Patents by Inventor Harold R. McHugh

Harold R. McHugh 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: 9029792
    Abstract: An apparatus (200) for detecting slow or thermal neutrons (160). The apparatus (200) includes an alpha particle-detecting layer (240) that is a hydrogenated amorphous silicon p-i-n diode structure. The apparatus includes a bottom metal contact (220) and a top metal contact (250) with the diode structure (240) positioned between the two contacts (220, 250) to facilitate detection of alpha particles (170). The apparatus (200) includes a neutron conversion layer (230) formed of a material containing boron-10 isotopes. The top contact (250) is pixilated with each contact pixel extending to or proximate to an edge of the apparatus to facilitate electrical contacting. The contact pixels have elongated bodies to allow them to extend across the apparatus surface (242) with each pixel having a small surface area to match capacitance based upon a current spike detecting circuit or amplifier connected to each pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Pauls Stradins, Howard M. Branz, Qi Wang, Harold R. McHugh
  • Publication number: 20140061829
    Abstract: An apparatus (200) for detecting slow or thermal neutrons (160). The apparatus (200) includes an alpha particle-detecting layer (240) that is a hydrogenated amorphous silicon p-i-n diode structure. The apparatus includes a bottom metal contact (220) and a top metal contact (250) with the diode structure (240) positioned between the two contacts (220, 250) to facilitate detection of alpha particles (170). The apparatus (200) includes a neutron conversion layer (230) formed of a material containing boron-10 isotopes. The top contact (250) is pixilated with each contact pixel extending to or proximate to an edge of the apparatus to facilitate electrical contacting. The contact pixels have elongated bodies to allow them to extend across the apparatus surface (242) with each pixel having a small surface area to match capacitance based upon a current spike detecting circuit or amplifier connected to each pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Pauls STRADINS, Howard M. BRANZ, Qi WANG, Harold R. McHUGH
  • Patent number: 8569708
    Abstract: An apparatus (200) for detecting slow or thermal neutrons (160) including an alpha particle-detecting layer (240) that is a hydrogenated amorphous silicon p-i-n diode structure. The apparatus includes a bottom metal contact (220) and a top metal contact (250) with the diode structure (240) positioned between the two contacts (220, 250) to facilitate detection of alpha particles (170). The apparatus (200) includes a neutron conversion layer (230) formed of a material containing boron-10 isotopes. The top contact (250) is pixilated with each contact pixel extending to or proximate to an edge of the apparatus to facilitate electrical contacting. The contact pixels have elongated bodies to allow them to extend across the apparatus surface (242) with each pixel having a small surface area to match capacitance based upon a current spike detecting circuit or amplifier connected to each pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Pauls Stradins, Howard M. Branz, Qi Wang, Harold R. McHugh
  • Publication number: 20110284755
    Abstract: An apparatus (200) for detecting slow or thermal neutrons (160) including an alpha particle-detecting layer (240) that is a hydrogenated amorphous silicon p-i-n diode structure. The apparatus includes a bottom metal contact (220) and a top metal contact (250) with the diode structure (240) positioned between the two contacts (220, 250) to facilitate detection of alpha particles (170). The apparatus (200) includes a neutron conversion layer (230) formed of a material containing boron-10 isotopes. The top contact (250) is pixilated with each contact pixel extending to or proximate to an edge of the apparatus to facilitate electrical contacting. The contact pixels have elongated bodies to allow them to extend across the apparatus surface (242) with each pixel having a small surface area to match capacitance based upon a current spike detecting circuit or amplifier connected to each pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Alliance For Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Pauls Stradins, Howard M. Branz, Qi Wang, Harold R. Mchugh
  • Patent number: 4402294
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for a motor vehicle internal combustion engine includes a controller that energizes an electromagnetic fuel injector for time durations determined to provide the fuel requirements of the engine. The fuel injection system is calibrated to the actual fuel flow rate of the injector by a calibration resistor provided with the injector assembly having a resistance related to the actual fuel flow rate of the injector. The controller samples the resistance of the calibration resistor and retrieves a number related to the actual fuel flow rate of the injector from a lookup table in a memory containing fuel flow rate information at locations addressed by resistance values. The retrieved fuel flow rate information is then utilized to determine the time duration required to energize the injector to obtain the required amount of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1983
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Harold R. McHugh, William L. Walters