text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Jan 14, 1997
|Filing date
|Jul 26, 1995
|Priority date
|Jul 26, 1995
|Fee status
|Publication number
|Nadarajah Narendran, Joseph M. Weiss
|Original Assignee
|Electric Power Research Institute
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (16), Non-Patent Citations (2), Referenced by (84), Classifications (9), Legal Events (7)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
The present invention relates generally to monitoring strain in hostile environments including elevated temperature and nuclear radiation environments. More specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatuses providing field-mountable fiber optic sensors for long term strain monitoring in such environments.
Fossil fuel powered steam generators, nuclear powered steam systems, and the like, employ many thousands of pipes through which water flows at high temperature and high pressure, e.g., boiler tube headers. The water within the pipe may flow at perhaps 1 m3 /second, at 600° F. or more, and at pressures of perhaps 1,100 psi. In a nuclear steam system, the outer surface of the pipe may be exposed to liquid at perhaps 2,500 psi.
Unfortunately, cracking and corrosion of the pipes, perhaps due to concentration of chemical impurities in the water at pipe crevices, can reduce the strength of the pipe walls. Unless detected sufficiently early, pipe failure and costly steam generator down-time can result. The failure mechanism appears to result from progressive intergranular attack and stress corrosion cracking, or "IGA/SCC". Unfortunately, it is difficult to reliably measure or successfully predict IGA/SCC failure on a long term basis within the hostile environment typified by the steam generators.
For example, it is known in the art to monitor strain at high temperatures using non-contact strain measuring techniques. But these devices are poorly suited for long-term measurements on power generation components, whose surfaces are often insulated and/or are subject to degradation. Further, the pipes to be monitored are frequently located in regions where visual interrogation is difficult or impossible. Also, non-contact strain measurement devices are affected by temperature, opacity, and the turbulence of any intervening atmosphere.
Contact strain gages such as electrical resistance gages are also known in the art and can sense strain at temperatures exceeding 700° F. on a long-term basis, and at even higher temperatures for short-term or dynamic measurements. For example, bonded resistance gages are commonly used continuously at temperatures up to 500° F. and have relatively high compliance, e.g., the ability to readily conform to the surface of the object under measurement.
So-called "Eaton" and "Kyowa" weldable resistance gages may be used at such temperatures, but have less compliance due to package stiffness. In the 600° F. to 650° F. range, such gages are made with a modified nickel-chrome alloy that has good drift characteristics, relative small apparent strain, and repeatable apparent strain characteristics. As used herein, "drift" refers to the stability of the strain gage output, while "apparent strain" refers to the change in output of the strain gage as a function of temperature in a regime in which hysteresis effects do not predominate. But it is difficult to adequately temperature compensate such devices using heat treatment techniques. Above 650° F., the sense material undergoes a metallurgical phase transition that can "reset" the temperature compensation, causing radical zero shifts.
In the 1000° F. to 1100° F. range, it is difficult to retain calibration, especially with resistance strain gages. Apparent strain, drift, and hysteresis due to temperature cycling present problems. At present, it is not known how to accomplish long-term static strain measurement at such elevated temperatures.
The drift problem has been somewhat addressed in the prior art using high-temperature capacitive strain gages. But such devices are not generally suitable for dynamic measurements above 100 Hz. Although low drift characteristics enable capacitive strain gages to measure creep strain change at steady-state, installation, calibration and other documentation can be costly. Nonetheless, capacitive type gages represent the only presently available contact devices useable for field measurement of creep strain at temperatures above 1000° F.
All of the above-described gages suffer the common problem of requiring electrical connections, which frequently are difficult to implement in a power plant generator environment. Further, electrical connections can act as antennae that render the gages susceptible to electromagnetic noise that can adversely affect the measurements. By contrast, fiber optic strain gages do not require such connections, and are useable at temperatures exceeding 700° F., and in fact can survive up to about 2,000° F.
A microbend fiber optic type strain gage is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,379 to Berthold, in which a strain sensing optical fiber is sandwiched between a pair of tooth-edged end plates. Strain causes the end plates to move toward or away from each other. This causes the fiber to become deformed, which amplitude modulates a light signal transmitted through the fiber. This modulation is detected to provide strain information having excellent resolution. A second, equal length reference optical fiber may be sandwiched between a similar pair of tooth-edged end plates that are locked to each other but not attached to the structure. As such, the reference fiber compensates for source brightness variations and changes in fiber transmission over time, thus providing temperature compensation.
The Berthold device is similar to a conventional strain gage in that it modulates the "resistance" to light passing through the sensing fiber. The device is also similar to a conventional capacitance gage in that it relies upon relative movement of two plates for its measurement. However, unlike the capacitance gage, the microbend fiber stiffness makes the gage less compliant than capacitance gages, but still more compliant than weldable resistance gages. The microbend fiber optic strain gage can provide stable and extended life data at temperatures up to 1100° F.
One drawback with intensity-modulated sensors such as the Berthold device is that there is a light intensity loss due to couplers, fiber microbending, and other attenuation contributors along the length of the optical fiber. Because these losses degrade accuracy and reliability of the stress and temperature related signals to be measured, such devices are not well suited for long-term monitoring applications.
It is also known in the art to use phase-modulated optical fiber devices in an interferometric configuration. Intrinsic and extrinsic Fabry-Perot fiber optic interferometric sensors are useful for measuring localized strain (e.g., gage length of perhaps 1 mm to 10 mm) on a relative but not absolute basis. For example, a white light optical source is coupled into one of two branches of a 2:1 multimode fiber coupler/splitter. The main portion of the fiber is mounted with a tube and is spaced-apart by an air gap from a high resolution Fabry-Perot sensor.
FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional depiction of such an extrinsic Fabry-Perot strain sensor 2 mounted with adhesive 4 to structure 6 for detection of strain within the structure by means of a detector 8. The sensor has a "Y"-shaped transmit/receive fiber optic structure 10 includes a first fiber optic branch 12 that receives light 14 from a preferably white source 16. (For ease of illustration, FIG. 1 does not depict a protective buffer coating over branches 12 and 32 of structure 10.) The light travels to surface 18 of the fiber optic, traverses an air gap 20 and reflects, at least partially, from surface 22 of a target fiber 24. The sensor structure typically includes a quartz outer tube 26 that is fused at joints 28 to the underlying transmit/receive and target fiber optic members. (Epoxy 30 or the like joins tube 26 to reflector fiber 24.) The lateral distance between these fused joints 28 defines a dimension AL that will decrease slightly as the strain sensor is subjected to tension, and that will increase slightly as sensor 2 is subjected to compression.
Depending upon the lateral separation of the air gap 20, some light frequencies within light energy 14 will reflect more strongly than others from target fiber surface 22. These wavelengths traverse branch 32 of "Y"-shaped structure 10 and are presented to detector 8. Stated differently, if strain causes changes to the air gap dimension, the strain may be characterized by a difference in the frequency or frequencies that are most strongly reflected. These frequency differences may be detected with a spectrum analyzer detector 8, to provide a measure of the changing value of ΔL, and thus to measure the strain to which sensor 2 was subjected.
One difficulty with such devices is that constructing the sensor requires modifying the optical fibers. Further, attaching, in the field or otherwise, the glass fiber optical sensor to the typically metallic structure that is to be temperature monitored is not trivial, especially at higher temperatures. Adhesives, e.g., adhesive 4 in FIG. 1, available for attaching the strain sensor to such structures cannot survive temperatures exceeding about 600° F.
One prior art technique for attaching a fiber optic strain sensor to a metal structure is to plasma spray molten metal to encapsulate the strain sensor and thus to attach it to the surface of the metal structure to be monitored. Unfortunately, the force exerted by the plasma spray upon the fiber-optic is severe, and can damage the sensor even before the plasma attachment process has ended. Further, plasma spraying does not lend itself to field-installation of the fiber optic sensors.
Another prior art technique for attaching fiber optic strain sensors to a metal structure uses high temperature ceramic adhesive. However, the thermal expansion coefficient for such adhesive is so dissimilar from the coefficient for the metal structure, that failed attachment joints can result.
Further, whether plasma spraying or ceramic adhesives are used, it is simply not convenient to attach a fiber optic strain sensor to a structure in the field.
In short, while phase-modulated fiber optic strain sensors can provide long term measurements at elevated temperatures, there is a need for a method and mechanism for producing such sensors such that they can be field-mounted to a metal structure to be monitored.
The present invention provides a method and mechanism for providing such predictions.
In a first embodiment, a metallized glass fiber optic sensor is bonded to a metal shim to form a sensor unit that may be field-welded to the structure of interest for monitoring structural strain. Preferably the metal shim os selected to be the same material as the structure of interest. Bonding is accomplished by first metallizing the fiber optic sensor, after which it is brazed or soldered to the shim, or is electroplated. In a second embodiment, a non-metallized optical fiber is attached to a metal shim using a special ceramic adhesive coat whose metal constituents thermally match the expansion of the shim.
Other embodiments directed for use with an extrinsic Fabry-Perot sensor provide a metal plate having a longitudinal groove sized to accommodate the diameter of the fiber optic elements. The target fiber optic element and the transmit/receive fiber optic element are placed in the groove and thus guided toward one another. When the two fiber optic elements are spaced-apart the requisite distance, a second metal plate, which may also be grooved, is attached, and the two metal plates are spot welded together. A ceramic adhesive coat having thermal properties similar to the first metal plate preferably also is used to secure the fiber optic elements. Alternatively, the fiber optic elements may be metallized, with a mask ring formed about a segment of the elements. A cover plate is fitted into the depressed segment and is spot welded to a the first metal plate to secure the fiber optic elements. In these extrinsic Fabry-Perot sensor embodiments, the resultant sensor may be welded to the structure under test, in the field.
Any of the embodiments may be used with a white light interferometer. The resultant strain sensor can provide long term measurements even at elevated temperatures of about 1,000° F., and even in nuclear radiation hazardous environments.
Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiments have been set forth in detail, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional depiction of an extrinsic Fabry-Perot strain sensor mounted to a structure, according to the prior art;
FIG. 2A is a view of a metallized sensor, affixed to a metal shim for spot welding in the field to a structure, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2B is a side view of the metallized sensor of FIG. 2A;
FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the metallized sensor of FIG. 2A, including a protective cover plate;
FIG. 3A is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of an internal Fabry-Perot sensor, depicting use of a concave-shaped cover plate and metal shim attachment using a specialized ceramic adhesive coat;
FIG. 3B is a end view of the embodiment of FIG. 3A;
FIG. 3C is an end view of an alternative embodiment of a sensor, depicting use of a concave-milled cover plate;
FIG. 3D is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a sensor, according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment, according to the present invention;
FIG. 5 depicts a configuration for discerning mechanical strain from thermal strain, and for using multiple sensors, according to the present invention;
FIG. 6 depicts a test setup for comparing high and lower temperature measurements of a conventional strain sensor with measurements from a sensor according to the present invention;
FIG. 7A depicts test data for 1000° F. ambient obtained from the test setup of FIG. 6;
FIG. 7B depicts test data for 75° F. ambient obtained from the test setup of FIG. 7.
In a first embodiment, a fiber optic sensor is metallized, and is then brazed or soldered to a metal shim that may then be spot welded in the field to the structure to be monitored for stress. The fiber optic sensor may include, without limitation, extrinsic Fabry-Perot optical fiber strain sensors such as was shown in FIG. 1.
Referring now to FIG. 2A, a fiber optic sensor, depicted generally as 2, includes a fiber optic portion 40 whose exterior is covered with a metallization layer 42. To improve ruggedness of the sensor, a portion of the fiber optic may include a metal sheath or tube 44 , as well as an overlayer of protective armored cable 46, or the like. Sensor 2 may be an external Fabry Perot sensor (e.g., as was shown in FIG. 1), or may be any other fiber optic sensor that preferably relies upon phase modulation.
The portion of the sensor shown in FIG. 2A includes the spaced-apart air gap 20 (shown in phantom), as well as the target or reflector fiber 24, its reflective end 22, and the common branch of the transmit-receive optical fiber 10 and its end 18. It is understood that the "Y"-shaped branch in the transmit-receive optical fiber 10 is to the left of what is shown in FIG. 2A, as is the optical source and a detector. One source of suitable fiber optic material is G2 Systems Fiber Optic, located in Los Angeles, Calif.
Generally, the outer diameter (D) of the fiber optic portion of sensor 2 will be about 125 μm, the extended fiber optic length (L) will be about 5 mm to 20 mm, and the shim 48 may have a typical width (w) of about 10 mm, and a shim thickness (T) of about 500 μm. Other dimensions may of course be used.
In a first embodiment, the exterior surface of the fiber optic sensor 2 is first metallized with layer 42, preferably by plating with gold or nickel, although other plating metals may be used instead. The thus metallized sensor may then be attached to a metal shim 48, preferably by brazing or soldering 50. Generally, metal shim 48 will be selected to be the same material as the structure of interest 52, to which shim 48 (and thus sensor 2) may be attached in the field, preferably by spot welding 54.
As an alternative to soldering or brazing, the metallized fiber optic sensor 2 may be placed atop shim 48, whereupon the sensor and shim are electro-plated together, bonding sensor to shim. In this embodiment, the interface 50 between the metallized layer 42 and the shim 48 will be an electro-plated bond rather than a solder or brazed bond.
Whether soldering, brazing, or electro-plating is used to secure the metallized sensor to the shim, the resultant sensor is relatively rugged and may be safely carried to the field for installation. As noted, in many power generator applications, the sensor will be spot-welded to a pressurized pipe and thus structure 52 in FIGS. 2A and 2B may represent a portion of the pipe wall of such structure.
As shown by FIG. 2C, a cover plate 56 may also be added to structure 52 for further protection after field-installation of sensor 2. Spot welding 54 or the like may be used to secure the protective cover plate 52 to the metal shim 48. Preferably the spot welding is relatively close to the body of the fiber optic elements to minimize fiber slipping as a result of thermal expansion.
As shown in the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B, sensor 2 may be attached to metal shim 48 using a specialized ceramic adhesive coat 60, rather than by metallizing the outer surface of the fiber optic. The ceramic adhesive coat 60 preferably includes metal constituents whose thermal expansion properties match those of the metal shim 48. Coat 60 is applied around the fiber optic elements 40, 24 on either side of cover plate 56, and cured, to help mechanically lock the fiber optic elements in place. The distance L between the points of attachment of the fiber optic elements defines the effective sensor length. A suitable source for coat 60 is SermeTel 588, commercially available from Sermatech International, Inc., located in Limerick, Pa. SermeTel 588 is commonly used as an insulation coating for copper wires that are exposed to very high temperatures, e.g., perhaps 1,800° F.
After adhesive curing, a cover plate 56 is fitted, slightly loosely, over the fiber optic elements to keep the interference cavity gap clean, and to prevent vibration of the fibers. Understandably, it is critical that transmit/receive fiber optic 40 and target fiber optic 24 almost meet such that their respective faces are spaced-apart to form gap 10. Accordingly, cover plates 56, and (if used) 56A, 56B are concave in cross-section, defining groove-like regions 64, 64' that guide fiber optic elements 40 and 24. The groove region concave dimension is at least the dimension of the diameter of the fiber optic elements, and is typically perhaps 0.005" (0.13 mm).
In the embodiment of FIG. 3B, cover plates 56, 56A, 56B have been formed by bending metal over a rod-like member having a desired curved profile to create the groove-like regions 64, 64' are present. As noted, these regions help guide and support the fiber optic elements, and for an internal Fabry-Perot sensor, assure that the spaced-apart end faces can indeed "find" each other. Spot welding 54 secures the upper plates 56, 56A, 56B to the lower base plate 48. To minimize shifting of the fiber optic elements 40 and 24, e.g., from thermal changes, it is preferred that the spot welds be close to (as opposed to distant from) the fiber optic elements.
In the embodiment of FIG. 3C, the upper and lower plates (here 56', 48') have been formed by milling a concave groove 64, 64' sized to accommodate the diameter of the fiber optic elements 40, 24. So formed, these plates guide and retain the fiber optic elements, and ensure that the spaced-apart region 10 is created to form an internal Fabry-Perot sensor. Spot welding 54 preferably retains the upper cover plate 56' to the lower plate 48'. FIG. 3D is a perspective view of a sensor similar to what is shown in FIG. 3A, except that the additional cover plates 56A, 56B are omitted.
FIG. 4 depicts an alternative embodiment in which the optical fibers, e.g., 24, 40, are metallized with an overlayer 62 that defines a non-metallized masked ringed region 64. The left-to-right width of the upper depressed portion of region 64 is sized to accept a cover plate 56 that is spot welded to a base plate 48, as has been described. The lower portion of region 64 is void. Formation of a masked band region 64 may be accomplished using etching or other techniques well known in the relevant art.
Each embodiment of FIG. 3A-3D and FIG. 4 permits fabrication of a field-mountable extrinsic Fabry-Perot sensor that can operate above 600° F. Each such sensor is more robust than prior art extrinsic Fabry-Perot sensors, whose deficiencies were described with respect to FIG. 1.
In practice, strain sensors constructed according to the present invention will be sensitive both to temperature and to strain. However, as depicted in FIG. 5, the mechanical strain and thermal strain components can be distinguished by using two identical sensors 2 and 2', preferably fabricated as an embodiment described earlier herein. In FIG. 5, a single armored cable 66 encompasses at least two optical fibers 10 and 10' that are preferably protected by metal tubes 44 and 44', respectively.
Sensor 2 preferably includes a metal shim 48 that is of the same material as the structure of interest 62. Sensor 2, but not sensor 2', is fixedly attached to structure 62, e.g., by spot welds 54. By contrast, sensor 2' is in the same environment but is not attached to structure 62. Thus, while both sensors 2 and 2' will experience the same thermal, pressure, and other ambient environmental changes, only sensor 2 will be subject to mechanical strain from structure 62.
As shown in FIG. 5, the N distal ends of the fiber optic elements may be terminated at a 1×N optical switch or coupler 66, that outputs a switchable signal to instrumentation 66, preferably a white light interferometer and associated electronics. Instrumentation 66 can subtract the signal from gage 2' from the signal from gage 2 to provide a true measure of the mechanical stress components experienced by gage 2.
It may also be desirable to measure strain at various locations on a structure 52. If desired, the lengths of fiber optic materials 10 and 10' (as well as associated protective tubes 44, 44') may differ from each other. Thus, sensor 2 might be fixedly attached to structure 52 at one location, and sensor 2' may be fixedly attached at another location. Of course, more than two fiber optic cables and sensors may be used. Optionally pairs of such cables and sensors may be used to discern mechanical from thermal stress by fixedly securing but one sensor to structure 52, leaving the environmentally adjacent sensor unattached (as shown in FIG. 5).
To promote reliability, at least some such multiplexed multiple sensors may be parallel-coupled (rather than series-coupled). Such redundancy would permit other sensors to continue to output useful information to instrumentation 68, despite the failure of one (or more than one) sensor.
FIG. 6 depicts a test setup used by applicants to test a sensor modelled after the ceramic adhesive embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. A 25 μm thick metal plate structure 52 was subjected to strain using conventional strain inducing apparatus 70, and a strain sensor 2 was spot welded to structure 52. The target fiber in sensor 2 was a 125 μm diameter stainless steel rod with a polished end face to reflect light. An interferometer 68 was coupled to the transmit/receiver optic fiber associated with sensor 2. The optical light source (not shown) was a laser, and thus strain in the test specimen detected by sensor 2 could be recognized by the interferometer as optical fringes. If desired, the same instrumentation could be used with white-light interferometers.
A reference extensometer 72 was also affixed to the test structure 52, and data acquisition instrumentation 74. A power source 76 coupled to a heating element 78 produced controlled thermal strain in the test structure 52.
The specimen structure 52 was strained in a cyclic fashion over one minute intervals, and corresponding data from the fiber-optic strain sensor 2, and from the extensometer 72 were obtained. FIGS. 7A and 7B depict, respectively, data obtained from the fiber optic sensor 2 and from the extensometer 72 at ambient-induced temperatures of 1000° F. and 75° F., respectively. In each instance, the lower frequency waveform is data obtained from the extensometer strain sensor 72, while the higher frequency waveform represents optical fringes detected by the interferometer from strain sensor 2.
As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, strain 2 sensor-produced optical fringes correlated directed to the strain sensed by the conventional extensometer. Essentially, the number of high frequency sensor 2-produced fringes correlates to the amplitude of the lower frequency extensometer 72 data. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the same gage construction may be used with a white light interferometer to provide absolute data. Following the tests, applicants' sensor 2 was examined microscopically and found to have survived the 1000° F. ambient temperature without evidence of failure.
Although the preferred embodiments have generally be described with respect to use in high temperature environments, it is understood that sensors according to the present invention may be used at low temperatures. Further, the present invention may be used to measure strain in hazardous environments, such as nuclear reactor sites. In such applications, radiation-hardened fiber optic elements are preferred, to minimize radiation-induced browning that could affect measurements.
Modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the subject and spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.
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|A.R.C. Laser Gmbh
|Coupling device for a light guide
|Nov 8, 2007
|May 14, 2009
|General Electric Company
|Impulse combustion cleaning system and method
|Jan 12, 2009
|Jul 9, 2009
|Nicolas Aeby
|Triaxial fiber optic force sensing catheter
|Oct 17, 2008
|Aug 27, 2009
|Jean-Francois Meilleur
|Fiber Optic Temperature Probe for Oil-Filled Power Transformers
|May 1, 2008
|Oct 8, 2009
|The Government Of The Us, As Respresented By The Secretary Of The Navy
|Intensity Modulated Fiber Optic Strain Sensor
|May 14, 2008
|Nov 19, 2009
|Giovanni Leo
|Temperature compensated strain sensing catheter
|May 24, 2007
|Feb 18, 2010
|Lemantec International
|Lifting member with load and/or stress measuring means
|Sep 14, 2007
|Apr 15, 2010
|Fortebio, Inc.
|Amine-Reactive Biosensor
|Mar 16, 2009
|Sep 16, 2010
|Applied Materials, Inc.
|Evaporator, coating installation, and method for use thereof
|May 14, 2009
|Nov 18, 2010
|General Electric Company
|Fiber-optic dynamic sensing modules and methods
|Feb 2, 2010
|Feb 24, 2011
|The Government of the US, as represented by the Secretary fo the Navy
|Miniature Fiber Optic Temperature Sensor with Edge Reflector
|Jan 25, 2010
|Feb 24, 2011
|The Government Of The Us, As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy
|Miniature Fiber Optic Temperature Sensors
|Aug 1, 2006
|Apr 14, 2011
|Giovanni Leo
|Medical apparatus system having optical fiber load sensing
|Jul 15, 2009
|May 19, 2011
|Ronald L Spross
|Apparatus and method for detecting pressure signals
|Sep 29, 2011
|Mar 29, 2012
|Selker John S
|Use of Optical Fiber for Distributed Monitoring of Machinery
|Jun 8, 2010
|Apr 5, 2012
|Sms Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
|Integration of an optical waveguide of a sensor into a component
|Oct 13, 2011
|Apr 18, 2013
|Baker Hughes Incorporated
|Sensing assembly
|Jun 12, 2013
|Dec 12, 2013
|The Cleveland Electric Laboratories Company
|Fiber optic switch
|Nov 8, 2011
|Feb 6, 2014
|Silixa Ltd.
|Fibre optic monitoring installation and method
|Mar 13, 2014
|Sep 18, 2014
|United Technologies Corporation
|High temperature uncooled optical probe
|Jun 14, 2013
|Dec 3, 2015
|Aktiebolaget Skf
|Machine arrangement
|May 4, 2012
|Nov 6, 2013
|High-sensitivity fiber Bragg grating strain sensor
|Jun 12, 2013
|Feb 18, 2015
|Machine arrangement
|Jun 14, 2013
|Mar 4, 2015
|Machine arrangement
|May 10, 2010
|Nov 30, 2011
|General Electric Company
|Fiber-optic dynamic sensing modules and methods
|Dec 4, 1999
|Jun 8, 2000
|Cidra Corporation
|Fused tension-based fiber grating pressure sensor
|Apr 4, 2002
|Oct 17, 2002
|Commissariat A L'energie Atomique
|Long-base, stretched fibre-optic, bragg network extensometer and production method for same
|Mar 9, 2009
|Oct 8, 2009
|The Government Of The United States Of America, As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy
|Intensity modulated fiber optic strain sensor
|Mar 9, 2009
|Feb 4, 2010
|The Government Of The United States Of America, As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy
|Intensity modulated fiber optic strain sensor
|Jun 12, 2013
|Dec 19, 2013
|Aktiebolaget Skf
|Machine arrangement
|Jun 14, 2013
|Dec 19, 2013
|Aktiebolaget Skf
|Machine arrangement
|Dec 20, 2013
|Jun 26, 2014
|General Electric Company
|Method and system for monitoring operating conditions in a steam generator
|U.S. Classification
|385/12, 250/227.14, 73/800
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Oct 3, 1995
Owner name: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC., CALIFORNI
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:NARENDRAN, NADARAJAH;WEISS, JOSEPH M.;REEL/FRAME:007883/0848;SIGNING DATES FROM 19950804 TO 19950811
|Aug 7, 2000
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|Aug 7, 2000
|Surcharge for late payment
|Aug 8, 2000
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed
|Aug 4, 2004
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed
|Jan 14, 2005
|Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
|Mar 15, 2005
|Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee
Effective date: 20050114


text:
Displaying 1 - 10 of 542 results
Sort by
OS Map name 033/SW
Map of Derbyshire
Alsop en le Dale, Parwich, DE6 1View result
AUDLING, Edward
Physicians and Irregular Medical Practitioners in London 1550-1640 Database
on his practice on Gillman Scott, Mr Alsope's servant. A had given him a clyster, ... and autopsy revealed stones in his lungs. Alsope, who had been accusedView result
House of Lords Journal Volume 3: 23 March 1624
Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 3, 1620-1628
the next Term, and to the Lord Keeper." Alsope, Morley's Printer, at the Bar. Bernard Alsope, the Printer of Morleyes Petition, being brought to the Bar, ... Alsop's Imprisonment, and for his...View result
1541 London Subsidy roll: Walbrook Ward
Two Tudor Subsidy Rolls for the City of London, 1541 and 1582
£ s. d George Roland (£30) 15 Thomas Stryklond (£20) 10 Master AlsopeView result
House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 1 February 1660
Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 7, 1651-1660
Captain; Wm. Alsope, Lieutenant; Samuell Mumford, Ensign. Wm. Lockley,View result
Hearth Tax: Middlesex 1666, St Martin in the Fields , Bedford Street East
London Hearth Tax: City of London and Middlesex, 1666
2 s Myles Pratt 2 b poore Mr Balls 2 b Phill: Williams 2 s Mr Alsop 3 s MrView result
Close Rolls, Henry VI: 1444
Calendar of Close Rolls, Henry VI: Volume 4, 1441-1447
son and heir of Richard Jacson of Alsop, to John Stathum of Morley ... etc. in the town and fields of Alsop which Thomas Stathum, [ 1] ... Sallowe, and 14 d. of the said John Richardson. Witnesses: Thomas de...View result
House of Commons Journal Volume 8: 31 January 1662
Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 8, 1660-1667
That the Thanks of this House be returned to Mr. Dean Hardy, and Mr. Alsop ... of this House to Dean Hardy; and the Lord Richardson to Mr. Alsop. Yorkshire ClothView result
Appendix 2 Wardens of the Pinners and Wiresellers
The Pinners' and Wiresellers' Book, 1462-1511
John Blanche John Alsop William Frebrige* 1504 John Wekys Thomas Michell* Thomas Rawlyn 1507 Robert Ettell John Alsop William Blank 150910 RobertView result
Hearth Tax: City of London 1662, Broad Street ward, St Christophers and St Martin Outwichs Precincts
London Hearth Tax: City of London, 1662
Outwich Susanna Foster 9 s St Martins Outwich Jane Alsop 4 s St MartinsView result

subset: commoncrawl


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text:
2013 134 min
Action, Drama, Thriller
Paul Greengrass
Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman, Catherine Keener, Tom Hanks
Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 16 wins & 137 nominations.
Captain Phillips 2013 – The true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years.


text:
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Another in my ongoing series of winter landscapes As I Slept... is evoked not only by memories and experiences from my own childhood but also of my children when they were small. It describes my happiness as a child, waking up to find that as I slept the snow had been falling. For me there is something so special about thick, untouched snow. When the world becomes still and silent . An experience I have also loved sharing with my own children.This mixed media artwork has lovely textures and marks. It has white painted sides so no need for framing and it has been signed on the side. For international shipping please message me for an accurate quote.
Mixed media on box canvas
Mixed Media painting by Fiona Philipps
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Archive for the 'criminal charges' tag
Leaving the Scene of a DUI Accident Can Lead to More Charges
April 7th, 2017 at 9:29 am
Countless people in Illinois get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, despite knowing that driving under the influence is illegal. A driver may think that he or she is sober enough to drive or will not get caught. However, if you are caught, you will quickly find out that Illinois law enforcement does not take DUI very lightly.
Police are often harsh on drivers who are intoxicated behind the wheel and they will often look for ways to stack up as many criminal charges against an intoxicated driver as possible. But in some situations the driver actually gives the police good reason to add on additional criminal charges.
Extra Charges When the DUI Results in An Accident
If you are driving under the influence and you cause an accident, either a single vehicle accident or an accident involving another vehicle, when police arrive at the scene, they will look for every way that they can to charge you with criminal charges in addition to your DUI. For instance, if an accident was the result of your speeding or reckless driving, police will charge you with DUI, in addition to a reckless driving or speeding charge.
Tacking on Charges When Leaving the Scene of An Accident
Sometimes a driver involved in a DUI accident might decide that he or she should leave the scene of the accident in order to protect himself or herself from being arrested. For instance, this is common when a drunk driver hits a parked car. The intoxicated driver might leave the scene of the accident, thinking that because no one saw the accident there will be no liability. This is very far from the truth.
Hitting a parked car and then leaving the scene of the accident is a hit and run. Once the owner of the parked car discovers that his or her vehicle was involved in a hit and run accident, he or she will report the accident to police and the police will investigate. You could very well be identified as the culprit if the police are able to successfully conduct their investigation. You could be charged with DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, and hit and run.
If the accident involved another vehicle and you try to flee the accident scene before the police arrive, you will face additional charges as well. On top of your DUI charge, you will be charged with leaving the scene of the accident, and could be charged with other offenses based on the circumstances of the accident. For instance, if you left someone injured at the accident scene and you did not try to help that person, you could be further charged with failure to render aid.
Contact Us Today for Help
Driving under the influence charges are serious, and your situation can get far worse if you leave the scene of an accident. Even if you know that you are likely to be charged with a DUI if you stay, it is important that you stay until police arrive if you have been involved in an accident. Dealing with the DUI is one thing, but the additional charges that can be tacked on against you if you leave the scene of an accident can make things much worse for you. Furthermore, it is in your best interests to contact a skilled Rolling Meadows criminal defense attorney for help with your case.
Why it is Important for Criminal Defendants to Show Up to Their Court Dates
March 15th, 2017 at 7:31 am
If you have been arrested and charged with a crime in Illinois, it is imperative that you appear in court for all of your scheduled court appearances. You may think that it is unnecessary, or that the court has already made up its mind and you showing up will have no bearing on your fate. However, a failure to appear in court is a big deal for a criminal defendant in Illinois and it can have serious and unpleasant consequences.
Best and Worst Case Scenarios
If you have been charged with a crime, you are already in a pretty tough situation. It makes no sense to do something that could make your situation worse. Not appearing for a scheduled court date will not bode well with the court. It is considered disrespectful and rude to miss your scheduled court appearance. The judge, the prosecutors, and your attorney have all made the time to show up to your hearing, and you should show up too. But what could happen if you fail to appear in court?
When it comes handling situations where a criminal defendant fails to appear in court, the judge has great discretion. In the best case scenario, the judge will presume there is a good reason why the defendant has not appeared in court. For instance, if there is unexpected and bad winter weather it is likely that the defendant could not make his or her court date because of the snow. The judge could simply reschedule the hearing—but this is unlikely. Many judges take offense to being stood up by criminal defendants. What is more likely to happen is that the judge will take some sort of action against you for failing to appear for your scheduled court appointment.
It is not uncommon for a judge to revoke a criminal defendant's bond, meaning that if the criminal defendant is out of jail because he or she made bond, the judge will take away the criminal defendant's option to be out of jail on bond, and the criminal defendant will be forced to return to jail. This is usually accompanied by the judge issuing a warrant for the criminal defendant's arrest.
When the offenses that the criminal defendant is facing are relatively minor, such as the case when the defendant does not show up to a traffic court appointment after receiving a traffic citation, the judge could simply find the defendant guilty as charged.
Work With Your Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you have been arrested and charged with a criminal offense in Illinois, it is important that you get into contact with an experienced Rolling Meadows criminal defense lawyer as soon as you can. You should work closely with your lawyer. Moreover, if you are concerned that you might not be able to make a court appearance, you should discuss your situation with your lawyer.
Specific Intent Crimes
July 19th, 2016 at 11:46 am
Some crimes in Illinois are referred to as "specific intent" crimes. These crimes require that the criminal defendant have the specific intent, or a particular state of mind, to do something in order to make a conviction of a criminal defendant for the crime. To think of this another way, the criminal defendant must have had a specific state of mind, or purpose, that was the reason behind committing the crime. The specific requisite intent is often defined in the criminal statute that governs over any particular specific intent crime that a defendant is charged with.
The good thing about specific intent crimes is that the prosecution has the burden of showing that the criminal defendant had the requisite state of mind that is needed to commit the alleged crime. Proving the necessary specific intent for a crime is often the prosecution's weakest link in their case against the criminal defendant, as it is difficult to prove a person's state of mind. Sometimes the prosecution's whole case will turn on proving the requisite intent element of a crime, and the prosecution may only have circumstantial evidence to support its position. A skilled criminal defense lawyer can fight the prosecutors by attacking the weakest aspects of their case.
What Are Some of the Specific Intent Crimes in Illinois?
There are several specific intent crimes under Illinois law. Indeed, these types of crimes include:
- Theft: In order to obtain a theft conviction, the criminal defendant must have the specific intent to deprive the rightful owner of the property of possession or use of the item that is stolen.
- Theft by deception: The criminal defendant must have the intent to defraud or steal from the victim through an act of deception.
- Burglary: For a burglary conviction, the criminal defendant must have the intent to carry out a felony or theft upon knowingly entering or remaining in a dwelling or building without authorization to be there.
- Residential burglary: Again, the criminal defendant must have the intent to carry out a felony or a theft inside a dwelling where he or she is not authorized to be.
- Battery and aggravated battery: The criminal defendant has to have the intent to cause serious bodily harm to the victim of the battery.
- Attempt of committing a crime: Attempt charges require that the criminal defendant had the intention of committing a crime, but either failed or was unable to successfully commit the crime.
When the prosecution is unable to demonstrate that the criminal defendant had the requisite specific intent that is necessary to be convicted of the crime, the charges will be dismissed. It is important to work with an experienced and skilled criminal defense lawyer who knows how to attack the specific intent aspect of criminal charges in your defense.
When You Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Anyone who is facing criminal charges in Illinois, for theft, burglary, battery, or any other crime should get in touch with a seasoned and experienced Rolling Meadows criminal defense lawyer. Our attorneys are eager to assist you with your case today.
Understanding Diversion Programs
July 5th, 2016 at 12:39 pm
Diversion programs are alternative prosecution programs that are available to many first-time offenders who have committed nonviolent felonies or misdemeanors and are being prosecuted in Cook County. These programs are designed to help first-time offenders avoid criminal convictions and jail time by participating and completing diversion programming. Through participation in the program, those first-time offenders who otherwise would have become convicted criminals are given the opportunity to receive treatment and to contribute to their communities. Additionally, upon the successful completion of their diversion programming, the criminal defendant's criminal charges will be dropped.
Eligibility for Diversion Programming In Cook County
The Assistant State's Attorneys identify criminal cases where the defendant may be a good candidate for the diversion program. These defendants are notified and offered an opportunity to participate in the program. If the defendant is interested in participating in a diversion program then the Assistant State's Attorneys will determine if the remaining eligibility criteria can be satisfied.
There are certain eligibility requirements for Cook County's diversion programs. These requirements include:
- The criminal defendant must be an adult charged in Cook County;
- The criminal defendant must be a first time offender, meaning that he or she cannot have any previous felony or misdemeanor convictions for a crime involving violence.;
- The charges pending against the criminal defendant must be nonviolent felony or misdemeanor charges. Eligible criminal charges include:
- Retail theft;
- Theft;
- Fraud, credit card fraud, and ID fraud;
- Forgery;
- Counterfeiting;
- Disorderly conduct;
- Burglary; and
- Drug possession;
- The charges cannot be for:
- Weapons offenses; and
- Domestic violence charges;
- The victim of the crime must consent to the criminal defendant's participation in a diversion program.
How Does the Program Work?
The Cook County diversion program places certain conditions and requirements on the criminal defendant based on their offense and their particular situation and the program lasts for 12 months. For instance, one participant in the program might have been a first-time drug possession offender. This criminal defendant's diversion program might require that the defendant participate in and complete a drug rehabilitation program.
Some other examples of conditions of a diversion program include:
- The requirement that the criminal defendant get a job;
- The requirement that the criminal defendant earn a GED;
- Participation in a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program;
- Restrictions on the criminal defendant's possession of weapons, drugs, or firearms while participating in the program; and
- Refraining from reoffending.
First Time Offenders Need A Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you are a first-time offender it is important that you pursue a diversion program if you are eligible. Participation and completion of a diversion program will result in your charges being dropped, meaning that you will not have a criminal record. An experienced Rolling Meadows criminal defense lawyer can help you determine if you are eligible for diversion programming, can work through the pros and cons of applying for a diversion program, and can assist you with the application process.
What is a Plea Agreement in an Illinois Criminal Case?
June 20th, 2016 at 6:22 pm
Criminal defendants have a choice when facing criminal charges: they can either fight the charges in court, or they can enter into a plea agreement. In many cases, it is in a criminal defendant's best interest to fight the charges that they are facing. By fighting the charges, it is possible to have the charges reduced or dropped entirely.
However, there may be a situation where it is in the best interest of the criminal defendant to enter into a plea bargain with the prosecution, with the help of a skilled and seasoned criminal defense lawyer, to reach an agreement that results in lesser charges or lesser sentencing for the criminal defendant.
Nearly all criminal charges can be settled with a plea deal. In fact, a majority of criminal cases are resolved through a plea agreement. Plea bargaining is an effective means for resolving a case, which saves on time, court costs, and attorney fees. A plea agreement can provide certainty in the situation, and can be a great tool for reducing sentencing or avoiding jail time, especially when the criminal defendant was undeniably guilty of the crime.
Plea bargaining can be available in all types of criminal cases, including:
- Drug offenses;
- Assault and battery charges;
- Theft crimes;
- Fraud charges; and
- Drunk driving crimes.
Why Would a Criminal Defendant Ever Choose a Plea Agreement?
It is imperative that you consult with a criminal defense lawyer before you choose to go down the path of a plea bargain. A plea bargain generally involves admitting some amount of guilt, and thus generating a conviction and creating a criminal record based on that crime. There are a number of good reasons that criminal defendants choose to enter into a plea agreement. These reasons include:
- Reduction of sentencing;
- Reduction of the charges;
- Quick resolution of the criminal proceeding;
- Avoidance of jail time;
- A plea agreement provides certainty, whereas a trial is up to a jury; and
- Avoidance of unwanted publicity of the case (the news media can report on criminal cases before the court, and a criminal defendant might want to avoid the media spotlight).
If you think that a plea agreement is a good idea for you, you should ask a lawyer just to make sure that you are making a good decision. Your lawyer can go over the benefits and consequences of entering into a plea agreement and can offer you legal advice on how you should proceed in your case. Even if you do not like what your criminal lawyer has to say, the choice is still up to you. If you do choose to enter into a plea agreement, your criminal lawyer can negotiate on your behalf.
Is a Plea Agreement Right for You? Ask a Lawyer
If you have the opportunity to enter into a plea bargain, you should consult with an attorney first. You need to understand the benefits of a plea agreement, but also the potential consequences you might face in your particular situation. Our skilled Rolling Meadows criminal defense attorneys can help you. Reach out to us today for a consultation.
The Difference Between Trespassing, Home Invasion, and Burglary in Illinois
March 9th, 2016 at 8:23 am
Illinois law takes a firm stance on protecting a person's home and property from the unwanted intrusion of others. Indeed, Illinois has a number of laws intended to protect people from others. Specifically, Illinois law provides for criminal charges for trespassing, home invasion, and residential burglary. The consequences associated with each of the above crimes are serious, and criminal defendants who are facing these charges need to have a thorough understanding of what the differences are between these crimes.
Trespassing occurs when a person knowingly enters the property of another without permission. When someone enters or remains in another's home, it is considered criminal trespassing to a residence, under 720 ILCS 5/19-4. Trespassing can occur by entering another's yard or property, and residential trespassing could occur if someone entered the home of another or overstayed his or her welcome as a guest.
Home Invasion
A home invasion, under 720 ILCS 5/19-6, occurs when someone enters or remains in an inhabited dwelling without permission and causes injury or threatens to cause injury to the inhabitants. It can be considered home invasion if the invader has a gun or other weapon that he or she uses to threaten the inhabitants of the home. It can also be considered home invasion if the invader commits a sexual crime against an inhabitant of the home.
The inhabitants of the dwelling must be home at the time of the crime in order for it to be a home invasion. If the inhabitants are not home, the charges could be different if the person is caught, based on what he or she does in the home upon entry. If he or she simply leaves after learning that no one is home, the charges could be reduced to trespassing. However, if he or she intends to commit a felony or to steal something, then the person could be charged with residential burglary.
Residential Burglary
Residential burglary, under 720 ILCS 5/19.3, occurs when a person knowingly and without permission enters a dwelling of another with the intention of committing a theft or a felony. Breaking into a home where people are living in order to steal something rises to the level of a residential burglary. But a residential burglary can quickly turn into a home invasion if the burglary goes awry and one of the inhabitants of the dwelling is in the home at the time of the burglary. If the inhabitant confronts the burglar and the burglar causes injury or threatens the inhabitant, the crime can quickly change from a residential burglary to a home invasion.
Contact Us for Assistance
Trespassing, home invasion, and residential burglary are all serious criminal charges, and it is important that you fight any criminal charges that you are facing. Please contact a Rolling Meadows criminal defense attorney immediately to discuss your case. Our dedicated attorneys are happy to help you today.
How a Parent's Criminal Record Impacts a Child
February 4th, 2016 at 8:33 am
Many people who are facing criminal charges are focused on how their charges could affect their life. A criminal conviction could mean going to jail, paying a large fine, rehabilitation, losing a job, creating a criminal record, etc. However, when the criminal defendant is a parent, the outcome of their case could have a significant impact on their child in addition to themselves. Not only are there short-term consequences, such as being unable to be there and provide for the child due to incarceration, but there are also unforeseen long-term consequences as well.
A Criminal Record is Not Just Hard On You
When you have kids, they rely on you for more than meets the eye. Not only do children financially depend on their parents, but they also rely on their parents as a source of love, affection, attention, guidance and support. When even just one parent is not around, for instance because the parent is in jail, it can be exceptionally hard on a child.
The Center for American Progress recently issued a report that focused on the various impacts that criminal charges, even merely misdemeanor charges, can have on children and families. The report explores the consequences a criminal record can have on two generations: the parent who has the criminal record and his or her children. Little attention is given to how the challenges that the parent faces due to his or her criminal record trickle down to the child as the child grows up. Barriers that the parent faces because of the criminal record are also faced by the child, as well
The report noted that approximately 300,000 children in Illinois are adversely impacted by their parent's criminal record, and across the country nearly half of all American children have at least one parent with a criminal record. Criminal background checks are performed by colleges, employers and landlord, all of which are important to gaining upward mobility and increasing one's chances to obtain a better living. Because parents are not able to overcome certain barriers due to their criminal record, their children are negatively impacted.
A criminal record can make life challenging. Not only can a criminal record prevent a parent from getting a job, it can also prevent the parent from getting a better job, or moving up economically. A criminal record can prevent a parent from getting an education, or participating in training programs that could lead to better job prospects in the future. Poor job prospects in turn impacts the family's income potential, which also affects the family's ability to save money or to spend money on things that could enrich a child's life. When a family has difficulty obtaining income, it forces the family to make sacrifices and endure hardships.
Call Our Office for Help
A criminal record affects more than just you and your life, it can also have a significant impact on your family and your children. An experienced Rolling Meadows criminal defense attorney can help you fight the charges you are facing. Please contact us today for more information on how we can assist you throughout your case.
Criminal Defenses: Having an Alibi for Criminal Accusations
December 21st, 2015 at 4:51 pm
Criminal charges are based on some sort of evidence that was found at the scene of the crime, that tends to point to a particular person. The evidence might not necessarily confirm that a suspect committed the crime, but the evidence suggests that the suspect has some relationship to the crime, such as having been present at the scene of the crime at some point in time or that the suspect had ties to the victim, etc. Alibis are a powerful tool for criminal defense as they can refute criminal accusations.
What Are Alibis?
When a suspect has an alibi, it means that the suspect was somewhere else, doing something else, or was with someone else at the time the alleged crime was committed. A valid and confirmable alibi provides evidence that the suspect/defendant is not the person who committed the crime because he or she was somewhere else or doing something else. An alibi is not an affirmative defense in Illinois, meaning even if the criminal defendant can prove the alibi, the jury is still tasked with making the decision as to whether to convict or not. However, a strong alibi is difficult for the prosecution to refute and the jury to ignore.
Evidence to Support an Alibi
Evidence of an alibi can vary depending on what the alibi is and who or what can be used to prove it. A few types of evidence that are helpful in supporting an alibi include:
- Video footage or photographs of the defendant somewhere else at the time of the crime. Time stamped security tape or surveillance footage from businesses or other establishments is often used to support an alibi. Video and photographic evidence is good for an alibi because it is objective evidence – short of a forgery, video footage and photographs do not lie;
- Documentary evidence of the defendant being somewhere else. When a defendant can provide documentary evidence that he or she was somewhere else it helps to support the alibi. Receipts, intake records (if defendant was admitted to a hospital, or other institution), telephone and GPS location records, and credit card swipe records can show that the defendant was somewhere else at the time the crime was committed. Documentary evidence is good for alibis since it is usually impartial and objective evidence; and
- Witness testimony supporting the alibi. Many criminal defendants offer an alibi through witness testimony. This evidence is most powerful when the witness is a person who was with the criminal defendant at the time of the crime. The more witnesses who can vouch for the defendant's whereabouts, the better. Witnesses are subjected to examination and cross-examination while on the stand, so a witness that does not know the defendant, i.e., doesn't have a personal relationship with the defendant, is going to be a stronger witness than someone who has a relationship with the defendant. An unbiased witness is good for an alibi. A witness that is close to the defendant might be biased and there are more opportunities to discredit a witness that is close to the defendant.
When a criminal defendant plans to use an alibi as a defense, the prosecution must be notified of the defense's intentions. Asserting an alibi as a defense to an alleged crime shifts the burden of disproving your alibi to the prosecution. The prosecution must do so beyond a reasonable doubt.
Call the Law Offices of Christopher M. Cosley
If you are facing criminal charges and you have an alibi, you will need to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney. Your lawyer can discuss what options are available to you. Please contact a passionate Rolling Meadows defense attorney immediately at the Law Offices of Christopher M. Cosley. Our phone number is 847-394-3200.
Statute of Limitations for Criminal Charges
December 15th, 2015 at 9:49 am
Criminal charges need to be brought as soon as possible in order to expedite justice and to ensure that critical components of the crime, such as evidence and witnesses' recollections of the events that took place, are fresh and viable. But that is not to say that some charges cannot be brought against an accused many months or years after the actual crime took place. As such, one question remains: is there any limit on how long after a crime that charges can be brought?
Most criminal charges are subject to a statute of limitations, which is a window of opportunity in which charges for a crime must be brought against the accused or else they will be time barred, at which point a court will no longer hear the case against the accused. A statute of limitations begins either after the crime is committed or a victim learns that a crime has been committed against him or her. The statute of limitations forces the state's prosecutors to move forward on a criminal case in a timely manner.
Statute of Limitations for Common Crimes in Illinois
A number of crimes in Illinois carry a statute of limitations, but not all do. The length or duration of a statute of limitations for a particular crime generally correspond to how serious the crime is, with less serious offenses having short statutes of limitations, while serious crimes may carry no statute of limitations at all. Illinois statute 720 ILCS 5/3-5 lays out the statute of limitations for criminal offenses.
- Depending on whether the facts of the case warrant a misdemeanor charge, charges for the crimes of assault, disorderly conduct, receiving stolen property, and theft can all carry an 18-month statute of limitations;
- Depending on whether the facts of the case warrant a felony charge, charges for the crimes of assault, burglary, disorderly conduct, kidnapping, rape (depending on the facts of the case), receiving stolen property, robbery, and theft all carry a three-year statute of limitations; and
- Arson, rape (depending on the facts of the case), involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, forgery and and murder and attempted murder carry no statute of limitations, and charges for these crimes can be brought at any time after the crime occurred.
What Happens If the Statute of Limitations for a Crime Has Expired?
When a statute of limitations for a criminal charge has expired, the criminal action is time-barred and if charges for the crime are brought against the defendant, the charges will be dismissed. Defendants must raise this defense under 735 ILCS 5/2-619(a)(5) by filing a motion for dismissal of the action with the court so that the court is aware that the case is defective and has gone stale.
Let Us Help You Today
Accusations that you committed a crime a long time ago can be troubling, but criminal charges that are too old and are beyond the statute of limitations cannot be tolerated or allowed to move forward. Please contact a Rolling Meadows criminal defense attorney at once for assistance with your case. Our law firm is prepared to help you throughout each step of the legal process.
Treatment, Not Jail: A New Approach to Handling Heroin Addiction in Illinois
December 8th, 2015 at 9:13 am
Heroin addiction in the United States is running rampant, with some areas of the country so affected by the prevalence of heroin addiction that the media often refers to it as a "heroin epidemic." Heroin is very addictive and in recent years it has become popular to mix heroin with other high-enhancing drugs, which has led to an unfortunate and sobering number of deaths.
A New Approach: Treatment Programs, Instead of Jail Time
Police in small towns across Illinois are taking steps to try and help heroin addicts beat their addiction by providing assistance rather than punishment when addicts come forward seeking help. By working with addicts who want to get off heroin, police officers are getting these addicted individuals into detox facilities and into rehabilitation programs rather than putting them in jail. Addicts can even bring their drugs and paraphernalia to the police station for disposal, and the police will not press charges for heroin possession or possession of drug paraphernalia.
By targeting the demand for heroin, rather than trying to control the supply, law enforcement could be nipping the heroin problem in the bud. The model employed by Illinois police is modeled after a similar technique recently undertaken by police in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
Areas in Illinois That Are Trying This Approach
After the police officers in Gloucester, Massachusetts were met with so much success when they rolled out their treatment instead of drug charges plan, other law enforcement took notice and began implementing their own version of this program. Some of the towns in Illinois that have adopted some form of this new approach to curbing heroin activity on the streets include:
- Rolling Meadows. Rolling Meadows police offer the Second Chance-Heroin Amnesty Program, where heroin addicts can go to the Rolling Meadows police station for intervention assistance with opiate addiction.
- Dixon. According to the Chicago Tribune, law enforcement in Dixon, Illinois has already successfully helped 20 individuals who have come forward seeking treatment for their heroin addiction. Dixon law enforcement was moved to make a change in how they were handling heroin cases when three people died of heroin overdose in February of 2015.
How Do These Programs Work?
The programs all share an overarching approach where an addict can come to a police station and request help with getting off heroin. The addict can bring any heroin, needles or other paraphernalia and turn it over to police, without risking having criminal drug charges raised. The program is explained to the heroin addict, and he or she is escorted to a rehab facility where he or she can get clean.
The system is not perfect. People seeking help must voluntarily show up to the police station and request help; a person cannot get arrested for heroin and then claim to want to participate in the rehabilitation program. Additionally, there are individuals who will voluntarily enter the rehab program who will ultimately relapse. But at least steps are being taken to try and address the core issue of addiction.
Call the Law Offices of Christopher M. Cosley
To take advantage of these amnesty programs offered by local law enforcement, an individual must approach the police voluntarily. Being caught with drugs will not qualify you for the amnesty under these programs. If you are facing heroin charges, or any other criminal drug charges, please contact a passionate Rolling Meadows defense attorney immediately. Call the Law Offices of Christopher M. Cosley at (847) 394-3200 for an initial consultation on your case.


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