Patents by Inventor Richard Mastronardi
Richard Mastronardi 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: 20210223190Abstract: Methods for characterizing living plants, wherein one or more beams of penetrating radiation such as x-rays are scanned across the plant under field conditions. Compton scatter is detected from the living plant and processed to derive characteristics of the living plant such as water content, root structure, branch structure, xylem size, fruit size, fruit shape, fruit aggregate volume, cluster size and shape, fruit maturity and an image of a part of the plant. Ground water content is measured using the same technique. Compton backscatter is used to guide a robotic gripper to grasp a portion of the plant such as for harvesting a fruit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Aaron Couture, Calvin Adams, Rafael Fonseca, Jeffrey Schubert, Richard Mastronardi
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Patent number: 10955367Abstract: Methods for characterizing living plants, wherein one or more beams of penetrating radiation such as x-rays are scanned across the plant under field conditions. Compton scatter is detected from the living plant and processed to derive characteristics of the living plant such as water content, root structure, branch structure, xylem size, fruit size, fruit shape, fruit aggregate volume, cluster size and shape, fruit maturity and an image of a part of the plant. Ground water content is measured using the same technique. Compton backscatter is used to guide a robotic gripper to grasp a portion of the plant such as for harvesting a fruit.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2016Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Aaron Couture, Calvin Adams, Rafael Fonseca, Jeffrey Schubert, Richard Mastronardi
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Patent number: 10712293Abstract: Methods for characterizing living plants, wherein one or more beams of penetrating radiation such as x-rays are scanned across the plant under field conditions. Compton scatter is detected from the living plant and processed to derive characteristics of the living plant such as water content, root structure, branch structure, xylem size, fruit size, fruit shape, fruit aggregate volume, cluster size and shape, fruit maturity and an image of a part of the plant. Ground water content is measured using the same technique. Compton backscatter is used to guide a robotic gripper to grasp a portion of the plant such as for harvesting a fruit.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Aaron Couture, Calvin Adams, Rafael Fonseca, Jeffrey Schubert, Richard Mastronardi
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Publication number: 20200049635Abstract: Methods for characterizing living plants, wherein one or more beams of penetrating radiation such as x-rays are scanned across the plant under field conditions. Compton scatter is detected from the living plant and processed to derive characteristics of the living plant such as water content, root structure, branch structure, xylem size, fruit size, fruit shape, fruit aggregate volume, cluster size and shape, fruit maturity and an image of a part of the plant. Ground water content is measured using the same technique. Compton backscatter is used to guide a robotic gripper to grasp a portion of the plant such as for harvesting a fruit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Aaron Couture, Calvin Adams, Rafael Fonseca, Jeffrey Schubert, Richard Mastronardi
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Publication number: 20200033274Abstract: Methods for characterizing living plants, wherein one or more beams of penetrating radiation such as x-rays are scanned across the plant under field conditions. Compton scatter is detected from the living plant and processed to derive characteristics of the living plant such as water content, root structure, branch structure, xylem size, fruit size, fruit shape, fruit aggregate volume, cluster size and shape, fruit maturity and an image of a part of the plant. Ground water content is measured using the same technique. Compton backscatter is used to guide a robotic gripper to grasp a portion of the plant such as for harvesting a fruit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2016Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Aaron Couture, Calvin Adams, Rafael Fonseca, Jeffrey Schubert, Richard Mastronardi
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Patent number: 10228487Abstract: An X-ray cargo inspection system and method. A lead-in conveyor on a first trailer receives a cargo container for inspection. An inspection module disposed on a second trailer then scans the cargo container with penetrating radiation, detects penetrating radiation that has interacted with the cargo container, and produces an inspection signal. An exit conveyor disposed on a third trailer projects the cargo container following scanning. The inspection module may contain transmission or scatter detectors, or both. Multiple lead-in conveyors may serve to load additional cargo containers for subsequent scanning by the inspection module.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Richard Mastronardi
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Publication number: 20170059739Abstract: An X-ray cargo inspection system and method. A lead-in conveyor on a first trailer receives a cargo container for inspection. An inspection module disposed on a second trailer then scans the cargo container with penetrating radiation, detects penetrating radiation that has interacted with the cargo container, and produces an inspection signal. An exit conveyor disposed on a third trailer projects the cargo container following scanning. The inspection module may contain transmission or scatter detectors, or both. Multiple lead-in conveyors may serve to load additional cargo containers for subsequent scanning by the inspection module.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventor: Richard Mastronardi
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Patent number: 9146201Abstract: An x-ray inspection system using backscatter of an x-ray beam emitted through a scan panel contiguous with, but of a material distinct from, an enclosure that contains an x-ray source by which the x-ray beam is generated. The scan panel is contoured in such a manner as to be visibly blended with a shape characterizing the enclosure. In some embodiments, the beam traverses multiple scan panels, where one or more of the scan panels may be selected for beam filtration properties. The scan panel may be disposed interior to a sliding door, and may be structured to serve as a scatter shield.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2013Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Schubert, Jeffrey M. Denker, Jason Toppan, Michael Chesna, Richard Mastronardi, Robyn Smith, Richard Schueller, Jeffrey Illig
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Patent number: 9020100Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting personnel or their effects. A first and second carriage each carries a source for producing a beam of penetrating radiation incident on a given subject. A positioner provides for relative motion of each beam vis-à-vis the subject in a motion, the vertical component of which is one-way. A detector receives radiation produced by at least one of the sources after the radiation interacts with the subject.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: America Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, Dean Fleury, Jeffrey R. Schubert, Joseph DiMare, Richard Schueller, Alexander Chalmers
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Patent number: 8971487Abstract: A mobile scanning system and methods for inspecting contents of a container. Multiple detector plates are arrayed along an arcuate member coupled to a conveyance with wheels, capable of road travel. A source generates high-energy penetrating radiation that irradiates each of the detector plates from a single position. The arcuate member is disposed, during the course of operation of the system, in a vertical plane. The system has one actuator for rotating the arcuate member about a horizontal pivot into a horizontal plane, and a second actuator for further rotating the arcuate member, once rotated into the horizontal plane, about a vertical pivot, so that the arcuate member is contained, for purposes of transport, entirely within a volume defined by a rectangular prism that does not extend horizontally outward from the conveyance beyond any of its wheels.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, David Blake, Seth Van Liew, Jeffrey Warren
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Patent number: 8824632Abstract: A system and method for inspecting a vehicle or other object by means of two sources and one or more detectors of penetrating radiation. The sources and detector(s) are carried on a mobile conveyance and deployed at a point of operation. One source irradiates an inspected object from within an enclosure, while a second source swings away from the conveyance on a deployable member, such as a boom, such that the second source can irradiate the vehicle from above. A backscatter image of the inspected object is based at least in part on radiation from the second source scattered by the inspected object.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2011Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Richard Mastronardi
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Patent number: 8690427Abstract: Methods for inspecting contents of a container. High-energy penetrating radiation collimated into a fan beam illuminates an inspected container from one side, while a plurality of detector plates are disposed on the opposite side of the container. Each detector plate has a plurality of detector modules, each of which, in turn, is disposed on a remotely activated alignment and has multiple detector elements. A controller governs the orientation of each of the plurality of detector plates based at least on the detector signal generated by its detector elements such that each detector element of each detector module of each detector plate may be aligned to within a specified fraction of the transverse dimension of the fan beam as measured at the exit slot.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2013Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, Jeffrey M. Denker, Peter Rothschild, Dan-Cristian Dinca, Aaron D. Pailes, David R. Blake, Domenic Martignetti
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Publication number: 20140044238Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting personnel or their effects. A first and second carriage each carries a source for producing a beam of penetrating radiation incident on a given subject. A positioner provides for relative motion of each beam vis-à-vis the subject in a motion, the vertical component of which is one-way. A detector receives radiation produced by at least one of the sources after the radiation interacts with the subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, Dean Fleury, Jeffrey R. Schubert, Joseph DiMare, Richard Schueller, Alexander Chalmers
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Patent number: 8605859Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting personnel or their effects. A first and second carriage each carries a source for producing a beam of penetrating radiation incident on a given subject. A positioner provides for relative motion of each beam vis-à-vis the subject in a motion, the vertical component of which is one-way. A detector receives radiation produced by at least one of the sources after the radiation interacts with the subject.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, Dean Fleury, Jeffrey R. Schubert, Joseph DiMare, Richard Schueller, Alexander Chalmers
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Publication number: 20130230140Abstract: Methods for inspecting contents of a container. High-energy penetrating radiation collimated into a fan beam illuminates an inspected container from one side, while a plurality of detector plates are disposed on the opposite side of the container. Each detector plate has a plurality of detector modules, each of which, in turn, is disposed on a remotely activated alignment and has multiple detector elements. A controller governs the orientation of each of the plurality of detector plates based at least on the detector signal generated by its detector elements such that each detector element of each detector module of each detector plate may be aligned to within a specified fraction of the transverse dimension of the fan beam as measured at the exit slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, Jeffrey M. Denker, Peter Rothschild, Dan-Cristian Dinca, Aaron D. Pailes, David R. Blake, Domenic Martignetti
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Patent number: 8439565Abstract: A scanning system and methods for inspecting contents of a container. High-energy penetrating radiation collimated into a fan beam illuminates an inspected container from one side, while a plurality of detector plates are disposed on the opposite side of the container. Each detector plate has a plurality of detector modules, each of which, in turn, is disposed on a remotely activated alignment and has multiple detector elements. A controller governs the orientation of each of the plurality of detector plates based at least on the detector signal generated by its detector elements such that each detector element of each detector module of each detector plate may be aligned to within a specified fraction of the transverse dimension of the fan beam as measured at the exit slot.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2011Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, Jeffrey M. Denker, Peter Rothschild, Dan-Cristian Dinca, Aaron D. Pailes, David R. Blake, Domenic Martignetti
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Publication number: 20130028376Abstract: A mobile scanning system and methods for inspecting contents of a container. Multiple detector plates are arrayed along an arcuate member coupled to a conveyance with wheels, capable of road travel. A source generates high-energy penetrating radiation that irradiates each of the detector plates from a single position. The arcuate member is disposed, during the course of operation of the system, in a vertical plane. The system has one actuator for rotating the arcuate member about a horizontal pivot into a horizontal plane, and a second actuator for further rotating the arcuate member, once rotated into the horizontal plane, about a vertical pivot, so that the arcuate member is contained, for purposes of transport, entirely within a volume defined by a rectangular prism that does not extend horizontally outward from the conveyance beyond any of its wheels.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: AMERICAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, INC.Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, David Blake, Seth Van Liew, Jeffrey Warren
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Patent number: 8345819Abstract: A system and method for inspecting a vehicle by means of one or more sources and detectors of penetrating radiation. The source(s) and detector(s) are carried on a mobile conveyance and deployed at a point of operation. One source swings away from the conveyance on a deployable member, such as a boom, such that the source can irradiate a vehicle from above or below. A detector deploys outwardly from the mobile conveyance, remaining mechanically coupled to the mobile conveyance in a position in a horizontal plane, such that the detector intercepts penetrating radiation from the source positioned above the inspected vehicle, which penetrating radiation has interacted with the inspected vehicle. A ramp may be provided to allow the inspected vehicle to be driven to a position between the vertically irradiating source and a transmission detector.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, Peter J. Rothschild
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Publication number: 20120093288Abstract: A scanning system and methods for inspecting contents of a container. High-energy penetrating radiation collimated into a fan beam illuminates an inspected container from one side, while a plurality of detector plates are disposed on the opposite side of the container. Each detector plate has a plurality of detector modules, each of which, in turn, is disposed on a remotely activated alignment and has multiple detector elements. A controller governs the orientation of each of the plurality of detector plates based at least on the detector signal generated by its detector elements such that each detector element of each detector module of each detector plate may be aligned to within a specified fraction of the transverse dimension of the fan beam as measured at the exit slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: AMERICAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, INC.Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, Jeffrey M. Denker, Peter Rothschild, Dan-Cristian Dinca, Aaron D. Pailes, David R. Blake, Domenic Martignetti
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Publication number: 20120033791Abstract: A system and method for inspecting a vehicle or other object by means of two sources and one or more detectors of penetrating radiation. The sources and detector(s) are carried on a mobile conveyance and deployed at a point of operation. One source irradiates an inspected object from within an enclosure, while a second source swings away from the conveyance on a deployable member, such as a boom, such that the second source can irradiate the vehicle from above. A backscatter image of the inspected object is based at least in part on radiation from the second source scattered by the inspected object.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: AMERICAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, INC.Inventor: Richard Mastronardi