Patents by Inventor Theron V. Blalock

Theron V. Blalock 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: 5228780
    Abstract: A dual-mode Johnson noise and DC resistance thermometer capable of use in control systems where prompt indications of temperature changes and long term accuracy are needed. A resistance-inductance-capacitance (RLC) tuned circuit produces a continuous voltage signal for Johnson noise temperature measurement. The RLC circuit provides a mean-squared noise voltage that depends only on the capacitance used and the temperature of the sensor. The sensor has four leads for simultaneous coupling to a noise signal processor and to a DC resistance signal processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Shepard, Theron V. Blalock, Michael J. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5098197
    Abstract: Method and device for direct, non-contact temperature measure of a body. A laser beam is reflected from the surface of the body and detected along with the Planck radiation. The detected signal is analyzed using signal correlation technique to generate an output signal proportional to the Johnson noise introduced into the reflected laser beam as a direct measure of the absolute temperature of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Robert L. Shepard, Theron V. Blalock, Michael J. Roberts, Lonnie C. Maxey
  • Patent number: 4175258
    Abstract: A wide band, stable, random noise source with a high and well-defined output power spectral density is provided which may be used for accurate calibration of Johnson Noise Power Thermometers (JNPT) and other applications requiring a stable, wide band, well-defined noise power spectral density. The noise source is based on the fact that the open-circuit thermal noise voltage of a feedback resistor, connecting the output to the input of a special inverting amplifier, is available at the amplifier output from an equivalent low output impedance caused by the feedback mechanism. The noise power spectral density level at the noise source output is equivalent to the density of the open-circuit thermal noise or a 100 ohm resistor at a temperature of approximately 64,000 Kelvins. The noise source has an output power spectral density that is flat to within 0.1% (0.0043 db) in the frequency range of from 1 KHz to 100 KHz which brackets typical passbands of the signal-processing channels of JNPT's.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1979
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Casimer J. Borkowski, Theron V. Blalock