Patents by Inventor Ronald D. Kriz

Ronald D. Kriz 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).

  • Method of determining load in anisotropic non-crystalline materials using energy flux deviation
    Patent number: 5337610
    Abstract: An ultrasonic wave is applied to an anisotropic sample material in an initial direction and the intensity of the ultrasonic wave is measured on an opposite surface of the sample material by two adjacent receiving points located in an array of receiving points. A ratio is determined between the measured intensities of two adjacent receiving points, the ratio being indicative of an angle of flux deviation from the initial direction caused by an unknown applied load. This determined ratio is then compared to a plurality of ratios of a similarly tested, similar anisotropic reference material under a plurality of respective, known load conditions, whereby the load applied to the particular anisotropic sample material is determined. A related method is disclosed for determining the fiber orientation from known loads and a determined flux shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: William H. Prosser, Ronald D. Kriz, Dale W. Fitting
  • Methods of determining loads and fiber orientations in anisotropic non-crystalline materials using energy flux deviation
    Patent number: 5209123
    Abstract: An ultrasonic wave is applied to an anisotropic sample material in an initial direction and an angle of flux deviation of the ultrasonic wave front is measured from this initial direction. This flux deviation angle is induced by the unknown applied load. The flux shift is determined between this flux deviation angle and a previously determined angle of flux deviation of an ultrasonic wave applied to a similar anisotropic reference material under an initial known load condition. This determined flux shift is then compared to a plurality of flux shifts of a similarly tested, similar anisotropic reference material under a plurality of respective, known load conditions, whereby the load applied to the particular anisotropic sample material is determined. A related method is disclosed for determining the fiber orientation from known loads and a determined flux shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: William H. Prosser, Ronald D. Kriz, Dale W. Fitting
  • Systems for monitoring changes in elastic stiffness in composite materials
    Patent number: 4499770
    Abstract: Traversing energy flux transmitted into a fiber/matrix composite structure is propagated through the structure in directions which vary depending upon the elastic stiffness condition of the composite. Degradation in elastic stiffness of the composite, from any cause, will result in variations in the direction of travel of the flux through the composite. By determining the direction of flux propagation in the composite, or the portion of the composite structure from which the flux is detected as it exits the structure, the condition of the composite structure, independent of the source of degradation, can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce
    Inventor: Ronald D. Kriz