Stephen W Allison

US Patent:

6456383, Sep 24, 2002

Filed:

Nov 3, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/705847

Inventors:

Dennis D. Earl - Knoxville TN
Stephen W. Allison - Knoxville TN
Michael R. Cates - Oak Ridge TN
Alvin J. Sanders - Knoxville TN

Assignee:

UT Battelle, LLC - Oak Ridge TN
The University of Tennessee Research Corporation - Knoxville TN

International Classification:

G01D 1114

US Classification:

356614, 356498

Abstract:

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for making absolute distance or ranging measurements using Fresnel diffraction. The invention employs a source of electromagnetic radiation having a known wavelength or wavelength distribution, which sends a beam of electromagnetic radiation through a screen at least partially opaque at the wavelength. The screen has an aperture sized so as to produce a Fresnel diffraction pattern. A portion of the beam travels through the aperture to a detector spaced some distance from the screen. The detector detects the central intensity of the beam as well as a set of intensities displaced from a center of the aperture. The distance from the source to the target can then be calculated based upon the known wavelength, aperture radius, and beam intensity.

US Patent:

7446860, Nov 4, 2008

Filed:

Sep 18, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/527648

Inventors:

Jonathan W. Campbell - Madison AL, US
David L. Lehner - Huntsville AL, US
Larry L. Smalley - Huntsville AL, US
Alvin J. Sanders - Knoxville TN, US
Dennis Duncan Earl - Knoxville TN, US
Stephen W. Allison - Knoxville TN, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01C 3/08

US Classification:

356 403

Abstract:

A method and system for determining range to a target are provided. A beam of electromagnetic energy is transmitted through an aperture in an opaque screen such that a portion of the beam passes through the aperture to generate a region of diffraction that varies as a function of distance from the aperture. An imaging system is focused on a target plane in the region of diffraction with the generated image being compared to known diffraction patterns. Each known diffraction pattern has a unique value associated therewith that is indicative of a distance from the aperture. A match between the generated image and at least one of the known diffraction patterns is indicative of a distance between the aperture and target plane.

US Patent:

8406837, Mar 26, 2013

Filed:

Nov 1, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/513258

Inventors:

George T. Gillies - Charlottesville VA, US
Helen Fillmore - Richmond VA, US
William C. Broaddus - Midlothian VA, US
Boyd M. Evans, III - Oak Ridge TN, US
Stephen W. Allison - Knoxville TN, US

Assignee:

UT-Battelle, LLC - Oak Ridge TN
University of Virginia Patent Foundation - Charlottesville VA

International Classification:

A61B 5/00

US Classification:

600321

Abstract:

A functionalized tip is incorporated into catheters for the cytometric delivery of cells into the brain and other body parts. For use in the brain, the tip forms part of a neurosurgical probe having a proximal end and a distal end. In addition to the functionalized tip, the probe has at least one cell slurry delivery lumen and a plurality of optical fibers configured along the probe, terminating in the tip to provide the photo-optical capability needed to monitor the viability and physiological behavior of the grafted cells as well as certain characteristics of the cellular environment. Details are also presented of the use of a neurocatheter having a cytometric tip of the type disclosed in the invention, as employed within the context of a feedback and control system for regulating the number of cells delivered to the brain of a patient.

US Patent:

20020174794, Nov 28, 2002

Filed:

Apr 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/840568

Inventors:

Richard Lowden - Clinton TN, US
Norman Vaughn - Knoxville TN, US
Stephen Allison - Knoxville TN, US
Cyrus Smith - Knoxville TN, US

International Classification:

F42B010/00
F42B012/00
F42B030/00

US Classification:

102/517000

Abstract:

This invention is an identifiable bullet having a slug made from an unsintered powdered metal composite core and a luminescent taggant mixture. The luminescent taggant mixture portion of the slug serves as an identifying agent that can be traced to the manufactured origin of the bullet thereby providing a means for matching the identity of a post-fired bullet with the identity of a pre-fired bullet manufacturer.

US Patent:

57013705, Dec 23, 1997

Filed:

Dec 17, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/767697

Inventors:

Jeffrey D. Muhs - Lenoir City TN
Stephen W. Allison - Knoxville TN

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc. - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

G02B 600

US Classification:

385 13

Abstract:

Fiber-optic sensors employing optical fibers of elastomeric material are incorporated in devices adapted to be worn by human beings in joint and chest regions for the purpose of monitoring and measuring the extent of joint articulation and chest expansion especially with respect to time.

US Patent:

59147857, Jun 22, 1999

Filed:

Feb 4, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/018502

Inventors:

Stephen W. Allison - Knoxville TN
Michael R. Cates - Oak Ridge TN
William S. Key - Knoxville TN
Alvin J. Sanders - Knoxville TN
Dennis D. Earl - Knoxville TN

Assignee:

The University of Tennesee Research Corporation - Knoxville TN
Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

G01B 514

US Classification:

356375

Abstract:

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for making absolute distance or ranging measurements using Fresnel diffraction. The invention employs a source of electromagnetic radiation having a known wavelength or wavelength distribution, which sends a beam of electromagnetic radiation through an object which causes it to be split (hereinafter referred to as a "beamsplitter"), and then to a target. The beam is reflected from the target onto a screen containing an aperture spaced a known distance from the beamsplitter. The aperture is sized so as to produce a Fresnel diffraction pattern. A portion of the beam travels through the aperture to a detector, spaced a known distance from the screen. The detector detects the central intensity of the beam. The distance from the object which causes the beam to be split to the target can then be calculated based upon the known wavelength, aperture radius, beam intensity, and distance from the detector to the screen.

US Patent:

58127291, Sep 22, 1998

Filed:

Jul 21, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/505422

Inventors:

Stephen W. Allison - Knoxville TN
Lynn A. Boatner - Oak Ridge TN
Brian C. Sales - Knoxville TN

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc. - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

G02B 616

US Classification:

385142

Abstract:

A new light-transmitting device using a SCIN glass core and a novel calcium sodium cladding has been developed. The very high index of refraction, radiation hardness, similar solubility for rare earths and similar melt and viscosity characteristics of core and cladding materials makes them attractive for several applications such as high-numerical-aperture optical fibers and specialty lenses. Optical fibers up to 60 m in length have been drawn, and several simple lenses have been designed, ground, and polished. Preliminary results on the ability to directly cast optical components of lead-indium phosphate glass are also discussed as well as the suitability of these glasses as a host medium for rare-earth ion lasers and amplifiers.

US Patent:

57305285, Mar 24, 1998

Filed:

Aug 28, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/704052

Inventors:

Stephen W. Allison - Knoxville TN
Michael R. Cates - Oak Ridge TN
Lynn A. Boatner - Oak Ridge TN
George T. Gillies - Earlysville VA

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc. - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

G01K 1120

US Classification:

374161

Abstract:

A high temperature phosphor consists essentially of a material having the general formula LuPO. sub. 4 :Dy. sub. (x),Eu. sub. (y), wherein: 0. 1 wt %. ltoreq. x. ltoreq. 20 wt % and 0. 1 wt %. ltoreq. y. ltoreq. 20 wt %. The high temperature phosphor is in contact with an article whose temperature is to be determined. The article having the phosphor in contact with it is placed in the environment for which the temperature of the article is to be determined. The phosphor is excited by a laser causing the phosphor to fluoresce. The emission from the phosphor is optically focused into a beam-splitting mirror which separates the emission into two separate emissions, the emission caused by the dysprosium dopant and the emission caused by the europium dopent. The separated emissions are optically filtered and the intensities of the emission are detected and measured. The ratio of the intensity of each emission is determined and the temperature of the article is calculated from the ratio of the intensities of the separate emissions.