Patents by Inventor Ralph Henry Hill
Ralph Henry Hill 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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Publication number: 20160361688Abstract: The present invention relates to excitation of hydrocarbons for catalytic type oxidation reactions, and more particularly, to treatment of excess methane emissions in a natural gas fueled engine to promote relatively more efficient catalytic methane oxidation reactions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2015Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Gordon J.J. BARTLEY, Ralph Henry HILL, JR.
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Patent number: 8417959Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and/or method of identifying a user comprising illuminating a user with electromagnetic energy to induce luminescence and producing an output data signal. A reference data signal corresponding to the luminescence of a selected user may be identified and compared to the output data signal. In such a manner, an identification may be made as to whether a selected user is present.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2006Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventor: Ralph Henry Hill, Jr.
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Patent number: 8134127Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to gas leak detection. The techniques can be deployed, for example, in compact, handheld portable devices usable for detecting leaks in space-confined applications. The devices generally include a non-laser light source and thermal imaging camera that allow for detection of a target gas (or gasses) that absorbs at least some of the light source's wavelengths of operation. The light source can be implemented, for example, with an incoherent infrared (IR) light source, such as a resonance lamp configured with a gas cell containing a volume of a gas that, when excited by electric discharge, emits a wavelength that is absorbed by the target gas.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2011Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventor: Ralph Henry Hill, Jr.
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Patent number: 8085301Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to gas leak detection. The techniques can be deployed, for example, in compact, handheld portable devices usable for detecting leaks in space-confined applications. The devices generally include an unstablized laser and thermal imaging camera that allow for detection of gas that absorbs at least some of the wavelength of operation of the unstablized laser. The devices can be operated at a low-power density for safety and/or may be configured to mitigate wavelength hopping associated with unstablized laser light sources.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Ralph Henry Hill, Jr., Joseph Nathan Mitchell
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Publication number: 20110278458Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to gas leak detection. The techniques can be deployed, for example, in compact, handheld portable devices usable for detecting leaks in space-confined applications. The devices generally include a non-laser light source and thermal imaging camera that allow for detection of a target gas (or gasses) that absorbs at least some of the light source's wavelengths of operation. The light source can be implemented, for example, with an incoherent infrared (IR) light source, such as a resonance lamp configured with a gas cell containing a volume of a gas that, when excited by electric discharge, emits a wavelength that is absorbed by the target gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventor: Ralph Henry HILL, Jr.
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Publication number: 20100230593Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to gas leak detection. The techniques can be deployed, for example, in compact, handheld portable devices usable for detecting leaks in space-confined applications. The devices generally include a non-laser light source and thermal imaging camera that allow for detection of a target gas (or gasses) that absorbs at least some of the light source's wavelengths of operation. The light source can be implemented, for example, with an incoherent infrared (IR) light source, such as a resonance lamp configured with a gas cell containing a volume of a gas that, when excited by electric discharge, emits a wavelength that is absorbed by the target gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2009Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: Southwest Research InstituteInventor: Ralph Henry Hill, JR.
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Publication number: 20100231722Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to gas leak detection. The techniques can be deployed, for example, in compact, handheld portable devices usable for detecting leaks in space-confined applications. The devices generally include an unstablized laser and thermal imaging camera that allow for detection of gas that absorbs at least some of the wavelength of operation of the unstablized laser. The devices can be operated at a low-power density for safety and/or may be configured to mitigate wavelength hopping associated with unstablized laser light sources.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2009Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Ralph Henry Hill, JR., Joseph Nathan Mitchell
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Publication number: 20080233658Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fluorescence marker such as quantum dots and their use as sensors which may rely upon a change in fluorescence output upon exposure to a given environmental condition. The variation in fluorescence output may then be utilized as an indication of exposure to a given environmental condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2007Publication date: September 25, 2008Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Mary Cecelia Massey MARSHALL, Jonathan Scott SCHULZE, Ralph Henry HILL
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Publication number: 20080148058Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and/or method of identifying a user comprising illuminating a user with electromagnetic energy to induce luminescence and producing an output data signal. A reference data signal corresponding to the luminescence of a selected user may be identified and compared to the output data signal. In such a manner, an identification may be made as to whether a selected user is present.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventor: Ralph Henry HILL
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Patent number: 6836502Abstract: A light source for a spectroscopy unit that measures tissue includes a block for engaging tissue and a light source. The block is formed of translucent material. The light source is positioned in close proximity to the block either directly or through use of a light fiber. The light source produces light at a single wavelength or small range of wavelengths shorter than the desired range of wavelengths to be produced by the light source for the spectroscopy unit. A luminescent material is placed in the light path between light source and the tissue to produce the desired wavelength of light when pumped by the light source.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2003Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: Hutchinson Technology IncorporatedInventors: Larry D. Canady, Christopher B. Catterson, Reuben W. Edgar, Jr., Ralph Henry Hill, Jr., Brian Lee Robey
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Publication number: 20030181805Abstract: A light source for a spectroscopy unit that measures tissue includes a block for engaging tissue and a light source. The block is formed of translucent material. The light source is positioned in close proximity to the block either directly or through use of a light fiber. The light source produces light at a single wavelength or small range of wavelengths shorter than the desired range of wavelengths to be produced by the light source for the spectroscopy unit. A luminescent material is placed in the light path between light source and the tissue to produce the desired wavelength of light when pumped by the light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2003Publication date: September 25, 2003Inventors: Larry D. Canady, Christopher B. Catterson, Reuben W. Edgar, Ralph Henry Hill, Brian Lee Robey