Patents by Inventor Kenneth J. Ewing

Kenneth J. Ewing 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).

  • Publication number: 20230304863
    Abstract: A chemical-detecting apparatus includes an array of sensors. Each sensor of the array of sensors is oriented skyward in operation. Each sensor includes a chemical receiver including a plurality of infrared color vision filters cooperating to detect a plurality of infrared color vision signatures. The plurality of infrared color vision signatures respectively correspond to a plurality of chemicals. Each sensor includes a transmitter configured to transmit a detected chemical identifier, based on a detected infrared color vision signature of the plurality of infrared color vision signatures and corresponding to a detected chemical of the plurality of chemicals, to at least one neighboring sensor of the array of sensors. The transmitter is configured to transmit a detected chemical confirmation from the neighboring sensor to a first-identifying sensor of the array of sensors and is configured to transmit a confirmed chemical alarm, based on the detected chemical confirmation, from the first-identifying sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: KEVIN MAJOR, Kenneth J. Ewing, Robert R. Nicol, L. Brandon Shaw, Jasbinder S. Sanghera
  • Publication number: 20210262925
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a standard computer processor in operation receiving a plurality of stimulus-value signals. The apparatus includes a standard computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out a method for identifying at least one chemical of interest. The method includes the following. A chromaticity chart including a plurality of chemical groupings is generated. The at least one chemical of interest is classified as belonging to a respective chemical grouping of the plurality of chemical groupings based on the chromaticity chart and the plurality of stimulus-value signals. Optionally, the chromaticity chart includes a molecular vibrational chart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: KEVIN MAJOR, KENNETH J. EWING, JASBINDER S. SANGHERA
  • Patent number: 11029247
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a standard computer processor in operation receiving a plurality of stimulus-value signals. The apparatus includes a standard computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out a method for identifying at least one chemical of interest. The method includes the following. A chromaticity chart including a plurality of chemical groupings is generated. The at least one chemical of interest is classified as belonging to a respective chemical grouping of the plurality of chemical groupings based on the chromaticity chart and the plurality of stimulus-value signals. Optionally, the chromaticity chart includes a molecular vibrational chart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Kevin Major, Kenneth J. Ewing, Jasbinder S. Sanghera
  • Publication number: 20200124524
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a standard computer processor in operation receiving a plurality of stimulus-value signals. The apparatus includes a standard computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out a method for identifying at least one chemical of interest. The method includes the following. A chromaticity chart including a plurality of chemical groupings is generated. The at least one chemical of interest is classified as belonging to a respective chemical grouping of the plurality of chemical groupings based on the chromaticity chart and the plurality of stimulus-value signals. Optionally, the chromaticity chart includes a molecular vibrational chart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin Major, Kenneth J. Ewing, Jasbinder S. Sanghera
  • Patent number: 9970877
    Abstract: A method for detecting chemical aerosols and particulates on a surface by contacting a sample with a Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) substrate where the sample is an aerosol or a particulate on a surface, encapsulating the SERS substrate with the sample, heating the encapsulated sample so it vaporizes inside the encapsulation, cooling the vaporized sample so it deposits onto the SERS substrate, and irradiating the SERS substrate to collect a SERS spectrum of the sample. Also disclosed is the related system for detecting chemical aerosols and particulates on a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ewing, Jasbinder S. Sanghera
  • Patent number: 9964663
    Abstract: An apparatus having: one or more infrared imagers capable of detecting light having wavelengths of 8-10 microns and 20-22 microns and a window transparent to light having wavelengths of 8-10 microns and 20-22 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignees: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ewing, Jasbinder S. Sanghera, Kevin J. Major
  • Publication number: 20160161412
    Abstract: A method for detecting chemical aerosols and particulates on a surface by contacting a sample with a Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) substrate where the sample is an aerosol or a particulate on a surface, encapsulating the SERS substrate with the sample, heating the encapsulated sample so it vaporizes inside the encapsulation, cooling the vaporized sample so it deposits onto the SERS substrate, and irradiating the SERS substrate to collect a SERS spectrum of the sample. Also disclosed is the related system for detecting chemical aerosols and particulates on a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ewing, Jasbinder S. Sanghera
  • Publication number: 20160061666
    Abstract: An apparatus having: one or more infrared imagers capable of detecting light having wavelengths of 8-10 microns and 20-22 microns and a window transparent to light having wavelengths of 8-10 microns and 20-22 microns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ewing, Jasbinder S. Sanghera
  • Patent number: 9182320
    Abstract: Sampling of a broad range of chemicals using a handheld sampler body, having a sample screen in a sampling cassette; where a sample screen housing further consists of a locking arm arrestor body, where, the locking arm arrestor body including a draw tube, and where the sampling screen can be positioned in either a retracted or extended positioned regarding a sample access face. When activated, the system executes collecting and sampling operations of chemicals, by exposing the extended sampling screen to a sampling environment, drawing through the draw tube, air from the sampling environment, further collecting, onto the surface of the sample screen solid particles and/or pressing the sample screen against the surface(s) of object in the sampling environment. Then, removing the sampling screen from the sampling environment and isolating the plurality of airborne chemical contaminants, by retracting a sample screen into the sample screen housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ewing, Daniel J. Gibson, Jasbinder S. Sanghera, Robert E. Miklos
  • Patent number: 9109980
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes an automated system for collecting analyte. The system comprises a screen supply cartridge for holding a stack of clean tabs including sorbent coated screens (SCS) residing in SCS channels. The stack of tabs are arranged such that SCS tabs directly above and/or below a given SCS tab include SCS channels offset from the SCS channel of the given tab to isolate the SCS channels from one another and the environment. The system includes an air source that provides an analyte to be adsorbed by an SCS channel of a respective tab at a sampling region and a linear actuator that moves a given clean tab into the sampling region for exposing the SCS channel of the given clean tab to the analyte and providing a given exposed tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ewing, Danielle N. Dickinson, Robert Milloy, Michael R. Bracken
  • Publication number: 20140260693
    Abstract: Sampling of a broad range of chemicals using a handheld sampler body, having a sample screen in a sampling cassette; where a sample screen housing further consists of a locking arm arrestor body, where, the locking arm arrestor body including a draw tube, and where the sampling screen can be positioned in either a retracted or extended positioned regarding a sample access face. When activated, the system executes collecting and sampling operations of chemicals, by exposing the extended sampling screen to a sampling environment, drawing through the draw tube, air from the sampling environment, further collecting, onto the surface of the sample screen solid particles and/or pressing the sample screen against the surface(s) of object in the sampling environment. Then, removing the sampling screen from the sampling environment and isolating the plurality of airborne chemical contaminants, by retracting a sample screen into the sample screen housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: US Gov't Represented by Secretary of the Navy Chief of Naval Research Office of Counsel
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ewing, Daniel J. Gibson, Jasbinder S. Sanghera, Robert E. Miklos
  • Publication number: 20130213148
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes an automated system for collecting analyte. The system comprises a screen supply cartridge for holding a stack of clean tabs including sorbent coated screens (SCS) residing in SCS channels. The stack of tabs are arranged such that SCS tabs directly above and/or below a given SCS tab include SCS channels offset from the SCS channel of the given tab to isolate the SCS channels from one another and the environment. The system includes an air source that provides an analyte to be adsorbed by an SCS channel of a respective tab at a sampling region and a linear actuator that moves a given clean tab into the sampling region for exposing the SCS channel of the given clean tab to the analyte and providing a given exposed tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ewing, Danielle N. Dickinson, Robert Milloy, Michael R. Bracken
  • Patent number: 8245564
    Abstract: A system for remote detection of a chemical is disclosed. The system includes a sample collection module that collects a sample and produces a sample vapor at a first location; a sample delivery module that delivers the sample vapor from the first location to a second location; a sample storage and concentration module that collects the sample vapor at the second location; and a sample analysis module that analyzes the sample collected in the sample storage and concentration module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ewing, Fred Whiton, Jr., Paul G. Kahl, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120198912
    Abstract: A system for remote detection of a chemical is disclosed. The system includes a sample collection module that collects a sample and produces a sample vapor at a first location; a sample delivery module that delivers the sample vapor from the first location to a second location; a sample storage and concentration module that collects the sample vapor at the second location; and a sample analysis module that analyzes the sample collected in the sample storage and concentration module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ewing, Fred Whiton, JR., Paul G. Kahl, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110108724
    Abstract: A chemical sample collection and detection system is disclosed. The chemical sample collection and detection system includes a sample collection device and a detection device. The sample collection device includes a housing having two opposite sides and at least one openings on each side to allow a fluid sample passing through the housing; and a sorbent material placed between the two opposite sides of the housing or a sorbent coated screen. The sorbent material adsorbs chemical vapors, and traps particles and aerosols in the fluid sample when the fluid sample passes the housing through the openings. The detection device includes an atmospheric pressure ionization source and an ion detector. The atmospheric pressure ionization source desorbs and ionizes the chemicals trapped/sorbed on the sorbent material and the ion detector analyzes the ions for the presence of the sorbed chemical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ewing, Danielle N. Dickinson, Douglas B. Henderson, Johnny Ho
  • Publication number: 20110053288
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for collecting and analyzing analytes. One embodiment of the invention includes a system for collecting analyte. The system comprises a sampling section disposed on a collection platform and an air source that provides an analyte to be sorbed by the sampling section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Douglas B. Henderson, Kenneth J. Ewing, Danielle N. Dickinson
  • Publication number: 20110044855
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for collecting and analyzing analytes. One embodiment of the invention includes a system for collecting analyte. The system comprises a sampling section disposed on a collection platform and an air source that provides an analyte to be sorbed by the sampling section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Douglas B. HENDERSON, Kenneth J. Ewing, Danielle N. Dickinson
  • Publication number: 20110027905
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for collecting and analyzing analytes. One embodiment of the invention includes a system for collecting analyte. The system comprises a sampling section disposed on a collection platform and an air source that provides an analyte to be sorbed by the sampling section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Douglas B. Henderson, Kenneth J. Ewing, Danielle N. Dickinson
  • Publication number: 20100096546
    Abstract: A chemical detection system is disclosed. The chemical detection system includes an atmospheric pressure ionization (API) source that produces an API stream, a sample delivery system that delivers a liquid sample in a continuous manner to the API stream, an ion detector capable of detecting a molecule of interest and a control device. Also disclosed is a method for detecting a chemical of interest in a liquid sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ewing, Danielle N. Dickinson, Douglas B. Henderson, Johnny Ho, Robert Milloy
  • Publication number: 20090317916
    Abstract: A chemical sample collection and detection system is disclosed. The chemical sample collection and detection system includes a sample collection device and a detection device. The sample collection device includes a housing having two opposite sides and at least one openings on each side to allow a fluid sample passing through the housing; and a sorbent material placed between the two opposite sides of the housing or a sorbent coated screen. The sorbent material adsorbs chemical vapors, and traps particles and aerosols in the fluid sample when the fluid sample passes the housing through the openings. The detection device includes an atmospheric pressure ionization source and an ion detector. The atmospheric pressure ionization source desorbs and ionizes the chemicals trapped/sorbed on the sorbent material and the ion detector analyzes the ions for the presence of the sorbed chemical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ewing, Danielle N. Dickinson, Douglas B. Henderson, Johnny Ho