant sensor. The steering plow includes four pressure pads radially distributed around the outside surface and their associated servo motors. A coordinated control of the pressure pads allows the steering plow to push the drillstring and drill bit up-down-left-right. The antennas and sensor are embedded in respective ones of the pressure pads and are used to electronically and non-invasively probe a coal seam to locate its upper and lower boundary layers. The dielectric-constant sensor provides corrective data for the up and down distance measurements. Such measurements and data are radio communicated to the surface for tomographic processing and user display.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2002Publication date: June 12, 2003Inventors: Larry G. Stolarczyk, Gerald L. Stolarczyk
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Publication number: 20030102995Abstract: A drillstring radar comprises a measurements-while-drilling instrument for mounting just behind the drill bit and downhole motor of a drill rod. The instrument includes a radar system connected to upward-looking and downward-looking horn antennas. These are used to electronically probe the interface of a coal seam with its upper and lower boundary layers. A dielectric constant sensor is included to provide corrective data for the up and down distance measurements. Such measurements and data are radio communicated to the surface for tomographic processing and user display. The instrument also includes a navigation processor and drill bit steering controls. The radio communication uses the drillstring as a transmission line and F1/F2 repeaters can be placed along very long runs to maintain good instrument-to-surface communication.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2002Publication date: June 5, 2003Inventors: Larry G. Stolarczyk, Gerald L. Stolarczyk
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Patent number: 6522285Abstract: A ground-penetrating radar comprises a single resonant microstrip patch antenna (RMPA) that is driven by a three-port directional coupler. A reflected-wave output port is buffered by a wideband isolation amplifier and a reflected-wave sample is analyzed to extract measured values of the real and imaginary parts of the load impedance-the driving point impedance of RMPA. Each such port will vary in a predictable way according to how deeply an object is buried in the soil. Calibration tables can be empirically derived. Reflections also occur at the interfaces of homogeneous layers of material in the soil. The reflected-wave signals are prevented from adversely affecting transmitted-signal sampling by putting another wideband isolation amplifier in front of the input port of the directional coupler. A suppressed-carrier version of the transmitted signal is mixed with the reflected-wave sample, and the carrier is removed.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Inventors: Gerald L. Stolarczyk, Larry G. Stolarczyk
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Patent number: 6473025Abstract: A landmine detection system comprises a ground-penetrating radar for probing the surface of the ground for landmines and other anomalies. The radar is swept back and forth across a lane while a user proceeds forward. A navigation sensor and processor keep track of all the parts of the lane that have been probed. A user display presents a visual graphic that represents the lane and the parts of it that have been probed. The user is then able to swing the radar to areas that are indicated as having been skipped in previous passes, e.g., to get 100%. coverage.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2002Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Stolar HorizonInventors: Gerald L. Stolarczyk, Larry G. Stolarczyk
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Publication number: 20020140596Abstract: A landmine detection system comprises a ground-penetrating radar for probing the surface of the ground for landmines and other anomalies. The radar is swept back and forth across a lane while a user proceeds forward. A navigation sensor and processor keep track of all the parts of the lane that have been probed. A user display presents a visual graphic that represents the lane and the parts of it that have been probed. The user is then able to swing the radar to areas that are indicated as having been skipped in previous passes, e.g., to get 100% coverage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2002Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventors: Gerald L. Stolarczyk, Larry G. Stolarczyk
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Publication number: 20020011947Abstract: A ground-penetrating radar comprises a single resonant microstrip patch antenna (RMPA) that is driven by a three-port directional coupler. A reflected-wave output port is buffered by a wideband isolation amplifier and a reflected-wave sample is analyzed to extract measured values of the real and imaginary parts of the load impedance-the driving point impedance of RMPA. Each such port will vary in a predictable way according to how deeply an object is buried in the soil. Calibration tables can be empirically derived. Reflections also occur at the interfaces of homogeneous layers of material in the soil. The reflected-wave signals are prevented from adversely affecting transmitted-signal sampling by putting another wideband isolation amplifier in front of the input port of the directional coupler. A suppressed-carrier version of the transmitted signal is mixed with the reflected-wave sample, and the carrier is removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2001Publication date: January 31, 2002Inventors: Gerald L. Stolarczyk, Larry G. Stolarczyk