Patents Represented by Attorney Carl O. McClenny
  • Patent number: 4360325
    Abstract: A gas piston driven hydraulic piston pump in which the gas cycle is of high efficiency by injecting the gas in slugs at the beginning of each power stroke. The hydraulic piston (40) is disposed to operate inside the gas piston (30), and the two pistons, both slidably but non-rotatably mounted, are coupled together with a rotating but non-sliding motion transfer ring (50) extending into antifriction grooves (46 and 37) in the sidewalls (42 and 32) of the two pistons. To make the hydraulic piston move at a constant speed during constant hydraulic horsepower demand and thus exert a constant pressure on the hydraulic fluid, these grooves are machined with variable pitches and one is the opposite of the other, i.e., the gas piston groove (37) increases in pitch during its power stroke while the hydraulic piston groove (46) decreases. Thus the motion transfer ring (50) is properly denominated a force multiplier ring. Any number of piston assembly sets may be used to obtain desired hydraulic horsepower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Charles W. Galloway
  • Patent number: 4341925
    Abstract: A new and improved secure communication system is provided. A product code, formed from two pseudorandom sequences of digital bits, is used to encipher or scramble data prior to transmission. The two pseudorandom sequences are periodically changed at intervals before they have had time to repeat. One of the two sequences is transmitted continuously with the scrambled data for synchronization.In the receiver portion of the system, the incoming signal is compared with one of two locally generated pseudorandom sequences until correspondence between the sequences is obtained. At this time, the two locally generated sequences are formed into a product code which deciphers the data from the incoming signal. Provision is made to ensure synchronization of the transmitting and receiving portions of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Inventors: Robert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Frosch, George D. Doland
  • Patent number: 4327437
    Abstract: Input signals from sensor (S) in a redundancy management system are provided redundantly in parallel so that a primary control signal may be selected. Median value signals for groups of three sensors are detected in median value selectors (30, 32, 34, 36, 40) of selection filters (F). The detected median value signals are then also compared in a subtractor/comparator (38) to determine whether any of them exceed the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor. If so, the exceeding detected medium value signal is sent to a control computer (10) as the primary control signal. If not, the lowest level detected medium value signal is sent as the primary control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1982
    Inventors: Robert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Frosch, Hendrik J. C. Gelderloos
  • Patent number: 4263112
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell for the conversion of water vapor to oxygen and hydrogen included an anode comprising a foraminous conductive metal base member having a coating thereon of 65-85 weight percent iridium oxide and 15-35 weight percent of a high temperature resin binder. Also included are a matrix member and a cathode, with the matrix member containing an electrolyte and the cathode being substantially inert to the electrolyte. The foraminous metal member is most desirably expanded tantalum mesh, and the cell desirably includes reservoir elements of porous sintered metal in contact with the anode to receive and discharge electrolyte to the matrix member as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1981
    Inventors: Robert A. Frosch, John R. Aylward
  • Patent number: 4219203
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing thermal and pressure sealing in an elongated space of varying width between adjacent surfaces of first and second members mounted for at least limited lateral movement therebetween. The apparatus may comprise: a first elongated support member attached to one of the adjacent surfaces; a second elongated support member attached to the other of the adjacent surfaces; and an elongated seal member sandwiched between the first and second support members. In its non-deformed state, the elongated seal member may be substantially cylindrical but capable of deformation to accommodate limited lateral movement between the adjacent surfaces and varying widths of the space therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1980
    Inventors: Alan M. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Lovelace, John Bellavia, Jr., John O. Kane
  • Patent number: 4218685
    Abstract: Disclosed is a coaxial antenna array for communicating circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation. A pair of open ended antenna cavities is coaxially constructed and operates by excitation of linear radiation elements arranged within each of the cavities. A pair of crossed-dipole radiation devices are centered within the inner cavity and operated by means of a phase-shifting network circuit to transmit as well as receive circularly polarized radiation. Four monopole radiation devices are symmetrically arranged to operate in the outer cavity in phase quadrature by means of the phase-shifting network circuit to also both transmit and receive circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation. Combined operation of the two antenna cavities with a 180.degree. phase differential between the fields related to the two antenna cavities provides a broad beam, relatively wide frequency bandwidth communication capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Inventors: Robert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Frosch, Haynes Ellis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4218682
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multiple band antenna assembly for communicating electromagnetic radiation. An antenna element stack is constructed of a plurality of elliptical lamina antenna elements mutually separated by layers of dielectric material, and separated from a ground plane by dielectric material. The antenna assembly is coupled through a feed line in contact with the top antenna element. A conductor joins the remaining antenna elements to the ground plane. Each individual antenna element is operable for communication reception and transmission within a frequency band determined by the size of the particular antenna element. The antenna elements are arranged in order of decreasing size with the largest antenna element closest to the ground plane. The sizes of the antenna elements may be selected to provide electromagnetic radiation communication over several distinct frequency bands, or to connect the individual bands into a broad band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Inventors: Robert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Frosch, I-Ping Yu
  • Patent number: 4200721
    Abstract: Homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers of a styrene based monomer are prepared by:(1) polymerizing at least one oxidized styrylphosphine monomer selected from the group of:(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 P(O)N.dbd.P(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2,(C.sub.6 H.sub.5 O).sub.2 P(O)N.dbd.P(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2,(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 C.sub.3 N.sub.3 N.dbd.P(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 and(C.sub.6 H.sub.5)C.sub.3 N.sub.3 [N.dbd.P(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 ].sub.2 ; or(2) polymerizing p-diphenylphosphinestyrene and then oxidizing said polymerized p-diphenylphosphinestyrene monomer with an organoazide selected from the group of (C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 P(O)N.sub.3,(C.sub.6 H.sub.5 O).sub.2 P(O)N.sub.3,(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 C.sub.3 N.sub.3 (N.sub.3) and C.sub.6 H.sub.5 C.sub.3 N.sub.3 (N.sub.3).sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1980
    Inventors: James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Fletcher, Kazimiera J. L. Paciorek
  • Patent number: 4183217
    Abstract: A pressure limiting propellant actuating system includes an outer barrel housing having a combustion chamber formed therein. A main piston is movable in the barrel housing when a pressure is developed in the combustion chamber. A relief piston is concentrically mounted and fixedly movable with the main piston when the gas pressure is exerted thereon from the combustion chamber. The relief piston includes a separation mechanism for limiting the output force and simultaneously, maintaining output pressure from the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Paul B. Reese, David W. Murphy
  • Patent number: 4168287
    Abstract: Homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers of a styrene based monomer are prepared by:(1) polymerizing at least one oxidized styrylphosphine monomer selected from the group of:(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 P(O)N.dbd.P(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2,(c.sub.6 h.sub.5 o).sub.2 p(o)n.dbd.p(c.sub.6 h.sub.5).sub.2 c.sub.6 h.sub.4 ch.dbd.ch.sub.2,(c.sub.6 h.sub.5).sub.2 c.sub.3 n.sub.3 n.dbd.p(c.sub.6 h.sub.5).sub.2 c.sub.6 h.sub.4 ch.dbd.ch.sub.2 and(C.sub.6 H.sub.5)C.sub.3 N.sub.3 [N.dbd.P(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 ].sub.2 ; or(2) polymerizing p-diphenylphosphinestyrene and then oxidizing said polymerized p-diphenylphosphinestyrene monomer with an organoazide selected from the group of (C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 P(O)N.sub.3, (C.sub.6 H.sub.5 O).sub.2 P(O)N.sub.3, (C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 C.sub.3 N.sub.3 (N.sub.3) and C.sub.6 H.sub.5 C.sub.3 N.sub.3 (N.sub.3).sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1979
    Inventors: James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Fletcher, Kazimiera J. L. Paciorek
  • Patent number: 4122725
    Abstract: The transducer is constructed from individual transducer elements arranged in an array and configured to exhibit a predominant, longitudinal mode transversely to the array. The elements are interconnected through thin flexible sheets. Each element is individually damped, and the transducer as a whole is electrically damped through resonance with the clamped capacitance and dissipation. Electrical control permits in-phase operation of all transducer elements or control with preselected phase differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Robert B. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4123355
    Abstract: A process for simultaneously removing sulfur dioxide from stack gases and the like and purifying waste water such as derived from domestic sewage in which a portion of the gas stream and a portion of the waste water, the latter containing dissolved iron and having an acidic pH, are contacted in a closed loop gas-liquid scrubbing zone to effect absorption of the sulfur dioxide into the waste water. A second portion of the gas stream and a second portion of the waste water are controlled in an open loop gas-liquid scrubbing zone, the second portion of the waste water containing a lesser amount of iron than the first portion of the waste water, contacting in the open loop scrubbing zone being sufficient to acidify the waste water which is then treated to remove solids originally present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Inventors: Robert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Frosch, Jerry C. Poradek, Dwight D. Collins
  • Patent number: 4103712
    Abstract: A disconnect composed basically of two halves each consisting of a poppet valve operable to isolate fluid with essentially zero fluid loss. The two halves are coupled together by a quickly releasable coupling which may be either a coupling ring tightened or loosened by a twisting motion, or a clamp operated by a pivoted handle. In either case an interlock device is provided to prevent disconnecting the two halves until both valves are in closed condition.The "positive" feature of the device is one requiring a valve closing step before a disconnect step, and takes structural form in an eccentric lobe mounted on the valve operating stem. If some obstruction prevents the poppet from moving to its seat, the eccentric lobe cannot be rotated to the closed position, and the interlock prevents a disconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1978
    Inventors: James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Fletcher, Morley V. Friedell
  • Patent number: 4092466
    Abstract: Homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers of a styrene based monomer are prepared by:(1) polymerizing at least one oxidized styrylphosphine monomer selected from the group of:(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 P(O)N.dbd.P(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2,(c.sub.6 h.sub.5 o).sub.2 p(o)n.dbd.p(c.sub.6 h.sub.5).sub.2 c.sub.6 h.sub.4 ch.dbd.ch.sub.2,(c.sub.6 h.sub.5).sub.2 c.sub.3 n.sub.3 n.dbd.p(c.sub.6 h.sub.5).sub.2 c.sub.6 h.sub.4 ch.dbd.ch.sub.2 and(C.sub.6 H.sub.5) C.sub.3 N.sub.3 [N.dbd.P(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 ].sub.2 ; or(2) polymerizing p-diphenylphosphinestyrene and then oxidizing said polymerized p-diphenylphosphinestyrene monomer with an organoazide selected from the group of (C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 P(O)N.sub.3,(C.sub.6 H.sub.5 O).sub.2 P(O)N.sub.3,(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 C.sub.3 N.sub.3 (N.sub.3) and C.sub.6 H.sub.5 C.sub.3 N.sub.3 (N.sub.3).sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1978
    Inventors: James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Fletcher, Kazimiera Jola Liliana Paciorek
  • Patent number: 4091665
    Abstract: A reaction control system nozzle block is provided for testing the response characteristics of space vehicles to a variety of reaction control thruster configurations. A pressurized air system is connected with the supply lines which lead to the individual jet nozzles. Each supply line terminates in a compact cylindrical plenum volume, axially perpendicular and adjacent the throat of the jet nozzle. The volume of the cylindrical plenum is sized to provide uniform thrust characteristics from each jet nozzle irrespective of the angle of approach of the supply line to the plenum. Each supply line may be plugged or capped to stop the air supply to selected jet nozzles, thereby enabling a variety of nozzle configurations to be obtained from a single model nozzle block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1978
    Inventors: James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space administration, with respect to an invention of Fletcher, Henry S. Dresser, Joseph J. Daileda
  • Patent number: 4077813
    Abstract: Fully annealed aluminum sheet is first stretch formed to the complex, doubly compound shape of a previously prepared forming die, e.g., an ejection seat blowout panel of a shuttlecraft. The part is then marked with a series of grid lines for monitoring later elongation. Thereafter it is solution heat treated and refrigerated to retard hardening. While still soft, it is stretched a second time on the same die to induce a modicum of work hardening, after which it is aged to the desired stress corrosion resistant temper, perferrably the T8 level, to provide the desired hardness and stress corrosion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1978
    Inventors: James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Fletcher, Irvin J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4067043
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for converting an optical system, employing an electrooptic device in conjunction with a pair of crossed polarizing devices, between an activated mode and a deactivated mode. Embodiments in which the optical system is used as a neutral density filter, a selective color filter, or a light shutter, as applied to a television camera are described in which the electrooptic device and the polarizing analyzer are fixed with respect to the television camera, and the first polarizing device is selectively positioned in, or removed from, the optical path of the optical system to activate or deactivate the optical system, respectively. Where the optical system is used as a selective color filter to produce light beams of alternating colors in a field sequential color television system, deactivation of the optical system renders the television a black-and-white system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: William E. Perry
  • Patent number: 4061570
    Abstract: The system disclosed is for controlling the iodine level in a water supply in a spacecraft. The system iodinates drinking water as necessary. It includes an iodine accumulator which stores crystalline iodine, an electro-chemical valve to control the input of iodine to the drinking water and an iodine dispenser. A pump dispenses fluid through the iodine dispenser and an iodine sensor to a potable water tank storage. The iodine sensor electronically detects the iodine level in the water, and through electronic means, produces a correction current control. The correction current control operates the electro-chemical iodine valve to release iodine from the iodine accumulator into the iodine dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1977
    Inventors: James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Aministraton, with respect to an invention of Fletcher, Richard A. Wynveen, James D. Powell, Franz H. Schubert
  • Patent number: 4051877
    Abstract: Apparatus for transferring gas from a first container to a second container of higher pressure comprising a free-piston compressor having a driving piston and cylinder, a smaller diameter driven piston and cylinder, and a rod member connecting the driving and driven pistons for mutual reciprocation in their respective cylinders. A conduit may be provided for supplying gas to the driven cylinder from the first container. Also provided is control apparatus for intermittently introducing gas to the driving piston, from the first container, to compress gas by the driven piston for transfer to the second higher pressure container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1977
    Inventors: James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Fletcher, Leslie S. Terp
  • Patent number: 4045063
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a load regulating mechanical latch is provided that has a pivotally mounted latch element having a hook-shaped end with a strike roller-engaging laterally open hook for engaging a stationary strike roller. The latch element or hook is pivotally mounted in a clevis end of an elongated latch stem that is adapted for axial movement through an opening in a support plate or bracket mounted to a structural member. A coil spring is disposed over and around the extending latch stem and the lower end of the coil spring engages the support bracket. A thrust washer is removably attached to the other end of the latch stem and engages the other end of the coil spring and compresses the coil spring thereby preloading the spring and the latch element carried by the latch stem. The hook-shaped latch element has a limited degree of axial travel for loading caused by structural distortion which may change the relative positions of the latch element hook and the strike roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Inventors: James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Fletcher, Walter Thomas Appleberry