Patents Assigned to and Space Administration
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Publication number: 20160068260Abstract: A stretchable mesh material extends across the opening of a cavity of the landing gear of an aircraft when the landing gear is in the deployed position. The mesh material alters the flow of air across the opening of the landing gear cavity and significantly reduces the amount of noise produced by the wheel well at low-to-mid frequencies.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2014Publication date: March 10, 2016Applicant: U.S.A. as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Mehdi R. Khorrami
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Patent number: 9279719Abstract: A method and system are provided for making a quantitative measurement of an electric field. A plurality of antennas separated from one another by known distances are arrayed in a region that extends in at least one dimension. A voltage difference between at least one selected pair of antennas is measured. Each voltage difference is divided by the known distance associated with the selected pair of antennas corresponding thereto to generate a resulting quantity. The plurality of resulting quantities defined over the region quantitatively describe an electric field therein.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2011Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Edward R. Generazio
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Patent number: 9278374Abstract: A process to modify a surface to provide reduced adhesion surface properties to mitigate insect residue adhesion. The surface may include the surface of an article including an aircraft, an automobile, a marine vessel, all-terrain vehicle, wind turbine, helmet, etc. The process includes topographically and chemically modifying the surface by applying a coating comprising a particulate matter, or by applying a coating and also topographically modifying the surface by various methods, including but not limited to, lithographic patterning, laser ablation and chemical etching, physical vapor phase deposition, chemical vapor phase deposition, crystal growth, electrochemical deposition, spin casting, and film casting.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Christopher J. Wohl, Jr., Joseph G. Smith, Jr., Emilie J. Siochi, Ronald K. Penner
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Patent number: 9273369Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for stabilizing the strain-temperature response for a shape memory alloy are provided. To perform stabilization of a second sample of the shape memory alloy, a first sample of the shape memory alloy is selected for isobaric treatment and the second sample is selected for isothermal treatment. When applying the isobaric treatment to the first sample, a constant stress is applied to the first sample. Temperature is also cycled from a minimum temperature to a maximum temperature until a strain on the first sample stabilizes. Once the strain on the first sample stabilizes, the isothermal treatment is performed on the second sample. During isothermal treatment, different levels of stress on the second sample are applied until a strain on the second sample matches the stabilized strain on the first sample.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Santo A. Padula, II
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Patent number: 9266518Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, a modular component, and a central operating system. The modular component is supported by the chassis. The central operating system includes a component control system, a primary master controller, and a secondary master controller. The component control system is configured for controlling the modular component. The primary and secondary master controllers are in operative communication with the component control system. The primary and secondary master controllers are configured to simultaneously transmit commands to the component control system. The component control system is configured to accept commands from the secondary master controller only when a fault occurs in the primary master controller.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The United States of America As Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Nathan Fraser-Chanpong, Ivan Spain, Andrew D. Dawson, William J. Bluethmann, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert L. Vitale, Raymond Guo, Thomas M. Waligora, Akinjide Akinniyi Akinyode, Ryan M. Reed
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Publication number: 20160049885Abstract: A generator for producing an electric field for use with an inspection technology system is provided. The generator provides the required variable magnitude quasi-static electric fields for the “illumination” of objects, areas and volumes to be inspected by the system, and produces human-safe electric fields that are only visible to the system. The generator includes a casing, a driven, non-conducting and triboelectrically neutral rotation shaft mounted therein, an ungrounded electrostatic dipole element which works in the quasi-static range, and a non-conducting support for mounting the dipole element to the shaft. The dipole element has a wireless motor system and a charging system which are wholly contained within the dipole element and the support that uses an electrostatic approach to charge the dipole element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: February 18, 2016Applicant: U.S.A. as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: U.S.A. as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Patent number: 9264154Abstract: Systems and methods for high-speed compression of dynamic electrical signal waveforms to extend the measuring capabilities of conventional measuring devices such as oscilloscopes and high-speed data acquisition systems are discussed. Transfer function components and algorithmic transfer functions can be used to accurately measure signals that are within the frequency bandwidth but beyond the voltage range and voltage resolution capabilities of the measuring device.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Matthew C. Laun
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Patent number: 9254866Abstract: A method of controlling steering of a vehicle through setting wheel angles of a plurality of modular electronic corner assemblies (eModules) is provided. The method includes receiving a driving mode selected from a mode selection menu. A position of a steering input device is determined in a master controller. A velocity of the vehicle is determined, in the master controller, when the determined position of the steering input device is near center. A drive mode request corresponding to the selected driving mode to the plurality of steering controllers is transmitted to the master controller. A required steering angle of each of the plurality of eModules is determined, in the master controller, as a function of the determined position of the steering input device, the determined velocity of the vehicle, and the selected first driving mode. The eModules are set to the respective determined steering angles.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Andrew D. Dawson, William J. Bluethmann, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert L. Vitale, Raymond Guo, Venkata Prasad Atluri
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Patent number: 9255941Abstract: A system and method for measuring a fluence of gas are disclosed. The system has a first light detector capable of outputting an electrical signal based on an amount of light received. A barrier is positionable adjacent the first light detector and is susceptible to a change in dimension from the fluence of the gas. The barrier permits a portion of light from being received by the first light detector. The change in the dimension of the barrier changes the electrical signal output from the first light detector. A second light detector is positionable to receive light representative of the first light detector without the barrier. The system and method have broad application to detect fluence of gas that may cause erosion chemical reaction causing erosive deterioration. One application is in low orbit Earth for detecting the fluence of atomic oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2011Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Bruce A Banks
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Patent number: 9252477Abstract: A multimode directional coupler is provided. In some embodiments, the multimode directional coupler is configured to receive a primary signal and a secondary signal at a first port of a primary waveguide. The primary signal is configured to propagate through the primary waveguide and be outputted at a second port of the primary waveguide. The multimode directional coupler also includes a secondary waveguide configured to couple the secondary signal from the primary waveguide with no coupling of the primary signal into the secondary waveguide. The secondary signal is configured to propagate through the secondary waveguide and be outputted from a port of the secondary waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Rainee N Simons, Edwin G Wintucky
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Patent number: 9242861Abstract: A method for joining or repairing boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). In joining BNNTs, the nanotube structure is modified with amorphous carbon deposited by controlled electron beam irradiation to form well bonded hybrid a-C/BNNT structures. In repairing BNNTs, the damaged site of the nanotube structure is modified with amorphous carbon deposited by controlled electron beam irradiation to form well bonded hybrid a-C/BNNT structures at the damage site.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2012Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Jae Woo Kim, Emilie J. Siochi, Kristopher E. Wise, Yi Lin, John Connell
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Patent number: 9242874Abstract: A system for decontaminating a medium. The system can include a medium having one or more contaminants disposed therein. The contaminants can be or include bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses, and combinations thereof. A microwave energy radiation device can be positioned proximate the medium. The microwave energy radiation device can be adapted to generate a signal having a frequency from about 10 GHz to about 100 GHz. The signal can be adapted to kill one or more of the contaminants disposed within the medium while increasing a temperature of the medium by less than about 10° C.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2013Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: G. Dickey Arndt, Diane Byerly, Marguerite Sognier, John Dusl
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Patent number: 9245726Abstract: An energy analyzer for a charged-particle spectrometer may include a top deflection plate and a bottom deflection plate. The top and bottom deflection plates may be non-symmetric and configured to generate an inhomogeneous electrostatic field when a voltage is applied to one of the top or bottom deflection plates. In some instances, the top and bottom deflection plates may be L-shaped deflection plates.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2014Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Federico A. Herrero
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Patent number: 9242720Abstract: A slat cove filler is utilized to reduce airframe noise resulting from deployment of a leading edge slat of an aircraft wing. The slat cove filler is preferably made of a super elastic shape memory alloy, and the slat cove filler shifts between stowed and deployed shapes as the slat is deployed. The slat cove filler may be configured such that a separate powered actuator is not required to change the shape of the slat cove filler from its deployed shape to its stowed shape and vice-versa. The outer contour of the slat cove filler preferably follows a profile designed to maintain accelerating flow in the gap between the slat cove filler and wing leading edge to provide for noise reduction.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2011Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Travis L. Turner, Reggie T. Kidd, David P Lockard, Mehdi R. Khorrami, Craig L. Streett, Douglas Leo Weber
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Patent number: 9243223Abstract: A model of tissue is produced by steps comprising seeding cells at a selected concentration on a support to form a cell spot, incubating the cells to allow the cells to partially attach, rinsing the cells to remove any cells that have not partially attached, adding culture medium to enable the cells to proliferate at a periphery of the cell spot and to differentiate toward a center of the cell spot, and further incubating the cells to form the tissue. The cells may be C2C12 cells or other subclones of the C2 cell line, H9c2(2-1) cells, L6 cells, L8 cells, QM7 cells, Sol8 cells, G-7 cells, G-8 cells, other myoblast cells, cells from other tissues, or stem cells. The selected concentration is in a range from about 1×105 cells/ml to about 1×106 cells/ml. The tissue formed may be a muscle tissue or other tissue depending on the cells seeded.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2014Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Michele L. Marquette, Marguerite A. Sognier
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Patent number: 9245089Abstract: A broadband liner design optimization includes utilizing in-duct attenuation predictions with a statistical fan source model to obtain optimum impedance spectra over a number of flow conditions for one or more liner locations in a bypass duct. The predicted optimum impedance information is then used with acoustic liner modeling tools to design liners having impedance spectra that most closely match the predicted optimum values. Design selection is based on an acceptance criterion that provides the ability to apply increasing weighting to specific frequencies and/or operating conditions. One or more broadband design approaches are utilized to produce a broadband liner that targets a full range of frequencies and operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Douglas M. Nark, Michael G. Jones
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Publication number: 20160011068Abstract: An In-Situ Load System for calibrating and validating aerodynamic properties of scaled aircraft in ground-based aerospace testing applications includes an assembly having upper and lower components that are pivotably interconnected. A test weight can be connected to the lower component to apply a known force to a force balance. The orientation of the force balance can be varied, and the measured forces from the force balance can be compared to applied loads at various orientations to thereby develop calibration factors.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2014Publication date: January 14, 2016Applicant: U.S.A. as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Sean A. Commo, Keith C. Lynn, Drew Landman, Michael J. Acheson
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Patent number: 9236786Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with mitigation of magnetic fields are described herein. In an embodiment, a method for mitigating an electromagnetic field includes positioning a mitigating coil around a linear alternator of linear motor so that the mitigating coil is coaxially located with an alternator coil; arranging the mitigating coil to generate a field to mitigate an electromagnetic field generated by the alternator coil; and passing an induced current from the alternator coil through the mitigating coil.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2013Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Steven M. Geng, Janis M. Niedra
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Patent number: 9233394Abstract: Hydrophobic-core microcapsules and methods of their formation are provided. A hydrophobic-core microcapsule may include a shell that encapsulates a hydrophobic substance with a core substance, such as dye, corrosion indicator, corrosion inhibitor, and/or healing agent, dissolved or dispersed therein. The hydrophobic-core microcapsules may be formed from an emulsion having hydrophobic-phase droplets, e.g., containing the core substance and shell-forming compound, dispersed in a hydrophilic phase. The shells of the microcapsules may be capable of being broken down in response to being contacted by an alkali, e.g., produced during corrosion, contacting the shell.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2010Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Luz M. Calle, Wenyan Li, Jerry W. Buhrow, Scott T. Jolley
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Patent number: 9233765Abstract: Methods and systems may provide for a structure having a plurality of interconnected panels, wherein each panel has a plurality of detection layers separated from one another by one or more non-detection layers. The plurality of detection layers may form a grid of conductive traces. Additionally, a monitor may be coupled to each grid of conductive traces, wherein the monitor is configured to detect damage to the plurality of interconnected panels in response to an electrical property change with respect to one or more of the conductive traces. In one example, the structure is part of an inflatable space platform such as a spacecraft or habitat.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2012Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Tracy L. Gibson, Martha K. Williams, Mark E. Lewis, Luke B. Roberson, Sarah J. Snyder, Pedro J. Medelius, Steven L. Parks
