Substance identification and location method and system

• US 7,825,648 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2007
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John Nutting, Richard Daniel
• Original Assignee: John Nutting, Richard Daniel
• Inventors: Nutting, John, Daniel, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Vincent Q
• Application Number:
  US11/978,775
• Publication Number:
  US 20080061763A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,100 Days
• Field of Search: 324/71.1, 324/637, 735/87, 735/89, 736/03, 736/04, 738/01
• US Class Current: 324/71.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/35 using infrared light G01N21/39 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/14 operating with electron or nuclear magnetic resonance

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and system for remote detection of a targeted substance by the appropriate application of a probing signal that induces molecular resonance in the target substance to create an identifiable signature or response. In the preferred embodiment, signals transmitted are an Infrared laser beam, amplitude modulated in the range of 100 kHz frequency. The probing signal stimulates molecular resonance of the target substance which produces characteristic electron signal responses that are detected by IR detectors. A software program is used to process the electrical response signals and to compare them with electrical response signals stored in a database of known substances, thus allowing the target substance to be identified. The system may also be used to locate targeted substances. Also disclosed is an artificial ground device that provides a positive ground that provides consistent responses.

Claims

1. An ion acoustic remote substance identification and location system, comprising:

a. an ion acoustic voltage radiation source;

b. means for ionizing an intermediate chemical to produce a probing signal of a desired frequency and amplitude capable of propagating a voltage from said ion acoustic voltage radiation source to a desired target substance to produce non-destructive molecular resonance therein;

c. means to transmit said voltage and said probing signal to a target substance to cause said target substance to undergo molecular resonance and produce a characteristic electrical response signal;

d. an IR detector for detecting with directional shielding said electrical response signal from said target substance, said IR detector includes a metallic outer housing with an open end, said outer housing made of an metallic outer shield that surrounds an insulative inner shield, located inside said insulative inner shield is one or more infrared emitters that produce a beam of IR radiation is transmitted through said open end and to a target substance, said outer housing also including an electrode used to detect a response signal from a target substance through said open end;

e. a transformer assembly attached to said electrode, said transform assembly includes a metallic outer housing;

f. an artificial grounding device connected to said outer housings of said IR detector and said transformer assembly, said artificial grounding device includes an outer housing with a IR emitter diode located therein that produces a IR signal when a current is applied thereto, said artificial grounding device also including an opaque, insulative shield that is slightly smaller than said outer housing thereby creating a gap around said outer housing through which said IR signal from said IR emitter diode may be transmit to ionize the air located outside said outer housing; and

,

f. means to identify said target substance based on said electrical response signal detected by said IR detector.