Patents by Inventor Lawrence J Harpring

Lawrence J Harpring 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: 10679523
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting tampering with a seal is provided. A loop seal tamper indicating device includes a seal wire that may be passed through a secured item or container to form a loop with the free ends of the seal wire passing through a seal housing. A plunger body including an adhesive-filled cavity is inserted into the seal housing, such that a piston expresses the adhesive into the space between the seal housing and the plunger body. The adhesive may contain reflective particles and is cured to fix the particles and the adhesive in place. A reference image may be taken to record the unique identifier and reflective signature of the adhesive. Future validation images may be compared to the reference image to determine whether the reflective signature has changed, thus indicating that the seal has been tampered with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: George E. Weeks, Keith Tolk, Jennifer E. Tanner, Jacob Benz, Keir C. Allen, Helen M. White, Daniel Krementz, Lawrence J. Harpring, Raymond R. Lawson
  • Publication number: 20180033341
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting tampering with a seal is provided. A loop seal tamper indicating device includes a seal wire that may be passed through a secured item or container to form a loop with the free ends of the seal wire passing through a seal housing. A plunger body including an adhesive-filled cavity is inserted into the seal housing, such that a piston expresses the adhesive into the space between the seal housing and the plunger body. The adhesive may contain reflective particles and is cured to fix the particles and the adhesive in place. A reference image may be taken to record the unique identifier and reflective signature of the adhesive. Future validation images may be compared to the reference image to determine whether the reflective signature has changed, thus indicating that the seal has been tampered with.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: George E. Weeks, Keith Tolk, Jennifer E. Tanner, Jacob Benz, Keir C. Allen, Helen M. White, Daniel Krementz, Lawrence J. Harpring, Raymond R. Lawson
  • Patent number: 9678219
    Abstract: A position determination system and method is provided that may be used for obtaining position and orientation information of a detector in a contaminated room. The system includes a detector, a sensor operably coupled to the detector, and a motor coupled to the sensor to move the sensor around the detector. A CPU controls the operation of the motor to move the sensor around the detector and determines distance and angle data from the sensor to an object. The method includes moving a sensor around the detector and measuring distance and angle data from the sensor to an object at incremental positions around the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Harpring, Eduardo B. Farfan, John R. Gordon, Gerald T. Jannik, Trevor Q. Foley
  • Publication number: 20150346356
    Abstract: A system for identifying the location of radioactive material in a contaminated room includes a projector, a distance sensor, and a CPU operably connected to the projector and distance sensor. The CPU receives distance data from the distance sensor and controls an image projected by the projector onto an object in the contaminated room. A method of identifying the location of radioactive material in a contaminated room includes conducting a radiation survey of the contaminated room and transferring information from the radiation survey to a projector. The method further includes placing the projector in the contaminated room and projecting information from the radiation survey onto an object in the contaminated room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: SAVANNAH RIVER NUCLEAR SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Harpring
  • Publication number: 20150346355
    Abstract: A position determination system and method is provided that may be used for obtaining position and orientation information of a detector in a contaminated room. The system includes a detector, a sensor operably coupled to the detector, and a motor coupled to the sensor to move the sensor around the detector. A CPU controls the operation of the motor to move the sensor around the detector and determines distance and angle data from the sensor to an object. The method includes moving a sensor around the detector and measuring distance and angle data from the sensor to an object at incremental positions around the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: SAVANNAH RIVER NUCLEAR SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Harpring, Eduardo B. Farfan, John R. Gordon, Gerald T. Jannik, Trevor Q. Foley
  • Publication number: 20120043471
    Abstract: Devices and methods for the characterization of areas of radiation in contaminated rooms are provided. One such device is a collimator with a collimator shield for reducing noise when measuring radiation. A position determination system is provided that may be used for obtaining position and orientation information of the detector in the contaminated room. A radiation analysis method is included that is capable of determining the amount of radiation intensity present at known locations within the contaminated room. Also, a visual illustration system is provided that may project images onto the physical objects, which may be walls, of the contaminated room in order to identify the location of radioactive materials for decontamination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: LAWRENCE J. HARPRING, Jody Rustyn Coleman, Eduardo B. Farfan, John R. Gordon, Gerald T. Jannik, Trevor O. Foley
  • Publication number: 20090170505
    Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for the transmission of radionuclide spectral information from a remote location. The process facilitates the use of a handheld radiation detector to detect a spectrum of radiation from a radiation source such as a cargo ship at sea. The process facilitates the downloading of information to a computer such as a PDA. The PDA is configured to allow communication with a satellite phone that transmits the stored spectrum to an evaluation center for further analysis and positive identification. Once identified, the results can be relayed to the remote location for appropriate action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Washington Savannah River Co LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Harpring, Frank M. Heckendorn
  • Patent number: 7351982
    Abstract: A portable, hand held, multi-sensor radiation detector is disclosed. The detection apparatus has a plurality of spaced sensor locations which are contained within a flexible housing. The detection apparatus, when suspended from an elevation, will readily assume a substantially straight, vertical orientation and may be used to monitor radiation levels from shipping containers. The flexible detection array can also assume a variety of other orientations to facilitate any unique container shapes or to conform to various physical requirements with respect to deployment of the detection array. The output of each sensor within the array is processed by at least one CPU which provides information in a usable form to a user interface. The user interface is used to provide the power requirements and operating instructions to the operational components within the detection array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Washington Savannah River Company LLP
    Inventors: Kenneth J Hofstetter, Charles K Fulghum, Lawrence J Harpring, Russell K Huffman, Donald L Varble