IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,442,797
Granted Patent B2
US 12,442,797 · App. 18/935,035 · Granted Oct 14, 2025

Systems, methods, and apparatus for inspection of a surface using sensor holder with dual linear phased array of ultra-sonic elements

Inventors: Chase David (Montgomery, TX); Michael A. Binger (Pittsburgh, PA); Kevin Y. Low (Pittsburgh, PA); Ryan DeSoto (Pearland, TX); Brandon J. Reitz (Magnolia, TX); Spencer Bowman (Pittsburgh, PA); Edward A. Bryner (Pittsburgh, PA); Albert J. Biglan (Pittsburgh, PA)
Assignee: Gecko Robotics, Inc.
G01N29/226G01N29/041G01N29/265G01N29/262
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,442,797
App. No.
18/935,035
Granted
Oct 14, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An example payload for an inspection robot having a mounting rail to inspect an inspection surface, the payload including a wedge element; and a probe holder, including: a mounting rail connection member structured to connect to the mounting rail; a wedge element holder structured to hold the wedge element; a spring-loaded member structured to connect to the mounting rail connection member and to provide a selected vertical force on the wedge element holder; and an extended member structured to connect to the spring-loaded member between a first end and a second end, and to connect to the wedge element holder at the second end.

Claims (83)

1. A payload for an inspection robot having a mounting rail to inspect an inspection surface, the payload comprising:

a wedge element; and

a probe holder, including:

a mounting rail connection member structured to connect to the mounting rail;

a wedge element holder structured to hold the wedge element;

a spring-loaded member structured to connect to the mounting rail connection member and to provide a selected vertical force on the wedge element holder;

an extended member structured to connect to the spring-loaded member between a first end and a second end, and to connect to the wedge element holder at the second end; and

a joint member structured to connect between the extended member and the wedge element holder, wherein the joint member includes:

a Hirth joint structured to set a yaw axis relative to the inspection surface; and

a rotational joint structured to set a roll axis relative to the inspection surface.

2. The payload of claim 1 , wherein the wedge element holder connects to the joint member via at least one clamp on a frame of the joint member.

3. The payload of claim 1 , further comprising:

the extended member including a linear rail, wherein the extended member is structured to connect to the spring-loaded member via the linear rail, and the spring-loaded member travels along the linear rail between the first end and the second end.

4. The payload of claim 1 , further comprising:

the spring-loaded member including a constant force spring to provide the selected vertical force, wherein the constant force spring is connected to the first end of the extended member and is structured to be replaced to adjust the selected vertical force.

5. The payload of claim 4 , wherein the selected vertical force is a selected downward force.

6. The payload of claim 1 , further comprising:

the spring-loaded member including a Hirth joint structured to set a skew axis relative to the inspection surface.

7. The payload of claim 1 , further comprising:

a wedge element with at least one ultrasonic (UT) transducer mounted thereon, the wedge element connected to the wedge element holder.

8. The payload of claim 1 , wherein the mounting rail connection member includes a dovetail joint.

9. The payload of claim 1 , wherein the wedge element has a travel length corresponding to a length of the extended member between the first and second ends.

10. A payload for an inspection robot having a mounting rail to inspect an inspection surface, the payload comprising:

a wedge element; and

a probe holder, including:

a mounting rail connection member structured to connect to the mounting rail;

a wedge element holder structured to hold the wedge element;

a spring-loaded member structured to connect to the mounting rail connection member and to provide a selected vertical force on the wedge element holder; and

an extended member structured to connect to the spring-loaded member between a first end and a second end, and to connect to the wedge element holder at the second end,

the extended member including a linear rail, wherein the extended member is structured to connect to the spring-loaded member via the linear rail, and the spring-loaded member travels along the linear rail between the first end and the second end.

11. The payload of claim 10 , further comprising:

a joint member structured to connect between the extended member and the wedge element holder, wherein the joint member includes:

a Hirth joint structured to set a yaw axis relative to the inspection surface; and

a rotational joint structured to set a roll axis relative to the inspection surface,

wherein the wedge element holder connects to the joint member via at least one clamp on a frame of the joint member.

12. The payload of claim 10 , further comprising:

the spring-loaded member including a constant force spring to provide the selected vertical force, wherein the constant force spring is connected to the first end of the extended member and is structured to be replaced to adjust the selected vertical force.

13. The payload of claim 12 , wherein the selected vertical force is a selected downward force.

14. The payload of claim 10 , further comprising:

the spring-loaded member including a Hirth joint structured to set a skew axis relative to the inspection surface.

15. The payload of claim 10 , further comprising:

a wedge element with at least one ultrasonic (UT) transducer mounted thereon, the wedge element connected to the wedge element holder.

16. The payload of claim 10 , wherein the mounting rail connection member includes a dovetail joint.

17. The payload of claim 10 , wherein the wedge element has a travel length corresponding to a length of the extended member between the first and second ends.

18. A payload for an inspection robot having a mounting rail to inspect an inspection surface, the payload comprising:

a wedge element; and

a probe holder, including:

a mounting rail connection member structured to connect to the mounting rail;

a wedge element holder structured to hold the wedge element;

a spring-loaded member structured to connect to the mounting rail connection member and to provide a selected vertical force on the wedge element holder,

the spring-loaded member including a Hirth joint structured to set a skew axis relative to the inspection surface; and

an extended member structured to connect to the spring-loaded member between a first end and a second end, and to connect to the wedge element holder at the second end.

19. The payload of claim 18 , further comprising:

a joint member structured to connect between the extended member and the wedge element holder, wherein the joint member includes:

a Hirth joint structured to set a yaw axis relative to the inspection surface; and

a rotational joint structured to set a roll axis relative to the inspection surface,

wherein the wedge element holder connects to the joint member via at least one clamp on a frame of the joint member.

20. The payload of claim 18 , further comprising:

the spring-loaded member including a constant force spring to provide the selected vertical force, wherein the constant force spring is connected to the first end of the extended member and is structured to be replaced to adjust the selected vertical force.

21. The payload of claim 20 , wherein the selected vertical force is a selected downward force.

22. The payload of claim 18 , further comprising:

a wedge element with at least one ultrasonic (UT) transducer mounted thereon, the wedge element connected to the wedge element holder.

23. The payload of claim 18 , wherein the mounting rail connection member includes a dovetail joint.

24. The payload of claim 18 , wherein the wedge element has a travel length corresponding to a length of the extended member between the first and second ends.

25. A payload for an inspection robot having a mounting rail to inspect an inspection surface, the payload comprising:

a wedge element; and

a probe holder, including:

a mounting rail connection member structured to connect to the mounting rail,

wherein the mounting rail connection member includes a dovetail joint;

a wedge element holder structured to hold the wedge element;

a spring-loaded member structured to connect to the mounting rail connection member and to provide a selected vertical force on the wedge element holder; and

an extended member structured to connect to the spring-loaded member between a first end and a second end, and to connect to the wedge element holder at the second end.

26. The payload of claim 25 , further comprising:

a joint member structured to connect between the extended member and the wedge element holder, wherein the joint member includes:

a Hirth joint structured to set a yaw axis relative to the inspection surface; and

a rotational joint structured to set a roll axis relative to the inspection surface,

wherein the wedge element holder connects to the joint member via at least one clamp on a frame of the joint member.

27. The payload of claim 25 , further comprising:

the spring-loaded member including a constant force spring to provide the selected vertical force, wherein the constant force spring is connected to the first end of the extended member and is structured to be replaced to adjust the selected vertical force.

28. The payload of claim 27 , wherein the selected vertical force is a selected downward force.

29. The payload of claim 25 , further comprising:

a wedge element with at least one ultrasonic (UT) transducer mounted thereon, the wedge element connected to the wedge element holder.

30. The payload of claim 25 , wherein the wedge element has a travel length corresponding to a length of the extended member between the first and second ends.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 9, 2025
From: DAVID, CHASE; BINGER, MICHAEL A.; LOW, KEVIN Y.; DESOTO, RYAN; REITZ, BRANDON J .; BOWMAN, SPENCER; BRYNER, EDWARD A.; BIGLAN, ALBERT J.
To: GECKO ROBOTICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 069793/0688 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation PCTUS2023085922 · Dec 26, 2023
Provisional Application 63596142 · Nov 3, 2023
Provisional Application 63477098 · Dec 23, 2022
Related Publication 20250172527A1 · May 29, 2025
References Cited (150)
US 2861700A · James · 1958 [cited by applicant]
US 3279242A · Megoloff · 1966 [cited by applicant]
US 3326037A · John · 1967 [cited by applicant]
US 3486368A · Brech · 1969 [cited by applicant]
US 3952581A · Gottelt · 1976 [cited by applicant]
US 4043185A · Siebert · 1977 [cited by applicant]
US 4057294A · Krekeler · 1977 [cited by examiner]
US 4434660A · Michaels et al. · 1984 [cited by applicant]
US 4437332A · Pittaro · 1984 [cited by applicant]
US 4757258A · Kelly et al. · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 5007291A · Walters et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5097710A · Palynchuk · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5426980A · Smith · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5429009A · Wolfe et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5549004A · Nugent · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5635644A · Ishikawa et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 6220099B1 · Marti et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6298727B1 · Fleming et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6981417B1 · Oravecz · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7428842B2 · Fair · 2008 [cited by examiner]
US 7430913B2 · Sarr · 2008 [cited by examiner]
US 7628075B2 · Kennedy · 2009 [cited by examiner]
US 7743660B2 · Marsh et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 8943892B2 · Garvey et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9110000B2 · Poirier · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 9121817B1 · Roach et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9310482B2 · Rosenberg et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9463574B2 · Purkayastha et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9863891B1 · Lara Magallanes et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 9863919B2 · Carrasco Zanini et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10317905B2 · Ouellette et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10594054B2 · Murugiah · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 10698412B2 · Loosararian et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 11307063B2 · Low et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11511426B2 · Bryner et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11673272B2 · Loosararian et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 11865698B2 · Bryner et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
US 11971389B2 · David et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
US 12007364B2 · David · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 12228550B2 · David et al. · 2025 [cited by applicant]
US 12284761B2 · Bryner et al. · 2025 [cited by applicant]
US 20020190682A1 · Schempf et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20050252296A1 · Hock et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20060243051A1 · Bui et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20070044564A1 · Bui et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070146480A1 · Judge et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070227250A1 · Kennedy et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20080087112A1 · Bagley et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080087113A1 · Bagley et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080148876A1 · Hock et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080245151A1 · Roney et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090114025A1 · Sato et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20100224001A1 · Brignac · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20110148631A1 · Lanham et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20120116583A1 · Beard et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120215348A1 · Skrinde · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120255360A1 · Tippit et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120297882A1 · Palma et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20130218490A1 · Poirier et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20140305216A1 · Hafenrichter et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140350722A1 · Skrinde · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20150316195A1 · Penza et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20160033453A1 · Cegla et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160282877A1 · Gonzalez et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20180073975A1 · Abdellatif et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180080904A1 · Al Nahwi et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180080905A1 · Al Nahwi et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180117718A1 · Rajagopalan et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180313715A1 · Cichosz et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20190128851A1 · Wells · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190128856A1 · Spay et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190360976A1 · Frueh et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190388998A1 · Huggett et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20200393418A1 · Fetzer et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20210025852A1 · Howland · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20220214315A1 · Serrill et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20230075455A1 · Zahdeh et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20240112100A1 · Bryner et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
US 20240198519A1 · Roy et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
CN 101368932A · 2009 [cited by applicant]
CN 102356311A · 2012 [cited by applicant]
CN 111844109A · 2020 [cited by applicant]
CN 114738598A · 2022 [cited by applicant]
DE 102016117237A1 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
EP 1742049A2 · 2007 [cited by applicant]
JP 3592084B2 · 2004 [cited by applicant]
KR 20110033609A · 2011 [cited by applicant]
KR 102200583B1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
KR 102263144B1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
KR 102263706B1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
WO 2015059916A1 · 2015 [cited by applicant]
WO 2016051147A1 · 2016 [cited by applicant]
WO 2022225725A1 · 2022 [cited by applicant]
WO 2024073767A1 · 2024 [cited by applicant]
WO 2024092081A1 · 2024 [cited by applicant]
WO 2024097795A2 · 2024 [cited by applicant]
WO 2024097795A3 · 2024 [cited by applicant]
WO 2024138219A2 · 2024 [cited by applicant]
WO 2024138219A3 · 2024 [cited by applicant]
WO 2024254593A2 · 2024 [cited by applicant]
WO 2024254597A1 · 2024 [cited by applicant]
WO 2024259133A2 · 2024 [cited by applicant]
WO 2024254593A3 · 2025 [cited by applicant]
WO 2024259133A3 · 2025 [cited by applicant]
“International Federation of Robotics,”, World Robotics, Chapter 1 section 2, 2016, 10 pages. [cited by applicant]
“Yaskawa Motoman Robotics,”, Robotics Glossary, 2019, 20 pages. [cited by applicant]
Borenstein, et al., “Where am I? Sensors and Methods for Mobile Robot Positioning”, Retrieved from the Internet : URL :http ://www-personal.umich.edu/˜johannb/Papers/pos96rep.pdf, Apr. 22, 1996, pp. 1-282. [cited by applicant]
Cai, et al., “A Novel Pipeline Inspection Robot with Two Angle-changeable Crawler Drive Modules”, Proceedings of 2018 IEEE 8th Annual International Conference on CYBER Technology in Automation, Control, and Intelligent … [cited by applicant]
Chen, et al., “Laser Micromachined Flexible Ultrasound Line Array and Subplanar Multimodal Imaging Applications”, retrieved on [Oct. 16, 2024]. Retrieved from the internet <URL: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/absbact/docum… [cited by applicant]
Felsch, et al., “Robotized Inspection of Vertical Structures of a Solar Power Plant Using NDT Techniques”, doi: 10.3390/robotics4020103, 2015, pp. 103-119. [cited by applicant]
Fowler, et al., “Theory and Application of Precious Ultrasonic Thickness Gaging”, 2015, 12 pages. [cited by applicant]
General Electric, “BWCI Automated Boiler Wall Cleaning & Inspection”, inspection-robotics.com, 2016, 4 pages. [cited by applicant]
Ginzel, et al., “Acoustic Properties of the Elastomeric Materials Aqualene and ACE”, The e-Journal of Nondestructive Testing—ISSN 1435-4934, Dec. 2015, 13 pages. [cited by applicant]
Guglielmelli, et al., “Avoiding obstacles by using a proximity US/IR sensitive skin”, IEEE, 1993, pp. 2207-2214. [cited by applicant]
Hongo, et al., “An Automatic Guidance System of a Self-Controlled Vehicle”, In: “Autonomous Robot Vehicles”, Jan. 1, 1990 (Jan. 1, 1990), Springer New York, New York, NY,, Retrieved from the Internet: URL:https://ieeexp… [cited by applicant]
Lebowitz, et al., “Ultrasonic Measurement of Pipe Thickness”, Review of Progress in Quantitative Nondestructive Evaluation, vol. 12, 1987, 8 pages. [cited by applicant]
Lee, et al., “Combot: Compliant Climbing Robotic Platform with Transitioning Capability and Payload Capacity”, IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation RiverCentre, Saint Paul, Minnesota,, 2012, 6 pages. [cited by applicant]
Lins, et al., “Autonomous Robot System for Inspection of Defects in Civil Infrastructures”, IEEE, 2016, pp. 1414-1422. [cited by applicant]
Lion Precision, “Understanding Sensor Resolution Specifications and Performance”, TechNote, LT05-0010, 2014, pp. 1-6. [cited by applicant]
Mims, Christopher, “America's Bridges, Factories and Highways Are in Dire Need of Repairs. Bring in the Robots.”, The Wall Street Journal, available at https://www.wsj.com/tech/inspection-robots-infrastructure-ebb4172c,… [cited by applicant]
Miskon, et al., “Close Range Inspection Using Novelty Detection Results”, Intelligent Robotic Research Center (IRRC), Monash University, Australia, ICIRA2009, LNAI 5928,, 2009, pp. 947-956. [cited by applicant]
NDT Resource Center, “NDT Glossary D”, Webpage, 2016, 4 pages. [cited by applicant]
NDT Resource Center, “NDT Glossary R”, Webpage, 2016, 5 pages. [cited by applicant]
NDT Resource Center, “Transducer Types”, Webpage, 2005, 1 page. [cited by applicant]
Olympus, “BondMaster Probes and Accessories Catalog”, Catalog, 2008, 24 pages. [cited by applicant]
Olympus, “Flaw Detectors Delay Line”, Olympus, Flaw Detectors Delay Line, 2014, Jan. 9, 2014, 1 page. [cited by applicant]
Olympus, “Ultrasonic Transducers Technical Notes”, Notes, 2006, 11 pages. [cited by applicant]
Papadimitriou, et al., “An adaptable and self-calibrating service robotic nozzle-vessel welds”, 2012 2nd International Conference on Applied Robotics for the Power Industry (CARPI), 2012, 6 pages. [cited by applicant]
“International Application Serial No. PCT/US2023/085922, International Search Report and Written Opinion mailed May 21, 2024”, Gecko Robotics, Inc., 25 pages. [cited by applicant]
“International Application Serial No. PCT/US2023/085922, Invitation to Pay Additional Fee and Where Applicable Protest Fees, mailed Mar. 8, 2024”, Gecko Robotics, Inc., 3 pages. [cited by applicant]
Roudsari, “Destructive and Robotic Assisted Non-Destructive Evaluation of Concrete Structures”, <URL: https://dialog.proquest.com/professional/docview/2451414731/fulltextPDF/1909E9B91236ED61271/laccountid=139900&account… [cited by applicant]
Sabatini, et al., “Correlation Techniques for Digital Time-of-Flight Measurement by Airborne Ultrasonic Rangefinders”, Published in: Proceedings of IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IR… [cited by applicant]
Sanchez-Cuevas, et al., “Robotic System for Inspection by Contact of Bridge Beams Using UAVs”, Sensors 2019, 19, 305, 2019, 17 pages. [cited by applicant]
Schroeder, et al., “Ultrasonic Culvert Thickness Determination”, US Army Armament Research Development and Engineering, Technical Report ARCCB-TR-95027, 1995, 36 pages. [cited by applicant]
Stepson, et al., “Design and Development of a Mobile Crawling Robot with Novel Halbach Array Based Magnetic Wheels”, IEEE/ RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS), Vancouver, BC, Canada, Se… [cited by applicant]
Svilainis, Linas, “Review of high resolution time of flight estimation techniques for ultrasonic signals,”, Sep. 2013Conference: NDT 2013At: Telford Project: In-SMART, 2013, 13 pages. [cited by applicant]
Tufte, Edwardr. , “The Visual Display of Quantitative Information”, Published By Graphics Press LLC, Second edition, fifth printing, Aug. 2007, 191 pages. [cited by applicant]
Yasuda, Gen'ichi, “Behavior-based autonomous cooperative control of intelligent mobile robot systems with embedded Petri nets”, IEEE, 2014, pp. 1085-1090. [cited by applicant]
Zhang, et al., “Analysis of Traveling-capability and Obstacle-climbing Capability for Radially Adjustable Tracked Pipeline Robot”, Proceedings of the 2016 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Biomimetics Gingda… [cited by applicant]
Zhang, et al., “Stable Motion Analysis and Verification of a Radial Adjustable Pipeline Robot”, Proceedings of the 2016 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Biomimetics Oingdao, China, Dec. 2016, 6 pages. [cited by applicant]
Zhao, et al., “Estimation of ultrasound attenuation and dispersion using short time Fourier transform,”, Ultrasonics 43 (2005) 375-381, 2005, pp. 375-381. [cited by applicant]
“European Application Serial No. 22792205.1, Extended European Search Report mailed Feb. 6, 2025”, Gecko Robotics, Inc., 10 pages. [cited by applicant]
“European Application Serial No. 22792521.1, Extended European Search Report mailed Mar. 19, 2025”, Gecko Robotics, Inc., 8 pages. [cited by applicant]
Edlinger, et al., “MARC—Modular Autonomous Adaptable Robot Concept”, 2019 IEEE International Symposium on Safety, Security, and Rescue Robotics (SSRR), IEEE, Sep. 2, 2019, pp. 1-7. [cited by applicant]
“International Application Serial No. PCT/US2023/075691, International Preliminary Report on Patentability mailed Apr. 10, 2025”, Gecko Robotics, Inc., 7 pages. [cited by applicant]
“International Application Serial No. PCT/US2023/075722, International Preliminary Report on Patentability mailed Apr. 10, 2025”, Gecko Robotics, Inc., 23 pages. [cited by applicant]
“International Application Serial No. PCT/US2024/061446, International Search Report and Written Opinion mailed Apr. 24, 2025”, Gecko Robotics, Inc., 29 pages. [cited by applicant]
“International Application Serial No. PCT/US2024/061446, Invitation to Pay Additional Fees and, Where Applicable, Protest Fee mailed Feb. 24, 2025”, Gecko Robotics, Inc., 4 pages. [cited by applicant]
Zimmer Group, “Die Schnittstelle—Zimmer Group”, Retrieved from the Internet: URL:https://web.archive.org/web/20210623063817/https://www.zimmer-group.com/de/technologien-komponenten/robotik/match-end-of-arm-ecosystem/die… [cited by applicant]
Zwicker, et al., “A Modular Inspection Robot Platform for Power Plant Applications”, IEEE, 2010 1st International Conference on Applied Robotics for the Power Industry Delta Centre-Ville Montreal, Canada, 2010, 6 pages. [cited by applicant]