Patents by Inventor Gregory M. Buck

Gregory M. Buck 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: 6180034
    Abstract: An improved process for slip casting molds that can be more economically automated and that also exhibits greater dimensional stability is disclosed. The process involves subjecting an investment pattern, preferably made from wax, to successive cycles of wet-dipping in a slurry of colloidal, silica-based binder and dry, powder-coating, or stuccoing, with plaster of Paris or calcium sulfate mixtures, to produce a multi-layer shell over the pattern. The invention as claimed entails applying a primary and a secondary coating to the investment pattern. At least two (2) wet-dipping On in a primary slurry and dry-stuccoing cycles provide the primary coating; and an additional two wet-dippings and dry-stuccoing cycles provide the secondary, or back-up, coating. The primary and secondary coatings produce a multi-layered shell pattern. The multi-layered shell pattern is placed in a furnace first to cure and harden, and then to vaporize the investment pattern, leaving a detailed, high precision shell mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronatics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Gregory M. Buck, Peter Vasquez
  • Patent number: 5818057
    Abstract: A simultaneous luminescence pressure and temperature mapping system is developed including improved dye application techniques for surface temperature and pressure measurements from 5 torr to 1000 torr with possible upgrade to from 0.5 torr to several atmospheres with improved camera resolution. Adsorbed perylene dye on slip-cast silica is pressure (oxygen) sensitive and reusable to relatively high temperatures (.about.150.degree. C.). Adsorbed luminescence has an approximately linear color shift with temperature, which can be used for independent temperature mapping and brightness pressure calibration with temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Gregory M. Buck
  • Patent number: 5266252
    Abstract: An improved process for slip casting ceramic articles that does not employ parting agents and affords the casting of complete, detailed, precision articles that do not possess parting lines. A wax pattern for a shell mold is provided, and an aqueous mixture of a calcium sulfate-bonded investment material is applied as a coating to the wax pattern. The coated wax pattern is then dried, followed by curing to vaporize the wax pattern and leave a shell mold of the calcium sulfate-bonded investment material. The shell mold is cooled to room temperature, and a ceramic slip is poured therein. After a ceramic shell of desired thickness has set up in the shell mold, excess ceramic slip is poured out. While still wet, the shell mold is peeled from the ceramic shell to expose any delicate or detailed parts, after which the ceramic shell is cured to provide a complete, detailed, precision ceramic article without parting lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as rperesented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Gregory M. Buck, Peter Vasquez
  • Patent number: 4885633
    Abstract: A thermal imaging system provides quantitative temperature information and is particularly useful in hypersonic wind tunnel applications. An object to be measured is prepared by coating with a two-color, ultraviolet-activated, thermographic phosphor. The colors emitted by the phosphor are detected by a conventional color video camera. A phosphor emitting blue and green light with a ratio that varies depending on temperature is used so that the intensity of light in the blue and green wavelengths detected by the blue and green tubes in the video camera can be compared. Signals representing the intensity of blue and green light at points on the surface of a model in a hypersonic wind tunnel are used to calculate a ratio of blue to green light intensity which provides quantitative temperature information for the surface of the model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Gregory M. Buck