Joel K Miller

US Patent:

6411208, Jun 25, 2002

Filed:

Jun 5, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/869934

Inventors:

Michael L. Buess - Alexandria VA
Allen N. Garroway - Fort Washington MD
Joel B. Miller - Cheverly MD
James P. Yesinowski - Fort Washington MD
Roy P. Lindquist - Oakton VA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G08B 2100

US Classification:

340540, 324300, 324727

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for screening samples to determine which samples include a target material. Generally, the samples are pre-screened to determine which of the samples have a piezoelectric resonance when irradiated with an electric field, to thereby indicate the presence of the target material. The samples that have the piezoelectric resonance are then further screened by a different process to confirm the presence of the target material. For example, samples that have the piezoelectric resonance are further screened for a specific nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR), a specific nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or a specific visual characteristic, to confirm the presence of the target material in the sample. The apparatus and method can be used, for example, to search luggage at ports of entry for the presence of cocaine hydrochloride or heroin hydrochloride.

US Patent:

6420872, Jul 16, 2002

Filed:

Jan 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/006440

Inventors:

Allen N. Garroway - Davidsonville MD
Joel B. Miller - Cheverly MD
Bryan H. Suits - Boughton MI
Richard L. Garwin - Scarsdale NY

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01V 300

US Classification:

324322, 324318

Abstract:

An apparatus which includes a probe for detecting a resonance signal induced in a sample. The probe and the resonance signal each have a respective, corresponding Q, and the ratio, Qâ, of the Q of the probe to the Q of the resonance signal is relatively large. Preferably, Qâ is greater than, or equal to, 1.

US Patent:

6522135, Feb 18, 2003

Filed:

Aug 1, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/904937

Inventors:

Joel B. Miller - Cheverly MD
Allen N. Garroway - Fort Washington MD
Bryan Suits - Houghton MI

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01V 300

US Classification:

324300, 324315

Abstract:

A nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) method and probe for generating RF magnetic fields in different directions to distinguish NQR from acoustic ringing induced in a sample. Generally, an RF magnetic field is generated along an axis towards a sample to induce a resonance signal in the sample. The resonance signal includes NQR and acoustic ringing. The resonance signal is detected along the RF magnetic field axis. The acoustic ringing is detected along a direction orthogonal to the RF magnetic field axis. As a result, the NQR in the resonance signal can be distinguished from the acoustic ringing in the resonance signal.

US Patent:

6777937, Aug 17, 2004

Filed:

Mar 6, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/384922

Inventors:

Joel Miller - Cheverly MD
Allen Garroway - Fort Washington MD

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01V 300

US Classification:

324318, 324322

Abstract:

An NQR apparatus for irradiating a sample with an RF magnetic field and for determining the presence of a target material by detecting an NQR signal includes a transmitter for generating an output signal at a selected frequency, a receiver for detecting the NQR signal, a probe, and a switch coupling the receiver and the transmitter with the probe for alternately connecting and disconnecting the receiver and the transmitter to the probe, thereby switching the NQR apparatus between a transmitting mode and a receiving mode. The probe consists of a resonant circuit that includes a coil array. The coil array includes a first figure-8 coil and a partially overlapping, second figure-8 coil for generating an RF magnetic field in a detecting region outside the probe. The first and second coils together alternate between a transmitting mode for irradiating a sample in the detecting region with an RF magnetic field, and a receiving mode for detecting an NQR signal indicative of the presence of a target material in the sample. The coil array produces a highly uniform rotating RF magnetic field, increasing its detection sensitivity and enhancing its ability to separate magnetic resonance signals from piezoelectric and acoustic ringing.

US Patent:

6900633, May 31, 2005

Filed:

Jun 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/183351

Inventors:

Karen L. Sauer - Alexandria VA, US
Bryan H. Suits - Houghton MI, US
Joel B. Miller - Cheverly MD, US
Allen N. Garroway - Davidsonville MD, US
Young K. Lee - San Diego CA, US
Shouqin Huo - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01V003/00

US Classification:

324307

Abstract:

This invention involves an apparatus to measure the nuclear quadrupole (NQR) response of a specimen using three frequencies. Three-frequency NQR involves excitation of at least two transitions that causes an observed signal at a third transition frequency. Thus, the transition excited and detected is not irradiated at all. This reduces undesirable interfering signals due to the excitation, for example as a result of acoustic ringing and/or tank circuit ring-down, since the excitation is not applied at the frequency that is detected. This invention will be particularly useful to detect substances selected from the group consisting of explosives and narcotics using nitrogen NQR.

US Patent:

6956476, Oct 18, 2005

Filed:

Jun 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/166287

Inventors:

Michael L. Buess - Alexandria VA, US
Allen M. Garroway - Fort Washington MD, US
Joel B. Miller - Cheverly MD, US
James P. Yesinowski - Fort Washington MD, US
Roy P. Lindquist - Oakton VA, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G08B021/00

US Classification:

340540, 324309

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for screening samples to determine which samples include a target material. Generally, the samples are pre-screened to determine which of the samples have a piezoelectric resonance when irradiated with an electric field, to thereby indicate the presence of the target material. The samples that have the piezoelectric resonance are then further screened by a different process to confirm the presence of the target material. For example, samples that have the piezoelectric resonance are further screened for a specific nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR), a specific nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or a specific visual characteristic, to confirm the presence of the target material in the sample. The apparatus and method can be used, for example, to search luggage at ports of entry for the presence of cocaine hydrochloride or heroin hydrochloride.

US Patent:

7132942, Nov 7, 2006

Filed:

Sep 14, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/229442

Inventors:

Michael L. Buess - Alexandria VA, US
Allen M. Garroway - Fort Washington MD, US
Joel B. Miller - Cheverly MD, US
James P. Yesinowski - Fort Washington MD, US
Roy P. Lindquist - Oakton VA, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G08B 21/00

US Classification:

340540, 324300, 324727

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for screening samples to determine which samples include a target material. Generally, the samples are pre-screened to determine which of the samples have a piezoelectric resonance when irradiated with an electric field, to thereby indicate the presence of the target material. The samples that have the piezoelectric resonance are then further screened by a different process to confirm the presence of the target material. For example, samples that have the piezoelectric resonance are further screened for a specific nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR), a specific nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or a specific visual characteristic, to confirm the presence of the target material in the sample. The apparatus and method can be used, for example, to search luggage at ports of entry for the presence of cocaine hydrochloride or heroin hydrochloride.

US Patent:

H002177, Jan 2, 2007

Filed:

Aug 8, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/637079

Inventors:

Karen L. Sauer - Alexandria VA, US
Christopher A. Klug - Alexandria VA, US
Allen Garroway - Davidsonville MD, US
Joel B. Miller - Cheverly MD, US

Assignee:

The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01V 3/00

US Classification:

324318

Abstract:

A magnetic resonance detection apparatus is provided that is not susceptible to acoustic ringing, and a method is provided for eliminating or canceling acoustic ringing from a detected magnetic resonance signal. Specifically, a composite pulse is utilized that allows for both efficient reduction of acoustic ringing signals and the detection of true NQR signals. The composite pulse can be used in any of the common NQR pulse sequences currently utilized simply via substitution of the original single pulses with the composite pulse. Furthermore, although a preferred application involves the spin-1 nucleus N and NQR, the composite pulse will be useful for the NQR of other nuclei such as CI and K and in NMR applications and involving half-integer quadrupolar nuclei and spin- 1/2 nuclei. In addition, coil ringdown and piezoelectric ringing are also substantially reduced.