Patents Assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  • Patent number: 5421958
    Abstract: A pattern of porous silicon is produced in the surface of a silicon substrate by forming a pattern of crystal defects in said surface, preferably by applying an ion milling beam through openings in a photoresist layer to the surface, and then exposing said surface to a stain etchant, such as HF:HNO.sub.3 :H.sub.2 O. The defected crystal will preferentially etch to form a pattern of porous silicon. When the amorphous content of the porous silicon exceeds 70% the porous silicon pattern emits visible light at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Robert W. Fathauer, Eric W. Jones
  • Patent number: 5192450
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for acoustophoresis, i.e., the separation of species via acoustic waves. An ultrasonic transducer applies an acoustic wave to one end of a sample container containing at least two species having different acoustic absorptions. The wave has a frequency tuned to or harmonized with the point of resonance of the species to be separated. This wave causes the species to be driven to an opposite end of the sample container for removal. A second ultrasonic transducer may be provided to apply a second, oppositely directed acoustic wave to prevent undesired streaming. In addition, a radio frequency tuned to the mechanical resonance and coupled with a magnetic field can serve to identify a species in a medium comprising species with similar absorption coefficients, whereby an acoustic wave having a frequency corresponding to this gyrational rate can then be applied to sweep the identified species to one end of the container for removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Joseph S. Heyman
  • Patent number: 4104873
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system is presented wherein first and second heat exchanger means are each adapted to provide the transfer of heat between the fuel and a second fluid such as lubricating oil associated with the gas turbine engine. Valve means are included which are operative in a first mode to provide for flow of the second fluid through both first and second heat exchanger means and further operative in a second mode for bypassing the second fluid around the second heat exchanger means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: George A. Coffinberry
  • Patent number: 3989206
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for launching a remotely piloted aircraft is disclosed wherein the aircraft, is revolved about a fixed pivot point until a pretermined speed is reached whereupon the vehicle is released from the launching apparatus. The vehicle is attached to one end of a rotatable arm, the imbalance on the arm being counteracted by a counter weight attached to the opposite end. The counter weight is released from the arm at the same time as the aircraft so as to avoid structural damage to the apparatus caused by rotation in the unbalanced condition. The arm is oriented such that it rotates in a plane inclined obliquely to the local gravitational field of the launch site. The supporting structure for the arm may be made stationary, or may be attached to a mobile vehicle for ground transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1976
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gregory
  • Patent number: 3977771
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device and method for suppression of optical noise in an optical spatial filtering system using highly coherent light. In the disclosed embodiment, input photographic film to be processed in the system, and output photographic film to be exposed, are each mounted on lateral translation devices. During application of the coherent light for exposure of the output film, the two translation devices are moved in synchronism by a motor-driven gear and linkage assembly. The ratio of the resulting output film translation to the input film translation is equal to the magnification of the optical data processing system. The noise pattern associated with the lenses and other elements in the optical processing system remains stationary while the image-producing light moves laterally through the pattern with the output film, thus averaging out the noise effect at the output film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1976
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Joseph L. Horner
  • Patent number: 3965096
    Abstract: A new class of polymers is provided, namely, poly (diarylsiloxy) arylazines. These novel polymers have a basic chemical composition which has the property of stabilizing the optical and physical properties of the polymer against the degradative effect of ultraviolet light and high temperatures. This stabilization occurs at wavelengths including those shorter than found on the surface of the earth and in the absence or presence of oxygen, making the polymers of the present invention useful for high performance coating applications in extraterrestrial space as well as similar applications in terrestrial service. The invention also provides novel aromatic azines which are useful in the preparation of polymers such as those of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1973
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1976
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Ronald F. Reinisch, Hermilo R. Gloria, Ronald E. Goldsberry, Michael J. Adamson
  • Patent number: 3957104
    Abstract: An apertured casting is made by first forming a duplicate in the shape of the finished casting, positioning refractory metal bodies such as wires in the duplicate at points corresponding to apertures or passageways in finished products, forming a ceramic coating on the duplicate, removing the duplicate material, firing the ceramic in a vacuum or inert atmosphere, vacuum casting the metal in the ceramic form, removing the ceramic form, heating the cast object in an atmospheric furnace to oxidize the refractory metal bodies and then leaching the oxidized refractory bodies from the casting with a molten caustic agent or acid solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1976
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Andrew Terpay