Michael J Scanlon

US Patent:

6536553, Mar 25, 2003

Filed:

Apr 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/557939

Inventors:

Michael V. Scanlon - Silver Spring MD

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

G01V 100

US Classification:

181108, 181401, 73636, 73639, 367178

Abstract:

An apparatus for detecting an underground abject includes a container in contact with the ground surface; a medium disposed in the container; at least one acoustic sensor disposed in the medium in the container; and an output device connected to the acoustic sensor. A portion of the container in contact with the ground is substantially acoustically transparent and conforms to contours of the ground. The acoustic impedance of the medium in the container is substantially the same as the acoustic impedance of the ground. A method of detecting an underground object includes receiveing reflected acoustic noise with at least one acoustic sensor immersed in a medium, the mediukm being desposed in a container in contact with a ground surface; converting the reflected acoustic noise to electrical signals; and, using an output device, converting teh eletrical signals to a form that can be sensed by a human to determine if the undergroung object has been detected.

US Patent:

7207258, Apr 24, 2007

Filed:

Dec 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/009855

Inventors:

Michael V. Scanlon - Laurel MD, US

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

F41A 21/00

US Classification:

89198, 89 144, 181223

Abstract:

Silencers are provided for a weapon having a combustion chamber and a barrel. The weapon is configured to launch a projectile with combustion gases generated in the combustion chamber. An exemplary silencer includes a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being configured for mounting the silencer to the barrel, the distal end being configured to allow the projectile to pass therethrough, and at least one vortex chamber disposed between the proximal end and the distal end. The at least one vortex chamber includes a circular peripheral wall for inducing a vortex on a portion of the combustion gases expelled from the combustion chamber during launch of the projectile. The vortex impedes flow of the combustion gases from the barrel such that acoustic energy associated with the launch of the projectile is dissipated.

US Patent:

7656749, Feb 2, 2010

Filed:

Sep 4, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/849996

Inventors:

Michael V. Scanlon - Laurel MD, US

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

G01S 3/80

US Classification:

367119

Abstract:

Systems for analyzing acoustic waves are provided. An exemplary system includes a housing, multiple acoustic passageways and an acoustic sensor. The housing defines an interior cavity. The multiple acoustic passageways communicate acoustically between the interior cavity and an exterior of the housing. Each of the acoustic passageways has an inlet port and an outlet port, with each outlet port being located within the housing to direct a portion of an acoustic wave to the interior cavity. The acoustic sensor is mounted within the interior cavity and is operative to receive portions of an acoustic wave directed to the interior cavity by the acoustic passageways. The acoustic sensor also is operative to provide information such as direction of arrival information corresponding to a composite waveform formed by acoustic interference, within the interior cavity, of the portions of the acoustic wave. Methods and other systems also are provided.

US Patent:

7854297, Dec 21, 2010

Filed:

Apr 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/790053

Inventors:

Michael Scanlon - Laurel MD, US

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

F01N 1/02
F01N 1/08
F01N 1/00

US Classification:

181250, 181274

Abstract:

Mufflers are provided for a vehicle exhaust system having a combustion chamber and an exhaust pipe. The vehicle exhaust system is configured to reduce the noise of combustion gasses generated in the combustion chamber. An exemplary muffler includes a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being configured for mounting the muffler to the exhaust pipe leading to the engine, the distal end being configured to allow the combustion gasses to pass therethrough, and at least one vortex chamber disposed between the proximal end and the distal end. The at least one vortex chamber includes a circular peripheral wall for inducing a vortex on a portion of the combustion gasses expelled from the combustion chamber during high-pressure pulsations created by the operation of a vehicle engine. The vortex impedes flow of the combustion gasses from the pipe such that acoustic energy associated with the expulsion of the combustion gasses is dissipated.

US Patent:

8157383, Apr 17, 2012

Filed:

Oct 1, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/243436

Inventors:

Michael V. Scanlon - Laurel MD, US

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

G03B 21/00
G03B 21/56
G06F 3/038

US Classification:

353 13, 353122, 345204, 359446

Abstract:

A system for displaying information via a light source on rotating helicopter blades of an aircraft such as a helicopter is provided. The light source may be a laser light source and the light therefrom may be directed onto the aircraft blade by one or more motion controlled mirrors and a computer controller. A sensor is capable of determining the position of helicopter blades during rotation, such that light may be projected upon only the moving blade at precisely timed intervals, so as to form perceivable graphics and/or messages thereon. In addition, such system may be utilized for displaying graphics and/or messages on rotating propellers of fixed wing aircraft.

US Patent:

20120212712, Aug 23, 2012

Filed:

Feb 29, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/407838

Inventors:

Michael V. Scanlon - Laurel MD, US

Assignee:

U.S. Government as represented by the Secretary of the Army - Adelphia MD

International Classification:

G03B 21/14

US Classification:

353121

Abstract:

A method for displaying information via a light source on rotating helicopter blades of an aircraft such as a helicopter is provided. The light source may be a laser light source and the light therefrom may be directed onto the aircraft blade by one or more motion controlled mirrors and a computer controller. A sensor is capable of determining the position of helicopter blades during rotation, such that light may be projected upon only the moving blade at precisely timed intervals, so as to form perceivable graphics and/or messages thereon. In addition, the method may be utilized for displaying graphics and/or messages on rotating propellers of fixed wing aircraft.

US Patent:

49641000, Oct 16, 1990

Filed:

Dec 1, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/444335

Inventors:

Nassy Srour - Silver Spring MD
Michael V. Scanlon - Springfield VA

Assignee:

The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army - Washington DC

International Classification:

H04R 1500

US Classification:

367178

Abstract:

An acoustic detection device having a parabolic dish antenna for gathering ound waves and providing a first stage of amplification, an exponential horn located at the focus of the parabolic dish antenna for further acoustic amplification, a fluidic gainblock for a final stage of amplification, and acoustic earphones for listening. Either a hand operated latex bulb or a mechanical pump is used to pressurize a plastic fluid storage container that is used to supply fluid to the fluidic gainblock. Within the fluidic gainblock are four or more staged laminar proportional amplifiers having a bandwidth of 0 to 4,000 Hz.

US Patent:

56844603, Nov 4, 1997

Filed:

May 9, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/638721

Inventors:

Michael V. Scanlon - Silver Spring MD

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

G08B 2100

US Classification:

340573

Abstract:

A movement monitor and stimulator may prevent death in human infants from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Recent medical studies indicate a SIDS victim's breathing may be resuscitated by immediate stimulation. The sound and/or movement monitor and stimulator may have a base member configured as a fluid-filled sensing pad for supporting an infant and a transducer for detecting movement or acoustic activity (e. g. , heart beat, breathing, voice and motion sounds). A stimulator may move the base member to stimulate movement in the object when output from the transducer corresponds to no sound and/or movement from the object, or indicates a dangerous change in monitored condition, such as the decrease in metabolic rate indicative of the onset of sleep. The stimulator may also be applied in a more gentle fashion to soothe and quiet an infant that has been awakened unexpectedly. The transducer may be a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the fluid interior of the sensing pad.