Walter M Gray

US Patent:

7469596, Dec 30, 2008

Filed:

Oct 15, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/872345

Inventors:

Alexander Beltran Bernardo - San Antonio TX, US
Gary Lane Burkhardt - Adkins TX, US
Arthur Edwin Nicholls - Helotes TX, US
Walter Mac Gray - San Antonio TX, US

Assignee:

Southwest Research Institute - San Antonion TX

International Classification:

G01N 3/08
G01B 5/30

US Classification:

73818, 73760

Abstract:

A method and system for measuring constitutive properties, such as radial strain, on a specimen of power or other granular material while the specimen is subject to compressive axial and radial loading. The specimen fills a pliable sleeve that has a conductive band around its circumference. An eddy current coil is placed around the sleeve, and used to provide a response signal that indicates the diameter of the sleeve, which in turn indicates radial strain.

US Patent:

7733466, Jun 8, 2010

Filed:

Oct 15, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/872525

Inventors:

Alexander Beltran Bernardo - San Antonio TX, US
Gary Lane Burkhardt - Adkins TX, US
Arthur Edwin Nicholls - Helotes TX, US
Walter Mac Gray - San Antonio TX, US

Assignee:

Southwest Research Institute - San Antonio TX

International Classification:

G01N 3/08
G01B 11/16

US Classification:

356 32, 73760, 73818

Abstract:

A method and system for measuring radial strain on powder or other granular material while the powder is subject to compressive axial and radial loading. The powder is contained within a pliable sleeve. As pressure is applied to the powder, the sleeve changes diameter. An optical emitter emits a beam of light, which is intersected by the entire diameter of the sleeve. An optical sensor receives the intersected beam, and generates a response signal that indicates the diameter of the sleeve. This change in diameter can be related to a constitutive property such as strain.

US Patent:

8156708, Apr 17, 2012

Filed:

Dec 16, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/639080

Inventors:

Thomas Z. Moore - San Antonio TX, US
Walter M. Gray - San Antonio TX, US

Assignee:

Southwest Research Institute - San Antonio TX

International Classification:

E04B 1/00
E04B 2/00

US Classification:

527413, 5250606, 109 495

Abstract:

A system of gravel modules to be used atop a room or other enclosure in which there is a threat of explosion. Each module has a rigid metal box frame, which contains a two layers of gravel. The lower gravel layer is screen gravel, and a layer of graded gravel is above the screen gravel. The box frame has a lower and an upper criss-cross pattern of bridge cable. A stack of wire mesh and other supporting material is laid over the lower bridge cable to support the screen gravel, and more wire mesh is laid over the screen gravel to support the graded gravel. The depths and grades of gravel are selected according to the type potential explosion, in terms of explosive fragment sizes and the nature of any expanding gases.