Patents by Inventor Margaret L. Tuma

Margaret L. Tuma 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).

  • Ultraminiature broadband light source with spiral shaped filament
    Patent number: 8264134
    Abstract: An ultraminiature light source using a double-spiral shaped tungsten filament includes end contact portions which are separated to allow for radial and length-wise unwinding of the spiral. The double-spiral filament is spaced relatively far apart at the end portions thereof so that contact between portions of the filament upon expansion is avoided. The light source is made by fabricating a double-spiral ultraminiature tungsten filament from tungsten foil and housing the filament in a ceramic package having a reflective bottom and a well wherein the filament is suspended. A vacuum furnace brazing process attaches the filament to contacts of the ceramic package. Finally, a cover with a transparent window is attached onto the top of the ceramic package by solder reflow in a second vacuum furnace process to form a complete hermetically sealed package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Margaret L. Tuma, Joseph S. Collura, Henry Helvajian, Michael D. Pocha, Glenn A. Meyer, Charles F. McConaghy, Barry L. Olsen, William W Hansen
  • Ultraminiature Broadband Light Source and Method of Manufacturing Same
    Publication number: 20110006663
    Abstract: An ultraminiature light source using a double-spiral shaped tungsten filament includes end contact portions which are separated to allow for radial and length-wise unwinding of the spiral. The double-spiral filament is spaced relatively far apart at the end portions thereof so that contact between portions of the filament upon expansion is avoided. The light source is made by fabricating a double-spiral ultraminiature tungsten filament from tungsten foil and housing the filament in a ceramic package having a reflective bottom and a well wherein the filament is suspended. A vacuum furnace brazing process attaches the filament to contacts of the ceramic package. Finally, a cover with a transparent window is attached onto the top of the ceramic package by solder reflow in a second vacuum furnace process to form a complete hermetically sealed package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Margaret L. Tuma, Joseph S. Collura, Henry Helvajian, Michael D. Pocha, Glenn A. Meyer, Charles F. McConaghy, Barry L. Olsen, William W. Hansen
  • Ultraminiature broadband light source and method of manufacturing same
    Patent number: 7755292
    Abstract: An ultraminiature light source using a double-spiral shaped tungsten filament includes end contact portions which are separated to allow for radial and length-wise unwinding of the spiral. The double-spiral filament is spaced relatively far apart at the end portions thereof so that contact between portions of the filament upon expansion is avoided. The light source is made by fabricating a double-spiral ultraminiature tungsten filament from tungsten foil and housing the filament in a ceramic package having a reflective bottom and a well wherein the filament is suspended. A vacuum furnace brazing process attaches the filament to contacts of the ceramic package. Finally, a cover with a transparent window is attached onto the top of the ceramic package by solder reflow in a second vacuum furnace process to form a complete hermetically sealed package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Margaret L. Tuma, Joseph S. Collura, Henry Helvajian, Michael D. Pocha, Glenn A. Meyer, Charles F. McConaghy, Barry L. Olsen, William W Hansen
  • Silicon micromachined broad band light source
    Patent number: 6796866
    Abstract: A micro electromechanical system (MEMS) broad band incandescent light source includes three layers: a top transmission window layer; a middle filament mount layer; and a bottom reflector layer. A tungsten filament with a spiral geometry is positioned over a hole in the middle layer. A portion of the broad band light from the heated filament is reflective off the bottom layer. Light from the filament and the reflected light of the filament are transmitted through the transmission window. The light source may operate at temperatures of 2500 K or above. The light source may be incorporated into an on board calibrator (OBC) for a spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Thomas George, Eric Jones, Margaret L. Tuma, Michael Eastwood, Richard Hansler
  • Silicon micromachined broad band light source
    Publication number: 20030041649
    Abstract: A micro electromechanical system (MEMS) broad band incandescent light source includes three layers: a top transmission window layer; a middle filament mount layer; and a bottom reflector layer. A tungsten filament with a spiral geometry is positioned over a hole in the middle layer. A portion of the broad band light from the heated filament is reflective off the bottom layer. Light from the filament and the reflected light of the filament are transmitted through the transmission window. The light source may operate at temperatures of 2500 K or above. The light source may be incorporated into an on board calibrator (OBC) for a spectrometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Thomas George, Eric Jones, Margaret L. Tuma, Michael Eastwood, Richard Hansler