Patents by Inventor John B. Wilgen
John B. Wilgen 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: 9617189Abstract: An apparatus for materials processing utilizing a rotating magnetic field comprises a platform for supporting a specimen, and a plurality of magnets underlying the platform. The plurality of magnets are configured for rotation about an axis of rotation intersecting the platform. A heat source is disposed above the platform for heating the specimen during the rotation of the plurality of magnets. A method for materials processing utilizing a rotating magnetic field comprises providing a specimen on a platform overlying a plurality of magnets; rotating the plurality of magnets about an axis of rotation intersecting the platform, thereby applying a rotating magnetic field to the specimen; and, while rotating the plurality of magnets, heating the specimen to a desired temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2013Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Govindarajan Muralidharan, Joseph A. Angelini, Bart L. Murphy, John B. Wilgen
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Patent number: 9504973Abstract: Particulate matter is dispersed in a fluid material. A sample including a first material in a fluid state and second material comprising particulate matter are placed into a chamber. The second material is spatially dispersed in the first material utilizing EMAT force. The dispersion process continues until spatial distribution of the second material enables the sample to meet a specified criterion. The chamber and/or the sample is electrically conductive. The EMAT force is generated by placing the chamber coaxially within an induction coil driven by an applied alternating current and placing the chamber and induction coil coaxially within a high field magnetic. The EMAT force is coupled to the sample without physical contact to the sample or to the chamber, by another physical object. Batch and continuous processing are utilized. The chamber may be folded within the bore of the magnet. Acoustic force frequency and/or temperature may be controlled.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLCInventors: Roger A. Kisner, Orlando Rios, Alexander M. Melin, Gerard Michael Ludtka, Gail Mackiewicz Ludtka, John B. Wilgen
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Publication number: 20160311018Abstract: An apparatus for dispersing particles within a molten material in a mold-less casting process comprises a primary electromagnet for generating an AC magnetic field and a secondary electromagnet adjacent to the primary electromagnet for generating an independent DC magnetic field. Each of the primary and secondary electromagnets comprises a coil and at least one of the electromagnets is positioned about a common longitudinal axis. A heat source may be positioned at a first end of the common longitudinal axis for forming a melt to be exposed to the AC and DC magnetic fields, and a particle injection device is positioned at one or more positions about the common longitudinal axis for injecting particles into the melt during magnetic field exposure. The apparatus does not include a solid body for containing the melt prior to solidification.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2016Publication date: October 27, 2016Inventors: Gerard M. Ludtka, John B. Wilgen
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Patent number: 9475120Abstract: An apparatus for dispersing particles within a molten material in a mold-less casting process comprises a primary electromagnet for generating an AC magnetic field and a secondary electromagnet adjacent to the primary electromagnet for generating an independent DC magnetic field. Each of the primary and secondary electromagnets comprises a coil and at least one of the electromagnets is positioned about a common longitudinal axis. A heat source may be positioned at a first end of the common longitudinal axis for forming a melt to be exposed to the AC and DC magnetic fields, and a particle injection device is positioned at one or more positions about the common longitudinal axis for injecting particles into the melt during magnetic field exposure. The apparatus does not include a solid body for containing the melt prior to solidification.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2016Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Gerard M. Ludtka, John B. Wilgen
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Patent number: 9333067Abstract: Valve implant systems positionable within a flow passage, the systems having an inlet, an outlet, and a remotely activatable valve between the inlet and outlet, with the valves being operable to provide intermittent occlusion of the flow path. A remote field is applied to provide thermal or magnetic activation of the valves.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLCInventors: Timothy E. McKnight, Anthony Johnson, Kenneth J. Moise, Milton Nance Ericson, Justin S. Baba, John B. Wilgen, Boyd Mccutchen Evans
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Patent number: 9289820Abstract: An apparatus for dispersing particles within a molten material in a mold-less casting process comprises a primary electromagnet for generating an AC magnetic field and a secondary electromagnet adjacent to the primary electromagnet for generating an independent DC magnetic field. Each of the primary and secondary electromagnets comprises a coil and at least one of the electromagnets is positioned about a common longitudinal axis. A heat source may be positioned at a first end of the common longitudinal axis for forming a melt to be exposed to the AC and DC magnetic fields, and a particle injection device is positioned at one or more positions about the common longitudinal axis for injecting particles into the melt during magnetic field exposure. The apparatus does not include a solid body for containing the melt prior to solidification.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Gerard M. Ludtka, John B. Wilgen
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Patent number: 9255343Abstract: A method of making a single crystal comprises heating a material comprising magnetic anisotropy to a temperature T sufficient to form a melt of the material. A magnetic field of at least about 1 Tesla is applied to the melt at the temperature T, where a magnetic free energy difference ?Gm between different crystallographic axes is greater than a thermal energy kT. While applying the magnetic field, the melt is cooled at a rate of about 30° C./min or higher, and the melt solidifies to form a single crystal of the material.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Boyd Mccutchen Evans, III, Roger A. Kisner, Gail Mackiewicz Ludtka, Gerard Michael Ludtka, Alexander M. Melin, Donald M. Nicholson, Chad M. Parish, Orlando Rios, Athena S. Sefat, David L. West, John B. Wilgen
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Patent number: 9035733Abstract: A carriage for high magnetic field environments includes a plurality of work-piece separators disposed in an operable relationship with a work-piece processing magnet having a magnetic field strength of at least 1 Tesla for supporting and separating a plurality of work-pieces by a preselected, essentially equal spacing, so that, as a first work-piece is inserted into the magnetic field, a second work-piece is simultaneously withdrawn from the magnetic field, so that an attractive magnetic force imparted on the first work-piece offsets a resistive magnetic force imparted on the second work-piece.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2014Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Gerard M Ludtka, Gail M Ludtka, John B Wilgen, Bart L Murphy
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Publication number: 20150064360Abstract: An apparatus for materials processing utilizing a rotating magnetic field comprises a platform for supporting a specimen, and a plurality of magnets underlying the platform. The plurality of magnets are configured for rotation about an axis of rotation intersecting the platform. A heat source is disposed above the platform for heating the specimen during the rotation of the plurality of magnets. A method for materials processing utilizing a rotating magnetic field comprises providing a specimen on a platform overlying a plurality of magnets; rotating the plurality of magnets about an axis of rotation intersecting the platform, thereby applying a rotating magnetic field to the specimen; and, while rotating the plurality of magnets, heating the specimen to a desired temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Govindarajan Muralidharan, Joseph A. Angelini, Bart L. Murphy, John B. Wilgen
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Publication number: 20140269151Abstract: Particulate matter is dispersed in a fluid material. A sample including a first material in a fluid state and second material comprising particulate matter are placed into a chamber. The second material is spatially dispersed in the first material utilizing EMAT force. The dispersion process continues until spatial distribution of the second material enables the sample to meet a specified criterion. The chamber and/or the sample is electrically conductive. The EMAT force is generated by placing the chamber coaxially within an induction coil driven by an applied alternating current and placing the chamber and induction coil coaxially within a high field magnetic. The EMAT force is coupled to the sample without physical contact to the sample or to the chamber, by another physical object. Batch and continuous processing are utilized. The chamber may be folded within the bore of the magnet. Acoustic force frequency and/or temperature may be controlled.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Roger A. Kisner, Orlando Rios, Alexander M. Melin, Gerard Michael Ludtka, Gail Mackiewicz Ludtka, John B. Wilgen
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Patent number: 8795444Abstract: A method of thermomagnetically processing a material includes disposing a workpiece within a bore of a magnet; exposing the workpiece to a magnetic field of at least about 1 Tesla generated by the magnet; and, while exposing the workpiece to the magnetic field, applying heat energy to the workpiece at a plurality of frequencies to achieve spatially-controlled heating of the workpiece. An apparatus for thermomagnetically processing a material comprises: a high field strength magnet having a bore extending therethrough for insertion of a workpiece therein; and an energy source disposed adjacent to an entrance to the bore. The energy source is an emitter of variable frequency heat energy, and the bore comprises a waveguide for propagation of the variable frequency heat energy from the energy source to the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2014Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Roger A. Kisner, Orlando Rios, John B. Wilgen, Gerard M. Ludtka, Gail M. Ludtka
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Publication number: 20140202833Abstract: A carriage for high magnetic field environments includes a plurality of work-piece separators disposed in an operable relationship with a work-piece processing magnet having a magnetic field strength of at least 1 Tesla for supporting and separating a plurality of work-pieces by a preselected, essentially equal spacing, so that, as a first work-piece is inserted into the magnetic field, a second work-piece is simultaneously withdrawn from the magnetic field, so that an attractive magnetic force imparted on the first work-piece offsets a resistive magnetic force imparted on the second work-piece.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: UT-BATTELLE, LLCInventors: Gerard M. Ludtka, Gail M. Ludtka, John B. Wilgen, Bart L. Murphy
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Publication number: 20140163693Abstract: Valve implant systems positionable within a flow passage, the systems having an inlet, an outlet, and a remotely activatable valve between the inlet and outlet, with the valves being operable to provide intermittent occlusion of the flow path. A remote field is applied to provide thermal or magnetic activation of the valves.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2014Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: UT-BATTELLE, LLCInventors: Timothy E. McKnight, Anthony Johnson, Kenneth J. Moise, Milton Nance Ericson, Justin S. Baba, John B. Wilgen, Boyd Mccutchen Evans
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Patent number: 8729996Abstract: A carriage for high magnetic field environments includes a first work-piece holding means for holding a first work-piece, the first work-piece holding means being disposed in an operable relationship with a work-piece processing magnet having a magnetic field strength of at least 1 Tesla. The first work-piece holding means is further disposed in operable connection with a second work-piece holding means for holding a second work-piece so that, as the first work-piece is inserted into the magnetic field, the second work-piece is simultaneously withdrawn from the magnetic field, so that an attractive magnetic force imparted on the first work-piece offsets a resistive magnetic force imparted on the second work-piece.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Gerard M. Ludtka, Gail M. Ludtka, John B. Wilgen, Bart L. Murphy
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Patent number: 8657883Abstract: Valve implant systems positionable within a flow passage, the systems having an inlet, an outlet, and a remotely activatable valve between the inlet and outlet, with the valves being operable to provide intermittent occlusion of the flow path. A remote field is applied to provide thermal or magnetic activation of the valves.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Timothy E. McKnight, Anthony Johnson, Kenneth J. Moise, Jr., Milton Nance Ericson, Justin S. Baba, John B. Wilgen, Boyd McCutchen Evans, III
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Patent number: 8522562Abstract: An apparatus for magnetically processing a specimen that couples high field strength magnetic fields with the magnetocaloric effect includes a high field strength magnet capable of generating a magnetic field of at least 1 Tesla and a magnetocaloric insert disposed within a bore of the high field strength magnet. A method for magnetically processing a specimen includes positioning a specimen adjacent to a magnetocaloric insert within a bore of a magnet and applying a high field strength magnetic field of at least 1 Tesla to the specimen and to the magnetocaloric insert. The temperature of the specimen changes during the application of the high field strength magnetic field due to the magnetocaloric effect.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Gerard M. Ludtka, Gail M. Ludtka, John B. Wilgen, Roger A. Kisner, Roger A. Jaramillo
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Publication number: 20130089401Abstract: A carriage for high magnetic field environments includes a first work-piece holding means for holding a first work-piece, the first work-piece holding means being disposed in an operable relationship with a work-piece processing magnet having a magnetic field strength of at least 1 Tesla. The first work-piece holding means is further disposed in operable connection with a second work-piece holding means for holding a second work-piece so that, as the first work-piece is inserted into the magnetic field, the second work-piece is simultaneously withdrawn from the magnetic field, so that an attractive magnetic force imparted on the first work-piece offsets a resistive magnetic force imparted on the second work-piece.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2011Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Gerard M. Ludtka, Gail M. Ludtka, John B. Wilgen, Bart L. Murphy
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Publication number: 20130014863Abstract: A magnetic field assisted processing method entails heating an iron-carbon alloy at an austenitizing temperature for a time duration sufficient for the alloy to achieve an austenitic microstructure; cooling the iron-carbon alloy to an intermediate temperature defined by a continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagram for the iron-carbon alloy at a rate sufficient to avoid phase transformation of the austenitic microstructure, the intermediate temperature being below a bainitic knee of the CCT diagram and above a martensite start temperature; and applying a high field strength magnetic field of at least about 0.2 Tesla to the iron-carbon alloy after reaching the intermediate temperature. The field is applied for a time duration sufficient to transform the austenitic microstructure into a fine dispersion of one or more iron carbide phases in a ferrite matrix in order to produce a magnetically-processed alloy having improved ductility and strength.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2011Publication date: January 17, 2013Inventors: Gerard M. Ludtka, Gail M. Ludtka, John B. Wilgen, Roger A. Kisner
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Publication number: 20120324908Abstract: An apparatus for magnetically processing a specimen that couples high field strength magnetic fields with the magnetocaloric effect includes a high field strength magnet capable of generating a magnetic field of at least 1 Tesla and a magnetocaloric insert disposed within a bore of the high field strength magnet. A method for magnetically processing a specimen includes positioning a specimen adjacent to a magnetocaloric insert within a bore of a magnet and applying a high field strength magnetic field of at least 1 Tesla to the specimen and to the magnetocaloric insert. The temperature of the specimen changes during the application of the high field strength magnetic field due to the magnetocaloric effect.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: Gerard M. Ludtka, Gail M. Ludtka, John B. Wilgen, Roger A. Kisner, Roger A. Jaramillo
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Publication number: 20100241241Abstract: Valve implant systems positionable within a flow passage, the systems having an inlet, an outlet, and a remotely activatable valve between the inlet and outlet, with the valves being operable to provide intermittent occlusion of the flow path. A remote field is applied to provide thermal or magnetic activation of the valves.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicants: UT-BATTELLE, LLC, BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINEInventors: Timothy E. McKnight, Anthony Johnson, Kenneth J. Moise, JR., Milton Nance Ericson, Justin S. Baba, John B. Wilgen, Boyd Mccutchen Evans, III