Patents Represented by Attorney Howard J. Osborn

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  • Polyphenylquinoxalines containing pendant phenylethynyl and ethynyl groups
    Patent number: 4375536
    Abstract: Poly(phenylquinoxaline) prepolymers containing pendant phenylethynyl and ethynyl groups are disclosed along with the process for forming these polymers. Novel monomers and the process for producing same that are employed to prepare the novel polymers are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Hans M. Acting Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Mark, Paul M. Hergenrother
  • Modified spiral wound retaining ring
    Patent number: 4371301
    Abstract: A spiral wound retaining ring 10 with angled ends 214 and 216 is disclosed. The ring is crimped 220 at the same angle as the ring ends to maintain a constant thickness dimension. The angling of the ends of the ring and crimp allow the ends to be positioned closer together while maintaining enough clearance to enable insertion and removal of the ring. By reducing the separation distance between the ends a stronger ring results since the double layer area of the ring is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Ashby G. Lawson
  • Heating and cooling system
    Patent number: 4346754
    Abstract: A heating and cooling apparatus capable of cyclic heating and cooling of a test specimen undergoing fatigue testing. Cryogenic fluid is passed through a block 10 clamped to the specimen 11 to cool the block and the specimen. Heating cartridges 13 penetrate the block 10 to heat the block and the specimen 11 to very hot temperatures. Control apparatus 36 and 46 is provided to alternately activate the cooling and heating modes to effect cyclic heating and cooling between very hot and very cold temperatures. The block 10 is constructed of minimal mass to facilitate the rapid temperature change thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Leland A. Imig, Mickey R. Gardner
  • Scanning afocal laser velocimeter projection lens system
    Patent number: 4346990
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for projecting and focusing parallel laser light beams from a laser doppler velocimeter on a target area. The system includes three lenses. Two lenses work together as a fixed afocal lens combination. The third lens is a movable scanning lens. Parallel laser beams travel from the velocimeter through the scanning lens and through the afocal lens combination and converge, i.e. are focused, somewhere beyond. Moving the scanning lens relative to the fixed afocal combination results in a scanning of the focus area along the afocal combination's optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: David B. Rhodes
  • Multiwall thermal protection system
    Patent number: 4344591
    Abstract: Multiwall insulating sandwich panels are provided for thermal protection of hypervelocity vehicles and other enclosures. In one embodiment of the invention the multiwall panels are formed of alternate layers of dimpled and flat metal (titanium alloy) foil sheets and beaded scarfed edge seals to provide enclosure thermal protection up to 1000.degree. F. An additional embodiment employs an intermediate fibrous insulation for the sandwich panel to provide thermal protection up to 2000.degree. F. and a third embodiment employs a silicide coated columbium waffle as the outer panel skin and fibrous layered intermediate protection for thermal environment protection up to 2500.degree. F.The use of multiple panels of the present invention on an enclosure facilitate repair and refurbishment of the thermal protection system due to the simple support provided by the tab and clip attachment for the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America asrepresented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Liam R. Jackson
  • Decoupler pylon: wing/store flutter suppressor
    Patent number: 4343447
    Abstract: This is a device for suspending a store 15 from a support such as an aircraft wing 10, and more specifically for increasing the flutter speed of an aircraft flying with attached store and reducing the sensitivity of flutter to changes in the pitch inertia and center of gravity location of the store. It comprises soft-spring whereby the store pitch mode is decoupled from support modes and a low frequency active control mechanism which maintains store alignment. In the described embodiment, a pneumatic suspension system 30 both isolates the store 15 in pitch and, under conditions of changing mean load, aligns the store 15 with the wing 10 to which it is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Wilmer H. Reed, III
  • Pyroelectric detector arrays
    Patent number: 4341012
    Abstract: A pyroelectric detector array and the method for making it. A series of holes 13 formed through a silicon dioxide layer 12 on the surface of a silicon substrate 11 forms the mounting fixture for the pyroelectric detector array. A series of nontouching strips of indium 14 are formed around the holes 13 to make contact with the backside electrodes 16 and form the output terminals for individual detectors. A pyroelectric detector strip 15 with front and back electrodes 17 and 16, respectively, is mounted over the strips 14. Biasing resistors 18 are formed on the surface of the silicon dioxide layer and connected to the strips 14. A metallized pad 19 formed on the surface of layer 12 is connected to each of the biasing resistors 18 and to the film 17 to provide the ground for the pyroelectric detector array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Archibald L. Fripp, James B. Robertson, Roger A. Breckenridge
  • Mechanical end joint system for structural column elements
    Patent number: 4340318
    Abstract: A mechanical end joint system, useful for the transverse connection of strut elements to a common node, comprises a node joint half 15 with semicircular tongue 14 and groove 60 and a strut joint half 24 with semicircular tongue 25 and groove 21. The two joint halves are engaged transversely and the connection is made secure by the inherent physical property characteristics of locking latches 12 and 26 (FIGS. 1-6) or by a spring-actioned shaft 70 (FIG. 7). A quick release mechanism (FIG. 7) provides rapid disengagement of the joint halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Inventors: Robert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Frosch, Harold G. Bush, Richard E. Wallsom
  • Apparatus and process for microbial detection and enumeration
    Patent number: 4335206
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for detecting and enumerating specific microorganisms from large volume samples containing small numbers of the microorganisms wherein the large volume samples are filtered through a membrane filter 23 to concentrate the microorganisms and filter 23 is positioned between two absorbent pads 21 and 25 previously moistened with a growth medium for the microorganisms. A pair of electrodes 13 and 15 are disposed against filter 23 and the pad-electrode-filter assembly retained within a petri dish 17 by retainer ring 27. Cover 29 is positioned on base 19 of petri dish 17 and sealed at the edges thereof by a parafilm seal prior to being electrically connected via connectors 14 and 16 to strip chart recorder 11 for detecting and enumerating the microorganisms collected on filter 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Judd R. Wilkins, David C. Grana
  • Acoustic tooth cleaner
    Patent number: 4331422
    Abstract: This invention is an acoustic oral hygiene unit that uses acoustic energy to oscillate mild abrasive particles 17a in a water suspension 17 which is then directed in a low pressure stream onto the teeth. The oscillating abrasives scrub the teeth clean removing food particles, plaque, calculous, and other foreign material from tooth surfaces, interproximal areas, and tooth-gingiva interface more effectively than any previous technique. The relatively low power output and the basic design makes the invention safe and convenient for everyday use in the home without special training. This invention replaces all former means of home dental prophylaxis, and requires no augmentation to fulfill all requirements for daily oral hygienic care.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Joseph S. Heyman
  • Photocapacitive image converter
    Patent number: 4331873
    Abstract: Apparatus for converting a radiant energy image into corresponding electrical signals including an image converter. The image converter includes a substrate 20 of semiconductor material, an insulating layer 23 on the front surface of the substrate and an electrical contact 22 on the back surface of the substrate. A first series of parallel transparent conductive stripes 25 is on the insulating layer with a processing circuit 33 connected to each of the conductive stripes for detecting the modulated voltages generated thereon. In a first embodiment of the invention (FIG. 5), a modulated light stripe 38 perpendicular to the conductive stripes 25 scans the image converter. The resulting modulated signals generated on the conductive stripes are detected by the processing circuits 40 to produce signals that represent the image focused on the image converter. In a second embodiment of the invention (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Inventors: Robert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Frosch, William E. Miller, Arden Sher, Yuan H. Tsuo
  • Means for controlling aerodynamically induced twist
    Patent number: 4330100
    Abstract: A wing twist deformation control mechanism which provides active compensation for aerodynamically induced twist deformation of high aspect ratio wings. The twist deformation control mechanism consists of a torque tube, internal to each wing and rigidly attached near the tip of each wing, and moved by an actuator located in the aircraft fuselage. As changes in the aerodynamic loads on the wings occur the torque tube is rotated to compensate for the induced wing twist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Wolf Elber
  • Metric half-span model support system
    Patent number: 4327581
    Abstract: The invention relates to a model support system used to support a model in a wind tunnel test section. The model comprises a metric, or measured, half-span 12 supported by a nonmetric, or nonmeasured half-span 11 which is connected to a sting support 13. Moments and forces acting on the metric half-span 12 are measured without interference from the support system during a wind tunnel test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Charlie M. Jackson, Jr., Samuel M. Dollyhigh, David S. Shaw
  • Solar engine
    Patent number: 4326381
    Abstract: A solar engine is disclosed in which a fluid, which is first heated and then cooled, forces a piston outward as the fluid is heated, and then draws the piston inward as the fluid is cooled. The piston is connected to a shaft and produces work as it moves outward and inward. A displacer plate moves between an absorber plate and a cooling plate to form an air space between the displacer and one or the other of these two plates for heating and cooling the fluid. The displacer plate is moved from one plate to the other by the displacer push ring as the piston nears the midpoint of its travel on the outward stroke and again on the inward stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Ronald N. Jensen
  • Hot foil transducer skin friction sensor
    Patent number: 4317102
    Abstract: An improved hot wire transducer skin friction sensor 10 and 19. The device utilizes foil transducers 11 and 18 with only one edge exposed to the fluid flow. The surface 28 and 31 are polished producing a foil transducer 11 and 18 that does not generate turbulence while sufficiently thick to carry the required electrical current for high temperature fluid flow. The assembly utilized a precut layered metal sandwich 20 with attached electrodes eliminating a need for welding and individual sensor calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Thomas Vranas
  • One-step dual purpose joining technique
    Patent number: 4313777
    Abstract: This fastener used in induction heating is a wire screen basically of an eddy-current carrying material such as carbon steel. Selected wires in the screen are copper, sheathed in an insulating material. The screen is placed between two sheets of thermoplastics. When inductively heated, the composite softens and flows around the apertures of the screen. After this heating and joining, the copper wires may be used to conduct electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: John D. Buckley, Robert J. Swaim, Robert L. Fox
  • Digital demodulator
    Patent number: 4313103
    Abstract: A digital demodulator for converting PCM data from PSK to NRZ-L and to Bi.phi.-L. The demodulator is composed of standard integrated logic circuits. The key to the demodulation function is a pair of cross-coupled one-shot multivibrators 11 and 12 which with a flip-flop 13 produce the NRZ-L. In order to generate Bi.phi.-L, the PSK carrier is constrained to be 2.sup.N times the data bit rate. If NRZ-L is all that is required, the circuitry is greatly simplified and the 2.sup.N times bit rate constraint can be removed from the carrier. A flip-flop 15, an OR gate 14, and AND gate 16 and a binary counter 17 generate the bit rate clock BTCK for the NRZ-L. The remainder of the circuitry is for converting the NRZ-L and BTCK into Bi.phi.-L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Thomas A. Shull
  • Film advance indicator
    Patent number: 4311378
    Abstract: A film advancement indicator which includes an optical sensor 21 that detects the rotational movement of a disc 18 that rotates only when the film 14 advances. When the film 14 does not advance, an indicator light 29 is activated. A counter 26 is included in the electronic circuit to determine the number of film frames advanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: E. Thomas Freeman, Charles W. Stump, Francis W. Dreisbach
  • Electrically conductive palladium containing polyimide films
    Patent number: 4311615
    Abstract: This invention relates to improved lightweight, high temperature resistent, electrically conductive, palladium containing, polyimide films and methods of preparing same for use in aerodynamic and space application. A palladium (II) ion-containing polyamic acid solution is prepared by reacting an aromatic dianhydride with an equimolar quantity of a palladium II ion-containing salt or complex and the reactant product is cast as a thin film onto a surface and cured at approximately 300.degree. C. to produce a flexible electrically conductive cyclic palladium containing polyimide. The source of palladium ions is selected from the group of palladium II compounds consisting of LiPdCl.sub.4, Pd[S(CH.sub.3).sub.2 ].sub.2 Cl.sub.2,Na.sub.2 PdCl.sub.4, and PdCl.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1982
    Inventors: Robert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Frosch, Larry T. Taylor, Anne K. St. Clair, Vicki C. Carver, Thomas A. Furtsch
  • Fuselage structure using advanced technology fiber reinforced composites
    Patent number: 4310132
    Abstract: A fuselage structure is disclosed in which the skin is comprised of layers of a matrix fiber reinforced composite, with the stringers reinforced with the same composite material. The high strength to weight ratio of the composite, particularly at elevated temperatures, and its high modulus of elasticity, makes it desirable for use in airplane structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1982
    Inventors: Robert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Frosch, Robert K. Robinson, Harry M. Tomlinson