Patents by Inventor Richard Piefer

Richard Piefer 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).

  • Publication number: 20240068071
    Abstract: A sublimation/distillation apparatus including a crucible with an open end, a heating device thermally coupled to the crucible, an actively cooled collection substrate disposed above the open end of the crucible, and a vacuum chamber housing the crucible, the heating device, and the actively cooled collection substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: SHINE Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Piefer, Eric Van Abel, Richard Sisson
  • Patent number: 11238999
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating medical isotopes provides an annular fissile solution vessel surrounding a neutron generator. The annular fissile solution vessel provides for good capture of the emitted neutrons and a geometry that provides enhanced stability in an aqueous reactor. A neutron multiplier and/or a neutron moderator may be used to improve the efficiency and control the criticality of the reaction in the annular fissile solution vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignees: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, SHINE Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Richard Piefer, Thad Alexander Heltemes, Eric Nicholas Van Abel, Ross Francis Radel
  • Publication number: 20190326029
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating medical isotopes provides an annular fissile solution vessel surrounding a neutron generator. The annular fissile solution vessel provides for good capture of the emitted neutrons and a geometry that provides enhanced stability in an aqueous reactor. A neutron multiplier and/or a neutron moderator may be used to improve the efficiency and control the criticality of the reaction in the annular fissile solution vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Gregory Richard Piefer, Thad Alexander Heltemes, Eric Nicholas Van Abel, Ross Francis Radel
  • Patent number: 10332646
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating medical isotopes provides an annular fissile solution vessel surrounding a neutron generator. The annular fissile solution vessel provides for good capture of the emitted neutrons and a geometry that provides enhanced stability in an aqueous reactor. A neutron multiplier and/or a neutron moderator may be used to improve the efficiency and control the criticality of the reaction in the annular fissile solution vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Gregory Richard Piefer, Thad Alexander Heltemes, Eric Nicholas Van Abel, Ross Francis Radel
  • Publication number: 20130142296
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating medical isotopes provides an annular fissile solution vessel surrounding a neutron generator. The annular fissile solution vessel provides for good capture of the emitted neutrons and a geometry that provides enhanced stability in an aqueous reactor. A neutron multiplier and/or a neutron moderator may be used to improve the efficiency and control the criticality of the reaction in the annular fissile solution vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Gregory Richard Piefer, Thad Alexander Heltemes, Eric Nicholas Van Abel, Ross Francis Radel
  • Publication number: 20060267529
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with an encoder feedback device includes a comparator, a counter, and a prediction unit. The encoder feedback device is coupled to rotate with a rotating load and operable to generate at least one feedback position signal indicative of movement of the rotating load. The comparator is operable to receive the feedback position signal and generate a first position signal including a plurality of edges based on the feedback position signal. The counter is operable to receive the first position signal and count the edges to periodically generate position values at a predetermined update interval. The prediction unit is operable to receive a position data request at a first time and predict a position of the rotating load at the first time as a function of at least a subset of the position values generated prior to the first time and a misalignment between the first time and the predetermined update interval to generate an aligned position signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Piefer, Thomas Rehm, Juntao Quan
  • Publication number: 20060267537
    Abstract: An electronic line shaft includes a motor drive and a processing unit operable to execute a wizard for configuring the motor drive. The wizard is operable to receive mechanical characteristic data associated with the motor drive, determine a noise parameter based on the mechanical characteristic data, and determine at least one control parameter of the motor drive based on the noise parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Kevin Baumann, Thomas Rehm, Richard Piefer, John Golownia, John Keller, David Stringfellow, Michael Keller
  • Publication number: 20060186841
    Abstract: A method and assembly for synchronizing machine operations, the assembly comprising a reference generator for generating a speed reference signal and a position reference signal, a plurality of slave units, each slave unit including, a mechanical device, a separate motor linked to and driving the mechanical device and a separate unit controller for controlling the unit motor, the unit controller receiving and using the reference signals to control motor operation and a synchronizer receiving the reference signals from the control signal source and simultaneously providing the reference signals to each of the slave unit controllers for use in controlling operation of the motors in a synchronized fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Piefer, Thomas Rehm, Kevin Baumann, Christopher Como, John Davis, David Stringfellow