Patents by Inventor Mark F. Makela

Mark F. Makela 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: 8513601
    Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for detecting particles such as muons. In one implementation, a monitoring system has a cosmic ray-produced charged particle tracker with a plurality of drift cells. The drift cells, which can be for example aluminum drift tubes, can be arranged at least above and below a volume to be scanned to thereby track incoming and outgoing charged particles, such as cosmic ray-produced muons, while also detecting gamma rays. The system can selectively detect devices or materials, such as iron, lead, gold and/or tungsten, occupying the volume from multiple scattering of the charged particles passing through the volume and can also detect any radioactive sources occupying the volume from gamma rays emitted therefrom. If necessary, the drift tubes can be sealed to eliminate the need for a gas handling system. The system can be employed to inspect occupied vehicles at border crossings for nuclear threat objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher L. Morris, Mark F. Makela
  • Patent number: 8445859
    Abstract: High-efficiency neutron detector substrate assemblies comprising a first conductive substrate, wherein a first side of the substrate is in direct contact with a first layer of a powder material comprising 10boron, 10boron carbide or combinations thereof, and wherein a conductive material is in proximity to the first layer of powder material; and processes of making said neutron detector substrate assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Zhehui Wang, Christopher Morris, Jeffrey Darnell Bacon, Mark F. Makela, Randy Jay Spaulding
  • Publication number: 20120312985
    Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for detecting particles such as muons. In one implementation, a monitoring system has a cosmic ray-produced charged particle tracker with a plurality of drift cells. The drift cells, which can be for example aluminum drift tubes, can be arranged at least above and below a volume to be scanned to thereby track incoming and outgoing charged particles, such as cosmic ray-produced muons, whilst also detecting gamma rays. The system can selectively detect devices or materials, such as iron, lead, gold and/or tungsten, occupying the volume from multiple scattering of the charged particles passing through the volume and can also detect any radioactive sources occupying the volume from gamma rays emitted therefrom. If necessary, the drift tubes can be sealed to eliminate the need for a gas handling system. The system can be employed to inspect occupied vehicles at border crossings for nuclear threat objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher L. Morris, Mark F. Makela
  • Patent number: 8247767
    Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for detecting particles such as muons. In one implementation, a monitoring system has a cosmic ray-produced charged particle tracker with a plurality of drift cells. The drift cells, which can be for example aluminum drift tubes, can be arranged at least above and below a volume to be scanned to thereby track incoming and outgoing charged particles, such as cosmic ray-produced muons, while also detecting gamma rays. The system can selectively detect devices or materials, such as iron, lead, gold and/or tungsten, occupying the volume from multiple scattering of the charged particles passing through the volume and can also detect any radioactive sources occupying the volume from gamma rays emitted therefrom. If necessary, the drift tubes can be sealed to eliminate the need for a gas handling system. The system can be employed to inspect occupied vehicles at border crossings for nuclear threat objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher L. Morris, Mark F. Makela
  • Publication number: 20100314549
    Abstract: High-efficiency neutron detector substrate assemblies comprising a first conductive substrate, wherein a first side of the substrate is in direct contact with a first layer of a powder material comprising 10boron, 10boron carbide or combinations thereof, and wherein a conductive material is in proximity to the first layer of powder material; and processes of making said neutron detector substrate assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventors: Zhehui Wang, Christopher Morris, Jeffrey Darnell Bacon, Mark F. Makela, Randy Jay Spaulding
  • Patent number: 7714297
    Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for detecting particles such as muons and neutrons. In one implementation, a particle detection system employs a plurality of drift cells, which can be for example sealed gas-filled drift tubes, arranged on sides of a volume to be scanned to track incoming and outgoing charged particles, such as cosmic ray-produced muons. The drift cells can include a neutron sensitive medium to enable concurrent counting of neutrons. The system can selectively detect devices or materials, such as iron, lead, gold, uranium, plutonium, and/or tungsten, occupying the volume from multiple scattering of the charged particles passing through the volume and can concurrently detect any unshielded neutron sources occupying the volume from neutrons emitted therefrom. If necessary, the drift cells can be used to also detect gamma rays. The system can be employed to inspect occupied vehicles at border crossings for nuclear threat objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher L. Morris, Mark F. Makela
  • Publication number: 20100032564
    Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for detecting particles such as muons. In one implementation, a monitoring system has a cosmic ray-produced charged particle tracker with a plurality of drift cells. The drift cells, which can be for example aluminum drift tubes, can be arranged at least above and below a volume to be scanned to thereby track incoming and outgoing charged particles, such as cosmic ray-produced muons, whilst also detecting gamma rays. The system can selectively detect devices or materials, such as iron, lead, gold and/or tungsten, occupying the volume from multiple scattering of the charged particles passing through the volume and can also detect any radioactive sources occupying the volume from gamma rays emitted therefrom. If necessary, the drift tubes can be sealed to eliminate the need for a gas handling system. The system can be employed to inspect occupied vehicles at border crossings for nuclear threat objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher L. Morris, Mark F. Makela
  • Patent number: 7633062
    Abstract: A portal monitoring system has a cosmic ray charged particle tracker with a plurality of drift cells. The drift cells, which can be for example aluminum drift tubes, can be arranged at least above and below a volume to be scanned to thereby track incoming and outgoing charged particles, such as cosmic ray muons, whilst also detecting gamma rays. The system can selectively detect devices or materials, such as iron, lead, gold and/or tungsten, occupying the volume from multiple scattering of the charged particles passing through the volume and can also detect any radioactive sources occupying the volume from gamma rays emitted therefrom. If necessary, the drift tubes can be sealed to eliminate the need for a gas handling system. The system can be employed to inspect occupied vehicles at border crossings for nuclear threat objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Morris, Konstantin N. Borozdin, J. Andrew Green, Gary E. Hogan, Mark F. Makela, William C. Priedhorsky, Alexander Saunders, Larry J. Schultz, Michael J. Sossong
  • Publication number: 20080191133
    Abstract: A portal monitoring system has a cosmic ray charged particle tracker with a plurality of drift cells. The drift cells, which can be for example aluminum drift tubes, can be arranged at least above and below a volume to be scanned to thereby track incoming and outgoing charged particles, such as cosmic ray muons, whilst also detecting gamma rays. The system can selectively detect devices or materials, such as iron, lead, gold and/or tungsten, occupying the volume from multiple scattering of the charged particles passing through the volume and can also detect any radioactive sources occupying the volume from gamma rays emitted therefrom. If necessary, the drift tubes can be sealed to eliminate the need for a gas handling system. The system can be employed to inspect occupied vehicles at border crossings for nuclear threat objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher Morris, Konstantin N. Borozdin, J. Andrew Green, Gary E. Hogan, Mark F. Makela, William C. Priedhorsky, Alexander Saunders, Larry J. Schultz, Michael J. Sossong