Patents by Inventor C. Martin Berdahl

C. Martin Berdahl has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4885142
    Abstract: An apparatus in the form of a disk for the separation of oxygen from gases, or for the pumping of oxygen, uses a substantially circular disk geometry for the solid electrolyte with radial flow of gas from the outside edge of the disk to the center of the disk. The reduction in available surface area as the gas flows toward the center of the disk reduces the oxygen removal area proportionally to provide for a more uniform removal of oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Jerry W. Suitor, C. Martin Berdahl, Wilbur J. Marner
  • Patent number: 4602509
    Abstract: A fluidic sensor providing a differential pressure signal proportional to the angular velocity of a rotary input. In one embodiment the sensor includes a fluid pump having an impeller coupled to a rotary input. A housing forming a constricting fluid flow chamber is connected to the fluid input of the pump. The housing is provided with a fluid flow restrictive input to the flow chamber and a port communicating with the interior of the flow chamber. The differential pressure signal measured across the flow restrictive input is relatively noise free and proportional to the square of the angular velocity of the impeller. In an alternative embodiment, the flow chamber has a generally cylindrical configuration and plates having flow restrictive apertures are disposed within the chamber downstream from the housing port. In this embodiment, the differential pressure signal is found to be approximately linear with the angular velocity of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: C. Martin Berdahl
  • Patent number: 4135367
    Abstract: For use in combination with a heat engine, a thermal energy transformer comprising a flux receiver having a first wall defining therein a radiation absorption cavity for converting solar flux to thermal energy characterized by a first wall defining a radiation absorption cavity having a solar flux entry aperture, and a second wall defining an energy transfer wall for the heat engine, and a heat pipe chamber interposed between the first and second walls having a working fluid disposed within the chamber and a wick lining the chamber for conducting the working fluid from the second wall to the first wall, whereby thermal energy is transferred from the radiation absorption cavity to the heat engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1979
    Inventors: Robert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Frosch, C. Martin Berdahl, Carl L. Thiele
  • Patent number: 4063092
    Abstract: A system for accurately determining the exposure density required for x-ray photography of a particular area of interest is provided. The light received from an x-ray image intensifier is applied to a beam splitting mirror which divides the light between a motion picture film camera and a television film camera. Between the beam splitter and the motion picture film camera, there is positioned another light beam splitter to direct some of the light at a mask having an opening which encloses only the image area of interest. Behind that opening there is positioned a photomultiplier intensity sensor for determining the exposure required and varying x-ray beam intensity accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1977
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: C. Martin Berdahl
  • Patent number: 4053774
    Abstract: An exposure controller for x-ray equipment is provided, which comprises a portable and accurate sensor which can be placed adjacent to and directly beneath the area of interest of an x-ray plate, and which measures the amount of exposure received by that area, and turns off the x-ray equipment when the exposure for the particular area of interest on the x-ray plate reaches the value which provides an optimal x-ray plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1977
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventor: C. Martin Berdahl