Patents Assigned to Administration
  • Patent number: 8912494
    Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasensitive long-wave imaging cameras is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a filter configured to allow high frequencies of interest to pass through the filter. The apparatus also includes an antenna that is configured to receive the high frequencies of interest. The apparatus further includes a plurality of bolometers that are configured to measure data regarding the high frequencies of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics Space Administration
    Inventors: James A. Chervenak, Ari D. Brown, Edward J. Wollack, Dominic J. Benford
  • Patent number: 8913124
    Abstract: A lock-in imaging system is configured for detecting a disturbance in air. The system includes an airplane, an interferometer, and a telescopic imaging camera. The airplane includes a fuselage and a pair of wings. The airplane is configured for flight in air. The interferometer is operatively disposed on the airplane and configured for producing an interference pattern by splitting a beam of light into two beams along two paths and recombining the two beams at a junction point in a front flight path of the airplane during flight. The telescopic imaging camera is configured for capturing an image of the beams at the junction point. The telescopic imaging camera is configured for detecting the disturbance in air in an optical path, based on an index of refraction of the image, as detected at the junction point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Yeonjoon Park, Sang Hyouk Choi, Glen C. King, James R. Elliott, Albert L. Dimarcantonio
  • Patent number: 8912974
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an antenna feed design for transmitting or receiving a circularly polarized microwave signal, and a communication device using that antenna feed design. Resonating disks are bowl-shaped to balance E-plane and H-plane magnetic field patterns, decreasing cross-polarization, and providing mechanical rigidity. A non-planar circuit replaces planar microstrip transmission lines for transmitting the signal, with 90° phase shifts, from an input point to excitation points. This non-planar circuit overcomes some of the layout problems encountered in planar circuits. It maintains impedance matching from the input point to the excitation points by progressively tapering down the characteristic transmission line impedance of each successive section. The non-planar circuit has sufficient mechanical strength and rigidity to allow it to be supported at only two anchor points. Similarly, the non-planar disks are also of sufficient strength to require only a single anchor point each.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: The United State of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics Space Administration
    Inventors: David Green, Cornelis Frederik Du Toit
  • Patent number: 8905318
    Abstract: A composite type multi-mode electronic seal includes the bolt, the bolt male pedestal and the communication control part, and the advantage of the composite type multi-mode electronic seal containing the passive electronic seal containing the bolt and the bolt male pedestal and the active electronic seal containing bolt, the bolt male pedestal and the communication control part. Thereby, the present invention has the advantages and preferred result of the active and passive electronic seal, and can help the container cars, bonded cars, trucks and the like to perform the goods transmission, and it still perform the data read and data report according to the different RFID identification equipments built by every country's custom so to achieve the purpose of effectively recording the broken elements, instantly reporting and preventing smuggling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignees: Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology, Armaments Bureau, M.N.D, Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance, R.O.C.
    Inventors: Ming-Town Lee, Feng-Yu Chang, Tung-Jung Hsu, Wei-Yi Tseng
  • Patent number: 8909040
    Abstract: A method and system for multiplexing a network of parallel fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor-fibers to a single acquisition channel of a closed Michelson interferometer system via a fiber splitter by distinguishing each branch of fiber sensors in the spatial domain. On each branch of the splitter, the fibers have a specific pre-determined length, effectively separating each branch of fiber sensors spatially. In the spatial domain the fiber branches are seen as part of one acquisition channel on the interrogation system. However, the FBG-reference arm beat frequency information for each fiber is retained. Since the beat frequency is generated between the reference arm, the effective fiber length of each successive branch includes the entire length of the preceding branch. The multiple branches are seen as one fiber having three segments where the segments can be resolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Allen R Parker, Jr., Hon Man Chan, Anthony (Nino) Piazza, William Lance Richards
  • Patent number: 8899563
    Abstract: A flexible volumetric structure has a first spring that defines a three-dimensional volume and includes a serpentine structure elongatable and compressible along a length thereof. A second spring is coupled to at least one outboard edge region of the first spring. The second spring is a sheet-like structure capable of elongation along an in-plane dimension thereof. The second spring is oriented such that its in-plane dimension is aligned with the length of the first spring's serpentine structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Christopher M. Cagle, Robin W. Schlecht
  • Patent number: 8899467
    Abstract: A welding head assembly has a work piece disposed between its containment plates' opposing surfaces with the work piece being maintained in a plastic state thereof at least in a vicinity of the welding head assembly's stir rod as the rod is rotated about its longitudinal axis. The welding head assembly and the work piece experience relative movement therebetween in a direction perpendicular to the rod's longitudinal axis as the work piece is subjected to a compressive force applied by the containment plates. A first source coupled to the first containment plate applies a first ultrasonic wave thereto such that the first ultrasonic wave propagates parallel to the direction of relative movement. A second source coupled to the second containment plate applies a second ultrasonic wave thereto such that the second ultrasonic wave propagates parallel to the direction of relative movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: R. Jeffrey Ding
  • Patent number: 8902015
    Abstract: A radio frequency power load and associated method. A radio frequency power load apparatus may include a container with an ionized fluid therein. The apparatus may include one conductor immersed in a fluid and another conductor electrically connected to the container. A radio frequency transmission system may include a radio frequency transmitter, a radio frequency amplifier connected to the transmitter and a radio frequency power load apparatus connected to the amplifier. The apparatus may include a fluid having an ion source therein, one conductor immersed in a fluid, and another conductor electrically connected to the container. A method of dissipating power generated by a radio frequency transmission system may include constructing a waveguide with ionized fluid in a container and connecting the waveguide to an amplifier of the transmission system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Karthik Srinivasan, V, Todd M. Freestone, William Herbert Sims, III
  • Patent number: 8896315
    Abstract: A battery cell balancing system is operable to utilize a relatively small number of transformers interconnected with a battery having a plurality of battery cells to selectively charge the battery cells. Windings of the transformers are simultaneously driven with a plurality of waveforms whereupon selected battery cells or groups of cells are selected and charged. A transformer drive circuit is operable to selectively vary the waveforms to thereby vary a weighted voltage associated with each of the battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Francis J. Davies
  • Patent number: 8898479
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, computer programs and methods for implementing a genomics-based security solution are discussed herein. In an encryption process, plaintext may be converted to DNAtext and DNAtext may be converted to a ciphergene. The ciphergene may then be converted into a pre-transcriptional complex. The pre-transcriptional complex, in turn, may then be converted into a cipherprotein. The decryption process operates in the reverse of the encryption process to obtain plaintext.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics Space Administration
    Inventor: Harry C. Shaw
  • Patent number: 8893491
    Abstract: A drive module for a hydraulic hybrid vehicle includes two variable displacement over-center bent-axis hydraulic pump/motors with respective yokes that reside and pivot within a common fluid-filled case. The cylinder barrel of each pump/motor is connected to high pressure through fluid-conducting yoke legs, and is connected to low pressure through the fluid-filled case, which is connected by a port to a low pressure source. As a drivetrain for a vehicle, one pump/motor acts primarily as a pump driven by an engine and the other pump/motor acts primarily as a motor to propel the vehicle. A removable support structure facilitates installation to a variety of vehicle chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Administrator of the U.S. Environment Protection Agency
    Inventor: Charles L. Gray, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8894918
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing architectural preforms and high-temperature composite structures containing high-strength ceramic fibers with reduced preforming stresses within each fiber, with an in-situ grown coating on each fiber surface, with reduced boron within the bulk of each fiber, and with improved tensile creep and rupture resistance properties tier each fiber. The methods include the steps of preparing an original sample of a preform formed from a pre-selected high-strength silicon carbide ceramic fiber type, placing the original sample in a processing furnace under a pre-selected preforming stress state and thermally treating the sample in the processing furnace at a pre-selected processing temperature and hold time in a processing gas having a pre-selected composition, pressure, and flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: James A. DiCarlo, Hee-Mann Yun
  • Patent number: 8897654
    Abstract: A system for generating a frequency modulated linear laser waveform includes a single frequency laser generator to produce a laser output signal. An electro-optical modulator modulates the frequency of the laser output signal to define a linear triangular waveform. An optical circulator passes the linear triangular waveform to a band-pass optical filter to filter out harmonic frequencies created in the waveform during modulation of the laser output signal, to define a pure filtered modulated waveform having a very narrow bandwidth. The optical circulator receives the pure filtered modulated laser waveform and transmits the modulated laser waveform to a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Diego F. Pierrottet, Larry B. Petway, Farzin Amzajerdian, Bruce W. Barnes, George E. Lockard, Glenn D. Hines
  • Publication number: 20140342428
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods to modify the genetic regulation of mammalian tissue, bone, cells or any combination thereof by preferential activation, up-regulation and/or down-regulation. The method comprises steps of tuning the predetermined profiles of one or more time-varying stimulation fields by manipulating the B-Field magnitude, rising slew rate, rise time, falling slew rate, fall time, frequency, wavelength, and duty cycle, and exposing mammalian cells or tissues to one or more tuned time-varying stimulation fields with predetermined profiles. Examples of mammalian cells or tissues are chondrocytes, osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts, nucleus pulposus, associated tissue, or any combination. The resulted modification on gene regulation of these cells, tissues or bones may promote the retention, repair of and reduction of compromised mammalian cartilage, bone, and associated tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: USA as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Thomas J. Goodwin, Linda C. Shackelford
  • Patent number: 8887554
    Abstract: Components of interest are captured on a resin column from a sample of exhaust gas from an operating vehicle. Makeup air is added to the residual exhaust gas flow exiting the resin column at a junction downstream of the resin column. Makeup air flow rate is determined using a laminar flow element and pressure and temperature gauges associated therewith. The sample and the makeup air are drawn together through a blower and the flow rate through the blower is calculated based on differential pressure across the blower and temperature of the gas drawn through the blower. The controller adjusts a proportional control valve in the makeup air line to regulate the sample flow rate, taken as the blower flow rate minus the makeup air flow rate, at a predetermined proportion of the exhaust gas flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventors: Lawrence James Sanchez, Joseph McDonald, Charles Schenk
  • Patent number: 8888994
    Abstract: Method for deep desulphurization of hydrocarbon fuels includes following steps: (1) treatment of a hydrocarbon fuel under the condition of its mixing with gaseous oxidant selected from the group consisting nitrogen monoxide, dry air, ozone and a mixture of at least two of said reagents in order to oxidize sulfur-containing compounds presented in said fuel, and with a fine-dispersed adsorbent based on montmorillonite in order to adsorb oxidized sulfur-containing compounds, and (2) separation of spent adsorbent together with adsorbed oxidized sulfur-containing compounds from refined fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventors: Valerii Kukhar, Volodymir Kashkovski, Vladislav Kyselov, Yurii Besugly, Yurii Kyselov, Rajender Varma, Subhas Sikdar
  • Publication number: 20140335424
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a separator for secondary battery including cellulose nanofibers, and to a method for fabricating the same. The separator has a porous structure of micropores formed between the cellulose nanofibers. The porous structure has a porosity of 10 to 80% (v/v) and a pore size of 0.01 to 10 ?m. The separator has a thickness of 5 to 30 ?m. The separator has good properties in regards to thermal stability, dimensional stability, wettability, and electrochemical stability, and the fabrication process can be simplified to reduce the production cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: The Republic of Korea (Forestry Administration Forestry Research Institute)
    Inventors: Sun Young Lee, Sang Young Lee, Sang Jin Chun, Geum Hyun Doh
  • Publication number: 20140334830
    Abstract: A system for generating a frequency modulated linear laser waveform includes a single frequency laser generator to produce a laser output signal. An electro-optical modulator modulates the frequency of the laser output signal to define a linear triangular waveform. An optical circulator passes the linear triangular waveform to a band-pass optical filter to filter out harmonic frequencies created in the waveform during modulation of the laser output signal, to define a pure filtered modulated waveform having a very narrow bandwidth. The optical circulator receives the pure filtered modulated laser waveform and transmits the modulated laser waveform to a target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: U.S.A. as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Diego F. Pierrottet, Larry B. Petway, Farzin Amzajerdian, Bruce W. Barnes, George E. Lockard, Glenn D. Hines
  • Patent number: 8883721
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for treatment, prevention or management of obesity, obesity related disorders, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome in a subject by administering a ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT) inhibitor and/or a ghrelin receptor antagonist to the subject. The invention also provides ghrelin receptor antagonists of formula (VII): A11-A12-A13-Gly-Ser-A14-Phe-Leu-A15-A16-A17-A18 (SEQ ID NO: 93), wherein each of A11, A12, and A13 is independently absent, an amino acid, or an amino protecting group; each of A15, A16, A17, and A18 is independently absent or an amino acid; and A14 is a serine conjugated with a —(O)C1-C20alky or a diaminopropionic acid conjugated with a —C(O)C1-C20alkyl group, provided that at least one of A11, A12, or A13 is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignees: McGill University, The Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund
    Inventors: Cyril Y. Bowers, David H. Coy, Simon J. Hocart, Gloria S. Tannenbaum
  • Patent number: PP25068
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of apple tree variety ‘Hwangok’ is described herein. The ‘Hwangok’ apple tree produces fruit that is round, medium-sized, and has a surface that is yellow-green with variable red patches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea
    Inventors: Mok-Jong Kim, Soon-Il Kwon, Jong-Chul Nam, Pong-Nyol Paek