Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Nance
Thomas A. Nance 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).
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Patent number: 8944192Abstract: This invention relates generally to robotic systems and is specifically designed for a robotic system that can navigate vertical pipes within a waste tank or similar environment. The robotic system allows a process for sampling, cleaning, inspecting and removing waste around vertical pipes by supplying a robotic platform that uses the vertical pipes to support and navigate the platform above waste material contained in the tank.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2011Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLCInventors: Thomas A. Nance, Nick J. Vrettos, Daniel Krementz, Athneal D. Marzolf
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Patent number: 8837672Abstract: The concealing of one or more identification symbols into a target object and the subsequent determination or reading of such symbols through non-destructive testing is described. The symbols can be concealed in a manner so that they are not visible to the human eye and/or cannot be readily revealed to the human eye without damage or destruction of the target object. The identification symbols can be determined after concealment by e.g., the compilation of multiple X-ray images. As such, the present invention can also provide e.g., a deterrent to theft and the recovery of lost or stolen objects.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLCInventors: Thomas A. Nance, Kenneth M. Gibbs
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Publication number: 20130294579Abstract: The concealing of one or more identification symbols into a target object and the subsequent determination or reading of such symbols through non-destructive testing is described. The symbols can be concealed in a manner so that they are not visible to the human eye and/or cannot be readily revealed to the human eye without damage or destruction of the target object. The identification symbols can be determined after concealment by e.g., the compilation of multiple X-ray images. As such, the present invention can also provide e.g., a deterrent to theft and the recovery of lost or stolen objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2012Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: SAVANNAH RIVER NUCLEAR SOLUTIONS, LLCInventors: Thomas A. NANCE, Kenneth M. GIBBS
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Patent number: 8402843Abstract: A sample collection vial and process of using a vial is provided. The sample collection vial has an opening secured by a dissolvable plug. When dissolved, liquids may enter into the interior of the collection vial passing along one or more edges of a dissolvable blocking member. As the blocking member is dissolved, a spring actuated closure is directed towards the opening of the vial which, when engaged, secures the vial contents against loss or contamination.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2009Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLCInventors: Thomas A. Nance, Frank T. McCoy
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Publication number: 20130025947Abstract: This invention relates generally to robotic systems and is specifically designed for a robotic system that can navigate vertical pipes within a waste tank or similar environment. The robotic system allows a process for sampling, cleaning, inspecting and removing waste around vertical pipes by supplying a robotic platform that uses the vertical pipes to support and navigate the platform above waste material contained in the tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Inventors: Thomas A. Nance, Nick J. Vrettos, Daniel Krementz, Athneal D. Marzolf
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Publication number: 20100282004Abstract: A sample collection vial and process of using a vial is provided. The sample collection vial has an opening secured by a dissolvable plug. When dissolved, liquids may enter into the interior of the collection vial passing along one or more edges of a dissolvable blocking member. As the blocking member is dissolved, a spring actuated closure is directed towards the opening of the vial which, when engaged, secures the vial contents against loss or contamination.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2009Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: SAVANNAH RIVER NUCLEAR SOLUTIONS, LLCInventors: Thomas A. Nance, Frank T. McCoy
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Patent number: 7575389Abstract: A quick connect/disconnect coupling apparatus is provided in which a base member is engaged by a locking housing through a series of interengagement pins. The pins maintain the shaft in a locked position. Upon exposure to an appropriately positioned magnetic field, pins are removed a sufficient distance such that the shaft may be withdrawn from the locking housing. The ability to lock and unlock the connector assembly requires no additional tools or parts apart from a magnetic key.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2005Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLCInventor: Thomas A. Nance
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Patent number: 7392856Abstract: A sampling device for collecting depth-specific samples in silt, sludge and granular media has three chambers separated by a pair of iris valves. Rotation of the middle chamber closes the valves and isolates a sample in a middle chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2006Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Washington Savannah River Company, LLCInventors: Thomas A. Nance, Timothy J. Steeper
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Publication number: 20070134061Abstract: A quick connect/disconnect coupling apparatus is provided in which a base member is engaged by a locking housing through a series of interengagement pins. The pins maintain the shaft in a locked position. Upon exposure to an appropriately positioned magnetic field, pins are removed a sufficient distance such that the shaft may be withdrawn from the locking housing. The ability to lock and unlock the connector assembly requires no additional tools or parts apart from a magnetic key.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2005Publication date: June 14, 2007Inventor: Thomas Nance
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Publication number: 20060175089Abstract: A sampling device for collecting depth-specific samples in silt, sludge and granular media has three chambers separated by a pair of iris valves. Rotation of the middle chamber closes the valves and isolates a sample in a middle chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2006Publication date: August 10, 2006Inventors: Thomas Nance, Timothy Steeper
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Patent number: 6889920Abstract: Disclosed is an elongated, tubular, compact high pressure sprayer apparatus for insertion into an access port of vessels having contaminated interior areas that require cleaning by high pressure water spray. The invention includes a spray nozzle and a camera adjacent thereto with means for rotating and raising and lowering the nozzle so that areas identified through the camera may be cleaned with a minimum production of waste water to be removed.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2004Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Westinghouse Savannah River CompanyInventors: Thomas A. Nance, Alvin A. Siddall, William Y. Cheng, Kevin T. Counts
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Publication number: 20050045751Abstract: Disclosed is an elongated, tubular, compact high pressure sprayer apparatus for insertion into an access port of vessels having contaminated interior areas that require cleaning by high pressure water spray. The invention includes a spray nozzle and a camera adjacent thereto with means for rotating and raising and lowering the nozzle so that areas identified through the camera may be cleaned with a minimum production of waste water to be removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2004Publication date: March 3, 2005Inventors: Thomas Nance, Alvin Siddall, William Cheng, Kevin Counts
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Patent number: 6111599Abstract: An apparatus is provided for observing a hostile environment, comprising a housing and a camera capable of insertion within the housing. The housing is a double wall assembly with an inner and outer wall with an hermetically sealed chamber therebetween. A housing for an optical system used to observe a hostile environment is provided, comprising a transparent, double wall assembly. The double wall assembly has an inner wall and an outer wall with an hermetically sealed chamber therebetween. The double wall assembly has an opening and a void area in communication with the opening. The void area of the housing is adapted to accommodate the optical system within said void area. An apparatus for protecting an optical system used to observe a hostile environment is provided comprising a housing; a tube positioned within the housing; and a base for supporting the housing and the tube. The housing comprises a double wall assembly having an inner wall and an outerwall with an hermetically sealed chamber therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1998Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Westinghouse Savannah River CompanyInventors: Thomas A. Nance, Micah L. Boylston, Casandra W. Robinson, William C. Sexton, Frank M. Heckendorn