Patents Assigned to Lockheed Martin Energy Research
  • Patent number: 5885484
    Abstract: A high temperature phosphor consists essentially of a material having the general formula LuPO.sub.4 :Dy.sub.(x),Eu.sub.y) wherein: 0.1 wt %.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.20 wt % and 0.1 wt %.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.20 wt %.The high temperature phosphor is in contact with an article whose temperature is to be determined. The article having the phosphor in contact with it is placed in the environment for which the temperature of the article is to be determined. The phosphor is excited by a laser causing the phosphor to fluoresce. The emission from the phosphor is optically focused into a beam-splitting mirror which separates the emission into two separate emissions, the emission caused by the dysprosium dopant and the emission caused by the europium dopent. The separated emissions are optically filtered and the intensities of the emission are detected and measured. The ratio of the intensity of each emission is determined and the temperature of the article is calculated from the ratio of the intensities of the separate emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen W. Allison, Michael R. Cates, Lynn A. Boatner, George T. Gillies
  • Patent number: 5877008
    Abstract: An electromechanical device for driving the tip of a microinjection cannula, or needle, through the outer barrier of a blastocyst, cell, or cell nucleus for the injection of cells or other bioactive materials. Either a flexible frame or a ram moving within a base member is employed. Cannula motion is achieved by means of a piezoelectric stack and spring return system. The thrust motion over a predetermined microscopic distance is achieved without cannula setback prior to the thrust movement. Instead of specially prepared beveled and tipped needles, standard unimproved cannulas or needles can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventors: Carl J. Remenyik, Richard P. Woychik, David R. Patek, James A. Hawk, John C. Turner
  • Patent number: 5864397
    Abstract: A probe for a surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectrometer includes a member of optically transmissive material for receiving the excitation radiation from a laser and for carrying the radiation emitted from a specimen to a detector. An end of the member for placing against the specimen has a coating that produces surface enhancement of the specimen during Raman scattering spectroscopic analysis. Specifically the coating is formed by a first layer of microparticles on the member and a metal layer over the first layer. The first layer may form a microstructure surface over which a metal layer is applied. Alternatively the coating may be a material containing microparticles of a metal. An optional layer of a material may be applied to the metal layer to concentrate onto the probe compounds of analytical interest onto the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventor: Tuan Vo-Dinh
  • Patent number: 5862170
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for temperature measurement especially suited for low cost, low power, moderate accuracy implementation. It uses a sensor whose resistance varies in a known manner, either linearly or nonlinearly, with temperature, and produces a digital output which is proportional to the temperature of the sensor. The method is based on performing a zero-crossing time measurement of a step input signal that is double differentiated using two differentiators functioning as respective first and second time constants; one temperature stable, and the other varying with the sensor temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Britton, Jr., M. Nance Ericson
  • Patent number: 5858195
    Abstract: A microchip laboratory system and method provide fluid manipulations for a variety of applications, including sample injection for microchip chemical separations. The microchip is fabricated using standard photolithographic procedures and chemical wet etching, with the substrate and cover plate joined using direct bonding. Capillary electrophoresis and electrochromatography are performed in channels formed in the substrate. Analytes are loaded into a four-way intersection of channels by electrokinetically pumping the analyte through the intersection, followed by switching of the potentials to force an analyte plug into the separation channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventor: J. Michael Ramsey
  • Patent number: 5854586
    Abstract: A varistor includes a Bi-free, essentially homogeneous sintered body of a ceramic composition including, expressed as nominal weight %, 0.2-4.0% oxide of at least one rare earth element, 0.5-4.0% Co.sub.3 O.sub.4, 0.05-0.4% K.sub.2 O, 0.05-0.2% Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0-0.2% CaO, 0.00005-0.01% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0-2% MnO, 0-0.05% MgO, 0-0.5% TiO.sub.3, 0-0.2% SnO.sub.2, 0-0.02% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, balance ZnO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventors: April D. McMillan, Frank A. Modine, Robert J. Lauf, Mohammad A. Alim, Gerald D. Mahan, Miroslaw Bartkowiak
  • Patent number: 5850111
    Abstract: A free-piston variable stroke linear-alternator AC power generator for a combustion engine. An alternator mechanism and oscillator system generates AC current. The oscillation system includes two oscillation devices each having a combustion cylinder and a flying turnbuckle. The flying turnbuckle moves in accordance with the oscillation device. The alternator system is a linear alternator coupled between the two oscillation devices by a slotted connecting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp.
    Inventor: Carsten M. Haaland
  • Patent number: 5845502
    Abstract: A heat pump system includes, in an operable relationship for transferring heat between an exterior atmosphere and an interior atmosphere via a fluid refrigerant: a compressor; an interior heat exchanger; an exterior heat exchanger; an accumulator; and means for heating the accumulator in order to defrost the exterior heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventors: Fang C. Chen, Viung C. Mei, Richard W. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5846762
    Abstract: A structurally stable gel bead containing an entrapped enzyme and a method for its manufacture. The enzyme is covalently cross-linked to gelatin in the presence of glutaraldehyde prior to the formation of the gel bead, to prevent leakage of the enzyme. Propylene glycol alginate is then added to the mixture. Once the gel beads are formed, they are then soaked in glutaraldehyde, which imparts structural stability to the gel beads. This method can be used with many types of enzymes, such as proteases, carbohydrases, proteases, ligases, isomerases, oxidoreductases, and specialty enzymes. These and other enzymes can be immobilized in the gel beads and utilized in a number of enzymatic processes. Exogenously added ions are not required to maintain the structural stability of these gel beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Woodward
  • Patent number: 5844345
    Abstract: A homopolar motor (10) has a field rotor (15) mounted on a frame (11) for rotation in a first rotational direction and for producing an electromagnetic field, and an armature rotor (17) mounted for rotation on said frame (11) within said electromagnetic field and in a second rotational direction counter to said first rotational direction of said field rotor (15). The two rotors (15, 17) are coupled through a 1:1 gearing mechanism (19), so as to travel at the same speed but in opposite directions. This doubles the output voltage and output power, as compared to a motor in which only the armature is rotated. Several embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventor: John S. Hsu
  • Patent number: 5841237
    Abstract: Microwave injection methods for enhancing the performance of existing electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion sources. The methods are based on the use of high-power diverse frequency microwaves, including variable-frequency, multiple-discrete-frequency, and broadband microwaves. The methods effect large resonant "volume" ECR regions in the ion sources. The creation of these large ECR plasma volumes permits coupling of more microwave power into the plasma, resulting in the heating of a much larger electron population to higher energies, the effect of which is to produce higher charge state distributions and much higher intensities within a particular charge state than possible in present ECR ion sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald D. Alton
  • Patent number: 5827355
    Abstract: An electrically regenerable gas filter system includes a carbon fiber composite molecular sieve (CFCMS) filter medium. After a separate medium-efficiency pre-filter removes particulate from the supply airstream, the CFCMS filter sorbs gaseous air pollutants before the air is recirculated to the space. When saturated, the CFCMS media is regenerated utilizing a low-voltage current that is caused to pass through the filter medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk A. Wilson, Timothy D. Burchell, Roddie R. Judkins
  • Patent number: 5821186
    Abstract: The present invention are methods for preparing hydrous titanium oxide spherules, hydrous titanium oxide gels such as gel slabs, films, capillary and electrophoresis gels, titanium monohydrogen phosphate spherules, hydrous titanium oxide spherules having suspendible particles homogeneously embedded within to form a composite sorbent, titanium monohydrogen phosphate spherules having suspendible particles of at least one different sorbent homogeneously embedded within to form a composite sorbent having a desired crystallinity, titanium oxide spherules in the form of anatase, brookite or rutile, titanium oxide spherules having suspendible particles homogeneously embedded within to form a composite, hydrous titanium oxide fiber materials, titanium oxide fiber materials, hydrous titanium oxide fiber materials having suspendible particles homogeneously embedded within to form a composite, titanium oxide fiber materials having suspendible particles homogeneously embedded within to form a composite and spherules of b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventor: Jack L. Collins
  • Patent number: 5815413
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatically detecting differences between similar but different states in a nonlinear process monitor nonlinear data. Steps include: acquiring the data; digitizing the data; obtaining nonlinear measures of the data via chaotic time series analysis; obtaining time serial trends in the nonlinear measures; and determining by comparison whether differences between similar but different states are indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventors: Lee M. Hively, Esmond G. Ng
  • Patent number: 5804801
    Abstract: Methods of facilitating the adhesive bonding of various components with variable frequency microwave energy are disclosed. The time required to cure a polymeric adhesive is decreased by placing components to be bonded via the adhesive in a microwave heating apparatus having a multimode cavity and irradiated with microwaves of varying frequencies. Methods of uniformly heating various articles having conductive fibers disposed therein are provided. Microwave energy may be selectively oriented to enter an edge portion of an article having conductive fibers therein. An edge portion of an article having conductive fibers therein may be selectively shielded from microwave energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignees: Lambda Technologies, Inc., Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Lauf, April D. McMillan, Felix L. Paulauskas, Zakaryae Fathi, Jianghua Wei
  • Patent number: 5798395
    Abstract: Methods of facilitating the adhesive bonding of various components with variable frequency microwave energy are disclosed. The time required to cure a polymeric adhesive is decreased by placing components to be bonded via the adhesive in a microwave heating apparatus having a multimode cavity and irradiated with microwaves of varying frequencies. Methods of uniformly heating various articles having conductive fibers disposed therein are provided. Microwave energy may be selectively oriented to enter an edge portion of an article having conductive fibers therein. An edge portion of an article having conductive fibers therein may be selectively shielded from microwave energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignees: Lambda Technologies Inc., Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Lauf, April D. McMillan, Felix L. Paulauskas, Zakaryae Fathi, Jianghua Wei
  • Patent number: 5783389
    Abstract: The subject invention disclosed herein is a new gene probe biosensor and methods thereof based on surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) label detection. The SER gene probe biosensor comprises a support means, a SER gene probe having at least one oligonucleotide strand labeled with at least one SERS label, and a SERS active substrate disposed on the support means and having at least one of the SER gene probes adsorbed thereon. Biotargets such as bacterial and viral DNA, RNA and PNA are detected using a SER gene probe via hybridization to oligonucleotide strands complementary to the SER gene probe. The support means supporting the SERS active substrate includes a fiberoptic probe, an array of fiberoptic probes for performance of multiple assays and a waveguide microsensor array with charge-coupled devices or photodiode arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventor: Tuan Vo-Dinh
  • Patent number: 5780717
    Abstract: An in-line gas monitor capable of accurate gas composition analysis in a continuous real time manner even under strong applied vacuum conditions operates by mixing an air sample with helium forming a sample gas in two complementary sample loops embedded in a manifold which includes two pairs of 3-way solenoid valves. The sample gas is then analyzed in an ion trap mass spectrometer on a continuous basis. Two valve drivers actuate the two pairs of 3-way valves in a reciprocating fashion, so that there is always flow through the in-line gas monitor via one or the other of the sample loops. The duty cycle for the two pairs of 3-way valves is varied by tuning the two valve drivers to a duty cycle typically between 0.2 to 0.7 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventors: Marcus B. Wise, Cyril V. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5777214
    Abstract: An in-situ continuous liquid analyzing system for continuously analyzing volatile components contained in a water source comprises: a carrier gas supply, an extraction container and a mass spectrometer. The carrier gas supply continuously supplies the carrier gas to the extraction container and is mixed with a water sample that is continuously drawn into the extraction container. The carrier gas continuously extracts the volatile components out of the water sample. The water sample is returned to the water source after the volatile components are extracted from it. The extracted volatile components and the carrier gas are delivered continuously to the mass spectometer and the volatile components are continuously analyzed by the mass spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventors: Cyril V. Thompson, Marcus B. Wise
  • Patent number: 5772701
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing tantalum capacitors includes preparing a tantalum compact by cold pressing tantalum powder, placing the compact, along with loose refractory metal powder, in a microwave-transparent casket to form an assembly, and heating the assembly for a time sufficient to effect at least partial sintering of the compact and the product made by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventors: April D. McMillan, Robert E. Clausing, William F. Vierow