Patents Represented by Attorney Edward K. Fein
  • Patent number: 4315266
    Abstract: A flush mounting, cavity-backed, dual orthogonal slot antenna in which improved radiation pattern characteristics are obtained by making the spiral slot pattern elliptical in the aperture plane. A cavity (11) and a flanged aperture plate (11a) are shown in which one slot pair (12 and 13) is orthogonal with respect to another slot pair (14 and 15) within the aperture plate (11a). Coaxial split-tube baluns (12a and 14a) are used to drive the junctions between corresponding slot pairs. Optional cavity dielectric (18) is provided and a drive coupling arrangement includes a four port comparator hybrid (30) having .ltoreq. and .DELTA. ports (17 and 16) respectively, for alternate excitation to produce a single lobe or a double lobe pattern with null. Switching apparatus is provided to connect a common terminal (26) to either of the ports (17 or 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1982
    Inventors: Robert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Frosch, Haynes Ellis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4305205
    Abstract: A self-clamping cutting tool which includes a handle (11) attached to a C-shaped housing (12) and has an opening (13) sized to admit a pipe (23). Rotatably mounted within the housing is a C-shaped tool body (24) carrying a set of clamping rolls (27, 28 and 31) and two support rolls (51 and 52) and an edged cutting roll (64). The support rolls are disposed to one side of the axis (29) of a pipe and the cutting roll is disposed to the other side of a pipe axis so that these rolls contact a pipe at three circumferential points. Cutter advancing apparatus (63, 65, 66, 67, 68) advance the cutting roll toward the support rollers. The support rolls and cutting roll are rotatable independently of the C-shaped housing. A one way ratchet mechanism (41, 43) disposed between the C-shaped housing and the C-shaped tool body permits operation by movement in one rotational direction about the pipe axis. In another embodiment, the tool body is rotated by a power driven mechanism (80- 87).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Anthony S. Girala
  • Patent number: 4293522
    Abstract: Methods, and apparatus for use therein, for determining organic carbon in aqueous solution which method comprises subjecting the aqueous solution to electrolysis, for generating oxygen from water, and simultaneously to ultraviolet radiation, for oxidation of substantially all organic carbon therein to carbon dioxide and subsequently measuring said carbon dioxide and relating the value to the concentration of organic carbon in said aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: H. Eugene Winkler
  • Patent number: 4270539
    Abstract: A urine collection device for females comprising an interface body having an interface surface for engagement with the user's body. The interface body comprises a forward portion defining a urine-receiving bore having an inlet in the interface surface adapted to be disposed in surrounding relation to the urethral opening of the user. The interface body further comprises a rear portion integrally adjoining the forward portion and having a non-invasive vaginal seal on the interface surface for sealing the vagina of the user from communication with the urine-receiving bore. An absorbent pad is removably supported on the interface body and extends laterally therefrom. Also disclosed is a garment for supporting the urine collection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Inventors: Robert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Frosch, Roger B. Michaud
  • Patent number: 4262080
    Abstract: A new and improved method for applying photographic resists to otherwise incompatible substrates, such as, for example, a baking enamel paint surface, is described wherein the uncured enamel paint surface is coated with a non-curing lacquer which is, in turn, coated with a partially cured lacquer. The non-curing lacquer adheres to the enamel and a photo resist material will satisfactorily adhere to the partially cured lacquer. Once normal photo etching techniques are employed the lacquer coats can be easily removed from the enamel leaving the photo etched image. This invention is particularly applicable to preparation of edge-lighted instrument panels. In such case a coat of uncured enamel is placed over the cured enamel followed by the lacquer coats and the photo resists which is exposed and developed in the normal way. Once the uncured enamel, now having had the image etched upon it, is cured, the lacquer coats are removed leaving an etched panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Inventors: Robert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Frosch, Wolfgang Fuhr
  • Patent number: 4246901
    Abstract: Disclosed is a urine collection device for females comprising a collection element defining a urine collection chamber and an inlet opening into the chamber and adapted to be disposed in surrounding relation to the urethral opening of the user. A drainage conduit is connected to the collection element in communication with the chamber whereby the chamber and conduit together comprise a urine flow pathway for carrying urine generally away from the inlet. A first body of wicking material is mounted adjacent the collection element and extends at least partially into the flow pathway. The device preferably also comprises a vaginal insert element including a seal portion for preventing the entry of urine into the vagina in contact therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Inventors: Robert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Frosch, Roger B. Michaud
  • Patent number: 4237662
    Abstract: Disclosed are a structural member, such as a truss, and a method and apparatus for fabricating the same from flexible sheet material in compacted form. A plurality of generally tubular columns are progressively formed from the sheet material and deployed generally parallel to one another. Adjacent pairs of the columns are interconnected by respective side members, each of which is comprised of a strip of the sheet material. The sheet material is fastened together by self-attaching fasteners integrally formed from the sheet material of the columns and side members themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics & Space Administration
    Inventor: Jack A. Kinzler
  • Patent number: 4225372
    Abstract: A surface of an article adapted for relative motion with a fluid environment is finished by coating the surface with a fluid adhesive, covering the adhesive with a sheet of flexible film material under tension, and setting the adhesive while maintaining tension on the film material whereby the tensioned film material is bonded to the surface by the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Jack A. Kinzler, James T. Heffernan, Leroy G. Fehrenkamp, William S. Lee
  • Patent number: 4215273
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical system for use in a multispectral scanner of the type used in video imaging devices. Electromagnetic radiation reflected by a rotating scan mirror is focused by a concave primary telescope mirror and collimated by a second concave mirror. The collimated beam is split by a dichroic filter which transmits radiant energy in the infrared spectrum and reflects visible and near infrared energy. The long wavelength beam is filtered and focused on an infrared detector positioned in a cryogenic environment. The short wavelength beam is dispersed by a pair of prisms, then projected on an array of detectors also mounted in a cryogenic environment and oriented at an angle relative to the optical path of the dispersed short wavelength beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1980
    Inventors: Robert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Frosch, Roy C. Stokes, Norman G. Koch
  • Patent number: 4141259
    Abstract: A planetary (epicyclic) gear set is provided with a reversible rotating input shaft and individual outputs shafts actuated, respectively, by the ring gear and planet gear carrier. Latch means is positioned to selectively and automatically stop the ring gear or carrier member while releasing the other to provide the desired sequential output operation. The output shafts are reversed in sequence and direction of rotation by reversing rotational direction of the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1979
    Inventors: James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Fletcher, Walter T. Appleberry
  • Patent number: 4078290
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing and reinserting base member segments in an arcuate slot in an engine part where each base member separately includes blades or stators comprising holding the engine part in place while manipulating fingers on an arm into an interfitting abutting relationship with most of the blades on a base member and applying a torque force to the base of the blades to move a base member relative to such arcuate slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1978
    Inventors: James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Fletcher, Donald D. Diamond
  • Patent number: 4033334
    Abstract: A replaceable, prefilled electrode enclosed in a plastic seal and suitably adapted for attachment to a reusable, washable cap having snaps thereon is disclosed. The apparatus is particularly adapted for quick positioning of electrodes to obtain an EEG. The individual electrodes are formed of a sponge body which is filled with a conductive electrolyte gel during manufacture. The sponge body is adjacent to a base formed of a conductive plastic material. The base has at its center a male gripper snap. The cap locates the female snap to enable the electrode to be positioned. The electrode can be stored and used quickly by attaching to the female gripper snap. The snap is correctly positioned and located by mounting it in a stretchable cap. The cap is reusable with new electrodes for each use. The electrolyte gel serves as the contact electrode to achieve a good ohmic contact with the scalp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1977
    Inventors: James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Fletcher, James D. Frost, Jr., Carl E. Hillman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4032089
    Abstract: A surface of an article adapted for relative motion with a fluid environment is finished by coating the surface with a fluid adhesive, covering the adhesive with a sheet of flexible film material under tension, and setting the adhesive while maintaining tension on the film material whereby the tensioned film material is bonded to the surface by the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1977
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Jack A. Kinzler, James T. Heffernan, Leroy G. Fehrenkamp, William S. Lee
  • Patent number: 3996471
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for radiologically determining the bone mineral content of living human bone tissue independently of the concurrent presence of adipose and other soft tissues. A target section of the body of the subject is irradiated with a beam of penetrative radiations of preselected energy to determine the attenuation of such beam with respect to the intensity of each of two radiations of different predetermined energy levels. The resulting measurements are then employed to determine bone mineral content according to the following relationship:I = (I.sub.o) exp [(.mu.BM.sup.M BM) - (.mu.ST.sup.M ST)]wherein I.sub.o is the unattentuated intensity of the radiations in the beam, .mu. is the mass attenuation coefficient, M is mass in g/cm.sup.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1976
    Inventors: James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Admministration, with respect to an invention of Fletcher, John R. Cameron, Philip F. Judy
  • Patent number: 3977771
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device and method for suppression of optical noise in an optical spatial filtering system using highly coherent light. In the disclosed embodiment, input photographic film to be processed in the system, and output photographic film to be exposed, are each mounted on lateral translation devices. During application of the coherent light for exposure of the output film, the two translation devices are moved in synchronism by a motor-driven gear and linkage assembly. The ratio of the resulting output film translation to the input film translation is equal to the magnification of the optical data processing system. The noise pattern associated with the lenses and other elements in the optical processing system remains stationary while the image-producing light moves laterally through the pattern with the output film, thus averaging out the noise effect at the output film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1976
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Joseph L. Horner