Patents by Inventor Susan N. Vernon

Susan N. Vernon 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: 5394571
    Abstract: An inflatable bedpan assembly having an inflatable horseshoe-shaped seat and a detachable waste collection bag which is sealed by use of a drawstring is provided. The bedpan is almost flat in its deflated condition and has a shape similar to a thick toilet seat when inflated. A waste collection bag substitutes for the bowl in a regular toilet. The bag is inserted prior to use, then is pulled out through a gap in the front of the seat. The bag closes and seals as it is pulled out. The collection bag is attached to the bedpan by means of a sleeve which is around the opening of the bag and which contains a drawstring. The sleeve containing the drawstring is wedged into a groove or channel formed around the inner circumference of the seat just below the top surface. After use, the drawstring and sleeve, with the suspended collection bag, are pulled out of the groove in the horseshoe and removed through the front gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventor: Susan N. Vernon
  • Patent number: 5278498
    Abstract: A flexible core eddy current probe is disclosed for testing of curved or egular surfaces. The core is comprised of a flexible binder loaded with a powdered magnetic material and then formed into a specific flexible core shape continuously adaptable to irregular or curved surfaces. The flexible core probe has specific application to carbon fiber reinforced composite components having contoured surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Susan N. Vernon, John M. Liu
  • Patent number: 5021738
    Abstract: A compound eddy current probe comprising a nest of concentric ferrite cup re probes. Both the inner and outer radii of the activated coil can be selectively altered by operator or automatic program to correspond with the size and thickness of the material under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Susan N. Vernon, Brian Sircus, Paul M. Gammell
  • Patent number: 4924182
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for nondestructive inspection (NDI) of mposite materials comprising conductive fibers. The depth of broken fiber damage in nonmetal matrix composites such as graphite/epoxy and carbon/carbon materials may be ascertained and eddy current inspection is extended to include thick metal sections by this method. Inspection is possible with access limited to a single surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Susan N. Vernon, Paul M. Gammell
  • Patent number: 4922201
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and device for measuring the resistivity f materials. In particular, the methods measure resistivity in carbon fiber reinforced composites as well as any materials with a relative magnetic permeability of 1. The measurement may be made with access restricted to a single side of the material under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Susan N. Vernon, Paul M. Gammell
  • Patent number: H879
    Abstract: A device for inspection by eddy current methods of materials exhibiting cumferential conductivity. This device finds application for the inspection of filament-wound carbon fiber reinforced composites which do not usually have sufficient conductivity in the axial direction to allow inspection by conventional surface probes while still providing the desired resolution. This device is also useful in inspecting thick-walled circumferentially conductive materials, including metal, where their thickness would require a surface probe of such diameter as to be impractical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Susan N. Vernon, Stephen S. Lane
  • Patent number: RE36979
    Abstract: A flexible core eddy current probe is disclosed for testing of curved or egular surfaces. The core is comprised of a flexible binder loaded with a powdered magnetic material and then formed into a specific flexible core shape continuously adaptable to irregular or curved surfaces. The flexible core probe has specific application to carbon fiber reinforced composite components having contoured surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Susan N. Vernon, John M. Liu