Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Earl C. Hancock
  • Patent number: 5082827
    Abstract: In a disk file data storage device wherein a radially movable recording head operates to write/read data relative to a recording disk, an electrically energizable superconductor magnetic suspension system is provided for supporting the head in close flying proximity to the surface to the disk's flat recording surface. The head is force biased away from the recording surface by operation of a spring force. The magnetic suspension system includes a superconducting member and a coil member. The superconducting member and coil member that are mounted in confronting relation, such that electrical energization of the coil member produces a magnetic mirror or Meissner force in opposition to the spring force. Variable energization of the coil member operates to support the head at a controlled flying distance from the recording surface. A stack of disks having a plurality head means and a plurality of superconductor/coil pairs, one pair associated with each recording surface, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: University of Colorado Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank S. Barnes
  • Patent number: 5079219
    Abstract: Information-bearing signals are stored using high-temperature superconducting materials. Type II semiconductors, such as materials in the perovskite class, are used for recording. A vortex of electrical current is induced in a layer of the super-conductive materials which causing a magnetic field extending from the axis of the vortex. One or more vortices can be used to record one bit of information. The induced magnetic field is sensed for reading the stored information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: University of Colorado Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank S. Barnes
  • Patent number: 5073010
    Abstract: The disclosure describes an optically addressable spatial light modulator (OASLM) having a light sensitive member and a distorted helix ferroelectric liquid crystal (DHFLC). In a first embodiment a hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) photodiode layer is in physical contact with the DHFLC layer. In another embodiment an integrated circuit member includes a photosensitive area and an associated metal pad for each OASLM pixel, the metal pads in physical contact with corresponding DHFLC pixel areas. In the first embodiment, a low magnitude AC voltage (less than three to seven volts peak to peak) is connected to the OASLM as operating voltage, preferably in the absence of a DC offset voltage. The OASLM pixel areas of the OASLM are selectively addressed by a writing light wavefront, to thereby activate corresponding pixel areas of the light sensitive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: University of Colorado Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristina M. Johnson, Chongchang Mao, Ibrahim S. Abdulhalim
  • Patent number: 5070040
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device, a thin, synthetic diamond film (i.e. a man made film) enhances the transfer of heat from a semiconductor circuit chip to a cooling medium. The heat generating semiconductor circuit chip is located in efficient thermal transfer engagement with one surface of a synthetically deposited diamond film. The opposite surface of the diamond film forms the bottom wall of a cavity that contains a cooling medium. In one embodiment of the invention, the cavity is formed by depositing the diamond film on the surface of a silicon substrate, and then etching the silicon substrate to form an open-top cavity having side walls that comprise the silicon substrate, and having a bottom wall that comprises the diamond film. In a second embodiment of the invention, the open-top cavity is formed by an apertured silicon preform that is bonded to the diamond film. A capping member closes the top of the cavity. A cooling medium is placed within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: University of Colorado Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacques I. Pankove
  • Patent number: 5065615
    Abstract: The system is essentially an arrangement for determining the amount of liquid water in the atmosphere by monitoring the microwave signals received within a single frequency band around 31.65 GHz. The system has improved reliabililty since it is relatively simple employing existing technologies. It is generally a process and an arrangement wherein microwave signals naturally occurring in the atmosphere are detected by a receiver which is tuned to a relatively narrow band around the 31.65 GHz range. The converted signals from the microwave monitoring system are available for strip chart recording or for display directly or after introduction to a computer where they are processed by taking into account the known oxygen content of the atmosphere under monitor and the approximation of the vapor content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Inventor: Geoffrey E. Hill
  • Patent number: 5041826
    Abstract: A passive integrated transponder (PIT) is attached to or embedded in an item to be identified. It is excited via an inductive coupling from an interrogator. The PIT responds to the interrogator via the inductive coupling with a signal constituting a stream of data unique to the identified item. The signal is in the form of two different frequencies, a shift from one frequency to the second during a bit cell representing a data "one", and a shift from the second frequency to the first frequency representing a data "zero". The responsive signal is then detected and processed for utilization in a data storage or display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Destron/IDI Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Milheiser
  • Patent number: 5031609
    Abstract: A post operative compression bandage for the human head is described having primary utility for use after facelift or rhytidectomy plastic surgery. The bandage includes a generally flat and unitary member that is formed of relatively thin, single ply, four-way stretch, and washable cloth-like material, preferably of about 90 percent nylon and about 10 percent lycra spandex. The unitary bandage member is formed by stitching two identically shaped cloth members at mating convex arc portions thereof, to thereby form a chin cup. Each of the two cloth members includes a neck strap, a top of the head strap, and a back of the head strap. These six straps terminate in mating hook/loop fasteners of the Velcro type. The length, width and placement of the straps are selected to achieve a desired compression of the covered head area, while at the same time minimizing the tendency of a tensioned bandage to form wrinkles, creases and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Inventor: Letty A. Fye
  • Patent number: 5024474
    Abstract: A latch mechanism includes a cylindrically shaped rotating cam having a small radius portion and a large radius portion that are spaced from each other along a circumference of cylinder. A ball is seated against the cam. The ball is forced outward when it is seated in the small radius portion of the cam, and is allowed to move inward when it is seated in the large radius portion of the cam. A first hollow latch pin is provided, having an indentation at one point on the outer surface thereof into which the ball can seat. A second smaller size latch pin, also having an indentation in one point on the outer surface thereof into which the ball can seat, is insertable within the first hollow latch pin, to thereby allow multiple objects to be secured by the latch mechanism. A housing supports and facilitates movement of the cam, the ball and the two latch pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: Selsys Corporation
    Inventor: Howard W. Selby, III
  • Patent number: 5021916
    Abstract: A security device intervenes in the primary power input connection to an existing appliance. The user must set numbered thumbwheels to a correct numerical sequence preset through those same thumbwheels by the appliance owner before the device will connect the primary power to the attached appliance. Once the correct code is dialed in via the thumbwheels, a relay latches so that power is continuously available to the appliance until the primary power is lost as by disconnection of the appliance power cord for more than a short period of time. Reentry of the unique code is then necessary to operate the appliance. Labels are permanently affixed to the appliance to forewarn that it is not operational unless the correct code is entered. The attachment module is encased in potting compound to prevent bypassing of the power controlling circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Ultimate Security, Inc.
    Inventor: James H. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 5018286
    Abstract: A user authorization tag for the wearer thereof is rendered tamper resistant by forming the tag as an integral unit having a flat panel portion and a flexible loop portion extending from the panel portion. The loop is dimensioned for threading through a clothing opening, for example through a zipper pull, a button hole, or the like. Once the loop is threaded through the clothing opening, the panel is passed through the loop, to thereby secure the loop to the clothint opening. A relatively large ticket, carrying user authorization information such as bar code data, is then nonremovably secured to the panel. The size of the ticket is such that the panel with its attached ticket cannot pass back through the loop if an attempt is later made to remove the tag from the clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Inventor: Daniel B. Zahner
  • Patent number: 5016185
    Abstract: A pyramidal cone absorber structure is equated to an effective absorbing layer model having effective permittivity and permeability properties. A Riccati equation, governing the coefficient of reflection of the effective absorbing layer is derived. A computer program solves the Ricatti equation for the coefficient of reflection using initial values of complex permittivity. Iterative solutions are then obtained using increasing values of complex permittivity until no further reduction in the maximum coefficient of reflection over a specified frequency range is obtained, thus indicating optimum performance of the pyramidal cone absorber structure for a given set of cone dimensions. Optimization of the pyramidal cone absorber structure may also be optimized for a fixed set of complex permittivity values by varying the cone length and backing layer dimensions while maintaining the sum of those two dimensions constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: University of Colorado Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward F. Kuester, Christopher L. Holloway
  • Patent number: 4993725
    Abstract: A single blade ice skate is disclosed wherein the ice engaging blade, the toe boot plate and the heel boot plate are formed as a unitary assembly from a flat sheet of metal stock material, with the two boot plates being attached to the blade by way of twisted metal extension portions. In the initial flat state, the blade portion, the two extension portions and the two boot plates occupy a common physical plane. The two extension portions that connect the boot plates to the blade are then twisted 90.degree. in this common plane, and in a manner to place the two boot plates in planes that are normal to the plane of the blade and normal to the common plane of the initial metal stock material. The two boot plates are then bent into a U-shape, so as to provide a U-shaped vertical spring member for each of the boot plates, the spring member acting between the two boot plates and the blade (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: University of Colorado Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank S. Barnes, Norman W. Baer
  • Patent number: 4985742
    Abstract: A device having high temperature operating characteristics is provided by depositing n-type cubic gallium nitride on n-type cubic silicon carbide to provide an ohmic contact or electrode. High temperature operating characteristics are also provided in a device having a pn heterojunction between a layer of cubic p-type silicon carbide or gallium arsenide and a first layer of cubic n-type gallium nitride. In a power transistor, a second layer of n-type gallium nitride is deposited on the other surface of the silicon carbide or gallium arsenide to form a pn heterojunction. The gallium nitride layer that is connected as an emitter is forward biased to cause electron injection into the silicon carbide or gallium arsenide layer. In a phototransistor device having high temperature operating characteristics, a transparent layer of cubic n-type gallium nitride is deposited on each side of either cubic p-type silicon carbide or gallium arsenide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: University of Colorado Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacques I. Pankove
  • Patent number: 4979002
    Abstract: An optical switching array includes a body of a semiconductor material having opposed surfaces. A plurality of spaced bodies of a semiconductor material are on one of the surfaces of the substrate. Each body includes four superimposed regions extending thereacross with the regions being of alternating opposite conductivity type to form PN junctions between adjacent regions. The bodies are capable of emitting light in response to an optical input when an electrical bias is applied thereacross. A fifth region extends across each body and forms a Zener diode with one of the outer region of the body. The Zener diode is adapted to limit the voltage drop across the bodies when one of the bodies is biased to emit light so as to permit more than one body to be turned to its light emitting condition at any one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: University of Colorado Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacques I. Pankove
  • Patent number: 4978103
    Abstract: Large, flat objects such as manhole covers, and storm drain grates, are lifted and maneuvered. A tool includes a gripper assembly which receives the object at or near an edge and establishes control by an arrangement of at least one concentrated contact area or pressure point on one surface of the object and a pair of such concentrated contact areas or pressure points on the other surface. A long lever handle allows pivoting to raise the object; rollers on the tool accommodate maneuvering afterwards. Avoidance of runaway rolling and maintenance of positive movement control is possible by a stub or pin which is attachable if desired to engage the ground, street or the like, after the object is lifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Inventor: Gerald L. Moisan
  • Patent number: 4977433
    Abstract: An optoelectronic device having an optical switch which can be turned on and off optically by a beam of light. The device includes the optical switch having a first optically variable resistance device connected in series with the switch and one side of a source of current, and a second optically variable resist device connected in series with the switch and one side of a source of current, and a second optically variable resistance device connected in series with the switch and the other side of the current source. The switch is capable of emitting light when a voltage above a threshold is applied thereto. By directing a light into the first optically variable resistance device the voltage applied across the switch is increased to a level just below the threshold and is raised to at least the threshold by directing a light into the switch so as to turn on the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: University of Colorado Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacques I. Pankove
  • Patent number: 4971947
    Abstract: Read/write heads for exchanging information with a magnetic media in either vertical or horizontal recording modes include SQUID detectors coupled to the magnetic flux path of the head. Selective use of superconducting material improves the data interchange operating efficiency of the read/write head and its coils. Magnetic paths associated with head elements are confined and directed by superconducting material to produce compact data with minimal power requirements. Magnetic read/write heads containing Josephson junction or SQUID detectors and which are encased in superconductive material allow high density data recording and highly sensitive data detecting. Data density is also improved by selected application of superconductive material to magnetic read/write heads constructed for perpendicular recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: University of Colorado Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank S. Barnes, Matthew P. Dugas
  • Patent number: 4944360
    Abstract: A three wheel vehicle is described having two forward wheels that are driven and steerable. The two forward wheels and the single rear wheel are supported on a single-unit platform member that is molded from an engineering plastic. The vehicle rear wheel is mounted on a trailing arm that is pivoted at generally the middle underside of the platform member. This trailing arm is movable to facilitate three-point vehicle storage, as the vehicle rests on its two front wheels and on its then closely adjacent rear wheel, with the trailing arm in a vertical position. The platform member includes a plurality of pipe-like attachment clip/handles strategically located both within the bounds of the platform and about the periphery of the platform. The vehicle is intended for use by a seated or a standing individual. A plurality of accessories are selectively attachable to the platform member by use of the platform clip/handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Inventor: Daniel D. Sturges
  • Patent number: 4928147
    Abstract: Image defining toner is transferred to cut sheets and fused at one of two fuser stations. One station is positioned to fuse the image on one side when duplex copying or printing is selected. The other fuser station performs fusing when simplex copying is selected but fuses the second side copy for duplexing. When flash lamps are employed for the fuser station, the lamps are composed of multiple bays with a single power source coupled to each bay in sequence so that the power source size need only accommodate the power level demand of one bay. The time between trigger pulses is extended by commencing fusing with an intermediate bay followed by the initial bay and then the final bay as the image area requiring fusing passes along its path in proximity to the faces of the flash lamp bays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald W. Baumann, Albert N. Garthwaite, Carl D. Hutchings
  • Patent number: 4926082
    Abstract: Superconducting material improves the operating efficiency and reduces the operating power demand for a disk drive suitable for interchanging data with a magnetic or optic medium. The arm containing the head is moved along a path by a balanced superconductor-to-magnetic-field interface such as for radial positioning relative to a circular medium and is maintained in constant spatial relation with respect to the medium by advantageous application of superconductive layers and magnetic field sources. The superconductor environment also permits efficient bearing support for the medium as well as accommodating superconductor motors for driving the medium, and the use of various circuit elements associated with the drive electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: University of Colorado Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank S. Barnes