Robert Carl Youngquist

Author:

Robert S. Youngquist

ISBN #:

0721653960

Author:

Robert S. Youngquist

ISBN #:

0721693237

US Patent:

6650125, Nov 18, 2003

Filed:

Dec 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/007487

Inventors:

Robert C. Youngquist - Cocoa FL

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

G01R 2726

US Classification:

324658, 324559

Abstract:

A method and system for locating leaks of conductive fluids from non-conductive pipes and other structures or for locating non-conductive pipes or structures having conductive fluid contained therein, employ a charge generator to apply a time varying charge to the conductive fluid, and a capacitive type detector that can detect the variable charge that is induced in the fluid. The capacitive detector, which preferably includes a handheld housing, employs a large conductive pickup plate that is used to locate the pipe or leak by scanning the plate over the ground and detecting the induced charge that is generated when the plate comes in close proximity to the pipe or leak. If a leak is encountered, the resulting signal will appear over an area larger than expected for a buried pipe, assuming the leak provides an electrically conductive path between the flow and the wet surrounding ground. The detector uses any suitable type of indicator device, such as a pair of headphones that enable an operator to hear the detected signal as a chirping sound, for example.

US Patent:

6651481, Nov 25, 2003

Filed:

Oct 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/983045

Inventors:

Robert C Youngquist - Cocoa FL

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

G01L 2700

US Classification:

73 164, 2502521, 381 58

Abstract:

Embodiments of apparatuses and methods are provided that use light sources instead of sound sources for characterizing and calibrating sensors for measuring small pressures to mitigate many of the problems with using sound sources. In one embodiment an apparatus has a light source for directing a beam of light on a sensing surface of a pressure sensor for exerting a force on the sensing surface. The pressure sensor generates an electrical signal indicative of the force exerted on the sensing surface. A modulator modulates the beam of light. A signal processor is electrically coupled to the pressure sensor for receiving the electrical signal.

US Patent:

6891148, May 10, 2005

Filed:

Feb 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/082413

Inventors:

Jorge E. Rivera - Titusville FL, US
Robert C. Youngquist - Cocoa FL, US
Robert B. Cox - New Smyrna Beach FL, US
William D. Haskell - Mims FL, US
Charles G. Stevenson - Mims FL, US

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

G06M007/00
G01C003/00
G03B017/18

US Classification:

250221, 250216, 2502221, 33276, 396290

Abstract:

A scaling device projects a known optical pattern into the field of view of a camera, which can be employed as a reference scale in a resulting photograph of a remote object, for example. The device comprises an optical beam projector that projects two or more spaced, parallel optical beams onto a surface of a remotely located object to be photographed. The resulting beam spots or lines on the object are spaced from one another by a known, predetermined distance. As a result, the size of other objects or features in the photograph can be determined through comparison of their size to the known distance between the beam spots. Preferably, the device is a small, battery-powered device that can be attached to a camera and employs one or more laser light sources and associated optics to generate the parallel light beams. In a first embodiment of the invention, a single laser light source is employed, but multiple parallel beams are generated thereby through use of beam splitting optics. In another embodiment, multiple individual laser light sources are employed that are mounted in the device parallel to one another to generate the multiple parallel beams.

US Patent:

8577639, Nov 5, 2013

Filed:

Feb 19, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/031182

Inventors:

Robert C. Youngquist - Cocoa FL, US
Stephen M. Simmons - Melbourne FL, US

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

G01J 3/00
G01J 3/453
G01J 3/45

US Classification:

702104, 702 85, 356451

Abstract:

A calibration assembly for a spectrometer is provided. The assembly includes a spectrometer having n detector elements, where each detector element is assigned a predetermined wavelength value. A first source emitting first radiation is used to calibrate the spectrometer. A device is placed in the path of the first radiation to split the first radiation into a first beam and a second beam. The assembly is configured so that one of the first and second beams travels a path-difference distance longer than the other of the first and second beams. An output signal is generated by the spectrometer when the first and second beams enter the spectrometer. The assembly includes a controller operable for processing the output signal and adapted to calculate correction factors for the respective predetermined wavelength values assigned to each detector element.

US Patent:

20110133727, Jun 9, 2011

Filed:

Dec 6, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/961344

Inventors:

Robert C. Youngquist - Cocoa FL, US
Stephen M. Simmons - Melbourne FL, US

Assignee:

Adm. - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01B 7/14

US Classification:

32420716

Abstract:

An inductive position sensor uses three inductors. First and second inductors are separated by a fixed distance with the first inductor's axial core and second inductor's axial core maintained parallel to one another. A third inductor is disposed between the first and second inductors with the third inductor's axial core being maintained parallel to those of the first and second inductors. The combination of the first and second inductors are configured for relative movement with the third inductor's axial core remaining parallel to those of the first and second inductors as distance changes from the third inductor to each of the first inductor and second inductor. In operation, a source supplies an oscillating current to at least one of the three inductors, while another device measures voltage induced in at least one of the three inductors not supplied with the oscillating current. The voltage so-induced is indicative of an amount of the relative movement between the third inductor and the combination of the first and second inductors.

US Patent:

57103771, Jan 20, 1998

Filed:

Oct 17, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/540616

Inventors:

Robert C. Youngquist - Cocoa FL
J. Steven Moerk - Taylorsville NC

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

G01H 1300
G01M 324

US Classification:

73584

Abstract:

A system for detecting ultrasonic vibrations, such as those generated by a small leak in a pressurized container, vessel, pipe, or the like, comprises an ultrasonic transducer assembly and a processing circuit for converting transducer signals into an audio frequency range signal. The audio frequency range signal can be used to drive a pair of headphones worn by an operator. A diode rectifier based mixing circuit provides a simple, inexpensive way to mix the transducer signal with a square wave signal generated by an oscillator, and thereby generate the audio frequency signal. The sensitivity of the system is greatly increased through proper selection and matching of the system components, and the use of noise rejection filters and elements. In addition, a parabolic collecting horn is preferably employed which is mounted on the transducer assembly housing. The collecting horn increases sensitivity of the system by amplifying the received signals, and provides directionality which facilitates easier location of an ultrasonic vibration source.

US Patent:

59792396, Nov 9, 1999

Filed:

Apr 28, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/845900

Inventors:

Robert C Youngquist - Cocoa FL
J. Steven Moerk - Taylorsville NC

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

G01H 1300
G01M 324

US Classification:

73584

Abstract:

An imaging system is described which can be used to either passively search for sources of ultrasonics or as an active phase imaging system, which can image fires, gas leaks, or air temperature gradients. This system uses an array of ultrasonic receivers coupled to an ultrasound collector or lens to provide an electronic image of the ultrasound intensity in a selected angular region of space. A system is described which includes a video camera to provide a visual reference to a region being examined for ultrasonic signals.

US Patent:

58617558, Jan 19, 1999

Filed:

Nov 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/552456

Inventors:

J. Steven Moerk - Taylorsville NC
Robert C. Youngquist - Cocoa FL
Rudy J. Werlink - Winter Springs FL

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

G01N 2722

US Classification:

324663

Abstract:

A quality and/or flow meter employs a capacitance probe assembly for measuring the dielectric constant of flow stream, particularly a two-phase flow stream including liquid and gas components. The dielectric constant of the flow stream varies depending upon the volume ratios of its liquid and gas components, and capacitance measurements can therefore be employed to calculate the quality of the flow, which is defined as the volume ratio of liquid in the flow to the total volume ratio of gas and liquid in the flow. By using two spaced capacitance sensors, and cross-correlating the time varying capacitance values of each, the velocity of the flow stream can also be determined. A microcontroller-based processing circuit is employed to measure the capacitance of the probe sensors. The circuit employs high speed timer and counter circuits to provide a high resolution measurement of the time interval required to charge each capacitor in the probe assembly. In this manner, a high resolution, noise resistant, digital representation of each of capacitance value is obtained without the need for a high resolution A/D converter, or a high frequency oscillator circuit.