Patents by Inventor R. Lynn Conley

R. Lynn Conley 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: 8861675
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley
  • Patent number: 8855809
    Abstract: Systems for sorting materials, such as those made of metal, are described. The systems may operate by irradiating the materials with x-rays and then detecting fluoresced x-rays, transmitted x-rays, or both. Detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be performed using an x-ray fluorescence detector array. The systems may be configured to provide high throughput sorting of small pieces of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: David B. Spencer, Jeffrey J. Webster, Aldo M. Reti, Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Richard E. Hill, R. Lynn Conley
  • Patent number: 8692148
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a container sorting system capable of increased sorting efficiency. The present invention discloses a device in which the distance is shortened between detection and ejection of containers being sorted by reflective infrared radiation, transmission infrared radiation, or both. The present invention also includes a method of operating such device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: National Recovery Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., R. Lynn Conley, Robert H. Parrish
  • Publication number: 20130264249
    Abstract: A piece of material that includes low-Z elements is classified based on photonic emissions detected from the piece of material. Both XRF spectroscopy and OES techniques, for example, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and spark discharge spectroscopy, may be used to classify the piece of material. A stream of pieces of material are moved along a conveying system into a stimulation and detection area. Each piece of material, in turn, is stimulated with a first and second stimulus, of a same or different type, causing the piece of material to emit emissions, for example, photons, which may include at least one of x-ray photons (i.e., x-rays) and optical emissions. These emissions then are detected by one or more detectors of a same or different type. The piece of materials is then classified, for example, using a combination of hardware, software and/or firmware, based on the detected emissions, and then sorted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, JR., David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley, Richard E. Hill, Robert H. Parrish, Charles E. Roos
  • Patent number: 8476545
    Abstract: A piece of material that includes low-Z elements is classified based on photonic emissions detected from the piece of material. Both XRF spectroscopy and OES techniques, for example, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and spark discharge spectroscopy, may be used to classify the piece of material. A stream of pieces of material are moved along a conveying system into a stimulation and detection area. Each piece of material, in turn, is stimulated with a first and second stimulus, of a same or different type, causing the piece of material to emit emissions, for example, photons, which may include at least one of x-ray photons (i.e., x-rays) and optical emissions. These emissions then are detected by one or to more detectors of a same or different type. The piece of materials is then classified, for example, using a combination of hardware, software and/or firmware, based on the detected emissions, and then sorted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley, Richard E. Hill, Robert H. Parrish, Charles E. Roos
  • Publication number: 20130079918
    Abstract: Systems for sorting materials, such as those made of metal, are described. The systems may operate by irradiating the materials with x-rays and then detecting fluoresced x-rays, transmitted x-rays, or both. Detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be performed using an x-ray fluorescence detector array. The systems may be configured to provide high throughput sorting of small pieces of materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: David B. Spencer, Jeffrey J. Webster, Aldo M. Reti, Edward J. Sommer, JR., Richard E. Hill, R. Lynn Conley
  • Publication number: 20120148018
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: SPECTRAMET, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley
  • Patent number: 8144831
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley
  • Publication number: 20110116596
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: SPECTRAMET, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, JR., Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley
  • Patent number: 7848484
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley
  • Publication number: 20100264070
    Abstract: A piece of material that includes low-Z elements is classified based on photonic emissions detected from the piece of material. Both XRF spectroscopy and OES techniques, for example, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and spark discharge spectroscopy, may be used to classify the piece of material. A stream of pieces of material are moved along a conveying system into a stimulation and detection area. Each piece of material, in turn, is stimulated with a first and second stimulus, of a same or different type, causing the piece of material to emit emissions, for example, photons, which may include at least one of x-ray photons (i.e., x-rays) and optical emissions. These emissions then are detected by one or to more detectors of a same or different type. The piece of materials is then classified, for example, using a combination of hardware, software and/or firmware, based on the detected emissions, and then sorted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: SPECTRAMET, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, JR., David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley, Richard E. Hill, Robert H. Parrish, Charles E. Roos
  • Patent number: 7763820
    Abstract: A piece of material that includes low-Z elements is classified based on photonic emissions detected from the piece of material. Both XRF spectroscopy and OES techniques, for example, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and spark discharge spectroscopy, may be used to classify the piece of material. A stream of pieces of material are moved along a conveying system into a stimulation and detection area. Each piece of material, in turn, is stimulated with a first and second stimulus, of a same or different type, causing the piece of material to emit emissions, for example, photons, which may include at least one of x-ray photons (i.e., x-rays) and optical emissions. These emissions then are detected by one or more detectors of a same or different type. The piece of materials is then classified, for example, using a combination of hardware, software and/or firmware, based on the detected emissions, and then sorted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley, Richard E. Hill, Robert H. Parrish, Charles E. Roos
  • Publication number: 20090261024
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: SPECTRAMET, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, JR., Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley
  • Patent number: 7564943
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley