Michael J Thornton

US Patent:

6467731, Oct 22, 2002

Filed:

Mar 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/532587

Inventors:

Edward Nathan Harris - Denver CO
Daniel R. Morgenthaler - Littleton CO
Kenneth P. Romeo - Littleton CO
Michael A. Sasdelli - Uxbridge MA
Janine M. Thornton - Elizabeth CO
Michael G. Thornton - Elizabeth CO
William H. Willcockson - Morrison CO

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

B64G 162

US Classification:

244160, 244158 A

Abstract:

An integrated sample return capsule for use in returning materials to Earth from space, such as core samples from other celestial bodies and experiments from orbiting platforms. The sample return capsule incorporates thermal protection, structural integrity and impact mitigation into a single system capable of safely and securely returning the materials without requiring decelerating parachutes. In one embodiment, the integrated sample return capsule includes a forward facing heat shield and a back shell attached to the rear of the heat shield. The heat shield and the back shell define an interior enclosure. The back shell includes an access, such as a door or a removable panel, there through to the interior enclosure. Materials to be returned may be sealed in a sample containment vault, and the sealed vault may be placed into the interior enclosure through the access. An optional support deck may be provided within the interior enclosure for receiving the sample containment vault and supporting the vault within the interior enclosure.

US Patent:

20090296525, Dec 3, 2009

Filed:

May 27, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/127205

Inventors:

Leo Eisner - Prague, CZ
David Abbott - Highlands Ranch CO, US
William B. Barker - Houston TX, US
James Lakings - Houston TX, US
Michael P. Thornton - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

G01V 1/36

US Classification:

367 41

Abstract:

A method for determining presence of seismic events in seismic signals includes determining presence of at least one seismic event in seismic signals corresponding to each of a plurality of seismic sensors. A correlation window is selected for each of the plurality of seismic signals. Each correlation window has a selected time interval including an arrival time of the at least one seismic event in each seismic signal. Each window is correlated to the respective seismic signal between a first selected time and a second selected time. Presence of at least one other seismic event in the seismic signals from a result of the correlating.

US Patent:

50142879, May 7, 1991

Filed:

Apr 18, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/510572

Inventors:

Michael G. Thornton - Littleton CO
Benton C. Clark - Littleton CO

International Classification:

G01N 23223

US Classification:

378 45

Abstract:

A portable x-ray fluorescence spectrometer has a portable sensor unit containing a battery, a high voltage power supply, an x-ray tube which produces a beam x-ray radiation directed toward a target sample, and a detector for fluorescent x-rays produced by the sample. If a silicon-lithium detector is used, the sensor unit also contains either a thermoelectric or thermochemical cooler, or a small dewar flask containing liquid nitrogen to cool the detector. A pulse height analyzer ("PHA") generates a spectrum of data for each sample consisting of the number of fluorescent x-rays detected as a function of their energy level. The PHA can also store spectrum data for a number of samples in the field. A processing unit can be attached to the pulse height analyzer to upload and analyze the stored spectrum data for each sample. The processing unit provides a graphic display of the spectrum data for each sample, and provides qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of the elemental composition of the sample by comparing the peaks in the sample spectrum against known x-ray energies for various chemical elements.

US Patent:

45955611, Jun 17, 1986

Filed:

Nov 19, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/672464

Inventors:

Michael G. Thornton - Littleton CO
Benton C. Clark - Littleton CO

Assignee:

Martin Marietta Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

G01N 2103
G02B 2134

US Classification:

422 58

Abstract:

A liquid sample holder having a fluid sample receptacle bounded by two substantially parallel sheets. The parallel sheets define a fluid analysis area, and adjacent to that area is a peripheral overflow. Air bubbles are trapped in the peripheral overflow because the distance between the plates is smaller than the depth or thickness of the peripheral overflow.

US Patent:

55885357, Dec 31, 1996

Filed:

Oct 12, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/322185

Inventors:

Michael G. Thornton - Littleton CO
Janine M. Thornton - Littleton CO

Assignee:

Synectic Technology, Inc. - Littleton CO

International Classification:

B03C 130

US Classification:

209 38

Abstract:

A system for preparing samples of wear particles employs a series of movable particle traps or screens within a passage to separate particles by size and magnetic characteristics. Movable magnets are placed adjacent to an inlet tube upstream from the particle traps to separate magnetic particles from non-magnetic particles. One embodiment includes a coarse particle trap and a medium particle trap. A controller initially positions the magnets adjacent to the tube and positions both particle traps to block the passage so that only fine non-magnetic wear particles are collected in the first sample. The medium non-magnetic wear particles are then rinsed from the medium particle trap to provide a second sample. Next, the coarse non-magnetic wear particles are rinsed from the coarse particle trap to provide the third sample. The controller once again positions both particle traps to block the passage, removes the magnets, and rinses the magnetic wear particles onto the particle traps so that only fine magnetic wear particles are passed to provide a fourth sample.

US Patent:

45553319, Nov 26, 1985

Filed:

Jan 30, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/696863

Inventors:

Michael G. Thornton - Littleton CO
Benton C. Clark - Littleton CO

Assignee:

Martin Marietta Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

G01N 1504

US Classification:

210 99

Abstract:

A semi-automatic quantitative filtration assembly is disclosed having a measuring means to measure and present a known quantity of fluid for filtering and a fluid holding means adjacent to a filter medium. The fluid holding means is adapted to receive and hold excess fluid during filtering and to prevent intermixing with a known quantity of fluid to be presented to filtering. The filtering apparatus is designed to filter a quantitative amount of fluid and receive fluid in the fluid holding tank which is excess sample fluid or fluid unwanted as a result of error or operational failure and which drains to a common vacuum/waste means for filtered fluid. A variety of features are also provided to insure proper operation and minimize operator error.

US Patent:

55311296, Jul 2, 1996

Filed:

Sep 5, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/523766

Inventors:

Janine M. Thornton - Littleton CO
Michael G. Thornton - Littleton CO

Assignee:

Synectic Technology, Inc. - Littleton CO

International Classification:

B01D 2130

US Classification:

7386324

Abstract:

An apparatus extracts standardized samples of wear particles from a series of used oil filters by rotating each oil filter while spraying a solvent fluid into the opening at the base of the oil filter. The apparatus includes a housing to hold the filter having a movable cover and a base that contacts the filter base and allows rotation of said filter. A crawler assembly within the housing cover initially translates along the axis of rotation toward the housing base until the filter is held between the crawler and the housing base. A motor associated with the crawler assembly (or the housing base) then rotates the filter. A shaft extending through the housing base into the filter opening carries a nozzle that directs a spray of fluid into the filter during rotation to rinse wear particles from the filter for subsequent analysis. A predetermined quantity of fluid is sprayed into each filter to produce a standardized sample. The interior of the housing also sprayed with fluid between consecutive filters to prevent cross-contamination.