Patents by Inventor Rob R. Smith

Rob R. Smith 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).

  • Clandestine grave detector
    Patent number: 8074490
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting a burial site of human remains are disclosed. An air stream is drawn through an air intake conduit from locations near potential burial sites of human remains. The air stream is monitored by one or more chemical sensors to determine whether the air stream includes one or more indicator compounds selected from halogenated compounds, hydrocarbons, nitrogen-containing compounds, sulfur-containing compounds, acid/ester compounds, oxygen-containing compounds, and naphthalene-containing compounds. When it is determined that an indicator compound is present in the air stream, this indicates that a burial site of human remains is below or nearby. Each sensor may be in electrical communication with an indicator that signals when the sensor has detected the presence of the indicator compound in the air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: UT-Battelle LLC
    Inventors: William H. Andrews, Jr., Cyril V. Thompson, Arpad A. Vass, Rob R. Smith
  • Assembly for collecting samples for purposes of identification or analysis and method of use
    Patent number: 7655188
    Abstract: An assembly and an associated method for collecting a sample of material desired to be characterized with diagnostic equipment includes or utilizes an elongated member having a proximal end with which the assembly is manipulated by a user and a distal end. In addition, a collection tip which is capable of being placed into contact with the material to be characterized is supported upon the distal end. The collection tip includes a body of chemically-inert porous material for binding a sample of material when the tip is placed into contact with the material and thereby holds the sample of material for subsequent introduction to the diagnostic equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Cyril V. Thompson, Rob R. Smith
  • Clandestine grave detector
    Publication number: 20080028827
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting a burial site of human remains are disclosed. An air stream is drawn through an air intake conduit from locations near potential burial sites of human remains. The air stream is monitored by one or more chemical sensors to determine whether the air stream includes one or more indicator compounds selected from halogenated compounds, hydrocarbons, nitrogen-containing compounds, sulfur-containing compounds, acid/ester compounds, oxygen-containing compounds, and naphthalene-containing compounds. When it is determined that an indicator compound is present in the air stream, this indicates that a burial site of human remains is below or nearby. Each sensor may be in electrical communication with an indicator that signals when the sensor has detected the presence of the indicator compound in the air stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: William H. Andrews, Cyril V. Thompson, Arpad A. Vass, Rob R. Smith