Patents by Inventor Martin Peter Wuest

Martin Peter Wuest 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).

  • Deployable particle collector for space particle instruments
    Patent number: 6683311
    Abstract: A collapsible particle collector for collecting particles and directing them to an aperture of a particle detector. One embodiment of the invention uses an electrostatic mirror, having a reflective grid and at least one reference grid, which may be collapsed or opened, in an umbrella type manner, using a radial rib type mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventor: Martin Peter Wüest
  • Thermally actuated spectroscopic optical switch
    Patent number: 6587612
    Abstract: A thermally actuated spectroscopic optical switch including reflective surfaces which are selectively moved into a position intersecting a beam of light by applying electrical or heat energy to a selected composite cantilever beam on which the reflective surface is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Joseph Nathan Mitchell, Martin Peter Wüest
  • Large aperture particle detector with integrated antenna
    Patent number: 5962850
    Abstract: A large aperture particle detector integrated with an electromagnetic antenna. By combining functions of spacecraft subsystems into a single integrated system, a larger particle collector is achieved to provide greater particle measuring sensitivity and costs are reduced through consolidation of functions. The integrated subsystems include a conventional high-gain spacecraft dish antenna and a large aperture particle collector. The conventional high-gain spacecraft dish antenna reflects and focuses impinging electromagnetic radiation at an electromagnetic detector and source, and may comprise one or more reflecting and focusing surfaces. The antenna is used to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation. The large aperture particle collector is collocated with the electromagnetic antenna. The large aperture particle collector reflects and focuses impinging charged particles at a particle detector through the use of one or more electrostatic mirrors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventor: Martin Peter Wuest
  • Thermally actuated spectroscopic optical switch
    Patent number: RE39833
    Abstract: A thermally actuated spectroscopic optical switch including reflective surfaces which are selectively moved into a position intersecting a beam of light by applying electrical or heat energy to a selected composite cantilever beam on which the reflective surface is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Joseph Nathan Mitchell, Martin Peter Wuest