Patents by Inventor Robert D. Kephart

Robert D. Kephart 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: 11878462
    Abstract: A method and system for in situ cross-linking of polymers, Bitumen, and other materials to produce arbitrary functional or ornamental three-dimensional features using electron beams provided by mobile accelerators comprises defining a desired pattern for imparting on a target area, mapping the target area, defining at least one discrete voxel in the target area according to the desired pattern to be imparted on the target area, assigning an irradiation value to each of the at least one discrete voxels, and delivering a dose of irradiation to each of the at least one discrete voxels according to the assigned irradiation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: FERMI RESEARCH ALLIANCE, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Sauers, Robert D. Kephart
  • Publication number: 20210387405
    Abstract: A method and system for in situ cross-linking of polymers, Bitumen, and other materials to produce arbitrary functional or ornamental three-dimensional features using electron beams provided by mobile accelerators comprises defining a desired pattern for imparting on a target area, mapping the target area, defining at least one discrete voxel in the target area according to the desired pattern to be imparted on the target area, assigning an irradiation value to each of the at least one discrete voxels, and delivering a dose of irradiation to each of the at least one discrete voxels according to the assigned irradiation value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Aaron Sauers, Robert D. Kephart
  • Patent number: 9340931
    Abstract: A method and system for treating and strengthening material filling a pothole. One or more electron accelerators can be integrated with a mobile unit. The electron accelerators are positioned on the mobile unit to heat, irradiate and treat in-situ, both the base material and a material filling a pothole located proximate to the mobile unit, wherein irradiation of the material by the electron accelerators results in in-situ cross-linking or polymerization of the material and therefore a strengthening and increased durability of the material filling the pothole. Deep heating of the substrate allows pothole repair even under extreme low temperature winter conditions. The in-situ treatment of the material filling the pothole in a road surface to toughens and strengthens the road surface and the filled pothole which results in improved material properties of the surface, enhanced durability, and improved lifetime of the pothole fill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Fermi Research Alliance, LLC
    Inventor: Robert D. Kephart
  • Publication number: 20160069030
    Abstract: A method and system for treating and strengthening material filling a pothole. One or more electron accelerators can be integrated with a mobile unit. The electron accelerators are positioned on the mobile unit to heat, irradiate and treat in-situ, both the base material and a material filling a pothole located proximate to the mobile unit, wherein irradiation of the material by the electron accelerators results in in-situ cross-linking or polymerization of the material and therefore a strengthening and increased durability of the material filling the pothole. Deep heating of the substrate allows pothole repair even under extreme low temperature winter conditions. The in-situ treatment of the material filling the pothole in a road surface to toughens and strengthens the road surface and the filled pothole which results in improved material properties of the surface, enhanced durability, and improved lifetime of the pothole fill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Robert D. Kephart
  • Patent number: 9186645
    Abstract: A method and system for treating and strengthening material. One or more electron accelerators can be integrated with a mobile unit. The electron accelerators are positioned on the mobile unit to irradiate and treat in-situ, a material located proximate to the mobile unit, wherein irradiation of the material by the electron accelerators results in in-situ cross-linking or polymerization of the material and therefore a strengthening and increased durability of the material. The in-situ treatment of a road surface to toughen and strengthen the road surface constructed with standard asphalt construction can result in improved material properties of the surface, enhanced durability, and improved lifetime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Fermi Research Alliance, LLC
    Inventor: Robert D. Kephart
  • Publication number: 20150071707
    Abstract: A method and system for treating and strengthening material. One or more electron accelerators can be integrated with a mobile unit. The electron accelerators are positioned on the mobile unit to irradiate and treat in-situ, a material located proximate to the mobile unit, wherein irradiation of the material by the electron accelerators results in in-situ cross-linking or polymerization of the material and therefore a strengthening and increased durability of the material. The in-situ treatment of a road surface to toughen and strengthen the road surface constructed with standard asphalt construction can result in improved material properties of the surface, enhanced durability, and improved lifetime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Robert D. Kephart